You need to know up front that the Irwin Quick Adjust ratcheting wrench isn’t a standard adjustable. It’s a totally different tool intended for different use.
Almost everyone who picked it up in the shop made fun of the fact that our test model is marked specifically for SAE. ”Why mark it for SAE if it’s adjustable?” they ask, then laugh. Why, indeed. Read past the jump to find out, and to see why you might want one of these in your kit.
Can you afford one of these? No. But you can get a big kick out of watching one in action. This video shows an edited clip of the killer mill turning a solid block of metal into a fully-finished V8 engine block.
Sean says he saw this exact sort of thing on How It’s Made a few weeks ago, with the engine blocks destined for GM vehicles. Sweet.
TM reader LJDobie writes: “I restore 80s and 90s autos, and something like this plastic welder from Harbor Freight sounds like it’d be great for fixing borken door clips or similar things, or even patching up the fenders on my ATV. Have any of you used it? Do you know exactly how it works?”
The last time I did any “plastic welding” it was with one of those kiddie construction kits that included a “welding gun” that spun plastic rods quickly to generate heat. Wow — that sounds really dangerous now that I say it to you, though at the time it made perfect sense.
So have you used one of these “real” plastic welders? Let us know about it in comments.
Long time TM reader Joel Wires writes: “I was at my local Menards last night and noticed that all of the Oldham router bits were on Clearance. Most of the bits were about 50% off — like the vertical raised panel bit, which was $59.99, now $32.99. I asked the hardware guy, and he said they were no longer going to carry them. I wish I had the cash for a few of them right now. If it’s been a while since you checked your local Menards, you might want to take a trip before they sell out of the bits.”
TM reader and photo pool member Joel posted some pics of a recent machining project, reminding me why I need to get off my lazy butt and learn to use my Smithy. Or for that matter, get off my lazy butt and post some pictures of my Smithy as it doesn’t look much like the stock ones. My father was a machinist, but he never got the chance to teach me while he was alive. I’ve been chasing the art ever since, never finding quite enough time to learn.
I’ll fix it one of these days — probably after I need a part like the one Joel created above and look over at the Smithy and think “Why didn’t I learn to use this years ago?” a few more times.
In the meantime, if you’ve got a cool project (or shop, or tool), why not take a second to sign up for Flickr, join the TM group, and post a pic or two?
This jack from Craftsman functions like a regular jack, lifting up to 17-inches. But after you’ve lifted whatever it is you need to lift, the front part detaches to leave a “jack stand” in place. It’s a neat idea, assuming that the stands are stable.
Black & Decker’s ProjectMate 3-in-1 decorating tool is a corded multi-function power tool that addresses the “preparation work blues” by spinning three types of prep work attachments at 8,500 rpm. Scraper blades (like sharpened claws) remove paint, a detail sander prepares and finishes surfaces for fresh paint, and a screwdriver attachment removes and refastens hardware, outlet covers and switch plates.
From the Sears clearance section: a 16″ camouflage toolbag for $8.97. It has a waterproof bottom, padded strap, and Realtree “hardwoods green” camouflage. You get a total of 14 internal pockets and five external pockets. Just don’t leave your tools in a wooded area – you might never find them again.
Delta will release their new line of floor drill presses in August. The big change: a pair of crosshair lasers. There’s nothing wrong with lasers, of course, but we were hoping for a bit more.
(Tuesday, July 31st, 2007) Although Shark Week is usually light on Toolmonger-friendly shows, tonight Discovery gives us three re-run episodes of Dirty Jobs that “bite.” Plus, a new 10 Things You Must Know tells us how to install a pond — an odd way to phrase that particular task – and a Trade School re-run gives us a taste of something we’ve all been missing: Custom Chopper building.
All times are central.
Dirty Jobs: Jobs That Bite Episode 1 (Discovery, 5:00 p.m.)
Holmes on Homes: Site Unseen (Home, 5:00 p.m.)
Dirty Jobs: Jobs That Bite Episode 2 (Discovery, 6:00 p.m.)
Chop Cut Rebuild: No Sweat (Speed, 6:00 p.m.)
Dirty Jobs: Jobs That Bite…Harder (Discovery, 7:00 p.m.)
John Ratzenberger’s Made in America: Stern Pinball, Ditch Witch, American Whistle (Travel, 9:00 p.m.)
Even I — admittedly, I don’t do a lot of gardening – can see where a 15’ path would help keep you and your wheelbarrow out of the mud and muck, and that’s what this lightweight roll-out plastic walkway provides. It almost seems inspired by film clips of old Army bridging units.
This week Sean and I run down the week’s top five posts as selected by Toolmonger readers — and call out a few posts we thought deserved attention as well. Highlights: we answer a question about painting chrome exhaust pipes, discuss foam-core modelling, talk Swiss Army knives, and reveal Sean’s track obsession. Remember, if you’ve got a question or comment you can call us at 866-718-9403. (Podcast Download)
With the Cheetah on its way to “the vault,” I found Case’s announcement of the Tony Bose-designed Swing Guard lock blade knife to be welcome news. This limited-production blade looks a lot like the Cheetah, but adds a classic ”swell center” (read: the pointy bits in the middle).
After all the great response to our coverage of the Speedy Stitcher, we’re happy to pass on a tip from reader nrChris: Harbor Freight is currently offering a coupon that’ll land you a cheap sewing awl for just $3. If you’re thinking about messing around with one of these, this might be a good start.
TM reader and photo pool member Problemsolver posted pics of a variety of tools he came across at the EAA’s Airventure show, which ended this weekend. The platform pictured above folds up small, but raises high enough to reach the vertical stabilizer on a King Air. Of course, I’m sure you can imagine numerous uses outside of the aviation world. We can!
Check out Toolmonger’s photo pool for additional cool tools from EAA, and if you get the chance, check out the show next time ’round. I made it out once a number of years ago, and it’s a sight to behold. Imagine miles and miles of aircraft, plus tools and people who know how to use ‘em. At the risk of dating myself, I sawheard felt the Concorde depart a few times when I was there, and walked around underneath it. (To get a feeling of how cool this show is, check out the rest of Problemsolver’s photos of the event.)
If imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, it looks like Stanley’s FUBAR has a new admirer: The Truckman’s Professional Demo Tool. Duluth Trading, who sells this hammer from hell, claims that ”by design it does the work of 4 or 5 standard demolition tools.” The big difference? The Truckman is more of a modified hammer than a new form of tool.
Luthiers — builders of guitars, violins, and such — are by definition very accurate woodworkers. So who better to write a “how to” article on making your own finger plane? Alan Dunwell, owner and operator of Dunwell Guitar which manufactures bespoke guitars and specializes in one-off double tops, wrote an interesting little article on building finger planes — tiny “micro planes” used for intricate detail work. Look closely at the picture above; some aren’t much bigger than a quarter.
