Headlight Restoration - car care, clean headlights

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I've tried several other headlight restoration kits but this one actually worked as advertised. It was easy to use and took maybe 10 minutes total per headlight. I had to use the full kit including the sandpaper squares so this added to the time it took. The result does not create like-new headlights but the improvement is dramatic. Before, my lenses were so cloudy that I could not see the bulb inside. Now, they are clear enough that I can easily read the printing on the bulbs. I highly recommend this product. Mothers PowerBall 4Lights Headlight Restoration Kit

The headlights on my 14 year old vehicle had become pretty cloudy. I tried another brand of restorer but it only helped marginally. The Mothers product did a much better job of clearing the lenses up.



The kit says it normally only needs the powerball and included polish but in extreme cases it instructs you to use the included abrasive sponge pads (wet). They have 4 grades of abrasives and you work through them from 1 to 4 and then use the powerball and polish again.



Although it did not get the lens crystal clear it was an enormous improvement and I plan on doing a re-do which I suspect will complete the job, or nearly so. When sanding with the pads it's a bit hard to tell how much you have sanded off and I think practice would help - but how often do most people end up doing this?



The pads could be a bit larger but they were far better than the other brand I had tried before.



I would recommend this product to anyone with clouded plastic headlights.

The package includes everything you need. Although the polishing ball and supplied plastic polish are shown as handling all but the worst hazing, I found that use of the supplied wet sanding pads are a must do for all but the most minor hazing. That being said; if you carefully follow the directions you should obtain excellent results. Overall a very good product.

I have two vehicles with cloudy plastic headlight lenses. I have previously tried other kits, applying the polish by hand, without success. As Amazon's price for this kit was good, I thought I'd try it.

The kit arrived yesterday, and I tried it on one of the cars. It works! I didn't need to use the pads, the powerball and polish removed all the cloudiness in only a few minutes.

So often, things are advertised that fail to meet expectations. This product actually does exactly what it claims to.

The headlight restoration kit does the job but it was work. The 1998 Honda CR-V took over two hours to get rid of the yellowing but some of the fogginess is still on the light. Even with that, this made a huge improvement. I used up the cordless drill battery very quickly and switched to a variable speed plug-in drill. That worked much better. The 2000 Toyota Tacoma took about 5 minutes per light and were like new. Will use on 2001 Highlander this weekend. Use very little of the polish at a time and replenish often or you will sling the stuff everywhere. The kit comes with some sanding pads to use on lights with severe yellowing & fogginess. However, I did not try that on any of the vehicles, yet. I may give it a try on the honda to see if I can get it totally clear. All in all - good product.

I bought this for my GF's 1998 Chrysler Concorde, i used it and it helped a good amount. The lights were a lot better than they were, still foggy but all the yellow tint was gone. Prior to use, the bulbs were not visible, now they were. I tried several applications, they reached a point where that was the plateau, they wouldn't get any better, they looked a lot better & she was happy. A few months later a friend of mine seen them and with nothing but a paper towel applied Blue Coral brand (I think that was the name) and with minimal effort, they were new again. Save time and effort & go with Blue Coral brand 1st!!!

I refinished a couple plastic lenses by hand, which was a lot of work and not all that effective. With this kit, I've now done three sets of headlights and I'm thrilled. All the lenses were very yellowed and scratched, and for each I used the complete set of wet-and-dry papers. Even with this full-on treatment, it's 5-10 minutes per headlight for badly damaged lenses. The results, in my opinion, are great. A couple of the lenses aren't perfectly like new, but hey, these were pretty awful and it's a _HUGE_ improvement! My lights are much brighter at night, and they look great. If the lights are in good shape you probably won't need all the sanding grits and it would be faster. Either way, it's an easy job.



Compared to a DIY where I attempted to purchase sheets of very fine sandpaper (like 2000 grit - this stuff is hard to find), the kit is less expensive, MUCH faster and easier to use, and it works a lot better. I'll probably never know if there are better kits, because this one was a great value and it does all I need. The polish is supposed to have UV inhibitors and help preserve lenses, so I 'touch' up the lenses every once in a while (probably every 6 weeks in summer; less in winter - when I get around to it) and in the past year they haven't noticeably faded.

Fantastic product! I expected to have to use the severe damage pads on our more-than-a-little-hazy twelve-year-old headlights based on other reviews, but about five minutes per headlight with the powerball tool, polish, and towel were enough to deliver excellent results--well worth the under-$30 price tag! - Clean Headlights - Car Care - Restoration - Automotive'

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Ipod Accessories

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I did quite a bit of research before getting the Bose SoundDock II. I wanted a dock that would work with my iPod touch 2G, have superb sound quality, and preferably charge my iPod while docked. Well I have to say that I got all i wanted and then some with this unit.



I read some reviews online written by "audiophiles" and supposed "sound experts" bashing Bose for selling overpriced and underpowered equipment. These people just don't get it. I won't go on to bore you in detail about the ridiculous things that were said but I will mention that these people are comparing the SoundDock to a home stereo setup that entails having a receiver with two separate wired speakers. Is this a fair comparison? I beg to differ.



To summarize this product it's a compact unit you can have in virtually any room in the house minus a bathroom (for safety purposes) and its sound can be described as warm and beautiful with deep enough bass to make your sound come alive but not wake the neighbors. Clear, never distorted at any volume. You get what you pay for.



Thanks Bose! Bose SoundDock Series II Digital Music System for iPod (Black)

The Bose SoundDock has the Bose quality sound you would expect. It is a great way to play your IPOD, just plug it into the dock and play. You do not have any control over bass and treble, just volume. The remote has a good feel to it and responds well. There is a small green light in the dock that lights up each time you press a remote button. You will usually use the remote to change the volume, select the next or previous track and turn it on/off. The SoundDock itself only has 2 buttons for volume up and down.

The volume goes louder than I expected and I never have turned it up all the way, even when the kids are playing their IPODs.



There are a few things they could have improved......The power cord has the transformer built into the middle of the cord, it should have been built into the unit. The power cord plugs straight into the back of the SoundDock with a small round plug and it will come out easily if the unit is moved. The docking station is a seperate piece that is attached and it moves around a little which makes it feel loose. There isn't an on/off switch on the unit, just the remote, so you have to turn the IPOD off or use the remote to turn them both off, or just pull the IPOD out. My SoundDock was missing one of the stick on rubber feet on the bottom. I called Bose support and they mailed me one free.



Overall it's a great quality unit where it counts but Bose cut corners where they could on the rest of it.



We do love it and use it almost everyday.

The sound quality is very good for the price point and the size. That said, the remote does not interface correctly with my ipod. Specifically it does not allow the user to move through the menus as it is supposed to. I thought at first the Bose system was defective so I returned it for a new one but the second one has the same problem. All the other remote functions work properly but in order to navigate through the menus on the ipod I either have to hold onto it in the docking station (it doesn't have a snug fit-another drawback) so that the pins don't come loose, or else I have to take the ipod out of the docking station all together, make my music selection and then put it back in the dock. This is a major flaw in an otherwise good product.

Received the Bose SoundDock II (Silver) as a gift. What an exceptional powerhouse! It fills the house or can be quiet enough for just the den. I have Bose noise-canceling headphones. The Bose quality and engineering is exceptional. The only reason I did not give it 5 stars is because the system lacks AM/FM radio like other (less expensive) docks (please take a hint, Bose!).

Have the 1st Bose SoundDock for 2 older iPods. When bought new iPhone 3GS, bought the new Bose SoundDock II. Excellent sound! Fills 2300 sqft house fully, plus the yard. Rich clear music. Can get very loud, impressive. Kept my iPhone on it for a couple months, then discovered AirTunes, the Apple way of wirelessly turning every speaker in the house into broadcasting station for iTunes playlists and radio etc. AWESOME !!! Just buy an AirPort Express and connect it to the SoundDock II via Belkin Mini-Stereo Cable and you can stream all your playlists / songs to this great speaker PLUS all your other speakers in every room of your house, all at once, individually, or in selected groups. The roof is about to fly off with the volume of intensely great music raising the rafters here!



