How to determine the home wiring?

During the 60s and early 70s, it was more economical to wire homes with aluminum than copper. As a result, a number of homes during this time period were wired with aluminum, many of which were “tract”-type homes. The US CPSC estimated that approximately two million homes were wired with aluminum between 1965 and 1974. But how to determine if your house has the home wiring?The best way to determine if your house has aluminum wiring (and the condition of that wiring) is to hire a professional building inspector or a professional electrician. They can do things like open your electrical panel, inspect plug and fixture connections, or find and inspect electrical junctions. These types of operations, especially when they involve potentially faulty aluminum wiring connections, carry a risk of electric shock, so they should be approached professionally and with extreme caution.A homeowner may get an indication of whether they have aluminum wiring by looking at the insulating jackets of the wiring in an exposed place such as a crawl space, basement, attic or garage.Such indications include printed letters such as “KAISER”, “ALCAN”, “ALUMINUM”, “AL/2”, typically appearing every several feet along the wires. The image to the left shows examples of such markings.

How to wire a three-way light switch

Sometimes it is necessary to control a light from two different places; for example, the top and bottom of a stairway. When wired correctly, the light can be turned on or off from either switch. This can be done with two (2) three-way switches. To control a light from more than two switches, use four-way switches. There are several ways to wire three-way switches to a fixture. This is the simplest way.

Instructions

1. • 1

     Between the fixture and the first switch, run two-wire cable. Then, between the two switches, run three-wire cable.

   • 2

     The feed wire (from the power source) should be two-wire and will have a black wire and a white wire. Using a wire nut, attach the white wire from the feed to the white wire at the fixture.

   • 3

     The black wire from the feed will run straight through the fixture to the two-wire cable running between the fixture and the first switch. Using a wire nut, attach the black wire from the feed to the white wire of the two-wire cable running between the fixture and the first switch.

   • 4

     Using a wire nut, attach the black wire from the fixture to the black wire of the two-wire cable running between the fixture and the first switch.

   • 5

     Go to the first switch. The white wire coming from the fixture should be attached to the dark colored screw on the switch. It is a good idea to mark this screw with paint or a permanent marker to indicate that it is “hot”.

   • 6

     Take the red and white wires from the three-wire cable running between the two switches and attach them to the light colored screws on the first switch.

   • 7

     Attach the black wire coming from the fixture directly to the black wire running between the two switches with a wire nut. The black wire should not be attached to the first switch.

   • 8

     Go to the second switch. Attach the red and white wires to the light colored screws and the black wire to the dark screw.

   • 9

     Test your switches. You should be able to turn the fixture on or off from either switch.

Tips & Warnings

• When stripping your wires, only strip the amount you need. Be sure you do not have bare wires touching each other. This can cause a short, which can result in a tripped breaker, blown fuse, or (worst case scenario) fire.

• Always tape connections made with wire nuts to avoid bare wires contacting other bare wires.

• BE SURE TO CUT THE POWER TO THE AREA BY TRIPPING THE BREAKER OR

• PULLING THE FUSE BEFORE WORKING.

• Always replace switch covers to avoid the risk of electric shock.

Genesis GMT15A Multi-Purpose Oscillating Tool Review

Product Description

Attachments for a Variety of Projects
Unlike traditional power saws, the Genesis GMT15A Multi-Purpose Oscillating Tool employs a 30-millimeter flush cutting saw blade to make precise cuts along edges and in tight corners. You’ll marvel at how easy it is to trim narrow door jambs or base molding.

To make cut-outs in wood, plastic, or drywall, you’ll want to use the 3-inch flat saw blade. The rigid scraper blade makes pulling up old vinyl flooring or carpeting no problem. The scraper also comes in handy for chipping away at stubborn paint layers.

The Genesis GMT15A Multi-Purpose Oscillating Tool can also be utilized as a detail sander. Just attach the hook-and-loop sanding pad and sandpaper for dry sanding of wood, plastic, or metal surfaces. For additional options, a grout blade or flexible scraper blade can be attached (not included).

Lightweight and Powerful
Weighing less than four pounds, this lightweight tool is constructed using die-cast aluminum gear housing, which improves dissipation of heat and increases service life. A four-pin flange design holds accessories firmly in place to guarantee safety. And with speeds of up to 21,000 oscillations per minute, projects can be completed more efficiently.

UL listed, the Genesis GMT15A Multi-Purpose Oscillating Tool is rated at 1.5 amps and 120 volts for safe, reliable operation. It is backed by a two-year warranty, which includes complimentary toll-free customer service and technical support. The Genesis GMT15A Multi-Purpose Oscillating Tool should be used only with Genesis oscillating tool accessories.

