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Permalink for 'Toolmonger/2010/02/26/Get_Rid_Of_Those_Giant_Ugly_%e2%80%9cIn_Use%e2%80%9d_Covers'

Get Rid Of Those Giant Ugly “In Use” Covers

Posted: February 26th, 2010, 9:29am MST by Benjamen Johnson

When I first saw one of the plastic bubble monstrosities required for “in use” receptacle covers, I thought the idea was sound, but the execution awful. Today there are a few more models to choose from and some are even more tasteful, but most of them still stick out of the side of a house like a sore thumb.

That’s where TayMac’s flat in use cover comes in. It’s made from heavy duty polycarbonate and expands from a flush 1″ to 3-1/2″ thanks to its synthetic neoprene rubber accordion-like structure. Supposedly the materials won’t dry rot, crack or deteriorate in sunlight and are paintable.

TayMac calls this box an “in use cover” and says it’s ETL listed, yet they specially don’t mention whether it’s weatherproof or meets the 406.8(B) NEC code; although Ace claims the box is 2008 NEC compliant. So here’s the question: can you actually use this box to meet code? Maybe somebody can straighten me out in the comments.

TayMac’s flat in use cover will run you somewhere around $9. Also, when I was researching this item I found a cool resource where you can download the various building codes by state. Use the last link in the post to visit the site.

Flat In Use Cover [TayMac]
Flat In Use Cover [Ace Hardware]
Public Codes

Stained Glass Grinder

Posted: February 25th, 2010, 10:43am MST by Benjamen Johnson

Shaping glass for stained glass projects is probably a task where you want dedicated equipment, so inland makes special grinders like the Wizling CG just for the task.

The Wizling’s motor spins at 3500 RPM and produces 16 oz-in of torque so it can use bits ranging in size from 1/8″ to 1″ in diameter or even beveling bits. Coolant is brought to the bit by a coolant feed sponge which draws water from the reservoir. A 9″ x 10″ open-grid, reversible work surface sits in the reservoir which is removable for cleaning. Inland constructs most of the Wizling CG from injection molded plastic.

Pricing for the Wizling CG grinder hovers around $100.

Wizling CG [inland]
Street Pricing [Google Products]
Via Amazon [What’s This?]

Shop File Organization

Posted: February 24th, 2010, 9:28am MST by Gordon DeWitte

No, not that kind of file… I’m talking about file folders here, and I like these erasable file labels. I’ve been trying to update and organize my various shop projects, manuals, and notes so I can actually find something without spending a month of Sundays looking. The labels are a polymer that can be written on with a Sharpie® permanent — on most stuff except these labels, apparently — pen (any color), and erased, again and again and again if necessary, using one of those vinyl erasers like a Pentel Clic. I can grab an old beat-up folder with an illegible tab, slap one of these labels on it, and re-use it for years.

The $9.99 WSK40 starter kit, shown above, is for third-cut folders, and comes with 80 white 3.44″×0.59″ labels, a black Sharpie® fine point marker, and a LabelOnce™ permanent ink eraser. LabelOnce™ has a variety of different-sized labels for hanging file folders, ring binders, storage boxes, and more.

LabelOnce™ [Manufacturer's Site]

Table Saw Blade Guard And Dust Collector

Posted: February 24th, 2010, 8:28am MST by Benjamen Johnson

Ever use your table saw while wearing a flannel shirt? You’d think you wouldn’t make that mistake more than once. Most table saws dust collection systems capture dust generated below the workpiece, but do a poor job capturing the dust that the blade throws above the work piece — usually right at your shirt.

What we need is a way to capture the dust that comes off the top of the workpiece. Blade guard dust collection systems are nothing new, but they’re usually priced at a good percentage of what you paid for your table saw. This blade guard dust collector from Penn State Industries looks to be a solution that the home wood worker might afford.

It can be used on any table saw with an extension, or you can mount it to the ceiling. The guard is large enough to accepts blades up to 16″ — I’d like to see that table saw — and will still cover your splitter and anti-kickback pawls. It can be used with dado blades and will cover the blade on 45° cuts, too.

The guard portion is a single piece of clear, shatterproof plastic. A 4″ dust collection hose connects to the 83″ steel boom and the mast is made from steel too. The guard is counter-balanced, which makes it easy to position and adjust for different wood thicknesses, and if the guard interferes with your operation you can simply swing it out of the way.

You can buy the dust collection guard for $150 total at Amazon. If that’s still too rich for your blood you can pick up plans to make your own for $6.

Dust Collection Guard [Penn State Industries]
Dust Collection Guard Via Amazon [What’s This?]
Plans at Amazon [What’s This?]

Veritas Detail Rabbet Planes

Posted: February 23rd, 2010, 1:01pm MST by Gordon DeWitte

It’s not exactly a Dealmonger, but Lee Valley does have an introductory price on their Veritas® Detail Rabbet Planes. These patented, made-in-Canada planes come in five widths (1/4″, 5/16″ (8mm), 3/8″, 6mm, and 10mm). The one piece ductile cast iron body has a 3″-long sole, and a 15° bed angle. When the O1 tool steel lapped blade with its 30° bevel is inserted, the plane provides a 45° cutting angle.

A one-piece polished brass tongue and palm rest holds the blade in place. Until March 25, 2010, three-piece sets of Imperial or metric planes are $149 (the regular price will be $169). All five planes can be purchased for $239 until March 25, 2010, or for $279 after that date. Single planes are $65 each.

These planes may be a good alternative to a chisel for trimming, or cleaning dados and grooves.

Veritas® Detail Rabbet Planes [Manufacturer's Site]

Hot Or Not: LED Gloves

Posted: February 23rd, 2010, 12:42pm MST by Gordon DeWitte

Well, they’re not laser-guided, but they do have LEDs (specifically “two Memphis logo LED lights with each pair”). And there are four attachment points per glove for the LEDs. These mechanics-type gloves have Spandex® backs, synthetic leather palms with foam padding, adjustable neoprene cuffs, and PVC on the palm and fingertips for gripping. A pair can be yours for around $12.50 (size large; shipping not included).

LED gloves might be a better approach than sticking a flashlight in your mouth and trying to aim it, but I’m not sure they’re an improvement over an LED headlamp (e.g., like these [What’s This?]), or a good trouble light.

Has anyone tried these gloves? What do you think?

MCR Safety Multi Purpose Gloves With LED Via Amazon [What’s This?]
Memphis Multi-task Gloves [Manufacturer's Site]

Roll-O Was Its Name-O

Posted: February 23rd, 2010, 12:11pm MST by Benjamen Johnson

With Robert’s Roll-O universal knife you don’t have to sacrifice the skin on your knuckles when you cut rough materials like asphalt shingles or carpet. The knife’s finger loop, contoured handle, and extended roller tail protect your fingers and probably give you more control than a standard run-of-the-mill utility knife.

Unlike many other “improved” utility knives, the Roll-O knife uses standard 2 or 3 notch utility blades. It opens with the push of a button for quickly changing the blade and accessing storage which holds up to 10 extra blades. Pricing for the Roll-O universal knife starts at $10.

Roll-O Universal Knife [Roberts]
Street Pricing [Google Products]

Sky-High Workshop

Posted: February 23rd, 2010, 12:09pm MST by Gordon DeWitte

As noted in the Make blog, Mark Tilden (of BEAM* robotics fame) has a workshop 600 feet up in a Hong Kong high-rise. The work bench’s surface is ½” thick smoked glass to which solder and superglue do not stick. The view out the window is of Kowloon Park and the Hong Kong skyline. Not a bad place to sit while you’re building your next widget, unless Hong Kong’s seismic activity picks up.

*Biology, Electronics, Aesthetics, and Mechanics; a type of robotics using simple analog circuits, instead of microprocessors, to mimic biological neurons.

Permalink for 'Toolmonger/2010/02/22/There%e2%80%99s_A_Bench_In_There_Someplace'

There’s A Bench In There Someplace

Posted: February 22nd, 2010, 9:33am MST by Gordon DeWitte

The Make blog recently had pictures of Ian Ross’ shop (his “sanctuary”) and workbench(es). Ian, from Australia, works on a variety of things such as restoring vintage engines and fans and constructing Nixie tube or radio projects. His shop contains some 30-years’ worth of collecting discarded electronic devices and salvaged items for projects and kinetic sculptures. In the back, next to that gray cabinet on the right, is his main workbench.

This bench, with some Nixie-tube test equipment, also has a flat-screen “telly” and a surplus dental-exam light for working with small devices. It may be a little crowded and chaotic, but it does look downright cozy.

DIY Computer Desk

Posted: February 22nd, 2010, 8:49am MST by Gordon DeWitte

Lifehacker notes this neat computer desk built by one of their readers, Joseperezfm. He admired the features of the commercially-available BlueLounge StudioDesk (shown below), but did not have the budget for its $599.95 price, so he decided to make his own version.

I really like the basic StudioDesk design (47″×27.5″ top), especially his version (60″×28″ top) with the addition of hollow legs for hiding wires, and the non-contrasting sliding top. He has many more pictures and details of the project in Flickr.

As shown above, he used standard full-extension drawer slides for the portion of the desktop that opens to reveal the storage compartment. This compartment, combined with the long cable slot in the top, makes it easy to route all the necessary computer cables while minimizing their exposure. Any cables running out from the storage compartment are further concealed by running them through the hollow legs (which have semicircular cutouts on their bottoms to allow cord passage).

JP Desk Build [Flickr]

Newsflash: Longer T-Shirt Hides Butt Crack

Posted: February 22nd, 2010, 8:12am MST by Benjamen Johnson

Are your customers tired of seeing more of you then they paid for? Duluth Trading Company thinks they have the answer — their Tongtail T. The extra three inches at the bottom of the shirt should cover your butt whether you leave your shirt tails hanging out or tuck ‘em in.

Made from 100% cotton, the imported shirts have reinforced seams and printed labels rather than tags. Available with or without a front pocket, short sleeve Longtail Ts will run you $15, while a long sleeve version costs $20. You’ll have to add an extra buck for tall or big sizes and shipping will run you at least $7, but, like many places, the more you buy, the more reasonable shipping gets.

Clicking on the Longtail Ts banner on the linked web page brings up an amusing video — it’s nowhere as funny as their radio ad, but you’re at the mercy of the local radio stations if you want to hear it.

Longtail Ts [Duluth Trading Co]

Shelves At Right Angles

Posted: February 22nd, 2010, 7:24am MST by Gordon DeWitte

My lovely wife, a.k.a. the chief cook and bottle washer, has been “asking”* me to add an extra, and wider (for less-frequently used bigger things), shelf in the top of the pantry. Our pantry, in a SW corner of the kitchen with a door at 45°, has a 9′ ceiling, and there’s plenty of space above the existing top shelf. The current shelves, on the wider 48″ South and West walls of the pantry, are 3/4″ thick MDF about 11-1/4″ deep supported by 1×2’s attached to the walls. It’s basically L-shaped, but two separate pieces with the shorter West wall pieces butted up against the longer South wall pieces. The South wall pieces are supported on three edges by the 1×2’s, but the West wall pieces have 1×2 support on just two edges, and not much support where they butt up against the South wall piece (they may be toenailed). I did not like the minimal support for this edge, and thought there must be something better.

I considered cutting a single L-shaped piece out of MDF, but wasn’t thrilled with the prospect of maneuvering it through the door and up around the other shelves. I also considered mending plates on the bottom where the shelves meet. Then I remembered seeing somewhere (magazine? web site?) a technique using a rabbet, or lip, on the short side of one shelf that would fit into a stopped rabbet in the top end of the long side of the other shelf, and that’s what I wound up doing. A few 1×2’s, some MDF, a bit of router and chisel work, a handful of drywall screws, a little paint, and my significant other is happy with her new pantry shelves.

The above picture is from my SketchUp drawing of the South shelf piece, showing the 1″×14″ stopped rabbet in its top where the 1″ lip of the West shelf fits.

Have any other Toolmongers used this technique? Does anyone recall where it was published? Am I alone here?

*In a remarkable coincidence, the last time she “asked” me, the word of the day on my desk calendar was “importune” (\ˌim-pər-’tün\v: to urge or beg with troublesome persistence), and I could not resist — I know I’m going to pay for this — pointing it out.

Permalink for 'Toolmonger/2010/02/19/Low_Buck_Transportation_%e2%80%94_In_Nairobi'

Low-Buck Transportation — In Nairobi

Posted: February 19th, 2010, 10:49am MST by Chuck Cage

Kid if you must, but this piece on how an enterprising guy in Nairobi adds motors to bicycles — making some transportation magic happen — blew me away. (Thanks, BTW, Mr. Shalin, for the awesome tip!) Obviously here in the USA this sets off the lawyer crowd in a major way, and pisses off road planners and pretty much everyone else, too. But it’s not unprecedented here, either: I’ve seen smaller electric-only versions of this even here in Texas. Sure, they may not always be completely legal, but hell: If it works, people will give it a go.

Check out the full post on the AfriGadget site for lots more detail (and a video!), but here’s the skinny: The guy who built the bike in the picture imports Japanese 48cc two-strokes, and installs ‘em on bicycles. The result: a “motorcycle” with a top speed of around 25 mph — that gets about 164 miles per gallon.

Imagine one of these in San Francisco — assuming it could handle the inclines. It’d be pretty darn handy, and you could always pedal your way home if you screwed up and ran out of petrol. Of course, that’s also assumes you don’t brain yourself on a tree (or a car).

Motorized Bicycles in Nairobi [AfriGadget]

Floor Boar Chews Through Flooring

Posted: February 19th, 2010, 9:36am MST by Benjamen Johnson

We’ve covered laminate flooring cutters before, but we just couldn’t pass up writing about the Floor Boar. It’s one part ratchet, one part mini-saw, and instead of slicing through flooring with a sharp blade, you ratchet the handle up and down to make dual saw blade-like cutters chew through flooring.

The Floor Boar’s ratcheting dual blade action allows you to make cross cuts, angle cuts, and even rip flooring lengthwise. Plus you can stop any where in the cut, flip the reversing lever on the ratchet, and back the flooring out. This allows you to make notches and stopped cuts. To see the tool in action, make sure you check out Robert’s YouTube video link at the end of the post.

The dual hardened steel 48-tooth blades can cut though planks up to 12mm thick — even pre-padded laminate. It generates little dust, and the debris that is left is easy to clean up. Since you’re not slicing with a giant blade it just might be more finger friendly too.

With a little online shopping, you can pick up the Robert’s Floor Boar for as little as $65.

Floor Boar [Roberts]
Floor Boar Video [YouTube]
Street Pricing [Google Products]
Via Amazon [What’s This?]

