Accessories What did you find at the hardware store that improved your setup?

[mizmar]

Although I do remember the mallets

I really think we should avoid the whole WD-40, gaffer tape vs cable ties, hit it with a hammer discussion otherwise Pete will have to lock the thread and ban engineering along with politics and religion.

 

[Targa]

I really think we should avoid the whole WD-40, gaffer tape vs cable ties, hit it with a hammer discussion otherwise Pete will have to lock the thread and ban engineering along with politics and religion.

Loctite - that’ll come in useful.

 

[PigSquealer]

I really think we should avoid the whole WD-40, gaffer tape vs cable ties, hit it with a hammer discussion otherwise Pete will have to lock the thread and ban engineering along with politics and religion.

You’re right ! 5 gauge bailing wire is better anyway.

 

[PigSquealer]

Loctite - that’ll come in useful.

 

[Targa]

View attachment 36334

I’m sure I saw that image a couple of months ago in Autosport but can’t remember the driver.

 

[mark_addy]

From the corner shop - black 'Milliput' epoxy putty. Aquarium-safe when cured - so OK for the inside of my gob. Not quite as hard as a hard-rubber mouthpiece, but sands to a fair approximation of the surface finish and colour. Needs a bite-patch - I followed the advice I got on this forum and use UHMW tape, which (to my surprise - I never liked bite patches very much when I tried them long ago) feels OK. Fixed my metal Link bite-plate thing well enough, that I might dare to risk it on an old Selmer which I really don't want to mess up. Made in a place in Wales where industrial jobs are thin on the ground, so good to support local-ish industry.

 

[Pete Thomas]

I regret the loss of the local high street hardware store. When I lived in Southampton I witnessed the demise of Portswood Hardware. Of course the proliferation of large warehouse type builders merchants that also cater for DIY is partly the reason, but you can't do much about that. B & Q, Wickes, Screwfix, Toolstation, Home Depot etc.

But I am grateful for and whenever possible go to our local high street shop which is tiny but nonetheless well stocked

 

[Pete Thomas]

I really think we should avoid the whole WD-40, gaffer tape vs cable ties, hit it with a hammer discussion otherwise Pete will have to lock the thread and ban engineering along with politics and religion.

And don’t get me started on adhesives. Contact adhesive useless these days unless you can get the old school mind altering formula.

I carefully packed up my random glue for moving house, finally needed to repair a broken lamp. Both tubes of superglue have glued on tops (I’m sure there’s something to sort that inevitable issue). Yay I thought, still have some epoxy. Nope, ends up I carefully packed two tubes of hardener.

However going to try my latest discovery, CT1 (or the supposed knock-off) OB1. Magic stuff.

 

[Targa]

And don’t get me started on adhesives. Contact adhesive useless these days unless you can get the old school mind altering formula.

I carefully packed up my random glue for moving house, finally needed to repair a broken lamp. Both tubes of superglue have glued on tops (I’m sure there’s something to sort that inevitable issue). Yay I thought, still have some epoxy. Nope, ends up I carefully packed two tubes of hardener.

However going to try my latest discovery, CT1 (or the supposed knock-off) OB1. Magic stuff.

Acetone will dissolve the superglue though the tubes will probably have hardened anyway.

 

[Pete Thomas]

Acetone will dissolve the superglue though the tubes will probably have hardened anyway.

I might try that, one tube is still viable I think.

 

[Pete Thomas]

However going to try my latest discovery, CT1 (or the supposed knock-off) OB1. Magic stuff.

Actually (back on topic) this may be good for some saxophone repairs, or at least emergency bodges for dislodged corked, pads, trouser guards, pillars even and as mentioned in another thread may work for unsoldered Martin tone holes especially as it remains flexible and sticks even on dirty surfaces.

 

[Grumps]

I regret the loss of the local high street hardware store. When I lived in Southampton I witnessed the demise of Portswood Hardware. Of course the proliferation of large warehouse type builders merchants that also cater for DIY is partly the reason, but you can't do much about that. B & Q, Wickes, Screwfix, Toolstation, Home Depot etc.

We have two Home Depot stores within about a mile of each other in my town. Thankfully however, we also have a local Ace/TrueValue, which appears as a small, neighborhood store, but has the benefits of big brand (lower) pricing. Most anything I need I can get there without a trip to the monstrosities.

 

[turf3]

Thing is, even Ace, TrueValue, Doitbest, are national chains. The stores are independent, but their inventory comes from those outfits, so they've all got pretty much the same stuff on the shelves. Fasteners I'd go with Hillman (Ace, TV, DIB) over whatever that stuff is Home Despot sells; but a lot of the time you end up at HD anyway. My old circular saw (1970s) finally crapped out yesterday - switch would not turn off - broke a die cast part trying to get access - it's a weird size (7") anyway, so there's hardly any selection of blades. The Ace? Exactly ONE corded circular saw on hand. HD? Six different models from three or four different mfrs.

Sadly the days of Reed's Hardware where you could search through the myriad of drawers and buy ONE ball bearing, are drawing to a close.

 

[skeller047]

My little hamlet (less than 40K population) has TWO Ace Hardware stores, at opposite ends of town. They do have a lot of the same stuff, but the franchise owners at each end have different approaches. The one near me is more concentrated on cleaning and painting, with a soupcon of outdoor cooking, but if you want plumbing fittings the one on the other end of town is the best bet. Interestingly, the nearby one also has a better selection of screws and nails. Lowes Depot is a few miles away, maybe a 15 minute drive. No room for that stuff here…

I join the chorus lamenting the demise of truly locally owned stores - music stores are a perhaps bigger part of that same loss.

 

[PigSquealer]

We have two Home Depot stores within about a mile of each other in my town. Thankfully however, we also have a local Ace/TrueValue, which appears as a small, neighborhood store, but has the benefits of big brand (lower) pricing. Most anything I need I can get there without a trip to the monstrosities.

Lowe’s & Home Depot are home improvement stores. Store to build from.
Ace Truevalue are Hardware Stores. Store for repairs & service needs.
They both have similar products to a point. On hand quantities differ greatly. Ace Truevalue types will have a better selection of service parts or repair options. If you’re building a patio deck Lowe’s will have the 300 boards on hand.

 

[thomsax]

I find more useful stuff for my saxophones in stores that are selling stuff for wood and metal craft. In "hardware" stores nowadays it's too much plastic and chem and lots of other stuff.

 

[Wonko]

I regret the loss of the local high street hardware store. When I lived in Southampton I witnessed the demise of Portswood Hardware. Of course the proliferation of large warehouse type builders merchants that also cater for DIY is partly the reason, but you can't do much about that. B & Q, Wickes, Screwfix, Toolstation, Home Depot etc.

But I am grateful for and whenever possible go to our local high street shop which is tiny but nonetheless well stocked

View attachment 36495

Those pictures have a very high "open all hours" vibe to them......

 

[Pete Effamy]

I really think we should avoid the whole WD-40, gaffer tape vs cable ties, hit it with a hammer discussion otherwise Pete will have to lock the thread and ban engineering along with politics and religion.

Even though it smells nice, apparently WD40 is pretty bad for us

 

[mizmar]

Even though it smells nice, apparently WD40 is pretty bad for us

Yeah. When I gave up the motorbike I stopped using it as a cologne or deodorant.

Mind you, just about everything that glues or lubricates or cleans, in the workshop, should be treated as unhealthy.