Then your iPhone is free to use as a Remote, free Apple app, to control your music on all speakers. Heaven! Have a long kirtan / mantra / bhajan playlist and having it going all throughout the house and yard for hours (actually days) non-stop is an amazing boon.



The Bose SoundDock II is expensive but we are very glad we bought it. It is getting a workout now along with all our other systems / speakers, all at once. Plus, we can take the Bose out on the deck, or to the office.'

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Wilderness Survival - outdoor gear, camping

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You get a little fishing line, a few hooks (3) a few sinkers (6) small) (1) bob and (3) lures. With shipping this is almost $12.00 and comes in a plastic bag. Do yourself a favor and make your own for less and a much better kit to boot. Very disappointed for the money.



Update: I saw a better fishing kit right here on amazon it will blow this away for $11.00 and free shipping here is the name: South Bend 137 Piece Deluxe Tackle Kit - Just put it in a small zip lock bag and you are set with a killer fishing kit that is very lightweight.



This kit is better then nothing but the South Bend 137 Piece Deluxe Tackle Kit is far superior. Pocket Size Fishing Survival Kit

This is a convenient little kit to keep in the vehicle, at the cabin or in the pack while on an extended hike. It has everything needed to land the "BIG ONE" should the opportunity arise. The package has room to add a few more items to customize just the way you like it - put that favorite jig or spoon in there! I like to add some smelly bait, better line and some hooks that I prefer. Or, you can add other survival items like fire starter, compass and some first aid items. The fishing instructions will come in handy for those who need a little help. You could make your own if you're a seasoned fisherman but this kit is great for the novice. Good luck!

I will keep it simple, this is a great fishing kit (period)

No question about it, if you are putting together a survival kit,BOB, GOOD bag, etc. this is a wonderful fishing kit that has about all you need to have a good supply of food. As well as being a necessary item for all survival kits. The price is some what reasonable at $7 for the item and $5 shipping which comes out to a grand total of $12. All in all, if you want a small, light weight, pocket sized fishing kit, this will do exactly what you want. (with out having to go out and buy all of the items separately)

Thanks for reading :)

This set couldn't be any cheaper as far as equipment included. Product comes exactly as described, but the tackle included is cheap and I won't expect any more than a few uses out of this kit. If you want something that will last you more than a couple trips, I suggest spending a little more to get something a little higher quality!

This little kit was exactly what I thought it would be - a few very basic items in a zip lock bag. It fits right in a 72-hour emergency kit or a car glove compartment, and will allow us to fish if we need to.Personally, I'm going to add a few more items to the bag. Another bobber or two, several more hooks and some more line. None of it will add much to the weight but will make the kit more useful.

It's true that many fishermen could make a kit like this from their tackle box, and probably not even notice the missing pieces. At the same time this kit serves a great purpose. It's lightweight, self contained in a sealed package, and it can be slipped into a getaway kit and you'll never know it's there. And if you need to catch a fish in an emergency someday, it's enough to get the job done.



As to the seller, I'd recommend them most highly. I placed my order at about 11:00 PM my time before I went to bed. When I woke up in the morning I'd already received an email that the item had shipped. I immediately went to the USPS tracking site, and they already had the item in possession. I received it in the mail the following day, from NY to AZ in 40 hours. That's service that rivals Amazon itself.



In summary, this is a fine kit for those of us with no tackle box in our garage. Buy 2 and put 1 in your glove box.

Having been putting together a BUG-OUT bag and this little kit fit just right not taking up space that was needed for essentials. Not that gathering food and the means to do so is not essential, this little kit has all you need to feed yourself. - Fishing - Emergency Kit - Outdoor Gear - Camping'

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Panasonic Viera - panasonic viera, home theater

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I paired this with the Panasonic TCP42G25. The Viera link means the speakers are automatically integrated with the TV and Panasonic Blu-ray player, which is convenient. It's a great upgrade over the TV speakers. Definitely recommend this for anyone who wants better-than-average sound without the effort and expense of putting together a full 5.1 or 7.1 home theater setup. Panasonic SC-HTB500 2.1-Channel SoundBar Speaker System with Wireless Kelton Subwoofer (Black)

I recently took advantage of the Amazon Gold Box Deal and bought the Panasonic TCP42G25 and got this sound bar for free. This was exactly what I needed to replace a poor quality Olevia LCD TV in my bedroom. I have a fully decked out audio/video room already so all I wanted was something decent for the bedroom. After some tweaking and rewiring, I was able to integrate this with the new Panasonic Plasma, an old Panasonic Blu-Ray DMP-BD35, and a low end Dish Network VIP211. The big puzzle was a bug in the Dish receiver that caused it to fail to deliver Dolby 5.1 over the HDMI cable. I took advantage of the second HDMI input on the soundbar with an optical input to solve this problem. Bottom line, no new wires, no new A/V receiver and fantastic sound from a very simple setup. It is very easy to do a "side-by-side" comparison because Panasonic's VieraLink will return the sound back to the TV if you turn the soundbar off. What a difference! I am only giving the unit 4 stars because of the lack of some, in my opinion, basic functions being absent. Why would Panasonic not put simple bass and treble controls on a unit that retails for $349? Other than that, I am really enjoying the new setup.

This is a great value for the price. With the subwoofer being wireless, placement possibilities are endless. Sound is really good. The sound from Panasonic TV speakers outranks others by far, but this sound bar is great. I would highly recommend this product to anyone who has limited space but still wants great quality sound. Very nice.

Highly recommended. I'm really enjoying the virtual surround sound of this system. The subwoofer is just plain awesome, and the voice output is crystal clear from the soundbar. It's a pleasure to watch movies, regular TV, and listen to music from Pandora from these speakers, in the bedroom. This product exceeded by expectations.

The local Geek Squad recommended a "sound bar" for our new Panasonic 50" Viera TV due to the size of the room it is in. The hook-up was easy (according to my husband)and the sound is great ... can shake the windows!

Bought the Viera Cast 50" plasma HDTV (TC-P50G25)and got a bundle deal from Amazon for this 2.1 soundbar. I have been on the telephone and online Technical Support Chat with Panasonic 5 times. There is so much conflicting information in varying reviews of Panasonic plasma tv with Panasonic soundbar with some people saying they had no problems, but they all seem to be people who used BOTH the optical and the HDMI cable connections. If you follow the Panasonic tutorials and read their user manuals it all points to needing only ONE cable connection and plugging it into the first slot on back of tv where it says ARC in parens. After talking to support I have experienced having the soundbar sound come from the soundbar -- which I loved -- but it only lasts 2 to 5 minutes. The Technical Support people, having now spoken with 6 different individuals - want to get you to use optical cable even though that is against the directions. Then they look at the documentation and agree that it is supposed to work with just the HDMI cable. I am so disappointed that I cannot get this to work and hesitate going to yet another store to purchase an optical cable and having yet another cable sticking out of the tv and into the soundbar if it is not supposed to be necessary! Is there anyone out there who has experienced this frustration? Please advise. I would love to watch a movie with the soundbar on and not using the tv speakers. Otherwise...have to send the soundbar back where it came from.

UPDATE: After doing everything possible to resolve, I decided I must have gotten a lemon. I do want to give the soundbar another chance, so I am using the Return functionality allowed by Amazon having UPS pick it up tomorrow and I will have another one to try. I will update later to report on hoped for success with another unit.

UPDATE 2: Amazon Customer Service is A#1. No problems with returning first soundbar and have already received replacement unit. Regret to report that I only got one burst of sound out of it. Now I feel I MUST approach the problem with the purchase of a new HDMI cable. I had settled for the Amazon brand because I could not get a Panasonic brand immediately. Also, Panasonic told me I did not need to use their brand for the soundbar to work. If anyone else has experienced failure of two units and or have solution other than this attempt to fix please advise. I thank you in advance. To be specific, I used Amazon's Basics hdmi cable that states it is ready for 3D as well.AmazonBasics High-Speed HDMI Cable (6.5 Feet/2.0 Meters)[Supports 3D + Audio Return Channel]

FINAL UPDATE: I now have a working soundbar. When complaining to my daughter across the country she immediately suggested that I swap out the hdmi cables before I go to the store and buy another and/or optical. So - I listened. I switched the Amazon cable with my cable box hdmi cable which is labeled as 1.3b. Voila! My soundbar works beautifully as I am sure the first one would have done had I tried this. After all the tech support people I worked with I wonder why they did not think of this. My cable box is a tad funky right now and looks like I may not get HD signal from it with the Amazon cable. But I will wait until tomorrow, go through all my setup rituals and see if it self heals. If not...another round of calls to Amazon to report this problem with their cable so others do not go through this. Hope this experience helps someone else out there.

