Considered by many to be “The Contemplative Man’s Recreation,” fly fishing is also a favorite for craftsmen who prefer to make their own equipment –– be it tying a fly on the side of a stream or making their own fly fishing rods altogether. But with well over 160 or so steps that go into making a high-quality rod that’s both delicate and strong, pursuing the craft of making rods from scratch is not for the faint at heart. Among others who have the patience of steel is Australian bamboo rod craftsman Nick Taransky. As a devoted fly fisherman with over 25 years of experience, Taransky uses traditional fly rod building…
Nobody will blame you if you’ve never taken a moment to think about the hard science behind a simple pizza delivery. After all, paying the driver and eating the pizza is usually the priority in any situation involving pizza. That said, everything from the carefully-placed humidity ventilation holes to the pizza saver dongles is the result of years of refining pizza delivery technology. With conductive inks further making their way into the mainstream, the pizza boxes of tomorrow just might be loaded with electronic capabilities –– such as this DJ deck for turning up your late night pizza party. Created in partnership with conductive ink startup Novalia and available at…
As if table saws aren’t already one of the most nerve-wracking shop tools to work with, now there’s another friendly reminder that you should always keep your wits about you when working on your next wood project. Toledo, Ohio–based hardwood dealer and founder of KenCraft (AKA “The Woodworker’s Candy Store”) Ken Spitulski was recently cutting a piece of molding –– something he has done thousands of times –– when his saw caught a snag on the wood and launched it 20 feet across his workshop and 8 inches into the wall –– effectively punching a dent in the workshop’s steel siding. While some modern table saws –– particularly those from SawStop –– can…
Time for another round of apps that cover the spectrum of your beloved mobile device, be it iPhone, Android or Windows! The Weekly App Smack is the best of new or updated design and productivity apps (and maybe a couple of fun ones, too) for the busy design or engineering professional and this week we have a list sure to make you more efficient. Do you have an app suggestion that has made your life easier or changed up your workflow? Let us know in the comments below or send it into tips@www.solidsmack.com. Hit it! Castro “Castro introduces a new concept to support today’s broad-minded podcast enthusiast: triage.” Timelines “Timelines…
In need of extra money to help support his family back in the 1930s, Montana welder Rudy Ruana began making knives on the side in a small garage. Before long, his reputation for high-quality handmade knives spread across the United States and what began as a side hustle to help put food on the family’s table became a thriving family business. Today, in the same facility that it was founded in over 70 years ago, Ruana Knives is still operated by members of the Ruana family who churn out American-made knives that are highly coveted by collectors around the world for their aluminum handles. In “The Bladesmiths,” we get a…
As if spending an afternoon assembling IKEA furniture isn’t already a kick in the pants, imagine doing so while navigating your way around the Dark Side of the Moon under the influence of hallucinogenic drugs. Such is the premise of the aptly named new YouTube series HIKEA. Created by NYC-based creatives Hunter Fine and Alex Taylor, the new video series documents the struggles of young New Yorkers as they attempt to grasp onto reality while assembling Swedish flat pack wares in a haze of rainbows. “Today we’re taking acid and building furniture from IKEA.” While young couple Giancarlo and Nicole attempt to build the NORDLI cabinet while under the influence…