This week I thought I would take a minute to comment on the awesome powerhouse of painting - the mini roller.  Pound for pound this tool can save a tremendous amount of time for a very low cost.  
   Mini rollers consist of a simple frame with no moving parts and the roller itself.  Altogether they cost about $5.00 and then you can buy refill packs.  
  The rollers come in a a variety of sizes and shapes.  Button ended rollers (the cap end away from the insert side of the roller) are designed for cutting in and rolling along trim.  I typically prefer a brush to these critters but some painters swear by them.  Then there are rollers with nap all the way around the end of the nap.  These are fantastic for cabinet and door work as they allow you to roll right into all of the corners.  The final important variation is the smooth foam roller.  These are not particularly useful for laying down a lot of paint but if you are touching up a sprayed trim job or are just wanting an absolutely smooth finish they are the way to go.  The foam rollers are pretty much uncleanable.
   I haven't seen any difference brand to brand on the foam rollers.  However on the thicker nap rollers I find the woosters lay the paint thicker and more evenly than the purdy's.  Both are very good quality and the purdy colossus rollers do clean up faster but I have to give an extra point to wooster for their contender.