Founded in 1927 in Centralia, Washington by the Geier Brothers, the Geier Glove Company has been churning out some of the world’s finest work gloves for heavy wear and tear. Made from Elkskin, which is more rugged than deerskin, these gloves can stand up to just about anything you can throw at them—from nasty wood splinters to cold steel bars. Heck—they even make great winter gloves whether you use them in the shop at all. Made in the USA, you can’t go wrong with this Western staple in your workshop. Geier Glove Elkskin Gloves — $54.95 Features: Men’s elkskin gloves in slip-on style Rugged and tough for work or riding…

Cherished by writers, designers, illustrators, and other creative professionals for its soft dark lead and unique flat eraser, the Blackwing 602 is worth trying at least once—but be forewarned: you may never go back to plain old #2 pencils again. Originally manufactured by the Eberhard Faber Pencil Company from 1934 – 1988, the Blackwing brand was acquired by California Cedar Products Company in 2008 and reintroduced to a new generation of creatives in 2012. And now, you can score your own 12-pack of the legendary pencil for just 23 bucks. Palomino Blackwing 602 Pencils 12-Pack — $22.95 Features: One pack of 12 Palomino Blackwing pencils Pencils feature a soft and…

It’s time for another round of apps that cover the spectrum of your beloved mobile device(s)! The Weekly App Smack is the best of new or updated design and productivity apps (and maybe a couple of fun ones, too) for the busy design or engineering professional and this week we have a list sure to make you more efficient. Do you have an app suggestion that has made your life easier or changed up your workflow? Let us know in the comments below or send it into tips@www.solidsmack.com. Hit it! Pinball Arcade (iOS — Free) Pinball Arcade by FarSight Studios features exact recreations of the all-time greatest pinball tables from Williams®,…

From cottages in the middle of the forest to hyper-organized New York City studios, no two workshops are alike. But few—if any workshops—are as gonzo as this setup from Spanish furniture designer Fernando Abellanas. The core of the workspace has all of the common knick-knacks— the chair, the desk, the computer, the potted plants. But what separates Fernando’s workspace from just about every other person on earth is that it’s located underneath the steady hum of a major highway overpass. In a recent interview with le cool Valencia, the designer explained that he’s had a lifelong fascination in finding refuge in unexpected places—from under the dinner table as a child,…

When it comes to precision assemblies and repairs, no two screwdrivers are alike. And while you may have an entire tool caddy loaded with precision screwdrivers for whatever job comes at you, you’re still not doing your wrist any favors. WIth a 100+ RPM motor with both forward and reverse controls, the first-of-its-kind General Tools 500 Cordless Power Precision Screwdriver is a must for effortless work sessions—be it assembling your latest prototype or simply swapping out batteries on your favorite device. The quick-change chuck allows for effortless swapping between 1/8-inch slotted, Phillips and Torx bits while an ergonomic handle design provides multiple grip positions to accommodate a variety of working…

First introduced in 1976, Stretch Armstrong has been pulled, plied, and (sadly) torn by thousands of kids over his lifetime. The short, well-muscled blonde man always returns to his original size though—and has proven to be indestructible no matter how many kids pull on each of his arms. But can this latex and corn syrup-filled living room superhero survive the wrath of an industrial shredder? https://youtu.be/l2t6sJNjIu4 Poor Stretch. Well, you don’t need to feel too bad for the guy—he’s now got his own Netflix show. By the way, you can still fetch an original 1976 Stretch Armstrong over at eBay if you’re the collectible type.