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Items by Nick Carter

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]

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]

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

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)

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

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)

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

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.

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)

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)

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]

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

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)

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]

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)

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)

TV Tonight: Loggerheads

Posted: January 31st, 2010, 6:49am MST by Nick Carter

(TV Tonight, Sunday, January 31st, 2010) Lots of TV to load up on this weekend: we get a new Ax Men tonight and more of the How It’s Made marathon.

All times are central

Ice Road Truckers: The World Crumbles (History, 5:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Glass Bottles, Hacksaws, Goalie Masks (Science, 5:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Lacrosse Sticks, Frozen Fish Products, Flashlights, Paintbrushes (Science, 5:30 pm)
Ax Men: Deeper into the Swamp (History, 6:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Battery Tins, Optical Lenses (Science, 6:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Horseshoes, Dishwashers, Graphite Fly Rods, Frozen Pizzas (Science, 6:30 pm)
Ax Men: Diving for Dollars (History, 7:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Pistons, Paint Rollers, Parachutes, Chimneys (Science, 7:00 pm)
How It’s Made: CO2 Cartridges, Pretzels, Scissor Lifts, Skating Rinks (Science, 7:30 pm)
Ax Men: Boiling Point (History, 8:00 pm) NEW
How It’s Made: Pro Hockey Sticks, Bronzed Baby Shoes, Treadmills, Handheld Computers (Science, 8:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Motorcycles, Clay Pipes, Drumsticks, Whistles (Science, 8:30 pm)
Holmes on Homes: Window Un-Well (HGTV, 9:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Handcuffs, Caulking & Joint Compound, Propane Tanks, Forensic Facial Reconstruction (Science, 9:00 pm)
Successful Farming Machinery Show (RFD-TV, 9:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Fur Coats, Hearses, Outdoor Lighting Fixtures, Golf Tees (Science, 9:30 pm)
Disaster House: What Goes Up (DIY, 10:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Fishing Reels, Miniature Houses, Kitchen Mixers (Science, 10:00 pm)
Deconstruction: Lumber (DIY, 10:30 pm)
How It’s Made: Manhole Covers, Range Hoods, Artificial Logs, Snowmobiles (Science, 10:30 pm)

TV Tonight: Oldies Channel

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

(TV Tonight, Saturday, January 30th, 2010) Mythbusters and How It’s Made marathons tonight.

All times are central

Top Gear: Season 12 Ep. 1 (BBC America, 5:00 pm)
MythBusters: Earthquake Machine (Discovery, 5:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Brushes & Push Brooms, Blackboards, Smoked Salmon, Zippers (Science, 5:00 pm)
How It’s Made: 3D Signs, Hardwood Floors, Polyethylene Pipe, Mattresses (Science, 5:30 pm)
MythBusters: Deadly Straw (Discovery, 6:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Ceramic Tiles, Nuts, Steel Forgings, Skateboards (Science, 6:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Car Engines, Flour, Recliners, Envelopes (Science, 6:30 pm)
MythBusters: Prison Escape (Discovery, 7:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Plastic Cups & Cutlery, Special Effects Makeup, Gold, Harps (Science, 7:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Countertop Laminate, Frozen Treats, Children s Building Blocks, Detergents (Science, 7:30 pm)
MythBusters: Hidden Nasties (Discovery, 8:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Moldings, Pulleys, Industrial Rubber Hose, Sheet Vinyl Flooring (Science, 8:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Putty Knives, Garage Doors, Electric Motors, Wool (Science, 8:30 pm)
MythBusters: Thermite vs. Ice (Discovery, 9:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Paving Asphalt, Marshmallow Cookies, Loudspeakers, Electronic Door Locks (Science, 9:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Wood Burning Stoves, Orthoses, Ballet Slippers, Buses (Science, 9:30 pm)
How It’s Made: Robotic Arms, Tattoos, Concrete Pipes (Science, 10:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Hockey Gloves, Snack Cakes, Remoulded Tires, Wastewater Treatment (Science, 10:30 pm)

A New Jack For My Hydraulic Press

Posted: January 29th, 2010, 3:27pm MST by Nick Carter

I’ve been using a simple hydraulic press powered by a bottle jack for years to produce our stamped jewelry. The old bottle jack was a Harbor Freight 20-ton model that finally gave up the ghost. What I hated about the jack was how much pumping it took just to get to the point where it was acting on the die, so I decided to look around at other options. While I’d love an electric powerpack with a ram, as used on the Bonny Doon presses, the cost was beyond our tool budget. Likewise an air over hydraulic jack would have required a larger compressor than we have. And an Enerpack with a long lever? Maybe next time.

So I decided to try the Northern Hydraulic Torin 20 Ton Fast Lift jack. It promised quicker ram travel than a regular jack and the price was reasonable ($49.99). I installed the jack in my press and was amazed at the difference it made. I now only need a couple of strokes to engage the die — then there is a sound that is probably related to whatever bypass valve switches over for greater force (I’m guessing here, but I think that’s how it works) and it completes the pressing in another couple of strokes. Less time equals more money and less boredom.

Above, you can see the jack in my homemade press (the top isn’t that curved; it’s an artifact of the camera). As you can see I added a knurled handle for the pressure release valve so I wouldn’t have to use the jack handle every pressing. While I don’t have a huge amount of confidence in the longevity of import jacks, generally, if the jack even lasts a year of use it will have saved me a huge amount of time. My only complaint thus far is that they painted the jack with thick red paint that flakes off.

Permalink for 'Toolmonger/2010/01/29/Dealmonger__%e2%80%9c3_Sew%e2%80%9d_Whisk_Broom'

Dealmonger: “3 Sew” Whisk Broom

Posted: January 29th, 2010, 3:20pm MST by Nick Carter

Looking around for a replacement for my old, worn whisk broom I settled on a few parameters. The replacement should be of broom corn, not plastic, and the sewing should be three, not two, rows of stitching. This led me to two possible candidates: the Harper Brush 338 (pictured above) and the Weiler 44266 (.pdf) The best deal on the Harper Brush is $6.69 from Restockit, and on the Weiler $5.48 from Paintstore.com. That said, I’ll likely hunt around my local stores to avoid shipping. Either brush should be heavy duty enough to deal with the metal chips and other heavy, oily messes I generate in my shop.

Harper Brush 338 [restockit.com]
Weiler 42266 [paintstore.com]

TV Tonight: Back Log

Posted: January 29th, 2010, 7:28am MST by Nick Carter

(TV Tonight, Friday, January 29th, 2010) In spite of there being tons to watch, only Swamp Loggers is new tonight.

All times are central

Holmes on Homes: Falling Flat (HGTV, 5:00 pm)
How Do They Do It?: Wool Carpeting; Legos (Science, 5:00 pm)
How Do They Do It?: World’s Strongest Knives, Diamonds, Bricks (Science, 5:30 pm)
Dirty Jobs: Cave Biologist (Discovery, 6:00 pm)
How Do They Do It?: Passenger Airplanes; Lightweight Chainsaws (Science, 6:00 pm)
Ask This Old House: Repairing Backyard Gate, Drafty Window (DIY, 6:30 pm)
How Do They Do It?: Overnight Shipping; Mining Coal (Science, 6:30 pm)
Ask This Old House: Banging Pipes, Installing Fiberglass Door (DIY, 7:00 pm)
Dirty Jobs: High-Rise Window Washer (Discovery, 7:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Aluminum Foil, Snowboards, Soft Polymer Contact Lenses, Bread (Science, 7:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Compact Discs, Mozzarella Cheese, Pantyhose, Fluorescent Tubes (Science, 7:30 pm)
Swamp Loggers: Money Pit (Discovery, 8:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Toothpicks, Acrylic Bathtubs, Helicopters, Beer (Science, 8:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Hearing Aids, 3-D Puzzles, Rubber Mats, Toilets (Science, 8:30 pm)
Swamp Loggers: Waterlogged (Discovery, 9:00 pm) NEW
How It’s Made: Copy Paper, Jeans, Computers, Plate Glass (Science, 9:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Nails & Staples, Safety Glasses, Fabrics, Bicycles (Science, 9:30 pm)
Dirty Jobs: High-Rise Window Washer (Discovery, 10:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Kayaks, Safety Boots, Electronic Signs, Cereals (Science, 10:00 pm)
Deconstruction: Nail Guns & Air Compressors (DIY, 10:30 pm)
How It’s Made: Trucks, Adhesive Bandages, Computer Circuit Boards, Liquors (Science, 10:30 pm)

Hot or Not? #8 Opinel Knife

Posted: January 28th, 2010, 12:38pm MST by Nick Carter

Love it or hate it, the Opinel knife is an iconic item that speaks of France, cheese slicing and the pleasures of the countryside. Alternatively, it speaks of a laborious and inefficient locking mechanism combined with a certain pretension among its users.

The #8 Opinel is, at least according to Wikipedia, the most popular size, with a blade about 3-1/4″ (8.5 cm) long, shown above. They are certainly available inexpensively, between about $10.98 for a rebranded camping style to $11.95 from Amazon [What’s This?]. The blade is carbon steel (although they do offer stainless blades) and has all the benefits and drawbacks that material brings to a knife. They have updated the locking mechanism so that the blade does weakly lock without the collar being rotated, but secure use dictates the turning of the collar. The “Yatagan” type of blade is slightly curved upwards at the tip.

So what do you think, Toolmongers, Hot or Not?

Opinel [Manufacturer Site]

TV Tonight: Pooper Scooper

Posted: January 28th, 2010, 7:22am MST by Nick Carter

(TV Tonight, Thursday, January 28th, 2010) Tonight brings us another new American Chopper where they build a diesel-fueled bike and open a new dog park — because that’s what cool biker dudes do.

