Ballinator Videos

In this video I restore a Amberyl handled Vaco A130-3 screwdriver. This thing has a nasty looking handle, and a damaged tip. This is the smallest tool I've restored on this channel. 00:00 Intro 00:34 Cleaning 01:29 Sanding 04:04 Polishing 05:08 Straightening the Tip 06:08 Before & After Shots 06:41 Outro

In this video we look at the Maddox MT201 Backprobe kit from Harbor Freight. This lets you probe automotive electrical connectors from the rear, so you can take measurements without unplugging the connector. This kit comes with 15 back probes of two different diameters, and three different tip shapes, as well as an assortment of (really short) test leads. I'll test the probes out on a couple connectors and see how they hold up. 00:00 Intro 00:34 Mannix Parody 00:54 Unboxing 02:16 Test Lead Length 03:27 Testing the Probes 04:26 Weight Test 05:33 Pricing & Outro

\In this video we look at a 1920's version of the Speedwrench. A unique design for a self-adjusting ratcheting wrench, that can wrench at an angle. We'll see if the claim of 45 degree wrenching is true, when I attempt to wrench around my beer. This wrench was designed by Homer Mead & Earnest Lynch in 1921, and was sold by the Heller Bros in New Jersey. 1921 Patent: https://patents.google.com/patent/US1533602A/en?oq=us+1%2c533%2c602 Masterrench trademark: https://www.google.com/books/edition/Official_Gazette_of_the_United_States_Pa/b03vaeXZJG8C?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA982&printsec=frontcover 1927 ad: https://www.google.com/books/edition/Metropolitan_Management_Transportation_a/ZzojAQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=masterrench&pg=PA375&printsec=frontcover 1926 ad: https://www.google.com/books/edition/Commercial_America/utDmAAAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=masterrench&pg=RA6-PA49&printsec=frontcover Heller Brother's Catalogs: https://archive.org/search?query=creator%3A%22Heller+Brothers+Co.%22 Heller Brothers History: http://alloy-artifacts.org/heller-brothers-company.html 00:00 Overview 00:58 History 01:40 Wrenching Around my Beer 02:31 Outro

