BuffaloFeeds » Toolmonger » January 27, 2010

Toolmonger (4 unread)

Reader Question: How Much Will You Pay For A Hammer?

Posted: January 27th, 2010, 9:09am MST by Chuck Cage

They say when all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail. When all you have is a $250 hammer, does everything look like a gold-plated nail? Seriously, folks, you don’t have to look far to find some seriously spendy hammers out there. The Stilleto TiBones pictured above run a whopping $200+. Hell, just scoring the replaceable face for one’ll set you back a Hamilton (or two).

Estwing offers a number of $100+ models, too, though some check in under $30. Even that’s a pretty big swing from the $15 store-brand special.

So what will you spend on a hammer? $20? $50? $100? More? And why? What do you look for in a hammer, and why is it worth your hard-earned cash?
Is This Little Vacuum A Canned Air Replacement?

Posted: January 27th, 2010, 8:53am MST by Benjamen Johnson

While canned air works great for removing dust from electronics and is very portable, it has its downsides — it’s expensive, and if you use it for more than short bursts it can freeze and stop spraying until it warms up again. Metro Vacuum claims there DataVac Shuttle vacuum/blower can replace those cans of air relatively cheaply.

The 8oz Shuttle uses rechargeable batteries to operate for 40 minutes, or it can be plugged into the AC adapter if the batteries are dead. Measuring less than 7″ long, Metro claims the vacuum/blower is powerful enough to “clean dust and dirt from computers and office equipment.”

The Shuttle comes with the charging station, four rechargeable batteries, 110V AC adapter, micro extension tool, micro dust brush, and blower adapter. You can find the little vacuum/blower for as little as $20.

DVR-1 [Metro Vacuum]
Street Pricing [Google Products]
Via Amazon [What’s This?]
Milwaukee’s M12 Entertainment Option

Posted: January 27th, 2010, 8:21am MST by Chuck Cage

What’s the key to modern battery systems? They’re almost all pumped full of the latest battery tech and electronics, so I’m going to go with options. If you can’t buy a wide range of tools — all of which are powered by the same batteries, charged by the same chargers — why buy in? Milwaukee’s aware of this, and I’m sure that’s why they’re adding tons of products to all their new systems, including M12 and this new radio.

Besides the fact that it works with your M12 batteries, though, there’s not a lot new here. It includes an AM/FM radio as well as an AUX port for your iPod/other MP3 player. You do get a weather-sealed compartment to store your player, meaning you might have a chance to keep the dirt and other job-site smeg off it. There’s also a clock.

Street pricing for the tool only (sans batteries, which Milwaukee assumes you already have or you wouldn’t be looking at this product) starts around $80.

M12 Radio [Milwaukee]
Street Pricing [Google Products]
Via Amazon [What’s This?]
TV Tonight: Shop Night

Posted: January 27th, 2010, 7:09am MST by Nick Carter
(TV Tonight, Wednesday, January 27th, 2010) Wednesday is the new shop night as far as we’re concerned, although you can catch a rerun of the latest Ax Men if you missed it.

All times are central
- Ask This Old House: Removing a Boulder, Securing Loose Pipes (DIY, 6:30 pm)
- Ask This Old House: Staining a Deck, Preventing Sewage Backups (DIY, 7:00 pm)
- Top Gear (BBC America, 7:00 pm)
- Ax Men: Diving for Dollars (History, 9:00 pm)
- Holmes on Homes: Bungled Bungalow (HGTV, 9:30 pm)
- Modern Marvels: Logging Tech (History, 10:00 pm)