Ten furlongs are condensed to (7) inches, with very small horses, in the Desktop Derby, a 6-horse straight track that lets you win money while you teach the children the evils of pari-mutuel betting. The electric track pulsates and moves the nags along at a pace of about 45 seconds per race, with heart-stopping lead changes. The best part is that they're un-handicapable: a different horse, in a different lane, seems to win every time. Measures 9-7/8" x 3-1/2" x 2" high and runs off (2) "AA" batteries, included. (Stable the horses in the base between races.)

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!!! Mystery boxes of stuff like what you see in the catalog. Maybe we had a little left but not enough to continue the listing. Maybe we only got a few as part of an odd lot. Maybe we lost some, and just found them in the warehouse. You will get items which originally listed for at least $25.00 total in our catalog (or would have, if we had enough). You pick. The “electro-mechanical” box has things like motors, switches, hardware and components that are useful parts but want to be worked into something bigger. The “consumer” box has more ready-to-go type items, and things that don’t have as technical a flavor, like bottles, toys, books, and giant rubber bands. The fun is in the mystery and surprise. Perfect if you don’t know what to give Aunt Maude and Uncle Ned, or if you can’t decide how to bring your order up to the minimum. Every couple of months the contents will keep changing, so even if you have gotten a box before, feel free to order again! (Please note: Ordering multiple boxes at the same time will result in duplicate items.)

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.

Let's cut to the chase here -- buy these the first time you read this, or they're going to be gone! There aren't that many of these flexible chopping mats, and the versatile 15" x 12" x 0.024" thick mats are not only ideal for small kitchens where every inch counts, they're great for any kitchen, and for cookouts, camping and picnics. Our each is a set of (2) of the translucent Euro-look mats that protect countertops from sharp knives and fresh-from-the-oven cookies, and protect food from outdoor surfaces. They can be lifted and slightly folded to funnel chopped food neatly into a pot. They're dishwasher safe, and roll up for portage or storage.

Hook these on the zipper pulls on your jackets and you'll never be in the dark again. Tiny LED lights measure 1" x 9/16" in a 5/16" thick oblong, and come on a 7/8" long lanyard clip. We'll pick some that will go with your eyes, in blue, green, black or red. Include little button cell batteries that can be replaced if you're the sort of person who does that.

Bring back the '70s for nine bucks. Screw this red-green-blue LED prismatic, rotating bulb into any standard medium-base light socket and your room turns into disco heaven. Bulb will stand about 5" above or below the socket. Draws approx 6W. CJ recommends any Donna Summer album for use with it. Please note that the remote depicted on the packaging is not included.

Direct from our faithful hospital supply suppliers--handy dandy (and brand new) tubs for storing, sorting, scrubbing, or schlepping toys, mittens, craft supplies, chicken feed, whatever. In yellow/gold pretty-much-indestructible #5 plastic, each is approx 13" x 10" x 5" deep. (Some might be a tad smaller). They have lips and rounded ends, nest when not in use, and are graduated inside from 2 to 6 quarts.

We know you need accent lights, and we know you hate paying electricians. So…grab this 7-3/8” long x 1-1/8” x 1/2” silver iZoom® light bar, peel the back off the magnetic strip it comes with and stick it up anywhere. Has (10) LEDs and is rated for 200 lumens behind a frosted white lens. Has a motion and light sensor, so it only accents stuff in low light when it senses movement, which saves on the (4) “AAA” batteries it comes with. Lights for a 3-minute duty cycle.

Freeze-dried Neapolitan ice cream, it says on the foil package, just like the astronauts got if they ate all of their freeze-dried peas. Not frozen, of course, or even chilled, but you get one yummy pack, ready to eat, just under half an ounce, which is more than you'd think. 

This 4" wide plastic bulldog clip has serrated jaws to hang on tight, and a light fridge-strength magnet on the back. We’ll pick five (5) from our selection of gray, light blue or bluish-greenish-blue clips adorned with assorted misprints. You can ignore the words. You can also ignore the magnet and just use them to reseal your nacho chips, which makes them chip clips.

Call it a gonzo version of our best work-light, this 4-5/8" x 2-1/4" x 1" cigarette-pack-size light has (60) white LEDs in a 3" x 1-1/2" window with a bright mode and a way brighter mode that would blind a turkey vulture, plus (4) more for a standard flashlight mode. Includes a flip-out easel, hook and a disc magnet. Comes with (3) "AAA"s.

These big, 4" long steel safety pins are practically jewelry in their own right. You get a 5-pack in assorted colors--gold, black, metallic pink, blue, green or others. Perfect for closing buttonless sweaters and tops or securing scarves in fascinating configurations.

The manufacturer calls it the Quik Fix Zipper but they obviously don't pay a copywriter to create dumb puns. So...it's the Zip-a-dee-doo-dad, a set of (3) replacement zipper tabs/sliders in graduated sizes (#3, #5, and #7) that come apart so you can slip then onto a zipper and tighten them with a little thumbscrew. Handy for busted jackets and sleeping bags. Even handier for pants. Removeable and re-usable.

Works on all of them except the ones stuck to your eyeballs. Corrosion-Be-Gone is a gel made to remove the schmutz from all types of battery terminals, circuit boards and contacts, on everything from cars to computer boards. Our each is a 0.3 oz jar.

One of our all-time favorite items, back in neon colors. These surprisingly sturdy fly-swatters have plastic grip-handles, mesh heads and extendability. Measure 10-1/4” long when compressed, but pull the 4-draw handle and they extend to a fly-smacking 28”. Yours will be bright yellow, lime green, fuchsia or orange, but they’re all attractive, and the flies won’t care.

Looks like a cheap kid-sized tennis racket, but brother, this ain't for the kids. It's actually a fine way for adults to work on their upper-body strength and kill bugs at the same time. 18" long, with a 6" wide paddle lined with metal grid. A coil in the handle sends high voltage through the paddle when a button is pushed, hit a bug with it and the bug will bug you no more. We've seen these in other catalogs for about twice the price, so buy it from us.  2 AA batteries, not included.

Who doesn’t? Try this set of (5) low-profile white, red, green and blue LED accent light pucks. Measure approx 2-3/4” dia x 1” deep, they’re powered by (3) “AAA” batteries each, included and you’re welcome. Turn them on manually to switch between colors, or use the wireless remote. Also has bright or dim white settings, 4- and 8-hour cycles, and (12) color permutations for your color morphing pleasure. Remote includes a replaceable coin-cell battery and has a 15-foot range. Lights come with foam tape for mounting.

Just ask him where he got his bag. Probably here. This sturdy messenger bag in olive drab nylon measures 13” x 10” x approx 5” with a deep pocket, little pocket, long pocket, snapped pocket, clips for keys, straps for an umbrella, and a padded strap. On the smaller side for messengers, it’s perfect for students, commuters, travelers and anyone who carries a bunch of stuff. (Mr. Mom alert: nothing looks less like a diaper bag.) Manufacturer suggests a price of $44.95, but phooey on them, we say.