Toolgasm

Colgate 360 toothbrush

admin — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 15:08:32 +0000

I have tried so many different types of toothbrushes you would have thought in ones toothbrushing career one might come across a design that nails it on the head. Well, in my experience, not until now. I read a review somewhere about the Colgate 360, and was at the drug store getting a 4 pack that evening. It is the only toothbrush that i have ever used that stands out in a good way from all the others i have tried. The brush head has a tongue scraper on the the back with, circular shaped bristles and soft rubber massagers in the bristle head. It’s hard to explain, but it feels like it wraps completely around your teeth and massages your gums, in other words, it actually feels like its working. Don’t take my word for it though, go try one yourself.

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Kawasaki KLR 650

admin — Thu, 22 May 2008 02:34:45 +0000

When I was a kid one or both of my elder brothers had a motorcycle at one point or another. I myself have never owned one until very recently, but I have always been around them or on one from time to time. For the last year or 2 the urge to finally get my own has had just become too much. That combined with gas prices and some recent trips to the National Forest off road park with friends in jeeps, made the time ripe to take the plunge.

Like I try to do before buying anything, I did extensive research. My criteria included

Low price
Versatility
Efficiency
Support

Coming in at just shy of $5400 The KLR 650 sits at the bottom edge of what you can get a new motorcycle for. As far as its versatility, it is what would be considered an enduro, or dual sport. Meaning it is just as capable off road as it is on. In production for for 21+ years, the design has proved itself time and again, and is Kawasaki’s 4th best selling motorcycle to this day. She is a 1 cylinder (thumper) 4 stroke with a displacement of 651 cc’s, which translates into an average of 55 MPG. I save almost as much as the payment in gas. Compared to my Honda Element, about $120 an month. This bike has what you could only describe as a cult following. There are many forums dedicated solely to this bike, the 2 best I have found being

KLRworld and KLR650.net

The aftermarket support is unreal, and anything you would ever want to do to one of these is well documented on one of the above mentioned sites or others.

Owning this bike has without a doubt made life more enjoyable. I ride it as much, and as many places as humanly possible, and if you are daring enough, it will go just about anywhere you could think of. Because of its geometry (tall, with wide, dirt style handle bars) cornering is effortless, and has been claimed by others to be on par or better than any purpose built sport bike in the twistys. Off road prowess is very comendable too, you can see some examples here. With a recent resurgence underway, there are plenty of dual sport type bikes on the market to choose from, but all things considered (nothing to do with me owning one ) It’s hard to see a better choice than the Kawasaki KLR 650. Of course, like everything there are issues and compromises that must be considered. Most of which in case of the KLR have be addressed by a complete redesign for the 2008 model. So, start doing your research, and no matter which you decide, I hope to see you on the road soon!

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Western Mountaineering Highlite

admin — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 01:14:11 +0000

My girlfriend and I like to backpack, but my gear wasn’t really up to snuff. Especially my Craigslist acquired sleeping bag. I paid less than 20$ for it, but it had to weigh 10lbs, and took up 2/3rds of my backpack. All that extra weight resulted in one of the nastiest heel blisters you have ever seen. So when my birthday rolled around, I made sure that I upgraded in that department. After a good bit of research I found one bag that repeatedly turned up on almost every lightweight hikers list. It was the Western Mountaineering Highlite. Coming in and exactly one pound, and packing down to the size of a loaf of bread, it has single handedly made it possible to drop down to a smaller pack and drop 8 to 10 lbs off my backpack’s weight. It is rated to 35 degrees, but from what I have read is capable of keeping you warm to lower than that, especially when used with a good pad (I got one of those too). I say “from everything I’ve read” because I haven’t actually used it yet, but we have a trip planned in early April so I will chime back in with an update when I return.

