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:

Eat Anywhere With The French Army Bivouac Knife
The French Army Bivouac Knife won’t replace the good china, but it might feed your ass if you’re trudging through the jungle or forest and nothing but rocks and sticks are available. It also collapses down Swiss Army-style, so you can throw your handy flatware in a pocket or backpack.

De-Ice, Ice Baby With The Walk-Behind Salt Spreader
This resembles a lawn seed spreader because that’s very close to what it is. The big difference: this rig’s sweet rubber drive wheels grip the ice for an even, salty spread on your slick walkway.

Let Them Eat Crow: Crittercam Shows Toolmongers In The Wild
Crows prove to be much smarter than many people thought. They use tools and in some cases take them to the jobsite with them. If that’s not a Toolmonger, we don’t know what is.

Pocket Saw Cuts (Almost) Anything
The MXZ saw — infamous from late night infomercials — makes an appearance on Toolmonger. Readers weighed in on the little hand saw that “never needs sharpening” which could just as well read “can never be sharpened.” Check out the comments for the complete down-low.

Rip The Duct A New One
The Malco duct ripper — made to punch through ducting without breaking your other drivers — combines the features of a fine chisel and a hardy screwdriver. It may be a good idea, but you could buy an entire cheap set of drivers for what one of these costs.

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.

Last week was a busy one 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:

Preview: Sears Brings Li-Ion To C3 Series Cordless
Sears finally plans to make li-ion batteries available for their affordable line of 19V C3 tools. We have a few of these around the Toolmonger shop and are very pleased that we’ll be able to keep ‘em around longer than their original Ni-Cd batterys.

Make A Lathe Out Of Your Drill Press
For those crafters short on dough but high on turning, Grizzly has an attachment that hooks up to your existing drill press and puts the power of turning in the shop for less than $30. If your stock is smaller than two feet, this could be your rig.

Jason Should’ve Wielded A Bill Hook — For Pruning
The bill hook looks mean – because it is. Wielded correctly it makes short work of brush and overgrowth. Though it looks like a slasher movie prop, this tool has been around for hundreds of years — mostly because it works.

Hardwood Levels By Crick Are Trick
Crick has been making sweet-ass, custom hardwood levels for the better part of 30 years. Though the waiting list can seem a little long, the features and overall quality of the product make them something to consider when a new level is in your future.

Bartender, Get Me A Gimlet
The hand-powered gimlet is the really old-fashioned way to get a screw started in that heirloom you’re building for the family. It takes some extra effort, but that’s kind of the point.

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.

Last week was a busy week here at Toolmonger — which is why we’re putting out the top five on Monday instead of Friday, doh! 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:

That’s Not A Flashlight. THIS Is A Flashlight!
Who couldn’t use a 20 million candlepower light? Seriously this thing could blind you at 100 feet. With both bulbs on at full burn this will give you 25 minutes of dark-scorching light beam. What’s not to like?

Material Source: Parts Express
Chuck revealed his super sweet source for low buck, high value stereo gear at Parts Express. He picked up some sweet affordable speakers for a little bit of nothing and they sound great to boot.

Black & Decker’s VPX Inflator
Black and Decker may be onto something with their very practical offerings in the VPX line, such as the super simple Inflator tool. It’s compact and powerful enough to push air into the usual sports equipment or flat bicycle tire.

Tapcon Removable Masonry Screws
Readers responded positively to the Tapcon removable masonry screws. Reports from the readers indicate that they do indeed work as advertised as long as the fastener goes in straight the first time.

If John Wayne Had A Laptop…
The rugged A790 laptop is designed for jobsite use, but readers lament that the Windows operating system is not nearly as hardy as the machine it finds itself on.

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.

Last week was a busy week here at Toolmonger with all the breaking s#!$ and what-have-you. 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:

Low Floor, No Lifting
Love it or hate it, this low rise cargo system will definitely draw looks wherever it goes. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that the show model is low, black and mean. If you gotta haul stuff, you might as well do it in style.

Editorial: Little Things Make A Difference
Often it’s the little extras that make a difference in buying decisions — more often than tool companies might think. Check out my real-life buying decision where the final factor was a five cent piece of plastic.

