php-horde-feed 2.0.1-4 / usr / share / php / tests / Horde_Feed / Horde / Feed / fixtures / lexicon / http-www.kk.org-cooltools-index.xml

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        <title>Cool Tools</title>

 <link>http://www.kk.org/cooltools/</link>

 <description>Cool tools really work. A cool tool can be any book, gadget, software, video, map, hardware, material, or website that is tried and true. All reviews on this site are written by readers who have actually used the tool and others like it. Items can be either old or new as long as they are wonderful. We only post things we like and ignore the rest. Suggestions for tools much better than what is recommended here are always wanted.  Tell me what you love. 

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  <title>IKEA Frost Drying Rack</title>
            <description>&lt;img src="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/frost-drying-rack-sm.jpg" /&gt;
            &lt;p&gt;Drying clothing on a rack is cheaper and better for the environment than using a dryer, but the design of a lot of drying racks is far from ideal. IKEA's Frost rack is a long series of bars that are horizontally parallel to one another, which maximizes the use for each bar. The closely-spaced bars allow me either to pack in small laundry or put sweaters and thicker laundry across two or more bars to let more air pass around it. On the other hand, many racks are situated with each bar immediately above or below another bar, so if you hang pants from the top bar, they hang down making all of the bars below them useless (i.e. wet). A few companies make potentially-good racks you hang from the ceiling, but they're usually permanent, more expensive and not so nice to look at. The cheap Frost rack can easily fit an entire load of laundry, whether it's socks or jeans, and it folds into a large, flat rectangle when not in use. A few racks can easily fit into the back of the closet.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;I bought my first Frost rack when I lived in an apartment. But even when my wife and I moved into a house two years ago, we decided to get by without a dryer for a while, mainly to save money. To our surprise, it wasn't difficult. It's no problem at all in the summer, when we can supplement our drying with an outside clothesline on sunny days. During the winter, our two racks are in constant use (hint: put the rack beside or above heating vents or radiators to speed drying). We might eventually buy a dryer, but only to make it easier to catch up when we fall behind. I've been using one rack for about four years and bought the second about two years ago. I cannot tell which is the old one. They've held up quite well. Granted the rack is not perfect: it could be both wider and higher -- tall people will have to stoop a little bit to use it. Still, it's far better than any of the alternatives I've found.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;One unexpected benefit: our clothing seems to last a lot longer. We'd never realized how rough the dryer can be on clothing. I have shirts that are a few years old I wear regularly and they still look new. I suppose all of the lint in the dryer trap has to come from somewhere.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;-- Willie Beegle&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;$20&lt;br /&gt;
Available from &lt;a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50095091"&gt;IKEA&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Related items previously reviewed on Cool Tools:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image" style="display: inline;"&gt;&lt;img alt="travel-clothesline-sm2.jpg" src="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/travel-clothesline-sm2.jpg" width="71" height="74" class="mt-image-none" style="" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;a href="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/000898.php"&gt;Travel Clothesline&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image" style="display: inline;"&gt;&lt;img alt="sockpro-sm2.jpg" src="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/sockpro-sm2.jpg" width="73" height="75" class="mt-image-none" style="" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;a href="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/001672.php"&gt;Sock Pro&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image" style="display: inline;"&gt;&lt;img alt="dropps-sm2.jpg" src="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/dropps-sm2.jpg" width="49" height="74" class="mt-image-none" style="" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;a href="http://www.dropps.com/store/dropps.html"&gt;Dropps&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="feedflare"&gt;
&lt;a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?a=csN0HJ"&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?i=csN0HJ" border="0"&gt;&lt;/img&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?a=zhM80J"&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?i=zhM80J" border="0"&gt;&lt;/img&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?a=i3sG1J"&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?i=i3sG1J" border="0"&gt;&lt;/img&gt;&lt;/a&gt;
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<category>Clothing</category> <pubDate>Tue, 22 Jul 2008 05:00:00 -0800</pubDate> <feedburner:origLink>http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/002946.php</feedburner:origLink></item>  

<item>

  <title>NEOS Overshoes</title>
            <description>&lt;img src="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/neos-explorer-sm.jpg" /&gt;
            &lt;p&gt;NEOS (New England Overshoes) are basically big insulated, gusseted bags with soles. They fit over my hiking boots, sneakers or, if it's just a quick errand outdoors, my socks. The gusset folds over the top of the foot and ankle with a hook and loop (Velcro) closure. A strap across the instep makes for a snug, secure fit. I discovered NEOS a couple of years ago working as a film extra in rural Pennsylvania. We were outside in cold, wet snowy weather all late fall and early winter. Several members of the crew wore them and the wardrobe folks used them to keep the principle actor's shoes out of the mud and slush. Insulated and uninsulated models are rated for temperatures as low as -20F and 0F respectively. I chose the insulated Explorer version, because I often work and play outside during the winter. As a &lt;a href="http://scoutmaster.typepad.com"&gt;Scoutmaster&lt;/a&gt;, I have worn mine on snowy weekend camping trips when temperatures are down in the teens and kept my feet warm and dry. Last winter ('07-'08) was pretty mild, so I didn't wear them as much, but after two years the NEOS are as good as new. The choices have expanded quite a bit since I bought mine. NEOS also makes light, ankle-high models for commuters with a lining that actually shines dress shoes and heavier expedition weight models suited for intense outdoor activities.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image" style="display: inline;"&gt;&lt;img alt="neos-sole-sm.jpg" src="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/neos-sole-sm.jpg" width="210" height="92" class="mt-image-none" style="" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;




&lt;p&gt;NEOS Overshoes&lt;br /&gt;
$90&lt;br /&gt;
(model: Explorer)&lt;br /&gt;
Manufactured by &lt;a href="http://www.overshoe.com/"&gt;NEOS&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;Available from &lt;a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000XTABSY/ref=nosim/kkorg-20"&gt;Amazon&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;














Related Entries: &lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/001173.php"&gt;Muck Boots Jobber Work Boot&lt;/a&gt; 












&lt;a href="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/001149.php"&gt;Yaktrax Walker&lt;/a&gt;  









&lt;a href="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/001607.php"&gt;Toasty Feet Insoles&lt;/a&gt;&lt;div class="feedflare"&gt;
&lt;a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?a=V4Pm8J"&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?i=V4Pm8J" border="0"&gt;&lt;/img&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?a=1kYoUJ"&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?i=1kYoUJ" border="0"&gt;&lt;/img&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?a=LZEFEJ"&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?i=LZEFEJ" border="0"&gt;&lt;/img&gt;&lt;/a&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CoolTools/~4/341696724" height="1" width="1"/&gt;</description>
            <link>http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CoolTools/~3/341696724/002945.php</link>
            <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/002945.php</guid>


<category>Clothing</category> <pubDate>Mon, 21 Jul 2008 09:15:22 -0800</pubDate> <feedburner:origLink>http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/002945.php</feedburner:origLink></item>  

