Tuesday, 6 April 2010
Fun Activities - kids, crafts
This was a very amusing and worthwhile project for 4 of my nieces and nephews one afternoon during their spring break, ages 3, 5, 8 and 8. Only one problem, about 15% of the items being baked started to curl and we could not correct it as per the instructions, so they ended up stuck to themselves and useless. Hoever, there were enough pieces included whereby these stuck pieces were not missed very much. ®Shrinky Dinks Monster Lab
My son LOVES this Shrinky Dinks Monster Lab!! He waited patiently for it to come in the mail and he couldn't wait to check it all out. He's delayed in his fine motor skills so the fact that he loves all the cool monsters and the lab guy keeps him wanting to color. A win-win for Mom and Son both! The background is really quite cool, but it won't last the wear and tear of a 5 year old playing with it. Overall - this set is a huge hit. And everybody knows that a happy kid = a happy Mom. - Kids - Fun Activities - Crafts'
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Rechargeable Batteries - portable speakers, logitech
I bought this docking station for use while deployed to Iraq and I hijacked my wife's Amazon account to do it (smart, right?). It is surprisingly light and slim, especially considering the fullness, crispness, and volume of the sound that it produces. I have not been disappointed, particularly at this price point.
Features that I really like:
1. Dual voltage, which is great for overseas travel.
2. Comes with power adapter.
3. AUX-IN capability has been very useful for plugging in to my laptop for movies.
4. They did away with the iPod inserts, and the design ingeniously allows whatever iPod you insert to rest against a back stop, so that you aren't stressing the connector when you push on the iPod to control it.
5. Remote is simple on features but works very well even when not pointed directly at the unit.
Features that could still be improved:
1. The carry case is more like a dust cover. It is made from the same material those re-usable grocery bags are made from. I am not complaining that it doesn't come with something more substantial at this price, but I do hope that Logitech or some other manufacturer makes something with padding for those of us who travel a lot. I'd be happy to purchase it as an accessory.
2. The AC adapter would be even better if the prongs folded in, as many travel adapters do.
3. You can't use an iPod touch that has a case on it. The docking area narrows toward the bottom making the width a problem--even with slim fitting cases. This just means you have to have a case that comes off easily or one that has a detachable bottom.
Overall I give this a 5 star rating. I waited about a month and a half for this to be released based on initial industry industry reviews (CNET, etc.) and features; I am not disappointed. The sound is great. It is portable. It looks good. It is not extremely expensive. Those all add up to a real winner. I own a Bose Sound Dock (original) and feel that the sound is better on that speaker system--fuller bass and it fills the room a bit better, however the price was double and it is not portable. I challenge anyone to find something higher quality and more versatile for the $150 or under range. Logitech S715i Rechargeable Speaker for iPod and iPhone
Right out of the box and plugged in the unit produced very good sound. At first I thought the kickstand was flimsy and was not supporting the unit well. Another review here helped resolve this by pointing out that it needs to be pushed in harder than one may think, and then it really does lock in.
Appearance/design
I find that Logitech iPod speaker systems generally lack some elegance, but S715i looks a lot better than the previous attempts. Those searching for a more elegant system may wish to look at Altec Lansing products, but in my opinion Logitech beats Altec in sound quality. The trayless doc is a good new feature for Logitech.
Price-to-performance
The unit could have been priced higher and would still attract attention of many - it is really inexpensive for what it does.
Sound quality
The box produces full and clean sound with impressive for the size bass. Logitech "has got it going on" in the base area. On certain tracks the bass may feel a little too pounding. Also, at times I found the mids slightly lacking. Some listeners have compared the sound of this unit to that of Bose. It is a fair comparison. After listening to this Logitech unit for a few days I went to a store to listen to Bose SoundDock Portable, and I could not say that Bose sounded better. Listening in a store, where there is a level of noise, is not the same as at home, so it wasn't a good test.
The two gripes
Another reviewer said this already - why, oh why did Logitech decide that long run time on battery was more important than the sound quality? When unplugged, the sound deteriorates. The base and the fullness go away. It is not just the volume - it feels like the sub-system responsible for the lowest notes shuts down. I can imagine it takes quite a bit of power to drive those notes out of the box, but at least there could be an option to keep the same sound at expense of run time. Make no mistake - it is still better than OK sound, and there is quite a bit of bass left, but it's not quite the same. I like to carry these things from room to room, and I think this is a notable flaw. My second gripe is about remote control lacking full functionality - it is not able to control iPod menus. Logitech already had this in Pure-Fi Anywhere 2, why give it up now?
