Motor Heaven

If you have tools, one thing is for sure... they're eventually going to break down. 

No matter how much you keep up with normal maintenance, parts wear out or fail. That's just the way it is, if you work with motors and pulleys and belts and fan blades.

So when a few motors in the shop started sputtering and whining, I knew I needed some professional help. I went to my usual motor guy, but unfortunately ... he couldn't perform the repairs I needed.  He's been around a long time, and has probably worked on motors longer than I've been alive. But I think he's got one foot out the retirement door, and just couldn't seem to perform the repairs. 

So he sent me to another motor shop in town - who knew that one town could have two motor repair places that have been in business for 60+ years?

Walking into Carlson Electric is like walking back in time. 

The front counter greets you with a bunch of signs, obviously relics of past issues they've had with other customers. I guess if you've been around that long, you're bound to have had some issues.

Honestly, I had the feeling that Woodie, the owner, has probably forgotten more about motors than most have ever learned. 

The best thing is that they have so many spare parts, scrapped from old motors, that just about any type of repair can be made.

 Pulleys? No problem.

 I'm not even sure what these are called - motor ends? 

Either way, there are a buttload of them - in every size and shape imaginable. Seriously, it's like a graveyard for motor parts. 

It's hard to take it all in. 

My repair was performed while I waited, with spare parts.  $25. I even got to watch the repair being made, until Woodie caught me in the back repair area, cussed me out and made me wait up front. 

Yeah, yeah, I get it... insurance regulations and all....

The bottom line is - I've found my new repair shop in town. 

And if you're ever in need of a good motor repair shop, I highly recommend them. Sure, Woodie can be a little gruff (read some of the Yelp reviews to understand what I mean), but he's one of the best in town.  He's who you want repairing your gear.

Late to the party?

 Maybe I'm late to the party, but I learned a sweet trick this week from one of the members of the carving club.  

Listen to the tune below while reading the rest of this past... it'll make sense at the end.

Remember the last post about tattoos, and covering up accidents? 

Barry was working on this eagle head,

 and accidentally broke off the tip of the beak.  As I looked closely at it - I could barely see a flaw, and asked how he'd fixed it.

 And he gave me the tip of the year... baking soda and superglue. He built up the tip with drops of glue and baking soda, and once it dried - he dremel-ed it smooth. 

Genius!

(Maybe I'm late to the party, but I've never heard of this technique.)

You know those nasty cracks that we get on our fingertips, especially during winter? Someone suggested superglue, rather than the more traditional first-aid solutions, like Skin Shield or New Skin. I've tried them all - they sting, and don't work. At least for me, they don't work. 

This past winter - I became a big fan of super glue. 

In fact, you can pick up a pack at your local Dollar Tree that will last a while. 

You don't have to worry about a bigger tube of it drying up and going to waste.

Honestly, I've tried them all, and superglue is a game changer for skin cracks. This fellow actually repaired a smashed nail, and although it's a nasty photo below, the repair is brilliant.

 I'm going to remember this one. 

Cool Woodworking Tattoos

If you regularly check out woodworking websites like I do, you'll notice some really interesting tattoos. I love the way people incorporate names or some personalization into the artwork -  here are a few of my favorites.

 I love how this woodworker has hidden the fact that he's missing two fingertips. Genius! 

That brings me to my dilemma - depending on how my shin heals, I might need some artwork to disguise this nasty scar. We'll see.... 

Stay safe!