Use the Genesis Power Tools Multipurpose Oscillating Tool as a detail sander, close-quarters saw, power scraper, or grout removal tool. It is a versatile tool for home repair, remodeling, and restoration. It features a 1.5 Amp motor that delivers 21,000 oscillations per minute, and it has a sturdy die-cast aluminum gear housing. The 4-pin flange holds accessories firmly in place. This tool is great for trimming door jambs for flooring installation, removing old caulking, glue or paint, taking up vinyl flooring or carpeting, chiseling out door hinges, or trimming cabinets for installation.

Product Features

• Multifunctional tool for home repair, remodeling, and restoration
• 21000 oscillations per minute for fast sanding, grinding, cutting, and scraping
• 4-pin flange design holds accessories firmly in place
• Sturdy die-cast aluminum gear housing
• Includes 3-inch Delta sanding pad, sandpaper, scraping blade, 30 mm E-cut saw blade, HSS segment saw blade, and allen wrench

Designed for home remodelers and do-it-yourselfers, the Genesis GMT15A Multi-Purpose Oscillating Tool is an all-in-one solution that deftly handles cutting, sanding, scraping, and grinding. Thanks to its unique oscillating head and multiple attachments, the GMT15A quickly and easily tackles projects that once required long hours and expensive specialty tools. Whether you need a detail sander, close-quarters saw, drywall cut-out tool, power scraper, or grout remover, the Genesis GMT15A is the ideal tool for the job.

Porter-Cable PC250MTK 2.5-Amp Oscillating Multi-Tool Kit

Porter-Cable PC250MTK 2.5-Amp Oscillating Multi-Tool Kit with 36 Accessories

Product Description

Porter-Cable’s PC250MTK 2.5-amp oscillating multi-tool kit has been specially designed to offer remodelers, carpenters, general contractors, and a number of other professionals the quality and control they need to complete a variety of applications. From cutting wood, drywall, and nails to removing grout to scraping paint and caulk, the PC250MT oscillating multi-tool tackles a wide variety of projects and tasks.

Power and Precision
The Porter-Cable PC250MTK 2.5-Amp Oscillating Multi-Tool Kit  runs on 120-volt electrical power and delivers 10,000–20,000 oscillations per minute (OPM) by way of a high-torque 2.5-amp motor that can handle almost any jobsite application. The variable-speed unit has an oscillation angle of 2.8 degrees and comes equipped with a 10-foot cord for easy jobsite maneuverability. The Porter-Cable PC250MTK 2.5-Amp Oscillating Multi-Tool Kit  features a durable injection-molded kit box to help keep the tool and accessories organized and protected on and around the jobsite.

Tool-Free System
The unit incorporates contractor-driven innovation such as the patent-pending Tool-Free System accessory change, which gives professionals the ability to quickly and efficiently change the tool’s accessories without bolts, washers, and wrenches. By simply pressing a lever, contractors can change the accessories or adjust the accessory angle. A release of the lever ensures that the accessories easily click into place, ready for the application at hand, without the need for separate bolts, washers, and wrenches.

About Porter-Cable
With more than 100 years of experience producing quality and performance-driven tools, Porter-Cable is a leading manufacturer and marketer of professional-grade cordless and corded power tools, equipment, and accessories. Known for industry-changing innovation, Porter-Cable introduced the world’s first helical drive circular saw, portable band saw, and portable belt sander.

Porter-Cable PC250MTK 2.5-Amp Oscillating Multi-Tool Kit Features

• Tool-free accessory change requires no bolts or wrenches
• Powerful 2.5 Amp motor provides high torque for smooth cutting
• Variable speed dial offers maximum control across applications
• 10-foot cord for access to applications
• Includes: Kitbox with a wide assortment of accessories

Customer Review

I have both this tool and the Rockwell Sonicrafter. Overall, I like the PC better simply because of the quick change blades. The chuck is well designed using a heavy, trigger actuated spring that locks the blades in place. So far, I have had no problems with blades slipping and I don’t envision any.

The Sonicrafter is a well-made tool and seems fairly heavy duty. Mine has taken quite a beating. The only complaint I could have with it is the chuck, which requires removing and replacing an allen bolt in order to change blades. This can become tiresome, especially when you are working under very dusty conditions, when the dust can get into the bolt threads and make the bolt difficult to remove and tighten.

The PC has a tough plastic gear housing as opposed to the Sonicrafter’s metal housing. I don’t know what the gears are made out of in either tool, though both tools are about the same weight. The only other difference I notice is that the fan in the Sonicrafter seems to push more air than the PC’s. In actual use I have not noticed that either tool runs cooler than the other. Both tools seem to cut at about the same speed. I haven’t noticed any other differences.

Overall, I prefer using the PC because blade changes are so much faster.

