Archive for the 'Plans' Category

Gas-Powered Wet/Dry Vac

Monday, June 23rd, 2008
CordlessVacBigComposite.jpg

Before “cordless power tools” we just burned gasoline to get the job done, and gas is still the easiest power source for remote locations where you need to draw heavy power.  For instance, a big, gas-powered wet/dry vacuum can prove indispensable for lots of applications, like prospecting, archaeology, and prairie dog eviction — but I couldn’t find a gas-powered vacuum easily! However, I did find this DIY plan for one.

You start with a gas blower and a five-gallon bucket, and you end up with a big vacuum that recharges at the pump. With gas prices going up you might prefer a cheaper alternative — but if you really need the right tool for the job there may not be a substitute.

GasVac [Minin’ Gold]
Giant Sucking Sound [CNN]

Posted in Power Tools, Lawn/Garden, Unusual Tools, Cleaning, Plans | 2 Comments »

Take Your Desk With You

Friday, May 30th, 2008
Plan Station

This portable job site desk hangs from two nails pounded into any stud wall. It folds up and out of the way when it’s not needed, and you can carry it off the site by the handles like a portfolio when you’re done.

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Posted in Duluth, Storage, Ace Hardware, Plans, Finley Products | 4 Comments »

How To: Gas Forge Plans

Wednesday, May 21st, 2008
gasforge450.jpg

Getting started in blacksmithing usually requires a pretty decent start-up cost. But if you want to do it on the cheap, the instructions on Zoeller Forge’s site will show you how to build a gas forge without a welder or a cutting torch. With a drill, hole saw, tap, vise grips, and a workbench, you can make your own atmospheric gas forge.

Atmospheric Gas Forge [Zoeller Forge]

Posted in How-To, Blacksmithing, Plans | 1 Comment »

How To: Shop Stool

Tuesday, May 20th, 2008
shop_stool450.jpg

When we’re building stuff in the Toolmonger shop, whether of wood or metal, we often consult plans, and not only to make the project easier — a lot of times the plans’ll spark other ideas.  Though the plan for this shop stool is simple enough, maybe it inspires you to modify the plan to make planter stands, or a bench support, or a workpiece glide for your table saw.  If you look at enough plans, you’ll notice that most projects start from a simple box shape; where you end up is limited only by your imagination.

Shop Stool Plan [Miller]

Posted in How-To, Metalworking, Plans, Projects | No Comments »

How To: Porch Swing

Monday, May 19th, 2008

porchswing450.jpg

Depending on where you live, porch-swing weather may be upon you or closing in. If you don’t already have a porch swing, or if the old one needs to be retired, take a gander at the plans on Black & Decker’s site. Though it’s nothing fancy, it’ll satisfy the basic requirements: space for a butt or two, and something to hang the swing by.

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Posted in Woodworking, Black & Decker, On the Web, Plans, Projects | No Comments »

How To Build A Cheap, Simple Worktable

Monday, October 8th, 2007
Knock-Down Utility Table

Is workspace in your household as much an issue as it is in mine? An unfortunate soldering incident has me banished from the kitchen table, and my planned basement work bench is still on my to-do list. But I came across an ingenious idea for a very simple work table via the internet TV network Revison3’s show Systm episode 13. It doesn’t get simpler than this: one piece of 3/4 inch plywood and a few simple cuts yields a stable 37″ tall 16 square-foot work space.

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Posted in How-To, Plans | 17 Comments »

Plans: A Classic Adirondak Chair

Thursday, June 28th, 2007
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Kicking back to relax in an Adirondak chair is a thing of joy, but it’s even more fun when you built the chair yourself.  Now’s your chance: we found these easy-build plans over on the Popular Mechanics site.  They’re from the June 1999 issue so may be a bit dusty, but the Adirondak has been in style since Thomas Lee built the first one in 1903 so he could chill at his summer home.

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Posted in Plans | 4 Comments »