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Tool Tales: Contraption in My Dad’s Tool Collection
I came across this contraption in my dad’s tool collection after he passed away. He was an electrical engineer/computer science guy, so I’m pretty sure it had nothing to do with his work. Any ideas?...
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Tool Tales: 3 Mystery Tools
The “what is this tool” item in your latest email reminded me of tools I have that I invited visitors to guess the purpose of. Enclosed is a photo of three of them. (In case the scale is not obvious,...
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Tool Tales: Story Tape
Story Tape started out as an April Fool’s joke. The folks at Lee Valley Tools assumed people would enjoy reading about the fictional product (a spool of retractable blank measuring tape that you can...
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Cool Flow Respirator
I am convinced that the single most effective tool you can have on hand for an ABC disaster (Atomic, Biological, or Chemical) is a good face mask. The danger of nuclear radiation is primarily from...
View ArticleStop phone spam/GateGuru/70s Sci-Fi art
Stopping phone spam For the past 2 years I’ve been using the free Nomorobo service to stop spam calls on my landlines and it works fantastically. A few months ago I started using the paid Nomorobo app...
View ArticleWater-Saving Shower-Head Adapter
This is one of those simple devices that solves a little problem in a very elegant way. I have an upstairs shower that takes a while to warm up, so my typical approach was to turn on the water, then...
View ArticlePedro’s Tire Levers
Pedro’s Tire Levers are a cheap but beloved tool for working your tire off or onto your bike. A pair on Amazon cost me just $5. If you want some for yourself, the link in the description helps to...
View ArticleAdjustable Rubber Strap Wrench
Strap wrenches are a terrific — and therefore cool — tool. There are small “domestic” versions for pickle jar lids & shiny plumbing, medium sizes for tough home and work problems, and larger...
View ArticleScotch Outdoor Mounting Tape
About 6 years ago I was struggling with gluing aluminum reinforcing corners onto some fiberglass sign panels. I mentioned this to a friend and he suggested double sided tape. I had some very...
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Un-Du / Gri Solvent
This stuff is incredible. It essentially undoes any sticky sticker from any surface, and then totally evaporates leaving no mark. As an art teacher, I’d find that masking tape, for example, when left...
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Egg Timer
I love love boiled eggs. After several batches of edible, but less-than-perfect eggs, I was reminded of a nifty gadget my mom used to keep around. This little chunk of lucite reacts to heat the way...
View ArticleSpiff Cloth
I used to hate cleaning windows. The cleaner stinks, there are always streaks, and it uses a bunch of paper towels. Thanks to the Spiff Cloth, however, my whole perspective on window cleaning has...
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Charles Platt, Contributing Editor to Make magazine
Our guest this week is Charles Platt. Charles has written science-fiction novels, computer books, and books about electronics, including Make: Electronics, which is a best-seller in its field. He was a...
View ArticleBianyo markers/Photoshop layers tutorials/Groups
Blendable color markers For sketching and painting I favor alcohol-based markers, which let you blend colors like a watercolor brush, but with the convenience of a felt marker. The preferred premier...
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Paper Airplane Machine [Maker Update]
This week: a paper airplane machine, Microsoft gobbles up Github, a comic vomit bot, a LEGO-style megaphone, printer cable coasters, counting bees, joining wood with plastic bottles, and actual...
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Gorilla Tape
Gorilla Tape is duct tape raised to a higher power. It is both stronger and stickier; you can use it on rough surfaces where duct tape won’t stick. I have used a variety of similar tapes, from the...
View Article180s Exolite Adjustable Ear Warmer
I’m a guy with short hair and my ears are the first thing that gets cold when it it gets chilly and breezy, which happens often in the evenings where I live in Northern California (especially in San...
View ArticleDigital Servo Tester Controller with Voltage Display
It’s time for another Cool Tools video review! This time we’re taking a look at this Servo Tester Control board. I picked this up for $10 on Amazon. Servos are one of the coolest weapons in the maker...
View ArticleDash Rapid Egg Cooker
This is inspired by a recent Cool Tools review of an egg timer. We have chickens and eat a fair amount of eggs. I love Eggs Benedict. Hard boiling a fresh egg is an iffy thing. Sometimes, due to the...
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Aeropress
This thing makes a really good cup of coffee fast. It’s well made, compact, and clean up is easy. The AeroPress is 2.5 inch diameter syringe with a paper micro filter mounted across the bottom. It sits...
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