Preparations Update

[Aerindel]

Powder came in. Even though it was hazmat, signature required, etc, the fedex guy just dumped it in the drop box. Oh well.

Even though it was the middle of the night by the time I got it, I just couldn't wait to find out if I made a cannon or a bomb.

I think Wiley E coyote would be proud of the results:

2 oz cannon powder, soda can filled with concrete, two layers of scrap 3/4 plwood:

You can see why they fired balls until they figured out rifling.

Not sure why this is a prep though....but it has to be a prep for SOMETHING right?

 

[SoJer]

...it has to be a prep for SOMETHING right?

Yes. For Amazing Home-shot Drone-Vids of Totally Partsed-Out / Dead-Subaru Doors, deserving of nothing but eating a 'Holy Hand-Grenade'.

The Slice Must Flow...

<popcorn>
jd

 

[Aerindel]

Yes. For Amazing Home-shot Drone-Vids of Totally Partsed-Out / Dead-Subaru Doors, deserving of nothing but eating a 'Holy Hand-Grenade'.

The Slice Must Flow...

<popcorn>
jd

Moo Deng has wheels

 

[Neb]

Moo Deng has wheels


View attachment 166466

Wow

Didn't know Miracle Grow worked on black powder weapons!

Ben

 

[Aerindel]

Wow

Didn't know Miracle Grow worked on black powder weapons!

Ben

Its the Nitrates.......70% of blackpowder is potassium Nitrate

 

[Peanut]

For work I carried professional grade tools... but after 20yrs of being used here on the farm some are in bad shape, especially my screwdrivers. I was in dire need of a good set of screwdrivers.

I bought a 12pc set of Milwakee drivers. Magnetic tips, handles are 3-lobed so they don't go rolling across the floor if I drop one, have a + or - on the handle so it's easier to tell which is which (black magnetic tips can be hard to see at times).

They came in a better than expected carry case. I'll dump them in tool bag and use the case for something else, molded insert can be removed.

 

[Bacpacker]

We use a lot of Milwaukee tools at work. Very nice stuff

 

[Peanut]

In sept I was researching grease guns, different types. Also cleaning or restoring methods since I have a few very old ones. I ran across a short bit about 90degree tips. From what I read they work well. Amerzit website had them so I ordered one for $10, came in today’s order.

It has a zerk that’ll fit the existing tip of a grease gun. It’s made to slip onto another zerk at 90 degrees. Very handy for hard to reach zerks.

Just got this so I haven’t tried to use it but I already know where it’ll be helpful on some of my farm equipment.

 

[Weedygarden]

For work I carried professional grade tools... but after 20yrs of being used here on the farm some are in bad shape, especially my screwdrivers. I was in dire need of a good set of screwdrivers.

I bought a 12pc set of Milwakee drivers. Magnetic tips, handles are 3-lobed so they don't go rolling across the floor if I drop one, have a + or - on the handle so it's easier to tell which is which (black magnetic tips can be hard to see at times).

They came in a better than expected carry case. I'll dump them in tool bag and use the case for something else, molded insert can be removed.

View attachment 168369

I bought a set of Milwaukee screwdrivers a couple years ago. They look like yours, magnetic tips, etc. I had a bunch of Craftsmen previously. The set was no longer complete and I couldn't find the ones that I needed when I needed them. Mine didn't come with the case, but there are about a dozen of them. They are a nice set.

 

[Magpie]

A family member has a 'contact' that works in Cadburys chocolate factory (her prepping is different to mine lol) anyway she got a bag of chocolate for me. Which I've just divvied out for freezer, daughter to take back with her, stash cupboard and a bit for later.
For $30 I got two giant bags of mint crisp chocolate (the machine breaks them so they get bagged without wrappers) I've put them into smaller freezer bags, 22 of them.
One box of 24 starbars. 4 packs of choc filled cookies (expensive ones here) 30 loose bars (twirls flakes etc) 2 bags of children's sized bars, and 4 boxes of Belvita breakfast biscuits for lunch boxes. About 200's worth when bought singularly.

 

[jazzy]

got my order of fart spray bottles today--so criminals, zombies, aliens, bigfoot or any unplueasant im[polite critters try to mess with me, im covered. tried a spritz out on the deck and my dogs gaaacked and ran off real fast and i had to go inside faster than i thought i caould travel.

 

[Peanut]

For work I carried professional grade tools... but after 20yrs of being used here on the farm some are in bad shape, especially my screwdrivers. I was in dire need of a good set of screwdrivers.

I bought a 12pc set of Milwakee drivers. Magnetic tips, handles are 3-lobed so they don't go rolling across the floor if I drop one, have a + or - on the handle so it's easier to tell which is which (black magnetic tips can be hard to see at times).

They came in a better than expected carry case. I'll dump them in tool bag and use the case for something else, molded insert can be removed.

