Woodworking - riser, bandsaw

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I searched and searched and finally came to the conclusion that for the average home woodworker's budget, there are three types of bandsaws. Cheap ones that you will wish you didn't buy (think 12" saws made in China and sold at the big box stores), medium priced saws that are ok but have some serious shortcomings (think of the Delta and Jet low-medium priced models), and saws that are good but expensive (Powermatic and Delta X5). After reading absolutely everything written on the subject in the past 5 years (I am a librarian after all) I decided that this Grizzly saw deserves a category of its own. Though it is priced closer to the "cheap" category than the other two, it sports features and performance that are much closer to the "expensive" saw category.



Now that I own this saw I can say that my experience supports my research and vica-versa. Once it was properly set up, this saw has minimal vibration and I quickly came to appreciate features such as a great stand, excellent blade guides, a decent sized table (ground to a nice finish), blade quick-detentioner, a smooth running powerful motor, and a lightweight yet strong and accurate fence and rail system. Did I mention the stand? I am almost embarrased to go on about it, but from the pictures I was expecting a cheapo thin sheet metal stand that I would replace asap. Boy was I wrong. This stand is HEAVY gauge metal and bolts together quickly and perfectly to form a rock solid platform for this saw. I will never bother to change it. I am also well pleased with the power of the 1hp motor. I almost spent hundreds more for the Jet 1.25hp model and am really glad I didn't. With the 6" riser block and an average quality Olson resaw blade installed I have been able to resaw some HARD, 12" wide old growth pine into beautiful bookmatched pieces without so much as a stutter. I wasn't terribly gentle with the feed rate either. It has also handled resawing 6" white oak and walnut with ease.



Overall I can't say enough good things about this saw. The power is excellent, the features all exceed the hype, and the price is outstanding compared to the competition. I highly recommend this product and give Grizzly an A+ for offering high quality at such a great price. Grizzly G0555 The Ultimate 14" Bandsaw

After many months of agonized research, the decision was made to purchase this saw. I figured that because it was less expensive, it must be inferior. That is simply wrong. This saw has now been in service for over a year. It has run two-to-four hours a day, 5 days a week, for 13 months. The saw has never had a mechanical problem. The fence is still dead on. The motor has NEVER stalled, even when ripping 8/4 oak. I saved enough money buying this saw a year ago, and am so incredibly impressed, that now I am buying a second one. The second saw will have cool-blocks and keep a 1/8 inch blade permanently mounted. Both saws will cost less than ONE Delta. And the delta does not even have a fence.Also, the blade tensioning and release is much superior, and the dust collection is a a 4 inch port instead of 2 1/2 inch plastic piece that gets in the way.The saws arrived with one 3/8's inch blade that is 92 1/2 inches long. The only vendor that I have found for that lengh blade is Grizzly and it now seems that they are discontinuing their stock.The table tilt mechanism works well for a saw of this size. The rails for the fence are long enough to be able to mount the fence in FRONT of the blade when the saw is tilted. This was a very pleasant surprise.The handle broke off of the miter in the first months after my purchase. Customer service was fast, and accurate, and professional. The replacement part arrived in less than 72 hours.All-in-All... This is the best saw at this size on the market today.

I have delayed writing this review because I wanted several months and board feet under my belt before making comment. As my title suggests, it is a fine band saw for the money -- certainly a lot better than my old Craftsman 14"er that it replaced.



I'll get my complaints out of the way first:



1. The blade it comes with, and the other Grizzly blades I bought, are poor, poor blades. They go dull very, very quickly. I ended up buying a 3/4" 3tpi Lennox 92.5" Classic bi-metal and things improved dramatically.



2. The saw does not have a light to illuminate the blade and cutting area. Even my old Craftsman had a decent light to help see the work in progress.



3. Dust collection is barely adequate - even with the 4" chute and my 4" collection hoses. It leaves a lot of dust on the table and around the saw.



Now to what I like about it, in no particular order:



1. I love the table and fence system. The fence is easy to move and remove and accurate enough for my needs.



2. It is fairly quite and vibration free.



3. It handles re-sawing (with the Lennox blade) with ease. I re-saw 3" maple and walnut, and 4" Western Red Cedar, and the saw/saw blade handles it well.



4. Centering the blade is very easy with a handy knob that can be turned to adjust the blade and then locked in place.



5. Set-up was straight-forward and fairly easy.



6. Access to the blade and wheels is easy via the pop-open doors.



Overall, I am very satisfied with this band saw. I would buy it again, and would recommend it to my friends.

I now have three bandsaws... From 11" 12" and now the Grizzly 14".. and I must compare them all and my Jet 12" is a superior saw for general use... The Grizzly Ultimate is a close runner.. The Grizzly Ultimate 14" saw is not as smooth as I would have expected it to be.. A good product none the less and if it were my only saw I would have graded it at least 4.5 stars but since I can compare I've got to say the Jet 12" is a better, smoother, cleaner, quieter and more handsome saw.. (Just for comparative reasons alone) The Grizzly Ultimate does have some vibration and is a little more noisy.. Also, the saw is not what I call properly balanced on it's stand... Can be tilted forward (towards you) with ease.. Outstanding features on the Grizzly however... The rip fence and miter is super and works great... resawing is a breeze even at a max height of 6".. My saw arrived in perfect condition, easy to assemble and setup... Was up and running in less then an hour.. comes with a crappy blade installed but good enough for setup and general sawing I spose... No wheel brush but has a large 4" dust port.. All and all for the price and quality of the saw is super. Sorry Grizzly, you'll have to settle for Silver on this one as I have to place my JET in the Gold.... If only I hadn't compared this saw I wouldn't have known better.. - Grizzly - Riser - Woodworking - Bandsaw'

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Highly Recommended

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We've owned 4 of these. They're the most comfortable float out of a half dozen different kinds we've tried. But, here's the problem. The seat is a wafer thin water permeable material that disintegrated after just two seasons in our chlorinated pool. If you use chlorine, and don't mind replacing the float after one or two seasons, I highly recommend it. We've switched our pool sanitation to a Clearwater ionizer which doesn't harm anything except algae and bacteria so we're counting on getting many years out of our Kelsyus floats, but chlorine really does a job on them. Kelsyus Floating Lounger

