metaljunkie

This happens at least once a year where someone tries to steal the ground wire from high voltage lines at sub stations. They don't understand that the ground wires on high lines have voltage on them.

Strangest one I remember was when a young man was using a large drill with a 3 foot piece of drill steel. The drill steel bent, came out of the drill and impaled the guy thru his left side. He walked about 200 feet when I found him. Acted like it was no big deal, of course he was in shock so I wrapped him, treated for shock and transported to an ambulance. He lost 3 feet of his intestines and was off work for 8 months. No alcohol or drugs were involved as far as I know, but he just wasn't paying attention to what he was doing. Were all guilty of that.

Me too JimboS1ice. Seen more than I care to remember.

Being in the safety business I can tell you I see a lot of accident where people get everything from a simple cut to being crushed to death. Most accidents happen when people take short cut's. Either because they are in a hurry, whether it's a boss rushing them or themselves. There's a particular category or accidents from inexperienced workers and then workers that have been performing the task for a long time, usually a foreman or boss from my experience. The two biggest enemies of working safe is complacency and getting in a hurry. Just about every time I've been injured has been because I didn't take the time to think the job thru. Easy mistakes caused me to do stupid stuff. I try to practice what I preach, but we all need reminders along the way. I would rather a co-worker remind me to put safety glasses on or to lock and tag out an electrical circuit than give me a ride to a hospital or worse, have to call 911.

I enjoy a beer every now and then like most people, but I refrain from consumption when working with power tools because I'm liable to cut something off I may need later. Sure don't want the nickname "Stubby".

This pen was turned out of T-316 stainless. Smoked my carbide cut off tool on the first attempt to cut off. Had to take light facing cuts to trim 1/4" of excess material on one end. Hard keep the tool and material cool with no coolant.

Bought a bastard file, scotch bright pads and some jewelers rouge for polishing stainless steel.

Thought about mixing wood and stainless myself, just not sure of the combination yet. Maybe stainless stepped down with some marble wood on the ends.

Storing a slider or even a regular miter saw in a place where it won't be in the way is tough when you have limited space. I have a 10" and 12" miter saw and the best place I could find was an extra tuff box in my garage. Yeah, I have to move things around a little when I need it, but I don't use it that often so it's no big deal to me. Plus I use the tuff box as a extra work area.

My Taig lathe. Just bought it a month ago because my Larger lathe was just too dang big for an apartment, so I went with a mini lathe.

Here's my current favorite tool just because it gives me the ability to turn metal and not take up much space like my G0602 does. Just finished up my first stainless steel ink pen on it today. Hope you guy's like it.

Grew up using a Simpson meter and just got use to it. It's not digital, but it can handle phase to phase on with 480 volts and I've learned to trust it. Klein cable cutters and strippers always served me well also.

Thanks Bigmikez. Not sure if I'll be making anymore using stainless, extremely time consuming and a huge pain in the butt. Thinking brass, aluminum, and maybe copper will be a easier choice.

Been making wood pens since about April and decided I would try my hand at a metal pen. Ordered some stainless steel and got out my new toy (Taig lathe). Stainless is tough to turn and tougher to clean up the tool marks. Got most of the tool marks out using a file, a scotch bright pad, and jewelers rouge with a great deal of buffing. There are still a few tool marks but I think it turned out (no pun intended) ok.

Started making a stainless steel ink pen today on my taig lathe this afternoon. Tough stuff to drill and turn down.

Should have thought about the texting thing.

I once told my wife she wasn't allowed in my garage..When I woke up 10 minutes later my eyes were swollen shut.

My wife is always running behind me picking up my tools because I get so engulfed in my project I miss-place them. Not sure how she does it but she can be in the house all day while I'm building something and she can tell me exactly where my tape measure is.

That's a good idea for limited space or even if you have extra space. Keeps all your tools in one compact storage location as long as you put them back, which is something I have trouble with.

The bail out most likely did have an impact on prices but the strange thing about it was Ford, who did not take any bail out money was the highest of the top three. Don't get me wrong, I've owned all of them except Toyota and Nissan. I decided to purchase a Dodge Ram 2500 because of the price, liked the style, and they gave me a military discount. I opted for the Hemi 5.7 because the diesel option was an additional $10,000.00. Just couldn't justify spending the extra money for the upgrade on the engine with all the extra money that goes along with maintenance for a diesel engine for my use.

I had the same feeling two years ago when I was in the market for a new pick up. The last truck I bought was a 2007 chevy 4wd work truck for $15,000.00. Seven years later you couldn't touch a 4wd truck for less than $30,000.00 and that was with every discount, rebate, and crying in front of the salesman for 30 minutes. Crazy prices and they keep going up.

My air compressor needs are minimal so the compressor doesn't run continuously. It is nice having it when I need it for small air brushing projects, and air tools. I am still amazed at how low noise this thing is.

Dremels are handy tools but for building something like a desk I would go for a circular saw and decent cordless drill. I bought a cheap Skill Saw brand circular saw 5 or 6 years ago and have built some major things with it like my 16' x 16' cabin, numerous out buildings, porches, etc.. They are easy to maintain, change blades and the cost is minimal compared to the benefits. Plenty of good cordless drills out there that will last a long time. I recommend Dewalt.

If you use it in your shop it's a tool. Like a beer cooler.

Best theft deterrent available.