BuffaloFeeds » Toolmonger » March 29, 2010

Toolmonger (5 unread)

Wavy Fastener Gun

Posted: March 29th, 2010, 1:16pm MDT by Benjamen Johnson

Recently, Rockler threw its hat into the ring of corrugated fastener tools with its own rebranded entry. Think of a corrugated fastener as a type of wavy staple that can be used to hold face frames or any other two pieces of wood that butt together — simpler and faster than toe-nailing or using pocket screws. They’re driven by an air powered tool you’d have a hard time telling apart from a nail gun.

I don’t recognize the construction, so I’m not sure who actually makes the tool, but it drives 1/2″ wide corrugated fasteners into both hard and soft wood. The fasteners come in lengths of 1/4″, 3/8″, or 1/2″ and are bound in magazines which are easy to load.

Rockler ships their corrugated fastener tool with lubricating oil and a pair of safety goggles. They priced it at $230 which, according to Google Products, is about the middle of the road — you can pay a lot more for a Senco or a lot less for an Air Locker. Depending on their length, the fasteners themselves range from $13, $15, or $16 per box of 1000.

Corrugated Fastener Tool [Rockler]
Street Pricing [Google Products]
Flickr Pool: The Mother Lode

Posted: March 29th, 2010, 12:25pm MDT by Audra Heaslip

TM reader Noel C. Hankamer recently posted pics* in the Flickr pool of his massive treasure trove of “old, rusty tools” — all purchased from a single local source. According to Noel’s photo captions, wrenches, saws, levels, planes, valve tools, coffee grinders, grease guns, screwdrivers, jacks, and a kerosene blowtorch were among the collection. We at Toolmonger offer you a hearty congratulations on this great find, sir!

And one last question: if other Toolmongers came across a similar diamond-mine-in-the-rough, what would you be most pleased to find in there? I’d personally go for anything related to musical instruments — horns, guitars, drum keys, etc. Let us know in comments!

*Thanks to Flickr user Noel C. Hankamer for use of the great cc-licensed photo!
It’s Just Cool: Tooltime Flatware

Posted: March 29th, 2010, 11:16am MDT by Audra Heaslip

The best art is unexpected, fresh, and makes us think again about the things around us — often about things that are normally mundane. Walking Chair Design Studios in Vienna has a sweet website with a number of unique products that will make you do a double-take. The “Tooltime” flatware they designed about ten years ago caught my eye; I can’t find it currently available for purchase anywhere, but this might be just the kind of project Toomlongers could do in their own shops, thanks to Walking Chair’s inspiration.

Do any Toolmongers use the shop for creative home arts, whether decorative or practical? Drop by the TM Flickr pool and share photos of your projects! We’d love to check them out.

Tooltime Flatware at DesignCrack.com
Walking Chair Design Studio [Website]
WalkingThings.com [Walking Chair Products]
Adhesive-Lined Heat Shrink Tubing

Posted: March 29th, 2010, 10:48am MDT by Gordon DeWitte

Standard heat shrink tubing is pretty handy stuff, and the addition of an adhesive lining can make it even more so. Typically made from cross-linked polyolefin, which is stronger than PVC and does not burn like PVC, this tubing, with its heat-activated adhesive, provides a tight seal against water, oils, acids, and sunlight. The tubing’s major markets are marine, RVs, and campers, but I like it as a general-purpose heat shrink because of the better seal.

The main suppliers are Ancor, 3M™, and Raychem (Tyco).

Depending on diameter, length, and number of pieces, packages of adhesive-lined heat shrink tubing cost $2 to $39. Kits with a variety of sizes and colors are available, also.

I suppose you could approximate the results using standard heat shrink with a subsequent coating from a hot-glue gun, but using the adhesive-lined tubing is much quicker and likely results in a better seal. What do you Toolmongers think?

Adhesive Lined Heat Shrink Tubing [Manufacturer's Site - Ancor]
3M™ Dual Wall Tubing [Manufacturer's Site - 3M™]
Raychem Heat Shrink Tubing [Manufacturer's Site - Tyco]
Ancor Marine Grade Electrical Adhesive Lined Heat Shrink Tubing Via Amazon [What’s This?]
Ancor Street Pricing [Google products]
Dealmonger: Streamlight Stylus LED Pen Light $14

Posted: March 29th, 2010, 8:12am MDT by Audra Heaslip

A retail site called Your-Flashlights.com has the best deal online for the Streamlight Stylus LED Pen Light at $13.95. The pen is 6.21 inches long with a waterproof black aluminum body and a pocket clip. The manufacturer claims it runs up to 60 hours on three AAAA batteries (included in purchase). You also get two settings: blinking or a standard “on” switch.

What’s really cool about this stylus is its red LED pen light can be seen from over a mile away. If you work outside at night, go on midnight earthworm hunts for fishing bait, or enjoy amateur astronomy, you know that red light allows you to direct someone’s vision or illuminate an object without the glaring effect and temporary vision loss that comes with standard lights.

The bottom line: Want to see in the dark with no glare? Go red. And for $14 you can readily pick one up and keep it handy for late-night stargazing.

Streamlight Stylus LED Pen Light - Red [Your-Flashlights.com]
Street Pricing [Google Products]
Via Amazon [What’s This?]