Tools/Materials that should exist but don't.

[Aaron Schroeder]

If you're like me, you find that you need a tool, you go to the store, look on line and you can't find it anywhere . Over the years you develop a wish list and every now and then to your delight it appears. If you were given an opportunity to strongly influence a group of industrial designers wishing to rush new tools/materials to market, what would you tell them ?

For instance, I want work gloves with fingernails and curved drill bits, the list is long.

I'd like to see your wish list.

[jOe~]

Sky hooks to hang tools on, so I don't have to leave them on the ground. Cold torches and welders that also don't require eye protection. Thats all I can come up with now as I've just had my coffee. I could go for special brownies for breakfast, but its been a long time since I've had them.


jOe~

[evaldart]

I would like an adjustable hammer (Crescent hammer perhaps) where I could dial the wieght up or down so I didnt have to have a stack of different sized hammers under my feet while I'm forging. From 8oz to 6 lbs short handle and from 8lbs to 30lbs for the long handled two-hand version.

And while I'm at it I might as well get the microwave tunnel-forge so it wont take a half hour to heat up a length of 2" bar. DING! and the steel is red-hot.

[Lunarburn]

Ill take a replicator (star trek)

Tell it what you want and it materializes in front of you.

[Arrow]

A few that do exist...more or less.

Replicator/3d printer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e26MBnnQEIE
http://www.hackaday.com/media/2006/12/fabathomehad.jpg

and

Induction Forge Basic Kit...That is if you have $3895.00 to spare...

http://www.blacksmithsdepot.com/Templates/cart_templates/cart-detail.php?theLocation=/Resources/Products/Forges_and_Parts/OC_Induction_Forge/OC_Induction_Forge_Basic_Kit&where=

http://www.anvilfire.com/news4/edition_40/off-center/unit_290.jpg


I'd like a hand held laser saw/drill.

[Aaron Schroeder]

Here's one I'm sure every one would like to see........ An AC to DC extention cord unit for cordless tools...... so once you drain all your batteries.....you can just plug it into the tool and wall out...... and get back to work.

[PTsideshow]

Aaron they have one of those its called an electric drill with a cord :D :D

[Merlion]

What do I wish? I wish I can be like a surgeon in an operation theater or room. I just mention the tool I want, open my palm to face up, and the tool will be correctly placed on it.

So it has nothing to do with tools or materials. It means I wish I have a well trained female assistant. Do you? :)

[Aaron Schroeder]

They don't make an electric drill that has the features my cordless has. Besides I want a DC cord that works for all my cordless tools. I suppose I could cart all my corded tools to a work site but a simple DC cord would be a lot easier. As for an assistant, sure would be nice, maybe one day.

[evaldart]

The ac/dc universal cord, yes. I'd pay at least a hundred bucks for one. Another billion dollar idea Aaron. You must like working your ass off. (You should make that gee-tar playin doppleganger of yours earn his keep - theres yer assistant - though from the looks of him he might not be much help.

I want a good old fashioned light- sabre (did you see how Qui-gon plunged it through that three foot thick metal door? The art I could make with brutal cuts like that). Shipping might be expensive though from that galaxy far-far away.

[Aaron Schroeder]

It's soo funny that you should mention light sabres, I was inform recently by an Aaron Schroeder of the distant future that he had recieved a shipment of used light sabres. He was so excited, then disappointed. Appearantly all the tetraplutoniumcrystal batteries were discharged, he went to the hardware store to look for a universal ac/dc cord but found that they're still unavailable.

[dilida]

It's not a tool so much I wish for, I wish I could take my hand off turn it around or upside down, and then put it back on just to reach those hard to reach undercuts you artists are so proud of! Being able to stand on my hands and still work with them would come in handy too.

lisa

[cooljamesx1]

I would like an adjustable hammer (Crescent hammer perhaps) where I could dial the wieght up or down so I didnt have to have a stack of different sized hammers under my feet while I'm forging. From 8oz to 6 lbs short handle and from 8lbs to 30lbs for the long handled two-hand version.



