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Hand Tools

Loctite Stick
I can't live without Loctite threadlocker stick (medium strength — blue color). I put one of these in every toolbox I own, and I own several. Rarely do I ever tighten a n... Read More
Type(s): Hand Tool, Tip
Tags: nut bolt tightener loctite

Clamptite
Need to clamp just about anything together? Have some wire or a coat hanger lying about? This is a cool, easy-to-use tool, used to clamp, tie, or join things together. Simple... Read More
Comments: 1
Type(s): Hand Tool
Tags: ClampTite, clamp, wire clamp, safety wire twister

SwitchGrip
The SwitchGrip is used to assist with the installation and removal of light switches. I came across this tool after we purchased the PlugGrip for our remodel. We were just as ... Read More
Type(s): Hand Tool
Tags: "handtool" "electrical" "installation" light+switches

PlugGrip
The PlugGrip is used to assist in the installation and removal of electrical outlets. I found this tool at Lowes and had never heard of it until it caught my eye as I was pick... Read More
Comments: 2
Type(s): Hand Tool
Tags: "handtool", "electrical", "installation"

Greenhouse Hoop Bender
We bent the steel hoops for both of our hoop greenhouses. I've been a gardener for 26 years and never could afford a decent-sized greenhouse. I first saw these benders on eBay... Read More
Type(s): Hand Tool, Travel and Outdoors
Tags: hoop bender greenhouse garden

Leatherman Squirt E4
This multitool does it all for electronics. It has needlenose pliers, a multi-gauge wire stripper, wire cutter, phillips screwdriver, flathead screwdriver, DIP switcher, twee... Read More
Type(s): Hand Tool
Tags: multitool leatherman

Hot Steaming Glue Gun!
I am in love with my glue gun ... well, one of them. Is it the new snazoid cordless one with the space-age heating base from Black & Decker? No, though that is a beautiful... Read More
Type(s): Hand Tool
Tags: glue+Gun, hot+glue+gun, wicked glue gun

Grey Tape or Muffler Tape
This stuff is amazing and has saved my bacon a number of times. I've used it for fixing all manner of things--from its intended purpose of holding a muffler together until I r... Read More
Comments: 1
Type(s): Art Supply, Electronics/Gadget, Hand Tool, Household Product, Raw Material, Travel and Outdoors
Tags: muffler+tape grey+tape huskytape pvc tape

Green Garbage Grabber Instructable
I love this Instructable for how to make a simple garbage picker-upper. While, of course, it would be wonderful if it encouraged people to help clean up the streets, parks, an... Read More
Type(s): Hand Tool, Raw Material
Tags: garbage grabber litter

My Favorite Pens
Right now in terms of pens I'm digging the Staedtler Triplus Fineliners and the Le Pen by Marvy from Japan. The Pentel Sign Pen is nice for more of a marker feel; the line fat... Read More
Comments: 1
Type(s): Art Supply, Hand Tool
Tags: pens nibs marker drawing

Spring Hook Tool: Push/Pull/Lifter Combo
I picked up one of these years ago when I was working on tape recorders (audio/vidio) for replacing belts. Now I keep one in my kit and use it to manipulate all kinds of thing... Read More
Comments: 1
Type(s): Electronics/Gadget, Hand Tool
Tags:

Dental Tools Kit
Three indispensable tools for any maker are dental tools (for poking around in little things), dental (i.e. inspection) mirrors for looking in difficult-to-reach places, and o... Read More
Type(s): Hand Tool
Tags: dental+tools picks mirror dental

4 in 1 screwdriver
If something has detachable pieces, I will loose them. Most of the parts from a multi bit screwdriver set will end up in the bottom of the drawer if not my pocket to then app... Read More
Comments: 1
Type(s): Hand Tool
Tags: screwdriver

Alligator Forceps
Yes it's the Alligator Forceps!! This is one of my most used tools. When you work the handles, just the tip opens up, making it the ideal tool for picking things up in small o... Read More
Type(s): Hand Tool
Tags: forceps alligator pickup small parts

Magnifying Ruler
Sometimes the most useful tools are also the most low-tech. Growing up, I always remember my dad (a dental school professor) having one of these and using it to save his eyesi... Read More
Type(s): Art Supply, Hand Tool
Tags: ruler magnifying