All times are central

Prototype This!: Flying Lifeguard (Science, 5:00 pm)
Some Assembly Required (Science, 6:00 pm)
Ask This Old House: Energy-Efficient Water Heater, Leveling Concrete Walkway (DIY, 6:30 pm)
Ask This Old House: Pruning a Tree, Installing a Shower Mixing Valve (DIY, 7:00 pm)
American Chopper: Gladiator GarageWorks Bike (TLC, 7:00 pm)
Factory Made: Quarters, Aquariums, Limestone, Highlighters (Science, 7:00 pm)
Factory Made: School Lockers, Frozen Pizza, Plastic Railroad Ties, Tissues (Science, 7:30 pm)
American Chopper: Monster Diesel Bike (TLC, 8:00 pm) NEW
Successful Farming Machinery Show (RFD-TV, 8:00 pm)

TV Tonight: Shop Night

Posted: January 27th, 2010, 7:09am MST by Nick Carter

(TV Tonight, Wednesday, January 27th, 2010) Wednesday is the new shop night as far as we’re concerned, although you can catch a rerun of the latest Ax Men if you missed it.

All times are central

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

A Good Read: Forty Power Tools You Can Make

Posted: January 26th, 2010, 3:29pm MST by Nick Carter

Popular Mechanics published Forty Power Tools You Can Make in the early 1940’s as a thin hardback. The book is, as are most Popular Mechanics books, a collection of articles from the magazine. At a time when most machines were required for the war effort it must have been seen as a way to encourage people to keep up their hobbies in the face of scarcity.

The book is about 96 pages and has 3 plans for bandsaws, 3 for drill presses, 2 scroll saws (one of which is pedal powered!), 7 sanders of various types, 3 power saws, 2 wood lathes, shaper, power plane, model maker’s metal lathe, power hacksaw, and filing machine. Sprinkled within are other articles on accessories and other modifications to tools. It’s one of those books that can jog your creative urges as well as showing just how thrifty people used to be.

The book is available used from a variety of sellers between $2 and $10, while Amazon has a much higher price. It doesn’t seem to be available as a reprint.

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

Permalink for 'Toolmonger/2010/01/26/1_4%e2%80%b3_Hex_Bit_Adapter_for_Bit_Braces'

1/4″ Hex Bit Adapter for Bit Braces

Posted: January 26th, 2010, 3:22pm MST by Nick Carter

My friend Kiko Denzer dropped off a project yesterday; he wants me to make an adapter to allow the use of 1/4″ hex screwdriver bits in his bit brace. While I enjoy odd projects, I decided to search the Internet and see if anyone already made such an adapter. I discovered two sources, one in Europe and the other more useful source, Lee Valley. They sell bit brace adapters for 1/4″ hex bits as well as 3/8″ square drive sockets at a low price of $8.50 each. Chuck here at TM has already covered actual square taper shank screwdriver bits for the bit brace as well, although the price is significantly greater than the Lee Valley adapters.

This leads me to ask — does anyone know other sources of bit brace adapters and chucks that allow their use with modern straight shank drills and hex bits?

I have a Goodell type keyless 3-jaw drill chuck that has a tapered bit brace shank, but I doubt that they’re made anymore. Of course there are plenty of modern bit braces that have a 3-jaw chuck, but my luddite friend likes using his old Stanley brace, and I don’t blame him one bit.

TV Tonight: Paddle to the Sea

Posted: January 26th, 2010, 9:22am MST by Nick Carter

(TV Tonight, Tuesday, January 26th, 2010) A new non-animal-husbandry-related Dirty Jobs at last, with Mike cleaning out the Soo Locks up in the Great Lakes. We also get a new Howe & Howe Tech where they build a smaller version of their small tank. Will it ever end?

All times are central

Holmes on Homes: Ceiling the Deal (HGTV, 5:00 pm)
Machinery of the Past (RFD-TV, 5:00 pm)
Dirty Jobs: Dirty Chip Maker (Discovery, 6:00 pm)
Ask This Old House: Repairing a Deck, Hydrangea Bush (DIY, 6:30 pm)
Ask This Old House: Converting a Bathtub, Solar-Powered Fountain (DIY, 7:00 pm)
Dirty Jobs: Chicken Busters (Discovery, 7:00 pm)
Dirty Jobs: Soo Locks Technician (Discovery, 8:00 pm) NEW
Howe & Howe Tech: Ripsaw’s Mini-Me (Discovery, 9:00 pm) NEW

Dealmonger: Kasenit

Posted: January 25th, 2010, 10:44am MST by Nick Carter

Brownells currently has the best price on Kasenit, $11.55 for a one-pound can.

Kasenit is a case hardening compound that allows the formation of a hardened surface on mild steel (that is, a case-hardened surface). You heat the part up to bright red heat and put it in the powder, heat again then quench, repeating as many times as you want to build up the hardened surface. It’s not quite as reliable or controllable as real case hardening, but it’s served me well in the past for odd jobs.

Kasenit [brownells.com]

TV Tonight: Unmasking Racer X

Posted: January 25th, 2010, 7:22am MST by Nick Carter

(TV Tonight, Monday, January 25th, 2010) A new Top Gear starts the latest season, with the teaser that they promise to reveal who the mysterious Stig is. We also get a new Motor City Motors build of amphibious motorcycles.

All times are central

Trains & Locomotives (RFD-TV, 5:00 pm)
MythBusters: Superhero Hour (Discovery, 6:00 pm)
Ask This Old House: Installing a Whole-House Water Filter, Repairing Rubber Roof (DIY, 6:30 pm)
Ask This Old House: Painting Kitchen Cabinets, Installing Cabinet Accessories (DIY, 7:00 pm)
Top Gear: Season 13 Ep. 1 (BBC America, 7:00 pm) NEW
MythBusters: Greased Lightning (Discovery, 7:00 pm)
Howe & Howe Tech: Badger Goes Boom! (Discovery, 8:00 pm)
Motor City Motors: Amphibious Motorcycles (Discovery, 9:00 pm) NEW
Disaster House: The End?? (DIY, 10:30 pm)

TV Tonight: Logging Excitement

Posted: January 24th, 2010, 8:20am MST by Nick Carter

(TV Tonight, Sunday, January 24th, 2010) A new Ax Men tonight has the crews meet the Real Housewives of New Jersey. Just kidding. But it is a new Ax Men.

All times are central

Top Gear: Season 12 Ep. 6 (BBC America, 5:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Fresh Cut Flowers, Adhesive Tape, Tofu, Lottery Tickets (Science, 5:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Grinding Wheels, Compost, Window Blinds, Milk (Science, 5:30 pm)
Top Gear: Season 12 Ep. 7 (BBC America, 6:00 pm)
Ax Men: Deeper into the Swamp (History, 7:00 pm)
Ax Men: Diving for Dollars (History, 8:00 pm) NEW
Holmes on Homes: Bar None (HGTV, 9:00 pm)
Successful Farming Machinery Show (RFD-TV, 9:00 pm)
Disaster House: Good Bones (DIY, 10:00 pm)
Deconstruction: Bricks (DIY, 10:30 pm)

TV Tonight: Wild Kingdom

Posted: January 23rd, 2010, 12:20pm MST by Nick Carter

(TV Tonight, Saturday, January 23rd, 2010) A block of Dirty Jobs reruns for you to watch tonight.

All times are central

Dirty Jobs: Alligator Egg Collector (Discovery, 5:00 pm)
Dirty Jobs: Snake Wrangler (Discovery, 6:00 pm)
Dirty Jobs: Maple Syrup Maker (Discovery, 7:00 pm)
Dirty Jobs: Animal Control Specialist (Discovery, 8:00 pm)
Dirty Jobs: Cricket Farmer (Discovery, 9:00 pm)
Dirty Jobs: Maple Syrup Maker (Discovery, 10:00 pm)

Dealmonger: Craftool High-Tech Leather Splitter

Posted: January 22nd, 2010, 10:32am MST by Nick Carter

Tandy Leather Factory has the best deal right now on their own tool, the Craftool High-Tech Leather Splitter, for $149.99.

Looking around for a cheap way of splitting leather, that is, reducing the thickness of a piece of leather, I found that the Craftool splitter is the cheapest option out there compared to the professional leather splitters that run in the $550-$1000 range. While it likely isn’t useful for a professional leather crafter, it seems like it should work for the occasional leather job within the 4-3/4″ width allowed by the splitter. No mention is made of the maximum thickness, however, nor have I found much about how well it performs.

Craftool High-Tech Leather Splitter [tandyleatherfactory.com]

TV Tonight: Muddy Boots

Posted: January 22nd, 2010, 6:43am MST by Nick Carter

(TV Tonight, Friday, January 22nd, 2010) Tonight brings a new episode of Swamp Loggers and more Top Gear for your viewing pleasure.

All times are central

Holmes on Homes: Pasadena 911 (HGTV, 5:00 pm)
How Do They Do It?: Logging, Baggage, Light Show (Science, 5:00 pm)
How Do They Do It?: Mining trucks, Ikea, air traffic (Science, 5:30 pm)
Dirty Jobs: Worm Dung Farmer (Discovery, 6:00 pm)
How Do They Do It?: Tunneling, Tea, Mountain Bikes (Science, 6:00 pm)
Ask This Old House: Building a Retaining Wall, Loud Faucet (DIY, 6:30 pm)
How Do They Do It?: crash helmets, rubber, wave piercing (Science, 6:30 pm)
Ask This Old House: Repairing Backyard Gate, Drafty Window (DIY, 7:00 pm)
Top Gear (BBC America, 7:00 pm)
Dirty Jobs: Mattress Recycler (Discovery, 7:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Boomerangs, Barbecues, Pinball Machines, and Strobe Lights (Science, 7:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Binoculars, Sparklers, Rubber Boots, Circular Saw Blades (Science, 7:30 pm)
Top Gear (BBC America, 8:00 pm)
Swamp Loggers: Return to the Swamp (Discovery, 8:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Metal Golf Clubs, Waffles, Custom Wires, Cables, Train Wheels (Science, 8:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Retractable Ballpoint Pens, Solar Salt, Tubas (Science, 8:30 pm)
Swamp Loggers: Money Pit (Discovery, 9:00 pm) NEW
Deconstruction: Fireproof Materials (DIY, 10:30 pm)

TV Tonight: Something New

Posted: January 21st, 2010, 6:49am MST by Nick Carter

(TV Tonight, Thursday, January 21st, 2010) I can’t believe I didn’t know about the new show Car Czar. The new episode tonight is about the Camaro, but last week’s episode was on the Amphi-car, which is one of the coolest cars ever. Anyway, it’s good to see something new for the motorhead. American Chopper continues its slide into oblivion with Mikey doing stand up comedy and Paul Jr. being interviewed by Adam Carolla. Didn’t they used to build bikes or something? Well, at least it’s new.

