TOOLS/HARDWARE

Not just hooking-and-looping anymore, Velcro® brand now makes adhesive for plastics. Our each is a 1-oz tube for porous and non-porous materials, including PVC, plastics, rubber and leather. Permanent and fast-drying, they say.

If you’ve maximized the value of your Dremel–type tool (1/8” shank) with a router attachment, we can offer you a great set of mini router bits. Our set of (10) comes in a nice wooden box with a hinged lid. It includes 1/8”, 3/16” and 1/4” straight bits; 3/16” and 1/4” points; concave, convex and straight edge bits; a 1/4” round–nose bit; and a 1/4” groove–cutting bit that is flat on the bottom and curved on the sides. Just enough to give you a little edge on other hobbyists.

Any way you want it. This cast aluminum wire jig for jewelry-making measures 4-3/8" x 1" x 5/8" with (4) 1” x 1/4” steel pegs, semi-circular and triangular bending points, slots at 3/32",1/8" and 3/16" wide, plus one with a small divot to one side. Includes mounting screws so you can stick it to your workbench. Not into jewelry? Bend your own fishing hooks, S-hooks and soft metal strips.  

These are, anyway. This 6-piece set of flattened diamond files are 8-1/2" long x 7/16" wide x 3/16" thick with 3-1/8" of 40-, 80-, 150-, 240-, 400-, and 600-grit embedded in the business ends. Grips are rubber-coated to protect your paws. Everybody’s got something that needs filing, and these will last a lifetime.

What is a killer rare earth magnet? Well, once upon a time, a copywriter put this little magnet next to his computer monitor and got really pretty, wavy, aurora-like effects. And then got a new monitor! Don't try this at home. Our shiny, silver-colored 1" x 1" x 3/8" neodymium magnet looks innocent, but is industrial strength, pulling something like 25 lbs with enough strength left over to erase all your credit cards. And wreak havoc with your monitor.

Our super soldering set comes with a 25W soldering iron with a 5/32" dia tip, approx (5) feet of de-soldering braid, de-soldering pump, iron holder and (5) feet of lead-free solder. A must have for any budding electronics kit builder. 

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.

This is the warranty-violator special, or just a MacGyvering guys toolbox. The black, 8” x 6” x 1-1/2” zipper pouch holds a rechargeable battery power pack with a USB output, which will power the little, quite gusty fan, the 5-LED flashlight, and the reversible torquey screwdriver with tiny Phillips, flathead, hex and square bits, each with a 4mm shank diameter. Battery will also charge cellphones and other devices.

Tactical sweet corn? Stop it—this anodized aluminum, dual-use red flashlight shines with a COB LED front light and a COB side light. Measures 6-1/2" x 1-1/2" dia. Can be used with the 250 lumen flashlight on, 200 lumen sidelight on, both on, or in emergency flashing/strobe mode. Bottom has a good magnet for hands-free work. You add a trio of “AAA” batteries.

This set of (6) tweezers is as useful as it looks daunting. The (6) stainless steel tweezers vary in size from 4-1/2" up to 7". Two of the tweezers have serrated tips one is inverse, one has a slide latch and the others are straight flat tip. The set comes in a clear front plastic carrying case. Good for model cars, planes or hard to reach splinters.

Who among us couldn’t, really? This helping hand has dual white LEDs under a 2-3/8" dia 2.75X lens with a 5/8" dia 7.5X window on a 6-1/2” long gooseneck. Below the lens is a 4-1/2" rod with alligator clips on ball/socket joints at each end. Stands on a 4" x 2-1/2" base with a soldering iron stand. You add (3) “AAA” batteries and a project.

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.

Look, Ma, one hand! These 10" Powerbuilt® wrenches have spring-loaded, self-adjusting jaws made to bite, hold and turn virtually anything--round, flat, hex or oddly shaped--that will fit. The jaws open to 2-3/8" apart and remain parallel. Designed so the jaws will generate 4X the clamping power of the ANSI pliers standard. Unlike you, its jaws have hardened steel teeth. Good to have a few in the garage, workshop and camper.

Stop wrapping duct tape around your vise, and protect delicate material the right way with this pair of hard-rubber, ribbed pads made to cover the jaws. The pads have (2) rare earth magnets embedded inside the rubber. Made for a 4" vise, they measure 4" long x 1-1/8" high x 3/8" thick with a lip along one long side. The rubber is 3/32" thick.

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.

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.

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.

Hydroponic scissors. Yeah, a first for us, too, but these Titanium-bonded, non-stick, precision-ground scissors are corrosion- and adhesion-resistant, with soft, flexible handles. Short, 1-3/4” long blades, like bonsai folks use, except these are made for people who grow Boston bibb lettuce without dirt. Paul the buyer assures us, however, that these scissors won't know or care if you use them to open bags of nacho chips.