Small Shop Guys What is a tool you use frequently that is out of the norm

[SweetMK]

I agree. Over the years I’ve assembled a collection of wedges that are used frequently for welding projects, machinery repair and general construction setups.

I have quite a selection of wedges too, but I have to confess, I have a couple of thinned down pet screwdrivers too.

OK, I gotta admit, I have never even considered a wedge, so, there are a few questions,,

FIRST,, do you hit them, much, or just little taps?? In other words, do they have to be hardened??
I ask, because, I have a 4 or 5 foot piece of 1" X 8" steel hot rolled A36, and a bandsaw big enough to cut them.
I will not waste my time, if they gotta be hardened,,

SECOND,, if they are measured at the wide end, what width do I cut them, (like, 3/4", or 1.50",, ) ?
Do I need to cut them as matched sets? or are they used individually?

AND, finally, how many should I cut, to start?? This question is sorta like,, do I need four of the 3/4",, or six, or whatever??

I looked on eBay, the beat up old Armstrong wedges were over $20 each, so, it is cut, or nothing,,

OH, YEA,,, Will I have any use for aluminum? I have some 1" thick aluminum (and 2"), so I could make some real soft ones,
if there were any need for soft wedges,,

I have to make these in advance, I would never stop a project, set up the saw, and make as needed,, that would kill my project,,

Thanks,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[12V71]

OK, I gotta admit, I have never even considered a wedge, so, there are a few questions,,

FIRST,, do you hit them, much, or just little taps?? In other words, do they have to be hardened??
I ask, because, I have a 4 or 5 foot piece of 1" X 8" steel hot rolled A36, and a bandsaw big enough to cut them.
I will not waste my time, if they gotta be hardened,,

SECOND,, if they are measured at the wide end, what width do I cut them, (like, 3/4", or 1.50",, ) ?
Do I need to cut them as matched sets? or are they used individually?

AND, finally, how many should I cut, to start?? This question is sorta like,, do I need four of the 3/4",, or six, or whatever??

I looked on eBay, the beat up old Armstrong wedges were over $20 each, so, it is cut, or nothing,,

OH, YEA,,, Will I have any use for aluminum? I have some 1" thick aluminum (and 2"), so I could make some real soft ones,
if there were any need for soft wedges,,

I have to make these in advance, I would never stop a project, set up the saw, and make as needed,, that would kill my project,,

Thanks,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

To me wedges are an intuitive thing, you look at the application and grab one that "looks right", tap or whale as necessary. I've cut a bunch of my own by just looking at the angle on the saw or lay out for the torch if it's a big one. I do like the "Armstrong" style for cracking stuff apart. A fast wedge with lots of pressure can be very dangerous if it gets spit out in your face. I prefer slow angles and stepping up to thicker slow wedges if I need them.
I get my armstrong style from a buddy that pulls deep well turbine pumps. His company buys them by the bushel to level top bases to the top of the casing plate.

[jpump5]

I have several of those Armstrong wedges at work in 6” & 2 “.
They appear to be forged. 6” is maybe 3/4” at thick end.
They get hit pretty hard and haven’t mushroomed at the striking
end.I use 6” for disassembling crusted up machinery. Small one is
used to split inner bearing races after carefully cutting part way
through with abrasive wheel. ( when neither puller or heat can be
used.)

[Oscar]

This extended reach is only a 3" so it probably won't get used a lot, but it should get me into places nothing else will go..

I bought one from harbor freight thinking it would be great to grind out tack welds or bad welds (I do a lot of those ), but it is severely under-powered, even for harbor freight quality, lol.

[whtbaron]

Yea, it's no powerhouse... there's a reason the good ones are over $300 and this one was $70. Like I said, it's not something I'll use a lot, but for those nasty little places where nothing else will go, it's an option. That screened face shield will also have limited uses. Right now I'm doing a lot of wire wheeling on some rusty paint, and it's good for that. I noticed on the grinder that I can still feel particles getting through it though ( not too surprising being a screen ) so it will require safety glasses under it while using the grinder.

[Lis2323]

Yea, it's no powerhouse... there's a reason the good ones are over $300 and this one was $70. Like I said, it's not something I'll use a lot, but for those nasty little places where nothing else will go, it's an option. That screened face shield will also have limited uses. Right now I'm doing a lot of wire wheeling on some rusty paint, and it's good for that. I noticed on the grinder that I can still feel particles getting through it though ( not too surprising being a screen ) so it will require safety glasses under it while using the grinder.

I just looked on line. $99cdn regular price so you did okay.

