ski boot bunion punch

As an alternative to bunion surgery, I bought a pair of used ski boots and built a contraption to make some room for the bunion. The photos tell most of the story. The bunion area of the shell was brought to a temperature of about 220 degrees F. with a heat gun. The hardest part was figuring out where to place the bump out within the boot.

Metal Bandsaw

Metal bandsaw from Harbor Freight...got on sale for about $130. Added coolant system (note copper tubing) using $12 fountain pump. After a lot of research, I selected selected Rel Saw semi-synthetic bandsaw coolant. This saw works great ! I don't use the coolant on Aluminum. Sure it's very hard to cut small aluminum with a hacksaw....but have you ever been able to cut a straight line with a hacksaw? As far as whether the bandsaw is better than the metal (abrasive ) chop saw or iron, I'm still thinking about this... seems it's safer....

Cordless Impact Driver

This may be the best tool I have ever owned - Hitachi WH 12DMR cordless impact driver. I have had it about two years...originally got to use in erecting a large metal building. Now I use it for just about any fastener that turns ! Torque is about 1000 inch-ounces. It will drive the head of a 3 inch #8 deck screw all the way through a 4 X 4...and it's easy on the wrist - no reverse torque like a portable drill.

Drill Press

I have had this Harbor Freight Drill Press about 3 years; it's a 13 inch. It just keeps working and working...no problems. ( I do think you have to be a pretty savvy shopper to successfully shop Harbor Freight; anything with a lot of iron and not much electronics or optics is probably OK - I sometimes get an extended warranty if the overall price is right)