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Have any helpful maker tips? Send them my way!

danzima

Hello RoadTest!

I'm working with our community team on a second volume of our Essential Tips for Makers eBook series (you can see the original here). Our fearless RoadTest leader suggested that I reach out to our wonderful group here and see if anyone might have some useful tips they've picked up that they'd be willing to contribute.

 

We'll be printing this eBook for distribution at Electronica 2018, and of course it'll live on in perpetuity on the community as well. If you have any ideas you'd like to share, please leave them in this thread! Also feel free to reach out to me directly if you have any questions.

 

Thanks everyone!

Parents

  • A few screw-related tips:

     

    When removing small machine screws of many different types from a piece of hardware (e.g. a laptop), stick little rolls of masking tape to a piece of printer paper sticky side out. You can stick the different groups/sizes of screws to the tape loops, and you can write down where they came from on the paper. This both helps to limit loss of tiny screws and keep parts organized and labelled for reassembly.

     

    To avoid cross-threading or otherwise damaging existing screw/bolt/machine screw bushings and holes made from softer materials (e.g. brass or nylon) when reassembling something you've taken apart, start by turning the screw backwards while applying slight pressure towards the hole. When the threads line up, the screw will drop down towards the hole, and sometimes even make an audible click (depending on the materials.) You can then tighten the screw into place, knowing that the threads are properly aligned.

     

    If you're using a cordless drill/driver, set the adjustable clutch to the lowest setting to avoid damaging the screw or mounting hole by applying too much torque.

Reply

  • A few screw-related tips:

     

    When removing small machine screws of many different types from a piece of hardware (e.g. a laptop), stick little rolls of masking tape to a piece of printer paper sticky side out. You can stick the different groups/sizes of screws to the tape loops, and you can write down where they came from on the paper. This both helps to limit loss of tiny screws and keep parts organized and labelled for reassembly.

     

    To avoid cross-threading or otherwise damaging existing screw/bolt/machine screw bushings and holes made from softer materials (e.g. brass or nylon) when reassembling something you've taken apart, start by turning the screw backwards while applying slight pressure towards the hole. When the threads line up, the screw will drop down towards the hole, and sometimes even make an audible click (depending on the materials.) You can then tighten the screw into place, knowing that the threads are properly aligned.

     

    If you're using a cordless drill/driver, set the adjustable clutch to the lowest setting to avoid damaging the screw or mounting hole by applying too much torque.

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