Component Receivers - home theater system, onkyo

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Bought this Friday afternoon and it was at my doorstep Saturday morning. Less than 24 hours. Fantastic. Got a great price ($299) and signed up for the free trial of Amazon Prime, which gave me next day shipping for $3. Setup was fairly simple. I used my own speaker wire that I had already ran from my previous surround sound. The on-screen setup when using HDMI input/output is fantastic. Had it all hooked up in about 20 minutes and had the sound quality perfect after another 15 messing around in the settings. I've watched a Blu-Ray movie and a baseball game already and so far I am very impressed. The lows and mids were dead on but I had to tinker with the highs a bit before I got it where I wanted it. I imagine room size and viewing distance all plays a part.



My only con would be the "keyhole" on the back of the speakers that is used for mounting. I would have preferred a threaded hole or a latch rather than just using a screw through a keyhole mounted on the wall.



That all said, I recommend this Home Theater to anyone looking for a quality entry level system for a small to medium sized room. I also think the receiver alone is worth $299. Tons of inputs and plenty of settings to please even the pickiest audiofile. Onkyo HT-S3400 5.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver/Speaker Package

Everything seems great so far. I have some pretty decent monitor speakers hooked up instead of the fronts, so I cant comment on the entire system. That said, the receiver has every option I could ever need. You can't find a receiver for 300$ that is better, or has more options than this one, so with the speakers and sub included it seems like a great deal. Took 10-15 minutes to set up. Easy on screen menu and set-up options. I had a Denon AVR-391 that I just returned to Best Buy, and this Onkyo Receiver has an extra optical audio input, and the audio actually passes through the hdmi cables where the Denon didnt. Absolutely no complaints after watching a couple TV shows and listening to different types of music, everything sounds really good for the price.

This is the upgraded version of Onkyo Ht-S3300, you can read reviews on that product, it is basically the same except 3400 has an extra HDMI input. As long as you buy this product realizing you are buying a budget entry into home theater audio you will be extremely pleased. While the manual is confusing crap, set up doesnt even require the manual. Just hook up the wires into the appropriate colors, and then hook up your devices. Remember, this receiver does not convert a A/V response to HDMI, so if its HDMI in, it is HDMI out, and if it is Composite in, then composite out.



Also take note that the sub woofer is passive, and the receiver is more passive speaker level sub woofer, so if you upgrade in the future, make sure the sub you buy also accepts speaker wire input, and not just RCA.



With those said, this system is great for small rooms. The passive bass produces adequate sound, it has 4 HDMI inputs (which is plenty for my set up: cable, ps3, tv, pc). It handles inputs from each of these very well, and the dynamic Audyssey Equalizer works nicely for these speakers.



As long as you realize you arent buying high quality BOSE speakers, but instead budget entry level home theater in a box, there is no way you will not be 100% pleased with the purchase.

This is my first Onkyo product. I had a mix and match system that was mainly Sony components. It was not HDMI compatible, but it sounded pretty good. At least I thought it did.



I spent several weeks researching home theater systems ranging from $300 up to $500. This system met all of my needs I was wanting. Multiple HDMI inputs, 3D ready, Dolby HD and DTS HD decoders, and at least 100 watts per channel. This system actually has 110 watts for a total of 660 watts. I looked at Sony, JVC, Phillips, and even another Onkyo system. All of them had great features, but this one had all the right features for the best price. Others had also rated this system very highly, and not just on Amazon. There are several 3rd party reviews about this system just after it was released that show it is a very respectable budget home theater system. This system was just rleased by Onkyo in February 2011. Independent reviews are hard to find on new products from professionals, but this product has several. It is even more attractive with the deep discount offered through Amazon.



I received the system in just a few days and immediately set it up. I had existing wiring in place already, so I did not use the included color coded speaker wiring. The included wiring is only 18 guage. I had 16 guage in my ceiling and it fit just fine. I don't recommend using anything bigger than 16 guage as it probably won't fit in the terminals. The speakers are marked on the back to identify their designated location, like Center, Front Right, Rear Right, etc. I don't think it matters mixing right and left, but there is a physical appearance difference between front, rear, and center speakers. After everything was hooked up I set up a radio station to do a sound check. I must say it was pleasantly impressive. I thought my Sony system sounded good. This sounded better.



