I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/03/simple_no-sew_toolbelt.html
From ManMade comes this video about how to create a quick n' dirty no-sew toolbelt from recycled fabric and duct tape. I don't think you're going to rock the construction site in this thing, but for light tools and crafting supplies, it's an easy way to cobble something together.
ManMade Video How-To: Make a Custom, No-Sew Tool Belt from Repurposed Fabric
Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in Toolbox | Digg this!15 Hours, 39 Minutes ago | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/03/saw_blade_that_cuts_and_sands.html
The Final Cut saw blade packs sandpaper on the sides for a smoother cut.
The latest in saw blade technology. Fully patented and proven successful in cutting and sanding your work piece all at one time. Use with table saw and power miter boxes for the perfect joint or finished edge. No edge sanding is required after passing your work piece through the table saw and when making miters the joints virtually disappear. Make minor length adjustments by simply sliding the work piece towards the rotating blade (just like a disc sander). One operation produces two functions. Try it and see for yourself how easy it is to become a professional wood craftsman.
[via Core77]
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18 Hours, 39 Minutes ago | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/03/175_free_woodworking_ebooks.html
The Woodworks Library has a bunch of PDFs of woodworking books, mostly public domain materials from the late 1800s or early 1900s. However, some of them are more modern, like this US Army Corps of Engineers carpentry manual from 1995. [via open materials]
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March 1 2010, 7:00pm | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/02/small-space_workbench.html
Make: Online reader Conor wrote in with a pic of his small, small workshop -- on top of an old traveler's trunk, underneath his loft bed in a 8x8' room! Kind of reminds me of Adam Wolf's closet workshop except with more Mexican candles. And what's that he's working on? An electric guitar slash bullhorn? The neighbors'll like that.
Readers, anyone else have a nifty solution for a space-deprived maker?
Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in Toolbox | Digg this!February 27 2010, 7:00pm | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/02/toolbox_first_aid_kits.html
In the Make: Online Toolbox, we focus mainly on tools that fly under the radar of more conventional tool coverage: in-depth tool-making projects, strange or specialty tools unique to a trade or craft that can be useful elsewhere, tools and techniques you may not know about, but once you do, and incorporate them into your workflow, you'll wonder how you ever lived without them. And, in the spirit of the times, we pay close attention to tools that you can get on the cheap, make yourself, or refurbish.
Since it's Projects: Failure month, we figured it might be a good idea to cover some first aid in Toolbox, 'cause frequently, when projects fail, danger and injury go hand and hand. Here are a few suggestions for first aid kits and supplies to have on-hand.
Years ago, I contributed to Kevin Kelly's self-published Cool Tools book. As "payment," he sent me the Adventure Medical Fundamentals First Aid kit. I love it and it's become the basis of our home and workshop first aid kit. It's geared towards outdoor use (hiking, camping, and such), but with a few additions, it works great as an overall kit. Along with the tools, med supplies, and medications, it comes with an excellent first aid field manual. It's all stored in a very compact, water-resistant zippered case. At an SRP of $110, this might seem like overkill, but it has pretty much everything you need for just about any type of emergency. If you do any camping, boating, hiking, long-distance cycling, long-trip car traveling, etc., it's worth the price (and you can get it online for $87).
Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in Toolbox | Digg this!February 24 2010, 5:01pm | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/02/ian_rosss_workbench_and_shed.html
Australian reader Ian Ross sent in pictures of his awesome workbench, which packs some interesting gear like nixie-tube test equipment.
It is the disorganised chaos of over 30 years of collecting discarded electronic devices. Some of the test instruments use lovely Nixie tubes and I also have a flat screen telly so I can escape to my sanctuary at night. The main workbench light is a surplus dental exam light which is excellent for working with small devices.Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in Toolbox | Digg this!
February 20 2010, 1:00pm | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/02/grant_hutchinsons_workshop_slash_se.html
I'm a big fan of workshops, the messier the better, and this one definitely fits the bill. I especially love the old school Macs that Grant has turned into servers. The super old ones are an 8500 and 9600 working as web servers, while a relatively modern G4/450 dualie serves as a file server. But these old school devices can't compare to Grant's pride and joy, his Apple Newton server. See this photo's Flickr page for lots of notes about the various items in the shop.
What's the oldest working electronics equipment you have in your workshop, readers?
Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in Toolbox | Digg this!February 17 2010, 3:00am | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/02/mark_tildens_workbench.html
Most home workshops have you looking at garage walls or cement bricks. Mark Tilden, father of BEAM robotics, built himself a sweet setup high above the streets of Hong Kong.
