Tag Archives: work tools

All-in-One Screwdriver Review: Putting a Beautiful Twist on a Classic Tool

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PROS:


  • Beautifully crafted for usability and designed to last

  • Unique Spinner Wheel mechanism provides additional torque without switching tools

  • Built-in ball bearing provides buttery smooth spinning

  • Removable bit holder can be used with standard electric screwdrivers

CONS:


  • Repeatedly attaching and removing the Spinner Wheel can be a bit inconvenient

  • Display stand only has room for nine bits

RATINGS:

AESTHETICS
ERGONOMICS
PERFORMANCE
SUSTAINABILITY / REPAIRABILITY
VALUE FOR MONEY

EDITOR'S QUOTE:

This All-in-One Screwdriver makes short work of any screwing task with its smooth ball bearing and unique torque-maximized Spinner Wheel while also looking fabulous on your work table.

Click Here to Buy Now. 10% off with coupon code: design10

Next to a hammer, a screwdriver is one of the most common tools you’ll want to have around the house. In fact, you might even want to have a screwdriver with you most of the time, which can’t be said for a hammer. A screwdriver is, after all, easy to pop into an Everyday Carry or bag, and they can even be a bit more stylish than your average tool. In fact, there are plenty of such unusual screwdrivers popping up here and there. Some try to be different for difference’s sake, while others aim to reduce the tool’s size or improving its efficiency. While those ideals might be praiseworthy on their own, it’s hard to find a design that embraces all of the above. Mininch (“mini-inch”) was one of those that dared to dream the impossible and, even better, turned it into a reality, so we decided to give the Spinner Drive a literal spin to see if it is able to deliver.

Aesthetics

This innovative screwdriver looks deceptively simple. The palm-sized barrel is reminiscent of a short pen, but the groves around it is a telltale sign of its real nature as a power tool. Behind its seemingly basic appearance, however, lies a design that pays a great deal of attention to every inch of the product to address the most common pain points of such a tool. Those CNC Machined slip-resistant grooves, for example, not only give a better grip but also prevent the screwdriver from rolling off tables.

We’ll get to the ergonomic gains of this revitalized common work tool in a bit, but it’s hard to ignore the fact that this screwdriver looks almost too stylish to be a tool. The aluminum barrel sand-blasted finish looks just as refined as it is durable, whether in silver or black. The titanium nitride coating of the stainless steel bits for the Tough Editions gives it a lustrous golden sheen that almost makes it feel like a jeweler’s tool.

All-in-all, the Spinner Drive’s handsome looks give it another feature completely unrelated to its use. Propped up on a table or shelf using the included stand, the tool easily becomes a piece of decoration, something that any craftsman would be proud to put on display. With its headlining Spinner Wheel attached, it even takes on a sci-fi flavor, looking like a futuristic tower or space station that hints at its advanced features.

Ergonomics

Many might argue that the screwdriver design isn’t broken enough to need fixing, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be improved, either. One area where the common screwdriver design is actually lacking is ergonomics. The core design of the screwdriver hasn’t changed in centuries, though there were additions like grooves on the handles for better grip. It is designed for utility and mechanical efficiency, getting the job done but not always in the smoothest way possible.

In contrast, this all-in-one screwdriver is all about ergonomics and lets you exert less physical effort to accomplish the exact same things. The ball bearing in the top piece of the drive makes twisting the body smooth as butter, needing nothing more than finger strength to tighten screws. This also makes small, precise movements even easier, which is critical when working on smaller pieces like watches. Simply rest your index finger on the dimple on the top and spin the drive with two other fingers without breaking a sweat.

The drive’s special sauce is where it gets its name from, the Spinner Wheel that can be easily attached to the barrel to increase the available torque by increasing the diameter of the drive without actually increasing its size. Looking like a beautiful cog, the grooves on the wheel’s periphery provide the same strong grip when you need to exert more force than usual. With the wheel, the Spinner Drive becomes the equivalent of a T-handle screwdriver without forcing you to change tools or even how you hold the tool. This screwdriver is really the only one you’ll ever need, not just because of all the bits it includes but also because of how it makes screwing something feel so enjoyable.

