Don't listen to AmidFear@fedia.io your privacy is being illegally invaded and your every move tracked. Sanwu Lasers dot net. Get a 3w one with the focusing lens at the least. But you'll need safety goggles to operate a 3w focused beam and anything higher. DO NOT shine these where they could intercept with a person.
Would I be right in thinking that viewing the beam alone isn't damaging, but looking at the lens is? Presumably then, unintended viewing could be limited if not eliminated by shining it through a tube?
No one should be viewing any of it without goggles. It will damage your vision after just a few seconds of indirect exposure, direct exposure (pointing it at your eyes) will blind you.
Yes, with my 3w, I can use it periodically without goggles but I cannot look at the beam for more than a few seconds. A welding helmet will protect you completely. It does make it hard to use with precision at night tho.
I happen to have a handheld maritime emergency radio around, mostly because I got my hands on it for free* a few years back. It could serve the same function, provided someone else is using the same frequencies. I live in a coastal environment, so there's always someone around that are legally required to listen on Ch16.
*: I used to work with maritime electronics, and one day we had a recall order from one of our suppliers. Turned out one batch of this one particular handheld radio had a potential minor problem with the squelch, so they were no longer IMO approved for emergency use. We were to throw them away and a refund would be issued. I took one home and just paid for a battery and charger. It's now sitting in my kitchen.
The longest ones also have (or at least had) a max of a few days of battery and many just 1-2 days. Found this out when Hurricane Ike rolled through Houston.
A handheld calculator and a slide rule. If the power goes out for a long time, I'll still be doing math while the rest of you chumps will be using your fingers to count to 10.
No i still don't believe this is a real thing. I've personally never needed one and I've had some dire situations in the bathroom - all sorts of dire situation one can have in the bathroom.
Tbh it's completely logical, it's a good use of tool, but i think most people actually use the toilet brush to break it into seperate pieces, then wash the toilet brush after. Again, haven't got into thst situation myself i just flush and flush and eventually it goes.
To put it simply, a redditor repeatedly jerked off into (IIRC) a shoebox for an extended period. The same box, no disposal or cleanup of any sort. He made a casual reference to this box and was surprised when others couldn't relate. He posted pictures.
I never saw the pictures and I don't intend to, so if you are interested to learn more, you'll have to do your own searches.
I have a roll of dental floss in my hike bag. It's small, super strong, and there's one pile of it in a roll. Could be used for replacement shoelace, laundry line, tying wood together for a shelter, etc.
Makes sense. I have a full set of torx, hex, Philips and flathead keyrings with me, because whatever server rack I have been summoned to molest - You can bet that it's a random mix of head types.
I carry around a few tampons, as a cis man.
Part of my "be prepared" strategy cause you never know what life throws at you.
On one hand, tampons are perfect kindling for starting a fire in an emergency - a wad of cotton in a water-proof hull.
But in reality, it was useful a few times already, to help a female friend out.
Or pull one apart to improvise ear plugs when a concert turns out to be way too loud.
I've carried a couple of tampons and pads in my car for years, just because sometimes I can save the day for someone. I never thought about using them for earplugs though, that's a good one.
I keep a Windows 11 installer USB on my person almost at all times. I've had to perform an impromptu utilman.exe trick (consensually) multiple times. (Replacing the ease of access menu EXE with a command prompt somehow still allows you to get an administrator CMD window on the lock screen, even in 2026).
I've done something similar in windows 10 when it decided to shit itself and lock me into safe mode. Interesting that it's still a thing in windows 11. You can use Ventoy and keep a couple of Linux images too on that usb.
Replacing the ease of access menu EXE with a command prompt somehow still allows you to get an administrator CMD window on the lock screen, even in 2026
They have a myriad of uses. And since they're sterile, they can be used for cooking. I use them for slicing the skin on pork bellys for that nicely diced crackling - It's almost like they were made for cutting skin, or something. Besides that, they're excellent for cleaning up 3d prints. Just remember that they're supposed to be single use. While your 3d print doesn't care, your food definitely does care about how much you use the same one.
I always make sure I have a 10 pack in my kitchen.
Years ago, a small joke at a friend's expense resulted in the dish being called scalpel potatoes. Occasionally I make reference to it amongst those that aren't aware and personally I find it all the more funny to make inside jokes to myself.
