Wireless Speakers - affordable

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Pluses:

1) Very simple to setup

2) Good battery life

3) Excellent signal range

4) Volume control / power button on each speaker

5) They look pretty cool



Minuses:

1) Occasionally the signal is interrupted by competing frequencies - depends on your area, but generally, this doesn't happen often enough to drive someone crazy

2) Sound is passable - you have to consider the price for the pair. I have a 5.1 Definitive Technology speaker setup at home, and obviously the sound from my house speakers and these are night and day. But if you want to hear music outdoors, and a have a nice portable setup that you can even take with you to your friend's BBQ, you can do much worse than these. Royal Machines 29298R WES 2000 900 MHz Wireless Indoor/Outdoor Speaker

Great little speakers didn't expect much got a little more. Note I ordered not really knowing how they are powered.

Well now I know. Speakers are dual power 1. 12v transformer or 2. 6 AA batteries.

Take any audio input mp3 iphone tv radio etc that has audio output. Works for me very happy with them.

I use this so I can listen to my MP3 player, CDs, and radio while in the shower. I plug the transmitter of this device into the headphones jack of a boom box, which gives me radio and CDs. I plug the MP3 player into the boom box using a Nexus One desktop cradle.



The sound quality is good, though a bit bass heavy. That's easily fixed using the controls on the boom box.



I found setup was very simple and everything worked without a hitch.

I just put in a new back yard and wanted some music, but didn't want to try to hide all the wires and hook up a bunch of stuff to my stero. This item is so simple and works so good. I think it is GREAT

I purchased these wireless speakers specifically for use with my Epson Moviemate 72 DVD projector (another awesome product!) for showing movies on a 4' x 8' screen on my outside patio. I was diligent in my research and anguished in making the final decision to purchase. As it turned out, this product works perfectly as I had hoped it would! Furthermore, I am not an audiophile/electronics guru in any way, shape or form but - I have taught instrumental music in public schools for years so I do have a trained ear. The sound quality and versatility for the money is outstanding. It took about 3 minutes to put in the batteries (six AA per speaker) and connect the wireless transmitter using the headphone jack on the projector and once done - instant success! NOTE: Be sure to adjust the channel (very simple) as needed if there is a competing frequency in your area to eliminate any distortion. If you are looking to extend your audio reach with great sound, no wires and super ease of use, you won't go wrong with this product. Enjoy!

These speakers turned out to be everything I'd hoped they'd be. Is sound quality "amazing"? Of course not, they cost ~$100. But for the price, the sound is better than I'd expected. In fact, if you plug both of them in, with the push of one button each will sense that the "other" is present to it's left or right and go into "stereo mode". Super easy.



These things pull out of the box and are ready to rock. No difficult assembly. No trouble tuning for a good signal/channel. The speakers can run off of batteries, but thus far I haven't tried them on batteries because I have AC Power on each side of my patio. They plug into standard AC power outlets and I have left-right stereo, no batteries needed.



I have another wireless stereo system built into my hot tub, but it has all sorts of problems maintaining a strong signal. If the lid of the tub lifted, or if a lot of foot traffic moved between it and the speakers, the music/radio/broadcast would often times cut out. Not these speakers. So far these guys have had very little interferece/hiccup issues with heavy traffic between the transmitter and the speaker. I'm very pleased. This also comes with all the "wires" you'll probably need to hook up to your devices to play through the speakers. A standard MP3 jack that will go into your MP3 player is built in to the transmitter, and it comes with a left-right stereo attachment that you can use if you want to take advantage of something like "audio out" on your HDTV or cable box.



They're light weight, smaller than I expected, and look pretty cool. I wish they were black, but I can deal with white. And for the money, sound quality is appropriate. Couple that with their light weight, easy use, reliable signal, and I'd highly recommend these to anyone looking for a simple, affordable, reliable solution for adding a little music to their deck/patio/backyard BBQ.

..my purpose for buying these...to listen to Pandora while I'm outside grilling (and most likely drinking)....i couldn't justify spending 300 for bose docking station plus i don't think you can stream pandora with the Bose (maybe thorough an iphone? which i don't own anyway)...these are good speakers, but I find the sound feels a little muffled...not overly so, but slightly muffled. The highs and lows aren't really separated, just kind of muffled together...kind of along the lines of what the other review said, the bass is a little heavy...i don't know if it's that the bass is too heavy or if the highs just aren't high enough. For a hundred bucks i wasn't expecting much and my needs were met, but i like more highs and less bass in my music so this speaker set is good but not great in my opinion. - Affordable'

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Solid Waste Management - home plumbing, home improvement

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I very rarely spend hard earned money on "how-to" books since they very rarely offer the kind of insight a do-it-yourselfer is looking for. This book is the best exception to that rule that I have found. The book covers all facets of plumbing.Included in the book are high level overviews, extensive discussions of plumbing materials, and step by step instructions for planning, installing, and repairing plumming systems. Whether you are a current home owner looking for assistance in home plumbing repairs, or designing the plumbing system for new construction, this book contains everything you need to get the job done.In addition to the thoroughness of the information contained in the book, there are outstanding graphics and photographs depicting topic at hand. This book would be a bargain at five times the cost. Black & Decker The Complete Guide to Plumbing: Expanded 4th Edition - Modern Materials and Current Codes - All New Guide to Working with Gas Pipe (Black & Decker Complete Guide)

I've been disappointed many times at the lack of depth given by many "do-it-yourself" books. This isn't one of them! The photos are clear, the language concise. Each procedure is given clearly in a step-by-step manner that anyone can follow. After reading this book I may even tackle copper pipe and soldering, something which I've never been quite brave enough to do before. I had questions answered that I've been searching for, quite literally, years. How-to manuals just don't get any better.