I ordered two Kelsyus floating loungers. It doesn't take long to blow one up, but it would be nice if an air pump could be used instead of your lungs. One has kept the air in for weeks; the other must have had a leak. I went on line to arrange for an exchange, and I received the replacement before I even had returned the one with the leak (at no cost for postage). The new one is fine. We like the design because most of your body is in the water and stays cool. You can keep your legs and feet in the water or on the lounger. It is very comfortable for me to lay back on but less so for my husband who is 6'4" tall. We like that it has a covering over the plastic so that you don't stick to it and it doesn't get too hot. For the price, we recommend this lounger. I plan to spend many hours on it in our pool this summer:-)

After going thru many pool floats that were either uncomfortable or flimsy, this is the one that everybody fights over to get to use. So we now own 3 of them! I've taken many naps on this one while floating in the pool. It allows you to sun, but also keep part of you in the water to stay cool. The best part is, at end of season, it folds up into a flat saucer with a nice storage bag and takes up no space in storage.

I purchased 4 of these type floats last year and 2 sprang leaks after use in the lake throughout this summer. I sent email to Swimways (Kelsyus manufacturer) to ask for fix and they sent me 2 new replacements within the same week I sent email! The floats are comfortable and are highlights of time spent out on lake. So, to experience this kind of customer service and overall quickness in response was rare to experience these days. I'd highly recommend.

I bought this to try out. I learned on my last resort trip these are great at the pool to just relax in large open pools. I am 300lbs and about 6 feet and it works for me. The limit it says is 250 but it fit me fine. Mind you the cup holer sank in a bit but it holds well. It's also so easy to blow up. Only the bag part and foot rest need inflation. There is a metal wiring that holds it all together. Also it has a nice carrying back that flattens out for travel. I highly recommend this for anyone going to a resort with a pool or lazy river. I'm going to buy another one for my g/f so we both have one

I received my Kelsyus lounger very promptly and was very happy with the quality and comfort. I have been buying cheap floats for a few years and was tired of their lack durability/comfort and was prepared to spend more than what the Kelsyus cost. After reading some of the reviews I decided to give it a try. It feels sturdy, and is very comfortable and ideal for floating around the pool with a drink and book in hand. If there were any negatives it would be that my husband is 6'2 and the headrest does not offer the support that it does for me, but then it is my float so he's happy that I'm happy!

My wife really enjoys this float, however it's not ideal for sunning while in the pool since it can only be used sitting up. For me, being a big guy, it's not an ideal float. At 6'+ it's difficult to sit in, and the cup holder is virtually useless since my size pushes the middle well under water. The most disappointing thing was that after purchase, and waiting for delivery I found the exact same floats at Target for a few bucks less, and with out the wait. The nylon casing isn't very durable, but the bladders inside seem to hold up well. All in all, not a bad product, but not as unique or cheap as they make it seem on the Amazon site.'

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Ridgid Jointer Blades

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I ordered the Freud C400 6-1/8-by-11/16-by-1/8-Inch Jointer Knives as a replacement for my 1950s era Craftsman Jointer. They arrived promptly and in excellent condition.

I had a little difficulty in installing them due to the fact that they were actually 6-3/16 inches long instead of the advertised 6-1/8. Other dimensions were accurate. I was able to install them and they are performing satisfactorily, however the extra length does not allow any freedom in installation which will shorten their life by not allowing me to shift position slightly when the inevitable nicks occur.

I will try another manufacturer next time with the hope that they will be closer to the advertised dimensions. Freud C400 6-1/8-by-11/16-by-1/8-Inch Jointer Knives, 3-Pack

Bought these knive to replace the ones in my ridgid jointer! right out of the box they had a curl on them and needed to be honed! Should have sent them back but I needed them immediately. After only an hour or so of use they are completely curled over and so dull they chatter the wood. Very dissapointed in the product, spend the money and get a good set if you plan on using them at all!

Needed replacements for my ridgid jointer. These look identical and are exactly the same dementions. They are razor sharp and mount in there perfectly. Have not had a chance to try them yet but I have Freud blades in my table saw and router and they hold up great so I would expect the same from these. I have learned not to be too hard on jointer blades. Don't cut deeper than you have to and check your blades often. I didn't bother to check them till I was getting bad cuts and was amazed at how badly I had worn them down.

A friend of mine brought over a Sears 6 1/8 jointer he found in the garbage. It was covered in rust and the motor was missing. I decided to rebuild it at almost the cost of a new one. Sears wanted $36.99 for the blades plus shipping and tax. I decided to take a chance on these blades for $17.11 from Amazon. The blades are a perfect match to the old blades. If you have a Sears 6 1/8 Jointer Model#113206931, these blades will fit, but always measure the size of the old blades to be sure. Since Sears made several different models of jointers.

I restored an old Craftsman 6" jointer I inherited from a friend of the family and I was surprised to find the exact replacement knives from Freud. This jointer is an early 1950's model and with the new knives leaves as good a finish as I good possibly want. Excellent product as are all of the Freud products I have.

I used these on my Ridgid JP0610 Jointer and they are at least as good as the blades that came with the unit. They already have little nicks in them, which is about what the stock blades did too. For the price they are very reasonable. If you want basically the same blades that came with your Ridgid, these work fine. They are not an upgrade, but may very well be the most cost effective solution. I bought a couple sets to make sure I don't run out again. As always they were shipped promptly and arrived on time and un damaged.'

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Office 2007 - excel, greedy

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I've had an opportunity to use Office 2010 Beta edition for a couple of months now and now that I see the full, final, edition I can say that this is a very worthwhile upgrade, except or Publisher. First things first, I am not a techie. I am someone who uses Word, Excel and PowerPoint on a very regular basis, who really liked some of the changes in Office 2007 but who thought some things needed tweaking, so when given the opportunity for the beta edition I jumped on it and have not been disappointed. Office 2010 is to Office 2007 what Windows 7 was to Vista; that is, there are not many breakthrough, drastically different features, but a whole lot of polishing and cleanup to make it easier and more efficient. Overall, the program seems to run faster, incorporates many of the most commonly used options and makes them more accessible (eliminating many dialog boxes and tabs) and allows for more customization.