Too bad it doesn't have a lower profile head

I use mine A LOT (embarrassed to say)


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[smithdoor]

Power tools from Harbor Freight
I only buy Dewalt with cord as they keep going and going and still going.

Dave

PS very few things I buy from HF
If I can not fix or upgrade I do not buy HF

I bought one from harbor freight thinking it would be great to grind out tack welds or bad welds (I do a lot of those ), but it is severely under-powered, even for harbor freight quality, lol.

[Tarmstrong]

I just looked on line. $99cdn regular price so you did okay.

Too bad it doesn't have a lower profile head

I use mine A LOT (embarrassed to say)


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Do you like that Aircat you posted last week or some other suggestion …I am getting myself some Christmas presents and one of those extended reach grinders is on my list…thanks.

[Lis2323]

Do you like that Aircat you posted last week or some other suggestion …I am getting myself some Christmas presents and one of those extended reach grinders is on my list…thanks.

I really like that Aircat. The extended reach in conjunction with a relatively low profile head make it invaluable.

I purchased it several years ago on advice from from a member here on WW

Put it on your list and Merry Christmas!


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[Reebz]

Is this the Air cat you are referring to? https://www.tooldiscounter.com/produ...caAiY_EALw_wcB

[Lis2323]

Is this the Air cat you are referring to? https://www.tooldiscounter.com/produ...caAiY_EALw_wcB

6375 A. Affirmative !


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[Tarmstrong]

6375 A. Affirmative !


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You found any flap discs that will work with that…cut off I found, couldn’t find flap discs anyplace…thanks.

[Lis2323]

You found any flap discs that will work with that…cut off I found, couldn’t find flap discs anyplace…thanks.

Not certain but I never looked. I find the cut off wheels work well for light grinding as well as spatter removal in tight spots.

Post here if you find some

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[whtbaron]

Yea... I might still get an Aircat if I find I'm using this one for things that annoy me. It says max. 4" disc.... won't take 4.5" with the guard on?

$250 Cdn. all in... that's better than the $312 I got quoted last time..... https://www.amazon.com/AIRCAT-6275-C.../dp/B00U24VGBQ

[Lis2323]

It says max. 4" disc.... won't take 4.5" with the guard on?

Pretty sure not. I will look tomorrow.


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[Lis2323]

And the answer is no




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[M J D]

And the answer is no




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I would think if you found a 3/8" 24 external to 1/4" 20 thread insert you could adapt a 3" roloc holder and use 3" roloc flap discs or surface conditioning pads on there

[Lis2323]

I would think if you found a 3/8" 24 external to 1/4" 20 thread insert you could adapt a 3" roloc holder and use 3" roloc flap discs or surface conditioning pads on there

That's a really good idea. I have Trim Kut and Rolocs that I currently use in the right angle die grinders.







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[M J D]

That's a really good idea. I have Trim Kut and Rolocs that I currently use in the right angle die grinders.







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Same here. Major issue I've found is it's not really a low profile setup. Usually have to use one of the small hand held belt sanders like the Milwaukee band file for those situations

[M J D]

Come to think of it, I think you can get " trim cuts" with 3)8" 24 thread.

[Lis2323]

Usually have to use one of the small hand held belt sanders like the Milwaukee band file for those situations

Same. I just bought a cordless Makita




which I like using because it’s so handy, but lacks the real power of my pneumatic Dynabrade with 1/2” belt.


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[M J D]

Same. I just bought a cordless Makita




which I like using because it’s so handy, but lacks the real power of my pneumatic Dynabrade with 1/2” belt.


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I have the larger 3/4" belt in pneumatic. Biggest issue I have is the belts don't last that long. Not really a big deal since it's a tool not often used.

[Lis2323]

I have the larger 3/4" belt in pneumatic. Biggest issue I have is the belts don't last that long. Not really a big deal since it's a tool not often used.

I have the same problem with my Klingspoor 1/2"x24" belts.

My own fault for buying a big *** box of them off eBay. The adhesive bond let's go on them.


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[M J D]

Haven't had that problem. It's just that it's a relatively small belt and they just wear out quickly. I haven't tried ceramic ( if they are available) , just zirconia.

[smithdoor]

I agree
I have 1/2" and rarely use it but I had for 40 years.
I found electric 120 volt last longest and I do not to run a air compressor. Battery power is great till the battery dies now I have a costly draw filler.

Dave

I have the larger 3/4" belt in pneumatic. Biggest issue I have is the belts don't last that long. Not really a big deal since it's a tool not often used.