Tech Tips

[kingmick]

this might have been done before. but can it be pinned so i can add to it as i get the time?
and if there is others can someone with the time edit them and add them to this one. so it can be at the top all the time. if this is a bad idea just delete!

Tech tips


1. use copper/nickel based anti seize on nuts and bolts you take off and put back on.{easy next time you undo it}

2. WD40 can be used as AEROSTART etc

3. if your you cant get the weight you need into a spanner on a stuck nut or bolt, use a second spanners open end in the ring end of the one your using for extra leverage.

4. a small gas bottle works wonders on stuck bolts and nuts. Use in combination with a water squirt bottle. Heat nut and the squirt bolt with water to shrink it.

5. for hard to reach bolts and nuts, buy cheap spanners then heat and bend them to the shape you need

6. Nuts or bolts with stuff heads can be ground flat on two sides to get the next size down spanner on or weld another nut onto a stuffed head.

7. Use a flapper linishing wheel on grinder to round and dull all edges of things you make, saves stiches later on.

8. Tools, buy good quality tools for your most used tools and then cheapies for one off jobs or seldom used ones.

9. If you put a nut or bolt in or on and it feels like its very stiff, take it straight back off as it is prob cross threaded and will be a pain to get off in a few years and or snap which can be a bigger pain, either clean up thread or replace.

10. if you are having trouble getting something thread in or on, walk away and come back to it, after years I still do this as you must get a different interpretation of straight{alignment} the second or third time, this will save you hours.

11. If you’re going to measure a fair bit and you want it accurate, buy a 200mm and 500mm steel quality rulers as a minim. tape measure just doesn’t cut it

12. Adjustable spanners have there place, but not on a car, unless you want to bend sheet metal to put on the car.

13. buy good quality drill bits and drill slow with metal, keeps them sharper and stops you breaking them, beside the fact it will drill the hole quicker. Keep them sharp with file or linisher or proper sharpening tool. A blunt drill bit makes a bigger hole. Use a drill bit at least 5 times bigger than the one you used to clean up {use bit with hand} holes you have drilled.

14. Buy good clear safety glasses for metal work as well working under the car, dirt can hurt just as much as metal. We have all got dirt in our eyes at one point from looking up and working on something under the car.

15. Spray the bare ends of threads after a nut in water affected areas with black paint or grease. Help when you are trying to get them off a few years later etc.

16. Get into the habit of cleaning with a wire brush and kero everything you take off the car. Makes for cleaner work and better fit down the track.

17. if your are about to use an older radiator that has been sitting without water for awhile, get it flushed and cleaned professionally, a lot of heating problems come from mineral deposits drying out and then breaking off and blocking things.

18. Put spare tire under car next to were you are working. Never ever work under a car with just the jack holding it up!

19. When using steel nuts or bolts with alloy. Use a big flat washer to
Spread the load, especially important were an alloy part has movement.

20. If you have to bend a lip on alloy or steel sheet, a couple of
Adjustable spanners can be used. Close adjustable {space adjustable
Around 50mm apart} jaws tight over the sheet and slowly bend up

21. A jigsaw {can get them for as little as $40} and a good fine teeth metal
Blade makes for a far neater cut when cutting out sheet alloy or steel
{Light gauge}.jigsaw also works great on Perspex or lexen {use masking
Take on Perspex and draw you cut lines on masking tape}.if you are
Going to use pop rivets on Perspex make the pop rivet hole one size
Bigger, this stops cracking from flex.

22. When you want to cut stainless still, use the proper superfine grinder
Blade. Makes easy work of cutting stainless pipe for intercoolers etc.

23. To cut a nice neat edge on silicon hose, put a hose clamp on it and
Lightly tighten but make sure hose is still its same shape. Then cut alone the hose clamp edge with a sharp knife.

24. If you have to cut holes in inner guards ect to run intercooler pipes,
Buy a roof {plumbing supply place} penetration boot {for toilet flues and
the like, don’t worry it looks sensational} in the size that suits the pipe, then pop rivet the neat looking zinc edge they have, to the inner
Guard. Cut a piece of vacuum hose in half {down the length of the hose}
Add a bit of Silastic to the inner part of the cut hose and run around the inside if the hole you cut in the inner guard. This will stop any metal to metal rattle.

25. If you are making a rollcage and have access to a plasma cutter, use the
Plasma cutter to fine notch the end when in the car. It will give you a nice tight weld joint and saves getting out of the car and setting
The pipe up in the notcher when you’re creeping up on the joint.

26. Use a big sharpening stone to see if metal is flat, it’s easy to see
After a few rubs with the stone the low areas.

27. If you have the room! Tilt your radiator and intercooler back {at the
Top} and seal the top and bottom with alloy sheet, to stop air leaking
Out of either. They will work better.

28. Blocked window washer outlets, use a needle to clean ends. Use compressed
Air if you have it to blow backwards with hoses disconnected.

sorry for typo's etc . its a bit all over the place as im doing it of the top of my head!lol

[stahlz_ae86]

6. Nuts or bolts with stuff heads can be ground flat on two sides to get the next size down spanner on or weld another nut onto a stuffed head.

Good quality vice grips also work a treat

[kingmick]

a few more added.

[BigWorm]

-deleted by ed-

[kingmick]

-deleted by ed-

[Hen]

While this could arguably be included in the "Tips and tricks" thread, I think it's great to have a list of seemingly obvious hints. Many you will already know, some will be new, and some will save you hours of pain and suffering.

There are some things that are obvious once you have learnt them, but hard to work out from scratch (eg pushbike pedals are reverse threaded on one side, normal thread on the other)

Keep them coming Mick (and others)

Hen

[kingmick]

While this could arguably be included in the "Tips and tricks" thread, I think it's great to have a list of seemingly obvious hints. Many you will already know, some will be new, and some will save you hours of pain and suffering.

There are some things that are obvious once you have learnt them, but hard to work out from scratch (eg pushbike pedals are reverse threaded on one side, normal thread on the other)

Keep them coming Mick (and others)

Hen

thanks mate!lol

[BigWorm]

-deleted by ed-

[feral4mr2]

^^^^ dont forget the massif budget...

[kingmick]

lol did you two have something to add to tech tips? if you both miss me and want a chat just PM me.

[PlacentaJuan]

Heres a tip; post obvious things u just learnt in high school to get extra rep!!! omg bs hax!

Seriously though I am pretty noob when it comes to cars, compared to the rest of the members here, and there isn't anything on that list that even I didnt think was obvious.

That list even looks cut and pasted from somewhere alse also, especially before it was 'edited'.

If there was a section called 'For NOOB use only' then that is where this thread belongs, but knowing these things should be a pre-requisite before you can join Toymods.

[kingmick]

yes out of note pad into to word!lmao

amusing its the ones that dont know about car commenting!

[BigWorm]

-deleted by ed-

[kingmick]

Yes well, what do we know about cars, PJ & I are far too busy maintaining aircraft, hopefully one day we'll have the time to get our heads around cars.....

Seriously though, sorry to have spoilt your ever so helpful thread, I'll be quiet now.







ROFLMAO!

would you like me to teach you how to fly? lmao. its more fun than working on them.

[BigWorm]

Lol, I bet it takes alot more skill too!

Seriously though, sorry to have spoilt your ever so helpful thread, I'll be quiet now.

Sorry, I lied.