Tool Tip #6: Replacement Power Cord

Long and short, heavy gauge and light gauge, with ground and without ground describe the variety of extension cords I keep in my tool kit, but besides extending cords they have another useful function.  Should the power cord on most any power tool fail, an instant replacement is already on hand.  A soldering iron and sometimes crimp-on connectors can make this replacement quite professional.  Make sure, of course, that the wire gauge of the extension cord matches or exceeds the cord on the tool and that the number of conductors is the same.  Generally you'll be surprised how high the cord's gauge on the tool is.  Four advantages here:  1)  You fixed the tool at a fraction of the price you'd pay for a "real" power cord;  2)  You may now have a bright safety orange cord instead of plain old black;  3) You can have a cord of any length you like;   4)   You've saved a trip, and the job can plunge ahead.

Factory Mods

Factory Mods

Flying Hint #4: Infrequent Flyer

Notwithstanding a fair amount of gratuitous pitch, yaw and roll, I have never had a flight student who could not maneuver an aircraft from point A to point B.  Here's the rub:  enter herein, take a seat and takeoff  (a fairly easy operation); you're now faced with landing the aircraft.  Landing requires not only training and experience but also practice, recency and currency.  FAR 61.57 (Federal Aviation Regulation) requires three takeoffs and three landing within the preceding 90 days in order to carry passengers.  For someone like myself, who doesn't get to fly nearly as often as desired, I've reduced  that minimum to 30 days, which more clearly aligns with the upper flat part of the landing sharpness curve.

Lean Thinking Tip #3: The 180 Degree Turn

Upon encountering instrument or adverse weather conditions a VFR (visual flight rules) pilot is supposed to execute the “180° turn,” i.e. turn back to better weather.  This simple maneuver can be a real lifesaver.  In the shop I execute the 180° turn as a real time saver.  Directly across a 4' aisle from my 8' long workbench is a large pegboard panel, also 8' long, as well as 8' high.  A half turn and within arm’s reach lie about 90% of the hand tools, jigs, bits, materials, supplies, etc. that I use every day, each appropriately mounted, each easy to find and each easily returned back to a safe port.  (Thoughts about small power tool storage in a future post.)