{"id":44171,"date":"2025-05-09T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-05-09T16:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/?p=44171"},"modified":"2025-05-08T14:01:29","modified_gmt":"2025-05-08T21:01:29","slug":"gars-tips-tools-issue-198","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/gars-tips-tools-issue-198\/","title":{"rendered":"Gar&#8217;s Tips &#038; Tools &#8211; Issue #198"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h1><strong>Can We Admit That \u201cRobbies\u201d Are Superior Screws?<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/files\/2025\/05\/gar-1985.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-44172\" width=\"409\" height=\"408\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/files\/2025\/05\/gar-1985.jpg 548w, https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/files\/2025\/05\/gar-1985-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/files\/2025\/05\/gar-1985-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 409px) 100vw, 409px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In this\u00a0<em>Stumpy Nubs<\/em>\u00a0video,\u00a0<strong>James<\/strong>\u00a0details the history of the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/geni.us\/1aBLyV\">Robertson screw<\/a>\u00a0(aka \u201cRobbies\u201d or \u201csquare drive\u201d) and why they are believed by many makers [raises hand] to be superior to Phillips and (horrors) slotted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"epyt-video-wrapper\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\"  id=\"_ytid_77230\"  width=\"480\" height=\"270\"  data-origwidth=\"480\" data-origheight=\"270\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Y-2NzVBJ8gg?enablejsapi=1&#038;autoplay=0&#038;cc_load_policy=0&#038;cc_lang_pref=&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;loop=0&#038;modestbranding=0&#038;rel=1&#038;fs=1&#038;playsinline=0&#038;autohide=2&#038;theme=dark&#038;color=red&#038;controls=1&#038;\" class=\"__youtube_prefs__  epyt-is-override  no-lazyload\" title=\"YouTube player\"  allow=\"fullscreen; accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen data-no-lazy=\"1\" data-skipgform_ajax_framebjll=\"\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h1><strong>10 Workshop No-No\u2019s (According to Van Neistat)<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"epyt-video-wrapper\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\"  id=\"_ytid_71451\"  width=\"480\" height=\"270\"  data-origwidth=\"480\" data-origheight=\"270\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/3bAZQ9nWybM?enablejsapi=1&#038;autoplay=0&#038;cc_load_policy=0&#038;cc_lang_pref=&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;loop=0&#038;modestbranding=0&#038;rel=1&#038;fs=1&#038;playsinline=0&#038;autohide=2&#038;theme=dark&#038;color=red&#038;controls=1&#038;\" class=\"__youtube_prefs__  epyt-is-override  no-lazyload\" title=\"YouTube player\"  allow=\"fullscreen; accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen data-no-lazy=\"1\" data-skipgform_ajax_framebjll=\"\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Van Neistat<\/strong>&nbsp;goes over 10 of his no-nos in the shop, including: No bare feet!, avoiding trip wires (poorly organized\/placed power cables), no fixing cheap garbage (reserve time, tools, and attention for meaningful, well-made stuff), don\u2019t Rob Peter to pay Paul (no taking a tool from one toolbox, e.g. the car box, for work in another location \u2014 get duplicate tools), never use the last of anything (reorder before you\u2019re out), and many other wise, well-earned nuggets of wisdom. Here\u2019s one that was new to me: No using a straight edge to guide a razor knife&nbsp;<strong>(<\/strong>when making straight cuts, guiding with a straight edge tends to cause slips. It\u2019s better to freehand along a drawn line for safer, straighter results). I need to try this and see how well it works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1><strong>8 Non-Hobby Hobby Supplies and Materials<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"epyt-video-wrapper\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\"  id=\"_ytid_43000\"  width=\"480\" height=\"270\"  data-origwidth=\"480\" data-origheight=\"270\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/3sbmuc5hK3Y?enablejsapi=1&#038;autoplay=0&#038;cc_load_policy=0&#038;cc_lang_pref=&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;loop=0&#038;modestbranding=0&#038;rel=1&#038;fs=1&#038;playsinline=0&#038;autohide=2&#038;theme=dark&#038;color=red&#038;controls=1&#038;\" class=\"__youtube_prefs__  epyt-is-override  no-lazyload\" title=\"YouTube player\"  allow=\"fullscreen; accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen data-no-lazy=\"1\" data-skipgform_ajax_framebjll=\"\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In this episode of&nbsp;<em>Black Magic Craft<\/em>, game-crafter&nbsp;<strong>Jeremy<\/strong>&nbsp;<strong>Pillipow<\/strong>&nbsp;runs down eight of his most trusted unconventional hobby supplies. He lists old faithfuls like&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/geni.us\/mPOG\">baking soda<\/a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/geni.us\/1n4UAD\">super glue<\/a>&nbsp;and coffee stirring sticks (for making wooden flooring, fencing, etc.), but also covers a few more obscure items, like inkjet printers (for printing out pictures of flooring,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/geni.us\/Ia28\">DIY decals<\/a>&nbsp;and miniature poster, even full terrain pieces \u2014 printed on sticker paper and adhered to&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/geni.us\/pVdit\">foam core<\/a>). And, anyone who\u2019s watched Jeremy\u2019s channel knows that he\u2019s fast n\u2019 loose with the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/geni.us\/FApp12B\">latex caulk<\/a>&nbsp;(for sculpting, ground effects, and other terrain-making applications).