Goodwood

new wood treatment

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Hayes) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 01:56:00 +0000

Mongabay reports on a substitute for tropical wood could help to save the rainforests.

Kebony, a Norwegian company, has developed a process to make softwoods similar to tropical hardwoods without the use of chemicals. The product, also called Kebony, stops softwood from rotting by treating it with a chemical-free process that involves sugarcane waste, pressurizing, and heating. The process makes softwood that is actually harder than tropical hardwoods and resistant to fungi and insects.

Since the wood only needs to be treated once, it is cheaper than soft woods over the long run that need to be treated throughout their lifetime, each treatment releasing toxic chemicals into the environment.

Like an expanding rivet

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Hayes) — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 17:49:00 +0000

Steel Velcro.

Easily opened and stable.

"It appears that there could be uses." [!]

more at Next Big Future

Fold out balcony window

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Hayes) — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 04:43:00 +0000

Open the window, step outside and enjoy the air and space. One simple movement. Bloomframe, the window that transforms into a balcony.

Crafts for the waterless city

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Hayes) — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 21:50:00 +0000

Preparing for when the economy dumps, he says, "Municipal sewer systems can break down, too, even if you have water. So I built one of these in my city backyard".

"It's just a sophisticated porta-potti... which is legal. I call it a 'comfort station'.

"No 'stuff' ever hits the ground (5 gallon bucket), no odor (use peat moss). I compost it for my fruit trees.

"Note the solar powered vent."

Three-In-One door

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Hayes) — Tue, 26 May 2009 19:16:00 +0000

Ingenious and fun.

British door maker shows off the Three-In-One door.

ThreeStyle – patent pending 0725175.4 – is still in development.

The firm SlamDoors hopes to offer several innovations in door making...

Cheers For American Ingenuity

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Hayes) — Wed, 06 May 2009 04:02:00 +0000

Nail Jack Tools wins Popular Mechanics Editors Choice Award

May 5, 2009 – Nail Jack Tools unveiled their first two nail pulling pliers – the Nail Jack® and Nail Hunter® at the 2009 National Hardware Show in Las Vegas this week and were informed today that the Nail Jack has captured Popular Mechanics’ prestigious Editor’s Choice Award.

The publication does not accept submissions for their award, but instead chooses winners from a wide range of products based on originality, ingenuity and design. The award recognized Nail Jack Tools for its innovative design in the Nail Jack nail puller – the first hand tool designed as a pliers like device to dig, grab and pull nails, staples and brads.

Popular Mechanics called the Nail Jack a fresh new hand tool in a product category that "rarely sees true innovation."

“We are honored to be chosen for this year’s Editor’s Choice Award from Popular Mechanics,” says Nail Jack CEO Mike Foley. “The show has been a great opportunity to showcase our tools and winning an award like this really emphasizes the solution offered for a new line of tools designed specifically from the ground up to pull nails and fasteners without damaging costly wood products.”

The patented and patent-pending Nail Jack and Nail Hunter fill a huge gap in the retail market and construction industry. These tools are specifically designed to pull nails, staples and fasteners with efficiency – saving time and money.

The Idaho-based company founded in 2006 unveiled the Nail Jack tool line at this year’s National Hardware Show.

Roll-on White Board

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Hayes) — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 17:30:00 +0000

Idea Paint is a patent-pending single-coat roller-applied paint that transforms any smooth surface into a high performance dry-erase writing surface.

Idea Paint is perfect for the conference room, creative spaces, classrooms, home offices, kids rooms...

Sideways LED flashlight

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Hayes) — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 17:25:00 +0000

How long did it take to mount the LED sideways?

I wouldn't pay $50 for this unit, but I admire the design and quality. It comes with a headband and pocket clips etc. and delivers superb lumens.

Cited by CoolTools. Sold by ZebraLight.

Bleach yellow plastic

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Hayes) — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 20:04:00 +0000

The 'Retr0bright' Project

Many things are made of ABS plastic with flame retardant that causes the plastic to turn yellow or worse. The folks at Retr0bright have developed a public domain DIY formula to bring the brightness back to precious plastics.

"...the possible causes of the yellowing ...eventually we arrived at the theory that it was the Bromine in the flame retardant that was the cause. We also knew that Ultra Violet light was another major factor. Having identified the culprit, the next stage was to try to develop and perfect a means of treating the plastic and reversing the yellowing quicker, without causing damage to the plastic. Being a former industrial chemist helped me tremendously, in understanding what was going on at the molecular level and to develop a treatment process to reverse the effect."

The problem was finally cracked with a mixture of hydrogen peroxide, a small amount of an “Oxy” laundry booster as a catalyst and sunshine or a UV lamp; glycerine can also be added to make the mixture sticky.

Portable Alarm

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Hayes) — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 19:38:00 +0000

The gadget blog RedFerret points to a portable 110db alarm for placing next to tool chests, in the back of the truck, or near your lunch.

It's a horrible annoyance to worry about jobsite pilfering. A robot alarm is an important concept, although I was surprised this unit has a price of $250. I suppose new products carry a capital penalty. The rechargeable Yeti is here.

Save the kitty! Pull the nails!

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Hayes) — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 03:02:00 +0000

The moment I saw the kitty in this box of trim and nails, the first thing that came to my mind was my new NailJack.

