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Toolmonger (8 unread)

One Red Wagon, One Bad Day

Posted: June 24th, 2009, 12:01pm MDT by Chuck Cage

We came across the sad story of a Snap-On distributor — they’re independent, remember? — and one likely disappointed child in an upstate New York newspaper recently:

Snap-On Tools valued at about $25,000 were stolen in a burglary discovered Tuesday morning on the property of a Snap-On distributor in the town of Pamelia, according to state police. [...] Intruders entered a garage at the residence as well as a truck containing the tools, parked outside the garage.

But here’s the sad part:

Stolen hand tools include wrench sets, drill bit sets, four 18-volt cordless impact wrench sets with cases and batteries, a tool bag, and a child-size Red Rider wagon having the Snap-On logo.

Doh! While those wrenches — and even impact wrenches — are infinitely pawnable, what kind of bastard-coated bastard steals a child’s wagon?

[Thanks, taomancer, for the great CC-licensed photo.]

$25k In Snap-On Tools Stolen in Pamelia [Watertown Daily Times]
An (Almost) Eternal Flame: Stormproof Lighter

Posted: June 24th, 2009, 11:34am MDT by Audra Heaslip

While poking around recently in REI’s camping gear, I saw something that at first made me scoff: a $55 “stormproof” camping lighter, right next to the five-buck “stormproof” matches. But then I checked out the specs: the Windmill Delta Stormproof Lighter uses a catalyzer coil that will hold a flame even in 70 - 80 mph winds.

The gas flow is adjustable, allowing a flame at variable elevations, and the 2 oz. lighter is shockproof and water-tight. Customer reviews say it’s a bit bulky but quite reliable. If you camp at the state park like my family always did, you may not need to lay down the cash (though street pricing puts it more around $40), but if you’re the serious outdoors type, a reliable flame can be a big comfort.

Stormproof Lighter [REI]
Street Pricing [Google]
Via Amazon [What’s This?]
A Kid That’s Born To Dig

Posted: June 24th, 2009, 11:10am MDT by Sean O'Hara

Think your kid’s macaroni art proudly pinned to the refrigerator is the ultimate in child show-off material? You’re not even close, my friends. Check this little guy out. It’s not a joke and it’s not a trick: that is a three-year-old driving a small excavator.

I’ve never been so green with envy in all my life. I’ve seen adults that aren’t as good with a digger as this kid is. My biggest accomplishment at age three was not chewing on the dog and this youngster can drive heavy machinery. He’s going to throw the bell curve way the heck off in school someday.

If I were Caterpillar or Komatsu I’d throw a bucketload of cash at this prodigy and his dad right now and start a global campaign with a tagline that went something like, “Our machinery is so reliable and easy to operate, even a three-year-old can do it.” Or perhaps “Komatsu, for those born to dig.”

3-Year-Old Successfully Operates Heavy Machinery Video [TechEBlog]
It’s Just Cool: Life-Sized Gundam Project

Posted: June 24th, 2009, 10:38am MDT by Sean O'Hara

This life-sized Gundam is just under 60 feet tall and completely kick-ass. The giant golem celebrates the 30th anniversary of the first anime series in the Mobile Suit Gundam franchise, and I can’t think of a better tribute than constructing a real-life replica.

Working with tools, bringing to life a beloved giant protector of humanity and giant-scale modeling — that’s a trifecta as far as we can tell. The attention to detail looks amazing, and the fact that a group of folks were committed enough to put that much effort into something many might scoff at is definitely worthy of note.

In July the statue will be on display for two months at the Shiokaze Park on Tokyo’s Odaiba island. Suddenly the bar for building giant robot tributes just went up.

18-Meter ‘Life-size’ Gundam Statue Nears Completion [Anime News Network]
Hot or Not? Rust-Oleum EpoxyShield Floor Coating

Posted: June 24th, 2009, 10:14am MDT by Audra Heaslip

Warmer weather usually means spending more time in the shop — and sometimes noticing how crappy the ol’ floor has gotten over the years. One solution some folks turn to is an epoxy coating for the garage floor, which protects against stains, is (relatively) easy to clean, and reflects more light for those under-engine jobs. Also, it needs to be applied and aired out when the air temperature is around 65-80 degrees F, so now’s a good time for a lot of people to do this project.