I tweaked the system setup a bit and the sound got event better and fuller with the subwoofer. The sub is not powered, but it's not the end of the world. The receiver is more than capable of handling the 8" down driver. I attached my home theater PC and tested the Dolby Digital sound abilities. Again, I was impressed with the rich surround sound. It has handled everything I have thrown at it very nicely.



Since the installation I have watched Blu-Ray movies, and the NBA finals games. The HD sound is awesome. When watching the NBA Finals It feels like I am at the game.



If you choose to buy this system, I do not think you will be disappointed. The only drawback I have discovered is the multi system control ability of the remote. It can control the receiver and probably a DVD player, but that's it. It misses out on the Sattelite/Cable systems. Most Cable/Satellite remotes have truoble controlling Audio systems effectively. I will probably invest in a Harmony remote to get rid of the clutter. I didn't fele the remote issue was enough to warrant dropping a star. - Onkyo - Home Theater System - Ht - 600w'

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Wireless Remote Outlet Control - wireless remote control, light switch

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Having purchased similar items from another manufacturer in the past, I was surprised to find that the item ships batteries not included. The range is also noticeably less than that of the competing product that I have purchased- I usually have to click the button two or three times just to switch the lights across the room. Also, the oversized outlet takes up two plug spaces. On the plus side, the product is much cheaper than competitors, considering that you get separate control of three different outlets with one remote. With the competitor's product, you'd have to buy three packages and juggle three remotes, so if you want separate control of multiple outlets from one remote, this is definitely the way to go.



UPDATE 2/8/11 ------------------------------------

This product didn't last very long before it stopped working. I'd recommend other alternatives. There's a reason this product is so cheap relative to the competition. Remote Controlled Switch Socket - 3-Pack

What a wate of money. I mean I kind of knew it wasn't going to be what it should be because of the cost but hey, totally useless? You have to be within 6-8 feet and have the remote pointed perfectly inline at the base units reciever which is almost impossible in any normal usage. Let see...the normal plug outlet is down by the floor and usually has furnature surrounding it. No other remote I have in my house has to be so accurately lined up at such a close distance. Heck, the #2 unit didn't work if you were farther than 2 feet away!! Now what kind of convenience product is that???



I threw mine in the trash and chalked it up as being stupid for buying it.

This product has great set of features, but they are all worthless for me, since the range is the worst of any remotes I've ever used. New battery (not included) gave me about 20 feet and not even reliably, far less than advertised. If it's for just across the room then fine, but they should have advertised the range honestly.

Remote requires nearly direct line of sight to the receiver-outlets. The units and remote feel cheap and clunky. For some reason (perhaps frequency related) only one of the receiver-outlets works at a decent range (+3 ft). I have all three in the same small room, but two of the receiver-outlets I've never used just because you have to walk over to them which negates the need for a remote... The remote usually requires holding down a button for a few seconds and waving it around in the air until my one working receiver gets the signal and turns the lamps on. I've had it for a couple years though and the battery is still good and I still use it for my lamps on the one receiver-outlet that works well (waving the remote around). Its not all bad (especially the price), but I don't feel any price is worth the aggravation of this product. I would not buy this again.

I have owned and used two sets of these switches for over a year. At first I was skeptical about the quality/reliability of the product due to the low price. I didn't get them from Amazon because I found them elsewhere first (with batteries, for $14.95 per set). At first, I was annoyed by having to push the buttons several times to make them work. Sometimes one click worked and other times it took a few tries. Well, when all else fails - read the directions! It says to wait about 5 seconds between button pushes to make them work! Bingo! Occasionally, a switch will misfire and require another push and if you don't wait a bit nothing happens. That's a bit quirky but easy to get used to. Overall, I can't complain about having five remote controlled lights in my living room for $30 and I have one left for a replacement if/when one fails. My entire electrical system is solar powered and since it's tied to the grid (my meter runs backwards when the panels are producing more than I'm using) I can use all the electricity I need. I'm conservative about my lighting and energy use in general and being able to control the lights from my easy chair makes it possible without having to sacrifice convenience or adequate illumination. I have used the more sophisticated remote control system like the BSR X10 and the Radio Shack knock-offs and they work but at $15 to $25 per module they can be quite expensive and take some time to setup. These switches are a no-brainer and well worth the price if you don't pay more than $15 to $25 for a set of three.



