Month: October 2015
Remo 12″ Djembe
IMAGINE MY SURPRISE. After purchasing and using REMO percussion products for decades, I’d become used to usual manufacturing practices. The drumhead is USA. Shell from Indonesia. Its hardware, Taiwan.
But upon flipping this fine instrument over, inside was a red/white/blue logo and proud words, “Made in U.S.A.”. Within the music store, I had already decided to buy, but came back the following day after a little midnight price-shopping and a sunrise phone call to REMO.
Customer service was fast and alert. Straight, informative answers immediately given. Yes, that entire product is made by us. Yes, we agree it is a fantastic product. No, you do not want to leave it in the rain”.
REMO Skyndeep® drum head gives us warm, crisp, vibrant tones. A great look which imitates goatskin of traditional African djembes. The shell, virtually indestructible, permanently imprinted with its design. Great job, REMO!
Jetfire Balsa Glider
EVEN BEFORE EYEGLASSES were put upon my head I remember waiting in the hardware store for Dad to finish his transactions. Standing by a rotating display of balsa gliders, I’d imagine flying within one of these toy aeroplanes. Prices started at 19¢. A fortune several times my weekly allowance.
Sometimes Dad would become interested and examine the choices. Maybe he’d make a purchase. A glider each for his younger kids. A fancy rubber band powered plane with wheels for the oldest.
Times may have changed, but not that much. The company established in 1926 by Paul K. Guillow still manufacturers reasonably priced offerings. Still engages the imagination of our next generation of space shuttle pilots.
Soon after Charles Lindbergh’s famous solo transatlantic flight in 1927, a craze for all things aeronautical swept over America. Guillow capitalized on that fad by introducing a line of balsa wood model kits. WIKI
Products Engineering Corporation
PEC 6″ Flexible Machinist Ruler
WAY BACK AT THE beginning of recorded history, I had a guitar. This guitar was hard to play, so I correctly assumed it was the instrument. At some point, it was pointed out to me its strings might be too high. “Measure the height at the 12th fret. You’re looking for 5/64ths”.
OK. My Craftsman tape measure is not going to work. Where to turn? Our neighborhood hobby shop, for a precision ruler? They’ve mostly been driven out of business by our entertainment industry. Brainwashed masses prefer electronic games and 600 channels of content.
The internet had a few suggestions, and for a couple bucks above Asia’s finest, I located an American company specializing in precision measuring devices. A genuine engineer and machinist’s tool! I’ve hit the big time, mama!
Features
- Made from the Finest Quality Steel Available
- All Rules Fully Hardened and Tempered
- Precisely Etched, then Black Filled for Readability
- Any Graduations Available by Special Order
- Satin Chrome Finish
Plumber’s Heat-Pruf Grease
ALL GOOD THINGS COME to an end. If you hold on to them long enough. My tin of Plumber’s Heat Pruf Grease was a decade old. She had traveled this country through relocation, out-of-state employment, and back again to home base. And now, empty.
A good tradesman plans ahead. A year ago, I tracked down the identical product and purchased three tins. One for Pat Graham, and two for me.
Finally, the day came. My tin of grease was truly empty. Good to its last dab. But empty. A shiny new tin was tossed into my tool bag. Our patient? A steam table faucet. Someone had gone to a lot of trouble installing wrong parts. The least I could do is help return function as best I can.
A little grease on the spindle. Screw it back in. Replace packing. Grease a pair of new O-rings for its faucet body. Bonnet tightened. Done. Supply valve engaged. Perfect refurbishment. Ready for another two decades of service!
American Toolbox 