For some reason, we can’t stop looking at awesometools.com. Don’t assume this is a good thing; Whenever we visit the site, we feel kinda like we’re rubbernecking at a traffic accident. Their latest offering is the ThumbSaver — a device that holds a nail for you so you can’t accidentally whack your thumb.
This one set off our BS alarm, so we thought we’d post it and see if any of you have any experience with these. They’re essentially pieces of bent wire that you stick through the wall for use as picture hangers.
We can’t help but strongly doubt infomercial host Billy Mays’ claim that these pieces of bent wire’ll hold up to 150 lbs.
C’mon — throw us a bone and save us the trouble of spending $15 to order a set just to satisfy our curiosity. Have you — or someone you know — tried ‘em?
Hercules Hook [Informercial]
We saw this when we were at Lowe’s picking up some materials:
We just received the latest circular from Harbor Freight, and (as usual) it’s a hoot.
We generally look for three things in these mailers: the loss leader (the item that’s way underpriced — even in Harbor Freight terms — that’ll be gone in the first 10 seconds after the mailer hits), the interesting deals (tools you might buy just to use-and-abuse or tools so cheap you could take them apart for parts), and the what-the-hell-is-this-doing-in-a-tool-flyer tools.
Read on for some great entertainment courtesy of HF.
The Handle Saver claims to be your answer to your mis-swing blues. The concept here is to compensate for all the times that you over-shoot your mark when swinging a hammer, breaking the hammer or delivering shock force to your arm.
The Handle Saver is basically a large rubber collar that slides right under the head onto most standard hand tool handles. Theoretically, the rubber will absorb the impact shock and possibly a broken handle. We haven’t yet seen one of these in person, but it looks to us more like the rubber will use the force of the swing and pop the tool back at the user and/or in an unknown direction possibly causing other damage.
Our first thought was perhaps a few practice sessions might help your swing more than a bit of rubber. Of course, if you’re looking for this kind of thing, it can be had for around $5 plus shipping through the Awesome Tools website. And hey, if you have one of these and think we’re out in left field on this one, let us know.
The Handle Saver [AwesomeTools]
We received the latest Harbor Freight catalog in the mail today, and we were surprised to find a couple of items therein that we didn’t imagine would show up even at the good ‘ole HF:
From page 11, the Smiling Frog Solar Light
This solar powered light will make a charming addition to your water or plant garden. Warm amber colored light eminates from the belly of the frog. $9.99
From page 14, the Ranch-Style Mini Windmill
Add a touch of notalgia to your yard with this 55″ ranch style windmill. Easy to assemble. The spinning wheel creates a focal point and tells you which way the wind is blowing. $15.99
So, if you’re one of those sad, sad, focal-point-less-yard-having people or your water garden is dark in that way that can only be remedied by a glowing frog belly, you won’t want to miss this opportunity to pick up these items while they’re on half-price sale. Seriously, who could resist a windmill that looks like it was built from plans drawn by Spinal Tap? And that frog would be perfect to replace the one your aunt sent you that “ribbits” every time you walk by. What ever happened to that thing anyway?
Of course, if you’ve got $2.99 left over, there’s always the electronic fly swatter on page 1.
For the Father who thinks he already has all the tools there are: level cufflinks. We ran across this these today and couldn’t pass up telling you about them.
Yes, they’re indeed real working levels. The ones pictured at right feature green fluid in a rhodium plated silver setting. These particular cufflinks are available with green or blue liquid, but a variety of different finishes and colors are available. They even offer round (center) levels.
From Cufflinks.com, they’re $45 + shipping.
Working Level Cufflinks [Cufflinks.com]
Always out in front of the field, Victorinox (better known as Swiss Army) has fashioned a usb key drive into one of their famous knives. The SwissMemory 1Gb is exactly what it sounds like: a pen knife cabable of storing 1 Gb worth of digital data and still providing:
Windows 98 Drivers for the unit are available on the SwissArmy site, but considering the SwissMemory 1 Gb rolls in at $197, you might be better off just buying a Windows 98 machine to keep wherever you’re going. At least at that price you’ll probably be the only person you know with one of these knives.
SwissMemory 1Gb [Swiss Army.com]
Update: Yeah, we know — two multi-knife articles in a row. We just saw this one and couldn’t pass up dropping it on the site. We promise we’re not becoming “Knifemonger.” Really.
The concept of a “multi-function folding ladder” sounds great. There are a couple of them on the market, and the ads make it look like the ultimate way to get at that 16′ light in the family room while still folding up for easy storage.
We have on occasion used these aluminum digit crushers, and we can offer this advice: pass on it. Really.
It’s not that the multi-folding ladder is a bad idea; it’s that the locks are difficult to operate. When released, more often than not, they bring the other side slamming together with a loud click, signifying the lock re-engaging. It can be more than a little frustrating.
Don’t say we didn’t warn you.
As Seen on TV Products brings us “the world’s first one-handed automatic hammer” – the Auto Hammer. It’s a modified carpenter’s hammer with a hollow plastic handle and magnetic nail loading system near the head. At the push of a button, the Auto Hammer loads a nail into position. You then deliver the first swing to set the nail, and finish the job like any other hammer.
Truthfully, we see this as another solution in search of a problem. It’s pretty easy to hold a nail with your other hand, and if you really need that other hand, couldn’t you use a small nail gun?
We could think of better ways to spend $16.95 on a hammer.
Auto Hammer [As seen on TV]
This is not a new product by any means, having made the rounds on the infomercial circuit and the web over the last few years. The first reaction to this product is generally a hardy snort and a channel change.
Then one of our friends purchases one and claims it is a miracle of modern science.
Well, after seeing one work and trying to remove several dents out of the rear panels of a 2003 Hyundai Elantra, we have this to say (after the jump).
The Dual-Drill is literally two drills in one! disturbing.
It has all those features you’d find in other drill/drivers , plus the (freaky)
“…revolutionary precision engineered dual chuck heads and patented flip-action motion. Do twice the work in half the time with this one patented cordless twin drill and drive system. Simply load one chuck with your drill bit and the other with a screw bit. Switch back and forth with the touch of a button.”
There’s a list of features a mile long that describe the features of pretty much every drill available — except for that revolutionary scary patented flip-action motion. This sure sounds to us like a solution looking for a problem. Of course, if you disagree, feel free to comment below (or drop us a line).
Dual-Drill [Asseenontvnetwork.com]
www.flickr.com
|
One Beer Projects: Repairing Wood Surfaces
One Beer Projects: Fixing Simple Problems With Your Dryer
One Beer Projects: Winterizing/Storing Your Bike
One Beer Projects: De-Badging Your Truck
One Beer Projects: Staining Your Fence
One Beer Projects: Doing Your Own Brakes
One Beer Projects: Balancing Your A/C For The Summer
One Beer Projects: Installing A Dimmer Switch
