TIP OF THE DAY

[Alto Mare]

Chris, I could see how the magnet would come handy when cutting washers, but not so much for chucking the mandrel to a drill press to make it rotate, still a great idea though.

[Tiddlerbasher]

For sharpening I use my mini lathe with a Dremel mounted to the cross slide - I can clamp the Dremel at a very precise angle

[Alto Mare]

Yup, that would be perfect! You are better equipped than me, I got rid of my mini lathe .
Somehow I still manage to get around it, not easy, but get it done.

[gstours]

Darn it Sal,   I was planning on buying a house close by so I  could ''borrow'' your lathe occasionally!   ha h!

[Alto Mare]

Gary, you can borrow anything I have that might interest you, I'll send it over or personally deliver it

[Bryan Young]

I think I have to buy a press.  I've been hammering and it literally makes a mess of carbon dust when cutting drag washers.

I have a few that I have to polish up as well as they are getting dull. 

[Tiddlerbasher]

Brian, An arbor press is so much easier

[mo65]

 My tip of the day doesn't require any fabrication...only a bit of common sense...something I must be lacking.

After scratching several handles with those cheezy Penn stamped wrenches, I realized all I needed to do was put it on the nut "sharp" side up, so that it doesn't scratch the handle as you tighten! 

I've since filed and buffed them all smooth...lesson learned. 

[foakes]

If any of you are fortunate enough to have one of these old library system card organizers -- these little jars work great for small parts.

I use peanut butter or jelly jars -- other jars would work too.

Can get (5) jars in each pull out drawer --

60 drawers equals 300 jars per organizer.

This would also work good for any type of drawers.

There are many possible variations just by using your imagination -- and knowing what would work for your style.

Main thing is quick and easy visibility, labeling -- and returning the jar to the drawer.

Best,

Fred

[Alto Mare]

Great idea Fred, those might work on mine as well. By the way, everyone that has seen my library cabinets want one.

[foakes]

Oldtimers have taught me more than a few simple and good techniques -- just got to listen to them...

As an example --

When reassembling a reel -- particularly when a screw is going into aluminum, graphite, or heaven forbid -- plastic...lightly grease the screw so it can be removed easily at some future point -- then turn the screw backwards about 1/2 to 2 rotations -- until you "feel" it click into proper alignment -- then just go ahead and snug it up.

This prevents stripped threads, saves time, and having to rethread or substitute an oversize screw.

Works with all screws -- machine screws, or even cheap zinc phillips going into graphite.

Plus, on some expensive reels with "blind" screw holes -- be cautious when applying too much grease to the screw holes -- hydraulic pressure could crack or blow out the hole

Best,

Fred

[swill88]

Oldtimers have taught me more than a few simple and good techniques -- just got to listen to them...

As an example --

When reassembling a reel -- particularly when a screw is going into aluminum, graphite, or heaven forbid -- plastic...lightly grease the screw so it can be removed easily at some future point -- then turn the screw backwards about 1/2 to 2 rotations -- until you "feel" it click into proper alignment -- then just go ahead and snug it up.

This prevents stripped threads, saves time, and having to rethread or substitute an oversize screw.

Works with all screws -- machine screws, or even cheap zinc phillips going into graphite.

Plus, on some expensive reels with "blind" screw holes -- be cautious when applying too much grease to the screw holes -- hydraulic pressure could crack or blow out the hole

Best,

Fred

Great tip Fred!   I always screw into threads with that technique. Back in until it clicks....  no cross threading.

I'm going to better with grease from now on too.

Steve

[Tiddlerbasher]

My technique as well Fred. The only thing I do differently is to apply grease to the threads of the screw (not to the very tip). This should reduce the possibility of hydraulic lock

[steelfish]

My technique as well Fred. The only thing I do differently is to apply grease to the threads of the screw (not to the very tip). This should reduce the possibility of hydraulic lock

yep, I also grease the threads of the screw with the same acid brush I used to grase the rest of the reel..just enough to "paint it"

[Alto Mare]

Not easy holding the inner race on tiny roller bearings to check them, next time try a chopstick

You could also hold them upside down, for cleaning and oiling.

Chopsticks will also hold larger size bearings. Try it, I use mine often.

Sal