Tools - The Gadgeteer

LOFTEK 10 Watts Rechargeable LED Floodlight review

By Dave Rees / October 6, 2014 / Reviews / Home and Kitchen, Lighting, Outdoor Gear, Tools / 8 Comments

I am the quintessential handyman…always building, repairing, and/or tearing out something. I started my first home improvement project nearly 25 years ago. Back in the day, there were limited battery operated tools and work typically involved dragging electrical cords everywhere you went. As battery technology improves and becomes much more cost effective, we find it powering devices/tools […]

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DualSaw Destroyer CS 650 review

By Larry Geisz / September 21, 2014 / Reviews / Home and Kitchen, Tools / 6 Comments

Although I am not a great handyman I get by. I know my circular saws from my reciprocating saws, my regular drill from my hammer drill, my sledge-hammer from my claw hammer. So when new ideas or technology comes on the market and we get a chance to review it I jump at the chance.

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Carry a chainsaw in your pocket

By Janet Cloninger / September 17, 2014 / News / Emergency preparedness, Outdoor Gear, Pocket Gear, Tools / 1 Comment

You’ll be ready to take down a tree at a moment’s notice with the Pocket Chainsaw in your gear kit. The chain has 124 bi-directional teeth, and it’s made of high strength, heat-treated steel – specially coated for rust resistance. It’s 28″ long, and it comes with hooks and handles; it all stores in a flat tin

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MudFighter tools declare war on muddy shoes

By Julie Strietelmeier / August 12, 2014 / News / Health and fitness, Outdoor Gear, Shoes, Tools / 5 Comments

The Mudfighter-series is a collection of tools that have been designed to help you remove mud and rocks from the soles / treads of your shoes. They are perfect for cross country runners, hikers, and even people that have dogs 😉 I could have used one of these tools several years ago when I had

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Tape measure + pencil = PencilMan

By Julie Strietelmeier / August 11, 2014 / News / Do-It-Yourself, Home and Kitchen, Tools / 2 Comments

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

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ReadyMax offers hand tools with built-in lights

By Julie Strietelmeier / August 10, 2014 / News / Home and Kitchen, Tools / 10 Comments

When you’re using a pair of pliers in a dimly lit area, a flashlight can be real handy. But holding a flashlight in one hand while using the pliers in the other hand can be both inconvenient and awkward. An alternative could be a hands-free head lamp, but then you still have use two devices instead

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You can even cook in this emergency preparedness kit

By Janet Cloninger / July 25, 2014 / News / Emergency preparedness, Gear, Outdoor Gear, Survival, Tools / 3 Comments

This survival kit is expensive, but it has 25 life-saving items inside a box that you can even use to cook in. The SOLKOA Survival Kit for Best Made is stored in an 18.75-cubic inch box machined from a single block of aircraft grade 6061 aluminum. The box can be used for cooking or for boiling drinking water.

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Add this protective, anti-static work surface to your tool kit

By Janet Cloninger / May 8, 2014 / News / Gear, Tools / Leave a Comment

Where do you work when you are working with expensive computer or camera equipment or musical instruments? When my husband is changing the strings on one of his guitars, he tries to avoid scratches by spreading out a towel on the dining table. When he works on a computer, he just takes his chances working at

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LinkSprinter is Fluke’s latest network testing tool that sends results to the cloud

By Julie Strietelmeier / March 14, 2014 / News / Gear, Network, Tools / Leave a Comment

If you’re a geek or nerd worth the salt in your bread, you’ve no doubt heard of Fluke. They make those easily recognizable yellow digital multimeters that I used to see on every workbench when I worked at Cummins Electronics back in the day. Their newest tool is a small network tester called the LinkSprinter 200.

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You’ll no longer need a third hand to keep hold of that &*%(^ screw

By Janet Cloninger / February 28, 2014 / News / Crowdfunded, Do-It-Yourself, Tools / Leave a Comment

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

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These wrenches shed light on your target

By Janet Cloninger / January 28, 2014 / News / Home and Kitchen, Tools / Leave a Comment

Here’s something you don’t see everyday – and you apparently won’t see much longer. Hammacher Schlemmer has a set of Rechargeable Illuminating Wrenches that have built-in LEDs that light up that dark area you need to work on under the car hood or under the sink. The lights are recessed in the cradle of the wrench,

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Measure that angle right the first time

By Janet Cloninger / October 15, 2013 / News / Gear, Tools / Leave a Comment

I’m sure this Digital Protractor would have been frowned on in my math classes, but it could certainly make your adult life easier. Whether you’re drawing a plan or marking the cut you’re about to make for a home improvement project, this product from ThinkGeek could make sure you get it right the first time.

