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The other day I was waiting on my wife and daughter while they were trying on clothes at Kohls. I decided to look at the jewelry for some ideas. This design was among the earrings however, they were made from gold wire and oyster pearls.
Gold and pearls? Don’t have em’. Paper clips and a busted automatic transmission? That I have. These check balls were inside the transmission.
There are plenty more parts left. I think I’ll make a desk lamp with the gears.
Gold and pearls? Don’t have em’. Paper clips and a busted automatic transmission? That I have. These check balls were inside the transmission.
There are plenty more parts left. I think I’ll make a desk lamp with the gears.
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Signing UpStep 1Shape the paper clip
Extend a paper clip leaving the outside smaller bend intact.
Use cone nose pliers to roll a loop at the bend. Make sure when you wrap the loop you use the longer of the two free ends.
That way after the loop is complete the free ends will be the same length.
Bend the free ends towards the center so that it opens the loop as shown in the picture. Next bend the loops back, working the loop apart.
Adjust the loop as necessary so they are parallel to each other.
Use cone nose pliers to roll a loop at the bend. Make sure when you wrap the loop you use the longer of the two free ends.
That way after the loop is complete the free ends will be the same length.
Bend the free ends towards the center so that it opens the loop as shown in the picture. Next bend the loops back, working the loop apart.
Adjust the loop as necessary so they are parallel to each other.
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I can just see the $1400.00 lamp on my $25 early salvation army end table
thats what it cost for my last tranny repair, so i figure the lamp made of the offending tranny guts would be worth that at least!
Another good source of free ball bearings is failed trailer bearings which come with many in one "race." When I have to replace the bearing set in a trailer for myself, or a friend or neighbor, I save the old ball bearings for later use.
I've also used these ball bearings as check valves in homemade liquid pumps. If you don't have access to friends or neighbors as a source for ball bearings, try checking with your local trailer repair shop, OR a boat dealer or repair shop. If they don't have an old bearing set laying around, ask them to hold the next set replaced and leave your name and phone number so they can let you know to go pick it up.
I'll have to see what little spheres I can find and do something similar. I can build stuff... it's just sometimes I need inspiration and this is certainly great for that!
Comments are correct; those look great enough (and what a conversation piece!) to sell.
Any idea on how to open up a torque converter?
You're freaking awesome, Mrballeng!
+5 for cool factor.
+Several million for finding a way to get out of the dog house, for having torn apart a transmission, within sight of the wife.
I guess the garage floor was less of an issue for you, than the kitchen table was for me :-)
You took apart a transmission in your house?!?! The dirty transmission fluid stunk up the garage. I couldn't imagine a kitchen.