Having spent most of my lab life staring at basement walls or security bars, recently sorted myself a home lab 600 feet high overlooking Kowloon Park and the Hong Kong skyline. It's got half-inch thick smoked glass surfaces (solder and superglue doesn't stick) and an awesome AV setup. Glass feels cool against your arms on hot days. Advantage.
Click on the images to see them full sized.
Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in Toolbox | Digg this!February 12 2010, 2:00pm | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/02/toolbox_snowpocalypse_edition.html
In the Make: Online Toolbox, we focus mainly on tools that fly under the radar of more conventional tool coverage: in-depth tool-making projects, strange or specialty tools unique to a trade or craft that can be useful elsewhere, tools and techniques you may not know about, but once you do, and incorporate them into your workflow, you'll wonder how you ever lived without them. And, in the spirit of the times, we pay close attention to tools that you can get on the cheap, make yourself, or refurbish.
Our fearless editor Gareth has fallen victim to the giant blizzard currently hitting the east coast. The last we heard from him, he was trapped under tons of snow, he'd lost Internet access, he was out of cereal, and manflesh was starting to sound pretty good. So, assuming that Gar may be too busy fighting for survival to write his regular Toolbox post, we're putting you, the reader, on the job.
What is your favorite tool right now? My new baby is a SOG Specialty Knives B61-N. It's tough as nails and packs a Colonel Kurtz-esque black oxide finish that makes Leatherman tools tremble.
How about you, readers? Post your favorite tools in comments.
Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in Toolbox | Digg this!February 10 2010, 5:00pm | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/02/awesome_workshop_panorama.html
Check out UK maker John Honniball's sweet workshop panorama.
This is an almost-360-degree panorama of my computer and electronics lab and workshop room. The four big CRT monitors that you can see were obtained from FreeCycle, as was the iMac. Far left is a Stag PPZ EPROM programmer. At the right-hand end are the HP stack (1980B, 1630G, 3456A) and a Tek 575 curve tracer. Far right is an HP LaserJet 4+ with duplexer. On the electronics bench, you may be able to see an Arduino and some LEDs.
See the panorama full-sized on John's Flickr page.
Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in Toolbox | Digg this!February 7 2010, 7:00pm | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/01/workshop_envy.html
I don't have my own workshop, just a desk in my bedroom that is more likely to have a pile of kid socks on it than an actual project. (Or, even more likely, it would have both projects and socks on it, making for a huge mess...) Consequently, I'm envious of and fascinated by other people's setups. So, please share your workspace, workshop, desk, bench, what-have-you! Leave a URL in the comments, add a photo to the MAKE Flickr pool, or send me an email (johnb at makezine dot com) and I'll post the most interesting ones.
(Thanks to Pat for the photo of his excellently messy workbench.)
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January 31 2010, 1:00pm | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/01/help_torture-test_craftsman_tools.html
Craftsman has a social-media marketing campaign going right now where you can suggest ways to stress test the company's hand and power tools. The above videos are the first two in the series.
Creating these tests was insanely fun -- and we're going to create more. But it would be selfish of us to have all that fun without you. So, we're inviting you to help us create the next round. Give us a few good ideas, and if we choose them, we'll shoot them. And you'll get all the glory. So put your thinking hardhat on and let's get freaky.
What do you think, readers? Cool idea? Waste of time?
Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in Toolbox | Digg this!January 29 2010, 3:00am | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/01/dream_workshop.html
Flickr user Mtneer sure has a sweet setup! Click on the link to see a bunch more photos of this workshop and some older ones he's had. I'm conflicted, however: on one hand, I'm concerned at how neat his shop is -- the only mess is a beer can on the bench! On the other hand, if I somehow cleaned my workbench I'd take a picture of it too.
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January 24 2010, 10:00am | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/01/gouge_a_drill_press_table_hurt_a_ki.html
Gabriel Hargrove, Lynn Lim and William Newhouse at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago's Architecture, Interior Architecture and Designed Objects department found the perfect way to keep students from drilling through the drill press table: hold a kitten hostage. [via Core 77]
Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in Toolbox | Digg this!January 22 2010, 3:00am | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/01/end-cut_log_cabin_studio.html
AND it's on wheels (and as far as I know, by "wheels," they don't mean logs underneath) [via Dinosaurs and Robots]
Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in Toolbox | Digg this!January 15 2010, 5:00pm | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2009/12/tricks_of_the_trade.html
Tim Lillis is the artist who does the "Tricks of the Trade" comic in each issue of MAKE. He's put a number of the comics up on his Flickr pages. He's also looking for new tips and tricks to comic-ize for 2010.
Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in Toolbox | Digg this!December 31 2009, 7:30pm | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2009/12/see-through_sink_trap_with_clog-cle.html
This PermaFLOW sink trap from PF Waterworks was featured in Popular Science's Best of What's New 2008. To be clear, I've neither owner nor use one of these, so I can't vouch for the quality of the product nor for its practical effectiveness. However, I admire the clever thinking that went into the design: the transparency lets you see at a glance how bad the clog is (or if your wedding ring really went down there), and the knob lets you clear it without dismantling the trap. At least in theory. In practice, of course, accumulated grime (or algae, if your trap is regularly exposed to light) might eventually obscure the interior of the pipe, and the rotating paddle mechanism might break down or get fouled with hair. Be interesting to see if this thing is still around in five years, and if so, how the early installations are holding up. [via SlipperyBrick]
Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in Toolbox | Digg this!December 17 2009, 11:16am | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2009/12/toolbox_gimlet.html
Here's an interesting stocking stuffer, probably one of those tools most of us wouldn't have in our toolbox, but would relish once we'd used one.
Via the Cool Tools review:
I'm giving gimlet sets to a few lucky in-laws this year. I've found them to be a great time saver whenever I need a hole drilled and precise placement is critical. A few twists and a lovely pilot hole is exactly where you need it. -- Paul
From the Garrett Wade Catalog:
Gimlets are probably among the most underrated hand tools in the modern workshop. They are easily used for quickly making pilot holes for screws sized from #2 to #9. At this price, these gimlets are a terrific value. They will really speed up your work.
Set of Seven Gimlets [Garrett Wade]
December 15 2009, 5:30pm | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2009/12/makers_notebook_resistor_code_chart.html
Flickr user arms22 came up with this little "hack" to add at-a-glance color-coding to the resistor chart in his Maker's Notebook. You could also just do neater colored squares, or outline the boxes for each color name, so you wouldn't have to color in the entire row.
More:
Maker's Notebook homepage
In the Maker Shed:
Pick up The Maker's Notebook ($19.99) for all your big ideas, diagrams, patterns, etc. Exclusive to the Maker Shed: Sticker sheets and a band closure to customize your book.
December 14 2009, 5:00pm | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2009/12/awesome_make_electronics_bookkit_bu.html
The Maker Shed has put together a great electronics tool kit, with all of the essential tools one needs to get started in electronics. The kit includes a 30w adjustable soldering iron, a digital multimeter, a soldering stand, a Panavise Jr, various handtools, solder, spools of hook-up wire, and a Maker's Notebook. It even comes with a kit to practice on, the WeeBlinky.
Those rascally elves in the Shed have combined the toolkit with our new Make: Electronics book to create the Deluxe Make: Electronics Tool Kit. The regular kit sells for $114.99. The Deluxe kit sells for $124.99. So, basically, you get Make: Electronics (normally $34.99) for ten bucks! What a deal!
Check out the FREE shipping offer from the Maker Shed.
(orders of $100 or more, Contiguous US only, not to be combined with any other offers)
December 10 2009, 5:00pm | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2009/12/toolbox_maker_sartorial_part_2.html
In the Make: Online Toolbox, we focus mainly on tools that fly under the radar of more conventional tool coverage: in-depth tool-making projects, strange or specialty tools unique to a trade or craft that can be useful elsewhere, tools and techniques you may not know about, but once you do, and incorporate them into your workflow, you'll wonder how you ever lived without them. And, in the spirit of the times, we pay close attention to tools that you can get on the cheap, make yourself, or refurbish.
In our last Toolbox, we looked at "maker sartorial," specifically, the clothing that makers wear that is optimized for the "work" they do (be it vocational or avocational). We got input from a bunch of people (mostly men), and it turns out, there's something of a maker's uniform, at least among these respondents: a collared, button-up shirt, with at least one pocket, a pair of cargo pants (or other extra-pocketed work pants), and a pair of combat (or other heavy-duty) boot. The main pattern to emerge was the insistence on lots of pockets and the durability of the clothing.
This week, we look at what some of these respondents said about what they carry in all those pockets (and over their shoulders, etc) as part of their most close-up and personal toolkit.
