I'm quite familiar with all manner of roll up doors and yes, any spring or pair of springs that can balance hundreds of pounds is/are not to be trifled with. A simple tip for balancing them: eye either vertical edge of the door and if it leans either left or right (not parallel with its adjacent track) that'll tell you which side to add to or remove tension from. I happened to be in my garage when one failed out of the blue. That's a cardiac stress test for ya. ... View more

The newest, most recent skill I've learned is to be a savvy shopper! Tools and parts for our old school stuff could be available from a multitude of far away sources, and prices and quality can vary widely. As for plastic welding...I've been intrigued with the idea for some time but have had such great success with epoxy I haven't been able to justify acquiring a tool. Good Luck Sajeev! ... View more

I've been saying for years that if you can work on a modern car you can fix anything. I've been saying for even longer "Eh, it's all nuts and bolts to me, just holding different things together". My automotive experience has enabled me to be selected for, and confidently perform jobs installing and repairing freight elevators, conveyor systems, mail sorting equipment, and heavy trucks. Here's to hoping all the rust shows up at your nozzles Sajeev where you have easy access; and the system won't let me "like" your question. ... View more

I worked in the Polaroid machine shop right up to the bankruptcy, some of us diverted Lista cabinets from their destination in the dumpster. I will always cherish my two. ... View more

Filing cabinets are terrific and often free; for smaller items orphaned power tool cases are great. A critical lesson it took me decades to (not) learn (yet): as the contents outgrow the container and get reassigned, THAT'S the moment to re-label. I've spent more time than I'm willing to admit hunting for things that I imagined still inhabited the previous container. ... View more

Having some experience in manufacturing and machining it appears clear to me as well. While chasing or simply grinding away the damaged threads (rule of thumb in the field is thread engagement equal to or greater than the diameter is stronger than the fastener material - so the fastener will break before the threads strip, especially a hollow one) would have worked; you paid for new and deserve to receive new. ... View more

Drive at Dawn springs to mind. And I've got my hat! Where the hell is everybody? And who's burning leaves at this hour?? ... View more

Not quite a car part but involves the Mass. RMV so stuns me to this day: dropped an ATV registration application and fee in the blue box at my local post office after hours one night. The registration and plate were in my home mailbox in the NEXT DAY'S delivery. Later I worked for the USPS so I learned how their end happened but the RMV was on their game that morning! ... View more

I have a great trick for getting those screws out: hold the best fitting bit from your drill driver kit in the screw head and snug up a C-clamp from the tail end of the screw to the far end of the driver bit. Now you can back out the screw with a 1/4" open end. Some oil on the threads never hurts either. ... View more

I'll always miss the feel and sounds of my 35MM SLR (ker...FWAP!) but I've got a hand-me-down point and shoot that I love and I'll never go back to film. I owned a Graphlex Speed Graphic for a while and have some amazing shots from it but I don't miss that monstrosity either. ... View more

My worst wasn't a part so much as the entire car. Towing a rolling shell to a customer who had cash waiting the thing caught fire. No motor, no tranny, no fuel and no battery and this thing burnt to an unrecognizable crisp in fifteen minutes. So quick I almost didn't get it unhooked from the truck in time to save the truck. How you might ask? It started with a dragging brake caliper I didn't notice. ... View more

"of all things"? Of all things to restore any Kramer is a worthy candidate! ... View more

Thanks for the generous compliment! I resort to gimmickry only when necessary...and it was never more necessary. ... View more

Jeez barely two weeks to either acquire a hot rod Lincoln or learn that freakin riff - I chose the more difficult option and almost got the riff down:   https://youtu.be/A2yUyu44YBY   Good Luck to Us All   Thanks Sajeev, Julie, et al at Hagerty! ... View more