Most Toolmongers know that I’m a total multi-tool hater. Most of ‘em are designed primarily as a combination tool (that just happens to have a knife blade), and while that’s handy, I want a real knife. That’s what the X-Tract claims to deliver: a multi-tool that’s primarily a knife, but offers some other functionality, too.
It’s really intended as an “outdoors and sports” knife, but we decided to see if the X-Tract could serve a more traditional working-shop role. The results were surprising. Read on past the jump for lots of photos and hands-on goodness.
Cobra claims that their Triple Grip anchors — with dual claws, a split core, and locking wings — can hold a maximum pull load of 70 pounds in 5/8” drywall or a whopping 275 pounds in concrete. These aren’t your ordinary everyday plastic anchors.
Remember old-school Toolmonger that was all young, dumb and full of… vigor? So do we. Check out what we were discussing a year ago this week:
We broke our first AutoWrench, and much to Black & Decker’s marketing department’s pleasure, it failed exactly at the torque they said it would. Check out the hands-on post (complete with video), and don’t miss our recent interview with the AutoWrench’s inventor where he dishes on the decade-plus-long story of bringing the ‘Wrench to market.
We previewed Skil’s 10.8V li-ion drill, which never really got the attention it deserved. You can find ‘em in the bargain bins now at a hell of a value.
Sean rounded up a “leash for cabinets” — perfect for keeping cabinets standing upright and off your back.
Don’t want to shell out $750 for a sweet dust collection system? We found an electrical accessory that turns your shop vacuum on with any power tool for a lot less.
LOX screws — the ones with the funky drive recess — really do work, as we proved last year. We drove and pulled one of these literally ’till we got tired of doing it — we had to wear welding gloves to hold the screw — with almost no visible cam-out.
Matting a picture before you frame it can make a cheap-ass frame look expensive, and it’s a cheap process if you own your own matte cutter.
And Sean drew his first (and only, so far) Toolmonger comic, lambasting the (still going strong) power tool laser craze. Drop him a comment and tell him how great it is so he’ll do more of them.
Of course, you don’t have to wait for us to call out these great old posts. Try plugging your areas of interest into TM’s search engine to turn up hours of old-school TM fun. See you next week.
As you can see from the photo above, TM reader and photo pool member Fredboness was inspired by another readers big lathe to post a picture of his own Emco Unimat — small enough for model work. Fred says he uses it mainly to make and modify parts for his radio-controlled sailing boats, but you could turn out all sorts of cool stuff on one of these.
Plus, we send extra props to Fred for including the big-lathe TM page in the photo itself. Nice job!
The name says it all: it’s a driver set that looks like a tank. Sold as a promotional item primarily, the Tank Tool is pretty functional, too. The tank’s turret and cannon make up a detachable screwdriver handle, and the treads pull double duty as socket and bit storage. There’s even a tray built into the center body of the tank to hold loose screws and other fasteners –plus a mini screwdriver. Hell, this “tank” is better equipped than some household “tool kits.”
The ScanGuage II by Linear-Logic isn’t just any OBDII scanner – it’s a direct conduit to what’s going on under your hood. While you could just use it to pull trouble codes or turn off that pesky “check engine” light, it’s really a full featured automotive computer for your 1996 and later car or truck.
Plastic hobby vises like the Dremel Multi-Vise are great for delicate work, but sometimes you need a portable vise that can handle some abuse — like a cast iron clamp-on vise. These vises are great both in the shop and throughout the home because they set up quickly and offer strong clamping force. And you’ll really love ‘em if you don’t have a large work area because they’re as effective attached to a computer desk as to a workbench.
This drill/driver “project kit” from Black & Decker is currently $13 over at Amazon. The set contains hex bits, masonary bits, a magnetic bit holder, hole saws, and it comes in a free standing case. Sure, it’s probably at least partly junk, but remember: the great thing about sets like this is that you’re not heart-broken when you lose or snap a bit or snap a bit.
