July 4th — the firebug’s holiday — is coming, so I’m bringing up fire safety again. At the Toolmonger shop, we take safety very seriously, and although we’re not the final authority on fire safety, we run into some good information and try to get opinions from experts when we can. Whether you’re following our advice or someone else’s, make sure you’re as prepared for a fire as you can be — it could be your shop, or even a life on the line.

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The 4th of July is this Friday and we’re sure everyone’ll be celebrating Independence Day with the same time-tested recipe — cookouts and fireworks. This year, as usual, we’ve heard tons of stories and plans from guys who’re cooking up the ultimate home-brew fireworks display.

If you plan to light up the backyard and show the neighborhood what you got, let us know and send us some pics of your ostentatious display. We get a kick out of seeing them or hearing the stories about the ones that didn’t turn out right — you know, the stories that end with, “Then it chased me halfway down the street.”

We recommend that you check your local laws, understand the safety guidelines for the fireworks you buy, and learn how to properly dispose of them after firing. It was much less complicated when we were kids — light it, watch it explode, run away.

The National Council on Fireworks Safety [Website]

Memorial Day is past, but I say there’s no time like the present to work on converting all you pegboard haters — and anyway, Fourth of July is almost here!  Alligator Board offers metal pegboards and accessories in many varieties, but this specialty item really caught my eye.  Whether your patriotism is flashy or not, this pegboard will set the record straight and put you back on the red-blooded-American list.

Alligator Board sells the flag pegboard for $200, plus $34 shipping.

American Flag Pegboard [Alligator Board]
Street Pricing [Google Products]

We’re taking today off to enjoy some steaks by the grill — we are Texans, after all – the Transformers movie, and maybe some fireworks later this evening.  But we wanted to mention a couple of things before we hit the grocery store for some ribeyes:

First, in the spirit of independence, Toolmonger contributor Nate Bezanson has compiled a list of a few more “made in the USA” tools for your consideration:

• Made in the USA since 1964, Bondhus hex tools have a reputation for quality and precision, and they’re available almost everywhere tools are sold. That’s an unusual combination, but it shows what a little American ingenuity, and some market savvy, can do! (Bondhus Hex Tools [Corporate Site])
• Made in Meadville, Pennsylvania since 1886, Channellock pliers are so common their name is nearly a generic term. And while their new handle color scheme looks like it should be flapping in the breeze on Superman’s back, the tools themselves offer all the serious performance you’d expect. (Channellock Tools [Corporate Site])
• Armstrong got their start making bicycle repair tools in the 1890s, and now they manufacture a wide variety of industrial hand tools. They’re made in the USA and carry a lifetime warranty. And unlike many industrial suppliers, their website is actually pretty user-friendly. So head on over and spend some time drooling! (Armstrong Industrial Hand Tools [Corporate Site])

Next, we’d like to remind everyone about our friendly competition with the folks over at This Old House’s “The Hardware Aisle” blog.  Our buddy Harry over there has been posting July 4th-themed tools from his New York City office like mad, and we’ve been having a ball, too.  If you’ve got a second, look at the previous post and vote for your favorite.

Finally, we’d like to let those of you who’ve emailed to ask if we’re going to be at this fall’s Maker Faire in Austin know that yes, we’ll definitely be there.  We’re still discussing in what capacity, but if nothing else we’ll be there with some tools and maybe even some of our crazy projects.  We had a great time in San Francisco, and we’re looking forward to the “no coast edition.”

Have a good time today, and be careful with those fireworks.  Remember: beer + steak = good.  Beer + more beer + fireworks = bad.

(Thanks, Chefanden for the great CC-licensed photo.)

Sometimes you can’t avoid working on live live circuits, and for those times, I want Cementex tools.  They’re double-dipped — first in one color, then another — so you can easily see cuts and scratches in the outer layer before they become dangerous. 

They’re also not cheap — the pictured cutters street at around $180 and basic pliers start around $30 — but when you’re betting your life on them, quality and safety are worth paying for.  And, of course, they’re made in the USA!

Cementex Tools [Cementex Tools]
Street Pricing [Google Products]

Practically synonymous with keychain LED lights, the Photon series (and all of LRI’s other products) are made in Oregon. The Micro-Light II improves on the original by offering a small switch that locks it on for hands-free lighting. It’s not as bright as a full-size flashlight, but as with any “every-day carry” item: the best tool is the one you have with you.

And for convenience, the Photon can’t be beat, especially since it’ll set you back less than $20.

Photon Micro-Light II [Laughing Rabbit Inc]
Street Pricing [Google Products]
Via Amazon [What's this?]

Cable pullers — called “come-alongs” by the fence-mendin’ ranch crowd — are undeniably the easy answer to “how are we gonna move that 6,000-pound doohickey?”  This beauty from American Power Pull is pretty much what you’d expect in a puller, but with two features that set it apart from the rest: cast (instead of stamped) steel construction and a “third hook.”

