This kit takes creativity to a new level—and weaves in focus and logic to boot. The task? Take the supplies and tools included in the Crayola® Marker Design Studio, follow some precise instructions and create your very own custom-color markers. Use the kit’s mixing guide or bring to life the colors of your imagination. Either way, you’ll end up with (8) hand-made markers when you’re done. Kit includes tweezers and marker-snapping tool to ensure the marker-making fingers stay clean. Also includes special marker tips: one side to make multiple lines and the other for a solid, thick line. Comes with a snazzy, colorful carrying case, too. Built-in sharpener not included (because these are markers, not crayons). For ages 8+.

From the Slinky® brand, this kit, Our Amazing Bridges®, is for budding engineers, model-makers and pretty much anyone who’s curious about anything, because, let’s be honest, bridges are everywhere. Exactly how do those things work? You’ll know after you cast, assemble, construct and paint (3) bridges of your own. Suspension, arch and truss–they’re all here. You’ll come away not only with some cool models, but also with new knowledge about the construction of the real-life bridges you’ll soon be riding and walking across. Kit includes a landscape, many bridge pieces, plaster, sandpaper, wooden sticks, glue, paints, a paintbrush, nylon thread and an instruction guide. For ages 8 and up—and that includes you.

These 10" Tolsen Tools chrome-moly beauties are aviation snips, right-cutters with a compound action and 1-1/2” long fine saw-tooth cutting blades. Will cut up to 1.5mm cold-rolled steel, 1.8mm aluminum, or 1.0mm stainless steel. Coated handles and a blade lock. Our Whs manager John, uses them around the shop to cut steel banding cable on pallets. If they’re Tolsen, you know they’re tough.

Imagine a chromed plastic thingy, 4" x 3-1/2" x 2" with stubby round ends specifically made for “full-body massage, headache relief, muscle tension, and sports injuries.” It’s our Nukkles® massager. You imagining it? Don’t nod off due to pure relaxation based on the description alone. You could also glue googly eyes on one and have a new pet. We’ll pick one in silver, green, aqua or purple.

Word Winder™ is the word game that leaves other word games at a loss for words. (There’s got be a word for that, but we love this game so much we’re speechless.) From legendary gamemaster David L. Hoyt, it's for (2) to (6) players and involves strategy, cunning, offense, defense and alliances, so you can show off your vocabulary without having to give up your innate nefarious duplicitousness. Can be played in two ways, which is, in a word, extra cool.

A famous woodworking apprentice carves out a living today making these puzzle boxes from recycled hardwoods. Pull the secret wooden pin and the critter opens up to reveal, well, an empty velveteen-lined box, but it's just waiting for you to put your treasured jewelry, ill-gotten cash, safety-deposit box key, or candy stash inside. You pick: the bear's head measures approx 5-3/4” x 3-3/4” x 2” with an interior compartment about the size of a deck of cards; and the gator’s cranium measures 5-5/8" x 3-3/4" x 2-1/4" with an inner sanctum approx 3” wide x 3-1/2” long x 3/4” deep. Click here for a short video.

These skinny, clear glass bottles hold (9) ounces and measure 7-1/2" x 2-3/16" with sloping shoulders and short necks. They come with a red plastic screw cap and remind us of what Kayo used to come in last century, when mothers still let kids drink chocolate milk.

Wax candles, no fire. Our each is a pack of (3) cream-colored candles, with shells made of actual wax, and flickering LEDs instead of wicks. Candles measure approx 3” dia and are tad under 4”, 5” and 6” tall. They have steady-on and 6-hour cycle modes, and you’ll need (3) “AAA” batteries for each, and you won’t burn the house down. (Also dandy for restaurateurs where open flames on tables are now illegal.)

This little (although we suppose that goes without saying) microswitch from Defond is rated for up to 6A at 125VAC or 3A at 250VAC, 1/3HP. The like-new takeout has both N/O and N/C contacts. Measures just under 13/16" x 7/16" x 1/4" with a 5/8" bat. UL.

White nylon web belts that were originally flag football belt straps. Nice as just a belt, though. Measure 1” wide x 44” long with a double-ring buckle. Good for strapping up pretty much anything, and can be worn after Labor Day.

You OK? We thought we heard something when you stood up just now. We feel your pain. And we know you’re trapped—exercising in place, and in pain. Try this wrap-around Optima Dual ROM (range of motion) knee brace, with lateral support and a polycentric hinge that adjusts for flexion and extension. One size fits most, and provides stability and support with a comfortable latex strap. Measures 12” for less bulk.