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1><strong>Unconventional Creativity Tips<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"epyt-video-wrapper\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\"  id=\"_ytid_22292\"  width=\"480\" height=\"270\"  data-origwidth=\"480\" data-origheight=\"270\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/_l-d-eFF3nQ?enablejsapi=1&#038;autoplay=0&#038;cc_load_policy=0&#038;cc_lang_pref=&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;loop=0&#038;modestbranding=0&#038;rel=1&#038;fs=1&#038;playsinline=0&#038;autohide=2&#038;theme=dark&#038;color=red&#038;controls=1&#038;\" class=\"__youtube_prefs__  epyt-is-override  no-lazyload\" title=\"YouTube player\"  allow=\"fullscreen; accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen data-no-lazy=\"1\" data-skipgform_ajax_framebjll=\"\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In this idea-packed video, \u201cartistic woodworker\u201d&nbsp;<strong>Dave Picciuto,<\/strong>&nbsp;challenges conventional creative advice by presenting 10 (actually 20) unconventional design \u201chacks\u201d aimed at unlocking your creativity. From working under absurd constraints and sketching badly (on purpose) to seeking inspiration in flea markets and other unconventional places (instead of Pinterest), Dave emphasizes that creativity is a muscle that you can develop through consistent, intentional practice. With additional advice on remixing past failures and giving yourself nonsense rules to constrain your designs, there are a lot of good (and uncommon) ideas here for makers eager to break through creative blocks.<br><br>I especially endorse his daily sketching advice and giving yourself permission to draw badly. We tend to do things like write or draw as if someone is standing over our shoulder, judging our work. But if you\u2019re drawing (or writing) for yourself, ditch the invisible judge. Draw for yourself, to express ideas, not to enter an art or drafting contest. Working those muscles for expressing yourself is a true superpower that only takes one thing: Time. Might I recommend the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/geni.us\/4Nywo\">Maker\u2019s Notebook<\/a>&nbsp;as a place to record your DIY ideas. This was a project I spearheaded when I was at&nbsp;<em>Make:<\/em>. Dave also offers a free poster and PDF reiterating the 10 main points in the video.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1><strong>Dollar as a Ruler<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/files\/2025\/05\/gar-1981-1024x606.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-44176\" width=\"565\" height=\"334\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/files\/2025\/05\/gar-1981-1024x606.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/files\/2025\/05\/gar-1981-300x178.jpg 300w, https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/files\/2025\/05\/gar-1981-768x455.jpg 768w, https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/files\/2025\/05\/gar-1981.jpg 1100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 565px) 100vw, 565px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I found this image while cleaning up my office recently. I think it\u2019s from&nbsp;<em>Family Handyman<\/em>. It shows how you can use points on a dollar to measure 2\u201d, 2-1\/2\u201d, 3\u201d, and 6\u201d. Handy in a pinch. I\u2019ve written before about knowing the measurements of your hand (width, length of fingers, between joints) and eyeballing teaspoon, tablespoon, and cup measures in the palm of your hand. Now you can add the measures of George to your impromptu ruling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1><strong>Fire Blankets<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/files\/2025\/05\/gar-1982.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-44175\" width=\"416\" height=\"423\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/files\/2025\/05\/gar-1982.jpg 508w, https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/files\/2025\/05\/gar-1982-295x300.jpg 295w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 416px) 100vw, 416px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Luckily, so far in my time down here on the Big Blue Marble, I\u2019ve never had to use a fire extinguisher. But I\u2019ve always known how and always had a number of them around my workshop and kitchen. That said, I\u2019ve also never gotten one serviced and have always wondered, in a real fire situation, if that dusty extinguisher on the wall or under the sink would actually function properly. Several years ago, I added&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/geni.us\/LI1t\">fire blankets<\/a>&nbsp;to my fire suppression tech and I feel way more confident in them. Of course, they have limitations over an extinguisher: You have to get up close and personal with the flames, the fire needs to be small, and you can\u2019t suppress fire in an area that you can\u2019t reach with the blanket. So, while you\u2019re stuck with needing both, I feel more secure knowing there are blankets at the ready in the kitchen, garage, and my wife\u2019s art studio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1><strong>Shop Talk<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Readers offer their feedback, tips, tales, and tool recommendations.