BuffaloFeeds » Toolmonger » December 18, 2008

Toolmonger (7 unread)

Sno Brum Moves Snow No Matter How You Spell It

Posted: December 18th, 2008, 11:35am MST by Benjamen Johnson

If you’ve got more than a few inches of snow mounded up on your vehicle, forget about removing it with a brush — instead, make short work of the job with the solid face of the Sno Brum.

Tested to be non-abrasive and freeze resistant, the 6″ x 17″ molded polyethylene foam head won’t scratch your vehicle. The high-impact plastic faceplate never comes in contact with the vehicle because it’s recessed into the foam — and the telescoping aluminum handle threads into the faceplate with cold-resistant nylon threads so it won’t crack in the extreme cold.

To remove the snow from even the largest SUV, the handle extends from 27″ to 46″. When it’s time to put it away you can simply unscrew the handle from the head for compact storage.

The Sno Brum will run you about $20.

Sno Brum [Angel Guard]
Street Pricing [Google]
Via Amazon [What’s This?]
2,000-Year-Old Computer Brought to Life

Posted: December 18th, 2008, 10:48am MST by Audra Heaslip

In 1902 sponge divers discovered 81 fragments of an ancient, unknown tool at the bottom of the sea near the Greek island of Antikythera. Dated around the first century B.C., this early “computer” was the most complex technology of its time - and for another thousand years. Originally thought to be an astrolabe, the mechanism tracked and predicted the cycles of the solar system and the movement of heavenly bodies.

Beginning in fall 2005, a team of British and Greek scientists and researchers used innovative digital imaging and 3-D X-ray technology to take high-res pictures of the mechanism, inside and out, including detailed inscriptions that offer insight into the tool’s functions. Now a London museum curator, Michael Wright, has built a working replica - the first to incorporate all the details of the original, including the Greek and Egyptian calendars, markers indicating locations of the moon and five planets known to the ancient Greeks, and predictions of solar and lunar eclipses. The three dials even include a movable dial to account for leap years.

The Antikythera mechanism was found among the remains of a Roman merchant ship. As it turns out, just like with art, architecture, and the gods, the Romans knew a good Greek tool when they saw one.

Video of Wright’s working replica [The Guardian UK]
Antikythera Mechanism Research Project
TM’s 2008 Favorites: Black & Decker V-3 Light

Posted: December 18th, 2008, 10:27am MST by Sean O'Hara

Van Helsing must have wet dreams about the Black and Decker V-3 Million Power Series rechargeable spotlight. We’re not kidding. We shouted, “The power of Christ compels you!” every time this thing lit off the first week it was in the shop. Yes, it really is that bright. However, if you have no vampires to destroy, it’s also a super-handy work light.

Dubbed ‘The Vampire Light’ around the Toolmonger shop, the V-3 has amply lit up any situation in which its twin halogen beams have been brought to bear. Along with the twin beams of doom the V-3 also features a pair of LED area lights and a 12V DC accessory outlet.

To charge the light, just plug it into a regular old household extension cord. It takes a little while to charge, but once it’s full you have 38 minutes of rock-and-roll, twin-light fury on a leash.

A few words of warning: do not under any circumstances point the business end anywhere near someone’s eyes. It won’t be funny, and it’ll do damage — a lot of damage. They put the trigger lock on this thing for a reason. You really don’t want it going off in anyone’s face.

That said, we can’t imagine the shop before we had the V-3, but it must’ve been a very dark place indeed. From grilling in the dark to emergency auto work, this light has proved King of the Handhelds this year.

Street pricing starts around $60.

V-3 Million Power Series Rechargeable Spotlight [Black & Decker]
Street Pricing [Google]
Via Amazon [What’s This?]
My Little Welder

Posted: December 18th, 2008, 10:08am MST by Benjamen Johnson

We’ve seen many kids toys modeled after real tools, but a toy welding set has to be the most obscure yet. Whether you’re a full-time welder or just a hobbyist, if you want to get your kids interested in a skill that’ll serve them well for a lifetime, maybe put this under the tree.

The head of the toy welding torch glows, and the handle vibrates to simulate welding. Three AA batteries power the torch and are included with the set. It also comes with a pretend sparker, an industrial-style welding mask, and welder’s gloves.

It should be obvious but we’ll say it anyway: the gloves and mask shouldn’t be used for real welding. The set also contains small parts that could be a choking hazard for children 3 and under.

You’ll pay about $14 for this set at Sears.

Toy Welding Set [Sears]
Flickr Pool: Mailbox Rescue

Posted: December 18th, 2008, 9:25am MST by Sean O'Hara

Here in the Toolmonger shop we love to recreate our old favorites. Reader Beano_t also enjoys this pastime, as shown by this completely wicked mailbox he went to work on for his stepfather. Beano gave us the rundown:

Not all mailboxes are created equal. rehab of my stepfather’s mailbox completed. the best part: it was built by him from memory after his old barn… right down to the the moon over the door and the compound roof angle. he was thrilled I restored it to its old glory.

That is indeed a bunch of glory. I can honestly say we’ve never seen one quite like that — and we come from Texas, otherwise known as the Custom Mailbox Capital of the South.

Toolmonger Photo Pool [Flickr]
Dealmonger: Ridgid Internal Tubing Cutter $137

Posted: December 18th, 2008, 8:40am MST by Nick Carter

ToolUp.com is selling the Ridgid model 102 lathe-type internal tubing cutter for $136.62. Honestly, we didn’t even know this tool existed before we saw it here, but it sure looks like a problem-solver in situations when you need to cut pipe or tubing flush with a surface.

Internal Tubing Cutter [ToolUp.com]
Street Pricing [Google]
TV Tonight: Brains!

Posted: December 18th, 2008, 8:00am MST by Nick Carter
(TV Tonight, Thursday, December 18th, 2008) A new Factory Floor shows us how things are made, which leads us to ask when they’ll do a How It’s Made on producing How It’s Made? We also get a new Cool Tools about remodeling tools.

All times are central.
- Rock Solid: Limestone Tile Entryway (DIY, 5:30 pm)
- How It’s Made: Automatic Transmissions, Silver Miniatures, Hot Air Balloon Baskets, Darts (Discovery, 6:00 pm)
- Overhaulin: Hot for Teacher (TLC, 6:00 pm)
- Ask This Old House (DIY, 6:30 pm)
- How It’s Made: Magnets, Cooked Ham, Sliver-plated Teacups, Crash Test Dummies (Discovery, 6:30 pm)
- Cool Tools: On the Surface (DIY, 7:00 pm)
- American Chopper: Christmas Special (TLC, 7:00 pm)
- Factory Floor With Marshall Brain: Frozen Pizza, Multi-Tool, Wool, Airbag (National Geographic, 7:00 pm) NEW
- Cool Tools: On the Move (DIY, 7:30 pm)
- Cool Tools: Woodworking (DIY, 8:00 pm)
- American Chopper: Christmas Sleigh (TLC, 8:00 pm)
- Cool Tools: Remodel (DIY, 8:30 pm) NEW
- Classic Tractors (RFD-TV, 8:30 pm)
- Cool Tools: The 25 Coolest (DIY, 9:00 pm)
- Wrecked: I Just Need A Good Wreck (Speed, 9:00 pm)
- Wrecked: Fire and Ice (Speed, 9:30 pm)
- How It’s Made: Scalpels, Oil Paints, British Police Helmets, Ice Axes (Discovery, 10:00 pm)
- How It’s Made: Bacon, Snowblowers, Luxury Cars (Discovery, 10:30 pm)
Enjoy.