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.

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:

Hot or Not? Evolution Rage Circ Saws
These are some mean-ass British circ saw, which the manufacturer claims will plow through steel, wood, and lots of other things — all with the same blade and zero heat.  Yeah, we wonder about that, too.  Check out comments, though, where the saw’s inventor checked in all the way from the UK to give readers some details about how it works.

Save Your Rear With LifeHammer
As demonstrated by the Mythbusters, this little hammer will bust out a car window with even a light strike.  If you’re concerned about getting trapped in your car, this is the tool for you.

Cut Sheet Metal Curves With Milwaukee’s Electric Nibbler
It’s expensive, and the little “half-moons” it chops out of the metal will puncture tires around the shop — but it’s also cool as hell and a great way to cut curves with little or no heat damage.  Check it out.

Hard Shelled Pads With A Soft Filling
Yes, you look like a dork in kneepads.  And yes, you’ll look like an even bigger dork hobbling around ’cause you didn’t wear ‘em.  Get a good pair.  These feature a hard outer shell to protect you and stabilize you when you kneel plus a soft inner material that keeps your knees happy.

Danish Oil: Part of Your Complete Project 
Looking for an easy way to stain and protect your latest wood project?  Sean walks you through his latest favorite — complete with pictures.

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:

Preview: Marathon WeldTec Blades
Irwin’s new Marathon WeldTec circ saw blades feature welded-on teeth — as opposed to braised-on like most.  We’re  looking forward to getting our hands on some of them soon to try ‘em out.

A Visit To Providence’s Steel Yard
A TM reader visits the Steel Yard in Providence and sends us pictures of his trip. Think of the Steel Yard as a grittier version of the Bay Area’s Crucible, where you can learn metalworking and other interesting — but hard to learn in your garage — skills.  Check out comments for details about the visit.

Jet’s Heavyweight Belt/Disc Sander
We drool over Jet’s colossal bench top 1 1/2 hp belt/disc sander.  It’s heavy. It’s powerful and we want one.

DeWalt’s New “Oxford” Work Shoe
Dewalt’s New “Oxford” work shoe looks nothing like an Oxford, but it does like a pretty decent woodworking or mechanic’s shop shoe.  And you can wear it out, too.  There’s nothing like reminding everyone that you don’t spend all your time hanging out at cocktail parties and such.

Hot or Not? Vaughan’s (Vaporware?) S2 Hammer
The “now you see it, now you don’t” Vaughan S2 hammer has won awards and become an internet darling, but Toolmonger asks the tough question: Have you ever actually seen one?

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:

Hot or Not? The High Limb Tree Saw
This tree saw was the hot topic this week. Many readers spoke up about time they had spent with the saw and the best methods to use it in a real world application.

The Steel Yard: Learn A Trade (Or Hobby)
Rhode Island’s Steel Yard looks like a great place to go hang out. It has 5612 sq-ft of foundry, ceramic studio, as well as blacksmithing and welding shops. It could just be me, but I’m not seeing the downside here. Other than the fact it’s in Rhode Island and I’m in Texas.

Hands On: Ridgid 2 1/8” Brad Nailer
We got our hands on Ridgid’s little 2 1/8” brad nailer and were heavily impressed. There’s a lot of rugged power in that nailer and I found I didn’t remember what shop life was like before I had one.

The PaintShaver Pro
The Paintshaver looks a lot like an angle grinder. Though we were a bit on the skeptical side, readers jumped in to say this works great but you need to be careful. It’s more powerful than it looks.

Preview: Stanley-Proto’s Updated Master Tool Sets
Stanley Proto announced an update to their “master tool sets for the trades.”  Stanley makes wicked cool master tool sets for electricians, plumbers, and contractors and they are updating them with the latest of the Stanley line. Sweet tools like the FatMax AntiVibe hammer, tripod flashlights, and their new wood chisels.

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:

Dremel 10.8V Li-Ion Rotary Tool Gets New Batteries
One thing is certain: Toolmongers love their Dremel tools.  Every time we write about ‘em they make their way right to the top.  Now it looks like they’re getting a battery upgrade in the form of new 10.8V batteries.