<item>

  <title>Kayaks You Can Build</title>
            <description>&lt;img src="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/kayaks-you-can-build-sm.jpg" /&gt;
            &lt;p&gt;I have built several simple fiberglass canoes and repaired my sailboats, but using this book I was able to build my first "real," high-performance boat, a &lt;a href="http://www.pygmyboats.com/coho.htm"&gt;Pygmy Coho&lt;/a&gt; stitch and glue plywood construction sea kayak. I read a lot of books on kayak construction, stitch and glue type in particular. I also used the Coho building manual from Pygmy some. But I absolutely would not have been as successful with my boat had I not read this book before building and referenced it during building. The detail, sharing of practical experience, the tons of photos, clarity in explanation and the examples of the exact same boat -- the Coho -- made this the only choice. The book lays out everything in terms of what you can expect to accomplish on Day 1, Day 2 and so forth. Even if you don't follow it step by step, the book provides the fundamentals to make good alternative building decisions.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;I was able to do all of the following alternatives: Rigged up my own plumbing for a built in bilge pump. Added 4-oz glass to the deck for strength. Added the bulkheads to also gain rear deck strength. Doubled the coaming lip for strength and aesthetics. Added in hardwood keys at the coaming spacer joints for strength. Fiberglassed the entire coaming (probably really not necessary). Made my own jigs with hot glue and pop sickle sticks as prealignment tools for bulkheads, seat braces, deck joint, etc.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Above all else, the book explains how to build a very flat, level, elevated worktable with internal/external stations to hold the boat in position. That aspect alone is reason enough to go with this book. I am currently building a skin-on-frame, Greenland style kayak for my wife, but I would re-read this book before building any other stitch and glue boat. I also recommend the Greenland kayak website, &lt;a href="http://www.qajaqusa.org/"&gt;Qajaq USA&lt;/a&gt; and Guillemont Kayak's boat-building &lt;a href="http://www.kayakforum.com/KayakBuilding/index.shtml"&gt;forum&lt;/a&gt;, where there is a wealth of information for the construction and use of stitch and glue, strip building and traditional skin-on-frame (SOF) kayaks.&lt;/p&gt;




&lt;p&gt;Kayaks You Can Build: An Illustrated Guide to Plywood Construction&lt;br /&gt;
Ted Moores &amp; Greg Rossel&lt;br /&gt;
2004, 256 pages&lt;br /&gt;
$23&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Pygmy Coho Kits&lt;br /&gt;
$550+&lt;br /&gt;
(13' +)&lt;br /&gt;
Available from &lt;a href="http://www.pygmyboats.com/coho.htm"&gt;Pygmy Boats&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;Available from &lt;a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1552978613/ref=nosim/kkorg-20"&gt;Amazon&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;














Related Entries: &lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/000250.php"&gt;Epic Kayak Paddles&lt;/a&gt; 












&lt;a href="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/000436.php"&gt;Handmade Houseboats&lt;/a&gt;  









&lt;a href="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/000173.php"&gt;Community Boatbuilding Manual&lt;/a&gt;&lt;div class="feedflare"&gt;
&lt;a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?a=2VcvlJ"&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?i=2VcvlJ" border="0"&gt;&lt;/img&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?a=BE6tZJ"&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?i=BE6tZJ" border="0"&gt;&lt;/img&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?a=gbwOUJ"&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?i=gbwOUJ" border="0"&gt;&lt;/img&gt;&lt;/a&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CoolTools/~4/338953106" height="1" width="1"/&gt;</description>
            <link>http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CoolTools/~3/338953106/002940.php</link>
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<category>Autonomous Motion</category> <pubDate>Fri, 18 Jul 2008 05:00:00 -0800</pubDate> <feedburner:origLink>http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/002940.php</feedburner:origLink></item>  

<item>

  <title>SpeediBleed</title>
            <description>&lt;img src="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/speedibleed-sm.jpg" /&gt;
            &lt;p&gt;This light, portable pressure brake bleeder is the best one I have ever used in the 25+ years I have been working on cars. I have used other professional-style pressure bleeders costing $800-1000 and prefer the SpeediBleed. Using SpeediBleed by myself, it's taken me only 15 minutes to do a 4-wheel brake bleed and, when finished, I had a firm brake pedal and clean brake fluid from top to bottom. The cool aspect of this kit is that you pressurize the master cylinder by connecting the SpeediBleed fluid bottle to a tire with a aluminum machined adapter. Yes, you read correctly; you use a tire to bleed brakes! When I told a few friends of this feature, they jokingly claimed I would have 4 flat tires to show for my work. They could not have been more wrong. The 4-wheel brake bleed of my Cavalier resulted in only 3 psi being removed from the single tire I used.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;There are cheaper DIY kits. The Motive looks to be a decent, popular product. Personally, aside from the quality and ease with which you can control the working pressure, I like that the SpeediBleed has a much larger and constant air pressure source. My truck tires are probably 15-20 times larger volume than the Motive's pressure bottle. Thus, I can set the regulator to 20-25 psi and have enough pressure to flush the system, versus having to pump a bottle a few times. And for the extra money, you get a high quality pressure regulator, quick release coupler, the aluminum adapter, and tool case. My buddy knew the old service manager at the local Porsche dealership near me. They have four to five SpeediBleed kits in their shop and are flushing Porsche and Land Rovers every day. I have used mine hundreds of times in the last 12 years. Really makes it possible for any DIY'er to bleed brakes without the headache. &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;-- Ron Armstrong&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;SpeediBleed&lt;br /&gt;
$120&lt;br /&gt;
Available from &lt;a href="http://www.speedibleed.com/products/specialitykits2.php"&gt;Hi-Lo Distributors&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Related items previously reviewed in Cool Tools:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image" style="display: inline;"&gt;&lt;img alt="used_parts-sm2.jpg" src="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/used_parts-sm2.jpg" width="74" height="42" class="mt-image-none" style="" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;a href="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/000907.php"&gt;Get Used Parts&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image" style="display: inline;"&gt;&lt;img alt="topside_oil-sm2.jpg" src="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/topside_oil-sm2.jpg" width="74" height="56" class="mt-image-none" style="" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;a href="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/001299.php"&gt;Topside Oil Changer&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image" style="display: inline;"&gt;&lt;img alt="filtration-solutions-sm2.jpg" src="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/filtration-solutions-sm2.jpg" width="50" height="74" class="mt-image-none" style="" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;a href="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/001133.php"&gt;Filtration Solutions FS2500&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="feedflare"&gt;
&lt;a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?a=rI568J"&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?i=rI568J" border="0"&gt;&lt;/img&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?a=IWhomJ"&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?i=IWhomJ" border="0"&gt;&lt;/img&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?a=R6A5HJ"&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?i=R6A5HJ" border="0"&gt;&lt;/img&gt;&lt;/a&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CoolTools/~4/338002585" height="1" width="1"/&gt;</description>
            <link>http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CoolTools/~3/338002585/002938.php</link>
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<category>Vehicles</category> <pubDate>Thu, 17 Jul 2008 05:00:00 -0800</pubDate> <feedburner:origLink>http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/002938.php</feedburner:origLink></item>  