P.S. Radio Shack is the most expensive place on the planet to buy replacement batteries from. Shop around and a keep a spare handy so you don't have to pay through the nose when you need it.

Purchased this item from another source, but I have to say that it is THE WORST product I have come across. While it does function, you have to be within a few feet of the receiver for it to work. I bought 2 sets of these, so thinking the first set was bad, I tried the second...same thing.



After wasting my money on these, I had to go out and buy two expensive model 23a 12-volt batteries (NOT INCLUDED) for the remote controls. Upon putting these units into use, I tried to simply turn on the light in my living room, and got nothing. After much troubleshooting, thinking that I had done something wrong, it finally worked... I was standing right next to the light, not more than 3-feet from the outlet. If I moved any further away, I got nothing.



These are great if you stand next to the outlet to turn on the light, but why? It would be just as easy to reach under the lamp shade and turn it on that way... Don't waste you money on this garbage!

I'm disabled and found it distressing to have to painfully get up and down over and over every day to turn lights on or off when no one was around to help me, as well as disconcerting and dangerous to awaken in a dark room and have to feel my way to the nearest lamp or light switch. My husband looked for something like this for me 3 years ago and got these. I've been using them ever since and they've changed my life. I've used that same set ever since and it's worked beautifully since Christmas 2006. Unfortunately I recently dropped the controller into a cup of milk and it stopped working, so I came to Amazon to get a replacement set ASAP. Now that I have them again I decided to come back and get a second set. I need to add at least one more for a small air purifier I want to be able to turn on from either the living room or the bedroom (whenever a neighbor and his 3 teens are home smoking enough cigarettes to make my condo feel like a pub...) and may add my dining room hutch light to the second one. I have also noticed (without knowing why) that my electric bill went down and has remained less than expected month after month for at least a couple years now - after reading reviews from other satisfied users I think I know why, so that's GREAT! We got some for my mother as well last year and I think they were a great help while she was recovering from a broken hip. Both of my sets have had no trouble ever with a range of 3 feet to 30 feet. A note to folks about the battery distress you're having - my husband has had ZERO problem finding this battery at many closeby stores: King Soopers, Wal-Mart, Radio Shack & Home Depot just to name a few. They're easy to find but last a good long time. I don't even remember ever changing the one in my first set of super switches. This item is a God-send and I'll always have a set handy here to help me out dozens of times a day. - Light Switch - Wireless - Wireless Remote Control - Remote Outlet'

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Yoga Accessories - beachbody, blocks

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I am a beginning yoga teacher and bought several of these blocks for my small, non-studio classes. I am a big proponent of using blocks and after 10 years of practice use them regularly - moreso than at the beginning when I somehow thought blocks were a sign of weakness!

These specific blocks are quite good. they feel very firm and sturdy in all flat hand applications. they "give" a little and are left with an imprint if you are on your fingertips or all the weight is on the heel of your hand. the imprint disappears pretty quickly. They aren't spongy at all. 2 Pack 4 inches x 9 inches x 6 inches Black Yoga Blocks - Saver Pack

There's not a whole lot you can say about a couple of blocks. These are well made with a very strong, yet soft material. If you've used blocks in class, then you know the advantage of these blocks. If you haven't, and you have trouble holding certain poses, these blocks are invaluable. These arrived promptly, well packaged. There was absolutely no odor that some have commented on. They have great stability and strength (enough to sit on 1 on it's end) yet they have a nice give when you are using them for you hands on the floor.

I had read a couple of negative reviews saying that these did not support well enough during yoga routines. I am a big guy, (6'5", 300 lbs.) and these blocks supported me completely. There was a little give when I pressed down on them for moves like half moon and twisting half moon, but it was absolutely necessary! If I would have gotten one of the other sets of blocks that are much harder, they would have really hurt my wrists. I now look forward to some of the intense yoga positions that I had not been able to accomplish before because I have begun to acheive them with the help of the blocks.



