makezine.com: TNT, Round 21: The Tipping Point

TNT Newsletter for August 17, 2007

Insurance in a snap, metal dealers, fancy clips, on the painting tip, super hot glue.

Dear Readers,

I am awash with tips this week. Everyone is consumed with the desire to be helpful. I love it! Being a maker is really about helping other makers out, and it's not always about finding the right tool. Sometimes it's tipping someone off to using a tool in the right way, or thinking about a problem in a different light. I love these tips because each one touches on a different problem, whether it's being prepared to deal with insurance, or keeping things organized in a playful way, pointing out a good metal supplier, or reminding us all of the glories of a really good hot glue gun.

Makers depend on tips like these. Some of them are silly, but they build a community and remind us that we're doing something fun and worthwhile. That all knowledge is certainly worth sharing.

Keep the tips coming!
Arwen O'Reilly
Staff Editor, Make Magazine
toolbox@makezine.com

Seeking creative minds for collaborative projects. Join us at HEYA.toyota.com

Easy Inventory

Reviewed by Frank Ford

You do have a digital camera, yes? Well, you can buy yourself some really important and valuable "insurance" if you simply pull out every drawer and box in your shop and pop a quick snap of the contents. In the case of fire, flood, or theft, you'll have some of the most valuable records ever! Neatness doesn't count — all you have to do is identify the stuff.

Discussion

Speedy Metals

Reviewed by Yojinbo
http://www.speedymetals.com/

Tip: Speedy Metals is a great place for ordering small quantities of metals for your projects. I've ordered brass tube stock, 7075-T6 aircraft-grade aluminum, and tool steel from them. Shipping is fast, and they are geared toward small orders--so they are not "put out" when you only order one or two items.

Discussion

Money Clip

Reviewed by Andrea Dunlap

I have a ton of old clip-on earrings that I've either inherited from my great-grandmother or collected from junk sales (I can't shake the desire to be prepared for playing dress-up with ten-year-olds at a moment's notice). I recently came up with a new way to use them in the everyday, though. If you were giving someone money or just like to keep money in a drawer (I like to stash a little in case I can't get to an ATM), you can use clip-on earrings as a money clip. Depending on the sturdiness of the earrings, you can only do a few bills at once.

Discussion

Painting Tip

Reviewed by Lextone
http://www.aircompressorsdirect.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=661

Gotta paint the bathroom, kitchen, or bedroom? If you have an airbrush, use it to cut-in: just get a can of compressed air and hook it to your airbrush. It's faster and easier than a brush or mini roller, with no mess. You can tape off around doors and windows and fixtures or use a piece of cardboard to prevent overspray. It allows easy touch-up as well. All this with no brush marks, drips, or runs, and it's quicker, too. Oh yeah — it's great for stencils, too (duh).

Discussion

Hot Steaming Glue Gun!

Reviewed by Li Hertzi
http://www.sears.com
$20

I am in love with my glue gun ... well, one of them. Is it the new snazoid cordless one with the space-age heating base from Black & Decker?

No, though that is a beautiful machine, trendy and lauded. No, it is my ancient Craftsman Corded 80510 Hot Glue Gun, a small and unassuming machine (the patina of years of paint, glue, grass, and flotsam and jetsam cover the original color ... hmmm, I think it was black). Oddly and completely off-topic is the fact that this number is the same as the zip code for Allenspark, Colo., where I spent several pre-reality years of bliss, skiing, being married, and painting.

At any rate, my advice to my students and friends is to get a HOT glue gun, be sure to ventilate, ventilate, ventilate. Unfortunately, I cannot recommend mine because they don't make 'em anymore, but I would trust a Craftsman.

And have a bowl of ice cubes nearby if you are working with this weapon and your sensitive finger tips.

Enjoy makin' stuff!

Discussion

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