DIY Life

Fixing a clothes dryer that won't dry

Gary E. Sattler — 2008-01-28T10:00:00 00:00

Filed under: fix-it, preventative maintenance, ventilation, cleaning

There's nearly nothing so frustrating as a clothes dryer which returns your freshly washed laundry in the same condition as when you put it in there. Most of us know the feeling we get when we stick our hand in the dryer expecting warm fluffy towels only to find a cold wet lump of terry cloth fabric.

There are three main conditions which most commonly cause this problem to occur. Your dryer vent could be plugged up, your heating element could be failing, or your dryer drum may be refusing to turn. A few tests and observations can quickly reveal the source of your trouble.
Begin by testing your drum to make sure it's turning freely. Just reach in and attempt to spin it by hand. The drum should turn but you want to feel some noticeable resistance. If the drum feels like it's spinning much too easy, your drive belt is probably over worn, stretched or broken. If you determine that is your problem, check out these excellent dryer belt replacement instructions from The Virtual Repair Man. You may also want to watch their handy dryer belt replacement video.

If you think the belt is alright, continue your diagnosis by throwing a couple wet towels in your dryer and then start up the machine. Use a setting which should produce the full amount of heat. Let the dryer run for about ten minutes while you eat a bologna sandwich and slurp a glass of milk. By this time, the dryer should be fully warmed up and you should be able to tell if it's heating properly. If the clothes are just a little warm to the touch, you probably have a heating element malfunction which generally means a call to the appliance repair technician for most of us.

If the drum is turning properly and the heating element is working alright, then you probably are having trouble with the warm moist air not leaving your machine. First, check to make sure that your lint trap is properly cleaned. Next, go to where the dryer exhaust is vented outside to see if you can feel the air being expelled. When the dryer is running, that vent pipe should be blowing quite noticeably. If you can hardly tell that air is exiting, then you have one of two potential problems, either your dryer's vent fan isn't working properly or your vent pipe is plugged. Unhook the pipe from where it attaches to the machine. If there's proper outward air flow at the machine, your vent fan is good and your vent line needs inspection.

Inspect your vent pipe from end to end and do whatever is necessary to clean inside it. A good rule of thumb for efficiency and safety is: If your dryer vent pipe gets plugged up it's probably a good time to replace it.

For more detailed instructions and a lot more clothes dryer repair information, please be sure to check out repair2000.com. Be sure to tell 'em DIYLife.com sent you!

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Build cold frames now for a head start on your garden

Gary E. Sattler — 2008-01-10T12:00:00 00:00

Filed under: backyard science, weekend projects, gardening and plants, staying green

I guess it's a little early in the season to begin thinking about gardening, but I can't help it. I live to have my hands in the dirt. I love the feel and the smell of it. That's why I'm bringing you this helpful suggestion on how to get your garden going a little earlier than you might have expected this year. The concept is called cold frame gardening. It's easy and highly effective.

Cold frames are nothing more than small self-contained green houses. They are generally about three feet square with an angled top to face toward the sun. One of the best things about cold frames is that you can build them utilizing materials which might otherwise have been considered scrap.

You can begin by finding the piece which you'll use for the cover panel. An old wood framed window works excellent. Your top panel will determine the dimensions of your cold frame. You can build them as large or as small as you want. The concept that I'm illustrating results in a cold frame which stores and moves easily and it sets up in a snap because the door hinge style construction allows the parts to be easily separated and stored when not in use.

I'm not giving you a parts list or building instructions because this is a project which lends itself to personal style and ability utilizing whatever materials you find or have on hand. Take a good look at my design and review the links I've provided and I'm certain you'll come up with your plan. The top doesn't have to be hinged, you could make it completely removable. The dimensions can be adjusted to suit your desires and materials.

Be sure to make your cold frames tall enough to accommodate your growing plants. The weather may require you to leave the cold frame in place longer than anticipated. Be certain to make the top at an angle and face it towards the sun because that will give you the best solar gain. Cold frames can also be utilized over the top of a compost pile which will help to hold in moisture and heat, speeding the process of decomposition.

As always, please feel free to submit to us your gardening tips, links and photos. We'd love to make DIYLife your own garden of paradise online!

HGTV cold frame article.
University of Missouri cold frame article.
Ready made cold frames from EnviroCept.
Runner Duck cold frame project plans.

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Billy Mays and Mighty Putty: Nothing new under the sun.

Gary E. Sattler — 2008-01-08T18:00:00 00:00

Filed under: fix-it, household hacks, money

Television miracle product barker Billy Mays wants you to buy the "new" epoxy putty which claims to fix almost anything effectively and permanently. Billy's not lying to you in the assertion that epoxy putty can make an effective repair in many situations but don't be fooled, epoxy putty is nothing new.