Today we'll go over the history of the JH Williams tool company. From J.H. Williams start at the E.W. Bliss Company, to Williams & Diamond, to Williams & Brock and then to J.H. Williams & Co. Williams was one of the first companies to produce drop forged tools, including their Superrwrench line (and many other Super- prefixed lines) J.H. Williams merged with Whitman & Barnes in 1920, and was then bought out by United Greenfield in the '50's. TRW took over the company in 1968, and it was sold to it's current owner, Snap-on in 1993. Moar Williams History: https://progress-is-fine.blogspot.com/2014/01/vanished-tool-makers-jh-williams.html http://maggieblanck.com/BrooklynRedHook/Williams.html http://alloy-artifacts.org/williams-supercompany.html E.W. Bliss Co Catalogs: https://archive.org/details/cu31924031296134/page/n7/mode/2up Williams Catalogs: https://archive.org/search?query=creator%3A%22J.H.+Williams+%26+Co.%22 Vulcan Tool Truck Catalog: https://archive.org/details/vulcantoolscatalognoa64/page/n1/mode/2up Diamond sues Brock & Williams: https://nyshistoricnewspapers.org/?a=d&d=tbd18860116-01&e=------188-en-20-tbd-1--txt-txIN-brock----1886----- Brock leaves company 1886: https://nyshistoricnewspapers.org/?a=d&d=tbd18870115-01.1.1&srpos=6&e=------188-en-20-tbd-1--txt-txIN-williams+%26+brock--------- Matthew Diamond obituary: https://www.google.com/books/edition/American_Machinist/dA8mKWWOgeEC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=matthew+diamond&pg=RA19-PA7&printsec=frontcover Bathhouse Articles: https://www.google.com/books/edition/Journal_of_the_Western_Society_of_Engine/BGLOAAAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=j.h.+williams&pg=PA9&printsec=frontcover https://www.google.com/books/edition/Modern_Baths_and_Bath_Houses/OnAoAAAAYAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=J.H.+Williams+%26+Co&printsec=frontcover Bathhouse, plant safety insurance, mutal aid society etc: https://www.google.com/books/edition/Annual_Report_of_the_Commissioner_of_Lab/_GMtj0lNmKwC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=j.h.+williams&pg=PA260&printsec=frontcover https://www.google.com/books/edition/Industrial_Betterment/Tn18N5yoB-QC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=J.H.+Williams+%26+Co&printsec=frontcover Buffalo Plant Construction: https://www.google.com/books/edition/Iron_Trade_Review/rIM-AQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=J.H.+Williams+%26+Co&pg=RA1-PA1445&printsec=frontcover Redfield quote: https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_American_Journal_of_Sociology/jbU-AQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=J.H.+Williams+%26+Co&pg=PA436&printsec=frontcover Redfield Testifies before congress: https://books.google.com/books?pg=PA661&dq=%22j+h+Williams%22++machinist&id=diJUAAAAIAAJ#v=onepage&q&f=false 1917 Agrippa Ad: https://www.google.com/books/edition/Iron_Trade_Review/1oU-AQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=j.h.+williams&pg=RA2-PA51-IA6&printsec=frontcover 1919 Blacksmith Journal article: https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Blacksmiths_Journal/-3k2AQAAIAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=intitle:blacksmiths+intitle:journal&printsec=frontcover https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Blacksmiths_Journal/-3k2AQAAIAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=j.h.+williams&pg=RA12-PA27&printsec=frontcover Whitman & Barnes Merger: https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Niagara_Area/Do4wAQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=matthew+diamond&pg=RA6-PA35&printsec=frontcover https://www.google.com/books/edition/Sanitary_and_Heating_Age/qjQ6AQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=matthew+diamond&pg=PA54&printsec=frontcover W&B Marked Wrenches: https://www.google.com/books/edition/Industry_Illustrated/opIIjPF_uxgC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=j.h.+williams&pg=RA2-PA105&printsec=frontcover Williams-Husky Wrenches: https://www.google.com/books/edition/Mill_Factory_Illustrated/504WJe5gRugC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=williams-husky&pg=RA4-PA91&printsec=frontcover 1942 War Department Order: https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hearings/53ga61yEMiUC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=J.H.+Williams&pg=PA1455&printsec=frontcover 1959 Craftsman Rebranded Wrench: https://archive.org/details/sears-craftsman-hand-tools/page/12/mode/2up Chapters: 00:00 Intro 00:17 Williams goes through partners 01:51 Factory Conditions 04:08 Williams Death & Changes 05:15 Whitman & Barnes 05:41 Superrench & Williams Innovations 08:13 Greenfield Era 08:43 TRW Era & Present Day 09:46 Some Tools 10:15 Outro

In this video I unbox a vintage Scotch EA-400 labeler. I'll fill it up with some new production Dymo tape, and we'll make some labels with it. This is used to make those cool retro embossed plastic labels, with the raised lettering. This particular model is one of the higher end embossing tools from back in the day. Dymo patents: https://patents.google.com/patent/US2925625A https://patents.google.com/patent/US3036945A https://patents.google.com/patent/US3047443A https://patents.google.com/patent/US3083807A Scotch 1973 Patent: https://patents.google.com/patent/US3732963A Old Dymo tape ad: https://archive.org/details/TNM_Dymo_M-75_tapewriter_embossing_tool_-_Dymo_In_20171229_0332/page/n1/mode/2up 00:00 Unboxing 00:56 Loading Tape 02:07 Making Labels 03:32 History 04:00 Other Versions 04:45 Making More Labels 05:26 Outro

Bleeding brakes sucks. You need small, long 6-point wrenches, with deep offsets to turn the bleeder screws. In this video we check out the VIM Tools BB500 deep offset brake bleeder wrenches. I believe this wrench set is the same as the MSTBBWS5 from Matco, and possibly the Capri CP11840 too. They have one issue, that keeps them from ascending to Chad Tier... 00:00 Overview 00:59 Pricing 01:12 Negatives 02:31 Matco & Capri 03:11 Outro