If you had a hammer that had a weight on it that could slide up and down the handle and lock in different positions along the way, that would serve to change the leverage of the hammer to exert different forces when you strike it on something. Hmmm... patent pending.

[Rick Clise]

Hey Aaron, how about a 'joat' wrench?

[SPRINGFIELD]

I would like a modeling clay that would never harden untile you sprayed the surface of it with some chemical catalist. The chemical would soak in and harden the clay about 1/8 in deep [depending on how much you sprayed on the model]. Than you could scoop out the unhardened clay and reuse it and also have a lightweight permanent original.

[evaldart]

Maybe they'll find a new inert gas, universal of course, so I wont have to have a 75/25, 100% argon, and a tri mix clogging up the corner of the studio. Or figure out a smoother flux-core.

And nobody has mentioned the old wood stretcher.

[Aaron Schroeder]

Wood stretcher ? Ive been all over town looking for one. I was told to ask for a guy named Phil latio, he supplies wood stretchers.

[Duck]

a gravity regulator would be nice, that crap can hurt.

[jOe~]

I was told to ask for a guy named Phil latio, he supplies wood stretchers. You got the last name correct but the first name is Fal. :)

jOe~

[juniperburl]

Nice Fella' that is! :)

If I had the money I would go to a blacksmith with about fifty drawings of tools I need that don't exist ,yet. Especially raspers with long and twisted shafts and very specials rasp shapes. Scraping tools of all kinds never been seen before. Nothing that could not be accomplished, but it would probably exceed my budget by far. And the toolmaker has to be found as well...he must think that it will be for a medieval torture chamber...

[jOe~]

What I need, what the world needs, is an all purpose, universal, instantaneous computer bug/virus/problem fixer. Push one button and it's fixed. No down loads, patches, installers, blah, blah, blah. I've been spending about 4 hours a day for a week wrangling my machine. And please, no advice or sympathy. Just show me the BUTTON!!! Of course this BUTTON would also replace my dial up with something/anything fassst.

jOe~

[Aaron Schroeder]

Today I could have used a wire feed welder/ plasma cutter in one. Cut - weld - cut - weld- cut - weld.............

[jOe~]

Today I could have used a wire feed welder/ plasma cutter in one. Cut - weld - cut - weld- cut - weld....... Hmmm. Mine does that on thin stuff---give ya a good price.

jOe~

[Aaron Schroeder]

Smoked another angle grinder today. How about a sensor for grinders and hand held electric tools that tells you when to quite. My plasma cutter and welder cut off when they over heat, why not my grinders, drills and other tools ? Something like a mood ring, maybe changes colors, or a digital themometer with a flashing light, something that says, time to take a break. My poor tools, I'm so hard on them, they need to be smarter than I am.

[GlennT]

How about a hammer that analyzes swing trajectories and when needed can say, "Watch out dummy...you're about to hit your thumb!"

[obseq]

Aaron,

Many newer grinders come with automatic shut-off components which eliminate that sort of guesswork. Both my Dewalt 4.5" and Bosch 9" have the automatic shut-off features? How old are your gridners?

That said, your mood ring suggestion had me cracking up--
A hippied-out power tool. :p

Smoked another angle grinder today. How about a sensor for grinders and hand held electric tools that tells you when to quite. My plasma cutter and welder cut off when they over heat, why not my grinders, drills and other tools ? Something like a mood ring, maybe changes colors, or a digital themometer with a flashing light, something that says, time to take a break. My poor tools, I'm so hard on them, they need to be smarter than I am.

[evaldart]

My big grinders (15 a) throw the beakers in the breaker-box when I lean too hard on them. The little grinders are quite disposable. I quit spending the money for the Metabos (my favorite brand) because I can burn two Hitachis for the price. And if you're smart, you'll have four or five layin around anyway.
Can they rethink those damn baldeguards? There only in the way. The first thing I do is take that damn thing off. Got drawers full of them "just in case".
Besides, how are you suppose to get the twelve inch cut-off wheel on the 7" machine if you dont take off that guard.
just keep your face-shield on.

[rhendriks]

A digital camera, that has the same amount dpi as images from a scanner or a conventional camera.

