Category Archives: Tricks

Alternative to Zerk type oiler for bridgeport milling machine

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To oil the ways of the mill, oil must be applied daily. in order to do this (conveniently) most mills are fit with a hand pump that pushes oil through the machine through a series of pipes. my vintage machine does not have that…so a handhelf oiler must be used. Normally these come from zerk but I found an alternative in this vintage British made grease pump. Works a charm!

TECALEMIT NO CG3020

$20 on eBay, $100 in shipping and bs

Fixing Logitech trackball performance

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I love these Logitech Marble Mouse trackballs, I have one for every computer.  After a few years they slow down physically.  Cleaning the dust off does not help enough, something different needed to be applied.  I’ve been researching lubricants and oils, doing some tests with households; but I think I’ve found the perfect fluid.  Ian Gomes of Union Sound Company made a recommendation a few years back for Penny and Giles faders.  A quick amazon search lead me to Lucas Silicone Shock fluid.  I must report that it is the perfect product for this application.  If you need a drop, I’ll send you a q-tip of it in the mail.

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SOUND GUY XMAS! The family delivers sound guy gifts!!

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I’m so lucky to have such thoughtful family.
I know how difficult it is to shop for us sound guys.
I hope the ideas I’ve been sharing have been of inspiration to eager shoppers.

I thought I would share some of the ideas my family and friends came up with that I missed and appreciate as professional tools and inspiration to learn from!

Super bright LED flashlight.  This one is very small, takes 4 AAA batteries and I bet will last a very long time!
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Gear tie Flexible ties.  I’ve never seen these! This things are very soft and wont scratch anything.
http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=67776&cat=1,43326,59481
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Maped pencils.  These are awesome because they are orange and they are triangular.  Very nice to work with!

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Ike Zimble of Zimble Audio hooked me up over the holidays with a product he really enjoys.
Rawn America’s Tefrawn, I’m very excited to try it out!  Truly a Sound Guy Gift!! 
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I’m very protective of my hearing (and the family knows this).
I’m going on a trip this week and there will be swimming in the ocean.  Aqua Ears!

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Make it stick – the science of successful Learning,  a very very good read.  I got 1/2 way through and gave it to a teacher that needed it more than I did. 
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Flex X-RAP Finger protection.  I’ve never seen anything like this stuff.  If you’re making a bunch of cables and want to move faster this is the ticket! http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=64762&cat=1,42207,64762

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A KAZOO!!!!  Because I’m easily entertained.

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Happy holidays to everyone!  You’re all an inspiration to me and mine!  Keep the feedback coming!

Visualization of what’s on your hard drive

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I was introduced to “Disk Inventory X” that displays a visual representation of what’s on your hard drives. Within minutes I identified HUGE files that were plugging up my laptop. The worst culprit is parallels… but I already knew that virus was huge!

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By selecting a file, you can reveal it in the finder and see what it’s really doing!

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I would recommend checking it out, just for fun!