I'm the kind of homeowner who isn't afraid of attempting various repairs- with the proper guidance and directions (I do have some background in electronics repair, but that's a distant relative to home repairs, IMO.) This book provides both for me through excellent organization, clear instructions highlighted by excellent overall and step-by-step photos (for instance, photos of three alternative "naked" shower plumbing setups as typically installed in American homes, sans drywall and covering, as well as step-by-step photos of how to perform component maintenance or replacement). Included are lists of the tools needed to do the job (ever had to stop mid-job because you didn't have the exact tool to continue?), a well-written index and even handy conversion (metric - Imperial) tables, as well as what in my opinion is the only useless bit of this book, a sketchy resource list of professional associations. I think this book still merits five stars; it is good for scoping and planning, and then to follow as you are doing. Finally- a well-illustrated and clearly written book for the rest of us, not assuming we know it all nor talking down to us! Kudos- and thanks!- to Black and Decker.

This book is chock full of photos; so much that it detracts from providing information. I was trying to use it to replace a leaking shower faucet, but couldn't find any useful info about my setup. All there was were pictures of valves that weren't mine. I would like to see more troubleshooting chapters, and more possible fitting/material variations outlined. For instance I would like to know how to go from plastic to copper to galvanized etc.



Still if you doing a new install and have access to the exact material they use then it is good for that.

This book, is without a doubt, the best book on plumbing that I've seen, and I looked through a lot of them before choosing this one. Just like the title says, it's a complete guide, with excellent photos and numeric tables to help meet code. If you're going to do your own plumbing, I'd recommend this one.

I had always lived in apartments until I purchased my first home last fall. Shortly after I moved into the house, terrible leaks began to develop in the upstairs shower. The diverter no longer worked in the downstairs shower, and no pressure was getting through the shower head. I felt responsible for making the repairs and I didn't know where to start. I sure didn't want to disappoint my wife. I looked through all the plumbing books I could find. Like other reviewers have said, the graphics in this book by far surpass the graphics in any other manual. It is obvious that Black & Decker went to great lengths and expense to create the many excellent cut-away photographs. For my problems with the showers, the photographs showed me what I needed to do in one glance. I quickly knew what parts I needed to get. I needed a new spout dowstairs with a built in diverter. All I needed for the upstairs shower was a couple of o-rings. I also needed to purchase a pipe wrench to loosen the spout. I was able to complete the repairs in about an hour.I am not really sure I would have had the patience to read through a less intuitive book. With the help of this book, I have the confidence to face future plumbing problems.

Though I feel this book was written for the newbie and the weekend warrior do-it-yourselfer, I think it can easily make anyone a better plumber. It's chock-full of tips, tests, and troubleshooting (I bought the book for its detailed explaination on troubleshooting a badly designed trap -- saved me a $200 plumber bill!)



The best part of the book is that it doesn't just tell you how to do it, but explains how the appliances work to give you a better idea on the why-and-how it works.



Covers:

Water heaters

Dishwashers

Floor drains

Jet tubs (Jacuzzis)

Septic systems

Frost-proof faucet (sillcock)

Showers (even installing an enclosure)

Cutting and soldering copper (which makes the $25 price of the book WELL worth it.)

Faucets (with great expanded or "exploded" views of all the inner pieces.

Tools, types of pipe and fittings (why, when and where to use them - which is priceless to someone that is new to this.)

and much much more.



You'll be amazed at how easy it is to fix 90% of your household plumbing problems! I highly recommend this book. - Home Improvement - Do It Yourself - Home Plumbing - Beginners Guide'

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Rechargeable Batteries - battery packs, battery

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Black and Decker has at least 7 versions of the Slide 18v battery pack. You have no guidance which is better than the other as B&D absolutely refuses to publish the ampere rating or number of contacts of any of them.



Battery identification is poor: Every battery I have seen is marked "244760-00." What good is that in identifying the battery? There are some molded-in numbers but B&D absolutely refuses to tell you what they mean.



On the blister pack for the HPB18-OPE you read "25% more power than the standard battery*" Finding the "*", it says "Compared to the HPB18." Both are the same price on Lowes shelves. B&D absolutely refuses to divulge how these two compare to each other or the FireStorm series.



A Factory Store manager has said two Firestorm versions were once better but have been downgraded this past 12-18 months and are usually worse than the HP18 units. B&D absolutely refuses to divulge any history of the FireStorm 18V batteries.



These batteries will connect to three types of chargers. One will charge the battery in 9 hours, another in 3 hours, and the last in 1 hour. Between the battery and charger combination, severely reduced battery life will result if the battery is left on the charger longer than 2 days. On another the degrade occurs only after 30 days. The third does not damage the battery in any length of time. You are left to guess which combination is optimum and which is a disaster. B&D absolutely refuses to divulge which is which.



I have many hours into trying to make heads or tails out of this, including several contacts on the phone, and e-mails with B&D, ditto plus in person at a factory store and factory repair station. The B&D Factory Stores and Repair Stations concur with my view that B&D is extremely arrogant, totally wrong in their attitude, and show no willingness to change. Black & Decker HPB18-OPE 18-Volt Slide Pack Battery For 18-Volt Outdoor Cordless Power Tools

B&D doesn't really tell you the whole story about their batteries...



In my experience, this battery has 1.5 Ah cells, and unless HPB18 to which it is compared to has 1 Ah cells (which I doubt) it cannot have 50% more capacity. 25% is more likely and it was marketed as such for a while.



Adding to other review, I think I figured out number near the battery lock. First, you have manufacturing year and week along with some letters. And then there is three digit number, which tells you cell manufacturer (first digit) and capacity (two last digits). This is what I encountered:



412 - 1.2 Ah cells marked BD (most likely specifically manufactured for B&D) - usually FS18B and HPB18 batteries, but also some 244760. These cells are actually short Sub C (or 4/5 SC) and B&D puts plastic pad inside the battery, so housing has the same exterior size.