Bridging The Mud In Your Backyard
This interlocking “bridge” system gives you a patch for walking — or pushing a wheelbarrow through — soft ground without making nasty ruts.  And if you haven’t torn up a soft yard with your wheelbarrow yet, you just haven’t been using it enough.

Hands On: Stanley’s Maxlife Mini-Tripod Flashlight
We gave Stanley’s little mini-flashlight with built-in tripod a go in the Toolmonger shop and were happily surprised; it did a great job.  And that’s in Sean’s hands.  He’s not easy on flashlights.

Hands-On: Irwin’s Quick Adjust Wrench
This isn’t your standard adjustable wrench.  Instead of adjusting, it ratchets into position, giving you the ability to move from fastener to fastener without re-adjusting.  Of course, it ratchets in fixed increments, so you can’t fit just any fastener.  Check out the post for details.

Cure Those Hazy Headlights 
My Jeep Grand Cherokee’s headlights fog over once every few years, and this looks like a pretty good solution.  Nothing screams “old and ready for replacement” like foggy headlights!

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:

Modelmaking Made Easy: A Foamboard Rabbet Cutter
The next time you’re building a not-quite-to-scale (thanks, Doc Brown!) model with foamboard, you might want to give this handy tool a try.  It makes cutting rabbets (read: lengthwise notches) in foam a simple two-part process.

My Sweet New Swiss Army Pioneer
Sean dishes on his newest knife acquisition and outlines his idea of what a Swiss Army knife should (and shouldn’t) be.

The Bernz-O-Matic Self-Igniting Butane Torch
Pocket butane torches are cool — and useful! — but this one stands out from the rest.  It includes a catalytic burner that’s perfect for activating heat shrink tubing as well as a soldering tip that slips over the catalyst.  Best of all: the lighter button locks down so you can move your workpiece toward it instead of visa versa.

ExTech’s Affordable New Combustible Gas Detector
In the past you’ve had to shell out major green — or depend on calling a pro — to detect minor leaks in gas plumbing.  Now you can check up on your installation yourself with the new affordable detector.

Use The Trench Foot To Save Your Foot
I really, really hate digging.  I’d probably still hate it if I had one of these cool little “shelves” to attach to my shovel, giving me a nice, flat step to push on instead of knife-edged spade.  But at least my foot wouldn’t hurt as much.

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:

Dental Tools for Your Home Workshop
Dentists use these picks to clean teeth, but you can use ‘em for everything else from cleaning paint out of tight corners to retrieving small objects from impossibly-small crannies. Best of all, you can pick ‘em up at flea markets for cheap.

Hot or Not? Paint Roller Cleaners
Toolmongers say they these paint cleaners work pretty well, but in comments they offer lots of other ways to get the paint off easily. If you paint more often than once every now and then, you’ll want to check out this post.

A Beautifully Crafted Oak Toolbox You Needn’t Wait To Inherit
Want a nice oak toolbox with beautiful joinery but without a massive price? If you’re lucky, you inherited one. Thankfully, the rest of us can buy one — quite affordably.

The Angel-Guard Secure-A-Cord
This outlet cover replacement locks extension cords to the socket almost as solidly as permanent installation, but you can still pull the plug if the need arises. They’re cheap and easy to install, too.

The Guppie Multi-Tool: Not Just For Climbers
We love multi-tools — especially ones that are a bit different like this one. Shaped like an oversize carabiner with an adjustable wrench, it’s designed to give climbers all the tools they need — without descending the mountain. Even if you’ll probably just clip to to your belt or backpack, it’s a unique and useful tool.

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:

Case’s Questionable New “Vault System”
Case is putting some of their knives away Disney-style to increase their value.  While some collectors love the idea, Sean hates it, and Toolmonger readers voted the debate right into the numero-uno spot in the top five this week.  Check out the post, and let us know what you think in comments.