Go to your local hardware store and ask them for epoxy putty, they should have it available for you and you'll save about $7.95 in shipping charges. Epoxy putty works in the manner that Billy says, just knead it to mix it and apply it to accomplish your chosen repair. Epoxy putty does have a limited shelf life so be careful not to buy much more than you need.

Do not use epoxy putty for attaching things which will be suspended above occupied spaces. Do not use epoxy putty for surfaces which will come in direct contact with food. Do not use epoxy putty for towing vehicles and do not use epoxy putty for permanent repairs on any kind of fluid lines while under pressure.

Do make sure that the product is properly cured before putting it into service in any capacity and do take Billy Mays with a grain of salt.

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A great bluebird house to build yourself (swallows like 'em too)

Gary E. Sattler — 2008-01-08T08:00:00 00:00

Filed under: backyard science, recreation, seasonal, staying green, wood working

Of all the bird species native to North America, bluebirds are some of the most beautiful. During the decades of the 80's and 90's, bluebird populations were in serious decline which spawned nation wide efforts to assist them. One of the most dramatic developments to arise from the movement to assist the bluebirds may have been the inspired design of the Peterson bluebird house and the bluebird trails created with them.

The Peterson bluebird house is a wonderful example of design and function which meets the needs of birds and bird lovers alike. While providing an excellent location in which to raise their little birdie families, these houses are fairly simple to build, mount and maintain. You will need to have just a bit of wood working skill to build these houses because you'll be cutting some angles which will need to match up. Within this blog post you'll find some links to pages which should help you decide if the building of a Peterson bluebird house is a project you'd like to tackle.

Materials: Project wood (cedar is best), 2 1/2 inch long wood screws, One 3 inch nail or metal pin
Tools: Table saw, screw driver, wood drill bit 1 3/8.
Time: The first one will take a couple hours to build. After the first one, you should be able to build them at a rate of about one per hour.
Steps: Start by cutting all your parts according to the plans provided by Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center. The original Peterson bluebird house had seven wood components but some designs now include a "predator block" which makes the opening more difficult for uninvited critters to disturb the inhabitants. The predator block is simply a block of wood 3 1/2 inches square and 1 1/2 inches thick which has an opening identical to the entry hole and attaches over the entry making it more difficult for predators to reach into the house (see my illustration above). You can add a couple saw kerfs to the block to assist entry and exit.
First attach the inner roof support and the floor to the back board, then attach the two sides. I recommend drilling pilot holes for all attachment points and I suggest using exterior quality screws rather than nails.
Next, attach the front of the house which is designed to swing down for spring cleaning so don't make your pivot attachments too tight. The nail or metal pin is used to secure the flip open front by inserting it through a hole drilled through the side and into the edge of the front board.
Finish your assembly by attaching the roof. Making your roof larger than designed will help to discourage predators and making the roof thicker will help to slow temperature changes within the house throughout the day.

Once you have finished building your bluebird houses, the next step is to get outside and place them. Bluebirds like to nest at the edge of open fields along thickets and hedgerows. Place the houses 4 to 6 feet above the ground and if you put up multiple houses it's good to have anywhere from 10 to 100 feet between them. Often times your bluebird houses will be attractive to other species such as swallows and sparrows. The best way to control this situation is to place your houses well away from heavily wooded areas or building structures.

It's time to get busy building your bluebird houses now because spring is just around the corner. We invite you to submit links to your favorite bird houses, feeders and baths. If you have tips or suggestions regarding bird benefiting items, won't you please submit them? I'd love to create a gallery of your beautiful and practical bird lover projects!

Wild-Bird-Watching.com
Watch bluebird videos
Bluebird trail trouble-shooting
Suburban bird tips

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How to write a song parody

Gary E. Sattler — 2007-12-30T17:00:00 00:00

Filed under: miscellaneous, recreation, DIY: Inspirations

How many people out there remember Weird Al Yankovic? He was the musical satirist who made a name for himself in the 80's and 90's by taking pop songs and twisting them into his own hilarious interpretations of the original works. In particular, some of the parodies he created from Michael Jackson songs were amazingly inspired works of comedy art.

Because of Weird Al, I myself have tried my hand at the writing of parodies and I found it to be fairly simple. You must have the ability to follow a tune in your head and you need a sense of musical timing and rhyme. A slightly warped sense of humor can come in handy also which makes me a perfect candidate for the job.

