BuffaloFeeds » Toolmonger » February 19, 2010

Toolmonger (7 unread)

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?]
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?]
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?]