A List of Basic Hand Tools For Setting Up Shop

Below I recommend several brands of tools. These are tools I own and have a lot of experience with or have used in the past and like. This doesn't mean that these brands are the only ones out there or are even the best. Ask around and find out what other people like and use. Ultimately you have to make your own decision on which tools are best for you and how you work.

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Woodworking covers so many facets that it's difficult to come up with a tool list that covers the needs of every woodworker. Many tools are used for a very specific task, while others are more general tools that you find yourself using for most projects. The latter is what I'll concentrate on in this article. Just keep in mind that if you want to learn how to make guitars (a Luther), or build a canoe, etc...there will definitely be tools that you will need that won't be on this list. This is just to get you started. I've been working wood for over 10 years and trust me there are still many tools I would love to have. But just like I did you start with the basics and buy other tools as you find a need for them.

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Hand Tools

Machine tools: screwdrivers, Allen wrenches, set to wrenches, pliers, crescent wrench. These are things that most already have around the house, but it definitely doesn't hurt to have a set of these tools that are dedicated just to your shop so you don't have to hunt all over the house when you need a Phillips screwdriver. These can all be picked up at your local hardware store.

Set of bench chisels: 1/4" to 1". I've used a set of Marples chisels for years. Irwin has bought them so they may show up under their name now. The full set costs around .00 Cheaper chisels just won't hold an edge (meaning they dull too easily). The Marple chisels hold an edge OK. Home Depot and Lowes used to carry them but they're not showing up on their websites now. Amazon.com has them for

Handplanes: A jack plane (sometimes referred to as a No. 5) and a low angle block plane. The jack plane gets it's name from being the "jack of all trades". It's a medium size plane and can be used for many tasks. I recommend buying a used one, specifically an old Stanley No. 5. Look at flea markets and garage sells or try eBay (this is where I got mine years ago). A block plane will be one of the most used tools in your shop, so buy a good one. If you can afford it Lie-Nielsen.com or Lee Valley.com both have excellent low angle blocks from to 9 A cheaper alternative would be a Stanley 60 1/2 low angle block for around .

Handsaws: panel, or Japanese Ryoba and Dozuki. Western saws cut on the push stroke; Japanese saws cut on the pull stroke. My advice is to try out both and see which you like better. Each has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Personally, I like the Japanese saws for most jobs, but I still like a western type saw for cutting dovetails. Lowes and Home Depot both carry Japanese saws. Another good place to look is Japanwoodworker.com

Layout tools:tape measure, small and large size try squares, marking gauge, pencil compass, 6" and 12" rulers, bevel gauge, combination square.

Hammer: 16oz standard and a wooden or dead-blowstyle mallet for working with chisels and other tools.

Card scraper: an inexpensive tool that is indispensable in the shop (especially if you dislike sanding). These tools can take extremely thin shavings of wood and leave a very smooth surface. They can be tricky to sharpen though. We'll cover scrapers more in depth in a future article.

Rasps: a coarse and fine cabinetmaker's style. These are used to shape wood especially table legs.

There's my list of basic hand tools to get you started. Some, you will need from the very beginning. Some you can wait on. My advice is to figure out what you want to make with your woodworking and then start building. You'll figure out quickly the tools you really need and the ones you can wait to get.

A List of Basic Hand Tools For Setting Up Shop

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Housing Slump Continues Due to Failed Subprime Mortgages

The U.S. housing market is still in trouble, due mainly to failed subprime mortgage practices. Recent home sales reports show a modest increase, however the increase is considered by many analysts to be half of what they were expecting.

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Analysts believe the major contributor to the housing slump is the increase in mortgage foreclosures, or more specifically subprime mortgage foreclosures.

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Over the past several years, many subprime home mortgage institutions were offering home mortgages to individuals who should never have received them. The homeowners receiving them did not meet traditional basic financial home mortgage standards. However, as with any sector boom, there are always folks out there looking for a quick buck. Unfortunately, in this case it was fly-by night home lending institutions that quickly setup shop and took advantage of the housing market boom. Normally good lending institutions cap the amount a homeowner can finance, relative to their income. This cap usually has been in the range of 28-33% of their income for the home mortage, and around 36% for total financing including; home, car, credit card purchases, etc. These fly-by night home lending institutions allowed much higher caps, basically enslaving the homeowner to a home mortgage that they could not sustain. The result, eventual foreclosure.

The housing market has now taken a hit by this type of lending behaviour and companies such as Lowes and Home Depot have already seen an impact in their businesses.

The speed in which the home industry turns around will be directly proportional to how quickly the subprime mortgage industry gets cleaned up. Fortunately the cleanup has already begun, however there is probably another year ahead of us before the smoke fully clears.

Housing Slump Continues Due to Failed Subprime Mortgages

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Create a Custom Laundry Room Using Stock Cabinets

One of the latest trends in home design is the creation of customized laundry rooms. With today's emphasis on customized spaces, there are a lot of companies that are cashing in by claiming to sell customized solutions specifically for the laundry room or garage. While they may call them custom, there really isn't anything custom about the cabinets. Similar to custom garage solutions, they are usually made out of particle board or flake board with a white veneer, which is exactly what you would buy if you were shopping at Home Depot or Lowes. The high prices are based on the concept that you buying them specifically for that space.

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If you are planning on building a custom laundry room, you might want to think about using stock kitchen cabinets for the space. Kitchen cabinets are going to have the same features and functionality that you would get from these "custom laundry room cabinets, but you will be paying half the price. These cabinets usually feature higher quality materials, such as solid wood face frames and doors, and will usually have solid plywood sides as well. Rather than paying a company that specializes in custom units, consider buying these cabinets and installing them yourself.

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While stock kitchen cabinets can usually be found at your local home supply store, you can usually find some pretty good deals on-line as well. Recently, there has been a flood of companies importing stock cabinets and selling them on the internet. So rather than paying a premium for so-called "custom" cabinets that are designed specifically for your laundry room or garage, trying using kitchen cabinets. Not only will you get a durable product, but you can also coordinate the look of your house by having the same cabinets throughout.

Create a Custom Laundry Room Using Stock Cabinets

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Getting a Spiral Staircase

Are you looking to build a spiral staircase in your own house? If you want to build a good looking staircase, and you don't want to have a serious developer install it for a vastly overpriced amount, you can try to build and put the stairs in yourself. To do this, you will need to buy a spiral staircase kit--a kit that makes it easy to build and install the stairs. This is a modular kit, good for many sorts of houses and shapes.

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If you want fast and easy assembly, and a staircase that doesn't take up too much space, go for the spiral variety. Because it is a spiral, and not a flat staircase, it will wind around a common center, taking up much less space than a normal staircase. This looks great in any house or building.

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Unfortunately, it will be a little bit more annoying to climb than a regular set of steps, because of its spiral nature. However, the tradeoff is well worth it, because in the end you can buy an easy to install by yourself set of stairs that you can install yourself.

You can find these kits online or at several hardware stores. Go check your local Lowes and Walmart, and look online for the types of stairs you are most interested in. I guarantee you'll find what you're looking for. You should definitely look for one that fits the color and design of your house, and also the shape and size.

Getting a Spiral Staircase

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How to Save Money on Your Home's Heating and Cooling Expenses

Is the high cost of heating during these long, cold winter months getting you down? While there's a constantly increasing cost of energy and desire to use less of it, some homeowners are motivated to look for ways to save and cut the high costs off their home's heating bill. With as little as a few simple changes, a few small home projects and a few energy saving habits, you can save money and use significantly less energy during these long, cold winter months.

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Windows

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Some homeowners choose to make an investment in their homes by replacing their old storm windows for new energy efficient windows, but if new energy efficient windows are not in your budget this year, there are simple steps you can take to stop the cold air from entering your home and the warm air from escaping.

Purchasing new energy efficient windows is one of the best ways to stop cold air from entering your home and warm air from escaping, as well as preventing you from spending more money on your home's heating costs this winter season. New energy efficient windows can be quite a large investment if it is not in your yearly budget for home repairs.

If new energy efficient windows are not in this year's budget, you can always take steps to winterize your existing windows.

Weatherize your windows

Some homeowners tend to use a thick plastic film to safely secure and weatherize the windows in their home, this is a very effective method, but another option is using a plastic survival blanket. Some homeowners would never think to use survival blankets to weatherize their home, but they are very inexpensive, costing as little as . per window treatment. They can be purchased in the camping section at your local department or home improvement store; Wal-Mart, Kmart or Lowes. In addition to the plastic survival blanket, you will need a tape measure, hammer, double face tape or small tacks to safely secure to the window facing.

To begin weatherizing the windows in your home, first measure the size of the window. Once you have a proper measurement of the window, measure the survival blanket for proper fitting. A majority of the time, survival blankets are folded into a tiny rectangular shape. Once the window and survival blanket have been measured, place the shiny side of the survival blanket toward the inside of your home to help reflect the heat back into the room. The survival blanket, or plastic film, will allow some light to shine into the room, while sealing out the cold and saving you money.

In the event that survival blankets are not available in your local department store or home improvement center, place a simple spring tension curtain rod behind your existing curtains and fold a blanket over the tension rod. This will provide a heavy protective cover to assist in sealing out the cold. Using standard blankets will eliminate natural light from entering the room. During the warmest part of day, you can tie the curtains back to help allow natural light to enter the room.