Permalink for 'Toolmonger/2010/02/19/Bolt%e2%80%99s_Antique_Tool_Museum'

Bolt’s Antique Tool Museum

Posted: February 19th, 2010, 9:04am MST by Chuck Cage

If you happen to pass through Oroville, California (hint: it’s a good bit north of Sacramento), you might want to take a minute to stop by Bolt’s gift to the tool world: an antique tool museum. Opened back in 2006, it looks like this little metal building houses all sorts of old wrenches, blacksmith tools, household tools, and other sorts of neat stuff.

The Eponymous Bud started his tool career as a Snap-On dealer, and later worked for Cornwall, MAC, and others. But most importantly, he’s a total tool geek, just like most of us Toolmongers. He spent over 50 years gathering the collection currently on display in his museum, and it sounds they’re still adding to the collection regularly.

Seriously, folks, if one of you manages to visit Bolt’s place, swing by the gift shop, pick up a coffee cup, and send it our way.

Bolt’s Antique Tool Museum [Main Site]

Reader Question: How Has The Economy Affected Your Shop?

Posted: February 19th, 2010, 8:31am MST by Chuck Cage

I realize that not all of you are reading from within the U.S., but I understand things are getting tougher all over. So here’s my question: Has the slowing economy affected your tool purchases at all. If so, how?

I can tell you that it’s affected me, especially in terms of optional tool purchases. For example, I’d love to have a new set of ratcheting box-ends in common SAE sizes, but because I already have plenty of SAE combo wrenches (non-ratcheting, of course), I’ll stick with what I’ve got until things loosen up a bit. And I’ll probably hold off on major wood power tool purchases since Sean’s got those covered — and it’s only a short drive from my place to his.

But how does it affect you? Bonus: Tell us whether you’re a pro or DIYer, and if you’re both, how cash affects your purchases for each. I’m interested!

(Thanks, redjar, for the awesome CC-licensed photo.)

Dealmonger: Porter-Cable Pin Nailer for $70

Posted: February 19th, 2010, 8:19am MST by Chuck Cage

Looking for a 23-gauge pin nailer to speed up trim work at home? Tool King currently offers Porter-Cable’s PIN100 — albeit in factory-reconditioned fashion — for just $70. If you’re willing to cough up another $20-$30, you can find ‘em new starting around $95. But unless you’re planning on using the thing day in and day out, that $20 might be better spent on nails. Or trim paint. Or on other tools.

The specs: It uses 23-gauge micro pin nails from 1/2″ to 1″ long, and automatically adjusts for different fastener lengths. Its bottom-load magazine holds 170 such pins, and its trigger is rubber-coated for your comfort. A rear exhaust port channels air (as well as any oil provided by your compressor) away from your work. All-in-all it looks like a great basic pin nailer.

P-C Pin100 Factory Reconditioned Kit [Tool King]
Street Pricing [Google Products]
Via Amazon [What’s This?]

Permalink for 'Toolmonger/2010/02/19/Rubbermaid%e2%80%99s_Tool_Tower'

Rubbermaid’s Tool Tower

Posted: February 19th, 2010, 7:43am MST by Chuck Cage

Looking for a place to store the handled items in your shop — you know, like your broom, shovel, rake, etc.? Rubbermaid’s Tool Tower fits into a corner and holds up to 30 long-handled tools. And unlike cheap wall-mounts, it won’t eventually rip off the wall — generally when you least want to take the time to re-install it — leaving ugly holes.

Rubbermaid also says it’s balanced and will stand up without tipping. Other than that, details are simple: It’s dark green, it’s 32″ wide by 19″ deep (and 20″ tall), and it’ll set you back about $30. Of course, if you need a mobile version, Rubbermaid offers a taller, narrower model (that doesn’t hold quite as many tools) complete with casters for about $10 more.

Tool Tower [Rubbermaid]
Street Pricing [Google Products]
Via Amazon [What’s This?]

Hot or Not: Porter-Cable 18V Cordless Drill/Driver Kit

Posted: February 19th, 2010, 7:15am MST by Chuck Cage

We’ve seen quite a few drill/drivers around the Toolmonger shop, but never a Porter-Cable. While we hear nothing but positives about their routers — lots of pro shops use only Porter-Cable — I don’t think I’ve ever run across anyone with a P-C drill. If you have one (or even if you just have an opinion) would you dish?

I saw the above pictured model at Lowe’s, and it’s available via their website for $100. Features include a “high-torque motor,” a two-speed gearbox, and a keyless chuck assembly. No-load speed looks to be either 0-350 or 0-1400 RPM, which seems a bit low for an 18V — though it is a NiCd 18V, which could account for that. Its 32-position clutch seems a bit excessive, too, but certainly not a drawback.

Interestingly, a quick Google search turned up pricing ranging up to $170+ for the same tool, though we also found a refurbished model for $70 w/free shipping.

Then again, this might be an even better question: Would you still pay $100 for a NiCd drill/driver — even one with a recognizable brand name? Or would you spend a few bucks to step up to low-end li-ion?

Porter-Cable 18V Cordless Drill/Driver Kit [Lowe's]
Street Pricing [Google Products]
Via Amazon [What’s This?]

Win A Camaro SS, Courtesy Of Jegs

Posted: February 18th, 2010, 3:28pm MST by Chuck Cage

We’re not sure whether this is just business as usual or an indication of how rough the auto aftermarket business has fared in the tough economy, but the folks at Jegs are giving away a brand new Camaro SS. And the geeks out there among you may recognize the paintjob as the one closest to the one featured in the recent Transformers movies.

As per usual with these contests, you’ll have to cough up some personal information including, at bare minimum, your address and email — presumably so you’ll begin receiving Jegs catalogs and email promotions. They also encourage you to pass on some details about what vehicles you own and work on.

The contest runs through July 4th.

Camaro Giveaway [Jegs]

New(?) Lenox Site Commander Contest

Posted: February 18th, 2010, 3:17pm MST by Gordon DeWitte

I don’t know if this is the same contest that TM noted in 2008 (TM 10/27/08), another episode because they made three of these trucks for a national tour, or some glitch due to the economy — if it’s a continuation of the earlier one, they’re taking forever to pick a winner, or maybe this is turning into a perpetual contest.

In any case, if you’re “a professional contractor or skilled trade worker in construction and currently employed in the construction industry,” you can enter the Lenox Site Commander Sweepstakes before 5/1/2010, and you could win a pimped-out work truck. The basic truck is a 2008 Dodge Ram quad-cab, four-wheel-drive 5500 HD with a 6.7L Cummins turbo diesel engine, a 6-speed automatic transmission, and a Reading Spacemaster Classic II service body.

This truck comes complete with all kinds of goodies, including its own 7,500-watt Kohler diesel generator to provide both power for the Site Commander and heating and cooling to its mobile office.

Three Dell Latitude XFR computers provide plenty of computing power; there’s one in the “mobile office,” one in the “command center” (next to which is the on-board coffee maker), and one on the Segway x2 Adventure (which has its own storage compartment, or “garage,” with an electric lift). If I were a professional contractor, I’d want to win just for the Segway x2 alone, but then I probably wouldn’t get much done at a work site except to ride it around and “supervise.”

The Site Commander site has many more pictures of the trucks’ construction, their features, and the tour.

Entry Form [Site Commander Sweepstakes]
Segway x2 Adventure [Manufacturer's Site]

From The Flickr Pool: A Better Cheap-o Caliper

Posted: February 18th, 2010, 3:15pm MST by Chuck Cage

Toolmonger Simon rightly points out that even if you’re willing to deal with the potential inaccuracies of cheap-o calipers, you’re still stuck with the fact that they don’t turn themselves off correctly, meaning that pretty soon you’ve got a useless plastic stick in your drawer. He’s found one solution: a solar powered model, pictured above.

I can’t see a brand on it, so hopefully he’ll comment here and let us know who makes it and where he found it — for just $10. I actually wouldn’t mind owning one.

Of course a friend of a (shop) friend found another solution: He’d cut his up and carefully install a tiny switch, allowing him to manually shut ‘em off before putting ‘em away. I noticed Simon’s has a switch, but it’s the kind that you just know will get bumped in a drawer/bag and turn the thing on.

A Better Cheap-o Caliper [Flickr]

Dealmonger: Gerber 3-Blade Stag Stockman for $20

Posted: February 18th, 2010, 3:09pm MST by Chuck Cage

If you’re looking for a nice, daily-carry Stockman, you might enjoy this Gerber. And Amazon’s currently offering it for just $20.10 — about $5 to $10 less than we find it normally priced elsewhere. Like virtually all Stockman-pattern knives, this one includes a large clip-point blade, plus a smaller drop-point and sheepsfoot. Unusually, this Stockman includes a lock-back, though we suspect only the clip point locks. (If you own one and know for sure, drop us a line.)

Though originally meant for trimming sheep hooves, the sheepsfoot blade works beautifully for slicing open boxes or performing surgery on a model decal. We’re particularly fond of the clip-point for cutting a hot-dog in half at the stadium. And everyone knows how useful the drop-point can be. Plus, the stag gives it a rustic appearance, which often appeals to us for general-use knives.

Of course, Sean will disagree. He’s not a fan of multi-blades for common carry, preferring instead a simple single that’s smaller, yet offers a larger blade. Incredibly, he’s convinced me to do the same. (I commonly carried a Stockman for years before I met him.) But I’ll still always picture a Stockman when I think “pocket knife” because my father carried one.

Gerber Stockman Lock-Back Via Amazon [What’s This?]

Reader Question: What Air Tools Do You Use At Home?

Posted: February 18th, 2010, 3:02pm MST by Chuck Cage

Recently we were shooting the bull with some friends in the tool business when the following topic arose: Do DIYers (or pros not at work) use air tools — non-fastener tools, like impact wrenches, air ratchets, air chisels, etc. as opposed to nailers or staple guns — at home? And if so, which ones and for what purposes? If you’ve got a sec, drop us a line via email or comment below with a bit of detail about the following:

Do you use air tools at all at home?
If so, which ones?
What type of work do you do with them?
What kind of air compressor do you use?
What’s the minimum tank size, in your opinion, for home air tool use?

We appreciate it, because all of us sitting around the bar had dramatically different views on the subject. One of these days we’re going to set up a full survey engine here on TM. I’d love to be able to do a detailed poll among readers. I’d say we have a hell of a knowledge base here.

Who Buys An $18 Bent Piece Of Wire?

Posted: February 18th, 2010, 2:58pm MST by Benjamen Johnson

When you get some weeds stuck in your tiller’s tines or axle, do you go out and purchase an $18 specially bent piece of wire or do you make one yourself out of some scrap wire? If you’re not a Toolmonger, you might go buy Mantis’ tiller tine detangler.

Mantis fashions their 10-3/4″ detangler out of what they call strong, solid steel and then they dip it in some sort of plastic. Rather than spend the $18 for this overpriced piece of wire, drop $10 for a wire bender like we’ve posted before, and with the leftover cash you save you can pick up some Plasti-dip to coat the handle.

Tiller Tine Detangler [Mantis]
Street Pricing [Google Products]
Via Amazon [What’s This?]

7 Issues: $35. 208 Issues: $150

Posted: February 18th, 2010, 2:41pm MST by Chuck Cage

I know we’ve mentioned Taunton’s Fine Woodworking magazine archive before, but as each year’s updated version comes out and we receive the inevitable promotion emails, we always wonder: How does the magazine stay in business when you can buy the huge archive so reasonably?

Seriously. 208 issues would include enough projects and tips to keep you happy in the wood shop for many years, if not the rest of your natural life. And though $150 can be hard to dig up, consider this: A single year’s subscription (in the US and Canada) will run you $35, and that gets you just seven issues. That’s just under $5/issue as their real price is one of those just-under-the-dollar numbers we automatically round up on Toolmonger.

Order ‘em in digital form on DVD and you’re looking at less than $0.75/issue. Plus, you can perform searches without digging around in a pile — or wondering if you finally threw out that issue because you needed the shelf space back.

Anyway, regardless of the future of paper magazines, this still seems like a killer deal to us, especially for the younger crowd which probably won’t get access to the December 1975 issue any other way.

2009 Fine Woodworking Magazine Archive DVD [Taunton]

Ever Wonder What Others Buy From Garrett Wade?

Posted: February 18th, 2010, 2:38pm MST by Chuck Cage

So did we, until we noticed the feature on their front page that allows one to view all the products in the catalog which customers rated five stars. (OK, we’re assuming that if they rate the product five stars they bought one.) The items — and their prices — were, well, quite surprising.

First up; a set of seven gimlets for $12.

So that’s not so surprising as the price is low enough to fall within many woodworkers’ free-spending range. But that must indicate that many Garrett Wade customers are pretty experienced woodworkers, ’cause most of the people I know don’t have a clue what a gimlet is. (And no, it’s not a cocktail — at least not in the world of wood. A gimlet is a small hand-powered drill used to drill small holes without splitting the wood workpiece.)

Next: A pretty chrome-plated, solid brass push drill for $45, on sale from $58.

I’ll admit I can probably see this one, as I have a fondness for push drills since my father put two of ‘em in my kiddie tool set back when I was too young to handle power tools. I’d say the number of times I need a push drill in a given week is probably zero to zero point one, but then I’m not an avid woodworker. So if I were to buy one, it’d probably be more for nostalgia than anything else, and that chrome looks mighty fine.

Read on to page two for more.

Third: a “special German chisel set” for $112, on sale from $128.

Chisel aficionado Toolmongers may disagree, but $112 seems like a lot to pay for a chisel set, especially one where the brand name is cleverly not mentioned much on the catalog page. Though they sound nice — chrome vanadium steel, sharpened and polished blade, hardened to Rc61, oil-finished ash handles — I wonder if you couldn’t score an equally functional set for a lot less.

Skipping down the page, I noticed a couple of overall trends: customers seem to rate clearance items with five stars quite often. (Either that’s true, or the folks at Garrett Wade are pumping us up by either placing five-star items on clearance often or listing clearance items more often. We did, however, sort by “best selling.”) And it seems like sharp-looking items at lower prices — though still often high for the item in question — run to the top.

Could Garrett Wade be the Brookstone (or Sharper Image, RIP) of the woodworking world — the source for “gift items” meant to stand out among the tool chest via bling?

Customer-Rated Five-Star Tools/Best Sellers [Garrett Wade]

Educate Us: Snowblowers

Posted: February 17th, 2010, 12:24pm MST by Chuck Cage

While up North you’ve been experiencing snowpocalypse, down here in the South we’ve just been a bit cold. Admittedly, the heavens dumped 12″ of snow on us a week ago, but it was gone quickly — albeit not quite quickly enough to keep me from wishing I owned the ultimate winter warrior’s tool: a snowblower.