All times are central

Prototype This!: Boxing Robots (Science, 5:00 pm)
Some Assembly Required (Science, 6:00 pm)
Ask This Old House: Waterproofing System, Installing a Privacy Screen (DIY, 6:30 pm)
Ask This Old House: Energy-Efficient Water Heater, Leveling Concrete Walkway (DIY, 7:00 pm)
American Chopper: Schneider Electric Bike (TLC, 7:00 pm)
Car Czar: Camaro (National Geographic, 7:00 pm) NEW
Factory Made: Trombones, Drive-Through Windows, Bottled Water, and Baseball Bats (Science, 7:00 pm)
Factory Made: Boston Beer, Cast Aluminum Pots, Bricks, and Baseball Gloves (Science, 7:30 pm)
American Chopper: Gladiator GarageWorks Bike (TLC, 8:00 pm) NEW
Successful Farming Machinery Show (RFD-TV, 8:00 pm)

Dealmonger: Extra Long Tap Wrench

Posted: January 20th, 2010, 10:46am MST by Nick Carter

Wholesale Tool currently is selling their import long tap wrench for only $9.95.

A long tap wrench is a handy thing for getting into recesses when retapping holes or when the engineer designs a part with less-than-rational access to all features. The import wrench is 13″ long and holds taps from 1/4″ to 1/2″. It’s both cheaper than getting a set of tap extensions and slightly more rigid, which is important when tapping. Of course, it’s usually preferable to use pulley taps as they clear smaller spaces better, but not everyone has them.

It’s worth noting that you can also hold drills, easy-outs and countersinks in a tap wrench, so this could also be used for deburring the back side of a hole or breaking off an easy out in a hard-to-reach place.

Import Extra Long Tap Wrench [wttool.com]

Permalink for 'Toolmonger/2010/01/20/Dealmonger__Bessey_4%e2%80%b3_Double_Headed_C_Clamp'

Dealmonger: Bessey 4″ Double Headed C-Clamp

Posted: January 20th, 2010, 9:14am MST by Nick Carter

Tough Weld currently has the Bessey DHCC-4 4″ Double Headed C-Clamp for $9.78.

The Double Headed C-Clamp is what the name suggests, a c-clamp with two heads sticking out in a “Y” at a slight angle (looks about 60 degrees, maybe?) from either side of where the head would normally be, much like a two-headed snake. The utility is that this gets around possible obstructions that would prevent a normal c-clamp from being able to grip securely. It also gives 3-point clamping, which is a lot more rigid and likely resists the twisting that you can get with an ordinary c-clamp.

The c-clamp is also available on Amazon for $10.72 w/ SS shipping.

Bessey DHCC-4 4″ Double Headed C-Clamp [toughweld.com]
Via Amazon [What’s This?]

TV Tonight: Shop Night

Posted: January 20th, 2010, 8:11am MST by Nick Carter

(TV Tonight, Wednesday, January 20th, 2010) Wednesday is disappointing, so we’re heading out to the shop.

All times are central

Ask This Old House: Reducing Heating Costs, Using a Whole House Fan (DIY, 6:30 pm)
Ask This Old House: Removing a Boulder, Securing Loose Pipes (DIY, 7:00 pm)
Holmes on Homes: Kitchen Coleslaw (HGTV, 9:30 pm)

Hot Or Not? PermaFLOW Never-Clog Drain

Posted: January 19th, 2010, 10:30am MST by Nick Carter

The PermaFLOW Never-Clog Drain promises to end drain clogs forever in your sink. It is a transparent P trap that has a rotary wiper at the bottom of the U which allows you to whisk obstructions out of the way. PF Waterworks claims it increases turbulence, thus improving flow, and can be used to clear obstructions behind or beyond the trap by generating flow by turning the hand wheel. A lot of claims. Reviews on Amazon [What’s This?]are somewhat mixed between those who find it solves their problems and those who see it as a foolish waste of money or just can’t install it. We do think a transparent trap is a cool idea, at least to gross the kids out.

Has anyone used the PermaFLOW or something like it? What do you think? Let us know in comments.

PermaFLOW Never-Clog Drain [PF Waterworks]
Via Amazon [What’s This?]

TV Tonight: Tank Think Tank

Posted: January 19th, 2010, 6:48am MST by Nick Carter

(TV Tonight, Tuesday, January 19th, 2010) We get new episodes of Dirty Jobs (which seems to be less about work with tools and more about choking chickens these days) and Howe & Howe Tech.

All times are central

Holmes on Homes: Pasadena 911 (HGTV, 5:00 pm)
Machinery of the Past (RFD-TV, 5:00 pm)
Dirty Jobs: Dirty Jobs of the Big Apple (Discovery, 6:00 pm)
Ask This Old House: Repairing Laminate Countertops, Rebuilding a Brick Walkway (DIY, 6:30 pm)
Ask This Old House: Repairing a Deck, Hydrangea Bush (DIY, 7:00 pm)
Dirty Jobs: Cricket Farmer (Discovery, 7:00 pm)
Dirty Jobs: Chicken Busters (Discovery, 8:00 pm) NEW
Howe & Howe Tech: Ripsaw Revolution (Discovery, 9:00 pm) NEW

TV Tonight: Clown Car

Posted: January 18th, 2010, 6:48am MST by Nick Carter

(TV Tonight, Monday, January 18th, 2010) A new Motor City Motors adds big wheels around (not on) a small car just for fun.

All times are central

MythBusters: Shredded Plane (Discovery, 5:00 pm)
Trains & Locomotives (RFD-TV, 5:00 pm)
MythBusters: Steel Toe Amputation (Discovery, 6:00 pm)
Top Gear: Season 12 Ep. 8 (BBC America, 7:00 pm)
MythBusters: Boomerang Bullet (Discovery, 7:00 pm)
MythBusters: Duct Tape Hour (Discovery, 8:00 pm)
Top Gear: The F Word Meets Top Gear (BBC America, 8:40 pm)
Motor City Motors: Festevil (Discovery, 9:00 pm) NEW
How Do They Do It?: Armored Cars, Lifts, Cheese (Science, 9:00 pm)
How Do They Do It?: Airbags, Ice Rinks, Mattresses (Science, 9:30 pm)

TV Tonight: Muck and Mire

Posted: January 17th, 2010, 6:34am MST by Nick Carter

(TV Tonight, Sunday, January 17th, 2010) A new Ax Men tonight for your viewing pleasure.

All times are central

How It’s Made: Conga Drums, Metal Plating, Buttons (Science, 5:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Countertop Laminate, Frozen Treats, Children s Building Blocks, Detergents (Science, 5:30 pm)
Ax Men: Ax to Grind (History, 7:00 pm)
Ax Men: Deeper into the Swamp (History, 8:00 pm) NEW
Successful Farming Machinery Show: Why Do Welds Crack? Antique Deere D, auction prices, episode 306 (RFD-TV, 8:00 pm)
Holmes on Homes: A River Ran Through It (HGTV, 9:00 pm)
Disaster House: Wet N Wild (DIY, 10:00 pm)
Deconstruction: Water (DIY, 10:30 pm)

TV Tonight: Lead Balloon

Posted: January 16th, 2010, 7:30am MST by Nick Carter

(TV Tonight, Saturday, January 16th, 2010) Nothing much but Mythbusters reruns tonight.

All times are central

Top Gear: Season 10 Ep. 9 (BBC America, 5:00 pm)
MythBusters: Lead Balloon (Discovery, 5:00 pm)
MythBusters: Motorcycle Flip (Discovery, 6:00 pm)
MythBusters: YouTube Special (Discovery, 7:00 pm)
MythBusters: Antacid Jail Break (Discovery, 8:00 pm)

Dealmonger: Dremel 678-01 Circle Cutter

Posted: January 15th, 2010, 12:37pm MST by Nick Carter

Amazon has the best deal (when you factor in shipping) on the Dremel 678-01 Circle Cutter, $10.80 w/ SS shipping.

The Dremel 678-01 Circle Cutter makes circles from 3/4″ to 12″. You drill/poke a small hole in the center of the workpiece and insert the pin center of the jig in it, and adjust the Dremel holder to get the correct diameter. It’s a good basic circle routing jig for the Dremel. It also has a straight edge guide that clamps to the tool, allowing you to follow an edge for straight cutting. Granted, for most jobs you want a router, but given that the Dremel now has cutout-tool like functions and cutters this is a good way of adding functionality to the simple Dremel tool.

Via Amazon [What’s This?]

Dealmonger: Hoover 10-Amp Garage Utility Vac

Posted: January 15th, 2010, 12:24pm MST by Nick Carter

Right now, OpenTip.com is selling the Hoover L2310 GUV 10 Amp 5-Gallon Garage Utility Vacuum for $133.81.

