Tag Archives: Shop Equipment
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.
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.
MāKRS Stain Pad Review: Right Applicator for Our Shop?
In our shop, the difference between a “good enough” finish and a truly clean one often comes down to the applicator. The MāKRS Stain Pad caught our eye because it promises what brushes and rag bundles rarely deliver at the same time: a lint-free, snag-free, streak-free wipe with consistent coverage. Each pad is cut-to-size, so we can tailor it to chair spindles, wide panels, or tight corners without wasting material. The micro brush surface feels like a hybrid of pad and cloth—soft enough to glide, but structured enough to push stain into the grain. With three pads in the pack, we started thinking in phases: stain, second coat, and oil-based finish—without cross-contaminating our results.
Sea Turtle Wood Puzzle Review: Right Tool for Our Shop?
We brought the Sea Turtle Wooden Jigsaw Puzzle into our shop looking for something that could double as a display piece and a quick “reset” activity between projects. At 300 pieces, it lands in that sweet spot: challenging enough for adults and teens, but still doable with kids when we take it in sections. The animal-shaped cuts add a playful surprise—more like crafting than mere assembling—and the sea turtle artwork feels vivid on wood, not flat like typical cardboard prints. The 15.49" x 11.65" size fits neatly on our worktable without taking over the room. We also appreciate the included gift box; it makes storage tidy and gifting effortless when customers ask for a unique family-game pick.
8-in-1 Wire Stripper Pliers Review: For Our Shop?
On our bench, the “8 In 1 Wire Stripper with Voltage Tester” feels like the kind of multitool that wants to earn a permanent spot in the drawer. It promises a lot in one set of jaws: stripping 10–18 AWG, crimping, cutting, splitting, plus a built-in voltage tester rated 12V–250V. In a busy shop, fewer tool swaps can mean smoother workflow—if the tool is precise. We’re especially curious whether the stripper slots bite cleanly without nicking conductors, and whether the plier grip has enough leverage for stubborn insulation. The voltage tester is the wild card: convenient for quick checks, but only if it’s consistent. In this review, we’ll see if “8-in-1” is efficiency or compromise.
Coninx Magnetic Knife Holder Review: Right for Our Shop?
We’ve tested plenty of knife blocks over the years, but the Coninx Magnetic Knife Holder aims for something different: a countertop display that doubles as storage. Its walnut wood body gives our prep area a warmer, less “industrial” look, while the double-sided magnets promise easy access from either side—handy when two of us are working the line. We like that it’s an empty organizer, too; we’re not forced into preset slots, and odd-shaped blades can still find a home. That said, we’re paying close attention to real-world stability, magnet strength with heavier chef’s knives, and how well it handles frequent wipe-downs. In this review, we’ll weigh form, function, and fit for our shop.
Cordless Mini Angle Grinder Review: Right for Our Shop?
We’ve been looking for a compact grinder that can slip into tight corners without dragging a cord across the bench, and the Cordless Brush Angle Grinder Kit caught our eye. With a claimed 19,500 rpm, this mini angle grinder feels built for quick, nimble jobs—trimming thin metal, cleaning up weld edges, or making fast cuts in wood when the bigger tools are overkill. The two 16.8V 2000mAh batteries are a practical touch; in a busy shop, swapping packs beats waiting on a charger. We also like that five cutting discs come in the box, letting us test different tasks right away. Still, we’re curious how it handles heat, vibration, and real-world runtime.
Hand-Shaped Table Saw Push Stick Review: For Our Shop?
In our shop, safety tools either earn a permanent hook on the wall or quietly disappear into a drawer. This hand-shaped table saw push stick—with its “missing finger” design—demands attention the moment we pick it up. It’s playful, sure, but the message is serious: keep our hands away from spinning blades. We’ve been using it across the table saw, miter station, and even the router table, and the broad “palm” gives us a reassuring, stable press when guiding narrow stock. The grip feels intuitive for quick cuts, though we still watch how it handles slick or dusty surfaces. If we’re choosing a Father’s Day gift that’s actually used, this one makes a strong case.
Milwaukee Sawzall Blade Set Review: Right for Our Shop?
In our shop, a reciprocating saw lives on the edge of “one more cut,” so blade choice matters. The Milwaukee 12 Piece Multi Material Bi-Metal SAWZALL Ultimate Demolition Reciprocating Saw Blade Set promises the kind of versatility we’re always chasing—wood one minute, plastic the next, then straight into nail-riddled studs or light metal without swapping tools every five seconds. On paper, the bi-metal build suggests a balance of toughness and flexibility, the sweet spot for demolition where blades tend to snap or dull fast. In this review, we put the set through the messy, real-world jobs we actually face and ask the question that counts: does it earn a permanent spot on our blades rack?
Milwaukee M18 FUEL Belt Sander Review: Our Shop Fit?
We’ve run plenty of belt sanders in our shop, but the Milwaukee Electric Tool M18 FUEL 3" x18" Belt Sander immediately feels like it was built for real-world chaos—quick touch-ups, stubborn glue lines, and those “just one more pass” moments that turn into ten. Going cordless changes the rhythm: we’re not dragging a cord off the bench or hunting for an outlet when we’re shaping an edge on-site. In this review, we’ll look at how the tool balances in hand, how controllable it feels under load, and whether the M18 FUEL power actually holds up when we lean into it. We’ll also talk dust control, belt tracking, and what surprised us after a week of use.
