How to make ( or save) $100 an hour.

Joe Dupre'

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Belle Rose, La.
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9a
I'm kind of a DIY cheapskate kind of guy and like to make things instead of spending the high dollars for the things I need. I did a lot more wiring this year and figured I needed a pair of jin pliers as holding wire is one of their uses. It's not to hard to spend 50 bucks on jin pliers. OUCH! Well, I had a old pair of linesman's pliers hanging around that had seen better days. These pliers normally have wide, square jaws on them......... a little too cumbersome for my use. So, I cranked up the old knife-making grinder and ground down the jaws to a more useable shape. While I was at it, I chased down the gripping surfaces with dremel tool. Maybe a half hour's work. Here's what I ended up with. I just removed about 8 feet of wire from a few trees. You hold a bend of wire just below the wire tail you're removing. Worked like a champ.

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Nice!
I'm the same way. I'd rather spend money on the tools to make the tools than spend money on the tools.
The things I could accomplish with a decent band saw. 🤩
 
Nice!
I'm the same way. I'd rather spend money on the tools to make the tools than spend money on the tools.
The things I could accomplish with a decent band saw. 🤩
I find I use my little table top bandsaw more than any other saw. I built a handy little sander too ,using a bench grinder for power( which I already had) plus another $17.00. It uses 1" x 30" belts. Another really useful tool.
 
I find I use my little table top bandsaw more than any other saw. I built a handy little sander too ,using a bench grinder for power( which I already had) plus another $17.00. It uses 1" x 30" belts. Another really useful tool.
I'll have to remember that trick, especially since a bench grinder is near the top of my list for next tool purchases.
 
I find I use my little table top bandsaw more than any other saw. I built a handy little sander too ,using a bench grinder for power( which I already had) plus another $17.00. It uses 1" x 30" belts. Another really useful tool.
Pics? Home made tools/machines are the best.
 
I'm kind of a DIY cheapskate kind of guy and like to make things instead of spending the high dollars for the things I need. I did a lot more wiring this year and figured I needed a pair of jin pliers as holding wire is one of their uses. It's not to hard to spend 50 bucks on jin pliers. OUCH! Well, I had a old pair of linesman's pliers hanging around that had seen better days. These pliers normally have wide, square jaws on them......... a little too cumbersome for my use. So, I cranked up the old knife-making grinder and ground down the jaws to a more useable shape. While I was at it, I chased down the gripping surfaces with dremel tool. Maybe a half hour's work. Here's what I ended up with. I just removed about 8 feet of wire from a few trees. You hold a bend of wire just below the wire tail you're removing. Worked like a champ.

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Not sure as I don't see it on your DIY pliers, but jin pliers pinch at the tip.
 
Not sure as I don't see it on your DIY pliers, but jin pliers pinch at the tip.
Do you mean the tip normally touches before the rest of the jaws? I've looked online, and the typical ones appear to have full contact of the jaws when closed. Either way, these seem to be doing what I need so far.
 
Do you mean the tip normally touches before the rest of the jaws? I've looked online, and the typical ones appear to have full contact of the jaws when closed. Either way, these seem to be doing what I need so far.
Typically the tips touch while the back doesn't. I'm sure yours does it's intended purpose, but the ones that pinch at the tips work better when you are actually jinning a branch as it's a more controlled crush on the bark. It's easier to understand when you try jinning with both tools (pinching tip and normal flat pliers) in hand.

Off of Bjorn's website....note how the tips touch while the back doesn't.

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Yes, it seems most of them have the tips touching first. I haven't used them enough yet to see if mine will cause any problems. Experience so far: tightening hold-down wires on two trees and removing wire on 5 trees. Results are very satisfactory. I haven't jinned any branches yet, though. I don't do much of that.
 
Yes, it seems most of them have the tips touching first. I haven't used them enough yet to see if mine will cause any problems. Experience so far: tightening hold-down wires on two trees and removing wire on 5 trees. Results are very satisfactory. I haven't jinned any branches yet, though. I don't do much of that.
It's an easy fix with a file if you ever need to modify them.
 
I'll have to remember that trick, especially since a bench grinder is near the top of my list for next tool purchases.
I have found a bench top . Belt sander with the round disc on the side . Is a much more useful tool than a bench grinder .yes it’s more money . But the kicker is faster stock removal easy to change grits . And most important . Consistent flat abrasive surface and angle ability
 
Pics? Home made tools/machines are the best.
Here ya go, Pitoon. Lawn mower pulley, screen door spring , a few scraps of wood and a plywood drive pulley. The buffing wheel on the left came in handy making knives. I also have a small table that mounts to the support just left of the belt. This contraption doesn't look like much, but it works flawlessly. I made a couple thousand dollars worth of knives on it.

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I personally don't like the pliers where the tips touch first, I like a grippy guy. I used regular pliers for years and am super glad I bought specific bonsai pliers BUT I got them online for like $16 and they are great. No need to spend $50 on pliers. I don't have a knife grinder but I would make my own next time
 
Here ya go, Pitoon. Lawn mower pulley, screen door spring , a few scraps of wood and a plywood drive pulley. The buffing wheel on the left came in handy making knives. I also have a small table that mounts to the support just left of the belt. This contraption doesn't look like much, but it works flawlessly. I made a couple thousand dollars worth of knives on it.

View attachment 426534
I assume all knife guys watch "Forged in Fire" so I'll just say, IT WILL GRIND (Doug Marcaida voice)
 
Here ya go, Pitoon. Lawn mower pulley, screen door spring , a few scraps of wood and a plywood drive pulley. The buffing wheel on the left came in handy making knives. I also have a small table that mounts to the support just left of the belt. This contraption doesn't look like much, but it works flawlessly. I made a couple thousand dollars worth of knives on it.

View attachment 426534
That's a sweet set up! I'm going to create a new thread for my midi pottery build.
 
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