12/31 resolution report: I had to return the Amazon Basics hdmi cable as it was the cause of all problems. Having read so many reviews on Amazon I learned of monoprice for cables. I then read on CNET that they use their hdmi cables and I jumped in and purchased the latest technology hdmi cable from them for just $3! Got it, plugged it in, and now EVERYTHING GOOD. Although I like to support Amazon - I highly recommend to anyone that they purchase home theatre cable needs from monoprice.com. - Home Theater Speaker Systems - Home Theater - Panasonic Viera - Sound Bar'

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Kindle

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I recently purchased the new M-Edge e-Luminator book light, even though there was nothing wrong with my older version. Thank goodness I still have my older book light, because the new one is quickly becoming an annoyance. The old light has a slide on and off switch and the new light has a recessed button on the light that you touch to turn on, with 3 different light strengths. When you want to turn the light off, you must touch it all 3 times and then hold it down the fourth time and the light will turn off. Unfortunately though, the light switch is so sensitive that it will turn on even if you don't touch the on button. After the book light does this to you about 30 or 40 times, you might find yourself annoyed and ready to go back to the older, slide switch on/off book light like me. I would recommend waiting to purchase until they have the 'bugs' worked out. M-Edge e-Luminator Kindle Booklight, White (Compatible Only with 2nd and Latest Generation M-Edge Kindle Covers)

After many failed attempts at finding just the right light, I finally found it. This little light is amazing! It fits perfectly in my Kindle cover, has three different light settings, is adjustable and fits nicely in the cover when the cover is closed. Just what I was looking for!

The light works perfectly and fits perfectly into the M-Edge Trip Kindle Jacket I purchase. Although the case is not meant to have the light permanently attached like some other jackets which enclose the light within - I find the light itself takes up very little space so I simply fold it down an keep it with me day or night. As for how well it illuminate the kindle it does the job well and with its three different light levels you should have no problems reading anywhere any time.



On a side note: I'm from Toronto Canada and had to purchase the light from the ".com/USA" site not the ".ca" so it cost me a little extra but I find it was well worth it for the convince of the lights size compared to the choices that where available on other canadian sites.

I knew my husband would be getting me a Kindle 3 for Mother's Day, so I purchased M-Edge Latitude Kindle Jacket (Fits 6" Display, 2nd Generation Kindle), Red w/ Blackand the M-Edge e-Luminator Kindle Booklight, White (Compatible Only with 2nd and Latest Generation M-Edge Kindle Covers) (the older version of this book light) for my Kindle 2, because I planned to give that to my daughter. I purchased the M-Edge Latitude Kindle Jacket, Red (Fits 6" Display, Latest Generation Kindle) and this light for the new Kindle 3. I wanted the graphite light to match the graphite Kindle. If I'd realized then that this light was quite a bit different from the old light, I never would have purchased it.



Before Mother's Day, I used the Kindle 2 with the M-Edge e-Luminator Kindle Booklight, White (Compatible Only with 2nd and Latest Generation M-Edge Kindle Covers) for a few weeks. It was not perfect--a little bulky, maybe--but it worked well, and was a huge improvement over using an ordinary booklight that I couldn't attach to the Kindle or the case. It was bright enough and easy to position it so that there was enough light to illuminate the page.



I've tried using this new light for a few weeks now and have found it to be useless. As other reviews have mentioned, the on/off switch is touchy and annoying. I end up having to touch it several times to get it to turn on or off when I want it to, and yet, I find myself accidentally turning it on or off when I don't mean to.



Also as mentioned in other reviews, this new light is not bright enough. It's useless for reading in a very dark room. I read in bed at night while my husband is sleeping, so I need a light bright enough to illuminate the whole Kindle. Even in dim lighting, though, this light is dim enough that it makes no difference.



Another issue that I've had with this light is that the bendable part of the light is too short. The base of the light (where the AAA battery goes is less bulky than the old light, but to make up for this, it's also taller, so the bendable part of the light ends up being further away from the Kindle. When you combine the dimmer light with the shorter bendable thing, you cannot position this light to illuminate more than maybe the first few lines of the Kindle page. You *can* turn it so that the light is directly above the side of the Kindle instead of the top, but then you cannot open the case to *read* the Kindle. Even if you could, the light is so dim that it still isn't worth trying to find a workaround for that.



This light is a very poor design. I've already given the older light and case to my daughter with the Kindle 2, and I can't find the old version to buy. Amazon is out and so is every other online store I've checked. I'm stuck using my old book light that I have to either hold or set next to the Kindle (and it constantly falls over). At least it lights up the page and I can read.



I'm very disappointed in this light. I feel it was a complete waste of money. I also feel that the case was a waste of money, too, since I can't use it with this book light. I tried the old light with the new case for the Kindle 3 and it works just fine, so I'd be happy if I could find one to buy.'

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Band Saws - highly recommended, resaw

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Like most people shopping for a band saw, I spent a lot of time on various websites, user discussion groups, etc. It's enough to make your head spin--so many choices. When I actually saw the old style (cast iron frame) 14" band saws next to the Rikon Deluxe 14" saw, it was immediately clear that this machine is in a separate class--there's no comparing the cast iron frame saws to this beast. It's bigger, more refined, has as much power as the best of them, and has a huge resaw capacity (that exceeds the cast iron models with riser block installed). When you start adding up the bit$ and piece$ required to bring a cast iron frame near the specs of this saw, you'll see that those saws aren't really cheaper.



Set-up was no particular problem, but the manual for this saw is absurdly bad. It would be a bad manual for a crummy, cheap saw, but it's an embarrassment to have such a horrible manual for such a nice machine. Instructions are sparse. Hardware does not match illustrations/descriptions (those few that there are). In spite of this, if you are semi-mechanically inclined (as I hope you are if you're buying a band saw), you can figure it out.



As one would hope, this is a powerful machine that cuts curves and resaws nicely. The fence leaves something (a lot) to be desired--the machining on the fence is marginal, the mechanism to adjust the fence to square with the table is inadequate (and cheap)...but I don't use the fence much anyway. This is a band saw, not a table saw. I will likely build or buy a better resaw fence when I get into a project that calls for a significant amount of resawing...but the existing fence will do for now. Like the manual, it is strange to have such a marginal fence on an otherwise impressive machine.



In short, this is a great saw--the fit and finish is very good--and the shortcomings (manual and fence) are only minor annoyances. Rikon 10-325 14-Inch Deluxe Band Saw

I purchased this saw 2 years ago based on a review in Woodworkers Journal. It has performed extremely well. It is very powerful and rock solid. Has a good sized heavy cast iron table. Huge re-saw capacity, but I would not want to test it out with the fence provided. As stated in the other reviews, the fence does not match up to the quality of the rest of the saw. The measurement gauge requires a decal I had to stick on the fence bar myself. Granted, I don't use the fence much as I am cutting curves and shapes most often. The adjustments for the blade guides are a bit difficult to learn how to use the first time due to skimpy instructions and photos. Also the guides can move when you tighten down the lock screws. The lower guides are also a bit difficult to get to but I don't see an easy way for the manufacturer to get around that. All other adjustments are simple and straightforward.



Make sure you get good blades. The one that comes with it is adequate. I purchased a 3/4 Woodslicer re-saw blade from Highland Woodworking which cuts through wood like a hot knife through butter. The saw does take quite a bit of adjusting to get it to fit on the wheels properly due to its depth. Other than a better fence and manual, the only other suggestions for improvement I would make would be to add a magnetic switch and move the light to a higher position. It sags on occasion but still nice to have. Would purchase this one again in a heartbeat.

