Removing the springs on drum brakes can be a nightmare, alternately refusing to come apart then flinging parts all over the garage — all while you pretend you have three hands in order to compress the spring and manipulate the catch at the same time.
There’s an easier way: brake spring pliers. And they’re not even that expensive.
(Tuesday, November 28th, 2006) There’s even less tonight from TLC than normal…Trade School: Machining should be interesting, though; one doesn’t often get to watch serious tools in action on TV.
All times are central.
Any reader suggestions for the overnight?
When it comes to DIY woodwork the best “tricks” are the ones that save you time and get the job done right. The R3 jig from Kreg is a pocket hole jig that clamps on to provide a sure fire way to get furniture-quality angled holes every time.
Just in time for the holiday season, RIDGID’s released a new lightweight circ saw which they call the Fuego. As we in Texas already know, Fuego is Spanish for “fire,” and fire = good. Or, fuego = bueno.
Though we haven’t laid our hands on one yet, we can say that this saw is interesting for a number of reasons. It’s light (8 lbs). It’s powerful (12A/6100 RPM). It’s practical (see the rest of the article). And if you’re concerned about durability, we have four words for you: free lifetime service agreement.
One other interesting fact: RIDGID’s been kind enough to offer up twenty-freakin-five of these saws for us to pass on to fellow Toolmongers in the days leading up to Christmas. Check back later this week for the details regarding the giveaway — “Heat up your winter projects with the 25 days of Fuego!”
Read on past the jump for lots more about the Fuego.
This generally wouldn’t constitute news anywhere but here. But we are Toolmongers, which means we watch all things tool, even things like this: Skil redesigned their website.
From the press release: “The main goals for the redesign were to provide complete and detailed product information needed by our consumers to make an informed purchase decision, facilitate that purchase decision through our e-commerce partner links and store locater, and supply valuable content to our DIY audience to encourage return visits,” said Linda Mueller, website manager for SKIL Power Tools, probably cribbing from the office’s mission statement and stating the obvious goals of any retailer for their website.
Seriously, though, it’s a nice looking re-design, and the new site offers more pictures of each product and easier naviagtion than the old one, so check it out when you get a chance.
Oh yeah, and swing back by Toolmonger soon for reviews of the iXO2 and the new 10.8V li-ion driver.
The New Site [Skil, English/US]
(Monday, November 27th, 2006) A new season of Chop Cut Rebuild? Or is it just this season’s season premier? TV Guide doesn’t show it as new…
Otherwise it’s more reruns from our pals at Discovery.
All times are central.
Enjoy.
We’re out in the shop so much that on occasion some things in the homestead go unattended – things such as small cracks in the drywall. Little cracks are normal as the lumber in a new home dries, but they can get out of hand if you don’t nip them in the bud.
My bud-nipping today comes in the form of the Dap Patch Stick. Remember how your friends always recommended putting toothpaste in the holes in your dorm room/apartment walls to avoid fines? (Always use Colgate — not green Crest as one of our a-bit-dim friends did.) The DAP Patch Stick claims to work the same way, but with professional results.
I decided to give it a try because I didn’t feel like getting out that spackle and texture just to fix a couple of little cracks. Also, I’m lazy.
There’s no way we’d pay $90 for a two-speed drill — unless it came packages with $88 in cash. But when we found this mini-combo for $39 on sale this weekend, well… Maybe. This kit features B&D’s standard 18V two-speed drill with a six-position clutch bundled with an AM/FM radio that runs on the same batteries and can play tunes for about ten hours on one charge (according to B&D).
(Sunday, November 26th, 2006) Tonight: Eat leftovers… then watch leftovers.
All times are central.
Our Insomniac’s Suggestions: Chop Cut Rebuild (Speed, 1:00 a.m.) or Pimp My Ride (MTV, 2:00 and 2:30 a.m.).
Rob’s question got me thinking. We’ve reviewed and discussed so many drill/drivers that somehow this one never make it to the site, even though both Sean and I see it as a great bargain — when it’s on sale, which it’s not right now.
I picked up one of these a while back when my previous (really cheap) drill/driver gave up the ghost. I was on an extremely tight budget, so I did some serious shopping, which lead to our “Selecting Your Next Cordless Drill” post, and sort of the beginning of Toolmonger. (I know, I know — that post needs an update, and I promise one before Christmas, ok?)