Mitered Door Frame Router Bit Set
This bit set dramatically simplifies the process of creating picture-frame door panels — and other projects too.  It’s also quite inexpensive.

Turn Any Push Mower Into a Zero-Turn
Our newest contributor Leslie dug up this set of replacement wheels that converts most standard push mowers into zero-turns on the cheap.  If you’d like to cut a little closer, but (like us) won’t shell out for the big dogs, give this post a look.

An Environmentally-Friendly Parts Washer
Parts washers are, ironically, one of the most environmentally dangerous tools in the shop — yet are absolutely necessary for restoration work.  TM’s resident Dealmonger Stephen found a better solution: a washer that uses safe cleaning fluid and bacteria that eats away the oil each night to refresh the fluid.

Tie Down Gear Without Knots
This week we posted yet another piece of “knot replacement” gear, which re-ignited the debate on tie-down tools vs. learning to tie knots.  And it again brought out Tite Tie inventor Chris, a smart-as-a-whip Aussie who keeps a close watch on Google.  Want to meet him?  Post about the Tite Tie!

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:

Make Flush Cuts With Your Recip Saw
We found a sweet recip saw attachment that converts your regular recip saw into a flush cutting monster in no time flat.  It attaches between your saw and blade, offsetting the blade to add a ton of functionality to what Toolmongers call an “underused tool.”  We agree.

The Footprint 220B Professional Block Plane
Our resident Dealmonger Stephen wrote about this $25 footprint block plane that he picked up at Sears.  As it turns out, Stephen says this little plane actually works quite well for the money.

Give Bosch An Earful About The 10.8V Line
Bosch asked Toolmongers to sound off about what new tools they’d like to see in the 10.8V Litheon line and you responded in your normal level-headed style. Check out the comments on this one for details, and add your requests.  Big Brother Bob is watching.

Spider-Man-Inspired Linesman Pliers
Other than the web-crawler colors these new Knipex Linesman pliers feature improvements like a relocated pivot point and diagonal gripping serrations in the jaws.

Duplicate Curved Shapes With Your Drill Press
This little $12 drum sander won’t compete with a pro sanding unit, but as Toolmonger readers pointed out it’s at least worth a second look considering the price.  Hey, it’s a drum sander that hooks to your drill press and copies small wooden pieces for under $15 – nuff said.

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:

Father’s Day Gift Ideas: A Quality Knife
Here’s our (now) annual post recommending a pocket knife as the prime gift for Father’s Day.  For many reasons, it’s an awesome gift.  We’re not recommending that you (necessarily) pick up a 6″ hunting knife for him, but more a simple, basic, but quality pocket knife that he can carry every day — even in the office.  It’s a long-lasting gift that keeps on giving.  ‘Nuff said.

Festool’s Two-In-One Sander
This new sander’s exciting feature: it can switch between random-orbital and pure rotary modes on the fly — perfect for removing lots of material on a first pass, then switching to orbital mode for finishing work.  It also mates up perfectly with Festool’s legendary dust-collection rigs.

Deck Mate Screws: The Best For Deck Construction?
A reader turned us on to these screws at Maker Faire, but when we posted it here many readers expressed different opinions.  The quick consensus: used with the “special” driver, they’re good stuff, but a waste of money if you use a standard phillips in ‘em.  There were lots of votes for square-drive, too.  Check the comments for details.

MAC Expands Their Spherical Socket Line
If you’re a MAC user and you’ve begun using their spline-type spherical sockets — they’ll handle a variety of fastener heads ranging from six- and twelve-point to inverse Torx and even half-rounded — you’ll be excited to know that they’ve expanded the 1/2″ and 3/8″ drive lines significantly.  See your local truck to get ‘em.

Sparkfun Electronics 
This supplier provides all kinds of interesting electronic components — the ones you’re not likely to find at your local supply house.  Examples: GPS and cellular gear, and a 24-bit color LCD just like the one in Sony’s PSP.  You’ll definitely want to add these guys to your “little black book.”