The Rikon model 10-325 is a very good bandsaw all it needs is the proper setup and tuning some of which are not in the manual.

1: install a new blade you figure will be your go to blade and adjust it to center and tension it.

2: square the table to the blade, side and back. (That is in the manual).

3: adjust the guide bar assembly so that it is plumb to the blade, yes this can be done by adjusting the four set screws in the upper guide base. You'll need a long 3 mm allen T-wrench & a 12" square. Loosen the four mounting blots on the backside and adjust the set screws as required. Go slow and bear in mind the locking knob will push the bar in also. Once the guide bar is plumb the guide rollers can be adjusted per the manual.

4: adjust the guide rollers as required. Remember to loosen the roller screws before trying to adjust the rollers or you could bend the holder. With the guide bar plumb, moving it up or down will not change your roller settings.

5: I installed a Kreg fence so I now squared it to the T slots. (The stock fence is one item they skimped on). I didn't even install it so I can not comment on the fence being square and flat. Others have had issues with the stock fence.

I now have a bandsaw second to none in it's class. It is quiet, smooth and accurate. Adjusting the guide bar does not require re-adjusting the roller guides either. You will read where the dust port has a baffle in it. It does, and it did block dust pickup. Not anymore.

I don't know how accurate the tension gauge is for sure, it seems close but until I can acutally measure it I won't know. The quick tension release lever is easy to reach, however short folks will need a step stool to adjust the tension knob which is placed on top of the saw.

I installed the saw on a universal mobile base sold by Woodcraft #145488 and would recommend this base over any of the other bases I have (all are major manf. too). Yes there are minor issues that could have been designed differently but this saw sells for hundreds less than it's competitors and does just as well when properly setup. I installed a 4 tooth 1/2" blade and setup to re-saw an 8" piece of red oak, the saw handled it very well. I am quite satisifed I waited so that I could to purchase the Rikon

This saw is a very much needed upgrade to my Shopsmith 11". So far I've put the machine together, aligned it and made several test cuts which include re-sawing a 6" oak plank and turning a 4x4x12" block of cedar into a cylinder. I am VERY impressed! I will come back a year from now and write more detailed comments on the operations, but I thought I would leave my comments on assembly and first impressions while they were fresh in my mind. Any criticisms I have right now are on the level of nit-picking. I am overjoyed with this tool.



Unpacking hints:



This machine is shipped in one carton that weighs in just short of 260lbs. I am not a weak person but found it a bear to manipulate. 2 cartons, 1 containing the saw body and 1 containing everything else would be more reasonable. Unpacking the saw I would suggest you take everything but the saw out of the carton then stand the carton up and walk the saw out rather than trying to lift it out of the box. You will tear some cardboard and foam packaging but it is much easier and safer than trying to lift the unit out.



Assembly:



When I bought the saw, the salesman told me to allot about 8 hours for assembly and alignment. He wasn't lying. While nothing is very complicated, it is time consuming if you want to do it properly and a machine of this quality warrants the attention. I installed my unit in a General mobile base which I hope to review elsewhere since I am not very impressed with that item. Some other reviewers have talked of the need to add a sheet of plywood so the door of the stand wouldn't bind on the base. I did not find this so, but added a sheet anyway so that the top of the base floor would come even with the top of the mobile stand and look cool. Leave the shelf out (it really gets in the way) until the saw is in place and wait as the manual says to tighten the screws on the stand until the saw is in place. After assembly was finished I noticed the saw did wobble in the base more than I found acceptable, so I anchored the saw base to the mobile base from the sides using self-tapping screws. A better way would be through the base in the provided holes before putting the saw on. Lifting the saw on the base is best a 2 person job. While I could lift it myself, I didn't want to take a chance on scratching anything. With 2 people it's a piece of cake. Actually mounting the saw is not for anyone with big hands like me. It is best to build up your washers and nuts with double stick tape and put it up as a unit. A second wrench is also helpful here as it will be when setting the lower guide blocks. Assembling the work table is another 2 person job. It is somewhat heavy and must be placed exactly on the trunnion so strong arms holding it and young eyes to thread the bolts are a big help. I reversed the table leveling bar from the way it came in the box. This way it swings out for blade changes and out of the way. The downside is it protrudes about 1/16" from under the table but in my opinion is much more convenient. The rip fence goes on easily.



Alignment:



Here I encountered my first real disappointment. I attempted to align the table to the back of the blade (it was less than 1 degree out but I like things as perfect as I can make them) and found the pictures and instructions were obsolete. The trunnion is now anchored with 2 hex bolts, one which I could not loosen without taking the table off again so step skipped. Adjusting the upper blade guides is a snap. The lower guides however take more care. A second wrench again would be useful here so as to not turn the assembly when re-tightening the lock nut. I found the rip fence alignment kind of fiddly. For some reason when attempting to set the fence face 90 degrees to the table, it would go slightly askew when the nuts were tightened. It finally worked out, however. I omitted installing the guide scale since I prefer to measure and mark each cut anyway.



1st cuts:



I cannot believe how quiet a good machine is compared to cheaper units. I used the stock blade to do my test cuts. I re-sawed 6" of oak without a whimper as it cut the 4x4x12" cedar block into a cylinder. I tried 2 settings on the fence for re-sawing: one set for blade drift and one with the fence perpendicular to the table. The results were virtually identical. I can't wait to see what this machine does with a good blade in it.



What I like:

1. Power and the machine does run on a 15 amp breaker without popping it. I would not suggest adding anything else to the circuit though since the motor is rated at 14 amps



2. Cutting Height. Right out of the box this machine cuts to a height that its competitors require a riser block with all the readjustments connected to equal.



3. Work Table. Very nicely machined and polished.



4. Bearing Guides. Much superior to the guide blocks of my old machine.



5. Quick blade tension release.



6. Solidity of the machine and the fit and finish is far superior to all I've seen in its class.



What I don't like



1. The carton: 2 boxes would have been MUCH better.



2. The fence system: While I eventually got it aligned, the engineering is flawed here, especially for a otherwise high-class machine.



3. Lower Guide Blocks: This could also have been done better so that the guide assembly does not rotate.



4. Trunnion Adjustment: I just could not get this to work.



5. The bolt/washer/nuts assembly that holds the machine on the stand. There must be a better way.



Why?



1. is the light on the opposite side of where it is actually needed?



2. do the door latches latch down instead of up? If they latched up they could prevent any sag that comes with an aging machine by supporting the door rather than pushing it down.



3. is there no lock on the belt tension crank? It is right at kid height and my grand kids made a beeline for it as soon as they saw it.



4. are no exterior supports for the open end wrenches like there are for the allen wrenches?



Like I said at the beginning, aside from the stock fence, the other criticisms are just nit-picky type stuff. If the fence bothers me too much I'll upgrade to a Kreg or the like. Overall this is an incredible machine that is a class of its own.



Update 1 (1 week)

I solved the allen wrench problem to level that table to the back of the blade by tilting the table the other way (duh!) and then moving it back after the wrench was in place. Table is now perpendicular to the back of the blade, eliminate #4 from my don't like list. I haven't had a chance to get into town to get some good blades so am still using the stock blade. It cut a 9" very green apple log into boards without a whimper. Removing the bark from another 8" diameter piece of green apple to produce a cylinder (10" tall) almost stalled the machine at one point but recovered right away and didn't trip the breaker. Dust collection is ok. So far I haven't removed the bottom baffle as some people suggested. Very little dust (or in he case of the green apple, strands) remained in the the bottom cabinet with almost nothing migrating to the top cabinet.



