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.
20
questions
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 ...
1
vote
2
answers
110
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 ...
- 1,200
2
votes
1
answer
58
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 ...
- 121
6
votes
1
answer
146
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♦
- 9,070
3
votes
1
answer
87
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 ...
- 161
4
votes
2
answers
169
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 ...
- 111
1
vote
1
answer
169
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 ...
- 11
3
votes
0
answers
49
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 ...
10
votes
2
answers
481
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 ...
- 243
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 ...
- 3,671
6
votes
2
answers
624
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 ...
- 161
1
vote
1
answer
55
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 ...
- 141
3
votes
0
answers
124
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 ...
- 131
5
votes
2
answers
77
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 ...
- 339
5
votes
3
answers
483
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, ...
- 10.3k
4
votes
6
answers
166
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 ...
- 221
3
votes
1
answer
633
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 ...
- 131
2
votes
1
answer
305
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.
- 271
1
vote
1
answer
75
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 ...
- 363
8
votes
4
answers
881
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♦
- 9,070