But since we’re lucky to see only one or two snows a year — usually less than 2″ — I don’t know a damn thing about ‘em. So educate me: What separates a brilliant snowblower from the everyday — and the crap?

Pictured above is what I think of when I hear “snowblower.” It’s a 208cc “two-stage” blower, complete with electric start and rubber tubeless tires. The specs say it clears a 26″ path and includes steel augers, which presumably will outlast its two-year warranty.

Bonus: Post a pic of your own snowblower to the Flickr pool and let us know about it. We’d love to see what you chose — and hear why.

Snowblower [Craftsman]

Permalink for 'Toolmonger/2010/02/17/Review__Home_Depot%e2%80%99s_iPhone_App'

Review: Home Depot’s iPhone App

Posted: February 17th, 2010, 11:44am MST by Chuck Cage

When we first heard about Home Depot’s iPhone app, we couldn’t help but think back about all the incredible frustration we’ve endured searching for items via Depot’s full website. But hey — we live to serve. So we installed it. And here’s our review.

First we should tell you that the application doesn’t include any item-level search functionality. Think of it more as an iPhone-enhanced weekly deals flyer. Launching the app, you see the option to head directly to Depot’s Facebook page, plus one or two groupings of topic-related featured items. (When I looked it was energy-saving products — CFLs, tankless water heaters, and so on — and storage — bins, racks, and shelving.)

Clicking on either of these takes you to a detail page where you can scroll through the items with pricing, then add them to a shopping list or wish list. Shopping and wish lists are accessible via the “Shop” tab on the bottom of the screen, as are the items from your weekly advertisement in list form.

The “Know How” tab offers some pretty slick little how-to articles, like how to install a ceiling fan or dimmer and how to paint a room. You can add the required tools directly to your wish list, and if the instructions still don’t get you there, you can even watch a brief video detailing the process.

The “Toolbox” tag incorporates some help and a link to the full Depot site, but most importantly it includes a store finder.

Our verdict: It’s free, so you can’t really complain. The how-to seems well-executed and aimed at the non-technical crowd, but we’re pretty sure you can find all this information via the web — probably in a large and easier-to-view format. I have caught myself checking the weekly ad from time to time as I’m looking for a light fixture to go on sale and generally end up trashing the flyer before it gets to my desk.

In short, it’s nothing to write home about, but you might as well grab it.

Home Depot Application [iTunes]

The Buck Redpoint

Posted: February 17th, 2010, 11:21am MST by Chuck Cage

Check out the interesting lock mechanism on this Buck knife: A spring-loaded tab fits into a slot on the black rotary piece, making it dead simple to open and close. (Buck calls it the SafeSpin deployment.) Plus, I love the utility knife vibe. It’s almost as though it’s a utility knife for people who use it more on boxes and other stuff than on carpet or shingles.

While the front of the drop-point blade is slick, the back is serrated so you can hack away on the tough stuff. And the back features a wide belt clip, perfect for attaching to a tool belt or a carabiner on your tool bag. Buck also mention an “all-weather grip,” which I’m not sure I understand. If it was textured a little bit, that’d be thoroughly awesome.

But the best news is that it starts at around $22 online.

The Redpoint [Buck]
Street Pricing [Google Products]
Via Amazon [What’s This?]

Reader Question: What Makes A Good Home Multimeter?

Posted: February 17th, 2010, 10:53am MST by Chuck Cage

Manufacturer of the pictured meter, Equus — yes, I’m going to spare you the Harry Potter naked with a horse joke — claims it’s “your personal home and auto electrical tester.” And I can’t argue that it looks pretty nice, especially for about $17 on the ‘net. But that got me to thinking: Exactly what makes a good home and auto multimeter?

Off the top of my head, I remember recently using my meter to test auto fuses, to check connectivity in some auto stereo wiring, to test out the leads to an errant videogame controller, and to check a battery I suspected was dead. While I’d totally love to own a sweet Fluke like Sean’s, I’m not sure my measly uses justify the expense.

Or am I out in left field? What do you do with your meter around the house? And how much would you pay for one? Got a favorite? Let us know in comments.

Hands-Free DMM (10 MegOhm) Meter [Equus Products]
Street Pricing [Google Products]
Via Amazon [What’s This?]

A Circle Cutter For Almost All Occasions

Posted: February 17th, 2010, 10:30am MST by Benjamen Johnson

You have your compass, router circle cutting jig, wallboard circle cutter, and pencil and string; how many ways do you you need to draw or cut circles? Well, try out OLFA’s heavy-duty compass circle cutter. It can cut or scribe 3″ to 12″ diameter circles in paper, cardboard, mat board, rubber gasket material, drywall, thin plywood, and more, and when the blade dulls, just snap it off for a new edge.

Olfa’s heavy-duty compass circle cutter retails for $42, but you can pick it up for as little as $30. A 50-pack of OLFA’s replacement blades — that’ll give you 400 cutting edges — runs a little over $20. We’re not sure if you can use standard snap-off blades with this circle cutter, but that would make it a whole lot cheaper to buy replacements.

*Circle Cutter [OLFA]
Street Pricing [Google Products]
Via Amazon [What’s This?]

*If this link doesn’t work for you, click on it, set the country, then click on the link again.

Permalink for 'Toolmonger/2010/02/17/Fiskars_Makes_Scissors_%e2%80%94_And_Mowers_'

Fiskars Makes Scissors — And Mowers!

Posted: February 17th, 2010, 9:40am MST by Chuck Cage

I know: Ever since Tim Taylor first grunted in prime time — a sentiment now mirrored by Top Gear’s Jeremy Clarkson’s cry of “pooooowwwwwweeeeeerrrr!” — the idea of a pushing a reel mower around the yard seems a bit unmanly. And that’s the biggest load of crap I’ve heard in a while. Read on to find out how my experience dispelled that myth — about about an interesting new take on the reel mower by Fiskars.

A couple of years ago, Sean and I performed a pretty extensive electric mower test for Wired. When the mowers arrived, we laughed at the lightest and simplest of the bunch: a Sunlawn. Essentially a sickle-type reel mower, but with an electric motor to drive the reel so you simply push, it was totally the runt of the bunch and the butt of many of our early jokes.

But everything changed when we started actually mowing. While other heavy, powerful mowers donk’d out early or gummed up with grass, the little battery-powered reel just kept on mowing. It performed surprisingly well in high grass, and mowed more grass than you’d imagine possible on a single charge. Oh yeah: It was a lot lighter, too, which made pushing it a hell of a lot easier.

The revelation: If you’ve got a small, suburban yard, you can totally skip all the maintenance and storage issues associated with a standard gas-powered mower by simply going electric — or even human-powered.

Enter Fiskars, famous manufacturer of scissors. As the reel mower has more in common with scissors than a standard gas-powered whacker, is it really that surprising they decided to give making one a go? They hope that by tweaking the blades they can solve some of the most serious downfalls of standard reels: quick-dulling blades and lack of cutting power.

Their new model, the Momentum, incorporates large, heavy blades that act as flywheels, storing up energy as you push to give you the extra oomph needed when you encounter high grass or thick weeds. And the blades reach across the entire width of the mower, eliminating strips of uncut grass under the wheels. They’ve also included a forward-throw discharge chute, allowing the mower to spread clippings so you spend less time cleaning up and more time appreciating your lawn.

But best of all, this mower looks really light. We haven’t had a chance to try one yet, but I’m guessing it’s really easy to push. And that means it’ll store easily, too.

Of course, the real question is how much will it cost? We look forward to finding out.

Momentum Reel Mower [Fiskars]

From The Flickr Pool: SEVO Vise

Posted: February 17th, 2010, 9:12am MST by Chuck Cage

Toolmonger Johnsen Frameworks posted this awesome tool to the Flickr pool, and it looks like a great way to hold an odd-shaped workpiece. Called the SEVO vise, it’s a Swedish-made device consisting of three plates — flat on one side and rounded on the other — each attached to a swivel point. By rotating the plates into various positions you can create almost infinite grip shapes.

Interesting in knowing more about the SEVO? Check out the link below to Johnsen Frameworks’ Flickr page where you’ll find scans of a number of articles about the vise, including one from a 1951 issue of Popular Science. And don’t be shy: Add pix of your own unusual and useful tools. We’ll be watching!

SEVO Vise In The Shop [Flickr]

Permalink for 'Toolmonger/2010/02/17/Want__Wolverine%e2%80%99s_Gore_Tex_Durashocks_6%e2%80%b3_Boot'

Want: Wolverine’s Gore-Tex Durashocks 6″ Boot

Posted: February 17th, 2010, 9:04am MST by Chuck Cage

Ever since we spent some time in a pair of 8″ Wolverines, I’ve become a fan. I’ve generally worn only really cheap boots because hey — they all seem the same, right? Maybe not. While I won’t argue that there’s nothing wrong with a $25 pair of work boots, the $170 Wolverines kicked some serious ass in the shop and around town.

But sometimes an 8″ boot is just a little bit tall and heavy for me. Some days I’d like the same protection and slip-resistant soles, but with a shorter, lighter, and maybe black shoe. Enter the 6″ pictured above. It’s pretty much waterproof, made of leather with a Gore-Tex lining. And it features the same slip-resistant soles as my current pair.

Now if I just had a spare $160 burning a hole in my pocket.

Durashocks Gore-tex Waterproof 6″ Boot [Wolverine]
Street Pricing [Google Products]
Via Amazon [What’s This?]

Reader Question: Bent Adjustables?

Posted: February 16th, 2010, 11:05am MST by Chuck Cage

Though I’m pretty sure long-time Toolmonger PutnamEco, who took the picture above and posted it to our Flickr pool, will answer this question, I can’t help but ask anyway: What’s the most common use for a bent/angled adjustable wrench? I’ve seen enough of ‘em on the ‘net and in toolboxes that I know there’s a pretty common application. I guess I just haven’t run into it yet.

And before you write to thrash me for my ignorance, let me say that I have the utmost respect for specialty tools. Hell, deep-offset wrenches have saved the day for me on at least one occasion, and I keep a drawer full of oddball screwdrivers, well, just in case.

One thing’s certain: It looks like mister Eco’s got himself around $100 worth of Westcotts, if we’re to believe current eBay auctions.

Westcott Wrenches [TM Flickr Pool]

A Portable Source Of Instant Hot Water

Posted: February 16th, 2010, 10:40am MST by Chuck Cage

Forget cold showers and stream water from a tin freakin’ cup. Coleman has rendered the tankless water heater portable, making hot water easily available anywhere you’re willing to haul their little water on-demand unit. Of course, if you’re one of the people who’ve been completely without power for a day or more over the last few weeks due to ice, other less camping-oriented uses may pop in your head as well.

The heater works by burning fuel from a standard 16-1/2 ounce Coleman canister, which you screw into the front of the unit. A 6-volt, battery-powered pump draws water from a 5-gallon reservoir (which you’ll need to fill with potable water). Once set up, just turn the spring-loaded selector on the front to either cool (for unheated water), warm (for water heated around 50 degrees F over entry temp), or hot (for 100 degrees F) to start water flow out the spout. Coleman claims the efficient system can raise the water temperature as much as 100 degrees F in around five seconds.

Coleman offers a couple of handy accessories, too, including a hose adapter and a standard propane tank adapter, which when combined give you a pretty steady source of hot water. A spout-to-spray adapter should make hot showers a little simpler. You can charge the battery from either a 12V socket in your vehicle or a standard 120V house outlet.

Street pricing starts around $200, with a nice fitted carrying/storage case for around $30 more. And while that might be a bit pricey for twice-a-year camping trips, it sounds like a kick-ass idea for anyone betting there’ll be a Snowpocalypse II (Electric-free Boogaloo) next year.

Hot Water On Demand [Coleman]
Street Pricing [Google Products]
Via Amazon [What’s This?]

Chain Pliers

Posted: February 16th, 2010, 9:38am MST by Benjamen Johnson

Chain pliers let you open and close links in chandelier chain without damaging them. Just why would you want to open and close chandelier chain links? To change the length of the chain, of course.

Westinghouse makes the pictured pliers from malleable iron and gives them spring-loaded handles. A pair will cost you anywhere from $10 to $20.

Street Pricing [Google Products]
Via Amazon [What’s This?]

Permalink for 'Toolmonger/2010/02/16/Greenlee%e2%80%99s_New_Metal_Hole_Saws'

Greenlee’s New Metal Hole Saws

Posted: February 16th, 2010, 9:05am MST by Chuck Cage

If you’re like me, you’ve got a box full of wood hole saws. But if you’re an electrician (or the complete tool geek), you’ll want a set of metal hole saws, too. And Greenlee’s got a new set they say cuts 30% faster, lasts longer, and has more features than the competition. So how the hell does that work?

First, they’ve tossed in a variable pitch sawblade, in this case a 4-6. (I use a 12-16 on my metal bandsaw, and it’s awesome, riding that perfect line between low-count blow-through-the-thick-stuff and higher-count please-don’t-hang-on-the-edge-of-tubing.) And they’ve hardened the teeth to keep ‘em sharp longer. They say their oxide finish prevents chip buildup as well, but that seems pretty common to me.

Feature-wise you’re looking at a quick-change arbor with a really nice-looking knurled grip — as well as a removable depth stop.

Individual saws start at around $8 and range up to around $50, but you can find three-piece and five-piece kits, too, from around $150 including the arbor and all the goodies.

New Hole Saws [Greenlee, warning: PDF Link]
Street Pricing [Google]
Via Amazon [What’s This?]

The Multi-Tool Museum: Victorinervana

Posted: February 16th, 2010, 8:12am MST by Chuck Cage

What do you do if you’re a big fan of multi-tools and want to share with others? You open a museum, of course. And if you can’t afford a big building with security, parking, and a gift shop, you pony up $10 for a domain registration and take your joy online.

While I’ll admit that this small and (according to the “about” page) very personal project isn’t exactly updated every day, there’s some fun information there — especially if you’re a fan of vintage tools.

My favorite section: the vintage multi-tool pliers page, which includes something called the Oscar Barnett Pliers Knife. It’s about as un-Skeletool as you can imagine, resembling a standard pocketknife. Ejecting a handle allows you to separate pliers from the end of the knife, opening and closing them carefully. What looks like a standard drop-point blade and an awl accompany the pliers.

There’s some other fun stuff, too, like documentation of Victorinox’s pink Swiss Army knives (made in partnership with the Susan G. Komen for the Cure people), some really interesting history of World War II “escape knives,” plus a number of custom multi-tools. The bottom line: It’s a great time killer site. In fact, I need to get back to work.