The Hoover L2310 GUV Garage Utility Vacuum is a wall mounted, 10 amp, metal bodied vacuum for all your garage vacuuming needs, except it doesn’t appear to be a wet or dry vac. It looks like a robust unit compared to plastic bodied vacs and with a 30′ hose it’ll reach almost everywhere in a standard 2-car garage if you mount it logically. And since it doesn’t appear to be a wet/dry vac, it makes us wonder what Hoover was thinking and it’s why I wasn’t sure whether to make this a Dealmonger post or a Hot or Not post. Is there a use for a not-wet capable vac in the garage?

The Hoover is also available on Amazon for $149.81 w/ SS shipping.

Hoover L2310 GUV 10 Amp 5-Gallon Garage Utility Vacuum [opentip.com]
Via Amazon [What’s This?]

Permalink for 'Toolmonger/2010/01/15/TV_Tonight__New_Or_Old__It%e2%80%99s_In_A_Swamp'

TV Tonight: New Or Old, It’s In A Swamp

Posted: January 15th, 2010, 11:57am MST by Nick Carter

(TV Tonight, Friday, January 15th, 2010) One of the TV schedules we check says that there’s a new episode of Swamp Loggers tonight but Discovery’s site has no information, so we’ll leave it up to you to decide.

All times are central

Holmes on Homes: Country Kitchen (HGTV, 5:00 pm)
How Do They Do It?: Combines, Lifeboats, Chocolate (Science, 5:00 pm)
How Do They Do It?: Diamond Mine, Skyscraper, Car Crusher (Science, 5:30 pm)
Swamp Loggers: Logging for Steak (Discovery, 6:00 pm)
How Do They Do It?: Gold, Escalators, Golf Clubs (Science, 6:00 pm)
Ask This Old House: Increasing Water Pressure, Transplanting a Bush (DIY, 6:30 pm)
How Do They Do It?: Ice Breaker, Money, Bowling Alleys (Science, 6:30 pm)
Ask This Old House: Installing a Whole-House Water Filter, Repairing Rubber Roof (DIY, 7:00 pm)
Top Gear (BBC America, 7:00 pm)
Swamp Loggers: Tough Times Ahead (Discovery, 7:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Bacon, Snowblowers, Luxury Cars (Science, 7:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Anatomical Models, Jukeboxes, Tortilla Chips and Spark Plugs (Science, 7:30 pm)
Swamp Loggers: Only the Strong Survive (Discovery, 8:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Socket Sets, Leather Shoes, Aluminum Water Bottles, and Bike Chains (Science, 8:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Carved Wood Sculptures, Flatware, Cow Bells and Fountain Pens (Science, 8:30 pm)
Swamp Loggers: Return to the Swamp (Discovery, 9:00 pm) NEW?
Jobsite: Concrete Countdown (History, 10:00 pm)
Deconstruction: Windows (DIY, 10:30 pm)

Dealmonger: Fein Step Adaptor

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

No, this is not a fold-out light saber, stacking rings for kids, or some erotic device. It’s the Fein 921072K13 Step Adaptor, on sale at Coastal Tool for $3.75.

The Step Adaptor is for connecting the Fein dust extraction/vacuums such as the Turbo III to a variety of hoses and tools. You simply cut it to the step that fits your tool. Looking around it also seems to be the least expensive of any available vacuum step adapters, so we wonder if it can be used with other makes of shop vac. It’s also available on Amazon for $6.15.

Fein 921072K13 Step Adaptor [coastaltool.com]
Via Amazon [What’s This?]

TV Tonight: Not An Electra Glide

Posted: January 14th, 2010, 6:36am MST by Nick Carter

(TV Tonight, Thursday, January 14th, 2010) Tonight brings us a new American Chopper build of a hybrid bike for Schneider Electric (Square D, among other brands).

All times are central

Prototype This!: Backyard Waterslide Simulator (Science, 5:00 pm)
MythBusters: Confederate Rocket (Discovery, 6:00 pm)
Some Assembly Required: Gibson guitar factory, Batesville Casket Company, Burt’s Bees (Science, 6:00 pm)
Ask This Old House: Damaged Lawn, Curved Stair Molding (DIY, 6:30 pm)
Ask This Old House: Building a Retaining Wall, Loud Faucet (DIY, 7:00 pm)
American Chopper: Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation Bike (TLC, 7:00 pm)
Factory Made: A frozen-food production line, trumpet manufacturing (Science, 7:00 pm)
Factory Made: Whistles, balloons, envelopes, car wheels (Science, 7:30 pm)
Ax Men: Ax to Grind (History, 8:00 pm)
American Chopper: Schneider Electric Bike (TLC, 8:00 pm) NEW
Successful Farming Machinery Show (RFD-TV, 8:00 pm)

Permalink for 'Toolmonger/2010/01/13/Inside_A_Master_Gunsmith%e2%80%99s_Shop'

Inside A Master Gunsmith’s Shop

Posted: January 13th, 2010, 12:04pm MST by Nick Carter

A friend sent me a link to a Russian shooting blog that had an entry on a visit to Master Nijazi Ibragimov’s workshop in Lviv, Ukraine. The Picasa album shows many things of interest to the Toolmonger, notably the disarray on the floor, the lack of many power tools (check out the D-handle drill in the drill press fixture), and the techniques he uses with wood chisels. Many of the tools are recognizable but slightly different from what we’re used to, like the large aluminum c-clamps, the buffer (with bolts proud of the body that hold the end caps on) and the small vise on one bench. It seems that most of the work he does involves pistol grips which are a mixture of sculpture and precision. It’s an interesting trip to the other side of the world!

See all the pictures here: Master Nijazi Bilyalovich Ibragimov’s Shop

TV Tonight: Wednesday Wasteland

Posted: January 13th, 2010, 10:44am MST by Nick Carter

(TV Tonight, Wednesday, January 13th, 2010) Another empty Wednesday. Head out to the shop.

All times are central

Ask This Old House: Pendant Lighting Care for Succulents (DIY, 6:30 pm)
Ask This Old House: Waterproofing System, Installing a Privacy Screen (DIY, 7:00 pm)
Holmes on Homes: Ceiling the Deal (HGTV, 9:30 pm)

TV Tonight: How And Hower

Posted: January 12th, 2010, 7:26am MST by Nick Carter

(TV Tonight, Tuesday, January 12th, 2009) Tonight we get a new Dirty Jobs that’s unfortunately bugs and camels only. We also get a new episode of Howe & Howe Tech. Any opinions of the show thus far?

All times are central

Holmes on Homes: O-fence-ive (HGTV, 5:00 pm)
Machinery of the Past (RFD-TV, 5:00 pm)
Dirty Jobs: Leech Trapper (Discovery, 6:00 pm)
Ask This Old House: Mature Tree, Noisy Heating System (DIY, 6:30 pm)
Ask This Old House: Reducing Heating Costs, Using a Whole House Fan (DIY, 7:00 pm)
Dirty Jobs: Animal Control Specialist (Discovery, 7:00 pm)
Dirty Jobs: Cricket Farmer (Discovery, 8:00 pm) NEW
Howe & Howe Tech: Subterranean Rover Blues (Discovery, 9:00 pm) NEW

Hot or Not? Waste Away Paint Hardener?

Posted: January 11th, 2010, 1:16pm MST by Nick Carter

Surfing around, I came across Homax Waste Away paint hardener. The product is used to harden the remaining paint in a can so that it can be disposed of in the garbage. Most trash collection specifically does not allow you to throw out liquid paint, so this makes the garbage man happy.

It says it works with latex and acrylic paints and stains, but it does not work with oil-based paint, which is a major drawback in our opinion. Of course I’ve always just hoarded our paint so that 10 years later the dried-out can is found at the bottom of a pile of crap in the carport, but I can see how it would be useful for someone who doesn’t have the luxury of storing useless items. It does say that it’s handy for cleaning up spills although if it’s only for water-based paint we’ve found that water works mighty well for that…

Homax paint hardener is available on Amazon, at Lowe’s, and the lowest price we found was at The Hardware City.

So is a product like this useful? Are there cheaper ways of disposing of paint besides the already-mentioned hoarding option? Let us know what you think in comments.

Homax Waste Away Paint Hardener [Manufacturer's Site]
Via Amazon [What’s This?]
Homax Waste Away Paint Hardener [Lowe's]

A Good Read: File Filosophy

Posted: January 11th, 2010, 8:22am MST by Nick Carter

The Nicholson File Company (now owned by Cooper Tools) used to put out a pamphlet called “File Filosophy.” The book contains a short history of files, how files are made, types of files, terminology, and most importantly, the variety of methods employed when filing. The application of filing to a variety of tasks is covered, including several pages on sharpening saws and other tools. Rotary files (burs) are covered as well. They printed many editions of the pamphlet over the years. I figured it would be easy to come by, but I had to use my Google-fu to come up with some links.

The book is available used on Amazon and Alibris (and there may be a copy lurking at your local second hand book shop). Google books doesn’t have it scanned, although they do have the earlier work, “A treatise on files and rasps descriptive and illustrated” that is also worth reading. I finally found a scan on WEWilliams site (excellent stuff there). Nicholson does have a PDF of The Guide to Files and Filing, but at 14 pages compared to the 50 of File Filosophy, it lacks much of the information.

In any case, it’s a nice pamphlet to read, certainly has one of the best titles ever, and is a great addition to any book shelf or hard drive.

Via Amazon (Used) [What’s This?]
Via Alibris
Scanned Pages Via WEWilliams [PDF]

TV Tonight: Motors And The City Of Them

Posted: January 11th, 2010, 6:37am MST by Nick Carter

(TV Tonight, Monday, January 11th, 2009) A new Motor City Motors is cool, though it doesn’t make up for the lack of a new Mythbusters!