<item>

  <title>Bod-i-Bag</title>
            <description>&lt;img src="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/bodibag.jpg" /&gt;
            &lt;p&gt;This fleece sleeping bag liner looks like a really long hooded sweatshirt, except it has a drawstring base. You can tuck your feet in and close it up, but then wear it to get out of your bag at night to go pee or whatever. I got mine to combine with my &lt;a href="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/002901.php"&gt;Bivanorak&lt;/a&gt; bivvy bag to make a lightweight sleeping system, but it also does double duty as a garment that's very nice for sitting around and just keeping warm around camp. I've used it up in the mountains at about 8,500 feet with the temp down to about 38 F. It's light and packs up very small (mine is 9x15 and maybe 2 lbs), and is available with a stuff sack.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Most importantly, they will custom make one for you if, say, you are very tall (I'm 6'10" and 260 lbs). You can also choose from a few fabric thicknesses and add a pocket pouch. I opted for the thickest weight fabric with the pocket pouch, which has a zippered mesh compartment. Great service, too. The maker got my special order to me in 4 days.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;-- Randall Robinson&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Bod-i-Bag&lt;br /&gt;
$64&lt;br /&gt;
(lightest fleece w/long sleeve version)&lt;br /&gt;
Available from &lt;a href="http://www.bodibag.com/options.php"&gt;Alpinlite&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Related items previously reviewed in Cool Tools:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image" style="display: inline;"&gt;&lt;img alt="wool_briefs-sm2.jpg" src="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/wool_briefs-sm2.jpg" width="75" height="75" class="mt-image-none" style="" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;a href="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/000705.php"&gt;Wool Underwear&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image" style="display: inline;"&gt;&lt;img alt="cocoon-sm2.jpg" src="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/cocoon-sm2.jpg" width="75" height="59" class="mt-image-none" style="" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;a href="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/000525.php"&gt;Cocoon Silk Bag/Travel Sheet&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image" style="display: inline;"&gt;&lt;img alt="mosquitobar-sm2.jpg" src="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/mosquitobar-sm2.jpg" width="75" height="62" class="mt-image-none" style="" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;a href="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/000306.php"&gt;Mosquito Netting&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="feedflare"&gt;
&lt;a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?a=EuWx7J"&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?i=EuWx7J" border="0"&gt;&lt;/img&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?a=967hEJ"&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?i=967hEJ" border="0"&gt;&lt;/img&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?a=qsrxGJ"&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?i=qsrxGJ" border="0"&gt;&lt;/img&gt;&lt;/a&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CoolTools/~4/337020853" height="1" width="1"/&gt;</description>
            <link>http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CoolTools/~3/337020853/002937.php</link>
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<category>Backpacking</category> <pubDate>Wed, 16 Jul 2008 05:00:00 -0800</pubDate> <feedburner:origLink>http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/002937.php</feedburner:origLink></item>  

<item>

  <title>MacKissic Mighty Mac Chipper Shredder</title>
            <description>&lt;img src="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/chipper-shredder-sm.jpg" /&gt;
            &lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
I bought a Mighty Mac shredder/chipper about 25 years ago, have used it -- heavily at times -- all these years and, with a few engine repairs and turning the shredder blades around once (they are 2-sided), it's worked flawlessly on our 1/2-acre homestead. This is a "hammermill" chipper with free-swinging hammer blades for the top-feed hopper, as well as a chipper, a side feed where you put in larger branches (it will grind up a 2x4) at a 90-degree angle to the balanced flywheel blade that runs on the same axle as the shredder blades. If you get one of the bigger professional type units you don't need a separate grinder, but for home-style operation, I wouldn't fool with any of the lower-cost feed-it-in-the-top units. You don't really need to shred stuff like oak leaves (they compost nicely as is), and the smaller shredders tend to choke on stuff such as 1-incg diameter branches. This unit has changeable screens so you can adjust from fine to coarse output.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Be aware: these are dangerous tools. If you get careless and push down on brush in the hopper and get a sleeve caught in the blades, you'll end up with a mangled (or no) hand. See the simple 2x4 pusher tool below for pushing stuck vegetation into the blades. I also use a Collins machete for chopping up branches for easy feeding and of course -- Grandma speaking here -- goggles (chips fly), earphones, and gloves.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Mine (depicted above) has a 7HP Briggs and Stratton motor. The current models have a 10 HP. I wouldn't bother with the electric starter; the rope pull works fine.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;-- Lloyd Kahn&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;MacKissic Mighty Mac Chipper Shredder - 12PT10&lt;br /&gt;
$1900 (includes shipping)&lt;br /&gt;
Available from &lt;a href="http://dolphinope.stores.yahoo.net/10chsh1.html"&gt;The Lawnmower Shop&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Manufactured by &lt;a href="http://mackissic.com/"&gt;MacKissic&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image" style="display: inline;"&gt;&lt;img alt="chippershreddersafety-sm.jpg" src="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/chippershreddersafety-sm.jpg" width="300" height="147" class="mt-image-none" style="" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
Pusher safety tool made from 2X4: cross piece an inch or so narrower than hopper's bottom opening (9-1/2"), screwed on to a 21" handle&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Related items previously reviewed in Cool Tools:&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image" style="display: inline;"&gt;&lt;img alt="alligator-loppers-sm2.jpg" src="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/alligator-loppers-sm2.jpg" width="75" height="75" class="mt-image-none" style="" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;a href="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/001752.php"&gt;Black &amp; Decker Alligator Lopper Chainsaw&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image" style="display: inline;"&gt;&lt;img alt="lumber_wizard_sm2.jpg" src="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/lumber_wizard_sm2.jpg" width="73" height="74" class="mt-image-none" style="" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;a href="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/001593.php"&gt;Lumber Wizard&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image" style="display: inline;"&gt;&lt;img alt="bahco-swedish-axe-sm2.jpg" src="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/bahco-swedish-axe-sm2.jpg" width="75" height="51" class="mt-image-none" style="" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;a href="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/001621.php"&gt;Bahco Swedish Clearing Axe&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="feedflare"&gt;
&lt;a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?a=OCDoAJ"&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?i=OCDoAJ" border="0"&gt;&lt;/img&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?a=6dq1qJ"&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?i=6dq1qJ" border="0"&gt;&lt;/img&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?a=7rwyJJ"&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?i=7rwyJJ" border="0"&gt;&lt;/img&gt;&lt;/a&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CoolTools/~4/336031222" height="1" width="1"/&gt;</description>
            <link>http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CoolTools/~3/336031222/002936.php</link>
            <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/002936.php</guid>


<category>Gardens</category> <pubDate>Tue, 15 Jul 2008 05:00:00 -0800</pubDate> <feedburner:origLink>http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/002936.php</feedburner:origLink></item>  