The Multi-Tool Museum [Multi-Tool.org]

Permalink for 'Toolmonger/2010/02/16/Ladyada%e2%80%99s_Electronics_Toolkit'

Ladyada’s Electronics Toolkit

Posted: February 16th, 2010, 7:32am MST by Gordon DeWitte

Adafruit Industries has a nice toolkit for those venturing into electronics. The “carefully selected hand tools” in their kit, shown above, include a 30W adjustable temperature soldering iron complete with indicator LED, a soldering stand with sponge and iron holder, a solder sucker, a 1/4 pound spool of 60/40 solder, a 5′ spool of solder wick, a PanaVise Jr. PCB holder and general-purpose 360° mini-vise, a basic digital multimeter, wire strippers, diagonal cutters, needle-nose pliers, three 25′ spools of solid-core wire in black, red, and yellow, and a half-size solderless breadboard. As a bonus, you also get the parts needed to build a 5-volt power supply. All this for $100.

I did not try to add up the best online prices for all the individual parts (a couple of links to parts available on Amazon are listed below), but others on the web have done so, and the range for buying all the parts piecemeal is ~ $90—$110. So, given the time for ordering individual items and the separate postage involved, this toolkit seems like a good value.

Ladyada’s Electronics Toolkit [Manufacturer's Site]
PanaVise Model 201 “Junior” Via Amazon [What’s This?]
Xcelite 170M 5″ Shearcutter Via Amazon [What’s This?]

If Your Shelf Is A Rockin’…

Posted: February 15th, 2010, 11:11am MST by Benjamen Johnson

Using shelf pins is one of the most common ways to make adjustable shelves, but they do have at least one downside — if the shelf isn’t exactly flat or the case is racked, the shelves might not contact all four supports, leaving you with a shelf that rocks — and not in a hip way.

Spiral Supports fit in the same holes as 5mm shelf pins and use a unique method to make sure all four supports always contact the shelf. If one support isn’t touching the shelf, just use a flat blade screwdriver to turn the support clockwise until the shelf is stable. Another advantage of these Spiral Supports is that you can use the supports to raise or lower the shelf — albeit by a small amount.

The Spiral Supports are available in clear, white, light brown, dark brown, and black. For $6 you can buy 25 clear spiral supports at Woodcraft; otherwise you can purchase 15 Spiral Supports for $7 on the corporate website.

Spiral Supports [Corporate Site]
Spiral Supports [Woodcraft]

Permalink for 'Toolmonger/2010/02/15/B_D%e2%80%99s_Decked_Out_Li_Ion_Driver'

B&D’s Decked-Out Li-Ion Driver

Posted: February 15th, 2010, 10:31am MST by Chuck Cage

Admittedly, it’s so covered with carefully-branded “features” that we almost completely overlooked this little driver when it launched. But considering the positive experiences we’ve had with the Smartdriver, we spun around for another look. Here’s what we see at second glance: a Smartdriver-like 3.6V li-ion screwdriver with the addition of a clutch and a screw holder.

And that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Remove the contrived “SmartSelect Technology” sticker — complete with “project icons” representing lengths of screws — and you’ve got a simple clutch just like you see on larger drivers. And even with only 44 in-lb of torque to apply toward stripping a screw, we can clearly see uses for a clutch in this application.

The screw holder we’re not so sure about. It’ll prove handy if you’re driving screws a lot, but many of the people we know who’re big fans of the Smartdriver use it primarily for removing and installing machine screws. They’d benefit from the clutch, but the screw holder — not so much. Of course, it’s retractable, so just keeping it stowed makes sense, too.

So the bottom line: For around $55 — and as low as $40 online — you’ll pay about $15 more than a new Smartdriver, and about $25 more than what we’ve normally seen the Smartdriver go for on sale. Is $15-$25 a fair price to pay for a clutch and screw holder? That depends entirely on how many wood screws you drive.

LI4000 Li-Ion Screwdriver [Black & Decker]
Street Pricing [Google Products]
Via Amazon [What’s This?]

Permalink for 'Toolmonger/2010/02/15/Dealmonger__E_Z_UP_Eclipse_II_8%e2%80%b2_x_8%e2%80%b2_Canopy'

Dealmonger: E-Z UP Eclipse II 8′ x 8′ Canopy

Posted: February 15th, 2010, 10:09am MST by Nick Carter

Right now E-Z Up 4 Less has the EZ UP Eclipse II 8′ x 8′ Canopy for $429.00.

We’ve been using the E-Z Up Eclipse II for many years when vending our jewelry outdoors. In the winter months I set it up on the back deck as a place to do woodworking and other messy tasks that are best not done in the house. The name E-Z Up is a bit of a misnomer — while it’s not difficult to get the canopy up, it is a bit of a struggle for one person, especially someone small (like my wife). It is incredibly easy to take down but E-Z Down isn’t as good a name.

The Eclipse II has a steel frame and is quite rugged. In all the time we’ve used it, the only maintenance has been replacing the occasional nut or screw that came loose. There are numerous knockoffs of the pop-up canopy out there, so I’d love to hear opinions on other brands that people use. When shopping around it’s important to make sure you’re getting the canopy and frame. Many vendors show the complete unit, but the listing is only for the fabric top or the steel frame alone.

Ez Up Eclipse II 8′ x 8′ Canopy [ezup4less.com]

Permalink for 'Toolmonger/2010/02/15/Cheap_Ass_Tools__Harbor_Freight%e2%80%99s_Multifuntion_Power_Tool'

Cheap-Ass Tools: Harbor Freight’s Multifuntion Power Tool

Posted: February 15th, 2010, 9:47am MST by Chuck Cage

Don’t have $400 to shell out for a Fein Multimaster? Don’t even have $100 for Dremel’s Multi-Max? How ’bout $40 for Harbor Freight’s Chicago Electric knock-off? I can’t imagine the build quality falls anywhere in the range of the Fein and Dremel, but hey — if you’ve got $40 you can find out.

It delivers 19,000 oscillations per minute (compared to as much as 21,000 for the Fein and Dremel). But that’s where the similarities end. While the Fein kit includes a ton of sanding, sawing, and other accessories and the Dremel ships in a variety of kits, the HF model ships with a couple of saws, one cutter, and two sanding sheets.

But here’s the real downer: While the Fein and Dremel offer variable-speed settings, you get just an on-off switch with the HF special. And we’re betting that’s a real deal-killer on this tool, which is designed for fine, delicate work.

What do you think? Is the Fein really $300 better than the Dremel? Is the Dremel $60 better than the HF? Let us know in comments.

Multi-Function Power Tool [Harbor Freight]

Razor Sharp Edgemaking System

Posted: February 15th, 2010, 8:26am MST by Gordon DeWitte

I remember seeing one of these systems demonstrated at a Woodcraft store a few years ago. I was impressed — which is, after all, the whole point of a good demonstration — at the time, but have not heard much about it since (it’s still available from Woodcraft online). The Razor Sharp system has two compressed paper wheels. The silicon-carbide coated wheel is used, with a conditioning wax for lubrication and heat control, to create a burr or wire edge. Then the slotted wheel is used, with jewelers’ rouge, to remove the burrs and polish the edge. The manufacturer claims Razor Sharp can sharpen any knife (circular blades, curved blades, reverse curved blades, serrated blades, wavy blades, and straight edges) in addition to axes, chisels, draw knives, gouges, head knives, lathe tools, leather punches, needles, planer blades, scissors, v-tools, “and more.” They also unconditionally guarantee the system. The 6″ Deluxe kit (two 6″ dia. wheels 3/4″ thick with 5/8″ arbor and 1/2″ bushing, grit pack, and instructions) costs around $44 (at Oso Grande Knives and Woodcraft).

Have any Toolmongers used the Razor System? What did you think?

Razor Sharp Edgemaking System [Manufacturer's Site]

TV Tonight: Turbo Snail Mail

Posted: February 15th, 2010, 7:21am MST by Nick Carter

(TV Tonight, Monday, February 15th, 2010) We get a new Top Gear with armored vehicles and a race against the Royal Mail.

All times are central

Holmes in New Orleans: Moving Along at a Hurricane Clip (HGTV, 5:00 pm)
Dirty Jobs: Floating Fish Factory (Discovery, 5:00 pm)
Trains & Locomotives (RFD-TV, 5:00 pm)
Dirty Jobs: Reindeer Farm (Discovery, 6:00 pm)
Top Gear: Season 13 Ep. 4 (BBC America, 7:00 pm) NEW
Dirty Jobs: Egg Farm (Discovery, 7:00 pm)
Top Gear: Season 13 Ep. 3 (BBC America, 8:00 pm)
Dirty Jobs: Toilet Crusher (Discovery, 8:00 pm)
Dirty Jobs: Cranberry Farmer (Discovery, 9:00 pm)
Ask This Old House: Painting Kitchen Cabinets; Installing Cabinet Accessories (DIY, 10:30 pm)

TV Tonight: Catch A Buzz

Posted: February 14th, 2010, 7:01am MST by Nick Carter

(TV Tonight, Sunday, February 14th, 2010) We get a new Ax Men with one of my worst fears: a massive bee attack out in the middle of nowhere.

All times are central

Ax Men: Ax to Grind (History, 5:00 pm)
American Chopper: OCC Trike Bike (TLC, 5:00 pm)
Ax Men: Deeper into the Swamp (History, 6:00 pm)
American Chopper: The Jeanette Lee Black Widow Bike (TLC, 6:00 pm)
Ax Men: Diving for Dollars (History, 7:00 pm)
Ax Men: Boiling Point (History, 8:00 pm)
Holmes on Homes: Unfinished Business (HGTV, 9:00 pm)
Ax Men: Survivng the Swarm (History, 9:00 pm) NEW
Successful Farming Machinery Show (RFD-TV, 9:00 pm)
Disaster House: Home Cookin (DIY, 10:00 pm)
Deconstruction (DIY, 10:30 pm)

Permalink for 'Toolmonger/2010/02/13/TV_Tonight__Workingman%e2%80%99s_Blues'

TV Tonight: Workingman’s Blues

Posted: February 13th, 2010, 5:00pm MST by Nick Carter

(TV Tonight, Saturday, February 13th, 2010) Tonight you get reruns of Dirty Jobs and Factory Made for your enjoyment.

All times are central

Top Gear: Season 13 Ep. 2 (BBC America, 5:00 pm)
Dirty Jobs: Wild Goose Chase (Discovery, 5:00 pm)
How Do They Do It?: Electricity, Floating Cranes (Science, 5:00 pm)
How Do They Do It?: Gasoline Pumps, Swiss Army Knives (Science, 5:30 pm)
Dirty Jobs: Buoy Cleaner (Discovery, 6:00 pm)
How Do They Do It?: Giant Oil Rigs, Electric Shavers (Science, 6:00 pm)
How Do They Do It?: Halogen Light Bulbs, Car Mufflers, Unique Lock & Key Sets (Science, 6:30 pm)
Dirty Jobs: Rocky Reach Dam (Discovery, 7:00 pm)
Factory Made: Balloons, Car Wheels, Envelopes, Whistles (Science, 7:00 pm)
Factory Made: Boston Beer, Cast Aluminum Pots, Bricks, Baseball Gloves (Science, 7:30 pm)
Dirty Jobs: Chicken Busters (Discovery, 8:00 pm)
Factory Made: School Lockers, Frozen Pizza, Plastic Railroad Ties, Tissues (Science, 8:00 pm)
Factory Made: Trombones, Drive-Through Windows, Bottled Water, Baseball Bats (Science, 8:30 pm)
Dirty Jobs: Soo Locks Technician (Discovery, 9:00 pm)
Factory Made: Quarters, Aquariums, Limestone, Highlighters (Science, 9:00 pm)
Factory Made: Pencils, Giant Bolts, Pickles, Inflatables (Science, 9:30 pm)

Dealmonger: Wiss Offset/Bent Pattern Snip

Posted: February 12th, 2010, 11:03am MST by Nick Carter

Amazon has the best deal on the Wiss W7BWN Offset/Bent Pattern Snip at $31.75 w/ SS shipping.

The W7BWN Offset/Bent Pattern Snip is a non-compound leverage snip, like a pair of scissors. The handles are bent up at an angle to clear the surface of the sheet metal. They are rated as being able to cut up to 18 ga. low carbon steel. I find that often snips like this give a better quality cut than the compound types, although they are more tiring in heavier gauges.

Via Amazon [What’s This?]
W7BWN Offset/Bent Pattern Snip [Cooper Hand Tools]

Permalink for 'Toolmonger/2010/02/12/It%e2%80%99s_Just_Cool__Carmix_One'

It’s Just Cool: Carmix One

Posted: February 12th, 2010, 10:24am MST by Gordon DeWitte

I saw this a few weeks ago when the Charles and Hudson blog covered work trucks at the 2010 Builders’ Show. The Carmix One, from Italy, is a self-loading, diesel-powered (3-cylinder Cummins), articulated concrete mixer with a 1400-liter drum, a 180-liter loading shovel, and a self-contained water system with meter. The driving seat is reversible, and the steering circuit automatically inverts, so after you’re done loading the drum, you can flip around, drive to where you want your concrete (almost anywhere: it has 4-wheel drive, off-road “tyres,” disc brakes, and will handle a 30% gradient), and tilt the drum for discharge. I don’t know how much they cost, although I did find a used one online available in Kiev with “price negotiable.”

I was going to comment that it’s kind of scary that they have Pizza Huts in Italy, but then I realized from the spelling of the other sign that the picture is probably from Spain or Latin America — but it’s still kind of scary.

I think the Carmix One would be perfect for those situations where a wheelbarrow and a bag or two of Quikrete just won’t cut it.

Carmix One [Manufacturer's Site]

Are You Using The Correct Clamping Force?

Posted: February 12th, 2010, 9:56am MST by Benjamen Johnson

Replace the pad on the spindle of any of Bessey’s cast iron, Omega, or all-steel screw clamps with their clamping force indicator and you can tell instantly if you’ve applied the correct amount of pressure. As you increase the clamping force, the red disk starts to disappear inside the indicator; when it disappears completely and you only see green you’re using the right clamping force.

Bessey manufactures two different indicators: the FIN250 which shows you when you’ve applied approximately 550lbs. (2500 Newtons) of force, and the FIN350 which shows when you’re close to 700lbs. (3500 Newtons) of force. Either of Bessey’s Clamp Force Indicators run about $20.

Clamp Force Indicator [Bessey]
Clamp Force Indicator [McFeely's]
Clamp Force Indicator [True North Tools]

TV Tonight: Almost A Disaster Area

Posted: February 12th, 2010, 9:55am MST by Nick Carter

(TV Tonight, Friday, February 12th, 2010) Tonight brings us a new Swamp Loggers where they contend with a tropical storm. For the sense of drama, upgrade that to a hurricane.