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>On Cool Tools, in response to the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/garstipsandtools.com\/i\/156700544\/your-inspired-objects\">Inspired Objects conversation<\/a>, and a recommendation for Slice-brand cutters,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/disqus.com\/by\/yankinwaoz\/\">yankinwaoz<\/a>&nbsp;wrote:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\"><p>The Slice cutters are great. I have two of them. But not the ones mentioned.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/files\/2025\/05\/gar-1983.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-44174\" width=\"327\" height=\"418\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/files\/2025\/05\/gar-1983.jpg 398w, https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/files\/2025\/05\/gar-1983-235x300.jpg 235w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 327px) 100vw, 327px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\"><p>I like their&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/geni.us\/fFHJ\">manual mini cutter<\/a>. It also has a magnet. Ours sits on the fridge where it\u2019s easy to grab to open a package from the grocery store or Amazon.<br><br>And, as mentioned, they\u2019re great for cutting open that thick plastic clamshell packaging. It&#8217;s a lot safer than a pair of scissors. You aren&#8217;t going to cut the produce inside. You just run the blade along the fold, and bend it open.<\/p><p>The other one is their&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/geni.us\/9JR8c\">manual box cutter<\/a>.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/files\/2025\/05\/gar-1984-1024x727.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-44173\" width=\"497\" height=\"352\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/files\/2025\/05\/gar-1984-1024x727.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/files\/2025\/05\/gar-1984-300x213.jpg 300w, https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/files\/2025\/05\/gar-1984-768x545.jpg 768w, https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/files\/2025\/05\/gar-1984.jpg 1100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 497px) 100vw, 497px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\"><p>This one sits on the garage fridge handle. It is shaped like a hook so you can hang it, which makes it very convenient. This one is perfect for breaking down boxes and packaging to put into the recycling bin. We\u2019ve had ours for years. They have never gone dull. Never rust. Never had an issue. Can&#8217;t recommend them enough.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h1><strong>Consider a Paid Subscription<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Gar\u2019s Tips &amp; Tools<\/em>&nbsp;is free, but if you&nbsp;<em>really<\/em>&nbsp;like what I\u2019m throwing down and want to support it, please consider a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/garstipsandtools.com\/subscribe\">paid subscription<\/a>. Same great taste, more cheddar for me to help keep me&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/geni.us\/IuAa\">plastic razor blades<\/a>. I will also pick paid subscribers at random and send them out little treats on occasion.<br><br>Special thanks to all of my paid subscribers so far and an extra special thanks to Hero of the Realm,&nbsp;<strong>Jim Coraci<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Gar\u2019s Tips, Tools, and Shop Tales is published by Cool Tools Lab. To receive the newsletter a week early, sign up\u00a0<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/garstips.substack.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">here.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Access to tools, techniques, and shop tales from the diverse worlds of DIY<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13684,"featured_media":0,"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\/44171"}],"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\/13684"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=44171"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44171\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":44178,"href":"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44171\/revisions\/44178"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=44171"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=44171"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=44171"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}