FastCap’s Handle on Demand and Double HOD are single and double suction cup handles that you can use in a variety of ways.

FastCap designed these handles to make it easier to lift and carry non-porous surfaces. Think sheets of glass, plastic, metal, coated plywood, and maybe even smooth-surfaced furniture. Each suction cup offers about 100-lbs of load capacity.

I sometimes need to move tool and supply cabinets around on rollers, but don’t want to install permanent protruding fixtures on most of the units. The double handle looks to be perfect for the job, and for $11 it’s an inexpensive risk if I’m wrong.

I’ve seen these handles used in random other ways, such as mounting points for clamp-on camera arms and such. Maybe FastCap will pick up on this and get creative with the next version of the HOD.

Buy Now(via Amazon)
Single Cup Version

Last June I visited the Craftsman Experience in Chicago to teach a workshop, and noticed quite a few Craftsman tools used in unconventional ways. No, there weren’t any Craftsman tool box speaker systems, at least not yet, but there was a ratcheting toilet paper holder.

And yes, the ratchet was still at least semi-functional. I did not try to remove it from its socket, but  it did rotate with ease. There were a number of other Craftsman products in the bathroom, most notably a wall cabinet and various slat-wall-style VersaTrak panels and accessories.

We’ve seen DIYers use wrenches as drawer pulls, but it doesn’t look like many have experimented with ratchets. What else do you suppose can be built with a working (or damaged) ratchet?

You probably have a bottle opener at home, one in your multi-tool, and maybe even a one on your keychain. But can your bottle opener tear the cap off your beer like an animal? The Yeti Tarpon Beverage Entry Tool features a twist-off wrench, church key opener, and a can tab pryer.

The Yeti BET is made from forged stainless steel and is priced at $6.99 plus $0.50 shipping.

Buy Now(via Yeti)

Due to its size, the Yeti bottle opener is probably better suited for stashing in a cooler than your pocket.

The Green Leaf Wonder Winder is a hand-cranked extension cord winder and basket. It mounts to the wall, and accommodates 75-feet of 12/3 gauge cord, 100-feet of 14/3 gauge cord, or 150-feet of 16/3 gauge cord.

Once you set things up, all you need to do is pull out as much cord as you need for a project. When you’re done and ready to stow the cord, press the rewind lever and use the hand-crank to draw the extension cord back into the hanging basket.

While we’ve never used this ourselves, we’ve seen the Wonder Winder pop up in catalogs and shops everywhere, usually with gushing reviews. The extension cord winder is currently priced at less than $20.

Buy Now(via Amazon)

Have any of you tried out the Wonder Winder?

Victorinox has just announced a new line of USB 3.0 SSD Swiss Army Knives. Their flash USB thumb drives have been on the market for some time now, and must have been selling well for Victorinox to take things a step further.

These new SSDs are USB 3.0, USB 2.0 and eSATA compatible. The new drives will be available in 64GB, 128GB, 256GB and 1TB capacity sizes, with read speeds up to 220MB/s and write speeds up to 150MB/s.

Each SSD module features a bi-stable LCD graphic display, 96x48px monochrome, that displays drive contents and available capacity. The display remains on even when the SSD drive is unplugged from a computer.

The SSD modules will be bundled with two knife bodies – one features a blade, scissors, nail file and key ring, the other is bladeless. A Victorinox security and utility suite is pre-installed to the drives.

Price estimates are not yet available, but there are rumors of $450 for the smallest 64GB model and greater than $2000 for the 1TB model.

More Info via Victorinox (PDF)

Earlier this morning Make posted details about a recent Craftsman Experience project, where Artpentry’s Floyd Davis hacks a Craftsman tool box into a stylish Gentleman’s boombox. While it’s not uncommon to see DIYers build computers, speakers and other tech devices into tool boxes, this is one of the best looking examples we’ve ever seen.