All times are central

Deconstruction: Safety (DIY, 5:00 pm)
Holmes in New Orleans: A New Beginning (HGTV, 5:00 pm)
Swamp Loggers: Return to the Swamp (Discovery, 5:00 pm)
How Do They Do It?: Concrete, Cell Phone, Traffic Control (Science, 5:00 pm)
How Do They Do It?: Diamond Mine, Skyscraper, Car Crusher (Science, 5:30 pm)
Swamp Loggers: Money Pit (Discovery, 6:00 pm)
How Do They Do It?: Glass, Changing a Jumbo Jet Tire, Soft Drink Cans (Science, 6:00 pm)
Ask This Old House: Increasing Water Pressure, Transplanting a Bush (DIY, 6:30 pm)
How Do They Do It?: Combines, Lifeboats, Chocolate (Science, 6:30 pm)
Ask This Old House: Installing Garage Door, Preventing Frozen Pipes (DIY, 7:00 pm)
Swamp Loggers: Waterlogged (Discovery, 7:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Ceramic Tiles, Nuts, Steel Forgings, Skateboards (Science, 7:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Conga Drums, Metal Plating, Buttons (Science, 7:30 pm)
Swamp Loggers: Swamp Fever (Discovery, 8:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Stuffed Olives, Astrolabes, Western Saddles (Science, 8:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Socket Sets, Leather Shoes, Aluminium Water Bottles, Bike Chains (Science, 8:30 pm)
Swamp Loggers: The Storm (Discovery, 9:00 pm) NEW

Permalink for 'Toolmonger/2010/02/11/Last_Minute_Valentine%e2%80%99s_Day_Ideas'

Last Minute Valentine’s Day Ideas

Posted: February 11th, 2010, 12:58pm MST by Chuck Cage

So it’s V minus three, and you’re still thinking “what should I do for the special day?” We feel your pain. So we kicked the idea around the Toolmonger offices and came up with a few ideas.

Here’s what we came up with:

1. Make Something

Regardless of which side of the gender gap on which you reside, there’s nothing sexier than receiving something made especially for you. The fact that you spent hours with your hands on the item while crafting it to perfection — plus the incredible opportunity such intense customization brings for expressing your intimate knowledge of the intended recipient — make the selection of item itself almost irrelevant. Take your pick and get to work.

2. Fix Something

That leaky faucet, squeaky stair, car stereo that’s really a car mono since it only plays out the left speaker? Target the items from the bottom of the gonna-make-us-live-in-the-rain-and-snow list but at the top of the makes-us-happy list — the ones you normally wouldn’t get to until well into spring. And don’t make a big deal out of it. Just take care of it.

3. Don’t Forget The Tools

No matter what the TV may tell you, Valentine wasn’t the patron saint of lingerie and sex toys. Tools are what separate us from (most) animals, and they make great gifts for any occasion — even when your SO isn’t a tool nut (like us). If yours does happen to believe in the tool arts, your choice is easy: Look for the dog-eared catalog pages or bookmarked manufacturer sites. But if he or she doesn’t think about tools much, don’t despair. Just look for a tool that’ll make life easier.

And most important of all: Enjoy the day.

Do you have great specific ideas you’re willing to share? Or a killer story about something you made, fixed, upgraded, or gave for the big day in years past? Share with us in comments!

Pocket Doors

Posted: February 11th, 2010, 12:56pm MST by Gordon DeWitte

I don’t remember exactly when I saw my first pocket door — it may have been when I went off to a big city for college — but I do remember thinking “Wow, disappearing doors! These are really neat!” And, many years later, I still think they’re neat. I can see a few places in our house (mainly closets) where pocket doors would be a great addition.

If I was going to put in a pocket door or two, I think I would use the kits available from Johnson Hardware. They claim their pocket door frames can be installed quickly in 2×4 timber or steel frame stud walls sheeted with drywall. Tricycle hangers ride in precision extruded aluminum track, and they use zinc-plated steel sides and back on the split jamb and studs uprights. A frame kit for a 36″ wide door up to 80″ high and weighing less than 125 pounds costs around $62 (door not included).

Have any Toolmongers put in pocket doors? What did you use?

Johnson Hardware [Manufacturer's Site]
Johnson Prod. 153068PF Pocket Door Frame Via Amazon [What’s This?]
Johnson 153068PF [Google Products]

Woodworking Tool Set For Getting Started

Posted: February 11th, 2010, 10:18am MST by Benjamen Johnson

You want to start woodworking, but you’re a little intimidated by the number of the tools you’ll need and what it’ll do to your budget. For $300, FootPrint Tools offers a 17-piece woodworking tool kit that’s probably adequate to you get started right away.

The set includes:

A block plane
A bench plane
A jack plane
A 10-1/2″ carpenter’s bevel
A 10-1/2″ square
A marking gauge
A 4-1/2″ Beechwood mallet
Nine wood chisels (1/4″, 3/8″, 1/2″, 5/8″, 3/4″, 7/8″, 1″, 1-1/4″, 1-1/2″)
An adjustable honing guide

The bevel, square, and marking gauge are made from rosewood and brass and the chisels have polypropylene handles.

Although they include a honing guide, Footprint Tools forgot to include some sharpening stones because you’re probably going to want to flatten and resharpen the cutting edges and the soles of the planes straight out of the box. Not to mention, given the low price, the steel they use in these tools probably won’t hold an edge for very long, so you’ll need to touch them up often to keep them in good working order. Think of it as an opportunity to hone your honing skills.

If you think $300 is a lot of money to spend, just remember you can drop this much money or more on just one power tool. As your skill improves you can replace the individual tools you use regularly in this set with quality tools.

*Footprint Tools [Website]
Woodworking Set [Eagle America]
Via Amazon [What’s This?]

*While the Footprint Tool site doesn’t list the woodworking set, you can find descriptions of the included tools listed separately.

Dealmonger: Bullet Tools 513 Mag Shear Lite

Posted: February 11th, 2010, 9:20am MST by Nick Carter

Amazon has the best deal on the Bullet Tools 513 Mag Shear Lite, $293.28 w/ SS shipping.

The Bullet Tools 513 Mag Shear Lite is a lever-operated manual shear that the manufacturer claims will cut a variety of materials such as laminate flooring, wood flooring, vinyl tile, cement siding, and wood siding. The shear is “dustless,” which means that unlike a powered electric shear or saw, it doesn’t send out a cloud of particles when cutting. The manual (.pdf) shows setup and use. It seems like a useful tool and one I wish I’d had when I was putting in laminate flooring, since I had to constantly run outside to use the miter saw as it wasn’t suitable for use in our house.

Via Amazon [What’s This?]
Bullet Tools 513 Mag Shear Lite [Bullet Tools]

Permalink for 'Toolmonger/2010/02/11/TV_Tonight__Please_Let_it_Be__%e2%80%9cI%e2%80%99ll_Yell_Less%e2%80%9d'

TV Tonight: Please Let it Be, “I’ll Yell Less”

Posted: February 11th, 2010, 9:10am MST by Nick Carter

(TV Tonight, Thursday, February 11th, 2010) We get a new American Chopper tonight, building a Kobalt Tools bike. Also: Paul Jr. gathers the family to make a life-changing announcement, which just can’t be good.

All times are central

Deconstruction: Framing (DIY, 5:00 pm)
Holmes on Homes: Bargain Basement (HGTV, 5:00 pm)
Modern Marvels: Mad Electricity (History, 5:00 pm)
Prototype This!: Boxing Robots (Science, 5:00 pm)
American Chopper: Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribal Theme Bike (TLC, 6:00 pm)
Some Assembly Required (Science, 6:00 pm)
Ask This Old House: Damaged Lawn, Curved Stair Molding (DIY, 6:30 pm)
Ask This Old House: Finished Wallboards, Storm-Damaged Trees (DIY, 7:00 pm)
American Chopper: Stewart-Haas Racing Bike (TLC, 7:00 pm)
Factory Made: Cotton Swabs, Pinball Machines, Ceramic Tile, Wheat Bread (Science, 7:00 pm)
Factory Made: Quarters, Aquariums, Limestone, Highlighters (Science, 7:30 pm)
American Chopper: The Kobalt Bike (TLC, 8:00 pm) NEW
Successful Farming Machinery Show (RFD-TV, 8:00 pm) NEW
Vintage Country Ways: Steam in Action, Part 2 (RFD-TV, 8:30 pm)

Permalink for 'Toolmonger/2010/02/10/Fluke%e2%80%99s_Non_Contact_AC_Voltage_Tester'

Fluke’s Non-Contact AC Voltage Tester

Posted: February 10th, 2010, 11:39am MST by Chuck Cage

If you’re like us, you’ve probably got three or four cheap-ass AC voltage testers laying around your toolbox(es) waiting for the day you need to change a switch or install an outlet. But think about this for a sec: When you’re going to bet your ass (or hand, as the case may be) on a tool, do you want the $0.50 special or a brand you recognize?

Often this is no choice at all because we simply can’t afford the high-buck brand-name tool. But now you have no excuse: We found this Fluke tester at Amazon (and elsewhere) for just $23. Sure, that’s about $22.50 more than you paid for your crappy model, but consider that this one — if it’s anything like the other Fluke gear we own — will last forever, and probably actually work.

And that one-time $22.50 outlay seems even more sensible when you’re thinking “is that light off because there’s no voltage or because the tester’s broken?”

1AC-II VoltAlert [Fluke]
Via Amazon [What’s This?]

RacorPro HeavyLift

Posted: February 10th, 2010, 10:34am MST by Gordon DeWitte

During one of my somewhat sporadic efforts to clean up the garage/workshop so I can actually do something once in a while without rearranging stuff, moving cars, and cursing, I decided I needed an easy way to get some of the heavier stuff off the floor, and somehow stored higher up. A bit of Googling turned up the RacorPro HeavyLift. Its reviews on Amazon were generally favorable, although many panned the installation instructions. When assembled, the HeavyLift consists of a 4′×4′ wire mesh platform, steel support beams, a hand crank, and a pulley/winding axle system that can handle up to 250 pounds. The platform lowers 8′ from the ceiling.

A bit of products Googling a few weeks ago found some reasonable prices, so I bit the bullet and ordered one — when I ordered, the best price I found from well-known vendors was at DoItBest, and it included free shipping (they call it “Ship-to-Store”) to a local store; it now appears that Amazon, among known vendors, has the lowest price, $122.95 with free shipping for Amazon Prime. I picked up the unit today. Using the revised installation hints found on Amazon, I will be assembling and installing the unit “soon” — I need to clear some space in the garage first — and will post results when I’m done.

RacorPro PHL-1R HeavyLift [Manufacturer's Site]
Racor PHL-1R Pro HeavyLift Via Amazon [What’s This?]
Street Pricing [Google Products]

Techshop Portland Closed, Reopening?

Posted: February 10th, 2010, 9:49am MST by Nick Carter

Last year, emboldened by the success of Techshop in the Bay Area, a new Techshop was opened in Portland, Oregon. Now it appears that it has closed and may be moving to a new area — one of the founding members posted the news over on the Home Shop Machinist forums, and looking at the forums for the Portland techshop it looks like it’s true.

Hopefully, they’ll be able to start up again although that first post doesn’t seem as optimistic as the Techshop page. It seems that you need a large enough population to support a venture like this, something the Bay Area has and Portland doesn’t. Also people in Oregon are already DIY types and have their own workshops, which is more cost prohibitive down in CA. In any case, it’s sad news and we applaud them for trying to bring the world of tools to people who wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity to create.

What do you guys think of the news? Any Techshop members out there? What do you think the solution is for collective shop space, or is it just a case of a concept that won’t work just anywhere?

Techshop Home
Portland Techshop

Permalink for 'Toolmonger/2010/02/10/They%e2%80%99re_Never_Too_Young__And_You%e2%80%99re_Never_Too_Old'

They’re Never Too Young, And You’re Never Too Old

Posted: February 10th, 2010, 9:18am MST by Chuck Cage

This story from earlier in the week brought joy to my heart — and reminded me again that it’s never too young to take some time to pass on what you know to your children or young friends:

Talon Stammen, 16, puts a chisel to the maple round he’s mounted on the lathe in his grandfather’s workshop. On a nearby wall, a framed poster shows a wide-eyed baby Talon holding a hammer over a block of wood. His grandfather is standing behind him, watching carefully.

Grandfather Art Grabowski has had a big influence in Talon’s life, particularly as his first teacher in the art of woodworking. And he’s a big part of why, tonight, one of Talon’s pieces will be sold during the annual North Dakota Museum of Art Gala fundraiser, apparently making Talon the youngest artist ever in the auction.

The Grand Forks Herald goes on to tell Stammen’s story, from watching his grandpa working in his wood shop to whittling when he was five, taking carving lessons later, then building furniture in the shop with Grabowski, who’s now 96 years young. Stammen’s father tells another even more heartwarming story about his son’s interest in the outdoors and how it feeds his passion for wood.

Seriously. If you’ve ever thought “those young people just don’t care about tools and art” — or just need a pick-me-up today — go read the rest of the story via the link below. I’ll wait.

Lessons we can take from this:

If you’re a kid and you want to know more about making things or making things work, don’t wait. You’re never too young. Hit the library and learn what you can from books. (Stammen recommends “The Unknown Craftsman: A Japanese Insight Into Beauty” by Yanagi Soetsu [What’s This?] for those interested in wood.) Then pester your parents — and every adult you know — until they put you in the right, safe environment and let you have a go at things yourself.

If you’re a coot (young or old), you’re never too old to befriend someone just starting and share with them what you know — whether that’s woodworking, art, motorcycle repair, a passion for auto painting, machine work, or anything else. Get with the program! Practicing your art and skill is only one part of the equation. Passing those skills on to the next generation lies on the other side of the equal sign, balancing things out.

(Thanks, BotheredByBees, for the great CC-licensed photo.)

The Auction’s Youngest Artist [Grand Forks Herald]

The MJ Splitter SteelPRO

Posted: February 10th, 2010, 8:34am MST by Benjamen Johnson

Building upon their MJ Splitter that we featured yesterday, Micro Jig recently introduced the MJ Splitter SteelPRO. Both of these products are designed to be inserted into a zero-clearance insert on your table saw to keep the kerf in the workpiece from pinching the blade.

Rather than using plastic like the original MJ Splitter, Micro Jig makes the SteelPRO splitters from stainless steel — including the pins — and covers them in high-density polycarbonate. In addition to their more rugged construction, MicroJig added a few new features.