All times are central

Trains & Locomotives (RFD-TV, 5:00 pm)
MythBusters: Exploding Steak (Discovery, 6:00 pm)
Ask This Old House: Collapsing Garage Roof, Installing a Dry Well (DIY, 6:30 pm)
Top Gear: Season 10 Ep. 10 (BBC America, 7:00 pm)
MythBusters: Demolition Derby Special (Discovery, 7:00 pm)
Top Gear: Season 10 Ep. 9 (BBC America, 8:00 pm)
MythBusters: Demolition Derby Special (Discovery, 8:00 pm)
Motor City Motors: Corn Stalker (Discovery, 9:00 pm) NEW
How Do They Do It?: Communicate with Spacecraft, Maintain Supertankers, Turn by Turn Navigation (Science, 9:00 pm)
How Do They Do It?: Coordinate Blue Angels Airshows, Build an Indoor Ski Slope, Make Sushi (Science, 9:30 pm)
Ax Men: Ax to Grind (History, 10:00 pm)
Disaster House: Shake, Rattle & Roll (DIY, 10:30 pm)

TV Tonight: Ax Is Bax

Posted: January 10th, 2010, 7:26am MST by Nick Carter

(TV Tonight, Sunday, January 10th, 2009) A night of promise, starting with Jay Leno’s jet fuel and biodiesel-powered concept car, a new Holmes on Holmes, and the premier of a new season of Ax Men.

All times are central

Disaster House: Driveway Disaster (DIY, 5:00 pm)
Ax Men: The Reckoning, Part 1 (History, 5:00 pm)
How It’s Made: diamond cutters, doors, paintballs, newspapers (Science, 5:00 pm)
Disaster House: Shake, Rattle & Roll (DIY, 5:30 pm)
How It’s Made: Car Engines, Flour, Recliners, Envelopes (Science, 5:30 pm)
Ax Men: The Reckoning, Part 2 (History, 6:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Custom Running Shoes, Axes, Racing Karts, Animatronics (Science, 6:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Combination Locks, Pottery, Recreational Vehicles, Erasers (Science, 6:30 pm)
Superstar Jet Car: Jay Leno’s Concept Car (Speed, 7:00 pm) NEW
Ax Men: Ax to Grind (History, 8:00 pm) NEW
Holmes on Homes: Hullaba-loo (HGTV, 9:00 pm) NEW
Successful Farming Machinery Show (RFD-TV, 9:00 pm)
Disaster House: House Invasion (DIY, 10:00 pm)
Deconstruction: Tools (DIY, 10:30 pm)

TV Tonight: Shop Night

Posted: January 9th, 2010, 1:36pm MST by Nick Carter

(TV Tonight, Saturday, January 9th, 2009) A big steaming pile of nothing tonight, as evidenced by listing a Discovery rerun from the Green channel.

All times are central

Top Gear: Season 10 Ep. 8 (BBC America, 5:00 pm)
How Do They Do It?: Super Structures (Science, 5:00 pm)
How Do They Do It?: Monster Vehicle (Science, 6:00 pm)
Smash Lab: Runaway Trailer (Green, 6:00 pm)

Dealmonger: Jacobs Medium Duty Chuck

Posted: January 8th, 2010, 7:45am MST by Nick Carter

As we noted earlier, Jacobs closed its last US plant. This seems to have generated closeout deals on some Jacobs products. Amazon has the Jacobs 6208 1B Medium Duty Chuck for $15.60 w/ SS shipping, which is about half of what they used to cost (list prices never meant much, but it’s a discount from the normal discount). It’s worth your while surfing the Jacobs listings [What’s This?] on Amazon, as there are some fantastic deals on milling toolholders and other chucks as well. Just make sure you cross check prices — some stuff is still at retail.

Via Amazon [What’s This?]

TV Tonight: Click, Click

Posted: January 8th, 2010, 7:01am MST by Nick Carter

(TV Tonight, Friday, January 8th, 2009) As always we get a slew of reruns and one new How It’s Made on the excitement that is the retractable ballpoint pen (the mechanism is quite cool when you study it).

All times are central

Holmes on Homes: Stone Walled (HGTV, 5:00 pm)
How Do They Do It: ski slopes, car production (Science, 5:00 pm)
How Do They Do It: airbus, fire engines, ketchup (Science, 5:30 pm)
Modern Marvels: Copper (History, 6:00 pm)
How Do They Do It: airbags, ice rinks, mattresses (Science, 6:00 pm)
Ask This Old House: Increasing Water Pressure, Transplanting a Bush (DIY, 6:30 pm)
How Do They Do It: armored cars, elevators, cheese (Science, 6:30 pm)
Top Gear: Season 11 Ep. 4 (BBC America, 7:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Automotive Fuel Pumps, Cricket Bats, Change Machines, Ductile Iron Pipe (Science, 7:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Airstream Trailers, Horseradish, Industrial Steam Boilers (Science, 7:30 pm)
How It’s Made: Retractable ballpoint pens, solar salt, tubas (Science, 8:00 pm) NEW
How It’s Made: Graphite Pencil Leads, Clarinets, Special Effects (Science, 8:30 pm)
Disaster House: Driveway Disaster (DIY, 9:00 pm)
Extreme Loggers: Swamp Logging (Discovery, 9:00 pm)
Cool Tools: Home Building (DIY, 9:30 pm)
Deconstruction: Home Building (DIY, 10:30 pm)

Dealmonger: Black & Decker Workmate Swivel Grip Pegs

Posted: January 7th, 2010, 11:12am MST by Nick Carter

Including shipping, and assuming you order enough stuff to qualify for Super Saver shipping, Amazon has the best deal on the 4-pack of Black & Decker 79-010-4 Workmate Swivel Grip Pegs at $8.36.

These are the standard dogs that B&D includes with the Workmate, precisely the items that are almost always missing when you buy a used one. I’ve used them to great advantage when holding items for planing and routing. And they’re made of plastic so you can accidentally cut into them without ruining your tool.

As stated above, there are a multitude of deals out there on the internet, but all exceed Amazon’s price when you include shipping. Second best is Ace Hardware on Amazon [What’s This?], $10.60 including shipping, if these are all you’re ordering,

Via Amazon [What’s This?]

TV Tonight: Wheelies

Posted: January 7th, 2010, 7:04am MST by Nick Carter

(TV Tonight, Thursday, January 7th, 2009) A new American Chopper builds a wheelchair-themed bike (really, that’s what the promo says) for the Chris Reeve foundation. Paulie returns for a visit to get yelled at as well.

All times are central

Prototype This!: Automated Pizza Delivery (Science, 5:00 pm)
Some Assembly Required (Science, 6:00 pm)
Ask This Old House: Damaged Lawn, Curved Stair Molding (DIY, 6:30 pm)
American Chopper: The Jeanette Lee Black Widow Bike (TLC, 7:00 pm)
Factory Made: Whistles, balloons, envelopes, car wheels (Science, 7:00 pm)
Factory Made: Bricks, baseball gloves, Boston beer, cast-aluminum pots (Science, 7:30 pm)
American Chopper: Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation Bike (TLC, 8:00 pm) NEW
Successful Farming Machinery Show (RFD-TV, 8:00 pm)

TV Tonight: Mid-Week Mush

Posted: January 6th, 2010, 7:24am MST by Nick Carter

(TV Tonight, Wednesday, January 6th, 2009) Mondays used to suck, but now that Mythbusters is on Monday night, Wednesdays suck. Another good night for the shop!

All times are central

Ask This Old House: Pendant Lighting, Care for Succulents (DIY, 6:30 pm)
Holmes on Homes: Let’s Rejoist (HGTV, 9:30 pm)

Camp Stove Repair

Posted: January 5th, 2010, 1:07pm MST by Nick Carter

I was searching the Internet the other day for information on forming leather pump cups (related to my airgun obsession) and found the Classic Camp Stoves forum. The forum is dedicated to the restoration and collection of classic camping stoves and has a subforum on practical repair (”fettling”). There are many excellent pictorial postings explaining exactly how to disassemble, repair, make, polish, etc. old camping stoves. The post on making leather cups was quite helpful to me. Unfortunately I threw out my 50’s vintage gas stove over a decade ago and I now regret it, as I could have gotten it back into working condition based on the information presented. It was also nice to find a hobby narrower than my own.

Classic Camp Stoves Forum

TV Tonight: Armor All

Posted: January 5th, 2010, 7:12am MST by Nick Carter

(TV Tonight, Tuesday, January 5th, 2009) We get a new episode of Howe & Howe Tech tonight — we’re not sure how the show will sustain itself over a season, but it should be interesting for a while.

All times are central

Holmes on Homes: Lack of Truss (HGTV, 5:00 pm)
Dirty Jobs: Tar Rigger (Discovery, 5:00 pm)
Machinery of the Past (RFD-TV, 5:00 pm)
Dirty Jobs: Wine Maker (Discovery, 6:00 pm)
Ask This Old House: Mature Tree, Noisy Heating System (DIY, 6:30 pm)
Dirty Jobs: Maple Syrup Maker (Discovery, 7:00 pm)
Dirty Jobs: Animal Control Specialist (Discovery, 8:00 pm)
Disaster House: Smashed and Shattered (DIY, 9:00 pm)
Howe & Howe Tech: Badger Goes Boom! (Discovery, 9:00 pm) NEW

Dealmonger: Hulk Giant Storage Containers

Posted: January 4th, 2010, 3:31pm MST by Nick Carter

Right now RandMH has the Hulk 35-7/8″ x 23-7/8″ x 17-1/2″ Storage bin for $67.10.

The Hulk line of storage containers are huge versions on the Acro style hanging/stacking bins. The bins are almost comically huge, and if I sold smaller bins I’d definitely use these as display units! They are also available from Northern Tool (who says they price match) — thank you to them for the use of the great photo showing how truly large these containers are.

