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.)

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.

Hang this sucker on the outside of the garage, and read the temperature from the kichen window. If your garage is reasonably close. And it’s not dark outside. The 15–1/2” tall white–plastic alcohol thermometer has red fluid, good–sized black numbers, and clear markings from –30°C to 50°C and from –20°F to 120°F. An easy read.

Maybe a little eclectic for an artist with a single style, but perfect for one who's still searching for himself. Or for any hobbyist. There are no (2) brushes exactly alike in this set of (15). They all have natural bristles, color-coded wooden handles and metal ferrules, but they range from fairly fine to 1/2" wide, and 7" to 10" long. There are at least (3) different kinds of bristles, and they are round, blunt and pointed. A nice variety, and a very nice quality for this price.

Based on drawings from Da Vinci's Codex Atlanticus, this Pathfinders catapult kit uses a pair of bent wooden arms as springs to launch clay balls (included) over (4) meters at enemy fortifications (not included, go make your own enemies). The assembled model will be approx 9" tall on a 10" x 7-1/4" base. Made from pre-cut, untreated wood from sustainable forests, and built with pegs for added strength and verisimilitude. A 2013 Creative Child Magazine Top Toy of the Year Winner and a great resource for STEM activities. For ages 12 and up.

Or garage, or hallway--anywhere that’s wireless in the bad sense. CJ calls this “another retina scorcher” from iZoom® because of the brightness of the COB lights. Fixture measures 3" x 4" x 13/16" in white plastic with a big rocker switch that activates the 1” white COB LED in its center. Powered by (4) “AAA”s, included. Mounts via self-adhesive hook-and-loop pads or the pair of little disc magnets on the back.

These silicone hot pads double as trivets or oven mitts. Measure 7-1/8" dia x 3/16" thick with 1/4" honeycomb indentations to further dissipate heat, plus a 3/8” hole near the edge so you can hang them up. We’ll pick one in red, blue, green or orange, and you can redecorate your kitchen to match. They also double as the world’s safest frizbees.

This isn't a book, but it's definitely book-ish. Looks like a leather-bound volume from the Bodleian but it's just a little wooden box, approx 8-1/2" x 5" x 2" (7" x 3-7/8" x 1-5/8" inside) that's perfect for stashing the jewels, cash, or whatever you need to stash in plain sight on the shelves.

A lovely mini-funnel, made for pouring Dad's special medicine into a hip flask, but just dandy for filling salt and pepper shakers or anything else with a little yap. Stainless steel with a 1-3/8" ID intake mouth and a 5/16" ID outlet. 1-7/8" tall OA.

It's a 10-tool Swissesque military survival knife, but without those red plastic handles to break and fall off. Includes stainless steel 2-1/2" knife blade, flathead driver/bottle opener, saw blade, scissors, can opener, fish scaler/nail set, corkscrew, Phillips driver, awl, nail file and the needle-like thing for making buckskin clothes in case you're lost for years. Has a split ring to hang your keys from.

Lovely to look at, delightful to make jewelry out of. Our (25) piece set of polished gemstones includes: amethyst; howlite; tiger eye; hematite; amazonite; carnelian; sodalite; turqurenite; plain and rose quartz; rhodonite; unakite; snowflake obsidian; orange calcite; lemon jade; four varieties of jasper (serpentine; red, brecciated, picture and blue dalmation); and more. All approx 5/8" across.

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.

Four fine funnels, a fantastic fare. Sturdy plastic, the biggest is 4-1/8" dia at the mouth, with a 1/2" dia spout, the smallest has a 1-7/8" dia mouth, 1/4" spout. The other (2) are in between. Frankly, it's freaky fun flowing fluids from four funnels!

And more. This accessory kit for smart phones (works with iPhone, Samsung, HTC, iPad, tablets and many others) has a 2” long clip-on bracket with screw-in macro, wide-angle and fish-eye lenses. Paul loves his kit and he’s our optics expert. Use the macro for insects, coins and diamonds. Fish-eye and wide-angle for great visual effects. Includes a little pouch to carry it all in, and tiny lens caps.

Note: Two lenses come threaded together to conserve space. 

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. 

Diamond files never wear out, hardly, unless you file diamonds with them. This 10-piece set of diamond files has an assortment of wedges, flats, points and triangle files, all 6” long overall and up 5/16” wide. If you can’t find the one you need here, you probably shouldn’t file the thing in the first place.

Our common red or green pointer too blasé for you? Make your point violetly with one of these rare violet laser pointers. Its non-slip black rubberized case with silver accents is 6-1/8” long x 7/16”dia, with a momentary switch and a pocket clip. Includes the (2) “AAA” batteries you’ll need. You’re welcome.

This microfiber duster starts out 11” long and the telescoping 4-draw handle extends to over 2 feet, if you count the headful of 1” long wiggly dust-busting fingers on top. Can you say recessed lighting? Ceiling fan? We’ll select one for you in a flattering purple, lime green, pink or light blue. Would also make a can’t-miss baton for a high-school band director.