Sure—we’re all for having the right tools at the right time. But let’s be honest: having any tool, when the need arises, is better than having none. Which is why having a multitool on your key chain makes perfect sense. But when it comes to multitools—keychain fobs or not—not all are created equal. And when it comes to the perfect combination of price and quality, it’s hard to go wrong with the original multi-tool manufacturer, Leatherman. The company’s Micra multi-tool lives on your keychain and includes ten handy functions that are always at the ready: Knife, Spring-action Scissors, Flat/Phillips Screwdriver, Ruler (4.7 in | 12.0 cm), Nail Cleaner, Tweezers, Bottle…

At CES last week, I noticed something interesting at the T3D booth. If you recall from our previous stories, T3D is a 3D printing startup that produces a clever desktop 3D printer that re-uses your own smartphone as the printing engine. The T3D mobile desktop 3D printer uses a resin process to create solid objects. Photopolymer resin is selectively exposed to light which causes the liquid to solidify. In other 3D printers using this process, you’ll find lasers, DLP projectors or LCD panels used as the source of this selective light illumination. T3D’s machine has none of these, as it simply uses a standard smartphone as the light engine in a manner similar…

You remember Vention, right? The web-based machine builder and social marketplace? They just popped the champagne announcing a seed round of $3.5 million CAD ($2.8M USD). The financing was spearheaded by White Star Capital and a band of previous investors, Bolt and Real Ventures. That’s no small bag of coin. And it comes on the heels of a few significant developments for the Vention platform. First though, if you’re not familiar with what Vention does, have a look at a new video on, their pride and joy, the 3D MachineBuilder: https://youtu.be/sSCPhUx9a-E Every time I see what can be done with Vention, I wonder why more 3D CAD software isn’t more like this. I…

Now more than ever, the ability to craft a killer work email or create a work summary that is clear and concise couldn’t be more critical. While emojis, slang, and Slack are taking over the workplace, the dying art of well-written copy speaks volumes when done right. Unfortunately, most of us are too busy moving along to the next task than spending half an hour scrutinizing over every piece of outbound communication. The good news is, now you don’t have to. Used by everybody from students to C-Suite members, Grammarly is a clever little writing tool that assists your copy crafting with an advanced context-aware spellcheck, alternate word suggestions, and…

From a working Tic Tac dispenser to the iconic 7,541-piece Millennium Falcon, almost everything under the sun has been created using the deceptively painful iconic plastic bricks. Really, as long as you don’t accidentally step on one with a bare foot, you can never really go wrong with LEGOs. LEGO Ideas is the latest project created by the Danish company that allows fans to submit their designs in hopes of having them manufactured by the toy giant. Following a set of rules, LEGO aficionados submit their own designs online where they are voted on by the community. Once a submitted project reaches 10,000 supporters, it gets put up for review…

The rotary tool (Dremel) is the ubiquitous hand tool for low skill prototyping. The magic wand of the prototyping world. And by that, I mean it can make sparks, dust, and smoke. The real magic is how all those theatrics can produce such a small cut (and leave such a razor-sharp edge). It is time for you to level up your prototyping game from a level 4 spellcaster cowering against Timeline Trolls to a level 37 mage with a permanent aura of undefendable design domination. Now behold the amazing Dan and his workshop of wonders! 1. Nibbler Also called: Adel Nibbling Tool, Nibbling tool Also a great name for: An…