Wacky: A Laser Guided Hand Saw
Laser guided anything normally scores at least mild interest here at Toolmonger. But this laser-guided hand saw proves that +laser isn’t always a good thing.

Hot or Not? The Quad Saw/Driver
Readers sounded off on the Quad saw — with surprisingly positive results. It does look like a last-night infomercial product, but its versatility seems to impress.

Get Bent: Buy A Swan Neck Chisel
The aptly-named swan neck chisel is a must for furniture builders. Even though the neck gives the tool a torture chamber vibe, there’s nothing better for digging out hard to reach areas.

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.

Last week was a busy week here at Toolmonger — which is why we’re putting out the top five on Monday instead of Friday, doh! 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:

Auto Panel Fasteners: Buy ‘Em, Don’t Save ‘Em
Take this piece of advice and you’ll be installing stereos and replacing heater cores like the pros — fast. You can’t save these fasteners no matter how hard you try. But you can replace ‘em on the cheap.

Transparent Scale Ruler Overlays
These easy-to-use overlays make measuring and building from scale plans much easier. And they’re inexpensive, too. Score!

Underwater Kinetics’ eLED Waterproof Pocket Light
Everyone know’s we’re ga-ga for flashlights at Toolmonger, and this one is no exception. Check it out at your own risk. If you’re as nuts as us, you’ll probably end up ordering one. On second thought, maybe you should lock up your wallet before you click on the link.

Wilson Tactical’s “Cop Tool”
Though it’s dramatically overpriced, this unusual multi-tool caught our attention because it looks exceedingly useful — and possibly easy to make on your own.

Conceal Your Coiled Cords and Cables
Tired of tripping on cables? These rolls will hold ‘em together, dispensing just the right amount for the job. But best of all they’ll even handle thick stuff like pneumatic hoses.

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.

Last week was 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:

Keep Your Jumper Cables Organized
It may look a bit like a brown bowling ball bag, but this thing actaully wrangles clunky jumper cables and a flashlight in a tight package to stow under the seat or in the trunk.

Smooth-Rolling Kickback Protection For Your Table Saw
Board Buddies are for woodworkers who aren’t big on featherboards but do a bunch of ripping. The ‘Buddies don’t leave marks on the wood and hold it secure like a set of rolling third hands.

Project: Build A Backyard Playhouse
A playhouse out back is a classic kid nirvana; the kids that had them were always the kings of the block. But the store-bought variety can get pretty steep. Why not build your own? Remember, though: the only thing better than having a playhouse when you’re a kid is having helped built it.

The Boy Mechanic: Kid Projects From Back In The Day
This book is something you don’t see much anymore: instuction on how to get a young person out in the shop doing projects they will enjoy building. Disclaimer: some of those things might actually be dangerous if you don’t supervise your kids. So supervise them.

Hot or Not? Electric Turkey Carvers
Love ‘em or hate ‘em, electric turkey carvers are here to stay. Our readers had some unique views on whether this innovation represents a step forward or backward. Check out their comments if you get a chance.

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.

Last week was a busy week here at Toolmonger with all the breaking s#!$ and what-have-you. 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:

Hot or Not? The ShopSmith Mark V
Don’t miss out on the single most hotly-debated hot or not post on Toolmonger. Lots of ShopSmith fans check in to defend this all-in-one wonder, but a few dissenters aren’t buying it. Here’s our take: if you enjoy using it to successfully make cool things, it’s OK by us!

Bolt Cutters For Household Use
Bolt cutters aren’t just for criminals — they’re also incredibly useful around the shop and home. This post outlines some of their various uses and offers recommendations on finding a quality set for your very own.

It’s A Vise, It’s A Bar Clamp — It’s VersaClamp
Sure, it sounds like something out of an infomercial. But the VersaClamp looks to be quite handy when it comes to working in a non-traditional shop. Think of the VersaClamp as the love child of a vise and a bar clamp and you’re hitting pretty close to the mark.