35-7/8″ x 23-7/8″ x 17-1/2″ Hulk Storage Bin [RANDMH.com]
Hulk Storage Bin [Northern Tool]

A Good Read: The American Machinist Shop Note Book

Posted: January 4th, 2010, 3:21pm MST by Nick Carter

The American Machinist Shop Note Book is a collection of articles selected from the pages of American Machinist magazine by its associate editor E.A. Suverkrop and published in 1919. The book is yet another (although in a sense one of the first) collection of a variety of shop tips, tricks, jigs and fixtures, work methods, etc. Chapters include Drafting and Design, Patterns and Foundry, Forging and Tempering, Drilling, Lathe work, Milling, Planer and Shaper work, Tool Making (in the machinist sense), Dies, Gages, Grinding, Boring, Gearing, Screw Machine, and “Shop Tools, Appliances and Expedients.”

Many of the ideas are profoundly dated, yet others are timeless, such as a drill jig for “Y” connections, an arc forming attachment for the lathe, using a lathe for broaching, a chuck for “nipples and studs” (insert joke here), bulging shells on a press brake, many boring bars, bushing a loose pulley, drilling thin stock, etc. Often these ideas are repeated in many such books over time.

The book is also interesting historically, as it includes methods for boring torpedo tubes and other bygone tasks of American industry.

It is available as a rather expensive reprint, a mid priced reprint [What’s This?], a cheaper reprint, as well as being free on Google Books and the Internet Archive. It’s certainly worth perusing on your computer for free!

Via Google Books
Via the Internet Archive

Dealmonger: Weller RCT Rope Cutting Tip

Posted: January 4th, 2010, 3:04pm MST by Nick Carter

Alexandria General Supply currently has the Weller RCT Rope Cutting Tip for just $3.47.

The RCT is a loop of wire that attaches to the ubiquitous Weller 8200 soldering gun and has an iron “blade” for hot cutting plastic ropes. The hot cut seals the end, preventing fraying. It’s hard to tell the capacity but the tip width is listed as about 1-3/8″. I’ve always just used a standard tip hammered flat, but this seems to offer greater capacity. It’s also available on Amazon [What’s This?] and from Weller Direct for slightly more, but shipping as always may be an issue…so shop around.

Weller RCT [alexgs.com]

TV Tonight: Something Beginning With M

Posted: January 4th, 2010, 6:42am MST by Nick Carter

(TV Tonight, Monday, January 4th, 2009) New episodes of Mythbusters and Motor City Motors gets the week off to a good start!

All times are central

MythBusters: Seasickness: Kill or Cure (Discovery, 5:00 pm)
Trains & Locomotives (RFD-TV, 5:00 pm)
MythBusters: Shooting Fish in a Barrel (Discovery, 6:00 pm)
Ask This Old House: Collapsing Garage Roof, Installing a Dry Well (DIY, 6:30 pm)
Top Gear: Season 10 Ep. 9 (BBC America, 7:00 pm)
MythBusters: Mini Myth Mayhem (Discovery, 7:00 pm)
Top Gear: Season 10 Ep. 8 (BBC America, 8:00 pm)
MythBusters: Boomerang Bullet (Discovery, 8:00 pm) NEW
Motor City Motors: The Asphalter (Discovery, 9:00 pm) NEW
How Do They Do It: armored cars, elevators, cheese (Science, 9:00 pm)
How Do They Do It?: Rock Blasting, Mapping, Flowers (Science, 9:30 pm)
Disaster House: Rough Housing (DIY, 10:30 pm)

TV Tonight: Holmes For The Holidays

Posted: January 3rd, 2010, 6:41am MST by Nick Carter

(TV Tonight, Sunday, January 3rd, 2009) I guess I didn’t get the memo, but it appears that HGTV is running new episodes of Holmes on Holmes now! So enjoy everyone’s crankiest contractor as he brings truth, justice, and proper renovations to Canadians everywhere.

All times are central

Disaster House: Pipe Down (DIY, 5:00 pm)
How It’s Made: guitars, carpets, drinking water, laser eye surgery (Science, 5:00 pm)
Disaster House: Good Bones (DIY, 5:30 pm)
How It’s Made: Electric Baseboard Heaters, Molded Pulp Containers, Chicken, Video Games (Science, 5:30 pm)
How Do They Do It: Space (Science, 6:00 pm)
Holmes on Homes: Bungled Bungalow (HGTV, 9:00 pm) NEW!
Successful Farming Machinery Show (RFD-TV, 9:00 pm)
Disaster House: Rough Housing (DIY, 10:00 pm)
Deconstruction: Concrete (DIY, 10:30 pm)

TV Tonight: Shop Night

Posted: January 2nd, 2010, 7:36am MST by Nick Carter

(TV Tonight, Saturday, January 2nd, 2009) Nothing new tonight — a perfect time to spend in the shop.

All times are central

Dirty Jobs: Mannequin Factory (Discovery, 5:00 pm)
Dirty Jobs: Locomotive Builder (Discovery, 6:00 pm)
Dirty Jobs: Greenland Shark Quest (Discovery, 7:00 pm)
How Do They Do It?: Overnight Shipping, Mining Coal (Science, 7:00 pm)
How Do They Do It?: Rockets, Binocular Lenses, Windshield Wiper Blades (Science, 7:30 pm)
Dirty Jobs: Worm Grunter (Discovery, 8:00 pm)
Road to Punkin Chunkin (Science, 8:00 pm)
Dirty Jobs: Sheep Castrator (Discovery, 9:00 pm)
Punkin Chunkin 2009 (Science, 9:00 pm)

TV Tonight: In With The New

Posted: January 1st, 2010, 3:39pm MST by Nick Carter

(TV Tonight, Friday, January 1st, 2009) A new year starts with marathons of our favorites.

All times are central

Disaster House: Smashed and Shattered (DIY, 5:00 pm)
Ice Road Truckers: Race for the Finish (History, 5:00 pm)
MythBusters: Phone Booth Friction (Discovery, 5:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Aluminum pots and pans, artificial limbs, peanut butter, high-intensity light bulbs (Science, 5:00 pm)
Disaster House: Driveway Disaster (DIY, 5:30 pm)
How It’s Made: Carved Wood Sculptures, Flatware, Cow Bells and Fountain Pens (Science, 5:30 pm)
Disaster House: Shake, Rattle & Roll (DIY, 6:00 pm)
Ice Road Truckers: Arctic Thaw (History, 6:00 pm)
MythBusters: Hurricane Windows (Discovery, 6:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Metal Golf Clubs, Waffles, Custom Wires, Cables, Train Wheels (Science, 6:00 pm)
Disaster House: House Invasion (DIY, 6:30 pm)
How It’s Made: Pressure Cookers, Mechanical Singing Birds, Buoys, and Tank Trailers (Science, 6:30 pm)
Disaster House: Down N Dirty (DIY, 7:00 pm)
MythBusters: Alcohol Myths (Discovery, 7:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Revolver Replicas, Arc Trainers, Oil Furnaces, Vegetable Peelers (Science, 7:00 pm)
Disaster House: Wet N Wild (DIY, 7:30 pm)
How It’s Made: Olive Oil, Lift Trucks, Seamless Rolled Rings, and Ski Boots (Science, 7:30 pm)
Disaster House: The End?? (DIY, 8:00 pm)
MythBusters: Clean Car vs. Dirty Car (Discovery, 8:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Surfboards, Stickers, Sandwich Cookies, Concrete Roofing Tiles (Science, 8:00 pm)
Disaster House: Driveway Disaster (DIY, 8:30 pm)
How It’s Made: Sails, Walnuts, Wheel Immobilizers, Honeycomb Structural Panels (Science, 8:30 pm)
Disaster House: Home Cookin (DIY, 9:00 pm)
MythBusters: MacGyver Myths (Discovery, 9:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Socket Sets, Leather Shoes, Aluminium Water Bottles, and Bike Chains (Science, 9:00 pm)
Disaster House: Pipe Down (DIY, 9:30 pm)
How It’s Made: Swiss Army Knives, Player Piano Rolls, Oil Tankers, and Racing Wheels (Science, 9:30 pm)
MythBusters: Alcohol Myths (Discovery, 10:00 pm)

TV Tonight: Ring Out The Old

Posted: December 31st, 2009, 7:25am MST by Nick Carter

(TV Tonight, Thursday, December 31st, 2009) Happy New Year! We get a marathon of How Do They Do It? on Science tonight.

All times are central

How Do They Do It?: Navigating the Panama Canal, Waste Technology (Science, 5:00 pm)
How Do They Do It?: Weather Forecasting, Hovercraft Vehicles (Science, 5:30 pm)
How Do They Do It?: crash helmets, rubber, wave piercing (Science, 6:00 pm)
Ask This Old House: Pressure Reducing Valve, Problems With Crown Molding (DIY, 6:30 pm)
How Do They Do It?: Aquarium, Sapphire, Bentleys (Science, 6:30 pm)
How Do They Do It?: batteries, perfume and artificial islands (Science, 7:00 pm)
How Do They Do It?: Gold, golf clubs, escalators (Science, 7:30 pm)
How Do They Do It?: airbags, ice rinks, mattresses (Science, 8:00 pm)
Successful Farming Machinery Show (RFD-TV, 8:00 pm)
How Do They Do It?: Service Jumbo Jets, Create Nuclear Power, Build Pianos (Science, 8:30 pm)
How Do They Do It?: Heat, Champagne, Port Expansion (Science, 9:00 pm)
How Do They Do It?: Mine Oil, Shipping Lanes, Stretched Limos (Science, 9:30 pm)

Dealmonger: Ridgid Model 3233 Chain Tongs

Posted: December 30th, 2009, 12:50pm MST by Nick Carter

Amazon has a great deal on Ridgid Model 3233 Chain Tongs at $136.72 w/ SS shipping.

Chain tongs are a strap wrench on steroids — the 3233 is 44 inches long and will handle pipe 1-6″ in diameter. The chain has a rated breaking strength of 20,000 lbs. I have one I bought at auction and it never fails when I need it; the amount of leverage it applies is awesome.