Bottom line
Very good unit which earned its place on my home office desk. It is bound to surprise some guests with the sound quality for the size and keep me and hopefully other family members good company from time to time. Big compliments to Logitech, this system does represent progress in small-size inexpensive sound systems. - Rechargeable Speakers - Portable Speakers - Iphone Speakers - Logitech'
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Toshiba Satellite Ac Adapter - laptop power cord, toshiba satellite ac adapter
I purchased this after the original charger burned out. Great price and shipping was quick but it only lasted for 3 months. It worked well at first and after 2 months I noticed the charger was getting very hot. After 3 months it stopped charging the battery, something inside the part that plugged into the charger (black box) was not connecting. I would wiggle it and it would work for a few hours then it stopped all together no matter how much I wiggled it. Of course this happened only 12 days after the 90 day period. I think I'll have to spend more next time to get a better product. NEW AC Adapter Power Supply Charger+Cord for Toshiba Satellite a305-s6872 pa-1900-05 1905-S301 P200 a135-s74 a135-s7406 a205-s5805 a205-s5825 a215-s5818 p205d-s7802 u405
Got this charger for my Toshiba Satellite A305-S6872 laptop. I've had it for 3 days and it's worked great. My factory charger quit after 2 years, so very happy this thing works. Will update if it fails.
I've had the power supply for a few months and it works as advertised. There are two things to be aware of. First, the combined cord length is about 6 inches shorter than the original. Second, the unit comes in two cable halves: the DC side with adaptor cable for the computor(shown in advertising picture), and the AC cable (not shown) plugs into the DC adapter and then into the wall outlet. This connection at the adaptor is sloppy and will disconnect itself with very little effort. If cable length is important, go else where, if not this is a good buy. I like the 90 degree DC/computer plug as it helps in reducing the cable profile. I would recomend it.
Bought this charger and about a month and a half later it suddenly starts smelling like its burning. I unplug it and go to use it two days later and it wont charge. The green little light on the charger wouldnt even turn on.
After only two uses, this item melted and the plastic from the cord became pulling away at the plug. I am afraid that it is a fire hazard or will ruin my laptop. I am not happy with the poor quality of this product.
When I got the product, I wasn't impressed with its quality as the plugs didn't seem secure. But it worked and it worked for 6 months. Now it is sporadically charging my laptop so that it isn't getting past 10% battery power and is always on the verge of shutting off. You basically have to jiggle the plugs until it starts charging again, but then in a few minutes, without any movement or warning,it will stop charging once again. I expect it will stop completely in the next few days and am looking for a replacement. Will not be buying this one again. - Toshiba Power Cord - Laptop Power Adapters - Laptop Power Cord - Toshiba Satellite Ac Adapter'
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Sweatpants
I have worn Champion sweats for many years and would buy nothing else, until now.
Champion is trying to make these designer wear instead of sweats.
The material is not 80/20, the Granite Heather is 53/47 and thin.
I've only washed them one time, but if the amount of lint and filler lost is any indication, I'll probably be wearing a waist drawstring after a dozen or so wash cycles.
The elastic on the cuff is useless unless your ankles are the size of my thighs.
The leg length is better suited for someone on a NBA team rather than normal size person (less than 6').
Champion has succeeded in their efforts to hook customers with good products them cheapen them in the name of profit.
ABSOLUTE CRAP
Champion's website should be "championmexico" not "championusa"
CHAMPION is now CHUMPION in my book. Champion Men's Double Dry Classic Fleece Pant, Black, Large
I'm pleased with the quality, but they're larger than expected. Since my waist is around 36" I ordered the large, which are too large. They also have pockets, which I wasn't expecting; I don't really mind, but since I'm not the kind of person who wears sweats everywhere I don't have much need for pockets.
The pants do keep you warm, but the material is thin and they are too long. Even when pulled up, they fall back down and hang off the bottom of the feet, making it difficult to walk and keep the pants on the body.
I ordered these for my son. They are of wonderful quality and I love the softness of them! My son is 6 feet tall and has long legs; these are the first stretch pants I've gotten him that are not too short. Very pleased!
These pants are waaaaaaaaaaay too long and the bottom elastic is made to be loose; too loose for me. I like for my elastic to be more fitted at the ankles and these are not. They are made more like a straight legged pant that bunches at the bottom.
I am really happy with the sweat pants. I found the exact product I wanted, at a good price, without leaving my house. The perfect shopping experience!
Thank you for offering the product, and for the prompt and efficient service.
