Every day we use tools or do some task that needs tools. This series is for people that do things and use tools and have a curiosity about them or perhaps just want to know how to use a tool. Join me on this journey to explore tools for just about any application.
The digital readout, or DRO as it is commonly called, revolutionized the use of manual machine tools. They are now practically standard equipment on most machines. Now, with more competition, they are economical enough for the home machinist. See how the digital readout increases: quality, accuracy, and efficiency. Here are some of the questions answered in this short video:
What is a Digital Readout?
What does a Digital Readout do?
How much do Digital Readouts cost?
How do Digital Readouts improve manual machine utilization?
Are Digital Readouts just for industrial machines?
Milling Machines are awesome tools that enable you to make very precise objects. While their appearance is similar to that of a drill press, the milling machine can do so much more, so much better. In this review, we will be coving a variety of topics and answering these questions:
What is a milling machine?
What makes a milling machine better than a drill press?
How much does a milling machine cost?
What features make for a good milling machine?
Do hobbyists have milling machines?
Magnetic Bases, AKA Mag Base is a tool that is primarily utilized with another tool, the dial, or dial test indictor. In recent years, they have also been used for other purposes and have helped solve problems. This short video explores what these are, and what they are used for. Here are some of the questions answered in this short video. . .
What is a Magnetic Base?
What is a Magnetic Base used for?
How are Magnetic Bases used?
What make a good Magnetic Base?
What does a good Magnetic Base cost?
Dial Indicators are found in every machine shop. They are precision instruments that allow you to easily and accurately measure various objects or features of objects. This video explores this fascinating tool to help you decide if it could be useful in your shop. Some of the questions and topics covered include:
What is a dial indicator?
What is different about a dial indicator from a Test indicator?
What is a dial indicator used for?
How much do dial indicators cost?
How accurate are dial indicators?
What I can measure with a dial indicator?
The Nibbler is a tool that will make an impossible job possible. These handheld tools allow you to safely cut a variety of thin materials efficiently and relatively accurate. This video covers these topics about the Nibbler tool:
What is a Nibbler?
What is a Nibbler used for?
Why a Nibbler works better than other tools?
What materials can you cut with a Nibbler?
How thick of material can you cut with a Nibbler?
How to you use a Nibbler?
Can it cut Metal?
Milling Machines are awesome tools that enable you to make very precise objects. While their appearance is similar to that of a drill press, the milling machine can do so much more, so much better. In this review, we will be coving a variety of topics and answering these questions:
What is a milling machine?
What makes a milling machine better than a drill press?
How much does a milling machine cost?
What features make for a good milling machine?
Do hobbyists have milling machines?
Drill presses are popular machines used in many industries and have numerous applications. In this video we will explore some of the key features of drill presses and some of things you can do with it besides drilling holes.
What is a Drill Press?
What can I do with a drill press?
How much do drill presses cost?
Should I buy a drill press?
The Hobby Knife is a VERY USEFUL tool that has found its way into shops of all types. Often called an X-ACTO knife mistakenly, Hobby Knives have been around for over 100 years, this video gives you information about this tool that you may not already know. Topics covered in this video:
What is a Hobby Knife?
What is an X-ACTO knife?
Who uses Hobby Knives and where are they used?
What do Hobby Knives cost?
What features make for a GOOD Hobby Knife?
What are the weaknesses of most Hobby Knives?
Short demo of how to use a Hobby Knife.
Work holding is critical for most hand tasks. When working on circuit boards you need a device to hold the circuit board securely and because of the unique shape, specialized devices are used. These tools can be very simple and very complex. This video covers a lot of information about circuit board holders with plenty of tips to help you make the best choice to use. Here are some of the questions answered in this story:
What is the name of this tool?
What is a Circuit Board Holder used for?
Who would use a Circuit Board Holder?
How much do Circuit Board Holders cost?
What attributes are beneficial on a Circuit Board Holder?
Are there different types, sizes, etc. ?
Soldering Irons are used in electronics (and other applications) all over the world and have been used for centuries! In this video, we will be discussing Electric soldering irons that are used for electronics. For anyone considering the purchase of a soldering iron, this video will be helpful as it answers these questions:
What is the name of this tool?