At first glance it looks very much like its predecessor, the ribbon is back and it is now also found on OneNote. There are plenty of sites that will give you a play-by-play on all the features available in this new version, so I'm just going to mention some of the biggest improvements that I've seen.



Improvements:

1) The biggest change is the addition of the web apps. It may not be a true direct competitor to google docs, but it allows for easier sharing of documents, as well as making your documents more accessible.

2) The ribbon is back and it now includes the "File" option and a new feature called "Backstage view." Backstage view incorporates the most commonly used actions in one place (yay! no more dialog boxes with tabs). You get the usual open, save and print, but you also get several templates for new documents, print layouts and ways to share your work, all without dialog boxes and tabs, everything is much more easily accessible.

3) Another new feature is that the ribbon is now customizable so you can organize it according to your needs.

4) There is a Paste Preview which lets you switch between paste options so you can make sure that your work will be formatted correctly.



Negatives:

1) Publisher doesn't add enough to make paying for the Professional version worthwhile. There is certainly some eye-candy, but the most useful tools are missing.



Changes in PowerPoint.

You can now edit video directly on PowerPoint. You can trim a video, add effects, fades and even triggers for animations for the presentation. Another new feature is that you can add effects and edit images without the need for third party software.



Changes in Word.

One nifty new feature in Word is called "Navigation pane," which replaces the old document map. It incorporates minor changes in design that make big changes in productivity and ease of use. It allows you to quickly rearrange the document. Take for example a document with several headings/sections. The Navigation pane provides a list of all the headings. The headings are live, so you can drag them up or down, thus rearranging the document. It also incorporates most of the functions that used to be available in the "Find" dialog box but now they are all visible so you don't have to go digging through several menus to find the option that you need.



Changes in Excel.

Most of the changes in Excel deal with very large datasets. There is a new PowerPivot add-in which works great if you are dealing with a very large dataset that does not fit in one Excel spreadsheet. PowerPivot pulls the data from multiple sources (several Excel spreadsheets for instance) to analyze it.



Changes in Outlook.

There is a ribbon, and this makes for a huge improvement. You can turn long email threads into conversations so you can find information from a specific participant without having to read entire threads. You can also filter out or ignore entire threads on a particular subject, including future emails. Be careful though, you can unknowingly eliminate important future emails because they have the same subject title as a conversation you ignored in the past.



Changes in Publisher.

The least improved program. There are some new templates and the ribbon makes you see every tool easily; however, some of the best image tools from the rest of Office are missing. There are not as many picture styles as there are in Word or PowerPoint; it doesn't have an artistic effects tool (such as color saturation or tone controls) and it doesn't have the Remove Background tool.



Summary:

Overall, except for Publisher, this is one well planned and executed upgrade that essentially takes all the promises of Office 2007 and makes them a reality. Yes, some things are different, and it will take some getting used to; but, once you realize the improvement in efficiency you'll agree that the changes are mostly for the positive. Unless you REALLY use Publisher a lot, you're probably better off with the Home and Business version. Microsoft Office Professional 2010 - 1 User/2 PC (Disc Version)

This version offers some great improvements over Office 2007: Customizable ribbons and the File tab instead of the MS Button (which confused everyone), combined with improved graphics and font options are fantastic!! Office 2010 combines the best of older versions (2003, etc.) with the best of 2007. It would be a real winner except . . . .



Microsoft's decision to throw loyal customers under the bus in favor of "simplified pricing" means upgrade costs are prohibitive! Don't be duped into buying the "activation key" card, thinking of it as an upgrade path. The "Activation Key" version can ONLY be installed on one computer - Ever!! It cannot be transferred if you upgrade or change primary work systems - Doesn't even sound like it be reinstalled if you have to reinstall the OS for some reason. Given increasing competition from online apps and a tight economy -- I hope Microsoft seriously reconsiders its pricing!



Bottom Line: 10% improvement - 100% cost = Poor ROI for repeat customers!! There is a reason that 80% of all computers still run Windows XP - Microsoft is not creating products that people/businesses feel are worth the investment! Businesses have traditionally found that repeat customers save $$$ in advertising and support versus finding/creating/informing new customers that it is worth rewarding existing customers. Apparently Microsoft believes that it can balance it's loss of market share by refusing to reward repeat customers -- and to claim it is "simplified pricing" is simply lame! - Microsoft Office - Greedy - Excel - Office 2007'

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Lcd Tv Wall Mount - articulating wall mount, lcd wall mount

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I was planning to make my own TV mount because all the affordable ones were so cheaply made. That was until I stumbled on this one for $25.



Wow, was I surprised when it arrived! Very nicely double-boxed and packaged extremely well. Then the construction is quality all the way, right down to the chrome-plated nuts, screws and bushings. This mount was manufactured and boxed as if it were a high-dollar item.



It only took about 15 minutes to have my 37" LG firmly hanging on the wall. Oh, and I did it all by myself.



I can't comment on the mount-to-TV screws because my LG already provided them. And I did use my own 5/16" flat washers on 2 of the lag screws since none were included, but that's just my preference.



I highly recommend this mount, I would have been happy to pay double for such quality.



Now, as usual, many of the reviews here are misleading:



*Dismiss all reviews that talk about adjacent studs, or difficulties getting screws to grab at an angle. This thing BOLTS TO A SINGLE WALL STUD VERY EASILY! Just like what's shown on the instruction sheet, you simply screw 3 of the lag screws down the center of the mount. That's all that's needed, the other holes are just a bonus for more complicated setups. DO NOT PUT 6 OR 7 LAGS INTO A STUD! You will probably shred or weaken it. Crash goes your TV while ripping a chunk of 2x4 through your drywall.



