BuffaloFeeds » Toolmonger » January 4, 2011

Feeds

105363 items (97572 unread) in 19 feeds

Friends

2 Star (84 unread)
John Carrino (12 unread)
Comments for Josh the Outspoken (296 unread)
Josh (34 unread)
Planet Matt (595 unread)

Build

MAKE Magazine (20292 unread)
Instructables.com (35006 unread)
Hack A Day (5017 unread)
Toolmonger (7776 unread)

Heads

Exploration Through Example
Paul Graham: Unofficial RSS Feed (113 unread)
Stevey's Blog Rants (34 unread)
Joel on Software (207 unread)
Gibson Blog (239 unread)
Adventures in Bloggery (123 unread)

News

Slashdot (25203 unread)
Economist.com Global Agenda (1412 unread)
Ruby Inside (922 unread)

fun

Templar, Arizona (207 unread)

Toolmonger (3 unread)

Close Quarters Saw

Posted: January 4th, 2011, 11:11am MST by Benjamen Johnson

If a hacksaw is too big, sometimes you can fit a hacksaw blade into the space with a holder. The problem with using a blade holder, though, is that you always end up bending the blade. Sure, you can install the blade so it cuts on the pull stroke, but it still can and will bind on the push stroke. When the blade stops and your hand keeps going, something’s got to give.

One solution is to use a close quarters saw from Lenox. It isn’t much bigger than a hacksaw blade in a holder, yet the blade is fully supported by an aluminum frame. You can pick up one of these saws for starting around $12. Though a downside is that you need to buy special blades, at least they’re pretty cheap: You can pick up 10 for about $10.

Close Quarters Saw [Lenox]
Street Pricing [Google Products]
Via Amazon [What’s This?]
Tool Storage On The Cheap

Posted: January 4th, 2011, 8:38am MST by Chuck Cage

I came across a piece last week (via Lifehacker) on refurbishing old toolboxes and it got me thinking: How many of you hard-core Toolmongers currently own older storage solutions — either restored or not? While I haven’t bothered to throw on new paint, my shop is full of a mix-match of various storage gear I bought and inherited. Pictured above, for example, is a Kennedy machinist’s toolbox that came out of my father’s shop.

Most folks dismiss the Kennedy as old and dirty, but I disagree. Well, it is old and dirty, but it’s a lot more than that. It’s a sturdy precision case that’ll hold scores of heavy bits and mills with nary a complaint. Sure, it’s not too pretty. But the drawers still slide out smoothly, and I only had to replace a little bit of the felt inside.

The theme continues along another wall, where my hodgepodge of mechanic’s tools reside in a pile of Craftsman roll-aways. Admittedly I only purchased one of them (the closest) from Sears. The other two I inherited, and both of them came from garage sales. The farthest one ran $75 and required a little drawer repair. The center one was the real steal: My father found it in a shop sale for $25. (There’s a medium-sized ding in the back of it that doesn’t affect the drawer movements and is purely cosmetic.)

But what about you? Have you recently purchased new storage or found something used? Know the secret to a great deal? Dish!
From The Flickr Pool: Homebrew Workbench

Posted: January 4th, 2011, 8:14am MST by Sean O'Hara

We have always appreciated the DIY spirit around the homestead. It’s a certain type of person who looks about his or her abode and proclaims, “I can make this better,” then sets into motion doing just that with whatever’s at hand. Take reader Blitzcat, for instance: A few planks and a bit of 2×4 and suddenly a 16’ workbench is in full effect.

What I dig is Blitzcat’s homebrew method of spacing the shelves. The found-object spacing system is something of a favorite of mine around the shop. It’s a shortcut, to be sure, but has the added benefit of not backfiring. I’ve employed the same technique many times, and unless you take a picture, no one will know.

Hats off and beers up to you, Blitzcat — and enjoy your fine new workbench!

Toolmonger Photo Pool [Flickr]