<item>

  <title>CETMAracks</title>
            <description>&lt;img src="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/cetmarack-sm.jpg" /&gt;
            &lt;p&gt;I don't own a car, so when I go to the store for large quantities of beer or buckets of cat litter I use the CETMA, a lightweight steel rack that's tough as nails. I know a couple messengers that have crashed and the rack took the brunt of the force dishing it out to car doors or whatever obstacle happened to be there, and the rack only absorbed a slight crinkle or bend without compromising anything at all in it's performance. I've been using a CETMArack for a couple years and currently have a 5-rail on my '81 single speed, all-weather utility grocery coffee shop beer bike (a 3-rail is plenty big enough if you only plan an occasional twelve pack or a couple library books; they also offer a 7-rail version!). Keeping the load up front over the front wheel lets you control the weight a bit more and doesn't bog down like a rear rack. You cannot ride like you normally would, hopping curbs or diving into corners when you have 27 pounds of cat litter on the front. But it's good to get a change of pace once in a while; a gravity reminder keeps you humble. I also like CETMAracks because of the guy who makes them. Made by hand in Eugene, OR. No outsourcing. No overseas production. And now they even include home-baked cookies with your order.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;-- Mark Pilder&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image" style="display: inline;"&gt;&lt;img alt="cemtarack-ex-sm.jpg" src="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/cemtarack-ex-sm.jpg" width="212" height="225" class="mt-image-none" style="" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;CETMAracks&lt;br /&gt;
5-rail&lt;br /&gt;
$80 (uncoated - bare metal)&lt;br /&gt;
$100 (powder-coated)&lt;br /&gt;
Available from &lt;a href="http://cetmaracks.com/"&gt;CETMAracks&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Also available:&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;7-rail&lt;br /&gt;
$100 (uncoated - bare metal)&lt;br /&gt;
$120 (powder-coated)&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;span class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image" style="display: inline;"&gt;&lt;img alt="cetmarack-7rail-sm.jpg" src="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/cetmarack-7rail-sm.jpg" width="198" height="150" class="mt-image-none" style="" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;3-rail&lt;br /&gt;
$80 (powder-coated)&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;span class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image" style="display: inline;"&gt;&lt;img alt="cetmarack-3rail-sm.jpg" src="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/cetmarack-3rail-sm.jpg" width="195" height="150" class="mt-image-none" style="" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Related items previously reviewed in Cool Tools:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image" style="display: inline;"&gt;&lt;img alt="pythonbungeekit-sm2.jpg" src="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/pythonbungeekit-sm2.jpg" width="75" height="55" class="mt-image-none" style="" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;a href="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/001250.php"&gt;Python Bungee Kit&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image" style="display: inline;"&gt;&lt;img alt="xtracycle2web-sm2.jpg" src="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/xtracycle2web-sm2.jpg" width="75" height="75" class="mt-image-none" style="" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;a href="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/001234.php"&gt;Xtracycle&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image" style="display: inline;"&gt;&lt;img alt="grocery_pannier-sm2.jpg" src="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/grocery_pannier-sm2.jpg" width="75" height="75" class="mt-image-none" style="" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;a href="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/000674.php"&gt;Grocery Bag Panniers&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="feedflare"&gt;
&lt;a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?a=mQBAOJ"&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?i=mQBAOJ" border="0"&gt;&lt;/img&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?a=TG8psJ"&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?i=TG8psJ" border="0"&gt;&lt;/img&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?a=dWYgBJ"&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?i=dWYgBJ" border="0"&gt;&lt;/img&gt;&lt;/a&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CoolTools/~4/335239845" height="1" width="1"/&gt;</description>
            <link>http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CoolTools/~3/335239845/002935.php</link>
            <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/002935.php</guid>


<category>Autonomous Motion</category> <pubDate>Mon, 14 Jul 2008 09:24:01 -0800</pubDate> <feedburner:origLink>http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/002935.php</feedburner:origLink></item>  

<item>

  <title>Scoop Clip</title>
            <description>&lt;img src="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/scoopclip-sm.jpg" /&gt;
            &lt;p&gt;I've seen a few incarnations of the convenient scoop-clip mashup, including a version that's stainless steel. Normally I wouldn't opt for plastic -- especially if I can avoid it -- but this twofer has one unique benefit: two scoops, one tsp. and one tbsp. If I were a baker, I'd use this for flour or sugar. So far, ours remains tethered to the coffee. While my approach to brewing isn't terribly scientific, I'm getting there.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;-- Steven Leckart&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Scoop Clip&lt;br /&gt;
$5&lt;br /&gt;
Available from &lt;a href="http://tinyurl.com/6frsrr"&gt;Pampered Chef&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Related items previously reviewed on Cool Tools:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image" style="display: inline;"&gt;&lt;img alt="whirlwindcup-sm2.jpg" src="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/whirlwindcup-sm2.jpg" width="68" height="74" class="mt-image-none" style="" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;a href="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/001179.php"&gt;Whirlwind Cup&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image" style="display: inline;"&gt;&lt;img alt="aeropress-sm2.jpg" src="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/aeropress-sm2.jpg" width="34" height="75" class="mt-image-none" style="" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;a href="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/001187.php"&gt;Aeropress&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image" style="display: inline;"&gt;&lt;img alt="zeroll-scoops-sm2.jpg" src="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/zeroll-scoops-sm2.jpg" width="74" height="57" class="mt-image-none" style="" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;a href="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/001873.php"&gt;Zeroll Ice Cream Scoops&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="feedflare"&gt;
&lt;a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?a=uYY9WJ"&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?i=uYY9WJ" border="0"&gt;&lt;/img&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?a=SxjVJJ"&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?i=SxjVJJ" border="0"&gt;&lt;/img&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?a=2HDmDJ"&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?i=2HDmDJ" border="0"&gt;&lt;/img&gt;&lt;/a&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CoolTools/~4/332629457" height="1" width="1"/&gt;</description>
            <link>http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CoolTools/~3/332629457/002932.php</link>
            <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/002932.php</guid>


<category>Kitchen</category> <pubDate>Fri, 11 Jul 2008 05:00:00 -0800</pubDate> <feedburner:origLink>http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/002932.php</feedburner:origLink></item>  

<item>

  <title>Money-Band</title>
            <description>&lt;img src="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/moneyband-sm.jpg" /&gt;
            &lt;p&gt;Instead of an uncomfortable wallet in my back pocket, I use this rubber band to carry all of my essentials -- credit card, debit card, driver's license, work ID, insurance card. I really was skeptical of spending $3 for a 5-pack* of rubber bands, but I gave it a shot. The bands are a bit shorter than the standard office variety, so you can put one around your credit cards on the narrow end without having to double it over. As is, it provides a snug fit. They're also very tough, about as thick and robust as the kind used on lobster claws. I've been using my original band for the past seven months. My "wallet" can now fit easily in my front pocket at all times with no discomfort.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;-- Eric Doherty&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Money-Band&lt;br /&gt;
$6 (includes shipping)&lt;br /&gt;
Available from &lt;a href="http://www.money-band.com/"&gt;Money-Band.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;*NOTE: The manufacturer indicated a newer version of the Money-Band is available for $3 for one single band, &lt;em&gt;not&lt;/em&gt; a 5-pack. Additionally, the manufacturer indicated the newer vision is a bit thicker little and about 1/8-inch wider.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Related items previously reviewed on Cool Tools:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image" style="display: inline;"&gt;&lt;img alt="moneybelt-sm2.jpg" src="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/moneybelt-sm2.jpg" width="75" height="75" class="mt-image-none" style="" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;a href="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/002611.php"&gt;Eagle Creek All-Terrain Money Belt&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image" style="display: inline;"&gt;&lt;img alt="all_ett wallet-sm2.jpg" src="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/all_ett%20wallet-sm2.jpg" width="74" height="59" class="mt-image-none" style="" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;a href="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/001661.php"&gt;ALL-ETT Billfold Wallet&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image" style="display: inline;"&gt;&lt;img alt="zippo moneyclip-sm2.jpg" src="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/zippo%20moneyclip-sm2.jpg" width="75" height="66" class="mt-image-none" style="" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;a href="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/001650.php"&gt;Zippo Money Clip Pocket Knife&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="feedflare"&gt;
&lt;a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?a=ZK8zmJ"&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?i=ZK8zmJ" border="0"&gt;&lt;/img&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?a=EErHQJ"&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?i=EErHQJ" border="0"&gt;&lt;/img&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?a=RQUN8J"&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?i=RQUN8J" border="0"&gt;&lt;/img&gt;&lt;/a&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CoolTools/~4/331674056" height="1" width="1"/&gt;</description>
            <link>http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CoolTools/~3/331674056/002930.php</link>
            <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/002930.php</guid>


