Archive for Tools

Portable LED Gas Detector

Posted in Tools by Conner Flynn on October 17th, 2009

Portable LED Gas DetectorIf you are worried about a gas leak, you don’t want to just rely on your nose. The LED Gas Detector will do a far better job at telling you if there is gas in the air. The device will detect the most common flammable gases like propane, butane, acetylene and natural gas.

Handy for checking for gas leaks in pipes, your hot water heater, propane grill tanks and more. The gas detector has an LED indicator and an alarm that will activate when flammable levels of gas are detected. The green light means it’s safe and the red light means danger.

Bottle-opener hammer for drinking on the construction job

Posted in Tools by Conner Flynn on October 8th, 2009

Bottle-opener hammer for drinking on the construction jobConstruction sites are dangerous. That’s why we have hard-hats. I can’t think of a worse place to be drinking on the job. But this Bottle-opener hammer from Harbor Freight makes it okay to have a cold one, whether you’re staggering on scaffolding or nailing your buddy’s hand to a wall.

Don’t worry about the job. It will get done when it gets done. Bill’s head will heal from that fall and Foreman Mike didn’t really need that leg anyway. Work is so much more adventurous when the booze flows.

Cassette Tape Measure for 80s DIY projects

Posted in Tools by Conner Flynn on October 5th, 2009

Cassette Tape Measure for 80s DIY projectsThis Cassette Tape Measure is pure 80s on the outside and pure measuring tape on the inside. It’s a product that’s funny and useful at the same time. How can you not buy one for $8? It’s labeled “Professional Sound”, while it very unprofessionally exclaims, “Pull me!”. Seems rude.

You can either buy this for $8 or try to make your own. Just make sure that if you do make your own, that you actually put a measuring tape inside. I made one once and forgot to do exactly that. The result was measurements like 1/4 of Night Ranger’s Sister Christian intro or 1/16 of Don’t fear the Reaper. And the tape took forever to wind back inside too.

Dremel unveils new 4000 rotary tool, modders rejoice

Posted in Tools by Conner Flynn on October 5th, 2009

Dremel unveils new 4000 rotary tool, modders rejoiceIf there is one tool that is the most valuable to modders, it’s the Dremel. It’s small and amazingly versatile and anyone can use it. Without the Dremel, we would not have half the mods that we see here day in and day out. Well, modders will be happy to know that Dremel has announced its latest rotary tool, the Dremel 4000.

The corded rotary tool is the company’s top-of-the-line version and will do all of the usual cutting, carving, engraving, routing, sanding, you name it. It features adjustable speeds from 5,000 to 35,000 rotations per minute. It’s also the only Dremel tool that is compatible with all Dremel accessories and attachments. That includes the MultiSaw and Planer attachments for the 400 Series XPR rotary tool. Modders everywhere are smiling.

Cap Wrench Bottle Opener

Posted in Tools by Conner Flynn on September 15th, 2009

Cap Wrench Bottle OpenerWe’ve seen tons of bottle openers around here, but this one is perhaps the manliest way to open a bottle ever. Men know two things. Opening bottles and working with tools. And since I’m a man I like to think I know a little something about both.

Craftsman’s Cap Wrench Bottle Opener is basically a opener that acts as a fulcrum and weighs a solid 0.64 lbs. It’s made from solid steel. If your buddies see you opening a beer with this thing, they are gonna know who the alpha dog is. Right tool for the right job.

Digital Wrench tells you when bolts are tight

Posted in Tools by Conner Flynn on July 28th, 2009

Digital Wrench tells you when bolts are tightI don’t know about you but I don’t need a fancy digital wrench to tell me when bolts are tight. But if you do, then maybe it’s time you go digital with this wrench. This wrench will give you a mathematically precise torque reading.

Just be careful as the wrench “uses the distance from the leverage point to the bolt head to calculate torque, so moving your hand closer to the bolt head will throw off its reading.” How reliable. It can be yours for just $323. Digital is definitely the way to go.

Leatherman Freestyle Tool looks deadly, is useful

Posted in Tools by Conner Flynn on June 8th, 2009

Leatherman Freestyle Tool looks deadly, is usefulYou can never have too many tools and what’s great about Leatherman multi-tools is that it puts all of the important ones on your belt. The Leatherman Freestyle ups the design and gives it a more deadly and dangerous look.

You never know when you’re going to need to make like MacGuyver and cut some wires, turn some screws and stab a bad guy. This tool include pliers/wirecutter, a combo Philips/flathead screwdriver, straight blade and a bottle opener/carabineer. The Leatherman Freestyle Tool is pretty light too, so it’s no problem to have it with you at all times.

Survival credit card: Survival tool for tough economic times

Posted in Tools by Conner Flynn on May 14th, 2009

Survival credit card: Survival tool for tough economic timesA standard credit card is no survival tool. It won’t even cut anyone really. There isn’t much that it can do for you in dire situations. But the Tool Logic Survival Card is actually useful.