You should re-read the entirety of my comment. :-)
There's a 'game' that started on Reddit where people make a long comment chain where they correct the prior person, and then give an incorrect explanation of what the word actually means.
Jam the bottom of the lighter flat against the bottom of the bottle cap. With your other hand grab the neck of the bottle as high as you can. Your hand should be pushing the lighter up against the cap hard enough that you don't need to hold the lighter with your other hand. Squeeze the neck of the bottle to flex those finger muscles, and push down on the lighter like you would any other bottle opener. Enjoy your beverage!
A tissue box and hand lotion: because i have serious allergies and always need a tissue and have horribly dry skin that splits open painfully, get your mind out of the gutter
I mean idk, mine gets pretty fucking bright. So much so that I keep it on the lowest of like 4 or 5 settings by default. What are you having to illuminate regularly? I guess I might be biased as I like the dark and don't even really turn on lights if I'm home alone, but seriously why do you need a crazy bright flashlight all the time? I think they're cool but I actually can't think of a single use case where my phone wouldn't be good enough, outside of like actual camping or night hiking or something.
Not who you're replying to, but I carry a good flashlight for use when it's light, not when it's dark.
Dropping something small on the carpet or a floor in a lit room can still be super hard to find, but take a bright beam and shine it sideways and you'll catch the shadow immediately (just an example)
It's crazy how much I use it. Super underrated tool.
Paracord. I use it in the house as well as with my SCUBA diving gear. If you need to tie something it's tough stuff, fairly cheap, and can be doubled up to deal with heavier loads. With SCUBA gear you can use it to create tethers for just about anything and if you have one of the camera floats that comes with a cheap little keeper strap save yourself some heartache and replace it with paracord.
An assortment of screws, bolts, nuts, and washers. Always worth having around. Some little thing breaks or you can't find one you dropped maybe the new thing you are putting together was missing one. Bonus tip, buy them at a place that sells by the pound and not the individual item. Atwoods is a place in the US that still does this that I know of but I'm sure there are a few others. Estate sales will also often have a person who will have jars of random stuff for cheap.
A T Wrench set, Standard and Metric. Allen wrenches suck ass, they hurt my fingers and can never get a good turn on the screws. T wrenches give you something you can actually use without hurting your hand.
Furniture slides. They have two types one for use on carpeted floors and one for hardwood floors. It makes moving furniture around so much easier.
I also keep a furniture jack. That makes it easier to lift up the furniture to put the slides in place.
Put a battery operated water alarm in the pan your hot water heater sits in, and change the batteries when you change out your smoke alarm batteries (whenever there is a clock change). TRUST ME DO THIS
Put a battery operated water alarm in the pan your hot water sits in and change the batteries when you change out your smoke alarm batteries (whenever there is a clock change). TRUST ME DO THIS
A small marlin spike. It's surprising how often I want to untie knots in all kinds of things. A marlin spike makes that easy.
Earplugs. They can obviously be used for protection from overly loud environments. They're also great for shutting out voices, music, or other noise when you're trying to read or focus on a task. I like the Loop Switch 2 plugs because they're small, versatile, and effective.
Ultralight folding bag. I carry a 19 liter bag (Nanobag Sling) with shoulder-length handles that folds down to about the size of my thumb. Any time I need to carry more things than will easily fit in my hands, I pull out the bag. It also lets me support awkward or heavy items using my shoulders and back instead of my hands and arms.
I originally got it when I was doing a bit of electronics work. But every couple of months there'll be times when I really want a hands-free magnified view of something I'm working on, even if it's just for a household chore. There are plenty of cheap knock-off out there, but I believe this is the original. I was at the Intrepid Museum in NYC and there was a photo of a NASA engineer wearing one of these.
These small wire things that keep cables tidy inside packaging. You can also buy a big roll of it but you usually don't need more than a few centimeters so why not keep what would usually be thrown away? It's got so many uses and takes almost no space.
Same with the twist ties that come with trash bags. I don't think I've ever actually used one to secure a trash bag but they are handy for hundreds of other uses.
Gas jet lighter. I do not smoke. But when people ask for a lighter and I pull my lighter out, they always ask "How come YOU have a lighter?" Funny every time.