The sensation that you get when you press down hard on these is the feeling of a stress ball when you squeeze. It is very firm, yet extremely supportive. I also love the different dimensions of the block that allow for varied use in different positions. They are each about the size of a small toaster and I would not be ashamed to bring these along with me to any yoga studio I might visit. It was so convenient that these also came in a two pack that was about the same price as a single block from another company. I don't claim to be a yoga master, but for the average person who is trying to stay fit and healthy, these are fantastic. I use these for my personal stretching and exercise, but I also found that they fit perfectly into the Yoga X routine in P90X. I love these and would recommend them to anyone!

These are very good blocks for the price. That being said, u get what you pay for. I do yoga once or twice a week at home. These blocks are good, however i remember when i used to go to yoga class, they had, i believe, Cork blocks. These are foam. The cork ones seem to support a little better. These sort of have a little "give" to them. Granted, the cork ones i believe are almost double the price. If you are going to use these a lot, I would prob suggest going with the cork. If not, and money is an issue, then these are more than perfectly fine, just not perfectly perfect!

Yes when you open the package, the fumes will nearly knock you out! I put them outside for the night and the next day they were tolerable. That aside, these blocks are firm, but they're soft when you put pressure on them. They're not what I'm used to using at a studio because there is a bit of give to them. Yes they will do the job, but I'd prefer something firmer and closer to experience I have at a studio.

I remember the first time ever doing yoga with the p90x I was extremely frustrated and discouraged because I couldn't keep up with all the exercises, especially towards the end when having to lift one leg up and get into the Half Moon Pose. I couldn't balance myself and found myself tumbling over repeatedly. Thus, I decided to invest in a pair of yoga blocks and I came across these on Amazon. These yoga blocks proved to be really helpful, especially for an inflexible guy that has trouble touching his toes.



As the others have stated, the yoga blocks are a soft rubbery material, but still very firm. It's true that you'll leave your imprints in the blocks, but it's nowhere as soft as something like a memory foam. In moves where I need to reach down or use my hands to support the weight of my body, these blocks have provided very strong support allowing me to keep up with the yoga routine without overexerting myself or feeling frustrated at the end. In addition, you can rotate the blocks any direction to provide varying degrees of support. If you lay it flat on the broadest side, you'll get a minimal 4" support. Lay it sideways and you'll get a 6" support and finally lay it vertically and you'll get a 9" support. So the basic block shape gives great versatility.



Now for the flexible people out there, don't think that you couldn't use yoga blocks too. From the p90x videos, they also have a stretching regimen and a very flexible lady was shown using the yoga blocks as an extension of her leg to get the extra "pull". She was sitting on her bottom with legs outstretched and she placed the yoga blocks against the bottom of her feet so that instead of just touching her toes, she would reach for the edge of the yoga block to get an extra stretch.



These yoga blocks are an excellent addition for any beginner trying to take the next step or for an expert who just needs that extra stretch.

Hi everyone,



I'm about 185lbs and I was literally worried about breaking a wrist (or a neck/face injury) from falling as these squished under my weight enough that I could see them flipping out of position. I think whoever manufactures them doesn't know the importance of the block being firm. It isn't something you'd give a lot of thought to... until you get a soft block and start doing any pose in which you're counting on the block staying firm. Not exactly like the droopy gun in the cartoons, but enough for me to return them and pay for the real deal. Who knew, right? - Yoga Accessories - Exercise - Beachbody - Blocks'

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Stop Watch - stop watch, swimming

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I'm a novice swimmer and hope this will make me get better faster. I've had two 900 yard swims with it so far and will try to follow up with future reviews as I get more accustomed to this device.



Basic facts of note as of 2 swims:

1) It counts 1 pool length as a lap. It got 34 of 36 laps correct, including all of my second swim; I believe this is because I "glided" further after coming off the wall the second session.



2) It works for both "flip" and basic turn-around-and-go-the-other-way turns like I do.



3) It will set up as yard or meters (earlier versions did not).



4) It does NOT download to any type of computer program including the one advertised on the website. You have to manually enter the data.



5) You cannot look at the lap counter while swimming. Not only is the readout a little small, but when you stop your stroke it may cause the computer to think you've changed stroke or done another lap. You could check between laps (while "gliding"), but you would probably have to stop.



6) It figures out the type of stroke automatically, but changing mid-lap will cause it to miss a lap or have invalid data.



7) When you finish a set or a split, you hit the "start" button. Thus, the lap time worked perfectly even if the lap count was off.