Update 2 (1 month)

I had a problem in that the thrust bearing of the bottom blade guide fell off and as a result the stock blade was pushed into the lower guide bearings and dulled. Whether this was Rikon's fault or mine, I don't know, but henceforth I check that the bearings are tight before I saw. I have read a lot about the poor quality of the stock blade, and while it is not the greatest, increasing the tension on it makes it serviceable. On my machine the blade was shipped under tension, so who knows how much it stretched. I will have it re-sharpend. I replaced it with a 1/2" Viking blade that makes the machine totally amazing. I have tested it to the limit, sawing 13" green birch and aspen logs into blanks for later turning into bandsaw boxes. I've created a primitive sled to hold the rounds and if I can lift it I can saw it on the Rikon. I'm finding the blade tension scale pretty much useless. It is a good starting point, but using the "flutter" method of tensioning a blade always has the blades tensioned beyond what the scale would indicate. While there is some dust in the machine, I feel collection is acceptable but definitely not great. While I am working with green wood I clean the machine after each session anyway because of the moisture content of the sawdust and possible corrosion factor. Some criticisms in other reviews I don't understand. Changing blades on this machine is the easiest I have ever experienced. My first change was done in less than 2 minutes! I have no problem with being able to see through the alignment or tensioning windows even after hours of use. I am still VERY impressed!



Update 2 (6 months)

I continue to be very happy with this machine. I have resawed everything from spruce to maple with absolutely no problems. I have also done around a dozen band saw boxes of the same woods, using a 3/16" Viking blade to do the intricate cuts. Some on my blanks were 7" thick and the saw went through them like butter. VERY NICE! When working with well seasoned wood I have no dust collection problems even with my small 15 amp collection system. Green wood does build up in the machine. No matter what I am sawing I have not experienced the problems mentioned by other users of the alignment,blade and blade tension windows dusting up so they are useless. Now for my criticisms: The blade tension scale IS totally useless. All my Viking blades are way too loose (even by Viking's recommendations and 'flutter' tensioning method). I usually end up at least 1 blade thickness more in tension by the Rikon scale. When I installed a 3/4" blade the tracking mechanism bent the tension scale pointer so it no longer worked (it bends back very easily so not a big deal, but a little disconcerting the 1st time it happens). Finally the well-machined table that I liked so much is very soft and scratches very easily (Easier than my aluminum Shopsmith tables which look less beat-up after almost 20 yrs of use). One final matter of concern is that I received a bulletin from Rikon on Facebook saying that blowing out the machine with compressed air reduces the life of the drive and guide bearings. I have always blown out ALL my equipment at the end of a job. Apparently for Rikon a dirty machine is more healthy than one blown out. Those items aside, I am still extremely happy and impressed with the machine and would recommend it to anyone who wants large capacity and decent power in a 110V band saw. - Band Saws - Bandsaw - Resaw - Highly Recommended'

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Pencils - school supplies, pencils

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I am very happy with these Ticonderoga Cedar Yellow Wood Pencils as they are very useful in doing puzzles where I need to erase a lot. The lead is just the right softness and when the tip is sharpened I am able to right with much accuracy. I recommend these pencils highly and if you are in need of a good puzzle pencil then the Ticonderoga Cedar Yellow Wood Pencils #2/HB Soft Lead DIX13882 are the pencils you are looking for. Thanks! Dixon Ticonderoga Wood Cased Black Core #2 Pencils, Soft, 12 Count, Yellow (13882)

I am not sure who the people are that are giving this pencil a five star rating but they must not use pencils as often as I do! I am a first grade teacher and these pencils are terrible. I know since I sharpen more than 20 of them a day! They are not made in the USA. They are made in China and Mexico and the ones from Mexico are worse than the ones from China however, they are both poor. I actually have complained to the company and was sent over 24 dozen to compensate me for the poor quality that I have been experiencing. I used to request this brand specifically because they were good at one point...but that is no longer the case. The replacements they sent me are just as bad as the ones I had in my classroom originally. For next year I have changed the brand of pencils that all of our first grade will be using from Ticonderoga to Papermate....we shall see how they work--the pencil wars are on in my classroom. Does anyone take pride in their products anymore????

These pencils are absolute garbage. You can't even sharpen then without the wood splitting down the middle. If you are lucky enough to get past that, the lead is very weak and breaks off everytime you try and write with it. This is the WORST PENCIL EVER!

This review is of Dixon Ticonderoga yellow pencils, model 13882 (dozen). Generations of American schoolkids grew up writing with them, and I still use them for their durability, solid quality and chipper yellow, easy-to-locate color -- and despite the hexagonal shape of the barrel. (They're my second favorite wood pencil after the round black Mirado Warriors.) Just recently, I started to run out of the last dozen Ticon's that I bought a few years ago and ordered more. Is there anything that hasn't changed?



I am a little disappointed with the new ones. Same six-sided barrel, same-looking ferrule and eraser, yet the finish is not shiny, but matte, and just a little bit off the optimistic yellow of the recent past. Mine have sharpened OK; I even used a small hand-held sharpener on some and they sharpened well too. The wood does appear to be cedar, but it does not have the intense "cedary" smell I remember. These pencils are made in China. Quality of manufacture appears to be up to the old standard, but can they possibly last so long? We'll see.

The Dixon Ticonderoga Wood Cased Black Core #2 HB pencil is the one I look for when I buy pencils for myself and for my kids. I do a lot of note-writing and sketching in conjunction with my job, and this pencil feels good to write with, has exactly the softness of graphite that I prefer, and it even smells good. My son mentioned the smell. I had gotten him the Economy Dixon pencils for school, and he says those ones smell like paint.



One reason why I chose to write this review, was to compare the Ticonderoga with the Economy line. Aside from the smell, the Ticonderoga graphite is a little bit softer than the Economy, and the eraser is about 3mm longer. The pencil shafts of the two are nearly identical in length.



I recently purchased the Charles Leonard Multi-Hole Pencil Sharpener (#89508) and set about testing it with these two lines of pencils. Both sharpened effortlessly, but I noticed that, while the diameter of the Ticonderoga pencil corresponds exactly to the size of the "Standard" setting on the sharpener, I had trouble inserting the Economy pencil with that setting. Adjusting the setting up to the next size was necessary. Having the opening of the pencil sharpener closely match the diameter of the pencil barrel is key to easily keeping the pencil in the right position for sharpening.



I have read complaints about both the Ticonderoga and the Economy pencils being difficult to sharpen. A "one-size fits all" pencil sharpener may actually be the problem. Also, sometimes a particular lot of pencils may get through quality control that has the graphite core off-center. That is a pencil that may make you swear. Many of those novelty pencils that your kids get in birthday party goodie bags may make you swear when you try to sharpen them. I have had perhaps one or two Dixon pencils of both lines that had this problem. But never a whole box. If you buy a box of Dixon pencils and it was a bad lot, I recommend that you contact Prang to see if they would give you a coupon for a free box. - School Supplies - Dixon - Lead Pencils - Pencils'

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Battery Backup - indoor timer, programmable digital timer

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PROS:

- Easy to Program

- Easy to Read Display

- User Replaceable Backup Batteries (Two L44 button cell)

- Runs Without Batteries

- Takes Only One Slot In a Vertical Two Slot Socket System

- Time and Switches can be set by as little as one minute

- Override On Switch

- No bright light emitting from the device



CONS:

- No Override Off Switch

- Limited to only turn on and off once per day

- Can take up two slots horizontally

- No temporary backlit display feature



DETAILED DESCRIPTION:

I've owned a Woods digital timer and it worked fine until the internal battery died in it. The bad part about the Woods timer is that the battery wasn't user replaceable! As soon as I opened the package and saw the battery compartment I was excited to see this feature! I first bought this because it was the cheapest digital based timer switch I could find and it didn't mention anything about a backup battery in the unit or that it was user replaceable.



My main concern about this item was if I could set it to turn off in one minute and turn back on. I have a skype phone which works fine, but every now and then it needs the unit to be reset (power turned off and on). So this device fit the bill perfectly with added features I didn't expect. Since it is digital it doesn't make any sound as a manual based timer (the ones with a circle based clock with plugs or pins you'd place to set it). Again the user replaceable battery feature is nice because obviously you can replace them yourself and it remembers your settings if the power happens to go out.



It is rather simple to program as in to set your times by just holding down either the TIME or ON or OFF button and then press the hour or minute button to set it. Since the display isn't backlit then you might want to program this in a well lit area or take your flashlight when trying to program it. This really isn't a bad thing since I'd prefer the display to be off during the night, but it would be a welcome feature to have when programming the device. the device does also offer a override on switch, but no off switch. Not a big deal for me, but if you want to forcefully turn it off then you will have to unplug it. It isn't very tall so it doesn't take up that much space in a two slot socket, but in a six based socket it might about two sockets worth of space horizontally.