Performance

A beautiful and ergonomic tool, however, would be a complete waste if it didn’t get the job done, especially not in the improved way it advertises. After all, any old screwdriver would work just as well, so why would you bother with something that looks almost too pretty to get dirty? Fortunately, the Spinner Drive isn’t all looks or talk and actually delivers on its promises.

The drive is indeed easy to use and spins so smoothly that you almost feel like you’re using a toy instead of a tool. In fact, you might even be tempted to use it as a fidget toy, spinning the barrel mindlessly to get your creative juices running. You can hold the handle like a traditional screwdriver, using the force of your wrist and forearm to do the work. Its magic, however, shines best when you rest the end of the barrel in your palm to utilize that ball bearing and let your fingers do the talking instead.

The kit includes a wide variety of bits, covering almost every kind of screw in existence, at least the standardized ones. The Tough Edition Plus even includes 20 of these! Switching bits is easy thanks to the use of strong magnets, and you might even be able to do it all with one hand only. And when muscle power just isn’t enough, you can use those very same bits with an electric screwdriver by removing the quarter-inch hexagon bit holder and attaching it to a standard power tool.

Attaching and removing the Spinner Wheel is just as simple but isn’t as seamless as with the bits. Therein lies the only compromise you’ll have to make with this design. You won’t have to reach for another tool to get that needed torque, but you do need to have the wheel on hand. You will then have to remove it as well if you need to switch to a more regular grip. Some might find themselves either ignoring the wheel completely or even keeping it on permanently. Either way, the drive will still look attractive, whichever path you take.

Sustainability

With an all-metal construction and no plastic in sight, this all-in-one screwdriver is easily one of the most sustainable purchases you can make for your toolbox. Its story, however, doesn’t start and stop at its composition, though. Like any other product, its value increases the longer you’re able to use it, and this is one drive you are unlikely to throw away or retire in just a few years.

Despite looking rather luxurious, this is a tool that was designed for rough use and built to last. Of course, the drive itself and the wheel can survive plenty of falls and bumps, but the bits are also meant to withstand wear and tear over long periods of time. The SUS420 Stainless Steel and Titanium Nitride coating on the Tough Edition bits also gives it increased resistance to rust and corrosion, making them usable even in high-humidity settings.

Since you don’t need to have a different screwdriver for different screws and won’t even need a T-handle driver just for added torque, the Spinner Drive significantly reduced the number of such tools that need to be produced. And since it lasts a lot longer than common off-the-shelf screwdrivers, you will be keeping it far longer, delaying its fate in landfills or even in recycling plants. If you consider how many screwdrivers are mass-produced, an all-in-one, all-metal design like these could have massive savings in resources if only it became a more common design.

Value

It’s really not that hard to see the great value in a product such as the Spinner Drive. It hits all the right aspects of performance, usability, and design, all in a package that can be easily slipped into a pocket or bag. The genius of adding a ball bearing for smoother spins and a wide wheel for more torque cannot be stated enough. Those alone already set the screwdriver apart, and the universality of its screw bits put it leagues ahead of the competition.

The price is nothing to scoff at, either. At $99, it will admittedly be a lot more than a typical screwdriver with a plastic handle, but it easily pays for itself when you consider that it replaces ten or more such screwdrivers in your toolbox. And you won’t even want to keep it stored away in that toolbox when not in use. It looks so refined and so attractive that you’ll probably set it on top of your desk or workbench when not in use, perhaps to serve as a testament to great product design.

Verdict

Just because something “Just Works” doesn’t mean it is actually working at its best possible performance. The screwdriver is probably something that few people will consider to be in need of significant improvement, but if you find yourself regularly dealing with different screws and ending up with sore hands and wrists, then you’ll definitely beg to differ. With an easy-switch bit system, a buttery-smooth ball bearing, and an innovative torque-increasing wheel, this All-in-One Screwdriver clearly delivers all that you need to work on any screw, making work a little less tedious and perhaps even more enjoyable.

