Tool Corner

[stuartu]

Quite right, Chris, I do!

Regards,

Stuart

[Duncan Grimmond]

A fascinating account of the trials and tribulations of the Mille Miglia and also the paragraph regarding the scriber...
Thanks for that.

[David.H]

As an MG ZA owner I found the Magnette references fascinating.  Gregor Grant wrote up his drive in the ZA on the 1956 MM, 
but I have not been able to find a copy.
Now found by someone and put up on the Magnette website!

[Stuart Giles]

A bit peripheral but I am interested in the UK use of white spirit. Some years ago I wanted some for a plumbers iron and was very difficult to find any source which would sell 4l lot. Even now it is not very available and cost is about double turps in one litre lots about L5 vs L2.10s equivalent. What are typical UK prices pleases? (modern low additive petrol seems to work OK in plumbers irons without coking up so white spirit not necessary petrlhere about L1 per litre)

Hi Bob, hope this weblink works, but if it doesn't, 2 litres of White Spirit is just under £4 at a popular DIY store here, could probably be had for less at a specialist decorator's outlet.
https://www.screwfix.com/p/no-nonsense-white-spirit-2ltr/13027?tc=UT9&ds_kid=92700052138701275&ds_rl=1243321&ds_rl=1241687&ds_rl=1245250&ds_rl=1245250&gclid=Cj0KCQjwsuP5BRCoARIsAPtX_wELcrIpbyZDc-glqs8i4wmDmN_dI52QTj3pB2qr59rpy2ZK_22Xr4MaAsOCEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

The main thing I seem to end up using white spirit for is to remove the 'left behind' sticky residue from plastic food etc. containers before I re-purpose them for storing something else. Why food manufacturers use such ridiculously strong waterproof adhesives  to attach a paper label is beyond me.

[Steve Jones]

The main thing I seem to end up using white spirit for is to remove the 'left behind' sticky residue from plastic food etc. containers before I re-purpose them for storing something else. Why food manufacturers use such ridiculously strong waterproof adhesives  to attach a paper label is beyond me.

Agree 100%. Pleased it's not just me

White Spirit also good for removing the sticky residue left by competition numbers and for removing the final traces of excess silicone sealer etc. before it's left to cure. 

Steve

[Chris KC]

Well six weeks have passed and I still haven't cleaned that paint brush! I was painting window frames with it yesterday and it's as supple as ever. Paint experts look away, but I just give it a quick rinse in white spirit when moving from clear varnish to white primer, from primer to undercoat, etc. without properly cleaning the brush. The only issue I have had is that after about 3 weeks in the box traces of red paint started to leach out of the stock of the brush - remnants from coachpainting the Ulster a couple of years ago. Not enough to spoil my white window frames though.

Another tool I have recently bought and am delighted with is a Dremel 3000/15.
I resisted buying one for ages despite others telling me how useful they are - thought it was a toy to be honest. However I finally found a job only the Dremel would do and have since used it on nearly everything I touch!
I opted for the 3000 simply because it was half the price of the fancier versions, and I figure I can live with a chuck spanner.
https://www.wickes.co.uk/Dremel-3000-15-...W/p/144287
Really handy for small metal cutting and grinding operations where your angle grinder won't go in.

[JohnD]

Iam currently coach painting a car [non austin seven] and based on this thread i purchased a Brush Mate, im now around 3 days into it and ive yet to clean a brush, its a fantastic thing, in the past i was in the bad habit of throwing away cheep brushes after use or sealing them in the tin, this was typically for rough primer jobs after repair.

Another tool i have had for a while and find very handy is the Sealey Power Probe, around £20-25. There are a few videos on youtube etc, but it detects if a wire is positive or an earth, it also allows you to put power to an item, eg a brake light to prove it works. They run on 6v & 12v 


Much better than a traditional test lamp, and quicker than a multimeter

Youtube Video of the Sealey Power Probe

[Chris KC]

With a load of bodywork jobs coming up I've been forced to 'up my game' with the MIG welder. 
Grinding off rock-hard weld beads is a real chore as many here will know.

A chat last year with an abrasives supplier yielded a pack of 3M Cubitron grinding discs, which I have only now got around to trying.

They are not inexpensive - set me back about £50 if I recall correctly - but boy, are they worth it!
They slice through MIG as if it were cheddar cheese, and I have yet to wear out my first disc when normally I'd have expected to replace 2 or 3 times.

Thoroughly recommended!
   

[JohnD]

With a load of bodywork jobs coming up I've been forced to 'up my game' with the MIG welder. 
Grinding off rock-hard weld beads is a real chore as many here will know.

A chat last year with an abrasives supplier yielded a pack of 3M Cubitron grinding discs, which I have only now got around to trying.

They are not inexpensive - set me back about £50 if I recall correctly - but boy, are they worth it!
They slice through MIG as if it were cheddar cheese, and I have yet to wear out my first disc when normally I'd have expected to replace 2 or 3 times.

Thoroughly recommended!

Chris, I have been after these for a while, as iam better with the grinder than the mig at times!  I previously bought a set but the backing disc was rubbish and tore fairly quick, is it a 3M backing disc you are also using ? 

 
 A recomendation from me, and i have posted this before on the site, is a Cordless Ratchet from Amazon, Sub £40 once you use it you will never go back to a standard ratchet. I know several forum members have purchased these and have thanks me personaly for the recomendation. 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cordless-Electr...0CV7T63C09 

 I have since purchased a "Branded" [Sealey]  one, however that broke a roll pin in the mechanisim at the weekend so iam back to the cheep amazon one while i await a pin.

[Chris KC]

Hi John,

Yes I bought a 3M "High Perf Ribbed Black Backing Pad" along with the abrasive discs.

Fibre Disc: 89714 = 25 off 115mm 36+ grade 782C

Backing Plate: 09583 = 115mm (comes with M14 & 5/8 BSW centres - also another fitting which I cannot understand!)

I bought from BND Abrasives at Andover, they were most helpful on the 'phone (01264 354133).

These things really do munch MIG! I'm sure you won't be disappointed if you've been accustomed to discs from Wickes etc.