TIPS AND TRICKS
DRUGSTORE SPECIALS

FROM MAKER TO MAKER

Who doesn’t appreciate a really good tip now and then? Especially the kind, as one reader put it, “that changes your life.” Whether it’s something as practical as investing in a metal punch, or as crafty as using an emery board to smooth out rough edges, we all rely on our friends and neighbors to tip us off to the new and the good.

—Arwen O’Reilly

Vaporware

Maybe it’s just an urban legend, but after receiving an email forward about getting rid of coughs by putting Vicks VapoRub on your feet (don’t forget socks, so your bed doesn’t get all gooey), a friend tried it out and reported back in favor. “It’s incredible!” he said in awe. “I’ve gotta try it on my kids when they get sick.”

Pack a Punch

“A lot of people don’t realize just how handy a punch is when drilling into metal,” points out MAKE columnist Saul Griffith (pun is definitely intended). “Having a dimple to mark the spot makes a huge difference in accuracy. It’s a tool everyone should have.”

Photography by Sam Murphy

Smart Parts

Eric Wilhelm raves about octopart.com, a search engine for electronic parts. “You enter the part number, or simply its title or use, and Octopart returns the best matched components, their prices and availability from several suppliers, and links to the catalog pages. What’s even more exciting is the concept of Octopart searching through a web page, determining which specific parts are mentioned, and generating a personalized shopping cart with the cheapest and most readily available parts.”

Tough as Nails

Can’t find your deburring tool? Check your medicine cabinet instead. Rachel McConnell, software developer at instructables.com, suggests using an emery board. “You can get lots of different grits, they’re stiffer than sandpaper so easier to use, but still flexible, and they aren’t as harsh as a metal file,” she says. “I’ve used them on wood, hard plastic, and metal surfaces — usually on metal for burr removal. They do wear out relatively quickly but you can get more anywhere.”

Light in Tight Spots

MAKE reader “Monopole” reports: “I was overjoyed to discover at the local supermarket that Gum brand is selling a neat pack of two nice dental picks and a dental mirror with an integrated flashlight in the handle, all for less than 10 bucks! Those are three indispensable tools for any maker, great for looking in difficult-to-reach places. The mirror with the integrated flashlight is worth it alone. When you need a dental mirror, you invariably need a flashlight, as well as a free hand!”

Have a tip for MAKE readers? Send it to [email protected]. Also be sure to check out TNT, our Tools-N-Tips newsletter, at makezine.com/tnt.