Questions tagged [tool-usage]

For questions regarding the use of a certain tool. This includes asking after instructions on how to properly use it, how to improve your usage, how to prevent injuries, and more.

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When would multiple low power passes of a laser be preferential to a single higher powered pass?

Under what circumstances would it be preferable to choose to cut or engrave using multiple lower powered passes rather than a single higher powered pass with a diode laser? Please presume a material ...
Aaargh Zombies's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
54 views

How can I unstick my airbrush needle?

I have a Paasche VL airbrush that, up until a month ago, hadn't been used in about 30 years. I got a compressor and used it twice successfully for about a half hour each time. A booklet that came with ...
Nobody Special's user avatar
6 votes
2 answers
151 views

Should a paint knife for wet-on-wet be bowed?

I was trying to follow along with Bob Ross - Snow Fall (Season 1 Episode 12) and I am having difficulty with the mountain in the background. I am finding that unless I press really hard that I don't ...
Galen's user avatar
  • 307
5 votes
1 answer
1k views

Beginner Question: How would I cut this shape out of 6061 Aluminum?

I have 36" of Aluminum 6061 square bar (5/8"x5/8") that I am trying to cut into uniform I-shapes shown below where two parallel 2" x 1/8" x 5/8" sections are cut from the ...
Cabinet_Brave's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
129 views

What purpose do these airbrush accessories serve and how does their use\effect differ?

What is the difference between these airbrush accessories in terms of how they would be used and the effect that they produce when spraying. Numbered 1 to 7 from top left to bottom right. I'm looking ...
Aaargh Zombies's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
89 views

How to use a drill press to drill with drawing layout

I want to make a part with 3mm thickness aluminum plate (about 10 by 10 cm). On my first try, I painted the plate with permanent ink and drew the layout using a tungsten pen and a square ruler. After ...
M lab's user avatar
  • 121
6 votes
1 answer
666 views

Is there a way to "revive" or protect hand sewing needles from corrosion?

I often find myself hand sewing small seams or buttons, repairing a garment or embroidering something using standard hand sewing needles. After about 8 hours of active use, the needles start to become ...
Elmy's user avatar
  • 12.6k
3 votes
1 answer
144 views

Desk Pencil Sharpener - what's the purpose of the feeding arm?

Pretty minor - but it puzzles me. All desk pencil sharpeners I've encountered have a spring triggered "feeding arm" (see image where the arm is extended). What's its purpose? I can sharpen ...
OmerB's user avatar
  • 161
4 votes
2 answers
336 views

How can I avoid chipped edges on glass etching with a Dremel?

I've been trying my hand at etching glass with my Dremel 4000 & a Flex Shaft. I've been experimenting with different diamond bits and speeds but my edges always come out chipped. I use a water ...
brandinomite's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
268 views

How can I create a center disk to put under a compass point?

I want to get my hands on one of these disks used to rest the sharp point of a compass on so it will not make a hole in the paper. Someone suggested this device in another question, but I can't find ...
Marcia Karon's user avatar
3 votes
0 answers
78 views

Punch needle tool settings do not match kit instructions

I received a couple of needle punch kits from Joann's for Christmas, along with a 2.2 mm adjustable length punch needle (Boye), which was the recommended tool for the kits. I was reading the ...
Elise Balhoff's user avatar
10 votes
2 answers
767 views

How to use a protractor if you can't see what you are measuring?

I have this protractor: It seems to be the same or similar as this one: Robinson 5001# Stainless Steel Protractor RBS-R-5001 but there are no instructions there. The main problem with this protractor ...
StayOnTarget's user avatar
7 votes
3 answers
1k views

Masking tape tears paper off!

Well, I thought masking tape is used for painting on paper because it can come off easily. I simply put masking tape on a drawing sheet and just to see whether it comes off easily or not, I started ...
Aquarius_Girl's user avatar
6 votes
2 answers
866 views

Align concentric holes of different sizes in 2 pieces of metal on drill press

I'm trying to make a file guide using 2 steel blocks that I want to connect using bolts, like this: The bottom block will receive 2/4 (still experimenting what works best) 5mm holes that I'll tap ...
Kamiel Wanrooij's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
87 views

Does a flex shaft need to be on a stand?

I am thinking of getting a flex shaft for jewelry and stone setting. I have seen most installs require a stand but every once in a while I'll see a video/pic where someone has forgone the stand and ...
Unknown Coder's user avatar
3 votes
0 answers
132 views

Why does my Cricut cut some images in the right place, and some off to the left? [closed]

I'm trying to do print and cut stickers and some don't work out. I've attached two examples — the one with the flag always comes out perfect, but the illustrations with the white outlines always come ...
Tim's user avatar
  • 131
5 votes
2 answers
83 views

How to regain a row of slipped stitches?

Last night I was doing knit stitch on a practice piece of knitting in a small patch, 26 stitches long. When I got to the end I'd realised I'd messed up and I had 27 stitches. The yarn I'm using is ...
Aravona's user avatar
  • 339
5 votes
3 answers
503 views

Precise microwave oven control

I use a microwave oven for a lot of crafting projects (heating, curing, and drying materials). This often needs to be very precise and controlled. I experiment with times and power levels. However, ...
fixer1234's user avatar
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4 votes
6 answers
191 views

Something against hand pain due to writing?

I sometimes write for hours per day (calligraphy), and my hand starts hurting because of holding the pen for so long. Is there a solution to this problem, e.g. some kind of glove or pen-strap that ...
user56834's user avatar
  • 221
3 votes
1 answer
960 views

How do I use this old compass?

I found this old compass at a garage sale, and want to use it: The problem is that I don't know about any of the parts. Does anybody know what it is for and how to use/tighten it? The compass won't ...
user6784137's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
144 views

What is the white material which comes out of steam holes?

When I used the steam feature with my iron, some white material came out right before the steam did. What is that material?
fixit7's user avatar
  • 311
2 votes
1 answer
381 views

How can I blend soft pastels without removing too much colour?

I want to know which is the best blending tool to work on soft pastels. Every time I try to blend the colour seems to lighten. I use normal brushes or my fingers.
Mitchelle's user avatar
  • 281
1 vote
1 answer
83 views

Learning to work with a rotary tool

More or less by occasion as I searched for something original I could craft myself, I decided to craft a walnut jewelry box for the proposal. It went well! :-) For this purpose I had bought a rotary ...
J. Doe's user avatar
  • 383
8 votes
4 answers
1k views

Rotary tool: How to insert bits into collet straight?

I've got a rotary tool (aka Dremel) with a collet like this one (aka quick change collet): You insert the shaft of an accessoir like a drill or diamond bit and tighten the collet nut to hold the ...
Elmy's user avatar
  • 12.6k