Tool Crave

Overland Expo is the largest tradeshow for overlanding, car camping, and adventure travel enthusiasts.

They've expanded to three shows this year and I attended the largest one last weekend which is located just outside Flagstaff, AZ.

In this episode, I recap my experience at the show which is bigger than ever and highlight a couple of small tool brands that are doing great things.

Forrest Tool and Adventure Tool Company

Both companies are based in Colorado and their products are handmade in the USA.

Visit Charles & Hudson for a list of my other favorite products and tools from the show.

I've found one of the easiest ways to organize your tools is to delineate them as woodworking or mechanical.

Woodworking tools include saws, drills, clamps, basically anything that is used to modify wood.

Mechanical tools include anything used to work on my car or truck or to fix plumbing or electrical issues around the house.

Naturally, the mechanical tools can be found and organized in my garage, and my woodworking tools are to be stored and accessed in my shed. This makes sense as it is nearby where they will be mostly used.

Although this idea sounds like common sense, it has taken me a few months to realize it's the best way to organize my tools.

On the next episode I will get more granular and provide actionable tool storage solutions for my mechanical tools in the workshop as well as my woodworking tools in the shed.

Thanks for listening and please send an email or DM me at ToolCrave with any questions or comments.

Quick Announcement!

I'm excited to finally share the news that I was asked to be a part of the new series on the History Channel called, "The Machines That Built America: Power Tool Showdown".

https://play.history.com/shows/the-machines-that-built-america/season-1/episode-6

It's streaming now.

If you are a fan of power tools and are curious to know how Milwaukee Tool, Black and Decker, and DeWalt got their start, then this is a must-watch.

Home improvement expert Kathryn Emery has made a name for herself by handpicking the best products for your home and sharing them on your favorite local news channel or national morning show.

She helped guide Home Depot to its rise as the premier retailer in the country, by telling its story and allowing millions to connect with them.

In this episode, we chat about how her rise in the home improvement industry, and she shares her secrets on content marketing and brand building.

Connect with Kathryn on BeTheBestHome.com and follow her on Instagram and Twitter.

I just returned from 24 hours in Las Vegas where I attended World of Concrete 2021. It's the first trade in Las Vegas in a year and it was great to see customers and exhibitors back. 

The West Hall was also open for the first time and it's a gorgeous addition to the Las Vegas Convention Center. 

In this episode I share my impressions of the show and how it relates to the building industry. I also give a shout out to the brands and media who showed up and worked the show. It was great to see all of you!

Recently a friend asked if he should invest his money in an expensive pro-grade miter saw or go with a cheaper saw for under $300. 

The basic answer is to balance your budget with your needs and frequency of use. This can be applied to any power tool purchase.

Other factors include a previous investment of batteries, which means you can save money by purchasing the tool only, as well as your skill level. Someone with experience can make a cheaper saw work for them almost as well as a professional grade saw. 

If you like this episode, please leave me a review and send me a message or email with your question.

Thanks,
Timothy

In this episode, I chat with the founder of Truewerk, Brian Ciciora. Brian’s background is in construction and product design, which provides him with the technical chops to design workwear and the experience to know what contractors need.

I learned a lot from Brian on what it takes to start your own business and why Truewerk believes they are the future of workwear.

https://truewerk.com/

Today my guest is my good friend Shelly Miller Leer. She’s a designer, writer, and teacher, who specializes in the art of upholstery. She’s championed the movement towards restoring, restyling, and repurposing, long before it was the trendy thing to do. 

Shelly just launched a new book on upholstery and is currently teaching out of her HomeRoom shop in Indianapolis. In this episode, Shelly shares some of her secrets to upholstery, her journey as a writer and teacher, and the tools you need to get started upholstering your own furniture.

https://thehomeroomshop.com/
https://www.instagram.com/home_room_shop/
https://www.facebook.com/ModHomeEc-139138492763286/

The Little Upholstery Book

My friend Mike Senese is one of the most talented people I know. Which is why I couldn’t wait to get him on the podcast. He’s a lifelong DIYer, who is as comfortable wrenching on an old Land Rover as he is building with a CNC machine. He’s currently the executive editor at Make magazine and former TV host on the science channel. 

