Introducing OFF THE BENCH RoadTests - What Products Do You Prefer to Test?

Some of the decent USB soldering irons (see shabaz ' tests)

Plus low-cost multimeters so it does not matter too much if they get lost or need to be loaned out.

I just got this for some kids the other day, but I might pick one up for myself too!

And ideally some left-handed options! 

I have a UK brand (Moore & Wright) right-handed ones, they are quite decent and not bad on battery life (maybe 1 year) but from what hifromkatie mentions Mitutoyo beats that significantly. It's a real pain using right-handed calipers if it doesn't come naturally to one (I use some tools with left-hand, and calipers are one of those).

wire strippers. There I said it. I used three different models, each one at a different site. Shabaz comment about left and right reminded me that one site actually has a left and right handed wire stripper. What make a good wire stripper. My curious mind wants to know.

Funny I didn't see it in the list of tools for the above kits.

I confess I am lazy and tend to manipulate side cutters to strip the insulation when I should go find the proper tool. That is the kicker, the go find part. I think of my technique as I recall videos of people assembling the space shuttle. You really do hope they stripped the wire correctly in that installation.

I'd be interested in hearing what wire-strippers people recommend for single-core wire used for breadboards.

For calipers I wish someone would create a web app (I think it's possible with JavaScript) that would display video of the front camera on mobile phones, mirrored.Then right-handed calipers would be more usable for left-handed people although it would still be inconvenient to have the mobile there for every measurement! : ) I would give it a go but it's finding time.. Hm, or maybe bluetooth calipers although probably it's just cheaper to find plain left-handed calipers and be done with it.

shabaz said:

I'd be interested in hearing what wire-strippers people recommend for single-core wire used for breadboards.

"I just use my teeth" *shudder*

Not specific models. Indoor Air Quality monitoring, radon monitoring, natural gas leaks monitoring. Outdoor Air Quality monitoring would be great too, but nothing an individual could do to improve it. I can do a search and suggest models if it is interesting

On a tangent from Misaz's suggestion, the clear top adjustable bins are awesome, great for components but not for electronics tools. Typical tool storage systems are intended for normal size tools beside the bench or a pegboard behind it. I'm always looking for a stand up tool holder like a toothbrush or pencil holder, where a basic small screwdrivers, small snips, common allen & torx drivers can be on the bench or off, but easy snatch a tool when needed, and doesnt get knocked over easy.  

do workbenches belong to the OF THE BENCH category? If yes, would be great to have RoadTests on them, although would be a bit expensive for shipping maybe.

IAC INDUSTRIES QS-1005822-BL

Now that is a method I haven't used since college. Well actually when I started paying for my own dental.