It’s getting to be hot out, and hotter weather means your air conditioner is working harder.  And if it’s gonna break, it’s gonna break in the summertime.

With that in mind, we thought we’d share with you something we ran across today:  the Tru Pointe refrigerant leak detector.

Unlike the old days of hosing your engine down with fluorescent dyes and hitting it with UV lights to try and zero in on a leak, the Tru Pointe uses heated diode sensor technology to detect and locate all CFC, HFC and HCFC refrigerants.  Once the leak is found, the unit will alert both visually and audibly.  It’s even accurate when used in environments where high levels of refrigerant vapors are present.

It’s priced at $145, but troubleshooting a refrigerant leak in your vehicle and cost you upwards of $500 at your dealer. With that in mind, the The Tru Pointe by Bacharach is a welcome money saver.

The Tru Pointe Refrigerant Leak Detector [Barharach, Inc.]
Tru Pointe Refrigerant Leak Detector [closeout.com]
Other Street Pricing [Froogle]

 

Designed specifically to save time when tightening engine head bolts, Snap-On’s new TechAngle torque and angle wrench digitally displays torque in in-lbs., ft-lbs., and Nm as well as angles at the touch of a button. The wrench sports an angle accuracy of +/- 1%, a sealed keypad to keep out dust and grit, and a high-strength sealed flex-head ratchet that moves 15 degrees in both directions. 

Snap-On claims that this high-tech alternative to the standard torque/angle gauge can save you between two and five minutes per head bolt, which can mean money in your pocket if you’re making your living with it.  (Or, if you’re a hobbyist it means more time driving and less time rebuilding.)

List price is $405.

The TechAngle Torque & Angle Wrench [PDF - Snap-On]

Around our house summertime means activities, and this means things of all sizes and shapes need to be inflated. Not all of us have room or budget for a high dollar shop air system, but a portable air compressor can be a great solution to the hand pump blues.

A small 2.5hp, 6 gallon compressor like the one pictured here can be had for less than $100 with some careful shopping.  Don’t expect to use air tools with it as it doesn’t have the volume of air to drive them, but it’ll do fine for tasks such as filling tires and sports equipment, filling inflatable beds, and (our personal favorite) blowing dust out from difficult to reach places in a vehicle.  (Always wear eye protection when doing this, and never direct the airflow directly at your skin.) 

With the small footprint and the low cost of a unit like this, it’s worth the invetsment to save all that hand pump action and trips to the gas station air pump.

Some Examples [Froogle]

Pacific Laser Systems’ new PLS2E laser system is designed to fill the gap between a hobbyist’s simple laser level and a professional’s rotary laser. 

The PLS2E consists of a laser unit with a mounting bracket and a laser detector.  The laser unit weighs 1.7 lbs. and is about palm-sized, and it can be attached using the included wall bracket or via direct mounting to a camera tripod.  The detector can sense laser lines up to 60′ away accurate to 1/8″ every 30′.  It runs approximately 30 hours on three AAA batteries.

At around $375 list for the kit with carrying case, it’s more expensive than many entry-level laser level systems, but far less than the $800-$1,000 of a good rotary laser.

The PLS2E’s available via a variety of tool distributors, or (as almost always) online for less.  We found street pricing as low as $190 today.

PLS28 Hand-Held Plumb Level Laser System [Pacific Laser Systems]
Street Pricing [Froogle]

We’ve all found ourselves using a pocket knife to cut away a wire’s coating at one time or another (please tell us you don’t use your teeth), but at street pricing under $10, there’s really no excuse for that.  While these tools have been a staple in car stereo installers’ and electricians’ toolkits for years, we’re always surprised at how few homeowners own a pair. 

Automatic wire strippers use a jointed-plier configuration to first grasp the wire then pull it through a small hole of just the right size to remove only the wire’s coating.  In simple terms, you lay the wire in the appropriate indention in the tool’s jaws, pull them closed, and the wire is cleanly stripped every time.

Heck, we used ours just today when replacing a light switch with a dimmer in our office.  (No more bright mornings for us!) 

You can find these at your local Radio Shack for $12.99, but similar tools are available online for less. 

Kronus Automatic Wire Stripper [Radio Shack]
Grizzly G9723 Wire Stripper [Amazon]

Update: In the comments, a reader suggests this tool from Klein as a better alternative to the ones we mentioned.

As we spend a lot of our time split between our computers and the shop, we’ve always dreamed of owning our own CNC equipment.  A recent advertisement in Make magazine drew us to ShopBot Tools to check out their “affordable” CNC routers.

ShopBot offers two basic systems:

The PRTalpha system is a 3-axis CNC router offering a closed-loop control system utilizing stepmotors and rack & pinion power transmission on all three axes.  Pricing starts at $6,995 for the “BenchTop” model (on which the cutting table moves underneath your work to provide Y-axis motion) and $8,595 for the 48″ x 48″ full-motion cutter model. 