Click Here to Buy Now. 10% off with coupon code: design10

The post All-in-One Screwdriver Review: Putting a Beautiful Twist on a Classic Tool first appeared on Yanko Design.

The screwdriver to rule them all comes in a shockingly compact body

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Life would be so much simpler if we all followed certain standards like paper sizes, date formats, or screw head shapes. While a good majority of furniture and electronics do use a small subset of screws available in the world, you never know when you’ll actually come across one that your two or three screwdrivers can’t handle. There are, of course, a variety of screwdriver sets or universal tools with interchangeable bits to cover almost all those, but all of them take up precious space in your toolbox or bag. You can only do so much to get a true universal screwdriver you can easily carry even inside your pocket without compromising on quality. You might be shocked, then, to see this multi-functional screwdriver that can fit in the palm of your hand, proving its right to be called the ScrewDriverKing™.

Designer: Chiseled Design

Click Here to Buy Now: $89 $199 ($110 off). Hurry, only 5/200 left!

The problem with screws is that there are just too many kinds that require not only different bits but sometimes even different lengths of screwdrivers. You might assume that everything can be handled by a conventional screwdriver with a long shank, but there are times when you need to get even closer for more precise movement. This kind of variety and having too many variables is what makes it difficult to have a single tool that handles them all in a truly portable package.

Just like a powerful monarch, that is no problem for the ScrewDriverKing, which manages to solve that and more using the most ingenious design possible. Yes, it still has all the heads you’ll need to cover any kind of screw out there, and, yes, it still has a long double-ended hex socket (1/4″ & 5/16″) when you need it. The difference is that all of these tools are crammed into a compact body that is barely 4 inches in length, small enough to fit in your hand or keep in your pocket. You no longer have to worry about carrying a pouch or box with you all the time.

The secret to this seemingly impossible feat isn’t just the modularity of the ScrewDriverKing, but also in how all the bits and pieces fit inside the handle. Flip the shank around, and it stores inside the driver’s hollow body. All the screw bits, on the other hand, slide into the driver’s handle. The handle is ergonomically designed with a seamless anti-slip comfort that enables you to adeptly use all of the screw-bits as grip leverage. It facilitates an air circulation process through the tool grooves, allowing the air to pass through on both ends and keeping both the tool and hand dry for a long period of time. Everything you need is in one place, so you don’t have to worry about leaving some bits behind.

File Tool – Can be used to smooth sharp edges for those of us looking for perfection.

Box Cutter – Capable of opening your packages.

Circular Bubble Level – This allows you to center the position of the screwdriver.

Rulers – Implemented two rulers in both inches and metric.

The tool, however, isn’t just the King of all screwdrivers. It’s also the king of multi-tools. Despite its small size, it actually has multiple functions, including a filing tool on the double-ended hex socket that can hold both 1/4″ and 5/16″ screws bits, rulers in both imperial & metric units, and 27 different size screw-bits that’ll adapt to any project you might have. There is even a magnetic cap that serves as a bubble leveler that can precisely measure both horizontal and vertical surfaces. As a bonus, that cap has 9 different sizes of spoke-wrench, including a DT Swiss Tricon wheel (T20). Even with all these powerful features, the ScrewDriverKing is also carefully designed to be safe around children. The bits will not come off easily thanks to a magnetic slide-lock design, but adults can open it without trouble using a thumbs-up gesture.

The ScrewDriverKing is almost like a puzzle where every part has some function to be discovered. The parts can be used as storage but also as a standalone tool. True to its moniker, the tool’s gold color gives it a sense of royalty, and it’s complemented by that multi-functional cap that’s shaped like a crown. Given the royal treatment you’d be getting, the $89 Super Early Bird price tag definitely feels like it was made with commoners in mind. With this 40+ Tools-in-one screwdriver, you’ll definitely feel like the king of everyday repairs and everything else where there’s a loose screw waiting to be conquered.

Click Here to Buy Now: $89 $199 ($110 off). Hurry, only 4/199 left!