Terri DelCampo
I bought this pair of fleece pants (in Granite Heather) specifically for the brand reputation, elastic bottom hem and the fact that it's claimed to be a higher quality content of 80% cotton / 20% polyester. Granted, the material feels more premium than the $9 Fruit of the Loom sweats I picked up at wally world, but unfortunately it's still a thin and whimpy 50% cotton / 50% polyester. We'll see how well the material stands the test of time through wear and wash.
I've been buying size medium for years without problem and all of a sudden, this pair of pants and the FotL's I bought a week ago hang so long that I have to hike the waistband up over my stomach to keep them from dragging under my feet. Did the definition for "medium" change when I wasn't looking? And to make matters worse, the cuff design exacerbates the long cut -- why put elastic at the bottom leg hem when it's not cinched any smaller at the ankles than the material? There is almost no bunching or pleating at all at the bottom hem. At least the waistband is sufficiently cinched so that I don't have to tie the drawstring to keep my pants up, unlike the FotL's.
On the positive side, the pants are comfortable and feel good. Pockets are nice and deep and are made of a thinner jersey cloth, I'm guessing so they're not as bulky. Overall though, I can't help but feel I paid a premium just for the extra stitching and the embroidered Champion logo.
The reviews for this product, and many of the Champion sweat pants sold by Amazon vary tremendously. Some people say they are too light weight and others say they are good quality heavy weight. It makes me wonder if everyone is getting the same thing when they order these? Does anyone know? Have you every ordered the same pants a second time and gotten something different?'
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Longhorns
There's not too much us Longhorns won't buy when it comes to swag, but this is smaller than expected. Even my wife, not a longhorn, was surprised at how small it is. Yes, I know there's no false or misleading advertising as it's duly noted that it's about a foot. In our case, street curb to gnome is about 35ft, and frankly, you can't see it.
The product itself is a ceramic based, and that comes into play when you're trying to secure it from potential thieves (12yo neighbor boy and his posse). I tried to put a eyelet screw in the gnome's heel which would then be tethered to a chain and stake in the ground. No luck. Gnome's now close to heelless now, as the screw cracked it. Instead, I took the chain and encircled his ankles. Still a deterrent, but less than ideal.
Otherwise, is it really burnt orange, not some orange that's close? Yes. Is the longhorn logo on the cap visible from more than 5-6ft away? Barely NCAA Texas Longhorns Garden Gnome
Even though this lawn gnome is labeled and most likely designed for outdoor use, I would not recommend it for that function. This is even more so if the end user lives in an area that has extreme weather, like harsh winters on very intense summers. The unit is made of Polyresin but does not contain enough density to truly be trusted outdoors. The only reason why I am spending so much effort highlighting this aspect is because of the detail features on the gnome. The face and the outfit are well painted and it seems like a waste to let the weather remove all that work. On top of that, with the lighter weight of the unit, a strong wind could knock it over and possibly scrapping the paint. If this unit is put outside it is recommend to keep it there during milder weather but to bring it indoors for the winter months; or, the summer for areas that get desert-like heat.
Personally, I think the unit works best as a conversation piece to be kept with other similar themed pieces; or, in any room to add a little bit of fandom. It makes a great gift for the sports fan that seems to have everything. The overall quality of the piece is high especially for the relatively low cost.
I bought this for my husband and we received it on time. But when we opened it our little gnome was so so pale except for his shoes. It looked like we got a dead gnome! He does not look like the picture I was so sad because it was a surprise for my husband. I wish I recived the one in the picture.
this is by far the best gnome that i have ever purchased! it looks like a tiny bearded man who smiles at you without ceasing. totally buy this if you need a small bearded gnome in your yard. if you do, you won't regret it.
OK, the other reviewers may be right. This guy is not giant, but he is a GARDEN GNOME!!! We have a LOT, yes a LOT of Longhorn swag and this was a MUST for my hubby's birthday! It looks ADORABLE in our garden and has caught the attention of everyone who comes over. It is PERFECT in our backyard next to our patio! You won't be disappointed if you want a gameday, outdoor display of your loyalty!
HOOK 'EM! Now, I am off to get the matching Cheerleader!'
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Luggage Accesory - radio control, weighing scale
First, the positive points: this scale is compact compared to other "luggage scales", and the price is more reasonable than most other electronic scales.
However the negatives are:
1) It does not lock in the weight of the item so that you can unhook and hold the device up to read the weight, one must lift the scale up to eye level with luggage attached in order to read, which brings us to:
2) The strap / handle is very thin, it galls the fingers with anything over 5 lbs attached.
3) The hook is much too small to fit most luggage handles, may be good for fish, but one must figure out a work around depending on your luggage design, or resort to shoe laces to fashion a sling for your luggage handle.