The PRTstandard system uses a less-expensive open-loop controller with low-backlash, gearhead stepper motors on all axes.  “BenchTop” standards start at $4,895 and 48″ x 48″ models start at $5,995. 

Note that all of these prices are for the tool only.  To complete the “system” you’ll need a router or spindle, a table (you can build your own from plans, or they have a pre-made unit for sale), some accessories (Z-zero plate, XY proximity switches), and bits.

Buying everything from ShopBot, you’ll spend about $8,380 for a “BenchTop” alpha, and about $6,280 for a “BenchTop” standard.

Though ShopBot’s advertisement in Make indicated that they sell their components separately for DIY-ers, we were unable to locate any component pricing on their website.  When we contacted ShopBot, they did admit to selling an “inventor’s kit” with four alpha-type step motors, the control hardware and software, and design software for $5,995.  The tech support and sales staff we talked to were relatively negative regarding the idea of DIY-ers assembling a ShopBot router on the cheap, though they did seem as though they’d be helpful if you were looking to build something else entirely with their components.

In summary, if you’re working from a home shop, don’t get your hopes up too high; you’re looking at well over $5,000 to get started with a ShopBot machine.  On the other hand, if you’re looking to take your cabinetry or signage business to the next level, you’re probably comparing this to other $40,000 CNC rigs instead of a $1,000 table saw.  This could be just what you need.

ShopBot Tools [via Make magazine]

With the release of their Excelerator model, Genie claims to sell the fastest garage door opener on the market.

Is it the fastest?  We can’t say.  A lot of factors affect the answer to that question, including the weight and structure of the door to which it’s bolted as well as the specifics of the mount and even whether or not the owner has pets or children.  We can say however, that we’ve had experience installing screw-type openers and compared to other types they’re incredibly fast and quiet.

Other features (that might be more germane to your garage experience than its speed alone) include:

• a flush mount design that helps in low clearance applications (read: you have a Hummer H2 and a normal garage)
• bright lighting from two 60-watt bulbs
• and a super duty 1/2 HP DC motor to handle heavy doors

Street pricing starts around $250.

The Excelerator Garage Door Opener [Genie]
Street Pricing [Froogle]

With the TS 55 EQ circular saw, the German company Festool claims to “bring the accuracy of a panel saw to any site” through two unique features: the EQ’s 55″ guide rail, which gives you 30+” more guide rail than with other circular saws, and its retractable blade design which — as opposed to the standard pendulum-type retractable blade cover — allows you to make plunge cuts.  Essentially you can start and end your cut anywhere in the material, which means you can use the EQ to cut apertures and false joints.

Other features include:

• a detachable power cord which can be replaced if damaged
• a rotating dust extractor connector
• a spring loaded riving knife which retracts into the housing automatically during plunge cuts
• and an advanced motor control electronics to provide soft start, constant speed under load, stepless speed adjustment, and temperature- and current-triggered overload protection

The TS 55 EQ lists for $430, and street pricing is similar.

The Circular Saw TS 55 EQ [Festool]

Versatility and options are the difference between a good project and a pile of dusty scrap in the shop. Gorilla Glue is a solid versatile weapon in the fight against the dusty scrap outcome.  Gorilla glue bonds with wood, stone, metal, ceramics, Corian and styrofoam.  It’s also waterproof.

We’ve used Gorilla Glue in our household projects for the last year or so. While it doesn’t (in our experience) bond particularly well with all plastics, we can report that wood, metal, and stone do, when combined with Gorilla Glue, indeed dry to become a permenantly bonded pair.  It can also be washed off of your hands before they are glued together — ask us how we know — which is high on our list of what makes a glue product a good buy.

Gorilla Glue can be found at almost any hardware center for around $4.

Gorilla Glue Products [Gorilla Tough]

Posi Locks’ new MVP5 is a machinist’s vise that runs on shop air — compressed air is used in conjunction with a lever and directional valve to move sturdy metal blocks along a track. The movement of the blocks opens and closes the vise with accuracy within .001″ and up to 6000 lbs. of clamping force.

The entire unit is self contained, making it safer to use as no mechanical workings are left exposed to bits of slag or flying debris. The locking block jaws can also be rotated to use all 4 sides for different holding grips and styles, bringing a great deal of flexibility to what was once a single grip devise.

MVP5 Machinists Vise [Posi Lock]

Sure, the Brunton SolarPort 4.4 Portable Power Source isn’t really a tool. However, it could be used to power a tool – at least during the day.

As the name implies, the SolarPort is solar powered, using polycrystalline solar panel construction. With a maximum power output of 4.4 watts at 6V or 12V, 5V USB output at 500mAh, and a 12V vehicle port, its versatility becomes obvious. Charging a cell phone, powering a small radio or putting a touchup on that fading cordless drill battery could be useful applications for the SolarPort. Other features include:

• Can be used in multi-unit series for additional power output
• Hinged case measures 9 1/4″ x 6″ x 1 1/2″ when closed
• Weighs 19 oz
• Includes Brunton BattJack(tm) charger for AA & AAA NiMH and NiCad batteries

The SolarPort 4.4 is part of a full small line of solar powered units from Brunton, and pricing starts at $99.

