5 Strange Things in a Mechanic's Toolbox You Don't Know About

Get Solderstick at 20% OFF with discount code "TBM20" at www.solderstick.com/sale
Just because the box tells you it's for something other than the shop, doesn't mean you can't use it in the shop. Let me explain...
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[@The_Bearded_Mechanic]

Get Solderstick at 20% OFF with discount code "TBM20" at www.solderstick.com/sale

[@Ozmandius]

solderstick's prices are literally 5 times the price of their competitors which are made exactly the same way.

[@sthildas4857]

Key is that they seal the joints from damp so no loss of continuity over time. You can buy shrink wrap as well.

[@Lexter462]

Be carefull with this site guys... I just selected the 500 piece box and payed 20 dollar. Now in my confirmation it says 50 pieces will be on my way from a hongkong company..

[@The_Bearded_Mechanic]

@@Lexter462 if you have any issues please let me and I will take care of it.

[@mattivirta]

wow expensive waste 40$ owerprice if buy this, normal 1200 pcs box cost 5$

[@TomsTinkeringandAdventures]

You didn't mention the beer fridge. It's vital.

[@scruffycavetroll7547]

Indeed, I hated going back into the house to get a beer

[@winstonlanda7731]

8 years sober. Giant thing of water for me 😄

[@TomsTinkeringandAdventures]

@@winstonlanda7731 my beer fridge holds water as well. Congrats on your eight years, keep it up!

[@damon2772nomad]

How tf is there more likes on this comment than the video? 🤨

[@roadkingcvo]

Beer

[@jarrodskogen4180]

Chalk trick is cool! I also hold on to silica packets that come in packaging of most things and use those to keep stuff dry as well.

[@mtdualie1039]

Love the tin foil idea! I hadn't consider it and was about to drop $30 on a Harley oil funnel. Thanks Craig!

[@ForfeMac]

I got a form a funnel. Stands by itself a lot better than tin foil or cereal box carboard.

[@rezhed]

I just got oil on my KTM exhaust - never again 😄

[@mynameismarko7]

It's always a good idea to think outside the box. 😀 God bless!

[@DuffyWeber-qw5iv]

Being a Honda mechanic for years, I can say those solder sticks are the best purchase I ever made for my tool box years ago! Love those things!

[@dallisspicer6825]

Love seeing these back to back videos. Thanks for the entertainment guys.

[@nrev79]

Had a 05 sporty. Learned the soda bottle trick. Cut the bottom off then cut it in half. Fits right under the filter to catch oil

[@drengskap]

The seam ripper for electrical insulation is a genius idea! I already have some of those for leatherwork and general sewing, so thanks for the tip.

[@jeffmosley4043]

Thanks for the tips. One thing I keep in the toolbox is a bar of soap. Put it under your nails and it keeps the dirt and grease out. Thanks for the video stay safe and keep up the great work.

[@SteveEh]

Used the foil trick today, pulling the oil filter on my CB500f! Last time, oil ran down onto my exhaust. This time, straight into the pan! Thx for the tips.

[@samwisegamgie8163]

For me I went to michaels and picked up some T-pins from the sewing section. They work great for use with alligator clips when back probing connectors.

[@sethhoffman8149]

The automotive electrical class instructor back at my community college required us all to buy a box of them at the beginning of his class. I still keep them in my toolbox and use them often.

[@simonatkinson1107]

The oddball item I use is old bicycle spokes. A handy length of stiff wire you can bend by hand when needed with a little hook at one end that is great for hooking that socket you’ve dropped through the frame to where your fingers can’t reach. The bonus is that it is also handy for when you need to hang things like callipers or hooking a chain out of the way when your removing a rear wheel. A standard bicycle wheel has between 24 and 36 spokes so one front wheel’s worth of spokes lasts for ages.

[@Thepeanutgallery666]

I also use aluminum foil for back purging with Argon. For when you're TIG welding exhaust.

[@dc85337]

Here's a hack that I use on mine. Get a piece of 1" PVC then slit it down about 3 inches, then use a heat gun to flatten it out and put it under the oil drain to direct the oil to whatever you want to put it in. Total length is up to you, the important part is flaring the end to fit under the bike. I put a lip on the flared end on mine to prevent oil from "backing up" . Can be held in place or use a wire wrap around it and tie it in place. Mine just sits there due to "interference" with other bike parts.

[@DJ-Adams218]

Im on my 4th year watching bikes and beards, And I’m a 12 year old and bikes and beards really helped me get closer to god, And I really can’t thank you guys enough, and I even started reading the Bible and seriously can’t thank you you guys enough.😊

[@mynameismarko7]

Praise the Lord!

