Lionel: Train Sets, Scenery, Tracks and Accessories
:: Since 1900 :: Unbelievable selection :: Fine detail :: High quality ::
Lionel has been making exquisite train sets and accessories since when trains were in their heyday. Now that trains are making a comeback, this is the perfect time to bring your family together over a fun and creative project. Lionel has tons of accessories to bring life to your scene in amazing detail. It is a lot of fun to go through their catalog and imagine what you can do by building a table with contoured terrain, rivers, mountains and a village.
EDIT: Lionel has been importing, so exercise caution before purchasing
Covering several track styles, Lionel’s train selection ranges from old timey, up to super modern bullet trains (as well as Thomas and Friends!). They have great items such as vehicles, people, signs, bridges, tunnels, buildings, roads, tracks, lamps, stations, and more.
Augment their accessories (and save some dough) by crafting your own landscape and printing out your own props and buildings… with a good color printer, some foam core, and your imagination you can create an awesome train set!
http://www.lionel.com/
Great tileable texture collection of digital images- including signs, terrain, building facades and more:
http://www.texturama.com
Printable model train software that allows you to scale appropriately:
http://www.modeltrainsoftware.com/model-builder.html
Shapeways: 3D Printing Factory and Marketplace
:: Many materials :: Growing catalog :: Affordable :: Customization ::
The future really is here! Now 3D printing of real products is competitively priced against traditional mass production techniques! Products are often at the same price, if not less expensive than similar items found in stores. You may upload your own CAD files, or choose from a growing catalog of designs uploaded by 3D designers around the world. For each design, you may choose from a myriad of materials and colors at various price points based on material volume.
The Made in USA aspect could be debated, however we will argue that through growth, their new factory expansion is creating a lot of jobs here, as well as opportunities for budding jewelry and product designers. Originating in the Netherlands, the founders up and moved their headquarters and their lives to NYC – and after great success are currently building a 25,000 square foot “Factory of the Future”, which not only prints objects that may be impossible to cast, but creates a new production technique for the masses. A factory that replaces “mass manufacturing” with “mass customization”, and employs finishing artists to to give your products the final touches.
Shapeways currently offers printing in over 30 materials, including full color printing (think character statues), metals (stainless as well as sterling silver) and food-safe glazed ceramics! To get started, peruse their ever-expanding catalog of designs from their thriving international artist community, or design your own jewelry by using some of their simple online tools. Check out their huge catalog of unique iPhone accessories, jewelry, art, miniatures, gadgets and games.
Currently their printers and materials are sourced from the USA and from Europe, however from a pleasant phone call we discovered Shapeways are always striving to source locally as much as possible.
The Big Clock Store: Wall Clocks Made in USA
:: Small up to large clocks :: Custom, bulk, or ready-made :: Great prices ::
The Big Clock Store doesn’t only offer Big Clocks (up to 60″!!), they also make wall clocks down to 12″ in size, and at intervals in-between. After a quick phone call, we discovered that not only are the clock faces Made in USA, but for sizes 30″ to 60″, so are the movements!
Designs are really high quality – they have a real eye for design, color and proportion – and they cover the spectrum from traditional to modern lines. Many clocks are built to order, so you can request subtle customization such as text, or you may also design your own masterpiece. Add your own logo! The perfect promotional item, gift, or wall art for your business, restaurant, or home (call for bulk pricing).
We are very impressed with their modern website and design appeal. Check them out!
https://thebigclockstore.com/
Bodacious Cases: iPhone Cases Made in USA
:: Fun designs :: With or without credit card holder :: Mix and match colors ::
Bodacious Cases is a young company with fun attitude and a solid baseline modular system that connects by completely surrounding your iPhone. Made in USA! Because of its surrounding form-factor, by nature it protects more surface area and is water resistant. A screen protector on the front adds even more water-resistance. Their flirty winky logo is expressed in the product itself… see it on the back? 
Their current lineup has an interchangeable band for the perimeter which can be swapped out for other colors, adding a more personal touch. Hence the name “Band-It”. Hinged port caps help to keep your inputs covered, and models are available with or without the rear credit card slot. Currently their line covers iPhone 4/4s, with iPhone 5 available January 2013.
Kool Clipz: Clever Earbud Clip, Made in USA
:: Personal cable routing system :: Great prices :: Interchangeable designs ::
Kool Clipz are a clever system that solves the problem of loose-hanging earbud cables. Instead of flapping in the breeze or snagging onto the many appendages of this crazy, busy world, Kool Clips channel your earbud cables to your collar, and then guide them through to the inside of your shirt – which is the best way to maintain your Kool. Using a little bit of friction, your cable length may be adjusted so that you can set your perfect freedom of movement. Made in USA!