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The Blue Spruce Jeweled Try Square is a thing of beauty

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You may not have a use for a Try Square, but you may want to have a Jeweled Try Square for yourself. There are no jewels, diamonds, or crystals, but this product’s finish gives that illusion of a rare jewel waiting to be discovered.

Blue Spruce Toolworks is in the business of making quality hand tools you can use to create the finest products. It is more famous for its woodworking tools, chisels, and other related materials. The try square is one of the company’s many products, and it is literally sprucing up the device with the best finishes.

Designer: Dave Jeske

Blue Spruce Jeweled Try Square

The try square remains an essential piece of equipment in woodworking and carpentry. It is often used to check the assemblies, layout work, and the squareness of a material. The try square has been used for thousands of years and has probably reached its peak. Most try squares are now perfectly manufactured, but there is no reason why they can’t be improved.

There is no limit to innovation that is why Blue Spruce Toolworks was able to come up with the Blue Spruce Jeweled Try Square. Combining basic design and modern materials, the new Jeweled Try Square from the brand is CNC-machined from cast and ground tools. It doesn’t use wood, just aluminum with a stainless steel blade with more high-quality stainless steel. The stainless steel blade is held with three precision-machined custom-designed binding barrels to the stock.

Blue Spruce Jeweled Try Square 5

Blue Spruce Jeweled Try Square 4

You can get either the 6-inch or 12-inch version in different colors and finishes: clear anodized, blue, black, or Green Cerakote. You can also choose the infill: Figured Maple, African Blackwood, or Cocobolo. Genuine leather is a new choice for the infill.

Jeweled Try Square 1

Jeweled Try Square

The Blue Spruce Jeweled Try Square can last a lifetime. It’s a reliable tool as it is a perfect fit for the holes in the blade and stock. It’s not just helpful but is also beautiful with the design. The look and feel of the try square may remind you of those classic sports cars and fine watches because of the excellent craftsmanship. Each try square is a work of art that you can customize.

We have previously seen beautifully-designed tools we never imagined would be introduced. In the design world, you can expect anything to be spruced up. The design makes things more exciting to use like in the case of the Auto Hammer and the Lever Sander. We also remember the Rhino Hammer and the Screw Pocket Drill.

Blue Spruce Jeweled Try Square 2

Jeweled Try Square

Jeweled Try Square

The post The Blue Spruce Jeweled Try Square is a thing of beauty first appeared on Yanko Design.

This thin multi-functional wrench fits in your pocket to give you power over any nut or bolt

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There is probably no greater satisfaction than knowing you can loosen or tighten almost anything at any time with that thin steel contraption in your pocket, bringing delight and relief to friends and family.

No one probably fantasizes about being a repairperson, but some might have had dreams of being some secret agent or MacGuyver, able to break free of traps or fix breaking vehicles in the middle of a crisis. In real life, that means having to always carry a toolbox in order to be prepared for those fictional scenarios, but you don’t have to anymore, thanks to advancements in manufacturing as well as some creative thinking. These days, you can have a screwdriver as small or smaller than a pen or, in this case, a spanner that can fit any size of nut or bolt but can still fit in your shirt pocket, always ready for you to whip it out to the amazement of the audience.

Designer: Yu-Hung Cheng

Click Here to Buy Now: $69

Pen-sized tools have become possible and are even becoming quite popular these days. A set of tools that once required a large box container could now be reduced to two or three multi-functional tools that can all fit in a pouch or even your pocket. Admittedly, downscaling a wrench is a bit more difficult considering the size of its head and the different sizes it would need to cover, but even that puzzle is no match for some out-of-the-box design thinking.

That’s exactly the proposition that the WRENCHit is making in the form of a handsome, stainless steel tool that looks like an extra thin box cutter. It even shares some visual resemblance with these cutters in how the “blades” inside appear to be segmented. That’s actually not far from the truth, but instead of blades, each segment has a hole that matches a specific wrench size.

The way this rather unorthodox spanner works is similar to a tool pen. You push from one end and have the tool pop out the other, almost like a click pen. The difference is that this action pushes out the next wrench in the sequence, which you then remove from the sleeve and attach to the other end. This is how you cycle through the different wrenches until you get to the one that you need. Once that’s at the top of the head (the exposed part), you can start twisting and turning that nut, using the sleeve as an arm to give you enough torque for the work.