Brunton SolarPort 4.4 [ascscientific]

Continuing our (unplanned) series on labor-saving devices for lazy urban yardworkers (like us), we give you Fisch’s 12″ x 20″ log splitter.

For those of you who’ve never used a log splitter before, the concept is simple; load a log into the l shaped channel, switch it on, and the 2 hp motor delivers up to 4 tons of force to a slide that pushes the log forward into a V shaped wedge splitting the log in two.

Mounted atop wheels for easy transport from your patio to your wood pile, it can split logs up to 20″ long and 12″ in diameter. For added safety, the splitter has a two handed activation system.

Now you can turn that tree you removed this summer into firewood without breaking your back.  And that’ll save you the embrassment of having to pay $9.99 for three logs tied together in plastic wrap at the grocery store this winter.

Electric Log Splitter [Ficsh Precision Tools]

Many of us house our shops in our garages, and try as we may to push all the vehicles outside (to get that extra space), sometimes we have to share.  But to get that last inch of space for the band saw, we’ve got to assure the car is parked in exactly the same place every time.

We recently came across a cool, high-tech update for the ubiquitous hangling tennis ball: Liftmaster’s Laser Garager Parking Assist accessory. 

It mounts to the ceiling near your existing garage door opener and automatically turns on with the opener’s light, using a small laser to project a red dot on a spot of your choice.  It shuts off with the light, too, so it pretty much takes care of itself.

Liftmaster says you can use up to two on a single door opener, and street pricing starts around $20.

LiftMaster 975LM Laser Garage Parking Assist [Liftmaster]

Street Pricing [Froogle]

A utillity knife finds its way into quite a few of our projects, and quite a few utility knife blades have found their way into fingers and hands when the blade breaks.  That is, until a friend of ours (who, because of his last job, used to use utility knives way more than is healthy) turned us on to bi-metal blades, like these released by Irwin a few years ago.

Bi-metal refers to the manufacture of the blades from a unique material combining the best of two metals electro-welded together: a high speed steel cutting edge electron beam welded to a flexible alloy body. What this means in layman’s terms is that the blades bend, not break, when too much force is applied.

Irwin goes a bit further, claiming that their Blue Blades are “virtually unbreakable” (with the note beside them “under normal use”).  After a bit field testing, we have this to say: while we had no real trouble breaking them, it was more difficult than other blades we’ve tried.

The Blue Blade system also tended not to splinter or shatter upon breakage.  So, if you’re a splinter magnet – like we are – it’s worth the extra dollar or two for these blades.

Bi-Metal Blue Blade [Irwin]

BrianH over at Instructables offered up a slick article recently on how to disassemble your existing cordless tool battery pack and replace the NiCd cells with NiMH cells for longer run time.

Though you’ll need to do your own research and be careful as many cordless tool kits these days include “smart chargers” that are tailored to a specific combination of battery composition and capacity, that’s a hurdle you can easily overcome — especially considering that (as BrianH dutifully points out) the cost of replacement batteries is often 80% the cost of the whole kit.  Of course, this tutorial could also be used to re-cell your existing pack with replacement NiCds of equal or greater capacity as well. 

Cordless Drill — Improving The Battery [Instructables]

In order to encourage you to consider their new Handler 125 EZ as your “big” present for Dad this Father’s Day, Hobart’s offering a $40 mail-in rebate on the unit through June 30, 2006.

The EZ, released earlier this year, is a small 120V flux-core wire welder featuring a single control knob (as opposed to the two on most welders), which is designed to make it easy for novice welders.  Dave Enneking, Hobart’s product manager says:

Using the Handler 125 EZ is like using a glue gun, except that you’re using the nozzle to direct the welding wire.

Look for more about the Handler 125 EZ and other entry level welders from us soon.

The Handler 125 EZ [Hobart]
Rebate Details & Instructions [Hobart]

Yes — more weeding tools.  Can you tell that we recently began the summer long fight for control over the lawn with weeds?  The big trick to weeding is really to get the root. While chemical weed killers are useful, sometimes you just still need to manually spot weed the more stubborn of these backyard trespassers.

There’s a certain amount of stooping and yanking required when manually pulling weeds.  Being lazy, we went looking for a no bending, low muscle approach. We found Hound Dogs’ “Weed Hound” at our local home and gardening center for around $20.

The operation is quite simple.  Place the tool over the center of the weed and step down on the foot bar. Steel tines enter the ground to grab the weed and root.  Lift the weed out and tap on the clearing plunger to eject the weed.

We found the Weed Hound is not really useful for large weeding of say, a garden, but is quite effective at removing small numbers of large stubborn weeds in your lawn without tearing up your grass. It also saves you the use of hardier industrial chemicals around your home.

Any home gardening center will carry this tool or one very similar, though careful shopping might save you $5 off the price above.

The Weed Hound [Hound Dog]