If you are interested in seeing a working example of how you can write a song parody yourself, I invite you to take the jump and witness the creation of my song parody: "Internet writer", as based on the Beatles song "Paperback Writer".

First, here are the lyrics for the original "Paperback Writer", as recorded by The Beatles:

Paperback writer, paperback writer.
Dear Sir or Madam will you read my book,
It took me years to write will you take a look,
Based on a novel by a man named Lear,
And I need a job,
So I want to be a paperback writer,
Paperback writer.
It's a dirty story of a dirty man,
And his clinging wife doesn't understand.
His son is working for the Daily Mail,
It's a steady job,
But he wants to be a paperback writer,
Paperback writer.
It's a thousand pages give or take a few,
I'll be writing more in a week or two,
I can make it longer if you like the style,
I can change it round,
And I want to be a paperback writer,
Paperback writer.
If you really like it you can have the rights,
It could make a million for you overnight,
If you must return it you can send it here,
But I need a break,
And I want to be a paperback writer,
Paperback writer

Now, here are my lyrics based on my own experience.

Internet writer, Internet writer.
Dear sir or Madam will you read my blog,
It took me hours to write, working like a dog.
It's based on a post by a limp website,
and I need some cash,
so I want to be an Internet writer,
Internet writer.
It's a dirty blog about a dirty wrench
and my source is dull so forget that wench.
I eat at my desk and edit in the can,
but it's extra dough and I wanna be an Internet writer.
Internet writer.
It's a thousand words, perhaps a thousand two
I can strike a phrase. I can add a few.
I can make it lurid if you need that type.
I can fuel the hype,
Cause I want to be an Internet writer.
Internet writer.
It's claimed as invention by a man named Gore
If we give him room he will claim some more.
Soon they'll be asking where the newsprint went,
But I'm getting paid and it's 'cause I am an Internet writer.
Internet writer.

You too can write a song parody. All you need to do is just take your ideas and jam them into words which will fit a tune that you feel expresses your theme. It makes no matter if you create a simple two line refrain or an entire ballad. What counts is the expression of your ideas and the fun that you have while creating your own special little masterpiece.

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Fix pixels on your LCD screen

Gary E. Sattler — 2007-12-26T10:00:00 00:00

Filed under: fix-it, household hacks, audio and video, computers and internet

There's almost nothing as annoying as purchasing a new electronic device only to find that there are flaws in the LCD viewing screen. The experience is fairly common but not often discussed. Most often, these flaws take the form of stuck pixels which show only one color or dead pixels which show nothing but black.

There was a fix for this problem discussed quite some time ago by our friends at Engadget. The solution they addressed suggested using a video file provided by Best Buy to force those stubborn pixels back into doing their jobs. The video file, which works by flashing red, green and blue colors on the display, seeks to dislodge stuck pixels and make them part of the team again. Mixed reports suggest that the process is at least marginally effective.

It seems to me that a person could attempt the same type of fix without having to hunt down that Best Buy video file. If I was required to try it for myself, here's what I'd do:

In any paint program I'd create a set of solid color images including: black, white, cherry red, forest green, canary yellow, royal blue, teal, magenta and cyan.
Save those images in a large enough image size so they won't tile if set to desktop background.
Set those images to run as a screen saver, slide show. Cycle them as fast as possible.
Let that screen saver run all night.

In theory, the rapid fire flashing of the intense colors should break loose those stuck pixels. I'd like to test this process myself but all my LCD pixels are performing pretty well. This process is not intended to bring dead pixels back to life, it's suggested simply for breaking loose a few stubborn ones.

One additional suggestion: If you suffer from epilepsy, you'd probably rather not attempt this fix.

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Manufacturer recalls Billy Goats

Gary E. Sattler — 2007-12-20T08:00:00 00:00

Filed under: seasonal, outdoor, recalls and safety, cleaning

In response to possible fuel tank leakage, Billy Goat Industries Inc. has voluntarily recalled Billy Goat MultiVac outdoor vacumms. The manufacturer indicates that the fuel tanks on the machines can crack, leading to possible fuel leakage near hot engine parts creating the hazard of fire or explosion. No incidents have been reported to date. The recall affects approximately 1,600 units.

If you have a Billy Goat which is black and green with the product name printed on the collection bag, you can locate the product model number on a label located directly below the height adjustment crank on the left side of the vacuum. To find out if your Billy Goat is affected by this recall you can reference a list of the appropriate model numbers on the original Consumer Product Safety Commission press release.

Please discontinue using your Billy Goat and contact the manufacturer for a fuel tank replacement. You may contact Honda at (800) 426-7701, or you can visit the company website at www.hondapowerequipment.com.

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Your next income venture might be right in front of you!

