December 27, 20223 yr 9 hours ago, StaticLV2 said: A couple of weeks and the holidays later… The tool wall is pretty much done. Hey Michael, ShopSmith apron, do you also own a ShopSmith_
December 27, 20223 yr Popular Post Yes, I actually own a couple of 510’s. One is a full length that does service mostly as a lathe or sanding station or an aux bandsaw setup. The other is a shorty that is set up as a drill press. I also have a freestanding Shopsmith planer and a ridiculous number of accessories, manuals, SPTs etc… @Masonsailor Has been super helpful showing me the versatility of these machines and how to set them up!!
December 27, 20223 yr 14 minutes ago, StaticLV2 said: Yes, I actually own a couple of 510’s. One is a full length that does service mostly as a lathe or sanding station or an aux bandsaw setup. The other is a shorty that is set up as a drill press. I also have a freestanding Shopsmith planer and a ridiculous number of accessories, manuals, SPTs etc… @Masonsailor Has been super helpful showing me the versatility of these machines and how to set them up!! That is really cool Michael, I remembered you had mentioned your shopsmith´s but just wasn´t sure, it can be a challenge keeping up with all you guys I don't know if you have yet, but I'd be interested in a full image of your shop setup, not sure if there is one posted here already? If you value your privacy in that regard, completely understandable.
February 19, 20242 yr Author When I was doing on-site repairs, I learned quickly that if I thought I needed a screwdriver, I took in the whole toolbox, or I'd be back out in a few minutes for a wrench, or pliers, or a flashlight, etc. I had one well-tuned toolbox, a second held my cordless drill with all the bits, drivers, screws, jigs, etc. Occasionally, I'd need some specialized hardware or another tool, but it was rare. Today, a couple guys are here working on a bathroom remodel. It seems every couple of minutes, they are running out to the van for something else. For me, time was money, as most of my jobs paid a fixed price, and time wasted like that did not pay.
November 27, 20241 yr Author One of my grandsons is now in training to be a "master jeweler". I am thinking a nice toolbox, similar to a Gerstner, is in the future. My father-in-law was a watchmaker, apprenticed in Germany shortly after WWI and emigrated to the US during hyperinflation/Great Depression. Sadly, he was in his 70s, lost most of his vision, retired, and sold most of his tools before I ever met him.
July 29, 2025Jul 29 Author Popular Post Got a new car about a month ago. My old Odyssey I had put a milk crate upside down between the front seats and had a little wooden tray that kept my usual stuff and the roll out cup holder became a spot for pens and pencils (held vertically in a piece of wood with holes drilled) . The new car has a console with a flip up lid. When I moved stuff into it, it became a piled up mess. So, FOR to the rescue. And I even found a use for the little Lowe's "bucket" that I got as a freebie
July 30, 2025Jul 30 I'm sorry to say, I missed the first post while I was "away". When I joined the Army in '77 I was a 35E, special electronic devices repairman, and we had a took box with just a few bare bones tools, at my permanent duty station, I was in a DS repair shop, we spent 3 days a year in the field and it would give us a 3 week backlog in repair orders. Skip 10 years and I'm in the National Guard, spent more time in the field the first year than my entire Active duty enlistment, and I need a way to carry all the necessary tools to the field. I found a "electricians tool box" at Sears, big enough for the tools I needed; including a cordless drill and charger, radio test set, multimeter, mechanical tools, and some TM's. It had a "military" look; OD green, twist lock latches, reinforcing ribs, etc. No one, including RA observers ever questioned my having it in the field. It never got lost or damaged and I still use it after 30+ years. This was an empty box when I bought it, not a tool "kit", lined the top and bottom with high density foam rubber to protect the test equipment and my personal cordless drill (and the mechanics had to borrow the drill to fix the multimillion dollar howitzer 🙂 ). About 10 yrs ago or so, I started collecting tackle boxes from thrift stores. I use then to store specific tools and all the stuff that goes with them. I have one with my staple guns and all the staples, if it's not in the box then I know I don't have it and need to order more. So I have a different box for Staple guns, Worksharp, Oscillating multitool, jig saws, Sawsall, Hilti, and other assorted tools. If I need to go and fix something, then I either put together a carpenters work rig or use my rolling tool boxes ( that I got for doing craft shows ) to put together a work kit specific for what I'm trying to fix. Love the idea about the pvc in soft side bags, I'll definitely be using that in the near future . Thank you.
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