View attachment 168369

I had a problem with the milwakee screwdrivers I bought (above). 4 were a waste, not useful in the real world, imho. The problem was the length, not quality. The small and medium/small tip sizes were longer than 7” and 8” in overall length.

In the decades I spent servicing missile systems, catscans and mri’s… small and medium/small screws are almost never in locations where a screw driver over 7” long could be used. I won’t say ‘never’ but almost never is true in my experience.

I found 4 replacements today, still not perfect but far more useful than the milwakee’s.

I had hoped to find quality replacements, milwakee grade or better. I ended up with 2 small tip craftsman (#1 in the pic) and 2 medium tip pittsburgh brand from harbor freight (#2).

What I really hoped to find was tip sizes of the pittsburgh’s but under 6.5” long, closer to 6”. In my experience that length and tip size worked 90% of the time. I wore out a lot of them over the years, more than I could count.

Anyway, here’s what I bought, #1 and #2 in the pic to replace #3 and #4. I wish I hadn’t ordered the 12pc Milwakee set now since I had to replace 4 of them with more useful lengths.

 

[Bacpacker]

I've found I like the Wiha brand for smaller tips screwdrivers. Only down side to them is the small diameter handles. But great little drivers

 

[Mountain trapper]

I've got a lot of tools, many going back to my grandfather's time. I inherited all of my father's and father in laws tools. I gave a large roll around tool box to my son full of tools. Also donated a lot of corded power tools to the local thrift store since I went all cordless.
The problem I'm having is finding quality magnetic screw drivers and driver bits. I need bits that are strong enough to actually hold the screw.

 

[Peanut]

I've got a lot of tools, many going back to my grandfather's time. I inherited all of my father's and father in laws tools. I gave a large roll around tool box to my son full of tools. Also donated a lot of corded power tools to the local thrift store since I went all cordless.
The problem I'm having is finding quality magnetic screw drivers and driver bits. I need bits that are strong enough to actually hold the screw.

The alloys used to make screws are all over the map. Depending on the alloy used a screw may or may not be magnetic. Stainless steel is especially troublesome. See article below...

That said phillips head screws are easier to control than slotted screws. See bottom pics… I have an old screw driver for holding slotted screws that has saved my butt more times than I can count when needing to start a screw but only one hand will fit in the work space.

It works on pressure, not magnetism. The shank is split down the center. Pushing the slider realigns the halves and will hold a slotted screw like a reverse vise. I used to see these type screwdrivers in the 80’s, some in the 90’s. None since then, don’t know if someone still makes them. Very handy!!!!

Then… Klein Tools has a Magnetizer/Demagnetizer for screwdrivers…. $10 on amazon.

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Klein Tools Introduces the Magnetizer/Demagnetizer for Increased Productivity

Oct. 13, 2017 (Lincolnshire, Ill.) – Klein Tools (www.kleintools.com), for professionals since 1857, introduces the Magnetizer/Demagnetizer with single-swipe operation to easily magnetize and demagnetize screwdriver tips and bits. Using powerful rare-earth magnets, the portable magnetizer increases productivity by holding fasteners onto the screwdriver tip.

https://www.kleintools.com/content/...magnetizerdemagnetizer-increased-productivity

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Why don't magnets work on some stainless steels?
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-dont-magnets-work-on/

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Here's my old slotted screw holder/driver.... maybe you can see how the shank is split.. moving the slider towards the tip tightens the tip in a slot.

 

[Mountain trapper]

The alloys used to make screws are all over the map. Depending on the alloy used a screw may or may not be magnetic. Stainless steel is especially troublesome. See article below...

That said phillips head screws are easier to control than slotted screws. See bottom pics… I have an old screw driver for holding slotted screws that has saved my butt more times than I can count. It works on pressure, not magnetism. The shank is split down the center. Pushing the slider realigns the halves and will hold a slotted screw like a reverse vise. I used to see these type screwdrivers in the 80’s, some in the 90’s. None since then, don’t know if someone still makes them. Very handy!!!!

Then… Klein Tools has a Magnetizer/Demagnetizer for screwdrivers…. $10 on amazon.

-----------------------

Klein Tools Introduces the Magnetizer/Demagnetizer for Increased Productivity

Oct. 13, 2017 (Lincolnshire, Ill.) – Klein Tools (www.kleintools.com), for professionals since 1857, introduces the Magnetizer/Demagnetizer with single-swipe operation to easily magnetize and demagnetize screwdriver tips and bits. Using powerful rare-earth magnets, the portable magnetizer increases productivity by holding fasteners onto the screwdriver tip.

https://www.kleintools.com/content/...magnetizerdemagnetizer-increased-productivity
View attachment 169225
------------------------------------

Why don't magnets work on some stainless steels?
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-dont-magnets-work-on/

----------------------------------------------

Here's my old slotted screw holder/driver.... maybe you can see how the shank is split.. moving the slider towards the tip tightens the tip in a slot.

