I first heard about Quick-Glo from a segment on Jay Leno’s Garage, where he highlights America products. Quick-Glo was a metal polish that worked like magic on slightly rusted chrome. Of course, once chrome is compromised, it’s never going to be like new again, but Quick-Glo did a shockingly good job of removing light rust, […]
Insta360 Is a Company of Incompetent Liars
Insta360 blatantly misrepresents the most critical feature of their One X2 camera. There are other major problems with the device, but the misrepresentation is the most egregious. I bought an Insta360 One X2 to record motorcycle rides. The specifications proudly claim: Run Time 5.7K@30fps – 80 minutes This gives the impression that one can record […]
2023 4130 Chromoly Roundup
I need three, five-foot lengths of 7/8″ x 0.065″ 4130 Chromoly tubing, so here’s a price comparison: Seller Per Foot Price Shipping Total Wicks Aircraft and Motorsports $4.93 $73.95 $51.12 $125.07 Stock Car Steel $6.54 $98.18 $37.30 $135.48 Aircraft Spruce & Specialty $7.60 $114.00 $49.74 $163.74 Applied Racing Technology $7.65 (est) $114.75 (est) $51 (est) […]
Calculate Air Compressor CFM
To calculate the approximate CFM of your air compressor, enter your receiver tank volume, start and end pressures, and the time required to reach the end pressure. This form requires that Javascript is enabled in your browser. Volume (gal): Start Pressure (PSI): End Pressure (PSI): Minutes: Seconds: CFM:
Identifying Air Compressor Fittings
While attempting to rework the custom pluming on an old Harbor Freight compressor, I was having a difficult time figuring out what connectors I needed to order. This guide is, by far, the best explanation of the many types of fluid fittings that are out there: https://www.hydraulicsdirect.com/Fitting-Thread-Chart-s/1934.htm
MOSFET Regulator Rectifier Upgrade
Motorcycles from around the early 80’s until the mid 2000s generally used shunt-type regulators. Newer bikes tend to use MOSFET regulators. The MOSFET type are more efficient and run much cooler (this video does a good job explaining why). The good news is that virtually any older bike can be upgraded with a newer, MOSFET-type […]
How Cold is Too Cold to Spray Rustoleum Oil-Based Paint?
I wasn’t sure if there’s a lower temperature limit to spraying Rustoleum, but I took a chance. I needed to paint a steel cabinet. As night was falling, at a temperature of around 34°F, I sprayed Rustoleum Oil-Based (alkyd) enamel, thinned with acetone, using my trusty Harbor Freight HVLP gun. After sitting for a couple […]
Airgas vs Industrial Welding Supply
I bought a cheap, Chinese MIG welder and needed some C25 gas. I wanted a cylinder in the 80 – 150 cubic foot range. I checked Airgas first, since they’re less than a mile away. The next day, I stopped at Industrial Welding Supply and was shocked at the price difference: Airgas Industrial welding supply […]
Jaiwen T10 SMD5050 Instrument Lights (DX.com)
Here are two photos comparing OEM Honda Transalp instrument lights with the Jiawen T10 1.5W SMD 5050 LED instrument lights from DealExtreme (DX.com SKU 394964): Both photos were taken at 1/4 second at f/5.6, ISO 800. The bright spot in the lower (LED) photo is because the Transalp instruments call for one lower-wattage bulb, which […]
Spraying Gelcoat Cheaply
Spray Gun Options I’m reproducing a part in carbon fiber, which requires me to make a mold of the existing part. For accuracy and durability of the mold, it’s best if the first layer is sprayed gel coat. Gel coat is normally sprayed with a “cup gun” like the E.S. G100 Cup Gun. At around $175, […]