Using stuff the way it wasn't meant to be used

[Nativespec]

How about a restaurant hood above your tools?

David

[JimmyC]

I use 1" pvc pcs. inside an old cal ammo can , the pvc separates my welding rods, the ammo can keeps them dry.

I also have 3 cabinets (that I got free from Duke medical) that have 27 drawers each, each drawer is 9"x12"x3" high. they are great for holding everything in the shop that doesn't have a specific place (hardware, odd tools, etc.).

Jimmy

ps. and a texas longhorn skull on the wall, which I haven't quite figured out a good use for yet.

[JimmyC]

Originally Posted by Mike Davis

That reminded me of the Library Card Catalog drawers for storing tools. I just need to take time to make labels so I can find things without opening every drawer.

Mike,
They remind me a lot of the dewey decimal system storage systems, these are a bit wider and made out of metal, alot of the library ones were made out of oak. I wouldn't mind having a set of them.

Jimmy

[DaveO]

Bas, old bike inter-tubes are great for clamping irregular shaped objects (like the cabinets I build ). That makes me think of another handy "non-shop" item that I found I can live without. Ratchet straps that you would use to bind a load on a truck. I have found them to be great for clamping non-square things and stuff that is occasionally to large for my current clamp selection.
They also come in handy to safely tie down that new tool purchase or furniture commission delivery to the bed of your truck

Dave

[Keye]

My guess on inner tube- used to hold odd shaped pieces during glue ups.

Motel plastic key cards. Great for shims, between wood and clamps and for spreading glue. What do you mean I am supposed to turn them back in at the front desk.

[Travis Porter]

Originally Posted by Bas

OK, very creative. I think I know the usage for most of them, but the bicycle inner tube?????

Margarine bowls, plastic coffee cans - OK, storage
wax paper, saran wrap, - glue-up, tool lubrication, covering stuff, OK
paraffin, - tool lubrication, anti-rust?
bar soap, - for screws I assume
Barkeeper's Friend powder - for cleaning cast iron surfaces
toothpicks - lots of uses for that
measuring cups - obvious
spatula (to get that last bit of paint out of the paint can) - to get that last bit of paint out of the paint can
plastic packing tape (covers edges, makes a good shim, makes a slick finish, etc), - not going to make the same joke again
credit card glue speaders - OK
colander (great for straining the skin coat off of paint) - OK
speaker magnets - lemme guess, holding small metal parts?
metal baking pans (parts cleaning and screw sorting) - why metal pans for screw sorting? isn't that noisy
scotchbrite scrub pads - good for cast iron surfaces
microfiber cloths - as tack cloths?
plastic peanut butter jars (parts/fastener storage and small parts/bit cleaning) - OK. Chunky or smooth?
spray bottles - what do you spray? blade cleaner?
metal bed frame rails - for what, building a bed?
bicycle inner tube - for expansion of....something? Intrigued by this one!
aluminum foil (great for masking irregularly shaped objects). Never thought of that. Looks like all the household rolls can be used in the shop!

I haven't done it, but an inner tube can be used as a clamp of sorts.

[woodnick]

I just went back throught the list and I didn't see Playing cards. I use them between the piece I'm cutting and the stop, to move it over, and recut it just that much shorter.

[Gofor]

The inner tubes can be used as a big rubber band for clamping, and also small pieces of them make great non-slip/non marring faces for pipe clamps, metal vise jaws, vise grips, etc.

Go

[Will Goodwin]

Bas got me thinking about the inner tubes ... do you guys think they would ever be good to use as adjustable spacers to hold things in place so you can mark them? Got the idea while watching Norm hold up a recessed door face and put shims under the bottom and try to center it side to side before pushing it into the backer boards with his marking pins in the bored holes. My idea was to put the tube around the door and then pump air into the tube to hold it fairly centered. Think it would work? And what is the deal with him saying (jig or tool) purchased from the manufacturer ... who's this manufacturer that he doesn't want to mention?

Will

[NCPete]

Originally Posted by Will Goodwin

And what is the deal with him saying (jig or tool) purchased from the manufacturer ... who's this manufacturer that he doesn't want to mention?

Will

That is the cool thing about Norm, he doesn't mention every product name, unlike Bob Villa who will talk ad nauseum about Sears Craftsman this, Sears Kenmore that.... Norm makes it a show about the process, not the products he is using - to encourage people to use whatever means necessary to do the specific job. FWIW, many of the jigs he uses that he doesn't make are ones that are available from Rockler.

[Ray Martin]

Originally Posted by Travis Porter

Wax paper as you do. Plastic wrap/saran wrap I use to wrap up brushes in between coats of finish, pie tins to put feet of projects in while I am finishing them, a laptop computer to surf the site and pull up project plans, a hand truck to wheel my dust barrel out, a hydraulic lift cart to haul lumber and let my daughter ride up and down on, and last but not least, a tennis racket to swat japanese hornets or bumble bees that seem to like to wander in here.

Harbor Freight sells a bug swatter that looks like a tennis racket. It's actually an electronic bug zapper. It's like the lamps you hang in the back yard, but in the shape of a racket. I bought a couple of them last year and they work great.

Ray

[Ray Martin]

Just re-read the list. Don't think anyone mentioned drinking Folgers coffee. It comes in plastic containers with plastic lids. These cans are great for paint, nails, small parts, and the Japanese bumble-wasp bugs mentioned earlier in the thread.

Ray

[Travis Porter]

I hadn't thought of the Folgers containers and I drink Folgers coffee. I will use that one!

[Gotcha6]

I think Vilas' deal with Sears mandates he mention them by name. He's pretty much locked in to them as a sponsor. Norm seems to take the subliminal approach by making sure you see the tool logo every time it isn't too obvious - and he has multiple sponsors to consider. Just a difference in philosophies on opposite ends of Madison Ave.

[Gofor]

I think the Folgers containers are the best paint container going. They are easy to grip while painting on a ladder, and because you grip from the side, you don't have to worry about the can handle being in your way. The plastic top to keep it fresh 'til the next coat is another bonus. The large opening makes it easy to load the brush and tap off the excess without ending up scraping the edge as you pull it out of the container.
Great design for something not intended by the seller!!

Go