<category>Consumptivity</category> <pubDate>Thu, 10 Jul 2008 05:00:00 -0800</pubDate> <feedburner:origLink>http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/002930.php</feedburner:origLink></item>  

<item>

  <title>BodyGlide</title>
            <description>&lt;img src="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/bodyglide-sm.jpg" /&gt;
            &lt;p&gt;As a cyclist and triathlete, I've been a fan of products like &lt;a href="http://www.pacelineproducts.com/Category56/Chamois_Butt_r.aspx"&gt;Chamois Butt'R&lt;/a&gt; for years, but it was only last year I stumbled across BodyGlide in a giant bin in the Triathlon section of SportsBasement. In a matter of weeks, I went from interested to addicted. It's simple stuff you just apply anywhere you have rubbing issues: your netherbits, nipples, wrists, ankles, cankles, armpits or pretty much any other body part prone to chaffing, scraping, or friction. For triathletes, it's great to put on the neck and shoulders to keep your wetsuit from chafing. I also smear it on my wrists and ankles to help me get out of my suit faster in that first transition. I even put it on the outside of my wetsuit at the ankles to make it nice and slippery. Cyclists can use it like chamois butter (although I'm not sure it's good for your chamois like a traditional creme) and for runners it's great for the inner thigh (or if you're prone to &lt;a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andycarvin/130437233/"&gt;bloody nipples&lt;/a&gt;. Naturally, it's great for hiking and backpacking as well. There are even versions with sunscreen and analgesics to cover multiple bases. Just don't share it, okay? That's totally grody.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;-- Mathew Honan&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Body Glide&lt;br /&gt;
$15&lt;br /&gt;
Available from &lt;a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00062JDK0/ref=nosim/kkorg-20"&gt;Amazon&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Manufactured by &lt;a href="http://bodyglide.com/"&gt;W Sternoff LLC&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Related items previously reviewed on Cool Tools:&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image" style="display: inline;"&gt;&lt;img alt="fixing-feet-sm2.jpg" src="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/fixing-feet-sm2.jpg" width="50" height="75" class="mt-image-none" style="" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;a href="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/000684.php"&gt;Fixing Your Feet&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image" style="display: inline;"&gt;&lt;img alt="garmin-forefunner305-sm2.jpg" src="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/garmin-forefunner305-sm2.jpg" width="75" height="75" class="mt-image-none" style="" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;a href="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/002019.php"&gt;Garmin Forerunner 305 &amp; MotionBased Training&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image" style="display: inline;"&gt;&lt;img alt="body-for-life-sm2.jpg" src="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/body-for-life-sm2.jpg" width="60" height="75" class="mt-image-none" style="" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;a href="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/000385.php"&gt;Body for Life&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="feedflare"&gt;
&lt;a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?a=YauepJ"&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?i=YauepJ" border="0"&gt;&lt;/img&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?a=mWdj5J"&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?i=mWdj5J" border="0"&gt;&lt;/img&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?a=sHrVgJ"&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?i=sHrVgJ" border="0"&gt;&lt;/img&gt;&lt;/a&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CoolTools/~4/330722669" height="1" width="1"/&gt;</description>
            <link>http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CoolTools/~3/330722669/002928.php</link>
            <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/002928.php</guid>


<category>Somatics</category> <pubDate>Wed, 09 Jul 2008 05:00:00 -0800</pubDate> <feedburner:origLink>http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/002928.php</feedburner:origLink></item>  

<item>

  <title>Black &amp; Decker Accu Mark Level</title>
            <description>&lt;img src="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/accu-mark-level-sm.jpg" /&gt;
            &lt;p&gt;I've moved three times in four years, but never quite mastered the art of hanging artwork. Move any frame in our home and you'd be likely to find no less than two sets of holes. Well, not any more. At 36", this level seemed like overkill (especially since most everything I hang is in the 8" x 10" realm), but now that I have one, I don't know how I ever got by without it. On either side of the three bubble levels are two 10-inch rulers with sliding "targets." Each target has a t-shape cut out, allowing you to mark exactly where you want the nail(s) to go. More or less fool-proof. It's also incredibly light and easy to maneuver, even with one hand. These days when we buy art, I don't dread the prospect of putting it up.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;-- Steven Leckart&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Black &amp; Decker Accu Mark Level&lt;br /&gt;
$25&lt;br /&gt;
(36")&lt;br /&gt;
Available from &lt;a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000UKMWMO/ref=nosim/kkorg-20"&gt;Amazon&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Manufactured by &lt;a href="http://www.blackanddecker.com/"&gt;Black &amp; Decker&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Related items previously reviewed on Cool Tools:&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image" style="display: inline;"&gt;&lt;img alt="tinyshowcase-sm2.jpg" src="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/tinyshowcase-sm2.jpg" width="75" height="70" class="mt-image-none" style="" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;a href="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/001823.php"&gt;Tiny Showcase&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image" style="display: inline;"&gt;&lt;img alt="polelevel-sm2.jpg" src="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/polelevel-sm2.jpg" width="59" height="74" class="mt-image-none" style="" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;a href="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/001382.php"&gt;Pole Level&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image" style="display: inline;"&gt;&lt;img alt="butterfly-alpha-sm2.jpg" src="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/butterfly-alpha-sm2.jpg" width="57" height="74" class="mt-image-none" style="" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;a href="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/000919.php"&gt;Butterfly Alphabet #2&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="feedflare"&gt;
&lt;a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?a=c23FEJ"&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?i=c23FEJ" border="0"&gt;&lt;/img&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?a=CMgXFJ"&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?i=CMgXFJ" border="0"&gt;&lt;/img&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?a=sUAtYJ"&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?i=sUAtYJ" border="0"&gt;&lt;/img&gt;&lt;/a&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CoolTools/~4/329757414" height="1" width="1"/&gt;</description>
            <link>http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CoolTools/~3/329757414/002927.php</link>
            <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/002927.php</guid>