*Dismiss the reviews that mention short lag screws. They are 2", that's a depth of almost 1 1/2" into the stud after going through 1/2" drywall and the mount. If you drilled roughly 3/16" to 1/4" diameter pilot holes and didn't over-tighten your lags, it should be fine. I've mounted mine twice now, using the same (provided) lags.



*I have no idea where this review came from that complains about an adjustment knob getting in the way. My mount doesn't have any kind of knob on it whatsoever, perhaps they are commenting on a different model. There's a tilt adjustment, but it uses a wrench and doesn't protrude anywhere. The ONLY BAD PART I'VE FOUND is that cheap stamped sheet-metal wrench to tighten the tilt mechanism. No problem, I just used my own 13mm wrench instead.



*Yes, the mount can be somewhat stiff. Like another reviewer stated, just lubricate it. I used a few drops of 3-In-1 Oil in the joints.



*And bad reviews from people who didn't research or check to see if their TV or monitor is VESA compliant. That also includes the ones who didn't check to see if the mounting plate will block off their inputs. The plate is about 8 1/2" square, it shouldn't be that hard to see if you'll have a conflict. Besides, in the description it says, "Please make sure what mount your TV needs before you place order. If you are not sure, please send us a message. We will check for you." So they are giving a nice product bad reviews because they simply didn't read the description.



*Then all the complaints of trying to hold the TV to the mount while installing the screws. If you look at the pictures on Amazon you'll see the center screw hole is a "keyhole".



1. Hold the mount to the wall and mark the 3 hole locations on the wall. On the center keyhole you want to only mark the narrow slot at the top.



2. Drill (3) 3/16" holes.



3. Install center screw into the stud, but leave a small gap between the head and the drywall, you can even use the mount to test whether the slot in the "keyhole" passes behind the head.



4. Lay your TV face-down on a safe place like a mattress or a table with a comforter over it. Place the mount over the back of the TV and install screws.



5. Position the mount so the wall mounting plate is reasonably close to the TV and as close to center as possible, and simply hang it on the wall to the center lag screw through the keyhole. That should help with the weight while you screw the top lag in, then the bottom. Don't tighten anything completely until all 3 screws are in, then make sure it's level or plumb.







That's it. This is an inexpensive, very well built product that solves a simple problem. I'll be ordering more for my PC monitors and future customers ASAP. VideoSecu Articulating TV Wall Mount for 22-37" VESA 200 100 LED LCD TV Monitor Full Motion Bracket Free 6" 3-Axis Magnetic Bubble Level and Free HDMI Cable 3V7

This wall mount is great. It is constructed very well and was easy to install. It looks clean and discreet on the wall and provides virtually 180 degree swivel for my 32 inch TV. It came with all needed hardware to mount to the wall including heavy duty wall anchors for the wall screws that did not hit a wall stud. The only complication was that I had to get the correct bolts for mounting the TV to the mount itself (the product did come with two different size bolts for this purpose but neither was the right size to mount the TV to the bracket). I found the correct bolts very easily at my local hardware store.



After hanging the TV (32 inch BestBuy Insignia - Approx 30 lb. with mounting holes 200 X 200) I am very confident my TV is secure and safe. In addition, the product is very well priced. Local stores wanted $100-$150 for similar mounts. WOW!

This mount is perfect for my 37" Vizio (VO370M).



- Very sturdy and easy to adjust

- Fit my TV perfectly without need to rebore holes in the bracked

- Took about 45 minutes from opening the box to surfing the channels

- Why would anyone pay hundreds for another mount?



Keys to Installing:

> Get new hardware - the bolts are too short to get a good grib of a wall stud through drywall and longer bolts make for a more secure connection to the TV

> Get help - very easy to install with 2 people, might be tough attaching the TV to the mount on the wall by yourself

> Don't over tighten - make sure all bolts and connections are secure, but leave a slight amount of play for final adjustments and leveling. Also, the hinges work best when tightened about 85%, this means the mount folds and extends easily but doesn't sway or rock too much.

> Manage cables - I used zip-ties to secure the cables to the arm for a clean look. Make sure to leave enough slack for the arm to bend and extend. - Lcd Wall Mount - Lcd Tv Wall Mount - Wall Mount - Articulating Wall Mount'

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Hooded Towels

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My first complaint with these towels from 3 sprouts is that it IS NOT organic!!! The tag reads that the outside "liner" (which is an annoying feature of it's composition) is the organic part. The towel is a regular towel. The second complaint is that it's TINY (too small for my 6 month old) and the third complaint is that the "liner" on the outside is sewn in a way that it's only bound to the edges of the towel part - so it's all loose everywhere, making it impossible to use it to towel off! The pictures look cute, but it's not useful, and it's not organic.

They should have sewn the materials together, and they shouldn't advertise this as organic. Poor product, waste of money. 3 Sprouts Chico the Chicken Organic Hooded Towel, Cream

We received this as a gift and although we have at least 5 other hooded towels (...they were a popular gift...) we ALWAYS use this one! It's got two layers - a towel layer and an outside layer that is a cotton sweatshirt type of material. The reason we love it so much is that, with that second layer, it's the thickest and warmest of our towels and once the baby is wet, you want to warm them up as soon as possible. It easily still fits our 15 pound baby and I envision using it for quite some time.

These hooded animal towels are so soft and cute. This chicken is my personal favorite, but I purchased several other characters and love them all. The are soft, wash well, and warm up a dipping wet baby in no time.

It was a cute addition to the Easter basket I got from Pottery Barn Kids for my friend who is expecting her second baby. However, I was hoping it was a bit softer and a little thicker. Size is generous and the chicken was definitely super cute.

Got this as a gift for a friend that had a baby (actually bought multiples of these of different animals). The parents that receive this love it. Kids don't grow out of it that quickly so that's always a plus. Great buy. Product arrived on time

I bought this towel as a baby shower gift and it was a hit! I have the exact same towel for my 8 month son and thought it would make a great gift. The towel is made with super soft organic cotton. Its much more absorbent than the average baby towel. I use it all the time and its kept its adorable looks after many washings. Great gift and very practical too!

