Attention, device users (in other words, everyone). This 12VDC 5A adapter features a cigarette plug socket attached to a pair of 14” leads with insulated 3” battery clamps on the ends. This allows you to connect to a battery and run devices that have a cigarette plug. The package says the leads are 10 feet long, and implies an auto battery-charging application, but we know this adapter has other uses, and so do you. Not fused, and 5A max. The surplusiness factor is high, but we’re confident that you’ll find a fresh, innovative use for this. Or its parts.

Your better scissors, like these from Clauss, are made from titanium-bonded® steel and have serrated blades with a slip-joint fulcrum. Measure 8” long overall with 3-1/2” blades and recycled contoured plastic handles. Includes a black nylon carrying pouch with a belt loop for traveling crafters or gardeners.

Then you’ll need one of these polyester ear bands with an opening for the bill of your baseball cap. (Yes, our worst joke of the catalog so far this year, but it’s early.) And these are nice ear warmers and people do wear baseball caps in the winter, but if you don’t, these will keep both your ears and nose warm while you look through the slit for the bill. Really.

These plastic luer lock syringes will take a needle, but they're not sterile, so we’d suggest craft, woodworking or general squirting uses only. Measure 7” long (3-3/4” for the fillable section) x 1-1/8” ID. Will hold 0.3 oz /10ml and has graduated markings. Our each is a bag of (50).

This N95-rated particulate respirator mask from 3M measures 8” wide with elastic ear loops, and a metal nosepiece. Keeps you breathing right. Made right here in the US of A.

No bread involved, and they look like the world’s most complicated cribbage boards, but you circuit riders know what they’re for. These breadboards rated up to 30V at 3A each with stainless steel terminals. You pick the 1680-hole board at 8-3/4" x 5-3/4" x 5/8" thick with (4) columns of 5 x 64 points and (8) power buses total with (50) points each, plus (3) binding posts for power in and ground; or the 2420-hole board at 9-1/2” x 7-1/2” x 5/8” thick with (10) power buses total with (50) points each and (6) rows of 5 x 64 points, plus (4) binding posts for power in and ground.

Most commonly, 3D printers use ABS filament (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, and aren’t you sorry you asked?), which is strong, durable and heat-resistant. Our each is 1KG spool of approx 460+ feet of 3mm (1/8”) black ABS filament. What if you don’t have a 3D printer? Well we’d ask, what are you waiting for?

These little plastic bots have movable arms and swiveling heads, and come seated in non-motorized, three-wheel cars for sliding fun for the kiddies. Pull ’em out of the cars, and stick on the cute feet and they’re pedestrians. And yes, they come in a bucket. Stand approx 3” tall and sit in 3” long cars. We’ll pick from the (6) interchangeable styles available. For ages 3+.

Build your own plywood superheroes with these Build and Grow® models from the unlikely partnership of Marvel Comics® and Lowe’s® Home Improvement stores. Kits have plywood pieces, stickers, brads, a cartoon vignette on the back, and an iron-on patch. Finished heroes will be approx 10” tall on a triangular base. They include The Hulk, Captain America, Iron Man, Falcon, Black Widow and Thor, and you’ll get (2) different ones because nobody wants superhero twins.

This is no joke, because even we can’t think of any multimeter puns. This one has auto and manual ranges for DC or AC 200mV to 600V +/- 0.8%, DC or AC current from 200u to 200mA +/-1.5%, and 2-10A +/- 3%, resistance from 200-20M ohms +/-1.2% and 20M ohms +/-2%. Also has a type K thermocouple with Fahrenheit or Centigrade readings. (The package is mismarked, but the range should be approx up to 392 degrees F or 200 degrees C.) Tests diodes/continuity and transistors via an access socket that will accept any standard K-type therm. Has a 2-1/8" LCD display, max and data holds, a backlight, and a battery test with load. Comes with (3) “AAA” batteries. Measures 6” x 2-3/4" x 1-1/8". IEC Cat III rated.

