We happen to have a few more small tools in testing right now, so we thought we’d go ahead and re-activate our Submit a Tool, Win a Tool giveaway. 

What this means is that we’re offering up some of the smaller post-test tools hanging around the office to those who submit our favorite tools over the next few weeks.  So, if you’ve got a minute, drop us a line using the Submit a Tool form and let us know what’s in your shop that we should have in ours.

And hey — we’re not just seeking your favorite tools.  We’d also love to hear any tips you might have for fellow Toolmogners or great tool deals you’ve run across.

Note: This isn’t a contest, and we’re not going to announce winners; we’re simply going to pick someone from the list of submitters by whatever means that strikes us at the moment when we have something to give away, then contact that person by email directly.  So, if you might like one of these tools — whatever they end up being — be sure and enter a valid email in the submission form.

Submit a Tool [Toolmonger, of course]

Longtime reader and contributor Lorenzo tipped us off to these tool kits from CruzTools — great replacements for factory motorcycle kits that are lost, damaged, or just plain crappy. 

Our favorite: their RoadTech H3 (pictured) which includes most everything you’d need to un-strand your Harley without embarassing AAA help: a set of combination wrenches, an adjustable wrench, locking pliers, an LED flashlight, hex and Torx keys, a screw driver, and a lot more.  There’s even a tire gauge so you don’t have to trust the lame ones at the gas station.

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Black & Decker’s new cordless cultivator mates a string-trimmer form factor with two counter-rotating tines to tear out weeds and aerate soil up to four inches deep in spaces way too tight for most powered cultivators.  This keeps you off your knees in the garden and saves time, too.

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For those whoe don’t have $400 bucks to drop on an evaporative cooler — or live outslide of Arizona — an old school oscillating fan is the way to go to bring some cool into the shop on the cheap.

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Over at the Skil Tool Shop they’re having a 10% off sale on all reconditioned power tools.  To get this deal, enter the coupon code “RECONTEN” at checkout.  The deal expires April 30th and is limited to one coupon per order.

10% Off Skil Reconditioned Tools [Skil Shop]

After reading some of our recent posts regarding grilling here in the ‘States, one awesome reader named Freddie took the time to write in and tell us a bit about how BBQ works in his home of South Africa.  They call it “Braai” (as in br-eye), and while the recipes differ a bit from what we’re used to, one thing is exactly the same: the comeraderie of burning some meat with friends.

We wrote back to ask a few questions, and Freddie sent us a set of recipes, descriptions, and even photos the be kindly agreed to allow us to share with you.  So here you go: Freddie’s personal “Guide To A Good Braai.”

(Pictured: “A pretty traditional braai with a porkrib, some “boerewors” (the sausage) and a “potjie” (the pot).”

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(Tuesday, April 24th, 2007) Made in America is the highpoint tonight – we really liked the segment on Ditch Witch on tonight’s rerun episode.  Just a heads up: while the main schedule says that Monster House is on TLC tonight, their sub-schedule says that it’s an episode of Motorcycle Mania.  We’ll get some sort of mania, at least…

All times are central.

• Machinery of the Past: “Restoring Farm Trucks.” (RFD-TV, 5:00 p.m.)
• How It’s Made: Episode 46, 3D commercial signs, hardwood floors, corrugated polyethylene pipe and mattresses. (Discovery, 6:00 p.m.)
• Chop Cut Rebuild: Down and Dirty (Speed, 6:00 p.m.)
• How It’s Made: Episode 23, windshields, english saddles, butter and post clocks. (Discovery, 6:30 p.m.)
• Monster House: Tropical House (TLC, 7:00 p.m.)
• John Ratzenberger’s Made in America: Head-Penn, WET Design, Starbucks (Travel, 9:00 p.m.)
• V-Twin Motorcycle TV: Ballsy Bobber (Speed, 9:00 p.m.)
• 10 Things You Must Know: Ceramic Tile (DIY, 9:00 p.m.)
• John Ratzenberger’s Made in America: Stern Pinball, Ditch Witch, American Whistle (Travel, 9:30 p.m.)
• Trade School: Auto Mechanics (DIY, 9:30 p.m.)
• MythBusters: Birds in a Truck (Discovery, 11:00 p.m.)

Enjoy.

