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  1. M

    A Couple of Things I've Learned About Blind Rivets

    Aluminum ones, that is. In working on a project for my aluminum skiff I needed to acquire some aluminum blind rivets. My boat is constructed of a 5000 series (5052?) alloy. In searching various suppliers (not the entire universe, so there is a lot more I have to learn) I found that: 1. Most...
  2. M

    How Critical is Blind Rivet Length?

    Getting ready to do some work that will involve blind rivet installation. I've purchased a bunch of rivets (from Amazon, btw) with a specified grip range from 0.126" - 0.250". Most of my fastening will fall within this range. However, there will be a few that will fasten parts with an...
  3. M

    Adding a Bow Deck

    In preliminary stages of a small modification to my aluminum skiff. Planning to make a deck extending from current bow seat to stem. Factory configuration and preliminary cardboard mock-up of deck:
  4. M

    Blind Rivet Mandrel?

    Playing with 1/4" blind rivets. I understood there was an issue with the steel mandrels on aluminum rivets - part remaining in pulled rivet potentially causing rusting. See attached photo of mandrel pulled from a 1/4" blind rivet. Isn't that the entire mandrel? How much would remain in the...
  5. M

    Harbor Freight Air Rivet Tool

    Getting ready to do some work in my boat which will include using blind rivets. Bought the HF air tool with 1/4" capacity. Based on reviews they either are crap right out of the box or give good to great service. So, gave it a test to see which one I had and so I can return it immediately if...
  6. M

    Air Filter for Pancake Compressor

    I have a pancake compressor that I use for air tools - mostly nail guns. It has no filter and the conventional filter/water separators won't fit on the outlet at the compressor. So, I'm assuming I need one of those small in-line filters that would go on the tool end of the air hose. Any...
  7. M

    How to Mount a Filter/Water Separator for Air Compressor

    Yes, I procrastinate. Bought my new compressor in 2007, along with an Ingersoll-Rand filter/water separator. Just getting around to hooking up the filter/separator. Problem: No apparent mounting holes/brackets (it is a F252XX-XXX). Looked on-line at some installations, but can't tell how...
  8. M

    Bow Platform - Yes or No?

    I've been working my way forward on my boat - refinishing the plywood components and replacing the manufactured supplied cad plated hardware with stainless. Now at the bow seat with a decision to make. Prep, paint and refinish existing bow seat or replace it with a platform with storage under...
  9. M

    What Size Solar Battery Maintener

    My battery is the smallest marine starting battery that Walmart had at the time (24MS-6, 625 Amps). I'm thinking of getting one of those solar battery maintainers (already figured out from other posts that it won't be a charger). I use my boat about once/month on a year round basis. Just want...
  10. M

    Using Torque Wrench to Remove Head Bolts?

    Maybe a dumb question, but, I'm wondering if I could use my ratcheting torque wrench to try removing head bolts with out shearing them off. For example, if the torque spec. for my head bolts is 18-25 ft. lbs. and I set my ratcheting torque wrench to maybe 10% over (28 ft. lbs.?) and try to back...
  11. M

    Question on 12V Wire Color Convention

    First, let me say that it's done, it works, and if it's wrong I'm the only one who will know :) I wired up an overheat alarm for my outboard. Ran 12V+ to one terminal of a buzzer, mounted on the console, with other terminal of the buzzer going to a thermostatic switch on the motor, with ground...
  12. M

    Connecting Different Size Wires

    I know for marine applications the preferred way to connect wires is with crimp connectors. I've had good success (i.e. zero failures) with crimping same-sized wires (#16 to #16) and close to same-sized wires (say #16 to #18). However, I have problems with a difference of more than one wire...
  13. M

    Question on Current Capacity

    I've got a thermostatic switch that has a rated current of 2.0 amps at 250 volts. Does this mean the max current capacity is 2.0 amps and the max voltage is 250 volts? Or is it a power rating, where the allowable current increases as the voltage applied drops? I'll be using this in a 12 volt...
  14. M

    Leave Motor in Barrel?

    Probably a dumb question, since I'm sure there are OB's left down in the water for an entire season. Anyways, I'm doing some work on my motor, running it in a barrel. Any problem leaving it with the LU submerged in the barrel (fresh water) for a few days?
  15. M

    Uses for Napa Aviation Gasket Sealant

    Discovered it as a result of readings on this site. I have actually used it for sealing gaskets. However, I've had more non-gasket uses. Coating threads of SS fasteners to prevent freezing. Its worked great so far. Repair of plastic bumper cover. Trailer hitch knocked a cover for a nut off...
  16. M

    Add-On Outboard Motor Overheating Alarm?

    Running my boat in San Diego Bay today - focused on staying out of the way of a variety of Navy vessels/Homeland Security Escorts/pleasure boats/etc. Wasn't totally focused on my cylinder head temperature gauge. Water intake blocked by a piece of kelp and the motor overheated. So, I'm...
  17. M

    Got Bunks?

    For you guys who are proud of your 2x6 bunks. Went back to MA for H.S. reunion. Took a drive to Cape Cod and stopped for lunch at Wellfleet Harbor. The Harbor Master was backing this in. It's a 2 axle galvanized steel trailer, no rollers, just 4x12 bunks plus a 4x12 cross piece with a "V"...
  18. M

    Things I Won't Buy at Harbor Freight

    I'm actually a HF fan, but with qualifications. Without HF I'd be hard pressed to have separate sets of tools in my shop, my truck, my wife's car, my boat and my backhoe. No issue with their hand tools and the testing equipment I have purchased there. I've also had good luck with their power...
  19. M

    Banned? Anybody Been Banned?

    I sometimes use the marineengine.com site to supplement what I can find on here for engine-specific issues. I know some of you guys do also since I see your posts. Last couple of days I noticed that site has been kind of squirrelly - my posts didn't show up or were missing after initially...
  20. M

    Building a Galleon

    Well, helping to build one anyways. Past two years a buddy and me have been volunteering on the San Diego Maritime Museum's project to replicate (full scale) the Spanish Galleon San Salvadore (see: San Salvador San Diego Build-site - Maritime Museum of San Diego). Interesting project...
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