<category>Craft</category> <pubDate>Tue, 08 Jul 2008 05:00:00 -0800</pubDate> <feedburner:origLink>http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/002927.php</feedburner:origLink></item>  

<item>

  <title>It's All Too Much</title>
            <description>&lt;img src="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/Its-all-too-much-sm.jpg" /&gt;
            &lt;p&gt;I moved to California hauling a lot of boxes still unopened from at least two previous purges of epic proportions. Sound at all familiar?&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;It's All Too Much&lt;/em&gt; is a terrific book that inverts the typical approach to dealing with existential kipple. Rather than helping you find new places and novel ways to "organize" all your crap, author Peter Walsh encourages you to explore why you ever kept all that junk in the first place. Does it reflect a fantasy waistline or a long-abandoned career? What about this "priceless" relic of a late loved one that's been sitting in a moldy trash bag for 10 years? Be honest: what place do these things have in the life that you imagine for yourself?  Because, if the stuff  you accumulate isn't actively helping get you closer to a life you truly want, then it's getting in the way, and it needs to go. Period.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;The biggest change in attitude this book made in my life was to teach me not to generate false relevance by "organizing" stuff I don't want or will never need. Organization is what you do to stuff that you need, want, or love - it's not what you do to get useless stuff out of sight or to manufacture makebelieve meaning. For me, this is about the opposite of organizing; it means disinterring every sarcophagus of crap in my house and, item by item, evaluating whether it's making my family's life better today. And if some heirloom really is precious to me, can I find a better home for it than a shelf in the back of my garage?&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;You can't believe how emotionally complex this process is for a craphound like me, but once I get started, it's completely exciting - the illusion that all this junk is making me happy melts away with every scrap of paper or broken piece of equipment I can get out of the way.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;That's been this book's revelation for me: this is about calculating the very real cost that clutter incurs every day, then deciding what you can tolerate _not_ doing about it. The mindless junk of your past crowds out opportunities and sets pointless limitations. Move out the junk, and you create room for the rest of your life. Ultimately, it's not just a question of tidying your house; it's a question of liberating your heart.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;-- Merlin Mann&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
Merlin Mann's review turned me onto this fantastic book. We've rethought our household because of it. We were reminded that life is not about stuff; it's about possibilities, which the right tools can enable. For a world of expanding stuff, this book is the necessary anti-stuff tool. If you are reading Cool Tools, you need to read this. It will help you distinguish between that which is fabulous for you personally and that which is just more junk to organize. I've learned so much from the author that I've excerpted it generously in the hope that even if you don't read the book, you'll glean a bit of its wisdom.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;--KK&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;It's All Too Much&lt;br /&gt;
Peter Walsh&lt;br /&gt;
2006, 240 pages&lt;br /&gt;
$15&lt;br /&gt;
Available from &lt;a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/0743292642/ref=nosim/kkorg-20"&gt;Amazon&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Sample excerpts:&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;small&gt;Imagine the life you want to live. I cannot think of a sentence that has had more impact on the lives of people I have worked with. ... When clutter fills your home, not only does it block your space, but it also blocks your vision.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;*&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;You need space to live a happy, fruitful life. If you fill up that space with stuff for "the next house," your present life suffers. Stop claiming your house is too small. The amount of space you have cannot be changed -- the amount of stuff you have can.&lt;br /&gt;
*&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;I know it sounds strange, but if you start by focusing on the clutter, you will never get organized. Getting truly organized is rarely about "the stuff."&lt;br /&gt;
This is the bottom line: If your stuff and the way it is organized is getting you to your goals... fantastic. But if it's impeding your vision for the the life you want, then why is it in your home? Why is it in your life? Why do you cling to it? For me, this is the only starting point in dealing with clutter.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;*&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;If it's taken you ten years or more to accumulate your mess, it's impossible to make it disappear overnight. Letting go is a learning process. You might need to start slowly, and it may take time to discover that not having things makes your life better, not worse.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;*&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Most things that you save for the future represent hopes and dreams. But the money, space, and energy you spend trying to create a specific future are wasted. We can't control what tomorrow will bring. Those things we hoard for an imaginary future do little other than limit our possibilities and stunt our growth. When I urge you to get rid of them, I'm not telling you to discard your hopes and dreams. It's actually quite the opposite. Because if you throw out the stuff that does a rather shabby job of representing your hopes and dreams, you actually create room to make dreams come true.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;*&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;It's easy to accumulate things, but hard to let go. Trust me--if you always add and never subtract, you will eventually bury yourself. You need to set limits, and the limits are easy to create. They are determined by the amount of space you have, your priorities and interests, and the agreements you make with other members of your household.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Clutter takes over. One thing that constantly surprises me is that regardless of the amount of clutter in a home, the homeowners often express some surprise at it being there -- almost as though someone filled their home with stuff while they were away on vacation! People freely admit that it is their stuff, but in the next breath they tell me they are confounded by how it got that way.&lt;br /&gt;
You own your possessions. What you have is yours, or is in your case. It's your responsibility. It's your doing.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;*&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Get rid of the trash to make room for the treasures. Let the things that are important take center stage.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;*&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;In my experience, close to half of what fills a kitchen has not seen the light of day in the last twelve months. Face facts: If you haven't used an item in the last year, it is highly unlikely that you really need it or that you are going to ever get enough use from it to justify it cluttering up your home. Take the plunge and get rid of it!&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;If you're tempted to keep something because it was expensive, remember the difference between value and cost. Value is what something is worth. You spent a lot of money on it. To throw it away would mean admitting that the money was wasted. Now you need to think about the cost. What is it costing you to keep this item? How much space? How much energy?&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;*&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;There are only three options for each and every item you come across in this, your initial purge:&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;1) Keep. This is the stuff that you want to stay in your home. You use it all the time. It's crucial to the life you want to live. Or (let's be honest) you don't really use it, but can't bear to part with it just now.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;2) Trash. Remember that every bag you fill is space you've created to live and love your life. Everything you decide to throw away is a victory. Make it a competition to see who can fill more trash bags.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;3) Out the door. So you've had trouble getting rid of stuff because it's "valuable"? Well, here's your chance to either make a little money or let someone put it to real use. The items that go into the "out the door" zone are items that you are either going to sell--a yard sale, on consignment, or even online--or you are going to donate to a charitable organization. Other items here include things that are being returned to their rightful owners or to someone who has a real use for that item. Once in this pile, the item never comes back into your home.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;*&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Instead of "Why don't you put your tools away?" ask "What is it that you want from this space?"&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Instead of "Why do we have to keep your grandmother's sewing kit?" ask "Why is that important to you? Does it have meaning?"&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Instead of "There's no room for all of your stuff in there," say "Let's see how we can share this space so that it works for both of us."&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Instead of "Why do you have to hold on to these ugly sweaters your dad gave you?" ask "What do these sweaters make you think of or remind you of?"&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Instead of "I don't understand how you can life with all of this junk," ask "How do you feel when you have to spend time in this room?"&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;*&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Mementos are not memories. Just because it was a gift does not mean you must keep it forever. If it is important, then keep it in a condition that shows that it is important.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;*&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;When the purpose of the room is lost, clutter inevitably follows.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;*&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Put your relationship first. Preserve your sense of peace. Enhance your sleep. Find another place for it. Even if you live in a studio apartment, you must create a separate, sacred space for your bedroom. Put up a screen or a curtain. Use a bookshelf to create a wall if you can't afford to have one built. This is too important to ignore.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;*&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;When it comes to clothes, it is seldom an issue of not enough space--there is never enough space. The real issue is simply too much stuff, and that's where we need to look for the solution to the clothing clutter.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;*&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Every single time I help organize someone's closet, I find clothing that still has the original sales tags on it, clothing that has never been worn. When I ask about it, the response is always the same: "It was such a bargain, I couldn't pass it up!" A Bargain. It's hanging in the closet, unworn. Please explain to me how exactly that is a bargain? If you have unworn clothes that have been in your closet longer than six months, you should either give them to a worthwhile charity or sell them online where they will fetch the best price. Get them out of the closet and clear some space for the things you love and wear.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;*&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Reality check -- Giving to charities&lt;br /&gt;
Goodwill received a billion pounds of clothing every year. Ultimately, they use less than half of the clothing they get. Clothing is cheap, and the cost of sorting, cleaning, storing, and transporting the clothes is higher than their value. If you wouldn't give an article to a family member, it's probably not good enough for charity. Sure, it's great to get the tax deduction ad it makes you feel like you didn't waste money buying the clothes, but if you're truly charitable, be sensitive to the needs of the organization. Charities aren't dumping grounds for your trash. Talk to your local charities or visit &lt;a href="http://www.charitynavigator.org/"&gt;www.charitynavigator.org&lt;/a&gt;. Find out what they can most use. Although giving to charities is a great way to get stuff out of your house, it's far better not to let stuff into your house.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;*&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Reality check -- Collections&lt;br /&gt;
It's a collection if:&lt;br /&gt;
it's displayed in a way that makes you proud and shows that you value and honor it.&lt;br /&gt;
looking at it brings you pleasure.&lt;br /&gt;
you enjoy showing it to others.&lt;br /&gt;
it is not an obsession that is damaging your relationships.&lt;br /&gt;
it is not buried under other clutter.&lt;br /&gt;
it doesn't get in the way of living the life you wish you had.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;*&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Holiday in/out&lt;br /&gt;
Remember the In/Out Rule -- you don't want more to come in than goes out. But holidays tend to be one-way. Items come in, in, in! What goes out? Now's the time to examine your haul and see what items of equivalent size and use can go.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;*&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;My job may be all about organization and decluttering, but I cannot say enough times that it is not about "the stuff." I have been in more cluttered homes than I can count, and the one factor I see in every single situation is people whose lives hinge on what they own instead of who they are. These people have lost their way. They no longer own their stuff--their stuff owns them. I am convinced  that this is more the norm than the exception in this country. At some point, we started to believe that the more we own, the better off we are. In times past an in other cultures, people believe that one of the worst things that can happen is for someone to be possessed., to have a demon exercise power over you. Isn't that what being inundated with possession is-- being possessed?&lt;/small&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Related items previously reviewed on Cool Tools:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-file" style="display: inline;"&gt;&lt;img alt="freecycle-sm2" src="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/freecycle-sm2"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;a href="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/000488.php"&gt;Freecycle&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image" style="display: inline;"&gt;&lt;img alt="farewell-subaru-sm2.jpg" src="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/farewell-subaru-sm2.jpg" width="51" height="75" class="mt-image-none" style="" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;a href="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/002838.php"&gt;Farewell, My Subaru&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image" style="display: inline;"&gt;&lt;img alt="consumer-search-sm2.jpg" src="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/consumer-search-sm2.jpg" width="97" height="24" class="mt-image-none" style="" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;a href="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/000563.php"&gt;Consumer Search&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="feedflare"&gt;
&lt;a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?a=GwoGfJ"&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?i=GwoGfJ" border="0"&gt;&lt;/img&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?a=uvFT9J"&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?i=uvFT9J" border="0"&gt;&lt;/img&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?a=bKdbTJ"&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?i=bKdbTJ" border="0"&gt;&lt;/img&gt;&lt;/a&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CoolTools/~4/329012242" height="1" width="1"/&gt;</description>
            <link>http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CoolTools/~3/329012242/002926.php</link>
            <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/002926.php</guid>