This is the sound and light show that could save your life! You either camp, boat, hike, cycle (bi or motor), or just generally drive a vehicle—trust us, we know—and this Alpha Outpost “SOL” Emergency Radio Kit With Lanterns is perfect for any of those things. “Sol” means “sun,” and the kit’s emergency radio can be charged by the fireball in the sky, via USB or via a good old-fashioned hand-crank for cloudy days when you forget your laptop. Also has (2) dual-function solar lanterns, a lens (in a pouch) for fire-starting, and an illustrated booklet that shows how everything works. You’ll also get a cool black and gold SOL patch for your jacket. With the SOL kit, you won’t be S.O.L. in an emergency. No emergency? No problem—just use the radio as normal and let the (2) lanterns light up your night.

If the Titanic had had this waterproof Titan Tape on board, Leonardo DiCaprio would be alive today. Our each is a 60" long roll of 4" wide flexible, rubberized tape with extremely strong adhesive. Works quickly and will stick to virtually anything, underwater and in myriad wet conditions. Think camping, basements, gutters, hoses, sports equipment and damp applications in general. Keep some in your basement, boat, garage and camper.

It's mini-utility time. The True Utility® set includes a heavy-duty locking knife (2-3/4' closed; 4-3/4” open) with an 1-3/4” blade, one-hand operation, belt clip, and key-ring hole. The mini flashlight is 2-3/4” long X 3/4” dia, throws (25) lumens of white LED light with a 2-hour run time, and has a removable spinning key clip. Runs on (3) LR4 button-cell batteries, included.

From Belgium, where they kept the gas mask and left us holding the bag. In olive drab canvas, with a shoulder strap, the pouch measures 11-1/2" tall x 5-1/2" square with a buckled top flap with leather-reinforced sides and (2) 8-1/2” deep pockets. Has (3) external C-rings, and the adjustable strap is approx 48” long with a lanyard clip.

In another life this would have kept the Cisco Kid dry and made riding on Diablo a lot comfier. For you, it's a hooded rain poncho with a built-in stadium seat cushion for when you can go to stadiums again. Our VP for measuring maximal glutei says fits best for folks 6-foot and under, but don't take personally, high-pockets. In black, which is always elegant and slimming in the rain.

Our test tube rack, in unfinished wood, measures 11-3/4" x 3-3/8" x 2-5/8" and will hold (8) tubes at least 75mm tall and up to 21mm in diameter. Also has (8) 60mm x 10mm drying rods, which means it could be repurposed to hang belts or ties.

For all your unmet faux zoological needs, look no further than this ample assortment of good-quality rubber critters. Hailing from the Insecta, Arachnida and Reptilia classes of the phylogenetic tree, this assortment includes grasshoppers, dragonflies, honeybees, rhinoceros beetles, scorpions, tarantulas, spiders, bearded dragons, iguana and water dragons. Whew. There are probably more, but that is all our resident naturalist has managed to classify so far. A nice bulk pack for classrooms, or for Halloween décor and costumes.

Our widest marker ever says “Read This!” with a 1-1/4” long x 3/8” wide flat tip. Black permanent ink, so you better best mean it. Measures 5-1/2” long with a 1-1/8” dia barrel and a 1-5/8” cap. Set it on edge and it makes the biggest, prettiest italic writing you've ever seen. From Elmer’s® and called the Colossal Board Mate, don't mistake it for a dry-erase.

That’s why they call it the Mad Dana Bandana, and it can be worn a bunch of different ways. A couple of the ways are a silly, we admit (it's a wrist-bandana!), but most are ultra-snazzy, especially the face mask style—because you shouldn't have to look frumpy to be safe. This one is sans fleece and is a lighter, silky material. In assorted colors. 

Zivko the Robot. Our best selling STEM kit ever! Just call her (or him--it’s unclear and we don’t like to ask) “Zivko” because “the Robot” is her last name. Using just a screwdriver and side cutters, you build Zivko from this 107-piece S.T.E.M. kit. Set the mode for “Follow Me” or “Explore,” and Zivko will, yes, track you, or evade obstacles, respectively, via an infrared sensor and micro-controller programming. Interactive LEDs and sounds abound. Measures approx 5" x 5-1/2" x 6-1/2" when assembled with all (6) legs. You add (4) “AA”s for power, which is the least you can do for someone this cute. Ages 10+.

