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Toolmonger (8 unread)

It’s Just Cool: Tractor Square Dance

Posted: June 30th, 2009, 11:02am MDT by Sean O'Hara

Mechanized square dancing: when I picture it in my head there’s the kind of image that I can’t scrub out later. So that we’re all running on the same level here, check out the video of just such an event.

Let’s be clear — I’m not judging my Southern brethren. It took a long time to learn the “steps” of the tractor dance. In fact, the whole two-minute dance was very well timed and everyone watching seemed to enjoy it. However, I think it might fall in the “don’t tell anyone you go to tractor square dancing parties” category.

Best Ever,Tractor Square Dance [YouTube]
A Good Read: Book of Old-Time Trades and Tools

Posted: June 30th, 2009, 10:49am MDT by Audra Heaslip

This anonymous British text from the 1860s was designed as “an instructive text on the importance, dignity, and techniques of labor.” It details the work of over thirty trades including millers, sugar refiners, and shoemakers, with over 700 illustrations — many of tools of the time period. If you’re into antique tools or the history of hand craftsmanship, this book is an inexpensive (street pricing runs around $11) and interesting guide to the kind of work your great-great-grandfather might have done.

Book of Old-Time Trades and Tools [Dover Publications]
Via Amazon [What’s This?]
Street Pricing [Google]
Make Less Mess With FastCap’s Caulk Gun Holster

Posted: June 30th, 2009, 10:34am MDT by Benjamen Johnson

To borrow a phrase from Dirty Harry, “Do I feel lucky?” While a caulk gun can’t do as much damage as a .44 Magnum, you might think so after hearing a homeowner scream as you leave gobs of caulk on the new carpet. With the FastCap Caulked N’ Ready holster you’ll always have your caulk gun at the ready and won’t depend on luck to contain the mess.

Made in the USA from high-impact plastic, the Caulked N’ Ready measures 17″ long and has an inside diameter of 2-3/8″. When you slide the caulk gun into the holster a spike enters the tube tip, plugging it closed. A reservoir around the spike holds the excess caulk that inevitably seeps out of the tip, keeping it off hard-to-clean surfaces.

Cutouts in the top of the holster capture the caulk gun trigger so the gun won’t spin around, and a 6″ adjustable wire clip allows you to hang the holder from your pants, belt, five-gallon bucket, workbench, ladder, or wherever else you decide to dangle it.

Right now the only place we can find the Caulked N’ Ready holster online is McFeely’s for $12.

Caulked N’ Ready [FastCap]
Caulked N’ Ready [McFeely's]
Recall: DeWalt Framing Nailers

Posted: June 30th, 2009, 10:14am MDT by Chuck Cage

DeWalt has recalled about 9,000 framing nailers because “the bump action trigger…could have been incorrectly asssembled during production, which would allow the nailer to eject a fastener unexpendedly or cause the trigger lock-off not to function” says the Consumer Product Saftey Commission. The affected nailers are models D51825 and D51850, pictured above.

Thankfully the CSPC has seen no injury reports so far, but if you own one of the nailers they ask that you immediately stop using it and contact DeWalt at 877-437-7181 (between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.) for instructions on receiving a free replacement bump action trigger.

DeWalt Recalls Framing Nailers Due To Serious Injury Hazard [CSPC]
Knife Source: Sword Demon

Posted: June 30th, 2009, 9:26am MDT by Sean O'Hara

Sword Demon is an interesting place to browse around. They have a wide array of tactical knives and folders but they also deal in blades that are a little less practical. From movie replica blades to Barbarian battle maces, Sword Demon can get you what you’re looking for.

The fantasy blades are just for show, of course. It’s strictly a high-end street market or carnival type of affair, but that can be fun too. Most of the blades you’ll find here are more for fun than anything else, but the less-exotic offerings like the M-Tech Folding Knife Pakkawood for $7 or the Sword Demon brand 2 Piece hunting knife set for $20 can be good practical purchases.

Into the whole holiday knife-buying spirit? Here’s a Fourth of July 7” folder for $7. If you watch the “Knife Show” on cable it’s very similar, just in website form.

Sword Demon [Website]
[Stiletto American Flag Folding Knife] [Sword Demon]
Folding Pocket Sharpener

Posted: June 30th, 2009, 8:43am MDT by Benjamen Johnson

Do we really need more stuff in our pockets? We already have keys, cell phones, knives, multi-tools, wallets, change, and even Pocket Chisels. So now FastCap recently introduced yet another tool we can stuff into our bulging pants: a pocket diamond sharpener. This double-sided 300 and 600 grit diamond sharpener sports the same folding handle FastCap uses on their pocket chisels.

Even if you don’t have room in your pocket, the folding handles do serve another purpose. They fold over the diamond stone on heavy-duty stainless steel pins to protect it from unintentional wear or, possibly, to protect everything else in your pants, pouch, or toolbox from the diamond stone.

Fastcap makes the Pocket Diamond Sharpener in the USA and claims it’ll last a lifetime. It’ll run you about $25, or you can buy it with a set of four pocket chisels for about $80.

Pocket Diamond Sharpener [FastCap]
Street Pricing [Google]
Sharpener only Via Amazon [What’s This?]
Pocket set Via Amazon [What’s This?]
Hot or Not? Harbor Freight Knockout Punches

Posted: June 30th, 2009, 8:12am MDT by Nick Carter

The industry standard for knockout punches, Greenlee screw- or hydraulic-actuated two-piece piloted dies are designed to make holes in sheet metal for conduit and instruments. But what about for the weekend warrior or the guy starting out in the trade? Harbor Freight has a set of four for only $15.99, about a tenth of the price of a set of Greenlee punches. You can of course find used Greenlee brand punches for much less, if you’re lucky.

The real question is whether the Harbor Freight set works well enough, actually makes clean holes, and can survive more than one or two uses. So we ask, Hot or Not?
TV Tonight: Used and Abused

Posted: June 30th, 2009, 7:51am MDT by Nick Carter
(TV Tonight, Tuesday, June 30th, 2009) Nothing exciting nor new tonight.

All times are central
- Cool Tools: Classic Update (DIY, 5:00 pm)
- Machinery of the Past (RFD-TV, 5:00 pm)
- This Old House: New Orleans Project (DIY, 5:30 pm)
- Ask This Old House: Clogged Drains, Installing Kitchen Cabinets (DIY, 6:30 pm)
- Weapon Masters: Roman Scorpion (Military, 8:00 pm)
- Cool Tools: Transformers (DIY, 9:00 pm)
- Drag Race High: Fathers & Sons (Speed, 9:00 pm)
- Deconstruction: Windows (DIY, 9:30 pm)
- Drag Race High: A Day at the Office (Speed, 9:30 pm)
- Jesse James Is a Dead Man: Figure 8 World Championships (Spike, 10:00 pm)