The first feature is an automatic kerf keeper. If there is enough tension in the workpiece to close the kerf, the kerf keeper is designed to be pulled out by the closing kerf and keep it open. When you notice this happen, you should shut off your saw.

The second new feature is the dual splitter, which allows you to not only keep the stock against the fence like a featherboard, but to apply pressure on the cutoff side as well. The splitters have the same system of offsets in increments of .003″ as the original MJ Splitters.

Since this product is new, a search on Google Products came up empty, but a little more digging shows that WoodCraft, Lee Valley, and Hartville Tool are selling the SteelPRO version. The SteelPRO Splitters come with an installation jig that allows you to drill the proper holes in your insert plate. Both the regular and thin kerf kits retail for $30 to $35, but Hartland Tool is currently discounting them to $25. A combo kit with both sizes retails for $63. You can also order replacement parts directly from Micro Jig here.

SteelPRO Splitter [Micro Jig]
SteelPRO Splitter [Lee Valley]
SteelPRO Splitter [Hartville Tool]
SteelPRO Splitter [Woodcraft]

TV Tonight: Shop Night

Posted: February 10th, 2010, 8:04am MST by Nick Carter

(TV Tonight, Wednesday, February 10th, 2010) Head out to the shop or watch some Holmes on Homes reruns. OK, head out to the shop.

All times are central

Deconstruction: Concrete (DIY, 5:00 pm)
Holmes on Homes: Wall of Sound (HGTV, 5:00 pm)
Ask This Old House: Pendant Lighting, Care for Succulents (DIY, 6:30 pm)
Ask This Old House: Heating & Cooling System Controller, Re-Grout Tile Floor (DIY, 7:00 pm)
Top Gear (BBC America, 7:00 pm)
Holmes on Homes: Bar None (HGTV, 9:00 pm)

25 Toolmonger Essentials: Introduction

Posted: February 9th, 2010, 10:39am MST by Chuck Cage

After years of writing about tools and the tool lifestyle, we believe that everyone — man, woman, homeowner, apartment(/bar)-dweller, college student, everyone – should own a few basic tools and the accessories needed to make them useful. So we decided to throw together a list along with some recommendations for where to find ‘em, how much you should pay for ‘em, and what you can do with ‘em.

We don’t intend this as an exhaustive list of every tool you could (and should) possibly own. Instead, we’re targeting the gear you’ll find useful day in and day out — and that occasionally may pull your ass out of the fire when you’ve done a great job of lighting it up.

Of course this wouldn’t be Toolmonger without your feedback. Think no one really needs a utility knife? Wonder why we’re not going to include a scroll saw? Speak up! As you see the each post in the list (starting today), feel free to let us — and more importantly other readers — know what you think. And if you’re reading to assemble your first toolkit, do what we do: Pay attention to comments. There’s as much useful info there as you’ll get from us. Toolmonger readers are sharp, like your pocket knife better be, too.

The Original MJ Splitter

Posted: February 9th, 2010, 9:34am MST by Benjamen Johnson

I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not sure where I left the blade guard/splitter for my table saw, and frankly I don’t really care; it’s a real pain to remove and replace and it gets in the way of at least half of the operations I perform. Now, I really like the idea of a built-in riving knife that moves with the blade, so maybe on my next saw — but for now this removable splitter from Micro Jig has caught my eye.

Not only does the MJ Splitter keep the workpiece from pinching the blade, it also can act as a mini-featherboard to keep the workpiece against the fence after it exits the blade — something that’s not easy to do any other way. By choosing one of the four sides of the two included splitters, you can adjust the amount of pressure the splitters apply by changing how much it is offset from the blade in increments of .003″.

Due to the fact the splitter fits into a series of precision holes into your zero-clearance insert, you can only use the MJ Splitter for 90° through-cuts. To help you drill these alignment holes, Micro Jig thoughtfully includes a jig with the splitters. You can purchase splitters for 1/8″ kerf blades and thin (3/32″) kerf blades. Pricing starts at $15 for the 1/8″ version, $20 for the thin kerf, and $30 for a set with both.

Reading the reviews on Rockler, it looks like people have had problems with the pins bending and the splitter getting knocked out of place. Apparently Micro Jig is aware of these potential problems and has recently release a pro version made from steel and polycarbonate that we’ll look at tomorrow.

MJ Splitter [MicroJig]
MJ Splitter [Rockler]
Via Amazon [What’s This?]

Dealmonger: GRS Benchmate Basic Package

Posted: February 9th, 2010, 8:56am MST by Nick Carter

Esslinger currently has the GRS Benchmate Basic Package on sale for $185.00.

The GRS Benchmate is a mounted ring holder that allows ergonomic positioning of a ring clamp for setting stones, engraving and other operations. The basis of the system is a tapered dovetail plate that is attached to the front of a jewelers bench. The mount slips on and locks in place in seconds. The height is somewhat adjustable and the ring clamp is fully adjustable so it can be mounted plumb or at an angle. The ring clamp swivels in the holder as well allowing access to every side of the ring settings.

While a bit pricey, they do seem to have great popularity with bench jewelers. There are a host of accessories available as well. The manual details setup, adjustments and maintenance (.pdf).

GRS Benchmate Basic Package [esslinger.com]

TV Tonight: Burnt To The Bone

Posted: February 9th, 2010, 8:26am MST by Nick Carter

(TV Tonight, Tuesday, February 9th, 2010) A new Dirty Jobs retrospective also brings us to what promises to be truly nasty visit to a bone black, or bone charcoal, factory. There’s also a new Howe & Howe.

All times are central

Deconstruction: Lumber (Discovery, 5:00 pm)
Holmes on Homes: Frozen Assets (HGTV, 5:00 pm)
Tank Overhaul: The Sherman (Military, 5:00 pm)
Machinery of the Past (RFD-TV, 5:00 pm)
Dirty Jobs: Turkey Inseminator (Discovery, 6:00 pm)
Tank Overhaul: The Hellcat (Military, 6:00 pm)
Ask This Old House: Mature Tree, Noisy Heating System (DIY, 6:30 pm)
Ask This Old House: Water Saving Toilet, In-Ground Sprinkler System (DIY, 7:00 pm)
Dirty Jobs: Concrete Finisher (Discovery, 7:00 pm)
Dirty Jobs: Bone Black (Discovery, 8:00 pm) NEW
Howe & Howe Tech: Badger Resurrection (Discovery, 9:00 pm) NEW

You Responded, We Listened

Posted: February 8th, 2010, 12:08pm MST by Chuck Cage

First of all, let me thank you for all your kind comments on my “We Want Your Input!” post last week. Your thoughtful and insightful responses remind all of us here in the Toolmonger office just how awesome our readers are. And let me also tell you this: We’ve listened. We’re working on some changes to Toolmonger based on your input. Read on past the jump for a preview of what’s to come:

A few changes we’re working on:

More Projects

Respondents (both in comments and via email) almost universally requested more projects by us and featured reader projects. We, of course, agree wholeheartedly, and we’re working on updates for both the shop truck project, the “Jackass Projects” Porsche story, as well as some other stuff we’ve got going on in the TM shop.

But we need your help here, too. We’ll keep watching the Flickr pool for cool projects to feature, but we could also use your help in identifying great reader projects to feature. Have a cool project? Drop us a line and let us know, either via the Submit-A-Tool form or directly to me at ccage(at)toolmonger.com. Our best reader project features include one or more photos plus a nice description and some quickie how-to.

We’re also going to do our best to feature a reader project on the weekly podcast, too.

More Podcasts

Speaking of podcasts, we’re working to bring back the Tool Talk podcast. As many of you have heard, long-time TM Managing Editor Sean O’Hara has a new family member, so his time has been somewhat limited. However, we’re working on scheduling to try and get you a weekly podcast as before.

(Truthfully we missed doing it as much as you’ve missed hearing it. Sitting down to BS about tools once a week was a high point for us.)

Site Layout

We agree that TM’s site layout (now about two years old) is out of date and in need of freshening. We’re working on it and hope to deploy updates piece by piece over the next few months.

Forum

The awesome responses and interactions in comments remind us regularly that we do indeed need to deploy a Toolmonger forum. We’re currently working on this, both financially and design-wise. We think it’s a great idea, and we hope to put something together in the first or second quarter of this year. Hell, if nothing else it’d give us a chance to hang out in the shop with you, virtually if not otherwise.

Lots More

We heard your other requests, too, and we’re working internally to adjust our editorial slightly to provide more content.

And if I haven’t conveyed this already, thanks so much for reading and for participating in Toolmonger. When we launched the site years ago we thought we were alone in being as interested in the tools as the job. When we told our friends about the site, they laughed. “Who cares about tools?” they scoffed.

You do. And we do, too.

Workbench Envy

Posted: February 8th, 2010, 11:27am MST by Gordon DeWitte

The Make blog used the above picture to point to mtneer_man’s Flickr page with 47 photos of the different workbenches he’s had. It’s quite an assortment, and very nicely organized (although I do wonder about that little bench or desk elevated by concrete blocks on the right). A geo-physicist, he lives in rural Oklahoma, has four — !!! — workshops, several workbenches (”…dirty work, clean work, electronics work, photography, automotive…”), and even sub-workbenches — would those be sous-benches? — for “sharpening, grinding, glueing…” There are many more picture sets on his Flikr page documenting some of his other projects (e.g., workshop building, shelves, tools…) and travels.

Time for a little workshop and workbench envy?

Workbench [Flickr: mtneer_man]

Reader Question: Odd Knockdown Hardware

Posted: February 8th, 2010, 10:42am MST by Nick Carter

I received an email from a complete stranger asking if I could help source some replacement knockdown hardware for a “Scandinavian bed.” She has 4 of the 8 sets she needs to put it back together but couldn’t find replacements anywhere. The store she bought it from over a decade ago moved and threw out all their paperwork and older hardware (boo on them!).

This is the picture she sent me. She said in her email: “The longest piece is 1 3/4 inches long, the threaded portion of which is 1/4″ diameter. The wide, ribbed piece is stamped “BREV N B38420″ on the top. That piece has a threaded hole, 3/8″ in diameter, drilled through its bottom. The short, stubby threaded piece, also 3/8″ diameter, fits that hole.”

I swear I’ve seen hardware like this before, but having searched Rockler, Lee Valley, McMaster, Hafele, and a host of other websites I am at a loss. So I figured I’d throw this out to some of the most knowledgeable blog readers in the world and ask you guys. If I can’t find a source she wants me to make replacements, but I’d really rather not as the cost will be quite high even at my low shop rate (and I’m pretty busy so she’ll have to wait a while).

As far as I can tell the dowel screws into some other part of the bedframe. Then the dowel end sticks into the cross hole of the short plug (which is located in the other frame member) and the conical set screw threads through the top of the short plug and locates in the countersink, which pulls the frame together, one side being more tapered than the other.

Anyone have an idea where to source this sort of hardware? Or have a hardware problem of your own you would like solved?

Hands-On: Resurfacing A Tiny Anvil

Posted: February 8th, 2010, 10:39am MST by Nick Carter

My wife uses a small, cheap, cast iron anvil for hammering our wire jewelry. After a while, being unhardened, the anvil surface ends up horribly dinged. Yes, I’ve begged her to use a steel bench block, but she claims this is what works for her and I’m not going to argue. I haven’t found a quality anvil in this form factor.

So it was off to my beater of a Boyar-Schultz 612 surface grinder. I bought it for $250 at an auction, and as you can see, most of the precision has leaked out of it. For simple surfacing jobs it works well. I ground the surface of the magnetic chuck in place so it’s parallel to the travel of the x-axis slide.

I placed the anvil on the magnetic chuck and blocked it in with a magnetic parallel at each end. The first pass of .001″ shows that the edges are lower than the center.

I took about eight .001″ deep passes and finished with a .0005″ pass, traversing until the wheel “sparked out,” which means that it was no longer throwing sparks off and had fully ground the surface. For the finish pass I moved over about 1/4″ wheel width at a time. The surface doesn’t look very smooth, partly because of chatter (the spindle is worn), but the actual flatness and surface finish is pretty darn good and much better than I could get by freehand grinding on my belt grinder. I hit it afterwards on a bear-tex wheel to do some final smoothing.

The down feed divisions are .001″ between the long lines, .0005″ per half line, and the vernier scale on the left further divides it to .0001″. Surface grinders, even worn old ones, are pretty handy in the shop.

Oetiker Ear Clamps And Tools

Posted: February 8th, 2010, 10:22am MST by Gordon DeWitte

The latest Motorcycle Consumer News (MCN Volume 41, Number 3, March 2010) has a short article on Oetiker ear clamps and installation tools. TM has covered the ClampTite tool before (TM 12/24/06), and its use for making hose clamps. The MCN article indicates that neither the ClampTite nor worm-drive hose clamps may be suitable for high-pressure fuel-injection hoses, and that the Oetiker ear clamps are a better choice in this situation.

As shown above, Oetiker makes ear clamps in several varieties. The installation tool pictured is Oetiker’s model 14100083 “pincer with side jaws for use where space is restricted.” This tool is apparently made for Oetiker by Knipex (the Knipex model is 1099 or 1099i), and is available online for around $21. The ear clamps, depending on type and material, are available for less than $1 in single quantities, and start around $25 in packages of 25 to 100. Kits with a variety of clamps are also available; some kits include an installation tool.

Have Toolmongers used Oetiker clamps and installation tools? What’s your opinion? Do you have preferred alternatives?

Oetiker Ear Clamps [Manufacturer's Site]
Oetiker 14100083 [Google Products]
Oetiker Ear Clamps [Google Products]

Permalink for 'Toolmonger/2010/02/08/Carpenter%e2%80%99s_Hatchet'

Carpenter’s Hatchet

Posted: February 8th, 2010, 9:36am MST by Benjamen Johnson

What makes this hatchet from Stanley a carpenter’s hatchet? Probably the fact it has a hammer head rather than a flat for striking and a notch in the blade for pulling nails, but it’s still primarily designed for cutting wood and driving stakes.

Forged from one piece of steel and rim-tempered to prevent chipping, this 13″, 28oz. hatchet uses a tuning fork design to dampen vibrations, and the grip is covered with rubber to further cushion your hands.

Stanley’s hatchet will run you about $30. The solid metal construction and the anti-vibe technology make this look like a nice hatchet for camping even though it’s categorized as a carpenter’s hatchet — does anybody have any experience with this hatchet?

Carpenter’s Hatchet [Stanley]
Street Pricing [Google Products]
Via Amazon) [What’s This?]

From The Flickr Pool: A Trebuchet Built By Two

Posted: February 8th, 2010, 9:13am MST by Chuck Cage

Looking for a great weekend project to tackle with your kids? Look no further than Toolmonger schnaars‘ awesome “suburban siege” trebuchet. Unsatisfied with their original Lego and Connex models, he and his son switched to pine 1×2s and angle steel to build something a bit, well, more powerful.