8) The pause function is great. It counts your rest, hit start, and your off on your next set. This function was absent from most of the counters I researched, so you had to reset the counter and lose data or count your rest time in your overall time.



In summary, if you mainly want to keep track of laps, go for something more basic. If tracking all the data keeps you motivated (like me) this device seems good so far, but you have to manually transfer the data or use it within the watch itself which is clunky. Swimovate Pool-Mate Swimming Computer Lap Counter Watch Gray

I have had the watch for the last 2 weeks, 5 trainings in total. Considering the cost < 100 bucks, it a great deal. I was looking for something to help me keep my laps count in long workouts (>1000 yds). The watch does the job without complaint. It claims to be precise above 99%, at least is more precise than me.



In addition it provides your average strokes, your speed (avg. seconds to cover 100 yrds) and Efficiency (a combination of both).



The manual is simple, but not really useful when reviewing the log section, to get out just keep pressing the start button.



CONS



The screen for me is quite small, will be waiting for a new model with a larger screen.

I am swimming 10,000-14,000 yards 4 days per week and was very tired of counting laps. I got this watch at the end of October and was a little skeptical but I can tell you it does EXACTLY what it says it will do.



I don't have to count laps anymore, the only button pushing is at the start and end of sets, not laps, it keeps track of total laps, calories, speed, stroke efficiency, total yards, yards per set, strokes per lap, it truly is amazing what the watch does.



There are a couple of little things I wish it did differently which is why I gave it 4 stars rather than 5. I wish it flipped through the data sets differently, I wish there was a light (not for use in the pool), The start stop button could be bigger/centered on the face of the watch, etc... but this is a pretty new product that will improve as the years go by.



If you are a serious swimming pool lap swimmer, In my opinion you shouldn't be swimming without this watch!!!

This watch has worked fine for me regarding the laps count, however 8 months later I'm still trying to understand a lot of its functions. The instructions "book" is very poor so you will have to figure out by yourself how does it work. Another thing is that I bought the pink one, an after the first use in the pool it became yellow, and the worst thing about it is that the yellow color is not the same over the whole strap. It looks now multicolor with some parts bright pink, some other dark pink and the rest of it in different tones of yellows and pinks.

I love having the support for lap counting. It does a great job for the basics. I think it may have under-counted one or two laps on a 2K workout.



It could be a little more user friendly - intuitive with the options.

I would love to have it upload data to my computer.

I love this watch. It makes swimming laps so much easier as I no longer have to count. I just look down occassionally and check my progress. No more counting in my head. I have only had once incident where it missed a pool length, otherwise the accuracy is great.

This watch does everything advertised. I no longer have to count laps when I swim, I just go and look at the watch occasionally. The only time it has not counted laps correctly is if I stop halfway across for some reason, but that is my fault and I dont blame the watch for that. Like the Garmin, it is another tool that makes excercising more enjoyable.

I bought this because I'm sick of counting laps on my long distance days.



I took it out today for the first time. I tried swimming at different paces and changing up flip turns versus touch turns. I even tried hanging out at the wall (drinking from my water bottle etc). I couldn't fool the thing. I've tried using the Sportcount finger counter, but it was too uncomfortable and I kept forgetting to push the button. The Swimovate makes it so much easier!



While it does more than simply count, I figure that all the other features are a bit superfluous. The 100 meter average is a nice feature.



I dinged this product a star because it lacks two features that I think it should have. Since the primary reason I purchased this product is so I can swim without interference, it's annoying to have to check my time to see how long I've been swimming. I wish it had a countdown timer. In addition to this, I'd like to be able to set how many laps I'd like to do, say 2 miles, then have it beep when I'm done.



The styling isn't why I purchased this watch. That said, I still wish the band wasn't so dainty.



As a lap counter, it works extremely well. It could bear some improvement in later models, but I wouldn't let that stop you from getting one if you swim long distance.



**I just dropped another star from this review because I think the method of operation is far too confusing. I've worn this thing every day for the last couple of months, and I'm still confused about how to scroll through the different workouts or how to get back to the regular time from the log without deleting the workouts in memory. I still have no idea what the two buttons on the right side do!