3) Construction is flimsy, the old adage "you get what you pay for" ... in this case I got less.
I have been using a dial type scale from Magellan Travel with good results, it corrects all the flaws in the above, a bit more bulky, but has an added advantage - no batteries required, currently $9.85. 40KG Portable Digital Hangging Luggage Fishing Scale
This unit is simple to use. Yes, you can lock the weight - just hold down the rightmost button (Tare).
Changing the units of measure is done with the leftmost button. The middle button is the on and off switch.
I will be using this unit for fishing and for calibrating my tennis stringing machine.
One nice feature is the metal hook can be clipped flush with the back. A small depressed area accepts the hook to make the unit easier to store.
I'm no fisherman, but this little thing fills the gap between a postal scale handling a few ounces and the bathroom scale, intended for people. It seems to be quite accurate enough for posting packages, etc. It should be noted that the price is more than reasonable.
Oh ... it should also be noted that "hanging" does NOT have a double "g". LOL
I weighed two unknown weights a total of 5 times each. The readings for each weight were .02 pounds difference from highest to lowest. Might not work for pharmaceuticals, but plenty close enough for anything I need and it is small with no annoying T-handle. The hook would be a bit small for most luggage handles. I couldn't find anything better at two sporting goods stores and two other major retail stores.
I bought this digital scale to calibrate my tennis stringing machine. It's compact, accurate and can weigh in ounces, pounds, and kilograms. When I customize my tennis racquet with lead tape, I use the ounce scale and it works perfect there as well. I bought this thing for under $10 bucks. All of the tennis shops, even online wants $30+ dollars for a calibration tool for any tennis stringing machine. Even the cheapest model, the string loaded ones, is $30 dollars are more.
The only con I have about this scale is the short time it takes to do its automatic shutoff. Would be nice it it can stay on a little bit longer before shutting off.
I would highly recommend this unit to my friends.
Although I have not checked this scale against a standard weighted item I feel it's accurate enought for most peoples uses. I use if for weighing luggage or my day packs for hiking, some things to compare for adding to my bike and for those it's great. I like the compact nature, nice sized digital read out and the way the hook snaps up into the back of the unit. Nice digital scale and for this price a bargin. Don't buy one of those exepensive luggage scales get this one. This keeps you from exceeding the luggage weights and avoid the outrangeous overweight charges they impose. - Weighing Scale - Radio Control - Postal Scales - Luggage Accesory'
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Combo Packs - flashlight, firestorm
I couldn't be happier with all of these tools. The batteries have plenty of juice to drive them and they all work extremely well. The reciprocating saw can get a little bouncy if you try to use it on too big of a cut but I use it for pruning small branches and it works great for that. The drill is excellent. The bits seat firmly and stay secure with hand only tightening. The circular saw is the best of the lot. It's really easy to make a good cut without having to worry about the cord getting in the way. I was worried that the battery wouldn't provide enough juice to get the rpms I wanted but that has not been an issue (assuming you don't try to cut wood that's too thick or too hard for this type of tool). The flashlight is pretty good but I don't really use it much. It does have good distance though and a beam that's ok not too diffuse. For the price you pay this a superb set of tools. Black & Decker CD418C-2 18-Volt 4-Tool Combo Kit
This arrived FAST. Wow, I'm impressed. I am in Kuwait and some companies use APO addresses as an excuse not to ship, but not these folks! So far the tools have performed well. Batteries are easy to remove & replace (are you listening, Dewalt?).
My suggestions for small improvements to make it better value for $$:
* Only two 6-in reciprocating saw blades for wood included.
- Metal is cheap, so how about a full set of blades?
* Light bulb was the old incandescent type.
- LEDs are cheap, brighter, use less power, last longer and forgive being dropped on concrete.
* Circular saw blade was a bit difficult to install and instructions were unhelpful.
- How about hiring a native English speaker to write the instructions for the US market?
* Nylon carrying bag is good; the inside & outside pockets are convenient.
- Saw blades will eventually wear holes through the sides, so cheap plastic snap-on blade-protectors would be such a nice touch.
- Bag Color is black and gets dirty as soon as you use it. How about grey, tan or other neutral color?
More expensive improvements which may not be feasible for the price:
- 3 batteries instead of 2.
- A hammer-drill.
- Hard carrying case.
- Worldwide battery charger (plug into 100-240 volts).
- Dual battery charger (charge 2 units at once).
