{"id":46558,"date":"2026-07-18T09:47:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-18T16:47:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/?p=46558"},"modified":"2026-07-20T09:51:53","modified_gmt":"2026-07-20T16:51:53","slug":"gars-tips-tools-issue-212","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/gars-tips-tools-issue-212\/","title":{"rendered":"Gar’s Tips & Tools – Issue #212"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Accessible Workshop<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve had severe spinal arthritis since I was 13 years old. Over the decades, it has done its level best to impede my ability to live my life and do the things I enjoy. By and large, it has failed. I have managed to compose a meaningful and active life around my physical limitations. And now there are the realities of aging, and the limitations that it wants to impose.

Throughout my life, as an appropriate-technology enthusiast, I\u2019ve turned to various technological solutions to improve my quality of life, from reacher-grabbers, \u201csock buddies,\u201d and garment hooks, to wheel chairs (before my hip replacement) and cutting-edge pharmaceuticals.

As I age, I realize that that I\u2019ll be increasingly looking to more adaptive tools and technologies to keep me going. Since I imagine that many of you, my dear readers, are increasingly facing similar challenges, I thought I\u2019d create this new column to share adaptive technologies I\u2019ve discovered and to get your input about the tech that you might be using.

For my first installment of \u201cThe Accessible Workshop,\u201d I thought I\u2019d cover the first few universally useful things that immediately sprang to mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Gilhoolie Jar Wrench<\/strong>

When I bought my house in Virginia, in 1999, the previous owners did a wonderful thing: They left a collection of kitchen and maintenance tools (and all relevant service manuals) in the kitchen junk drawer. One of these was a strange-looking device that I initially had no idea what it was for, the oddly named Gilhoolie. It\u2019s a jar wrench and I\u2019ve loved this thing ever since. I have never had a jar (if the lid fit inside these jaws) that I couldn\u2019t open, even with swollen, arthritic wrists. Everyone needs one of these in the kitchen and shop. Much better than rubber gripper pads<\/a>. Amazon sells knock-off versions<\/a> of the Gilhoolie. You can get an official one<\/a> at The Vermont Store.
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Grabber-Reacher

<\/strong>For anyone with spinal issues, or the inability to bend down or reach over their head, a grabber-reacher is an essential everyday tool. There are all kinds of models available. I\u2019ve always been partial to the type that have rubber-cup ends on them. I have managed to pick up pencils\/pens, sheets of paper, even coins using one of these. The brand I\u2019m partial to is the ArcMate heavy-duty model<\/a>. I\u2019ve had these for decades with no issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Anti-Fatique Mats<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

My first job was as an acquisition manager for an outdoor furniture (aka hammock) company. I was in charge of researching and ordering all the tools, materials, and supplies. As part of that job, I was asked to buy a set of anti-fatigue mats<\/a> for the wood and machine shops. I\u2019d never even heard of such a thing, but I did my research and ordered a bunch of mats from the Graingers catalog. The moment I stood on one (especially being someone with spinal arthritis), I was sold. I\u2019ve rarely been without such mats in my life since. If you stand, in a kitchen, shop, or office, for any length of time, you need one of these mats under your feet.



So, what are some of the \u201cassistive technologies\u201d that you use? Please send me<\/a> any ideas or recommendations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Making Your Own CA Glue Applicators<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n
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