I have no logical reason other than I like it but I have my keys on rings that are on a actual climbing grade carbiner and then on the keyring I have a thing from the internet that can sharpen knives and has a ferro tod and a whistle. then a can opener thats swag from some conference.
116 Comments
Sanctus@anarchist.nexus · 55 pts · 189d
Always keep your surveilance camera damaging laser on you at all times.
early_riser@lemmy.world · 17 pts · 189d
Instance checks out
choui4@lemmy.zip · 9 pts · 189d
Is this a thing? I need
seathru@quokk.au · 11 pts · 189d
Yeah, lasers can damage ccd sensors. But IIRC you need like 5w or more to be effective.
choui4@lemmy.zip · -4 pts · 189d
Need to check amazon, my thinks
Mac@mander.xyz · 10 pts · 189d
Fuck Amazon
choui4@lemmy.zip · 4 pts · 189d
Fair point. On the other hand, where else do I buy?
Mac@mander.xyz · 7 pts · 189d
Another commenter here recommended
https://anarchist.nexus/comment/2705294
choui4@lemmy.zip · 3 pts · 189d
Thank you, I didnt see that. Appreciate it
Postmortal_Pop@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 189d
Got tips for someone who just got a lot of flock in their neighborhood?
Sanctus@anarchist.nexus · 15 pts · 189d
Don't listen to AmidFear@fedia.io your privacy is being illegally invaded and your every move tracked. Sanwu Lasers dot net. Get a 3w one with the focusing lens at the least. But you'll need safety goggles to operate a 3w focused beam and anything higher. DO NOT shine these where they could intercept with a person.
JoshuaFalken@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 189d
Would I be right in thinking that viewing the beam alone isn't damaging, but looking at the lens is? Presumably then, unintended viewing could be limited if not eliminated by shining it through a tube?
Sanctus@anarchist.nexus · 11 pts · 189d
No one should be viewing any of it without goggles. It will damage your vision after just a few seconds of indirect exposure, direct exposure (pointing it at your eyes) will blind you.
JoshuaFalken@lemmy.world · 8 pts · 189d
Glad to know I was quite wrong. Thank you for potentially saving my vision.
Not knowing much about lasers myself obviously, is a welding helmet be sufficient protection from indirect exposure?
Sanctus@anarchist.nexus · 7 pts · 189d
Yes, with my 3w, I can use it periodically without goggles but I cannot look at the beam for more than a few seconds. A welding helmet will protect you completely. It does make it hard to use with precision at night tho.
JoshuaFalken@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 189d
Good to know, thank you.
Mac@mander.xyz · -2 pts · 189d
Don't commit vandalism on camera.
Postmortal_Pop@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 188d
Golly gee, it's like you guys think I'm going to be a public menace or something.
AmidFuror@fedia.io · -12 pts · 189d
Yeah, don't go vandalizing shit.
Postmortal_Pop@lemmy.world · 7 pts · 189d
I would never! I'm simply asking how the woke antifa gays are doing it so I don't accidentally order the exact thing they are.
AmidFuror@fedia.io · 4 pts · 189d
You'll shoot your eye out, kid.
sefra1@lemmy.zip · 5 pts · 188d
Be careful with that, just a jittery movement or a specular reflection and you may also damage someone's retina with that.
early_riser@lemmy.world · 39 pts · 189d
A handheld 2 way radio. The cell network is the first to go even before a disaster since the lines saturate with people calling out.
neidu3@sh.itjust.works · 12 pts · 189d
I happen to have a handheld maritime emergency radio around, mostly because I got my hands on it for free* a few years back. It could serve the same function, provided someone else is using the same frequencies. I live in a coastal environment, so there's always someone around that are legally required to listen on Ch16.
*: I used to work with maritime electronics, and one day we had a recall order from one of our suppliers. Turned out one batch of this one particular handheld radio had a potential minor problem with the squelch, so they were no longer IMO approved for emergency use. We were to throw them away and a refund would be issued. I took one home and just paid for a battery and charger. It's now sitting in my kitchen.
tiredofsametab@fedia.io · 5 pts · 189d
The longest ones also have (or at least had) a max of a few days of battery and many just 1-2 days. Found this out when Hurricane Ike rolled through Houston.
TomMasz@lemmy.world · 32 pts · 189d
A handheld calculator and a slide rule. If the power goes out for a long time, I'll still be doing math while the rest of you chumps will be using your fingers to count to 10.
