Gar's Tips & Tools - Issue #188
Access to tools, techniques, and shop tales from the diverse worlds of DIY
Project Notes and Recipes for the Shop
I was recently looking through some of my old game miniatures and terrain and found some pieces of “scatter terrain” that I’d made for the awesome post-apocalyptic car combat game Gaslands (think: Mad Max). These are probably some of the best pieces I’ve ever modeled and painted and I have no memory of the colors, techniques, and tricks I used (it was many years ago). I now kick myself for not taking notes. A decade ago, I was really good about keeping a Cahiers notebook with notes from my projects, what parts and techniques I’d employed. Because of that, I can still recreate those projects today. Seeing these successful terrain pieces has caused me to re-dedicate myself to keeping project notes and recipes, paint colors used, key learnings, etc. moving forward. Above is a notebook I made years ago for keeping shop notes in my garage. It hangs from a pegboard there.
House Paint Touch-Up Bottles
I got a huge bump in subscribers after a recent Retro Recomendo newsletter mentioned me. Twice. One piece was about Gar’s Tips & Tools itself (“Each issue has several handy tidbits about interesting tools, novel ways to use tools, and how to maintain your workshop”). The other was something I wrote for Cool Tools many years ago about these house paint touch-up bottles. “After you finish painting a room, pour a little of the left-over paint into one of these small touch up bottles. The plastic bottles contain a small applicator brush inside (plus a marble to shake/stir the paint) which makes it super easy to break it out to touch up as things happen.”
Wonderful Metal Filing Tutorial from 1942
I love industrial training films from the mid-20th century. This one, from 1942, would have been soon after America had entered WWII, many men and women were entering the industrial workforce, and in need of training like this. Takeaway tips:
Use the right file for the job. Files come in single or double cuts and various coarseness levels. Single-cut files are for smooth finishes, while double-cut files remove more excess material. Use coarse files for soft metals, fine for hard. Apply pressure only on the forward stroke to get a clean cut and prevent scratches. Use a consistent, long stroke to maintain control and accuracy. Metal chips can stick to the teeth, causing "pins" that scratch the surface. Tap your file on wood, or use a file card, to keep the surface clear for precision filing.
In-Wall Wood Storage
Long-time maker pal Geoff Meston has been quiet with the video output for awhile, but he’s back, baby! To set the stage for future YouTube videos, he has redone his workshop. In this video he clearly and methodically chronicles his build process.
Tried n’ True Tools from Stumpy Nubs
In this Stumpy Nubs video, James looks at tools that have become indispensable in his woodshop. While this video is directed at woodworkers, covering things like the Milescraft router Omnibase and the Accu-Burr Burnisher and Scraper, other tools, like painting pyramids and the Airshield Pro Respirator and Face Shield can apply to other domains of makery.
Get a Liquid Grip!
Recently, while putting together a Swytch bike kit for my wife’s Cannondale, I stripped an M4 bolt on the kit’s battery mount. The bolt head was already below the surface so I couldn’t use my Dremel to turn it into a slotted head to back it out (a trick I have used too many times). I bumped into this product in a video and decided to give it a try. You simply apply a dollop to the head and back the bolt/screw out. I’ll be darned if it didn’t work. The main use of the product is to prevent cam-out in the first place. What is this sorcery? It’s a polyvinyl alcohol with a gritty mineral filler. As a result, it creates additional friction between the fastener head and the driver head. It basically gives you increased traction for driving in or backing out fasteners. And, as in my case, it can work to remove moderately stripped heads. Worth tossing into your toolbox.
Shop Talk
Readers offer their feedback, tips, tales, and tool recommendations
Reader Marsha Robinson writes:
Hi Gareth... Always enjoy your newsletter. I don’t do a lot of projects that involve hammering but I have a new hammer I’m excited to share. I know there are reasons for long handles, but this hammer with a short handle is perfect for my 72 year old hands. The soft grippy handle is easy to hold. I have not tried the magnetic nail starter — it wasn’t a feature I was particularly interested in, but who knows? I may love it. Less than $10 on Amazon.
Buy a Sub/Win a Tool!
I am so thrilled by the new paid subscribers I got after announcing a drawing to win a Workpro 18-in-1 multitool (my new favorite thing). I will be doing that drawing on Nov 9, so if you want a chance to win, please consider a paid sub. Paying for a subscription is a great way to keep my newsletter going and growing.
I even got a Hero of the Realm subscriber! Thanks to Jim Coraci for supporting this effort. Be on the lookout for some fun goodies in the mail, Jim.
Yet another great issue. My fave this week? "Project Notes and Recipes for the Shop"