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Dear Readers,

We're currently doing maintenance on the Cool Tools mailing list. As such, we apologize for the late arrival of last week's newsletter (below). In addition, please note that from now on, the newsletter will be addressed to CTList@kk.org (instead of cooltools@kk.org). If you use a spam filter, please be sure to make any necessary adjustments.

Thanks for your patience and for reading.

-- SL


Cool Tools

Front wheel drive recumbent bicycle
Cruzbike Freerider


Although it takes a bit to master the ride, the Cruzbike's a blast once you get the hang of it. It's a front-wheel drive bike, so it gives you the comfort and speed of a recumbent without the long, long chain (one of the few negatives of most recumbents). The lack of chain in the rear makes it a perfect complement to the Xtracycle free radical SUB (sport utility bike), which is specifically why I bought the Cruzbike. Now I can, as much as possible, avoid having to drive a car entirely.I have the stock 65 psi tires on mine now (I ride the Freerider model), but I'm thinking of upgrading to new wheels with disc brakes and 100 psi tires to make it even more of a cargo-hauling truck.

I first bought a recumbent in 2000 after testing a bunch of them and, a week later, gave my upright to my father-in-law (I knew I wasn't going back). I've since ridden bikes like the EZ-1 and have four recumbents currently: a Rans Rocket (my first), a Rans tandem, a BikeE (for my wife for quick jaunts around town) and the Cruzbike, which I bought last fall. The Cruzbike's grip-shift handles the same as any other bike, and it takes hills pretty well for a 'bent, albeit with the proviso that no 'bent climbs as well as an upright because you can't stand up on the pedals; small price to pay for being able to ride for hours without feeling any pain and for having a pleasurable touring ride experience. It feels great to glide through the world with your head in a normal, comfortable position, at a comfortable height (no craning to see traffic). I find I'm faster because you are more aerodynamic than on an upright, so it takes less work to maintain the same speed. And the Cruzbike in particular feels amazingly light, even with the Xtracycle.

-- John Gear



Cruzbike Freerider
$925
Available from Cruzbike
http://cruzbike.com/freeriderv2.html

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Related items previously reviewed in Cool Tools:


Sun USX Recumbent
http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/001013.php


A Review of Review Sites: Bentrider
http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/000549.php


Schwalbe Marathon Plus Bike Tires
http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/001642.php


*******
Pocket-size, carbon copy notebook
Rediform 2-Part Self-Stick Message Pad


Since I began using these notepads eight months ago, I have almost stopped using my expensive PDA. The pages have a carbonless copy feature that allows me to leave one copy in the book and use the post-it style second copy wherever it is needed. Since the notebooks are slightly larger than a business card (3 x 3.5 inches), it is just the right size to fit in a wallet. It goes with me everywhere, stashed in my credit card wallet along with a space pen that fits in the crease of the wallet.

-- Christian Taylor

Rediform 2-Part Self-Stick Message Pad
$8
(6 pads)
Available from Office Depot
http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/117672/Message-Pads-Pack-Of-6-Pads/

--
Related items previously reviewed in Cool Tools:


Derringer Wallet Pen
http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/000604.php


FoldzFlat Pen
http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/001076.php


Credit Card Survival Tool
http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/001782.php


*******
Pro work bench on wheels
The Mobile-Shop


When I saw the previously-untried Mobile-Shop, it was like a dream come true. I've always wondered how could I really organize my work van. With the Shop, I was able to house about four different messy boxes of tools, and make them extremely portable. Now I only carry the Shop and my two Dewalt 18V kits. The handling is great and it's well constructed. It is really something to see people's faces when I roll it up to a job site. I'm a kitchen manufacturer and use the Shop for all installations. Aside from the organization it's brought to my van and my life, it's cool for my customers to see that I'm a professional all the way to my tool box. If you own your own company, giving this to an employee works great, too, as the fully-loaded Shop comes with a form that's essentially a contract making the employee responsible for every single item listed (with pricing). Pretty smart. When I purchased mine, I got the cart with only the hardware for bottom organizers. The Shop was about $1100 empty, $1,300 with the bottom hardware, and it's $3,000 for a complete shop. Even if you're not a pro, if you regularly travel with a shop's-worth of tools, this cart is worth it. Mine's only 75% full and I've got everything I need!

-- Noel Guillermo

[NOTE:  At this time, the company's web site is not set up for purchases of only the cart; however, if you call the company, they will sell you the cart sans tools. Be prepared for a full-set sales pitch. When I spoke to a rep at the company, he told me they shy away from selling just the cart because they want to push the whole system. Stick to you guns, though. I was assured they do sell the empty carts. If that's not your experience, please let us know and I'll update this review. --sl]

The Mobile-Shop
$1,000+
Available from Mobile-Shop
http://www.mobile-shop.com/

--
Related items previously reviewed in Cool Tools:


Veto Pro Pac Tool Bag
http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/001081.php


Viewtainer
http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/001637.php


Tool Lending Libraries
http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/000469.php