<category>Consumptivity</category> <pubDate>Mon, 07 Jul 2008 08:58:26 -0800</pubDate> <feedburner:origLink>http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/002926.php</feedburner:origLink></item>  

<item>

  <title>Multi-Use Car Charger</title>
            <description>&lt;img src="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/car-charger-sm.jpg" /&gt;
            &lt;p&gt;I've been using this multi-use car charger in our older camper van for over a year. With two cigarette lighter ports and two USB ports, it is by far the best auto accessory for us power users and road warriors. It comes configured to plug into an unused cigarette lighter receptacle, but can also be installed with either double sided tape (included) or using removable tabs and screws (included) to permanently mount inside a vehicle. I wired ours directly to the Eurovan's wiring to replace the single cigarette lighter port near the driver's seat. Very heavy duty in construction, it's built like a tank. No heat, no troubles. It's made a great addition to the vehicle, which we use frequently during the summer and winter for multi-day trips. Now we can routinely power up our cell phones, window-mounted TomTom GPS and a laptop (with a 100W max inverter). The USB ports have worked great to power everything we've hooked up to it: iPod, cell phones, Bluetooth kit. While most chargers and inverters I've seen max out at 10 or 15 amps, this one handles 20 amps, which is enough for all four devices to charge at the same time. The total power we pull from this charger when simultaneously charging is maybe 10 amps, but it's great to have the option of using a bigger inverter to pull additional power. This unit also sports a removable 20A fuse on the back panel should anything go awry. The instruction sheet is clear and shows how to wire the unit to your vehicle without too much fuss.  At under $20, an awesome deal.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;-- Robert Cullinan&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Multi-Use Car Charger&lt;br /&gt;
$16&lt;br /&gt;
Available from &lt;a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000PB8CQI/ref=nosim/kkorg-20"&gt;Amazon&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Related items previously reviewed in Cool Tools:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image" style="display: inline;"&gt;&lt;img alt="anderson-powerpoles-sm2.jpg" src="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/anderson-powerpoles-sm2.jpg" width="74" height="59" class="mt-image-none" style="" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;a href="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/001349.php"&gt;Anderson Powerpoles&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image" style="display: inline;"&gt;&lt;img alt="kwik_usb-sm2.jpg" src="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/kwik_usb-sm2.jpg" width="75" height="51" class="mt-image-none" style="" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;a href="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/001699.php"&gt;kwikSynCh Dual USB Charger&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image" style="display: inline;"&gt;&lt;img alt="vehicle_expedition-sm2.jpg" src="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/vehicle_expedition-sm2.jpg" width="57" height="75" class="mt-image-none" style="" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;a href="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/000872.php"&gt;Vehicle-Dependent Expedition Guide&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="feedflare"&gt;
&lt;a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?a=vmjbiJ"&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?i=vmjbiJ" border="0"&gt;&lt;/img&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?a=sleyHJ"&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?i=sleyHJ" border="0"&gt;&lt;/img&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?a=oiACAJ"&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?i=oiACAJ" border="0"&gt;&lt;/img&gt;&lt;/a&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CoolTools/~4/326738425" height="1" width="1"/&gt;</description>
            <link>http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CoolTools/~3/326738425/002924.php</link>
            <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/002924.php</guid>