115 - 1.5 Ah cells without manufacturer identification



415 - 1.5 Ah cells marked BD



515 - 1.5 Ah cells manufactured by HANYU



All these are marketed as FSXtreme, HPB18-OPE, FS18BX and 244760



421 - 2.1 Ah cells manufactured by BYD - high capacity "Silver Series" FS18SBX. BYD is actually well known Chinese battery manufacturer, nice chunk of whose shares was recently purchased by Warren Buffett.

Bought a string trimmer with 2 HPB18 batteries two years ago. The batteries never did last more than about 10 minutes on the job (BIG disappointment) but at least with the two of them I could do MOST of my very small yard. This year the batteries are both dead (won't hold a charge). I broke down last night and went to HD to buy a replacement battery. Then I read the review here that talks about the code underneath the battery clip, so I decided to check it out. My two old batteries have the code "415" (Black & Decker, 1.5 AH) while the new battery I just bought has the code "410" (Black & Decker, 1.0 AH)!! GREAT - if two of their 1.5AH batteries wouldn't hold up to do my yard, I'm sure that one of their 1.0AH batteries will handle about 5 blades of grass before dying! I guess I'll be returning this battery today!



Does anyone know where you can get HPB18 batteries with 1.5 AH (or greater) capacity? I'm leary about ordering over the internet, for fear that I won't know for sure what their capacity is until they arrive (since they ALL are designated "HPB18"). I'm thinking I may just go to a local shop that rebuilds rechargeables and see what they can do for me.



Black and Decker, are you hearing us?? WE ARE NOT HAPPY WITH YOUR BATTERIES!!

I note most reviewers have found that the B&D 18volt batteries have short lives and cost $35-$40 to replace. Save yourself a bundle and just replace the NiCad batteries inside your worn out B&D 18volt battery. It just so happens that you can buy an almost identical 18 volt NiCad battery at Harbour Freight that is currently on sale for $[...] each! [...]

All you have to do is open each battery by removing the screws and swap out the battery packs....no re-soldering required!. Just note the + and - on each battery as they are reversed so you must also remove the black plastic part on each battery that retains the two power tabs and pops into the top of the batteries. Look at the layout and you can easily figure it out....took me about 5 min to make the swap and now I have a new B&D 18v battery that cost me only $[...] and 5 min of time. I plan to buy several while they are on sale for future swaps.

The tools are fair tools. To bad the batterys suck. Everyone should get together and have a class action law suit.Takes 10 minutes to run the battery down and 3 hours to charge it. Pure junk. I have a whole set of the tool to is the bad thing.

My first appliance was a dustbuster with the standard 18v battery pack. The charger was a disappointment due to lack of indication and long charge times. However, the battery seemed to last a reasonable period, holding a charge for several weeks while I used the dustbuster occasionally.



I bought a quick charger with LED indicators and have been pleased with the charging performance. I later bought a cordless drill that was sold without a battery. I used the dustbuster battery initially, but found that it didn't support drilling more than 12 - 4 inch screws into pine 2 X 4's.



I then bought an expensive Silver version of the battery, which is supposed to have better capacity. I have been very disappointed with the performance. The duty cycle actually seems to be less than the standard battery and it won't hold a charge for more than a day or two.

I charge the battery completely and leave it on the shelf, not even installed in the drill and when I need to use the drill the battery is often drained to the degree that I can't even mix paint with it.



There is obviously something wrong with the design of these batteries. Too bad, because the tools themselves are decent. I was about to buy another silver battery, assuming that I just happened to get a bad one, but after reading the comments from others with similar experience, I have decided to cut my losses and buy a better product from either Dewalt or Makita. Black and Decker should issue a recall on these batteries and replace them with ones that perform as expected. If they do this, I might consider buying B&D products again in the future. - Rechargeable Batteries - Battery - Battery Packs - Cordless Lawn Tools'

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Best Yoga Mat - manduka, power yoga

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I obsessed about whether to purchase the regular size Manduka or the longer 85" model. I am only 5'9" tall and was told by almost everyone that unless you are 6' tall or over you don't need the longer mat. Besides, the longer model is "so" heavy. As usual, I went my own way and purchased the longer mat and am glad I did. I love the longer mat. First of all, when I am completely stretched out on my stomach, my entire body is on the mat, face, hands and feet--not on the floor. I like the balanced feeling of every part of me being on the mat. Also, when I do my various asanas, I can now start in different spots on the mat and therefore put less wear and tear on the same spots. Second, I am afraid I don't understand the "weight" issue? The 71 inch model weighs 6.5 pounds, this one weights 9 pounds. For me that's not much of a difference, especially since I am only carrying the mat from the parking lot to the yoga room, not backpacking across India. Most of the time the mat is at home anyway.



As far as the Manduka mat in general, I have used two other mats and this one provides a lot more support. I find it to be very dense and firm, with just enough tactile feeling. And, the mat does not move around on me. I really like that. My yoga teacher said this was the best mat around.I am glad I listened to her sage advice.



Joe Drew (Kent, Ohio) Manduka BlackMatPRO 85-Inch Yoga and Pilates Mat

$85 for a yoga mat? Like most of you, I had the same reaction, but it is one of the best investments I've ever made. Yeah, it's a lot of money, but the best always is -- and this mat is clearly the best. That's why your instructor uses one. You won't believe how much better your poses and jump-backs will be until you try it on this extremely supportive surface. It's well padded, but firm -- never squishy -- so your stability is excellent; and its surface relies on texture, not stickiness, to ensure superb grip, even when sweaty.



I also highly recommend the 85-inch length. I am not a tall person (at 5' 10", I am exactly average), but I love the extra length. I no longer ever find myself having to readjust a pose because I didn't start in exactly the right spot on the mat. It is a bit heavier (9 lbs.), but so what. It's exercise.



