I will blame my lack of children on just finding out about Charlie’s today but the stay at home crowd has been all over this laundry soap for years. And if the reviews are even half right, I will be dumping my usual detergent very soon. So here is scoop…Charlie’s only needs 1 tablespoon to eliminate oders and eradicate stains. Stains like those found in a reusable diaper. Yeah, sounds like my marinara and grease stains should be child’s play for ole Charlie. The word is there is no need for fabric softner either so not only is Charlie’s cheaper per load (only $0.13) but you save on not having to buy all the extra’s like Oxy Clean and Downey. I just placed my order today for the soap and all purpose liquid cleaner so look for an update as soon as UPS drops off my loot.

Link: Charlie’s Soap Powder – 2.64 lb Bag (80 Loads)

While I rarely advocate using anything cheap, when its comes to a bit set like this I will say it is probably ok. I don’t see a scenario where I would these guys would see frequent use nor use in any high torque applications so getting 33 bits for just over 4 bucks is pretty good deal.

Included Bits:

9 Torx head security bits sizes: T8, T10, T15, T20, T25, T27, T30, T35 and T40 3 Torq head security bits sizes: 6, 8 and 10 mm 6 Hex head security bits sizes: 5/64″, 3/32″, 7/64″, 1/8″, 9/64″ and 5/32″ 6 Hex head security bits sizes: 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6 mm 4 Spanner head security bits sizes: 4, 6, 8 and 10 mm 4 Tri-Wing head security bits sizes: 1, 2, 3 and 4 mm plus 1 Hex head extension.

Link: SE 33 pc. Security Bit Set

Filed firmly under you can never own too many screwdrivers…our current favorite is this Klein 10-in-1 model. Bit Includes: No. 2 Phillips with 1/4″ slotted, No. 1 Phillips with 3/16″ slotted, No. 15 Torx with No. 10 Torx, and No. 1 square with No. 2 square. The reversible bit holder also works as 1/4″ and 5/16″ nut driver. The rubber grip is a nice touch as well.

Many would argue that one cannot be a true Vodka connoisseur, because vodka has no taste.  While it is true there is no real taste, Vodka definitely has different levels of harshness depending on what it was made from, i.e. grain, potato, etc and how it was distilled and filtered.  Over the 10 years or so I have been drinking my pallet has certainly become more refined.  Recently, I have switched exclusively to premium vodka’s like Grey Goose, Belevedre and Kettle 1.  These are all great spirits and perfect for a normal mixed drink but all three still have a distinctive alochol overtone.  It is not unpleasant, but is it definitely there. 

For Christmas I was lucky enough to recieve my first bottle of Hanger One.  Friends, let me tell you this is quite simply the smoothest vodka I have ever enjoyed.  Mix it with anything citrus and you cannot even tell it is there.  Until you stand up anyway…

Certainly there are more expenisive vodka out there but typically you are paying for a fancy bottle and not a better quality liquor. By comparison Hanger One is about $36 for 750 ML where as Kettle 1 comes in at $22 for the same amount.  So here is what I do…Kettle 1 for a nice weekday cocktail, Hanger One for Saturday nights and Three Olives in the Goose bottle for guests. Check out Hanger One’s excellent website for all the vodka porn you could want.

Link: Hanger One Vodka

Its time to update our flashlite recommendation. Over the last few years the Inova T4 has emerged as our go to unit for several reasons. First, is durability. The housing is aircraft aluminum the has been hard annondized. We have beat the heck out of it around the shop and in on the job site and they still look new. Next is size. The T4 is impressively small but still comfortable to handle. Finally, we love the LED bulb that can pump out up to 175 lumens for 2 hrs before killing your battery.

The kit comes with a Lith-Ion battery, charging cardle and both AC and DC plugs.

Link:Inova T4-WB 175 Lumen Rechargeable LED Flashlight with Knurled Hard Coat Anodized Aluminum Housing, Black

I have been looking to augment my home theather setup with a Slingbox, but for that to be possible, I will need to add an access point for additional dataport that I will need as I have no intention of taking my xbox offline. I have been looking around for a cheap but faster router for a few days and stumbled on the TRENDnet this morning. It has something the company is calling “green” technology where as the router is smarter enough to know what ports are actually in use, devices are on or based on the the length of the cable run. The reviews are great and the prices are right starting at just $14.99 so if you are in the market be sure to check out the whole line including the wireless-N options.

Link: TRENDnet Green Routers

I have been a loyal Firefox user for years (although I have been using Chrome a bit more lately because of its tight integration with my Google Apps and I am sorry to say because it makes FF look downright pokey in page load comparisons) The primary reason behind my affinity for either browser are the hundreds of user created extensions that make my internet experience much more enjoyable.

With my internet shopping addication well documented it is no surprise that Invisible Hand is among my favorite browser extensions. Once you installed IH, it just sits in the background waiting for you to start shopping. Go to any of the 53 partner websites including Amazon, Buy.com, Sears, Best Buy and Walmart, click in the product you are interested in amd IH pops and tells you were the best price is at.

While you are limited to price comparison within in the partner network, in the year or so I have been using it, I have yet to find a lower price anywhere else.

It is no secret that I have hearted the recent explosion of Lith-Ion powered microtools from manufactures like Bosch and Milwaukee. The good news I am not alone in my admiration of these tools as they have proven to be a retail sucess as well. This means the 2nd generation of these tools are starting to roll of out the factories bringing some much appreciated improvements. The Bosch PS21 is a perfect example that you can no longer judge a power tool by its size.

At first glance, you might be wondering what the heck was Bosch thinking? This looks like a toy! But just see what the guys over at Tool Snob had to say…

“First off, the power out of this little tool is incredible. Not to mention that it’s smaller than the competition. We were stunned when it had no problem sinking a 6″ Timberlok screw into a 2×6. We tried out a few of the other 12-volt drivers we have around (including the older Bosch PS20) and the results were pathetic in comparison, they could hardly even sink the screw half way. We then used the PS21 as our primary tool building a workbench and it had no problem dealing with 3″ screws. Sure, it’s not as fast at a 14.4-volt, but it’s getting there.”

All we can say is WOW!

Link: Bosch PS21-2A 12-Volt Max Pocket Driver

I am on the search for a new pair of winter work gloves. My needs are simple and obvious. Warm, waterproof and durable. This pair from the Youngstown Glove Company, seems to have filled all of my requirements and then some. Features include Kevlar construction for ANSI/SEA 105-2005 level 3 cut resistance on the palm, micro-fleece lining plus a water and windproof membrane that is still breathable. On top of all that, the palm is covered with Clarino Non-Slip surface that can maintain its gripping force even when wet.

Sounds perfect right? My only concern is the price point. At $50 these would among the most expensive gloves I have ever bought. But if they are as durable and useful as the manufacturer purports I would have no problem throwing down the loot. I would love to hear a few testimonial, so if you own a pair give us your rundown in the comments.

Perhaps the second most important piece of safety equipment you can have in your home next to smoke detector is a carbon monoxide alarm. With cold temperatures already hitting much of the country, now is the time to make sure you have one.

The Kidde Nighthawk is one of our favorites. The display is large and easy to read, the sensor never needs to be replaced and the it even comes with batteries. We recommend a unit in the furnace room plus another covering the main sleeping areas.

Link: Kidde Nighthawk 900-0089 Carbon Monoxide Alarm