Imagine using only two clamps to glue an entire panel, or even just a jig and a few wedges. The exactly machined arc of the Bowclamp allows you to do just that.

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Ever since computer modeling started transforming the future of manufacturing, we’ve dreamed of being able to do it ourselves, without having to pony up millions of dollars.  The folks at Shapeways.com are bringing us a step closer to that dream of home tool design and creation — they put you in the designer’s seat, and they’ll crank out whatever you can dream up.

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As the lawn-care season nears its end, many folks think ahead to storing their mower in the shed and not giving it a second thought until spring rears its grass-growing head — but not these guys. No, these gents took a look at their mower and thought a set of knobbies and a Grave Digger paint job would be just the thing.

Sure, it doesn’t cut grass anymore, and the neighbors think you’re a loon — but offer ‘em a turn on the Mini-Digger and they’ll come around. I mean, seriously, the thing’s amphibious and can roll over cars — it’s difficult to say no.

Monster Lawnmower [YouTube]

Try to rip a long piece of tape from that crappy little dispenser that comes with a roll of Scotch tape and you’ll realize why you use a tape gun with packing tape. Harbor Freight sells a cheap solution to your taping woes — a micro tape gun for standard tape rolls.

This compact (2-3/4″x 1-1/4″x 4-1/4″) tape gun uses tape rolls with the 1″ diameter hole in the center. It can accommodate tape rolls up to 3/4″ wide and 2-3/4″ in diameter.

Is this a tool or just a toy? We’re not sure, but for only $2 it might be worth a try next time you hit your local Harbor Freight.

Micro Tape Gun [Harbor Freight]

If you’ve never had cause to stuff way too much crap into way too small an area, making up the difference with a few ratchet straps, you really haven’t lived yet. There’s nothing like barreling down the freeway with your valuables defying the laws of physics while hoping you don’t get pulled over. Reader tmib_seattle demonstrates one of the better such moves in this sweet photo.

His challenge is, “How would YOU haul home a 12′ workbench?” — and I must say tmib and I are of one mind on this issue. Though others may cast aspersions on your stylish choice of bench transport, sir, I say grab some straps, ratchet that bad boy down, and go like hell before someone sees you.

Toolmonger Photo Pool [Flickr]

SOG is to tactical knives what Armani is to suits — they may not be the absolute best in the world, but everyone looks to them to come out with the next big thing before leaping upon it themselves. The Fatcat has the look of one of those soon-to-be-copied blades.

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This has to be a mistake, so don’t blame me if the price isn’t honored: Buy.com is listing this Bosch Silver and Deming 8-pc. drill bit set (BL0008) for only $23 with shipping. The next lowest price on these is $67, so it’s either a misprint or a smoking deal!

Bosch Drill Bit Set [Buy.com]
Street Pricing [Google Products]
Via Amazon [What’s This?] [What's This?]

(Monday, August 25th, 2008) Tonight we’ve got a new Top Gear and the season finale of LA Hard Hats for your viewing pleasure.

All times are central.

• Rock Solid: Fire Pit and Grill (DIY, 5:00 p.m.)
• Trains & Locomotives (RFD-TV, 5:00 p.m.)
• Rock Solid: Outdoor Kitchen (DIY, 5:30 p.m.)
• How It’s Made: Copy Paper, Jeans, Computers, Plate Glass (Discovery, 6:00 p.m.)
• How It’s Made: Hydroponic Lettuce, Construction Wood, Recycling, Fishing Flies (Discovery, 6:30 p.m.)
• Top Gear: Episode 7 (BBC America, 7:00 p.m.) NEW
• Top Gear: Episode 6 (BBC America, 8:00 p.m.)
• How Do They Do It?: High-Speed Trains, Jeans (Science, 8:00 p.m.)
• How Do They Do It?: Gasoline Pumps, Swiss Army Knives (Science, 8:30 p.m.)
• L.A. Hard Hats: Race to the Finish (National Geographic, 9:00 p.m.) NEW
• How It’s Made: Hearing Aids, 3-D Puzzles, Rubber Mats, Toilets (Discovery, 10:00 p.m.)
• How It’s Made: Winter Jackets, Animation, Mushrooms, Gold Rings (Discovery, 10:30 p.m.)

Enjoy.

(Sunday, August 24th, 2008) A new Ice Road Truckers debuts tonight, as their winter wanes.

All times are central.

• Cool Tools: Speciality (DIY, 5:00 p.m.)
• L.A. Hard Hats: House of Glass (National Geographic, 5:00 p.m.)
• Ice Road Truckers: Highway Maggots (History, 6:00 p.m.)
• How It’s Made: CCD Semiconductors, Airline Meals, Paper Cups, Trumpets (Science, 6:00 p.m.)
• How It’s Made: Padlocks, Hair Clippers, Wooden Shoes, Synthetic Leather (Science, 6:30 p.m.)
• Ice Road Truckers: Man vs. Ice (History, 7:00 p.m.)
• Ice Road Truckers: The Big Thaw (History, 8:00 p.m.) NEW
• Cool Tools: Innovators (DIY, 8:30 p.m.)
• Classic Tractors (RFD-TV, 8:30 p.m.)
• Under Construction: A Hefty Wager (DIY, 9:00 p.m.)

