A Few of My Favorite Things

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360Youth

360Youth

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Location
Newport, NC
What are some of your favorite tools. I guess I am talking the not so ordinary that you don't see all the time. As a tradesman, there is not much more I like other than having the right tool at the right time. (Now remember, I am from the NC coast, so if I am behind the times on a couple, forgive me:D )
I have 3 in particular that I have grown to love and utilize:

http://tmt.stores.yahoo.net/gr6drbiset.html

These things are great. I use them most for adding ground lugs when I need them. They are perfect for having machine threads as opposed to self-tappers. Works great for fuse blocks and din-rail.

View attachment 404

I used to work for a man that had a fence post driver that he would use for driving ground rods. I could not find one, so my grandfather and uncle made me this. Better than any sledge I have ever had.

View attachment 405

We use knockout sets A LOT! Not everyday, but several times on any given project. We had to put a knockout in the bottom of a generator one day, and one of the guys was sitting on the ground cranking away on the knockout above him when I said, "Hold on, let's try something." I have been using this ever since. One nice thing I like about it is there is no yanking on a handle and pulling on mounting attatchments. All the force is right there in one concentrated spot.
 
Just out of curiosity, how large of a knockout will an 18 volt cordless drill handle? I have often wanted to try this but never got around to it.
My KO set goes up to 4", but I have doubts about a drill being able to handle such a knockout...it's plenty hard enough to crank it by hand, even with a breaker bar or pipe on the end of my ratchet.
 
I've just bought 2 torque wenches. I can't wait to use them. Have I been over or under torque all these years. I'll let you know.
 
bstoin said:
Just out of curiosity, how large of a knockout will an 18 volt cordless drill handle? I have often wanted to try this but never got around to it.
My KO set goes up to 4", but I have doubts about a drill being able to handle such a knockout...it's plenty hard enough to crank it by hand, even with a breaker bar or pipe on the end of my ratchet.
Click to expand...

Depends on the drill. For small drills like his, you're probably right. I picked up an 18v Rigid with a two speed tranny and on "low" it's a real torque monster compared to the 14v drills I use most of the time.
 
Here's my ground rod driver​
11263evs.jpg
 
Here's my ground rod driver. Weighs over 50lbs., and really nails 'em in. That's a solid chunk of steel I've welded on top of a piece of 1-1/4" RMC.
I use my roto hammer, which has a 9 lb blow, on ground rods too. It doesn't hold a candle to this home-made thumper.

HPIM0643.jpg
 
Homemade gadgets

Homemade gadgets

Have either of y'all considered welding some #9 rebar to opposites sides of the tube? Take an 18" piece of #9, bend a 90* angle 6" from one end, weld both ends to the tubing with the pointy end of the resulting triangle (the long end of the rebar "L") near the weighted end.

We use gadgets like that for driving metal posts for barbed wire and chicken wire fencing.
 
tallgirl said:
Have either of y'all considered welding some #9 rebar to opposites sides of the tube? .
Click to expand...
No. If the slammer is heavy enough, you don't need handles. Just pick it up, and let it bash down. Saves wear and tear on the hands.
 
emahler said:
i'm guessing the drill is an impact driver? might work quite well up to 2", no?
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Yes, it is an impact driver. The largest we have cut is 2 1/2". Never had to cut bigger than tha since having the tool.
 
Marc,

your welding job looks like mine in post #9...did we go to the same school, at different times? I know how to use it, but prefer the CEE in regard to doing what is actually claimed for electrical equipment to limit the voltage by lightning, line surges, or unintentional contact with higher voltage and that will stabalize the voltage to earth during normal operation - per 250.4(A).
 
mdshunk said:
Here's my ground rod driver. Weighs over 50lbs., and really nails 'em in. That's a solid chunk of steel I've welded on top of a piece of 1-1/4" RMC.
I use my roto hammer, which has a 9 lb blow, on ground rods too. It doesn't hold a candle to this home-made thumper.

th_HPIM0643.jpg
Click to expand...

Where do you plug it in?
 
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tallgirl said:
Have either of y'all considered welding some #9 rebar to opposites sides of the tube? Take an 18" piece of #9, bend a 90* angle 6" from one end, weld both ends to the tubing with the pointy end of the resulting triangle (the long end of the rebar "L") near the weighted end.

We use gadgets like that for driving metal posts for barbed wire and chicken wire fencing.
Click to expand...

Julie, we used #9 rebar for cages on stadium light pier bases. That is 1 1/8" rebar for those that do not know. The idea sounds like a keen idea only that I don't know if I could lift the darn thing. Remind me never to challenge you to an armwrestling match !!..........By the way, we use a Ramset to drive rods, or a hydraulic attachment on a digger truck we have.
 
Rockyd said:
Your welding job looks like mine in post #9...did we go to the same school, at different times? .
Click to expand...
I'll need to take a closer pic. It's a darned near perfect roll of nickels. Even a hack can screw up and get a nice weld.
 
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