Gary E. Sattler — 2007-12-18T17:00:00 00:00

Filed under: kids, toys, art, Crafts, sewing

People ask me about ideas for things that they can make themselves to sell on Internet sites like Etsy.com. I tell them the trick is to come up with things that can be produced rather quickly with quality results and it helps if it's something they can make uniquely their own. It's also beneficial if the items are practical as well as decorative. A healthy dose of whimsy always helps to capture the attention of curious shoppers.

To see a fine example of what I'm suggesting, take a look at the home sewn washcloth puppets on Sewing.org. These home made little cuties would be relatively cheap to make because they're sewn using basic washcloths and some other common sewing supplies. Sewing.org gives you the full instructions for making them and even includes printable patterns for you.I would think that with modest marketing in the proper venue, you could sell mixed sets of three washcloth puppets for $20 all day long.

Hand made items will always sell well if they're smart and well executed. People just love to buy practical home made items because it gives them the feeling that they're helping out their neighbors at the same time they're buying something they can use. Take a look around your home for those things that you or someone you know could have made yourselves. Who knows, you might have the inspiration for your next income venture hanging on the back of your bathroom door!

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18 easy homestyle ways to reduce stress on the cheap

Gary E. Sattler — 2007-12-18T10:00:00 00:00

Filed under: preventative maintenance, recreation, DIY: Back to Basics

Stress, to some degree we all have it. Most of us have far more than we'd like to have but we learn how to deal with it in our own special ways. One way that I deal with my own stress load is by visiting my chiropractor once a month. He puts my frame back in alignment and that simply makes everything I face on a daily basis a little bit easier.

The last time I had an appointment with my chiropractor I found a list of stress reducing techniques which actually made me realize that I do a lot more to relieve my own stress than I thought. Stress reduction mentally compounds, which means the less stress you think you have, the less stress you'll actually experience and accordingly, the less stress you'll think you have. The idea feeds on itself.

After the jump, get an idea about how well you might be doing in the ways of managing your own stress.

Get up in the morning early enough to easily do what you need to accomplish. Make eating a good breakfast a regular part of that routine.
If you spend any time worrying that you might forget something, that's the time to write it down.
Believe in the preventive maintenance of all things.
Eat a varied and balanced diet most of the time and spoil yourself once in a while with foods you really like.
The more exercise the better. We're built to move and I can prove it.
Learn what procrastination is and know when you're doing it.
Take a break once in awhile and survey your own accomplishments.
Avoid credit cards whenever possible. This one works really good for me.
Pray, meditate, think, ponder. These work good for me also.
Remember that Babe Ruth struck out 1,330 times, Abe Lincoln became an attorney by lamplight and Mel Gibson couldn't give a rat's patootie about whether you like him or not.
Don't be a liar.
Dedicate 85% of your brain capacity to thinking and only 15% to operating your jaw.
Get uncluttered or raise your tolerance for being cluttered.
Find someone who has already had the problem you have and pick their brain.
Apply the word love to your thought processes often.
Learn the serenity prayer.
Buy clothes you like.
Remember that it's never too late to have a happy childhood.

Most of the activities and ideas on this list are things that I regularly employ to make my busy life more bearable. I also believe that you should share food often and I try to live by the adage that everyone has an opinion and that's why I'd like to hear it. What are the ways that you reduce stress? Are you into walking or weight lifting? Have you learned how to filter the information you give out as appropriate to the people around you? What appliances have you given up in order to simplify your life a little? Where do you get your balance from? We'd love to hear about it!

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Build a LEGO wedding cake to have and to hold

Gary E. Sattler — 2007-12-17T10:00:00 00:00

Filed under: food, wedding, entertaining

It has always seemed a shame to me that one of the best parts of the wedding day gets destroyed soon after the wedding ceremony. I have always enjoyed the beauty of wedding cakes and although I have always liked eating a piece, or two, or three, it still seems unfortunate to me that wedding cakes can't survive the celebration intact. Photographs just don't do justice to the memory of a wedding cake. They are after all, hand crafted works of art. So what is a person to do when they want a wedding cake that will withstand the rigors of time? I have found the answer. Although not edible, a LEGO wedding cake is durable enough to keep for a lifetime and to pass on to your heirs.

The LEGO wedding cake web page I have located for you does not have actual step by step instructions for making this beautiful creation but plenty of pictures and good descriptive text give you enough information to undertake the project yourself. The bottom two tiers are constructed slice by slice, allowing the happy wedding couple to give them to wedding guests as keepsakes.