The Lifeshear Rescue Tool
Another leftover from Break S#!$ Week, this explosive-driven shear chops through tough metal to rescue people trapped in vehicles — yet doesn’t require the massive hydraulic power source needed by the Jaws of Life. The bad news: it doesn’t look like you can buy one commercially any more. Still, I hope our local fire department has a set.

Blow S#!$ Up: The Micro-Blaster II
There’s nothing cooler than blowing things up, so when we ran across this kick-ass kit designed to simplify turning large chunks of rock and concrete into smaller ones, we had to share it with you — no license required!
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.

Last week was 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:

NFL Hard Hats: Break S#!$ in Style!
You must wear safety equipment, but you’re under no obligation to wear ugly safety equipment. And now that football season’s in full swing, you can support your favorite team, look stylish, and protect your head all at the same time.

The Council KATool: Opens A Mobile Home Like A Can Opener
BSW brought out some killer demo tools, including this shovel-handled rig that’ll tear open a wall (or mobile home siding) with ease. If you’re a demo dog, a volunteer firefighter, or just someone who likes tearing stuff up, this should be in your personal inventory.

Hang With The Big (Demo) Dawgs
Think of the Demo Dawg as the result of combining a nail-puller, pry bar, and a really long handle. This would make quick work of prying up flooring or ripping out nails. And it’s reasonably priced to boot.

One Powerful, Destructive Rabbit
Here’s another firefighters’ secret weapon: like a miniature jaws-of-life, it’ll pop open doors (or pry apart jammed structures) better than any crowbar. It employs a hydraulic ram to spread its jaws with some serious force.

Roll Your Own Yo-Yos
Ever thought of making your own yo-yos from scratch? This company offers kits tailored to any level of woodworking skill. You can buy parts to assemble a custom yo-yo, and they sell cutters to make your own from their selection of material blanks. If you own a wood lathe, they even sell a mandrel perfect for turning your own blanks. Bubinga yo-yo, anyone?

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.

Last week was a busy week here at Toolmonger with all the breaking s#!$ and what-have-you. 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 Real Erector Set — You Know, For Adults
Want to build with aluminum but don’t have a TIG (or a MIG gun and a lot of experience)? This is your ticket. Think of it as an all-aluminum erector set for adults.

Wild Bill’s Poker
Building a fire is fun, but burining your arm up proving your manliness by sticking your hand in the fire to adjust the wood isn’t. Actually, maybe it is. But this is still a safer solution in the long run: a handy 52″ long poker.

Ingersoll Rand’s IQv Cordless Tools
Everyone’s heard of Ingersoll Rand’s pneumatic line, but would you trust ‘em to make quality electric cordless tools? They’re betting you are.

The Engineer’s Black Book
This little book of things-you-need-to-know-to-survive-the-apocalypse looks handy as hell, but we’re still waiting to see how it stands up to the Machinery’s and other handbooks over time. We’ll know in twenty years or so.

Breaking S#!$: Bringing Down The House With The FuBar III
Breaking s#!$ is fun — oh hells yeah. And this video shows you just how quickly a few relatively inexperienced guys can demolish a structure with Stanley’s not-on-shelves-yet FuBar III. How bad-ass is it? Check out the video to see.

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.

Last week was 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:

Now Available: Irwin Dust-Off Chalk
Remember Irwin’s multiple-styles of marking chalk? We found the first one on shelves finally: the version that wipes off easily. Look for others soon.

Protect Your Hand, Save A Faucet
These handy rubber covers make turning those old-school faucets a lot easier on your hands, and can eliminate the need to replace broken faucets when the gate’s still in good shape.

How Much Is This Project Going To Cost Me?
This handy calculator makes estimating woodworking projects simple — plus you can perform cost analysis based on varying materials. Wouldn’t that table look better in teak? How much would that cost? (You don’t want to know.)

A More Powerful, Long Lasting Rechargeable 9V: Lithium-Polymer!
Most 9V rechargables suck because they don’t store enough power. No more: check out this line of li-poly rechargables that pack in the juice — and offer long shelf and trickle life. Maybe you can finally ditch the alkalines in the smoke detector!