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:

Makita’s Shear Wrench
This is just the specialty tool you need to wrench down shear-type fasteners.  Even if you don’t have any need for it, it’s a fascinating tool and worth a look.

Toolmonger’s Maker Faire Coverage
We attended Maker Faire 2007 in San Mateo, CA last weekend, and readers voted a good chunk of our live (and later) coverage into the top five this week.  If you missed any of our coverage, check out the link above or listen to this week’s special episode of Tool Talk where we talk about our Faire experiences along with lots of audio from the show.  We’ll have more details later, but as of right now we’re planning to attend Maker Faire in Austin on October 20th and 21st, too.

JLC Online’s Take On Small Drywall Finishing Projects
This awesome article over on JLC online covers many of the skills you’ll need to do simple drywall finish work on your projects.  They start with the tools and materials you need and run you through a pretty thorough how-to.

The Joist Jaw
This little tool grabs hold of joists and holds them properly in place while you attach them.  Think of it as a helper that always shows up on time and must only be paid once.

The Wonder Winder: Easy Extension Cord Storage
A visitor to our station at Maker Faire recommending this inexpensive cord winder from Harbor Freight, and it seems to be a hit among readers who’ve tried it.  Check out the post’s comments for details.

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:

Tool Quality, New vs. Old School
Think your old school pro tools kick the crap out of today’s junk?  Think again.  Sure, old pro tools measure are better than lots of new consumer-grade stuff, but 100 years of R&D yields some benefits.  Of course, that doesn’t mean the old stuff isn’t cool as hell.

The Work of Bruce Herbert, Tree Carver
Bruce Herbert sculpts with a chain saw.  How cool is that?  Besides that, we understand he’s a first class guy.  Check out this post and the link to his site for lots more about him.

Xtreme Power From An Xtremely Yellow Box
Besides looking like a jaundiced Johnny 5, this box also distributes power at the jobsite, turning a 50A 125V or 250V power drop into more usable 20A 125V outlets.

The Minwax Project Planner
Ever wonder what that stain’ll look like on your furniture project — or better yet how the finished project’ll look in a room painted like yours?  Minwax recently added a kick-ass project planner to their website to help you out.

Fasteners On The Cheap
Need a crap-ton of fasteners and don’t want to pay squat for ‘em?  This place is for you.  Look elsewhere for that one-off specialty screw, but if you’re building a deck — or doing a driver test at Maker Faire — you can get screws (and other stuff) cheap in 5,000 count quantities.

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, but we did get to spend some quality time in the shop.  If you’ve been spending time in the shop, too, 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:

It’s Just Cool: Peeping Norm
While it’s not about a tool per se, it seems that this post got some of you just as hooked on watching the New Yankee cam as we are.  We enjoy the shows, too, but there’s something about seeing Norm and friends actually do the work — complete with mistakes — in real time that keeps us truly addicted.

Engineer’s Squares: Accurate And Easy On The Eyes
Accurate to +/- .00005″ per linear inch, these shiny steel squares come in various sizes as well as sets which include a wood presentation case.  They’re pretty inexpensive, too, at just $30 for a four-piece set.  Check the comments on this post for some great reader suggestions of other similar finds.

This Flatback Tape Bends Over Backwards For Accuracy
Minus the curve that lets you extend standard tapes out one-handed, this tape can fit around curved furniture.  Also, because it lays flat against the object you’re measuring it’s much easier to make accurate marks.  You’ll never miss that standout.

Hands-Free Project Lighting With The DREMELite
Wish your Dremel had a project light?  Here’s your answer: this little device replaces the bezel just behind the chuck and lights your work via two bright white LEDs.  And it requires no batteries!  Instead, it’s powered by a small internal generator that spins with the tool.

Gardening, Rambo-Style
This K-Bar-looking garden implement is quite practical for cutting tough roots and is guaranteed to scare the crap out of your neighbors. 

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, but we did get to spend some quality time in the shop. If you’ve been spending time in the shop, too, 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:

Dealmonger: 28 LED Flashlight
We get it: you love flashlights — especially LED flashlights.  At under $4 for 28 LEDs, this light totally puts the smackdown on other lights when it comes to LED-to-price ratio.