I still recommend the product to my friends, but I think Swimovate needs to iron out a simplified method of operation. - Training Aids - Stop Watch - Swimming'

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Silicone Caulk - caulking, caulk tool

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I have been doing apartment maintenance for over a decade and have caulked hundreds of tub surrounds, vanity and kitchen counters, etc.. I have tried my finger, other caulking tools, a credit card (expired!), etc., and this is by far the best caulking tool I have found. The reason I gave it only four stars is the cost. Seems a bit pricey.



I have a few suggestions about the product as well as one (the last one) for using silicone caulk in general.



First, do not apply too much caulk when you run the initial bead. How much is too much? See my second suggestion.



Second, practice. Run a consistently sized bead of caulk, use the tool and then scrape away the caulk and toss it. Do it again. Yes, I know, you are "wasting" caulk. If you want a professional looking job, waste some caulk by practicing. You will find the appropriate bead size through practice. Obviously, the correct bead size will be determined by the edge you are using. The larger the edge the larger the bead size. Practice. Also, begin with a small hole in the caulk tube nozzle. Not enough caulk? Cut a slightly larger orifice. Remember, you can make the hole larger, however, you cannot make it smaller.



Third, keep the tool perpendicular to the surfaces. If you have seen the ad on TV, pay attention to how the demonstrator holds the tool.



Finally, fill a spray bottle (like a windex bottle) with isopropyl alcohol and lightly spray the bead and the business side of the tool. It will make the tool glide easily over the caulk. (You can use this trick with any caulking tool including your finger.) Pro Caulk Complete Caulking Kit (As Seen On TV)

I am normally rather leery of products I see advertised on TV, especially tools like this. My wife surprised me with this set as a Christmas gift, and as I did need to do some caulking around some sinks in the bathroom, I decided to put it to the test.

I was rather impressed with the ease that I got the job done using this set. Both sinks took a total of only 20 minutes, including the time to open the package, prep the area, and clean up.

If there is a catch it is only that you have to be aware of the angle you are holding the tool, and to make sure you keep it square to the work surface. This only takes a small amount of practice, and once I got the hang of it, the project was done in only a few minutes.

Clean up of the tool was only a matter of wiping it off with an old rag.

I recommend this tool for anyone needing a simple way to get clean caulking lines.

I've tried spoons, cardboard edges, and my fingertips. What I like about this product is the silicone does not stick to the edger when wipe off right away. It gives you several groove sizes, but I used the small size to make it look tighter. A thumbs up from a weekend fix-er-upper guy.

I finished doing the caulking on my bathtub. When we bought this house over eight years ago, we didn't realize what we were getting ourselves into. The lady who had owned it previously did the WORST construction on the home. She did it in the cheapest and the easiest way (not always best!!!) possible. It took me three hours total to get the caulking off (I did it in a few days, not in one night) because there was layer upon layer on the bathtub. It didn't take me long to caulk the bathtub. It took about 45 minutes. Just be sure to just caulk a little bit at a time, take your time, and you will have a beautiful final result! I used a warm, damp wash cloth to clean up as I went because if it dries, it's a pain to get off without damaging the caulking you JUST did. I would recommend this product to anyone!

This product did not perform as well as demonstrated on TV--as is the case with most of these types of items.

Rather than making a continuous caulk line, you had to stop and clean the applicator frequently or else the caulk spilled out over the applicator. I used it on a large caulking project and while it made the job easier than doing it with your finger, it was not as good as I had hoped.

The product works as advertised and helped me caulk a shower in a much cleaner fashion that I would have been able to accomplish with a finger. NOTE: you can probably create your own version of one of these with a hard plastic and a tool to cut it into beveled corners. However, this product is so cheap, I think it is worth it to buy rather than make something on your own that will take a bunch of time and not be quite as good.

I have been renovating houses for years and have tiled and caulked many sinks and tubs. I decided to try this set of tools on my last project and found it a complete waste of money. Despite several attempts I was never able to achieve adequate results and ended up reworking the caulk with my finger. I'm out $15 and about 20 minutes of my time. I have found the best results by using blue painting tape to mask off the area I want to caulk and then using a wet finger to smooth the caulk. Remove the tape before the caulk sets up. I wouldn't waste my time or money with this product if I were you.

