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OXO Apple Divider
I like apples but I’ve never been a fan of the form factor, which tends to be tough on the teeth and jaws. The OXO Apple Divider ($10) cores and chops in one fell swoop. Total prep time, including...
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Alex Glow, Hackster.io
Our guest this week is Alex Glow. Alex creates electronics videos and tutorials at Hackster.io in San Francisco; she loves building wearable tech, EEG, music, bikes, holograms, and more. Alex grew into...
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Leatherman Micra
I’m a computer geek, both by trade and by lifestyle, so I’ve accumulated several boxes full of tools for disassembling and reassembling all sorts of obscure computer stuff. Since I found the Micra,...
View ArticleRaymay Pencut Scissors
These are scissors, if you can believe it. These are Raymay Pencut scissors from Japan. I got them for around $6 on Amazon. And if you want some for yourself, using the Amazon link in the description...
View ArticleShantaram/Smartnews/MakeHub
Long-form listening One of the best books I ever listened to is Shantaram. This very long story — 43 hours! — is the fictionalized autobiography of an Australian outlaw who hides out in the slums of...
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Pumie Toilet Bowl Ring Remover
I have a 1927-type porcelain bathtub, and it once looked that old. I tried fruitlessly over the years to remove the dinginess at the bottom with scouring pads and liquid tile cleaners. Then someone...
View ArticleChefAlarm
Cooking thermometers used to be a kitchen consumable. They barely lasted a year, so I would buy the cheapest one and suffer when it broke during a boil. The biggest problem was probe loss from liquid...
View ArticleKershaw Ken Onion Chive Knife
I’ve been using various models of the Chive ($29) for 6+ years. It’s perfect for how I use it — everyday carry all around convenient small sharp thing. It has a small (~2″) 420HC blade, light,...
View Article9 Useful Electronics Tools Under $13
Aven Adjustable Circuit Board Holder Hakko Flush Cutters A-szcxtop USB Powered Soldering Iron Wearable Magnifying Glasses Digital Servo Tester Controller with Voltage Display General Tools 481 Swivel...
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Yellow Jacket 5-Outlet Adapter
This indoor/outdoor 5-outlet adapter ($13) is the best I’ve found for dealing with multiple wall-warts. The outlets are spaced just far enough apart to allow virtually any size wall wart to fit, and...
View ArticleTV Floor Stand
Some time ago we ended up with a 26″ flat screen TV from some giveaway deal. It’s no great thing but it doesn’t suck either, and we had no idea what to do with it. It was an off & on puzzle for a...
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Topside Oil Changer
I have had my oil changed by the dealer, a local mechanic and even those Jiffy people. They’ve all done a good job, but I like changing my own oil. It’s a bit of a meditative exercise and gives me a...
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Hose Shut-Off
This tool was recommended to me by a neighbor last summer who is Type 1 Diabetic and has mobility issues. This is a simple in-line shutoff valve ($6) that I have found very useful for both gardening...
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Waterfall Soap Saver
This is the most satisfactory soap dish I’ve ever tried ($5). If positioned away from the corner of the basin, all of the soap residue drains into the sink basin – not onto the sides of the sink. Some...
View ArticleTubShroom
I’ve used the TubShroom ($13) for almost two years now. It is, by far, the best tool I’ve used to prevent hair from clogging the bath tub drain. I’ve always had long, thick, dark hair and clogging...
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Danielle Baskin, Product designer
Our guest this week is Danielle Baskin. Danielle is an entrepreneur, painter, and performance artist based in San Francisco. She’s created internet jokes, like Custom Avocados and Drone Sweaters. She’s...
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Shop Cool Tools Scam
The site is a recent store on Shopify. They seem to advertise and sell cheap Chinese products like iPhone accessories via ads on Facebook. Their logo looks like this: Within the last two days we have...
View ArticleContactOut/Trusty pen/VC reading list
Email finder I use LinkedIn to get in touch with people for stories and interviews, but I don’t like using the built in messaging service (InMail). I’d rather email the person, but LinkedIn doesn’t...
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ItzaGasCan
This disposable fiberboard container ($15) folds flat and has a bladder that can hold a gallon of gas (about 14″ by 6″ by 2″). I’ve yet to have a car emergency, but I’ve used it for a prosaic fill-up...
View ArticleBernzomatic TS4000 Trigger Start Torch
I recently taught my seven-year-old how to light a fire with a ferrocerium rod and a steel striker. I wanted to teach him the hard way before showing him the easy tools like matches, lighters, or my...
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