[Boatanchors] BA radios and Harbor Freight goodies

[rbethman]

John,

I happened to have that particular solution in hand because of another 
hobby.  I have a Foredom variable speed reversible flex tool with the 
cable and different handpieces.  It was originally picked up for wood 
carving.  I also have a big selection of cut-off wheels, carbid grinding 
bits, and even some diamond drills.

I got a LOT of bits from my dentist as "cast-offs".  They work just fine 
for me.  They run from 1/16" to 1/4 in cutting diameter.  They make 
cleaning up holes peachy!

Bob - N0DGN

John Lawson wrote:
> <snip>

>   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
> _______________________________________________
>

-- 
Bob - NØDGN