Tools that work & Etc.

[mbd]

Welp, I finally got the Aero Press and Capt. Ebb is right on as usual - it does indeed make a tasty and smooth cup-o-joe! You get the smoothness of a French press without the grit. Still using the paper filter though. One of the nifty things I like is that you simply "pop" the grinds (along with the filter) out into trash after pressing, then rinse the unit. No muss no fuss. I'd hate to have to dig the metal filter out of the trash and clean it. I guess I'm a product of this culture of convenience...

[ebb]

Aeropress takes years of practice....
From coffee roast & apolitical bean selection, number of beans per scoop,
seconds of grind, getting it all out of the grinder, into the chamber, loading
it with correct ounces and perfect temperature sweet water, number of
paddle strokes, how many seconds of soak? too long and the grounds stay
wet.... yeah, right, just kidding.

The morning coffee ritual with the device does require a number of steps.
Do the second part next to the sink, so that rinsing the stainless strainer
is but a deft pirouette between extraction, twisting the retainer cap (which,
if the plunge has been finessed satisfactorily, will produce a puck of nearly
dry coffee grounds... that releases the disk into the cap as it's twisted off.
About 20% of the time I'll get it right.
Does require quick handling because the cap is still pretty hot when removing.
Did I plunge with aplomb? If the grounds are wet the disk sticks to the puck.
Like I say, it takes awhile to train yourself to this tool...unless you're a born
natural barista.

Bought a new press from Aerobie. Can now get the Able filter from them.
(New Ables have a very easy plunge and allow a bit of fines to settle in your
cup. Personally don't mind. But paper filters give you completely clean brew
with zero sediment.) All other parts are available as well.
Also got a new S-Filter ('S' stands for micro-wire screen) made by Kaffeologie..
This filter has a frame around the screen which makes it thicker than the laser
cut Able. Couldn't make it work, too thick to get the cap to lock on to the
chamber.
To get room for the thicker filter, I was going to fiddle with a cap and try
filing the lands down a bit (looks simple enough) but never got round to it...
The new Aeropress is gorgeous. You'd expect changes. Except for graphics
and a beautiful job of molding, all old and new parts are interchangeable.
Me? still using my ole friend.

Used up two stainless Able filters. Didn't wear them out, but krinkled the disks
into stars, eventually the slight bends became too numerous to seal the cap,
allowing grounds to escape through.
My original cap has a belly in it. Put a metal disk in it, apply lots of pressure for
lots of mornings and the disk ends up with radiating bend rays . It wasn't
until I saw the new dead-flat caps that I realized the old one had bellied out
from morning resistance exercises. It wasn't designed that way.
I think the early Able's had finer holes, too.
But heat and pressure had altered the cap and made it bulge.
Extra pressure came from reusing the paper filters, which would be rinsed
and dried on the bottoms of tumblers. The darker a filter became the more
exercise to push thru a cuppa. Couldn't bear tossing an almost white one away
....so stainless really works for me.
Ordered a very reasonably priced replacement stack of filters. Never used 'em.

Aerobie recently sent a flyer advertising a new addition to the portability aspect
of the Press. This is a stainless 'cup' that is large enough to pack the whole
kaboodle and all its parts inside. Assuming that does not include the holder and
paper filters, or any ground coffee. Sent an email, never heard back, asking
what kind of stainless the cup was made out of.* Good idea for the boat.
.................................................. .................................................. ..................
Later EDIT: Bought extra caps that hold the paper or stainless filter disks.
It is for sure that the grid is molded totally flat when new. The new easy
Able disk that allows very fine sediments through, as said, requires minimum
pressure to make coffee. Only a couple months old the stainless disk is now
collecting a number of minor radiating bends. A straight-edge across the grid
of the cap tells that a permanent bulge is being made. It won't matter when
using paper filters. But it now appears that a permanent stainless replacement
cannot be depended upon, because long term use of the metal filter eventally
creates so many bends it will let grounds through.

Later edit: 3 years of daily mug of finely ground, the Able s.s filter has not
gotten 'starred' any worse. I'm more gentle in my plunging, it's all automatic,
there is a tiny amount of sediment that is so fine that, except for it collecting in
the bottom it almost is in solution. Like this fine 'dusting' on the tongue at the
end of a perfect cup of organic Pacific Rim joe.

.................................................. .................................................. ..................
*The dedicated stainless steel cup may have been double-sided to keep liquid
hot. Seem to remember a reviewer complained that the container should
have had a top, or lid. The price was around $20. Can't find it on the net....
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GRIND YER OWN AWAY FROM HOME
Later even again: Just acquired JavaPresseCoffeeCompany's Manual Burr
CoffeeGrinder. Looks like a totally uneventful tube "Built with Brushed Stainless
Steel that illuminates any environment", until we place the crank on top. Tube is
actually three pieces that fit 'seamlessly' together. 7 1/2" long, and 1 7/8" D --
slips snuggly into the AeroPress plunger. Meant to pack along on global jaunts.
$24 from the Company, $30 from amazon.