AmidFuror@fedia.io · 14 pts · 189d
Keep a solar power calculator in case of apocalypse.
TomMasz@lemmy.world · 7 pts · 189d
No lie, my calculator is solar.
Atherel@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 8 pts · 189d
Joke's on you, I can get to 20 because I also use my toes!
EuroNutellaMan@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 189d
Jokes on you, I can count to 21 all by myself. I still need to call my buddies for anything above that tho
RustyShackleford@piefed.social · 19 pts · 189d
I can’t be the first person to say this, but a poop-knife.
FinjaminPoach@lemmy.world · 6 pts · 189d
No i still don't believe this is a real thing. I've personally never needed one and I've had some dire situations in the bathroom - all sorts of dire situation one can have in the bathroom.
RustyShackleford@piefed.social · 10 pts · 189d
It’s a real thing for some of us. Wish it wasn’t, but not all of us have it so easy.
FinjaminPoach@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 189d
Tbh it's completely logical, it's a good use of tool, but i think most people actually use the toilet brush to break it into seperate pieces, then wash the toilet brush after. Again, haven't got into thst situation myself i just flush and flush and eventually it goes.
EuroNutellaMan@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 189d
I just shit myself so the problem doesn't apply
OberonSwanson@sh.itjust.works · 8 pts · 189d
You not needing one yourself doesn’t equal the average person’s experience. Probably less than 10% of Americans eat enough fiber daily.
early_riser@lemmy.world · 7 pts · 189d
Am I the only one who didn’t think that story was very funny? Sure haha poop and all but it’s achieved legendary status that I don’t get.
toynbee@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 189d
I think the popularity wasn't so much about the tool itself but about the original poster not realizing it was unusual. Like the cumbox.
neidu3@sh.itjust.works · 3 pts · 189d
I'll probably regret asking this but.... cumbox?
toynbee@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 189d
Yes. You will regret asking.
To put it simply, a redditor repeatedly jerked off into (IIRC) a shoebox for an extended period. The same box, no disposal or cleanup of any sort. He made a casual reference to this box and was surprised when others couldn't relate. He posted pictures.
I never saw the pictures and I don't intend to, so if you are interested to learn more, you'll have to do your own searches.
papalonian@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 187d
It started growing mushrooms.
bluesheep@sh.itjust.works · 1 pts · 187d
And when he tried to burn it it was too moist and wouldn't light on fire IIRC
FinjaminPoach@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 189d
I mean, if poop knives are as commom as everyone says, then of course it's not funny! It's totally mundane!
HobbitFoot@thelemmy.club · 18 pts · 189d
I keep a bowling ball in my car. It doesn't make sense to have it at home.
donnywholovedbowling@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 3 pts · 188d
Be warned: if it gets below freezing or just changes temps wildly it'll crack
Treczoks@lemmy.world · 16 pts · 189d
LEGO brick separator.
Quilotoa@lemmy.ca · 16 pts · 189d
I have a roll of dental floss in my hike bag. It's small, super strong, and there's one pile of it in a roll. Could be used for replacement shoelace, laundry line, tying wood together for a shelter, etc.
Plum@lemmy.world · 7 pts · 189d
Stick a sewing needle in it. Find one that fits inside with the spool of floss. I've carried one in my bag for decades at this point.
vantablack@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 6 pts · 189d
highly recommend! i sew all my patches and pockets onto my outfits and shit with waxed dental floss. never had anything break ever even after years
examples: https://vanta.diy/
Plum@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 188d
I like yr jurse, my friend.
Iconoclast@feddit.uk · 13 pts · 189d
Radiator bleed-screw tool on my keyring.
I'm a plumber by training.
neidu3@sh.itjust.works · 5 pts · 189d
Makes sense. I have a full set of torx, hex, Philips and flathead keyrings with me, because whatever server rack I have been summoned to molest - You can bet that it's a random mix of head types.
Iconoclast@feddit.uk · 2 pts · 189d
I've yet to figure out a good way to carry a bit driver with me but if I had one I'd use it a ton. Just like I do flashlight now.
NABDad@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 189d
I have an old coffee mug in a cabinet with the radiator bleed-screw tool attached to it with a short, beaded chain.
