The Giz Wiz, May 7th, 2013, Netcast 1415

L to R. No arms extended, one arm extended, then both arms extended.

As I pack to go to the National Hardware Show 2013, let's check in on a tool I thought was pretty inventive from the 2010 show!

First here's the info on it from 3 years ago:

The My T Driver has two has two stainless steel flip-out folding arms that help deliver five times more torque than a traditional screwdriver. To prove it, at the National Hardware show, they had one hooked to a torque meter. I got to turn a screw both with and without the flip-out arms extended. It works! I was able to get about four times more torque with the folding arms extended. (See link to video below)  The My T Driver is also a ratcheting screwdriver for even more power. And don’t worry about breaking this tool. The company says its powerful lever-action design withstands up to 300 inch-lbs. of torque. With the ability to use any type of screw or ratchet attachment, this new device can drive any type of screw or socket into tough surfaces. It comes with three reversible multi-head bits and a reversible shaft for small spaces. It has three blade lengths  six versatile tips for home or job-site applications, a socket head adapter to tighten bolts without reaching for a ratchet set, and a ratchet dial with forward, reverse and lock positions. It’s equal to 24 different screwdrivers. The “My T Driver” retails for $19.95 plus shipping and handling. But wait there’s more! Price includes a “My T Light” LED attachment so you can see clearly in dark areas. Although it’s not available right now, it should be available by Father’s Day. UPDATE: The MyTDriver.com website is gone, but the parent company website is still online. When you click "press" on the company website, half of the reviews are from the GizWiz. It's still on one of the "as seen on TV" website, but the video has been removed. It seems not to be the hit I expected. That's too bad. I imagine a lot of money went into the production of this device. I'll keep my eye out for them in case they have something new at this year's show!

www.melcodirect.com 

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1415

The original Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1091

The Giz Wiz using MightyTDriver at the 2010 Hardware Show: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nr4TovkjVm4

Giz Wiz Video Of The Week: How this LED light works is a puzzle.

Do you love Tetris? I do. That’s why I was instantly attracted to the Tetris Light.

You get 7 interlocking light pieces that can be stacked in any combination. But wait, there’s more! LED lights turn inside each piece turn on when the pieces are stacked together. They turn off when dissembled. Or you can leave your Tetris Light assembled, and use the on/off power switch. Plugs into standard US 110v outlet and no, there’s no electric power that you can feel as you stack and re-stack them. It’s sort of like magic and a heck of a lot of fun. A great way for guests to entertain themselves and each other at a party.They’re $39.99 at Think Geek and they'll be available starting May 11^th, 2013.

Giz Wiz Video:  http://youtu.be/tnGDsoOcyhk

Think Geek: http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/f034/  (Available starting May 11^th, 2013)

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1415

How cool is this?

We're doing our letter of the week out of order on this show. And here it is:

Subject: Request for review.

Dear Leo and Dick,  Im from Southeast asia and the temperature is really going crazy here. Thailand is predicted to have 105-109 F temperature. I would like to ask you the favour of reviewing the USB Portable Handheld found at amazon http://www.amazon.com/Small-Fan-Mini-Air-Conditioner-Original/dp/B002F8IFV6/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1365643493&sr=8-4&keywords=portable+air+conditioner for $34. or can buy it cheaply from ebay http://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-Mini-Portable-Handheld-Air-Conditioner-Cooler-Fan-/130576483446.

I would love to know if it really works. Thanks a lot, Mabuhay and Sawatdee from Thailand. Best, Qiqo (keeko)