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StatGear T3 Tactical Auto Rescue Tool review

By Larry Geisz / September 8, 2013 / Reviews / Emergency preparedness, Gear, Knives, Outdoor Gear, Pocket Gear, Tools / 1 Comment

StatGear T3 Tactical Triage Auto Rescue Tool 1

Having previously been in the public safety field for a number of years, I have come to realize how important a good knife can be when you are on the job. The problem with most knives is that they have a single functional; they are designed to cut. Yes, I have seen knives that have

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Dremel 4200 Rotary Tool review

By Liz Rodriguez / June 5, 2013 / Reviews / Do-It-Yourself, Tools / 6 Comments

I’ve always heard great things about the Dremel line of tools. They are known for their good build quality, and can be used for cutting, grinding, sanding, shaping, and etching various materials. I recently had the opportunity to review the Dremel 4200 High-Performance Rotary Tool with EZ Change, so let’s take a look at what is

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Weller SP25NUS LED-lit Soldering Iron review

By Andy Chen / May 18, 2013 / Reviews / Do-It-Yourself, Tools / 2 Comments

Like many hobbyists, I rely on a good soldering iron. I’ve been soldering since the 3rd grade, and I’ve had quite a few soldering irons over the years. I’m currently using a Weller soldering station that I’ve had over 20 years (still going strong), so when I had a chance to try a new Weller

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Your tool collection isn’t complete without the Craftsman Bottle Cap Wrench Bottle Opener

By Julie Strietelmeier / December 30, 2012 / News / Beverage, Home and Kitchen, Tools / Leave a Comment

You’ll be able to remove bottle caps with ease when you own the Sears Craftsman Bottle Cap Wrench Bottle Opener. This specialized wrench has the same look, quality and durability as your favorite Craftsman tools with the Craftsman name. It’s made in the USA and is priced at $14.99.

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Kaufmann Mercantile EDC Kit review

By Andy Jacobs / December 17, 2012 / Reviews / EDC, Keychain, Pocket Gear, Tools / 6 Comments

What do you EDC? EDC stands for everyday carry, and it consists of the items that you carry on your person every day, the things you can’t live without (or at least think you can’t). Many people do this without even consciously thinking about it, and most who do include at least one tool in

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PocketMonkey – Wallet multi-tool

By Julie Strietelmeier / December 16, 2012 / News / EDC, Pocket Gear, Tools, Wallets / Leave a Comment

PocketMonkey from Zootility Tools is a multi-tool that stores in your wallet. It’s made of 1 mm thick stainless steel, weighs an ounce and fits in a standard sized credit card slot in your wallet. PocketMonkey features 12 tools including: a smartphone stand, bottle opener, flat screwdriver, micro screwdriver, Phillips screwdriver, door latch slip, letter

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Black and Decker 4v MAX Gyro Screwdriver review

By Andy Chen / October 24, 2012 / Reviews / Do-It-Yourself, Home and Kitchen, Tools / 19 Comments

We all love power tools, but let’s be realistic: Unless your tools are part of your job or you’re a serious handyperson, most power tools are overkill. Yes, I’ve been guilty of using a $400 cordless uber-drill to tighten a cabinet hinge. But what’s this odd-ball, palm-sized thing? A Gyro? Isn’t that meat eaten inside

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Xuron 496 Split Ring Pliers – Tools you never knew existed

By Julie Strietelmeier / October 14, 2012 / News / Gear, Keychain, Tools / 6 Comments

Did you know there is a tool designed specifically for opening split rings? You know, the rings you use to hold your keys? I didn’t either till I read about it on one of my favorite sites: EDC Forums. The Xuron 496 Split Ring Plier will save you from pinched finger tips and broken nails.

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