Now let me make a case for why this mat is actually a good value:



I have only been practicing yoga for a year (three 1-hour classes a week), and in that time I have purchased two mats for $30 each. One I've already worn out (material broke down from use) and the second one is on its way to wearing out. If I buy a third $30 mat I am now up to $90 in just over a year. The Manduka mat will last a lifetime and will make your practices better. And at $85, it's cheaper than any single club in my golf bag (and I carry 14 of those). So my opinion is: suck it up and spend the money. It only hurts for a minute and you'll forget all about it the first time you step onto this mat!

When I used lighter, less dense mats they would sometimes bunch up or move around during flowing vinyasa practice. If my toe caught the mat, the edge would flip over and require adjustment. Also, they did not cushion very well. In addition, lesser mats wore out quickly and had to be replaced. When doing poses like the side-arm balance, my foot would slip off the end of the regular length mat and I would fall out of the pose.



With the extra-long manduka mat, none of these issues is a problem. The mat is solid and dense, and stays put on the floor no matter what I do. It cushions really well, but because it is so dense it is no problem to balance or move on the mat (not mushy). I have used these mats intensively for several years and they still look great. Durability is outstanding, and they show no signs of wearing out. The extra length allows me to move with confidence, knowing I won't run out of room or slip off the mat. An additional benefit of the long mat is that it allows you to change your starting position on the mat somewhat, so that the small area worn by your feet is not the same every practice. In other words, you can spread the wear over a larger area to make it last even longer. The surface is plenty sticky for normal yoga, and if you do a hot yoga class or sweat a lot you will likely want to have a towel anyway. No complaints about stickiness.



As for weight, it seems that if you are big enough to need an extra-long mat you are probably strong enough to carry it around. It's not heavy, it's the best yoga mat I've ever used.

I'm 6'6" 225 lbs. and have been doing yoga for a few years. This mat is nice and long as well as a little wider and thicker than the standard mat. Yes it's heavier than a standard mat and I found it to be unpleasantly slippery at first, but I recommend it highly. If you ever find yourself stacking one mat on top of another to get the padding you need, or running out of room on your mat, then please buy this mat now and you will thank yourself later.



Pros: Longer, thicker, wider



Cons: A bit expensive (I think it's worth it), slippery at first (goes away after a few classes).



NOTE: You might want to periodically roll the mat from a different end to get rid of the teacher-tripping curl that develops over time.

Depending who you are (and perhaps more appropriately, how much you sweat), this mat may be the best thing or the worst. On the plus side, this mat is the most durable and stable of any mat I have tried, and I have been doing yoga for many years. Also, the bigger version at 85 inches gives you more room to work than almost any other mat on the market. Once you scrub the mat down with soap and water after you first get it (see other reviews), this mat is also sticky WHEN DRY. However, if you sweat and get the mat wet at all, it becomes VERY slippery. This has really been a problem for more rigorous vinyasa flows. You can buy a sticky towel to put on top of the mat to stop the slipping, but buying a towel for another $45 is hard to stomach after paying almost $100 for this mat. If you sweat, I would highly recommend the Jade yoga mats instead. They remain sticky when wet, but are less durable than the Manduka. Namaste. - Manduka - Ashtanga - Manduka Yoga Mat - Power Yoga'

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Computer Recording - computer, cables

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I got these cables for this USB switcher: 2 PC to 1 USB 2.0 Device AB Switch Box (Printer, Scanner) and they work fine. Since the two computers meet in the middle there's no need for super long cables. Your Cable Store 15 Foot USB 2.0 High Speed Printer / Scanner Cable

Did not work!!! Printer not recognized on my computer!! Most of the bad reviews were correct. Did not want to do this review, but they kept requesting it so here it is!!!! Buy a box of chicken with your money. Much more satisfying!!!

Well, it looks like mine is the only dissenting review here. I hooked it up to my printer, and it simply would not print. It just stalled out and then gave an error message. The printer worked fine with a shorter cable, so my only conclusion can be that that cable was not capable of transferring the information to my printer. Sigh....

I couldn't find this cable locally for less than $10. I looked on Amazon and found this one. It arrived very fast and it works just as well as the more expensive ones. I'm very happy with both it and the sellers.

After some changes in my computer setup, I needed to either move my printer and place it on the floor by the computer or get a longer USB cable. The floor was an unacceptable solution to the problem, so a longer cable was called for. At $4.20 from The Cable Store, with free shipping through Amazon Prime membership, "What a deal!"



The cable arrived promptly and worked just as it should. A much better solution than the floor, much less expensive than the computer parts available locally. Highly recommended. - Printer Cable - Computer - Cables - Usb Printer Cable'

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Tools - planer, tools

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I received my planer today. I was very excited seeing as I was saving a lot of money by getting the reconditioned unit. I was placing a lot of trust in Dewalt and Amazon to deliver a good product. I think I would have been completely happy if it had not been damaged in shipping. Several plastic parts are cracked and broken. The pieces are all in the box so I know it was not like that before it shipped. The planer was place in the cardboard box with a second layer of cardboard for protection. That's it, no foam or any other padding. If Dewalt and Amazon do me right on fixing the damage I think I will be happy again. Sad they didn't spend just a few more cents on protecting this great tool when packing it at the factory.



Update: 9/27/05

I just did a project and ran some pine. It's working great! If you have damaged plastic parts from shipping call dewalt they will send them to you for free. They sent me all three broken plastic parts. I just hope it holds up in the long run.



Amazon, Tool Crib and Dewalt really need to READ all these comments! Factory-Reconditioned DEWALT DW735R Heavy-Duty 15 Amp 13-Inch Benchtop Planer

As a couple of other reviewers have noted, the boxes that these reconditioned planers are shipped in are inadequate. Mine had been dropped and the holes in the box taped, apparently by the carrier. The planer was obviously damaged and couldn't be raised or lowered. I've asked for a replacement, but I'm not confident that it will arrive in working condition if the shipping boxes aren't improvved.

