The Best of Maintenance Tips & Tricks

Winner of the 2004 "Maintenance Tip of the Year" is Jason Barron, Diversified Technology, Inc., Ridgeland, MS. He received $1,000 for his suggestion on how to install a pipe under a sidewalk. Runners-up were Craig Deluhery, Formosa Plastics, Illiopolis, IL and Jakob T. Duerson, Matsushita Electric Motor, Berea, KY. Mr. Deluhery presented a solution for limiting the charging time on battery-powered tools and Mr. Duerson explained how to remove broken taps. They each received $250 for their suggestions.

Sidewalk water drilling

Problem: Sometimes it is necessary to run cable or pipe under a sidewalk. Is there a way to do this without tearing up the sidewalk?

Solution: Dig a hole on each side of the sidewalk. Attach a water hose to a threaded PVC pipe and use water pressure to make a hole under the sidewalk. When finished, you have a pipe in place with threaded ends for cable connections.

Contributor: Jason Barron, Industrial Engineer, Diversified Technology, Inc., Ridgeland, MS.

Limit battery charge

Problem:The battery life of portable power tools is reduced if overcharged due to the battery over-heating. How can this problem be eliminated?

Solution: Provide the correct number of charging hours by using an outlet timer. When the tool is picked up in the morning it will have the proper charge.

Contributor: Craig Deluhery, Formosa Plastics, Illiopolis, IL.

Remove broken taps

Problem: Taps break off, especially when tapping a blind hole. Is there an easy way to remove the tap without damaging the piece part?

Solution: Build up a small welding bead on top of the tap. Then slip a nut over the bead and weld the nut to the bead. Using a wrench, the tap should be easily extracted.

Contributor: Jakob T. Duerson, Matsushita Electric Motor, Berea, KY.