Lessons Learned

**wannabemechanic** · 12-21-2012, 10:11 PM

1. I bought a pair of mini-bolt cutters today for $10 intending to use them a few times and then order in a pair of Kleins (Oh how I love them), when I got the chance. It turns out that the cheapos didn't even last me an hour... next time I'll just be patient. Basically paid ten dollars to be reminded of what I learned long ago; Cheap tools will usually cost more to keep buying new/repairing them than to just buy the good ones in the first place.

2. I also remembered while dismantling some brass fittings that just about anything threaded onto, into, or through brass; that is stuck can be knocked lose enough to turn out by bashing it a few times with a hammer. (Wear eye protection for cast iron of course).

Just a couple random thoughts, anyone else have any "little" tips that you just do out of habit to make things easier?

**MattInTheHat** · 12-21-2012, 10:43 PM

Don't pee into the wind

**wannabemechanic** · 12-21-2012, 10:51 PM

Coulda told me that earlier.........

**brandon** · 12-21-2012, 11:08 PM

Best bolt cutters i have came from a yard sale for 2 bucks.

**jghilino** · 12-21-2012, 11:35 PM

My favorite cutters happen to be my 6" metabo angle grinder, it dosent wear out after 40 hours of use like the dewalt or bosch angle grinders.

**Wolfwerx** · 12-22-2012, 12:21 PM

Best lesson I've learned, with regard to gathering curb-scrap: Don't think you're too good to pick up the small stuff. Many times I've surprised myself at the scales with a heavy load of bits and pieces, rather than a couple of big items. Of course, we'd all like to hit a lick with 1 or 2 heavy pieces and call it a day, but sometimes you have to grind out a longer day and collect a bunch of small stuff.

**BurlyGuys** · 12-22-2012, 12:46 PM

The nice thing about crappy tools is that they fit very nicely into your shred pile...

**wannabemechanic** · 12-22-2012, 01:43 PM

Originally Posted by BurlyGuys

The nice thing about crappy tools is that they fit very nicely into your shred pile...

Or electric motors, or #2 steel...

**RustyDollars** · 12-22-2012, 01:52 PM

Originally Posted by wannabemechanic

Just a couple random thoughts, anyone else have any "little" tips that you just do out of habit to make things easier?

When needing to take apart rusted pipe joints, I've found that a little cut perpendicular to the threads works wonders.

**broughy84** · 12-22-2012, 04:59 PM

I love my Metabo. It's a beast. I've burnt my Kawasaki and Dewalt up, but that Metabo (my father in law brought it home from a jobsite for me) has lasted me 3 years now.

My tip, a little propane torch does a wonder heating up rusty pipe fittings to break them loose.

**NewbyScrapper** · 12-22-2012, 05:08 PM

Originally Posted by MattInTheHat

Don't pee into the wind

Specially if the wind is blowing towards you

Ooops, misread Matt's comment. Only on my 1st coffee, mea culpa.

**BarrenRealms007** · 12-22-2012, 08:02 PM

Originally Posted by MattInTheHat

Don't pee into the wind

Or an electric fence.

**LarryB** · 12-22-2012, 10:44 PM

Hehe, good one BG's!

lb

**taterjuice** · 12-23-2012, 01:36 AM

I've a big fan of the 18" bolt cutters they sell at Walmart, around $20 and I've gotten many years of use out of them. Also like the skil brand Sawzall, I bought my for $35 on a clearance sale about 7 years ago and still running strong, only issue I've had is the shoe on the end has needed new rivets, on it's 2nd set of new rivets. But all in all a great sawzall and well worth the money.

**PistoneScrapProcessing** · 12-23-2012, 11:16 AM

7500.00 bucks or less you can buy a alligator shear. The investment is worth it in the end you wouldnt need a majority of the tools you have now. You separate everything with the push of a pedal.

**taterjuice** · 12-23-2012, 11:35 AM

Well for those of those here on earth, that's a nice idea but is far from practical

**PistoneScrapProcessing** · 12-23-2012, 01:43 PM

Why isnt it practical? You realize that every scrap yard in north america has an alligator shear so how isn't it practical? When you bring in metal like number two copper with solder on it or brass valves with iron attached to it or irony aluminum they just put in the shear and boom prepared brass, copper and aluminum. Its amazing the amount of money you would make in return for such a simple investment. It also can eliminate a bunch of torch work to when you can shear bolts and iron pins out of stuff instead of using gases. What do I know though I don't work in a scrap yard or anything and have never run one before. Sarcasm.

**taterjuice** · 12-23-2012, 03:00 PM

For those of us with our head not in the clouds that's a fair amount of money. You know this is why no one cares for your posts cause you always talk down to people like your so smart. And I've been to dozens of yards and even worked in one and Ive yet to see a shear in any Of em.

**corycouch** · 12-23-2012, 04:35 PM

Come on guys it's Christmas , no need for all that

**Patriot76** · 12-23-2012, 04:37 PM

This is my first attempt to offer an idea since joining this month. This idea is not for the majority of members, but those with skid steers or tractors might benefit. If you are willing to handle materials twice, members without machinery could use these for storage.

My concern was damaging the wooden deck on my flatbed trailer after numerous trips to the scrap yard. I went down to the local chemical/fertilizer coop and secured the plastic tubs used to transport these items. I have enough tubs to fill my trailer and can fill them in the shop this winter and open the door once instead of 16 times for a full load. I only had to cut the plastic cover and the top metal braces to have a 4 x 4 x 4 storage bin. I also plan to get additional tubs to store electric motors, cats, batteries, wire, etc. as I am sorting materials. This will allow me to take full bins at one time instead of a couple of items with each load.

I would also like to get into contact with some rural scrappers to share ideas.

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