Best products from r/specializedtools

believe it or not, the first one is what i use more. 90% of the time if i can get my hand on the filter, i can get that wrench on there... and with way more leverage and grip than my bare hand, if i cant get it off, it was put on WAYYY too tight.

but like i said, it is awesome to have both.. i also have a strap wrench like this
https://smile.amazon.com/Tools-3149-Nylon-Strap-Wrnch/dp/B0002SR4MM/ref=sr_1_7?crid=ISLQYMQ6AKLH&keywords=strap+oil+filter+wrench&qid=1556558238&s=automotive&sprefix=strap+%2Cautomotive%2C131&sr=1-7
that i got from god knows where. its nice for when the one that caught your eye is too small for the real big filters. kind of cumbersome getting it all wrapped up and tight when you are on your back tho. better than nothing, that's for sure!

ahhh crap... I'm in the northwest and we hardly see any wasps out where I am.

my knee jerk response would be just jump in and worry about any problems if/when they arrive.

I had two little bee houses last year and one of them got ransacked by something. Could've been wasps or birds in retrospect.
The bee guy that I spoke to recommends harvesting them around Octoberish and keeping them in a cool place like the fridge or garage (if it gets cool enough).

yep the bamboo things are the mason bee houses. you could literally just string some small diameter bamboo bits together and hang it in a tree.

Having said that, though, I've been told those things become little bee coffins if the bees at the ends die, leaving all the ones in the middle without the ability to exit. we have some as an option at our house and our bees really really prefer the bamboo holes

if you're willing to do a little care/maintenance, you might want to look into designated bee houses. luckily they're pretty cheap. I bought this one earlier this week and I should be getting some paper straws in the mail today to line the inside of the cardboard tubes. the lining will help for when October rolls around and I can clean their cocoons and refrigerate them and give them to neighbors and family.

sorry if this is a lot of info, I hope it's not too discouraging!

it's been a rewarding hobby so far and it's been pretty relaxing to see what they've been up to at the end of the work day.

Needs to fold down like an sturdy golf umbrella, and be attachable to (or come with) a standard telescoping-leg tripod base, with a 3/8" screw and/or standard arca-swiss clamp, in a carry bag. It should have room on the side of the bag to hold a clamp-on platform that can support an iPad, small notebook computer and/or keyboard/mouse. The tripod base should be like any good tripod, with a center hook underneath for sandbags, or permit attachment of a rock holder like this one, and legs that can be adjusted for length and spread. Basically, make it so the whole thing could be adjustable: squatty like a tripod used for macro photography so you could sit in a chair, or sit cross-legged on the ground and still use it, or stand up.

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If possible, if it doesn't screw with the signal pick-up, the disk/umbrella should have slits in it so the wind can't as easily pick it up like a sail (even a bag of rocks might not stop the topple).

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If you *really* wanted to go to town, the disc/umbrella part should telecope waaaaaaaay up, to clear obstacles in the immediate vicinity, if that actually makes a difference for signal pick-up (am not this kind of scientist, so talking outta my ass).

Really want to rock out? Make a fold-able solar panel set to go with, to charge devices. BOOM!

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Reddit, do your thing.

I always killed my self mounting TVs and making them perfectly level, but it was difficult to get them perfect.

I now only use tv mounts that have post installation leveling, so I can get the wall plate on the wall as level as possible without losing my mind, and then making the micro adjustments afterwards.

Here is the most recent one I used... super cheap and perfect for my 65” tv


Mounting Dream TV Mount with Post Installation Adjustment for Most 37-70"Tvs, TV Wall Mount with Max VESA 600x400mm, Weight Up to 132 lbs, Fixed Low Profile TV Wall Mounts Fit 16" - 24" Wood Studs https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07P645JGR/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_z6JsDbA30475H

I have a pair of MSA Sordin Pros with the gel pads. Their advertised NRR is low, but they have very good protection. From what I understand there is no standardization for what a manufacturer can put as the NRR, so some products advertise their peak reduction at a specific frequency while others put the average reduction over all frequencies which make it look like it has inferior protection. Anyway, they have been awesome and I've only had to change the batteries once so far and it was a proactive change. My friend has a pair of Peltor ComTacs and it seems like he has to change batteries once every 3-4 range trips.

