https://www.old.toolrank.com/ https://www.old.toolrank.com/images/stories/toolrankcom_100x358.png https://www.old.toolrank.com/ https://www.old.toolrank.com/tool-blog/editorial/masterblend-hydroponic-fertilizer-calculator-for-any-container-size-201610071988/ https://www.old.toolrank.com/tool-blog/editorial/masterblend-hydroponic-fertilizer-calculator-for-any-container-size-201610071988/ I seem to be always in the process of growing either hydroponic lettuce using the Kratky Method I wrote about in a previous article, or I am growing tomatoes. Since the Kratky method allows us to grow in just about any lidded container that can hold water, there is a constant need for me to calculate how much nutrient-solution (fertilizer water) I need to mix up for the various container sizes I use. So to simplify the process, I made up a hydroponic nutrient solution calculator for lettuce and tomatoes using Masterblend 4-18-38 fertilizer, Calcium Nitrate, and Magnesium Sulfate.... ]]> Fri, 07 Oct 2016 21:53:54 -0500 1988 2016-10-07 https://www.old.toolrank.com/media/listing/photos/original/77/e5/09/20160413-161730-43-1476080435.jpg https://www.old.toolrank.com/tool-blog/editorial/how-much-torque-does-your-cordless-drill-need-201603071950/ https://www.old.toolrank.com/tool-blog/editorial/how-much-torque-does-your-cordless-drill-need-201603071950/ When it comes to cordless drills, how much torque do you really need? As we have come to expect from cordless tool manufacturers, with each new flagship drill model that comes out, we want a tool with more torque than what the previous model had. My question is, do we really need more torque or are we just after bragging rights for the highest number. I get that in certain applications it is important to have the torque to be able to power through dense lumber with a large hole saw or drill... ]]> Mon, 07 Mar 2016 23:26:23 -0600 1950 2016-03-07 https://www.old.toolrank.com/media/listing/photos/original/99/61/07/Millwaukee20One-Key20Drill20Auger-1-63-1457393197.jpg https://www.old.toolrank.com/tool-blog/editorial/results-kratky-method-tomatoes-and-bell-peppers-201409161692/ https://www.old.toolrank.com/tool-blog/editorial/results-kratky-method-tomatoes-and-bell-peppers-201409161692/ I wanted to do an update on my Kratky Method inspired Hydro Buckets by addressing some comments and by sharing what I learned along the way. Most importantly I wanted to share my final results on both my hydro bucket Bell Peppers and Tomatoes. One user commented that the buckets should be black, in order to prevent algae growth. While this would be true if the buckets were above ground, my buckets being buried prevents most of the light from coming in. So why did I end up with algae... ]]> Tue, 16 Sep 2014 08:18:00 -0500 1692 2014-09-16 https://www.old.toolrank.com/media/listing/photos/original/d6/a6/f8/Kratky-tomato-results-43-1410855519.jpg https://www.old.toolrank.com/tool-blog/editorial/quick-tip-draw-circles-and-bisect-angles-with-a-reciprocating-saw-blade-201407161663/ https://www.old.toolrank.com/tool-blog/editorial/quick-tip-draw-circles-and-bisect-angles-with-a-reciprocating-saw-blade-201407161663/ Have you ever found the need to draw a perfect circle but you don't have a compass (drafting) or anything round to trace? Well, if you have a reciprocating saw blade laying around, you can use it to make near perfect circles in a wide range of sizes. Using the hole on the blade shank as the pivot point and the gullet between the teeth to guide your drawing point, you can make a circle anywhere from 2" up to almost 12". Your only limit is the size of your saw blade. And because you... ]]> Wed, 16 Jul 2014 07:14:00 -0500 1663 2014-07-16 https://www.old.toolrank.com/media/listing/videos/original/d9/83/20/geH9vqmJ7m8-v1405494981.jpg https://www.old.toolrank.com/tool-blog/editorial/growing-tomatoes-and-other-vegetables-in-a-kratky-method-inspired-hydroponic-bucket-201405121639/ https://www.old.toolrank.com/tool-blog/editorial/growing-tomatoes-and-other-vegetables-in-a-kratky-method-inspired-hydroponic-bucket-201405121639/ A few weeks ago I posted on Facebook about my super simple method for growing hydroponic tomatoes with no electricity; and though this is not tool related, enough people seemed interested about it that I figured I would write up a full article explaining my Kratky hydroponics setup. My design is inspired by Dr. B.A. Kratky from the University of Hawaii, who made a discovery that simplifies hydroponic growing. Hydroponics is the