Rob
http://www.reliefs.nl

[jim]

I would like a 24 inch slip roll ( manual ) that will bend 16 gauge...
All i can find is a 50 inch 16 gauge...

jim

[StevenW]

I would like a good sanding device/method. You can put diamond pads on angle grinders or flaps on dremmel type or larger die grinders, but they are all insufficient for highly organic pieces with lots of small negative spaces.

I want a Bantam sized electric pen tool with velcro paper (like the diamond pads) and a much softer backer than the traditional rubber ones. I usually use a good piece of leather and punch a hole in the middle and then layer 5-6 sheets of wet/dry paper to make a 2-3 inch disk and they last for awhile, but switching them out is generally a pain and I just figure there has to be a better way.

[evaldart]

Opti-shield! Particle reppellent eye drops. 8 hours eye protection in a little dropper bottle. a magnetically charged solution that creates a mini-force-field around your eyes. Never search the dirty floor for a pair of stepped-on, fogged-out safety glasses again. And never again just say "hell with it its only a couple cuts" and do without. sugar-fueled, like everything else in your body.
Buy now and you'll get a free tube of Hand Shield heat reppellent hand cream, with grit additive for anti-slippage.

[Aaron Schroeder]

I'll take ten bottles, does in come in autodarkening as well.

[Aaron Schroeder]

A tape measure with markings on the underside sure would come in handy when measuring things overhead. Seems long overdue.

[fused]

I'm thinking a teleporter to transfer large works would be handy.

[Bill Harsey]

A tape measure with markings on the underside sure would come in handy when measuring things overhead. Seems long overdue.
Use this post as a time stamp for proof of concept. Start a patent search, get an attorney. this is brilliant.

[Aaron Schroeder]

This one is silly. Sitting in my studio wasting time.......my thoughts returned to the idea of the Wizards Staff. Of all the mythological artifacts, it seems to have fallen to the way side, perhaps for good reason. Yet I'm thinking the means to make a truely effective Wizards Staff are in reach. As I age, the thought of a powerful multi-purpose tool that I can lean on takes on an added appeal. My Staff would light up, transmit and recieve communications, make fire, drill holes, inflate tires, clean windows, chop wood, alert people when I fall and can't get up, burst the staffs of lesser wizards from afar........Ok I'm being silly.

But the wizards staff.......in a Mel Gibson.....post apocalyptic future .......it sure would be nice to have. Perhaps with enough hype, we as a community could help to re-focus the giants of industry to focus their attention on this much over looked artifact of mythic signifigance. Or Not.

[evaldart]

An AIR POWERED wizards staff...pump a days supply of compression into that baby and your off, add abbrasive dust and you've got the best cutting tool (and weapon)on earth. It would be made of alien metals to withstand the 150 million psi that came to you free from the pipe dream network.

[AKady]

This is funny cause I am currently working on a tool i wish I had when I was working my summer job. I have the basic idea drawn out in a sketch book, but I dont have a running prototype yet because I am out of the country.

My question is if I get a running product what do I do with it to make sure I get my just do's?

[StevenW]

Patent it for starters, a patent runs around 300 bucks I think.. Then bust your ass to market it and get someone to manufacture it for you if it's not already being made.

[foamcutter]

A polystyrene(styrofoam) magnet. For the easy removal of those beads that get EVERYWHERE! :mad:

[evaldart]

The magnetic, digital wieght determiner. stick it to the art, wieght is figured, does it on the ground...no more hoisting sculptures and pieces of sculptures as you make them to have an idea of its final numbers. I need to know these things so I don't kill the ol' f-350.

[ironman]

Hi, a good pizza in Silver City New Mexico!
One that would repel the dust and metal filings thrown off by my grinder and also stay hot without the use of the oxy/acet torch.
Have a great day,
Jeff

[GlennT]

But don't you need to eat the metal grinder filings to maintain your iron content, ironman?

[evaldart]

Right Jeff, I sprinkle mine on my Count Chocula.

[suburbanartists]

Use this post as a time stamp for proof of concept. Start a patent search, get an attorney. this is brilliant.

