Gar's Tips & Tools - Issue #187
Gar's Tips & Tools - Issue #187
Access to tools, techniques, and shop tales from the diverse worlds of DIY
TOYS! Decent Dual-Action Airbrush for Under $55!
I have an expensive Iwata Revolution airbrush (and an Iwata Ninja Jet compressor). I love/hate it. It is amazing — when it’s behaving properly, and more importantly, when I’m behaving — taking the time to use it and clean it properly. I don’t like being intimidated by my tools and this tool intimidates me. As a result, I don’t use it as often as I could, and consequently, after years of owning it, I’m still not that good at it. So, imagine my temptation after seeing this review (and others) raving about the Ovega Airbrush Kit with Compressor for $52. It sounds like an amazing tool from the reviews and I bet if I owned one, I would reach for it for at least 75% of my airbrushing work.
The Essential Craftsman’s EDC
I’ve always admired the clear, calm, and grounded wisdom of Scott Wadsworth, aka The Essential Craftsman. I have learned so much from him over the years. In this video, he empties his pockets to discuss his EDC (everyday carry). I love that it’s all such homely, non-fancy, tools: a saddleback wallet, a Leatherman, a flashlight, a keyring, and a carpenter’s pencil. That’s it. As usual, he has interesting things to say about each item. Regarding the flashlight, he mentions that one use is being able to point things (see next item on laser pointing).
Use for a Laser Pointer
From Cooks Illustrated comes this little tip (submitted by reader Mel Young). When at a butcher, bakery, home store, or any situation where you need to point something out behind a counter or on a far away shelf, use a laser pointer. I have a friend who’s been doing this with a penlight flashlight for years. I mean, it is called a laser pointer, after all. And yes, I realize that, for some, this is painfully obvious to mention.
Riveting to Watch
Until I saw this Instagram video, I’m not sure I ever knew the complete process for heating, passing, placing, and forming a hot rivet in old-school ironwork construction. Watch this and imagine it hundreds of feet above the ground, on narrow beams, with minimal safety equipment by today’s standards. These ironworkers had to be incredibly fearless, maintaining their balance while handling heavy tools, dealing with red-hot rivets, and trusting their coworkers to perform their roles without wavering. The entire process was a blend of brute force, coordination, and artistry. The results are the iconic structures of many city skylines.
Removing Kinks from Plastic Cables
Kinky cables bug the stuffing out of me. I’m constantly trying to work out those kinks. In this video, electronics enthusiast, Rich Langner, demonstrates how a little hot water will relax the plastic insulating jackets on cables and remove those annoying twists. And, as someone points out in the comments, you can also use this method of heat-softening plastic to create coiled cables, if you wish.
Best All-in-One Tool Sets
Most of you reading this likely have one of these cheap, all-in-one budget toolkits. I’ve been gifted several of these over the years (and gifted them to others). Especially for non-tool-junkies, they’re a great set to keep in the hall closet or garage for picture hanging, basic repairs, and the like. In this Project Farm video, Todd tests 10 such kits, from $52 to $129. Brands tested include Kobalt, Craftsman, Harbor Freight Pittsburgh, FastPro, Getuhand, Pink Tool, DEKOPRO, Sundpey, Amazon Basics, and Eastvolt. The sets were compared for their ratchet, socket, utility knife, hammer, adjustable wrench, screwdriver, and screwdriver bit performance. The more expensive Kobalt ($129 at time of testing) and Craftsman ($112) kits came out on top, but the surprising value here was the FastPro (with 236 tools for $60!). Todd recommends the FastPro for a low-cost, light-duty, around the house or apartment toolkit, great for a young person or couple just starting out.
Shop Talk
Readers offer their feedback, tips, tales, and tool recommendations.
Andrew Sasaki, an online friend I’ve known for about 30 years but never met in person, sent me this. Thanks, Andrew!
My go-to flashlight these days also happens to be a pretty good travel accessory that can serve as a night light. The Olight’s Perun 2 Mini isn’t cheap, but it’s small (think of a $1.50 stack of nickels), crazy powerful and super versatile thanks to its magnetic tailcap and (included) headband mount. Since I’ve become an Old Guy, I find myself increasingly leaning on it for reading things in bad light and finding small things that have fallen on the floor.
Buy a Sub/Win a Tool!
I am loving my Workpro Multitool that I raved about in issue #184. I like it so much, and it’s so relatively inexpensive, that I’ve been buying them for family and friends. Now, I want to buy one for one of you! Over the next two weeks, if you sign up for a paid subscription for Gar’s Tips & Tools, you will be eligible for a drawing to win one of these Leatherman-killers. The holidays are coming, and this would make a great present. I think lots of my peeps are going to be finding one in their stocking.
I note, in the riveting demo that the hot rivet catching bucket has a pinched bottom. My inference is that this is allows the rivet "catcher" to shake the "cook" thrown rivet until the rivet is in a shank-toward-work orientation, thusly facilitating the riveter with the tongs to grab the rivet in the correct orientation to insert the rivet into the target hole.
Yet another excellent issue! My fave this week is "Use for a Laser Pointer." So simple and such an excellent handy helper!