Heating

Regardless of whether you use gas or electric heat in your home, you can save energy and cut costs by simply lowering the thermostat setting. During the winter months, it is highly suggested that homeowners reduce the thermostat to a temperature between 68 and 70 degrees.

Also, consider reducing the thermostat by 5-10 degrees during the night for comfortable sleeping, some experts claim sleeping in cooler temperatures is beneficial; this will help you to rest comfortably and save you money at the same time.

Dress for the season

Most homeowners tend to adjust by maintaining the temperatures in our homes in the cold winter months so we can continue to wear summer clothing. Remember, it is winter and you need to dress for the season. Proper winter clothing includes sweaters, long sleeve shirts, sweat shirts, sweat suits, long pants, socks, slippers or house shoes, and it is very important to layer your clothing to keep your body warm and comfortable.

Other options include placing throw blankets and covers on the couch or arm of the chair to provide convenient, but extra warmth to comfort you while you relax. Also, add extra blankets or comforters to your bedding to provide extra warmth and comfort while you are resting.

Clean your heating filters

One easy way to cut costs and conserve energy is to change or clean the air filters on your heating system once a month. Dirty air filters tend to hinder air movement and, long term, can raise your monthly heating costs.

Service your heating system

It is highly suggested that homeowners service their heating systems every fall. By having a furnace technician check your heating system, adjust and lubricate the furnace in your home it can save you up to 5% of your monthly heating energy.

How to Save Money on Your Home's Heating and Cooling Expenses

LOWES STORM DOORS

How to Save Money on Your Home's Heating and Cooling Expenses

Is the high cost of heating during these long, cold winter months getting you down? While there's a constantly increasing cost of energy and desire to use less of it, some homeowners are motivated to look for ways to save and cut the high costs off their home's heating bill. With as little as a few simple changes, a few small home projects and a few energy saving habits, you can save money and use significantly less energy during these long, cold winter months.

lowes storm doors prices

Windows

LOWES STORM DOORS

Some homeowners choose to make an investment in their homes by replacing their old storm windows for new energy efficient windows, but if new energy efficient windows are not in your budget this year, there are simple steps you can take to stop the cold air from entering your home and the warm air from escaping.

Purchasing new energy efficient windows is one of the best ways to stop cold air from entering your home and warm air from escaping, as well as preventing you from spending more money on your home's heating costs this winter season. New energy efficient windows can be quite a large investment if it is not in your yearly budget for home repairs.

If new energy efficient windows are not in this year's budget, you can always take steps to winterize your existing windows.

Weatherize your windows

Some homeowners tend to use a thick plastic film to safely secure and weatherize the windows in their home, this is a very effective method, but another option is using a plastic survival blanket. Some homeowners would never think to use survival blankets to weatherize their home, but they are very inexpensive, costing as little as . per window treatment. They can be purchased in the camping section at your local department or home improvement store; Wal-Mart, Kmart or Lowes. In addition to the plastic survival blanket, you will need a tape measure, hammer, double face tape or small tacks to safely secure to the window facing.

To begin weatherizing the windows in your home, first measure the size of the window. Once you have a proper measurement of the window, measure the survival blanket for proper fitting. A majority of the time, survival blankets are folded into a tiny rectangular shape. Once the window and survival blanket have been measured, place the shiny side of the survival blanket toward the inside of your home to help reflect the heat back into the room. The survival blanket, or plastic film, will allow some light to shine into the room, while sealing out the cold and saving you money.

In the event that survival blankets are not available in your local department store or home improvement center, place a simple spring tension curtain rod behind your existing curtains and fold a blanket over the tension rod. This will provide a heavy protective cover to assist in sealing out the cold. Using standard blankets will eliminate natural light from entering the room. During the warmest part of day, you can tie the curtains back to help allow natural light to enter the room.

Heating

Regardless of whether you use gas or electric heat in your home, you can save energy and cut costs by simply lowering the thermostat setting. During the winter months, it is highly suggested that homeowners reduce the thermostat to a temperature between 68 and 70 degrees.

Also, consider reducing the thermostat by 5-10 degrees during the night for comfortable sleeping, some experts claim sleeping in cooler temperatures is beneficial; this will help you to rest comfortably and save you money at the same time.

Dress for the season

Most homeowners tend to adjust by maintaining the temperatures in our homes in the cold winter months so we can continue to wear summer clothing. Remember, it is winter and you need to dress for the season. Proper winter clothing includes sweaters, long sleeve shirts, sweat shirts, sweat suits, long pants, socks, slippers or house shoes, and it is very important to layer your clothing to keep your body warm and comfortable.

Other options include placing throw blankets and covers on the couch or arm of the chair to provide convenient, but extra warmth to comfort you while you relax. Also, add extra blankets or comforters to your bedding to provide extra warmth and comfort while you are resting.

Clean your heating filters

One easy way to cut costs and conserve energy is to change or clean the air filters on your heating system once a month. Dirty air filters tend to hinder air movement and, long term, can raise your monthly heating costs.

Service your heating system

It is highly suggested that homeowners service their heating systems every fall. By having a furnace technician check your heating system, adjust and lubricate the furnace in your home it can save you up to 5% of your monthly heating energy.

How to Save Money on Your Home's Heating and Cooling Expenses

LOWES STORM DOORS

Char Broil Grill Family Meets Your Family

Char Broil has a large selection of grills and all of them are popular for the outdoor chef. With a full lineup of smokers, gas grills, charcoal grills and fryers, you are sure to find something to fit your lifestyle.

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They come in a vast assortment to meet the needs of nearly any chef that stokes a fire for a BBQ.

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Char Broil has the patio caddie and the superior Quantum and just about every sort of grill in between so there is a grill for everyone. Grilling can be relaxing for most people and is a family activity that can be enjoyed from the baby to grandma.

If you are considering purchasing a new grill for your family summer fun, research and review the grills that Char Broil has to offer. Be certain and comfortable with your decision. Char Broil grills are built to last and when you purchase one make certain its one that you will want to enjoy for years to come.

A couple of different models are outlined here.

Char Broil Magnum 340 Infrared Gas Grill

This grill is 21st century ready because it uses infrared technology for cooking your food. Infrared technology is nice because it prevents flare ups or uneven cooking that an sometimes accompany cooking with charcoal.

The nice thing about cooking with infrared technology is getting an appealing even cook on our meat. You can sit back and relax without keeping a close watchful eye on the grill. The grill has two burners for cooking your sides along with your meat with its own temperature control.

With two burners you have 320 inches of cooking space. This is definitely for the big chef and not for those that are cooking on a small apartment balcony.

If you have a large family as well as extended family get together the Char Broil Magnum 340 Infrared Gas Grill is the one you have in mind.

Char Broil Magnum 500 Gas Grill

Having the Magnum 500 Gas Grill in your backyard is setting yourself up for a winning grill each and every meal this summer. This is one of their most popular propane grills.

The grill has a warming rack attached with the 500 inches of space for grilling and 4 stainless steel burners. The warming rack is wonderful for easy rotation of your food.

The wonderful thing about this propane tank is the electric ignition that is always there for a sure start with any hassle that occurs with charcoal.

You will be up and running as soon as possible so you can start grilling right away and you can start enjoying that barbecue taste right away.

Both of these grills are popular with customers that are flocking to the Char Broil Grill Family. The Magnum with the 21st century infrared technology is wonderful for the chef that wants to go green and the Char Broil Magnum is delightful for the chef that loves to cook his food on propane.

One of the best thing about these grills is the availability. You can purchase them at stores such as home improvement stores such as Lowes or online.

You absolutely cannot go wrong with the Char Broil grill family.

Char Broil Grill Family Meets Your Family

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Compare Home Depot's "Tuff Shed" With Lowes "Kwik Shed"

Compare Home Depot's "Tuff Shed" Wooden Storages Sheds with Lowes "Kwik" Shed.

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I compared the 8 X 10 feet wooden storage sheds that were on display at both locations. The Tuff Shed series KR-600 of Home Depot has galvanized metal floor joists, which will not rust, with ¾ inch decking. The walls have full length 2x4 single top and base wall plates. They also have heavy duty 2x4 rafters jointed by metal plates. They have a large 4 x 6 feet galvanized metal reinforced door and a steel keyed paddle style locking system. The hinges on the door are heavy duty galvanized steel. This wooden storage shed does not come as storage shed kit and must be constructed on site by Home Depots technicians. As an added convenience Tuff Shed also offers a wide variety of option packages which include windows, ventilations systems, storage shelves, pegboards, workbenches, ramps, and even solar security lights. The price for this shed is 49.00 or 49.00 painted. With these prices you get delivery and installation.

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The Lowes Kwik Shed 8 X 10 feet wooden storage shed.

The floor joists of 2 X 4 inch lumber are set on 24 inch centers. They are set on treated skids but the 2 X 4s are not treated so if this shed is placed on a damp surface or on the ground the 2X4's being in such close proximity to the ground may draw moisture. If you have anything that needs to be stored in a dry location then it must not be stored on the floor. The studs in the walls and in the ceiling are set on 24 inch centers. In the walls this may be minimally acceptable but this distance causes the ½ decking on the roof to bow and the shingles do not seal correctly so there is always a possibility that the roof will leak. The floor is constructed with 3/4 inch particle board which will not withstand moisture for any length of time. Any problems with water will cause a separation of the glue and the saw dust composition and the floor will finally fail. The back wall is constructed using 1 inch lumber instead of 2 x 4 studs which is totally unacceptable. The cost of this wooden storage shed is 49.00 installed and it can also be purchased as a storage building kit for 8.00.

