Plunk your phone down on this 5” x 3” x 1-1/2” “Blasting Brick” rechargeable induction speaker, and it will be induced to amplify your tunes. Might be science, might be magic, but it puts out mighty good vibrations. In a rubber case that looks like a stereo tuner circa 1968. Includes a USB charging cable, and a headphone cable. We'll pick one for you in creamsicle orange or indigo. Gives you something to look forward to.

Polyresin death's head stash box. Comes in assorted designs and colors, and the office deadhead boogied on over and snatched one right up. Measures 3-1/2” x 4-1/2” x approx 1-3/4” deep. Has a substantial heft at just under a pound, and the rubber-gasketed seal on the lid ought to keep your gummy bears nice and fresh.

This one measures 5" x 4" x 2" (4-1/2" x 3-1/2" 1-1/4" inside) in heavy plastic, and is weatherproof with a pair of gutsy 1" dia, 20-lb pull magnets on top. Hide keys, cash, the title to the Maserati or whatever stash you're stashing inside, and stick it on any ferrous surface for safe-keeping. Has (3) removable dividers on the long axis inside. Manufacturer says it's air-tight and will keep regular or 100mm cigarettes fresh, but your significant other is going to catch you anyway, ace.

In 1958, Buddy Holly came out of radios like these. This retro version of the first transistor radios measures 4-1/4" x 2-1/2" x 1" in dark blue with a wire handle that doubles as an antenna. AM works better than the FM, but who listened to FM in 1958? Plenty loud (guaranteed to not fade away) with classic thumb-wheel tuning and volume. You add a pair of “AAA” batteries. To make things even more like 1958, carry the radio in your shirt pocket.

Much more fashion-forward than those helmets, these NASA caps are the ones astronauts wear for the annual softball game against the cosmonauts, or to walk their dogs on the space station. In black, it's made of 100% brushed cotton twill, low-profile and adjustable. The front panel is reinforced with buckram to give it structure. The familiar NASA “worm” logo is stitched in white on the front. Classic.

These satin-finish zipper bags have a vinyl interior and measure 20” long x 10” tall x 4” wide when you open the gusset on the bottom. Sort of the proportions of a giant pencil holder. Made for some specific purpose that nobody has shared with us, but think giant clutch bags, travel organizers, dressy briefcases or cash deposit bags to impress your bank. We'll pick one in red, black, lime green or royal blue.

These professional executive portfolio covers for presentations will hold up to (50) sheets each. In black vinyl with a silver-gray binding, they have (2) interior pockets plus a transparent business-card slot. No amateur executives need apply.

Share tunes and movies with your significant other, or your insignificant other—your others are your business. Plug this 3.5mm headphone splitter into the jack on your chosen device, plug (2) headphone sets into the female ports on the splitter and listen your ears off. On a 7” long cord, the splitter comes in black, red, white or blue, and one of them will match your eyes, dog, car, hair or soul. So, we'll just pick (1) for you.

Metal Earth® Kits are not for cowards or the clumsy. Clip the shiny steel parts from their matrix and assemble them with a tweezers. No glue or anything else is necessary, but a steady hand is required. Finished pieces will be approx 3-1/2” tall. For ages 14+. You pick the Japanese Toyotomi Armor, Chinese Ming Armor or the European Knights' Armor.

From X-Acto®, the folks who make the precision arts & craft knives, the "Bulldog" is an old-school crank pencil sharpener with a translucent blue, green or red case so you can keep tabs on your shavings and watch the menacing teeth grind away. Unit is roughly 5" tall x 4" wide (including crank handle) x 3” deep. The square rubber pad on the bottom provides suction when the side lever is pulled. Works best on a flat surface, but you knew that.

From the world of Metal Earth® Kits, the domain of the sure-handed, comes this museum-quality 3D steel Star Wars™ model of an Imperial Shuttle. Clip the shiny steel parts from their matrix and assemble them with a tweezers—no glue, solder, or anything else but a steady hand required. Finished piece will be approx 4” tall. For ages 14+ on account of they’re toughies to assemble, but worth the effort.

There are plain ol’ planers and there’s the 42000 Planer from Tolsen Tools. This hand-held wood planer has a carefully sharpened, adjustable blade that can be used for soft or hard wood. Also has an anti-slip comfort PVC grip and a strong, plastic adjustment knob. Blade is 1-3/4” wide, and the whole shebang measures a compact 9-1/4” long. Store it in the sturdy cardboard box it comes in. Tolsen means quality, which sounds like an ad slogan, but it’s true.

Our new single-groove drive pulley measures 5-1/2” OD. Has a 1-1/8” bore with a 1/4” keyway not drilled for a set screw. Made for belt type A (1/2”). The length through the bore is 1-7/8” and the hub is offset 1/2”. Shipping weight is 2 lbs. Now all you need is something to drive.

It’s like an electronic version of the red safety triangles you see on horse-drawn carriages, but this one is for auto emergencies. The Versa Beam© Emergency Floodlight measures 8” x 7” with (3) bright-white light settings for (5) hours at 300 lumens and up to a max 700 lumens for (3) hours. Has (36) flashing (extremely) red LEDs, a kickstand and a non-slip, padded rubber body. Weatherproof, because it would be dumb not to be.