The Craftsman Experience project is based around a Craftsman 4-drawer tool chest, but there are many other tool box brands, styles and models to choose from. The project video is about 19-minutes long, and is as entertaining as it is informative.

Hard-shell power tool cases might also make for reasonably good alternatives to heavier and bulkier metal tool boxes. Although they might not be rigid enough to house larger speakers (and might not sound too good), they should work quite well for mini computers and DIY gadgets.

We love these kinds of projects! If you’ve ever built something out of a tool box, we’d love a story and some pics! C’mon and flood our inbox with awesomeness.

If you’re not familiar with MakerBot or what a 3D printer is, check out this intro to 3D printing video. In a nutshell, 3D printers are CNC-like machines with additive plastic extruders that lay down threads of molten material in a pattern to create layered 3D objects.

MakerBot has become the name in consumer 3D printers, and they just announced their new machine, the Replicator. Described as the ultimate personal 3D printer, the Replicator has a new larger footprint – 300 cubic inches, about the size of a loaf of bread. There is also a dual extruder option that allows you to print in 2-colors at the same time.

MakerBot Replicator with 3D-Printed Samples

The price tag on the Replicator is a bit high – $1750 for the base model and $2000 for the dual-extruder model. The previous premium model, the Thing-o-Matic, is priced at $1100. Before the Cupcake model was discontinued, it dropped below $500.

The extruder works with a 1.75mm filament diameter, and can be used with ABS, PLA and other similar materials.

So what can you make with a 3D printer? Take a look at the samples in the above image, and then check out the library of user-submitted models at Thingiverse to find out.

MakerBot Replicator via MakerBot

Check out these tool drawer organizers, designed and made by Jason, also known as 98TJ over at the Garage Journal forum. A brain injury in 2008 left Jason with memory problems, forcing him to develop better tool organizational habits.

While there are commercial tool control systems available, they are often costly and don’t adapt well to change. Jason’s holders, on the other hand, are affordable and easy to make. They also look to be modular and adaptable.

Jason shared with us a few of the tips and tricks he used to build these holders, which we will discuss in a how-to later this week.

More details via the Garage Journal forum

We LOVE seeing DIY organizers and storage setups like this! If anyone else wants to share their setups with us, you know how to reach us.

All photos were taken and are owned by Jason/98TJ.

The Brewzer, by PocketToolX, is more than just a bottle opener. It’s a pry bar, a flat head screwdriver, 1/4″ hex wrench/bit driver, and oxygen wrench. That curved notch at the tip – that’s for ripping through cardboard and packaging tape.

Brewzers are made in the USA from high-grade heat-treated stainless steel. Pricing is at $12 plus shipping.

Buy Now(via Amazon)

The Gerber Shard (preview) is a reasonable lower-priced alternative.

I have largely moved from alkaline AA batteries to Eneloop rechargeables for flashlights, photo equipment, and AA-powered diagnostic tools. But carrying around AA batteries can be a hassle, especially when travelling. I used to have a small box that fit 4-8 batteries rather nicely, but was lost it a few of months ago.

After ordering a couple of PowerPax battery holder caddies earlier this month, I won’t use anything else!

PowerPax offers several styles and sizes to hold AA, AAA, CR123, C, D, and 9V batteries. I ordered two SlimLine 4xAA caddies and a single 12-pack caddy, and will order more as needed.

The CR123 and AAA caddies also look to be great to carry spare cells for my higher power and more compact LED flashlights. I only wish that PowerPax also made 2xAAA and 2xCR123 holders so I could just carry just what I might need to save on space.

Batteries can fit into PowerPax caddies in either direction, allowing for easier differentiation between fresh and depleted batteries. Multiple color options are also available, and can help users separate batteries by chemistry, charge level or capacity.

More info or purchase via Amazon

Update: It looks like Amazon is selling these caddies for $1-2 less (each) than what I paid buying them elsewhere, and they’re eligible for free Prime or super saver shipping!