The towel is a good size for kids 4 and under, and the inner side (oatmeal colored) is a nice soft absorbent "terry cloth" type fabric. However, what you can't tell from the picture is that this is a lining -- the back side of the towel is a different kind of fabric, not absorbent at all, and it's bright orange! Nothing wrong with orange in a tiger towel, but I didn't expect that it would be basically a one-sided towel. Not quite what I was looking for. Also, my toddler doesn't care, but the nose looks much more like a pig than a tiger. I've seen the hippo in this same series and would recommend that one instead.

I love the looking and the thick fabric. You will appreciate this thick towel if use in a colder room. However, the hood is too thick and firm, also over weighted. The hood does not cover baby's head naturally, it goes off again and again because of the weight and firm top. I finally give up using this towel. I use a regular hooded towel from Carter's.'

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Porter-cable - drill, 18 volt

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I bought the PC180DK-2 at Lowes about a year ago. Honestly, I was really impressed with this drill. I'm a machine tool technician. I use this cordless drill everyday on the job. It's main duty is removing and reinstalling screws, bolts and any kind of screw fastener. I have to say this the strongest "torquest" drill I've ever used. There were a few times when I forgot to turn the torque down (I was in Drill mode) when this thing just about broke my wrist off. The two batteries hold a charge for a long time and recharging is pretty quick.

The environment I work in can get pretty nasty. These machines use coolants and lubricants. This stuff can get all over my drill especially around the hand grip.

What I found after about 9 months was the rubber material they used in manufacturing the grip was starting to come off from getting wet all the time. This is something that happens on a lot of drills not just the PC180. I just peeled off the rubber pieces that were flapping in the wind and moved on.

If you asked me a month ago if I would buy another PC180DK, the answer would have been an absolute YES. But here it comes; in the last week or so the two batteries will not stay locked on to the drill. I examined the drill to see if something had broken off but it looks fine. I'll be using it and suddenly the battery unlocks itself and in some cases it comes right off the drill and hits the floor. It has gotten to the point where I am duct taping the battery to the drill body. It appears that the spring locks on the batteries are giving it up. The spring tension isn't like it use to be. So in conclusion, this drill would be probably ok around the house but I'm not going to buy another for the type of work I do. Porter-Cable PC180DK-2 18-Volt NiCd Drill/Driver Kit

I purchased this at Lowes a few months back for home/weekend warrior use. It's fantastic, tons of torque. As mentioned by others, the light isn't the most useful because it's blocked the chuck. Although it's handy as a quick flashlight as needed (you can squeeze the trigger just enough to turn on the light but not start the chuck turning). For a weekend warrior, no hesitation. Yeah, you're paying less because it's NiCad instead of Lithium Ion, but if you take care of the batteries (do a full discharge/recharge, unlike lithium ion which is meant to be "topped off" regularly) you should be fine.



It was rated very highly, if not #1 in its category, by consumer reports as I recall.

I'd used this drill on masonry job without problems. Good performance for good price. Would be better if total weight was lower. Good power and torque. Gear box and clutch are decent for this price class. Battery endurance is very good. Best value drill.

I'm really happy with this drill. I only have one quibble: The LED that shows your work area in the dark is partially occluded by the chuck, so there's always a little shadow. Aside from that, it's great.

This drill replaced a 5 yr old 12V drill that recently died. Having the two speeds to choose from is great so I can set the drill and torque appropriately. It's a bit heave than my other drill, so that is why I only gave 4 stars. However, I don't plan on using it over my head for extended periods of time. Used it to install an outside dryer vent cover to brick and the it cut through like butter. Also used it to hang curtain rods. Very pleased with my purchase.

Works as advertised. Nice carrying case, drill seems well crafted. Charger and batteries connect and charge well. Have had the drill only a few days so it is too early to tell how well it will stand up over time.

My old B&D drill /driver batteries gave out and it had served me well for many years. Time for a new drill/driver. I wanted one that would have a better battery life. I reviewed these products on Consumer Reports and the PC unit came recommended. I love having the led light and the unit has worked great and the battery lasts a long time. Not the cheapest unit out there but buying quality pays off in both the long and short term with more productivity and less problems.

I purchased this drill (along with the circular saw, reciprocating saw, and light) in a combo pack at Lowes a couple of years ago ($189). The drill itself is reasonably powerful for not being a hammer drill, so you can expect to enjoy a fair amount of torque for just a drill/driver. I ended up using this drill for an assortment of activities: hanging sheetrock, driving sheetmetal screws into HVAC piping, hanging cabinets, etc. For the time that I was using it, it performed well, but the forward/reverse control ended up wearing down over time, and it didn't take any special shock to break, such that I could no longer use my drill in the forward direction. On the Black and Decker scale of tools they manufacture, this drill would probably go in the middle between their cheap "Black and Decker" products, and their quality brand "DeWalt". As such, the forward/reverse control on this drill took much longer to break than a Black and Decker drill that was being used only casually.



Another note - the batteries seem to charge fairly fast originally, but after a while, they'll take longer to charge - up to a few hours. Also, the price here on Amazon is decent, but not too impressive. If you aim to get a drill, do so shortly before Father's day at Lowes, and you'll likely be able to get this same model for $39, or for the same price, you can get the drill in the set with the circular saw.