Enjoy.

(Saturday, August 23rd, 2008) It’s just a minimal Saturday night.

All times are central.

• Cool Tools: On the Surface (DIY, 5:00 p.m.)
• New Yankee Workshop: Media Press (DIY, 8:00 p.m.)
• Wood Works: Frame-and-Panel Door (DIY, 8:30 p.m.)
• Wood Works: Tool Cabinet (DIY, 9:00 p.m.)
• Holmes on Homes: Taking a Bath (TLC, 9:00 p.m.)
• Hammered With John & Jimmy DiResta: The Novelty Mailbox (DIY, 9:30 p.m.)
• How It’s Made: Electrical Panels, Kites, Eyeglass Frames, Toothbrushes (Discovery, 10:00 p.m.)
• How It’s Made: Three-Wheeled Vehicles, T-Rex Vehicles, Baseball Bats, Artificial Bonsais, Trombones (Discovery, 10:30 p.m.)

Enjoy.

Every Saturday morning round this time of year I’m awakened by the drone of my neighbor’s gas-powered blower, as he prowls our shared fence line like Halo’s Master Chief with a proton pack on his back. I don’t begrudge him the gear or the noise, ’cause I make more than my share, and I know there isn’t a fast way to get blower work done quietly — unless you’re sporting Stihl’s 65dB BR500 backpack blower.

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Of course you want to keep your trailer securely locked to your vehicle — but what about securing your uncoupled trailer at home? Reese’s universal coupler lock fits into the ball socket on your trailer tongue, and locking it prevents the trailer from getting hitched to a vehicle.

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GearWrench recently announced the launch of its new tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) kit. GearWrench says the new kit will help with TPMS sensor maintenance during tire and rim changes.

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Talking about when to change your oil and what oil filter to use can spark arguments where both sides defend their positions with religious fervor. Nevertheless, let’s forget about the marketing hype for a minute and recognize K&N for their simple innovation that should be standard on all oil filters: they’ve eliminated the need for special filter wrenches by welding 1″ nuts to the top of their automotive and marine filter canisters and 17mm nuts to their motorcycle and ATV canister filters.

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Painting stripes on a wall sounds like no big deal — until you attempt it. Afterwards, even wearing striped shirts seems like a blasphemous suggestion. Reader Bill Schuller put this striped room together with a laser level and more patience than I’d ever have.

He scored the laser level after seeing a Dealmonger for it and deciding now was the time to act. A few dozen paint lines and several kicked-over paint cans later, and he’d completed a badass designer baby room for the discerning pharaoh on the go. We especially dig the mark of “bored baby” that Bill points out behind the crib — fine work to both Bill and Luka.

Toolmonger Photo Pool [Flickr]

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:

Hands-On: GM’s 2009 Silverado Hybrid
Think battery power and regenerative braking are only for granola-eating hippies? Think again. GM was kind enough to give us a little time with their new-for-2009 (read: available in the first half of next year) Silverado hybrid. And we tried something you can’t do with a Prius: We tooled around town with three people onboard — and a 20′ SeaRay boat out back.

Portable Air Compressor?
When you think of a portable compressor you probably think of a tool that’s small and easy to move for powering your air nailer. Sure, that’s one definition of portable — but how about a compressor the size of a mobile home that can deliver 1,200 cfm at over 350 PSI!

Multi-Blow Joist Hanger Nailer
It looks like just a regular nail gun — but this is a multi-blow nailer, which means there’s no depth adjustment; you simply hold the actuator until the nail is driven to the depth desired. If you hit a knot, just hold the actuator longer.

Rol-La-Tank
Who would’ve thought you could store thousands of gallons of water in a tank that folds up to the size of a tent and can be carried by one guy? That’s just what you get with the Rol-La-Tank from Fol-Da-Tank.

Modular 3-in-1 Level
IDL Tools fits three levels into the space of one. The advantage: When you pick it up, you already have three levels in your hand, and you most likely won’t have to reach for another.  (Can you think of a project that needs four levels at the same time?)  That “not having to reach” is a great feature.

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.

Enco is selling the Kennedy eight-drawer machinists toolbox for $230, and if you’re signed up for their marketing spam you’ve probably got a free shipping code you can use for that purchase as well. Kennedy toolboxes (although not as nice as a Gerstner) have earned their reputation as the workhorses of the machinist trade, with drawers that’ll hold all your precision tools.

Kennedy #526 Machinists Toolbox [Enco]
Street Pricing [Google Products]