Gar's Tips and Tools

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Gar's Tips & Tools - Issue #199

1 month ago | garstipsandtools.com | Gareth Branwyn

I’ve always been fascinated by “night thoughts,” those weird, often nonsensical thought fragments that float into your conscious mind on your way to Slumberland, when you wake up in the middle of the night from a dream, or when you arise in the morning. I’ve been writing my night thoughts down in a notebook (or my phone notes app) for decades. I have books filled with them.
Gar's Tips & Tools - Issue #198

1 month ago | garstipsandtools.com | Gareth Branwyn

In this Stumpy Nubs video, James details the history of the Robertson screw (aka “Robbies” or “square drive”) and why they are believed by many makers [raises hand] to be superior to Phillips and (horrors) slotted.
Gar's Tips & Tools - Issue #197

2 months ago | garstipsandtools.com | Gareth Branwyn

I have watched so many tape measure tips and tricks videos over the years that you’d think I’ve seen everything. But there’s always more to learn about any tool, so it’s always worth giving them a peek. In this Honest Carpenter video, he covers things like not marking under the curve (that’s built into the tape for stability and strength), not marking too close to the case, and understanding how the end tab works for getting accurate inside and outside measurements.
Gar's Tips & Tools - Issue #196

Mar 18, 2025 | garstipsandtools.com | Gareth Branwyn

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.
Gar's Tips & Tools - Issue #195

Mar 2, 2025 | garstipsandtools.com | Gareth Branwyn

I love the concept of the “inspired object,” first introduced to me by maker-philosopher, bike guru, and “shade tree mechanic,” Mister Jalopy. An inspired object is something — a tool or other physical object — that manages to inspire or elevate you whenever you use it. It’s usually something that embodies one or more of the following qualities: It’s perfectly designed; a marvel of appropriate technology. It’s beautiful, pleasing to the eye, feels good in the hand.
Gar's Tips & Tools - Issue #194

Feb 2, 2025 | garstipsandtools.com | Gareth Branwyn

In this video, part of Becky Stern’s excellent electronics series for Digi-Key, she shows you how to get started with designing, preparing, and having your own printed circuit boards (PCBs) manufactured. This is something I’ve always wanted to do but have never gotten around to trying. If you’re in the same boat, after watching this, you’ll be more inspired than ever to undertake the process.
Gar's Tips & Tools - Issue #193

Jan 11, 2025 | garstipsandtools.com | Gareth Branwyn

Wesley Treat continues his efforts to build “the suckless workshop,” a smartly-designed space for efficient and more productive makery. In this video, he tackles one of his most persistent workshop headaches: finding a proper home for temporary storage solutions like his apple boxes, project trays, poly bags, and the magnetic parts trays he loves. The goal? Create an organized, adaptable storage system that keeps everything accessible, stackable, and easy to label (and re-label).
Gar's Tips & Tools - Issue #192

Dec 22, 2024 | garstipsandtools.com | Gareth Branwyn

How did I not know about the mini toolbox category? In this “Shop Humor” video, they look at these teeny-tiny toolboxes from Snap-on, Micro Tool, Pit, and good ol’ Harbor Fright. While silly and useless to some, this size (e.g. 11” x 6” x 6.5,” with 2 drawers and a lift top for the U.S. General box from HF) is perfect for hobby tools and materials and similar smart parts makery. In the review, the only one that seems worth it is the box from Harbor Freight. It’s only $15(!) (at time of review).
Gar's Tips & Tools - Issue #191

Dec 8, 2024 | garstipsandtools.com | Gareth Branwyn

Here are some of my favorite (mostly small) tools from this past year. This is in no way a comprehensive list, just a miscellany of go-to tools and tool discoveries I made this year. Every maker’s coffee table (or workbench) needs this gorgeous, eye-opening tool tome. Same approach, structure, and design as Gray’s amazing The Elements. I actually bought this Fiskars folding utility knife in 2023, after seeing aProject Farm video comparing folding utility knives. It’s become a near-daily go-to.
Gar's Tips & Tools - Issue #190

Nov 26, 2024 | garstipsandtools.com | Gareth Branwyn

TL;DR: Put a rare earth magnet inside some heat shrink tubing on the eraser end of your shop pencils and stick them all over your machinery. Great idea! This could also work on other light marking, measuring, etc. tools. In this Essential Craftsman video, Scott extols the virtues of oscillating multitools. He especially looks at uses that you may not have thought of.