It uses two button cell batteries (LR1130) 1.5 volt or more commonly known as L44 which aren't that expensive to get and used in most devices such as laser pointers, led keychains, etc... You can also extract these type of batteries from an A23 Energizer 12 volt battery which contains 8 of these button cell (1.5 volt) batteries, but just hidden inside the energizer wrapper. So it is fairly easy to obtain these batteries, but I can't comment on how long they will last in the device. The device seems to be able to run without the batteries plugged in as well and that is a plus if you don't care if it remembers your settings (especially if power outages isn't that common in your area).



Other technical details left out were that it can power supposedly a 600 watt device at 5 amps. This unit has only two prongs and only accepts two prong devices which can be a plus or minus depending what you plan to do with this device. Also lastly I can't really comment on the reliability, but so far so good and it appears to be a good solid construction. Stanley 38424 TimerMax Digislim Daily Digital Indoor Timer, White

Stanley 38424 TimerMax Digislim Daily Digital Indoor Lamp Timer, WhiteWe have candles in each of our windows hooked up to timers and have replaced many of the analogue ones over the years. I first bought model 38425 which is identical to 38424 (this one) BUT came in a package of 2; so they were half the price of 38424 (Amazon no longer sells 38425). Anyway, I bought 10 to try and loved them so I bought another 9: the best features are

1. Extremely easy to use

2. Large screen numerals

3. Battery backup (a godsend as we typcially lose electricity in the summer and winter seasons)

4. Will run without the batteries

5. Does not block other outlet



Another reviewer noted a con as only on-off once per day; but this is the reason I bought them. I had previously purchased another brand that had multiple settings for every day but WAY too complicated to set for my needs.

Have used an old fashioned mechanical timer for years, and not infrequently, returned from being away and found that there had been a power outage, so the timer was wrong by the amount of time the power was off. Not the greatest thing when you're using it to make the place look occupied by turning lights on and off at appropriate times! Not long after we got this unit, we had a brief several minute power outage, and the battery backup of the settings worked as advertised.

The reason we selected this specific unit was comments from other users that the internal batteries were user replaceable (a couple of button cells). A second factor was that it had to have a load-bearing capacity to handle an electric blanket - it does, and works fine.

This timer has been reviewed in detail by another AMAZON purchaser. I agree with what has previously been said. Its merits are simplicity of operation, low cost relative to other units and a nice form factor. I have purchased 5 of them so far and use them as lamp timers (to turn on morning lights in our living room and family room) and to limit standby current use in appliances. Given their low cost, they are useful for that purpose. I also use a GE -branded surge strip I have not seen on Amazon (for about $20) which allows more programming complexity and multiple appliances to be plugged into one timer (eight max). I am impressed with the quality of the Stanley (no bad units so far). The lack of a backlight is not a deal-breaker for me since these are designed for "set and forget use") IMO. - Lamp Timer - Programmable Timer - Indoor Timer - Programmable Digital Timer'

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Battery Backup - indoor timer, programmable digital timer programmable digital timer Battery Backup - indoor timer, programmable digital timer

Kindle Accessory

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The Caselogic VNA-210 is a nice little attache-style case for netbooks or other small electronics. It is constructed from lightweight nylon and polyester (not neoprene foam), and features a large device compartment and two front pockets for accessories.



There is a decent amount of padding on the front and back of the main compartment for protection. The largest of the accessories pockets has internal pockets for a cellphone/mp3 player, usb flash drive, plus a couple of pen loops to keep it all organized. The vertical front pocket could only fit something small flat, as there is little-to-no gusset room here. A removable shoulder strap is also included.



The attache design means that the zipper to the main compartment only opens to just around the top corners. Although the VNA-210 states it fits netbooks '7 inches to 10.2 inches', it does not fit all 10.1" netbooks (it did not fit my Hercules eCafe), so make sure you measure your netbook first. According to the tag, the main device compartment of the VNA-210 has internal dimensions of/will only accommodate a netbook up to 10.5 x 7.7 x 1.5" (26.6 x 19.5 x 3.9 cm).



Overall, the Caselogic VNA-210 seems a well-constructed, lightweight, sturdy little case that is very suited for small netbooks and/or other electronics on the go. Caselogic VNA210 10.2-Inch Netbook/iPad Attache (Black)

I got this to carry my new iPad. I'd also gotten a plastic back cover for the iPad, which made it not fit into the very tight iPad cases I found at the Apple store. The iPad fits very well inside this bag, with the outside pocket to hold the charger. Highly recommended, and great quality for the price.



When shopping, I showed several to my wife--this she gave thumbs up since it looks like a small laptop bag, and not a purse :)

I have a power cord-adapter,External DVD Drive and cord,stack of DVD's, manuals, 6 Flash Drives, and the shoulder strap all tucked in the largest extra side pocket, my cell phone and keys in the smaller outer pocket for quick access, and it still retains it's slim-line look just like the ad said-no lumpy look or feel. It's well designed and well-made,priced alot less than bags without extra pockets or shoulder strap included. Made of a rugged material-not cheaply made like those soft flimsy ones. It's nice and small like my 10.2" Acer Aspire One netbook, but has a little elbow room for it, not squeezed in. It's very functional AND Stylish-VERY Stylish-Sleek! I love it and could't be happier with it. Perfect for storing my Netbook and it's accessories in one place at home, and protects it from weather and scratches-bumps (padded) while making it easy to carry it all on the go. It's Perfect!

I bought this bag as well as the "Case Logic LNEO-10 Ultraportable Neoprene Notebook/iPad Sleeve" for my 10" Asus 1015PEM netbook, thinking that the latter would be much slimmer to stuff into a backpack. Of the two, I prefer this bag. It's really not much thicker or bulkier than the neoprene bag and has more/better storage compartments and a shoulder strap. It has thicker padding on the bottom and around the edges, for much better protection if the bag is dropped. The neoprene bag has hardly any padding and seems like it wouldn't absorb any significant shocks. I also prefer the nylon exterior, which doesn't attract dust/dirt as much as neoprene and should stay looking good longer. This bag fits my Asus 1015PEM perfectly, whereas the neoprene model has a little more space and can stretch to accomodate a slightly larger computer.



This bag should work well when I travel - in addition to my netbook, it'll carry my small point and shoot camera, a mini tripod, chargers and travel mouse, as well as my passport and plane ticket, which will go into the outside pocket. If you plan to always carry your netbook inside of a larger bag or backpack, a simple sleeve would work, but for a compact and versatile bag at a great price, this one is hard to beat.



I was a little disappointed that the bag did not include the luggage strap or shoulder pad (attached to the shoulder strap) in the photos. I think these features are only included with the larger versions of this bag, and not with the 10". Despite this, I feel that the bag deserves five stars. BTW, my local Fry's has these bags for around $7 more than Amazon. Considering 9.75% CA sales tax, I saved over 60% buying from Amazon (w/ free shipping).

This is the right size for ... IPad in the Apple iPad case. Plus ... Tissues.. A pen and small notepad ( which I didn't need). ... And my phone. With a convenient shoulder strap and handle it is easy to carry. I was going out in the rain and if I didn't have the case I might have left the iPad at home. Price is right and features are great.

Fits my thinkpad 14.1 inch t400s perfectly. Has 2 extra compartments for other things. Overall looks like this thing will last a long time. Good finishing. One reviewer mentions "nothing stands out". That's silly, this isn't meant to be a laptop case with accents and leather stuff. Its a basic case for those who want practicality over looks. It get's 5 stars in that.'