[ebb]

First attracted to this screw driver because it has a #3 Philips.

My other 4-in-1 bit drivers, just couldn't take it any longer!

These might be the multibit drivers that were looking for me!!

MAKING CONNECTIONS
Megapro 151SS has a stainless steel shank, bright yellow
nylon handle with tiny 0.10" (like embedded #6 bird shot)
molded-in handicap traction nibs that are a bit abrasive,
a marvelous pull-out carousel with 7 nickel-infused double-
end bits* that sucks back into its hollow handle as if there is a
vacuum. Handle ends are navy blue and revolve independent
of the body so you can turn the driver and bear down or guide it
at the same time. It's 8.75" long with large handful of solid
cylindrlcal knobbly yellow grip. So, not all that much 'stainless',
per se, but on the grip you can't miss MADE IN THE USA

Could be 'assembled in the USA' -- hope we can mostly be assured
that this clever and innovative tool is made with... pride. This is a
Canadian firm from B.C. that makes only innovative screw-drivers.
Don't know that 'Made In Canada' wouldn't be just as convincing.
It is in all aspects precisely engineered. Nothing wiggles, all tight.
Driver does not ratchet. Bought two, one for a gift.

Going to keep one onboard and one at home!

Unique 2" bits are 'Electroless Nickel Plated ENP Double End':
One slot 4-6 -- Two Phillips 0-3 and 1-2 --
Two Robertson square 0-3 and 1-2 --
Two Torx star 10-15 and 20-25.
Spec 1/4"x2" HexShankDoubleEndBits, with a noticeable tiny mid
shank 'spring ball' that holds bit in the shank. Under a loupe, you
can just make-out the CNC tracks that transform the tool steel rod
into their precise form. These are the only ENP bits offered by the
Company. Allen hex from 3/32 to 1/4" and 2.00 to 6.00mm in S2
steel are available. Some anti-theft two-prong spanner bits also
offered. 1/4" & 3/8" socket adapters to drive nuts w/ yr own sockets.
There's much more.
When you locate them, www.megapro.net - find their 16pg catalog.

*Bits are Rockwell 59-62: S2. Can't do that with 300 alloys. Easily
remove from the pull-out storage, but need extra force snapping
them back into their holsters. Weighs 7.9oz.


https://www.techtoolsupply.com/ lists more than 100 Megapro
double bits. Also stock many of their drivers. Two or three are also
'yellow handle' -- to get SS version: 151SS .

Driver from Specialized Products. $24.80 http://www.specialized.net/
This outfit is located in Southlake Texas. Two 151SS sub-total at
$49.60. Freight added $13.55. They also charged me $4.03 sales tax.
TOTAL: $67.18. $33.60 each. Still cheaper than amazon or ebay.
They stock no Megapro bits.

What's extra nice? Easy to find yellow handle in the tool bag!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
info on the enigmatic Frearson


MEGAPRO RATCHET DRIVERS (toward a more complete kit)

{currently amazon has wrong description & comments on this driver}:
Megapro Ratcheting Driver 211R2C36RD 13-in-01 Red is the
only ratchet aye can find that comes with 2" double-end bits.
Same length as above, almost 9", but a more usual and much more
comfortable handle in a handsome tapered red nylon and black
rubber anti-slip grip. No stainless.
Easy and smooth left-lock-right ratchet collar has inside a patent
-pending: ZAD 8 Zinc Alloy Solid Core precision 28-tooth design
(make of that what you will). Revolving palm end with a 6-12
slot-Philips-square-Torx selection of those clever 2" bits in cheerful
and patented carousel storage. 7.8oz. Made in Canada.
This Megapro could be uograded by the maker to a s.s. shaft and
nickel-plate bits. It would then get my vote as the best looking and
most talented driver you ever had the pleasure to hold in your hand.


> 171BK/RD-R 7-in-1 Megapro Ratcheting Compact S.S. <
Good-looking Orange/Black tapered handle - significantly smaller
and lighter. Same left-lock-right smooth turning ratchet in the collar.
Known as 'insert bits', and harder yet less brittle 'impact bits', they
are standard hex 1". Magnetic shaft accepts any 1/4" hex-end
from your collection, including impact and 2" power-bits.
Stainless shaft: 6 normal 1" slot-Philips-square bits in carousel. 7.25".
6.4oz. USA. warning: don't put this driver down near the Compass!
Not included in the Catalog. Choose this driver and personal hoard
of 1" bits for your cruiser.

