merryck
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 477
Club RR Member Number: 9
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Mar 12, 2020 22:28:01 GMT
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I have a large block of wood about half an inch bigger than my head that goes under any vehicle before I do. I use axle stands as well, but once had one tip over so have been wary ever since.
Spare PPE - either for people who are lending a hand or because you'll always lose bits. A glove will go missing, or some goggles will get scratched. For the extra £10 or so it's worth having spares so you're not tempted to go without.
One last thing is my golden rule - Nothing good happens after dark. Most of my errors and mishaps have happened towards the end of an evening when I'm beginning to get tired. I can't be the only one who has said to themselves "I think that's enough for tonight..." as they've felt something heavy whizz past their face. Once I get to the point where I'm flagging I don't push it. It'll only go wrong!
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melle
South West
It'll come out in the wash.
Posts: 1,983
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Mar 12, 2020 23:06:52 GMT
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One last thing is my golden rule - Nothing good happens after dark. Most of my errors and mishaps have happened towards the end of an evening when I'm beginning to get tired. I can't be the only one who has said to themselves "I think that's enough for tonight..." as they've felt something heavy whizz past their face. Once I get to the point where I'm flagging I don't push it. It'll only go wrong! I like to start early and finish early. I find cleaning tools and putting them back where they belong is a nice (and harmless!) way to wrap up a day in the workshop.
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www.saabv4.com'70 Saab 96 V4 "The Devil's Own V4" '77 Saab 95 V4 van conversion project '88 Saab 900i 8V
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timasorus
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 433
Club RR Member Number: 90
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One last thing is my golden rule - Nothing good happens after dark. Most of my errors and mishaps have happened towards the end of an evening when I'm beginning to get tired. I can't be the only one who has said to themselves "I think that's enough for tonight..." as they've felt something heavy whizz past their face. Once I get to the point where I'm flagging I don't push it. It'll only go wrong! I like to start early and finish early. I find cleaning tools and putting them back where they belong is a nice (and harmless!) way to wrap up a day in the workshop. Working tidy is a must wether your in a full blown workshop or outside the house on the road side, people always make the joke of loosing the 10mm spanner/ socket PUT IT BACK WHEN YOUR DONE! then it won’t go missing
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banditos ahoy!
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With the above safety gear I would also add: Full face masks.
Protect your face a bit more while grinding, also good if your under a car and you have rust falling on your face, stops it going in your mouth etc.
Full face masks are great, as long as you can still get to the workpiece. The other thing in this photo is the ability to get the bit you're working on to a sensible position, to minimise the struggle. All things are easier if you're in a comfortable position. Ordered a welders pencil, thanks for the tip. I've bought genuine Sharpies (go dry, point goes off), fake "The Works" Sharpie-a-likes (some were dry before I even opened them), pencils (OK, but the marks seem to disappear the moment I get the piece of steel into the light) and all sorts of things to try to mark steel. My only minor gripe is the eBay seller's maths : £1.99 for one, or buy a pack of two for £3.99. Er, hang on.
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Mar 13, 2020 10:07:48 GMT
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Only thing I would say about working late is that as an insomniac, I’m frequently awake in the early hours I’ve been known to go out into my barn and get on with one of the cars that’s cluttering up the place, and it also means that I’m not going to keep getting distracted by phone calls or people coming in to see what I’m up to BUT, and it’s s biggie, it also means that nobody is looking out for me, so potentially I could be trapped under something for hours before someone wonders why I’ve not made the tea this morning, or why the dogs are complaining they’ve not been walked I do have the advantage of living in the middle of nowhere, so if I want to use an angry grinder at 3am, no one can hear it but me!
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Mar 13, 2020 10:12:12 GMT
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Should also add that I’m firmly aware when to drop it and walk away, when it’s going wrong, don’t push it, a break and go back later, even if it’s a rush job.has stopped me from ploughing on and making things worse......
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Mar 13, 2020 10:15:42 GMT
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I have 4 of these fire blankets, 1mtr by 1mtr square for about £4 each and ideal for covering body work or trim when your welding and grindering!
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Mar 13, 2020 12:28:19 GMT
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Probably the 2 most important things: Agree 100%. I've gone a bit further and bought slightly more expensive goggles and other safety stuff - if its comfortable and works well you are more likely to use it.
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The Millenium Volcon"Get yourself a Volvo if that's what you really want, you might be dead next year. In the meantime, you could be going sideways in a gigantic land barge."
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Mar 13, 2020 12:30:38 GMT
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Should also add that I’m firmly aware when to drop it and walk away, when it’s going wrong, don’t push it, a break and go back later, even if it’s a rush job.has stopped me from ploughing on and making things worse...... YES! I renovated a whole house and that was my mantra. As I was on my own I had to stay safe and calm, there was plenty of other stuff to do rather than rush and do a poor job out of frustration or worse hurt myself. Even if it was just tidying up or even just having a break to surf the net on my phone it was always worth it.