In this video I go over my vintage Foley Belsaw 1 x 44" belt sander / grinder. This is a 1980's model, but they made several variations of these going back to the '60's. I had to replace the idler pulley with a skateboard wheel, and added wing nuts & thumbscrews in place of the adjustment screws. Manual: http://vintagemachinery.org/pubs/detail.aspx?id=6693 00:00 Intro 00:16 Skateboard Wheel 00:36 Demo 01:01 Other Mods 02:28 Variations

In this video I use a vintage Heathkit IN-37 Resistance Substitution Box (aka Decade Box) to bench-test a 90 ohm GM fuel tank gauge. You can use this same testing principle on any resistance based automotive gauge. Heathkit sold similar boxes under the IN-12 and IN-3137 part numbers. 1980 Catalog: https://archive.org/details/1980-heathkit-catalog-848-winter/page/58/mode/2up 1963 Catalog: https://archive.org/details/TNM_Heathkit_catalog_1963_radio_and_related_produ_20180404_0082/page/n33/mode/2up 00:00 Overview of Decade Box 00:55 Setting up the Test 02:00 Doing the Test 02:43 History 03:10 Modern Alternatives 03:32 Potentiometer Test

In this video we fix a lawnmower that won't start, by unclogging the air filter. I'll apply some oil to the filter, after cleaning it, to keep the fine dust created by mulching leaves, from getting into the engine. Most foam small engine air cleaners have instructions to apply oil, but some don't, even when they should... 00:00 Parody Intro 00:13 The Problem 00:50 Oiling the Filters 02:19 Firing it up

This video is about the Blackhawk tool brand, which started in 1910 as American Grinder. The first Blackhawk socket wrenches were produced under the direction of the Jonas Brothers (not those Jonas Brothers...) in 1919. We'll cover their lawsuit with Walden-Worcester, go over some of innovations Blackhawk came up with, the buyouts by New Britain Machine, Litton Industries, National Hand Tool, and finally Stanley, who has revived the Blackhawk brand as a sub-brand under Proto. Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqlO54ZdQjkkjpgD1yWaWgQ/join Moar History: http://alloy-artifacts.org/blackhawk-innovation.html https://web.archive.org/web/20110514003139/http://actuant.com/actuant/content/news/managed/documents/anniversary_book.pdf Black Hawk: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Hawk_(Sauk_leader) Blackhawk Catalogs: https://archive.org/search?query=blackhawk+manufacturing Walden Lawsuit: https://www.google.com/books/edition/Patent_and_Trade_Mark_Review/j9gQAAAAYAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Walden-Worcester&pg=PA62&printsec=frontcover Armstrong Joint Venture Annoucement: https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Ford_Dealers_News/gdPwThja2ZMC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=RA10-PA18&printsec=frontcover New Britain Catalogs: https://archive.org/search?query=new+britain+machine Litton era Catalogs: https://archive.org/search?query=creator%3A%22Litton+Hand+Tools+Division%22 Litton Space Suits: https://tessa2.lapl.org/digital/collection/photos/id/43703 https://texasarchive.org/2017_03762 US vs Chow: https://www.google.com/books/edition/United_States_Court_of_International_Tra/Y5QN28BT7PAC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA272&printsec=frontcover Stanley FTC Decision: https://www.google.com/books/edition/Federal_Trade_Commission_Decisions/qehpg527LXUC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA807&printsec=frontcover Blackhawk Patents: https://patents.google.com/?assignee=Blackhawk+Manufacturing+Co Snap-On Loxockets: https://archive.org/details/SnapOnToolsCatalogT1950/page/n19/mode/2up 00:00 American Grinder 00:37 Blackhawk's Early Days 01:32 Walden Lawsuit 02:54 Blackhawk Innovations 04:15 Buyouts 05:13 Chow FTC Suit 05:34 Stanley & Present Day

In this video I unbox and review two New Old Stock, 1990's era incandescent flashlights. One has some corroded batteries stuck inside of it which I will attempt to repair. The other was in perfect condition, so I was able to test it out, and EDC it for a couple of days. 00:00 Intro 00:49 Bad Light 01:38 Good Light 02:33 Beam Comparisons 03:17 Final Thoughts 03:44 Attempting to Repair the corroded light 06:13 Outro