If you're a fan of LEGO construction and you are contemplating tying the matrimonial knot, give some consideration to the LEGO wedding cake. It fits all the requirements of the traditional wedding cake except it's not edible and you really wouldn't want to schmoosh a piece of it into your new life partner's face.

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The many creative uses for retired PC's

Gary E. Sattler — 2007-12-14T14:00:00 00:00

Filed under: home decor, household hacks, recreation, weekend projects, art, Crafts, computers and internet, geek it yourself, staying green

So you thought that once a PC was retired from data service it just went to the junk heap to be melted down and reincarnated as a Wii controller? Well, that's not what happens all the time. Some computers and their peripherals get a full make over and go on with their lives in the form of something new. Have you ever heard of a computer mouse turned Chia pet? Well, believe it or not, I found one.

A hilarious if not artsy gallery of images resides over at Techlicious.tv , and I'll bet that you will be greatly amused with what you find there. The creations displayed are made from the parts of computers just like the one you might have sitting on your desk. The best part might be that these projects all look like just about anyone could make them if given the right tools and glue. Take a look at the video display which was converted into a hamster cage. Now there's some ingenuity for you!

I guarantee it will be worth your time to take a little look. My favorite entry in the whole group would have to be the tower case hibachi. Please feel free to tell us about PC reincarnations that you have created and tell us how you go about building these things!

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Tis the season...to repair wood floors

Gary E. Sattler — 2007-12-11T11:00:00 00:00

Filed under: fix-it, home decor, weekend projects, flooring, wood working, pets

Did you say that Aunt Jenny's poodles scratched the heck out of your cherry wood flooring in the guest room? Did your riotous nephews gouge the tongue and groove planks in the family room with their radio controlled missile launcher? Is there a way to repair your lovely basswood dining room floor after Uncle Hal slid his chair across it with all 328 lbs of his lumbering carcass? Yes my friends, there is hope for your natural wood flooring even after your in-laws have done everything in their power to destroy it.

The National Wood Flooring Association has kindly placed instructions on their website to help you recover from some of life's worst known wood flooring disasters. With just a click of the mouse in your trembling hand, you can find the magic solution to repairing damages such as crayon marks, mild burns and dog accidents. You can learn how to remove food stains, grease stains, heel marks and much more. The NWFA website even addresses the difference between wax finished or surface finished floors, so you can be sure you are undertaking the proper method of repair.

So, the next time your neighbor's daughter brings her pony into your oak floored foyer, do not despair. Those hoof marks can be made to disappear. Natural wood has been used for flooring because it is so durable, and the science of repairing wood floors has been refined over time. With a little patience and some elbow grease you can certainly make an acceptable floor repair all by yourself, but you might want to discontinue parking your Harley Davidson in the family room just as an added precaution.

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Drink your way to health and prosperity

Gary E. Sattler — 2007-12-06T13:00:00 00:00

Filed under: food, in the kitchen, preventative maintenance, entertaining

Are you willing to take a guess at what might be the most beneficial beverage available today? Beer might be a good guess, but you'd be wrong. It could be a sports drink if you just finished three sets of tennis. Perhaps it's just good old water, we all need that just to survive. In my case, there's a good chance that it's coffee because I almost live on the stuff. Do you think it's bourbon, milk, or turpentine?

According to a blog post at Yahoo! Food, there's a growing consensus that green tea is the drink of choice for health conscious folks. I've known for quite some time that green tea offers health benefits but I didn't know the full magnitude of the benefits green tea lays claim to. Here is a glimpse at how you might employ green tea to improve your healthy living program:

Block the onset of cancer with green tea's beneficial antioxidants known as polyphenols.
Soothe irritated skin with green tea's natural antiseptic qualities.
Help maintain healthy blood pressure
Preserve your brain function
Maintain your arteries and fight cholesterol
Rev up your metabolism

Green tea has been receiving positive reviews for decades. From what I have read, the stuff deserves all the praise that it gets. Unlike many of the concoctions that you can buy today which contain massive doses of sweeteners and caffeine to give them a jolt and make them palatable, green tea has a nice subtle flavor all it's own which is delicious either hot or cold. Given all the benefits that green tea is claimed to offer, it just might be a beverage you'd like to try.

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Holiday Gift Guide: Classic gifts for wood workers

Gary E. Sattler — 2007-12-03T15:00:00 00:00

Filed under: fix-it, household hacks, preventative maintenance, recreation, Crafts, wood working, DIY: Inspirations

Wood workers are special people and that's why they deserve special gifts. Most of us wood workers are earthy types and hands on people who thrive on creating things of beauty and utility from nature's raw materials.