Andrew Q. Righter, of HacDC and TheQLabs: "I, like most of my friends, are very particular about my pens. Lately, I've been toting around the amazing Sharpie Pen. It is, by far, one of the best pens I've ever used, especially for the money. Oddly enough, I have a bad habit of taking a pen if I see one that I like, especially from public areas. So, the first time I saw the Sharpie Pen was as we were signing our bills for a Famous Dave's lunch run at work. The waiter obviously had a brand new pack, and at that point, I'd never seen one, so I swiped it and added $2-3 to the tip because I felt bad. Anyhoo, I've been using the pen ever since. It writes perfectly in a Moleskine, so they're essentially the perfect maker/hacker pair."
December 9 2009, 4:30pm | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2009/11/toolbox_maker_sartorial.html
In the Make: Online Toolbox, we focus mainly on tools that fly under the radar of more conventional tool coverage: in-depth tool-making projects, strange or specialty tools unique to a trade or craft that can be useful elsewhere, tools and techniques you may not know about, but once you do, and incorporate them into your workflow, you'll wonder how you ever lived without them. And, in the spirit of the times, we pay close attention to tools that you can get on the cheap, make yourself, or refurbish.
One might think that a geek, a techie, a maker, might not be that particular about what he or she wears. We're certainly not likely to be paying attention to what the latest fashion crazes are or what's sashaying down the runways of Paris and New York. But ask said maker/geek about what he or she is wearing and carrying in his or her pockets, and you'll likely get a very long, precision rant on the functionality, durability, and methods of everything. Geeks might be no less particular about clothing, accessories, and personal items, they're just likely more focused on substance than style (or have a very unique take on style). We asked a bunch of folks in the maker/hacker community to tell us something about what they wear and carry and why. Here's a sampling of what they had to say.
We got such a tremendous response that we're going to split this Toolbox into two parts. Part 1 will cover clothing, shirts, pants, footwear, and outerwear. Part 2 will look at bags, pouches, and cases, pens, notebooks, and other carried items.
Shirts (with pockets!)
One of the first things we noticed as a trend was makers telling us they only wear shirts with pockets (so they can carry pens, small notebooks, etc.). This is a particular obsession of mine. I don't want to wear anything that doesn't have a pocket (including my T-shirts). It so bums me out that, even geek-targeted T-shirts don't have pockets! Hey geek/maker/hacker community (and that means you too, Maker Shed!) -- industrious, creative, big-brained people want to carry pens, 3x5 cards, and other tools that don't live so well in pants pockets. Give us pockets in our T-shirts -- and not those matchbook-sized ornamental pockets -- real pockets!
Keith Hammond, MAKE's Copy Chief, recommended Ben Davis shirts. Jeff Casimir, of HacDC and Jumpstart Lab, also recommended these shirts. Keith Hammond writes:
I'm a longtime fan of Ben Davis short sleeve shirts, 1/2 zipper front -- bombproof, grease-resistant work fabric (great for workshop or bike commute), cut loose (that's why hip-hoppers love 'em, also great for bike commutes), and not one but two shirt pockets, with a pencil slot on the left one. Plus, the ape logo, evoking our tool-using primate superiority.
Pants
November 25 2009, 4:30pm | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2009/11/cross_multi-tool.html
Dutch designer Michiel Cornelissen sells these cruciform screwdrivers, which are laser-sintered stainless steel. There's a flat-blade, a Phillips head, and an IKEA-sized hex bit. [via Dude Craft]
Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in Toolbox | Digg this!November 20 2009, 10:58am | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2009/11/bandsaw_beautification.html
The first time I saw a circuit board where the board designer had broken through the boundaries of a grid pattern and made traces that curved playfully and made decorative shapes, it was a revelation. You can make a PCB any damn shape you please! (So long as it takes into account the component shapes and doesn't get too confusing.) Too often we get stuck in rigid modes of thinking about the world. I love it when people tweak those tunnel realities a little. This painted saw, spotted on Dinosaurs and Robots, is a perfect example. I've seen a few shop tools maybe painted a non-factory-issued color, or with some bumper stickers and tool company logos, etc. on them, but have never seen one tricked-out painted just for fun and aesthetic pleasure. Why not? This saw was done by custom guitar painter Sarah Ryan, for Creston Lea's bandsaw.
Okay, here's one reason not to paint your shop tools. It apparently attracts snakes! (See story on the link.)