Want to look important and transport lots of stuff while doing it? Get this blow-molded takeout black plastic case measuring 19" x 14-1/2" x 7-5/8" externally (17-1/2" x 13" x 6-7/8" inside) with two latches and a 4" wide handle. Bigger than a classic black briefcase, it’ll leave people guessing about what’s in it and who you are.

Bottle-less glass eye-droppers. Measure 2-3/4" long with a rubber bulb and a screw cap, and the dropper will pop out of the cap if you need it to. Hold about 1ml each. We’re thinking student lab supplies, paper and fabric art applications, really careful baking uses (too much green food coloring makes the cookies look horrid), and homemade tincture-dosing. Made in USA.

Indoor reception--always the safest choice. You know, in case it rains. But seriously, folks, do you love watching TV as much as we do? Pull in your stations with this refurbished passive indoor antenna from RCA. It’s passive--just like TV-watching! Has a pair of 5-draw 39" dipole antennas (or do you say antennae?), a 7" x 4" loop and a 54" cord with a coax “F” connector to hook to your TV. Base is a compact 5" x 3-1/4" x 1-1/4" so it’ll fit pretty much anywhere and won’t hog space, unlike some pets on some couches.

Like Sam Clemens, the reports of this tape’s expiration have been greatly exaggerated. It’s high-end, type-37 black electrical tape at 1” x 36 yards on a 1-1/2” core. The expiration date on the label is passed, but CJ, our Senior Tape-Tackiness Technician, assures us that it’s still “sticky as all get-out.” Made by the mighty Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing company. CSA.

This water-based marker set from Art Treasures has (60) colors—(53) more hues than in Roy G. Biv’s famous spectrum. Markers are double-headed, with flexible brush tips at one end and calligraphy tips at the other, perfect for graphic designers, fine artists, sign-makers, journalers, coloring book fans, comics makers, kids, and doodlers everywhere. If all those hooded monks inking illuminated manuscripts had had these, the Middle Ages would have been 200 years shorter.

These (3) different Blokko building block sets are compatible with you-know-what, including a (117)-piece candy machine, a (109)-piece ATM (candy of a different kind), and a (111)-piece desk organizer. Each will be approx 3" x 2" x 2" when assembled, and will give a kid a nice sense of accomplishment. We’ll send you (2) different ones. Ages 6+.

These round tins with black enameled finish and silver edges are so understated and elegant, they’d be at home at any black-tie affair. Measure 3-3/4" dia x 1-1/8" tall and come with a matching lid. They’re 1" deep inside--perfect for party favors, or home storage of jewelry, craft supplies, loose change, paper clips, rubber bands and countless other essentials.

Ecosmart delivers on this 6" diameter dimmable downlight. 2700K (Soft White) with a standard medium base so it can fit into can lights. It has a trim that extends out to 7.5" and has clips to hold it in place. The bulb is a 65W Equivalent and only draws 12.5W for some super savings. Buy more and save!. Not available in our stores.

Our all-time favorite misprint-special featured thousands of pencils marked “Pensil.” We don’t expect to top that, but we do have beaucoup black-ink gel pens with rubber-coated barrels and caps with mangled, mistaken, or over-printed promo messages. They’re yours for a song--or a half-buck each, whether you can sing or not.

Get your budding inventor a copy of Extreme Garage Science for Kids. Published by the Action Lab Channel on YouTube, the book outlines (30) fun and educational experiments using common household items and chemicals, plus a laser pointer, dry ice, glow in the dark stars, a basketball and common household gravity. Profusely illustrated, with easy-to-follow instructions.

This set of (6) tweezers is as useful as it looks daunting. The (6) stainless steel tweezers vary in size from 4-1/2" up to 7". Two of the tweezers have serrated tips one is inverse, one has a slide latch and the others are straight flat tip. The set comes in a clear front plastic carrying case. Good for model cars, planes or hard to reach splinters.

Not life size, because we don’t a have a jar that big. These dinos average 2-1/4” long, and you’ll get (20) of them: (10) in red, green or blue plastic, plus (10) that glow in the dark, which is better than the real thing. Dinos include stegosaurus, pteranodon, brachiosaurus, styracosaurus, dilophosaurus, T-rex, parasaurolophous, allosaurus, ceratosaurus and acrocanthosaurus.