The difference between the Home Depot, Tuff Shed, priced at 49.00 and the Lowes Kwik Shed, priced at 49.00 is almost like night and day. You may think that there is some exaggeration on my part, but I assure you that I have no bias in either direction and my motives are strictly as a service to the public. If you are shopping for wooden storage buildings, which I also believe far surpass the metal building kits on the market, then check out the Tuff Shed line at Home Depot.

Compare Home Depot's "Tuff Shed" With Lowes "Kwik Shed"

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Modular Granite

There are two ways to do your home renovation projects. You can either do it all by yourself or hire a professional to do it for you. Most people prefer doing things their own way nowadays with the vast do-it-yourself guides available in the internet. However, there's no doubt some things are best done by professionals. Professionals are well skilled on every specific specialty they are trained to do.

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In installing laminate floorings for example, you can choose to do it either way. However, professionals can do better in the installation of slab granite in your kitchen. Another reason is that granite slab is tough to transport, fabricate and install. It weighs 13 pounds per square foot on the average. Granite slab is slab and comes in huge sheets. You may find a hard time working on such heavy material.

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Modular granite is different from the tile, but not entirely too different. You can easily pick-up cartoons of granite tile from your nearest Lowes store. It's also trouble-free to install granite tile on your own. The only problem is that tile granite on kitchen counter top gives you a lot of seams. Seams can rapidly collect dirt and is very difficult to clean. Not so chef friendly.

So, why should you prefer modular granite? Modular granite comes somewhere between a granite slab and granite tile. However, it is a bit similar to the granite tile. It usually comes in per-cut mini slabs. It was actually designed for kitchen counters while granite tiles are for bathroom floors. It also comes in kitchen ready shapes and dimensions. Its width is only twelve inches on the average. The modular granite is much easier to transport than the slab granite. It is packed in 35 to 80 pounds in average weight. Most distributors have it in 50 pounds per box which is very manageable. It also cost much cheaper than slab granite. As opposed to slab granite, you can install modular granite by yourself with little help for do-it-yourself websites.

Modular Granite

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Maintaining Your Pavers

Be it a pool deck, driveway, patio or walkway, your pavers should be maintained on a regular basis to keep them looking as beautiful as the day they were installed.

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First, do a visual inspection for 'sagging' areas where water will collect and pool. These areas are often caused by water, from a hose or rain, washing earth, foundation material and sand into a hollow space below the paver foundation. Once pooling is noticeable, these sagging areas often widen quickly do to the increase of water draining in these areas. It's important for the hollow to be filled and stabilized before leveling the pavers, otherwise you can be performing the same task next year. To fix this situation can be tricky. First, remove the sagging pavers, find the hollow and fill it with a foundation material. Next, you want to tamp or pack the foundation material to within two inches of the bottom of the existing pavers. Fill the remaining 2 inches with sand and tamp it level with the bottom of the existing pavers and replace the removed pavers.

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After fixing any sagging areas, look for individual pavers that are sitting higher or lower than the surrounding pavers. A paver that sits higher can often be leveled by using a rubber mallet to force it into its proper position. If it's too high or doesn't move, you may have to remove it so you can remove some of the sand that's below the paver. If it sits low, you'll have to remove it to add sand until it's level. To remove the paver, you can purchase a paver removal tool or you can use a small pry bar to loosen the paver and lift it out of its space, being careful not to crack or chip the paver.

If any pavers have been removed, you'll want to sand those areas before proceeding.

It's a good idea to pressure wash the surface on a yearly basis. Pressure Washing cleans the surface of your pavers and also remove much of the organic material growing between the pavers. Removing the organic material reduces the amount of bugs living in your paver area and helps keep the pavers stable.

Inspect the joints of the pavers for sand loss. If the sand is more than ¼ inch below the joint surface, you'll have to "re-sand" the pavers. To re-sand, you must use paver sand. You can buy this in bags at Lowes and Home Depot or at a brick yard. Spread the sand our on the pavers and using a push broom, sweep the sand back and forth at a 45 degree angle from the joint lines until the level is 1/4th to 1/8th of an inch to the top of the joint surface.

After the pavers have been adjusted, cleaned and re-sanded (and every time after re-sanding) you want to seal your pavers with a good quality sealer. Sealing your pavers will protect the pavers from most kind staining and it will harden the joint sand, locking your pavers into place and preventing anthills and weeds from growing between pavers. A good quality sealer will prevent a haze from forming on the paver surface caused from moisture in the paver when sealing. If you currently see a haze on the surface of your pavers from previous sealing, you'll have to strip the existing sealer before applying new sealer.

Maintaining Your Pavers

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How to Start a Duct Tape Wallet Business - The Basics

So, you want to produce some extra income by making duct tape wallets. Good for you!

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That is an excellent decision and I will tell you exactly how we built our business so you can duplicate what we have done.

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First, let me make a couple of things perfectly clear:
Building These Wallets Is NOT Easy - if you think there is no trouble working with the stickiest, toughest tape known to mankind - THINK AGAIN. So Simple a Child Can Do This - tons of kids make their own duct tape wallets. The tough part is keeping things organized and easy to create high quality wallets every time. Wanting To Do This Is 80% of the Battle - if you have good manual dexterity and can follow instructions, you will be able to do this. Understanding that quality comes with practice will help you develop a production system quickly.

Building a wallet business is not rocket science:
Learn How To Build Them - perform a YouTube.com search for "how to build duct tape wallets". This is how we started. After combining techniques we learned from the top 40 YouTube duct tape wallet building videos, we developed our own system. Source Tape - most hardware or building supply stores like Home Depot or Lowes stock a few colors of 2 inch wide duct tape and special craft stores like Michaels have a much larger selection of colors. Over time, we sourced 4 inch wide tape and we now carry it in 28 colors and patterns. Selling Product - we initially sold our wallets at farmer's markets and craft fairs but found that sales from that method barely covered expenses and sometimes not even that. Today we retail / wholesale our wallets through our own website and have an exclusive wholesale agreement for some color combinations with uncommongoods.com. You can easily sell through online sites like 1000markets.com or Etsy.com, too.

The biggest duct tape wallet manufacturing company in the world now produces wallets by machine in China and they sell hundreds of thousands of units every year. They have been in business since 2001 so there is definitely a demand for this type of accessory.

By contrast, every wallet in our small company is made by stay-at-home moms and we produced just over 2000 units in our first year.

So, there is the short story about our initial success and I assure you, if we can do this, you CAN do this.

Here is hoping you stick to it!

Barry Williams

How to Start a Duct Tape Wallet Business - The Basics

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Why You Should Do a Laminate Wood Flooring Comparison

There a ton of benefits to doing a price comparison for any product, especially if it's a product you don't know much about. Laminate flooring is not exactly common knowledge, so that is why you need to do your research before, and I am here to help you do that.

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Learn what is out there

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The first step in doing a proper laminate flooring comparison is to learn what is out there. If you want to do a proper laminate wood flooring comparison, go to all the different laminate flooring companies' websites out there (DuPont, All Type Hardwood Flooring, Pergo, etc.) and learn more about them. This way you don't have to physically go to different retail stores like home depot or Lowes and spend hours asking sales representative questions.

There is however a disadvantage of buying online. Although you can buy it anytime you want and anywhere you want, you have to pay for shipping. Depending on the amount of flooring you want to get, you are going to have to pay a lot of shipping charges. If you want cheap shipping you should go with wholesale. Name brands like Pergo would be expensive. The grade of the  laminate flooring also determines the price; I will cover this in a later article.

Do Your Research

The main things to look for in a company are the reputation, the prices and the type of laminate flooring they offer. You can easily check reviews online from services like WOT or just Google the company you want to buy from and review afterward. Checking reviews from actual buyers is a great way to check the reliability and reputation of a company or seller. These are basically how you get cheap a laminate wood flooring.

After you check all this data, put it all down somewhere like a piece of paper or a spreadsheet. After you have found your pick, go for it. It would be well worth your effort to do so.

Why You Should Do a Laminate Wood Flooring Comparison

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How to Bend Wood Handrails

I've been getting a lot of calls lately regarding, "How do I bend a wood handrail?" Bending handrails, even for some of the most experienced carpenters causes fear and trepidation. Well, fear not!

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Here are some beginning base tips:

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If the net length on the rail you are bending is 12-ft, a 14-ft bender rail is best to insure that the ends are pulled around the desired radius in order to hold its form when removing rail from its clamps. If you have 13 "steps or treads", you are safe with a 14-foot bender for an inside radius. If an outside radius going up a stair, figure 2-foot per step. Bending rail is understood when imagining a standard handrail profile cut into thin strips and keyed together (tongue and groove bead to create alignment). Bending mould should also be included as it is moulded to the outside profile of the handrail and is used to sandwich the handrail and allow clamping without damage to the handrail itself.

Weldwood's Plastic Resin Glue (a DAP product) is perhaps the most ideal glue for bending handrails. It has a curing time of 24 hours, allowing for ample time for one to bend rails without feeling rushed. It also sands easily once dried and works with stains. The best place to find this product is a True Value Ace Hardware Store. I understand that they bought the rights to sell this product, which pulled it off of the shelves at all Home Depot and Lowes. It comes in a one pound plastic container and is mixed with water until soupy. Apply it to both sides of the bending rail keys, tape or shrink wrap the rails together, and you can start bending!