It's not hard to buy gifts for a wood worker but sometimes it's hard to buy just the right one. If your wood worker isn't giving any hints about what you might give them, I have some suggestions here that might make the endeavor a bit easier for you. I present to you my Holiday Gift Guide of Classic Gifts for Wood Workers.

Screwdrivers are a necessity for handy people of all persuasions. The one cardinal rule for buying these tools is; Never buy cheap screwdrivers. As with most all hand tools, you get what you pay for when buying screwdrivers. Try to stick with brand names you trust such as Stanley, Craftsman, SK Tools, and Snap-on. Screwdrivers can easily be purchased in sets and that's what I recommend if you're giving them as a gift. A good basic set of screwdrivers should have at least 3 slot tip and three phillips tip models. Most wood workers and mechanics agree that you can never have too many screwdrivers.

A shop apron is often an important tool item that many woodworkers bypass. It's just not an item we think to buy for ourselves. The right apron provides protection for your clothes and body while you get in close to your work and a good apron can even boost your productivity. There are a couple types of aprons to consider. A full length shop apron covers the body from chest to knees. These full length aprons are generally made of leather and have deep functional pockets. You do not want the type of apron that has a support strap which goes behind the neck. You want the type with shoulder straps like this excellent example from Rockler Woodworking Tools. A nail apron differs from a shop apron in that it's shorter, it fastens at your waist and it frees you hands by holding tools and hardware as you work with them. An example of a nail apron similar to my own can be found at Sears.com . Nail aprons and tool belts are often considered to be the unsung heros of the construction trade.

Tool boxes and chests are always popular gifts and the selection available is positively amazing. A stationary tool chest can help keep your garage in order, while a rolling tool chest can ease your work by keeping things mobile and accessible. You can still get a nice basic rolling tool chest for under $200, and that cost includes the few extras you can buy as options to make the chest more effective. Look for models with welded corners, heavy duty rollers and bearings in the drawer slides.

Kits, plans and projects make excellent gifts for your wood worker who already has all the tools they need. You could try finding a project plan at woodworkersworkshop.com, and then get a gift certificate for the project materials at a local home building center. You can purchase wood clock making kits at Klockit.com . You will find kits there suited to every wood working skill level and you can buy most of their kits either with precut parts or just the inner workings and the plans. You can find some excellent project kits suitable for young wood workers at Woodcraft.com to get them started in the noble art of woodworking for the birds. You'll find another nice selection of woodland woodcrafts at Birdsanctum.com .

The most coveted wood working tool of this year is the table top CNC router, similar to this fine model from IMService. There are several excellent models out there which can be had for under $3,000 but the thing about CNC routers is that if you're not going to be producing multiple dozens of the same pieces, you're spending a lot of money on technology you'll probably never use.

The "can't miss" wood worker's gift is still the cordless drill. A good 16 volt drill with an extra battery, case and charger can easily be purchased for under $100. You can look at models from Black & Decker, Dewalt, Makita, Skil, Craftsman, Milwaukee, and several other manufacturers. Each of them have good options to offer to you. The trick to finding the right cordless tool for your wood worker is to consider what they'll use it for and how often they'll use it. My pick of the litter for this buying season is this Craftsman C3 19.2 volt drill with 25 piece bit set and a storage bag.

These few ideas should help you on your quest to find a gift that will thrill the wood worker in your life. If tools are on your list, I've given you many directions to pursue. The key is to shop carefully and be sure you are comparing apples to apples. If all else fails, it's perfectly fine to ask your wood worker which tools they will make the most use of. Remember, the only thing worse than a good tool which never gets used is a bad tool that you'd rather not have.

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Frugal holiday shopping and entertaining

Gary E. Sattler — 2007-12-03T10:00:00 00:00

Filed under: money, seasonal, staying green, entertaining

There are dozens of ways you can save money and protect your budget while gift shopping. This is especially important during holiday time because most people will be spending money in amounts above their normal budget and they'll be spending that money in places they might not normally shop. It's the responsibility of each of us to be our own smart shopper. With some assistance from Consumer Action, I have brought you this list of suggestions for saving and protecting your money during the holiday shopping season.
Begin with a budget: Spend some time thinking about your holiday expenses. Prepare a budget so you can get a good hard look at what financial stresses you might be in for. Make a list of all of the expenses you plan for the holidays and compare that list against the amount of money that you expect to have available. Trim amounts and make adjustments as needed to bring expenditures in line with income. Now is the time to open those Christmas club accounts for next year.

