TOP TINKERING TIPS

Perhaps readers could suggest (or own up to) worthwhile tips on how to better use everyday household products / facilities to make our lives easier in the workshop. Equally importantly, how to get away with doing this without being caught out!

We all know about putting bearings in the freezer and engine/gearbox castings in the oven, but there must be a myriad of other tips out there. My own suggestions are:

Use the dishwasher to clean castings, although I personally have never been brave enough to do so.

Clingfilm has various uses including keeping things clean and in place.

Used kitchen roll cardboard centres: wrap spare gaskets around them (secured with clingfilm) for safekeeping.

Takeaway food containers make excellent storage boxes, while aluminium foil containers can be bent to shape for oil receptacles during oil changes.

Lady’s tights make excellent filter material (trust me on this one!)

Nail varnish remover makes short work of cleaning old gasket sealant from joint faces.

A domestic hairdryer makes a good substitute for a hot air gun (but not the other way around!)

These are just a few quick thoughts. I know there are many more out there. So come on chaps, let’s hear them. Keith Bellinger, member 4871 I’ve been enjoying brush painting for a few years, and most important is the brush quality. The usual advice is to buy best quality Harris bristle brushes – forget it! All decorating grade brushes are far too coarse and will leave brush marks. Try high quality watercolour artist’s brushes. You need brushes with hairs, not bristles. It’s strange that there is no standard brush grade system, BPI; Bristles Per Inch, or HPI.

I never strip old paint back to metal unless the old/new paints are incompatible. Just apply elbow grease and feather the edges.

It’s very satisfying and therapeutic. My heart rate slows right down when I’m painting – until the greenfly lands on my latest masterpiece! Oily Boot Bob, member