[Boatanchors] BA radios and Harbor Freight goodies

[John Lawson]

   Several folks have pointed out that Harbor Frieght sells a wide range of 
'import' tools and hardware - some of it quite serviceable, some of it 
utter crap. Some Wise Guy once said "caveat emptor"  or words to that 
effect.   Like Glen and his hammer dril, I have a $39 'sawzall' 
reciprocating saw that I use 2 or 3 times a year, and it's perfect for 
that role. I doubt it would last a week on a "real" jobsite.


   One Harbor Freight 'gem' that I'd like to mention in connection with BA 
restoral is this:

   I have one of their small bench-top drill presses. I bought one of the 
three-foot 'rotary tool extension cables' - basically a large 
'speedometer' - type cable, which has a 3/8 flatted shaft on one end and a 
handpiece and 3-jaw drill chuck on the other.  I attach this cable to the 
drillpress (which is belted for it's highest speed) and chuck up wire 
wheels or sanding discs or polishing wheels in the handpiece.

   NOW: instead of having to stand in front of a fixed wire brush in a 
grinder and try and manipulate small items, I can apply the wire wheel to 
the work...  much like an over-grown Dremel tool.  Total cost for the 
whole outfit was just about $75 new, and I have used it steadily for years 
now...  of course the drill press gets lots of other use as well, 
including the little X-Y slide vise and V-blocks for drilling the odd bit 
of pipe or shaft - all from HB.

   I rebuild, restore, and refurbish small motors for vintage and classic 
automobiles - blower, window, seat, and the like. Having the abililty to 
use a portable wire-wheel with sufficient power to strip the paint and 
rust and grunge off a motor shell has saved me countless hours. I imagine 
the same would apply to BA gear and parts of all kinds.

  And yes, I've attacked my poor defenseless knuckles a few times with the 
rig - ya gotta be a little careful, HIHI!


Cheers and Best of the Season!


John KB6SCO
DM09fg