It’s been a busy week here at Toolmonger. If you’ve been spending time in the shop — you should! — 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:

A Fence For Your Carpenter’s Square
Think of the Veritas square fence like a third hand that helps you true up your square for more accurate scribing of lines. It braces against the side of whatever surface you’re working with, so there’s no need to ask, “Is it flush and square?”

Black & Decker’s Do-Everything Battery Boom Box
Think of the PSS100B as the Run-DMC of Black & Decker’s “Power To Go” line, wrapping a big-ass SLA battery, a 120V inverter, LED lights, and an AM/FM digital radio all up in a package that Funkmaster Flex would’ve happily carried ’round. And don’t forget the MP3 player compartment — complete with an audio tap and a USB power source for charging.

Stock Up (And Save Your Dash) With This Nylon Pry Tool Set
It looks like the set of tools a car thief in the movies might have, but Eastwood’s nylon tool set is really meant to get auto interior panels off without marring them like a metal tool would. Not something you need everyday — but if it’s got to come off, these will help.

A John Deere For Home
John Deere’s gearing up for springtime with its updated Z-Trak “Estate Series” residential zero-turn lawn mowers which arrive at local Deere dealerships soon. These things pack a virtual arsenal of grass-hacking armaments, like 25 HP V-Twin engines and integrated electronic controls to raise and lower the deck. It’s not a Hemi, but they’re trying.

TM’s 2007 Favorites: Ridgid 2-1/8” Brad Nailer
Our favorite finish nailer of ’07 has proven to be a completely unstoppable, orange, nail-shooting tank. Beating after beating, this little Ridgid proves it’s just as sturdy as its larger counterparts in the Ridgid line — and it still holds the Toolmonger shop record for never jamming.

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.

You don’t always have enough clearance to drill a hole or drive a screw where you need it. Maybe an obstruction blocks the hole, or the combination of drill and bit just won’t fit, as with closely spaced studs. At times like these a tool like Fuller’s flexible extension could come in handy.

(more…)

Black and Decker’s VPX tools and accessories are hitting the clearance bins at many home improvement stores less than four months after the products’ initial release. It seems that some stores simply removed their VPX stock from display, but others, such as the Home Depot shown above, are offering their leftovers at a sweet discount.

While we wouldn’t recommend these tools for heavy-duty work even at clearance prices, they’re decent homeowner-grade products that you may want to keep an eye out for, next time you’re at the store. Although I’ve heard rumors that the VPX system has been discontinued, several online stores and discount retailers are still offering a variety of VPX tools and add-ons at full price.

Many thanks go to MrsMcDreamy at Slickdeals.net for sharing the above photo recently taken at Home Depot.

VPX Tool System [Black and Decker]
Street Pricing [Google Products]
VPX Starter Set Via Amazon [What's This?]

(Friday, February 15th, 2008) It’s another typical Friday, with the new DIY lineup and standard Home channel reruns. Forge and Anvil is on again as well…

All times are central.

• Holmes on Homes: Bungled Bungalow (Home, 5:00 p.m.)
• Build It Bigger: High Risk Tower (Science, 5:00 p.m.)
• How It’s Made: Episode 38, electric baseboard heaters, molded pulp containers, video games, and chicken (Discovery, 6:00 p.m.)
• How It’s Made: Episode 20, carpet, drinking water, laser eye surgery, and acoustic guitars (Discovery, 6:30 p.m.)
• Toolbelt Diva: Deck the Hulls (Home, 7:00 p.m.)
• How Do They Do It?: Episode 7, weather forecasting and hovercraft vehicles (Science, 7:00 p.m.)
• Take Home Handyman: Back Door Bling: Max & Brandon (Home, 7:30 p.m.)
• How It’s Made, Season 3: Episode 34, inflatable safety devices, braille typewriters, and carbon fiber cellos (Science, 7:30 p.m.)
• Holmes on Homes: Holmes for the Holidays (Home, 8:00 p.m.)
• How It’s Made 4: Episode 23, bronze bells, wooden airplane propellers, charcoal briquettes, and gas log fireplaces (Science, 8:00 p.m.)
• Hammered With John & Jimmy DiResta: The Garden Fountain (DIY, 8:00 p.m.)
• How It’s Made 4: Episode 22, dress forms, boat propellers, duvets, and faucets (Science, 8:30 p.m.)
• Wood Works: Computer Desk (DIY, 8:30 p.m.)
• Build It Bigger: Floating City (Science, 9:00 p.m.)
• Wood Works: Bowl Table (DIY, 9:00 p.m.)
• New Yankee Workshop: Dressing Table (DIY, 9:30 p.m.)
• Forge and Anvil (RFD-TV, 10:30 p.m.)