You want to see a kid’s eyes light up, hand him or her a spotting scope. They’ll know exactly what to do with it, and they’ll thank you forever. Ours is made of tin that looks like brass at both ends with the center body having a wood or map design on it. This 10 x 36 scope extends, pirate-style, from 7-1/4" to 9-3/4" with acrylic lenses. And yes, it’s a working toy. Don’t take it on the high seas--give it to a kid or work it into a costume.

Surge potential is all around us, just waiting to surge. This 125-volt, 15-amp surge protector with (5) pigtail outlets from General Electric can take up to 540 joules via ceramic MOVs. Voltage protection rated for up to 400 volts between the (3) legs. Has a 3-foot main power cord with staggered pigtail lengths. UL.

Stocking cap, actually, or (Navy) watch cap, but the hip kids call them beanies now, so we’ll try our darnedest to stay “with it.” This black acrylic knit beanie lights up with removable LEDs that fit into 2” x 1” black rubber ports on the front and back. Front has (4) white lights with hi/med/low/off modes; back has (4) red lights with on/flashing modes. Take them out when you get where you’re going so you don’t look like a doofus. They’re weather-resistant, and come with CR2032 button-cell batteries.

From France comes this fun mechanical plastic bird that really flies by flapping its wings. It is about 8" long and has a wingspan of 16" tip to tip. Snap the wings in place, wind up the rubberband drive and toss it gently into the air on its maiden flight. It flies up to fifty yards with a satisfying fluttering sound. Comes with a spare rubberband drive mechanism.

rubber gloves! These are ultra-strong examination gloves, super grippy for the most slippery jobs. Our high-performance gloves are 9-1/2" long, ambidextrous, single-use, non-sterile, powder-free and very tear-resistant. Each box contains (100) gloves (by weight). The latex gloves have a micro-textured satin finish and enhanced grip. The latex-free nitrile gloves are blue, have a textured surface, with even more grab.

A big step up from the basic soldering iron, and much safer, our soldering station features continuously variable power between 5-40W, a 1.5mm pointed tip thin enough to use on surface-mounted components, a 4-foot cord, padded grip, iron holder, built-in cleaning sponge, and a stand-alone controller with a 5-1/2" x 4-1/2" footprint and a power switch. Grip is padded with a 3/16" dia shank. From Stahl Tools" for hobbyists, do-it-yourselfers and students.

These momentary SPST push-button switches are normally open and measure 11/16" dia x just over 3/16" thick and have a 15/32" shaft with a steel lock-washer & nut plus a pair of 1/8" solder terminals on the bottom. Rated 3A at 125VAC or 1A at 250VAC. You pick red, green or yellow.

Extra-good quality disposable masks: Latex- and fiberglass-free, with a PVC nosepiece, 95% bacteriological and particulate filtration efficiency, and fluid resistance. Measure 7" x 3-3/4" with elastic ear straps and 4-fold, cone-shape construction. We'll pick a box of 50 white or pale blue. 

Flip up the 2-1/2” brim on this soft, camo battle cap from the Italian military, and you’ll achieve something like a Beetle Bailey insouciance, with an Italian flavor. Call it sprezzatura. (Just go look it up, Sparky.) Sized M, but ours was a touch tight on a 7-3/8 capo, so think S/M. Has an elastic band in back, and little vents on the sides for you hotheads.

It’s called Thinking Putty® because while you do whatever you want with it, your brain relaxes and opens up to all kinds of creative thinking. Need it? Yes. And you can also knead it. Or bounce it, bend it, tear it, stretch it, snap it, pop it. Pick from the 3.2 oz of dark green magnetic Strange Attractor putty with iron filings infused in it, plus a 1/2” cubed rare earth magnet; the shimmering Mystifying Mermaid that changes colors from the heat of your hands; the sparkly and bounceable Dino Poop: the glow-in-the-dark, neon confetti and golden glitter filled Enchanting Unicorn; the heat morphing orange-to-pink Flamingo Feathers; or the Super Scarab, 3.2 oz. of color-shifting blue/purple/copper/red putty reminesent of Egyptian scarabs. Comes in a 4” dia x 1-3/8” tin.