From his kick-ass writeup in the Flickr pool:

It’s just a base and an A-frame with a bolt going through it. I used two bungee cords for the power, and you have to adjust them a bit to get the right amount of tension to throw something, but not so much it destroys the thing. The whole thing took about an hour to bang out. [...] I put two holes in the arm: one to give it a high arc throw and one to give it a line drive.

Does it work? Hells, yeah: “The nerf baseball on the bench goes about 75′ on both settings. Golf balls go about 100′ and roll forever.”

(Thanks to schnaars for the great CC-licensed photo — and sweet project!)

TV Tonight: Slip And Slide

Posted: February 8th, 2010, 6:52am MST by Nick Carter

(TV Tonight, Monday, February 8th, 2010) We get a new Top Gear tonight, with cheap cars and Rally driving legend Ken Block.

All times are central

Deconstruction: Down the Drain (DIY, 5:00 pm)
Trains & Locomotives (RFD-TV, 5:00 pm)
MythBusters: Underwater Car (Discovery, 6:00 pm)
Ask This Old House: Collapsing Garage Roof; Installing a Dry Well (DIY, 6:30 pm)
Top Gear: Season 13 Ep. 3 (BBC America, 7:00 pm) NEW
Ask This Old House: Special Projects for Kids: Building a Vegetable Garden; Constructing a Mini-Golf (DIY, 7:00 pm)
MythBusters: Crash and Burn (Discovery, 7:00 pm)
American Chopper: Jr/Sr Military Tribute Bikes 1 (Military, 7:00 pm)
Top Gear: Season 13 Ep. 2 (BBC America, 8:00 pm)
MythBusters: Dumpster Diving (Discovery, 8:00 pm)
American Chopper: Jr/Sr Military Tribute Bikes 2 (Military, 8:00 pm)
MythBusters: Seesaw Saga (Discovery, 9:00 pm)
American Chopper: Jet Bike (Military, 9:00 pm)

TV Tonight: Bigger Than Lost

Posted: February 7th, 2010, 8:30am MST by Nick Carter

(TV Tonight, Sunday, February 7th, 2010) Apparently there’s some sort of popular sporting event happening today. So what you get are reruns of thematic rearrangements of How It’s Made.

All times are central

How It’s Made: Remix: Drinks (Science, 5:00 pm)
American Chopper: Iowa Farm Bureau Bike 1 (Green, 5:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Remix: Breakfast (Science, 5:30 pm)
How It’s Made: Remix: Green (Science, 6:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Remix: Musical Instruments (Science, 6:30 pm)
How It’s Made: Remix: Automotive (Science, 7:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Remix: Boats (Science, 7:30 pm)
How It’s Made: Remix: Chores (Science, 8:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Remix: Road Work (Science, 8:30 pm)
How It’s Made: Remix: Garage (Science, 9:00 pm)
Successful Farming Machinery Show (RFD-TV, 9:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Remix: Weapons (Science, 9:30 pm)
Holmes on Homes: Kitchen Coleslaw (HGTV, 10:00 pm)

Permalink for 'Toolmonger/2010/02/06/TV_Tonight__Don%e2%80%99t_Stare_Into_The_Void'

TV Tonight: Don’t Stare Into The Void

Posted: February 6th, 2010, 10:29am MST by Nick Carter

(TV Tonight, Saturday, February 6th, 2010) An incredibly minimal Saturday, but you guys have better things to do than watch TV anyway.

All times are central

Top Gear: Season 13 Ep. 1 (BBC America, 7:00 pm)
Dirty Jobs: Snake Researcher (Discovery, 5:00 pm)
Dirty Jobs: Alpaca Shearer (Discovery, 6:00 pm)

A Lighter, More Powerful Rotary Hammer

Posted: February 5th, 2010, 10:03am MST by Chuck Cage

When pros need to drill seriously gaping holes in masonry, they put the hammerdrill back in the truck and reach for a rotary hammer. And Hitachi recently updated their 1-1/2″ spline-shank hammer, shaving off just shy of three pounds of weight while retaining an 8.4 amp motor that delivers a whopping 5.9 ft-lbs of impact energy and an impact rate of 2,800 BPM.

They’ve put some effort into further reducing vibration as well, claiming a full-tilt-boogie vibration level of 18.8 m/s2 and 95.2 dB. (Admittedly, I’ve never seen a manufacturer publish a vibration level measurement before, so I’m not quite sure how that measures up to others. But I have tested a previous model Hitachi hammer and was surprised at how well it cushioned the blows.) The new model, the DH38YE2 (pictured), also includes a safety clutch that stops rotation when the bit binds.

Of course, lighter is a relative term. Rotary hammers are massive, and this one’s no exception, weighing in at 14.1 pounds. It’s about 16″ long, too. Pricing should check in around $400 street.

DH38YE2 Rotary Hammer [Hitachi]

Permalink for 'Toolmonger/2010/02/05/It%e2%80%99s_Just_Cool__Mobile_Log_Cabin'

It’s Just Cool: Mobile Log Cabin

Posted: February 5th, 2010, 10:03am MST by Gordon DeWitte

Gizmodo recently mentioned a different type of log cabin. Piet Hein Eek built this variation as a recording studio for his friend and musician Hans Liberg. The log facade, as shown above, covers a plastic and steel frame. It’s not very clear from the picture, but the cabin is on wheels, has a hitch, and can be towed. Currently located in Hilversum, Netherlands, the log cabin houses a modern recording studio in its surprisingly bright interior. You can glimpse a bit of this in the picture below, where the top-hinged windows are opened.

You can find a lot more pictures at the Thomas Mayer Archive link below.

Log House Office on Wheels [Thomas Mayer Archive]

Big-Ass Metal Stud Punch

Posted: February 5th, 2010, 9:06am MST by Benjamen Johnson

Given the state of 2x lumber you get nowadays, why wouldn’t you use steel in non-structural applications? Why screw around trying to use warped, twisted, and cupped studs when you can use uniform steel studs? The metal studs even have pre-cut holes to run most plumbing and electrical, unless you need to need to run something like 2″ water, vent, or waste pipes. In that case you’ll need a tool like Greenlee’s 713 stud punch. Think of it as the big-ass version of a paper hole puncher — only for steel studs.

The 23-1/2″ long tool gives you the leverage you need to punch 2-5/8″ holes in 24 to 20ga metal studs and the 2-1/8″ throat fits over most steel 2x framing. Even though Greenlee makes the C-frame and rubber gripped handle from a high-strength alloy aluminum, the tool still weighs a hefty 10.6lbs.

Pricing for the punch varies widely from $400 to $650, so this isn’t a tool you’re going to buy for that framing job in your basement.

713 Stud Punch [Greenlee]
Street Pricing [Google Products]
Via Amazon) [What’s This?]

TV Tonight: High and Low

Posted: February 5th, 2010, 8:44am MST by Nick Carter

(TV Tonight, Friday, February 5th, 2010) A new Swamp Loggers continues to hammer home the point that swamps are wet and muddy. If you like something larger scale, Big, Bigger, Biggest looks at the construction of the International Space Station.

All times are central

Holmes on Homes: House Arrest (HGTV, 5:00 pm)
How Do They Do It?: Cargo Ships, Excavators, Newspaper (Science, 5:00 pm)
How Do They Do It?: Ice Breaker, Money, Bowling Alleys (Science, 5:30 pm)
Dirty Jobs: Wind Farm Technician (Discovery, 6:00 pm)
How Do They Do It?: Airplane Recycling, Fireworks, Computer Printer Cartridges (Science, 6:00 pm)
Ask This Old House: Banging Pipes, Installing Fiberglass Door (DIY, 6:30 pm)
How Do They Do It?: Gold, Escalators, Golf Clubs (Science, 6:30 pm)
Dirty Jobs: Gourd Maker (Discovery, 7:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Brushes & Push Brooms, Blackboards, Smoked Salmon, Zippers (Science, 7:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Car Engines, Flour, Recliners, Envelopes (Science, 7:30 pm)
Swamp Loggers: Waterlogged (Discovery, 8:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Swiss Army Knives, Player Piano Rolls, Oil Tankers, Racing Wheels (Science, 8:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Surfboards, Stickers, Sandwich Cookies, Concrete Roofing Tiles (Science, 8:30 pm)
Swamp Loggers: Swamp Fever (Discovery, 9:00 pm) NEW
Big, Bigger, Biggest: Spacecraft (Science, 9:00 pm) NEW
Deconstruction: Down the Drain (DIY, 10:30 pm)

How-To: Remove Stripped Screw Sans Extractor

Posted: February 4th, 2010, 10:48am MST by Gordon DeWitte

TM has covered all manner of stripped-screw removal before (e.g., screw extractor sets, screw pliers, EZ Grip Friction Drops — or the home-brew alternatives: spit and grinder dust, or spit and Comet Cleanser), but I’ve never seen this extractorless approach using a rubber band, as described in Apartment Therapy via Lifehacker. The concept is basically the same as friction drops: adding something to increase the grip, usually in combination with a slightly larger bit size.

Where do you think this approach ranks in the stripped-screw-removal methods? What about tools like the Alden Grabit? Do you have tried-and-true techniques, or do you just jump to the last resort, as Apartment Therapy also notes, the needle-nosed Vise Grips?

How To Remove a Stripped Screw Without an Extractor [Apartment Therapy]
Alden Grabit Via Amazon [What’s This?]

Dealmonger: Precision Oiler Pen

Posted: February 4th, 2010, 10:14am MST by Nick Carter

Right now Lee Valley has their Precision Pen Oiler pen on clearance for $5.00.

From the photos, it appears to be the Empire 2776 Precision Oiler that was covered before at a price of $8.00. It’s of much better construction that the usual plastic tube pin oilers and looks like a useful item for tiny oiling jobs. Push-button action disposes a “drop” at a time (no mention of volume per drop). And it has a sealed cap so you can carry it in your pocket without worrying about spills.

Lee Valley Precision Oiler Pen [leevalley.com]

Stepless Step Drill Bits

Posted: February 4th, 2010, 9:38am MST by Benjamen Johnson

Step bits can be handy for cutting sheet metal and plastic, but what if you don’t need a standard size hole? These conical “stepless” bits can create holes of any size from 1/8″ to 3/4″. The obvious limitation is if the material is thicker the hole will be tapered, but then again in some situations that might be desirable.

The pictured bits use a two flute design which supposedly cuts faster and smoother. The 1/4″ hex shanked high-speed steel bits are coated with titanium-nitride to keep them cool.

The only place stateside we could find carrying these bits was Harbor Freight, where a set of three bits sized 3/16″ to 1/2″, 1/4″ to 3/4″, and 1/8″ to 1/2″ sells for $8. Several places in the UK carry similar bits sets including Axminster Tool Centre, which sells a set for £25 or about $40.

Stepless Drill Bits [Harbor Freight]
Conical Bit Set [Axminster Tool Centre]

TV Tonight: American Chew Toy

Posted: February 4th, 2010, 9:07am MST by Nick Carter

(TV Tonight, Thursday, February 4th, 2010) Paul Jr. pitches a new line of dog toys on a new American Chopper. Seriously. Oh, they also build a bike for the Stewart-Haas Nascar team. But it’s really all about the dog toys.

All times are central

Prototype This!: Automated Pizza Delivery (Science, 5:00 pm)
Some Assembly Required (Science, 6:00 pm)
Ask This Old House: Pruning a Tree, Installing a Shower Mixing Valve (DIY, 6:30 pm)
American Chopper: Monster Diesel Bike (TLC, 7:00 pm)
Factory Made: Pencils, Giant Bolts, Pickles, Inflatables (Science, 7:00 pm)
Factory Made: Trombones, Drive-Through Windows, Bottled Water, Baseball Bats (Science, 7:30 pm)
American Chopper: Stewart-Haas Racing Bike (TLC, 8:00 pm) NEW

Heavy-Duty Staple Remover

Posted: February 3rd, 2010, 8:04am MST by Benjamen Johnson

Staples seem like a good idea, until you have to remove them. Maybe you’re breaking down boxes in the shipping department, or you’re undoing some work by a carpenter who apparently was paid by the staple; you can use several different tools, but why not use a tool actually designed for the task?

Stanley-Bostitch constructs their G27W heavy-duty staple remover entirely from metal — no plastic parts here — then they plate it with a nickel finish. They specifically claim the tool can be used for heavy duty paper staples and wide crown staples, but removers like these can be used on many different types of staples.

Pricing runs about $10 for this particular staple remover.

Staple Remover [Stanley-Bostitch]
Street Pricing [Google Products]
Via Amazon [What’s This?]

Hot Or Not? Hole Pro Twin-Blade Hole Cutters

Posted: February 3rd, 2010, 7:24am MST by Gordon DeWitte

The Hole Pro® twin-blade X models can cut a variety of materials including wood, plywood, sheetrock, plaster, MDF, fiberglass, and up to 20-gauge brass and aluminum sheeting. The minimum diameter for all the X models is 1-7/8″, and the maximum diameter, for the Model X-425, is 17″. All twin-blade kits come in a heavy-duty carrying case and include a clear Tri-Slot Shield, as shown above, to catch shavings (the shield can also be used as a portable drill press), a pilot hole bit, two hex wrenches, and one set each of tungsten carbide blades and high-speed steel blades. The twin blades provide easy balance, are “infinitely” adjustable over the range of diameters, and will cut through 1″ material (if cutting from one side only; 2″ material when cut from both sides).

The Hole Pro® X-305, with a maximum capacity of 12″, costs $149.95. The X-148, with a maximum capacity of 5-7/8″, costs $119.95.

Have any Toolmongers used one of these hand-held-drill hole cutters? What’s your opinion?

High Performance Hole Cutters [Manufacturer's Site]
Via Amazon [What’s This?]

TV Tonight: Shop Night

Posted: February 3rd, 2010, 6:36am MST by Nick Carter

(TV Tonight, Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010) Time to head out to the shop, if you’re not already there.

All times are central

Ask This Old House: Staining a Deck, Preventing Sewage Backups (DIY, 6:30 pm)
Top Gear (BBC America, 7:00 pm)
Holmes on Homes: A River Ran Through It (HGTV, 9:00 pm)
Ax Men: Boiling Point (History, 9:00 pm)

Dealmonger: Kershaw Storm II Knife

Posted: February 2nd, 2010, 4:59pm MST by Audra Heaslip

Now through February 9th, you can pick up the Kershaw Storm II Knife from Cabela’s at about half off retail, for $19.99.