When considering steam bending, Weldwood is best applied once the handrail has been steamed and bent on the forms. Remove it from the forms once dried, apply the Weldwood, and reattach to the forms. Steaming handrail, for most styles, is not an option unless your bending rail is less than an 18-inch radius. For some handrail styles the minimum before steam may be a 24-inch radius.

One key to keeping the stress points on the rail's shoulder from cracking or breaking is to apply vinegar on the stress areas of the wood. Vinegar reacts with the woods fibers to relieve stress. Don't use bleach! It will permanently stain some hardwoods black.

Once a handrail is bent, use an orbital or belt sander to finish the job. Make sure all glue is properly sanded, otherwise one will have blotches where the stain cannot penetrate since glue acts as a sealer.

C-Clamps or bar clamps are the best two tool choices for bending handrail.

Also, as a helpful hint, there is a book out there call "The Stair Builder's Guide", by Coffman stairs that has an entire chapter on bending handrails (with pictures!) The book is no longer in print but there are copies out there to be had through Amazon.com.

How to Bend Wood Handrails

Lowes

Why For Sale by Owners Fail!

One of the most common reasons for the overwhelming failure associated with a For Sale by Owner property sale is the lack of an effective marketing plan and budget. This is the single largest contributor to the pathetic FSBO success rate of 14% (as reported by the National Association of Realtors (NAR). I can personally attest to the fact that typical homeowners "work" significantly harder at selling their homes then the average realtor - but do they work "smarter"? Most, if not all, property owners choose to sell by owner for one reason and one reason only - to save money! That is why it is truly bizarre that this same individual eventually gives up, in most cases without a fight, lists their property with a Realtor and agrees to pay full real estate fees. The old adage - "you have to spend money to make money" rings true with FSBO properties.

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It is totally unreasonable to think that you can simply spend on a lawn sign from LOWES and expect to save ,990 - it simply will not happen! The most common FSBO scenario is the homeowner literally goes from unrealistically trying to save the entire real estate commission of ,000 to saving absolutely nothing because they get frustrated with the lack of sales activity of their FSBO in relation to and the amount of effort involved and list it with a real estate agent at 6%. The infamous and ever failing "all or nothing" philosophy. Without an effective marketing plan and budget it is totally unreasonable to think you are going to sell your own property and save money (I don't care how many Open Houses you have). Granted 18% of prospective buyers will actually see your LOWES lawn sign first - but think of the significant dynamic that referencing an internet website and listing # can add to that same lawn sign and the overall marketing of your property. Now the prospective buyer that sees your lawn sign goes home, brings up the FSBO website, finds your listing and looks at price, pictures, details and description and possibly makes an appointment to view the property. NAR statistics verify that over 70% of all home buyers see the home they purchase on the internet BEFORE they engage a Realtor - makes sense to combine the two marketing initiatives doesn't it?

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In my opinion you should budget, at the very bare minimum, to spend 1% of the asking price of your home - so if your home is 0,000 (national average) you should realistically consider spending ,800 - if the average FSBO spent just 1% marketing their property I'm confident that the current 14% overall success rate of FSBO would easily double! The reality is if you aren't prepared to spend at least 1% you might as while save yourself the time and frustration and engage a Realtor right away. While 1% (00) may seem like a significant amount of money the alternative (listing and selling through a real estate agent), on the same property is ,800!!!!

Another consideration is the hard cost of carrying an average home while it doesn't sell because of the lack of or improper marketing plan and budget. Again, using the national average sale price of 0,000 - the carrying cost per month is approximately 1% of value of home. That 1% is made up property taxes, insurance, mortgage interest payments, general upkeep and maintenance, and utilities.

The next obvious question - how do you get the best value on your marketing dollars?

Here are some the best and most important marketing considerations (in no particular order):

Professional Lawn Signs - (For Sale, Open House and Directional) - An Absolute Must - preferably referencing an online website and your unique FSBO listing # (also significantly enhances classified listing) - BEST VALUE!

Newspaper Classified - 0/week (based on the cost of a real estate classified on the following 5 line classified advertisement) - still a real estate advertising standard - Good Value.

FOR SALE BY OWNER - 0,000 3 BD/2BA

Colonial in Parklawn Village. Excellent schools,

great neighborhood. Priced K below

appraised value for quick sale! Call 659-0808 -

or visit http://www.FreeFSBO.com - FSBO# 1786.

Newspaper "Real Estate Package" - 6* - most dailies offer a one month Real Estate "Package" that includes weekend (Saturday and Sunday) display advertisements in a dedicated Real Estate Section (2 ¼" x 2 ¼") - 8 total) supplemented with Monday to Friday classified advertisements (5 lines) - Better Value.

Flat Fee MLS - 9+ - the single most valuable marketing tool that a Realtor has at their disposal is now available to For Sale by Owners! Without a lot of explanation you essentially become the "Listing Agent" and agree to pay a Realtor (Buyers Agent) a pre-agreed commission (usually 2.5% - 3%) "if" they bring you a "Buyer". The good news - you still save over K in real estate commissions on the average home sale! Also includes listing on Realtor.com** (of note 85% of all homes sold are listed on MLS) - BEST VALUE!

Real Estate Flyers - each for a professional brochure type flyer in full color from Kinko's, Staples, etc. (see "Bulletin Boards") - Good Value.

Bulletin Boards - (cost of flyer) - great local exposure - daycares (markets to growing families), grocery stores, community halls, local businesses (markets to re-locators) - BEST VALUE!

Online Marketing - + (Craigslist (Free :)), FreeFSBO.com (Free :)) FSBO.com (), byowner.com (), ForSalebyOwner.com (9), eBay (0 - 30 day listing), Kijiji.com (Free :)), Yahoo Real Estate ( for 21 days)). NAR statistics claim that 70% of ALL homebuyers (yes homebuyers) saw the property that they purchased online before they hired a real estate agent. There are many cost effective marketing opportunities available online including the ones listed above - BEST VALUE!

The bottom-line, if you are serious about saving money by successfully selling your property "by owner", then be realistic. Create an effective marketing plan and budget accordingly. Explore the marketing options that are available and determine what works best for you. Don't become another failed FSBO statistic.

* - as quoted by The Washington News Tribune

** - 5.5 million unique visitors/month

Why For Sale by Owners Fail!

Lowes

Get A Universal Studios Vacation Package

For those lucky individuals who have experienced the Universal Studios them park experience, know how fun and memorable the time there was. This is why this theme park has become one of the biggest attractions in all of America. Thousands of people jam in and out of the Universal Studio´s gates everyday. Thousands of people come to Orlando, Florida on vacation just to come to this one place. So if this is you, consider a vacation pack and save yourself a lot of money.

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There is no point of spending extra money that you could use for other things when there is a way to get a discounted price. The standard Universal Studios vacation package includes accommodations for two nights or more at the Portofino Bay Hotel, A Lowes Hotel, the Hard Rock Hotel, or the Royal Pacific Resort. You also get multi day admission to both Universal´s Islands of Adventure theme park and the regular Universal Studios them park. You receive a "CityWalk" party pass, a Universal Express ride access pass which gives you priority to select rides and attractions for the day. You also get priority seating at select Universal Orlando restaurants, complimentary water taxi or shuttle transportation from your hotel to the them park, complimentary merchandise delivery from Universal Them Park Stores to your room, and you have the luxury of charging purchases straight to your room. With all these great features, why not get a vacation package when going to Universal Studios.

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Countless people go to Universal Studios every year. If you could save money while doing so, why wouldn´t you? Consider a Universal Studios vacationing package when vacationing in Orlando. If you want to go to Universal studios, a vacation package is your best bet. If you take this route, you definitely won´t regret it.

Get A Universal Studios Vacation Package

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Passive Solar Lighting - A History of Solar Tubes

When people talk about passive solar energy what usually comes to mind is the orientation of building sites for maximum heating in the winter and cooling in the summer. Orienting buildings to take maximum advantage of the sun is an ancient practice, but there are other passive uses of sunlight which are just as old. Solar heating of water and various methods of bringing sunlight into houses for lighting purposes have both been practiced by cultures as far back as the ancient Egyptians.

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Skylights and atriums are the most familiar use of the sun for lighting in the home, but another method used in ancient Egypt is less well known. Known, variously, as 'light tubes', 'tubular skylights', 'light pipes', 'sunscoops', or 'solar tubes', in their original form they were narrow shafts, sometimes lined with reflective material to better reflect the sun. These are best known for their use in the tombs of the ancient Egyptians, bringing light deep into their hidden chambers.

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Modern solar tubes date from the patenting of the prism light guide in 1981, although back before electric lights a similar design was patented and marketed by Paul Emil Chappuis, starting in the 1850s. His reflectors, designed to send light deep into buildings were in production until his factory was destroyed in World War II. The solar tube in its most common form began to be commercially available in 1991. In 1998 a European Union research project called ARTHELIO began to investigate hybrid lighting systems combining artificial light (the 'art' part of the acronym) with a Heliostat system to distribute natural light. The project continued until 2004 and resulted in two demonstration projects.

Modern research on hybrid systems notwithstanding, the basic solar tube idea is simple and relatively easy to implement. Marketed as light tubes or tubular skylights, these solar tubes, unlike traditional skylights, do not require major reconstruction work, and the comparatively small opening is less subject to leakage and other problems associated with their larger brethren. They require minimal space, so they are ideal for closets or bathrooms, and can be installed on any type of roof. Kits, along with detailed instructions, are available from home improvement centers such as Lowes or Home Depot.

