Hookin Up with HoH #85

post from House of Hepworths "hoh" on 01 February 2012 10:26:55 PM. © House of Hepworths "hoh"

Hey guys! Wow, sorry I haven’t been around these here blog parts lately… I’ve been elbow deep in projects around the house that have left me so sore and pooped at the end of the day, all I can do is hit the pillow instead of blog. Don’t worry your pretty little head about it [...]

This post is sponsored by:
Ribbons and Bows Oh My!
Simple Fit
DISChangers

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http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/HouseOfHepworths/~3/sw939E31gaI/

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Hookin Up with HoH #84

post from House of Hepworths "hoh" on 01 February 2012 10:26:55 PM. © House of Hepworths "hoh"

This post is sponsored by:
Ribbons and Bows Oh My!
Simple Fit
DISChangers

Read The Full Article:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/HouseOfHepworths/~3/sw939E31gaI/

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Craft Challenge #71 Just Bead It! Time to Enter

post from Craftster Blog on 01 February 2012 06:35:42 PM. © Craftster Blog

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http://www.craftster.org/blog/craft-challenge-71-%e2%80%93-just-bead-it-%e2%80%93
-time-to-enter/

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When One Indexing Box-End Isn’t Enough

post from Toolmonger on 01 February 2012 06:35:35 PM. © Toolmonger

The idea of an indexing box-end — complete with GearWrench’s well-known fine-toothed ratcheting system — makes a lot of sense. Believe me, there’s nothing more frustrating than trying to get at a damn bolt or nut that’s just a little bit off from any angle you can possibly reach with a straight wrench. (Pick yourself up a set of deep offsets, too.) But hey, GearWrench’s double box-ends go to 11, man. Both ends index.

As you can see in the infographic above (courtesy of GearWrench, of course), you get 13 locking positions. This means that rather than simply flopping around like a some similar wrenches, you can lock this one in place, stick it down in the engine compartment, pull it back out and move it over a notch or two, and repeat until you can finally latch it on the buried fastener. GearWrench has been great about including this kind of indexing system on almost all their special-access tools, which simply rocks.

Other than their 13-year-old-gymnast-like flexibility, they’re pretty much just standard box-end ratcheting wrenches. They’re sold individually or in a single six-piece set with six size combinations: 8 and 10 mm, 11 and 12 mm, 13 and 14 mm, 15 and 16 mm, 17 and 18 mm, and 19 and 21 mm. Expect to pay around $80 for the set or around $30 apiece for open stock wrenches. And if you want to see them in person, it’s a fair bet you can find them at your local Sears.

Indexing Double-Box Ratcheting Wrenches [GearWrench] [Warning, PDF link]
Street Pricing [Google]
Via Amazon [What’s This?]

Read The Full Article:
http://toolmonger.com/2012/02/01/when-one-indexing-box-end-isnt-enough/

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What Makes A Good Screwdriver

post from Toolmonger on 01 February 2012 06:35:35 PM. © Toolmonger

What is it that draws you to one screwdriver over another? Is it the grip? Strength and durability of the tip? Price? I asked myself these questions this morning, and damn if I could come up with a simple answer. Read on for my take (such that it is), and please be ready to share yours. I’m interested, and I know for a fact a number of manufacturers would love to know what you think as well.

Until I was at least 25, I used whatever tools my father gave me, which in his case meant Craftsman. He was a fan up until the day he died, mainly because he saw them as reasonably priced tools that offered at least basic durability. The replacement policy turned him on, too, as I know it does for many of you. When I finally started buying my own tools in my late 20s, I bought what I already had — more Craftsman. I was smart enough by then to hang on to the expensive stuff, but hey — screwdrivers just seem to get away no matter what. So every couple of years I’d catch Sears with one of those big packs of mixed screwdrivers on sale and replenish my stash.

Then came Toolmonger and with it exposure to a hell of a lot of tools. I found myself seeing Craftsman a bit differently. Sure, they’re still quite decent tools. (I’m talking about the hand tools, here. And my definition of hand tools, not theirs.) But I also discovered that a lot of other companies offer tools of at least what appears to me to be similar quality. This especially applies to screwdrivers.

