Repaired a long overdue dripping faucet this past weekend

| March 11, 2013

After 30 years of replacing seats, springs and stems in Delta style faucets, I had my first Moen cartridge repair this weekend. Ours has been dripping for about a year now (hot side only) and after the basement flooding I’ve decided it was time to finally fix this kitchen faucet too. The all in one [...]

Selling my airplane project leaves me melancholy

| January 20, 2013

Selling a long term project like building an airplane leaves me with mixed feelings. In part, I’m glad to be lessening my hobby load of “things to do,” but sad to part with a project that has consumed so much of my time and been a focus this past decade. As family we took trips [...]

Modify old tools for special uses–sharp wedge tipped pliers

| December 22, 2012

Here’s a tool tip (pun intended) right up my alley from a Cruising World reader … sharper-wedge shaped needle nose pliers (used for pulling staples, etc). I regularly modify cheap screwdrivers for a variety of project … and will add this modification to one of my junker pliers.

The sad state of liberty: handcuffs, fingerprinting and mug shots

| March 12, 2012

Ever since I can remember I’ve carried a pocket knife … in part because the first one was given to me by my grandfather when I was 5 years old. Yes … FIVE … and I can vividly remember cutting ants in a sandbox (where was Peta?). Although it was a small single blade tourist [...]

Planning a couple Nicro Solar Day/Night vents for Encore

| March 2, 2012

This week I unboxed a couple of the Marinco Nicro Solar Day/Night vents and added a couple of new tools to my box in preparation for my next boat related project. The plan is to keep the a little bit of air circulating inside of our sailboat in order to retard the musty smell and [...]

Lubricheck Software Completed. Now Works on Diesel.

| January 5, 2012

The Kickstarter company Lubricheck, mentioned in May of 2011, has improved their oil analyzer device to include diesel engines. Outstanding … although they aren’t shipping just yet – order link.

A confession from a toolaholic– recommending a cordless drill

| April 10, 2011

For those that know me, I have an addiction to tools, or at least that is what I’ve been told. I’ve always appreciated workshop tools, whether I need them or not, but rarely find myself willing to spend the money to purchase the highest quality tools (I’m also a cheap-skate). Those confessions aside, I’ve finally [...]

Desultory - des-uhl-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee

  1. lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful: desultory conversation.
  2. digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random: a desultory remark.