In this video we look at a late '90's, early 2000's era Kobalt socket spinner handle. This thing is junk. The square drive at the end isn't connected to the shaft. It's just an insert pressed into the handle. There's no detents in it to engage the ball detent on the ratchet, and to top it off it was pressed in off-center too. 00:00 Overview 00:26 Manufacturing Defect 00:50 Design Flaw 01:37 Defect or Design Flaw? 02:20 USA Made Tools in the late '90's 03:00 Outro

In this tribute to the 30th anniversary of "Space Ghost Coast to Coast" I perform a "lazy rebuild" of the carburetor on a Mantis garden tiller. A certain evil mantis joins me to "help" with the repairs. Carb is a Zama C1U K82 00:00 Parody Intro 00:28 Carb Removal 01:47 Metering Side Disassembly 03:37 Fuel Pump Side Disassembly 04:06 Cleaning the Carb 04:48 Metering Side Reassembly 05:37 Metering Valve Height 07:38 Fuel Pump Side Reassembly 08:09 Carb Reinstall 08:45 Starting the Engine 09:50 Carb Adjustments

In this video we check out my Rockwell 314 circular saw. This is a worm drive saw that uses a 4 1/2" blade. These were made under both the Rockwell and Porter Cable brands. They were advertised for cutting trim, as well sheet goods. 1970 Rockwell Catalogs: https://archive.org/details/rockwell-catalog-ad-1927-r-2-1970/page/8/mode/2up https://archive.org/details/rockwell-portable-power-tools-catalog-1970/page/n17/mode/2up 1973 Rockwell Catalog: https://archive.org/details/rockwell-catalog-ad-2470/page/13/mode/1up Porter Cable Manual / Parts List: https://www.toolservicenet.com/en/c//p/314_1 00:00 Intro 00:27 Test Cuts 00:54 History 02:03 Outro

This is my review of the Superior Electric LN5811SL grinder quick change adapter. It replaces a standard 5/8 x 11 grinder nut, and allows you swap out grinding discs without tools. Just grab the knurled knob and twist to tighten. It has some caveats, and won't work in every situation, but this can speed up your work with flap discs, when running up through the grits. 00:00 Parody Intro 00:25 Overview 01:38 Negatives 03:46 Final Thoughts

In this video we go over the history of Proto Industrial Tools. From their beginnings in a blacksmith shop in Los Angelas as Plomb Tools, to their lawsuit with Plumb over hammers and the rebranding to Proto, to Protomex in Mexico, which spun off into Urrea Herramientas, to acquisitions by Ingersol Rand, and finally by Stanley, Proto has been making PROfessional TOols for over 100 years. Plomb company history: https://web.archive.org/web/20090422045844/http://plombtools.com/CompanyHistory.aspx http://alloy-artifacts.org/plomb-tool.html https://www.vannattabros.com/plomb/plombtool.html Plumb v Plomb lawsuit: https://web.archive.org/web/20070516013744/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,853600,00.html Proto Company history: http://alloy-artifacts.org/proto-empire.html Plomb Catalogs & "Anvil Chorus" Newsletters: https://archive.org/search?query=plomb+tools Proto Catalogs: https://archive.org/search?query=proto+tool Urrea: https://www.vannattabros.com/saw51.html https://urrea.com/informacion/corporativo Proto Brand Redesign: https://www.prioritydesigns.com/content/tool-brand-development-and-visual-brand-language/ Morris Pendleton Obitiary: https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-02-24-me-24573-story.html 00:00 Intro 00:17 The Birth of Plomb 01:01 The Hammer Issue pt 1 01:52 The Combination Wrench 02:15 1940's Expansion 03:28 The Hammer Issue pt 2 04:12 1950's Expansion 04:48 Urrea, Ingersol Rand & Stanley 05:40 Blackhawk Ressurection 06:30 Dat Flying Lady Tho

In this video I check out a vintage Pocket Probe pyrometer by Electronic Development Laboratories. This tool is unique as it doesn't use any batteries. We'll test it out and take a look inside, so I can attempt (and fail) at figuring out the passive circuitry that makes the instrument work. 00:00 Intro 00:47 Testing 01:36 Disassembly 02:14 What's Inside? 03:30 How the Probe Works 04:03 Reassembly