2 Sided Tape Measure
I'll take 2. Can they be here by christmas?

[Aaron Schroeder]

Dear Santa...........

When welding yesterday I found myself having to return to the machine numerous times to adjust the heat and wire speed. It got old.

A wire feed welding gun with the heat and wire speeds adjustments on the gun would be nice. It would be great if adjustments could be made mid-arc.

[foamcutter]

To Santa,

Research and Development Lab. North Pole.

A wire feed welding gun with the heat and wire speeds adjustments on the gun would be nice. It would be great if adjustments could be made mid-arc. and an anti-spatter/spark device to prevent balls of hot metal running down your arm or into your glove mid weld. :eek:

[justin caise]

I would like an adjustable hammer (Crescent hammer perhaps) where I could dial the wieght up or down

Evaldart -Would inserts work here? Drill and tap a hole in the head (hammers head, not your own head) and use male threaded inserts of different wieght materials - Alum, steel, lead, unobtainuim which is twice as heavy as lead. Maybe even inserts inside the inserts for more fine tuning?
Or would it make the hammer less durable?
Patent shmatent! If I can make it, and you can use it, - you can have it. I'm only on this planet for fun.

Also needed is a hovercraft supported office chair base so these 5 spoked swivel caster creations from hell can just go back there, and stop smackin my heels!

JC

[evaldart]

Not a bad idea JC. But its possible the hollows could affect the blow delivered and of course I would immediately lose all the inserts and end up forging with a block of swiss cheese.

Also, the times I've tried drilling into hammers I have been massively frustrated...the steels too damn hard.

How bout if the whole floor was 8" thick hardened steel, an anvil floor...and a jackhammer with special attachments to smash it with...yes indeed.

[hooverss]

I would like a TV remote control to use on people; so when you point it at them you can actually turn up the brightness.


Sorry…..that’s an old bad joke.

[justin caise]

turn up the brightness.


..Huh?

[Aaron Schroeder]

The Car Club. To be used by dog owners and their nieghbors , to teach their stupid dogs ( not all dogs are stupid ) that they must run away from cars and stay out of the road. I've lost count of the times that I've seen cars come to a complete halt in response to the dogs that live across the road. If I had a car club, I'd run out there and beat those dogs senseless.

I know, it's a really dumb idea, I'm just desperate to come up with a way to prevent the death of a dog or driver. Up to this point, brakes and observant drivers have prevailed........I dread the day when they fail.

[ironman]

Hi, I use 3 different grinders which are all usually plugged in.
I WANT SOMETHING TO KEEP THE CORDS FROM GETTING ALL TWISTED UP AND ENTANGLED.
Have a great day,
Jeff

[GlennT]

Hi, I use 3 different grinders which are all usually plugged in.
I WANT SOMETHING TO KEEP THE CORDS FROM GETTING ALL TWISTED UP AND ENTANGLED.
Have a great day,
Jeff

Cordless grinders.

With powerful batteries.

[evaldart]

Until they put nuclear reactors in our power tools there wont be a battery that can support a grinder...unless you're a jeweler and only need to remove precious little amounts of material.

Why not design a grinder that has two or three wheels on it...just turn it around to the one you need...one cord coming out of its groin. Hold onto the two you are not using as you grind away with the one facing the workpiece. And when you really get good with it you can keep all three going and spin them around as you go, maximum efficiency and attention to the task. How many shirts would you suck into the wheel trying this? How bout a double-ended unit with a ten inch and a 4 1/2? I'd give it a go.

[GlennT]

How about a cordless grinder driven by a hamster wheel, except larger, such as a cougar chasing a rabbit, or evaldart chasing a cheeseburger?

[petra]

Hey if you were serious,Aaron I get a catalog from a company called Fast Cap; tools for carpenters/cabinetmakers and they ask for new tool ideas like yours. One of theirs that has been tempting me is a tape measure with a flat blade to go around bends as well as more accurate marking as the blade marks lie flat to the workpiece. Oh and i'm still waiting for my order of opti-gard!