(Wednesday, August 29th, 2007) We get a new Mythbusters tonight, with Adam and Jamie donning spandex tights to test superhero myths. The real entertainment will be on all the comic fanboy forums after it airs. Otherwise it’s just reruns of Mythbusters and How It’s Made, etc.
All times are central.
Holmes on Homes: Bargain Basement (Home, 5:00 p.m.)
How It’s Made: Episode 36, wind generators, PVC gloves, thermo-formed glass and fire trucks (Discovery, 6:00 p.m.)
Chop Cut Rebuild: Metal Mania vs Sand Blast Power (Speed, 6:00 p.m.)
How It’s Made: Episode 10, goalie pads, lapel pins, cardboard boxes and crystal wine glasses (Discovery, 6:30 p.m.)
MythBusters: Grenades and Guts (Discovery, 7:00 p.m.)
The Penntek power pull hammer is the only hammer that looks like Bugs Bunny hit it in the head — you know, where the red lump rises out of the character’s head? Then again, the Penntek’s lump is solid steel.
And the Penntek’s lump has a purpose: they claim it gives you extra leverage to pull out tough nails. Well, we tried it out for ourselves to find out whether this claim is true — or whether it’s just another gimmick to separate consumers from a portion of their tool budget.
This week we talk woodworking, delving into a low-cost bookcase Sean is building. For far under $200, he’s put together a nice plan that’s easy to build without mounted power tools. And, as always, we run down the week’s top five posts as selected by Toolmonger readers, taking some time at the end to call out a few posts we thought deserved attention. Highlights: we talk about all the tools required to build the bookcase, discuss easy hand-wipe oil stains, relate seat-belt-cutting experiences, share our love of full face shields, and lament the end of Ice Road Truckers. Remember, if you’ve got a question or comment you can call us at 866-718-9403. (Podcast Download)
If for any reason you ever find yourself needing to rebuild civilization, the Pocket Ref by Thomas J. Glover and Sequoia Publishing would be the one book you’d want to have on hand. Need to know how to tie a truckers hitch? Check out page 548. How about the correct concrete mix ratio for building a retaining wall? Page 101. Let’s say you need a crash course on how to weld – that starts on page 667. This uber-reference book’s small size belies the vast amount of information contained within.
The spring-type clamps auto manufacturers apply on nearly every hose fitting are an endless source of frustration for most of us; they’re often buried in the engine compartment where only Stuart Little could get at them. But with S-K’s cable-operated clamp pliers, it’s a cable that twists and winds through the hot engine instead of your arm.
Unlike most “contour sanders” which can change the shape of the material as you work, this one holds sandpaper in exactly the profile you set. It works just like a contour gauge, but with sheets instead of pins so it can support sandpaper.
When adhesives – my go-to solution for attaching things to thin panels – aren’t an option, here’s a great alternative: plastic hollow door anchors. They pop through thin panels, then spread outwards – just like metal toggles, but with less chance of damaging the panel.
Autumn is approaching, and after the leaf peeping comes the leaf-blowing/mulching season. Here’s some help: over at Amazon I spotted this Flowtron Leaf-Eater electric leaf shredder for $51.39. It has a 21″ hopper and claims a 30:1 mulching ratio. It’s constructed from steel and high-density polyethylene, so it weighs in at an easy-to-carry 16 pounds, and it ships with a 1-year warranty.
(Tuesday, August 28th, 2007) Tonight: Mike Rowe goes on a Wild Goose Chase and Build it Bigger builds replacement homes for Katrina survivors. 10 Things You Must Know tells us how to paint the house; it’s a good thing we procrastinated this year – now we’ll know how to do it right next summer.
All times are central.
Holmes on Homes: Ceiling the Deal (Home, 5:00 p.m.)
Machinery of the Past (RFD-TV, 5:00 p.m.)
Chop Cut Rebuild: Shop…Cut Rebuild! (Speed, 6:00 p.m.)
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