Pay cash when possible: Buying gifts on credit is dangerous business. Maybe you'll put a smile on someones face as they unwrap what they've received, but that's not an excuse to put yourself in a financial bind. If you were unable to put aside the money for a major gift purchase in one year, how can you pay for that gift and it's finance charges the next year? If any of your holiday purchasing requires a credit card, think twice about it and ask someone you trust for their opinion.

Always comparison shop: These days, it really pays to comparison shop from home before you go out to make your purchases. Start by making a list of the major items you'll be looking for and then make a list of possible sources for those items. Go online, find the websites for your favorite retailers, and search their store categories for the items you are interested in. Once you have found your best prices, it can be a good idea to call and confirm those prices with the store before you hit the road. You may even want to print out a copy of any spectacular bargains you find, just in case the store personnel "accidentally" don't know about it.

Consider the extras: When considering your purchases, don't forget to add in the extras that will affect your bottom line. Shipping, extended warranties, add-ons, and extra options can significantly increase your actual cost well beyond what you expected. These can be the situations when an in store gift card will really pay dividends by restricting your initial expenditure to the item in question, leaving the gift recipient to choose and pay for their own extras.

Be creative: Don't be trapped in the mindset which says you must buy things to give as gifts. For example, these days the perfect gift for my wife to receive would be a full day of baby sitting our two year old by someone she trusts. A teenager could give the gift of washing the car every Saturday for a year, or you could give a close co-worker the gift of buying them lunch the first Tuesday of every month. Think about things you can make and services you can render which will probably mean much more to your friend than just another potpourri scented candle or screw driver set. Remember, the trick to making a gift of services rendered is that you must follow through on your commitment.

Other Considerations:

Consider car pooling for all your holiday shopping excursions.
Avoid impulse purchases when gift shopping.
Make your large holiday meals pot luck.
Gift certificates are available just about everywhere and they let you limit your spending totals.
Save all packaging, tags, warranty cards, and receipts until you're certain about outcomes.

These are just a few of the many ideas which can help you stay out of financial trouble when celebrating the holidays and buying gifts. Financial health is the gift you give yourself, and it does no one any good if while attempting to please others you compromise your ability to pay your bills. Give thoughtful consideration to how you will carry out your holiday plans and remember that almost everyone on your gift list would be more pleased to see you succeed than to receive a gift that puts you on the edge of financial trouble.

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Make a diaper wreath as a gift!

Gary E. Sattler — 2007-11-28T14:00:00 00:00

Filed under: kids, seasonal, Crafts

Who could dispute that one of the best gifts you can give or receive is the gift with a practical use and that saves money for the recipient? Everybody likes to save money, and the parent of a new baby is certainly no exception. That is why I have always liked the hand made diaper wreath project. It's a gift that you can make by yourself. It's nearly 100% usable, and it will save that new parent a few precious dollars at a financially stressful time.
Diaper wreaths are easy to create and the project can be great fun. Just follow the steps that I've described here and for some pictures of a diaper wreath project, check out the tutorial at About.com.

Materials: A package of diapers, a wreath frame, ribbon, possibly some wreath wire or floral wire (bulk twist ties will work), and a selection of baby toys and baby care products.

Tools: You'll might benefit from having pliers and scissors on hand.

Time: The project should take about one to two hours.

Steps:

Begin by gathering all your supplies together. You should have a package of diapers, a wreath form, some wreath wire or floral wire, a selection of baby toys and baby care items, and a selection of bows and ribbons. It's also nice to have some baby product coupons available to hide inside some of the diapers for extra surprises.
Attach the diapers to the frame using your ribbons.
Arrange the diapers around the ring so they're not packed together and not too widely spaced. You want the ring to be full but you don't want it to look pinched. If you have coupons which you'd like to include, just slip them inside the individual diapers before attaching them to the ring.
Decorate your wreath with the toys and care products. You can attach these decorations with ribbon, but use the floral wire if you want your wreath to be extra sturdy.
Add ribbons and bows as desired.

You can make your wreath gender specific simply by adjusting your color and item selections. You can also personalize your wreath by adding trinkets such as a key fob or other ornaments which bear the baby's name. If you are making the wreath as a Christmas present, you might wish to consider adding a "Baby's First Christmas" ornament to your creation. In any case, have fun and be creative with your diaper wreath. The best part of this whole idea is that when you get right to the bottom of it, you are creating a gift that can really be put to good use.

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Finding the best organization for year end donations

Gary E. Sattler — 2007-11-26T15:00:00 00:00

Filed under: money

Have you ever been in the position where you'd like to give some money to a charitable organization but you don't know which charity will make the best use of your donation? Do you know if a particular charity serves your financial intentions? In the past, it was quite difficult to determine the relative value of an investment in a charitable organization. In the information age however, you can now research individual charities with ease to make a comfortable decision about who you're going to send your money to.

