Campbell Hausfeld is recalling several compressor models after 11 fires were reported. The recalled compressors pose a fire hazard due to improper motor coverings that can ignite during use. The affected products include certain Campbell Hausfeld and Husky compressors sold between July 2005 and November 2007.

(more…)

Archimedes said something like, “Give me a lever big enough, and I’ll move the world.” I’m fairly certain the same general idea applies to Matjack’s low-pressure, high-lift bags — at only 8 PSI they can lift one and a half tons or jack up three ton vehicles. Applications include everything from off-road 4X4 lifting to search and rescue.

(more…)

With the right attachment, Paratech’s Airgun 40SC can punch through concrete, smash locks, and cut through metal at a rate of 600 blows/minute. That’s pretty damn cool. But what’s even cooler? It’s portable – perfect for forced entry in firefighting.

(more…)

If you’re looking for a small, high-powered air compressor for your vehicle, I highly recommend the Master Flow. I picked one up a while back, but finally got around to using it this morning to inflate a flat tire at 6 a.m. in the rain — and I was very impressed. 

The Tsunami is powered by a 1/3 HP oil-less motor that delivers a maximum of 150 psi and features a built-in serviceable air filter. Its large gauge makes it easy to read — like, say, from inside a warm car — and the compressor connects to your car battery with alligator clip connectors. Or, you can permantently mount it and wired it in directly. It comes in a carrying case with 16′ of coiled hose and an easy-twist screw-on brass inflator nozzle. 

And I paid considerable more than the $49  — with free shipping, too, dammit — that Amazon wants for it now.

Master Flow 1050 [Q Industries]
Via Amazon [What's this?]
Street Pricing [Google Products]

Ingersoll-Rand’s workhorse rock drill is mean. It can drill a 2″ wide hole up to 18” deep into solid rock — perfect for when the s#!$ you need to break is made of stone. And just think how cool you’ll look weilding it!

(more…)

Building codes across the country are now requiring more and more metal connectors (joist hangers, hurricane ties, etc). In order for a connector to meet code in most places, you need to have a nail in every hole available. This meant a lot of hammering, because you couldn’t just use a pneumatic nailer — until now. Stanley Bostitch’s StrapShot pneumatic nail gun actually exposes the tip of the nail, so you can place it right in the hole in the metal connector. Pull the trigger, and move on to the next nail.
(more…)

That old axiom that you can never have too many clamps in your shop? It’s true. And it’s time to add one more: the V-Clamp connects to your shop air supply to produce up to 330 pounds of holding force. It works on non-porous materials by creating a vacuum between itself and the work piece, and it can hold your work piece vertically, horizontally, or even upside down. And because it clamps to the bottom, the V-Clamp won’t get in the way when you’re working on the top and sides.

(more…)

So your humidity indicator says there’s moisture present in your air source. Now Once you’ve identified it, you need to remove it don’t you? DeVilbiss has you covered there, too. Their desiccant snake installs in-line — just like the indicator — and will remove the humidity. It also has built-in dirt and oil aerosol filters as well. And it’s compatible with HVLP and conventional systems.

(more…)

Whether you’re applying a finish to an old rod you’re restoring, or spraying some poly on a newly-built cocobolo desk, humidity in your air lines is a huge liability; it can ruin and otherwise flawless execution. Like a pregnancy test for your compressor, DeVilbiss’s humidity indicator changes color to indicate the presence of moisture — so you can take action before attempting a one-chance-only finishing process.

(more…)

Hilltop Design, an engineering firm in New Hampshire, has a 21st-century solution for moving around big shop equipment: the hoverpad. Instead of hoping your sorry-ass friends will show up and your dolly and steel toes will make it through one more move without injury, you can use hover technology to get the job done quickly and safely.

(more…)

I found a new site today called Today’s Concepts, and they’re currently offering this DeWalt heavy-duty brad nailer, stapler, and compressor combo kit for $215.  The kit includes a 2.0 SCFM/90 PSI pump, a 2.0 gallon tank compressor, DeWalt’s D51420K stapler, and their D51236K nailer — all with a 3-year warranty.

D55141BNS Combo Kit [DeWalt]
DeWalt Compressor Combo Kit [Todays Concepts]
Street Pricing [Google Product]

Over at Amazon this DeWalt D51238K 5/8″ to 2″ 18-Gauge brad nailer is $65 right now.  Features include: 360-degree exhaust, 110 nail capacity, four position vertical slide, low-nail reload indictor, and tool-free jam clearing.  Oh yeah, it also comes with safety glasses and carrying case.  Note: a couple of different vendors offer this tool reconditioned for $5 less through Amazons “New & Used.”

D51238K Nailer [DeWalt]
Via Amazon [What's this?]
Street Pricing [Google Products]

Harbor Freight is offering this gravity feed blaster gun for $10 right now.  I don’t really need one, but at this price I’ll probably pick one up just for the hell of it.  The Central Pneumatic #93321 features a 9-ounce hopper, a 5 mm nozzle, and demands a max air pressure of 90 PSI and a volume of 1.7 CFM.

Gravity Feed Blaster Gun [Harbor Freight]

We found some more coupons for in-store use at Harbor Freight.  This 125 psi Air Regulator for $14 seems tempting, as does a 12-pack bag of steel wool for $0.49 or a $6 pair of welding gloves.

Coupons, Coupons [Harbor Freight]
Store Locations [Harbor Freight]

Another great deal over at Amazon: a Dewalt heavy-duty 1-1/4″ 18-gauge brad nailer kit for $64.81 with free shipping.  The nailer features a nail length capacity of 5/8″-1 1/4″ with a load capacity of 110 nails, a tool-free thumb-wheel for fast depth setting, an over-molded no-mar pad, a side-mounted low nail indicator, and a trigger lock.  The kit also includes a set of safety glasses, an allen key and a heavy-duty case.

Via Amazon [What's This?]
D51236K 18-Gauge Brad Nailer [DeWalt]
Street Pricing [Google Product Search]

Specailty nailers sometimes go unnoticed because you can’t tell what they’re for just by looking at them.  As Toolmongers we love ‘em, though.  Take the Grip Rite GRC-58, for example, which installs crown staples with plastic caps.  This seriously rocks if you’re tar papering a roof or doing a bit of insulation wrapping.

(more…)

Tool guys often like to have bragging rights on the biggest and most powerful tools. Drivers aren’t really any different: more power and noise is pretty cool.  A pneumatic driver that spins 1,800 rpm sounds like a good plan then, right? 

It’s a normal-looking pneumatic driver as first glance – a 1/4” hex drive system hooked to an air hose charged with 90-120 psi good for 45 – 115 in/lbs of torque.  The 1,800 rpm speed is almost certainly a “free-spin” speed, however if the speed under load is anywhere close, that’s about 30 revs per second.

(more…)