We're liking this little plated N45 neodymium magnet because it will stand on end and stick out very prettily on the ice box. Measures 1" tall x 1/4" square with a hefty, for its size, 3-1/2 lb pull, 13,800 gauss. (Will also lie down on its side, of course, because everybody does.)

Rare earth magnets are usually killers for their size, and these thick nickel neodymium discs are no exception. The price, on the other hand, for (3) 7/16" dia x 1/4" 5-lb lift or (2) 15/32” dia x 3/16” 8-lb lift magnets each stored on a 2" dia steel disc, is a rare exception.

But how big? Our handy stainless steel ruler with built-in drill gauge measures 6” in 0.1” increments and 15cm in 1mm increments, plus it has a set of (13) drill gauges from 1/16” to 1/4” in 1/64” increments.

Precision metal saw of the type usually known as a razor saw. It has a 4-1/2" long x 1" deep blade with very fine teeth and reinforcing down the spine. Complete with plastic handle. Excellent for cutting small metal tubes and strips for hobby work.

You do have tubes, don’t you? This 10-piece set of wire brushes includes (5) each in brass and stainless steel, all 12” long, with 4” long bristle sections with 1/4”, 5/16”, 3/8”, 1/2” and 3/4” dia bristles. Loops on the end are for hanging above the bench where you do your tube cleaning.

You might know these as “diagonal cutters,” which is what electricians sometimes call them because “wire cutters” is too easy. These are 6" long, nickel-plated high-carbon steel with dipped handles so you don’t electrocutionate yourself.

We love these. You’ll get a pack of (8) double-ended swabs, like the cotton variety, but with sandpaper on the ends. Measure 1/4” dia with 5/8” long sanding tips on 6" plastic shafts  with 400- and 800-grit swabs. Great for hard-to-reach spots. We’re thinking hobbyists, crafters, model-makers, DIYers and anyone else with an eye for detail will wonder how they lived without these.

These non-fog not-really-welding goggles are just what you need to cap off your costume. Sure, the flip-up dark lenses are too dark to see through easily (that's why they have conventional clear plastic lenses underneath them), but leaving them flipped up just adds to your zany, adventurous, steampunk persona. Aesthetics include side vents and an adjustable elastic head strap. And the goggles accept standard 50mm replacement lenses, but if you think the party is going to be that rough, we suggest that it would be cheaper and easier to just buy a couple of pairs at this price-from-the-past.

Our smallest vise, and arguably our handiest around the house: call it the Jaws of Aluminum. Clamp this small table vise onto a surface up to 3/4" thick and let it be your third hand. The jaws are 1-1/2" wide and open to a maximum of 1-1/4".

Long nose, like Cyrano. Unlike Cyrano, these pliers measure 6" long in nickel-plated steel with mostly serrated jaws and a cutting edge near the pivot, where it ought to be. Handles are dipped in rubber to help prevent electrocution.

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.

A variety of shapes and ugliness, though no unbroken tips. Some single ended, some double. Super for all manner of hobbyism, except for do-it-yourself-dentistry. Excellent price in today's weakened dollar market. All stainless steel.

When you need to drill itsy-bitsy teeny-weeny little-bitty small holes, break out this 20-piece set of wire-gauge drills in diameters from .012" to .037". No, they won't work in a standard collet, but we'll send a micro-chuck with a 1/8" shank along with the drill set. We think of everything!

Sounds like an Olympic figure-skating move, the standing, self-closing reverse tweezer, but it's really a tweezer that's closed until you squeeze it. It also has a frame to hold it up off a work surface, so it doubles as a vice. Ours have wooden grips and measure 6-3/8" long with 2-7/8" serrated jaws and a 2" x 1-1/2" stand.  

You know how when you try to replace a watch band yourself and that little spring bar flies out and you can never find it in your retro shag carpeting? We’re here to help. First, get rid of that carpeting. Then get this set of multiple standard 1.5mm spring bars. You’ll get between 7 and 10 of each in a dozen sizes (100 pieces altogether) from 8mm to 19mm, plus a double-ended tool to help you swap them out in the first place.

These're pleasing tweezers, these are. They're clever cross-lock tweezers, 6" long with wood-grain grips and 1/2" long, serrated 90° jaws that grip tightly. The handy cross-locks will lay flat on their backs to hold stuff, like wires, while you solder.

Penciltype soldering iron imported from Taiwan. Overlook the charming instructions, it works just the way everyone does. 30 watt 110 volt, nice, serviceable unit.

"Screeeeeek! Screeeeeek! Screeeeeek!" Recognize that? It's the sound of someone sawing a styro-foamal block. It's followed by the sound of a vacuum sucking up hundreds of little foam shards. Free yourself from both with this clever electric hot-knife that slides through those chunks of craft foam like a straight razor through a ripe mango. Perfect for carving foam blocks into shapes - or smaller blocks. Measures 10" long OA with a 4-3/4" long, needle-like cutting wand, heats up to 410°F (so be careful), and makes screeeek-free and shardless cuts. Has a 7-foot cord, line switch, safety stand, and wall-outlet adapter.