Even while only 4mm thin and weighing only 30g, this innovative spanner is won’t easily bend or break on you, thanks to its SUS420 Stainless Steel body. The sandblasted finish gives it a stylish appearance that is both minimalist and industrial. The Full set we carry in our store includes all ten wrenches, which include spoke and Wing Nut wrenches. There’s even a bottle opener “wrench” so that you can help save the day when no one remembered to bring one to the party.

Click Here to Buy Now: $69

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Upgrade your work from home game with this gadget that is a Fitbit for productivity!

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The pandemic has changed the way we work permanently and that is a lot to adjust to overnight! Right from managing your work from home set up, ensuring that you are not disturbed during calls, probably sharing your space with others, and also doing chores – it is the several tiny things that pile up high enough to tower over your productivity which is even more fragile given the crisis we are all going through. Fun fact: an average employee gets distracted at least 56 times a day and now that we have our pets and Netflix around work, distraction counts are on the rise. TimeChi is a smart tool that can help us sail through those endless Zoom calls and Slack pings!

Productivity is a flexible skill, you can continue to develop and master it just the way you exercise and build up your fitness. A study shows that 80% of our disturbances are trivial and can be avoided with awareness. TimeChi is a compact desk gadget that takes care of one of the biggest distractions we all face – it blocks digital notifications from IM or your smartphone, time-wasting websites, and physical interruptions! That itself could save up to twp hours from my day and I actually tested it out by putting timers on my apps to see how it would reduce my screen time during work hours. It takes 11 minutes to get your focus and attention back and while it is so tempting to see what meme your friend sent or to play a 15-second game with the filter, it unknowingly makes your day longer and eventually pushes your work into your personal time which right now is more precious than ever. “The app + device combo empowers you to reach your productivity potential, facilitate meaningful team collaborations, and boost creativity with a simple click on the TimeChi device,” says the team.

TimeChi is built around the widely used Pomodoro technique and timeboxing. It puts these two tried and tested productivity hacks into one smart, connected device. I am a personal fan of the Pomodoro timer, you sit with a task for 25 minutes at a time with 5-minute breaks in the middle of each task. One cycle of a 25-minute task and a 5-minute break equals one Pomodoro, after you finish four Pomodoros you can take a 15-minute break. TimeChi uses a bright traffic light display that makes it clear even in your peripheral vision or to those sharing your space that you’re in the middle of a deep-work session, this also helps set those focus boundaries during work hours and tells them when you will be taking a break so they can come back. The personal gadget is also fully customizable, it works for students and professionals to set the focus periods and track their performance on the personalized TimeChi dashboard. We can all use a digital timeout after the last few months of digital overload!

Designer: TimeChi

Click Here to Buy Now!

timechi

timechi1

timechi2

Keyboard Designs that improve ergonomics in your workplace!

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Given how much we use and abuse our keyboards every day, we never really reinvented the wheel on that design. Or did we?! Keyboard designs are a fundamental building block of our workday setup and whatever your style, we have a keyboard here that will solve your woes you did not know you had. A wave-shaped keyboard that lets you rest your palms in a more natural format to a keyboard made for designers to help them switch between software with ease – we have a keyboard here that will solve your woes! Happy working from home.

Say hello to the Kolude KD-K1 by Jeremy Lin, a sleek external keyboard with a pretty interesting twist. With circular keys that sit within a machined aluminum base giving it a neo-retro vibe, the Kolude KD-K1 keyboard is a visual treat with tactile scissor-switch keys that make it a great keyboard to type on too. Designed to be the sleeker brother of Lofree’s keyboards, the Kolude KD-K1’s twist lies right above those keys. Built right into the back-face of the KD-K1 is a USB hub, complete with USB-A and USB-C ports, an HDMI port, and two card-reader slots.