Applying caulk around a bathtub is a tortuous ordeal. I've seen it done with fingers and maybe the pros can make that work if they do it 3x a week. I've found that a plastic spoon works pretty well but it's still not as easy as I'd like it to be. I saw positive reviews of Procaulk tools and hoped they'd help. They don't. As many points as they provide, none seemed the right size and after trying three times to get one short side of my shower right, I took it all off and started over. And the stripping tool is so soft it shredded 1/4 through my prep. Don't buy this garbage!

The caulking tool did help, and makes a nice bead. It doesn't take much practice, but it does take some. First don't use too much caulk or you will have a mess on your hands. Second, you have to press with enough force so the tool cleanly scrapes away the excess. I'd have given it 5 stars, but the stripping tool is close to worthless, and after a few minutes, mine was definitely worth less. The tool is so soft it just comes apart, bends, gives up where you want it to be tearing out the old caulk. I ended up using a knife instead. - Caulk Tool - Caulking - Tool - Caulk'

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Battery Packs - skil battery, battery

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I purchased this battery as a replacement for the original battery that came with my drill/driver. I didn't follow the charging instructions on the original as closely as I should have and it wore out fairly quickly. This is an exact replacement, works great, and I'll be a little more careful about how I charge it. Skil 120BAT 12-Volt 1-1/5-Amp Hour NiCad Slide Style Battery

I can't believe the price of this battery... someone please explain the reason for the crazy price..



Lowes and other retailers sells 2 of these batteries, the charger and THE DRILL are sold for less than $50.00 so why would anyone be willing to pay $29.00 for this single battery..



I think Skill should re evaluate their spares and replacement products to a more reasonable cost for folks that buy their products... this is a rip off and I do not think folks should purchase these products until until Skill address's the prices..

IT's A BATTERY, A SPARE ONE AND DOES WHAT IT'S SUPPOSED TO...ORDER WAS FILLED IN USUAL TIME FOR ORDERING OPTIONS, BUT I WOULD SUGGEST LOOKING INTO AMAZON PRIME IF NEEDED SOONER.. I DID AND I AM A PERMANENT USER NOW...

We couldn't find a battery to fit this drill around where we live. I looked on Amazon's web site and there is was. I had ordered it and it fit the drill just like a glove. (haha). It was here before you knew it. I am very happy with the service. - Battery Packs - Skil Battery - Battery - Skil'

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I was recently contacted about reviewing Sherri Haab's newest book from Random House Sherri Haab Jewelry Inspirations, Techniques and Designs from the Artist's Studio.

When it arrived I was not disappointed when I placed the book on my workbench, I began slowly turning the pages anticipating each one. The beginning chapter about `living a creative life' is necessary to look at the world differently pulling those details into your art. I found that it drew me in and kept my interest with the beautiful photographs of the studio, jewelry, and art. What happened was I truly wanted to learn how her mind worked with the why and instead of skipping the intro to get to the fun stuff, I READ it :) Plus.....she had, in the 70's, the Sunshine Family which gave her creative side a kick start. These dolls were too much fun in my world too! They got my creative juices flowin' up cycling the most common household items into their little lives, lol. I felt then a connection with Haab immediately! Not only with these dolls but, also with how she took the reader into the studio.



I fell in love with the studio and wanted to snoop around its sacred spaces...

thumbing through file folders brimming with magazine clippings or rattling through colorful bead filled bottles lining the shelves. She admits in not being totally organized or a cleaning fanatic for that takes away from her creative self, I liked that imperfect admission.



As I gave each page its turn she did not let me down, as an artist, in her knowledge and direction. The directions were detailed and doable for not only a novice but, a seasoned artisan as myself showing new and valuable techniques. I have played with a lot of the materials Sherri features in this book. She managed to give me a renewed vision with these mediums and materials in my current work and also perhaps upcoming revised plans for future pieces.



Another link between all artists is our collection of `stuff'. The photos did a beautiful job with, I am sure, just a snippet of her many collections of antique, vintage and retro inspirations that she collected from her family or from her life.



I truly loved this book and now cannot wait to further my own library with more from this talented artist!



enjoy,

~Stephanie Distler

[...]. Sherri Haab Jewelry Inspirations: Techniques and Designs from the Artist's Studio - Polymer Clay - Mixed Media - Beadwork - Jewelry'

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