 *******
Superior pencil sharpener
Alvin Lead Pointer


With its built-in sharpener, the previously-reviewed leadholder is useful, however, the Alvin Lead Pointer is the best way to keep this type of pencil sharpened.  I am an architect and use these pencils every day. I've had this sharpener for more than ten years and it still works like new. The pointer is small, making it ideal to hold in your hand while rotating your lead holder around the pointer. Because your two hands are working together, I find I have more control and there are fewer broken leads. The cutting head is sharp and lasts for a long time.  It only takes a couple spins and your lead is needle sharp. Maintenance and clean-up is a snap. Take the top off the body and dump the graphite shavings into your trash and you are done. If you do break your lead in the pointer, just remove the top and tap it on the inside edge of your trash can to clear the broken pieces. Lead pointers can be messy because of the fine graphite dust, but my pointer has never leaked the dust onto my desk. I have used many different types of pointers from desk mounted to ones mounted on the top of an electric eraser. The desk mounted pointers tend to break leads easily, since you are moving your lead holder in a circular motion around a pointer fixed to your desk, thus you may move in a direction that is not compatible to the pointer and will snap your lead. The electric eraser type is good, but it does not stay sharp for very long. It's also difficult to empty the graphite shavings and jams when you break your lead inside it. This pointer really is the best way to keep you lead sharp! If you work in an office, you may want to buy two -- because it is so small and useful, your pointer just might grow legs.

-- Donald Moore, Jr.

Alvin Lead Pointer
$9
Available from Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015AOMR6/ref=nosim/kkorg-20

Manufactured by ALVIN
http://www.alvinco.com/

 --
Related items previously reviewed in Cool Tools:


Apex Mechanical Pencil
http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/002067.php


Derwent 3B Graphic Pencil
http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/000551.php


Architecture Without Architects
http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/000287.php


*******
Leathersmith's whip guide
How To Make Whips


I got really into making whips back in 1998. Although this book arrived later in my whip hobby, in a short period of time, it really allowed my skills to skyrocket. It leaves no detail, big or small to the imagination. Mr. Edwards is a gifted craftsman, and his illustrations are only displaced when you see the real deal. He breaks down the various kinds of leather and their advantages and disadvantages for whipmaking, which saved me money and helped me choose the correct leather, sizes, and use up the best parts for the different pieces which make a whip. I even remember going as an 18 year-old to the tannery, and old men would be amazed at the way I chose the leather and knew what I wanted! The book teaches you pretty much every single term on whipmaking, which, in a way, also initiates you into the secrets of whipmaking.

It begins small (easy), and ends up big (complex). In this way, you grow little by little and a step at a time, growing in experience, knowledge and quality. There's some insight into the lives of a few well known whipmakers, which makes you feel at home and part of the trade. The book's versatile, too in that it not only focuses on a certain type of whip, but goes into many of the most popular. The book was clearly conceived in order to make you independent:  you learn how to make your own tools, how to prepare your workplace, etc. This gives you a sense of responsibility, respect and control in this craft. And even once you've learned the craft of whips, this book can still serve as a great reference guide for future projects, since it contains a good amount of plaiting patterns and designs. I no longer make whips, which is truly a pity, but I’m now trying to get back into many of the crafts I did when I was younger, because they really fulfill me.

The only other books I'd recommend would be David Morgan's Whips & Whipmaking. It teaches you about whips and history. Though there is a section on making a whip, at the time I went deep into the hobby, the edition available had a lack of images which made the book a bit difficult to use for practical purposes. A few years ago, a new edition came out with much more material, but I have not seen it yet. I should add that Mr. Morgan was always kind to lend me his advice and feedback every time I asked by email. Also, I believe it was actually Mr. Morgan who brought Bushcraft 9 to the U.S. after I told him I was working with it (mine was flown straight from Australia). From my own experience, I learned whipmaking takes perseverance... lots of it.
 
-- Aldo Zamudio

How To Make Whips
Ron Edwards
1999, 166 pages
$17
Available from Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0870335138/ref=nosim/kkorg-20

Sample Excerpts:

Choosing the Leather

When choosing a side, it is best to avoid thick leather -- try and get it around 2.5 to 3mm thick, and also make sure that it is not soft and spongy. Leather that is cut from the belly part of the hide is often very weak and will break easily when cut into strands.

On the other hand, thick leather is hard to plait well, and needs to be skived down. so, the aim is to go for leather that can be plaited nicely and that remains strong even in the thinnest sections.

Cut a narrow strip from the leather you are thinking about using, taper it down to a thin point, and then see how easily it breaks. If the break has a loose, hairy look about it, then the leather at that part of the hide is not good enough for whipmaking.

*
The section nearest the backbone is the best part of the hide, but sometimes this is a bit thick and may be better used for reins and similar jobs. The tanner divides the hide along the backbone before tanning, and the result is called a side. Leather is bought by the side.

*
Styles of Whip

There is no such thing as one correct length, width, or shape for a 4-strand whip. Some people want long thick whips, others want shorter, lighter whips. Both styles are equally correct and neither is better than the other; it is just a question of the intended use for the whip.

*


*


--
Related items previously reviewed in Cool Tools:


Leather Therapy
http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/002559.php


The Art of the Stonemason
http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/001414.php


The Complete Metalsmith
http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/001493.php

*****************************************
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Previously reviewed COOL TOOLS items can be found at http://www.kk.org/cooltools/ -- sl

--
Steven Leckart        
Editor, Cool Tools

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