Perfect for the job!

At work I've finished lately, I like this new tool. They are more handy every day. Can use them for hours without hand strain. To save costly trim, nails are easily pulled through from the back of the piece, saving the good wood.

Big money saver.

Just like pliers, I can see the day when we call 'em nailjacks - no longer a brand name. "Hey Tom. Get me my nailjacks. Will ya, please?"

NailJack's flat curve, they call it an anvil, is a key improvement and won't mar and gnarl like common nail pullers. And the NailJack is fast, as easy to use as any pair of pliers.

Cats and kitties and me all agree, for remodeling, repair and renovation, these are the best invention in ages.

House Wrapping Implosion

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Hayes) — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 06:41:00 +0000

An insecticide used to fumigate termite-infested buildings is a strong greenhouse gas that lives in the atmosphere nearly 10 times longer than previously thought.

Pulling Nails

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Hayes) — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 08:36:00 +0000

A hand tool.
It's about the hand.
Does it help the hand?
A tool is more than steel.
It's the fit and heft of a tool.
Here's a new true tool: NailJack

Reach that top shelf!

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Hayes) — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 00:34:00 +0000

The stairCASE by Danny Kuo

Playing With Pavement

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Hayes) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 06:44:00 +0000

These pavers look like an uneven surface but they are completely flat.

The author of MindHacks took this photo during a visit to Bogotá, the capital of Colombia.

Brassy Urinal

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Hayes) — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 22:21:00 +0000

After 20 minutes searching for the source of this photo, the urge to post overwhelmed me.

Lights on more than 4 hours?

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Hayes) — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 21:22:00 +0000

Viagra seems to have entered the energy conservation sector!

Redneck Robot

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Hayes) — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 04:11:00 +0000

Don't sit too long.

A robot might take your job no matter where you live.

Construction workers beware.

Robots can help lift heavy panels, hold materials for fastening, or prevent strain and injury. The Robo-Builder is here.

This Sarcos Exoskeleton can carry 100-200kg without tiring - 220-440 pounds.

The craft image of a woodshop or a tool-belt is soon under fire.

The Coffee Shop Wars

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Hayes) — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 17:28:00 +0000

if they hate you they hate me before they hate you - jesus of nazareth

Warm a cold room?

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Hayes) — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 14:53:00 +0000

How many years will it take before annual appreciation is an issue in our remodeling plans? The slump has carved so much off the market value of most homes, most of us will cling like a chameleon to stay in our investment as long as possible to recover net worth.

Then why not be creative and personal when we fix and repair and renew our rooms? The years will go by waiting for the market to recover, and we'll live in a fun house!

Frogs in the bath?

Lower cost window film

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Hayes) — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 17:09:00 +0000

Films are forgotten energy savers, but they work. A home can be thought of as an envelope.

SnapTint Clear UV Block makes your home more comfortable during every season while bringing home instant, year-round savings! Cut your heating and air conditioning bills by up to 18% without darkening the room or spoiling the look of your window treatments.

Ultra-affordable and ultra-easy – you won’t have to hire someone to make expensive renovations, and you don’t have to be handy around the house to install it – this energy-efficient film applies to smooth glass fast and easy.

Look into attic foil too.

Indoor Playhouse Bed

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Hayes) — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 16:17:00 +0000

OPEC and excesses of the elite might be cramping our budgets.

But wouldn't it wonderful to build a fantasy bedroom for a son or daughter?

The good things about interior fantasy designs are great family joy and smaller pieces. A quart of paint and leftover materials can go a long way.

In a retail store, these scrumptious bedrooms will wallop our wallets $1000 to $10000.

But why not look around for small plywood panels, end cuts of framing and trim and a collection of leftover paint?

Searching Google for +playhouse +bed, I found a few. There are many flat-pac bunk-beds and combo- computer desk designs on the market, but very few kits or plans to make real beauty and practicality.

I had no luck locating the maker of the top picture. The lower picture is Sun Furniture on eBay. Another indoor playhouse bed is here.

Unbreakable sunglasses

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Hayes) — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 18:00:00 +0000

Gloryfy worked four years to develop ski and sunglasses that are indestructible.

The key was to find a material that is robust enough but also can be used as glasses. They say the Gloryfy glasses can withstand tons of pressure and return to their original shape after the pressure is released.

Free Green Home Plans

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Hayes) — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 05:12:00 +0000

John Barrie of Ann Arbor says,

I’m an Architect. About half of my practice is designing homes, however things are about to change.

FreeGreen is a new online design firm that has a unique Web 2.0+ approach to their service. They provide free home designs. I just downloaded construction documents for two of their homes and the documents are first rate. For many of my clients what FreeGreen offers is what they need. And did I say Free? Really, Free. I’m lucky to also be an industrial designer because FreeGreen just might put me out of business.

Nothing concrete

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Hayes) — Sun, 04 May 2008 06:49:00 +0000

The studies seem to say that we don't understand concrete or mortar yet. Yes, the textbooks and the experts might be screwy.

Isotopic Technologies applied to the analysis of ancient mortars

The boys are looking at Rome first. and they're finding binding is better than we knew; not merely mix, but atoms too.