View attachment 169226View attachment 169227

I rarely have a need for stainless screws. I've seen the screw holder on your slotted screw driver, may even have one around here somewhere. I also seldom ever use slotted screws either now days. I mainly use Philips or hex head screws. A lot of what I'm building I use one hand to hold on to something to keep from falling and the other for the cordless driver and screw. Most of the screws I use are 3 to 12 inches long. For many years I'd only buy Craftsman tools, back when they were still made in the US.

 

[Caribou]

I rarely have a need for stainless screws. I've seen the screw holder on your slotted screw driver, may even have one around here somewhere. I also seldom ever use slotted screws either now days. I mainly use Philips or hex head screws. A lot of what I'm building I use one hand to hold on to something to keep from falling and the other for the cordless driver and screw. Most of the screws I use are 3 to 12 inches long. For many years I'd only buy Craftsman tools, back when they were still made in the US.

I went out to change the batteries on my weather station. I had to take it down to do the job. Three of the four screws were eaten up and the fourth was well on its way. Pressure treated wood, and other situations, require SS.

 

[jazzy]

I went out to change the batteries on my weather station. I had to take it down to do the job. Three of the four screws were eaten up and the fourth was well on its way. Pressure treated wood, and other situations, require SS.

can you share what weather station you got set up? i was thinking of getting one. is there something that can make it show up on my laptop? i cant read little screeen things. was looking for ways to predict weather when grid down--

 

[Mountain trapper]

can you share what weather station you got set up? i was thinking of getting one. is there something that can make it show up on my laptop? i cant read little screeen things. was looking for ways to predict weather when grid down--

I have a Davis Vantage Pro 2 wireless weather station. I have it mounted on a pipe attached to a pressure treated 4×4 post about 8 feet off the ground. The batteries last about a year in the base unit in the house, even longer on the station. I think it will transmit to a computer as long as you have internet.

 

[Caribou]

can you share what weather station you got set up? i was thinking of getting one. is there something that can make it show up on my laptop? i cant read little screeen things. was looking for ways to predict weather when grid down--

Sorry, I bought the unit at Costco 5 or 10 years ago. The lithium batteries outside last about 4 years. The inside units are plugged in. I’ll be back home again just after New Years, PM me then and I’ll get you the brand and possibly the model.

 

[Peanut]

I rarely have a need for stainless screws. I've seen the screw holder on your slotted screw driver, may even have one around here somewhere. I also seldom ever use slotted screws either now days. I mainly use Philips or hex head screws. A lot of what I'm building I use one hand to hold on to something to keep from falling and the other for the cordless driver and screw. Most of the screws I use are 3 to 12 inches long. For many years I'd only buy Craftsman tools, back when they were still made in the US.

Modern alloys to make screws are all over the map, from strong magnetic properties to none and everything in between. Like aluminum, its used in a lot of fasteners but is not magnetic in the least. Another one, zinc is used to coat a lot of construction screws… zinc is not magnetic.

Something I’ve done in the past when that is important is take my bits or screwdriver with me to the store to check the magnetic properties of the screws I might purchase. Either check them at the store or find out when you get them home when it’s too late. I wouldn’t trust what it says on the box.

Then... things like temperature can affect the magnetic properties of some alloys like chromium, nickel and cobalt. A screw that sticks on a bit at 50f may not stick as well at 20f.

You mentioned 12” screws… magnetic tips are made to barely hold screws within a certain weight range. The bits you use may not be made to hold a screw 12” long. In that case I suggest predrilling the holes with a small bit to make starting screws easier.

Again, the best way to know is take your bits to the store and test the screws you want to buy.

 

[Mountain trapper]

Modern alloys to make screws are all over the map, from strong magnetic properties to none and everything in between. Like aluminum, its used in a lot of fasteners but is not magnetic in the least. Another one, zinc is used to coat a lot of construction screws… zinc is not magnetic.

Something I’ve done in the past when that is important is take my bits or screwdriver with me to the store to check the magnetic properties of the screws I might purchase. Either check them at the store or find out when you get them home when it’s too late. I wouldn’t trust what it says on the box.

Then... things like temperature can affect the magnetic properties of some alloys like chromium, nickel and cobalt. A screw that sticks on a bit at 50f may not stick as well at 20f.

You mentioned 12” screws… magnetic tips are made to barely hold screws within a certain weight range. The bits you use may not be made to hold a screw 12” long. In that case I suggest predrilling the holes with a small bit to make starting screws easier.

Again, the best way to know is take your bits to the store and test the screws you want to buy.

Most of the times when I buy screws it's by the box, sometimes 500 to a box. And majority of my screws are hex head construction screws, like deck screws. The longer screws from 4" to 12" are called Timber Loks. These screws don't matter if they're magnetic since I use a 5/16" socket to drive them with. I put in over 500 of these screws when I built the new corral.
Yesterday when I rebuilt the gate at the chicken coop it would have been nice to have a magnetic bit to hold the screws when I installed the hinges.