[Aaron Schroeder]

Petra
Not to long ago I Grabbed my wifes seamstress measuring tape, it is of course flexible, flat and marked on both sides. Why I waited so long to start using it is beyond me, perhaps I suffer from some deep seated homophobia, a part of me might have thought it was gay. Stupid me, It is a great tool, now I use it all the time. It's not the long overdue double sided tape measure of the future but it definately has it's place. Thanks for the heads up on Fast Cap, I'll check them out.

[StevenW]

I need a manequin that looks just like me that can sit in my chair from 9-5 and occasionally answers phones and type meaningless stuff into a computer and say's: That'll be 25 bucks cash or card and handles the transaction with a rigged arm or cash dump behind bullet proof glass or something along those lines..

If I could rig it to wave it's arm once in awhile with a piece of string or rope and have it say some generic stuff like: "Hi howareya" and "have a great day" (which incidentally is one of my favorite things to say nowadays) then I'd be all set. :)

[purplecat]

Clay with the perfect texture, firm, smooth, without a tendency for burrs or crumbling. Bakeable too.

[AKady]

If you had a hammer that had a weight on it that could slide up and down the handle and lock in different positions along the way, that would serve to change the leverage of the hammer to exert different forces when you strike it on something. Hmmm... patent pending.

If you could have a hollow strait handle you could insert in the middle a weight that had a long threaded rod going up through it. Then you just have a dial to adjust where it is. i am not sure what to do about strength.

[Aaron Schroeder]

While shovelling snow today I thought it would be nice to know how many tonns of powdered water I was moving. I'd like a device ( a Snowedometer ) I could attach to my shovel that would weigh and add up each and every scoop of snow I move. If I knew how much weight I was moving I could set goals, I bet I would shovel my neighbors driveway and walks just to hit a new high, plus it would be nice for bragging rights.

[kazjo]

Are there any air chizel tools that don't bounce around the stone before you apply pressure (or am I just doing it wrong?).... its frustrating moments like these that I wish I had taken up a career in cookery :rolleyes:

[mehl]

the first post was a wish for gloves with fingernails.. I haven't found that but my mountain bike gloves have carbon fiber knuckles, and I often wear those when I'm working on a project with a chance of flesh loss. Plus it's fun to punch stuff with them.

[Marcel Bauer]

I'd like a hand held laser saw/drill.

Me too, one that you dial in like a keyless chuck to the size you want, and it has to be VERY lightweight. Cordless, with perpetual batteries.

Also, a cordless welding gun/torch.

A plug that doesn't pull out that fits all standard existing plugs or outlets (actually I'm working on a piece about the size of a plug on an extension cord that you put between the plug and outlet. Push a button or lever and it releases).

[Daniel]

I can't wait for a robot that will do all the physical work for me, via brainwave recognition. I will be able to just think about what I want to do, and it will get done.

http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-16009617_ITM

Then I will actually be able to make some of the things that pop into my mind but I never get around to making.

[craigktx]

I can't wait for a robot that will do all the physical work for me, via brainwave recognition. I will be able to just think about what I want to do, and it will get done.

http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-16009617_ITM

Then I will actually be able to make some of the things that pop into my mind but I never get around to making.

i would take one of these,so i can make art while i sleep.
i wonder if the sleep art would be better than when a wake.

as for material, kryptonite for Evaldart, before he starts bending sky scrappers.
would Tofu work here?:D:D:D
hey Evaldart can you come by sat. morning and push that pesky Ike away from my house?
i will have 40s and cheeseburgers for ya.

[byron]

bungeetarp tie downs like these in the link work well for attaching cords together so they are less likely to come unplugged. home depot sells them with the rope and other tie downs
http://www.amazon.com/Keeper-6345-Canopy-Bungee-Pieces/dp/B000G76PLA/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1224056619&sr=1-3

I wish I know about circuitry more cause I am fairly certain that with a dead battery( will no linger take a charge) and a spare charger you could make a corded power source for your cordless tools. open up the dead battery and remove the old cells (old style nic cad and nic metal hydride batteries are really just a bunch of d cell rechargeable batteries soldered together and placed in a container.(have dropped a few off roofs on accident) don't know about the lithium ion though. so with a hollow battery case it would seem that you would have enough room to put the innards of the charger inside the battery pack and solder your leads together.
or maybe something like in this pdf would work.
http://www.radiuspower.com/pdfs/RP94.pdf