<category>Living on the Road</category> <pubDate>Fri, 04 Jul 2008 08:48:15 -0800</pubDate> <feedburner:origLink>http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/002924.php</feedburner:origLink></item>  

<item>

  <title>Werner Combination Step/Extension Ladder</title>
            <description>&lt;img src="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/werner-ladder-sm.jpg" /&gt;
            &lt;p&gt;This is the only big ladder I own. It works great as an extension ladder for painting, cleaning the gutters or reaching any of those high places. Like the &lt;a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZhMfzc9RbU"&gt;Little Gorilla&lt;/a&gt;, it can be re-configured as a step ladder, so you can use it anywhere there is no wall to lean against. But like the previously-reviewed &lt;a href="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/002035.php"&gt;Green Bull Double Front Ladder&lt;/a&gt;, this ladder also has steps on both sides, allowing two painters to work at the same time (the max capacity is 375 lbs). The Werner definitely offers the best of both worlds. More expensive, yes. But surprisingly lightweight for a ladder this strong. I've had mine for more than 10 years with no sign of wear or tear. My dad is still using the one he bought in the '70s. &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;-- Dan McCulley&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Werner Combination Step/Extension Ladder&lt;br /&gt;
$322&lt;br /&gt;
(8ft.)&lt;br /&gt;
Available from &lt;a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004RKDE/ref=nosim/kkorg-20"&gt;Amazon&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Manufactured by &lt;a href="http://www.wernerladder.com/catalog/details.php?series_id=310"&gt;Werner&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Related items previously reviewed in Cool Tools:&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image" style="display: inline;"&gt;&lt;img alt="ladder_leveler-sm2.jpg" src="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/ladder_leveler-sm2.jpg" width="57" height="74" class="mt-image-none" style="" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;a href="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/001268.php"&gt;Ladder Levelers&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image" style="display: inline;"&gt;&lt;img alt="deepstepladder-sm2.jpg" src="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/deepstepladder-sm2.jpg" width="60" height="75" class="mt-image-none" style="" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;a href="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/001635.php"&gt;Deep-Step Safety Ladder&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image" style="display: inline;"&gt;&lt;img alt="access-all-areas-sm2.jpg" src="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/access-all-areas-sm2.jpg" width="56" height="75" class="mt-image-none" style="" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;a href="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/001279.php"&gt;Access All Areas&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="feedflare"&gt;
&lt;a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?a=1bJDZJ"&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?i=1bJDZJ" border="0"&gt;&lt;/img&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?a=4XYQxJ"&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?i=4XYQxJ" border="0"&gt;&lt;/img&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?a=UO5LKJ"&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?i=UO5LKJ" border="0"&gt;&lt;/img&gt;&lt;/a&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CoolTools/~4/325737778" height="1" width="1"/&gt;</description>
            <link>http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CoolTools/~3/325737778/002920.php</link>
            <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/002920.php</guid>


<category>Homestead</category> <pubDate>Thu, 03 Jul 2008 05:00:00 -0800</pubDate> <feedburner:origLink>http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/002920.php</feedburner:origLink></item>  

<item>

  <title>Topeak Turbo Morph Bike Pump</title>
            <description>&lt;img src="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/topeak-pump-folded-sm.jpg" /&gt;
            &lt;p&gt;The Topeak Turbo Morph is a lightweight frame pump that functions like a floor pump. It has a fold-out anchor for your foot, and the handle also flips sideways into a T-shape. It's also got a hose, so you can easily inflate the tire while it's mounted on the bike. Before getting the Turbo Morph about two years ago, I had a tiny frame pump that was just this side of useless. Most portable bicycle pumps are designed to be used exclusively with your arms/hands. Since they attach directly to the tire, they're cumbersome to use and difficult to get to the full tire pressure. Contrast this to the floor pump in your garage. You anchor it with your feet and use your body weight to power it.  Unfortunately, they are also too large to easily carry with you. I tried another "mini foot pump" before the Topeak, but it wouldn't quite work with a Presta adapter. With my other frame pumps, I'd spend more time inflating the tire than I would fixing it, and it would be hard getting the thing past 60 PSI. With this pump, I can get the tire to its full 120 PSI in just a couple of minutes. I have the G model, which has a built-in gauge. More convenient to have a gauge on the pump than to have to carry a separate one. But if you've already got a gauge, then you probably won't want the gauge version. I have puncture-resistant tires, but the key word is "resistant." I still wind up getting a flat a couple times a year. This is well worth carrying.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;-- Joe D.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image" style="display: inline;"&gt;&lt;img alt="topeak-pump-sm.jpg" src="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/topeak-pump-sm.jpg" width="156" height="229" class="mt-image-none" style="" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Topeak Turbo Morph Bike Pump&lt;br /&gt;
$29&lt;br /&gt;
(w/gauge)&lt;br /&gt;
Available from &lt;a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FIE4PO/ref=nosim/kkorg-20"&gt;Amazon&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Manufactured by &lt;a href="http://www.topeak.com/"&gt;Topeak&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Related items previously reviewed in Cool Tools:&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image" style="display: inline;"&gt;&lt;img alt="ecoblast-sm2.jpg" src="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/ecoblast-sm2.jpg" width="75" height="75" class="mt-image-none" style="" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;a href="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/000647.php"&gt;EcoBlast&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image" style="display: inline;"&gt;&lt;img alt="topeakmini-sm2.jpg" src="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/topeakmini-sm2.jpg" width="75" height="39" class="mt-image-none" style="" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;a href="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/002679.php"&gt;Topeak Mini 6&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image" style="display: inline;"&gt;&lt;img alt="reair-sm2.jpg" src="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/reair-sm2.jpg" width="78" height="75" class="mt-image-none" style="" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;a href="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/000565.php"&gt;ReAir Duster&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="feedflare"&gt;
&lt;a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?a=pDHejJ"&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?i=pDHejJ" border="0"&gt;&lt;/img&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?a=5CZG6J"&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?i=5CZG6J" border="0"&gt;&lt;/img&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?a=haubKJ"&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/CoolTools?i=haubKJ" border="0"&gt;&lt;/img&gt;&lt;/a&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;&lt;img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CoolTools/~4/324838447" height="1" width="1"/&gt;</description>
            <link>http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CoolTools/~3/324838447/002916.php</link>
            <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/002916.php</guid>


<category>Autonomous Motion</category> <pubDate>Wed, 02 Jul 2008 05:00:00 -0800</pubDate> <feedburner:origLink>http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/002916.php</feedburner:origLink></item> 
 
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