Bottom Line - If you work professionally, and are going to be using this drill a lot, don't get it. Upgrade to a Milwaukee, DeWalt, or Makita, or some equally respectable brand, because you'll end up saving money in the long run. A benefit of this kit is the wide assortment of attachments that go with these batteries (sanders, grinders, impact drivers, reciprocating and circular saws, spiral saws, etc.), so if you're looking for a cheap assortment of battery tools, this is a good bet, so long as you don't work any of them too hard. - 18 Volt - Porter-cable - Power Tools - Drill'

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Ghost Towns - ghost towns, west

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Raymond Bial attempts a monumental task- tracing the history of ghost towns in a children's book. He does not succeed. The book is populated with some lovely color photography of a couple of ghost towns in the American west. The text is easy to read, better for children eight and up. Quoting Mark Twain is always a surefire way to endear an author to this reader, and Bial does this on a couple of occasions. According to the book, Twain once wrote of Virginia City, Nevada: "If a man wanted a fight on his hands without any annoying delay, all he had to do was to appear in public in a white shirt or stove-pipe hat, and he would be accomodated." The book fails in its one main objective- a history of ghost towns. Bial uses so many generalities, but few examples, that some kids might feel like they are being talked down to, especially considering the book's bold title. Bial also glosses over the violence of the west, sugar coating Billy the Kid, and the gunfight at the OK Corral. Instead, Bial writes of phantoms roaming the abandoned sites, as if everyone should take the term "ghost town" literally, and murder and mayhem is swept under the rug. No, I do not think your kids need to see crime scene photos, but ignoring the violent past would give children a false sense of what many people went through back then. We do learn life was rough, and death comes quickly, but I found the book to be just as dry and empty as the towns Bial attempts to describe. The photographs are nice, until further reading in the credits indicate that only a couple of places were photographed, ghost towns that are now tourist destinations. The book is under fifty pages, maybe Bial should have concentrated his subject to in-depth profiles of a couple of ghost towns, instead of jumping from the Gold Rush of 1849 to George Custer to Wild Bill Hickok, without any chance to put these historical events and figures in context. Women and children are mentioned, but kids may have been able to associate more with the book if children's lives in these towns one hundred years ago had been explored. Bial claims there are tens of thousands of ghost towns spread across all fifty states, yet he only mentions a few in passing. "Ghost Towns of the American West" is a very average children's book. Kids interested in history or cowboys might be better off finding another source. Raymond Bial tries to put too much in, not realizing he never comes up with enough. Ghost Towns of the American West (Historical and Old West)

"Ghost Towns of the American West" is an introduction to the ghost town experience. Raymond Bial effectively communicates the history and mystique of these testaments to American tenacity. He explains how many of these towns are remnants of the boom and bust economics of the early West. Like Wild Bill Hickock and Calamity Jane, some of the famous Western characters are discussed. The violence of such towns is well documented. Without being melodramatic, the eerie quality of the ghost town is described. As would be expected from a book for young readers, brothels are omitted. It is the illustrations that make this book stand out. The poetic photographs are eye candy. A couple of historical images are shown, but most of the photos portray modern day ghost towns through a nostalgic filter. The verso indicates that most of the shots are from Arizona's Goldfield, Apacheland and Old Tuscon ghost towns. The text is good for readers of at least a fourth grade reading level. While "Ghost Towns" has fifty pages, the text is relatively brief given the large and lush use of photographs. With humor, drama and historical authenticity, Raymond Bail effectively captured the essence of the American ghost town. - Ghost Towns - West - Arizona'

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Small Magnetic Dry Erase Board - dry erase, dryerase

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I ordered 5 of these for my office, and will most likely have 5 of these in the garbage within a few months. First off - these look nice out of the box, with the shelf for markers and have a easy guide for hanging on the wall. However, all 5 of the board we recieved where crooked, like they were put together incorrectly. When one side of the board was touching the wall, the other would stick about an inch out. I figured that with some velcro I could easily fix the issue.



However, the biggest issue arose when trying to use the board for writing on - multiple times. I will also preface this comment by saying that I used brand new expo dry erase markers and expo dry erase board cleaner. After one use with a standard blue color, I simply could not remove the marker. I tried the standard dry erase board eraser and it just smeared the writing across the board, staining it. When I tried to remove it with cleaner - nothing happened. I now have a once-used, very blue board, with no way of cleaning it. I have included pictures with this review as well to support this.



I would not recommend these at all as they are a very poor product Dry-Erase Board, Melamine, 36 x 24, White, Satin-Finished Aluminum Frame

Ordered this board on Tuesday and got it on Thursday. The board was well packaged and I didn't notice any damage to either the board or the package. My only problem with the board is that the plastic border around it is a bit flimsy (but then again it's a $20 board so I won't argue).



And you also have to be careful how you place, because initially while reorganizing my room I threw it on top of a book on a floor overnight and the board look warped the next day. Not a problem though - I fastened the board flat with packaging tape to the wall, where it now sits perfectly.



I used Expo low odor markers to write on it and didn't have problems at all with erasing. I sometimes leave notes on the board for up to a week and after erasing with the eraser (without using any cleaner fluid)- I don't see any residue.



Overall, great board, great price. Think I'm going to order another one, but slightly larger for office use.

I teach private classes for screenwriters and television writers ([...]) and I needed a quality board that all of the students would be able to see, but I wanted it to be lightweight in case I need to transport it for seminars and other events that I sometimes get invited to.



What I really like about the board is I have kept lessons up on it for over a week at a time, and erasing the board after this is not an issue. It's a good board with enough size for a room full of people to read it but not so big that it dominates an entire wall. It hangs very easily - I just have it up on screws that I drilled into the wall, and that is because it is a nice light weight.



All in all, I am very pleased with this purchase, at a good price point as well. - White Board - Dry Erase - Dryerase - Whiteboard'

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Automatic Battery Charger

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First, let me say that this charger performs flawlessly and deserves five stars when it is in charging mode. I have used it for three years and hundreds of successful charging cycles on a dozen different batteries of various sizes and types.



However, on two different occasions and with two different batteries (both brand new when hooked to the charger) I left them in "trickle charge" mode. The batteries were part of an emergency communications station that must to be ready at any time with full batteries. This charger burned up both batteries after three months of trickle charging. This mode is supposed to allow a battery to be hooked up indefinitely and maintain it at peak performance. Not destroy it. Other folks in the emergency communications service use other chargers and leave them in trickle mode for years. DO NOT use this charger for that kind of operation. Schumacher SSC-1000A SpeedCharge Battery Charger/Maintainer with 50-Amp Battery Clips

Battery chargers and I have never gotten along. I actually once sold, what turned out to be, a perfectly good old snow plow truck because I thought something serious was wrong with the engine. The charger showed the battery was good, so I figured it had to be the engine and it was too old and rusty to put more money into it. The guy came to pick it up, gave me $200...stuck a new battery in it, and drove it away. It was a bad charger not a bad battery.