What is a soldering iron used for?
Who would use a soldering iron?
Why do you need to solder parts together?
What is the history of soldering irons?
How does a soldering iron work?
How much do soldering irons cost?
What features are beneficial?
How do you use a soldering iron?
Machinists use this tool on milling machines to find the location of a part on the machine table. Without this tool, the ability to precisely machine parts to exacting tolerances would be much more difficult. Learn all about this tool as we cover the following questions:
What is the name of this tool?
What is an Edge Finder used for?
Who would use an Edge Finder?
Why would you need to know where the edge of a part is?
How accurate is an Edge Finder?
What is the history of the Edge Finder?
How does an Edge Finder work?
How much do Edge Finders cost?
How do you use an Edge Finder?
Multimeters are a very useful tool that you use when working with anything electrical. The properties of electricity are invisible and the multimeter allows you to accurately measure them. Working with electricity without this tool is potentially dangerous and even fatal. Get familiar with the multimeter to see if you need one. Covered in this video are the following topics:
WHAT IS A MULTIMETER?
WHAT IS A MULTIMETER USED FOR?
WHO USES A MULTIMETER?
WHAT IS THE HISTORY OF THE MULTIMETER?
HOW MUCH DO MULTIMETERS COST?
HOW DO I USE A MULTIMETER?
MULTIMETERS IN MY COLLECTION
Slide Rules ruled the world of engineering at one time, are they still used today? In this video we will explore Slide Rules. While most people have no idea what they are, they served a very important role in history. Here are some of the questions answered in this video:
What is a Slide Rule?
Who uses Slide Rules?
When were Slide Rules used or are they still used?
How does a Slide Rule work?
What is the history of Slide Rules?
What does a 'modern' slide rule look like?
Do you need a Slide Rule?
Workbenches are awesome tools in that they are critical to most processes. If you are considering purchasing a workbench, or making your own workbench this video is a good starting place. This video explores the concept of workbenches and how they impact many types of tasks performed around the home or at work. A workbench isn't often thought of as a tool, however, if you look at from a different perspective, you may realize it is a foundational tool supporting all other work with tools in your shop. This video presents answers to these questions:
Why is the workbench an awesome tool?
When was the first workbench created/used?
Who were the first people to use a workbench?
What was the first workbench used for?
What makes a good workbench
Are all workbenches the same?
What do workbenches cost?
3D printers are everywhere, including the Space Station, should you have a 3D Printer? This video explores 3D printers and 3D printing and reveals rarely talked about aspects. A lot of topics are covered including:
WHAT IS A 3D PRINTER?
WHAT IS A 3D PRINTER USED FOR?
WHAT MAKES 3D PRINTING SO UNIQUE COMPARED TO PREVIOUS MANUFACTURING METHODS?
WHERE ARE 3D PRINTERS USED?
WHO USES 3D PRINTERS?
CAN THEY MAKE USEFUL THINGS OR JUST TRINKETS?
WHAT IS THE HISTORY OF 3D PRINTERS?
HOW MUCH DO 3D PRINTERS COST?
Should you have a cordless drill driver in your tool kit? Deciding on where to spend your money to build up a useful tool kit is challenging. In this video we will cover a lot of details about cordless drill drivers and the value this tool brings to the shop. Questions answered in this video include:
What a cordless drill driver is used for?
Who uses a cordless drill driver in their shops, hobbies, and professions?
The history of cordless drill drivers ?
How do I use a cordless drill driver?
What are popular brands of cordless drill driver?
How much cordless drill driver cost?
Should I have a cordless drill driver?
If you don't have them, you are missing out on a very valuable tool that can help elevate your work to the next level. These measuring instruments provide you with accurate dimensional information for just about anything. They are very versatile in what they can measure and are found everywhere you will find people working with their hands. These questions and more are answered in this video
What is a digital or dial indicator?
What are calipers used for?
What application are calipers used in?
How much do calipers cost?
Who uses calipers?
Where are calipers used?
What is the history of calipers?