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Portable Hard Drive - case, neoprene case

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This is a great little case. it fits the drive very well and the separate pouch for the cord is ideal. It protects the drive well and keeps everything very dry. We had a rain storm when we covered an event, and the drive stayed nice and dry! Excellent buy and very cost economical! Western Digital Neoprene Carrying Case for My Passport Portable Drives - Black

Perfect for carrying my 1Tb Passport. There is an internal pocket that the hard drive can slide into and then the USB cord isn't right up against the hardware. The hard drive actually fell out of my backpack when going through security at the airport. I saw it fall and hit the floor during all of the chaos that is airport security. However, the case padded the fall and I've been using it for the past 3 weeks since the drop and no problems. I give the credit to this case even though it isn't hardsided -- it was still enough to pad the fall.

This is an excellent carrying case for a Western Digital external hard drive and its cable. The case fits "My Passport" external hard drive and the space for the cord is just right. Although you should be careful not to drop it when if the external hard drive is inside the case, I did drop it once and the drive continued to work reliably--I was very pleased and impressed!



The zipper has never given me any trouble either; actually I can't really think of any negative things to say about this product. If you find that the case is slightly too big for the hard drive you can always buffer the external hard drive with something soft like bubble wrap. I highly recommend it especially for carrying a Western Digital "Passport" type of external hard drive.

The case is useful to carry or store your external drive, i-phone, any other electronic devices, because it provides a soft cushion for impact. Its fits devices about the size of a regular index card 3x5 inches.

As an afterthought I decided to get this case for my portable external hard drive. I'm glad I did as I carry it in my computer bag and although robust, the plastic could get banged around a bit. The carrying case also has a pocket for the cable which is handy. The price was also four dollars cheaper than my local box store.

I did not buy this case for the purpose for which it was intended. I had ordered 2 archos 5 models (the 32gb and 500 gb hard drive model). Anyone who has one of those knows, and those of you contemplating a purchase should know that it is incredibly difficult to find a good case for them (or any case at all now that they are out of production). The choices I have seen are either pouches which leave some part open to the elements (or crud in your bag) and fairly expensive ($35+) leather covers. If I hold onto one of these (rather than opting for a larger, newer model) I may well buy one of the leather cases, but irregardless of whether or not I go that route I want something which offers some protection for when I travel, e.g. This case is sub-optimal as the padding is very thin (compared to cases I have purchased from case logic and Kroo among others) but it fits the archos 5 almost perfectly, is a closed case, offers at least some protection and is very inexpensive. In brief, it is the best I have found thus far and I am going to hold onto it.

I am still hoping to find something with better padding, but it is a pretty decent short term solution, and maybe even a permanent one!

I am guessing it is good enough for a drive which does not have a screen (which is its intended use). I do not have a portable drive, and as such have not compared this with other cases on the market for same, but I am very happy that it fits the archos 5. For an MP3 player/ tablet device with a good size screen more protection is desirable, but this is better than none, and does have more padding than a leather case (and at a much lower price). - Carrying Case - Neoprene Case - Case - Western Digital'

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case

Financial Calculator

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The TI BA Plus II is a better calculator than most of the current TI models.Pros:It's a nice conservative brown color and not a day glo blue or some other candy color.The button feel (button feel a critical factor in buying a calculator) is much better than most TIs but it still could be improved. (It is not as good as the HP 12c). One shouldn't have to keep looking at the display to see if the number was keyed correctly.The different colored keys make it easy to find the various functions.The display is uncluttered and easy to read.The alpha characters on the left side of the display make it easy to know what data you are entering and what the resulting number from a calculation refers to.It has a backspace key.The manual is well written and very complete.Cons:The number of key strokes that you need to do the simplest things is unbelievable. For example, to change the decimal format you have to press 2nd, format, [the number referring to the number of places], enter, 2nd, quit. Compare this to the HP 12c where you just press F and the number referring to the number of places. Six steps on the TI verses 2 on the HP.The calculator has no weight to it. It seems flimsy. I would be very afraid of dropping it. The HP 12c is a tank by comparison.The hard plastic slip "case" doesn't fit securely.There is no way to change the contrast of the display.Extra steps are required to do TVM calculations as compared to the HP 12c since with the TI you have to press the CPT key to get an answer. If you forget to do that then the display number becomes a new, unintended variable.It doesn't retain the display when you shut the calculator off.The arrow on the backspace key points the wrong way. Compare it to the backspace key on your computer.It's easier to change the battery in your watch than it is in this calculator.The "cheat sheet" in the plastic cover is only paper and very easy to loose. The HP has it printed on the back of the calculator.No rubber feet! How much can these cost? That means you have to use two hands with this calculator; one to hold it so it doesn't slide around the table and one to enter data. You can't enter data with one hand and keep track of your place on a list of numbers with the other.Not noticeably faster than the HP 12c which was designed over 20 years ago.Conclusion: This calculator is better than most on the TIs in this price range mostly because of the improved button feel and the quality of the display but it would do well to take some lessons from the 80's and incorporate some of the features of the HP 12c. It's the little things that make a good calculator a great calculator. A calculator should be like an extension of you and not something that you have to constantly think about in addition to the business/math problems that you are working on. My first choice for a business calculator is the HP 12c but, if you are short on money, this is a good second choice. Texas Instruments BA II Plus Financial Calculator

I have used (and own) many of the available financial calculators on the market. I "recommend" the HP-10B to my university finance students, both graduate and undergraduate.The HP 10B is a directly positioned competitor to the TI-BA-II+, but HP's entry is superior. The keys feel more solid, the machine itself "seems" better made. Having worn out more than one of each, my experience has been that the HP has more staying power. And, the TI-BA-II+ often requires more keystrokes to accomplish the same tasks (i.e., NPV calculations). Oddly enough, when there is a difference in price, the HP often sells for around $1 less; though I would gladly pay more.The Like the HP 10B, the TI-BA-II+ has a well written manual, including examples on using the functions. TI has the manual available on-line on their website for the inevitable time that the user needs it and has lost the original.While there are cheaper financial calculators, it seems that this particular level is the minimum I would recommend to professionals or students. Less expensive versions, while saving a few dollars, miss important features. As a general rule of thumb, if the calculator can perform the "IRR" function, as this one can, it will be able to handle pretty much any calculation into which the finance student, professonal, or banker will run. Lesser machines do not have this function. So, skip the cheaper TI, HP, or other financial calculators.Ironically, even larger fancier calculators, such as the venerable HP-12C, are in my estimation inferior as well. The 12C uses RPN logic which, while saving even more keystrokes, is simply foreign to most students. More importantly, some functions, such as the Time Value of Money functions, on the 12C require interpretation. On the 12C, for example, solving for the number of periods in an annuity, the value gets rounded UP to the next integer. Not so in the TI-BA-II+ or HP 10B.While I can recommend the TI-BA-II+, it is second only to the HP 10B as the best value in inexpensive financial calculators.'

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Financial Calculator

Dark Chocolate - healing, health

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Ounce for ounce, dark chocolate has 19 times the amount of antioxidants as blueberries. It contains 2 times the amount of those cancer-fighting chemicals found in red wine and 3 times found in green tea! Who knew? It is indeed a superfood. The ancients knew this and so does Cal Orey. Her new book, `The Healing Powers of Chocolate', is a testament to that which all of the rest of us know merely by a discriminating palate. Her recipe for the writing of this book using the ingredients of eye-opening facts, fascinating subjective observations and superb culinary formulas weave together that which is pure success. She blends all the delectable informational flavors together so well in this work that I felt as though I was blanketed in chocolate mousse for the mind.



Read my article for Cal's new book on [...]

Cal Orey has done it again! She's delivered another fabulous "Healing Powers" book (the others are The Healing Powers of Olive Oil: A Complete Guide to Nature's Liquid GoldandThe Healing Powers of Vinegar: A Complete Guide to Nature's Most Remarkable Remedy only this time, it's on a subject near and dear to many hearts (Valentine and otherwise)- chocolate! Orey takes us on a wonderful Willy Wonka adventure in discovering America's greatest chocolates while extolling the virtues and health benefits of the delectably delightful indulgence. In this book, Orey traces the origin of chocolate, from bean to bar, from centuries ago to the present day. In creating this informative and fascinating book, she interviewed America's top chocolate makers and chocolatiers, nutritionists, medical researchers, and chocolate lovers to find out how this ancient "food of the gods" can prevent and fight common ailments and diseases. And she indulged in chocolate (all types, shapes and in a variety of dishes) from the West Coast, East Coast, Midwest, Deep South and even Ireland...