Pan Scraper
Breathe easy. The problem of the ages (by which I mean getting those congealed eggs off the bottom of your pan after you’ve forgotten them in the sink all week) has been ... Read More
Type(s): Hand Tool, Kitchen Tool
Tags: pan scraper

Swiss Tech
I originally got this as an impulse purchase because it was small and "cute." Believe me, the Swiss+Tech Screwz-All 4-in-1 is anything but cute when it comes to working. S... Read More
Type(s): Hand Tool
Tags: "4-in-1" keychain tool mini+screwdriver

Vaughan BearSaw
When I think of Japanese tools, I think of minimalism and efficiency, two qualities perfectly embodied by Vaughan’s BearSaw, actually modeled after a traditional Japanese... Read More
Type(s): Hand Tool
Tags: saw, japanese, bear saw

Microplane
I bought my first Microplane for the kitchen when I got tired of barking my knuckles on the old punch-through grater. Not only does it slice off the most delicate wisps of che... Read More
Type(s): Hand Tool, Kitchen Tool
Tags: kitchen shop tools

Plastic Flashlight Mouthpiece
Sold under a few brands, these things are little plastic caps that fit on the end of a AA minimag or most any other aluminum AA flashlights. They are shaped so you can hold th... Read More
Type(s): Hand Tool
Tags: flashlight+mouthpiece

Pi Divider
Found this when I started glassblowing. I was amazed I had made it through life without it. You measure the diameter of an item at one end and the circumference is automatical... Read More
Type(s): Hand Tool
Tags: glass circle pi

Finding Vintage Hand Tools
If you're looking for a well-loved tool, eBay or Craigslist are probably the places to hit first, but there are a lot of websites dedicated to selling you the perfect vintage ... Read More
Comments: 1
Type(s): Hand Tool, Source or Store, Tip
Tags: hand+tools vintage resource

Screw Gun Alternative
I had a screw-off with the famous Don Montague the other day. We squared off across a crate that had too much stuff attached to it with drywall screws. We would vie to see who... Read More
Comments: 2
Type(s): Hand Tool
Tags: brace+and+bit bit+brace screw+gun

Yankee Push Driver
Stanley bought out the Yankee brand name at some point and has subsequently diluted it by selling non-push-style screwdrivers under the Yankee name. These are great tools and ... Read More
Comments: 2
Type(s): Hand Tool
Tags: yankee push+driver screwdriver drill

Japanese Marking Gauge
It comes up often enough in the shop: You want to mark a line X inches in from the edge of something. You end up futzing around with tape measures, pencil tick-marks, and stra... Read More
Comments: 1
Type(s): Hand Tool
Tags: marking+gauge

Folding torx and hex Key Set
Husky makes some folding key set that are great. I am always losing my Allen wrenches and this puts a stop to it. The set can be loosened and tighten according to your prefere... Read More
Comments: 2
Type(s): Hand Tool
Tags:

SuperKnife
The Original Folding utility knife. Never sharpen a blade - always have a razor sharp tip. I have two of these and they are the greatest.I run a sign shop and I use this thing... Read More
Type(s): Art Supply, Hand Tool
Tags: utility knife craft hobby cutting tool

Plexiglass Cutter
A plexiglass cutter is a very simple tool, essentially a sharp point with a handle. It is drawn over plexiglass to score it before breaking along the score to cut the plexi. ... Read More
Type(s): Hand Tool
Tags: plexiglass cut tool

Gaffer's Tape
Many people swear by duct tape for all their taping needs, but I think its adhesive is too gummy, its backing is too plasticy, its fabric is too difficult to tear, and it tast... Read More
Type(s): Hand Tool, Household Product
Tags: gaffer tape

Cork Pop III
If you find yourself putting a wine bottle between your legs and tugging an old-fashioned corkscrew to pull out a cork, here's a new twist on wine openers: the Cork Pop III. T... Read More
Comments: 1
Type(s): Hand Tool, Household Product
Tags: cork

Spyderco Endura
It's inevitable: at least once a day you're going to have to ruin someone else's handiwork. You've got to cut some rope, open a packing box, delicately cut a printed circuit b... Read More
Comments: 5
Type(s): Hand Tool
Tags: knife

Mylar Backed Sanding Film
This stuff has been around forever, but few people seem to know about it. It's like sandpaper, but the abrasives are based on a plastic film. You can roll it, fold it, and wet... Read More
Type(s): Hand Tool, Household Product, Power Tool, Raw Material
Tags: sandpaper mylar

