The main advantages of a dead-blow over a standard rubber mallet are the reduction of recoil and increase in striking control. The dead-blow excels in loosening stuck or stubborn parts, and also comes in handy when a breaker bar cannot provide enough leverage to turn a fastener by itself. Stanley’s 21oz Compo-Cast is my dead-blow of choice, […]
The New Leatherman Freestyle – Preview
Leatherman’s new Freestyle is due to be released in May, and we are very excited. Leatherman’s Freestyle is based off of their Skeletool design, but whereas the Skeletool is a full-size tool, the Freestyle is slightly smaller and lighter, making it a more pocket-friendly tool. Full-size knife? Check. Full-size pliers? Check. “I want one now” […]
What We’re Reading: Make #17
We’re currently pouring through the 17th issue of Make: Technology on Your Time. Make magazine is published quarterly, and is always packed with great ideas and projects. Each issue retails for $15 at newstands but can be found online for slightly cheaper, and an annual subscription costs $35. Strapped for cash? Makezine.com provides enough free material […]
Grip-On Bunion Relief Pliers?!!
I was browsing Grip-On’s catalog the other day, and found mention of this unusual tool. Grip-On’s bunion relief pliers can be used to spot-stretch all types of footwear to accomodate bunions, corns, and other painful bumps on the feet. In case you’re wondering, no, this is not an early April Fools Day joke.
Ikea Car April Fools Day Joke?
A new website popped up and appears to be announcing the release of an Ikea car. This is probably an elaborate April Fools Day joke, but the effort that went into either disassembling a spoof vehicle, or sourcing and arranging all those various loose parts together, is impressive nonetheless. Then again, it could also just be CGI… […]
Proto Wrench Found in Video Game
As you can see, we spotted an adjustable wrench in a video game and promptly took a screenshot. It is not unusual for video game designers to add tools and other everyday items to scenes for added realism. What is unusual about this wrench is that the designers of Fear2 labeled it a Proto 708S – a real designation.
Sears VP Stands Behind Craftsman Guarantee
The Consumerist recently ran a string of posts discussing the troubles one person had in trying to exchanged rounded Craftsman sockets. Some of the replacement-denial excuses given by Sears associates conflicted with previously stated official policies, and one even seems to have been outright fabricated. Brian, a lifelong Craftsman user, unsuccessfully tried to exchange nine rounded […]
Sog Kilowatt – a Charged Up Pocket Knife
The charged up Sog Kilowatt is a quality liner-lock pocket knife for anyone who might need to strip wires or cables at a moment’s notice. The Kilowatt features a 3.4″ blade, a zytel handle, a conventional 12-24ga wire stripper, a spring-loaded wire stripper, and a “hole stripper.” The Kilowatt’s electric-centric aesthetics are well matched to the functions of […]
Plano Waterproof Storage Containers
About one week ago, there was a thread on the Garage Journal forums asking about how one would bury their tools if faced with an unforeseen disaster. Without a doubt, I would definitely use Plano’s waterproof containers for the task if I had enough on hand. These Plano containers are water resistant, durable, and fairly inexpensive. These features make them a good […]
Fixed-Blade Knife for Shop Use?
Just thinking aloud: are there any legitimate home or shop uses for a fixed-blade knife? Knives like these are great for camping and other outdoor activities, but what else can they be used for?
Streamlight Stylus Pro – New Colors!
We are absolutely thrilled at having just discovered that Streamlight is releasing three new Stylus Pro flashlights. In addition to flat black, Stylus Pros are now available in red, silver, and blue. Since my Stylus Pro is used as a tool for a total of 10 minutes a day, and carried as an accessory for 10 hours, a bit of color might […]
Lee Valley’s Wire Management Hooks
We found these wire management hooks over at Lee Valley, and their simplicity betrays their utility. Sure there are cheaper or elaborate options out there, but at less than $3 apiece, these hooks offer the perfect balance between economy and efficiency. Lee Valley is an awesome store that I always hesitate to order from. You see, every time […]
Tool Misuse Do’s and Don’ts
There are times when it is acceptable to misuse a tool, and other times when it is not. For example, if you are caught off-guard and need to open a can of paint, it is okay to go ahead and use a cheap flat head screwdriver. The following are a few tool misuse do’s and […]
Leatherman’s $40,000 Multitool
The Charge Del Rey multitool is the crème de la crème of Leatherman’s new Argentum collection, and is priced at a whopping $40k. Renowned artist and silversmith Adrian Pallarols crafts the handles of each Charge Del Rey from 18 karat gold sourced from the Argentine Andes. Only 25 of these masterpieces will ever be produced, so if you want […]
Brilliant Improvisation or DIY Disaster?!
For the first time since infancy, I am at a loss for words. Is this vehicle the result of an improvised a/c repair? A DIY disaster? Or could this be a fixer-upper that has seen considerable progress? What would a classified ad for this vehicle look like? I can see the headline now: Barbie-pink pickup […]