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Old Glory on a right-hand drive British icon?  Oh, the irony!  The owner of this old-school, not-a-BMW Austin Mini inherited it from his parents, who bought it to autocross while stationed in Southern England back in the ’60s.  The owner’s parents say they were the only Americans autocrossing in their local Mini Club, which inspired the stars-and-stripes paint job.

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Here’s an idea for the unambitious realistic among us: sturdy plastic brackets that reduce shelf-building to point-and-drool simplicity.  Just add two-by-fours cut to whatever length you like, and the ShelfLinks connect ‘em together into a basic shelving system.

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Even if you don’t smoke, a lighter comes in almost as handy as a pocket knife – especially with fireworks season upon us!  Manufactured in Pennsylvania since 1932 (and also in Canada more recently), the Zippo lighter is an American icon as well as an indispensable tool.

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Note: We’re launching a new salvo today in our competition with our friends at The Hardware Aisle.  We think “patriotic tools” extend beyond flag-covered items to those made entirely in America as well — like this one. 

This front-opening tool cart from Wizard Industries looks like it strikes a good balance of durability, capacity, and accessibility — way better than the “wheeled bucket” that usually comes to mind when I think “rolling tool organizer.”

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We’ve often advised you to stay away from black Mag-Lites because a) they’re easy to lose in the dark, and b) everyone else has one, so they can easily steal yours.  Here’s a Mag-Lite that you probably won’t find elsewhere at work: silver with a waving flag.

Note: In competition with our friends at The Hardware Aisle, we’re posting lots of patriotic tools today and tomorrow.  Look for a post on Wednesday (the 4th) where you can vote for your favorite.  And don’t forget to submit your favorite patriotic tools!  If your suggestion is the reader favorite, we’ll send you a tool from the test pile — something nice.

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We found these stars and stripes themed grilles over at AutoAnything.com.  They’re precision cut from 1/4″ stainless steel that’s then polished “to a brilliant shine.”  The manufacturer claims they install on most trucks with just a 9/64″ hex-key wrench (included).  Our only concern: that doesn’t look like much airflow, and I’d guess rocks would slip through the star-shaped holes pretty easy.

Note: In competition with our friends at The Hardware Aisle, we’re posting lots of patriotic tools today and tomorrow.  Look for a post on Wednesday (the 4th) where you can vote for your favorite.  And don’t forget to submit your favorite patriotic tools!  If your suggestion is the reader favorite, we’ll send you a tool from the test pile — something nice.

Still, it’ll certainly set your truck apart from the others at the jobsite.  Pricing runs from $86 to $211 depending on your truck’s make and model.

Putco Patriot Grille [AutoAnything.com]

What’s one better than a flag-draped hard-hat?  A flag-draped hard-hat with Lady Liberty, of course!  There’s no mistaking her copper visage shining forth from the well-protected head of this product’s owner, who’ll definitely be the envy of all the other guys stuck working over Wednesday’s American holiday.

Note: In competition with our friends at The Hardware Aisle, we’re posting lots of patriotic tools today and tomorrow.  Look for a post on Wednesday (the 4th) where you can vote for your favorite.  And don’t forget to submit your favorite patriotic tools!  If your suggestion is the reader favorite, we’ll send you a tool from the test pile — something nice.

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Like the concept of the Santa Fe Stoneworks’ knife we posted earlier today, but don’t want to sheel out $120?  Try this screen-printed almost-a-Mini-Buck for around $21.

Note: In competition with our friends at The Hardware Aisle, we’re posting lots of patriotic tools today and tomorrow.  Look for a post on Wednesday (the 4th) where you can vote for your favorite.  And don’t forget to submit your favorite patriotic tools!  If your suggestion is the reader favorite, we’ll send you a tool from the test pile — something nice. 

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Stereotype or no, any pro plumber or carpenter will tell you: nobody wants to see your bare ass — at least no one who’ll pay your for plumbing or capentry work.  A good pair of suspenders’ll keep your pants — and profits — up.  And if you happen to show your Independence Day spirit in the process, that’s a good thing, no?

Note: In competition with our friends at The Hardware Aisle, we’re posting lots of patriotic tools today and tomorrow.  Look for a post on Wednesday (the 4th) where you can vote for your favorite.  And don’t forget to submit your favorite patriotic tools!  If your suggestion is the reader favorite, we’ll send you a tool from the test pile — something nice.

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Getting ready to buy a new roll-away?  Craftsman offers their ball-bearing models in a variety of baked-enamel colors, including screen-prints like this American flag/statue of liberty combo. 

Note: In competition with our friends at The Hardware Aisle, we’re posting lots of patriotic tools today and tomorrow.  Look for a post on Wednesday (the 4th) where you can vote for your favorite.  And don’t forget to submit your favorite patriotic tools!  If your suggestion is the reader favorite, we’ll send you a tool from the test pile — something nice.

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