Categories
Chainsaws

Your Guide to Ripping Chains

Ripping chains are often claimed to be essential in chainsaw milling in lowering the saw engine loading and leaving a smoother cut. But what exactly are these chains and how do they differ from “regular” chainsaw chains? In this article, I give you an overview of what ripping chains are, how they work, and when […]

Categories
Cutting

Reciprocating Saw vs. Angle Grinder: The Cutters Compared

The reciprocating saw and the angle grinder are two of the most popular power tools for cutting metal and other hard materials. Compared to a plain hack saw or other hand saws, either tool will take your productivity to a completely other level. Conventionally, the reciprocating saw and the angle grinder have had a slightly […]

Categories
Multi-tools

Proxxon IBS/E Rotary Tool – Worth the Price?

Rotary multitools are a very useful and versatile tool type for small and detailed cutting, grinding, milling and drilling jobs. Although Dremel rules the rotary multitool market, there is an upmarket alternative from the German manufacturer Proxxon: the IBS/E Professional Rotary Tool. But is Proxxon worth the “Professional” title and the extra tens of dollars? […]

Categories
Electronics

Signal Relays Explained

Relays are remotely controllable electric switches. Most relays you know are power relays, like the clickers and clackers in your thermostat and your car. But what are signal relays? And no, we do not here mean the automotive turning signal relays. In this article, I am going to explain what signal relays are when and […]

Categories
Electronics

Power Relays vs. MOSFETs for Microcontrollers

When you want to switch high currents or voltages with an Arduino or similar microcontroller, relays and MOSFETS are likely to be your top component choices for doing the actual switching. Both types of components are available with voltage and current ratings in hundreds of volts and amps, and, when properly implemented, can do a […]

Categories
Electronics

MOSFETs for Arduino

Power MOSFETs are a great companion to Arduino and similar microcontrollers when it comes to controlling pumps, motors, heaters or other high-power devices. These transistors allow you to use a weak digital signal from the microcontroller to switch high voltages and currents that many power-hungry devices need to operate, but that the controller itself cannot […]

Categories
Electronics

ESD Tools Explained

Electrostatic discharge (ESD) may be a minor nuisance in everyday life, but in working with sensitive electronics, it is a veritable hazard. One of the many methods of combating the destructive effects of ESD at electronics workstations or assembly lines is the use of ESD or “anti-static” hand tools. Being practically identical in appearance and […]

Categories
Drilling

Drilling Stainless Steel: Applications

In the previous part of this series, we learned how to drill austenitic stainless steels on a general level: which bits to use, speeds and feeds, ans so on. Armed with this information, you should be able to successfully complete most stainless drilling tasks. However, stainless steel products come in different sizes, shapes and alloys. […]

Categories
Drilling

Why is Stainless Steel so Hard to Drill?

Stainless steel is one of the few common construction metals that hold up in harsh conditions. Condensation, rain, or even splashes of salt water or acids – many stainless steels can take on all of this. When looking for a widely available and relatively affordable high-strength material for wet, outdoors or marine environments, the austenitic […]

Categories
Cutting

What Can You Cut with an Oscillating Multi-Tool?

Oscillating multi-tools are very versatile machines. Variously called oscillating tools, oscillating power tools, multi-tools, or oscillating multi-tools, these compact wonders of functionality can sand, grind, rasp, scrape and polish. In terms of frequency of use, their number one function is still undoubtedly cutting. But what exactly can oscillating multi-tools cut? An MDF baseboard, surely, but […]