new wood treatment

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

Steel Velcro.

Easily opened and stable.

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

more at Next Big Future

Fold out balcony window

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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.

Read more at Science blog.

Technorati Tags: pollution,greenhouse,termites

Pulling Nails

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!

The stairCASE by Danny Kuo

Playing With Pavement

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.