Anyway, after looking at zillions of drill/drivers, I ended up picking up the Craftsman because it offered a lot more torque than most of the units in its price range — did I mention I paid $99 for it? — which sort of overcame the poor waranty issues.
We should probably do a full-on “hands-on” with this, because we’ve had our hands on it in the shop for months and months, but in short: it’s a pretty decent drill/driver, and it’s a great drill/driver for $99 on sale. The light’s pretty darn handy, too.
If you’re looking for a drill/driver in the $100 range, and you’ve got some time, keep your eyes on Sears. They’ll put it back on sale again soon.
Rob asks: “I have a Craftsman 18.0V cordless drill. I REALLY like it. Yesterday, Sears had a pack of 19.2V batteries on sale. Can I use these in my drill without hurting it? Yes, they fit, but I don’t want to damage my drill.”
This is a great question. My initial thought is that a 1.2V difference won’t do any short term damage and shouldn’t do any long term damage. There’s some precedence for this in the industry. For example, Milwaukee recommends its new li-ion V18 batteries as “backwards compatible” with their 18V tools, though the V18s are actually 20V batteries. Competitive robot builders often over-volt motors, though they’re willing to trade reliability for performance — something I’m guessing Milwaukee wouldn’t be so hot on.
Charging could be another issue, though if you’re referring to the 19.2V batteries that drive the Craftsman drill/driver we’ve got in the shop here, they’re old Ni-Cds, just like the 18V.
Anyway, I hope you don’t mind, Rob, but I thought I’d kick this out to the readers to see what input they might have. If there’s still a lot of question come next week, we’ll jump on the phone and see what we can find out.
Thankfully manufacturers are starting to spec glass rear windows in many newer convertibles — or crazy-cool retractable hard tops — but if you’ve got one of the “vintage” models, you’re probably graced with clear plastic. After a while they get scuffed no matter how carefully you protect them, and then you’re faced with the big question: Do I try to clean it? And with what?
Back when I worked at an airport, I saw people deal with this on an uber-basis. What do you do when you have the same problem, but with a $30,000 Learjet window? We often used two of Meguiar’s products: Mirror Glaze Clear Plastic Cleaner and Polish. Good enough for Learjet = good enough for Miata, in my book.
(Saturday, November 25th, 2006) Hello, anyone home? Is everyone playing a family game of touch football?
All times are central.
Our Insomniac’s Suggestion: Robot Rivals (DIY, 1:00 a.m.)
(Friday, November 24th, 2006) There’s the usual Friday night of TV to watch as you polish off the leftover pumpkin pie. In addition to the shows listed, there are also episode marathons of Trick My Truck on CMT (starting at 7:00 p.m. and ending at 10:30), and How It’s Made on the Science channel (starting at 6:00 p.m. and ending at 12:00 midnight).
All times are central.
In between gnoshing on Turkey and laying around on this glorious holiday, we’d like to take a moment to offer our thanks to all of you out there who’ve helped Toolmonger grow to what it is today.
We could produce a big list, but you know who you are: the daily readers, our favorite commenters, the guys (and gals) who bust us when we miss the point (or the fine print), the tool companies that understand that not all toolaholics are over 60 and not everyone gets their tool news from Popular Mechanics, the other (much more famous and significant) writers who’ve taken us under their wings, the friends and family that’ve helped out with tool testing (and some of the crazy stunts we’ve dreamed up), and the family that puts up with our long hours working on Toolmonger instead of getting a “real” job…
You’re Toolmongers, all of you.
Thanks.
Remember Choice Products, Inc. with their Rip Master circ saw guide? Well, they’re back. The fog has lifted. The Earth has shifted and raised the gifted. ‘Cause that’s what they do, yo. They seek out inventors with slick ideas, then, you know, bring them to market.
Their latest genius: The trash funnel. It’s a little folding stand that holds your trash bag upright, and it’s got a funnel at the top so your crap goes in the bag instead of back on the ground. CPI says it’ll also lay flat so you can rake leaves in.
Admit it — you love receiving the Harbor Freight flyer in the mail — both for the great deals and the great entertainment. (Where do they get some of this stuff? China. But maybe the best question is, “Why?”)
Seriously, though, there’s some neat stuff in this one — along with some real head-scratchers. Read on past the jump for the best (and worst) this time ’round.
www.flickr.com
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