Knifemaker Ken Onion designed the 3 1/2″ Sandvik 13C26 stainless steel blade with a long edge while also maintaining tip strength. This grade of “martensitic stainless chromium steel” is normally used for razors, surgical tools, and food prep knives, since it’s very hard and stands up well against wear and corrosion. Though stainless is known for keeping its initial ultra-sharp edge for a while, it can be a pain to re-sharpen later — but in my opinion, it’s still worth 20 bucks for a decent utility knife.

As shown above, the Kershaw Storm II offers a locking blade, and the thumb studs let you open it one-handed.

Kershaw Storm II Knife [Cabela's]

Yard Sale Find: 6 and 4-Flute Bristol Drivers

Posted: February 2nd, 2010, 4:26pm MST by Nick Carter

I hit a yard sale this weekend and spotted a small plastic box with hex keys and ignition wrenches for a buck. I have a terrible weakness for ignition wrenches, so I bought it.

When I spilled out the contents of the box I noticed that what I thought were hex keys were in fact Bristol Spline Drivers. I probably would have thought they were Torx, had the previous owner not labeled the masking tape that held them together in a set.

As you can see, they have 6 splines for positively engaging the Bristol screw head. There was one 4-flute driver as well. Of course I have only one object with Bristol spline screws — the rear sight on one of my vintage Sheridan air rifles uses a 4-flute screw. Unfortunately the wrench I have now is not the right size, which is typical. But at least I have them now in case I run across any other Bristol screws in the future! I do appreciate the previous owner taking the time to keep his oddball tools labeled.

Dealmonger: Super Siphon Hose

Posted: February 2nd, 2010, 10:47am MST by Nick Carter

Right now Cabela’s has the Super Siphon hose for only $4.99.

The Super Siphon seems like a great idea. It’s a 6′ hose (although Cabela’s doesn’t give that figure, other sites do) with a check valve at one end. You drop it repeatedly into the source container and the check valve allows fluid to go into the hose but not come out. You repeat until the liquid gets to the point that it starts siphoning. PU-Products has a showing the action (their price is $10.00). There seem to be other variations on this product such as the “Shaker Siphon” and other name variations.

Has anyone used one of these, and what was your opinion of it?

Super Siphon [Cabelas.com]

Fight Clogs With Tornado Power

Posted: February 2nd, 2010, 10:40am MST by Benjamen Johnson

How could anybody resist talking about a product named the Drain Tornado? This water-powered tool connects to a garden hose and uses water pressure to clear clogs in waste pipes and gutters.

The drain tornado screws onto a standard 3/4″ fitting and features a high-powered main jet at the end of the tool and two side jets to “blast through” debris. Two rotary tail knives also help to dislodge material.

While the name and marketing copy would suggest it can be used for household drains, one could imagine the high-powered jets shooting crap everywhere, making it look like a tornado recently passed through. It’s probably best to restrict this product to outside use only.

The Drain Tornado will run you $6 at Harbor Freight.

Drain Tornado [Harbor Freight]

TV Tonight: Sinking Feeling

Posted: February 2nd, 2010, 10:39am MST by Nick Carter

(TV Tonight, Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010) Mike Rowe shows us how they make concrete countertops on a new Dirty Jobs, which is relatively messy!

All times are central

Holmes on Homes: Repairing a Slate Shower Renovation Gone Awry (HGTV, 5:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Aluminum Boats, Alpine Horns, Luxury Watches (Science, 5:00 pm)
Tank Overhaul: The Comet (Military, 5:00 pm)
Machinery of the Past (RFD-TV, 5:00 pm)
How It’s Made: All-Terrain Vehicles, Alpine Skis, Laser Cutters, Marble Sculptures (Science, 5:30 pm)
Dirty Jobs: Alligator Egg Collector (Discovery, 6:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Socket Sets, Leather Shoes, Aluminium Water Bottles, Bike Chains (Science, 6:00 pm)
Tank Overhaul: The Panther (Military, 6:00 pm)
Ask This Old House: Converting a Bathtub, Solar-Powered Fountain (DIY, 6:30 pm)
How It’s Made: Carved Wood Sculptures, Flatware, Cow Bells, Fountain Pens (Science, 6:30 pm)
Dirty Jobs: Soo Locks Technician (Discovery, 7:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Olive Oil, Lift Trucks, Seamless Rolled Rings, Ski Boots (Science, 7:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Cookware, Inlaid Boxes, Water Heaters (Science, 7:30 pm)
Dirty Jobs: Concrete Finisher (Discovery, 8:00 pm) NEW
How It’s Made: Mini GP Motorcycles, Fig Cookies, Tool Boxes, Pipe Bends (Science, 8:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Revolver Replicas, Arc Trainers, Oil Furnaces, Vegetable Peelers (Science, 8:30 pm)
Howe & Howe Tech: Personal Assault Lander (Discovery, 9:00 pm) NEW
How It’s Made: Metal Golf Clubs, Waffles, Custom Wires, Cables, Train Wheels (Science, 9:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Sails, Walnuts, Wheel Immobilizers, Honeycomb Structural Panels (Science, 9:30 pm)
How It’s Made: Surfboards, Stickers, Sandwich Cookies, Concrete Roofing Tiles (Science, 10:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Ski Goggles, Tower Cranes, Porcelain Figurines, Diesel Engines (Science, 10:30 pm)

Antique Tools: Fordson Tractor Wrench

Posted: February 1st, 2010, 2:46pm MST by Audra Heaslip

Inspired by a cool find by Toolmonger reader whiteforge, I dug up a photo of this unusual curved wrench, courtesy of Ron Geeson of Made in Birmingham. The wrench was made for the English Fordson tractor, or “automobile plow,” that Henry Ford & Sons Company developed in 1917 — in the 1920s manufacture moved exclusively to Ireland and England. The Fordson was the first mass-produced tractor that small farmers and ordinary people could afford, and was in production until 1991 when the company sold its tractor division to Fiat.

This particular wrench has a unique snail logo in relief on the handle. It was tough to track down, but evidently it comes from Snail Brand tools, a division of Smith Francis in Birmingham, England, who’ve been in business since 1934. While these vintage spanners are primarily in circulation overseas, a recent eBay auction (now closed) shows you can still get them for around £18, or about $30.

Even though antique farming equipment may not be your forte, have any of you Toolmongers got any unusual, rare, or antique tools you’d like to share? Tell us about them in comments, and feel free to post photos in the Toolmonger Flickr pool!

Smith Francis Tools
The History of Ford Farm Tractors
The Fordson House — Online Orders for Antique Tractor Parts
Vintage Tractors [website]
Antique Farming [Hobby Site]

The Roman Army Knife

Posted: February 1st, 2010, 11:04am MST by Gordon DeWitte

A.k.a. the world’s oldest Swiss Army Knife, this beauty comes from the U.K.’s Daily Mail via Gizmodo. It was “probably made between AD 200 and AD 300,” and is currently being exhibited in the Greek and Roman Antiquities Gallery of the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, England. The 3″ × 6″ knife, made from silver with an iron blade, also has a spoon, a fork*, a spike, a spatula, and a small toothpick. A Mediterranean excavation more than 20 years ago uncovered the knife, which the museum acquired in 1991.

*The Daily Mail link includes interesting — and very British — comments about the history of forks.

The Roman Army Knife [Daily Mail]

Hot Or Not? Ceramic Tile Floating Floors

Posted: February 1st, 2010, 9:11am MST by Benjamen Johnson

Floating floors have come a long way from the crappy picture of wood pasted to a pressboard substrate; now you can even install floating ceramic tile floors. Besides actually being real ceramic or porcelain tile, the floors promise to be much easier and less messy to install.

Two such floating floor systems are Cerama-lock and SnapStone. Rather than using glue or other adhesive to stick the tile in place, both use trays which snap together and hold the tiles. These systems can be installed over most hard surfaces with less prep than traditional methods of laying tile.

SnapStone uses a porcelain tile that’s bonded to a rubber-based tray. Available in 8 colors and in either 12×12″ or 6×6″ tiles, the SnapStone tiles require special SnapStone flexible grout that only comes in three colors.

Made from high-strength, non-skid materials, Cerama-Lock trays adjust to fit the size of the tiles. The tiles stick to an adhesive on the tray. You can either buy their special grout strips that snap into a groove in the tray or use your own flexible mix. The biggest claimed advantage of this system is that you can replace single tiles.

Snapstone runs $4 to $5 a square foot, and seems to be available in more locations, while the only place I have run into Cerama-lock is Menards, where it was something like $8 for 8 tiles — of course you still have the price of the actual tiles on top of that.

So, are floating ceramic tile systems the next great thing in flooring, or are they a waste of tile — are they hot or not?

SnapStone [Corporate Site]
SnapStone [Flooring Market]
Cerama-Lock [Unika USA]

How-To: DIY Airplane (Pietenpol Air Camper)

Posted: February 1st, 2010, 8:25am MST by Gordon DeWitte

The Make blog has a post on making a Pietenpol Air Camper (shown above is the G-BUCO, a nice example built by Alan Reading of Reading, Berkshire, England) for $2000. Bernard Pietenpol from Minnesota made his first homebuilt airplane, the Model T engine powered Sky Scout, in 1923. In 1929 he built a Model A engine-powered two-seat Air Camper and showed it to the editors of Modern Mechanics magazine, who subsequently published plans. Bernard improved the design, and, in 1933, published new plans, which are still available from a web site run by his son and grandson. Air Camper plans cost $100.

I’m not sure where Make got the $2000 figure: the Pietenpol web site notes that “for about $9111 (2008 dollars) and a lot of scrounging plus 1000 hours of free love construction time a pilot can be in the air.”

Chuck Gantzner’s web site has tons of details and pictures about the building and flying of his Pietenpol, the NX770CG. Being a true Toolmonger, he built the wing in his house (wing top and bottom during fabric covering shown below).

The Pietenpol family website also has lots of great pictures, including several oldies from the late 20’s and early 30’s.

G-BUCO [Shortfinal's Blog]
Pietenpol AirCamper NX770CG [Chuck Gantzner]
Pietenpol Official Air Camper [Pietenpol Family Website]

TV Tonight: Motor Madness

Posted: February 1st, 2010, 7:06am MST by Nick Carter

(TV Tonight, Monday, February 1st, 2010) A new Top Gear finds the perfect car for a seventeen-year-old and a new Motor City Motors turns a trailer into a hovercraft. In other news, has the Science Channel run out of money? Three days of How It’s Made reruns plus one more tomorrow?

All times are central

How It’s Made: Induction Cooktops, Truck Scales, Tetra Pak Containers, Harmonicas (Science, 5:00 pm)
Trains & Locomotives (RFD-TV, 5:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Baseball Gloves, Medical Electrodes, Stetson Hats (Science, 5:30 pm)
MythBusters: Walking on Water (Discovery, 6:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Impact Wrenches, Marble Sinks, Plantain Chips, NASCAR Cars (Science, 6:00 pm)
Ask This Old House: Painting Kitchen Cabinets, Installing Cabinet Accessories (DIY, 6:30 pm)
How It’s Made: Jaws of Life, Artificial Christmas Trees, Soda Crackers, Ratchets (Science, 6:30 pm)
Top Gear: Season 13 Ep. 2 (BBC America, 7:00 pm) NEW
MythBusters: Knock Your Socks Off (Discovery, 7:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Thermometers, Produce Scales, Aircraft Painting, Luxury Chocolates (Science, 7:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Carburetors, Air Conditioners, Sugar (Science, 7:30 pm)
Top Gear: Season 13 Ep. 1 (BBC America, 8:00 pm)
Howe & Howe Tech: Subterranean Rover Blues (Discovery, 8:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Combination Wrenches, Deli Meats, Golf Cars, Airships (Science, 8:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Carbon Fiber Car Parts, Hand Dryers, Recycled Polyester Yarn, Fleece (Science, 8:30 pm)
Motor City Motors: Air Scream (Discovery, 9:00 pm) NEW
How It’s Made: Police Badges, Rum, Car Washes, Pressure Gauges (Science, 9:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Metal Detectors, Muffins, Tiffany Reproductions, Aircraft Engines (Science, 9:30 pm)
How It’s Made: Riding Mowers, Popcorn, Adjustable Beds, Cultured Diamonds (Science, 10:00 pm)
Disaster House: What Goes Up (DIY, 10:30 pm)
How It’s Made: Airstream Trailers, Horseradish, Industrial Steam Boilers (Science, 10:30 pm)

BuffaloFeeds » Toolmonger » February 2010

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Toolmonger (99 unread)

Posted: February 26th, 2010, 9:29am MST by Benjamen Johnson

Posted: February 25th, 2010, 10:43am MST by Benjamen Johnson

Posted: February 24th, 2010, 9:28am MST by Gordon DeWitte

Posted: February 24th, 2010, 8:28am MST by Benjamen Johnson

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Posted: February 18th, 2010, 3:15pm MST by Chuck Cage

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Posted: February 18th, 2010, 2:58pm MST by Benjamen Johnson

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Posted: February 17th, 2010, 10:30am MST by Benjamen Johnson

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Posted: February 16th, 2010, 9:38am MST by Benjamen Johnson

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Posted: February 15th, 2010, 9:47am MST by Chuck Cage

Posted: February 15th, 2010, 8:26am MST by Gordon DeWitte

Posted: February 15th, 2010, 7:21am MST by Nick Carter

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Posted: February 12th, 2010, 10:24am MST by Gordon DeWitte

Posted: February 12th, 2010, 9:56am MST by Benjamen Johnson

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Posted: February 11th, 2010, 12:58pm MST by Chuck Cage

Posted: February 11th, 2010, 12:56pm MST by Gordon DeWitte

Posted: February 11th, 2010, 10:18am MST by Benjamen Johnson

Posted: February 11th, 2010, 9:20am MST by Nick Carter

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Posted: February 10th, 2010, 9:49am MST by Nick Carter

Posted: February 10th, 2010, 9:18am MST by Chuck Cage

Posted: February 10th, 2010, 8:34am MST by Benjamen Johnson

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Posted: February 9th, 2010, 10:39am MST by Chuck Cage

Posted: February 9th, 2010, 9:34am MST by Benjamen Johnson

Posted: February 9th, 2010, 8:56am MST by Nick Carter

Posted: February 9th, 2010, 8:26am MST by Nick Carter

Posted: February 8th, 2010, 12:08pm MST by Chuck Cage

Posted: February 8th, 2010, 11:27am MST by Gordon DeWitte

Posted: February 8th, 2010, 10:42am MST by Nick Carter

Posted: February 8th, 2010, 10:39am MST by Nick Carter

Posted: February 8th, 2010, 10:22am MST by Gordon DeWitte