You say your Humvee® won't fit through the woods? Cut down some trees with this Humvee® Adventure Gear pocket chain saw. Also good for just sawing up some campfire wood. Has big T-handles and (65) vicious, carbon steel, 1/2” wide chain-saw-worthy teeth. Measures 27” long. Comes in a black nylon pouch so you won't cut yourself.

Yes, TV watchers, Flo, the Progressive Insurance Spokesgeek who's become America's heartthrob is now a model—a model kit, that is—with her own little speedboat that’s made, like Flo, of plastic building bricks. This (19)-piece kit lets you put Flo and her boat back together again. And yes, our little model has that interesting hairdo, and sunglasses, too. Includes decals.

Regular customers will recognize that phrase from our emails, but in this case it refers to refill scrolls of crossword puzzles for the Roll-A-Puzzle system, which you don't have and neither do we. We do have scissors, however, and so do you—but if you need a new pair, we’ve got those, too. Scissors ready, just take these 4” wide rolls of a dozen puzzles, roll 'em out, cut 'em up, tape 'em to a piece of paper and Bob's your uncle. (You're all set in London—13 letters.) Our each is a box of 4 scrolls/rolls for a total of (48) puzzles with themes from fashion to Shakespeare. Don't peak at the answers on the bottom. If you do own the system, btw, we'll be picking a set from their volume 9, 10, 11, or 12.

Everything from Tolsen Tools is solid, and that includes this 8" long end cutting pincer tool with 1-3/16" jaws. It’s made of chrome vanadium steel, and you should get one for that reason alone. Not to mention the soft and grippy rubber-coated handles. Damn, we love quality tools.

This plastic medicine dosage cup is nearly transparent and measures 1-9/16” tall x 2-1/8” dia at the top tapering to a 1-5/8” dia bottom. Marked on the side for 1, 2, 3 and 4 tablespoons, and 15, 30, 45, and 60ml. Max measures are just below the lip. Non-medical folks might note that 4 tablespoons equal two ounces.

This white plastic General Electric charging station plugs into a standard grounded AC outlet and has (2) USB ports plus (2) grounded AC outlets. The top has an offset lip so you can rest a smartphone on it while it's charging. Rated for 125V at 15A max. UL.

And slice tomatoes, not your fingers. From Best® gloves, these D-Flex cut-resistant kitchen gloves are white with a rubber-coated palm. You pick the right hand glove in medium (ignore the surplus-driver “Extra Small” markings), or the left hand version in size L/XL. Both are approx 4-1/4” across while the right glove is 9-1/2” long fingertip to wrist, and the left glove is 9-3/4” long.

Yes, there’s a scientific explanation, but we prefer to think this magnetizing/demagnetizing tool relies on magic. Stick a screwdriver head in the bottom, it’s magnetized. Stick it in the top, it’s demagnetized. Fun for the whole family. Measures 2” square x 1-1/4” with stair-step ports for blades of different sizes. Never drop a screw again.

Pack more vacuous, because vacuum packing isn't just for coffee, it's for saving storage space for anything soft and squooshable. We suggest this incredible 6-piece variety pack of vacuum-seal storage bags, into which you can stuff pillows and blankets and sweaters and overcoats and stuffed monkeys and any number of other things, then suck out all the air with the enclosed hand pump and watch it shrink by 80% so you can slide it under your bed and forget about it for mold and moth-free years. (OK, it's not a pump, because it sucks, so call it a handy little sucker.) You get 2 small bags 24" x 16", 2 medium bags 28" x 20" and 2 jumbo bags 32" x 24". Also dandy for travel because the little sucker doesn't take up much space, so you can shrink your return laundry too--and keep it hermetically sealed. For faster sucking, use a vacuum cleaner!

When temperatures dip, we’re reminded of the only phrase we can still remember from freshman Latin class: semper ubi sub ubi. Literally, that’s: always where under where, and damn if we can remember the word for “long” because we just got a whole Roman empire’s worth of long-sleeve thermal tops in all the popular sizes—you know, waffle shirts—to fend off the harshness of winter. They’re 65/35 cotton/poly, so expect some shrinkage and plan accordingly. Pat is a size large so he buys X-large. In all your favorite colors, aka. chocolate brown.

It is now officially time to put all those pictures you've been meaning put into sleeves into sleeves. Don't make us tell you again. You pick: black plastic sleeves at 8-5/8" X 7-3/8" with (17) binder holes, made to hold (4) photos up to 4-1/8" x 6-1/4" back to back; or white plastic photo sleeves, 6-1/4" X 4-7/8" with (12) binder slots, made to hold (2) photos up to 4-1/8" x 6-1/8" back to back.

It will be if you buy this bright-as-a-Phi-Beta-Kappa COB LED 3W flashlight, with a bonus red laser. Measures a mere 4-3/4" x 1-1/8" dia and comes with (3) “AAA” batteries inside, where they belong. In a knurled aluminum body of a color that we’ll pick for you (gray, black, red or blue) because who cares what color a flashlight is. (Note: flashlight and pointer can't be on at the same time.)