Passive Solar Lighting - A History of Solar Tubes

Lowes

Shrub Shelters and Tree Wraps

Winter is already upon us, and many homeowners are concerned with how their plants will fair in the cold weather and snowfall. There's not much that can be done about the cold, but options are available to protect your deciduous shrubs and trees against damage from strong wind and heavy snow.

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The majority of deciduous shrubs don't have much of an appeal in the winter season, but they are quite fragile and prone to damage when subjected to heavy snowfall and high winds, which can break their branches. You can help prevent this kind of damage by covering your shrubs with guards, or A-frames (sometimes called snow frames). Since these shrubs aren't a visual attraction in winter, it's best to protect them.

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Shelters can be bought pre-made, or you can make simple shelters yourself out of lumber from your local home supply stores like Home Depot or Lowes. Essentially, you'll be creating a "roof" that covers the plants and prevents snow from settling on them, and will also guard against strong winds which can also cause damage.

Tree Wraps to Prevent Winter Burn

Evergreen shrubs and trees form the cornerstone of landscape appeal during winter, so covering them with shelters isn't a very desirable option. Instead, you can use tree wraps, which pull the branches snugly inward toward the trunk so they don't succumb to the weight of gathered snow or ice.

To prevent winter burn, windbreaks can also be used, employing the same netting used for tree wraps. Essentially a windbreak is constructed from a base of several poles inserted into the ground around the tree or shrub, and attaching chicken wire between each pole. The netting is then fastened to this structure, and provides a substantial relief from the wind for your evergreens.

Shrub Shelters and Tree Wraps

Lowes

Who is Price Pfister and What Do They Sell?

So who is Price Pfister then?

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They are a company and a manufacturer who have been around for over a hundred years (established in 1910). They are a manufacturer of kitchen and bathroom products and general plumbing supplies but in their initial beginning as a company they first started out with a faucet designed for use in gardens, but since this time have branched out. However during the two World Wars they did manufacture some products for the military. Price Pfister have recently been taken over by the Stanley Black and Decker group (2010).

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Price Pfister (who are now known as just Pfister) are specialists in the Residential market, but they also make custom designed products specifically for the hospitality industry. Just a quick look through their website catalogue will astound at the variety and quality of taps or faucets that they offer. Faucets are their speciality if you like, but one should not forget to mention all the other types of products that they offer. They offer all sorts of tailored bathroom series, shower systems, complete bath tub series, sinks, handrails as well as their elegant faucets or taps.

Many of the faucets have a distinctly old fashioned design to them, which makes them rather unique in a world which often thinks of a faucet is just a faucet as long as it just works and does the job it was designed to do!

Price Pfister have a very good reputation for high quality, which would explain why they have managed to survive as a business for over a hundred years. They were also the first company in the United States of America to offer a lifetime guarantee on their products in the even of leaks or drips occurring (and they still offer this). I can hardly at the time of writing think of another product apart from a quality guitar lead I bought quite a few years ago that has a lifetime guarantee. They are not the cheapest faucets in the world but the unique designs and lifetime guarantee's are definite winners and wallet openers for many.

Price Pfister have their products available for sale in many different retail outlets all across the United States, and you can also view their catalogue online at their website for a full list of different products. They also are offered at a wide selection of online retailers too, such as the likes of Amazon, Lowes or Buildit.

Who is Price Pfister and What Do They Sell?

Lowes

The Most Overlooked Components of Value

Homes built prior to 2002, in many parts of the country, were built with brass builder-standard hardware; not just door levers and knobs, but hinges, door stops, cabinet hardware, bath hardware and front door handle sets. With the current housing market suffering and a large majority of homes carrying negative equity, folks want to know where to go from here. Here is a relatively simple solution to update a home for less time and money than even typical paint changes. Simply change your hardware.

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While changing out your hardware is a relatively simple endeavor. I discourage clients from running to the local box store, less they are committed to spending considerably more both in cash and ever-shrinking precious time. Some things to consider when changing your hardware:

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The purpose of Door Hardware is Function: Door Hardware should service Security First. With new styles added each and everyday, you can now Enhance Design. Finish Matters: Consistency of finish throughout your home is a signature of timeless quality. Request a sample, mount it and contemplate. Colors are influenced by wood tones and light. Install with a Purpose: Door hardware should be fixed, mortised and square.
Security First: While our economy does lend itself to a rise in crime, door security is not JUST about keeping your home and family safe from human intruders-intruders also take the form of filthy critters.

The home owner of a beautiful home up in the Southern Idaho foothills called our shop. She had six outdoor entrances. She called hysterical - she had mice-colonies of them! Her door hardware was insufficient to properly support the heavy 8 ft doors that so gorgeously defined her sense of style. While it looked great when she purchased it - just over a year later, the weight of the doors was too much for the rinky-dink hardware installed at a great savings to the builder and cost to this family. The interior of the latches were constructed of plastic, a cheap alternative sold by one of our own local lumberyards. It left just enough closing gap to serve as an open invitation for mice.

According to the current statistics on crime, a high percentage of intruders enter through the front door.

Tips for ensuring door security

Fixed Mortise latches ensure that the latch bolt is fixed in place and not easily damaged. Deadbolts are often inadequate. The longer the deadbolt extends into the door frame, the more secure the entry system. Be sure that your deadbolt length is adequate. Latch construction is critical to the latches ability to sustain any degree of forced entry. Several lock brands on the market use an inexpensive zinc alloy material to construct their latches. This significantly reduces the cost of the latch. It also significantly reduces the life of the latch. In addition, some of the most popular builder standard lock lines used in new construction use a plastic component within the adjustable latch. This creates a very weak security system.
Enhance Design: The current hardware market is by far more diverse than five years ago. The design and finish choices are endless within all product price groups. Seek the hardware brands that are most mindful of design. One such manufacturer can be found at Fusion Hardware Group dot com. Fusion is dedicated to the design styles used in modern architecture. The hardware includes door, hinge, bath, cabinet, faucets and trim. Moen Bath Hardware and accessories can be found at CSI dot Moen dot Com. Moen now has over thirty decorative styles with various finishes. The Moen Bathware Outlet is a exceptional place to purchase online.

Tips for Design Choice:

Look at your home. Assess the roof line, doorway shapes, cabinets, door designs and any other special architectural aspects. Look at your decor. What genre of furniture do you own? What colors are you attracted to? Finally, look at your options. Review the design choices available.
Finish Matters: There are various schools of thought in regards to matching finishes. Aesthetically, some designers adhere to the belief that you can coordinate too much. These designers frequently inter-mix finish colors, using less rigid design rules to create a sense of comfort from chaos. Opposing views would claim that accents can be added from other decor areas, but fixtures and architectural elements should create a sense of continuity throughout the home. Who do you listen to? Consider visiting the most plush resort spa. All components are consistent and create a sense of secure leisure. Our general attraction to these environments supports our inner desire for sensible decor. Face it; those who intermix, are either deeply connected to eclectic pieces or their perception of the budget requirements has dictated a mix-and-match approach.

Finish hardware that does not match distracts the eye and takes attention off of other key aspects of the home. That which matches is rarely noticed; as it should be with hardware.

Colors of walls and wood, combined with the natural light source, dramatically impact our perception of hardware finish.

Tips for Finish Choice:

Use a sample cabinet knob against your wood finishes within your home, to adequately assess the finish color of your choice. Use a sample robe hooks in your bathrooms, against the colored walls, to determine the best finish choice for your bath hardware. Seek out matching faucets to match your bath and kitchen hardware. Consider your appliance colors. A brass or copper finish with hardware does not necessarily compliment stainless steel appliances. Wood tones, also should be considered if stainless is your appliance choice.
Install with Purpose: Great care is taken when selecting fixtures, colors, flooring and countless other home design and structure components. Doors are chosen to reflect the architectural style of the home. Take just as great care with hardware.

Mortised or Drive In? More often than not, your builder will make this call for you, so stay informed.

Mortise: noun a notch, hole, groove, or slot made in a piece of wood or the like to receive a tenon of the same dimensions. A deep recess cut into wood for any of several other purposes, as for receiving a mortise lock. Drive in: verb the contractor does just that - with a hammer he drives this supreme quality latch into the hole of the door... with a hammer? Yes, with a hammer! I wonder how long its supremacy will last.

Door hardware is not our only consideration when addressing installation errors. Cabinet hardware plays a very important kitchen jewelry role. So often it is installed with little consideration given to the aesthetics it is meant to create. There are a number of solutions for cabinets that have already been drilled. A decorative back plate can hide many flaws. Bathroom Hardware installation requires the use of a level. Offset Towel Rods and Toilet Paper Holders can be very distracting.

I strongly recommend going with a company that offers installed sales. There is nothing worse than investing in quality hardware that serves your home daily only to devalue it immediately with poor and improper installation. One up and coming company that offers both in home professional sales from highly qualified design professionals and professional installation is Vicinity Hardware.

Avoid some Common Pitfalls:

Big Box Stores: Most designer hardware offered at Lowes and Home Depot requires special order. They are not able to key your entry systems alike, at the store. There are hardware providers that offer this service to their customers. DIY: Door Hardware is a complicated industry. If you are into doing the work yourself, be sure to use a hardware provider like Vicinity Hardware that will serve as an educational guide throughout your entire process. Hardware Warranty: Be sure to inquire into the warranty both finish and mechanical for the hardware you are choosing. Oftentimes the warranty is only good to the original owner. This poses a problem if you are preparing your home for sale. You get what you pay for: If it is the cheapest option out there, be prepared to pay in the long run.