We’ve posted about dozens of ‘em ranging from single LED bulb-replacement upgrades to multi-LED monsters, and we’ve heard arguments for and against from friends and neighbors.  But we want to hear from you, our fellow Toolmongers.

What do you think of LED flashlights?  Is it time to stop buying bulb-lit lights and tools, or should we stick with the tried-and-true?  Let us know in comments.

It’s Monday again, and Sean and I are back to brighten up your work week with a run down of the top five tools as selected by the readers of Toolmonger.com.  Highlights: we discuss the merits/demerits of ditching your string trimmer for a foot-powered unit, tell stories about refurbishing a pool the hard way, and rejoin the gas vs. charcoal grill argument.  Remember, if you’ve got a question or comment for us, you can call us at 866-718-9403.  (Podcast Download)

Brandon writes: “ The buddy bar is one of my favorite tools.  I’ve never seen it marketed or advertised anywhere but it seems to be a popular item in the aircooled VW community.  There are many situations in which you need to loosen a fastener in a rotating assembly such as an axle nut, gland nut, or crank bolt.  The buddy bar allows you to safely immobilize a rotating assembly by slipping it over bolts in that assembly and holding it securely against another stationary surface.  For instance to remove an axle nut you slip the smaller holes in the periphery around the wheel studs of a brake disc or drum and set the handle of the buddy bar against the ground.  A socket and breaker bar goes through the large hole in the center and is able to loosen the axle nut without the hub rotating or, if it is a driven wheel, without damaging the axle or transmission.  It makes what is often a two man job into a one man job.  It’s your ‘buddy’ when you just can’t get a friend to come over to the garage and lend a hand.  It also makes these operations safer as two people are not pushing against each other, so there’s a much smaller chance of a wrench flying off and injuring someone.”

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Most old houses have mangled gutters because gutters make lousy ladder supports.  Now you can add this ”ladder dock” that’ll take the weight without damage the next time you need to hang Christmas lights or retrieve a stranded Frisbee.

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Long-time reader (and sometimes deal-submitter) Stuey totally one-upped last week’s reader-favorite $8 tool bag.  His comment:

“How about this: TWO bags, a 12-incher and a 14-incher, for a grand total of $9?”

Actually, it’s only $8.89, but who’s counting pennies?  Way to go, Stuey!

Two Bags For $9 Via Amazon [What’s this?]

Seeking a cheap, portable chop-saw table?  You needn’t look any further than Norm Abram’s New Yankee Workshop.  Norm recently built a station that’s both sturdy and relatively easy to construct, and the plans are just $11.

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We’re planning our schedule for the Tool Talk and One Beer Project podcasts and would like your opinion on future guests and projects.  Specifically:

What guests would you like to hear on Tool Talk?  We really enjoyed Ed Fowler — as did you judging from our email — but what other people would you enjoy?

What projects would you like to hear about in OBP?  Or maybe a better question is: as the neighborhood “tool dude,” what “quick fixes” are you constantly explaining to your friends and neighbors?  Let us know in comments.

We appreciate any suggestions you have, and remember: these are “valid comments” that count as an entry into our Ridgid pneumatic giveaway!

Sears is offering this 12V cordless drill (#11443) for just $30 “while supplies last.”  That’s half-off its normal price of $60.  The drill has a 3/8″ chuck, a 24-position clutch, and two speeds.  Also included: two batteries, charger, case, and 20 assorted bits.

Craftsman 12V Cordless Drill (#11443) [Sears]

This long-handled bit wrench is intended for installing automotive door hinges where you’ve really got to lay in some torque accurately to get the job done.  But there’s no reason you couldn’t use it anywhere you need to apply large force to a small fastener with a hex, Torx, or square head. 

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(Monday, April 23rd, 2007) What can we say? Monday is for working in your shop.

All times are central.

• How It’s Made: Episode 24, individual transporters, cedar canoes and electric guitars. (Discovery, 6:00 p.m.)
• Chop Cut Rebuild: Tear Down Day (Speed, 6:00 p.m.)
• How It’s Made: Episode 3, toothpicks, acrylic bathtubs, helicopters and beer. (Discovery, 6:30 p.m.)
• MythBusters: Birds in a Truck (Discovery, 8:00 p.m.)

Enjoy.