Enjoy.

Most people see a chainsaw as a utilitarian tool of destruction. However, others see a chainsaw as Monet saw a paint brush or Michelangelo saw a mallet and chisel — that is, as a tool of expression. The RedMax G3200CV, a lightweight saw with a 12″ bar meant specifically for detail carving, qualifies as just such a tool.

The saw’s bar narrows to a tight radius for doing very detailed work. The chain, also specifically meant for detail work, features fine, closely-spaced cutters. The saw’s 31.8 cc two-stroke engine puts out 1.8 HP.

The manufacturer, Zenoah Komatsu, gave noted chainsaw sculptor Brian Ruth (a.k.a. Master of the Chainsaw) the chance to demo the saw in Japan. Brian liked it so much, he brought it back to the states where he sells it exclusively through his company, Chainsaw Masters International. You can get the RedMax G3200CV for $380.

G3200CV [MastersOfTheChainsaw.com]
Video Of Brian Ruth Carving [YouTube]

If you’ve been itching for a cheap digital miter gauge/fence and didn’t want to pay uber bucks for one, Craftsman may have the cure for what ails you in the Digital Miter Gauge Model 29939 — an un-sexy name for what could prove to be a handy edition around the shop.

It features -50 to +50 degree miter/bevel/angle range, three adjustable expansion points for a precise fit in standard 3/4″ slots, and a 15″ aluminum miter fence. The backlit LCD screen reads right side up, even when it’s upside down. And Craftsman throws in a few other goodies that make the gauge look rather interesting to us. We don’t have one in the shop yet, but it has made the list.

The price is also rather attractive, hovering right around $80 for all this potential digital hotness.

Digital Miter Gauge Model 29939 [Craftsman]
Street Pricing [Google Products]

When you create something you’re proud of, you want people to know — you want to leave your mark. For instance, you can show your pride in your work by marking it with your personal brand. Rockler sells custom branding irons for between $50 and $90.

Rockler offers their “HANDCRAFTED BY” branding irons in either torch-heated or 110V electrically-heated. You can add one or two additional custom lines of text — all CAPITAL letters — after the “HANDCRAFTED BY” text.

The torch-heated branding irons run slightly cheaper, at $50 for one custom line or $80 for two lines. The electrically heated irons sell for $65 and $90. If you’re looking to buy a custom branding iron, plan ahead, because the delivery time is about three to four weeks.

Branding Iron [Rockler]

If you’ve moved beyond using two saw horses and a scaffold plank for a work surface, you may want to consider Skil’s new XBench. It may look like a plain table, but some simple details and a variety of accessories set it apart from other work surfaces.

You can adjust the bench’s telescoping legs to work at different heights or different surfaces easily. You can fold it in half to move to the next location. If you’re cutting with a circular saw, you can split the top of the bench to create a channel for the blade to pass through while fully supporting your material. You can even plug that saw into a built-in outlet, complete with bumpable kill switch. All of this would add up to a decent table, but add the accessories and it really starts to get interesting.

(more…)

Next time you have to bundle boards, pipes, siding, or whatever, don’t reach for tape or rope or twine — grab your roll of Stretch Wrap Flat Twine. If it’s good enough to withstand shipping by UPS, it’s good enough for Toolmongers.

Unlike tape, Flat Twine only sticks to itself, so there are no knots to remember — wrapping the Flat Twine over itself is sufficient. Since it stretches, you can bundle your stuff tighter than with rope or twine. And when you need to separate the materials, just unwrap the flat twine; no knots to untie, no sticky mess left behind.

Pricing starts at $4 for a 2″ x 178′ roll with dispenser. If you can find a rope that length for cheaper, I wouldn’t trust it.

Street Pricing [Google Products]
Via Amazon [What's This?]

Working on a project, whether at home or work, you reach for the stuff that works. When we first picked up the Irwin Groove Lock adjustable pliers, we were less than stunned, but they were a decent quality tool for the price so we threw them in the tool cart. Over time, we found we’d choose these over almost any other adjustable pliers out there.

