Gar’s Tips & Tools – Issue #196

The Clam Switches of Warsaw

I found this 14-minute documentary utterly captivating. In Warsaw, Poland, they use clams to monitor water quality—an ingenious and surprisingly elegant system. Eight clams are outfitted with a tiny, spring-mounted contact on their top shells. If the water becomes too polluted, the clams instinctively shut, triggering an alarm and closing off the water supply. Simple, natural, brilliant. The film itself has a slow-burn, meditative European quality—like if Ingmar Bergman did a documentary on city water management. [Via Jay Townsend]

https://youtu.be/h1lRDdPbhio

Clamps: Their History and Uses

One of me besties, Peter Bebergal, sent me a link to this 1980 guide to clamps from the Cincinnati Tool Company. Basic stuff, but a fun browse for anyone who loves tools, tool history, and vintage industrial training materials.

Tips from an Engineer: Improving Workflow and Precision

https://youtu.be/JTEtiO3evbk

In this insightful video, Zach, The Byte-Sized Engineer, shares eight invaluable lessons he’s learned during his years of hands-on engineering and project building. From the importance of failing quickly to improving problem-solving efficiency, to the hidden functions of digital calipers (depth gauge, step measuring) that enhance measurement accuracy, these practical tips can save time and frustration. He highlights tools like logic analyzers for debugging, deburring tools for cleaning 3D prints, and corrugated tubing for better wire management, all aimed at making engineering work more efficient. Additional tips include using isopropyl alcohol to remove hot glue easily, strengthening CA/super glue bonds with baking soda, and adopting better soldering techniques using flux gels and third-hand tools. Whether you're a seasoned engineer or a hobby maker, these tips might help improve your workflow and precision.

Did He Say ‘Home Depot Arrowheads”?

https://youtu.be/LEaYXht3_rY

Maker pal Dug North sent me this recent video of his ‘cause he thought that I “might get a kick out of it.” He was right! Having always been interested in flintknapping, I love watching videos of people doing it. And I especially fine glassknapping fascinating. In this video, Dug makes his own knapping tools from common Home Depot materials.

Cool Tools’ Kevin Kelly has pointed out something interesting about flintknapping (and other “bygone” technologies). There are actually more people practicing this stone age technology today than when it was the reigning tool tech. In fact, Kevin argues, technologies rarely die off. Once conceived, human inventions, regardless of their obsolescence, continue to exist through enthusiasts, historians, and niche communities. Dug knows a few things about this. When not knapping glass arrowheads and doing bushcraft, he also engages in the ancient art of mechanical automata.

Making a Screw Shortening Jig

https://youtu.be/pLca-flylUA

Quinn of Blondihacks delivers another fantastic machining tutorial, this time focusing on creating a custom screw shortening tool—a handy bit ‘o kit for model engineers, watchmakers, and anyone needing small, precision screws cut to length. The project evolved from a makeshift aluminum jig she originally made into a durable steel fixture with precisely-machined threaded holes, solving the problem of deforming screw ends while ensuring repeatable accuracy. As usual, along the way, Quinn offers valuable machining insights, including stress-relief techniques, optimal cutting methods, and the importance of deburring. A clever last-minute fix—adding a "keeper" to stabilize the tool’s jaws—proves the iterative nature of good design. Finished with cold bluing and stamped size markings, the final tool is both functional and refined. Another fun and informative watch for machining enthusiasts, armchair [raises hand[, or otherwise.

Your Inspired Objects

I got a wonderful response to my piece about inspired objects. I’ll be showing them over the next few issues. This is inspired objects — humble objects edition. If you have an object you think is inspired (humble or otherwise), please share it!

Sydney Smith writes:

This is an inexpensive Japanese utility knife purchased on Amazon. Search for Takagi Gisuke Cutting. Before decorating with chip carving, it was so-so. After decoration, it's enjoyable to pick up and use. Now it's a workbench favorite.

I love this handle “hack” from reader Gideon Weinerth. I think I’m going to have to try this:

This is my inspired object. I took a Rada brand vegetable peeler which was excellent but had a crummy discolored handle. I wrapped the handle in aluminum foil and then applied a layer of Sculpey polymer clay over it. I then squeezed the bulkier handle until it perfectly matched my hand positions for way I like to peel. I baked it, let it cool, then dipped it in Plasti-Dip which needs another application. Makes meal prep a dream. Great technique for any other sub-par handle.

Ernie Hayden writes:

I was given one of these iSlice ceramic cutters about 10-15 years ago and use it almost daily to cut open tight, cellophane packaging, sealed packages, etc. It is really terrific. My old one even has a magnet in the handle so it can be placed on a metal cabinet or metal toolbox for handy use.

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Consider a Paid Subscription

Gar’s Tips & Tools is free, but if you really like what I’m doing here and want to support me, please consider a paid subscription. Same great taste, but more cheddar for me to help keep me stocked in neodymium magnets. I will also pick paid subscribers at random and send them out little treats on occasion.

We have a winner! Rob Stone, you were the winner of our Work Pro multitool (or PDFs of my tips books) drawing. Congrats! I sent you an email.

Special thanks to all of my paid subscribers so far and an extra special thanks to Hero of the Realm, Jim Coraci.

Gar’s Tips, Tools, and Shop Tales is published by Cool Tools Lab. To receive the newsletter a week early, sign up here.