Gareth's Tips, Tools, and Shop Tales
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Gareth's Tips, Tools, and Shop Tales - Issue #125
In this GreatScott! video, Scott decides to compare wire nut connectors, common in the US, against Wago connectors, more common in Europe. Scott tests for ease of use, problems, speed of application, reusability, size, price, pull test, resistance, and flamma…
Gareth's Tips, Tools, and Shop Tales - Issue #124
Becky Stern 3D printed some wings for her Aven soldering stand. These fold up onto the sides of the otherwise hollow stand and allow her to store a TS80P USB-powered soldering iron, a spool of solder, and solder wick. The whole thing sits comfortably on top o…
Gareth's Tips, Tools, and Shop Tales - Issue #123
I love this vertical-drawer cabinet for storing drill, rotary tool, and end mill bits. The video is in Japanese but there are English subtitles. This design could be a space-saving solution for a lot of tools and accessories that can be organized and stored t…
Gareth's Tips, Tools, and Shop Tales - Issue #122
In this Project Farm video, Todd tests out 15 brands of everyday carry (EDC) folding knives from Fallkniven, Benchmade, Gerber, Victorinox, Kershaw, Cold Steel, Kizer, CRKT Fossil, Leatherman Skeletool, Milwaukee, DeWalt, COAST, Kingmax, Vulcan, Master USA. I…
Gareth's Tips, Tools, and Shop Tales - Issue #121
Twitter user laen posted this fantastic idea for organizing and storing cables. He uses hanging storage bags on a rod. Cables and misc tech accessories are the bane of my existence. This is a great solution for not only storing cables but other sorted small p…
Gareth's Tips, Tools, and Shop Tales - Issue #120
Zach Freedman has designed a really cool grid-based storage system that you can 3D print. Zach never does anything small and that's the case here. He designed and printed all sorts of bins, trays, tool holders, and racks. It's a pretty complete workbench stor…
Gareth's Tips, Tools, and Shop Tales - Issue #119
Something I wish we saw more of in maker videos is projects that go horribly, irredeemably wrong. On Making Stuff, Dave Picciuto had such a bad day in the shop and wasn’t afraid to share all of the gory details with us. Bad measuring, tools breaking — a LOT o…
Gareth's Tips, Tools, and Shop Tales - Issue #118
Can you successful cut EVA foam on a CNC machine? That’s the question they wanted to answer at Carbide 3D. The answer is, yes, yes you can. There are a few issues to consider, like how to clamp your workpiece to the table (use not-too-aggressive double-sided …
Gareth's Tips, Tools, and Shop Tales - Issue #117
In this Becky Stern video, Becky shows how you can plan out, sew, and wax-treat a tool roll. She used cotton canvas for the project and includes a free pattern on her website so you can more easily make your own tool roll-ups. You don't have to wax the roll-u…
Gareth's Tips, Tools, and Shop Tales - Issue #116
In this SteadyCraftin video, the always entertaining and informative CrafsMan offers up his favorite tips for working with epoxy clay. There are a few things I was aware of (and agree on), like using silicone sculpting tools and letting the clay firm up a bit…
Gareth's Tips, Tools, and Shop Tales - Issue #115
For many a maker newbie, the use of flat washers in fastening might seem superfluous. Yes, you can assemble many things without using them, but washers are there for a reason. Here are their main uses:Load distribution: Their most common use of a flat washer …
Gareth's Tips, Tools, and Shop Tales - Issue #114
Fascinating stuff in this “Ask Adam” video where he talks about what it takes to master a skill and things that those who have mastered a skill know how to do that a newbie can’t yet understand. For instance, prioritizing knowledge — how to dynamically refine…
Gareth's Tips, Tools, and Shop Tales - Issue #113
In this video, Todd at Project Farm puts 15 models of scissors through their paces. He tests scissors by KAI, Gingher, Heritage, Klein Tools, Henckels, Fiskars, Bianco, Ultima Classic, Westscott, Livingo, KitchenAid, Singer, Scotch, and Stanley. The scissors …
Gareth's Tips, Tools, and Shop Tales - Issue #112
In this Clough42 video, James looks at digital calipers at 3 different price points and asks if the expensive ones are worth it. He raises some good points here, like the fact that, for most non-precision measuring (e.g. general shop use, woodworking, hobbies…
Gareth's Tips, Tools, and Shop Tales - Issue #111
In this Andreas Spiess video, he shows how you can 3D print adapters for power tool batteries that will turn them into a power supply for mobile applications.
Gareth's Tips, Tools, and Shop Tales - Issue #110
I'm excited to finally get to share news of a new Netflix show from my friends Jimmy DiResta and John Graziano (along with Pat Lap, Derek Forestier, and Paul Jackman). Called Making Fun, each week, these five master makers are challenged by children to bring …
Gareth's Tips, Tools, and Shop Tales - Issue #109
Do you have a favorite screwdriver design? Adam Savage never thought much about the design of these ubiquitous tools until he lost drivers that belonged to his dad (and granddad). Replacing them (Stanley Workmaster drivers from the 1970s) got him thinking abo…
Gareth's Tips, Tools, and Shop Tales - Issue #108
Ever since I saw Adam Savage build a portable soldering station, I've been thinking about creating one for myself. I don't do enough electronics anymore to justify a dedicated electronics workbench. When I do have a need for soldering, it's a hassle to get ev…
Gareth's Tips, Tools, and Shop Tales - Issue #107
Here’s a quick video on using painter’s tape to correctly position the keyhole mounts on a power strip (or anything else that use such mounting). Mark Frauenfelder of Cool Tools recommends this power strip. I just bought one myself and will be installing it u…
Gareth's Tips, Tools, and Shop Tales - Issue #106
On Boing Boing last week, I did my annual round-up of favorite tips from this newsletter. You can see all of those tips here. Below are my top five. OK, top five plus some additional 3D printing tips. ***BTW: Here are my round-ups for 2019 and 2020 (part 1 an…