211R1C36RD 12-1" insert bits, Ratcheting Automotive*, S.S.
Big Brother Red/Black taper handle. 9.25" L. 9.2oz W. 3oz heavier
than Compact. 6 Torx, 2 Slot, 1 Square, 3 Philips.


MEGAPRO CATALOG tells the company's tale.
Their distribution system is a total mess. They depend on venders
who do not stock the complete product line, and have their own
unhelpful and arbitrary display systems. The only way is to study
the catalog and then blindly rummage online venders.

MY read of the Megapro catalog is that there is no clear origin for
many products. Krayola-colored drivers with the harsh embossed
tubular grips originate in US. Red/Black ratchet taper drivers with
"rubberized cushion grip handle" are said to be made in Canada...
The phone is brightly answered in Canada, US address is a mail
service. Given the number of foreign patents, this company may
be another global distribution shell -- always suspicious.
"All bits - S2 industrial grade steel. Made in Taiwan". Industrial?
Unfortunately, industrial is a China red flag word. Say, tool steel.
Imco, any of their products can be made anywhere: MEGAPRO,
registered trademark of Winsure Enterprises Corp. (Win Sure is an
automotive repair garage in Oregon.) www.megapro.net/


There is a vast array of insert bits, a few made in Germany, most
made in Taiwan, probably all major brands. Irwin on web: good
info, their bits are labeled well. Aye look for slots and Frearson
because both are still found on bronze screws. Irwin has the only
full eight pc SLOT set (found on zoro.com). Irwin also has a single
Frearson #2 (only need the one for most Frearson heads) that
looks better made than others that pop up.
**RESEARCH Insert Bits-Fastener Drive-Tools-IRWIN TOOLS.
http://www.irwin.com/tools/browse/fa.../inserrt-bits/

(This post keeps growing, sorry. Frearson, Reed & Prince, drive
heads are found on bronze screws (don't know why***). You can
place a screw on your driver and the tight deep cross in the head
will hold the screw on the bit. Great when screwing planks on a
hull! Philips heads are the opposite, the incise has rounded
corners and is designed to 'cam out', didn't know this when aye
began looking into this subject. Always have problems with
Philips heads turning out of the screw. Wrong size - Worn bit
- no, it's designed that way! Why in hell is it designed that way??)
***Bronze screws are often on display. Frearson driver fits insert
cross very tight, so you won't cam out and spoil the $$jewelry.


To collect and organize the 1" 1/4-hex bits, now have 3 'bags'.
Enkay 3030 ScrewBitHolder poly bag, Red. You get two 33
hole pliable plastic blocks - 2.75"Lx2"Wx11/16"H - simply push hex
ends in. $8. Easy in / easy out. Nicely molded, China. 'Poly bag'
is the package. Store bits open, or use the second 'block' as a cap
and rubber band together, they'll make it to Mars and back.

To fill out your double end bit collection, haven't found a simple
holder for them. Nor a soft 'canvas' case for all bits and 3 drivers.
Plus a palm ratchet, extra long bits, sockets, flat ratchet wrench.
Simple waxed fabric maybe, with industrial hook-&-loop closure.
BOAT TOOL CASES SHOULD BE SOFT SIDE, conformable.
The 2" double bit organizer I'm looking for is similar to the 3030,
but bits lay flat in tightly spaced open channels, in a compact
red rubber/plastic tray, maybe 3 x 4", each 'tray' holding 12 bits.
Like the holster in the end of the Megapro's. Easy in / easy out.


To preserve the rustables, try a lanolin product called Fluid Film.
Spray it on, dry it off. It stays not wet but pliable, doesn't harden.
Sheep wax. Processed out of sheep wool. Nobody gets hurt. Has a
bit of petro in it... the aerosol propellant. Non toxic, non-flammable.
https://www.fluid-film.com/


LATER EDIT: Megapro makes 18 or 19 specialized screwdrivers. All
but four (3 mentioned above) are cylinder grips with what now
seems an irritating hard pebbled surface. My hands can't take it.
The 3-or-4more conventional red/black cushion grip ratchet drivers
are ergo and very comfortable. Recommendable.

2" bit drivers do not have shank magnets. Limited to Megapro's
range of patented bits. Having a magnetic 1" hex bit driver on the
boat is dangerous around a compass. But 1" hex bits are versatile
- complete sets from other makers take little space to store.


**Just ordered Frearson bits from https://www.greenboatstuff.com/
#1, #2, #3 TWO inch hex insert. Concise, not totally informative site.
Littlgull's coamings used a large Robertson square bit in #14. If the
fastener was #14 Frearson, #3 bit is a better fit than common #2.

[ebb]

Decided to erase this post which I'm not allowed to do.