More artistic than using a router, and much, much less work than carving with chisels: wood-burning is back. Practice your skills with our 20W wood-burning pen set. Easily details and decorates wood, leather and cork. (Also butter if you're very, very quick.) Includes a safety stand, (2) pointed tips, and (2) wedge-shaped tips. For the extra-creative, our set of nibs for the pen adds another (28) points, including a hot plastic and foam cutter, (10) soldering tips, (15) varied wood-burning nibs in assorted shapes and points, and both number and alphabet stencils.

The only hose you'll ever need! The incredible expanding Xhose has made its way from your favorite TV commercial to our warehouse. In a lovely darkish blue, it’s approx 25 feet long, but expands to 3 times that length, to 75 feet, when it feels water coursing through it. Rolls up to a minuscule 18" dia. Save space, reach farther. Has standard sized reinforced hose fittings, plus a shut-off valve. Durable, easy to use and easier to store because it’ll fit in a bucket. Connect two or more together and you’ll be able to water the flowers in your neighbor’s yard! But don't borrow it to them, they might not bring it back.

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.

You should put buying new batteries in your calendar. These “AA” alkaline batteries, GP Ultra Plus+ brand, are marked as lasting until 2/24. You’ll get (4) packs of (2) batteries, which is (8) total, and yes, we know you just did that math in your head.

Shibusa Studio has miniaturized the business of table-top photography, which we do a lot of, and you should too, don’t you think? Their folding plastic photo booths have a 4-1/4” dia hole in the tops with an attached cover, (2) COB LED light strips powered via USB port or wall adapter that you supply. (We like these). Also have black and white foam backdrops, and fit into black canvas zippered carrying cases. You pick: the small studio measuring approx 11” cubed when assembled; or the large studio, 15-5/8” cubed when assembled. For 3-D photos, add the motorized white plastic photo-booth turntable. Measures 7-3/4" dia x 2-1/4" tall, and will spin approx 5 rpm when plugged in via the 5-foot USB cord. Rated to hold up to 11 lbs.

Imagine a chromed plastic thingy, 4" x 3-1/2" x 2" with stubby round ends specifically made for “full-body massage, headache relief, muscle tension, and sports injuries.” It’s our Nukkles® massager. You imagining it? Don’t nod off due to pure relaxation based on the description alone. You could also glue googly eyes on one and have a new pet. We’ll pick one in silver, green, aqua or purple.

These little flip-top cardboard boxes measure approx 4 x 2 x 1" and inside you’ll find a 150-sheet notepad at 3" x 2", an unsharpened 3” pencil and a gum eraser. Fuzzy critterness factor: the boxes have a safari theme, with a gorilla, panda, hippo, giraffe, tiger and elephant, all with velour fuzziness in the appropriate critter places. We’ll pick (2) different ones for you.

And move that data with these 3-foot USB to micro-USB charge and data cables. Wires are cased in heavy-duty braided nylon for prevention of kinks and fraying. We’ll select one in red, green, white, blue or black, guaranteed to either complement or contrast with your phone.

If the question is whether to tie a bunch of these giant latex professional weather balloons to a lawn chair, the answer is no. (The balloon bursts at about 82,000 feet anyway.) This is a true high altitude weather balloon, with plenty of fun, nonfatal uses. The cream-colored latex balloon is approx 40" dia when flaccid, you should pardon the expression, but has an 8-foot dia when inflated. The neck is 9" long x 1" dia. Scientists and meteorologists launch balloons to measure atmospheric conditions like wind speed and air pressure for weather forecasting, but clever inventors, teachers and the imaginative filmmaker are warned to launch the balloon carefully. The synthetic rubber material is delicate and not made to survive brushes with pavement, pine branches, or clumsy physics students. Red not available and only available in egg shell/cream color only.

Into soldering? Want to get into it? Either way, this Velleman® 60W electronic temperature-control soldering station is for you. Has a ceramic heating-element with a range of 392 to 896 degrees Fahrenheit, a sensor and heater-fail notification and an LED display with a digital temperature scale (Celsius or Fahrenheit). Low-voltage iron draws 24VAC. Measures 8" x 5.25" x 3.75" and is UL listed.