[Aaron Schroeder]

Byron, unfortunately a battery charger won't work in place of a battery. The great thing about batteries is that they offer loads of amperage which chargers don't. A transformer that would offer 12, 18, 24 volts at 5 to 15 amps would be huge and heavy indeed. Not something you could attach to a hand held tool. Perhaps a free standing unit that functions between the wall outlet and the tool. Cordless tools that could also plug in would be a dream come true indeed. Maybe one day.

[cheesepaws]

Now that fall has officially arrived in my neck of the woods - how about a completely silent leaf blower! The damn neighbors were going nuts with the things this weekend.

[evaldart]

Leafblowers? And all this time I thought you were a city boy.:rolleyes:

[cheesepaws]

Leafblowers? And all this time I thought you were a city boy.:rolleyes:

What...you never heard of a penthouse rooftop garden? ;)

[jOe~]

how about a completely silent leaf blower! The damn neighbors were going nuts with the things this weekend Leafblower? It is an Indian term for the wind or medicine men. Silence the wind or medicine men? Are you crazy? Your "neighbors were going nuts with the things"? Huh? Are you in a commune of select spiritual advisers? Were you maybe witnessing a rite of fall as they passed the sacred pipes? We don't utilize the powers of leafblowers here--too many pine needles.

[sue williams]

I need a material for making inner moulds which is both porous and flexible. Supported by a plaster outer jacket this would enable me to make clay slip castings without having to make a thousand piece plaster mould. Maybe this already exists (possibly in the medical field or in the area of animatronics?) Does anyone have any ideas? It would change my life. Sue.

[interferens]

Since everything goes wireless these days, I'd love if someone came up with the "wireless hose". Something where you mount a little box on your power sander (or other dust generating tool) that wirelessly transmits the dust to a receiver on your shop vac. That would be neat. And I wouldn't have to walk out of the shop covered head to toe in dust looking like having been in a drug deal gone hilariously wrong just because I feel the regular hose it too restraining.

[Portoro]

I'd like a machine that cuts clean narrow channels in stone. (And if it already exists, PLEASE let me know). Portable, if possible. The smartass answer is a chisel, of course...

[Biomorph]

Interested that several people had sanding wishes. I'd like a moldable abrasive stick that I can shape by hand like clay and that would quickly harden into a riffler, shaped just for the particular bit of work at hand. Then I'd want it to vibrate as needed to do the shaping. Then I'd like a plug in that would instantly eject the packed in sawdust. I'd also like a universal clamp that would grab onto no more than 10% of the area of any piece and hold it so firmly that it feels like I'm pounding on bedrock.

[evaldart]

I would like a hat or helmet that would hold two cans with straws attached, running down into my mouth so that I can drink beer whilst operating the bandsaw and tablesaw. Oh, wait, I already have one of those...never mind.

[sue williams]

Interested that several people had sanding wishes. I'd like a moldable abrasive stick that I can shape by hand like clay and that would quickly harden into a riffler, shaped just for the particular bit of work at hand. Then I'd want it to vibrate as needed to do the shaping. Then I'd like a plug in that would instantly eject the packed in sawdust. I'd also like a universal clamp that would grab onto no more than 10% of the area of any piece and hold it so firmly that it feels like I'm pounding on bedrock.
I think you've left off a few further requirements. The tool should have variable speed vibrations with optional hammer action and be made of a substance which is remeltable after use so you can form it into another tool.

[obseq]

Something (anything!) to make de-vesting ceramic shell less tedious. A tool, a release spray perhaps...?

[craigktx]

glasses that would allow the viewer (juror) to see why it is what it is.

[GlennT]

glasses that would allow the viewer (juror) to see why it is what it is.

Accompanied by extra clothing for all the emperors.

[evaldart]

glasses that would allow the viewer (juror) to see why it is what it is.

Yeah, I'm afraid too many deciding entities are already wearing those coke-bottle "art colored glasses".

