It’s been a very, very busy week here at Toolmonger, but one thing made us happy: We got to spend some time in the shop.
If you’ve been spending time in the shop, too, and you haven’t had a chance to keep up with Toolmonger this week, we suggest you start with these posts, which our readers helped to select:
Hands-On: Irwin’s Self-Adjusting Wire Stripper
This tool (which is new to the Irwin line, but not new to any old-hand electronics buff) proves to be a winner. We tried it out on a variety of wire types and posted lots of pictures to help you get a feel for it. (And if you’re still using a manual stripper — or one that requires you to pick the right hole – you should definitely check out a self-adjusting model. They rock.)
Cheap-Ass Tools: REALLY Cheap LED Lights
It wasn’t enough when a reader found a 2-pack of 9-LED aluminum flashlights for $6. Another reader blew that out of the water with 10 keychain LED lights for $4.70 shipped. These would make great gifts — or even parts for a project.
Preview: Milwaukee’s V4 Cordless Screwdriver
If you’re a fan of the classic two-position cordless screwdriver form factor but’ve been holding out for li-ion extended runtime and shelf charge, you’ll likely find your match with Milwaukee’s new V4, which features a single-cell version of the same lithium manganese battery set used in their famous V28 and V18 sets.
Preview: Dremel’s Multi-Vise
Think of this new Vise from Dremel as a big version of an electronics guru’s “third hand” designed to hold small bits of wood and other items you might wish to modify. It clamps to most workbenches and features a 360-degree tilt-swivel base and a bar clamp up top.
Finds: An Inexpensive Paint Respirator
Why not pick up one of these before your next rattle-can paint job? The life you save may be your own.
Help us choose next week’s Top 5!
We’d appreciate your help in choosing next week’s Top 5, which’ll be featured here, elsewhere, and in the podcast as well. While you’re reading TM this week, look out for the “Interesting Post” button at the bottom of the article:
When you see an article that piques your interest, click the button once. You’ll return to the same page, but TM’s software’ll score your click for future reference. We’ll check in on the totals before selecting next week’s Top 5.
If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it!
5 Responses to Toolmonger’s Top 5: The Week in Tools
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{ The hammer has not yet made it to their web site - but the new brake spring tool is listed for online purchase: http://www.mactools.com/shoponline/product/tabid/120/p-331257-dbst1058.aspx } – May 16, 8:00 PM
{ Too bad this only applies to Wilton vises, I have an ancient Massey Vise in the shop that was my grandfather's, reclaimed from the scrap... } – May 16, 6:29 PM
{ I grabbed one of these as soon as my tool guy showed it to me. "Kicks Ass" is not strong enough for how wonderful this... } – May 16, 6:00 PM
{ $$? } – May 16, 9:54 AM
{ would submmit idea on a gardening tool . i have not seen it anywhere } – May 16, 9:19 AM
There is no option for “none of the above”. I guess not voting is that option. You guys go a good job but none of the tools of the week really struck me. My $0.02 so disregard it.
I would like to see a page on Toolmonger with all of the submitted tool references–for when I am bored at work–that way I may find something interesting to me that almost no one else would care about (and therefore it wasn’t posted on the main site).
Out of this bunch I’d have to say the strippers I guess. Though I thought about it some and you know with even a good pair of scissors you can strip wires OK.
The Dremel vise looks like a toy.
Cordless screwdrivers seem like kitchen drawer weights to me.
Respirators I don’t use as much as earplugs.
Maybe LED lights are great, I’m not tossing out any of my Mag Lites just yet though.
The resperator is a must have for everyone that uses spray paint, however little. As cheap as these things are now you really have to not value your health to not use one.
So unless you’re a smoker go spend the $25, buy one and be sure to store it in a 1 gallon zip top bag when not in use to prolong the life of the filters.
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I find that these respirators never seal to the face very well. When I was demolishing my house I used Vaseline or petroleum jelly (not sure what you call it in North America) to seal the rim of the mask to my face. I inhaled a lot less dust after this and felt much healthier.