Nobody has every tool they need for every situation. Professional mechanics often improvise or substitute to get jobs done, and I know for a fact (because I’ve done it myself back when I farmed) that farmers are very adept at adapting. For example:
-a short 2 x 4-inch or 4 x 4-inch wooden block makes a functional seal or bearing driver. Wood blocks also work well to prevent damage or “mushrooming” the end of a metal shaft if it’s necessary to use a sledge hammer to, uh, “persuade” the shaft.
-SnapOn, Mac and other tool companies sell fancy punch sets designed to remove bearing races. Envision a long cold chisel with the tip flattened rather than sharpened, so the user can catch the edge of a race to drive out that race. So…rather than pay $50 to $100 for those special punches, why not take a couple old cold chisels and carefully grind the tips flat, or oval, and get some race-drivers for free?
For more Substitute Tools click here to read the full article on Agweb.
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