Then I usually put these under them. They aren't the quietest plugs, but if I use anything heavier then I can't hear conversations through the Sordins even with their volume to the max. If I'm going somewhere super loud like a machine gun shoot or something I also have a pair of molded plugs I got through work that I will use instead.

Buying an IR thermometer (this one, which cost about a quarter of the one you linked, not sure why) was one of the best investments I've made in kitchen equipment, and not just for frying. The best of all the many uses is to check the temperature of food you're going to put in the fridge or freezer to make sure it's low enough.

Also good for checking the temperature of your fridge and freezer.

In addition, they're cool toys. Want to know the temperature of your curtains, your bath water, your cat? Point and click.

OK well this is a thing I know about.

There are 3 different kinds of ends.

Passthrough ends - cat6 ends with 3 pieces - standard ends.

I think the cat6 ends with 3 pieces are the best. They are the easiest to use and most secure. But you have to know how the 3 pieces go together. If you do it wrong this end is the worst end to pick. They may be called cat6 ends but they still work great on cat5 wire. These ends are also easy to double check before you crimp it. You could also add a boot to it.

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01K9Z3ZWA/ref=sxbs_sxwds-stvp_3?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=3524794222&pd_rd_wg=JH2CT&pf_rd_r=63BH58JNRB9JZTVK0W43&pf_rd_s=desktop-sx-bottom-slot&pf_rd_t=301&pd_rd_i=B01K9Z3ZWA&pd_rd_w=1vhgz&pf_rd_i=cat6+ends&pd_rd_r=c9060548-6a32-466d-848f-009b01495c95&ie=UTF8&qid=1521916206&sr=3

They do make hand crank stirrers that work pretty well, but this looks more fun haha.

They have all kinds of systems. Tormek has a whole business based on a rotary setup. It is VASTLY over-rated. https://www.amazon.com/Tormek-TBT401-Sharpening-System-Hand/dp/B00OXUPRKQ/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1542739742&sr=8-8&keywords=tormek+t3 And incredibly SLOOOOWWWW.


The large, trued, zeroed & rigid industrial systems work very well, but are super expensive. Anything less that those are generally beaten by hand sharpening on a cardboard wheel. I have a big incentive to invest in sharpening systems, and have yet to find something that beats this system, without spending $20,000. https://www.amazon.com/Razor-Sharp-Edgemaking-System-Sharpening/dp/B015PJF99C

We lay out 2 of these (very similar) https://www.amazon.com/White-Vinyl-Coated-Mesh-Tarp/dp/B005BTLHOI to accomplish the same goal. Weigh them down on the edge of the street the first few times the plows come through and then let them sit til spring. Wash em over the fence with a deck brush and some mild soap and they continue looking good.

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Bought them 9 years ago and they're still strong as ever (which is saying something for the sheer volume of salt that it's endured. It beats raking and this specialty tool looks like far more work than what I'm currently doing.

It's the circular glass cutter. https://www.amazon.com/Heavy-duty-Circular-Glass-Cutter-Suction/dp/B00D4LDFAO

His isn't identical, but it's the same idea.

To be honest, I did struggle between sharing this here or with r/ArtisanVideos but it isn't really a video and I'm not certain it is artisanal, but it certainly does take a bit of skill to do it as well as this guy does.

That said, the specialized tool just for this purpose does a lot of the work that people assume would be harder to do.

The above product is asinine and was posted here recently. I just bought a Kindling Cracker and it is pretty legit...work for logs under 8" diameter (large version). I had my 3 year old helping me (he was bringing wood over) which is something I would never do swinging an ax around.

https://www.amazon.com/Kindling-Cracker-Firewood-Splitter/dp/B01KKU8Z0Q

edit: I linked to the smaller one but I own the larger one. Northern Tool is reselling through Amazon but if you go to them direct you can get a $20 off/$100 coupon.