Rust-Oleum’s Epoxyshield products include a garage floor coating that comes in gray or tan semi-gloss finish. (It’s completely optional whether you want to throw in the decorative paint chips.) The manufacturer says the coating “protects against gasoline, antifreeze, motor oil, salt and hot tire pick-up.” They also say it cleans with soap and water, though my own experience with epoxy-coated floors says some heavy mop scrubbing may be necessary for oil stains. Street pricing for the kit runs around $70.

My question about this is whether a kit is the best way to go — or if it’s better to buy parts separately, or just hire someone to do it (concrete etching can be kinda rough, and the coating has to be applied quickly within a specified time period). And is the quality of the coating comparable to a professional job? Post your thoughts in comments.

Garage Floor Coating [Rust-Oleum]
Street Pricing [Google]
Via Amazon [What’s This?]
Flickr Pool: Drill Press Mystery

Posted: June 24th, 2009, 9:47am MDT by Sean O'Hara

This interesting-looking old drill press posted to the Toolmonger photo pool has us scratching our collective noggins. It’s obviously a belt-powered drill press of some sort but we have no idea what its original setup would have looked like.

The stock plate doesn’t have a hole in it, which to me says metalwork — though I suppose that’s not always true. The whole thing looks like it’s built for fine adjustment with the knobs at the spindle shaft, but the wheels at the rear are a bit of a question for me. Is the belt supposed to loop through them or is it for a second belt that controls the height?

We always find this type of shop mystery thought-provoking. We hope reader Ghb624 finds out how this rig is meant to be set up and what its original purpose was. Let us know what you think in comments.

Toolmonger Photo Pool [Flickr]
Dealmonger: Stanley Panel Carry

Posted: June 24th, 2009, 9:12am MDT by Nick Carter

Bending over to carry sheet goods in an uncomfortable position is less of an issue with a Stanley panel carry and Amazon has them in stock for $5.00 now. It’s one of those little things that make a big difference.

You have full control over the balance of the load and better visibility along the way. Add to that the strain you’re not putting on your back anymore from crouching over and trying to fit under a doorframe during the carry and it adds up to a bunch of saved hassle.

If you carry a bunch of sheet goods or are planning a big job five bucks will prevent a lot of pain.

Stanley #93-300 Panel Carry [What’s This?] [Amazon.com]
TV Tonight: Nothing in Common

Posted: June 24th, 2009, 8:46am MDT by Nick Carter
(TV Tonight, Wednesday, June 24th, 2009) Nothing much tonight besides a new, primarily biological rather than mechanical episode of Time Warp.

All times are central
- This Old House: Newton Project (DIY, 5:30 pm)
- Modern Marvels: Edison Tech (History, 6:00 pm)
- How It’s Made: Metal Detectors, Muffins, Tiffany Reproductions, Aircraft Engines (Discovery, 6:00 pm)
- Ask This Old House (DIY, 6:30 pm)
- How It’s Made: Automotive Fuel Pumps, Cricket Bats, Change Machines, Ductile Iron Pipe (Discovery, 6:30 pm)
- Time Warp: Big Cats and Mixed Martial Arts (Discovery, 7:00 pm) NEW
- How Do They Do It?: Ports, Contact Lenses, Tires (Science, 7:00 pm)
- How Do They Do It?: Ice Breaker, Money, Bowling Alleys (Science, 7:30 pm)
- MythBusters: Phone Booth Friction (Discovery, 8:00 pm)
- Ice Road Truckers: Blinding Whiteout (History, 9:00 pm)
- Wrecked: Odd Jobs (Speed, 9:00 pm)
- Wrecked: Thanksgiving (Speed, 9:30 pm)