Preview: The Angle Snap
If you do a lot of layout on sheet stock — like plywood or drywall — check out this jig which makes marking specific angles a lot easier.

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.

Last week was 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:

Give Yourself A Brake
Almost no one has a full-sized metal brake in in the shop so BAC helps you out with their 18″ model. It bolts to the bench and can bend up to 16 gauge steel.

Bend The Rules
This sweet bend rule from Incra is the easy way to correctly mark up your latest project. With a measuring rig like this, you have shot at not suffering from a case of the mis-marked wobbles.

Simple Green, Simply Clean
Cleaning up the shop often feels like an impossible mission. Simple Green puts the smackdown on dirty shops and the crew in them.

How To Build A Cheap, Simple Worktable
Workshop table aren’t a big deal – unless you don’t have one. This how-to is a great way to remedy a big problem with a minimum of effort and materials. We’re all about that.

Protect Your Lawn-Mowing Investment
Around our neck of the woods, getting the mower put away for the season normally involves some dancing and a hand gesture — but smart folks use a mower cover to keep the weather at bay to ease next season’s first-start blues. 

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.

Last week was 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:

When in Doubt, Lock it Out
Rather than lock your tools up in a shop-teacher-reminiscent cabinet, try this handy plug lock. It slips over the end of power tools’ cords and prevents children (and stupid neighbors) from plugging ‘em in without the key.

Protect Your Table Saw With A Magnetic Cover
You know you put crap on your table saw. Everyone does. This magnetic cover snaps on to protect your “spare” worktable for when you need to use it as a saw again.

A Tiny Life Saver
This tiny key-chain-sized device offers an easy way to smash car side windows should you find yourself trapped in after an accident. It’s way more portable than the Lifehammer, and not too expensive, either.

Irwin’s New SpeedBor Max Drill Bits
While the SpeedBors were, um, a bit boring, Irwin’s new SpeedBor Max bits look like a true innovation. They’re loaded with features designed to speed up drilling and provide a cleaner finished hole. Check out the post for details.

Better Than Velcro
This new 3M product offers much more tensile strength than everyone’s old favorite hook-and-loop fastener. Now if they’d just upgrade the adhesive backing, we’d really jump for joy.

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.

Last week was 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:

Spatula-Tong Combination BBQ Tool
You need a spatual to flip burgers. But you need tongs to flip dogs. Think of the Spatula-Tong as the CatDog of grill tools, offering the best of both worlds.

Cheap-Ass Tools: Mini Suction Cups
Need to pick up small objects with smooth surfaces? Try these miniature suction cups from Harbor Freight. They’re $6 for a set of two — way cheaper than other, more expensive versions we’ve covered in the past.

The Thinking Man’s Duct Tape
If you’re a duct tape connoisseur, it’s only a matter of time before you graduate to gaffer’s tape. Check out this article to speed up your matriculation — or to add your comments to help others do so.

The Awesome Multi-Purpose Brush
We keep a big bin of these in the shop for dozens of tasks, ranging from applying high-temp brake grease to cleaning parts. They’re cheap, and they’re handy. And if you don’t have any, you should.

Felker’s New/Improved Tile Master XL Plus
From the company that’s famous for inventing the diamond-impregnated saw just in time for WWII comes a new and improved version that cuts faster and lasts longer. Even if you’re not in the market for a pro-grade tile saw, this post deserves a read — just in case you find yourself standing in the rental line during your next bathroom upgrade.

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.

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 Grown Man’s Tinker Toys: Structural Pipe Fittings
Looking to build something like a jungle gym out of PVC? This post shows you how to find the key ingredient to do it on the cheap: connectors that are inexpensive themselves and — better yet — fit cheaply-available tubing/pipe. Now you have no excuses at all!

Install Crown Molding Faster With The EasyCoper
This coping jig claims to make installing crown molding simpler and easier, but drew mixed reviews from commenters. Check out the post and add your opinion to the fray.

You’re Never Too Close For Safety Glasses
If you’re cheating with “reading glasses,” you probably know what it’s like to be forced to choose between them and safety glasses. The right choice, of course, is safety glasses — because if you think being near-sighted is bad, try looking through a Dremel disc fragment embedded in your eye. Now you don’t have to choose: you can have both.

