We haven’t had a multitool in a while and it was high time for one.

Most of them are designed to be small and lightweight, but the Credit Card Tool takes it a step further. Designed to be the size of a (duh) credit card, it’s almost portable enough to carry around in the wallet at all time. Note the “almost”: it isn’t the width of a card, so it will make a wallet bulge quite a bit.

Despite this small inconvenience, it’s an impressive tool, featuring a can opener, a knife edge, a screwdriver, a ruler, a 4 position wrench, a butterfly screw wrench, a saw blade, a 2 position wrench, a direction auxiliary indication and a key chain hole.

If you’ve read the last words, you know the inconvenience can go away very easily, so there’s really no reason to pass this up if you’re a “ready for anything” type of guy or girl.

How much under $29.99?
A lot: $6.50 on Amazon.com.

Via RedFerret

Is it wrong that I really, really want a Bug Trapper?

It’s silly, yes. Most people just smack the bugs with a slipper and are done with it. But if you’re too disgusted (by the insect or the result) or unwilling to kill a living, albeit icky thing… well, you either use the old glass-and-cardboard technique or this modern version of it.

The 16″ long pyramid can cover most* bugs and, when turned 180°, lets a door slide closed the trap the intruder. To let it go free simply flip it back and let the door open. I want one next summer when the moths come back…

*If yours is bigger, call the exterminators before it eats you.

How much under $29.99?
A lot: $7.95 on LeeValley.com.

Via bookofjoe

A solar flashlight sounds stupid at first: if you need one, then there’s no sun to power it, duh.

However, the Hybrid Solar Lite can store the energy for no less than 3 years. Yes, leave it out in the sun today, take it out next Christmas and it will work like a charm. To be fully charged, it needs to soak up the sun (or the lamp) for 8 hours, and it will provide lighting for 16 hours.

What if you’re in a tight spot and there’s no way to recharge it? Well, that’s why it’s called a hybrid: it also comes with a backup battery (which will hold a charge for 7 years). Add that to the fact that it’s water proof and can even float, and you’ve got one great device on your hands.

How much under $29.99?
Some: $19.99 on Amazon.com.

Via Gadgets Weblog

Although the trend to make everything many-in-one gives birth to an incredible amount of crap, sometimes (when designers think for more than 10 minutes) the result is actually useful.

A 4 in 1 Tape Measure might seem like overkill, but wait until you’re in an empty house trying to figure out the size of your future shelves or carpet… The 4 things included are a 16-feet tape measure, a calculator, a note pad and a LED light, which makes it extra easy to determine the exact size of things to buy.

Speaking as someone who’s had to measure the same rooms 3 times because she kept losing the bits of paper with the figures, this can be a very useful thing to have if you’re planning some handywork.

How much under $29.99?
Some: $17.98 on Amazon.com.

Via Gizmodo

A somewhat related story: pulling out nails with a snap-off blade utility knife is not fun, nor easy, but a lack of alternatives may force one to do it.

It’s not a common situation, so the blade design makes sense in general: once a part is dull, just break it off. But for impromptu carpentry (also know as disassembling Ikea shelves), a Nack Utility Knife would’ve been the dream tool.

Instead of having to snap the blade off or replace it, the Nack simply comes with a cartridge of 30 blades and a simple turn of the end cap replaces the current one.

Of course, if you plan to pull out nail just remember to bring a pair of pincers. For a variety of other jobs without the hassle of losing a blade at a bad time or of having to fiddle with the knife, get a Nack.

How much under $29.99?
Some: $15.99 on Homgar.com.

Via BoingBoing

Buying extra tools when the ones you have are perfectly fine is stupid. It’s marketing execs convincing people they need new things.

And I am a victim. Sure, you can cut paper with a pair of scissors, but why go the complicated way when you can have something fancy like the Precision Wrapping Paper Slitter? Even the name suggests something very professional!

Some people are just good at it. Give them a huge chunk of wrapping paper and a rusty knife and they can make the best looking present. But for others it’s a chore with depressing results. If a special slitter can make life easier, I say bring it on!

How much under $29.99?
A lot: $6.99 on ThinkGeek.com.

Painting always seems easy… when other people do it. After all, you just need a brush, some paint or varnish and enough skill to move your hand up and down a piece of wood or metal. No problem, 4 hours and we’re done.

Except… you know, things have two sides, and you can’t paint both at the same time unless you have something to keep the freshly-painted side off the floor. If you want to make it easy, the “something” should be the Painters’ Pyramids. These tiny plastic pyramids are made of non-stick, non-reactive polymerand each supports up to 200 lbs and stands about 2″ high.

I wish I’d known about them when I got the bright idea to paint a table and spent the following week coating half my kitchen in varnish… but oh well, better late than never.

How much under $29.99?
A lot: $6.99 for a pack of 10, on Amazon.com.

Via bookofjoe

Working in tight spots is difficult from the start; working in tight dark spots can quickly turn into a nightmare. But while a Screwdriver Light would be useful, the obvious reaction would be that only a handyman would need it.

Yes… and no.

It would definitely be helpful for a carpenter, for example, but even a regular DYI-ing Joe would use it. Hell, anyone who’s ever built an IKEA shelf would. Those things have screws in the weidest places!

This disc easily attaches to a screwdriver and the three LEDs shed light on the screw in question. Best yet, it’s magnetic, so it can also be attached to metal surfaces if needed.

How much under $29.99?
A lot: $8.95 on LeeValley.com.

Via BoingBoing

Is it a tool or an accessory for a rave party? Both, apparently, as weird as it sounds.

The Wrist Light is a bracelet with 4 LEDs that is supposed to make it easier to work in dark places. Holding a flashlight is indeed difficult at times, but we use it because it can shine a lot of light on a single spot – exactly what this gadget won’t do.

Diffuse light further obscured by hands that will get in the way? Perhaps a good idea when nothing better’s available, but don’t throw away those flashlights.

(P.S. Yes, the product description does recommend it for parties too. Dance around for a bit, fix the cupboard in the basement, dance some more!)

How much under $29.99?
Some: $19.99 for a set of 2 on ComputerGear.com.

Via bookofjoe

Oh, why didn’t I find this during the Great Paint Job of ’08? Before I had to sacrifice a perfectly good pot…

The Magnetic Paintbrush Holder is such an obvious solution for the eternal question of “what do I do with the dirty paintbrush?”… so why isn’t it in all stores already? It takes all of 5 seconds to set up (i.e. clip to the rim of the can) and then you can rest the paintbrush against the magnet. Quick and simple, no victims among the pot population and the paint drips back in the can for super-efficiency.

If you’re planning to do some painting around the house, there’s no reason not to make it easier with this $3.50 tool.

How much under $29.99?
A lot: $3.50 on LeeValley.com.

Via bookofjoe