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Well, it took me a minute to actually throw the prototype pliers in my toolbag and then remember to actually try them out, but I finally did...
Video linked below. tl;dw... Not bad! For larger size clamps, seem to be exactly as suitable as std KP-2s, and much better mechanical action
Success! well, sort of.
I've got one prototype made, ready for testing. Figure I'll throw it in the toolbag, try it out for a while, see if I have any notes.
The action of the base pliers is so much better than the KP-2s, but I can't take credit for that piece of the puzzle; The "Masterbilt" or "Masterbuilt" pliers that I bought 2 of are allegedly mfg'd by Irwin, who I believe makes Vise-Grips. I originally ordered 2 Vise-Grips from Tooltron Industries, who claimed to offer a bulk di
Mini update, really. After tooling up the lathe a little more and getting some more practice in, I've made a first set of jaws. I ended up making several of the male side first, getting quite a bit more efficient, but until today I didn't have a tailstock chuck for the center-drilling.
They're not the work of a pro, and the dimensions may need to be tweaked, but I think they might be serviceable.
Next up, unbox and set up the MIG welder I bought a while back
Well, I quit.
I'm done using crappy hose clamp pliers that frustrate me almost every tie I use them. ERP KP-2's, in particular. As I alluded to in another thread recently on the site, I wish ERP or one of the other KP-2 clone mfgs would build them with actual Vise-Grip pliers, instead of the shitty cheap knock-offs that don't totally lock, or twist their way off the hose clamp making a comical "SPROING!" sound that just somehow makes me even madder but also kinda amused.
Anyhoo...
After @Pioneer's recent post looking for recommendations for spring hose clamp pliers, I decided to try what, judging by the price ($67.99, delivered), I figured must be the Cadillac option; the Knipex 85 51 180A (smaller of 2 sizes, 10" big brother are Knipex 85 51 250 A, both of which Knipex describes as "Spring Hose Clamp Pliers")
tl;dr - They're okay I guess, but I think they're intended for single-wire spring hose clamps, not the double wire type that we typically see in appliances.
I posted this in reply to a Tech Forum post (linked below), but thought I would cross-post here to keep track of it, as well as to have a place to post any follow up testing
I did a quick test of Hot Surface Ignitor amps at different voltages, and what I measured was way more linear than I expected. See graph below. I used a variac to vary supply voltage to a brand new Robertshaw 41-205 rectangular HSI ignitor. I measured the ignitor current at 5V steps after a little settling time until th
I put this in a Dojo post, but thought I might just post it to my just-created Appliantology blog to make it easier to find
I made a video the other day on a callback for broken lower hinge wiring on a Kitchenaid SxS. Earlier in the week I had spliced all of the breaks I could find, found two wires with multiple breaks along their length, some concealed inside unbroken insulation, advised the customer that it was a temporary fix, and was relieved when the icemaker finally passed its harvest
By Son of Samurai in Appliance Repair Tech Tips0 comments
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