process of using a nutrient rich solution of water to grow plants without the use of soil; but you can't just put a plant a... ]]> Mon, 12 May 2014 20:33:00 -0500 1639 2014-05-12 https://www.old.toolrank.com/media/listing/photos/original/c2/ae/06/Kratky-Tomatoes-Hydro-Bucket-1-51-1399926837.jpg https://www.old.toolrank.com/tool-blog/editorial/353-217-4-miles-and-counting-how-long-will-my-ford-f150-last-201307261483/ https://www.old.toolrank.com/tool-blog/editorial/353-217-4-miles-and-counting-how-long-will-my-ford-f150-last-201307261483/ The Pickup truck is perhaps as common on the job site as the tape measure, but I'd guess that only a few tape measures have rolled out as many inches as my F150 has rolled out miles. The last time I sat in the crew cab of my Ford peering into the dash, the odometer read 353,217.4. Now, among the trucks on any job site, that would have to be rare. With not much more than regular oil changes and routine maintenance, the original engine and transmission have seen tires and brakes come and go; whereas my... ]]> Fri, 26 Jul 2013 20:51:35 -0500 1483 2013-07-26 https://www.old.toolrank.com/media/listing/photos/original/27/c8/1a/Ford-F150-350000-Miles-2-1374871964.jpg https://www.old.toolrank.com/tool-blog/editorial/quick-tip-a-new-purpose-for-a-worn-out-combination-square-201303071400/ https://www.old.toolrank.com/tool-blog/editorial/quick-tip-a-new-purpose-for-a-worn-out-combination-square-201303071400/ As a finish carpenter, I have an apron pocket assigned for a small combination square. (In addition to whatever else finds its way in that pocket) But I notice that after tightening the ruler in the base over and over again, inevitably the day comes when the ruler no longer tightens in the base and it's time for a new combo square. So it was that as I was digging around in my tool box, I found a couple of loose steel rulers. Now I'm not one to throw something out if it has a purpose, but what can... ]]> Thu, 07 Mar 2013 08:44:04 -0600 1400 2013-03-07 https://www.old.toolrank.com/media/listing/photos/original/f3/52/9d/6-ruler-1060638-66-1362645906.jpg https://www.old.toolrank.com/tool-blog/editorial/pro-tool-reviews-goes-analog-comes-out-with-a-magazine-201303061399/ https://www.old.toolrank.com/tool-blog/editorial/pro-tool-reviews-goes-analog-comes-out-with-a-magazine-201303061399/ At a time when everything is digital and people are moving away from analog as fast as they can, Pro Tool Reviews is doing the complete opposite. Pro Tool Reviews, just like a lot of the new-media, started out on the internet, but now they are coming out with an actual printed magazine. You might be asking yourself why—and I asked myself the same thing—though I also admire them for taking on such a task where many others have failed. So, why? Because they feel there is a void that they can fill. You have an emotional... ]]> Wed, 06 Mar 2013 09:12:56 -0600 1399 2013-03-06 https://www.old.toolrank.com/media/listing/photos/original/b4/c6/0e/PTR-March-2013-cover-52-1362561229.jpg https://www.old.toolrank.com/tool-blog/editorial/tools-made-in-the-usa-201207061241/ https://www.old.toolrank.com/tool-blog/editorial/tools-made-in-the-usa-201207061241/ July is the perfect month to talk about tools that are made in the USA. I had started a list about tools made in the USA in the TR forums but since I closed them down I thought I would bring the topic up again. I also tag all of the USA made tools I mention in articles with a Made in the USA tag and you can find that link in the sidebar to the right. When do I buy tools that are made in the USA? Whenever I can? The answer to... ]]> Fri, 06 Jul 2012 22:58:55 -0500 1241 2012-07-06 https://www.old.toolrank.com/tool-blog/editorial/8-tips-on-preventing-tool-theft-and-recovering-stolen-tools-201206271232/ https://www.old.toolrank.com/tool-blog/editorial/8-tips-on-preventing-tool-theft-and-recovering-stolen-tools-201206271232/ All to often I see news reports about tools that are stolen from a jobsite. These tools are required for a person in construction to do his or her job, and a loss of tools can be very damaging. Below I have put together a list of tips – some obvious, some not – on how you can prevent tool theft and how you can recover stolen tools. How To Prevent Tool Theft and Recover Stolen Tools Keep an eye on your tools. It is not easy to watch over your... ]]> Wed, 27 Jun 2012 07:00:00 -0500 1232 2012-06-27 https://www.old.toolrank.com/media/listing/photos/original/4c/c0/7d/tool-theft-96-1474400137.jpg