Recently, using what I thought was a more reliable charger, I couldn't get my batteries to fully charge. Rather than blaming the batteries this time, I purchased the Schumacher. I read good things about the brand on the web and took the plunge. I couldn't be happier. This is a hi-tech charger with all the bells and whistles. It is "stupid proof" as well, and lets you know what is going on as it charges. I love it! I am now able to fully charge all my batteries, and the other charger went into the trash. I highly recommend this automatic speed charger.

Build Quality:

* Great build quality. Has the look and feel of a well engineered product, not some cheap stuff.

* I smiled when I lifted it first as it wasn't feather light and appeared to have decent enough weight to it - an indication of a decent power supply.

* This one seems to be rated for marine use and hence should be more resistant to corrosion.

* The connector cables are thick enough and the clamps have enough spring action/grip to them to securely lock on a battery terminal.



Design:

* Very user friendly with direct 1 touch access to most features.

* I liked the case design. Has a neat little pocket to store the power chord and the connecting cables. The chord and the cables do need to be tightly rolled up first before they can fit in the pocket.

* It's got a neat little handle that you can use to hang it up on the wall. Neat design if battery charging is something that you do more frequently and want to have the unit easily accessible, ready to use but out of the way off the floor.



Features:

Well, I haven't used it extensively enough (Used only twice since I got it a month back), but here are some features that were used (and so experienced) when I used the charger:

* Shows level of charge on a battery - both in percentage as well as volts. Big readout makes it easy to read all the numbers.

* Has user selectable 2/6/10 amp charging options - good for most batteries. Would have liked a 1 amp option as well (for smaller motorcycle batteries), but then that's a different product from Schumacher. The 2 amp option, though slightly higher than recommended, worked great for the motorcycle battery though. So this unit really allows charging a wide range of batteries- for motorcycles, cars, boats. Nice to have just one charger around rather then 1 for each type of vehicle/battery.

* The electronics worked just as mentioned. Once I selected the primary amp setting, everything else was handled automatically by the charger electronics. It switched to a trickle mode charge automatically once the battery was completely charged. Neat feature, keeps your batteries from being damaged by overcharging.

* Has a desulfation mode that desulfates a battery. Of the two instances when I used this charger, it kicked into this mode on my car battery which was completely drained and was left in the completely discharged state for quite some time that resulted in sulfation in the battery. This charger automatically detected this state of the battery and desulfated it first and then automatically switched to charging mode once the battery was desulfated and accepted charge. (I will be honest with you - I don't really know the chemistry and process behind this, but I have read that sulfation can render a battery useless)

* Has a cooling fan to keep the charger cool. Not exactly whisper quiet, but not something that's louder than expected (YMMV) for the application.



Reliability:

Have only owned it for a month and used it twice, so can't really comment on long term reliability. But it has worked perfectly on the two instances I had to use it including it's "automatic" features. So, for the price (I got it when it was about 50% of MSRP at Amazon), it's one awesome, feature-rich charger.

Bought the Schumacher SSC-1000A for a "weekender" automobile that spends most the time in the garage. As obligations build up, sometimes too much time goes by between start-ups and significant drives to recharge the battery. The last time, the battery completely died... not even a dim glow of the dome light, nothing, zilch, nada. Sometimes the jumpstart devices don't have enough power to crank a very low battery, so I was looking for another type of solution. The SSC-1000A works great. It's a plug-in machine, feeding off electricity from a household outlet. It's compact and lightweight, about the size of a box of chocolates. Connect the SSC-1000A to the positive battery terminal and the ground post (on the vehicle), plug the SSC-1000A into the power outlet, and the charging process begins automatically. Walk away, and in a couple of hours you have a charged battery! There is a display that can alternate between voltage and % of battery power, as well as a selector for charging rates of 2A (slowest charge), 6A, or 10A (fastest charge.) My 0% battery was resurrected to 100% in about two hours using 6A and 10A. There is another selector to choose between regular, deep-cycle, and AGM gel cell batteries.



The Schumacher SSC-1000A works exactly as I thought and hoped it would. I am most satisfied with the purchase and highly recommend the SSC-1000A to others who might be looking for a similar solution.'

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Multi-tool - multi-max, fein

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I didn't even know this tools existed until I saw the infomercial on TV. I install interior carpentry for a living and really sat up on the couch when I saw how easily it cuts existing baseboard and door casing without tearing up the wall or beating it up with a chisel. However, I couldn't justify the obscenely high price of the Fein for a tool I thought I would rarely use, so I bought a cheap knock off version just to test it's versatility. In the one week that I had the El Cheapo before it quit, I used it to cleanly cut fascia board, T&G flooring, T-111 siding, and casing. It seemed like every time I turned around I found a new use for it. OK, now I was convinced I couldn't live without one, time to upgrade. After checking the reviews and actually handling the competitions versions at HD and Lowes, I decided to go for it get the Fein. Hands down this tool looks and feels way better than anything else I checked out. The quick blade change feature on the Fein helps justify the price, as my other tool required frequent stopping and tightening with an allen wrench. So far it has performed smoothly and competently. On the other hand I was really shocked at how cheap and flimsy the case is. What where they thinking when they designed that thing? For a couple bucks they could have designed a case more worthy of the tool. I'm used to the rugged Dewalt cases you get everytime you buy one of their tools. The price of the Fein replacement blades is also off the scale. I suggest you try Versa-Tool brand which are a good quality blade at 1/3 the price. Overall, I am pleased with the tool itself, and know from past expierence that the sting of the high price will fade over time if the tool holds up as expected. Fein FMM 250Q Select Plus MultiMaster Oscillating Detail Sander Tool Kit

This tool is the best thing since sliced bread there are so many things you can do with it, to start get over the sticker shock, if you get one and figure out how to use it you will love all the things i will do from drywall cutting to grout line cleanup for tile removal the cost is spendy for the different attachments but well worth the money if you work with your hands at all you will LOVE THIS TOOL! Thanks for making my job easier! With fein MultiMaster your next project just got easier too....

