Shop Talk

A brighter approach to lamp dimmers.

Aluminum is usually marked by the manufacturer to indicate the alloy and temper. The markings may also include the lot number and the...

A faster way to add rivet holes to piano hinge.

I live in a pretty cool neighborhood, which happens to include a couple of locals who are building airplane projects in their garages. In...

The $10 airplane fix-it tool.

Heat and avionics don't get along all that well. Rather than installing a fan that runs all the time, Jim Weir suggests building and using a fan that runs only when you need it.

Most of us have a threaded drill kit. Mine has an assortment of common bits like #40, 1/8 inch, etc. It also has a...

Tubemiter software creates perfect templates for fishmouths. By Jeff Point.

Cool tools for lathe work.

How do you condition a battery not in regular use to extend its lifetime? Run it down and then charge it back up. Jim Weir explains how to achieve this with about $10 worth of parts.