I read a lot of reviews on this set on amazon and several other sites and a hand full of people complained about battery life but I think that is just isolated incidents. I charged the batteries over night and have been using them all day on the circular saw and drill. I also have the sander and used the same battery on it. By the end of it all I probably put a hours worth of drilling sawing and sanding in and never had a problem with battery power or any malfunctions with the tools. the little light is pretty bright on a full battery but diminishes as expected when using a used and abused battery. I'm eager to see if the weed eater last as long with this battery. I would suggest you buy this if your looking for a good set of cordless tools
I use this tool kit around the house, interior as well as exterior minor works. This is a very good price for all four tools.
The drill is powerful enough for household drilling. Even my wife uses this to drill whatever she wants on the wall or cabinet.
The flashlight was a stable for my outside storage unit. It's a good plus.
Have not use the circular saw yet so I cannot give any review on that.
I used the reciprocating saw to cut down woods to fit them in the trash bin. Powerful. Saved me a lot of time if I was to manually hand-cut my outdoor rotted wooden working table.
I was replacing some of the same items stolen from my garage, so I knew the 18v B&D was a good product.
I did not get an instruction manual, but did get an electric sander thrown in to make up for it....that was a nice touch.
For the occasional home user this set is well worth the money. Have had occasion to use all the tools and they are very convenient, plenty powerful, and the cary bag is great for storage and moving. If you are a pro, you may like more buzz, but the average Joe like me will enjoy these tools. - Combo Packs - Flashlight - Cordless Drill - Firestorm'
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Digital Camera Accessory - long exposure, photography
If you plan on taking any photos requiring longer exposure times (particularly "bulb-mode" photographs in which the shutter remains open until you close it), you need this accessory for your camera.
Though the cord is shorter than would be desired, a quick trip to any electronics store should provide a simple solution in an extension: a 3/32" stereo extension cord, or a 1/8" cord with adapters to 3/32". As these can be had for well under $10, you can easily extend the reach of the shutter release beyond what Canon provided. Canon Remote Switch RS60 E3
While Canon products at times have a price markup for items that bare the label (like Harley Davidson products) there are a few gems that are good deals at the price point. The Canon backpack and the 50mm 1.8 lens are examples of good deals. This switch also belongs in the 'worth the price' category.
The switch connects into the side of the Rebel XT. The female receptor on the camera is underneath a rubber cover. The cover folds back awkwardly/protrudes when the switch is connected. This is mildly annoying, but not a big deal.
The switch is simple yet effective: half push for focus, full push to take the picture, or push the switch forward to lock the shutter open (for night shots, lightning, etc.). When pressed forward, the shutter remains open until you pull the switch back into place. You don't have to hold the switch open as it locks once it is slid forward.
The switch can activate the shutter either in the single shot mode or the time delay mode. Single shot or time delay are set on the camera, not on the switch.
In single shot the shutter is activated as soon as the button is fully pressed. In time delay, fully pressing the button starts the 10-second countdown prior to the picture being snapped (time to run in front of the camera for family or self-portraits).
For macro shots, night shots, or shots in which minimal or no camera shake is permissible this inexpensive device is quite useful.
Finally, it has little notches built in to the side of its body to help hold the cable securely against the body when the cable is wrapped up for storage. It also has a slot to plug in the male attachment (the part that plugs into the camera) built into the body for convenience in storage and to protect the connector when not in use.
I'm glad I bought it.
What would I do without my remote switch? I would cry real tears. I bought it for nighttime photography and long exposures without camera shake but I use it for almost everything. Even portraiture benefits from this nifty little tool as subjects can be fooled into relaxing their faces while one is not behind the lens. I would have given it five stars but the cord is slightly shorter than I would like.
I'll start off by saying that this item IS compatible with the Rebel XTi (I've seen conflicting information floating around).
I just recently purchased my XTi and noticed that even when using a tripod that my pictures would come out slightly blurred a lot of the time - I'm assuming this is from the vibration when pressing and releasing the shutter button. This made long-exposes such as night photography difficult for me and often left me disappointed with the results.
Fortunately I found this great item! It plugs into the side of the camera by the USB connector and features basic controls (half click, full click, and the ability to click and lock the button).
One of the first things you'll notice is the short cord - something almost every single review has mentioned but I really didn't think it would be THAT short - this is both a Pro and a Con.. A "Pro" because it doesnt leave lots of slack that can become tangled or drop loosely to the ground but also a "Con" because you still need to remain relatively close to the camera for this to function.. If you're dealing with Macro (up-close) photography with live animals it would be nice to set the camera up and sit 5-10 feet away and remotely trigger the camera without being close enough to scare them away. Another time a long cord would be nice would be for self-photography and to place a camera in a place which is otherwise not reasonable for you to get to (such as a high location, on a roof, in a tree, etc..)