It may take a few seconds to realize how this clip system works, and how it may enhance your active lifestyle by keeping your mind off of the fear of yanking out your buds. But really it is a super simple and effective concept… just cross your cables, slide up to the loop at the top, then clip onto your shirt collar. The system works great if you run the cable down the inside of your shirt, and keep your tunes in your pocket. Just set it and forget it. This will come handy for our air traveling, because we are constantly yanking out our ear buds in those tightly confined spaces. Also great for the gym or for exercising.
Not only are they very affordable, the clip designs are interchangeable, and can be fun to trade. The clips have a surprisingly perfect friction connection to the design plates, yet slide in easily. Although they are made of plastic, they feel rugged, solid and flexible – and feel comfortable on the skin.
If you are looking for a good gift for yourself or for your kids, pick up a pack or two of Kool Clipz! You can choose singles or variety packs.
http://www.koolclipz.biz/
http://www.facebook.com/KoolClipz.CEO
Revolights: Effective and Brilliant Bicycle Lighting
:: High visibility :: Effective lighting :: Cool looking! :: $250 :: Award winning ::
Revolights recently was funded at 500% its asking price on a Kickstarter campaign. Cyclists apparently love the idea, and I think it is very clever- enough to win US Groove’s first “American Innovator Award”! One might say that $250 is pricey for a bicycle lighting system, but even more folks would argue that $250 for this quantum leap forward in bike safety would be worth it. Not to mention that it looks so freaking cool! The orientation sensor is a simple magnet that dictates the field of glow on the LED array that is connected to the rims.
Invented in our home town of Palo Alto, we have to give Revolights special props for building their kit in the USA with mostly American components! Hot off the press, you can be the first in your neighborhood to sport these cool lights. There may be a slight production delay, so order sooner than later.
Check out how the lights work and read a bit about the guys that are Revolights:
http://revolights.com/#store
Eclipse Solar Gear: Solar Backpacks and Messenger Bags
:: 4 watts of mobile charging power :: Reasonable prices :: Growing collection
Wide variety of backpacks and messenger bags are made in the USA. Not all their products are domestic, but their Eclipse Solar Backpacks and the new Treads Product Line are made here. Treads are made from recycled tire rubber and 100% post-consumer plastic bottles!
All you see here are Made in USA. Eclipse has won editor’s choice and innovative product awards. Let’s hope they can bring their other bag production to the US, because they have quite a range.
Gary Fong: Camera Flash Diffusers and Accessories
:: Award-winning design :: Creative products :: Reasonable prices
Gary Fong started his product line with a simple attachment diffuser that fits over standard flashes, called the Lightsphere. One style evolved into another, then they were adapted to different models, adding pop-up diffusers “Puffer”, diffusers for point-and-shoots cameras, and then into collapsible silicone diffusers (that’s when I bought mine!). All solid hardware, Mr. Fong’s factory is in the USA and they are now making camera tripod mounts for iPods and transformer-like cages (flip-cage) that open up into mini-stands.
Have a look at the before and after photos using the Lightsphere and you’ll be convinced that it is a requirement for quality flash photos. The small cost is easily justified for your beautiful photos… I am sold.
http://www.garyfongestore.com/
Peavey: Speakers and Amps Made in USA
:: Since 1965 ::Affordably priced ::Tube and solid state amps ::Versatile
Vintage and modern amps for the showman or the mobile musician. From blues styles to raw tube-tone, their American-made selection has the bases covered. Rockin’ America since 1965!
Made in USA models include 6505 212 Combo, 6534+ Head, 6505 Head, 6505+ Head, 6505 Slant 412, 6505 Straight 412, Nashville 112 Combo, Classic 30/112 Tube Combo, Delta Blues 115 Tube Combo
Peavey 6534 Plus 120W Tube Guitar Amp Head Black
6505 212 Tube 2×12″ Guitar Combo Amplifier
Peavey Nashville 112 1×12 80W Amp
Peavey Classic 30/112 Tube Combo Amp Tweed
Flashlights Made in USA: Overviews and Product Spreads
::Over a dozen American flashlight companies are outlined in this mega-feature
Many thanks go out to Joel Garner for rounding up the flashlight companies in this feature, as well as for research into the “USA Factor” of each maker and some in-the-loop info. There are so many great lighting makers, I thought it appropriate to corral them into one major overview, as to make all info and product images easily comparable. These are in no particular order, but as new companies are added, they will appear at the top of the list with a date of amendment.
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