Creston Lea's Bandsaw Painted by Sarah Ryan
November 2 2009, 4:30pm | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2009/10/lie-nielsen_chain-drive_shoulder_vi.html
There are vises, and there are vises. And there are those of us for whom vises are also vices. For we few obsessives cognoscenti, the price of this beautifully-designed chain-drive shoulder vise package may not be unreasonable. For the mechanically inclined, a remake would be totally do-able, and Lie-Nielsen is to be credited for not keeping any secrets about how it all goes together. The installation instructions (.pdf) contain all you'd need to know to cobble together one of your own.
October 30 2009, 5:00pm | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2009/10/toolboxes_now_and_then.html
Flickr toolbox refurbisher extraordinaire "txinkman" got ahold of this awesome Black & Decker box and had no idea what it originally held. He posted a query on Toolmonger and soon found out: a valve seat grinding set. About the box itself, he writes:
Just for giggles, I shot it next to my orbital sander's box. Somehow I think we've lost some packaging elan over the years.
Boy, howdy.
Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in Toolbox | Digg this!October 28 2009, 5:00pm | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2009/10/microrax_modular_beams.html
Looks like the small-scale aluminum t-slot world his heating up! Previously I've recommended 80/20 for small projects that needed sturdy, precise framing structures to hold up a microcontroller and some sensors, but those can be difficult to find in small sizes. Now we've got MicroRAX from Twintec, and Mini-T by Maker Beam on the way soon. Both are a 10mm square stock with a variety of connectors, joints, and hardware. They are aimed at makers, with direct sales, and small kits of common parts.
MicroRAX are available for purchase now, and you can contact them for free samples if you'd like to play around with some. I spoke with Chris Burrows from Twintec and he said they're ready for an onslaught of sample orders, so bring it on!
I'm excited to see that they've uploaded CAD files for two of their parts to Thingiverse, so you can plan your project in 3D. Head here to download them. Hopefully they'll add CAD files for all of their parts soon.
[via HackdGadget]
More:
Q & A with MakerBeam @ Evil Mad Science Laboratories
October 26 2009, 8:00pm | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2009/10/from_boobtube_to_smarttube.html
Tired of reading all of those racist, anti-Semitic, gross, nasty, hateful, and just plain dirt-dumb stupid comments on YouTube? Now you can make everyone as smart as a rocket scientist, or at least as smart as a Nobel Prize-winning physicist (and prankster, juggler, painter, bongo player, and lock-picker), namely Richard Feynman.
FeynTube is a Greasemonkey script that replaces all YouTube comments when quotes from Feynman. You can switch off FeynTube simply by switching off the Greasemonkey icon at the bottom of your browser.
The FeynTube page describes how to install both Greasemonkey and the FeynTube script. [Thanks, Blake!]
More:
Richard Feynman Video
Feynman and ants
Cross-Stitch Your Favorite Physicist
Richard Feynman: The Douglas Robb Memorial Lectures
October 22 2009, 7:00am | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2009/10/box_stitch_for_large-gauge_cable_bu.html
This week's Lost Knowledge column on cable lacing has generated a lot of great discussion, in the comments to the piece, and on Boing Boing. There's a dearth of info on the subject online, and almost no video on it. We'd LOVE it if someone who knows how to do it could do a how-to, post it to YouTube, and send us the link. Here's one of the few video resources, a telco tech showing how to do a box stitch for bundling large gauge cables.
More:
Lost Knowledge: Cable lacing
October 8 2009, 10:31pm | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2009/08/stainless_steel_sharpie.html?CMP=OTC-0D6B48984890
That's right, it's 2009 and there are now Stainless steel Sharpies with refillable ink cartridges and a laser etched logo... I kinda want one next time I need a replacement. Whatcha think, cool or overkill?
August 27 2009, 6:30am | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2009/08/typewriter_repair_kit.html?CMP=OTC-0D6B48984890
Check out this beautiful, fetishistic vintage typewriter repair kit:
I borrowed it from my friend Andrew Leman, (actor, prop builder, graphic designer, typographer, and filmmaker) who got it to use in an upcoming Lovecraft film he's producing. I used some of the tools to straighten bars in my vintage typewriters. Now he wants his kit back, so I thought I'd better take some photos of them first. I love the little compartment for the three parts drawers.
August 20 2009, 10:00pm | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2009/08/handmade_hacksaw_frame.html?CMP=OTC-0D6B48984890
Flickr user Streetwalker credits this elegant handmade tool to Mr. Norberto Arriagada, a Chilean plumber.
Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in Toolbox | Digg this!August 13 2009, 12:00pm | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2009/08/worlds_most_beautiful_vise.html?CMP=OTC-0D6B48984890
Only a handful of these "pilot wheel" engraver's vises were custom made by the late John Madole. The wheel is turned to tighten or loosen the massive ball joint, allowing the user to set the precision jaws at any convenient angle. Information is scanty, but there's a couple more pics here at Lindsay Airgravers.
Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in Toolbox | Digg this!August 12 2009, 12:00pm | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
Reader Billy Baque recently pointed me at the blog of knife- and tool-maker Peter Atwood, who seems to be living the Maker dream: Every week or so he makes up a run of one or two dozen of his carefully-designed pocket tools, posts them for sale on eBay, and announces it on his blog. They usually sell out within a day.
Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in Toolbox | Digg this!August 11 2009, 11:00am | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2009/08/giveaway_fuji_enviromax_batteries.html?CMP=OTC-0D6B48984890
The folks at Fuji are trying to spread the word about their new EnviroMAX batteries. They gave MAKE and CRAFT some bundles to give out to our readers. We're giving away bundles of assorted batteries, sizes AAA to D, to two randomly-chosen Make: Online readers in the next 24 hours! Just leave us a comment below and be sure to include your email address in the form field (which won't be published).
You can comment about whatever you wish, but maybe you can tell us if you still use disposable batteries -- how and why -- or if you use all rechargeables. All eligible comments will be closed on Tuesday, August 11th at 11am PDT. Good luck!
Here's more about the Fuji EnviroMAX batteries:
The materials that make up a Fuji EnviroMAX battery are derived from the basic elements of the Earth. There is nothing inside a Fuji EnviroMAX battery that will harm the environment if it is disposed of through normal waste systems. A few reasons why are that Fuji EnviroMAX batteries contain no harmful mercury, cadmium - nor are they packaged with dangerous (and non-recyclable) PVC plastic. Instead, Fuji EnviroMAX batteries are made in some of the world's most eco-respectful battery plants, operating under some of the most strict standards of environmental responsibility. In fact, most of all resources used in the Fuji EnviroMAX manufacturing process are reused and recycled! What's more, Fuji EnviroMAX batteries are labeled and packaged with recycled paper and P.E.T. plastic. The result is batteries that meet a world standard for environmental responsibility and recyclable materials. And no other batteries are so respectful of our environment as Fuji EnviroMAX.Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in Toolbox | Digg this!
August 10 2009, 2:00pm | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
It's almost time for Burning Man, and you know what that means -- no, not rampant nudity -- dust. Lots and lots of dust. Tom Elverston decided to make his own pair of black leather dust goggles -- tres Mad Max -- from an old leather jacket and some pieces of tempered and UV resistant glass from halogen 'puck style' lights.
How to make Dust Goggles - Tim Elverston design and process [via Boing Boing]
August 7 2009, 6:01pm | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2009/08/through-color_mdf.html?CMP=OTC-0D6B48984890
German chemical giant BASF pioneered the technology to colorize the traditionally blah-colored world of manufactured wood products like medium-density fiberboard (MDF). Besides requiring no or little finishing, through-color MDF will not betray scrapes or scratches like painted material. It has been available in Europe for awhile now, but only relatively recently in the US through Packard Forest Products.
August 6 2009, 12:00pm | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2009/08/caliper_pen.html?CMP=OTC-0D6B48984890
Das original! It's the German-made Messograf caliper pen from Cleo Skribent. Built into the retractable ballpoint pen is a 4″ Vernier caliper that measures in increments of both 0.1mm and 1/16″. The pen also functions as a metric screw thread scale and a tire tread depth scale. Garrett-Wade carries them.
Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in Toolbox | Digg this!August 3 2009, 3:30pm | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2009/08/tips_on_unpresenting.html?CMP=OTC-0D6B48984890
I spotted these sketchbook notes by Austin Kleon on Flickr, of a presentation that Heather Gold gave for VizThinkU. I wasn't at the talk, but it's amazing to me how much of the gist of it these two pages seem to convey.
Heather Gold on unpresenting for VizthinkU
August 2 2009, 9:01pm | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
Over at the mightyOhm, Jeff Keyzer has a guest blogger, his friend Tony. Tony's first project posted is (part 1) of this awesome diamond-bladed precision chop saw he built with parts from hard drives. The motor, pivot bearing, and motor driver are all from old drives. The blade is a surplus wafer-dicing blade, 300µm thick!
Tony's Diamond Chop Saw (Part 1)
July 31 2009, 4:00pm | More »