It’s faux hurricane season here in Chicago, and time to break out our faux hurricane lantern. Regardless of the season, though, it’s great as an accent light in any room, back yard or camper. Stands approx 10” tall x 5” wide, in steel with an antiquey copper finish. Has a carrying/hanging handle, and a push-button turns on both a 25-lumen flickering LED flame and an 80-lumen bright-white LED. Comes with (4) “AA” batteries.

A big double-deck pack of card-playing fun. You’ll get a 112-card deck to play the original UNO card game, including (3) dry-erase cards for making your own house rules and a “shuffle hands” rule to reset the game; and a 108-card DOS game deck, with (4) wild cards and somewhat different rules. UNO is for 2-10 players; DOS is for 2-4 players. Both are for ages 7+.

Prick tiny bits of gunk from nasty places with these U.S. made hardened stainless steel dental tools. But please don't use them for dental work. They are slight seconds, and some may have been re-worked which only matters to teeth. Trim excess glue from models, place a barrel on the deck of the ship-in-a-bottle, clean a rasp. If you need the strength and durability in a tiny pick, you need these tools. We have an assortment of the sort you've seen laid out on your dentist's tray. We'll pick (3) different ones for you.

You could put photos in these clear acrylic standing easel frames, or you could use them as place cards, or you could have photo-place cards and nobody would have to read to find their seat. You get a dozen little standing frames, 6" tall x 4" wide, at a very nice price.

Fully licensed by the Discovery Channel™, these polyresin sharks are 6” long and bounce on little springs above their 3” round coral-reefish bases. Put one on the floor and make guests jump it, or add a little double stick tape and have a dashboard shark. We’ll pick a great white or hammerhead for you because of our superb ichthyological taste.

This Firelight & Framework Pocket Tool Set from True Utility is a multitool and flashlight you can take anywhere. The pocket multitool has pliers, wire cutters, (3) drivers (flat and Phillips), a knife, saw, can and bottle opener, file and awl in one tool; and the keychain flashlight has a 20-lumen LED light with waterproof lid and believe it or not a working flint wheel lighter. Both can also hold keys. Each tool measures about 4” long x 1” deep. In brushed alloy casing. Includes (3) button-cell batteries for the flashlight. You’ll need these tools someday, trust us.

Surpies rejoice! This might be our deal of the year. We recently acquired a bonanza of high-quality reading glasses (not cheapie five & dime store readers) in soooo many styles and colors, with magnification ranges of 1.00-1.75 and 2.00-3.00. Some are sunglasses, some have spring hinges, some have a case, and all originally sold for $10 to $30 each. So get this: we’ll send you (5) of them for less than $15. We promise you’ll get (5) different frame styles and at least (2) different magnifications. But remember: the styles vary wildly, from classic to eye-catching. With that in mind, remember: you get what you get, without throwing a fit. Isn’t surplus wonderful!

High tech comes to Am Sci & Surp!! It is here in the form of a Peltier junction, a thermo-electric device that translates electric power into heat, and perversely, into cool. Apply current at 15VDC to the gizmos and they extract thermal energy from one face, thereby cooling it. The heat is dumped onto the other face, thereby heating it. Please note: you must use a heat sink on the hot side or the junction will fry itself, since it can quickly create a 65° C temperature differential in a no load situation. Stack two, or build a cascade to increase the thermal differential created. Or run it backwards. Apply heat or cold to the relevant face and produce a current. Amazing for science projects and experiments. Practical for coffee warmers, beer coolers and mini-refrigerator or warming oven applications. They come with a datasheet. Large is 1-9/16" sq. x 3/16" thick and draws 6A and small is 1-1/4" sq. x 3/16" thick and draws 3A.

Da Mare could use this to point out cracks in the infrastructure at Wrigley Field. You, having a forgiving nature, will resist the urge to point out cracks in da mayor's infrastructure. You will, of course, use it to point out chimney cracks to the tuck-pointer, a cracked limb to the tree-trimmer, and the crack in your profit picture during a slide presentation. You can do all that and much, much more with the bright light from this 5mW green laser pointer. It's an unbelievable tool. If you need a laser pointer that seems to go on forever and is so strong that you can actually see the beam in the dark, it will be the best low-cost investment you ever made. Or the coolest high-end toy. The 532nm Class IIIa light is 5-5/8" long x 1/2" dia, with (2) "AAA" batteries (not included), a momentary-on switch, pocket clip. (Sorry case not included). An absolute necessity for construction, surveying, warehousing, inspection and other large sites. And for playing in the dark.