Technorati Tags: backpacking, hiking, camping, sleeping bag

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Fiskars Powergear Hedge Shears

admin — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 00:42:19 +0000

In an earlier post I raved about the Gerber Back Paxe which is made by Fiskars. So when time came for a new pair of hedge shears I jumped on these. They have a 3x toothed gear on them to make cutting branches much easier. They were even awarded the Arthritis Foundation® Ease-of-Use Commendation. The shears claim to be corrosion resistant, and I can vouch for it. After leaving them outside in the latest thunderstorm and subsequent sunshine, they appear to have very, very little sign of rust. They also have fiberglass handles making them very strong, which comes in handy when trying to cut things much larger than was probably intended when they were designed. I went through some fairly large branches with these things, and I will admit I chipped the “Hardened” blades a bit. Not to say that the blades aren’t strong, just that I have a knack for pushing tools passed their limits.

These were a little more expensive than your ordinary hedge shears, but I have come to learn that paying a little more for tools far outweighs having to replace crappy ones. A normal pair of shears would have been toast after a thunderstorm like the one I left these out in. Its almost spring, and those hedges are going to start going crazy. Getting a pair of these will be a good way to get some exercise, and take care of those sprouting branches that are growing in front of your windows.

Technorati Tags: shears, hedges, trimming

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Gator Grip Socket

admin — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 00:17:03 +0000

I love it when something you see on an infomercial actually works. The Gator Grip Socket would be one of those things. Its a goto piece for almost any socket like job. I have moved, and have had to leave my workshop behind temporarily. I now have limited space and had to grab just the necessities from my shop, and the Gator Grip was my socket. It will get a grip on just about anything, most impressive, and useful, is its ability to handle those little eyelet screws. It comes with a drill adapter, so hanging plants and such are a breeze. I was very skeptical at first as to its durability, but it has proven very hardy, and I haven’t seen any signs of failure, even on some very hard rusted bolt removals.

There is no substitute for having the exact right socket for a particular bolt. If your on a budget though, have limited space, or just some odd shaped things you need to grip, then this is the choice for you. Its a one tool to rule them all type of thing.

Technorati Tags: ratchet, socket, gator grip

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Cast Iron Skillet

admin — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 21:10:22 +0000

You have one don’t you? If not, you have no idea what you are missing. They can be picked up pre-seasoned for prices that are lower than your ordinary cooking skillet. Some of the best meals I have made come out of mine (not that I’m much of a cook), and you don’t wash it! Not in the traditional sense anyway. Soap will remove the protective seasoned coating, and leaving it in water will make it rust. So just a good scrub with plain water and some scotch bright will do the job. Just make sure you dry it VERY good. They go in the oven no problem, and can get red hot (for searing steaks as an example) without causing any damage what so ever.

Now I wouldn’t suggest backpacking with one, but if you are planning on doing some car-camping, then it’s ideal. Stack up some some rocks over a fire and you’re good. You can’t beat steak over a fire, and the morning eggs……..yum. I’m doing just that this coming weekend too, so think about me when your stuck in your kitchen.

Technorati Tags: cast iron, skillet

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Flex Shaft Machine

admin — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 04:33:41 +0000

I am a jeweler by trade, and the most valuable tool I have in my arsenal is a flex shaft drill. I honestly don’t understand how any workshop can exist without one. Sure I know about Dremel, but they are clunky and big in your hand. A dremel’s motor is also located inside the part you hold in your hand, causing torque and extra vibration in exactly the wrong place when you are trying to do precise work. With a flex shaft machine, the motor is isolated from the hand piece. Not only does this allow for the motor to be bigger, and more powerful, it also removes the unwanted properties of such a motor from the work end of the tool.

In later posts I will explain to you the value I have learned of making your own tools. Not necessarily from scratch, but by modifying other tools. You can get cheap Chinese made tools from places like Harbor Freight ,and modify them till your hearts content. If there is a job you find yourself doing over and over, you’re almost certainly going to be able to do it faster and better with a custom tool. This along with a bench grinder will help you in your quest for better tools.

It also makes for much more accurate drilling. It seems brutish to me to try and drill a small hole in a small thing with a huge hand held drill. That’s just me though, decide for yourselves. All tools have a time and a place, and I guarantee with one of these in your shop, you find more time and places for it than you ever imagined.

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