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The Millenium Volcon"Get yourself a Volvo if that's what you really want, you might be dead next year. In the meantime, you could be going sideways in a gigantic land barge."
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Mar 14, 2020 21:44:00 GMT
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Going from my recent experience a roof that doesn't leak is a must!
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1966 Ford Cortina GT 2018 Ford Fiesta ST
Full time engineer, part time waffler on Youtube - see Jim_Builds
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sonus
Europe
Posts: 1,386
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Mar 14, 2020 21:57:29 GMT
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I have 4 of these fire blankets, 1mtr by 1mtr square for about £4 each and ideal for covering body work or trim when your welding and grindering! I agree, but would add a fire extinguisher or even better a fire hose. This is the result of someone welding a sun roof shut without taking proper care covering the interior with welding blankets This used to be my almost finished MGB GT 😭
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Current 1968 TVR VIXEN S1 V8 Prototype 2004 TVR T350C 2017 BMW 340i
Previous BMW 325d E91LCI - sold Alfa Romeo GTV - sold Citroen AX GT - at the breakers Ford Puma 1.7 - sold Volvo V50 2.0d - sold MGB GT - wrecked by fire MG ZT 1.8T - sold VW E-golf Electric - sold Mini Countryman 1.6D -sold Land Rover Discovery TD5 - sold
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Mar 17, 2020 20:37:31 GMT
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Some of my best kit is the of the type that keeps me safe & working Thing is decent protective kit is not that expensive And I would never get anything done if was not for a pair of decent boots in the respect that have saved my feet from injury countless times However - moving on to actual bits of non protective kit are these - single edge blades - so many uses it's unreal - sub £5 for a box of 100 that lasts me 3 years +
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Last Edit: Mar 17, 2020 21:21:37 GMT by Deleted
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Mar 17, 2020 21:36:28 GMT
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My rechargeable head torch is a must to me, as is my phone for taking pictures in awkward to see places and for reference. I also love working with my Britool 3/8 drive socket set, its such a tactile bit of kit. I do wonder about the tales of broken ratchets, one of the first things instilled into me as an apprentice was not to undo or nip up tight nuts with the ratchet, use the T bar or a spanner.
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74 Mk1 Escort 1360, 1971 Vauxhall Victor SL2000 Estate.
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Mar 20, 2020 19:10:22 GMT
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Everyone must have something similar....but this is mine and i dare say unique. Keep your flash kit , i would be lost without "special tool #7" as it was christened shen fitting a new screen to scuttle seal on mums mgb roadster. It started life in the factory tool roll of a D reg Dacia pickup. Over years of abuse (and being of dubious quality) has morphed into an indesensible old friend. The smooth slightly curved end is perfect for so many jobs. Once lost it for months...i was nigh on incinsolable!
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'80 s1 924 turbo..hibernating '80 golf gli cabriolet...doing impression of a skip '97 pug 106 commuter...continuing cheapness making me smile!
firm believer in the k.i.s.s and f.i.s.h principles.
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Mar 22, 2020 12:25:39 GMT
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Was given a pack of these some time ago, yep adult nappies! haven't had to use them for personal use yet but they are great for poking in and around engines when doing leaky messy oily stuff or just underneath when doing leaky messy oily stuff, very absorbent!
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Mar 22, 2020 18:00:27 GMT
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...they are great for poking in and around engines when doing leaky messy oily stuff... Puppy training pads are also good for this
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merryck
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 477
Club RR Member Number: 9
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Mar 22, 2020 19:22:00 GMT
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And presumably can be bought with fewer weird looks!
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Mar 24, 2020 19:39:13 GMT
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I use cheap cat litter to soak up oil spills, brake fluid etc. I just don't think I could go into a shop and buy adult nappies!
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1968 Cal Look Beetle - 2007cc motor - 14.45@93mph in full street trim 1970-ish Karmann Beetle cabriolet - project soon to be re-started. 1986 Scirocco - big plans, one day!
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Mar 26, 2020 18:31:39 GMT
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God tier tool As a dear friend once said to me; "It cant be tight if its liquid"
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Mar 27, 2020 13:43:02 GMT
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What is the battery life like on that HoTWire? I've been looking for one but 2.0Ah seems a bit weedy. First that picture is a impact screwdriver, rather than the 1/2” impact wrench, quick image grab from google I suspect. and if 2.0AH isn’t enough buy a bigger battery. One+ ones go up to 5.0AH. I have the impact wrench and 2 4AH batteries and it’s an invaluable bit of kit. Best way to buy at one point was to buy the angle grinder kit (grinder, big charger and 2 4AH batteries) and the impact wrench from B&Q at one point. I actually bought mine after you raved about yours ... super good.
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