Apparently you can get a little "Do it yourself" with this item and splice a longer cable onto it if you feel the need. They also sell a wireless remote which is probably even better for these needs but you have to keep a direct connection between the camera and the remote).
Back to this remote switch though:
By half-pressing the remote, the camera will autofocus (much as it does when half-pressing the shutter button on the actual camera) and fully pressing it will release the shutter and snap a picture.
The part that becomes quite nice is the "Lock" function. This lets you lock the button down (done by full-clicking and sliding the button to the side) for as long as you want while the shutter remains open - this means you can lock it for 5 minutes for pinhole photography or night shots - something you would otherwise need to keep your finger on the shutter release button for (which will almost always cause some vibration/shaky pictures).
You do this by setting the exposure time to "Bulb" mode (from what I can tell, its only available in [M] mode on the XTi).
A very excellent remote switch that is more than worth the $20-30 selling price (just don't tell canon!) - If I could make one change it would be to have the camera use a replaceable cable so that you could easily unplug the 2 foot one and replace it with a 5 or 10 foot one since it appears to just be a standard audio cable.
All-in-all, a must-buy which is also very affordable!
Besides that the cable is somewhat short, this remote works extremely well. I also bought the Canon Wireless Remote Control RC1 which doesn't work well at all and only when it's held close to the camera and in a specific angle.....I do recommend this over the wireless one... - Photography - Remote Switch - Long Exposure - Canon'
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Interferometer Table
My colleagues call it RED book. This is the most comprehensive and practical book for engineers who are interested in optical methods for mechanics. This book covers various optical techniques and real life applications. It focuses on moiré techniques (theories, instrumentations, data analysis, and applications). It is simply the best book for one who likes to understand, utilize, and implement moiré techniques. High Sensitivity Moire: Experimental Analysis for Mechanics and Materials (Mechanical Engineering Series)'
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Beverage Cooler
It's one of two beverage coolers I could find of this type. Just to note, you want several inches of overhang on the edge, as this is not a pushbutton type dispenser I'm used to, but a 'newer' design where you grab the whole spigot and give it a yank. Tends to dribble when not pulled out all the way, and when it's low you need someone to hold it down so you can do so. I miss the type where you grab onto the spigot and push a button inwards; that would completely do away with this problem! Coleman 5-Gallon Beverage Cooler, Orange
With the wide top, this cooler is easy to load with punch, ice blocks, water, etc. It keeps the beverage cold for hours, even in the heat of an outdoor picnic or party! I'm very pleased with the price for the size of the cooler.
I just had to put my two cents in on the beverage cooler. I bought one last year for camping after my milk creates that held 6 one gallon jugs of water was stolen. I put a 20 pound bag of ice in it so I have water for making coffee, cooking, mixing juices, etc. Well let me tell you this thing keeps that ice frozen solid, even when I leave it out in the sun all weekend! I've found I have to open the lid and pour about a cup of water over the ice to get it to begin to melt. I have no issues with the spout, so far no leaking that I've noticed. And one review mentioned having to have it hang over the table several inches but I don't seem to have that issue, I have it on the end of the table and yes, out off the edge, but no more than inch at the most. It's a great cooler and I highly recommend it.
I had hopes of making this cooler into a mash tun (for steeping the malt for homemade beer). Alas, it is not suitable for conversion, and will have to remain a beverage cooler.
The bore for the spigot is too large for the 1/2" pipe fittings typical of cooler conversion kits, much larger than the 7/8" diameter that would be appropriate.
The spigot valve core appeared at first to be threaded for 1/2" NPT, but turned out to be not a pipe taper at all. 1/2" pipe fittings will indeed screw in securely, but do not seal adequately. Liquids leaked at a very slow rate through this threaded connection. Caulk or silicone sealant will likely be enough to seal this slow leak, but I did not try because of doubts about their suitability for prolonged contact with food.
Restored to service as a beverage cooler, its 5 gallon capacity is more than I need, and is not bad at all for the price (currently under $20).
Holds a lot of water and ice and keeps it cold for at least 8 hours (if the water lasts that long)! The top is nice because it doesn't have an awkward handle and can be used as a seat if you're in a pinch. Great value!
I ordered 2 originally and use them to pass Health Insp. at different events. So 1 worked and other completely leaked out. I returned it to Amazon and they replaced it with one that was good. Thanks! Did the trick just wish it was continous flow spigot.