Dealmonger: A Makita Variable-Speed Reciprocating Saw for $60
If you don’t already own a reciprocating saw, you should keep your eyes out for deals like this one and pick one up soon.  They’re useful for all sorts of tasks, and you won’t know what you’re missing until you own one.  And at $60, why not?

Cheap-Ass Tools: Husky’s Nail Apron
Sean says this cheap-o nail apron kicks the crap out of the old canvas kind, and any nail apron is better than none if you’re planning on doing any roofing work.  The more you walk around, the more likely you are to fall off the roof — so carry your fasteners with you!

A Quick-Protyping Material — No Ovens Required
This material from ShapeLock becomes malleable at around 160 degrees F then returns to a hard, nylon-like state at room temperature.  It’s perfect for mocking-up shapes quickly — and without the use of molten material or ovens.  This strikes us as one of those items you should keep around the shop. 

Mark On Wet And Oily Surfaces With Stanley’s New Marker
Sometimes it’s the little things that make all the difference on the jobsite — like this new marker from Stanley complete with a non-slip TPR coating and the ability to mark on wet and oily surfaces.

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, but we did get to spend some quality time in the shop. If you’ve been spending time in the shop, too, 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 Tool Only Hog Owners Will Appreciate
Surprise, surprise: apparently others appreciate Harley-Davidson niche tools, too. This transmission neutral-light specialty tool appealed to many TM readers — and should definitely be a part of your ‘kit if you’re planning on any DIY hog transmission surgery.

Norm’s Kick-Ass New Yankee Chop Saw Table
We loved this DIY chop saw stand we caught on New Yankee Workshop, and think it’d make a great project for the home wood shop. It’s not as portable as the high-dollar pre-made aluminum versions, but this one’s a lot cheaper, and there’s always the thrill of answering the question “where’d you get that?” with “I made it.”

Ladder-Dok Saves Gutters
What’s worse than cleaning out gutters? Trashing your gutters in the process. This small steel frame slips inside your gutter to transfer the weight of your ladder directly to the house, saving costly gutter damage.

How-To: BBQ South African Style
TM reader Freddie sent us this great primer on how South Africans get the BBQ on. They call it “braai,” but you can think of it as open-pit BBQ with a twist. Don’t miss this how-to complete with pictures and recipes.

Save Time In the Wood Show With Ten Gauges In One
Whether you’re measuring dovetails or checking the diameter of a dowel you’re turning, this ten-in-one gauge has it all — but is a little pricey.

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, but we did get to spend some quality time in the shop. If you’ve been spending time in the shop, too, 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:

One Collapsible Barrel, 30 Gallons Of Yard Waste
These “Kangaroo Barrels” proved quite popular among readers who like the way they fold up for storage and drain excess water from grass clippings. And with street pricing as low as $15, there’s no excuse not to haul around that excess water weight.

Edge Without Gas Engine Hassles
Today is Earth Day, and what better way to show your respect for the environment than ditching yet another un-regulated, pollution-spewing gas-powered lawn tool. Hound Dog’s “Steppin’ Edger” replaces gas-power with foot-power to do the same job — even better in some circumstances.

Cheap-Ass Tools: An $8 Canvas Tool Bag
It seems Toolmongers love cheap, handy ways to carry tools around — and this bag qualifies on both counts. This simple canvas bag would make a great carrier for a car toolkit where spaces is at a premium. And, as we mentioned, it’s cheap.

Moving Trees? Skip The Shovel, Use A Tree Spade!
This small version of the massive spades you see in use by landscaping crews might be a bit expensive to own, but they’re available for rent at a price that’ll make you think twice about ever digging a mid-sized tree out by hand again.

Mystery Trailer Adapter With “Beep Tester”
Readers loved the idea of a device that’ll tell you whether your trailer wiring is working when you don’t have anyone around to stand behind the trailer and holler when the lights are on. If only the manufacturer would return our calls and explain how it works…

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.