Got worries at home at work or while driving? Diffuse them with this very nice USB-powered, portable Geek Tek® essential oils diffuser/humidifier, which holds a little under 8 oz of water, can glow in (7) different LED colors (shifting or steady) and offers (2) mist modes (steady and intermittent). Put a little fragrance or essential oil into it, for that special spa atmosphere you love so much. Don’t say you don’t. Not interested in fancy scents? Just use it as a personal/desk/car humidifier and breath easy. Measures 5-1/2" tall x almost 2-3/4" dia w/a 3-foot cord. Comes with a filter stick, plus a spare. Should draw about 400mA with the LEDs on, and will mist a little over an oz per hour. Spillproof, too!

Nope--we thought it was a theodolite-- a surveying instrument for measuring angles in horizontal and vertical planes, but it seems we missed the mark. With the help of a knowledgeable Surpie, we’re reasonably sure this olive drab apparatus is an artillery sight for a Chinese howitzer. (See, even we don’t know everything.) Measures approx 7-1/2" x 5" x 4" with a plethora of moving parts: optical head that pivots up and down; focal knob calibrated from 0 to -90 and +10 to + 80; horizontal and vertical adjustments with a locking lever; and a 1-5/8" dia ball with a 1/2" hole in the bottom for a mount. Weighs in at over 5 lbs. The paint is chipping, but you would too at this age.

From the Lava Lamp folks, here’s a mini version of their iconic lamp, but instead of being an actual lamp it’s a 7-1/2” tall plastic container the holds approx 4 oz of “Diamond Slime,” which is clear with glittery sparkles in it. You don’t see that every day, huh? They call it their “most sparkly slime yet!” Ages 3+. Even if you’re not into playing with slime, you could this as a fun decoration.

Or your new extremely cute little retro AM/FM radio. In cream with blue accents, it runs on (3) “AA”s, included, and has an on/off/vol knob, band-select switch, and rotary tuning knob, like radios used to and still should have. Measures 6" across x 4-1/2" tall with an integrated handle. The instructions tell you it has a suction cup on the bottom, but don’t believe everything you read.

Have a blast at the family picnic or your next traffic jam -- or when boating, coaching the soccer team, or calling the kids for dinner. This lightweight megaphone is only 8-1/2" long, with a 5-1/2" dia horn and a fold-down handle, but its 5-watt power output lets you project up to 165 yards. Volume control, on/off switch, voice/siren option, hi-impact ABS body that's shock and weather resistant. Use the nylon strap to hang it from your wrist or around your neck. Uses (4) "C" batteries (not included).

The boys in the back room called this IZoom Pro™ flashlight ludicrously bright, and they’re usually right. Rated at 300, 1200, and 2500 lumens with a strobe setting, light is through a reticular COB LED element with an adjustable focus lens. Takes (6) “AA” batteries, and they’re included. Measures 7” long x 1-1/2” dia in black aluminum alloy body. Has up to a 4-hour life, depending on the beam strength you use.

Just like your own, but in rubber instead of bone. Our super realistic, anatomically correct skeletal hand and foot models are great for a medical office, anatomy lab, art studio, Halloween party, or just to add a little orthopizzazz to your living room all year long. You choose the right hand and wrist, 8” long on a 4-1/4” square base with a detailed diagram of dorsal and plantar views; or the equally detailed right foot and ankle, also 8” long on a square base with the same views diagrammed. From United Scientific Supplies, Inc. Ages 10+.

It’s always hot somewhere. Stay cool with a hyper-evaporative towel. In a sports-jersey-ish fabric, you wet it and wear it--around your neck or head--and the evaporative quality keeps you cool. Measures 40” x 12” in a flattering blue, and comes in a plastic bottle with a carabiner-like clip on top so you can wet it and hang it on your belt until you heat up.