All automotive wiring outside of the passenger compartment should be environmentally sealed. Heating and cooling cycles, as well as capillary action, can draw moisture, salt, and road grime deep into the wire. Someone had repaired this section of wire with an insulated butt splice terminal. It was also wrapped with electrical tape. I stripped about 8 inches of insulation from the wire and found it black and corroded.
I like to seal my wiring repairs with adhesive-lined heat shrink tubing.
I spliced this wire with an un-insulated butt splice terminal. I used a heat gun to seal the repair with heat shrink tubing. Note how the adhesive lining has melted and oozed out of the end of the tubing.
A flexible tape measure is a great tool to add to your kit. Use them to measure around curves and odd shapes. They will also fit into tight locations. Cut them into shorter lengths when needed. Find them in the sewing supplies.
I think it is general knowledge that a 2×4 does not measure 2 inches by 4 inches. They are usually about 1 1/2″ by 3 1/2″. The length is not supposed to vary, but often does. I have found 8 ft 2x4s vary by as much as 3/4″. Usually they are too long, but sometimes they are too short. Assume they are correct, and you may find your project doesn’t quite fit together.
Double sided tape is useful for a multitude of shop tasks. The shop can also be a very dusty environment. Store your tape in a zip lock bag and it will stay clean and ready to use.
Waxing tool surfaces can help prevent rust. It also makes the surfaces slick so that it is easier to push wood smoothly across. For larger areas, I like to use SC Johnson paste wax. I rubbed a thin film on the bed of my jointer with an old sock. When it dried to a light haze, I buffed off the excess with a cotton cloth.
For smaller surfaces and hand tools, I like to use Door-Ease stick lubricant. It is a paraffin and mineral oil based lubricant that comes in an easy to use stick. It is a dry lubricant that does not attract dust. It works well on planes and saw blades. I’ve used it on all kinds of sliding surfaces such as drawer sides, miter slots, and even my metal-cutting bandsaw blade. Do you have a tailgate glass that creaks while driving? Rub a little on the glass where it touches the weather seal.
I stuck a rare earth magnet to the side of my drill press. It’s a great place to store the chuck key.
