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Or... Use glue

I had a nice collection of hand tools, mostly Armstrong and Proto. I sold off my box because of hard times, moved around a bunch, and the tools were the first things stolen... Slowly I'm building the collection back up.

It sure does. I can fix anything, and I have added embedded engineering to my "tool box", so now I design some cool stuff. My first maintenance mechanic job was at Behr Paint. Yep, I used to fix the robotics that makes the paint many of you guys buy. I learned a lot about paint, the first thing.., paint is something you do, it's called coatings ... Not paint. My grandfather was a Maint Mech for coke, guess it runs in family

Welcome! I'm trying to get my garage in order as well, too embarrassed of the mess to take pics right now. Every weekend I do a little more.

I worked as a maintenance mechanic/electrician for many years. Everyday was something different.

I edited my post, added more pics

I'll take a pic tonight, at the " day job"

This weekend I was doing a side job mounting a LCD TV. I had to run a new power outlet and pull the HDMI cable sideways through the wall. (Mounted above a fireplace). Being the genius I am, I had left my 100' fish at home. No problem, I had to go to Home Depot anyway so I picked up the Klein Tools 25 Foot Fish Tape http://t.homedepot.com/p/Klein-Tools-Depthfinder-25-ft-Steel-Fish-Tape-56005/100660167/ I decided on this tape because of three reasons. 1) I trust Klein Tools. They have worked for me and I know they make great hand tools. Most of their stuff is made in the USA, although some products are still made in China, Klein is at least making an effort to produce more USA branded tools. 2)Size. I didn't need another 100' Fish so the small 25' is perfect. It's small size makes it easier to work with when pulling shorter runs. It's about 1/4 the size of a normal Fish... As is expected at 1/4 the length. 3)Price. $11.86 is a great value for this tool. It's cheap enough my profit was still reasonable. The Good: the tool feels great. It performs as expected and doesn't bind. Feeding the Fish is simple and winding is easy. Really a smooth tool with good texture. The Bad: damn tip has a plastic tang that's about twice as wide as the steel tape. I found it difficult to feed the tape through small holes. Also the tip does not remove. To be fair, this is not a big deal. I will eventually end up cutting the tang off, and folding the tape back on itself. Still, it would of been nice if Klein already did that, tack welding the double back tape for strength. Overall I like this tool. It's a great addition to my fish tape collection and would make for a great companion tape to any professionals set. I would encourage homeowners buy this tool. 25' is a good amount and the small size means storage is easy. My finished install turned out great: Almost made in USA Almost fits in the palm of my hand Almost perfect (too big a tang)

I was at Home Depot today and picked up 1 each of Ridgid impact rated bit driving set and impact rated drill bits. Only $4 each. I figured even if they suck, the case is worth $4. http://t.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-Impact-Driving-Bit-Set-24-Piece-AC96242/204321551/ http://t.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-Impact-Drill-Bit-Set-12-Piece/204321531/?MERCH=REC-_-tablet_pip1_rr-2-_-NA-_-204321531-_-N&showPLP=false

Humm, I thought $299 was a good price. The Mac2400 is a lot quiter then any other compressor too, no headache = priceless! I wanted the Tri Stack but after reading the reviews.. Pass

good to see more Cali people ont he forum. Welcom

hope someone from the forum wins! .. really hope that someone is me

It's worth a lot more then $875. I think about $1500, maybe less/more depending on where you shop. I just dropped $550 on the Ridgid R4512 so I'm not allowed to buy a new tool for awhile. It's being sold in Irvine, which means some guy with more money then skill originally bought this thing. Irvine is a rich area and I find a lot of expensive tools posted cheap on craigslist.

I wish I had the money, Festool Miter Saw with stand for $875. Seems like a good deal. Maybe one of you tool nuts can benefit. http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/tls/4275805499.html

Im a ... Was in the Navy, worked on advanced weapon systems and did some VBSS stuff (board ships, hunt pirates and drug smugglers). Had a job a lot like myth busters, a testing facility.. Even operated a centrifuge, my job was to break stuff. I worked as an industrial maint tech at Behr paint. Worked on their robotics and manufacturing lines then went on to a medical company that made IV bags and cancer drugs (B.Braun Medical) worked on more robotics. Recently I went back to school, studying embedded engineering, Electronics and Computer Engineering at Cal Poly. I tutor electronics, PLC, and microcontrollers, do consulting for product design. I developed stuff for K2CNC, smart watches, and a few other projects. I'm still going to school but I work full time at SpeakerPower, I fix and design audio amps. On the side I do CCTV's and wireless coms with a friend, big jobs, city wide installs. Also the normal handyman stuff and wire up office buildings for phone/cable/network I'm a very busy guy, never have any money... It all goes to my wife, dogs, and tools. Trying to build up a woodshop, enjoying my Ridgid R4512!

My buddy tried to help out his brother in law. He was doing traffic signal stuff, hired the kid to sit next to a box (traffic controller) and watch the workers. Paid him $50 per hour to sit there. The kid left after about 20 min, said he wasn't a dog, can't tell him to sit and stay... Retard just had to sit on his ass for $50 an hour and couldn't manage.

Just to chime in, I'm also looking for a compressor and have my eye on the Makita MAC 2400. $299. It's a small portable unit but what I really like is, it's quite! It can be running and you can hold a conversation. I looked at the Ridgid Tri Stack, and although it looks cool, it got bad reviews.

Just a coincidence I'm sure, but my wife also works at the local Community College. She is in the Bio Dept. I went back to school at 30, the kids these days are retarded. I'm sure I'm not much better, but at least I can build stuff.

First place to start, a really messy workbench, oscilloscope, 220v outlet, and balls.. 6000watts = death if you touch the wrong spot. But you could just as easily fall off the roof.

Welcome DJ, i took these pics at work yesterday, I thought you might be intersted in seeing the inside of a 6,000 watt audio amp. They are monsters! Mostly used for rock concerts and football games.

Welcome, I'm just down the 5 in Orange County. I lived in LA for a few years but moved a little further south. Good to see a TIA member from my neck of the woods.

A good meter can save your life, congrats guys. Klein makes some great tools. Remember to use the tool with caution, but use the tool! TIA is awesome for giving away so much cool loot!.

Happy New Year from California. The state where everything is illegal.

Well I didn't win the ultimate tool bag giveaway, so I'll have to buy my own compressor. I have my eye on the Makita Mac2400 $299 Home Depot with free shipping. Ingersoll Rand has a 4-Gal. Portable Twin Tank Electric Air Compressor for the same price. I'm still about $50 short so I have time to mull it over. Which do you guys prefer/ have experience with?

Well, I assembled the saw today. It only took about 2 1/2 hours but I still need to true it up. But surprisingly the factory china alignment is pretty good. I didn't notice any problems, yet..., but I have only made a few cuts. I'll need to invest in a better blade and dust collection, but for now I have a broom and sandpaper. I'll take some pics and write a little review, but first I need to clean my garage. Sadly school has taken most of my time and rubbish has taken over my work space. Stay tuned.