Judging from some of the other reviews, I must have gotten lucky because my planer arrived in pristine condition and worked great right out of the box. The only way you could tell it was not new was by looking closely at the bed. It planes like a dream and the results are very smooth, even on the 'coarser' setting. The chip blower works well, but with the volume of chips the planer generates, it should really be hooked up to a dust collector (unless you plan to run a hose out your window and make a big pile in the yard.) This thing is heavy, so I strongly suggest building or buying a mobile stand/cart to keep and operate it on - you won't want to be lugging it around much.

I bought the reconditioned planer. It was shipped in a cardboard box with no packing material whatsoever! Whoever did the reconditioning literally put it in a box, threw in the assorted pieces, and sealed it. The planer had no hope of being shipped without damage. It is disturbing that a nice tool was destroyed due to such stupidity. I returned it to Amazon, paid more, and purchased a new one. This one arrived properly boxed and in good condition.

I purchase this unit directly from Amazon, thinking that they have solved the packaging problems, (note all the complains from other buyers from amazon) What erritates me is that items sold by others thru amazon such as "tool king" was ship and received by thier customers without problems. I feel that dewalt is not at fault here since they are being package and ship by Amazon.

I could not believed the condition of this unit when i received it, completely useless, broken plastic parts were all over inside the box, now they said they can't replace it because it is out of stock,,, Well guess what amazon, it's still under production and not discontinued, you have advertised this item on and off 3 times this month. So i suggest you evaluate you customers satisfaction policy and make your paying customers get what they deserved,,, the item they paid for.

I have been a cabinet maker and woodworker for 23 Years. Having checked out and compared features with other brands, I was very impressed with Dewalt's 13 inch planer. I have been using a Dewalt 12 inch planer for a few years with no complaints. The 13 inch has several features that I like e.g.

three knife cutter head, two speeds, more ergonomic hand wheel, assisted chip ejection, threaded collumns for a more rigid platform. When I unpacked the tool my excitement suddenly turned to despair. As noted by B. McCoy in another review, the packaging is inadequate to say the least. The planer weighs about 97 lbs. and the carton has no handles to assist in picking it up. The outside package looked damaged and, in fact, the planer's metal base was broked. I never actually got to run or test the tool. I returned it for a refund. I would strongly advise anyone against buying this planer until they figure out how to protect it for shipping.

I had been considering a floor model planer for my workshop due to the fact that most portable planers just didn't seem to have the heft I was looking for. After reading some reviews of the DW735, I went to my local woodworking store and checked it out. I was very impressed with the product and the results it produced. Having the ability to transport it when I'm helping out a family member on a project was another reason I decided to go portable. Note that while it is technically portable, it is nearly 100 lbs with the extensions.



One of the other great features is the fan-assisted chip ejector. Planers put out huge amounts of waste and having the assist means you'll never have to worry about things getting backed up.



Regarding the shipping problems others have had, I purchased it locally so damage wasn't an issue. The box it came in was very sturdy and had foam on all four sides.



The only reason I don't give it five stars is that the extensions are not included and that hurts the overall value. Even if you build your own table for it, having the fences are almost essential when using it on projects outside the shop. The machine and the results are five star through - don't be afraid to purchase this one!

One review of the DW735 remarked on the flimsy box the planer was shipped in. My planer's box was flimsy as well with little internal packing. Despite the meager surroundings, the planer arrived intact and has been working beautifully. This is the first planer I've ever worked with, and it's been a breeze to use. What prompted me to make the purchase was 500 square feet of redwood decking I salvaged from a remodel. One pass through the planer and the wood looks like new. I just finished building my deck and friends have complemented me on the quality of wood. The Dewalt more than paid for itself several times over in the money I saved using salvaged redwood versus new. - Planer - Tools'

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Quick Release Clasp - quick release clasp, rugged

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I've been wearing these pants to work almost every day for 6 months. I started out buying the 100% cotton version, but over time those wear more, and they shrink. Mine are much shorter and tighter than they were when bought. The nylon/cotton mix version, holds up much better. I have one pair that is only about 2 weeks younger than the cotton pants, but it still fits like it was new, the colors are stronger, and it isn't worn around the edges like the cotton. I work as an IT tech, and they provide me enough pockets for my needs. I can discretely carry my pocket knife, in its own pocket, and I can pack a K frame S&W in the front pocket without much trouble. (A kahr PM-9 is much easier for a full day). Overall, good product if you can buy at the right price. Tac Lite Pro Pant, Poly/Ctn Ripstop, Tundra, Size 30 x 32

Just got them from another site and for less. They look good, have plenty of pockets, and are plenty flexible for me. I don't plan on doing karate in these and its pretty easy to hike up a leg to climb over something or work on my knees without my pants fighting me which I cant say about most of my other pairs. Doesn't bunch up or constrict anywhere. I have to wear khakis at work and the coyote brown color looks a lot like my dockers did when they were new. These are lighter and cooler than my dockers and just as comfortable. So far I'm more than happy with my purchase. Will update this after a few months of wear.

These ended my search for the right pants to wear in an overseas work environment that can charitably be described as "basic". My requirements included lots of pockets in a place where a flashlight and a Leatherman are round-the-clock "must haves" (along with some other location-dependent tools that you might need quick access to).



More relaxed than jeans, and with far less variability in sizing than big box store "cargo pants", these are a great choice. Comfortable, durable with many options for carrying stuff you have to have with you.



And if the pockets don't hold all the things you need, add the TDU Belt (comes in 1.5" and 1.75" widths and several colors) for hanging the extras.

