News, reviews and articles about products that help you make and fix things.
The blink(1) is a small USB LED status light that plugs into your PC, Mac, Linux or even Raspberry Pi device and can be set up to flash a certain color and pattern when something happens that you need to know about. That “something” is entirely up to you. For example: Do you want to know […]
blink(1) is a USB LED status light that can alert you to almost anything Read More
Do it yourselfers, handy men and women and just about anyone who needs to measure and mark something will want to check out the PencilMan tape measure from Smith Works Tools. The PencilMan is a 25 foot metal ruler that features an easy to use thumb activated tape brake lever, a belt clip and best
Tape measure + pencil = PencilMan Read More
A couple of days ago I took us on a trip down gadget memory lane when I remembered the Ronco Buttoneer button fastener from the 1970’s. Today Luis Reyes left a comment that there’s a new button fastener in town and it’s called Tic. Designed in Sweden, Tic lets you permanently fasten shirt buttons without using
Is Tic the future of button fasteners? Read More
Tragedy struck this morning when the button fell off my pants and I’ve been walking around all day hitching my pants up every so often just because I’m too lazy to go searching for a needle and thread. The situation caused me to remember a gadget from my childhood – the Ronco Buttoneer. Does anyone else remember this
Gadget memories – Ronco Buttoneer Read More
We just found an inexpensive bike for our daughter to take with her to college, and now we begin the expensive task of collecting all the things she’ll need to keep it on the road. I’ve been trying to find items for a tool kit that she can carry in her backpack, and of course
Fix a flat tire on your bike without even removing the tire Read More
I was at work the other day (Cummins, Inc), when someone walked up to my desk to ask for some help with his laptop. As I was talking to him, he happened to notice the Nexus 7 in the Zagg Auto-fit keyboard case next to me on my desk. He asked me which laptop it was
Julie’s gadget diary – Nexus 7 powered car mods Read More
The Kano computer kit was successfully funded on Kickstarter in December 2013 – and when I say “successfully”, I mean it got more than 15X its $100,000 funding goal. Kano will be shipping in July, and the company is now taking pre-orders for those of us who didn’t get in on the Kickstarter campaign. The
A build-your-own-computer kit for kids ages 8 – 81 Read More
I’ve had the same “Brand B” big-name label maker for nearly 15 years. Why would I need another one? Sure, my old one is heavy, hard-to-read, and often frustrating to use… Okay, maybe it’s time to give the Epson LabelWorks Safety Kit a look.
Epson LabelWorks Safety Kit review Read More
Some of these handy-looking Screw Grabbers would have saved a lot of swearing around these parts recently while we were assembling a butcher block cart and wire basket drawer sets for the closets. This Kickstarter project is seeking funding for a Screw Grabbers, which are “transparent rubber sleeves that slide onto screwdrivers to hold a
You’ll no longer need a third hand to keep hold of that &*%(^ screw Read More
Every once in a while I will get the time or motivation to work on some nagging project that I have been wanting to do for a while. Most of these projects are minor or really inconsequential, but they still bug me. So this weekend’s project was to fix my separating Apple iPad 2 cable
My weekend projects, or finding time to fix the little things Read More
This post brought to you by Makism. All opinions are 100% mine. If you own a computer, you most likely own an inkjet printer to go along with it. I can remember many years ago when I could only print documents at work because I didn’t have my own printer at home. They were just
Makism 3D announces Wideboy line of 3D printers Read More
I am a huge fan of the DIY/maker movement that has come up recently. Every year since 2010, my significant other and I enjoy going to Maker Faire in Queens, NY. It sparks my interest in what people create and hack, and gives me ideas of my own. There are many vendors that show off
Spikenzie Labs Solder:Time Desk Clock review Read More
I’ve seen chalkboard paint, but I’ve never seen dry-erase whiteboard paint before. With IdeaPaint, you can add a dry erase board to walls, tabletops, or other suitable surfaces using just a paint roller. (Professional installation is available, too, for the non-DIYers.) It’s available in the standard white, but it’s also available in black or in
Now you can have a dry-erase whiteboard anywhere if you have a paint roller Read More
I have a fascination with nixie tubes, or vacuum tubes that ThinkGeek calls the LEDs of the past. These tubes aren’t being manufactured any longer, but there are still some available that are being used to make Steampunk things like clocks and thermometers. You’ll need to know how to read schematics and how to solder
Build your own Steampunk thermometer Read More
Before deciding if you want – or need – the CMOY Headphone Amplifier, there is something any buyer should ask themselves: Why do you want one? Seriously, this is important, because many people will buy a headphone amp for all the wrong reasons. Consider this: If you want an amp to make your music louder and
CMOY Headphone Amplifier review Read More
This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Walmart. All opinions are 100% mine. You probably have a roll of that wide silver colored tape somewhere out in your garage.You know the stuff, that you have to start a tear with your teeth in order to rip off a strip. That type
Make your own school supply case with Duck Tape® Read More
Our family has been cable-less for a long time now. We cut the cord on cable TV years ago, and ninety percent of the time we are completely satisfied streaming our content from Amazon, Netflix, Hulu, or the affiliates themselves. But there are definitely those occasions when I wish I could watch sports events live
The Mohu Sky HDTV Antenna review Read More
A couple years ago I reviewed the Midori Traveler’s Notebook and commented that it was too expensive at $60 and that I could easily make one of my own for $20 or less. After I posted that review, I ended up buying all the supplies I needed to make my own covers. The next year
Even though I don’t own a 3D printer and I have never created a 3D model before, I know that I really want a Makerbot Digitizer. This has to be the coolest gadgets I’ve read about in a long time. Just place an object on the platform and the digitizer uses laser beams (Yes, frickin
Makerbot Digitizer – scan it and 3D print it, the future is here Read More
Ok kiddies, it’s time to put on your Martha Stewart apron and bust out some scissors, glue and construction paper so you can make this cool (and free) sound amplifying dock for your smartphone. Consider this as an upgrade to the DIY Styrofoam Cup Sound Amplifier idea that we brought you a few weeks ago.
If Martha Stewart was a gadgeteer, she’d make this Phono Horn for her iPhone Read More