I'm not a plumber, I just have an old house.
mech@feddit.org · 13 pts · 188d
I carry around a few tampons, as a cis man.
Part of my "be prepared" strategy cause you never know what life throws at you.
On one hand, tampons are perfect kindling for starting a fire in an emergency - a wad of cotton in a water-proof hull.
But in reality, it was useful a few times already, to help a female friend out.
Or pull one apart to improvise ear plugs when a concert turns out to be way too loud.
CADmonkey@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 188d
I've carried a couple of tampons and pads in my car for years, just because sometimes I can save the day for someone. I never thought about using them for earplugs though, that's a good one.
konalt@lemmy.world · 13 pts · 189d
I keep a Windows 11 installer USB on my person almost at all times. I've had to perform an impromptu utilman.exe trick (consensually) multiple times. (Replacing the ease of access menu EXE with a command prompt somehow still allows you to get an administrator CMD window on the lock screen, even in 2026).
EuroNutellaMan@lemmy.world · 8 pts · 189d
I have something similar but with a Ventoy USB with different Linux distros in case I need to do an emergency reinstall or need a live USB
LeapSecond@lemmy.zip · 5 pts · 189d
I've done something similar in windows 10 when it decided to shit itself and lock me into safe mode. Interesting that it's still a thing in windows 11. You can use Ventoy and keep a couple of Linux images too on that usb.
bluesheep@sh.itjust.works · 1 pts · 187d
What the fuck
fizzle@quokk.au · 12 pts · 189d
Fire extinguisher.
Get a small one and put it in your boot or the back of your ute (seppo: truck).
If you're ever first to a car accident, or have one yourself, you'll be very glad you have it.
oneser@lemmy.zip · 5 pts · 189d
Haven't read the word seppo for a hot minute. Thanks stranger, made my day!
umbrella@lemmy.ml · 1 pts · 187d
neidu3@sh.itjust.works · 11 pts · 189d
I might as well go first:
Scalpels!
They have a myriad of uses. And since they're sterile, they can be used for cooking. I use them for slicing the skin on pork bellys for that nicely diced crackling - It's almost like they were made for cutting skin, or something. Besides that, they're excellent for cleaning up 3d prints. Just remember that they're supposed to be single use. While your 3d print doesn't care, your food definitely does care about how much you use the same one.
I always make sure I have a 10 pack in my kitchen.
emeralddawn45@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 19 pts · 189d
This is exceedingly wasteful... Just get a good knife (set) and learn to sharpen it
zout@fedia.io · 2 pts · 189d
This is actually a good tip! An uncle of mine always used scalpels for wood carving.
JoshuaFalken@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 189d
I didn't know a potato casserole could be used with such utility.
SparroHawc@lemmy.zip · 7 pts · 189d
No no, you're thinking of scallop.
A scalpel is the medical term for the shoulderblade bone.
xorollo@leminal.space · 4 pts · 189d
No no you're thinking of a scapula.
A scallop is when someone is unfairly blamed for something, with the purpose of deflecting attention or responsibility from the actual cause.
Darohan@lemmy.zip · 4 pts · 189d
No, you're thinking of a scapegoat, a scallop is a person who buys up a large number of high-demand items in order to resell them at a higher price.
nylo@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 3 pts · 187d
no you're thinking of a scalper, a scapula is a tool used for flipping food in a pan
JoshuaFalken@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 189d
Haha, oh I know.
Years ago, a small joke at a friend's expense resulted in the dish being called scalpel potatoes. Occasionally I make reference to it amongst those that aren't aware and personally I find it all the more funny to make inside jokes to myself.
I wonder sometimes if I'm going a bit mad.
Cheers.
SparroHawc@lemmy.zip · 5 pts · 189d
You should re-read the entirety of my comment. :-)
There's a 'game' that started on Reddit where people make a long comment chain where they correct the prior person, and then give an incorrect explanation of what the word actually means.
fubarx@lemmy.world · 11 pts · 189d
Not unusual, but surprising how many times it has come handy in group gatherings.
Rhynoplaz@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 189d
I always have a lighter on me, so I never need to find a bottle opener.