Hardware is a daily Hands-On Experience. Touch it and use it. Studies indicate that the perception of value within the housing market lies within a small variation of finish components, including countertops, doors, windows and hardware. Consider the activity in your home daily. From opening cabinets, to closet doors, to entering and exiting your home; hardware is touched countless times, each and everyday. We only notice hardware directly when it interferes with our ability to use it. In this way, hardware is the most utilized fixture within any home, and the most overlooked element of function and design. Expect to spend a bit more in order to ensure the life of your hardware; a worthwhile investment that will open the door to value.

The Most Overlooked Components of Value

LOWES STORM DOORS

Shower Kits and You!

Showers are often the nicest looking part of a bathroom. People love having a beautiful shower with which they can impress their friends and enjoy the showering experience.

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Every morning, you have to take a shower. For something that you use every single day, it's worth it to get the right sort of shower, right? You don't want to spend every day in the sort of shower that you don't enjoy, so definitely get the right kind for you.

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Shower kits are the parts of the shower that you can buy to construct your shower. The handles, the shower parts, the knobs and faucets, everything like this comes in a shower kit.

There are many types of shower kits, for example, the corner shower kit. This is the sort of kit you would buy if your shower is in the corner of a bathroom.

Maybe you are looking for a shower enclosure kit? This is the sort of shower that is frameless and enclosed, often on the side of a shower.

Do you need a shower stall kit? These are great for a shower stall. You can get a nice looking frameless shower design and a kit to go with it.

You can find shower kits at your local home improvement store, such as Home Depot or Lowes. It is definitely a worthwhile item to consider if you are remodeling your bathroom.

Don't waste time on ugly or bad looking designs for your shower. Get a good looking, robust, high quality shower kit today!

Shower Kits and You!

Lowes

Creating Checkered Garage Flooring in Your Own Garage

A typical garage is often used for a number of different things within the home. Whether the garage is used for working on the car, storage, or an area for the children to play, there are many uses for this important part of any home. If the area is used for many activities, there may be times when oil, dirt, grease, and other items fall to the floor. There are many things that can be done to clean a garage floor, but using a protective surface can make clean up a little bit easier and protect the floor at the same time. Many people like the look of using a checkered garage flooring which can be achieved by using Lowes garage flooring flexible interlocking tiles.

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Because the garage is a place within the home that gets a lot of use, but is needing more of a functional design rather than something that looks beautiful, many people do not want to spend a lot of money on flooring. There are many discount garage flooring options available, including a simple paint to the motofloor modular garage flooring. Painting can be easily done, but does require a lot of time as the floor needs to be completely clean prior to painting. The best choice for a durable garage flooring is an interlocking tile system that is flexible, easy to clean, and easy to install. For those who are looking to create a checkered garage flooring, this is the best choice for the perfect garage look.

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When shopping around for discount garage flooring systems, a lot of choices are found. While many of the choices are very durable, they often have a significant price difference. Choosing the less expensive brands will work just as well as the more expensive and the look will be similar. For a checkered garage flooring, you will want to select the colors you want to use. If you want to create a black and white checkered pattern, you will want to purchase enough tile for the size of the garage, plus a few extra. Be sure to clean the floor prior to installation to ensure an easier installation process. The tiles are very quick and easy to install as they simply snap together to cover the entire floor of the garage.

While it is often a good idea to use a protective covering on a garage floor, it doesn't have to cost a lot. There are many great discount options available for anyone to use to make their garage a nicer place to work and play. Whether using paint or floor tiling, the job can be easy for anyone to accomplish in just a short amount of time.

Creating Checkered Garage Flooring in Your Own Garage

Lowes

Chill on a Yacht With a Portable Air Conditioner

Heat can be dangerous; it's a killer especially for the very old and the young. The heat wave in Europe in August 2003 killed an enormous  19 000 people, which shows that air-conditioning is becoming more of a necessity now than ever before.  Those lucky few that spend their spare time yachting around the seven seas aren't exempt from the body's need for temperature control. The sun beats down without mercy on the sea, and a small cabin can easily become an unpleasant roasting oven. Portable air conditioning for boats is a must if you really want that pleasure cruise to remain a pleasure.

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Energy efficiency becomes even more important when you are far from dry land. A Miami invention by seasoned yachtsman, Bert Kehren, came after he realized that his air-conditioning unit was the biggest drain on his boat's energy supply. The way Kehren managed to develop a highly-efficient portable unit was by using top quality parts and rearranging them to work more efficiently. Kehren added a rotary compressor to the traditional unit, which is more efficient than pistons, and added top quality evaporators, blower motors and a condenser. The 6000-Btu can run all day, keeping the air in the boat cool and dry and it uses significantly less power.

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The Carry On 7000 is another US invention that is specifically made for small boats and is the only hatch top air-conditioner around that is meant for the marine environment. It can fit onto any hatch and is easily installed by one person without tools. The waterproof hatch bag is adjustable, so it fits tightly over the hatch and seals in cool air and keeps out insects. The Carry On lives up to its name; it's compact and light.

If you want to buy a portable air-conditioning unit for your boat it's worth shopping around a bit. Power supplies on boats are a little trickier than the power supply at home, and factors such as size and weight become a lot more important when your living space is diminished. Using an energy saving unit that can run continually and spare you and your family from feeling drained and tired on a hot, humid day will make all the difference to your summer holiday.

Chill on a Yacht With a Portable Air Conditioner

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What Will Reviews of Different Lawn Mowers Tell Me?

Buying a lawn mower can sometimes be as complicated as buying a car. They are available in a variety of makes and models including push mowers, electric mowers and ride-on's. Depending on what your lawn size and overall backyard terrain might be, you will want to make sure that you are able to choose the right lawn mower for your needs, and this is where Lawn Mowers reviews can help. Not only do you get pertinent information, including prices and features, but you will also get to view pictures of the different mowers that are currently available which can often help in the decision making process.

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The Toro Recycler is a great push-mower for the homeowner on a budget. Experts say that this mower does everything well from mulching to bagging and side-discharging the grass clippings. You even have the option of switching between bagging and mulching with the flip of a switch, and a blade brake means that you can pause in your mowing without cutting the engine. The 42-inch John Deere X304 also gets the highest ratings when it comes to reviews for smooth and even cutting as well as easy conversion between side discharging and the bagging modes.

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They key to keeping your lawn mower in like-new condition is to maintain it so that it keeps running better for longer. When it comes to taking care of your lawn mower, fresh gas will be critical to the engine's performance. Gas that is older than 30 days can cause problems and affect an engine's performance. Always make sure to change the oil and replace it with clean engine oil every 50 hours of use. Also, the spark plugs should be replaced every 100 hours of use. If the mower's air filter is dirty it might not run properly and be damaged, so make sure to service the air filter every 25 hours of use for optimal performance.

Lawn Mowers can be purchased at any major retailer including Sears and Lowes, and many of them come with warranties so that if they need any kind of equipment repair, it will be covered for the life of the warranty. From gas-propelled to riding tractors, you can find one that not only fits your backyard needs but your budget as well.

What Will Reviews of Different Lawn Mowers Tell Me?

Lowes

Metal Kitchen Cabinets Save Money and Time

If you are building a new kitchen or remodeling an older one, cabinets are one of the big expenses. Custom wood cabinets can cost a fortune and then you pay to have them installed. If your budget is on the small side you may want to consider metal kitchen cabinets. These cabinets come in different styles, finishes and price ranges so they meet a lot of needs. Most metal kitchen cabinets have a contemporary look to them. Some have metal doors and some come with glass doors in either clear or frosted glass.

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When doing a kitchen remodel on a slim budget, it is important to do most of the work yourself or with a friend's help. Labor is one of the biggest expenses in kitchen decorating and remodeling. Make sure you have the skills to do your own work, before starting such a big job. If you are not sure you can do the work involved, save money for a while longer and hire a professional to do the jobs you are not skilled in.You can still save money by doing your own demolition of old cabinets and so on.

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It is important to read up on kitchen design before you tackle your own kitchen remodel. Get a couple good kitchen design books and use them as a guide for the new lay out of your cabinets and appliances. These books will also give you an idea of what is current in color and materials for the kitchen. You can also watch a few shows on kitchen remodels on the decorating channel on TV for ideas. Another good source of decorating ideas is a home supply store like Lowes or Home Depot. They have areas devoted to model kitchens. They also have decorators on hand to give you advice and help you choose their products for your kitchen redo.

Metal kitchen cabinets come all finished and ready to install. You will have a choice of metallic or paint finishes and hardware to customize your kitchen look. It is important to plan the kitchen lay out in advance so that you order the correct sizes and number of cabinet units for your space. You can not alter the size of a metal cabinet if you order wrong. Once you have your choices on metal cabinets, you can match the countertops, flooring and appliances to them for a well coordinated look in your new kitchen.

Metal Kitchen Cabinets Save Money and Time

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How and Where to Buy Hot Tub Chemicals

You can buy a spa just about anywhere these days including those big box companies like Home Depot and Lowes. Some people buy them online, which I don't recommend at all, on websites like Craigslist and eBay. But the best place to buy a spa, and where most people buy hot tubs, is a spa dealer. Most spa dealers also sell pools but this is the best place to buy a hot tub.