Preview: Mac’s Multi-Dolly
Here’s a cool little finger-dolly with multiple curves and surfaces perfect for detailed sheet metal work. It comes in two sizes, and you’ll have to see it to believe it.

Fence Clamps That Stay Out Of Your Way
Tired of clamping work down only to discover that the clamp is in the way? This pneumatic clamp draws force from your air compressor and holds down material from the bottom, leaving the top completely exposed. And the high-end version even clamps itself to the table via air, too.

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.

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:

Eastwood’s Tilt-A-Car
This unique mechanism from Eastwood attaches to your car, allowing you to tilt it sideways to work on the bottom without a lift. As commenters mention, it’s scary-looking. But apparently it’s been around for years — and sometimes the right solution for a problem isn’t always the most straightforward, anyway.

Deburr With Your Power Drill
If you’re deburring a large number of parts, you’ll love this deburring bit that chucks right up in your cordless drill to automate the process. Just don’t forget your hand deburring tool — you’ll still need it for touch ups and difficult curves.

Bercom’s Handy Paint Pail
Here’s a simple tool that makes the painting a lot easier by preventing spills and keeping your brush ready at all times.

A Hand Sanding Block Without (Some Of) The Hassle
This unique sanding block accepts various sizes of discs via a hook-and-loop mechanism just like your power sander; it’d be handy as hell in a shop where you sometimes need to do some detail sanding with a block, but keep sanding discs on hand.

The Trusty X-ACTO Basic Knife Set
If you’re one of the three people world-wide who’ve yet to pick up this basic X-ACTO set, get thee to the hardware store. Otherwise, this post will serve as a trip down memory lane. Regardless, it’s a good read.

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.

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:

An Inexpensive — But Useful — Pocket Hand Saw
This simple folding hand saw turned out to be a hit among TM readers who extolled its functional virtues extensively in comments.  In short: it’s fills a very practical need — and inexpensively, too.

Bosch’s Digital Rangefinder
According to Toolmongers, this kicks the crap out of cheaper sonic-only versions.  The Bosch’s laser-based ranging system is more accurate — and much more practical for use in precise measuring.

Brass Setup Bars Make Accurate Router Setup Simple
Need to set up your table saw accurately without cutting anything up?  Try these brass blocks, which assemble in a variety of combinations to serve as a physical representation of the specific distance you seek.  Just put ‘em together, slide ‘em in, and adjust the saw to fit.

Flameless Heat From The Mini-Ductor
This incredibly expensive — and incredibly cool — tool uses the same inductance technology as modern stove-tops to heat up stubborn bolts — without heating any of the non-metal material around the bolt. 

Hands-On: Mac Tools’ Foose Work Gloves 
Oh yeah — it’s Glove Week, baby, and these Foose-branded work gloves from Mac kicked ass and took names in our testing.  Check ‘em out.

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.

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: Buck’s X-Tract
We reviewed the Buck X-Tract and found it to be a solid knife worthy of the shop.  Check out the review for details, but in short: we didn’t find much wrong with it.

Hands-On: Dremel’s Scroll Station
Guess what?  Dremel doesn’t just make small tools.  Their Scroll Station kicked ass and took names with the best bench-top rigs out there when we fired it up in the Toolmonger shop.

Circuit Alert’s Voltage-Sensing Wire Stripper
As our readers pointed out, this tool has probably saved many an apprentice a “hey, grab that wire for me” fate on jobsites everywhere.  And it looks like a decent set of wire strippers, too.

Bring Real-Time Engine/Computer Data To Your Dashboard
The ScanGuage II can clear pesky check engine lights in your rig, but you can also set it up to as a dash-mounted data tracking computer that measures everything from throttle position to airflow.  Check out the post for details.

It’s Just Cool: The Tank Tool
Holy crap — this is our favorite post this week: the Tank Tool rumbles in at number five. It’s small.  It’s green.  And we must have one.  Look for a group buy option shortly.

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.