It won’t help you shop, but it will offer you some handy tools for survival. It has a magnesium fire starter to start fires, a serrated knife to cut fish or cut an attacker, a signal whistle, tweezers, even a toothpick and an LED flashlight. This thing is awesome if you are stranded on Lost island or are just forced to quit playing WoW and face life.

Ratchet Allen Keys

Posted in Tools by Conner Flynn on May 11th, 2009

Ratchet Allen KeysWhether you are building a ton of Ikea furniture or putting together a bike, the trusty old Allen wrench is a part of it. But the only thing that sucks about the little tools is that they don’t operate like a ratchet.Well, now you can have your Allen wrench and your ratchet all in one,

They’re available in both Metric and Imperial and come packed with 9 different sized keys from 1.5mm to 6mm. It features a clever design where the fold out cover becomes the handle and it can rotate a full 360°. Now this is a useful tool.

Army Rescue Tape, so tough it can be used as an emergency fan belt

Posted in Tools by Conner Flynn on May 5th, 2009

Army Rescue TapeYou thought Nuclear Duct Tape was tough. Army Rescue Tape is so good that the armed forces use it. It doesn’t say what they use for though. How tough is it? Well they say that it can even be used as an emergency fan belt. Yeah, that’s tough.

Made of silicone, the tape bonds to itself 1 minute after adhesion. The bond becomes permanent and the tape tears at 700psi so using your teeth isn’t a good idea. It’s acid, solvent and oil resistant and it’s resistant to UV rays.

Hydrokinetic wrench uses the power of liquid

Posted in Tools by Conner Flynn on April 20th, 2009

Hydrokinetic wrench uses the power of liquidThe Hydrokinetic Adjustable wrench lets you work with twenty three different sizes of bolts and nuts. The secret to it’s success with so many sizes lies in the wrench’s liquid core. To adjust the wrench, just open the valve, fit it around the nut or bolt and push the gripper on the opposite end.

This will compress the liquid which will push the gripper on the end. Once it is snug against the nut, close the valve and your wrench is locked in position. The head will let you get into even the tightest spaces and the design of the grip will help you turn damaged nuts and bolts.

Tape Measure with integrated marking tip

Posted in Tools by Conner Flynn on February 8th, 2009

Tape Measure with integrated marking tipHere’s a handy upgrade to the trusty old tape measure that will make any handy man’s job easier. This tape measure has a pencil-less quick-marking tip. Sometimes it can be a real pain marking an area once you’ve measured it. Your pencil might not be where you thought it was, plus maybe you don’t have a steady hand or lack the coordination necessary to mark a line.

Whatever the case, this tape measure makes it a breeze. Just measure out your distance, press the bottom of the tape against your material, and mark your line. Simple as that. It’s a great time saver having the marker built in.

Multifunction Credit Card survival tool

Posted in Tools by Conner Flynn on January 12th, 2009

Multifunction Credit Card survival toolWe’ve seen a variety of multitools, but this Credit Card survival tool will actually take up the least space. In fact, you can keep it in your wallet, because as the name implies, it is the size of a credit card. Perfect for DIYers or anyone who wants to be prepared, but doesn’t want to carry a Leatherman multi-tool around.

The Credit Card Survival tool packs a can opener, knife, screwdriver, ruler, wrench, saw, and more into a credit card-sized package. It’s so small, you’ll always have it with you, because chances are you’ve always got your wallet on hand.

Electric Screwdriver holds screws, screws you out of $4000

Posted in Tools by Conner Flynn on December 14th, 2008

Electric Screwdriver holds screws, screws you out of $4000Here’s an interesting electric screwdriver. It will relieve you of the burden of actually having to hold your screws in your hand. Your laziness will cost you $4000. The Black & Decker LI4000 3.6-Volt Lithium-Ion SmartDriver with Exclusive Magnetic Screw Holder has an extended arm with a magnetic tip that holds your screws in place while you screw them in.

Okay, it’s not just laziness, but I know that’s what you were thinking too. It can be a real pain when you drop screws while trying to line up the screwdriver. Especially on a ladder. Now you can screw with just one hand. It has some other features as well, none of which justify the price. An LED light, 6 position clutch, a lithium ion battery that holds it’s charge for 18 months.

Nack utility knife holds a barrel full of blades

Posted in Tools by Conner Flynn on December 8th, 2008

Nack utility knife holds a barrel full of blades“The Nack” knife is different from other utility knife tools, because it holds 15 blades pre-loaded in the hilt. That little feature makes it easy to switch out a dull blade for a new sharp one without taking the knife apart. Which saves you time and gets the job done quicker.

Just retract the blade, turn the end cap and slide a new blade out. One downside is that this means you also have to buy replacement cartridges from Nack Products for $6. The Nack will cost you $16 by itself. It comes in two versions: one is black with a soft grip, and the other is metal and carries the additional title of Pro.