I was not sure if this tool was worth the money.It is not a cheap tool but I do like quality tooling otherwise I would not have bought it.

An absolutely perfect tool for sanding tight areas and most of all making unusual cuts that you would normally chisle out. If you spray foam a window and have the expansion rate surprise u and expand to much. This tool is perfect to trim the stuff off while not damaging the wood under it. I would recommend it to a friend.

My only complaint is the cost of the saw blades, when u break a blade and tell the customer what the new blade costs , they think u r robbing them.

Brian - Flush Cut - Multi-max - Fein - Fein Multimaster'

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staple removers - staple removers

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I needed a useful stapler remover for my classroom. Boy do I use staples on my walls (the newer schools all have walls you can staple into yet remove later and it still looks the same....no marks). The problem is to nicely remove them. This product works just as stated. Why spend more when this does it all? Pencil Grip The Classics Staple Remover (Long Handle), Assorted Colors (TPG-138) - Staple Removers'

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Backpacking - preschool, backpacking

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This backpack is so cute I can hardly stand it. But be warned that it is definitely a backpack made for toddlers, not really for school-age children. I use it mainly to cart around my 2 year-old son's toys and books in my car in case I need to keep him entertained somewhere but there is not a whole lot of room in the backpack. Skip Hop Zoo Pack Little Kid Backpack, Owl

This bag is super cute and seems well-made but it is small... I bought it for preschool for my 4-year old but I would say it's more appropriate for a toddler sleepover bag or something along those lines. It is much too short to fit a folder and you'd have to fold up a piece of paper or art project to fit it inside. He loves it so I think I'll keep it but I might have to buy a different one for preschool. If I had bought it as a toddler carryabout bag I would have given it 5 stars for that purpose!

The backpack itself is adorable. I got it for my daughter who is in Kindergarten and she loves it. The only problem, and it is a significant one, is that it's not big enough to hold a single standard 8.5"x11" size folder. Which is quite disappointing for both of us. She really wants to wear it to school, but can't because her homework folder won't fit. If they would have made it just a couple of inches larger, the folder would fit perfectly and it would probably be the best backpack ever. That couple of inches difference makes it unusable for us.



If you don't need to fit anything in there that's as large as an unfolded sheet of standard size paper in there, I would recommend this backpack.

The size is just right for my two year old. Don't fill it too full or they may topple over! It fits a lot. We took it on a road trip and filled it up with DVDs and CDs and books. It worked perfectly and was cute to boot!

I love this cute little back pack. My son is 1 and we use it to carry his daily supplies back and forth to daycare and as a substitute diaper bag. He likes the bright colors and he knows it's his bag. We get lots of compliments on it where ever we go. It's the perfect size for a toddler and the straps are adjustable. It's sturdy and well made, and though it's on the small side, it holds just the right amount of stuff, (which for us is a lot since I'm an over-packer anyway). The name-tag inside didn't bleed and run when I wrote my son's name on it like most fabric tags do. The front pocket is great for the things you need more frequently like kleenux, and small toys, and it has a loop you can hook your keys onto. The side pouch is the perfect fit for a sippy cup. I so glad I got this; I just ordered the matching lunchbox and if I'm half as happy with it as I am with this backpack I'll be really pleased.



Two weeks after I posted this review, and after barely 2 months of use, the zipper for the main compartment broke. I was heartbroken. I searched everywhere for the receipt so I could call for a possible replacement, but no luck. I spent an hour trying to repair it, which to my amazement, I eventually did, but now I feel that it's fragile and I'm waiting for it to break again. So I wanted to add this warming. Do not over-pack and stretch the zipper, it's only plastic and will stretch and bend. Keep an eye on the teeth as you can see them separating and that is your warning of impending breakage.



I know this is made for little kids, but if I was the maker of this product I think that I would use a metal zipper for the main compartment as they are stronger and can take a lot more abuse than a plastic one.



I still love and would recommend this product, I'd just be a little more careful with it.



It's now been 9 months since I repaired the zipper and I haven't had a single problem with it since then. And, we LOVE the lunch box just as much as the backpack.

Skip Hop and Amazon are both very specific re: the uses and dimensions of this backpack. At less than 12x 12 in and 4 inches deep, I don't know how you would expect it to work for school. People probably saw how cute it is and just figured it would magically work for that purpose just because they wanted it to. Isn't that enough? Why should they have to let the facts get in the way? That being said, at just under $20 the price is a little high for what it is able to be used for.



See the information below:



From Skip Hop:

Dog Zoo Pack

Guardian's Guide:



* Ages: 3 and up.

* Warranty: Lifetime Warranty for the Original Owner



Ideal for:



* Who: Kids ages 2 and up.

* What: Toting toys and snacks.

* Where: The playground, around town, and at the airport.





From Amazon:



Product Details

Color: Dog



* Product Dimensions: 10 x 4 x 11.5 inches ; 1 pounds

I bought the dog backpack for my two year old son. He's about 35" tall and it's still slightly big for him, but at least it will last him a while. It's absolutely adorable and it's perfect for short trips. It holds a few diapers, some wipes, a toy and a snack with no problem. One of my favorite features is the cupholder on the side for sippy cups. I was initially a little worried about the material because it is so light in color. I figured it would be filthy in no time, but to my surprise, it wipes clean very easily. I looked at a lot of toddler backpacks before I bought this one and I'm happy with my purchase.

This little backpack is perfect toddler size, and gender neutral -- a big plus for us! The owl is just as cute in real life as in the photos, and the fabrication is excellent. Feels durable and well made, which is a must for rough-playing kids. I especially love the metallic leaf zipper pulls: such a nice touch. The side pocket has a toggle to secure a water bottle or sippy. We love this backpack!

After receiving this backpack I realized that the red areas and polkadots are actually a very bright pink! It is not the same color in the picture, but the quality is good. I will return for a different style/color that my son can use too. - Backpacking - Kids Backpacks - Skip Hop - Preschool'

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