Tips to Calculate Energy Per Acre for Solar Panels

The sun provides a huge amount of energy as its rays touch the Earth’s surface. But the quantity of energy that you can harness is another matter. The efficiency of solar cells, their arrangement, and the amount of sunlight they receive all affect their output. Before deciding whether solar panels are a good choice to save you money, determine if you can fully power your home with solar panel electricity.

Instructions

1. • 1

     Determine your solar panels’ efficiency rate. The amount of energy that can be taken in and converted into electrical energy per solar panel is its efficiency. For photovoltaic solar cells, efficiency can reach about 19 percent. But for concentrated photovoltaic cell panels, or CPV panels, the efficiency can exceed 40 percent. Whether you are creating your own panels or purchasing pre-made panels, determine the efficiency per cell of the panels you plan to install. Keep in mind when choosing what type of panels to use that CPV panels usually require more work to set up, and more land, as they are designed to concentrate sunlight on a specific panel.

   • 2

     Size the area for your solar panels. Determine how many panels can fit on your designated area while taking into account the terrain, local construction laws and other spacing issues. Solar panels come in several types and dimensions but, as an example, 100-200W solar panels usually measure 1 square meter in size.

   • 3

     Calculate the energy per acre. On average, 1 square meter of solar panels directly exposed to sunlight will receive about 1 kilowatt hour (kW/h) of energy per hour for the six hours it is exposed to effective sunlight, or 6 kilowatt hours of solar energy a day. One acre is approximately 4,046 square meters, so if you have an acre’s worth of solar cells, then you will receive about 4,046 kilowatt hours of electricity each hour, or 24,276 kilowatt hours a day.

   • 4

     Multiply the energy you receive by the efficiency of your solar panels to discover how much usable electricity you can yield. If your solar panels are 19 percent efficient and you receive 24,276 kilowatt hours a day of solar energy, then you will receive about 4,612 kilowatt hours of usable electricity through solar energy.

   • 5

     Subtract your maximum potential energy needs from the amount of energy being produced. You can find out how much energy you use by looking at a past electric bill or calling up the company that services your electricity directly. But for a general idea, the average American family uses about 920 kilowatt hours of electricity per month. So if you produced approximately 4,612 kilowatt hours of usable electricity per day, you would produce enough energy in a day to run four average households for a month.

 

2013 Dremel 4000-2/30 120-Volt Variable Speed Rotary Tool Kit Review

Product Description

The Dremel 4000-2/30 High-Performance Rotary Tool Kit contains the Dremel 4000, which provides the highest performance and the most versatility of all Dremel rotary tools. Powerful, user-friendly, and built to last, this handy little tool helps you complete a range of crafting, hobby, and artisan projects. It comes with 30 accessories, two attachments, and a storage case.

Get Power, Control, and Comfort
Dremel 4000-2/30 120-Volt Variable Speed Rotary Tool Kit are known for their reliable performance, incredible versatility, and exceptional comfort. The Dremel 4000 builds on that tradition with a more responsive and comfortable design, as well as added features that reflect users’ most asked-for improvements. It’s ideal for carving, engraving, routing, grinding, sanding, cutting, cleaning, polishing and more.

The Dremel 4000-2/30 120-Volt Variable Speed Rotary Tool Kit improved motor delivers smooth performance at all speeds from 5,000 to 35,000 RPM, and electronic feedback circuitry maintains a constant tool speed under load. Its slim, ergonomic body provides a 360-degree grip zone in every position for improved precision, while a variable-speed slide allows for both fast speed adjustment and consistency at your selected speed. A strategically placed on/off switch won’t interfere with the grip during use.

Lightweight, User-Friendly Design
The Dremel 4000 is both durable and enjoyable to use, with a six-foot cord, pencil grip nose cap for additional stability, and replaceable motor brushes for longer motor life. Easy-to-read speed settings make for accurate dialing, while an innovative shaft lock mechanism lets you lock the output shaft quickly when changing accessories. And the Dremel 4000 weighs just over one pound, so you can work all day without excessive strain on wrists, arms, or hands.

Attachments Provide Incredible Versatility
The Dremel 4000 is ideal when it comes to project flexibility. In fact, it’s the only rotary tool compatible with all Dremel accessories and attachments, plus the MultiSaw and Planer attachments originally created for the 400 Series XPR rotary tool. In addition, this kit offers the Circle Cutter/Straight Edge Guide and the Sanding/Grinding Guide, which allows you to either guide a workpiece to a securely mounted rotary tool, or guide the tool along the edge of a flat or beveled surface.

