{"id":40644,"date":"2022-12-20T17:24:27","date_gmt":"2022-12-21T00:24:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/?p=40644"},"modified":"2022-12-20T17:24:29","modified_gmt":"2022-12-21T00:24:29","slug":"my-favorite-newsletter-tips-of-2022","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/my-favorite-newsletter-tips-of-2022\/","title":{"rendered":"My Favorite Newsletter Tips of 2022"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Gareth\u2019s Tips, Tools, and Shop Tales is published by Cool Tools Lab. To receive the newsletter a week early, sign up\u00a0here.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And the winner of this year\u2019s tips and tools bundle is: GREG HAYES! Greg wins my two tips books (Vol. 1<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Vol. 2<\/a>), the\u00a0Williams ratcheting screwdriver<\/a>, the\u00a0Canary cardboard cutter<\/a>, and a\u00a0plastic razor blade<\/a>. Thanks to all who signed up new readers. I got a nice little bump from it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

***<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What were\u00a0your<\/em>\u00a0favorite tips and tools from this past year? Please\u00a0share with us<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My Favorite Newsletter Tips of 2022<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Over on\u00a0Boing Boing<\/em>, I posted my annual round-up of favorite tips from this newsletter. You can see all of those tips\u00a0here<\/a>. Below are my top five.

BTW: Here are my tips round-ups for\u00a02019<\/a>, 2020 (part 1<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0part 2<\/a>), and\u00a02021<\/a>.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Using Bits of Left Over Molding Rubber to Volumize New Molds<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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In this<\/a> Robert Tolene video, he offers a tip for saving on molding materials. He calls it \u201cdunkin\u2019 chunkies\u201d \u2014 he cuts old mold pieces into small chunks and adds them into a new mold pour (in the areas where they won\u2019t interfere with the object being molded).<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Using a Shop Towel to Constrain Snipped Bits<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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From a Pask Makes video<\/a>: When cutting\/nipping bits of metal or other material that might fly away, line up your cut and then cover the workpiece with a towel before doing the cutting. This will prevent the waste pieces from flying all over your work area.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
A Web App for Creating Project Boxes<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Via Bob Clagett\u2019s I Like to Make Stuff<\/em><\/a>: MakerCase<\/a> is a free web app that allows you to design boxes and project cases that can then be laser- or CNC cut. Once you\u2019re satisfied with your design, MakerCase turns the model into an SVG or DXF file that can be sent to a laser cutter or CNC router.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Put Screws Back When Disassembling<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Via this Tested video<\/a> from Adam Savage: In disassembling parts you\u2019ll be reassembling, rather than storing the hardware somewhere and then trying to remember where it all goes back, temporarily hand-screw it into the threaded part of the piece for safe keeping.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Animations of 75 Different Knots<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Via the Tools for Possibilities newsletter<\/a> comes this amazingly useful resource<\/a>. I don\u2019t know about you, but seeing these knot animations immediately makes me want to grab a rope and go to lashing school.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Favorite Tools of 2022<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Here are some of my favorite tool mentions from the newsletter this year.<\/em><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Recommended by reader\u00a0<\/em>Emory Kimbrough:<\/em><\/strong>

Titmus SW09R Livewire<\/em>\u00a0sealed glasses \u2013 they combine ANSI-rated impact protection with dust seals, a removable head strap that creates an even better seal against sneaky dust, and keeps the glasses from slipping down or slipping off at a bad moment.\u00a0Finally, these were available with progressive lenses\u00a0and<\/em>\u00a0in my strong prescription.\u00a0Got mine with good customer service and prompt shipping from\u00a0safetygearpro.com<\/a>.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
On the subject bit drivers, reader\u00a0<\/em>KokoTheTalkingApe<\/em><\/strong>, chimed in:<\/em>

\u201cMy favorite is the\u00a0Wiha Ultra Driver<\/a>. It stores 13 double-ended bits in the handle, so it has 26 tips. The bits are stored in two rotating carousels that fan open when you pull them out. I don\u2019t usually like proprietary bits, but these have held up well and replacements are readily available. The bitholder locks onto the bit. Made in Germany. Not ratcheting.\u201d<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
In discussing tool bags, newsletter reader <\/em>cccrews<\/em><\/strong> recommended the <\/em>Klein Tools 24″ leather tool bag<\/em><\/a>. They also point out that there are much cheaper <\/em>canvas versions<\/em><\/a> of these bags.<\/em><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Via Stumpy Nubs<\/em> came this brilliant idea of wrapping your tool handles in stretchy, grippy hockey tape<\/a>.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
The iFixit electronics driver set<\/a> is well thought out and designed, solidly built, with 64 bits of every configuration you\u2019re likely to encounter: Slotted, Phillips, Torx, Torx Security, Square, Pentalobe, Hex, five nutdrivers, and more. There is also a flex extension shaft and the lid acts as a small parts sorting tray.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Mentioned in newsletter 118<\/a>, at only $119, the Craftsman 7-\u00bc” cordless circular saw is amazingly good for the price.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
In issue 122<\/a>, I included testing of folding knives by Todd<\/strong> at Project Farm. The surprise knife was the Kingmax<\/a> at an amazing price of $13. And from an earlier Project Farm knife test: Smith & Wesson<\/a> ($15.50).<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
This was the year I finally fell in love with Carhartt work shirts<\/a>. Don\u2019t know what took me so long. Also available in women\u2019s sizes<\/a>.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Need mechanical shop pencils? You want a FastCap FatBoy<\/a>.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Maker Slang for 2022<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
I rounded up all of the content from the maker jargon and slang columns this year and did a Boing Boing<\/em> post. You can see the entire list here<\/a>. And last year\u2019s list here<\/a>.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Support This Newsletter, Buy My Merch<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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If you\u2019re looking for great gift ideas for any maker on your shopping list, consider my two Amazon best-selling tips books (Volume 1<\/a>, Volume 2).<\/a> They are filled with tips on things like cutting, gluing, fastening, painting, finishing, electronics, soldering, 3D printing, hobby tips, and much more. The books are designed to appeal to DIYers of all skill levels and interest areas.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Gareth’s Tips, Tools, and Shop Tales – Issue #141<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":40645,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0},"categories":[2371],"tags":[2372],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40644"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=40644"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40644\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":40646,"href":"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40644\/revisions\/40646"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/40645"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=40644"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=40644"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=40644"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}