You'll love this book, devour it quickly and go back for seconds! A wonderful gift, but a must have book on every kitchen shelf as well - don't miss it, you'll never eat chocolate the same way again!



Here's what others have said:





"The right kind, the right amount of chocolate may just save your life."

--Ann Louise Gittleman, Ph.D., author of New York Times bestseller The Fat Flush Plan



"Fine chocolate is about taste, style, and integrity, and fine chocolate is the medium for our message. It is delightful to find an author who understands all this!"

--John Down & Joe Guiliano, founders of Christopher Norman Chocolates



"Chocolate is a taste of divine ecstasy on Earth. It is our sensual communion. Orey's journalistic style and efforts share this insight with readers around the world."

-- Jim Walsh, founder of Intentional Chocolate

Then you must get a copy of The Healing Powers of Chocolate book in your hands! Cal Orey has out done herself (once again) by showing us how to healthfully incorporate chocolate into our life styles. Debunking the myths about chocolate has given me a whole new outlook about it's list of health benefits including the positive physical and psychological effects of chocolate.



I love this book. Now I know chocolate can be an enjoyable addition to my diet with numerous health perks to boot... Sweet!

I just love Cal Orey's books: The Healing Powers of Olive Oil and The Healing Powers of Vinegar. I just can't wait for her new book; The Healing Powers of Chocolate to arrive in my mail. Just from reading these previous two books I know I will just love reading this one too. Every book I've read of hers is so very interesting. It is so much fun to find out all the details about the origins of each of these books titles. Plus each of them are geered towards helping me stay healthy. It's so wonderful to learn more about the benefits of the foods that I love to eat. Buying this book is something everyone should do. You won't be disappointed. She's a great writer!!!

So wonderful the way Cal Orey allows us to embrace chocolate and stop blaming it for our weight problems. I love her quote, "Rather than running from the chocolate, we should embrace it with both arms." So true! We Americans are an overweight society, but this book really shows how chocolate is not the evil so many people make it out to be. Read and find out how much it can benefit us and you'll soon be a convert!

I provide the Mediterranean Dietary Approach for Americans. As such, we advise the people who want to lose weight and maintain optimal health to adopt foods from the Mediterranean Food Guide Pyramid (Harvard, Oldways). But it's not always easy, because people want to know why lovely delicious chocolate has suddenly gone from a know Vice to a know Virtue!!



The Healing Powers of Chocolate does precisely this -- it educates us on this most delicious of heart-healthy foods. Like her preceding works (The Healing Powers of Olive Oil, and The Healing Powers of Vinegar), these provide ample rationale for eating the foods that the thin and vibrant Mediterranean people eat every day.



And, as in the wonderful maxim ... Life Is Uncertain, Eat Dessert First ... you should start with the Healing Powers of Chocolate, and then please do move to Cal Orey's work on Olive Oil and Vinegar.



In full disclosure, I wrote the Introduction to Healing Powers of Chocolate, and did so because of the consistent sound scholarship (and easy-to-read prose) that Cal shows. I hope you enjoy it!! [...]. - Dark Chocolate - Weight Loss - Healing - Health - Superfood - Cocoa'

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health

Excercise Ball - exercise, stability ball

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I'm 6'5" 270 pounds. So when I looked into stability balls I was really concerned with whether one would support me. So far, so good. I got it yesterday, blew it up in a few minutes, and sat on it (hesitantly at first) for over an hour. Then worked out for about an hour. It seems very durable and able to maintain my weight without a problem. The exercises on this thing are super effective, as I can feel today. The ball is just right as far as size goes.

Someone complained about the pump, but I found it efficient. It's like a huge syringe. It worked fine. It only took me a few minutes to pump the ball up and that was with my one year old hanging on me so he could mess with the ball.

If something happens and this product fails in some way, I will immediately update this review so that anyone who's concerned can know. So if you don't see an update, the TKO's going strong. TKO Anti Burst Fitness Ball Set 75cm

I have two exercise balls -- one for home and one for work.



This is the ball that replaced my office chair at work. I sit on it daily, frequently bounce on it when no one is around, and it has rolled around my floor with coworkers a couple of times. I've only inflated it once (the initial time) in the time I've had it -- over three months!! I weigh about 130lb (+/-) so I don't add a *ton* of constant weight on the ball. It has lost *some* air (it's not perfect after all), but it's still very firm. (I will probably re-inflate it this week or next.) Three additional bonuses about the ball: (1) since it's a dark color it doesn't pop out at people as they walk by me at work; (2) it's neither sticky nor overly smooth; and (3) it's anti-burst. The ball has a good texture that keeps you in place but doesn't pick up lint/dust. Some balls seem to attract it. Also, if you've seen that episode of "The Office" ([...]) you can appreciate the importance of an anti-burst ball. I haven't tested out this feature (and don't plan on it!), but I am glad that it is there since ANY stability ball can be popped.



The exercise ball that I have at home (GoFit) has lost air much quicker and I don't use it 1/10th as frequently! When I replace my GoFit, I'll definitely go with another TKO!

I am a proponent of fitness and the intent of my review is not to tout the benefits of using this product. As an active individual, I decided on this item to add dimension, that I thought needed, to my routine. I also intended to use this ball as a supporting structure (chair) for my writing assignments and such. Having used "fitness balls" in the past, I selected this item on reviews. I was disappointed.



This company delivered the product as promised. No issues here.



After inflation and initial use, I was satisfied with the product for the first few hours. Then I noticed that the ball began to lose pressure. I was not successful in trying to find one leak. My product has multiple leaks from the vulcanized seam. I only found them after submersing the surface area in soapy water.



As I am overseas now, with the product, a return is more effort than worth.



Had the product worked (held air pressure), I would have been satisfied.

i do not know if my defect was a one-time issue or a common problem. All I can offer is caution in your purchase.

The thing that "bothered" me a bit was that there was little to no info on this website that had "height recommendations". The Ball had it on the side and it suggested this size for people over 6 ft tall.



That being said, I really didn't want to go through the hassle of returning it. At 5'8", I'd prefer to take my chances. I was pleased with the size and quality of the ball. It is nice and durable. Mine came with a hand pump and while my friends had a good laugh while I inflated it, it works fine for me now.

I purchased this largest of the fitness balls (75cm) eventhough I am 5'9". I am a physical therapist and am very familiar with these so called "Swiss therapy balls" as they are used extensively in my profession. I wanted the largest ball for personal preference, although the 65 cm ball is the recommended size for my height. If you want the ball for doing wall squats (ball against the wall and behind your back) or for lying over on your back to stretch your back into good extension without feeling like your head (or hair) is trailing on the floor, then you may want to size up as well. There are many other exercises that are better accomplished on a ball that is a bit larger as well. Also, it has been my experience with many of these balls that it can be difficult to get them blown up to the full stated cm circumference. The instructions in the packaging tell you to NOT use a automatic tire pump, and to use ONLY the hand pump and inflator tube/pin provided. It is a challenge to get the air into the ball this way (with the hand pump) after it is approx. 80% of its stated size, and I don't mean just this brand ......... all of them are that way. Also, if you know you are not going to blow it up to its full size it will have a bit softer feel which is another attribute I was looking for. When they are blown up to their full stated size the "anti-burst" balls can be very firm and some find that uncomfortable. The TKO ball is a nice, sturdy ball. The material is very substantial and a bit firmer than some therapy balls especially if it is fully blown up to it's stated cm size.

I actually purchased two of the fitness balls for my mini horse to play with in the pasture. He plays with it all the time, kicking it around like a soccer ball. Sometimes he actually picks it up in his mouth, and it has lived up to it's claim of anitburst. So far it has survived month's of rough play with only the occassional replacement of a plug. I was able to order extras from the manufacturer and they were very easy to deal with. It takes a licking and keeps on.......... - Exercise - Tko - Fitness Ball - Stability Ball'

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Excercise Ball - exercise, stability ball exercise Excercise Ball - exercise, stability ball