In this episode, he updates us on what's happening at MAKE, the best projects to get your kids started on, and of course his all-time favorite tools.

https://twitter.com/msenese
https://www.instagram.com/msenese/
https://www.mikesenese.com/DOIT/

Today I’m chatting with Clint DeBoer. He runs, ProTool Reviews, which is a leading authority on tools for professionals and the trades. We go deep on the state of the tool industry, how cordless has taken over, and what brands are really innovating. 

If you are really into tools, you'll love this episode.

https://www.protoolreviews.com/
https://opereviews.com/
https://www.youtube.com/user/protoolreviews
https://www.facebook.com/protoolreviews

Marc Lyman is the founder of the long-running home improvement site, Home Fixated. As one of the first DIY/tool bloggers, Marc continues to thrive in the always changing landscape of blogging and media. 

He's now diversified his career and is a well-respected real estate agent with Sotheby's in San Diego. 

In this episode, Marc shares his thoughts on what tools and products we should check out and provides invaluable tips for prospective home buyers that will help them save time and money.

https://homefixated.com/
https://marclyman.com/
https://twitter.com/marclyman
https://www.instagram.com/marclyman/

Today's episode is with former This Old House colleague, Dan DiClerico. Dan spent 10 years testing gear and products at Consumer Reports and now is the Home Expert and Smart Home Strategist at HomeAdvisor.

Dan shares his thoughts on the current state of smart home technologies, the best approach to bringing smart products into your home, and his personal experience renovating a 130-year old Brooklyn brownstone.

https://twitter.com/dandiclerico

In this episode, I chat with Joanie Sprague. You may know her as the runner-up on cycle 6 of America’s Next Top Model, but I first met her almost 10 years when she was working as a carpenter and hosting her own show on the DIY Network.

She’s currently part of the all-star cast of the new Trading Spaces on TLC, and host of her own podcast called The Little Bit. In this episode Joanie shares what life is really like as a carpenter on Trading Spaces, her joy of teaching women how to use power tools, and some tips on building in a small workshop.

https://www.instagram.com/joaniesprague/
https://www.facebook.com/joaniesprague/
https://www.thelittlebitpodcast.com/

Sound Engineer: Gray Gubler of Spectrum Productions 

Griffon Ramsey is an accomplished chainsaw artist based in Austin, TX. She travels the world competing and carving in wood and ice. Our conversation covers her journey into carving, her life in Austin, and some tips for anyone interested in learning how to chainsaw carve.

https://griffonramsey.com
https://www.instagram.com/griffonramsey/
https://www.youtube.com/user/GriffonRamsey
https://twitter.com/griffonramsey

Sound Engineer: Gray Gubler | Spectrum Productions

Dan Maxey and Eric Jopp are the entertaining duo behind Tools In Action. These two have been talking about tools for years, and have built a huge following with their informative YouTube videos and fun social media posts #TIACrew.

I caught up with Dan and Eric in the midst of their new shop build, and I got the scoop on what’s in store for Tools In Action this year and a surprising pick for one of their favorite tools. Despite their pranks, I had a lot of fun with this podcast and I'm sure you will too.

http://toolsinaction.com/
https://www.youtube.com/user/pptgtool
https://www.facebook.com/toolsinaction
https://www.instagram.com/toolsinaction/
https://twitter.com/ToolsInAction

Sound Engineer: Gray Gubler | Spectrum Productions

Jimmy Diresta has been making things his entire life, using all types of tools, materials, and processes. From welding and woodworking to CNC and printmaking, Jimmy can do it all. 

In this episode you'll learn how he got his start on YouTube and podcasting, why his favorite tool is also the most dangerous one, what's up with vintage printing presses, and what it's like working on the set of the NBC show Making It.

Special thanks to Jimmy being my first ever podcast guest! 

http://www.jimmydiresta.com/workshops
https://www.youtube.com/jimmydiresta
https://www.instagram.com/jimmydiresta/
https://twitter.com/jimmydiresta

Sound Engineer: Gray Gubler | Spectrum Productions