Take, for example, the Stanley-branded ones available everywhere from Wal-Mart to Amazon. We have a ton of these around the shop, and I can honestly tell you that at least in terms of the things we do with them — auto work, around-the-house stuff, etc. — they’re fine. They’ve held up at least as well as any other drivers in my home toolbox. Of course, I can’t help but notice that they’re quite a bit cheaper, too.

But what I’d never have come across if it wasn’t for Toolmonger was expensive screwdrivers, like those sold by MAC, Snap-On, or even Klein, like the one pictured above. Each of these incorporates slight differences, many of which fit right into what Sean and I have learned are the little tweaks in design and manufacturing that separate inexpensive-but-get-the-job-done from probably-will-outlast-you. I’m talking about things like extra machine work to add precise, tiny radii to corners to prevent stress cracks, additional finishing to add grip or smooth surfaces and ergonomically-designed grips made up of stacked layers of dissimilar materials to deliver balanced comfort, functionality, and durability.

That begs the question: What exactly makes you like one screwdriver over another?

It seems to me that this must be a very complicated question, with the answer tied deeply to use and personal preference. An auto mechanic, for example, might appreciate a TPR grip that keeps the tool from becoming slippery when it gets a little oil or tranny fluid on it, whereas a precision assembly worker might want something smooth to make detailed turns simpler to feel. A few years ago it was all the craze among manufacturers to create mutli-lobed handles to try to give you additional grip power without sacrificing comfort, but doesn’t that assume your hand is shaped like everyone else’s?

When it comes down to it, I have to say that I still reach for the Craftsman screwdrivers first, probably because I’ve used them for so long that they feel comfortable and familiar. But when it comes time to buy more — I’ve gotten better about hanging on to my tools, thank you — I’ll probably buy cheaper stuff because I’m just a seriously cheap bastard. (Not having any spare cash is good training for this.)

If you’ve got a minute, give this a little thought and share in comments. I’d like to know what you like best, but more importantly I’d like to know why. What is it that makes your favorite screwdrivers better than the rest?

Read The Full Article:
http://toolmonger.com/2012/02/01/what-makes-a-good-screwdriver/

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WTF Do You Do With A Mini Hammer

post from Toolmonger on 01 February 2012 06:35:35 PM. © Toolmonger

I ran across this online today, and it just screams “impulse-buy item” — you know, stuffed in a display box right by the checkout counter. It’s also pretty much everything a hammer shouldn’t be. The whole point of a hammer is to apply additional force with a lever. Make the lever shorter and you sorta defeat the purpose. Of course, you can probably stick this one in your pocket. “Is that a hammer, or are you just happy to see me?”

Kidding aside, what use case does this satisfy? (No, really. This wouldn’t be the first time I missed one that’s obvious to everyone else.) I suppose you could use it to hang pictures, but I’d rather have a nice light full-sized hammer for that. It’d offer a lot more control. The mini hammer has a full-sized claw, though I’m not really sure how much force you could apply to it considering the stubby handle. It’s got to be wicked unbalanced, too.

The real piss-off is that you can find a number of these [What’s This?] kicking around Amazon, for example. Does that mean that there’s a use for them or just that they fly off the chewing-gum-and-home-magazines shelf? Enlighten me in comments if you wish. Street pricing runs about $3-5.

Mini Hammer [Great Neck]
Street Pricing [Google]
Via Amazon [What’s This?]

Read The Full Article:
http://toolmonger.com/2012/02/01/wtf-do-you-do-with-a-mini-hammer/

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Sock Creatures

post from Cut Out + Keep on 01 February 2012 05:35:25 PM. © Cut Out + Keep

go barefoot... make cute stuff... :)

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http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/sock-creatures

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Modern Hideaway Dressing Table

Materials: Vika Veine, Vika Lage, Sandby, low voltage downlights, mirror, plastic trays, Velcro strips

Description: I really wanted a dressing table for all my girly things...but all the ones in the stores were very old fashioned!

Recently married, all our furniture is pretty new and in a modern chocolate brown, so I wanted something to suit.

Finally, after much Googling...I came up with this design.

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