We just got a fantastic deal on the real deal Energizer ® batteries. Each is a pack of (6) “AA” or “AAA” for smoke detectors, game controllers, thermostats, flashlights, radios, tv remotes, wireless devices and need we go on? You won’t see brand new name-brand batteries this cheap at the corner drugstore. These are a real treat so get them while they last. Expiration date on our sample sales 12/2029.

The manufacturer calls this a SWAT Survival Kit and it’s a wonder of emergency compactness at 4” x 6” x 2-1/2”. Tucked inside the heavy-duty black plastic case is a bright LED flashlight, multifunction leatherguyish tool, survival compass, whistle, emergency foil blanket, credit-card size multitool with (10) functions, flint fire starter and steel wire saw. Flashlight is powered by (3) "AAA" batteries (not included).

The world’s not going back to inches, at least not under most car hoods. This (12)-piece chrome vanadium 3/8” drive socket set includes metric sockets at 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19, 22 and 24mm, plus a 6” extension arm and a ratchet with a 7-1/2” handle with a spring release.

Small for a TV but perfect for keeping the bacon grease from spattering all over your kitchen, and for straining pasta over the sink. Cineastes will recall seeing Jack Lemmon using a tennis racket for just this purpose in The Apartment, but we think those holes are too big. Our proper strainer measures 13” dia in finely woven and reinforced stainless-steel mesh. Get a pair so you can always play a little post-prandial kitchen badminton.

From Helix®, this 18" long aluminum U.S. Standard triangular architects' ruler/scale has color-coded facings and is divided into 3. 1-1/2, 1, 3/4, 3/8, 3/16, 3/32, 1/2, 1/4 and 1/8 inch per foot. Yes, you can use it even if you're not an architect.

This Lighthouse H2O filtering water pitcher is BPA-free, holds 3-2/3 quarts (that’s 3-1/2 liters) and measures approx 11-1/2” tall x 10-1/3” deep x 5-7/8” wide. Filters out solids, heavy metals, pesticides, toxins and chlorine, and then alkalizes the water to a healthy 8.5-10 pH with a pure, silky taste. Includes (2) 6-stage, screw-in filter cartridges with replacement indicators. On the Web, this pitcher sells for 30% more. Just sayin’.

We won't say magic, what with Science being our middle name, but these cut-resistant, composite-yarn technology gloves are pretty mystifying. In cobalt blue or bright white, our each is either a pair or single glove (see description above), and since you only wear one on your non-slicing hand it's a great deal.  Lengths are from wrist to middle fingertip. They're not puncture-proof, of course, so no stabbing please, but Barb, our Director of Accounting & High-Speed Fish Gutting, was unable to slice into them. Made in the USA by Best®.

You know those occasions that are important but not quite important enough to bring out the good china? Here’s your solution—our pack of (40) Alpha & Sigma square plastic dinner plates, which are so elegant you might never go back to the real thing again. You’ll get (20) each at 10-3/4” and 8” square, and they’ll claim to be single-use, but all you have to do is wash and stack them and they’ll be ready for your next soiree. Way better than paper plates, obviously, and of course they’re BPA-free. They’ve also got that indentation thing in the middle, so stuff won’t roll out, because your guests aren’t always as sophisticated as your affairs.

Small enough to fit into the belt-mounted black canvas carrying case (4-3/8" x 3" x 1" thick), but they open up to be plenty big for most binocular needs. These 10X25 binocs have glare-reducing coated lenses, a thin neck-strap, adjustable focus, water-resistant and easy-to-hold rubber skin, rubber eyecups and fine-tuning for the right eye.

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+.

Looking to upgrade and build a more advanced robot with more programming options? Try the Tobbie II!   https://www.sciplus.com/tobbie-ii-diy-coding-robot-kit-65185-p

Our each is a package of (2) steel tech rulers. One is 6” x 1/32” for the first 2-1/2” then 1/64” for the next 1/2” then 1/16” for the last 3”. The other is 150mm x 0.5mm. Both have sliding markers/pocket clips, and both have mm:inch tables on the reverse side. You’ll need excellent eyesight.

And easy to store. One of the better pick-up tools we've seen. Folds to just over 16" to store, but locks open at 30" with spring steel arms on an aluminum frame. It has soft, suction-cup-shaped grabbers and big, locking pistol grip. Pretty good gripping capacity too-maybe to 10 lbs or so. Get one for Mom, because at her age she can't reach the things she used to. And then get another one for yourself, because you'll be Mom's age before you know it.

For traveling surgeons? Veterinarians? Dunno, but this is a small, retractable utility knife with a pointed, #11 scalpel blade inside. Measures 4-1/4" long with a plastic handle when retracted. Looks to us to be great for crafting, hobbying and pretty much any fine cutting. Made in England, and they ain’t talking.

Nice, new 6-volt lantern batteries from Ultralast®, labeled for the international market. Standard 2-5/8" square x 3-3/16" high, standard spring tabs on top. Advanced Heavy-Duty the label says. We'll price it to save you a world of dollars, pesos and francs, Pat says.