Browsing Category

Home Improvement

Powerbuilt Digital Torque Adaptor – My Favorite Tools – March 2010

Cool Tools, DIY, Favorite Tools, Home Improvement
March 13, 2010 4 Comments

When I’m changing my brakes I  just tighten to what I think is “tight enough” — not always a good thing.  All automotive bolts and parts have a recommended torque amount that should be followed. Sure, you can get yourself an analog torque wrench, but why would you when you can get the Powerbuilt Digital Torque Adaptor that turns any 1/2″ rachet into a digital one?

This little gadget not only can be used to calibrate analog torque wrenches (which you’d pay about the same as the adapter if taken to someone to calibrate) but you can use it in situations where you need precise torque pressure using a standard rachet wrench.  The feature I really like is that you set the torque amount you want to achieve and then as you tighten you get both visual (LED light & LCD torque amount) and audible indication.

The Powerbuilt Digital Torque Adaptor is Mavromatic’s, “My favorite tools”, for March 2010.  It runs about $50.

– AMAZON.com – Powerbuilt Digital Torque Adaptor

Tags: ,
Share:

Final Cut Blade – Blade that sands while it rips

Cool Tools, Favorite Tools, Home Improvement
March 11, 2010 No Comments

The Final Cut Blade is one of those products that make you go, “Why didn’t I think of that!?”.  It’s genius!  It really is… a blade that sands while it rips!  The way it works it very simple — you attach a self-adhesive  sand paper which is designed to fit most blades and comes in sizes ranging from 10″ to 12″ — as the blade cuts, it also gives a nice sanding.  You get perfect edges that are ready for glue or staining.

Watch the video above to view how the system works.  Blades and sand paper is available directly from the Final Cut Blade Store.

Final Cut Blade – All in one step… Just cut, the sanding is a bonus

Tags: , ,
Share:

Sole Power Tile – Integrated Solar Panel Roofing

Home Improvement
January 28, 2010 18 Comments

I can’t remember exactly who I was talking to years ago (was it you, Mike D?) about turning roofs into full solar panels?  This seems like the most practical model yet as you can blanket the whole roof and capture every angle.  Perfect option if you have a Spanish/Mediterranean style home!   The Sole Power Tile is the first curved photovoltaic roofing product and can be used as a full solar panel roof or woven into sections of traditional terra-cotta titles.   The cost is about $50/sq ft installed… if you are interested in finding out more about this solar roofing system check out the SRS Energy website.  Just don’t forget to add a TED 5000 to monitor your power savings!

[Originally seen in Popular Science Magazine]

Tags: , , , ,
Share:

The Energy Detective (TED) 5000 Whole House Power/Energy Usage Monitor — Mavromatic’s 2009 Holiday Gift Guide

DIY, Electronics, Home Appliances, Home Automation, Home Improvement, Home Theater
November 25, 2009 No Comments

ted-5000_mavro

TED 5000 WHOLE HOUSE POWER MONITOR ($239) — Give the gift that keeps on giving money back and can also help make the world a cleaner, better place! The TED 5000 is the latest in home energy monitoring from Energy Inc. that can measure electricity usage in real-time. Just recently, Google and Energy Inc. announced that anyone in the U.S. can purchase and install the TED 5000 and see personal home energy data online using the free Google PowerMeter web application. This device not only lets you manage energy usage but predicts your monthly energy costs and carbon footprint instantly, thus helping you reduce power waste and save you money.

For the complete 2009 Holiday Gift Guide, click here.

Tags: , ,
Share:

TRUFIG – Flush Mount Everything In The Wall

Home Appliances, Home Automation, Home Improvement
November 15, 2009 No Comments

trufig

There are all sorts of wall plates, touchscreens, light switches, and other control devices that never seem to match either in color, finish, or how they mount on (into) the wall.  TRUFIG  from Dana Innovations, the parent company of speaker manufacture Sonance, have created a solution for this problem.  TRUFIG is a system that lets you match a variety of devices from different manufactures.  A great idea and product for those that want a consistent look and feel… especially useful in a ultra-modern/contemporary  home where less is more.

TRUFIG

Tags:
Share:

Arlington Wire Bushings – Pass Low-Voltage Cable Through Walls

Electronics, Home Automation, Home Improvement
November 6, 2009 No Comments

arlington wire bushings

Have you ever had the need to punch through some sheetrock to pass through a few network cables?  The problem is, you drill the hole then the craft paper begins to rip and the gypsum crumbles as you pull the cables through.  Arlington has a solution for this problem.  The Wire Bushings come in 3 hole sizes ranging from 1.125″ to .500″.  They are paintable and available now from your low-voltage suppliers!

— Arlington – Wire Bushings

Tags: , ,
Share: