Handy Tool Guide

CNET have published the results of their power consumption tests carried out on eighty television sets. 'There are four basic technologies that TVs use to produce a picture, and technology type has a large influence on power consumption per inch of screen. The traditional cathode-ray tube (CRT) blasts electrons onto chemical phosphors embedded on the inside of the tube, while plasma sets ionize gas to create colors in a million or more tiny pixel cells. SpongeBob or American Idol then show up on the other side of the glass, and both require more electricity to create a brighter image.

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Pocket-Lint have published a review of a pair of Burton Gore-Tex authentic denim jeans and Jacket outerwear. 'Jeans are great aren’t they? Staple of your wardrobe, but they carry one major flaw; get them wet and they are a bugger to deal with. So what's the solution? Waterproof them with Gore-Tex of course. That's exactly what Burton, the snowboarding firm, has done. But is it the idea of the century or something that will find itself in the charity shop? We get wet to find out. Designed for boarders who want to wear jeans on the slopes, judging from the reaction from most people, they are going to be the must have piece of kit next season.'

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PC Authority have published a review of the Compro Video Mate V600 TV box which allows you to turn an old computer monitor into an analogue TV. ‘The unit consists of two parts: the upper section that houses the electronics and a lower base which provides composite, S-video and component inputs. The two parts can be separated, but are normally electrically connected with a D-sub 15 (VGA) connector. Power is supplied to the top section, which houses the analogue TV tuner (powered by a fairly common Phillips XCVT chip) as well as 3.5mm audio and VGA I/O connectors. The V600 is a standalone passthrough box; no connection to a computer is provided and hence no facilities exist for recording.’

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Alan J. Heavens writing over at Courant.com offers some useful tips on choosing the appropriate nailer for your tasks. 'Given a choice between hitting 100 nails with a hammer and using a power nailer, the nail gun gets my vote every time. There are many on the market, though. So let's sift through the choices to figure out what's right for do-it-yourselfers. Need to know: the kind of projects you have in mind. If you're planning to build a garage or finish the basement, you'll be better off with a framing nailer. If you're installing hardwood floors or door and window frames, go for a finish nailer. Brad nailers are for light work; roofing nailers are for shingling.

Continue reading "Before you purchase your first nailer.......," »

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Pocket Lint have published a review of the G-Note 5000 Digital Tablet which is a digital organizer that allows "users to take notes, draw or capture inspirations anywhere, anytime". 'The concept is nothing new, it is that of the digital pen and paper: take notes on the paper pad and everything you write or draw is also immediately copied onto the built-in 32MB of Flash memory as a digital image that can be transferred to your PC later via a USB cable. What is different however is that the G-Note 5000 is one of the smallest, lightest and best looking of these kind of devices we have seen though. Small at just 281 x 180 x12mm, but the active working area is smaller still being 210 x 150mm, which is an A5 sheet of paper.'

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Even if you are not a motorcyclist the review of the Brookstone and Warmthru Battery Heated Vests on Web Bike World should be of interest especially if you considering a purchase of this type of wear. 'Both the Brookstone and Warmthru vests have hidden switches; the Brookstone switch is located inside a zippered pocket on the outside of the left chest and the switch on the Warmthru is located in a small Velcro covered pocket inside the right chest area. The Brookstone vest switch controller is a two-part affair and is relatively bulky. It is supposed to control both the heat level and the location of the heat (front or back or both), but the vest doesn't put out enough heat to notice a difference.'

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The Philips digital photo frame can hold up to 150 shots at 720 x 480 pixels which you can easily transfer from your digital camera, Mac or PC by inserting a memory card or using a USB connection. 'Like its predecessor, the frame looks a lot like a miniature version of the display on Apple's original iMac flat-panel all-in-one computers, with clear plexiglass around a white border that surrounds the 6.7 x 4.5-inch (8-inch diagonal), high-pixel-density LCD panel. Philips calls the 9FF2M4 a 9-inch frame, but that dimension includes the width of the white border, not simply the width of the LCD. While you couldn't swap out the white border on the 7FF, the 9FF2M4 comes with three extra borders in red, silver, and black that are easy to change (they adhere magnetically). The adjustable--and removable--stand on the back lets you set the frame vertically or horizontally in landscape or portrait orientation. You also get a wall-mounting kit in the box.'

Continue reading "Review: Philips 9FF2M4 Digital Photo Frame - CNET" »

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If you are at ease with the application of digital technology to major appliances in your home, you may welcome the Grohtherm wireless shower from Grohe (the biggest European and the world’s leading manufacturer of sanitary fittings). The Grohtherm wireless shower assists in enhancing the shower experience by enabling you to determine the temperature and flow of the water in advance of your bath. This wireless shower can be switched on and off from any room in the home and can be programmed to satisfy the particular needs of severals users. The cost of this device is £744 or US $1,376.

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The Eton FR350 Radio is first and foremost an AM/FM/Shortwave radio that can be powered by the cranking of an installed Hand-Crank Power Generator which charges (or recharges) an internal rechargeable Ni-MH battery pack when the need arises. The device also has a built-in torch, siren and mobile phone charger. The Eton FR350 is advertised as a radio ideal for emergencies but I am sure shortwave enthusiasts would welcome this affordable "connection" to international broadcasters.

Features:
• AM/FM/Shortwave
• Water resistant body
• Hand Crank Power Generator
• 3 LED light system with emergency flash
• Emergency siren
• Built-in mobile phone charger
• Power Source: Hand-Crank Power Generator with rechargeable battery pack, 3 AA batteries (not included) or AC adaptor (not included)
• Dimensions: 4.5”Hx8.6”Wx2”D (114mmx220mmx50mm)
• Weight: 1.5 lbs (680g).

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With the ever increasing availability of solar powered lights and lighting to the general consumer market there is little reason to persist with the more costly alternatives. The Solar Charged Accent Light is an attractive outdoor lighting fixture which, though requiring an initial investment of $19.99, would no doubt lead to a reduction in the electric utility bill over time. 'The Solar Charged Accent Light features six white LEDs that stay bright up to 10 hours per night. It charges via the built-in solar cell by day and automatically turns on at night. Perfect for illuminating the garden, driveways, patios, and walkways. No wiring needed. Comes with hardware and instructions for in ground, free standing or wall installation.'

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With the holiday season fast approaching you may be contemplating the purchase of candles to augment your seasonal decorations. If you intend to purchase more than a few "sticks" from you favorite store you may just be interested in the prospect of making your own with a Candle Creations Candle Maker.

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Even if you are not one of those unfortunate souls who "suffer with or from sensitive skin", the Bath Ball faucet filter should still be an item worthy of your consideration. If for the very reasonable price of $59.00 a year, you can be afforded the luxury of taking your bath in chlorine-free water, this gadget would have to be a priority whenever you are seeking to upgrade your shower.

Features:
• Take a chlorine-free bath without having to fill the tub with your showerhead
• Simply attach the Bath Ball Faucet Filter under the tub faucet with the sturdy vinyl strap
• KDF filter media releases water that's 95% chlorine-free
• You'll notice the difference in water quality with your first bath
• Replace filter annually

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Even though the tips for handling "post summer" tasks in this Anchorage Daily News feature by Donna Freedman were penned with Alaskan weather in view, there are some nuggets of wisdom which would certainly provide food-for-thought for gardeners far and wide. 'After several years of unseasonably warm and sunny summers, the 2006 gardening season felt like bait-and-switch. Flowering plants were two weeks behind; some varieties never produced a bloom. Raspberries were reluctant, perennials paltry. The grass sure looked good, though, with all that rain. Now it's time to put this summer behind us by putting the garden to bed. It may seem too early to think about such things, given that you feel cheated out of a couple weeks' worth of blooms. Consider it a catharsis: Once you've cleaned up the physical evidence of a dismal season, you might be able to stop thinking about the Clematis That Never Was.'

Continue reading "As The Growing Season Winds Down..........'" »

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Graham Short writing over at the Home & Garden Channel presents an almost convincing argument for an "effortless" approach to gardening. 'Visit any Cotswold village at this time of year and you will see magnificently manicured gardens. Lawns which resemble billiard tables with edges so sharp that you could cut your fingers on them! Just imagine the passion that has gone into presenting a beautiful garden to the world. No wonder the competition to be voted the best village in bloom is fierce.

Continue reading "An Unorthodox Gardening Perspective" »

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Do you know how to turn a trowel? Of course you do! Just in case you dont and would welcome some pointers on how to get started in the mixing of concrete, Popular Mechanics has an easy to follow guide on just how to proceed in the construction of a simple concrete slab. 'Today, 9 billion cubic yards of concrete are poured each year around the world. It's big business for a humble mix of sand, gravel, water and portland cement. But you don't have to build the Hoover Dam to get involved--anyone with a backyard can do it. Pouring a slab for a landing or a small patio for your grill is a great way to learn how to mix and finish concrete. And, there's nothing quite like making something that will be around for a long time. It may not be immortality, but it's close.'

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In this issue of Popular Mechanics' "Homeowner's Clinic", Norman Becker addresses the issue of how to tackle the presence of termites in a fully constructed home. 'You need to have a pest control contractor conduct a thorough inspection inside and outside the house and determine what should be done. As you have learned, termites can find their way through almost any kind of construction--concrete slabs included. They can enter through a crack as small as 1⁄64 in., about equal to the diameter of the period at the end of this sentence. That’s just enough space for one termite to squeeze through. Once inside, they will attack wood, the paper face on drywall, cellulose insulation, books, cardboard, leather and even animal furs.'

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The application of technology to appliances in the home seem not to be restricted to the obvious choices of entertainment centers in the living room and food-related gadgets in the kitchen but it would seem the bathroom is now primed for an upgrade with the introduction of some "smart fittings" which respond to typed-in demands. The Ondine ESS Tub Control is one such fitting which allows you to key in your information as to how and when your shower is to occur.

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The MyKey 2300 RFID Door Lock provides the facility for you to operate the doors to your home without a “real” metal key, somewhat akin to the method you probably use to open the doors to your car. 'The MyKey 2300 ($300) uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to replace your conventional door lock and metal keys. It can be installed easily on almost any doorway and unlocks with a wave of one of the six included RFID cards (or your wallet if you've got one stored in it). '

Continue reading "MyKey 2300 RFID Door Lock At Uncrate" »

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Jeffrey Kelly, staff writer/Times Dispatch, shares some insights on the popular brands of power drills and discusses just which are more suited to jobs in the home and on the work-site. 'When you're in the market for a cordless power drill, however, consider more than the tool's tint. Like a mobile phone, going cordless means you'll have greater portability, with no need to find an electrical outlet when it's time to bore holes or drive screws. It also means making sure the rechargeable batteries are juiced up.At Richmond's Pleasants Hardware, assistant sales manager James Gibbs has made a living selling these drills and other tools and accessories. A colleague half-jokingly refers to the 26-year Pleasants veteran as the top drill expert in the mid-Atlantic. Go ahead and ask him what you should look for when buying a cordless drill. He'll ask you what you'll be using it for. The answer will set you on a path to purchasing a consumer-grade or industrial-strength power tool. '

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While the price tag of $499 attached to the One-Acre Mosquito Eliminator may be a bit prohibitive for some folks, the possibility of being empowered to eliminate the mosquito threat from an acre around your home deserves some consideration. 'The Mosquito Magnet is scientifically proven to virtually eliminate mosquito populations. It has been tested by government agencies, the U.S. military, leading universities, and independent scientists from around the world.

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Even if your familiar with (and more so if you are not) the basics about hand tools, the information shared by the informed Kaile Warren on CBS (The Early Show) would still make for valuable reading. 'Improvements to basic hand tools such as the wrench, screwdriver and hammer make it easier to do-it-yourselfers to do it themselves. On The Early Show Tuesday, "Rent-a-Husband" Kaile Warren showed Dave Price how far those items have come. All the tools he displayed sell for less than $30 and enable users to work smarter, not harder, as he put it. He not only pointed out the changes, he showed the proper way to use each tool, which is important for both convenience and safety.'

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Even though the article on Popular Mechanics.com was written Lolly Merrell sometime ago, the tips on the handling of portable generators are still very appropriate especially as we are into the hurricane season. 'To most people, safe generator use is a matter of common sense. Gasoline-engine generators were never designed for indoor use. Every generator manual includes several pages of warnings urging users to operate their generators in a dry, well-ventilated area to avoid both electrocution and CO poisoning. During hurricanes, however, many people move their generators into areas protected from wind and rain that they assume are well ventilated. A CDC report traced several poisonings to generators placed outside, but near windows or air conditioners. The best bet is to put some distance between the generator and your house, advises Jon Hoch, founder of Electric Generators Direct, a Web-based retailer that sells thousands of generators a year. He recommends using a heavy-duty 25-ft.-long extension cable called a generator cord.'

