Marginal OT, but a Tool Recommendation nonetheless...

[Bolster]

Some of you won't like this thread because it's not a shop tool. But it's a tool I wish I had purchased 30 years ago! If I had, I could have afforded more Snap-on in my box, with the money I'd saved.

It's a FlowBee hair cut attachment for the shop vac. Wasn't cheap ($116), but my first self-made haircut, I like it better than any I get at the barber or salon.

And I can now plug that hole in my pocket that leaks $20 every 6 weeks. And I don't have to have some person I don't know touch me (often times a guy ). And I don't have to make small talk about movie stars. And I don't have to make an appointment, or wait, or drive anywhere.

And the results are equally good and fast (and much cleaner) than the salon. Wife was skeptical at first, but after seeing my artistry, she says the results are just as good. Once you figure out which spacers to use for top, sides, and back, it's fast and repeatable. Even tapers.

If I'd bought this 30 years ago, I'd have saved $5,200 by now, and looked better, too. No more "skinned to shaggy" looks for me.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00020F9TK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[american lockpicker]

I think I'll stick with my Wahl.

 

[Iron-Iceberg]

Looks good in your picture.

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

I just get the wife to buzz it off with a Wahl every couple of weeks with a 3/8" guard. It doesn't take too long to cut what few hairs I have left.

 

[Boost Creep]

what you need to do is find a place like this to get your hair cut. thats where i go when i don't run the buzzers over my head with a no guard myself

http://www.judesbarbershop.com/

 

[blue dog]

Bolster, flowbe, for real? = meh

 

[waggie]

go to the pet store, and get a heavy duty clipper. $40. toss all those useless attachments, guards and whatnot.

keep it in your tool box, whenever you remember, just dig it out and clip your own hair off. sweep it up, shower, and you're good to go. that's what i do.

 

[Danglerb]

My haircut isn't fancy, 6/8 on top, 2/8 on the sides, takes my barber maybe 5 minutes and I hand him $10, but when it comes to finding things out around town he works a lot better than Google.

 

[jsaw]

I paid $7 for a set of clippers with guards. The wife just has to touch up the spots I miss. I don't miss having to go someplace for a hair cut, or paying for it.

 

[Theloniousmonk]

didn't the flowbee used to be priced at "3 easy payments of $19.95"? I vaguely remember the infomercials from the late 80's and early 90's... good score though.

 

[mrholeshot]

I want one

 

[bmxr4life87]

I spent $40 on a set of wahl clippers and I just have my wife trim it all with a #2 guard I just stand in the bathtub then sweep up the hair and take a shower afterwards its quick easy and free

 

[Fedwrench]

I'm thinking that number 10 bowl is cheaper and more durable than a flowbee.

 

[woody 73]

Bolster not sure if this will revoke your He-Man club card,but I think it qualifies as a tool.
Can you use it on a pet like a 60lb. Dog???I sure would like to cut my dogs hair.

 

[fourfeathers]

Cheap ***! lol I do the same w/ my Wahl clippers. Cut the kids hair for the last yr, and my own (#1 guard) and save $35 a trip.

 

[Bolster]

Wow I had no idea so many of you were hair artisans already. Many of you have the advantage of a helpful wife; mine draws the line and will NOT cut hair. The issue appears to be, fear of screwing it up. So I'm on my own here, and have no such fear.

For the record I have to do my own sewing, too.

I dunno, I think you can use it for your pets. Kinda expensive for a pet, but...no cleanup, it all goes into the shop vac.

Downside of the FlowBee are the relatively fragile spacers. They give you two of each size. If/when these break I'll be machining replacements from aluminum!! (Maybe.)

 

[supertooljunkie]

I inherited a shaggy dog from my MIL. I bought a set of clippers for the dog. The dog passed on, but I still use the clippers on myself. I have to get my daughter to do it, as my wife is also afraid of screwing it up. Good use of $40.