MBech@feddit.dk · 5 pts · 189d
There's always something to open a bottle! A knife, a thick stick, your mate's worn shoe, your neighbor's side mirror. The possibilities are endless!
umbrella@lemmy.ml · 2 pts · 187d
Rhynoplaz@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 187d
Jam the bottom of the lighter flat against the bottom of the bottle cap. With your other hand grab the neck of the bottle as high as you can. Your hand should be pushing the lighter up against the cap hard enough that you don't need to hold the lighter with your other hand. Squeeze the neck of the bottle to flex those finger muscles, and push down on the lighter like you would any other bottle opener. Enjoy your beverage!
umbrella@lemmy.ml · 1 pts · 187d
Zorsith@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 11 pts · 189d
A tissue box and hand lotion: because i have serious allergies and always need a tissue and have horribly dry skin that splits open painfully, get your mind out of the gutter
AmidFuror@fedia.io · 6 pts · 189d
Add to those one of those personal massager devices, because your neck and shoulders can get sore from sneezing all the time.
rouxdoo@lemmy.world · 11 pts · 189d
Flashlights - I am never without one within reach.
emeralddawn45@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 1 pts · 189d
I also usually have my phone within arms reach
rouxdoo@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 189d
The piddly light on my phone is no match for a real flashlight, though.
emeralddawn45@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 1 pts · 189d
I mean idk, mine gets pretty fucking bright. So much so that I keep it on the lowest of like 4 or 5 settings by default. What are you having to illuminate regularly? I guess I might be biased as I like the dark and don't even really turn on lights if I'm home alone, but seriously why do you need a crazy bright flashlight all the time? I think they're cool but I actually can't think of a single use case where my phone wouldn't be good enough, outside of like actual camping or night hiking or something.
pishadoot@sh.itjust.works · 6 pts · 189d
Not who you're replying to, but I carry a good flashlight for use when it's light, not when it's dark.
Dropping something small on the carpet or a floor in a lit room can still be super hard to find, but take a bright beam and shine it sideways and you'll catch the shadow immediately (just an example)
It's crazy how much I use it. Super underrated tool.
JoshuaFalken@lemmy.world · 11 pts · 189d
I have a field transfusion kit as part of my first aid kit in my vehicle, as well as in my bike kit.
So far, it hasn't been useful at all, and hopefully never will be.
muxika@lemmy.world · 10 pts · 189d
I drive with a collapsible baton in the car, just in case I have to reach something in the backseat.
BenderRodriguez@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 189d
Ep1cFac3pa1m@lemmy.world · 11 pts · 189d
Just keep a baseball bat and a glove in your car. It’s not a weapon, I just keep it around in case I get the chance to play…😉
HubertManne@piefed.social · 3 pts · 189d
I mean keeping a tire iron can actually be useful in a car and works as well as anything else.
BenderRodriguez@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 189d
surewhynotlem@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 189d
"for duck hunting"
UnspecificGravity@piefed.social · 7 pts · 189d
Which is hilarious because a loaded gun is more broadly legal in the US than a collapsible baton or a long knife.
muxika@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 189d
It's not considered a deadly weapon (lol) in my state. You can even open carry it, but I'd rather not.
HubertManne@piefed.social · 2 pts · 189d
wait till ice sees it. IM AFRAID FOR MY LIFE. BLAM! BLAM! BLAM!
muxika@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 189d
I know I'm fucked either way.
BenderRodriguez@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 189d
muxika@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 189d
No matter what time of the year, we're in the news a lot.
BenderRodriguez@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 189d
MuttMutt@lemmy.world · 9 pts · 189d
Paracord. I use it in the house as well as with my SCUBA diving gear. If you need to tie something it's tough stuff, fairly cheap, and can be doubled up to deal with heavier loads. With SCUBA gear you can use it to create tethers for just about anything and if you have one of the camera floats that comes with a cheap little keeper strap save yourself some heartache and replace it with paracord.
An assortment of screws, bolts, nuts, and washers. Always worth having around. Some little thing breaks or you can't find one you dropped maybe the new thing you are putting together was missing one. Bonus tip, buy them at a place that sells by the pound and not the individual item. Atwoods is a place in the US that still does this that I know of but I'm sure there are a few others. Estate sales will also often have a person who will have jars of random stuff for cheap.
IWW4@lemmy.zip · 9 pts · 189d
A T Wrench set, Standard and Metric. Allen wrenches suck ass, they hurt my fingers and can never get a good turn on the screws. T wrenches give you something you can actually use without hurting your hand.