[@SB-or5mj]

0:03 If you raise your key light a bit higher, maybe a foot or two, you'll reduce the glare in his glasses.

[@bobbymaiu745]

Keep up the good work you’re a natural bro like watching a knowledgeable family member working in his bike

[@michaelthibault7930]

To minimize reflections of your light source(s) in your glasses, raise the temples of your glasses slightly off the ear while recording. Doing so changes the angle of the front face of the lenses so that the reflection is only visible from below the camera's position. Another way to produce the same effect is to raise the light sources above the line between the camera lens and the eye(glasses) of the talking head.

[@josephlopez3784]

Man, I absolutely love your videos. You helped me realize that I want to become a motorcycle mechanic.

[@DAWEED99]

Those are some very good tipps and tricks, imo every shop needs a radio so you can listen to some music while working and (if its your private shop / mancave) it needs a couch or armchair for the thinking stages of the projects, and another thing i dont want to miss in my shop anymore is a computer to look stuff up, ordering parts or to watch some youtube while screwing around😅

[@KyDanD]

One more thing about aluminium foil. It's great for scrubbing rust off of chrome. No joke! Take a wad of foil and wet the rusty chrome with vinegar or water or windex and scrub it. This works!

[@MightyMouzMoto]

Great vid guys. I'm really want to extend the bars on my Rebel 1100. I'd like to try it myself, and I'm sure I'll need those solder sticks to extend the wiring.

[@Jim0i0]

Love the pro tips. I gotta try the chalk thing. My cold shop tip is to keep my tools on heated pet beds under polyethylene sheeting to make heat tents over stuff I want to be warm and dry. Cold hands, warm wrenches. Extra points for using electric pipe tape under trucks.

[@RK57AZ]

Nice helpful tips. I like to use old plastic water bottles or household cleaner containers and cutting them for a particular job and many times using the cap end as a funnel to guide fluid in or out of the vehicle. As always stay safe and healthy! Ron

[@recub13]

I do the same! Works great for the Harley twins. I am hesitant to use aluminum foil as it is conductive. Cardboard works great too.

[@MrGixxer1300r]

I was a proffessional mechanic for over 20 years, and I learned that trick from the old timers when I worked in the shop, and it helped out when I was a road tech keeping the customers floor and equipment dry.

[@JoshJackson13]

Especially 2 liter bottles. Poking a hole in the top with a hot nail in bottles with old used oil for sqeeky berrings and chains on the cotton buggy converted into a tobacco buggy.

[@karlj1717]

That foil idea is great! Definitely going to use that on my classic Suzuki when I do a oil change, all the other stuff was great as well thanks Craig! ❤😁👍🏻

[@Sam590ss]

I use a paper towel tube cut from end to end. It seats against the case underneath the oil filter very well and makes a perfect trough.

[@user-Borgus]

That's what I call testing yourself. Good job, Craig!

[@redhs2142]

Graduated from MMI this morning, about 2 hours after you posted this, perfect timing

[@mclovin5129]

I just got done with a mildly annoying wiring job on my bike where it was hard to get my crimp tool in, ordered solder sticks. Good ad placement man you got me. Only annoying part is the website is very spammy with “deals” and sent me 2 emails already with “deals”

[@doogoodminds8157]

Thanks Craig! Great video.. I'll be adding these to the shop and my mobile setup. Thanks again!🖖

[@DudeStone]

The reflection of the light on your glasses is trippy lol

[@2rueblue]

Good tips big hairy dude, thank you, love the channel and all the best from Scotland.

[@jamesbeggs4324]

Chinese food containers also hold cleaning agents, so if you dont have a parts washer, it's easier to put some cleaner in the container, ad your bolts, or whatever close the container and lightly shake - great for cleaning small objects!

[@ShaneZettelmier]

These are great, shop tips. Usually these videos are cute, but not all that practical, but I would use every single one of these

[@ShaneZettelmier]

Except cameraman Dan. I’m guessing it would take him too long to get here.

[@lothre]

Awesome tips, Craig. Thank you! I didn't know 4 of them. Glad I do now!

[@gthaley_81]

Man, I wish someone had shown me those Soldersticks years ago! I've never seen them around, but I've always wanted something like them. They're on my shopping list! Great video.

[@2drunksracing]

Tinfoil works great masking off items for painting like wires or some aluminum or chrome brackets instead of tape and plastic.

[@handymanhoney-do6881]

Another moisture control option--I keep the silica pouches from packaging. Sethem in drawers, tool bags, long term storage, etc

[@musicadefe4837]

That's Helpful! Thanks!