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The new indoor-outdoor Warmer Winter Heated Floor Mat from Martinson-Nicholls, Inc., is a welcomed solution for keeping "commercial and industrial entranceways clear of snow, ice, and tracked-in water throughout winter on 24/7 basis". 'The self-drying, heated mat is an efficient, money saving way to cut down on snow clearance, slippery ice, and tracked-in water or salt at the entrances of businesses, manufacturing plants, and all places where there is people or cart traffic.This new product is easy to install, efficient to run and requires little or no maintenance, which means less time and trouble for maintenance crews and safer passage for all employees, customers, vendors, and visitors. The mat comes in standard sizes and also can be custom-fitted for walkways, ramps, stairs, loading docks and all entranceways.'

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If you can afford $699 for a motorcycle-themed faucet for your bathroom then MFX Classic may just fit your requirements. 'The MFX Classic is engineered by one of the world's leading faucet manufacturing companies and crafted using the highest quality brass construction for long life, durability and reliability. The brilliant brass and chrome surfaces are easy to maintain. Brass color surfaces are treated with a PVD (Physical Vapor Disposition) molecular bonding process that creates an incredibly strong surface and a remarkably durable finish. Chrome color surfaces are treated with a top quality grade “A” polished chrome plating process that is resistant to tarnishing and corrosion.'

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if you are considering an air-conditioning solution for your home, the review of the AdobeAir Mobile MasterCool MMB12over at Toolmonger should be very instructive. Even though the base price of the unit highlighted was $397, you would no doubt have to factor in the costs of increased electricity bills to determine its affordability. 'The MMB12 is designed with the bottom of the unit as a 7.5-gallon water reservoir. It has a garden-hose fitting near the bottom rear of its base which attaches to an internal float-style regulator that opens when necessary to automatically replenish the reservoir. The manual indicates that any water pressure up to 100 PSI is OK, and this shouldn’t be a problem for most homes and businesses (which are usually regulated to 75 or 80 PSI).

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Repairs to cracked concrete surfaces can now effected in a matter of minutes with the application of the new CHEMCRETE 1800 2-component polyurethane deep penetrating polymer in combination with sand or as a stand alone mixture. CHEMCRETE 1800 2, a product from Chemline Inc, is suited for repairing hairline cracks, control joints, or securing bolts for equipment or hand railings.

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There is always a need for more space whether in the cramped workshop at home or the limited workspace on the job. Ofttimes you can never find some tool or piece of material when you want it and when you do put your hands on the desired item, you are in a quandary just where to place it for future reference. Eagle MHC has one solution to this problem with their easily assembled shelving which creates space on the walls just above your work area. 'Snap-n-Slide(TM) wall shelves from Eagle MHC provide an easy, effortless way to increase wall storage availability above worktables, sinks and other lab equipment. The unique, patent-pending design incorporates a heavy-gauge stainless steel shelf that slides onto die-formed stainless steel mounting brackets.The ingenious design of Snap-n-Slide(TM) shelves allows materials managers the freedom to position shelves anywhere on the wall brackets, without the need for fasteners or tools. Simply mount the brackets to the wall first ... then slip the shelf under the tabs where it will rest securely on the brackets. The brackets can be mounted directly to wall studs, allowing the shelf to be adjustable on the brackets. '

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Dan Cannon cites an excerpt from the Orlando Sentinel to highlight basically just what every gardener should be aware of, ergonomics and gardening tools make a difficult fit. We love to give new tools a try-out, who doesn't, but in the end I suspect many garden enthusiasts pay more attention to the ergonomics at work than in their favored hobby. "In 2004, Thomas and a student, Alysun Brown Tebben, reported research results in the American Journal of Occupational Therapy. Their study compared a regular trowel with one billed as ergonomic. The ergonomic trowel was twice as heavy (not a good start) but had a longer handle (which is usually a plus). The researchers invited 64 women between the ages of 20 and 50 to try the trowels by scooping dirt from a plastic tub into an 8-inch flower pot while wearing special instruments to measure their wrist movements.'

Continue reading "Reality Check: Gardening Will Always Be "Hard Work"!" »

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Here are five practical tool adaptations you may not have used in the past but may consider using should the circumstance allow in the future. '1. No mallet, no problem! Fit a rubber furniture boot over the face of your hammer to protect your project from hammer hits! 2. Speaking of protecting a surface, have you ever braced a piece of molding in a vice only to dent it? Well no problem put some styrofoam on either side of the molding and tighten the vice. The foam will mold to the contour of the wood and protect it! ' It would be useful to view Ms Fixit's adept handling of the subject and tools on the accompanying video.

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