Archive for the 'Instructables' Category

MacGyver-Style Workbench Vise

Tuesday, August 25th, 2009

We always appreciate the small things that make life easier around the shop. This homebrew vise is a fine example of what a little tinkering around will get you. Reader Matthew Byrne lets us in on his little project and even went so far as to put together an Instructable on the process.

The idea behind this project was to create a simple and useful woodworking vice that could be clamped to my makeshift workbench (my desk). As I don’t have any metal working equipment, and only a few hand tools, a wood based vice made sense. Also, the wooden clamps I made a few weeks ago have performed so well that they seemed to be a good base for the project.

It wound up looking great, and as you can see from the above pics, it doesn’t take a whole lot by way of materials to build. Check it out if you have the time — you never know when this kind of MacGyvering will come in handy.

Toolmonger Photo Pool [Flickr]
Wooden vice [Instructables]

Posted in Flickr Pool, Instructables, Woodworking | 2 Comments »

Eggman, The Noisemaker

Monday, May 11th, 2009

After seeing his how-to on Instructables, I’ve been saying, “Eggman, the Noisemaker,” Mentos-style, all morning.  I can see many places in everyday life where this thing and a hearty rebel yell would be appropriate:  office meetings, standing in line at the bank — you know, somber occasions that need a little livening up.

Joking aside, reader Eggman is the man.  I love this thing, and I might have to build one myself, but I’ll make mine a little bigger and more obnoxious –- just for the hell of it.  We tip our hats to you, sir, for a finely crafted piece of fun.

And remember, noisemakers don’t annoy people — people annoy people.

Wooden Ratchet Noisemaker [Instructables]
Toolmonger Photo Pool [Flickr]

Posted in Flickr Pool, How-To, Instructables | 6 Comments »

Projects: A Simple Bookcase

Tuesday, August 5th, 2008
bookcase.jpg

I love the woodworking arts best when they’re applied to the creation of functional and comfortable furniture for the home.  In that vein, reader schnaars posted up a few badass pics of his latest creation — a small bookcase.

Tackling a project like this won’t net you critical acclaim from the woodworking elite — but it will result in a sturdy, good-looking addition to your home, and it’ll help you move some crap out of boxes and off the floor, which might actually be worth more in the end.

Schnaars has thoughtfully provided instructions over on Instructables for how to build the tidy book-holding box — definitely worth a look if you’re curious.

Toolmonger Photo Pool [Flickr]
Simple Book Shelf [Instructables]

Posted in Instructables, Projects | 2 Comments »