[@ks4kn]

Great tips thanks for the information

[@nightowl760]

Maybe I'm a little slow but I just found your channel! I'm so glad you started your own after Sean abandoned you guys! Great content thank you!

[@barntech2291]

You have some good ideas here. I also like to keep a bag of golf tees for plugging small hoses and broken guitar strings for cleaning carb jets.

[@royfrye2871]

I love those connectors. You can do wiring that really looks professional and stay bonded together great

[@stepeat2991]

😂😂 the chalk bit , over here in England when we buy parts we get a slip of brown anti corrosion paper take them collect them and stick a few in the draw

[@icytrapjesusone5638]

All the guys recycling wires at my old job gonna love the seam cutters for Christmas

[@carlosortiz821]

The paper clip and the seam ripper def did´nt know about them... Thanks for sharing it Craig, cheers from Chile!

[@Laterdays2]

Really good ideas. Thanks!!

[@kenjohnson5498]

Wow you answered a very old question i wondered about I saw the machine shop in a power plant and in all the tool drawers they had a large piece of chalk in the corner of each drawer! I thought it was for marking metal lol.

[@danoneal302]

Nice hacks!. the sidewalk chalk i never gave any thought to. Thanks Craig!

[@darkrurouni1]

Love soldersticks. I bought a box when wiring up my garage door switch on my motorcycle.

[@SGS_Engineering]

I'm using you idea tomorrow! Amazing thanks!

[@simonkennedy6116]

Thanks, great help

[@Frank-Thoresen]

Really great tips you showed.

[@The_Bearded_Mechanic]

Thanks

[@BamKnight88]

Thanks for the discount on those solder sticks. They definitely come in handy!

[@rickalba2518]

Love these dudes - great video as always!

[@2coolwheels139]

Aluminum foil also makes a great hat!

[@vtxfan]

… and, it will protect against the cosmic rays of the establishment 👍🏻

[@grantodaniel7053]

Great tips, great video Craig... as always. Gotta say though, living in Australia, hearing you guys make the "L" silent in "solder" cracks me up! Sodder?? 🤣🤣 Cheers from Oz, keep up the great work! 👍👍🇦🇺

[@kennethmyklebust6455]

Now i know what to do with moisture problem in my toolbox 👌 thanks 😄

[@rodneybrown9350]

Solderstick works great on new wire but if the wire is discolored due to moisture or age it's tough to get the solder to adhere to the wire. I use them on my wiring repairs on semi trucks.

[@trekkin_fpv5272]

Great tips Craig! Never thought to use a seam ripper! Awesome idea

[@AUCHTERMUCHTYZZ]

Great for restoring Rusty Chrome too Craig , scrunch it up, wet it then rub on Rusty Chrome , try it !

[@scottlin777]

Good job Dan.

[@hvymax]

Gotta love those solder sticks. I go with a secondary heat shrink for GP.

[@stevedrane2364]

Brilliant. . Thank you very much . . 👍👍

[@marcusscott9800]

Outstanding video Craig! Just love the pro tips and keep up the great work. Keep those great tips coming:)

[@svanimir666]

Love your videos ..keep them coming

[@user-uw6vo4bj2q]

Love these tricks! I learned a lesson many years ago when the blower fan switch in my car failed (=no heat). I used a paper clip to jump the two wires and get the fan working. The lesson was that there was too much current running through the paper clip. While driving down the road I looked down at the connector dangling from below the dash and the paper clip was transformed into a heating element glowing bright red. I panicked and grabbed it with my bare fingers. The still glowing paper clip stuck to my fingers and left a nice little brand on my tips. Lesson learned. Yeehaa!

[@bmxiggy]

Another must have is wire connector leads. i have at least 20 of them in every size and length.

[@KRAVER_]

Instead of sidewalk chalk to keep the moisture off the tools use silica packets you get with most medications and vitamins.

[@williambogoger8126]

Great video!! Can you do a how to build a Sportster engine series or how to wire a 2005 HDMC FLSTCI or how to do the fuel pump or throttle body and check / adjust sensors or how to install oil lines etc etc I always look for your next project vid!! I really like how genuine you are when you get a bike fired off!! Thank 🎉 y’all’s for doing motorcycle work and tech tips!!

[@Ronaldl2350]

I really like the solder sticks product! Wish I knew about them years ago.

[@butchgeagan9768]

I always enjoy your channeland I often get to lear new tricks. Just like this one.

[@joeybobbie1]

Yeah, I’d say the most important is the Friend in the Shop. It gets really boring hanging out in the Shop working on something by yourself.👍👍

[@yeahitskimmel]

Those "solder seal" connectors seemed like a great idea when I got them but I've often found difficulty in safely blasting enough heat to melt them when used in situ like your example of repairing a harness, without risking melting stuff around them. If you want the most narrow repair possible, you can't beat solder/heatshrink

[@sthildas4857]

Get some cardboard put tin foil on it. You can buy plumber torch pads...