I've never had any 5.11 gear until I got a pair of 5..1 taclite pants and belt.



These pants are comfortable, breathe-able, and rugged. I was unsure about the slash rear pockets (I don't carry anything in my back pockets usually) but find that if you need to get to something quickly, this design prevents items from getting held up like a squared-off pocket would.



I liked them so much I got another pair in a different color.



These can be worn around town without attracting undue attention, as they look similar to popular cargo pants designs, but these are the real-deal. Built to last!

I bought these based on the high recommendation by nutnfancy (on youtube). These pants are lightweight and seem durable. I'm going to take nutnfancy's word for this as I have yet to put them through a lot of use but he claims they hold up really well. I'll update this review if necessary.



I ordered the 30x32 size (since the 30x30 was out of stock when I ordered) and they are a bit on the large size for me, but on the plus side, there is adequate crotch space (which other users said they lacked). I'll order a pair of 30x30 and see if there is enough room down there haha



Like another user mentioned, get these over the 100% cotton as those will tend to shrink and wear out faster, also these would dry quicker than a 100% cotton variety.



Again, I'll update this review if I find something wrong.

I've had a pair of the heavier Tac Pro pants for about a year now. Living in South Texas they were just too heavy. The Taclite Pros are the best pants I own. They are very comfortable and durable. As soon as I find a nice blazer they will even become my dress pants. The one feature that they could benefit from is the rubber strips around the waistband to keep shirts tucked in during bending and stretching. Get a pair ( or five ); you won't be disappointed.

I'm not in law enforcement. I'm not a contractor. I'm not in the military. But my profession as a photographer puts me in situations where I have to dress like i'm being deployed to Afghanistan. Lenses, batteries, flashcards, flashes, remotes, multitools, flashlights, greycards, light meters, sync cords, measuring tape, are just some of the items that I need to keep on my person, and be able to access quickly and easily. I usually carry a bag with several compartments, but when it's hot, and i have to move around a ton, i prefer these pants. There is a pocket for everything with these suckers! Best feature, are the back pockets. I can fit a 200mm zoom lens and flash adapter in ONE back pocket! Second best feature, the knife pocket, roomy enough for a multitool and a streamlight stylus flashlight. And last, the clip on the beltloop, perfect for clipping my flash meter on, or a second body in a carrying case.

Even loaded to the rafters, these pants are comfortable, cool, and let you maneuver nicely. I'd order a size bigger than you wear in jeans, even with the elastic, these are sized more like dress-slacks. Fit is great, length is perfect. You don't have to be a SWAT team banging down a door, or a military paratrooper to get full use out of these pants. When I'm not working in them, I'm using them for a long Motorcycle trip (the pockets are great for biker stuffs and cool in hot weather riding), or on a camping trip, where they withstand a beating but always come clean.

I have some knock-offs, but the 5.11 are definitely worth the extra money.

Good GD Pants. - Rugged - Belt - 511 - Quick Release Clasp'

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Heart Rate Monitor - exercise, omron

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Being a person who hasn't ever joined a gym, I never knew stuff like this existed. I was very interested in this item because I've been walking for exercise but wasn't really sure I was reaching my target heart rate consistently.



The monitor, which displays the time as well as your heart rate on a watch, works in conjuction with a gizmo that you strap around yourself, just under your chest. (I will tell you, since I was concerned about this, that it's hardly noticeable once it's in place...it's a 12" or so long piece of plastic with an adjustable elastic strap...not very bulky at all!) The monitor also features a stopwatch and an alarm, so that after you set your minimum & maximum desired heart rates, you can be alerted when you are out of range. The alarm is a "beep-beep" that I can hear over the book on tape I drag along with me. Your heart rate is updated every second or two so you will always know if you need to pick up the pace a bit.



Although I have not yet had to do so, the chest strap has a removable backing, and you apparently can change the battery yourself (this is a big deal, I guess, since some of the more expensive monitors require that you send them to the factory for a battery change). The elastic strap is also completely removable, which makes it very easy to wash (and you will need to if you're exercising!).



The monitor comes packaged in a small, zippered carrying case, and includes an attachment that allows you to place it on a bicycle handlebar.



This does everything I need it to, and I recommend it for anyone who is just getting started in an exercise program. Omron HR-100C Heart Rate Monitor

Good:

- Works as advertised

- Easy to setup

- Rugged and well constructed



Bad:

- Wrist watch does not start receiving heart rate unless you are sweating at lot/apply a lot of water on the strap and your chest

- In a gym setting, there seems to be interference from electrical equipment (treadmills, etc) and the monitor works intermittently

- If there are other users w/ heart-rate monitors in the vicinity, their readings and my readings overlap causing some amount of confusion

This was my first heart rate monitor & I am very pleased with it. Did not require a lot of instruction. The chest strap is comfortable. Occasionally the monitor does not immediately pick up an accurate rate when first put on - but after a few seconds you are ready to go. I will be ordering another for my mother. Excellent product for the price.

This is the perfect HRM for anyone just trying to monitor their heart rate. Directions for set up are very easy. The price for this HRM is pretty cheap compared to others. Comes in a great storage zipper bag. If you need something with more features like calorie counting, average heart rate, etc. then you need to looke elsewhere. Now that I can keep track of my target zone for weight loss I have lost 10 pounds in one month. Seems like I was not working hard enough. The alarms are really great and let you know if you are not working out hard enough or workin out too hard. I have purchased two already for myself and girlfriend and both work properly and they do not seem to obstruct with each other. Great buy for beginner or advanced.

I use this while swimming. When swimming the chest strap has to be tightened a little extra, but it works. I also use it for circuit training because first I use the eliptical, then the weight machines. I do not rest between machines to keep heart rate in the proper zone during the entire workout, perfect.