Charity Navigator is a website dedicated to researching and reporting on the monetary performance of charitable organizations large and small. Sites of this kind are extremely valuable and Kiplinger.com names Charity Navigator as one of it's 25 Best Web Sites for 2007.

Charity Navigator rates charity organizations based on a broad analysis of organizational efficiency and capacity. Simply put, Charity Navigator examines how a charity is spending the dollars they currently receive and how they are growing their programs over the long term. For instance, Charity Navigator indicates that Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin and Metropolitan Chicago spend only 7% of their annual budget on administrative expenses. The analysis also shows that while this charity is currently growing at a rate of about 18%, growth in expenses lags organizational growth by nearly 2%. Now that's pretty darn good.

If your year-end plans include some charitable contributions, you might like to investigate Charity Navigator for insight and clarity about who to give your money to. Experts recommend that you research your charities carefully, choose organizations which serve your principles, and be dedicated to the charities you choose to support.

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Christmas wreaths are my favorite DIY Christmas project.

Gary E. Sattler — 2007-11-26T11:00:00 00:00

Filed under: home decor, recreation, seasonal, art, Crafts, gardening and plants

Decorating Christmas wreaths was my favorite part about owning my feed store. I would buy the wreaths undecorated from local wreath makers and then I'd take them back to my shop to beautifully decorate them from a huge variety of floral decorations and dollar store trinkets. The smell of fresh balsam boughs filled my shop with the pungent aroma of a freshly cut Christmas tree, taking me back to fun and joyful Christmas times as a kid.

The gallery provided with this blog post shows a nice variety of wreath types and styles but it only scratches the surface. Use the pictures to stir your imagination.Wreaths can be made from any variety of materials and can take many forms. All you need is a fairly rigid support made in the shape you desire. In the case of grape vine and other similar wreath materials, the material itself serves as the wreath form.

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If you buy a wreath from a local source, it will generally be decorated for you but that doesn't mean you can't change or add things. Examine how your wreath is put together and decide if there are any changes or additions you'd like to make. If you'd like to start from scratch, you can find instructions for making one type of wreath at eHow.

You can use almost anything to decorate your wreath. Tanya Ryno provides ideas for personalizing your wreath. Look around in your Christmas decorations to find pretty little things you can easily attach with floral wire. Dollar stores are great places to find wreath decorations for just pennies and thrift stores are always an abundant source of holiday odds and ends. You can get tips for making your own holiday bows from Heather Craven. I encourage you to experiment with different combinations of decorations and a variety of looks.

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Build your own super hero, Pow!

Gary E. Sattler — 2007-11-20T10:00:00 00:00

Filed under: kids, recreation, art

Have you ever been caught in a sticky situation and wished that a super hero would come to the rescue? Not to worry folks, now you can make your own super hero online and have them ready to serve you at a moment's notice. Under Ground Online has made it easy for you to assemble the component parts which will give you a really cool looking super hero character portrait. Granted, it's only a picture of a super hero but it's your own creation and perhaps even an extension of your ego.

You can choose male or female, human or mutation. You get to choose their entire outfit, piece by piece. You even get to give them awesome side arms and other weapons. What you can't do is make a replica of a well known super hero which already exists. Well, you can make a replica but that would be naughty.

All you aspiring cartoonists out there owe it to yourself to take a trip to Hero Machine 2.5 to give it a try. It's easy, it's fun and if you get hit with a mega dose of gamma rays while you're working on your super hero creation, perhaps the attributes you have chosen shall be transmuted into your DNA making you into a real super hero... but probably not.

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Learn how to replace a light switch

Gary E. Sattler — 2007-11-19T16:00:00 00:00

Filed under: fix-it, preventative maintenance, electrical

I was going to write a blog post for you about how to replace a light switch. As I did my research in an attempt to present the information in a complete and concise manner, it occurred to me that all I was doing was trying to reinvent the wheel. So, rather than writing something which would simply qualify as another layer on top of a multitude of existing quality information, I present you the highlights from: "Gary's favorite electrical switch replacement tutorials:"

How to replace a light switch from About.com

Better Homes and Gardens, replace a switch.

Michigan State University explanation of how to replace a wall switch.

I invite you to review these three step-by-step tutorials. You will find that they each provide a good basic guide to getting the job done. I've also included a nice list of electrical safety tips from the Natural Handyman that you can review and share with your friends and loved ones.

Always remember that when electricity is not treated with the appropriate respect, it can become an effective killer in the blink of an eye. When it comes to electrical repair, there can be no guess work involved.

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