Vinicius Araújo has designed a gorgeous keyboard to aid in the transition between each Adobe program, saving the user hours of switching between Photoshop to Indesign to Illustrator to Lightroom. Accented with stylish LED colors and eye-catching material changes, the Adobe Keyboard is the designers’ must-have.

The Off keyboard by Marko Oljaca comes with soft, rounded keys that are elevated on independent “stems” rather than recessed into a solid surface. Not only easy to clean, but it also prevents the buildup of dirt and residue. Better yet, its seamless design makes it spill-proof and water-resistant. Its organic form is also ergonomically adapted to maximize wrist comfort.

The Aura by Vince Wang functions without a screen and that’s all down to the rather clever Eye-tracking Infrared Illuminators that locate eye-details and reflection patterns to project the image directly onto the user’s retinas! The futuristic technology doesn’t end there; in addition to the lack of screen, there is also a concave keyboard with Glow Thru keys that’s been paired with an adaptive input service for maximum productivity!

Slide Keyboard

A combination of a keyboard and tablet, Slide, as its name implies comes with a ‘sliding’ element. The tablet can be easily pulled out or pushed in, enabling it to hide sneakily below the keyboard. When you’re only using the keyboard, the tablet snugly remains a part of it. Designer Cheolsu Park added a lock button to the product, pressing it prevents the keyboard from sliding up and down, keeping it firmly in position. The edges of the product have been centered using a weighty material, ensuring that the product does not tilt in its extended form, especially when you’re typing on the keyboard.

Hidekey

The Hidekey keyboard by Yeong Seok Go has a secret! Its number pad is in hiding. Tucked away on the backside of the keyboard, a quick sliding movement reveals the number pad. The pad can be easily pulled out whenever needed. Once it has been used, you can effortlessly slide it back in. This ensures you always have a number pad at your disposal, improving the efficiency of your work, without taking up too much space.

The first thing you notice when you see the ERGO K860 is its camel-hump, or as Logitech calls it, the WAVE. Logitech’s design team states that when completely relaxed (like your muscles would be if you were floating underwater), your hands don’t lay completely flat. They relax at a slight outward angle. The ERGO K860’s wave detail gets your hands to rest in that exact same angle to deliver a more natural typing experience. The split-keyboard layout guides your hands into a spread-out shape too, so you’ve got each key covered by your fingers. The keys, rated for a 10 million keystroke lifespan, come with a slightly scooped concave shape, allowing you to orient your fingers better and type more confidently.

The Lofree Four Seasons is quite similar to the Mac built-in keyboard, so it won’t be a drastic change for Apple users. However, the keyboard is compatible with iOS, Windows, and Android. The keys are supported by Gateron blue switches, which reduce pressure on your fingers as you type, preventing the risk of developing Repetitive Strain Injury. It can be used wirelessly and with a wire, so it’s quite easy to carry around. Equipped with an LED backlight, you can adjust the lighting of the keyboard which comes in three levels, so you can easily use the keyboard no matter where you are. The Lofree Four Seasons allows you to connect and work with three different devices, your smartphone, laptop, and tablet.

Modern technologies and retro styling collide and create a nostalgic piece of kit with Azio Designs’s Retro Keyboard. The timeless design may be what grabs your attention, but it’s the beautiful integration of modern technology that will keep it; ‘Blue’ mechanical keys offer tactile feedback that is both hugely satisfying and reminiscent of typewriters back in the day! LED backlights gently illuminate the keys, adding to the beautiful blend of modern and retro design.

Royole’s RoType is a neat, rollable keyboard. Unlike those hideous flexible silicone/TPU keyboards that you now find on novelty gadget shops, the RoType is slick, professional, and classy. With a miraculously transparent keyboard that embraces and becomes the surface you place it on, the RoType feels sort of like typing on air.

If you’ve ever tried to text in the cold, you know that your fingers tend to lock because of the low temperatures… so imagine trying to type on a keyboard in the cold. Whether you’re working or gaming, the Breez desktop hand-warmer keeps your fingers toasty as you clack away at the keys of your USB or wireless keyboard. The horizontal radiator design uniformly warms your hands as you type, covering the entire keyboard so there’s never a cold-zone near the Numpad.