Back In The Day: A Year Ago This Week On Toolmonger

Remember old-school Toolmonger that was all young, dumb and full of… vigor?  So do we.  Check out what we were discussing a year ago this week: 

• We touted ProVision’s “Eagle” fiber optic scope as a great way to look inside that engine for just $225 — a lot cheaper than a tear down.  Now Ridgid makes some of these, too.  Sadly, I still don’t own one.  Maybe this Christmas…
• We reviewed another great book from Industrial Press: Welding Fabrication & Repair: Questions and Answers.  If you’re doing any welding, you should own this book.  It’s not very pretty, but it’s loaded with real information you’ll need to get the (welding) job done.
• As we continued down the Project Yukon path, we wrote about Sunex’s slide-hammer puller set.  It’s amazing how many things you have to pull to swap an engine, and this tool helps.
• This week last year we also wrote our (in)famous “A Quick Comment on the Craftsman Lifetime Warranty” post.  Note: It’s not quick, but it is full of what I still feel is an honest take on how to read Craftsman’s (in)famous warranty and how to use it effectively.  The discussion still rages in comments a year later, so don’t be afraid to throw out your own $0.02.
• Still don’t have a set of thumbwheel ratchets?  Doh!  Get thee to the store.
• Speaking of Project Yukon, we dropped out part two in the series where we worked with GM’s Performance Parts division to find the perfect crate motor for the swap.  It was harder than it sounds because we wanted to keep the stock injection system.  We did!
• We went hands-on with the Worx Revolver Assault recip saw and Irwin’s fast-release locking pliers.  They both rocked.
• And finally, we made TM’s first mention of Stanley’s then-new FatMax Xtreme demolition drivers.  Though we didn’t know it until we did a hands-on later, they rocked, too.

Of course, you don’t have to wait for us to call out these great old posts.  Try plugging your areas of interest into TM’s search engine to turn up hours of old-school TM fun.  See you next week.