Please share some of your mechanical tips and tricks

[Lapkritis]

Stop thinking. Let things happen. Be the ball.

[CVDH]

I always keep an old car speaker around to magnetize screwdriver tips. Just scrape the end on the speaker magnet a few times and bingo, magnetic screwdriver.

[scarceller]

I saw Kroil penetrating oil mentioned already but how about home made penetrating oil.
I learned years ago that 50-50 mix of plain ATF fluid with Acetone makes excellent (possibly the best) penetrating oil for stubborn bolts. I use a small paint brush to apply.

[rusnak]

I trien ATF and Acentone. How do you get the two to mix?

[Joe Bob]

Originally Posted by stormin48061

for those that have replaced their hydraulic hood lifts, how in the world did you get the pin and clip back in after you removed them to replace the hydraulic rod with the neat mechanical ones we all bought? My hands and fingers can't get around the wiring down there on the drivers side to push the clip on.... thanks for reading.

Dental floss or toss the clip into a Lake.....the tension negates the need for the clip on the end.

[DRACO A5OG]

Cigar old skool Smoker to find those pesky Vacuum Leaks. Wifey hates it, oh well.

[jlex]

I pulled out the intake manifold on my BMW X3 a couple weeks ago to replace a leaky gasket. Lots of nuts, bolts & connections to deal with.
To keep from dropping a fastener into the engine's black hole, I always used a small dab of black weatherstrip putty on the end of the socket or screwdriver. That stuff is really sticky. It saved me in many tight situations. Much better than trusting a magnetized tool.

[SCadaddle]

Originally Posted by rusnak

I trien ATF and Acentone. How do you get the two to mix?

You put it in a jar with a lid and shake vigorously. When you find out it really doesn't work you then grab for the can of Kroil.

[Lapkritis]

I store fasteners for a job where they were removed from so they do not become misplaced. Remove a wheel? Lug nuts go back on finger tight while wheel is removed. This keeps the project organized and prevents you from mixing hardware when you have a lot in the shop. Applies to all kinds of hardware...

[rusnak]

Originally Posted by SCadaddle

You put it in a jar with a lid and shake vigorously. When you find out it really doesn't work you then grab for the can of Kroil.

That's pretty much what I did, lol! I use brake fluid in a pinch (i.e. at the side of the road with a blown tire with no Kroil in sight).

[scarceller]

You need to shake or stir. Here's the article:
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=20131.0

Originally Posted by rusnak

I trien ATF and Acentone. How do you get the two to mix?

[rusnak]

^ Interesting! I'm not sure I would use one of those compressed air cans with acetone. I have one, but use it for rubber lubricant. I spray the rubber parts of my equipment such as boots, over ride snubbers, etc with it.

[Speed Buggy]

Tighten the coil in the clamp before installing. Don't have to fuss with the mounting bolt in the way.

[Ronnie's.930]

Originally Posted by Bob Kontak

Spring some dough on a very good set of . . .

I've learned this can be applied to almost all tools (except you, Bob, you're a bargain basement tool! ) - using top quality tools (such as Snap On) makes the wrenching experience much more efficient and enjoyable. I now try to buy primarily high end gear (Snap On, Robinair, etc.) and simply look away from the computer screen when the checkout page comes up.

[JV911SYDNEY]

1) Pay someone who knows what they're doing
2) There is no 2)

[DaveMcKenz]

Searching for a parasitic current drain:
(Most people don't believe this works, but it does and it's fast).
To see if a fused circuit is carrying current, measure the VOLTAGE across the fuse. Yeah I know, it sounds goofy. If there is no current flowing the voltage will be 0.00 volts. If there is current flowing, the voltage across the fuse will be approx. 0.03-0.15 volts, depending on the fuse and the current. If you find voltage across a fuse of a circuit that you believe should be quiet, then you have at least found the offending circuit. Not all circuits are fused, and it only localizes to the particular circuit, but the method is fast, does not require disconnecting anything or a special current meter.
Good luck,
Dave

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by JV911SYDNEY

1) Pay someone who knows what they're doing
2) There is no 2)

As my other transsexual Australian acquaintance says, "If you want it done right, write a check."

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Ronnie's.930

simply look away from the computer screen when the checkout page comes up.

Easy when you have your Mom's credit card.

[Ronnie's.930]

Originally Posted by Bob Kontak

Easy when you have your Mom's credit card.

Lately, I've been using your sister's CC!!!

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Ronnie's.930

Lately, I've been using your sister's CC!!!

Dude. She is so ugly my brother and I both passed her over for her daughter.