Garage Hangout

Update to this old post. Over the last couple of years I have bought and restored probably in excess of 100 wood and plastic handled screwdrivers, clutch head drivers, square head, torx head etc. If they are quality drivers I buy them, only dirt cheap, quarter or fifty cents eac. Wood handle drivers, only old stuff. I will buy them slathered in old caulk,  paint and window putty too. No one wants those,  deemed beyond salvaging. Bought weekly at my local Habitat store.

I drag them home and most soak a day, or even several days in Evaporust. Wood, plastic it doesn't matter. After the Evaporust soak without exception, any paint or gunk on the handles either wipes away with a rag, or is easily be removed with just my fingernail.

Almost all of the plastic handle screwdrivers I spray with gloss clear paint. Always makes them look new. I have done this with old stinky handle drivers too. So far, all of them look the same as when restored and so far I have no smells to report. I can't swear my fix will stand the test of time, but so far, so good. I think the spray finish locks in and arrests the smell, but who knows.

I was looking for a Cat metric shallow chrome 3/8" set for my son. Ultimately I landed on a large 20 piece I think set of Williams USA made (Seller claimed made by Snap-on after Williams sold out to Snap-on) I recall hearing about this years ago following the buy out during the same time I bought my Williams screwdriver set clones of the old Snap-on hard handle drivers. So, I suggested the set to my son which he purchased for something like $107 shipped. We will see what he gets they haven't arrived yet.

Seller assures they are USA stamped and not Taiwan like later manufacturing went to and I think NOS from maybe a decade ago.

The Cat deal is very real and was my next choice, but this set was more comprehensive with no skips.

Recently I faced a plier grip dilemma of my own. I picked up a large set of SK Channelock clone pliers at the local flea mkt for my son. While in great condition they had no grips at all. I prefer grips on my pliers but found few economical options. Traditional Plasti-Dip in the cans were too shallow for consideration. Shrink tube in the diameter needed for the project was not available at hdw stores and anything found online far beyond consideration cost wise. The grips would have cost nearly as much as a new pair of pliers online or through electrical supply outlets.

Finding no viable alternatives I opted to try Plasti-Dip spray. Most of $10 a can, but the most reasonable option I could figure out so I gave it a try.

I was very satisfied with the visual results. Pre cleaned the steel prior to application with brake clean. I applied 4 coats which used about 2/3 thirds of the can of spray. The final results were smooth with no bubbles.

I have doubts about how durable the grips will be as the material thickness strikes me as too thin to stand up over time to punishing use, but time will tell.

As luck would have it, this very day, work took me to a high end travel trailer manufacturing company. While conducting my safety audit in the shop I noticed a large pile if various sizes of shrink tubing  each in approximately 3' lengths. The employer graciously shared one length of each diameter they had so I am set now. Like as not I will use some of the appropriate sized over the spray coated pliers I gave the son about a month ago to improve durability to those pliers.

I really lucked out. I now have shrink tubing up to about 2" diameter and a half dozen or so smaller sizes.

Quote from: Muddy on Jul 07, 2026, 07:05 PMGot to see the magnificent machine on July 2nd! I rode a train that lead 4014 from nesqhoning to Reading. Got to see it pull up beside us several times.

Great experience I'll not soon forget. It spent almost a month in Pennsylvania my social media is flooded with 4014 pictures and videos and I'm absolutely loving it!!!

Today the largest stem engine in the world went over the largest stone  bridge (rockville Bridge) in the world! I wish I could have been there!

Your a lucky guy to get to experience 4014 pulling past you!! I watched several video's and man it sounded awesome hearing both engines pulling up that grade at the same time.

Over the past 20 years most of the miles have been towing a trailer.

Last year I got excited when I saw what appeared as an Avalanche at the local Chevy dealer. First thing I noted was the 8 bolt hubs. Meaning it was a 3/4 ton. My enthusiasm quickly diminished when it was an EV. And told the salesperson, NO Thanks! Put a 8.1 engine coupled with an Alison then you'd be whistling my tune. That sucker weighs 8,000 pounds or more empty. Depending how many deadly batteries you care to pack.

That's a good endorsement. Especially for a towing vehicle.

You can't expect great fuel economy from an 8.1-liter engine built for heavy towing. I didn't purchase the Avalanche 2500 for that. During highway driving without a trailer, you can anticipate a maximum of 14 MPG. However, towing a 12,000-pound load reduces fuel efficiency to roughly 7 MPG.

Being 20 years old with a quarter million miles on the clock, I was thinking to purchase a replacement. After seeing what's out there today, along with the cost. There's no way... Even if I have to rebuild both the engine and transmission I'm better off keeping her.. 

While it is sunny and nice out I am focusing on the Dalton.

I have been able to scrape of the glopped on grey paint fairly easily do to the machine having been painted without being cleaned first, and as it was in a working shop for its 100+ year life, it is still very dirty

But, it has been relatively easy to go from this

and this

to this

and this

The black you see under the grey is not paint, but, rather, japaning, like an old Stanley plane, and I am really happy that so much remains under the glop.

Dang, that's a nice truck, OCG.

What kind of mileage do you get, pulling trailers or just driving without a load?

Quote from: 1965 Comet Caliente on Jul 16, 2026, 02:07 PM

Quote from: Muddy on Jul 12, 2026, 05:54 PMOne days I'd love to take a tour of your place.

I think that would be like touring the Wonka Chocolate factory!   

At least I go down happy to lol