Oh! Gizmo

By Andrew Liszewski

The next time you have to move the Box-Buddy could make the process considerably less of an ordeal . It’s an easy to use tool that offers a simple way to cut ‘C’ shaped carrying handles into the sides of any corrugated cardboard box. And not only does the ‘C’ shape result in a folded handle that’s easier on the hands, particularly with a heavy box, but it also means there’s no scraps of cardboard to be disposed of. And with a price tag of just $16.98, the Box-Buddy is a no-brainer, even if it’s just a unitasker.

[ Box-Buddy ] VIA [ bookofjoe ]

By Chris Scott Barr

How is it that whenever you open up your toolbox to get a screwdriver, the exact one you need is missing? It’s probably because someone’s been too lazy to put them back when they are done (that would be my issue). That’s why screwdrivers with interchangeable bits can be so handy. Of course even those little bits can get lost, which is why this Autoloader Screwdriver from KR Tools looks so enticing.

The Autoloader has  six different bits (three Phillips and three flathead) built right into the handle. When you want to change the one you’re using, you just pull the handle, twist it to select the right one, then push the handle back into place. You never actually have to touch the bits themselves, thus you’ll never lose them. Of course now you just have to remember where you set the screwdriver. You can pick up a 2-pack of these (one large, one small) for just $30.

[ Amazon ] VIA [ CoolestGadgets ]

By Chris Scott Barr

Cassette tapes have little to no useful purpose in today’s world. Sure, in their prime you would record sappy love songs to give to your girl/boyfriend, or just listen to your favorite album. With CDs (and more importantly) digital media, these ugly plastic rectangles are little more than a memory of better days. Of course if you’re feeling nostalgic, you can always get one that’s been re-purposed into something a little more useful. We’ve seen MP3 players and USB hubs tucked away inside one, but what about a low-tech device?

The Cassette Tape Measure is another one of those ideas that makes you wonder why you didn’t think of it. Okay, maybe it’s not the most practical of applications, but it is pretty cool. I’ve no idea how long the tape is, as the only numeric value is 120 minutes. Not sure how that translates into inches. We do know that it will only take $8 to get this strangely appealing tape measure.

[ Gama Go ] VIA [ Dvice ]

By Andrew Liszewski

Make has a link to a pretty interesting discussion on the ‘The Home Shop Machinist & Machinist’s Workshop BBS’ about using a Watts or Reuleaux drill to make a square hole.

Now the idea of using a spinning drill bit to create a square hole is kind of counter-intuitive, but the animation on the right, while not exactly what a Watts drill looks like, helps you wrap your head around the concept.

And if you find yourself amazed at this new innovation in machining, you might also be surprised to learn that the idea isn’t a new one, and Harry J. Watts, for whom the drill is named after, actually received a patent (#1,241,176) for it on September 25, 1917.

[ The Home Shop Machinist & Machinist's Workshop BBS - How do I make a square hole ] VIA [ Make ]

By David Ponce

This drill is about the smallest we’ve ever seen. The word drill in this case is a bit of a hyperbole as it doesn’t actually do any drilling. It will however spin the drill bit upon pressing the trigger, and that’s close enough for us. Plus, who’s ever heard of a drill you can wear as a pendant? That’s pretty sweet!

It’s 85 euros for one, and we like how the guy who handmakes them and can take up to two weeks to ship them to you actually took the time to make a pretty straightforward FAQ:

what can it drill?

nothing

why did you make it?

because I like it

what’s in the price?

3 euro – PayPal charge

10 euro – materials

10 euro – worldwide shipment

14 euro – VAT tax

20 euro – income tax

28 euro – 2 hours of meticulous work

can I get the graphic file to make it myself?

sure, drop me a line

Hit the jump for a video of the drill in action.

Read the rest of this entry »

By Chris Scott Barr

Flashlights are handy things to have, but they never seem to sit exactly how you need them to. There have been different solutions to this problem over the years, the latest being the Gorrilatorch. Looking at it, you’ll easily recognize it as the brother of the Gorillapod.

The Gorillatorch is exactly what you would expect from Joby. You’ve got a flashlight attached to one of their famous Gorillapods, which makes it easy to point the light exactly where you need it. The light uses LEDs to achieve a maximum brightness of 65 lumens, though it can be lowered if you don’t need anything quite that bright. Two AA batteries are all that’s needed to light up any workspace. For $30, this would be useful in any house, garage or workshop.

[ Joby ]

By Chris Scott Barr

Anyone that’s worked in an IT field knows that taking such a position means that you will undoubtedly become your family’s on-call support staff. This means that a quick stop at your grandparent’s house to say hello could turn into a two-hour ordeal battling spyware and a non-functioning optical drive. Over the years I’ve learned to keep a small kit of tools in my car at all times, since I somehow always end up needing them. After seeing these Screw Keys, I think I’ve found a rather handy addition to my tools.

These Screw Keys are a rather simple concept (and likely not an extremely new one, but they were cool enough to mention anyway). They are two screwdrivers roughly the size of your average key. They should be wide enough at the top to get a good grip on, but they won’t be unnecessarily bulky. At $4.50, I’ll definitely be ordering some.

[ Screw Key ] VIA [ CrunchGear ]

By Evan Ackerman

At first, it doesn’t seem like adding a digital display to something as quintessentially analog as a ruler is a good idea at all. But, designer Shay Shafranek has managed to add a whole bunch of relevant features not generally available on the old fashioned, wooden variety. The ruler has a conductive sensor along the edge that reads the location of a pencil tip, which means (for example) that you don’t have to measure from the end of the ruler… Wherever you start drawing from becomes zero. And once you have that zero point, you can simply touch other points along the ruler, and it will display distances. You can also do other neat stuff, like measuring continuously by moving the ruler as you draw.

You can’t get one of these yet, but maybe it’s the first glimpse of the next major step in the evolution of school supplies… As the calculator was to the slide rule, so is the digital ruler to the analog ruler. And I bet it’s just as effective and knuckle rapping, too.

[ Electronic Ruler ] VIA [ Gearfuse ]

By Andrew Liszewski

I don’t know about you, but I don’t have a multi-billion dollar company at my disposal to cook up awesome crime fighting gadgets like Batman (warning! spoiler ahead!) aka Bruce Wayne does. So I have to rely on the tools available at my local Home Depot, which quite frankly, just aren’t as awesome. Take Batman’s grappling hook for example. His version is small, lightweight and easy to carry on his utility belt. But the best solution you’ll find at your local hardware store is the PullzAll from Warn.

It’s no where near as compact and subtle as Batman’s device, but it seems just as capable, if not more so. There are two versions available, an AC powered model and a DC powered model, and I suggest the latter with its rechargeable 24V battery if you’re looking to become a vigilante. At 18lbs you’ll want to make sure you’re wearing a reinforced belt if you intend to carry it that way, but the device is capable of pulling or lifting up to 1,000lbs with its variable speed motor, so you should easily be able to hoist yourself up to the rafters of a warehouse for a dramatic escape.

$479.99 from the Warn website for the DC model, and $279.99 for the AC model.

[ Warn PullzAll ] VIA [ The Red Ferret Journal ]