Really thoguht I was going to get a quality product since it was Coleman, but nope. The 1st time I used them the one leaked terribly, and I was down to a couple of hours before a big party so I didnt have time to run out and buy another one, so had to try and fix it the best I could and lay several towels below it and switch out the towels ever so often, probably lost half of the tea on the ground. Such a waste! The other cooler had a bit of a slow leak, but I can still use it if I need to.'
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Multifunction Tools - oscillating saw, multifunction tools
I bought this tool with the thought in mind not to spend too much on something I probably wouldn't use very often. At this price it was a cheap gamble. I finally got a chance to use it the other day, replacing some T&G flooring and was impressed at how well it worked. It's looks and feels solid and at this point I consider it a good purchase.I really can't see what any of the major name brand tools could do better. The only down point is finding blades that fit. You won't find them at HD or Lowes. Amazon sells blades made by Versa-Tool that fit, so if you buy the tool, stock up so you don't get caught without any replacements.
Update: The Bosch blades will fit, but man are they expensive! Also, if you hit a nail it doesn't matter how much you paid for the blade, it's history.
Update part 2: Ever heard the old saying "You get what you pay for"? Well, in this case it turned out to be true. After using the tool for just a few times, it started acting erratic until it finally just would not turn on. I'm pretty sure it's the switch but it's useless now. It worked long enough to get an idea of it's unique abilities and opened my eyes to how useful these type of tools can be. Now I can justify buying a high end tool as I found it to be indispensible. Genesis GMT15A Multi-Purpose Oscillating Tool
I bought this to cut out some hardwood floor planks and it worked great. I've since used it many times on other projects. It seems to work just as good as the more expensive ones, just hope that it lasts as long. If not, I only paid a little and it was worth it for the few times I've used it. If you're not a general contractor and are just going to use it for home projects, I highly recommend this product.
I am a pro renovator, 35 years with 4 carpenters. Bought a Dremel type and used it for one job and everybody wanted one. Bought the others the Genesis tool, hey it's less than half the cost and the blades are much cheaper. The Genesis is proving superior, no problems whatsoever. These tools are so handy we just don't go anywhere without them, a real time saver. It's most useful as an electric chisel but all functions are great. Get one!
I have done extensive home upgrades and repairs over the years, having accumulated numerous types of saws, but I purchased this multi-purpose tool to address a single issue that I have not encountered in the past 45 years. Having seen advertisements for this type of tool, I was positive that this was the only tool that could successfully address this need to expand the attic opening to my AIR CONDITIONING air handler. All other efforts would have resulted in a time consuming 'cluggy' result. In deciding to postpone this work and purchasing this Genesis GMT15A tool, I was able to very simple and very precisely complete this job.
In a comparison with similar multi-purchase tools, I found the Genesis GMT15A to be 'on a pair' in performance, while costing about approx. 50% less. I had determined that this purchase would have been worth it, if only to get this one job done. But after receiving this tool, I can see that it will be a 'go to' produce in many of my future efforts.
OK, my neighbor has a Fein multimaster and it is awesome. We use it all the time and I kind of got the Fein envy a few weeks ago so I decided to try this brand out. I must say that I have used this now for about a month and it is awesome. Although it isn't a Fein, it weighs about the same, feels the same and is about the same level of noise. The heads are interchangeable with the Fein and it is about 1/10th the cost. I can't say whether it will last for twenty years but at 1?10th the price I can afford to buy one every 5 years for the rest of my life and still come in under what the Fein brand name costs. Not sure if this is a good financial decision for you but if you are on a tight budget like I am you would be a fool to pass this one up. I have used it to scrape paint and glue, cut drywall, concrete, metal and wood. The only thing I had any trouble going through was a concrete nail. (For what it is worth, my neighbor with the Fein burned a blade up as well and we ended up just beating the nail out instead) I would definately recommend this one and will be getting several to send out as Christmas gifts this year. My only explanation of the price difference from the Fein is that they must have lost the patent and cheaper models are now available.
5 Stars from this home improvement user!
I like the size, weight and feel of this Genesis tool. It's effectiveness is not in question. What I find disconcerting is that the triangular sandpaper affixes to the tool head without any fastener or tie-down, resulting in slippage of the paper after a bit of use.
I struggled with buying the Rockwell or even a used Fein, not being able to justify spending a whole lot on a tool that would just be used around the house. I needed it for one particular project but wasn't sure how much use it would get beyond that.
It's worked great so far (for cuts in wood and some sanding). No problems with overheating motor or loosening of the blade during use. There's no question these tools are handy, and I've been using it a lot more than I thought I would.