[@bnations2000]

I've been looking for a reason to grab some of those solder connectors, and 20% was just the bump that I needed. 👍

[@micktre7608]

Very informative, your left ball is hanging out when you mention the hard to get sump plug... No big issue

[@FZ1RIDER]

I must say the solder stick wire connectors is brilliant, I will be getting me a set.

[@jamesdevore3022]

Super garage tip: Vaseline works great to hold fiddly gaskets and o-rings in place. Rubber and silicone safe uhh personal lubricant also works wonders getting things to slip into or over parts. I.e. 2002 VW Golf fuel pump has a big rubber o ring and the lube helps get it to slip into its recess without tearing.

[@Cj-yw8cs]

It's also the best grease for low temp assembly of parts that will get oil but need grease to hold it together. Like the output shaft in a sportster transmission. If high temp grease is used the needle bearings will gaul before oil gets in

[@jasoncostello4761]

❤ My wife still doesn't know where the tupperware or half her sewing kit went LOL this is years in the making❤

[@justinrhenry]

Good job, Dan.

[@calvarycustoms6681]

At first I thought those ezpz connectors were a gimmick, too good to be true; but after rolling the dice on a set, I’ve discovered they’re actuality awesome. I’m proud to say I have all of those items on-hand… well, except a Shop•Dan. 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@undertheinfluencegarage4361]

The solder sticks have been the best thing for electrical work I've used

[@timoftedahl956]

Tinfoil truck works great. Used to have to do that on my Kawasaki 750 cause the oil filter was right above the starter

[@ant4812]

Tinfoil folded a couple of times to make a pad works marvellously well with a bit of water ( or kerosene ) for getting rust ( or baked on oil ) off of chrome plated parts. Really does work like magic, and doesn't scratch unless you go gorilla on a particular spot. On hard chrome, like fork tubes, it won't scratch at all, not as hard as I could go at it anyhow. I used this method to make my 23 year old sportster pretty again when I put it back on the road four years after an accident that put me in hospital for a while. I got rid of some truly crusty rust with this, and where it was very bad, there was some black pitting afterwards. It still looks miles better than before. A part that only has light, spotty rust can be restored to almost new. I only wish I'd known about this use for tinfoil thirty years ago.

[@justsomeguy404]

The seam ripper sounds awesome never thought of that.

[@Beeboop]

I love the soilder sticks I did my whole stereo in my truck flipped it into a ditch flooded the whole inside and we'll stereo still works great

[@philospherking_sortof659]

There are so many things I am going to use that side walk trick for now

[@kokobeatz7222]

The seem ripper is a good idea. I think I’m going to get one.

[@robertpoche1585]

Love the Valkyrie.

[@q42315]

Besides changing mode or altitude, you can use a paper clip to jump the ignition key plug or as a headlight switch.

[@MrGrant440]

Great tips! Will be using those tips. I also feel bad for you. Those dang glasses reflecting your light during your shot. The worst:) Love the channel

[@robcreel4257]

You just reminded me I need a set of leads for my multimeter. My last set got caught in a fan blade. Also having Chinese for dinner tonight. I know what I'm doing with the containers now. Thanks!

[@ScorpionRegent]

@robcreel4257 - Make sure the new leads are designed for your meter, because the wrong leads tend to have different resistances which will bias your readings.

[@ramishrambarran3998]

Yes. Dan has certainly complemented TBM. Trinidad & Tobago. West Indies.

[@gueto70]

Rare earth magnets. Taped on the end of a coat hanger wire you can go 10mm fishing in the dark recesses of the engine. Taped at the base of a socket so you don't drop the nut or bolt you are installing or removing. When you don't have a grounding surface small enough for multi meter clamp to grab. clam the magnet and magnet grabs the flat steal surface.

[@Ysterperd]

Great tip for aluminum foil! I was wondering why I always get oil on everything and blamed poor engineering design. I will be saving a ton of shop towels now. GAME CHANGER!

[@ridingonruby3287]

Great tips thanks

[@dalemagee8848]

Excellent content.👍 Keep up the good work.🤘

[@Jim0i0]

Kudos to the editor for the Big Trouble in Little China clip.

[@donjordan8174]

Solder sleeves are awesome for sealing a connection…. We sell similar products for aerospace applications

[@jonathonlyles3349]

I'd say the only thing I would add is a demagitizer and magitizer makes everything magnetic or not cost like 3 bucks for it at oreillys