Tag Archives: product review
DzIxY Lace Die Cutter Review: Right for Our Shop?
In our hunt for versatile lace accents, we put the DzIxY Lace Semicircle Background Board Metal Cutting Dies to work on everything from birthday cards to layered scrapbook headers. The semicircle motif brings an instant “finished edge” look—delicate without feeling fussy—and it pairs nicely with bold sentiments or minimalist layouts. We ran it through our die-cutting machine with standard cardstock and heavier textured paper, and the cut quality stayed consistent, with the finer lace details holding up surprisingly well. What we’re still weighing for our shop is the niche factor: it’s perfect for romantic, vintage, and wedding aesthetics, but less essential for modern geometric lines. Still, as a background-builder, it’s a compelling tool.
EtchMate Engraving Pen Review: Right for Our Shop?
After a week of putting the EtchMate Engraving Pen through its paces, we’re starting to see where it fits in our workflow—and where it doesn’t. We tested it on scrap metal tags, unfinished wood, a thrift-store glass jar, and a few plastic blanks, aiming for crisp lines, steady control, and minimal fuss. The pen-style grip feels familiar in the hand, which helped us move from quick initials to simple patterns without a steep learning curve. That said, results depend a lot on surface prep and patience; on slick glass, we had to slow down for cleaner strokes. If we’re looking for a compact, giftable tool that invites experimentation, EtchMate makes a compelling case.
Self-Healing Cutting Mat & X-Acto Knife Review: Us?
We didn’t expect a pink A4 cutting mat and hobby knife kit to feel like such a tidy little studio upgrade, but here we are. The self-healing mat gives our blades a forgiving surface—light cuts disappear quickly, and the grid lines keep our stencils, scrapbook borders, and DIY mockups from drifting off-course. Paired with the precision craft knife, we get crisp corners and controlled curves without that “torn paper” frustration. The handle sits comfortably in our grip, though we still take our time on thicker materials where patience matters more than pressure. Overall, this set feels designed for makers who want clean results and a calmer workspace—cute color, serious utility, and minimal fuss.
12×12 Trim & Score Board Review: Right for Our Shop?
We’ve tried plenty of cutters that promise clean edges and crisp folds, but our shop lives or dies by consistency. The 12 x 12 Inch Paper Trimmer and Scoring Board aims to be a true multitasker—trim on one track, score on another, and keep projects moving without swapping tools every five minutes. With two included blades (cutting and scoring), it’s clearly designed for cardmaking, envelopes, book covers, and those gift-box prototypes we always seem to be testing. What caught our attention is the emphasis on precision: measured guides, a stable base, and the kind of straight, repeatable lines that make DIY look professional. In this review, we’ll see if it actually speeds up our workflow—or just adds another gadget to the drawer.
Edward Tools Drill Mixer Review: Right for Our Shop?
In our shop, mixing paint and joint compound is one of those small chores that can quietly steal time—unless the tool is right. The Edward Tools Paint and Mud Mixer for Drill aims to be that fix, with a 15 3/4" zinc-plated steel shaft and a 5/16" non-slip hex head designed to stay put in the chuck. It’s rated to mix 1 to 3 gallons, which fits the everyday buckets we actually use, and the reinforced weld suggests it’s built for repeated, gritty jobs. What caught our attention most is the promise of easy cleanup—because dried mud on a mixer is a slow-motion nightmare. In this review, we’ll see whether it blends smoothly, resists wobble, and earns its place on our wall.
BESPORTBLE Cutting Board Review: Right for Our Shop?
In our search for practical prep gear that can handle both quick lunchtime orders and weekend BBQ demos, we tried the BESPORTBLE 2pcs Apple Cutting Board set (26x25cm). The first thing we noticed was the size: compact enough to slip into our prep station without hogging counter space, yet wide enough for slicing fruit, portioning veggies, and plating small salads. The food-grade PP plastic feels lightweight and easy to wipe down, which matters when we’re moving fast. For meat prep, we’d still pair it with stricter color-coding in our shop, but as a portable board for outdoor grilling and light-duty chopping, it fits the role neatly. Two boards in the kit also help us rotate between tasks.
Fluted Dresser Review: Right Fit for Our Home Shop?
We’ve been on the hunt for a dresser that doesn’t just hold our clothes—it helps our rooms feel finished. The Fluted Dresser for Bedroom with 6 Drawers in natural oak caught our eye with its vertical fluting and clean, modern lines, the kind of detail that reads “designer” without shouting. At 46" tall, it sits in that sweet spot: substantial enough to anchor a bedroom, yet streamlined enough to double as a TV stand in a living room or hallway setup. The six drawers promise the everyday practicality we need, while the metal handles add a crisp contrast against the warm wood tone. In this review, we’ll dig into how it looks in real light, how smoothly it functions, and whether it truly fits our home shop.
Elite Montessori Stamp Game Review: Right Shop Tool?
In our search for math materials that feel more like play than practice, we landed on the Elite Montessori Stamp Game—and it immediately caught our eye with its tidy, tactile design. Instead of worksheets, we’re working with small, color-coded tiles that invite hands-on exploration of place value, addition, subtraction, and even early multiplication. We like how the process slows things down in a good way: our learners can “build” numbers, trade units for tens, and actually see regrouping happen. That said, the experience depends on organization; without a routine, pieces can wander and lessons can lose momentum. In this review, we’ll share how it held up in real sessions, who it best serves, and whether it’s the right tool for our shelf.
Shark WANDVAC Hand Vacuum Review: Right for Our Shop?
In our shop, messes don’t wait—sawdust drifts into corners, packing peanuts scatter, and pet hair somehow finds every mat. The Shark WANDVAC Cordless Hand Vac (WV201RGBRN) caught our eye because it promises serious suction in a 1.4‑lb, grab-and-go body. We liked the simplicity of the charging dock: park it, charge it, and it’s ready for quick cleanups between tasks. The one-touch empty system also feels designed for real work—no wrestling with clumps of debris when we’re in a hurry. With the multi-surface pet tool and duster crevice tool, it aims to handle everything from car seats to bench-top grit. Still, we wanted to see if “compact” can truly mean “capable.”
18″ Bamboo Knife & Board Kit Review: Shop-Ready?
Our first impression of the 18" Bamboo Fish Cleaning Board Kit was that it feels like a mini fish station you can pull out of a drawer. The bamboo board has a reassuring heft, and the anti-slip design kept things steady while we worked—no skating across the counter when the fish got slick. We appreciated the built-in scale/measure marks for quick length checks, especially when we didn’t want to hunt for a tape. The included clamp helped tame wiggly fillets, and having the knife, sharpener, and gloves in the same set made setup fast. That said, the real question is durability: after a few cleanings, we’ll be watching for warping, odors, and how well the edge holds.