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Why? Because hot tubs need care a maintenance just like a car and it's better to get that factory warranty that comes with any jacuzzi. But also for the fact that most hot tub dealers also sell chemicals to keep your hot tub clean and sanitized. This is the best place to buy chemicals for your spa.

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Sure you could go to Target or Wal-mart for your chemicals but if you don't know what your doing or how much to add or if your even buying the right stuff then I think you would be better off at a hot tub dealer. They are trained and knowledgeable about spa care. I should know because I've been working for a pool and spa dealer for over ten years now and consider myself very knowledgeable on jacuzzi care.

And if you are worried about price then my suggestion would be to learn from the dealer and make sure that if you shop for cheaper chemicals online or at another store, that they have the same ingredients. But sometimes going cheaper will only hurt you in the end.

How and Where to Buy Hot Tub Chemicals

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Air Purifiers - What to Know Before Hitting Lowes Or Home Depot

The primary work of an air cleaner is to filter out all the impurities and harmful ingredients like dust particles, odors, pet allergens from your home. Therefore, the air in the room you breathe becomes much cleaner. All air cleaners are available in a portable version or on a whole home centralized system. Air cleaners or air purifiers enhance the quality of the air and allow us to breathe fresh air and that too in a much affordable cost. Therefore, when you start shopping for air purifiers, there are certain guidelines that you need to follow on basis of air cleaner features.

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All portable air purifiers can be placed at any corners of your home. One of the most likely areas is the room where you can harness the maximum benefit. It means the spaces where you find the maximum invasion of allergens, dust particles. It can be the living room or the bedroom; rather it should be fitted in such a space where you spend the maximum hours in 24 hours.

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Since most of these units are available in portable version, they can be carried to a vacation and can be used in motel rooms as well. Due to its portability you can even transfer the machine from one room to another but for the purpose you may have to consider for a compact model. Find a spot that is well leveled and is close to a plug-in outlet and the cleaner should be placed at last 3" away from the wall. For more information, you can read the user manual and carry out the instructions carefully.

The capacity and the size of the air purifiers depend on the size of the room area when you intend to use. The efficiency reading of the machine should be based on average room sizes and depending on the volume of air that will pass through the unit. You can even decide on some special features like the multiple settings option, the weight and on the sound emitted.

Air purifiers work best when more filtration occurs and it should happen in three stages. Therefore, while purchasing air purifiers, this important point should always be kept in mind.

Air Purifiers - What to Know Before Hitting Lowes Or Home Depot

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Closet Door Ideas For Modern Homes

Combining comfort and elegance in your contemporary home decor is easy and affordable. For starters, find time to research and choose from the myriad of closet door ideas that will help transform your traditional home into a modern one and provide the perfect oasis where you can retire and rejuvenate after a long and stressful day.

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Gone are the days when closet doors were designed solely to be used as covers for your closets. Often they are bulky and plain and not much thought were given on their purchase. Nowadays, they have become versatile in their functions and designs that many are great replacement doors.

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Closet Door Styles and How They Can Make a Difference to Your Home:

Small rooms will benefit from bifold or sliding doors. Both these styles do not require that you clear some space in front of your closet to allow you to open the door. These designs eliminate the possibility that you will bang the door on the foot of your bed or on the wall. These styles are also great for large or walk-in closets as they provide complete access to the interior.

Louvered doors are great for shoe closets or linen closets or in areas where enhance air flow is needed. The slats of these doors are very functional and can also bring a decorative touch by using plexiglass, glass or mirrors. You can also buy an unfinished door to allow you to paint or stain them with a color or combination of colors that you want.

Exchange that wood closet door with mirrors to expand your room and bring in more light to the area. A floor to ceiling mirrored door can double as full-length mirror and thus, you can make the front of your closet as your dressing area. This door style is truly functional and at the same time brings elegance and class to any room in your house. Just make sure that you choose a high quality mirror for that continuous and non-distorting reflection.

Another remarkable space-saving idea is to have a door and bookcase in one. This style is not only for covering your closets but also for hiding gun cabinets, wine cellars, wall vault or other areas that you do not want your visitors to see.

For a charming and functional style, make curtains as your alternative closet doors for linen, utility and pantry rooms. You can choose many designs and materials such as beads, sheer drapes or colorful sheets.

Buying Tips:

Smart buyers want to enjoy the best deals in the market. You can do so without tiring yourself and spending so much time going from one store to another looking for quality but cheap closet doors to buy. Just take a seat and make your fingers do the job via the Internet. Many manufacturers accept made-to-order doors at reasonable prices.

Also, online retailers such as Home Depot and Lowes are offering numerous choices and options that there is always one that will fit your budget and decor requirement. Just keep in mind to have the accurate measurements of the door you want before placing your online order.

Closet Door Ideas For Modern Homes

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Where DIYers Shop - Where They Buy - Home Depot, Lowe's Or Menards

As of the writing of this article, the trends are significant when do-it-yourself consumers tell us where they shop and where they actually make their purchases especially for larger ticket items relative to Home Depot, Lowes and Menards.

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Menards, a family owned Midwest chain of Big Box stores, continues to have the highest ratio of those consumers who indicate they not only shop the store, but also actually purchase the items they shopped for.

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When the other two giants in Big Box building materials retail, with more of a nationwide presence, customers are studied, it is clear Lowe's is the place shopped and Home Depot is the purchase venue.

These trends were first uncovered about 8 years ago, and seem to be holding in the same trend more recently.

There could be a number of reasons for the indicators, but presented are a glimpse of this author's newer on-site, in-store observations. Actual product estimate acquisition and shops were conducted for this process in the departments listed. All opinions expressed are those solely of this researcher and not statistically relevant, since not every location of each retailer was shopped. But, in this researcher's opinion, the shops further solidified the quantitative, statistically relevant trends gathered in previous studies. Shops were conducted from coast to coast over the past 9 months.

1) The level of in-store customer service is higher in many visited Lowe's locations than in the same visited city Home Depot locations. When visiting those cities with all 3 retailers, including Menards, the people employed by Menards, especially in lumber and other building materials used in construction, were easier to find, more helpful and easier to ask questions of than both Home Depot and Lowe's. Wait times for help in this category were more favorable at Menards. Technical questions were answered more times correctly at Menards, then Lowe's, then Home Depot in the structural building materials category of goods.

2) Merchandising and in-door procurement of structural building materials was better at Lowe's than either Home Depot or Menards, in this researcher's opinion. Adjacent displays for selling and finding related needed items to accompany the main purchase category was best at Lowe's, worse at Home Depot. The self serve yard at Menards for lumber and structural building materials is cumbersome, and the layout continues to be confusing.

3) When it came to designing decks and supplying material lists to consumers, there seemed to be less help at Menards, but the process at all 3 retailers was cumbersome, even with deck designing software - used directly by consumers and / or provided by in-store personnel. In this researcher's opinion, the notion of folks making appointments to design decks or leaving construction lists behind and only being given a lump-sum price annoys potential customers.

4) In the cabinetry area, Home Depot and Lowe's are similar in help and understanding of the customer's needs, however Home Depot seems to answer direct technical questions and understand lay out and design slightly better than Lowe's. Menards in this category seems to lag, both from an assortment and a "friendly, we can help you" position. Few designers were familiar with formaldehyde off gassing specifically as it related to their lines of cabinetry.

5) The most knowledgeable sales associates for doors and windows are at Menards, then Lowe's, then Home Depot. Many technical questions were incorrectly answered by all three retailers at every store visited. Fenestration is an area where all three could use some training. Only in-stock or displayed items were tested in this category.

As part of this series, the shops will continue into the future, with sporadic articles as they become available in all departments of all three Big Box retailers. The opinions expressed in this article are the author's opinions only and should not be construed as an endorsement of any retailer.

Where DIYers Shop - Where They Buy - Home Depot, Lowe's Or Menards

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Guide to String Trimmers

Since the early 70's the string trimmer has been providing us with multiple uses when it comes to lawn care and upkeep. You may better know this product as a weed eater, weed whacker, weed whip, or grass trimmer. Whatever you know this tool best as everyone can say they own one, have owned one, or at least have used or seen one use once. The most recognized and used string trimmer would have to be the gas trimmer, but with everyone going green now you can buy electric or battery powered trimmers as well. If you are not sure the best way to find a new trimmer, try reading some online string trimmer reviews. Since the product has been around so long you can find an abundant amount of reviews to sift through before you go shopping. String trimmers come in all different shapes, sizes and brands so it should be easy to find one that fits your individual needs.

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The benefit of reading these string trimmer reviews can help steer you in the right direction when it comes to purchasing a trimmer for your yard or landscaping business. You may want to read this review if you are on a strict budget so you can be sure your money is spent wisely. Trimmers are extremely affordable no matter which option you purchase, but the more quality or power you require the bigger the price tag may be. If you plan to shop locally, stores like Home Depot, Lowes, and Wal-Mart all carry lines of trimmers that are fit for any price range. Bigger stores like Sears can provide you with a wider variety of trimmers. Some brands name that are great trimmers to check out are; Black and Decker Grass Hog, Weed Eater Twist-n-Edge, and the Hitachi Curved Shaft trimmer. These guys are three of the dominant names in the lawn care world, so whichever model you choose you are promised quality.

