Megan and Murray

LA Project: Constructing Cubes Background

Thanks to our friend A, we got a roll of this fabric (with about 300' on it) for a ridiculously small amount.

BTW, that's our home-made tool scaffolding. It's about 5' tall and gives us easy access to our 10' ceiling, which is needed often. More than that: the middle shelf has all of our commonly used tools and the bottom shelf has an air compressor and vacuum. We just roll it to where-ever we're working.

Terrible, but Fascinating

The Tree Terminator - Watch more free videos

Happy 25th Macintosh

Broken Tool Grinds Production to a Halt

Omer 12.40 

We're fans of Omer nail guns, and the Italian made Omer 12.40 is a wonderful instrument to build with--as it should be at $271: 2-3 times the cost of common 18 gauge brad nailers like a Porter Cable or Senco. It's built like a tank and has subtle and nuanced features and balance other guns don't have (even better than the $365 Max NF255-ST/18). These features are hard to describe but they make it worth the price for anyone who spends a lot of time with a brad nailer like we do. 

However, a tool is only as good as its weakest component and today we discovered exactly where that is: the plastic magazine cover (and in particular a thinner point on the cover). After working hard for 5 years, I suppose something found a way to get to it. We've sent an SOS to Omer. Hopefully they'll set everything straight asap. 

UPDATE: Omer is amazing. They're fixing it for free (it has a lifetime warranty) and fast (about a 2 week turn around). Pleased as punch.

LA Project: Cubing Lamps

OK for all you artists who work with wood: notice the miter saw with the board bolted to the fence. Bolt on a board to both sides of your miter and cut through it. That gives you the EXACT cutting line and makes your miter fast and accurate. Need to cut an angle? Just slide the fences back and when you return them it's still aligned. We clamp "stops" (chunk of 2x6) to the longer side for repeat cuts. 

We use a 12" Delta Industrial Dual Bevel miter saw. We bought it because its cutting distance is incredible (almost as long as a slider, but with less moving parts it's more accurate). That said, the blade is so far forward it tends to kick more sawdust up and over your head than I like. If I were doing it again I'd go Makita, who make legendary miter saws. 

There is no one brand that makes everything right. All brands usually do a few things MUCH better than their competition and everything else worse. That's how they make their money. The key is to know which brands (and models) to get for each tool. This requires a lot of data, but fortunately there are premium forums to help. I've been a member of this one for a long time (it can be rowdy, but the answers you'll get are top notch). 

I should also note: never get tool advise from anybody who doesn't use the tool (like most store salesmen--not all--but most).

Color Correction

One of the things that has kept us busy the last couple months is color calibrating our computer monitors, which means getting a colorimeter. Oh my gosh. These things make a HUGE difference. I had no idea I was looking at such bad color before. 

We've tried three systems: an older Monaco OPTIX ($400 4 years ago), a new Spyder 3Elite ($300) and a newer top of the line system a friend has that I can't remember the name of (it's so expensive--something like $1500--that the name doesn't really matter: only publishing companies can justify it). 

Conclusion: the new Spyder 3Elite is by far the best bang for the buck. It easily bests the older colorimeter and it's close enough to the pro model to not lose sleep. To be fair, the pro model produces visibly better grays, but not $1200 better. I'd say it like this: the older colorimeter is 70% better than a non-corrected monitor, the Spyder is 80% better and the pro model is 83% better (and of course these numbers reflect a gut feeling, not a scientific approach). 

The real conclusion: if you are a photographer and you don't have a colorimeter then you need one asap. 

High Definition Format War: Blu-Ray Leading

The Blu-Ray/HD-DVD high definition format war might be coming to an end. There is a lot of talk that Blu-Ray is taking more ground.

This war has been one of the best reasons for not switching to high definition yet. Of course, the main reason for artists and art institutions to wait a bit longer is that the cost associated with early technology adoption is rarely worth it. It pays to remain a few years behind (read: 10 times less expensive gear means money for more important things).

Drill Search Winner

I've heard about Panasonic's legendary drills for years. Since they're only available at contractor tool stores, most people don't know about them. I've talked to at least two tool repair technicians who claim they are the holy grail of drill engineering. When all the right people say the same thing it seems hard to consider anything else.

What made the Panasonic EYC142B kit, which includes a drill/driver, impact driver and flashlight (and available much cheaper than the official site says), beat the competition was a great balance of long lasting power (top of the line 3.0 amp, 14 volt Li-Ion batteries), features (well positioned LED light with switch, sturdy retractable belt clip) and extreme low weight (3.5 and 3.1 lb.). We're constantly using these on ladders and in hard to reach places--having a solid belt hook and low weight helps tremendously.

Time for a New Drill

We've been using the same drill for 10 years, and it's finally starting to show its age. I've started to look into getting a replacement and am surprised by all the new models, features and options that have turned an otherwise go-to-the-store-and-come-back-with-something purchase into something that requires more research.

The biggest surprise is a new category of drill-like tools called impact drivers. They don't have a chuck and are designed exclusively for driving screws. Their advantage is a unique motors geared specifically to their task and a unbelievably small size/weight. Anyone who has had to lug a giant drill driver around all day will recognize their value.

Although having two tools for the same thing that one tool previously did might seem like a step in the wrong direction, this actually makes sense. Like having multiple shoes, less wear is put on each. Additionally, I could use two drills simultaneously (one with a drill bit, the other with a screw bit) or have an extra driver for someone else, cutting assembly time.

I think a strong case can be made for considering following this trend of purchasing a new drill AND a new impact driver--and now is the time to decide that because if you buy them together you can use the same batteries and charger which drastically lowers the total price. In fact, there are many deals out there where you basically get both a drill and a impact driver for the same price as one.

My favorite drill and driver brands are Festool, Panasonic and Makita. Festool is comically expensive but will be the only cordless drill that is passed on through the generations (although batteries will have to be replaced). Panasonic, although not a name typically known for tools, is the drill/driver gold standard among contractors and has legendary battery life. Makita, although inferior to Festool and Panasonic for certain, delivers a solid product at half the cost.

I should note that I don't consider Bosch or DeWalt because they are designed for people with larger hands, Hitachi because their products look silly, Millwaukee because they have battey issues (although make legendary corded tools) or Porter Cable because their drills are just too big (although I like and own many other PC products).

I'm just starting to wade into the water and will keep you posted.

New Internet Technology on the Horizon

[Thanks Oliver] Wow.