Tool Review-Milwaukee Cordless Hackzall

"Cool Tools" did it to me again on this one with their Christmas show. Actually I have a pneumatic saw that is similar and I have found very useful in tight places, but it does require a compressor. Due to it's small size and portability, I immediately knew the Hackzall would be a handy addition to my tool box. The saw is easy to control in all cutting situations and blade change is a breeze, requiring no tools.-Read More

Tool Review-Tool Band-it Magnetic Tool Holder

One of the problems of working up on a ladder, is you have no place to set the small tools and fasteners were you can retrieve them. The Tool Band-It is a handy solution to this problem. Just velcro it on your arm and the those small tools and fasteners go where ever you do.-Read More

Workshop Renovation Part XIII-Hardware Supply Cabinet

Part of the work shop renovation project required the removal of my fastener bins from the garage wall. Now that they were removed, I had to come up with a solution for long term storage. My neighbor is also a woodworker and had built a "rolling wall" of open parts bins he had acquired. It was a lot larger than I needed, but the concept had possibilities. Taking this idea, I modified it to my own needs and designed a rolling parts cabinet that fit into my modular workshop program.-Read More

V-Clamp Support Jig

The V-Clamp Vacuum Clamp is basically designed to hold objects for routing, etc. However, it can also be used as a "third hand" for supporting projects while you work on them. I used three of the mountable V-Clamps to create a multi-position jig. -Read More

Shop Tip-Don't Throw Away that Old Compressor

XXXXxxxYour old "little compressor" has finally pumped its last PSI and you have to go out and buy another BIGGER one with MORE capacity. Naturally you'd like one of those huge commercial versions, that are as big a door, but cost and sheer size make you settle for a smaller more portable version. Once you get your new "Toy" back home, you look at your trusty old compressor and try to decide if you want to scavenge any parts off it, or just dump at the curb and salute it as the garbage truck rolls off into the sunset. Don't Throw Away that Old Compressor!, the extra tank volume of your old compressor can augment the capacity of your new portable compressor and give you an increased air storage volume nearly as large as the commercial version "you really wanted". -Read More

Tool Review-V Clamp Vacuum Clamps

V-Clamps are a handy way to hold parts from the bottom side so you can rout, sand, saw, carve or assemble with no obstructions on the face of your work piece . These little industrial-strength workhorses use a tiny amount of compressed air to generate a huge amount of clamping force, up to 330 pounds. The two different models allow for use in a variety of applications, both vertically or horizontally.-Read More

Workshop Renovation Part XII-Shop Compressed Air Extensions

We've already discussed equipping your shop with a central compressed air line. This technique made it inexpensive to not only plumb air connections, as required, but add connections easily. When I finished my work bench I added a cross garage extension of my shop air line. I did this by a "T" off a convenient connection on the main line. -Read More

Shop Tip- Splicing Plywood Sheets

XXXNothing is more aggravating than running out of plywood late on a Sunday afternoon, with your project nearing completion. Short of waiting to the next day to buy an entire sheet of plywood, what can you do? Naturally "Necessity is the Mother of Invention", so when faced with this problem I decided to splice some plywood sheeting.-Read More

Workshop Renovation Part XII-Wall Cabinets

As the garage renovation continued I found the loss of shelving space was not entirely replaced with my modular cabinet system. I still had wall space so the obvious answer was to build some wall mounted cabinets similar to the above built ins. -Read More

Tool Review-Bosch PS50-2B Multi-X Carpenter Kit

The Bosch Multi-X Carpenter Kit, is a cordless version of the Fein Multi-Master. It too is a "Must Have" for every Do-it-Yourselfer and tradesman. The capability to get in an trim materials easily in tight spaces is unmatched by any other tool I have ever used. Not only does it make precise cuts, but the danger of a spinning blade causing personal or material damage is minimized. The advantage of a cordless version, makes it handy for many home repairs-Read More