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Line trimmer reviews can be found my performing a simple search on Google or Yahoo and you are provided with many options. Try reading the reviews straight off the manufacturer's website, or at online stores like eBay, Amazon, and Overstock. These reviews are made by every day people like you who buy these products and pass on the good word on how they truly deliver their performance. You will be surprised on how simple reading can influence your buying decision.

Guide to String Trimmers

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Adding a Shower Enclosure to Your Vintage Claw Foot Tub

One drawback to owning a vintage claw foot bathtub can be the lack of having a shower. If your claw foot tub doesn't currently have a shower feature, there are several options you can choose to add that modern, yet important feature. You could add a separate shower enclosure to the bathroom, but this is a much more costly option and some bathrooms may not be able to fit a full shower enclosure. Plus, this would add an additional chore to bathroom cleaning. The most ideal situation is to add a shower enclosure and curtain to your existing claw foot tub. Luckily, there are some available options to making this task fairly easy to achieve.

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To add a shower to your existing claw foot tub, you can hire a contractor or plumber to do the work for you and they can recommend several options. One of those options is to add a shower to the claw foot tub and put in a surrounding shower rod and curtain. This allows the shower curtain to completely surround the tub, therefore minimizing water splashing and leaks. Another option for tubs near a wall is to tile the existing wall, add tiled water "detractors" around the wall sides of the tub and put an "L" shaped shower rod and curtain to cover the exposed sides of the tub. The drawback to this option, of course, is that it is more costly and takes away from the freestanding look of the claw foot tub.

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There are basically two options to installing the plumbing for the shower. One is to have the pipes hidden within the wall, which only works if the tub is close to an existing bathroom wall. The other option is to have the exposed pipes that are mounted directly on the tub. The latter is the most common choice and there are some various decorative styles that make the exposed pipes and knobs have a nice finished look.

There are several "do-it-yourself" options available for those who are willing to take on the task themselves. Home improvement stores such as Lowes and Home Depot carry various kits that are predesigned to fit most claw foot tubs. There are shower kits designed to work with existing pipes and others that add the exposed pipes to the freestanding tub. Both types of kits are affordable, easy to install and only require the use of a few basic tools. Both Lowes and Home Depot have staff in the plumbing department that can make some recommendations based on the set up that you currently have. Still, it might help to get someone who is familiar with plumbing to help out or the check the job once it is complete.

Regardless of the type of shower option you choose, you can easily add a shower to your claw foot tub to make it more convenient and useful. This will allow you to have the best of both worlds, a nice large tub to take a long, leisurely bath or a shower that you can use quickly and efficiently thus making your bathroom more functional and enjoyable.

Adding a Shower Enclosure to Your Vintage Claw Foot Tub

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Build your Own Lightsaber - How to Build a Lightsaber

The Star wars series has an incredible following, of which I am one. The characters, space ships and technology are mind blowing at times. And for most of us we want a piece of that. We want to know what it would feel like to be a Jedi. One important thing that every Jedi possesses is a lightsaber. If you've ever dreamed of building your own lightsaber the good news is it is entirely possible.

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There are several really good web sites on the internet that include designs, pictures and schematics of lightsabers that people have built on their own. In fact they are so popular that at times they are down due to heavy amounts of traffic. I'll give you a list of these sites at the bottom of this article.

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When you find a design you like you'll find that it includes a list of parts that you can pick up at your local Home Depot or Lowes. The one problem you might run into is that those parts are no longer in stock or have to be ordered. So at times you may have to improvise on your design. Sometimes it will end up looking better and original and unique.

One word of caution is that running around in a store like Home Depot or Lowes looking for nails, pipes and other strange mixes can cause suspicion. As happened to me one time - the police ended up coming to my house. So just be cautious of that and if anybody asks just tell them you are building a lightsaber.

Build your Own Lightsaber - How to Build a Lightsaber

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How to Create an Above Ground Organic Vegetable Garden

I have been into gardening ever since I can remember, my first garden was an above ground organic vegetable garden since I lived in an apartment and didn't have the option of planting in my yard. I have had the pleasure of experiences a massive outdoor garden and let me tell you they are wonderful, but take a lot of time and work! Since then, I have reverted back to an above ground garden due to the fact that I now have 2 small children and a large puppy who destroy all my chances of maintaining and having a successful outdoor garden! I have perfected step by step directions on how to create an above ground organic vegetable garden! Now you and I both can grown our own delicious and healthy vegetables!

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1. First things first, you are going to need some large storage containers or large pots. A lot of nurseries will give away the old empty ones. Once you have obtained your bins drill some holes in the bottom to make sure you will have to proper amount of drainage!

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2. I always place some medium to large stones in the bottom of my bins about 1 inch deep maybe a little more then fill the rest of the unit with organic soil. Make sure plants are established before adding your fertilizer. Just keep in mind that Miracle Grow is not organic, there are other options, I have found several at Lowes!

3. Next personalize your garden. Pick seeds or purchase your choice of vegetable plants that will suit you and your families needs! Most plants to best with watering regularly, so get your self into a routine! Remember be consistent early morning is usually best so keep that in mind.

Hot tip...

If you live in a hot area (which I do) I recommend using some sort of a garden shade or create a screen to place over the top of your veggies to avoid them from getting scorched from the sun or sustain some wind damage!

Remember to never spray household pesticides on the ground near where your bins are located, it will absorb upward into the soil!

I hope that this has informed you on how to create an above ground organic vegetable garden and will be put to great use! Its so much fun to see your veggies begin growing, and not to mention have your own veggies at your fingertips!

How to Create an Above Ground Organic Vegetable Garden

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Wood Kitchen Cabinets

New kitchen cabinets are something that people can do to their homes to update them drastically without having to change a lot. Wooden kitchen cabinets are extremely popular, easy to take care of, and come in many different colors, types, and price ranges.

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Some different types of light wooden cabinets include maple, pine, oak, birch, ash, beech, and chestnut. Some darker toned wooden cabinets include cherry (which is more of a mid-dark color), ebony, butternut, rosewood, teak, and mahogany. There is also alder wood which can be almost white and hickory which can range from white to a light brown. If none of these colors are appealing, there is also the option to choose a light wood and buy a stain. Stain works by soaking into the wood of the cabinet and giving it an element of color. It is very difficult to lighten a dark wood so it is easier to choose a light one and darken it with stain.

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There are many places available to purchase wooden kitchen cabinets. First, there are local stores such as Menards, Home Depot, Lowes, and others that have samples available and ordering information right in the store. There are also online cabinet stores whose sole purpose is selling cabinets. Also, many people choose to get their wooden units built. There are local places that do this and places online that one can order from.

Cost can be a huge factor in choosing kitchen cabinets. There are a few tips to get the best and the cheapest ones available. The method of construction and the materials used can make up to sixty percent of the cost of the units, but better products and construction will make a longer lasting unit so one should take this into consideration when choosing which wood to use and choosing the construction type of the cabinet.

The style of the cabinet can have a huge impact on price since a very simple looking cabinet door will be much cheaper than one with much detail. The type of finish can affect the price, also. If this is an issue, one can paint or stain the cabinet on their own to save some money. Lastly, the species of the wood will alter the price. Some wood is cheaper than other, so if price is an issue, one can choose a cheaper wood and stain it to look like the type they choose.

Wooden kitchen cabinets are a great way to update any kitchen and come in a wide array of types and prices so one can always find something appealing.

Wood Kitchen Cabinets

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Home Depot vs. Lowe's: Which Stock to Buy?

During my last update I ventured into the rivalry sector of the packaging transportation sector when comparing the differences between buying FedEx and UPS. Using the same type method, I will attempt to do the same regarding the two biggest home builders in Home Depot (HD) and Lowe's (LOW). While both have positives and negatives, like all decisions some benefits will outweigh the negatives in terms of higher margins when juxtaposed together.

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Looking specifically at the fundamentals, there are a lot of similarities between the two home building corporations. Both have been in the public market for about the same number of years, and while the years do remain similar, the numbers do not. Home Depot has revenue almost twice that of Lowe's which explains its tremendous upward growth over its entire duration. However, looking specifically the last five years, Lowe's has grown to provide margins which are similar or even higher than that of Home Depot and has a greater opportunity to grow. According to Yahoo Finance, Home Depot has the potential to grow about 9% this year and close to 13% the next five years. On the other hand Lowe's has the potential to grow nearly 11% this year and close to 16% in the next five years giving investors some statistics to play around with when determining which stock to buy. Fundamentals in other areas run in similar patterns making this a guessing game in determining which stock would be more beneficial in terms of numbers. However, as of right now, I would say Lowe's has the relatively higher potential to beat out Home Depot.

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Looking more closely in terms of technical analysis, Lowe's seems to beat out Home Depot again. For the last five years Home Depot has seemed to be stuck in a range of 35.00 to 45.00 with no real potential or future advances to thrive upon. On the other hand, Lowe's has provided slow but stable growth during these last five years yielding growth of nearly 100% for investors in terms of capital gains. With the continued opportunity especially during the fall months when hurricanes are prevalent and lots of home repair equipment is needed, Lowe's seems to hold the advantage yet again in terms of technical analysis.

Thus, while I truly do not like this type of industry, especially during times of a potential recession, I would still put my funds into Lowe's for at least a few months this fall. Your gains may not be as high if placed in a more volatile or riskier choice, but regardless you should be assured of a high potential to earn some quality capital gains in the next few months.

Home Depot vs. Lowe's: Which Stock to Buy?

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