Via Amazon [What’s This?]

TV Tonight: Rise and Fall

Posted: December 30th, 2009, 12:44pm MST by Nick Carter

(TV Tonight, Wednesday, December 30th, 2009) We get two new shows tonight, Jobsite pours concrete (a 2nd show follows FedEX which doesn’t seem Toolmonger worthy) and The Imploders implodes a building.

All times are central

Ask This Old House: Tribute to Tile Expert Joe Ferrante (DIY, 6:30 pm)
Modern Marvels: The Lumberyard (History, 7:00 pm)
Jobsite: Concrete Countdown (History, 8:00 pm) NEW
The Imploders: Ten Stories of Solid Steel (TLC, 9:00 pm) NEW
Holmes on Homes: Completely Incomplete (HGTV, 9:30 pm)

Hot or Not? Palmgren HipShot

Posted: December 29th, 2009, 2:46pm MST by Nick Carter

Amazon has two different versions of the HipShot battery-powered belt-mounted compressor available. You can buy the HipShot 92101 for about $53.00 from an Amazon store, or the HipShot 92102 from Amazon directly for $59.99.

What we’d like to know is whether these low prices and lack of any real detail means the HipShot is practically dead as a product. The Palmgren site has precious little detail and only references the 92101. There seem to be few places offering it that are not affiliated with Amazon. Toolmonger noted the odd pricing discounts back in 2008 and it seems little has changed.

Has anyone actually used one? The reviews seem evenly divided between one and 5 stars which doesn’t bode well. Ultimately it seems that the advent of CO2 power, like the JacPac, has diminished the utility of a tiny, slow, battery powered compressor.

Palmgren [Website]
Via Amazon [What’s This?]

TV Tonight: Bulk Up

Posted: December 29th, 2009, 7:33am MST by Nick Carter

(TV Tonight, Tuesday, December 29th, 2009) A new Dirty Jobs makes maple syrup and bulks paint, whatever that means. I guess we’ll find out.

All times are central

Holmes on Homes: Third Time Lucky (HGTV, 5:00 pm)
Dirty Jobs: Aerial Tram Greaser (Discovery, 5:00 pm)
Machinery of the Past (RFD-TV, 5:00 pm)
Dirty Jobs: Ice Salvage Crew (Discovery, 6:00 pm)
Ask This Old House: Lawn Improvements, Leaky Ceiling (DIY, 6:30 pm)
Dirty Jobs: Worm Grunter (Discovery, 7:00 pm)
Dirty Jobs: Maple Syrup Maker (Discovery, 8:00 pm) NEW
Disaster House: Pipe Down (DIY, 9:00 pm)
Deconstruction: Safety (DIY, 10:30 pm)

Dealmonger: MSC 40% Off Sale

Posted: December 28th, 2009, 12:52pm MST by Nick Carter

MSC has a 40% off all orders over $249 sale through Thursday the 31st (excluding hand sanitizers and respirators). Enter code WEB40 in the Promo Box when ordering. MSC takes a bit of grief on the metalworking forums for having higher prices than others, but at 40% off it’s hard to see how you wouldn’t be able to find a deal here and there!

This brings us to a topic many small business owners face in December: What sort of tools are you ordering before the end of year?

MSC Direct Sale

TV Tonight: Fresh Meat

Posted: December 28th, 2009, 6:51am MST by Nick Carter

(TV Tonight, Monday, December 28th, 2009) Monday is brightened up with a new Mythbusters and the premier of Discovery’s Motor City Motors.

All times are central

MythBusters: Big Rig Myths (Discovery, 5:00 pm)
Prototype This!: Wearable Airbag (Science, 5:00 pm)
Trains & Locomotives (RFD-TV, 5:00 pm)
MythBusters: Viewer Special Threequel (Discovery, 6:00 pm)
Top Gear: Season 10 Ep. 8 (BBC America, 7:00 pm)
MythBusters: Hidden Nasties (Discovery, 7:00 pm)
Man Who Built His Own Submarine, 1 (Science, 7:00 pm)
Top Gear Polar Special (BBC America, 8:00 pm)
MythBusters: Mini Myth Mayhem (Discovery, 8:00 pm) NEW
Man Who Built His Own Submarine, 2 (Science, 8:00 pm)
Motor City Motors: The Gasser (Discovery, 9:00 pm) NEW
How Do They Do It?: Operate Mega Hotels, Cut Metal With Lasers, Build a Golf Course in Dubai (Science, 9:00 pm)
King of Dirt: Replacing a Beloved Tree (DIY, 9:30 pm)
How Do They Do It?: Propellers, Intelligent Cars, Magnets (Science, 9:30 pm)
Disaster House: What Goes Up (DIY, 10:30 pm)

TV Tonight: Shop Night

Posted: December 27th, 2009, 7:07am MST by Nick Carter

(TV Tonight, Sunday, December 27th, 2009) Not much on — spend the night waxing your skis.

All times are central

How It’s Made: Motorcycle Engines, Glass, Enamel Sculptures, Paper, and Vaulting (Science, 5:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Baseball Gloves, Medical Electrodes, and Stetson Hats (Science, 5:30 pm)
Holmes on Homes: Taking a Bath (HGTV, 9:00 pm)
Successful Farming Machinery Show (RFD-TV, 9:30 pm)
Deconstruction: Paint (DIY, 10:00 pm)
Deconstruction: Bricks (DIY, 10:30 pm)

TV Tonight: Pete And Repeat

Posted: December 26th, 2009, 6:44am MST by Nick Carter

(TV Tonight, Saturday, December 26th, 2009) We get Dirty Jobs and How It’s Made reruns galore tonight. There’s also a Pinks marathon on Speed.

All times are central

Dirty Jobs: Mule Logger (Discovery, 5:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Fire Fighter Boots, Garden Tools, Automated Machines, Gypsum Boards (Science, 5:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Grinding Wheels, Compost, Window Blinds, Milk (Science, 5:30 pm)
Dirty Jobs: Animal Rendering (Discovery, 6:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Plastic Moulds, Oil Filters, Filing Cabinets, Blown Glass (Science, 6:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Pre-inked Stamps, Cranberries, Cotton Yarn, Road Signs (Science, 6:30 pm)
Dirty Jobs: Spider Pharm (Discovery, 7:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Aluminum Screw Caps, Chocolate, Pills and Pasta (Science, 7:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Aluminum Pots & Pans, Artificial Limbs, Peanut Butter, and High Intensity Light Bulbs (Science, 7:30 pm)
Dirty Jobs: Fireworks Technician (Discovery, 8:00 pm)
How Do They Do It?: Armored Cars, Lifts, Cheese (Science, 8:30 pm)
Under Construction: Controlled Chaos (DIY, 9:00 pm)
Dirty Jobs: Goose Down Plucker (Discovery, 9:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Ball Bearings, Electrical Wires, Wax Casting, and Automated Machines (Science, 9:00 pm)
Under Construction: All Dogs Go to Heaven (DIY, 9:30 pm)
How It’s Made: Bicycle Helmets, Lithium Batteries, Car Brakes, and Aluminum (Science, 9:30 pm)

TV Tonight: Wassail!

Posted: December 25th, 2009, 6:43am MST by Nick Carter

(TV Tonight, Friday, December 25th, 2009) Merry Christmas! We get Mythbusters and How It’s Made marathons tonight. There’s also a Drag Race High marathon on Speed.

All times are central

Holmes on Homes: What a Mesh (HGTV, 5:00 pm)
MythBusters: End With a Bang (Discovery, 5:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Cookware, Inlaid Boxes, Water Heaters (Science, 5:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Mini GP Motorcycles, Fig Cookies, Tool Boxes, Pipe Bends (Science, 5:30 pm)
Cool Tools: The Top 25 (DIY, 6:00 pm)
MythBusters: Seesaw Saga (Discovery, 6:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Revolver Replicas, Arc Trainers, Oil Furnaces, Vegetable Peelers (Science, 6:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Metal Golf Clubs, Waffles, Custom Wires, Cables, Train Wheels (Science, 6:30 pm)
MythBusters: Car vs. Rain (Discovery, 7:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Sails, Walnuts, Wheel Immobilizers, Honeycomb Structural Panels (Science, 7:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Surfboards, Stickers, Sandwich Cookies, Concrete Roofing Tiles (Science, 7:30 pm)
MythBusters: Dumpster Diving (Discovery, 8:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Ski Goggles, Tower Cranes, Porcelain Figurines and Diesel Engines (Science, 8:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Stuffed Olives, Astrolabes, Western Saddles (Science, 8:30 pm)
Disaster House: Home Cookin (DIY, 9:00 pm)
MythBusters: Viral Hour (Discovery, 9:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Custom Running Shoes, Axes, Racing Karts, Animatronics (Science, 9:00 pm)
Cool Tools: All Seasons (DIY, 9:30 pm)
How It’s Made: Headphones, Diving Regulators, Reflector Light Bulbs (Science, 9:30 pm)
Deconstruction: Down the Drain (DIY, 10:30 pm)

A Good Read: Complete Guitar Repair

Posted: December 24th, 2009, 4:59pm MST by Nick Carter

Complete Guitar Repair by Hideo Kamimoto is a good primer on all that is involved in the “set-up, restoration and construction of the acoustic and electric guitar.” The book begins with details of the construction of various guitars, then moves on to a chapter on general repair information such as the workshop, tools, clamps, glues, wood, and strings.

Then we get a chapter on guitar adjustments, a chapter on the action and scale including tuning. Later chapters focus on specific areas such as the peghead, machine head, neck and fingerboard (with fret calculations), frets, fretting, the bridge, etc. Then the book moves on to repair, such as cracks and missing pieces, touch up and refinishing. A final chapter discusses electric guitar pickups and controls.