PowerPax manufacturers these cases in the USA.

Buy now (via Amazon)

Thanks to my wife for the tip!

We just found out that the hugely popular Nebo Redline LED flashlight is now available with a tactical black finish (model 5610). Not that there’s anything wrong with the original’s gunmetal-silver finish, but we think that many flashlight users and enthusiasts will prefer the look of this version.

Like the silver-handled Redline, the new black version features an anodized aircraft-aluminum housing, 220 lumen max output, 110 lumen mid-level output, and 22 lumen low output modes, SOS and defensive strobe settings, and flood to spot beam focusing. It’s 4.5″ long and 1.5″ wide, and is powered off of 3 AAA batteries.

You can buy it from Amazon, or if you’re not picky about flashlight color, you may find a better deal on the original (model 5557). More info via Nebo.

One more interesting piece of information – we’ve learned that the Redline is powered by a Cree XRE Power LED.

Back in June, I had the opportunity to try out Dewalt’s new DWS780 12″ sliding miter saw, an impressively nice saw (more on that later). What really stood out and amazed me was its integrated XPS (crosscut positioning system) work light module, which performed far better than any miter saw laser system I have ever seen.

Dewalt’s integrated XPS work light is not an entirely new concept, as an add-on XPS module first appeared a couple of years ago, and this was my first time seeing it in action.

Let’s talk about lasers

Some miter saws feature built-in laser systems, and for those that don’t you can often purchase an add-on accessory. Lasers must be perfectly calibrated, or else their line positions may be off, throwing off your cut accuracy. Laser line width is also often fixed, and may not match up with the thickness of your saw blade.

How does the XPS system work?

In a nutshell, the XPS module projects LED light along both sides of the blade, forming a shadow of the blade on the workpiece. As the saw blade is lowered towards the workpiece, the width of the shadow sharpens, darkens, and closely matches the thickness of the saw blade’s kerf.

Right Before Cut

Position your cut-line to the laser-like shadow, and you will have perfect alignment every time. Changing to or from a thin-kerf blade? No problem, the width of the shadow is created by the saw blade, so the shadow will thin or thicken accordingly.

Cut In-Progress

Whoever it was that came up with this design definitely deserves recognition. I imagine that a bit of trial and error and design engineering went into developing this feature, but the underlining concept is beautifully simple.

During our brief time with the saw, it was clearly evident that the XPS work light feature can help users make very accurate cuts with minimal effort.

Dewalt DWS780 Miter Saw via Amazon (with built-in XPS module)
Add-on Dewalt XPS Module (compatible with several Dewalt miter saws)

Added note: In the comments below, Joel brings up a good point – how effective will this be outdoors in harsh sunlight? Will the LEDs and shadows be completely washed out? I have looked into the matter, and was told that some users rotate their saw stands until they are in position to block some of the incident sunlight with their bodies.

A couple of more photos:

Closeup of shadow across wider workpiece

3D printers are gaining popularity these days as the technology matures. Often compared to fictional Star Trek “replicators”, 3D printers can spit out functional parts made from ABS or other materials. A new milestone has been achieved where small tools were printed in near zero-gravity conditions.

According to a recent article, Made in Space, a 3D printing company, successfully carried out proof of concept tests in near-zero-gravity. During several high-altitude partial gravity simulation flights with NASA, Made in Space printed off scaled-down wrenches.

3D printing has been on the rise in recent years, in both industry and among hobbyists. Printed wrenches aren’t anything new – I remember receiving a rapid prototype ABS adjustable wrench about 6 years ago, maybe even earlier. But the manufacturing technology is advancing with great momentum, and it won’t be long before the gap between amateur and professional machines closes further.

And… here’s another recent tool-themed remake made for the Equal PayDay coalition. Warning – this cannot be unwatched!

In case this doesn’t strike your fancy, here’s a Craftsman tool music video in quite the literal sense.