We bring you the Tools Thread. Lead-off is a lovely set of Channellock 435G Diagonal Box Joint Cutters. Buttery-smooth performance, easy one-hand operation for nipping string ends off your sitar or bouzouki.

Gifted from a physicist/manufacturer who bought out a hardware store's inventory for the heck of it. The 415s, he gave me first, thinking them the better item, but his collection of boxed cutters in multiple sizes provoked outspoken lust.

Lie-Nielsen No. 102 Low Angle Block Plane

One of my favorite hand tools.

The 102 is a DEF-inite on my list. My Lie-Nielsen No. 101 will cut it but it is a little on the small side.

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Here's one I made myself. Anyone know what it is?
 

 
One of my favorites and often used is this hand vise, which can be hand-held or clamped to a table/bench top. I keep it in my bedroom (where I have a small work table), because there are plenty of mounted vises in the garage shop.
 

quote:

Originally posted by henryaz:
 
Here's one I made myself. Anyone know what it is?
 

I believe it's a pantograph.

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Next Question:



Put this together today. Know what it is used for?

A) It's an isolation transformer setup.
B) You're building a flux capacitor.
C) You're making a heck of a loud doorbell.

quote:

Originally posted by vthoky:
A) It's an isolation transformer setup.
B) You're building a flux capacitor.
C) You're making a heck of a loud doorbell.

Hint: The transformer is out of a microwave, and the high voltage side is connected to two 75 amp rated alligator clips.

A battery charger .... ??

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The handiest of tools, a common pencil.



_{General Pencil Company of Jersey City, NJ. Photo by Christopher Payne for the NYTimes.}

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quote:

Originally posted by PHPaul:

quote:

Originally posted by henryaz:
 
Here's one I made myself. Anyone know what it is?
 

I believe it's a pantograph.

Nope. It is a layout tool, but not for transferring a layout.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: henryaz,

quote:

Originally posted by PHPaul:

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Next Question:



Put this together today. Know what it is used for?

Rust removal or electroplating?

Link to original video: https://youtu.be/9s4a6TR3gt8

Looks like you're growing the Borg's brain there, Paul.

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Craftsman hook and pick set. When ya gotta nudge something way in the back.

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Paul, that is way cool!
I'd like to learn more about that.

quote:

Originally posted by vthoky:
Paul, that is way cool!
I'd like to learn more about that.

The burner is simple. A $10 Goodwill microwave donated the transformer, wire a light switch into the primary for on/off. Output leads are one grounded to the frame of the transformer, the other off the secondary. I used some #12 stranded for the output leads, tho I'm not entirely sure they need to be that heavy.

I'm still playing/learning. The burn pattern is totally random but is affected by the grain structure of the wood. The piece shown is aromatic red cedar and seems to produce the nicest patterns. Birch veneer plywood works well too. Pine is okay, fir is so-so, oak doesn't seem to work very well but that may be technique.

The amount of electrolyte (water plus washing soda) affects it as well. On a couple the burn petered out, I turned it off, applied more electrolyte and fired it up again and got a better reaction.

Lot of info on Ewe Toob, look up "Fractal Wood Burning".

quote:

It is a layout tool, but not for transferring a layout

I did a search for the image and am curious as to how it is used.

quote:

Originally posted by henryaz:
 
Here's one I made myself. Anyone know what it is?
 

I'll wait to see if someone answers your question, I have one as well, mine is made of Zebrawood, very classy.

quote:

Originally posted by PHPaul:
The burner is simple.
(snip)

Way cool! Thank you, Paul.

I hear flaring tools are going the way of the dinosaur on water services, with Fast Connect fittings now approved for underground use. But I still go old school. And try not to forget to put the flaring nut on the pipe before making the flare.

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I'll play:





Guess away.

RMD