The book is not an exhaustive reference but a great guide to the overall tasks involved in bringing an old guitar back to life. Many little tricks and tips throughout have application in other fields. It’s definitely a somewhat dated book however — we’d love to hear of other favorite guitar repair books used by Toolmongers. The book’s available for about $14.00 used and $18.45 new from Amazon w/ SS shipping.

Thanks to Amazon.com for use of the photo of the book.

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

TV Tonight: The Worst Elf

Posted: December 24th, 2009, 7:42am MST by Nick Carter

(TV Tonight, Thursday, December 24nd, 2009) Two new episodes of Cool Tools for your Xmas Eve entertainment.

All times are central

Chainsaw Ice Sculptors (TLC, 5:00 pm)
Cool Tools: Build It (DIY, 6:00 pm)
Ask This Old House: Storm-Water Runoff, Refinishing Hardwood Floors (DIY, 6:30 pm)
Cool Tools Holiday Blowout (DIY, 7:00 pm)
Cool Tools: On Edge (DIY, 8:00 pm) NEW
Successful Farming Machinery Show (RFD-TV, 8:00 pm)
Cool Tools: Weekend Projects (DIY, 8:30 pm) NEW
Disaster House: Home Cookin’ (DIY, 10:30 pm)

TV Tonight: DIY TV

Posted: December 23rd, 2009, 6:43am MST by Nick Carter

(TV Tonight, Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009) A terrible night of TV as we are forsaken by the Mythbusters. Time to break out Top Gear reruns on the DVR.

All times are central

Cool Tools: Comfort Zone (DIY, 6:00 pm)
Ask This Old House: Christmas Trees, Caulking a Leaky Window (DIY, 6:30 pm)
Holmes on Homes: Lack of Truss (HGTV, 9:30 pm)

Dealmonger: 100-Pack Of X-acto #11 Blades

Posted: December 22nd, 2009, 12:01pm MST by Nick Carter

OfficeMax has a closeout of a 100 pack of OfficeMax Precision #11 X-acto style blades for $2.50.

That’s a smoking deal, even if they are knockoffs. But we wonder how long the closeout will last. Otherwise the cheapest price we’ve seen on a 100-pack of #11 style blades is at FLS Discount for $10.85. The #11 is the standard type of X-acto blade, pointy and sharp, though easy to snap the point off or become dull.

#11 Blades, 100 Pack [officemax.com]

Dealmonger: SOG Fusion Tactical Tomahawk

Posted: December 22nd, 2009, 11:23am MST by Nick Carter

Office Supply Mart (in case you have to repel pirates at the office) has the SOG F01T Fusion Tactical Tomahawk for $34.84.

The Fusion Tomahawk has a head of 420 stainless steel with a “hardcased” finish mounted on a nylon and fiberglass handle. It has 2-3/4″ long blade length (that is the length of the cutting surface on the head) and is 15-3/4″ long overall. This looks like an excellent gift for a young nephew or that barbarian co-worker on your Secret Santa list. Google has lower prices listed, but all those sources are out of stock (who knew it was such a popular gift item?). The Tomahawk’s also available from Amazon for $39.15 w/ SS shipping.

Sog F01T Fusion Tactical Tomahawk [officesupplymartonline.com]

TV Tonight: WormSearch

Posted: December 22nd, 2009, 7:32am MST by Nick Carter

(TV Tonight, Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009) A new Dirty Jobs engages in worm hunting.

All times are central

Holmes on Homes: Repairing a Slate Shower Renovation Gone Awry (HGTV, 5:00 pm)
Dirty Jobs: Snake Researcher (Discovery, 5:00 pm)
Machinery of the Past (RFD-TV, 5:00 pm)
Cool Tools: Finish Work (DIY, 6:00 pm)
Dirty Jobs: Floating Fish Factory (Discovery, 6:00 pm)
Ask This Old House: Transforming a Backyard, Dripping Bathroom Fan (DIY, 6:30 pm)
Dirty Jobs: Fireworks Technician (Discovery, 7:00 pm)
Dirty Jobs: Worm Grunter (Discovery, 8:00 pm) NEW
Deconstruction: Down the Drain (DIY, 10:30 pm)

Permalink for 'Toolmonger/2009/12/21/Dealmonger__Machinery%e2%80%99s_Handbook_28th_Ed._CD_ROM'

Dealmonger: Machinery’s Handbook 28th Ed. CD ROM

Posted: December 21st, 2009, 12:24pm MST by Nick Carter

Right now you can get the Machinery’s Handbook 28th Edition on CD ROM for $67.89 at Barnes & Noble.

I was skeptical about the utility of the Machinery’s Handbook CD when I first heard about it but I’ve been using mine (27th edition) for several years now and find it incredibly handy! The CD ROM has all of the text from the print edition, plus chapters from older versions of the Handbook that were cut over time. The ability to search the handbook is profoundly useful as it cuts down on the time spent leafing through the index. What I like best about it is the ability to print various charts and tables from the book for use in the shop. It’s cut down on the greasy smudges left on my print edition when cutting threads… as well as the irritation trying flip between several pages when doing calculations. It’s also a handy adjunct when doing CAD drafting; I can look up dimensions and insert into the CAD drawing easily. The only feature I don’t use are the online calculators – anyone use those?

Machinery’s Handbook 28th Edition CD ROM [barnesandnoble.com]

TV Tonight: Sled Dogs Vs. Truck

Posted: December 21st, 2009, 7:34am MST by Nick Carter

(TV Tonight, Monday, December 21st, 2009) A new Top Gear engages in polar hijinks.

All times are central

How Do They Do It?: Drinking Water, LED TV Screens, Ferrari Sports Cars (Science, 5:00 pm)
Trains & Locomotives (RFD-TV, 5:00 pm)
How Do They Do It?: Drink Cartons, Pre-Fabricated Houses (Science, 5:30 pm)
Cool Tools: Garage Workshop (DIY, 6:00 pm)
Ask This Old House: Energy-Efficient Windows, Reducing Electrical Consumption (DIY, 6:30 pm)
Top Gear Polar Special (BBC America, 7:00 pm) NEW
Top Gear Winter Olympics Special (BBC America, 8:00 pm)
Disaster House: Home Cookin (DIY, 10:30 pm)

TV Tonight: Shop Night

Posted: December 20th, 2009, 6:54am MST by Nick Carter

(TV Tonight, Sunday, December 20th, 2009) Not much to watch tonight. Head out to the shop and finish those Christmas presents, Elf Boy.

All times are central

How It’s Made: Screwdrivers, Track Loaders, Physician Scales, and Carbon Fibre Baseball Bats (Science, 5:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Escalators, Kevlar Canoes, Marble Cheddar, and Disc Music Boxes (Science, 5:30 pm)
Cool Tools Holiday Blowout (DIY, 6:00 pm)
Holmes on Homes: Falling Flat (HGTV, 6:00 pm)
Successful Farming Machinery Show (RFD-TV, 9:00 pm)
Deconstruction: Storm Proofing (DIY, 10:00 pm)
Deconstruction: House vs. Nature (DIY, 10:30 pm)

TV Tonight: Dirty, Jobs

Posted: December 19th, 2009, 10:48am MST by Nick Carter

(TV Tonight, Saturday, December 19th, 2009) How It’s Made and Dirty Jobs reruns all evening long.

All times are central

Dirty Jobs: Diaper Cleaner (Discovery, 6:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Horseshoes, Dishwashers, Graphite Fly Rods and Frozen Pizzas (Science, 6:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Manhole Covers, Range Hoods, Artificial Logs, and Snowmobiles (Science, 6:30 pm)
Dirty Jobs: Reindeer Farm (Discovery, 7:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Induction Cooktops, Truck Scales, Tetra Pak Containers, and Harmonicas (Science, 7:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Javelins, Cuckoo Clocks, Hearts of Palm, and Windshield Wipers (Science, 7:30 pm)
Dirty Jobs: Marble Maker (Discovery, 8:00 pm)
How Do They Do It?: Airbags, Ice Rinks, Mattresses (Science, 8:30 pm)
Under Construction: Hot Wheels (DIY, 9:00 pm)
Dirty Jobs: Rocky Reach Dam (Discovery, 9:00 pm)
How It’s Made: Jaws of Life, Artificial Christmas Trees, Soda Crackers, and Ratchets (Science, 9:00 pm)
Under Construction: Old Dog, New Toys (DIY, 9:30 pm)
How It’s Made: Metal Detectors, Muffins, Tiffany Reproductions, and Aircraft Engines (Science, 9:30 pm)

Dealmonger: Toro Collapsible Mesh Bucket

Posted: December 18th, 2009, 9:16am MST by Nick Carter

Currently you can find a deal on the Toro Collapsible Bucket at Ace Hardware for $22.99.

The 29210 Collapsible Bucket is a spring-loaded tube of fabric that holds 43 gallons of yard waste, leaves, etc. It has four handles and is 22″ diameter by 26″ high when deployed. It has a detachable shoulder strap. It seems like a handy item rather than lugging a garbage can around or dealing with a loose garbage bag when raking. It’s also available on Amazon [What’s This?]for $23.48 (w/SS shipping).

Toro Collapsible Bucket [acehardware.com]

Dealmonger: Thumbsaver Magnetic Nail Setter

Posted: December 18th, 2009, 8:31am MST by Nick Carter

Awesome Tools has an even better price (better than any other resellers) on the Thumbsaver TS001 Magnetic Nail Setter Bonus Pack, at $10.95.

We’ve covered the Thumbsaver when it was $20.00, and when it was $12.95, but it appears the deals just get better the longer it’s been on the market. Expect it to be $6.00 by 2012! For those of you who bought it, how do you find it works? It’s also available on Amazon for $12.95 but w/ SS shipping. It is definitely well rated on Amazon.

Thumbsaver TS001 [awesometools.com]
Via Amazon [What’s This?]