Furniture slides. They have two types one for use on carpeted floors and one for hardwood floors. It makes moving furniture around so much easier.
I also keep a furniture jack. That makes it easier to lift up the furniture to put the slides in place.
Put a battery operated water alarm in the pan your hot water heater sits in, and change the batteries when you change out your smoke alarm batteries (whenever there is a clock change). TRUST ME DO THIS
SparroHawc@lemmy.zip · 2 pts · 189d
With an allen wrench, when you need to get more torque without killing your fingers, you hold it by the long side and stick the 'handle' in the screw.
IWW4@lemmy.zip · 2 pts · 188d
Yeah.. or just use a T Wrench
pishadoot@sh.itjust.works · 1 pts · 189d
... Wut?
IWW4@lemmy.zip · 1 pts · 188d
Fixed
tiredofsametab@fedia.io · 9 pts · 189d
I have a dosimeter/geiger counter. So far, it's only been a neat toy for about an hour. I hope it never is more than that.
Ixoid@aussie.zone · 1 pts · 187d
So far...
Curious_Canid@piefed.ca · 7 pts · 188d
A small marlin spike. It's surprising how often I want to untie knots in all kinds of things. A marlin spike makes that easy.
Earplugs. They can obviously be used for protection from overly loud environments. They're also great for shutting out voices, music, or other noise when you're trying to read or focus on a task. I like the Loop Switch 2 plugs because they're small, versatile, and effective.
Ultralight folding bag. I carry a 19 liter bag (Nanobag Sling) with shoulder-length handles that folds down to about the size of my thumb. Any time I need to carry more things than will easily fit in my hands, I pull out the bag. It also lets me support awkward or heavy items using my shoulders and back instead of my hands and arms.
Sergio@piefed.social · 6 pts · 189d
Donegan OptiVisor Headband Magnifier - https://doneganoptical.com/product/optivisor/
with optiloupe - https://doneganoptical.com/product/optiloupe/
and Quasar LED lighting attachment. https://www.esslinger.com/led-visor-lighting-system-attachment-for-optivisor-headband-magnifier/
I originally got it when I was doing a bit of electronics work. But every couple of months there'll be times when I really want a hands-free magnified view of something I'm working on, even if it's just for a household chore. There are plenty of cheap knock-off out there, but I believe this is the original. I was at the Intrepid Museum in NYC and there was a photo of a NASA engineer wearing one of these.
LeapSecond@lemmy.zip · 5 pts · 189d
These small wire things that keep cables tidy inside packaging. You can also buy a big roll of it but you usually don't need more than a few centimeters so why not keep what would usually be thrown away? It's got so many uses and takes almost no space.
imetators@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 1 pts · 188d
Velcro ties?
5 bucks for a decently big roll. Always useful.
LeapSecond@lemmy.zip · 2 pts · 188d
Apparently what I was talking about is called twist ties but same applies for velcro ties too.
seathru@quokk.au · 1 pts · 189d
Same with the twist ties that come with trash bags. I don't think I've ever actually used one to secure a trash bag but they are handy for hundreds of other uses.
gajahmada@awful.systems · 5 pts · 188d
Guitar picks, because I guitar. At least one in each rooms.
calmblue75@lemmy.ml · 1 pts · 187d
They just tend to vanish.
gajahmada@awful.systems · 2 pts · 187d
They spawn portal to the abyss if you dropped them.
MrSelatcia@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 189d
Nail clippers. Small but powerful penlights.
imetators@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 4 pts · 188d
Gas jet lighter. I do not smoke. But when people ask for a lighter and I pull my lighter out, they always ask "How come YOU have a lighter?" Funny every time.
Chippys_mittens@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 189d
MarieMarion@literature.cafe · 4 pts · 189d
Tweezers. Always.
HubertManne@piefed.social · 4 pts · 189d
I have no logical reason other than I like it but I have my keys on rings that are on a actual climbing grade carbiner and then on the keyring I have a thing from the internet that can sharpen knives and has a ferro tod and a whistle. then a can opener thats swag from some conference.
YiddishMcSquidish@lemmy.today · 2 pts · 188d
Spark plug, cause you never know when you need to break a mfer's window.
Boozilla@sh.itjust.works · 1 pts · 189d