I bought this monitor at a great price and it's worth it. I'm sure there are other monitors out there that are better, but this one still gives you a good indication of your training level. The strap is comfortable and snug. Just like any monitor you have to slightly wet the conductors to get an accurate reading. I did get some fluctuations at certain points but I just had to adjust the strap. The mounting bracket is great and easy to snap on and off. Good for bike riders like me.

I'll try to make this brief. First, I can tell you that I have lost about 26 pounds without the use of a personal heart rate monitor like this one. However, as far as exercise is concerned, I got this far ONLY riding a stationary bike, which came with an HRM on it. I have really gotten into exercising after being overweight for a long time and after having to endure achilles tendonitis in the last half of 2006. So, doing low impact exercise was really all I could do up until recently. Well, I'm in the next phase of my "life change" and it will involve not just being tethered to a bike, but running and lifting. So, I needed to get a portable unit to wear.



Well, if you are considering exercising or have already begun, this unit is a great "starter" model. It will provide you with all the feedback you need to get started such as max/min heart rate setting with alarm, stopwatch, and of course the heart rate itself. The chest unit fits fine and you really don't notice it all that much. I am a big guy with a rather large chest and it is plenty big even for me.



I STRONGLY suggest you research heart rates as it pertains to exercise. It will absolutely convince you that you need a heart rate monitor. Feedback is critical to getting the most out of your workout. If you do not know what your heart rate is, you can not stay in the "zone" that you need for the conditioning you are looking to achieve(fat burning, endurance, etc.).



The only complaint I have is that the unit came with a dead battery....grrrr! Oh well at least you can change it yourself on this unit...went to the store, got a new one and was good-to-go.

Great product for the $ I spent. I picked it b/c I can replace the batteries myself and the cost was in my budget. It does jump around more than I'd like, but I can tell from the range that I am over or under my target heart rate. It does beep to let you know that, but I find it annoying so I turn it off. If you find you have trouble getting it to register your rate, then move it around a bit. Mine works best when I put it higher on my chest, in the area of my heart, just below my shoulder blade. - Omron - Exercise - Heart Rate - Fitness'

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Aleratec - disc repair, dvd repair

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Aleratec 240131 DVD/CD Disc Repair Plus Kit My grand-daughter had "destroyed" nearly 3 dozen dvds. I have a 'Disc Repair Pro' machine and could not find refills for it. The Aleratec looks the same and the refill shows the same type of discs, as I had nothing to lose and all the dvds to gain, I decided to try the refill in my machine. I managed to repair all but two of dvds, and all the cost of replacing them. I have since replaced the two dvds I couldn't fix, with purchases through Amazon. Aleratec 240138 DVD CD Disc Repair Plus Refill Value Pack

The Aleratec unit is a miracle worker. I have repaired CDs, both audio books & music. It took the discs from unplayable to like new. I have not tried DVDs, but if it works as well as it did on the CDs - then it will be perfect. A must for any home.

I've been using Aleratec repair kit for a while now. I have also used Dr Skip kit in the past.

They both seem to work better on some media brands than others.

So, it's just a matter of finding one brand that can be repaired with the kit without taking so much effort.

One of the things I don't like about this kit, is that components wear out a bit too fast.

After a dozen uses, you can see it's not working at its best.

The cleaning solution leaked all over the inside of the package, thereby not only wasting half the cleaning solution, but also soaking the cleaning pad and rendering it unusable. The main reason I had ordered this refill kit was because this had happened to my old cleaning kit because I hadn't closed it tightly enough by mistake.

However, I contacted Amazon.com about the problem, and they are sending me a new one at no charge. Overall, I am very satisfied with Amazon's customer service.

Refill kit is costly compared to purchasing the Disc Repair Kit. The wheels don't last very long but it does the job. Have fixed some pretty bad discs. Overall I like it but not happy with the cost!

Have used this product many times since purchase. My family, especially children with cds to clean find it very useful and great for cleaning and repairing scratched/ dirty cds and dvds. It performs well,as I expected it would. I highly recommend it. - Disc Repair - Dvd Repair - 240132 - Cd Repair'

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Rotary Tools - hobby tool, corded rotary tools

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Many people may be wondering if they should get Dremel 4000 for their holiday gifts and have been looking for detailed reviews so here is my contribution.



I received my Dremel 4000 a month ago and so far used it for moderate work with cutting and shaping sheet metal (soup cans etc) and very light work with drilling and shaping plastic. So far it's been working great. 4000 works fine with all the speed setting as they advertise. It seems like they solved the problem with the lower speed setting. The speed changes in a little increments rather than smooth transitions. In a way, it feels a bit like digital but I see no problem here.



My only complaint is its size and weight. Probably it's OK for rough work but for detailed work it strains my hand after some time (my hands are small). It probably makes sense to invest on flex shaft and foot pedal if you are going to do a lot of detail work with this machine. The engraver's handle that comes with this particular set adds more grip options but it's a bit flimsy so it's only good for very light work.



4000 is a really big machine. It's thicker than XPR and way longer than any previous models I've seen. Probably the speed feedback circuitry and new cooling system required this added size. The balance is quite a bit awkward when I hold the machine like a pen to do detail work. The engraver's handle does not really solve the bad balance either.



In the higher speed, it is quite loud. It gives off high pitch sound like you are in dentist's office even without any tool attached on it. I can stand it but for some people it can be quite annoying. I recommend having earplugs handy. It also blows a lot of air from the vents- I guess it's a good thing for keeping the motor cool.



They say they designed 4000 according to the user feedbacks and I can see they are reflected in everywhere. In doing so it seems like they went back to basics, which I think is the right move. I appreciate they went back to more basic shape and moved away from XPR kind of design. I never used XPR but when I handled it at Home-depot the peculiar body shape felt awkward and tend to limit the way you can hold it.



