{{ Stuff that just works }}

[desert.snake]

I'm sorry but I can't agree with that. I believe the main issue is that the Silkys are designed specifically to cut in one direction. So if they get stuck, folks just instinctively pull or push the saw to get it unstuck. That works, but only if the saw is designed to cut both ways. If it's not, and force is applied in the direction it doesn't cut, the saw is far more likely to snap.

It explains everything. Most of my life I have dealt with saws, in which the teeth are sawed either away from themselves or in both directions, this has always annoyed me. They get stuck too easily, bend or break. When I got acquainted with saws that cut only on themselves, it's just a pleasure to cut them, and the cut is more accurate.

 

[IMA SOL MAN]

I've heard the Samurai is about as good as a Silkie, but a lot cheaper. Anyone tried it?

 

[Poppy]

For things that just work, how about a Stainless 8 inch spackle knife?

I once hired a spackler/taper. Unfortunately he was a drunk and would go out for a liquid lunch and not return. But he brought a very good helper with him, who stayed the whole day.
He came equipped with all the tools including stilts.
He'd do the bottoms, and then strap on the stilts, and do the tops.

He showed me how to put spackle 'On with a 6", and OFF with an 8" '
It's like a wonder tool.

 

[KITROBASKIN]

Pretty much any tool is going to have an initial familiarization then continued effort in order to be effective.

I keep an emergency folding pull saw in the truck but if there is any possible plan to cut wood I’ll bring a 14 (used to be 13) inch Corona saw.

Here is an (exaggerated) concept illustration on the package of a old (90’s) Felco straight blade (which some find useful for more precision cutting. Curved blade is generally faster because the blade is changing angles as it cuts, avoiding bogging down trying to cut longer flat areas.

 

[bykfixer]

Metal.
It just works.

 

[KITROBASKIN]

Oldest Corona on top (used if we are messing with a tree base near rocks or something), next is an old saw kept around for cutting where dirt (micro fine rocks, mostly, where we live) may be on the wood where it’s being cut.

That Big Corona is not nearly as fast as the others and the extra length is not really helpful because a 14” can cut large circumferences if maneuvered adeptly.

Felco straight blade (early 90’s or late 80’s) and PRC made Fiskars that is not worth it because less efficient.

Leather scabbard and wooden handle that pros would use then just change blades. (Guessing about 25 years old; still sharp)

Less than 5 years old Corona (primary tool) and a Felco pruner from the 90’s.

 

[orbital]

+

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[Chauncey Gardiner]

@KITROBASKIN, That's a very fine saw collection and a great L@@Kin deck. 👍 👍

 

[Chauncey Gardiner]

+

For your recip saws

DS0909CGP | Recip Blades | General Purpose | Carbide - Diablo Tools

Learn all about #DS0909CGP. Diablo's new Demo Demon carbide general purpose reciprocating blades are the first on the market specifically designed for both wood and metal. These blades include exclusive features that deliver unmatched 50 times longer life in both wood and metal cutting...

www.diablotools.com

My first AND ONLY CHOICE for cutting roots.

 

[knucklegary]

@KITROBASKIN We have similar taste in hand saws and pruners.. My first Corona was the 13" like yours on top. The fiberglass reinforced handles cracked at the screw slot. I went through a few of them. Corona upgraded later to red nylon handle 14"

My UPS driver keeps a 14" Razor Tooth in his truck. Some roads he encounters low limbs. He'll just pulls out his Corona and zips off limbs. In minutes he's on his way with little delay.

Here is my Corona/Felco collection;
I bought the branded Corona #82/Felco #2 about 30years ago. Original blade shows years of use, and not much left to sharpen so I retired that pruner. Anvil pruner is about same vintage, and equally worn parts.. The blue folder is Lenox is designed for cutting sheet rock. I since reallocated to yard work with a course tooth blade. Works great getting in tight spots taking off small branches.

 

[IMA SOL MAN]

Hard starting lawn mower, snow blower, or generator?
A quick shot of ether/starting fluid into the carburetor will often do the trick.

