Wrenches come in many different sizes and a variety of form factors with different functionalities. In fact, even an experienced tradesman wedged into a tight space with one hand holding a fastener and the other hand stretched out for a tool may ask his assistant for “the wrench with the thing” rather than a “ratchet…
Almost everyone has had the experience of buying an expensive bit of machinery—like a shop lathe, a high-end computer, or even a car—and having it fail catastrophically shortly after the purchase. Usually, this is enough to keep us from ever using that product again and maybe even from considering using any other product from that…
If you ever helped a handy family member around the house when you were young, you probably were lambasted for using the wrong tool at least once. Maybe you opened a paint can with an expensive screwdriver. While repairing brakes, you may have tried compressing the piston by pounding on a block of wood with…
Working with wrenches can be one of the most relaxing and rewarding experiences. Bringing every part and component together and tightening all the bolts precisely on spec to form a single goal-oriented device is close to Zen meditation—that is, when you have the proper tools. If you don’t, then turning wrenches is a nightmare of…
One of the first vehicles I ever owned was a Mitsubishi Mighty Max, and one of the few problems with it was a faulty starter. Normally, a starter is one of the easiest auto repairs there is. You simply detach the electrical connections, dismount two bolts, and pull the whole starter out. However, the starter…
When people think of a production line, they typically picture conveyor belts moving car bodies along as heavy robotic arms move swiftly across the line. Automation is a big part of industrial manufacturing to be sure. However, even in large and heavily automated manufacturing plants, there are still many workers who use hand assembly tools…
Precise torque control is absolutely vital in assembly and repair. Screws, bolts, and nuts must hold in place as machinery starts up, vibrates, and experiences forces from different directions. Whether these fasteners hold is determined by the torque that is applied to them. If it is too little, then vibrations can easily loosen a fastener.…
A lot of people feel nervous as they walk down the boarding ramp to catch their flight. In fact, up to 25 percent of Americans experience some fear of flying and will spend their trip across the sky with a white knuckle grip on their armrests. Nearly all of them will find that their fears…
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