(more…)

DeWalt recently added this impact driver to its tool line, and now Wholesale Industrial Supplies is selling it for $206. Its compact weight and size — 3.3 lbs. and 5-3/4″ — allow you to get into tight areas without arm fatigue. Its 9.6V motor, magnesium gear housing, and all-metal transmission drive the impact mechanism at up to 2,400 RPM and provide up to 80 ft-lbs. of torque without kickback.

With the quick-release 1/4″ hex shank, you can switch bits quickly and easily. The impact driver comes with a heavy-duty plastic case, battery, and quick one-hour charger.

Impact Driver Kit [DeWalt]
Impact Driver Kit [Wholesale Industrial Supplies}
Street Pricing [Google Products]

(Thursday, February 14th, 2008) There’s a new American Chopper tonight, and tons of reruns for you to enjoy.

All times are central.

• Holmes on Homes: Window Well to Hell (Home, 5:00 p.m.)
• Build It Bigger: Turbo-Charged Boats (Science, 5:00 p.m.)
• Today Show Tips: Building Storage Units (DIY, 5:30 p.m.)
• Rides: Bond (TLC, 6:00 p.m.)
• How It’s Made: Episode 15, curling stones, refrigerators, aluminum baseball bats, and opalescent glass (Discovery, 7:00 p.m.)
• American Chopper: Australia 3 (TLC, 7:00 p.m.)
• Classic Tractors (RFD-TV, 7:00 p.m.)
• How It’s Made: Episode 16, levels, hot dogs, abrasive grains, and sandpaper (Discovery, 7:30 p.m.)
• How It’s Made: Episode 17, ice cream treats, wooden golf clubs, aircraft wings, and car battery recycling (Discovery, 8:00 p.m.)
• American Chopper: Gander Mountain 1 (TLC, 8:00 p.m.) NEW
• Cool Tools: Clean Up (DIY, 8:00 p.m.)
• How It’s Made: Episode 18, automotive fuel pumps, cricket bats, change machines, and ductile iron pipes (Discovery, 8:30 p.m.)
• Cool Tools (DIY, 8:30 p.m.)
• How Do They Do It?: Episode 12, halogen light bulbs, car mufflers, and lock and key sets (Science, 9:00 p.m.)
• How Do They Do It?: Episode 10, launching rockets, manufacturing binocular lenses, and windshield wiper blades (Science, 9:30 p.m.)

Enjoy.

It can be easy to take care of safety problems you can see, but sometimes you can’t see all potential risks, like harmful air particulates from smoke or dust in your workshop. Dylos’ Air Quality Monitor helps you see what you’re breathing.

Dylos designed the DC1100 to be affordable to the average consumer. Its laser particle counter, which can make measurements as small as one micron, maintains current counts of the amount of particles in the air between one to four microns, and above five microns. As a point of reference, a human hair measures between 40-120 microns in diameter.

(more…)

This is a man with his priorities straight. Just look at reader and Flickr member jon m ryan’s shop. You can see from the picture that work gets done here, even though the untrained eye might say it’s messy.

As someone who doesn’t have running water in his shop, I covet your steam cleaner sink! From the casting and molds and dyes, we guess composite fabrication is the name of the game for jon. Hats off and beers up to you, sir!

Toolmonger Flickr Pool [Flickr]

228 Storage Tips And Easy Projects packs into its 144 pages lots of great storage ideas for your home and workshop. The book describes and illustrates every project in detail, making it quick and easy for handypersons of all skill levels to follow. Even better, most of the featured projects require low-cost supplies that you may already have in your scrap pile.

(more…)

So you twisted the head off a brass wood screw — bummer. If you try to back out the remaining screw with a reverse-thread screw extractor, you may just deform the soft brass rather than remove it.  And if you grab the broken screw with pliers, you could end up doing more damage. It might be time to try these broken screw extractors from WoodCraft.

(more…)

Porsche has partnered with Wenger to create this reinterpretation of the basic SAK design. The handle is curved to not cut up your driving gloves. The handle scales are made with the element ruthenium, just because ruthenium sounds cool. Street pricing is around $160 bucks, but you can probably get Porsche to cut you a break when you buy that new 911.

Porsche Knife [Porsche Design]
Street Pricing [Google Products]
Via Amazon [What's This?]