This might be a better design if you had a "station" for doing firewood where you set up some guides in a V to hold up your log: https://www.amazon.com/EasyGoProducts-EGP-WSPL-001-Jack-Firewood-Kindling/dp/B07FCTR75J/ref=pd_cp_86_4/139-4288684-8506026?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B07FCTR75J&pd_rd_r=ddeddce6-241e-4abc-bf69-266a90d27677&pd_rd_w=Lx8Uf&pd_rd_wg=uqb7v&pf_rd_p=ef4dc990-a9ca-4945-ae0b-f8d549198ed6&pf_rd_r=D87SE25MCZPVY8NDHBD4&psc=1&refRID=D87SE25MCZPVY8NDHBD4

I’m not talking about the machine it’s self [these are the best papers I’ve ever used](RAW 1 1/4 Classic Rolling Paper Pre-Rolled Cones (6 packs of 6 cones, 36 total) Includes Roll With Us Doobtube https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XSXVTLG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_WV2OCbFRJ24PX). You really don’t need the machine as these are super easy to use. Perfect joint every time. I tried to link to amazon but it didn’t work. RAW 1 1/4 Classic Rolling Paper Pre-Rolled Cones (6 packs of 6 cones, 36 total) Includes Roll With Us Doobtube https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XSXVTLG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_WV2OCbFRJ24PX

I have one that hand cranks and separates them into rollable stacks. My kids love it.

for those interested

This

This is the one you need. Best can opener ever and also a multi tool for opening many other things. For under 20 bucks it is well worth it.

Yes, cool but for actual coin sorting you want one that is easier and faster to use, and drops the coins into rollers. While that one sorts, you'd still have to count out the coins and wrap them. Try this: https://www.amazon.com/Royal-Sovereign-Manual-Counting-QS-1/dp/B006J36V8M

I've found that this kind is better and results in less sharp edges.

Kuhn Rikon Auto Safety Master Opener, Red https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000B6NXL6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_xgnZBb007EVEQ

I linked the Thermoworks one just to show an example, not to necessarily buy that one. But I should've been clear about that.

I was all about the one you linked until I saw its ReviewMeta score, spoiler its reviews failed. Glad it is working for you regardless.

So, for shits and giggles let's do this thing.

Worth its weight in gold, even if taken literally doesn't mean you fashion the tool out of gold and that's it's worth. So the fact that gold is heavy is irrelevant. It means you take the weight of the tool 0.64 oz on Amazon for the shipping weight,1 and it's value would come from how much .64 oz gold is worth.

.64oz is about 18 grams, and 18 grams of gold would be worth, at 24 karat gold, about $5302

There are several cane/chair combinations available on Amazon. There is a demographic for them but most a little bulkier but easier to use than this one. For example: https://www.amazon.com/Portable-Walking-Chair-Stadium-Company/dp/B0026RSREQ

It's just a design play. Electronic opisometers already exist: https://www.amazon.com/Calculated-Industries-6025-Digital-Measure/dp/B002O16VKQ/
...better grip, better reach, and smaller wheel too- so it's gonna be more acurate than a silver-dollar-sized wheel you need to hold awkwardly.

https://www.amazon.com/ABN-Flexible-Extension-Ratchet-4-Piece/dp/B074ZNS1ZC/ref=sr_1_33?keywords=flexible+socket+extender&qid=1572279832&sr=8-33

Something like this?

I also have one...every time a similar “new measuring device” shows up on reddit I’m over here with my 30+ year old one like ??? They even already make digital ones with hundreds of reviews on amazon...

Calculated Industries 6025 Scale Master Pro Digital Plan Measure https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002O16VKQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_7FeBCbPPVYTT3

There are commercial products like that as well - https://www.amazon.com/Grandpa-Witmers-Fashioned-Mess-Free-16-Ounce/dp/B000A3I3BA

I prefer just using a butter knife with a churning motion though, a little more effort but it's faster in my experience.

For anyone looking to buy one:
Source
Purchase

If you go to WalMart you'd go to the stationery section and find the office stuff. Or probably the same place in Target.

I found a hand-crank coin wrapping machine on Amazon for $25

I believe the "Money Miser" coin sorter is electric but the manufacturer doesn't make new ones.