That said, it could easily crap out on me tomorrow. But for the $35 I paid for it I'm very happy with its performance so far. I generally like to buy "name brand" tools and usually the professional ones if possible, but I highly recommend this tool for the homeowner.
By the way, Bosch is coming out with an adapter so that any multi-tool can be used with any brand's accessories/blades. So you should be able to put a higher quality cutting blade (with the higher price) on this tool if you wanted.
I have had my GMT15A for a couple of weeks now and it has surprised me in comparison to the reviews I have read on similar tools for 3 times the price or better. I have used it for six hours straight scraping epoxy from metal sinks, and it worked great, without getting hot like the others do, according to the reviews. I can't say I like the regular saw blade that comes with the unit, but the other blade works great; it cuts much too slowly. Sanding is good as well. Only having the one speed doesn't seem to be an issue at all; it's all that's needed. I definitely recommend it for the price. It beats the higher priced ones from all I've read. - Multifunction Tools - Multimaster - Oscillating Tool - Oscillating Saw'
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I've bought a few watches on Amazon for the past few years and they've (except for one mechanical watch) been high quality, low cost, stylish, and very satisfying to wear. I'd say this continues that trend. Swiss watches are well designed, have quality mechanisms, and give you the feeling you could afford one of those $5000 models (sure!) but don't need one just at this moment. Maybe later.
Feels solid, strong wristband, easy to set and with a solid feel to the setting mechanism. Hands glow. No nonsense, simple, not a bad buy! Recommended. Wenger Swiss Military Men's 62910-16908 Classic Field Brown Leather Watch and Swiss Army Knife Gift Set
I received this watch about a week ago and it stopped running that day. I reset the time and the next morning, it was 2 hours slow. I promptly sent it back to Amazon via UPS (no charge). I received full credit for the watch. I am very pleased with Amazon's return policy and prompt credit. As far as this watch goes, it is very sharp though larger than I thought it would be. I wish there was a quality check on the watch before it was shipped, probably had a bad battery.
I bought this watch because it looks very good and also benefits from a good basic swiss mechanism. It stays and feels perfect on the wrist, solid construction, leather strap well made. The report between features like date, water resistant and price is very good. I was impressed by the box in which it came, ideal for a gift. The swiss army knife is nice to have, but for me it didn't count on the decision of buying this watch. In conclusion, a good value for money for a watch from a swiss company with tradition.
I am only giving this one star because there is not an option for zero (OR NEGATIVE) stars!! I saw this watch in a dept. store and my husband liked the look of it, so I purchased it for him on Amazon.com for his birthday (it was offered on Amazon as a set with a small pocket knife for the same price as just the watch in the store).
Immediately upon opening the box, the watch DID NOT RUN. I assumed it was just a dead battery and took the watch to a local jeweler, who informed me that if they opened the case, it would void my warranty, so I called the NY 1-800# for Wenger which only added to my frustration. First, I was informed (in broken English) that I would be responsible for the shipping charges (both ways!) and, only after I asked to speak to a supervisor, was "credited" return shipping only, I STILL had to pay to ship my BRAND NEW WATCH for repair! Second, I shipped the watch on July 12 from NC to NY and was told on July 26 that they had "just received the watch yesterday" (two weeks in transit, REALLY?) and that it would be THREE TO SIX WEEKS to repair the watch!!! You have GOT to be kidding me! It literally takes 5 minutes -if that- to change a battery and I have to wait UP TO SIX WEEKS??? O M G, am I not happy with this company. I would just return it, but by the time I get it back, it will be too late, so now I'm stuck with it. (Happy Birthday, Honey! I know your birthday was in June, but maybe you'll get to wear your gift by Thanksgiving!!) Nice. Really.
BTW...I don't feel this is AMAZON's fault, as I have had many very positive buying experiences with them and I LOVE free super saver shipping,so buy from Amazon, just buy a different watch!
Bought this watch for $79.99 and think it's probably still a good value at current asking price of $104.99 with swiss movement, stainless case, mineral crystal and relatively nice leather band. Usually need a long band for watches so was pleasantly surprised that band fit nicely. In sum, watch delivered what was promised and a little more. Accompanying knife has limited utility but is handy for cutting a stray thread, filing a sharp corner off a fingernail and other such small jobs.
The watch came in a beautiful case. Its also a beautiful watch, good finish. The strap is a bit paler than it looks in the picture, though. The Swiss Army Knife is also well-crafted, it's best as a keyholder or something like that. It has only three functions (scissors, knife, and nail file), so don't expect much. - Kindle Devices - Webos - E-reader - Ebook'
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