I can see that there are a lot of thoughts went into the new carrying case as well. I am so happy that they forwent the ridiculously bulky toolbox type case (such as the one came with XPR). It did not only took so much space, its bubbly shape refused to fit in a shelf or stacking any other things on them. Also I did not like that the tools were stored in the fragile plastic box attached outside of the main case. That's asking for disaster. The toolbox tended to break easily and I had to fix it with duct tape or keep the tools inside of the main compartment. Now Dremel 4000 comes in a more standard but nice thin briefcase type case. It slides right into my shelves and does not take up too much space. The toolbox is also stored securely inside of the main compartment. The handle feels nice and the plastic latches on this case also feel pretty sturdy. The only thing I wish it had was a tool block that I can stick tools in for quick access, but this I can make my own by drilling little holes in a wood block and it will be nicer than the one they make with plastic anyways.



I don't like when designers go too creative and forget about functionality in utility tools. I think it is important to stick with "form follows function" philosophy and not the other way. With Dremel 4000 it is apparent that they tired to keep the usability to its first priority.



I am not a big fun of power tools that look like straight out from Star Trek. Why designers these days are so compelled to make rotary tools or even toothbrushes look like tricked out Nike shoes is beyond my comprehension. I miss old tools that looked like tools.



I also looked at the Proxxon and with such good reviews I was almost going to go with it. The reviewers say Proxxon is more solidly build and quieter than Dremel. Even this Dremel's latest model 4000 is still lacking in that department. I've never seen Proxxon myself so I can't say but for me the deal breaker was that the Proxxon's "Professional" model could not take a keyless chuck. A keyless chuck makes so much difference in productivity when you have to change tools often. Also Dremel and their attachments are cheaper and more readily available in US market. Dremel 4000 is not perfect but I think it's performance is solid.



The most important thing to remember using Dremel is not to put too much pressure on it but let it's speed and tool do the job. You have to make a number of light passes rather than try to push it with one shot with your force. I didn't know about this when I was using my first Dremel and only after a few months the motor started spin really loud and hot. Nonetheless it never completely quit working and withstood my 6 years of abuse. This time I will be more careful and hopefully my 4000 lasts longer. Dremel 4000-3/34 120-Volt Variable Speed Rotary Tool Kit

My old dremel finally bit the dust after 30 years of service so I needed a new one. After reading some of the negative comments I was a bit worried about this one, but decided that I would give Dremel my business again since the last one had last so long. I also wanted the flex shaft attachment and the right angle attachment [and that German unit did NOT have a right angle attachment for sale and people really trashed their flex shaft attachment]. Well, so far so good. It is actually quieter then my old one, and I have already used and fallen in love with the right angle attachment - wished I had bought one years ago]. I also wonder how many people that complained about the flex shaft did not run it for two minutes in a vertical configuration before usage each time? Manual says to do that and it helps to work the storage kinks out of it and likely keeps it running cooler with less issues. And the case was built to hold all of that stuff, so I now have it consolidated into one box, even with all my old parts.



Dremel has a keeper here. Oh, and I use mine for making fine details in hard wood, cutting tiles and metal, cutting the occasional lock that has lost its key... etc. A little bit of everything which is what these things can do. - Rotary Tools - Dremel Xpr - Hobby Tool - Corded Rotary Tools'

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Letter Trays - desk organizer, tray tower

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This product is so inexpensive that I was worried that it would seem terribly cheap and flimsy. However, it's pretty nicely designed. The drawers slide out for easy access, the stand is reasonably sturdy, you can pile it high (I have!) without tipping it over and the feet don't scratch my desk. You do have to put it together without directions--but it wasn't hard to figure out. Also, mine arrived within just a few days of ordering. Sparco 90206 3-Tier Steel Mesh Desk Tray, Black

This item is actually 11-5/8" wide x 13-3/4" deep x 10-5/8" high.



As you can see, it is advertised as 10 3/4" wide x14 1/4"x 11"



I needed it to fit in a cabinet beside my printer and measured the space available for it. The size advertised would have fit, but the item as it actually is will not fit. The packaging on it confirms that it is this model Sparco 90206 and clearly shows the dimensions as the larger ones, not those advertised.



Such a hassle. I'll be sending it back and shopping around some more.



If the size had been correct, I'd give it more stars. It's fine if it had the correct dimensions.

The tray itself is very nice, and I like the mesh material that holds the papers. However, the "legs" were very unbalanced, causing the tray to wobble back and forth every time I tried to use it. I learned that it's possible to manipulate the tray so that it is level if you have a strong friend. ;)

As one of the other reviewers stated, this object is bigger than the dimensions provided. However, as a desk tray, it is a fantastic product. Easy to assemble, the drawers slide smoothly, and it holds papers well.

i loved the three tier desk rack, it was a perfect match for my other mesh accessories. could easily reach for whatever it is that I need simply by placing it to my right or my left and that has made and saved time when I am doing what I am doing and I can place my papers in one tray and find what i am looking for in the other because I have placed it their previously for that purpose. I also make for keeping a nest desk thank you.

This product was the correct dimensions and sturdy. The sliding trays made for easy access. I use one side of it as a bookend and it supports eight one inch binders. The bonus was that it was quick and easy to assemble. Overall, I'm very pleased with this purchase.

This product was really a big disappointment. When I opened the package, I found that the some paint on the metal has already fallen off. Worst, after I assembled the letter tray, I found out that it doesn't stand properly on a flat surface. One of the legs stays in the air so the whole thing rocks. Although the material seemed pretty good, I was at large disappointed at the quality of this product. Don't buy. You don't want to go through the trouble of returning like me.

The frame for this tray came damaged. It was scratched and bent, causing the trey the rock. This item is useless as is and I will be seeking a refund. Do yourself a favor and buy something out of a local store. This online return stuff is a headache and waste of time! - Trays - Desk Organizer - Tray Tower'

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