TOOLS/HARDWARE

We have to say, we’d love to see someone make a Red Fusion movie, or a Red Fusion soft drink. Until then, we’ll keep on loving this red Fusion Pro silicone tape. It’s water-retardant, self-fusing, 1” wide x 10 feet long. The pros use it for repairs and insulation because it stretches, sticks to itself and keeps water out—three things you often want in a roll of tape. The red color is just a bonus.

Got an inadequate hose? Nothing to be ashamed of. We’ve been there. Well, some people we know have. This little pressure-washer gizmo might do the trick when you’re cleaning up your Benz. Connects to a standard hose to create a powerful jet spray. Measures 18” long and has a 12” flex extension with a double-sided soap dispenser. Also comes with a car wash mitt and a towel. Pays for itself after a single wash.

Teensy tiny brushes for cleaning teensy tiny tubes, airbrushes, spray guns, tattoo equipment, nozzles, etc. Think miniature bottle brushes. You get a set of (5) brushes: 1/32", 1/16", 3/32", 1/8" and 3/16" dia. All have nylon bristles, are 4" long, and are on a slip ring so you won't lose them.

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.

These compact scissors from Tolsen Tools are technically Electrician’s Scissors, designed for the telecom and electrical applications. That means cutting through your stuff is a snap. Scissors are 5-1/2” long overall, and their 2" long stainless steel blades are serrated to grip cables and wires. But a copywriter just used them to slice through thick cardboard like it was butter. Big, round finger grips are comfortable, too. These scissors are a joy to scissor.

Our each is a set of (4) removable sink strainers with stainless steel mesh wells and flat rims. The set includes (1) 4-1/2" dia for 2-1/4" drains, (1) 2-3/4" dia for 1-1/8" drains, and (2) 2" dia for 3/4" drains.

..my sweet engravable you. Safeguard your stuff with this little battery-powered engraving pen. The 1/16” dia head vibrates to let you inscribe your ID on stuff  that might otherwise wander off. Surprisingly effective for a lightweight tool. Measures approx 6” long x 1” dia and works on metal, wood, glass, plastic, leather and more. Runs on (2) included “AA” batteries.

If your beads need reaming, nothing reams beads like diamond-coated bead reamers. This quartet includes a 5" tapered tip, 3-1/2" conical tip, a3-1/2" cylinder with a conical tip and a 4" pointed tip, all with color-coded plastic handles, and all ready to meet your most sophisticated bead-reaming needs.

This pocket-sized mini-flashlight has (9) 405nm ultraviolet LEDs and myriad uses, from checking U.S. currency to working the door at your ultra-hip downtown clubs, spotting radiator and transmission fluid leaks, mineral identification, and (yes, it's true) locating lost scorpions in the dark. Measures approx 3-3/4" long x 1-1/8" dia with knurled sections so you won't lose your grip, and a wrist strap in case you do. You supply (3) "AAA" batteries and the scorpions.

Paul went out to the warehouse and almost picked up a pallet jack with this monster 2” square 100-lb pull retrieving magnet from Magnet Source®. Painted red it stands 2-3/4” high with a 1” dia (5/8” ID) eyebolt screwed and bolted into the top, and has welded steel construction to protect and focus the ceramic magnets inside. Includes (2) magnetic shields that you remove before use. Attach a rope or chain to the eyebolt to retrieve or hang heavy items, or use to hold/position hoses or wiring temporarily. Also good for plucking stuff out of rivers and other waterways when the fish aren’t biting.

Not us, which is why we prefer this fast-drying Permatex® super glue. Ours comes in a 1-oz applicator bottle. Dries clear and will bond aluminum, acrylics, metal, plastic, vinyl, leather, rubber and more, including fingers, so try to be neat.

This 300 Lumen LED light is a mighty mite. Just under 4-1/2" long x 1" dia, you slide the sleeve and the beam zooms from a flood to a don't-stare-into-this focused spot. In black or gun metal anodized aluminum, it's weatherproof and shockproof with a latching button switch and a pocket clip. Depress the button halfway when it's on and it goes into a rapid-flash mode for emergency signaling. Visible for 275 meters. Five hour life with the included 1-"AA" battery and a 110K+ hour bulb life.

And it’s cute. Just 4-3/8" long with a pocket clip, it looks like a pen but it has (8) driver bits stored in the barrel. The 5/32” hex bits include slotted 2mm, 3mm, Phillips #1, #2  and torque T5, T6, T7 and T8. We’ll pick one in red, black or blue, because who cares? In assorted colors of red, blue or black. 

Jewelers have the best looking tools. This ultra-slim knife is 4-1/2" long OA, with a flat metal handle that comes in assorted colors (our choice). The short, broad blade is honed to fit into the slit in a watch case and pop the back off easily. It doesn't fold into itself, but does come in a protective vinyl sleeve for storage. Blade is made of 440 Stainless Steel and is very sharp.

A really small guy who lives....Whoops! Wrong Chuck. This one is a drill or rotary tool chuck with a 1/8" shank and fits bit sizes #60-#80 to facilitate handling tools with truly small shanks. Very handy in the modeling and electronics worlds.

And we do mean micro. Sizes #61 to #80 (yes, that is twenty different bits) which are from 0.013 to 0.038 inches diameter!! The big boys sell a set of similar bits (carbon steel, like ours) for about $30.00!! Maybe theirs aren't from China.

Hang it all with this set of (10) magnetic hooks. The 1-3/16" long x 9/64" hooks screw into 1-3/8" dia magnetic bases with an approx 8-lb pull, which is heavier than most jackets and keys. Good for horizontal or vertical mounts, and dandy for adding hooks to gym or school lockers.

And then give us a little tweeze, and a couple more for luck. Our 4-piece stainless steel tweezer set includes: 4-5/8" long bent tweezers; 4-1/2” fine point; 4-5/8” cross-locks; and 4-1/4” blunt-tip stamp tweezers with 1/4” wide tips for you philatelists.