In this video I review the Performance Tool W2935 wire inserter, piercing tool. This tool is used to puncture firewall grommets on cars, and allow easy feeding of wires into the cab. It's a must have for automotive radio/stereo or auxiliary lighting installs. 00:00 Intro 00:39 Demonstration 02:00 Sizing 02:36 Pricing

In this review we look at the Trusty Cook TC43BP. This hammer is unique as it has a short handle, with a heavy head, ball-pien faces, AND it's a dead blow. Trusty Cook hammers are made in the USA, and they have a wide variety of both soft and metal faced deadblow hammers. 00:00 Intro 00:30 Dead Blow Hammers 01:06 The Ball End 01:31 The Mushroom Tip 01:55 Super Sledge 02:26 Pricing, Blems & OEMs 03:16 Outro Trusty Cook: https://www.trustycook.com/ Blemished Hammers: https://www.deadblowhammerdeals.com/

In this video we check out an unusual knife I picked up years ago. Someone made this themselves. It has a cast aluminum handle riveted to a steel blade. I suspect this tool was made by a kid in a high school metal shop class, back in the day, when the teacher wasn't around. 00:00 Overview 00:33 The Blade 01:26 The Handle 01:49 Who Made This?

In this video we look at another old timey woodworking tool, the Stanley Handyman H1214 manually operated hand drill. This particular model was made from 1961 through at least 1973. It's in pretty good shape, and still has the original Goldblatt's price sticker on it. Stanley tool guide 1952: https://archive.org/details/StanleyToolGuide1952 1961 Ad: https://archive.org/details/stanley-tools-list-price-book-pl-61/page/28/mode/2up 1969 Ad: https://archive.org/details/stanley-hand-tools-catalog-34-1969/Stanley%20Hand%20Tools%20Catalog%2034%201969/page/22/mode/2up 1973 Ad: https://archive.org/details/stanley-tools-broad-line-catalog-34-1973/page/18/mode/2up Goldblatt's post-card: https://www.sechicagohistory.org/archive/browse/goldblatt-bros-store/ 00:00 Parody Intro 00:27 How it Works 01:08 Testing 01:44 History 02:50 Outro

In this video we compare the Doyle Tweezer style needle-nose pliers from Harbor Freight, to the USA made Xuron. The small tweezer style head on these is great for electronics, wire bending, jewelry making, model kit building, etc. The Doyle is made in Taiwan, and the Xuron is made in the USA. We'll also try go guestimate who the OEM is for the Doyle in Taiwan. 00:00 Intro 00:38 Side by Side Compare 02:14 Tool Squad Parody 02:38 Who's the OEM? 03:02 Build Quality 03:31 Final Thoughts

In this video we look at the WorkPro, single bubble, 90 degree electrical conduit level. I kinda bought this on accident, not realizing it was made by GreatStar. Oh well, it can't be that bad. I actually kinda like it... 00:00 Intro/Unboxing 00:35 Overview 01:54 Conduit Bending Test 02:39 Magnet Test 03:05 Negatives 03:38 Pricing & Outro

In this video we check out a vintage Bell & Howell Nixie Tube digital volt meter. I'll do a demo of how the unit works. We'll go over what's inside a Nixietube, and take a peek inside the machine. This unit was made by Heath (aka Heathkit) model no: IMD-202-2, and appears to be a clone of Heath's IM-1212. Burroughs Catalogs: https://archive.org/details/Burroghs_Nixie_Tube_Catalog_B_W https://archive.org/details/TNM_Nixie_Tubes_Flyer Heathkit Catalogs: https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Catalogs/Heathkit-Catalogs 00:00 Intro 00:30 History & How they work 01:08 Demonstration 02:13 Heathkit 02:41 A Look Inside 03:24 Outro

Today we'll look at the LongAcre Oil Filter Cutter. This tool makes it easy to open up your automotive oil or fuel filters, so you can see what's going on inside. I'll demonstrate using the tool, on a couple of different filters. We'll go over some of the knock-off versions that are available on Amazon, and find out that the LongAcre is itself a knock-off, of a 1970's K-Line design. 00:00 Intro 00:21 Demo on Oil Filter 01:21 Filter Disassembly 02:09 Build Quality 02:50 Pricing & Knock-Offs 03:57 Outro