About Benjamen

Benjamen Johnson grew up watching his dad work as a contractor and woodworker. He became an electrical engineer and took an interest in woodworking. Check out Ben's projects at Ben's Workshop or follow him on twitter or instagram.

An LED Light Bulb With its Own Battery Backup

Oct 23, 2018 Benjamen 18 Comments

A light bulb with it’s own built in battery backup — what’ll they think of next! Read More

Accessories, Lights

New Craftsman V60 Cordless Outdoor Power Tools Lineup

Oct 18, 2018 Benjamen 14 Comments

Craftsman recently announced a new line of V60 cordless outdoor power tools, including a string trimmer, blower, chainsaw, hedge trimmer, and 2 lawn mowers. Read More

Cordless, New Tools

Review: Dewalt Cordless Mower (2x20V)

Oct 17, 2018 Benjamen 49 Comments

Dewalt’s 2x20V mower is actually quite decent if you can get around the short battery life. Read More

Cordless, Tool Reviews

Quick Review: Milwaukee M12 Soldering Iron

Sep 18, 2018 Benjamen 18 Comments

A quick review of the Milwaukee M12 cordless soldering iron. Read More

Cordless, Tool Reviews

First Impressions: Dremel Digilab 3D45 3D Printer

Sep 13, 2018 Benjamen 10 Comments

Dremel loaned us a Digilab 3D45 “professional” 3D printer – here are my initial impressions. Read More

Digital Fabrication

Fastcap Flex Toolbag with Configurable Pockets

Sep 12, 2018 Benjamen 18 Comments

Fastcap’s Flex tool bag allows you to configure the placement, size, and number of pockets on the fly. Read More

New Tools, Storage & Organization

New? Kobalt 41″ Toolboxes With Slide-Out Pegboard

Sep 6, 2018 Benjamen 37 Comments

Kobalt updated their stainless steel tool storage combo with vertical pegboard drawers. Read More

New Tools, Storage & Organization

New Milwaukee Stud Tape Measures

Aug 29, 2018 Benjamen 20 Comments

Milwaukee’s new Stud tape measure has a new tear resistant blade and can survive 80′ drops on packed earth. Read More

Layout & Measuring, New Tools

Free and Useful Things I Have 3D Printed

Aug 15, 2018 Benjamen 24 Comments

There are 1000’s of free things you can download and print on your 3D printer, here are some of Ben’s favorites. Read More

Digital Fabrication, DIY & Home, Editorial

Milwaukee M18 Fuel 3-in-1 Backpack Vacuum Details

Aug 6, 2018 Benjamen 27 Comments

Here’s what you need to know about the new Milwaukee M18 Fuel backpack vacuum. Read More

Cordless, New Tools, Vacuums & Dust Collection

A Quick Review of the Milwaukee M18 Fuel Hedge Trimmer

Jul 31, 2018 Benjamen 36 Comments

Ben put the Milwaukee M18 Fuel hedge trimmer through some bush-trimming testing. Read More

Cordless, Tool Reviews

Review: EGO Cordless 21″ Push Lawn Mower (LM2101)

Jul 26, 2018 Benjamen 43 Comments

The Ego LM2101 21″ cordless mower is quiet, easy to use, performs well, and is easy to store. Read More

Cordless, Tool Reviews

New Kreg Track Horse, an Adjustable Clamping Saw Horse

Jul 23, 2018 Benjamen 26 Comments

Kreg has come out with a new clamping saw horse that can also be used with their project center. Read More

New Tools, Workholding & Vises

Why Clear-Lidded Organizers Shouldn’t be Left in the Sun

Jul 20, 2018 Benjamen 50 Comments

Follow down the rabbit hole as Ben and Stuart investigate reports of Kaizen foam melting in clear-lidded tool boxes. Read More

Editorial, Storage & Organization, Tool Science 101

An Old-School Tool I Never Thought I’d Use with a Laser Level

Jul 16, 2018 Benjamen 22 Comments

Who knew that modern and traditional layout tools would work so well with each other. Read More

Editorial, Layout & Measuring

Redcastle on Ball Hex Key Set Recommendations, from Budget to Best: “I am always wary of "shiny" particularly when it comes to items such as TIN drill bits where I always…”
Corey on An LED Light Bulb With its Own Battery Backup: “If it's in a circuit that's "on" or closed, it sees the minute resistance of the circuit and will activate…”
Redcastle on Ball Hex Key Set Recommendations, from Budget to Best: “Bigest proponent at the moment is Ultex house brand for ITS and an OEM for others FFX and Axminster who…”
Redcastle on Ball Hex Key Set Recommendations, from Budget to Best: “Stuart I did say it was a was a vague memory so star may well be…”
William Adams on Ball Hex Key Set Recommendations, from Budget to Best: “Interesting --- could you share the colour-coding scheme? link?”
Redcastle on Ball Hex Key Set Recommendations, from Budget to Best: “Stuart I thought you would have worked that out. I am now going to…”