Old machinist at the shop showed me a trick with a deadblow hammer

I was fighting with a stuck drawbar on a Bridgeport last month, just about to grab a torch. This guy named Rick, must be pushing 70, walked over and said put the hammer here not there. He tapped the side of the quill once, not even hard, and it broke free. Made me realize I overcomplicate half the stuff I do. Anyone else got a simple tip from an older guy that saved you time?

2 comments

2 Comments

blake_martinez13d ago

Old guys always know the touch over the force. Takes a lifetime to learn that.

calebrivera13d ago

It's funny how that applies everywhere, not just in a machine shop. I noticed the same thing with my truck's stuck caliper. Instead of beating on it, an old timer showed me to tap the rotor with a hammer while turning it. Took 10 seconds. Makes you wonder how much time we waste trying to brute force things.