My lawn mower is more like the 55 year old man, than like the 18 year old it once was. Just as the old man may need a shot of coffee in the morning to get going, this mower prefers a shot of starting fluid. Yes, it will start without it, but why crank and crank it, straining the battery, and heating up the starter, when a quick shot of starting fluid will get it on its way with a revolution or two?

Modern starting fluids have some lubricant in them. I think the original ones were nearly 100% ether. They might strip the top of the cylinders of lubricant, and cause excessive wear if used often enough, or long enough.

View attachment 43880

@Poppy your mower description needing the ether starting fluid to start easy reminded me of this commercial.
SOMETHING ELSE THAT "JUST WORKS"!

 

[knucklegary]

@KITROBASKIN, That's a very fine saw collection and a great L@@Kin deck. 👍 👍View attachment 46315

Jeremiah's Johnson showing right now! 👍

 

[Chauncey Gardiner]

😳 Punctuation just works ..... when placed in the proper space.

 

[knucklegary]

😳 Punctuation just works ..... when placed in the proper space.

Sometimes I make funny when not intended 😁

Do you get Grit TV channel? Jeremiah Johnson is actually playing tonight. It's a great movie. First time (in '72) went to theater to watch..

 

[Chauncey Gardiner]

Sometimes I make funny when not intended 😁

That was/is one of those times. Made me LOL.

Do you get Grit TV channel? Jeremiah Johnson is actually playing tonight. It's a great movie. First time (in '72) went to theater to watch..

No, we don't. Perhaps it's time to watch it again via a streaming service.

 

[Poppy]

@IMA SOL MAN
Thanks for bringing that commercial to my attention. It is REALLY funny. I know that I have seen it, but never watched it.
Here I am at 5:00 AM, and I laughed out loud. Ooops!

 

[Poppy]

Here is an (exaggerated) concept illustration on the package of a old (90’s) Felco straight blade (which some find useful for more precision cutting. Curved blade is generally faster because the blade is changing angles as it cuts, avoiding bogging down trying to cut longer flat areas.

@KITROBASKIN thanks.... I learned something today.

 

[Poppy]

Regarding "stuff that just works"
Youtube

I suspected a blown fuse in a mini-split AC at my office. I searched youtube for troubleshooting, and for the location of fuses.

Well, although I couldn't find my exact unit, this tutorial gave me enough info on how similar units work.

I found a blown fuse, and now we have a unit that is blowing cold air in the kitchen.

 

[Jean-Luc Descarte]

Regarding "stuff that just works"
Youtube

I suspected a blown fuse in a mini-split AC at my office. I searched youtube for troubleshooting, and for the location of fuses.

Well, although I couldn't find my exact unit, this tutorial gave me enough info on how similar units work.

I found a blown fuse, and now we have a unit that is blowing cold air in the kitchen.

Searching YouTube for video tutorials on how to do stuff yourself is another thing that just works, for certain. People are insanely eager to share their know-how in essentially every area of knowledge, one simply has to look for it. Wanna learn basic mechanical repair and maintenance? You can. Wanna learn a new language? You can. Wanna study for an academic subject when your teacher or professor is an... incompetent individual, only occupying the post because of diversity hires? You can.

There's basically no excuse for not learning things nowadays.

 

[Poppy]

Searching YouTube for video tutorials on how to do stuff yourself is another thing that just works, for certain. People are insanely eager to share their know-how in essentially every area of knowledge, one simply has to look for it. Wanna learn basic mechanical repair and maintenance? You can. Wanna learn a new language? You can. Wanna study for an academic subject when your teacher or professor is an incompetent individual only occupying the post because of diversity hires? You can.

There's basically no excuse for not learning things nowadays.

A few years ago I wanted to remove my car's ashtray so I could replace the cigar lighter with a USB charger. I knew there had to be a simple way to remove it, but couldn't figure out how to do it.

Enter youtube, and with a butter knife, there was a tab to depress, and out it came. So simple!