I did buy one Qiqo, and went the cheap way. I bought mine at that eBay link. They had more than a 100 of them, but now that link says, “sold”. The Amazon link still works, but I get a price of $39.99, not $34. That’s probably because the hot weather is closer now and more people will probably be buying them. The Handy Cooler uses 'evaporative cooling'. (This principle has been around for years, and even this device I see, has been around for more than ten years.) You wet the included cellulose-cooling filter (i.e. sponge) and place it inside the Handy Cooler. The turbine (i.e. plastic fan) draws air through the moistened sponge and directs the cool air to you. The company says The Handy Cooler can make air up to 30°F cooler, but that optimum-cooling performance is achieved under hot and dry environments. The fan speed is variable up to a “15 knot breeze”. (I have no way to check that out here at Gizneyland.) The Handy Cooler is all plastic, but seems well made. The “30dB whisper-soft turbine” is pretty quiet, especially at the slow speed. To operate the device, first add water to the sponge via a small water bottle that’s in the kit. They caution not wetting it under a faucet as you might over-wet it, and end up with water dripping from, or into the motor of the machine. A nice feature is the airflow vent, which is adjustable through 90 degrees. It runs on 4 AA batteries or a USB connection. I used an infrared thermometer to check the air coming from the machine and found indoors it dropped the temperature by about 10 degrees. But it was a very hot day when I did it. $40 bucks seems a bit expensive to me, but operating it on battery is really expensive. The company says it will run for four hours on a set of 4 AA’s. You can't recharge batteries in the device, so rechargeable batteries and external charger might be in order if you use this a lot. You can use the included USB cable and run it from your computer. I also found you can run it via a stand-alone back-up battery USB charger. Available in black, blue, or pink. Here's the TWiT link to the Handy Cooler. Same price, but TWiT gets a pittance if you buy one:

http://amazon.com/dp/B002F8IFV6/?tag=twnene-20

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Leo finds a piece of crap somewhere! (I hope.)

Leo demonstrates the Frost Boss! First here's info from the manufacturer. Chill your favorite canned beverage down to a refreshing 38 degrees in just 2 minutes! Frost Boss is one of the coolest items we've ever seen. Just add ice, flip a switch and in just 2 minutes those warm cans of pop or brew are chilled to a super-refreshing 38 degrees. No more lukewarm beverages or waiting for cans to get cold in the fridge or cooler. And you can take it with you so it's perfect for picnics, tailgating, ball games, camping, fishing, the beach and more. 3 'AA' batteries not included. Leo’s take: Frost Boss did work, but it takes a bit of time. And you do need ice, so why not just put the ice directly in the soda and forget the machine? After thinking about it, Leo said it would be good if you wanted to chill a can of beer without diluting it with melted ice. At $15, it’s okay, but certainly not a ‘must buy’. 

http://www.amazon.com/HLA-1C3-Frost-Boss/dp/B008CQN3IA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1367967645&sr=8-1&keywords=frost+boss

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1415

 

This Week's Gadget Warehouse is another great Viewer's Video! And how to submit your video and win crap from Leo!

What was state of the art in the world of laptops back in 1987? Charles Bunnell of Berkeley, California takes us on a tour of The Toshiba T1200. It was an astounding machine, feather light at about 9 pounds, with a full hour of battery life. Pretty amazing what we have today, some 26 years later. As a matter of fact, in this video, Charles compares the Toshiba T1200, which cost thousands when it was brand new, with a laptop that cost a few hundred dollars today!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rg_Cb1ECmJs

Thank you, Charles Bunnell, of Berkeley, California. Now that your video has been shown on The Giz Wiz, Leo will send you a piece of Sky Mall Crap -- for free!

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1415

We'd love to include your video in an upcoming Giz Wiz Show. Here's what we're looking for:

Your home made Videos -- two to three minutes long - (four maximum) in the any of the following categories:

I bought a piece of crap! Did you buy something you ended up hating? We won't get you a refund, but we might be able to give a platform to vent your disappointment. Remember, "family friendly" language applies.

I Invented This! Do you invent something? (Or did a friend or relative invent something.) We can't market it for you, but we can help get the word out. Show us what it is, and how it works. Even if it's a prototype, you can get our (and the audience) reactions.

My Gadget Warehouse! Okay, so you don't have a warehouse. It doesn't matter. Just tell us about your favorite old gadget(s). When and where you bought it, and why you're still hanging on to it. 

My favorite gadget of all time! Show us what it is, tell us what it does and why you love, or loved it! It can be something you just bought too.

Post them on YouTube and send our producer, Jason, the link! We'll do the rest. (Or possibly nothing, but that's unlikely.) Remember, videos should be just 2 to 3 minutes long, 4 MAX! Low production value is fine. Even welcomed! That way our stuff doesn't look bad by comparison. We've set the bar low. Don't trip over it.

NEW! NEW! NEW! If we select and show your video on The Giz Wiz you will now be awarded with some sort of prize. It's Leo's way to get rid of all the "crap from Sky Mall" he's collected. So there's one more (so-so) reason to send in your video!

All show submissions go to gizwiz@twit.tv