Tiptop Tips
Man, do I love this thing! It's a metal, ashtray-like dish crammed with brass shavings that allows you to quickly and safely clean your iron's tip without lowering its temper... Read More
Comments: 1
Type(s): Hand Tool, Tip
Tags: solder tip clean

"Cold Heat" Soldering Iron
"As Seen on TV!" When shopping for quality electronics tools, that's the logo I look for. I was both intrigued and skeptical when I saw this marker-sized gadget in an electron... Read More
Comments: 3
Type(s): Hand Tool
Tags: solder cold

Screw Buster
Once I got a Boxer TP62 screwdriver kit, I realized the world was held together with tamperproof screws and started carrying it with me everywhere. Previously, if I came acros... Read More
Comments: 2
Type(s): Hand Tool
Tags: screw+driver

Blinded by the LED
Read More
Type(s): Hand Tool
Tags: light led

LED Lantern
Recently, standing on a chair in my bathroom, reaching yet again for an expired light bulb, I thought: there's got to be a better way. And there is — an LED light. The be... Read More
Type(s): Hand Tool, Household Product
Tags: led light

Punch Happy
If you have sheet material you need to make neat holes in, nothing beats a Roper-Whitney #5 Jr. Compact, powerful, reliable, and hand-powered, a #5 Jr. will punch holes throug... Read More
Type(s): Hand Tool
Tags: hand punch

PC Toolkit for Your Pocket
I'm on my second CyberTool. (The first was lost, along with my luggage, by Delta.) I absolutely love it. It won't change your life; you probably already have a toolset. The Cy... Read More
Comments: 1
Type(s): Hand Tool
Tags: swiss+army cybertool

Garmin Geko 201
Simple, tiny, and runs 12 hours on two AAA batteries. No maps, but it supports upload/download of waypoints and routes with an optional serial cable. Supports NMEA and the fas... Read More
Type(s): Hand Tool, Toy
Tags: gps

Versadriver
I finally found a pocket-sized driver set that isn’t afraid of major appliances. The Versadriver’s carabiner-shaped handle folds flat and strategically placed detent... Read More
Comments: 2
Type(s): Hand Tool, Kit
Tags: tools

Al Mar SLB Knife
If your inner geek is trapped in a suit at work, you've probably longed for a good, compact knife. Trendy tactical folders are generally too big, too heavy, or just plain scar... Read More
Type(s): Hand Tool, Kitchen Tool
Tags: knife

Utili-Key 6-in-1
A well-crafted tool in an elegant package is one of the true great joys in life. This little key-shaped piece of metal is usually my first and frequently last tool I need for ... Read More
Type(s): Hand Tool
Tags: tools

INOVA X5 Ultraviolet Flashlight
Got a CSI fantasy? Then just drop one of these in your bag of tricks and start shining it around in spare moments. Featuring five high-power LEDs backed by two 123-sized lith... Read More
Type(s): Hand Tool, Toy
Tags: ultraviolet flashlight

Spray Can Trigger Handle
No more tired index fingers! With the Spray Can Trigger-Handle avoid the frustration of keeping even pressure applied to the plastic nub on the top of the spray paint can. T... Read More
Type(s): Art Supply, Hand Tool
Tags: spray paint handle

Gaffer's Tape
Move over duct tape — Gaffer's tape is as versatile as its space-age cousin, but looks nicer and doesn't leave behind a sticky, messy residue when it's pulled up. Absolut... Read More
Comments: 2
Type(s): Art Supply, Hand Tool, Household Product, Raw Material, Toy
Tags: tape

Digital Calipers
Whether you're gauging the width of gaps, the diameter of pegs, or the depth of holes, calipers are immeasurably more useful than rulers. It's true that the digital variety re... Read More
Type(s): Hand Tool
Tags: caliper

Abrasive Cut-off Wheel
No hacker's toolbox is complete without a rotary cutter. And no rotary cutter is complete without fiberglass-reinforced abrasive cut-off wheels. The bionic cousins of the wimp... Read More
Type(s): Hand Tool, Power Tool
Tags: fiberglass rotary+cutter

Eklind 6-Blade Screwdriver
While it looks like something you would put in your glove box and forget, I've kept my original Eklind 6-blade Screwdriver in my pants pocket for over 15 years and have used i... Read More
Type(s): Hand Tool
Tags: screwdriver multitool pocket+knife