Tools You Have To Have: Headlamp

Posted: August 30th, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: Resource | Comments Off on Tools You Have To Have: Headlamp

The headlamp is a hands-down contender for the best thing to have in your toolbag. I’ve seen fancy ones on spelunkers and other intrepid folks who mess around in dark places (urban explorers coolest of all). I’ve also seen theater techs and circus folk with them as they do their business, but I very rarely see them on the construction site. I think this is a shame because having a steady bright light is an incredible thing when you are coping a crown molding or installing cabinets. And if you are an electrician or plumber, then the advantages should be obvious.

If you can, go to any hardware or sporting goods store and slap down $15 for a half decent LED model. Try to find one with a rugged case so it doesn’t get wasted in your toolbag. The more LEDs on them the better – my new Energizer model has 5 LEDs but 3 are okay too. Generally they take 3 AAA batteries which will last you a month or so with regular use.


Things Organized Neatly

Posted: August 21st, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: Blog | Comments Off on Things Organized Neatly


Great pix of things in just the right place.

via swissmiss


Tools you have to have: Japanese Saw

Posted: August 20th, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: Blog, Resource | Tags: | Comments Off on Tools you have to have: Japanese Saw

It’s good, nay, neccessary to have the right tool for the job. If you have to do lots of different things it is therefore good to have the right tool for lots of different jobs. All the more so if you want to keep your toolkit small & light. In New York it is expensive and inefficient to go to the job site every day with a truck full of tools. Generally you load in all your relevant tools and materials with a crew and then take public transportation most of the other days. Often though you may have a small job where you need just a small bag of hand tools and a drill set.

Even if you don’t think you’ll need to cut any wood, you never know. Or you know you will but just don’t want to lug a saw with you. So The Japanese Pullsaw is a great thing to have in the bag. As opposed to standard American handsaws, Japanese saws cut on the pull stroke. This means that the blade can be incredibly thin, since they do not need the stiffness required for a push cut. Also, the blades easily are removable from the handle which makes for very easy storage in even a small tool bag.

There are many varieties of Japanese hand saws, but the two most common are the zuki and the Ryôba:

Dozuki Saw: A backsaw that is useful for precise cuts because of its stiffening rib on the back. Great to have in the shop to do all those hand-cut dovetails. Disadvantage is the depth of cuts are limited.

Ryoba Saw: A double-sided saw with a cross-cutting blade on one side & ripping blade on the other. This is my preference. The cross-cutting blade is incredibly sharp and can cut through a 2×4 in just a few strokes. Add it to a miter box & you have an easy way to cut a few small trim pieces if you don’t want the fuss & dust of a chop-saw.


120 Bikes on the Wall

Posted: August 20th, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: Blog | Tags: | Comments Off on 120 Bikes on the Wall

Bike Shop  in Altlandsberg, Germany.

via notcot


Brooklyn Tree

Posted: August 5th, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: Work | Tags: | Comments Off on Brooklyn Tree

Surfing around BrooklynBased I found this pic of a tree that we made back in March for a Brooklyn apartment. It was designed by Katherine Hammond for the same home that we built the home office I posted about a little while ago. Made from old shipping pallets lying around the loading dock at the navy yard, the tree was pretty fun to make (thanks evan & jay!).