[interferens]

I would like a hat or helmet that would hold two cans with straws attached, running down into my mouth so that I can drink beer whilst operating the bandsaw and tablesaw. Oh, wait, I already have one of those...never mind.

Why doesn't anyone think about personal protection these days? Safety, people! Many reject the use of hearing protection in combination with headwear du to discomfort. That's why you need earmuffs with can holders. Or... make that Beermuffs. :D

[EJB]

Yeah! Safety first! Get a filter on that beer helmet to keep the metal shavings out of your brew.
FYI - Beer goggles only to be used for dating.

[StevenW]

I'd like a machine that cuts clean narrow channels in stone. (And if it already exists, PLEASE let me know). Portable, if possible. The smartass answer is a chisel, of course...


You can get profile bits for angle grinders (or table routers made for stone work 200-400 dollars, which are basically angle grinders that are mounted and slide on a little steel framed table) that will do this.. I don't know what the equivelent of Granquartz is in the UK, but there must be one for specialized granite countertop fabricators and the like (You won't find stuff like this at a hardware store or Home Depot).. The diamond bits will run you 30-150 U.S. dollars each, not sure what the exchange rate is these days so I couldn't say in pounds.. The routers are cool though, they just sit on a steel frame which is portable and you clamp the rock to that and slide the grinder up for nice clean lines, bevels, cuts, channels, chamfers or whatever shape/profile you want... Not really useful for massive blocks, but perfectly suitable for slabs, smaller work and the like. Think I might get one this year sometime.

[tommymerle]

I'd like a tape measure made for right handers. Look at yours closely and you will see what I mean. When i'm measuring and marking a cut I like to keep the tape on my left side and mark with my right hand. This means I must read the numbers upside down. Not easy for the fast user, or the slightly dislexic.
tom

[evaldart]

I got suckered into one of those digital tape measures...45 bucks. Dropped the SOB on the floor ONE TIME and it was dead. FROM 30 in HIGH! Of course I returned it to home depot immediately, bought a 3 pack of regular 25 foot Stanleys...and still had enough for a six pack of Murphys stout on the way back to the studio.

[craigktx]

a force field around a open beer that keeps the sawdust out but lets the bugs in so i can skip lunch.:D

[desertrock]

A 1" titanium die grinder burr that will hold a layer of diamonds vacumn brazed to the surface and will turn at 30,000 RPM without bending the 1/4" shank.
One dozen please.....

Mark

[evaldart]

I'd like a machine that cuts clean narrow channels in stone. (And if it already exists, PLEASE let me know). Portable, if possible. The smartass answer is a chisel, of course...

Cantab, yank out the wood blade and put a 7 inch diamondblade in your skilsaw (circular saw). It takes out 1/8th, you set the depth of cut. Use a stationary guide. Parallel passes allow for any narrowness desired. I've done it, and I'm not even a stone guy. Of course there is some clean-up after...but thats pretty quick.

[mantrid]

Smoked another angle grinder today. How about a sensor for grinders and hand held electric tools that tells you when to quite. My plasma cutter and welder cut off when they over heat, why not my grinders, drills and other tools ? Something like a mood ring, maybe changes colors, or a digital themometer with a flashing light, something that says, time to take a break. My poor tools, I'm so hard on them, they need to be smarter than I am.

These angle grinders exist. I had one first a light flashed when you started to overload it then it would cut out (McAlister). It was a pain in the ****. It kept cutting out, eventually the constant cutting out resulted in this function breaking so that I only had to touch the trigger and it would cut out straight away. Took it back and got one that was much more powerful without all the fancy electronics. It can take anything I put it through.

[Portoro]

Thanks for thoughts on channeling.

[grhb]

Here's an impractical solution:

http://www.hurco.com/USA/Products/Machining_Centers/5-Axis/SR%20Series/Pages/VMX60SR.aspx


When in doubt CNC it out.

This is slightly off topic, but has anyone listened to Neil Gershenfeld over at MIT's fab lab? He teaches a course entitled "how to make almost anything." Great conversation to download to the mp3:

http://itc.conversationsnetwork.org/shows/detail782.html