This Dremel 4000-2/30 120-Volt Variable Speed Rotary Tool Kit comes with an assortment of accessories, including two heavy-duty emery cut-off wheels, three sanding discs, one-inch felt polishing wheel, polishing compound, a carbon steel brush, and more. Complete projects like sanding delicate items like miniature dollhouse furniture or model train parts, polishing gemstones or tile for handmade jewelry and crafts, or gently grooming your pet’s nails. And when you’re done, store everything in the included carrying case for easy organization and compact portability.

The Dremel 4000 is backed by a five-year warranty.

Product Features

• Variable Speed from 5,000 to 35,000 RPM. Easy to understand speed dial features
• Soft grip for comfort and control
• Works with standard attachments plus “high performance” level attachments
• Variable speed also features electronic feedback for consistent power at lower and mid-range speeds
• Replaceable motor brushes

Customer Review

For Dremel 4000-2/30 120-Volt Variable Speed Rotary Tool Kits, you let speed do the work. Unless you are dealing with plastic or wood, something that melts or catches aflame, then go for high speed. Slow down on metal, speed up in ceramic (don’t quote me on the ceramics, that’s just my experience), go middle ground for wood, slow for plastics, and so on. I suggest ramping up the speed on a practice piece of the material you intend to remove stock from, until you reach the maximum speed you can achieve with ruining the substance in question, and then, go work on the actual piece.
Here, let’s cut to the chase: Positives of Dremel 4000
+It is low powered, ergo, gentler on your work, more forgiving when you make a mistake
+It is very speedy, but not TOO speedy, as in, not a pnuematic die grinder spinning at speeds that would make a bullet cringe.
+Dremel has a ridiculously nice supply of accessories for it, good from jigsawing to power planing
+It is a multi tool extraordinaire, capable of many different tasks
+Ergonomic and very useful overall, a pleasure to work with

Tips to Set Up an Electric Fence to Run on Solar

Many horse owners and ranchers use solar-powered fence energizers to electrify their pasture fences. The units are particularly useful if the pasture is isolated or located a great distance from grid-supplied electrical power. A solar panel mounted on the unit converts sunlight into electricity and charges a battery housed within the unit. Once your fence wire has been strung, installing the energizer is a fairly straightforward task.

Instructions

1. • 1

     Select a fence post where you will install the solar energizer. It should be in a sunny area with no shade. In most cases, a southern exposure provides the solar panel with the maximum amount of daylight.

   • 2

     Drive screws or hammer nails into the fence post. Hang the fence energizer on the screws or nails.

   • 3

     Drive the grounding rod into the soil with the sledgehammer. Drive it until only 3 to 4 inches remain above the soil surface.

   • 4

     Attach the power wire to the power terminal of the solar energizer. The color of the power terminal may vary, depending on the manufacturer, but it is usually red. Follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions in this regard. Wrap the other end of the power wire around the fence wire. Secure it with a generous amount of electrical tape.

   • 5

     Attach the grounding wire to the ground terminal of the solar energizer. Wrap the other end of the grounding wire tightly around the top portion of the grounding rod; it is not necessary to secure it with electrical tape.

   • 6

     Turn on the solar energizer. If the batteries are already charged, the pulse light will begin blinking as electricity is sent down the fence wire. If the pulse light does not come on, or if the integrated voltage meter reads very low, turn the energizer off for several days to give the solar panel time to recharge the battery. Once this interval has passed, turn on the energizer.

      

      

Campbell Hausfeld HV3500 65 CFM Fine Finish HVLP Paint Sprayer Review

Product Description

High-volume low-pressure (HVLP) systems like the HV3500 work best in situations where you’re applying a fine finish as opposed to a heavy coat of paint or varnish. In other words, you wouldn’t want to use a system like this to paint your house-it would take forever. If you’re working on smaller projects involving stains, polyurethane, or even thinned latex paints, however, HVLP is the way to go.With HVLP systems, turbine size plays a big role in determining how fine your paint mist will be. The HV3500 includes the HV3000 turbine, which gives you enough power (65 CFM/6 PSI) to deliver a fine mist and to allow you to get a heavier coat if necessary.

The professional-grade spray gun is well-balanced and comfortable to use, and it can be attached to the hose at the rear or the bottom, depending on your preference. I had some trouble with running stain on practice runs, but soon got a feel for the best combination of air flow, movement, air-cap setting and proximity to the surface to get a nice, fine finish.

This is a quality product from a respected manufacturer, and is a great option for providing fine finishes on smaller projects.–Josh Dettweiler

What’s in the Box
Turbine, gun, 25-foot air hose, stub hose and quick-connect fitting, wrench, viscosity stick, cleaning brush

Product Description

Campbell Hausfeld packaged this system with a professional spray gun for greater flexibility when finishing cabinets, doors, trim, woodworking and metal projects. The high-performance/professional 3-stage turbine motor provides more power and longer life for applying most finish coatings: lacquers, stains, enamels, clear coats, varnishes, oil- and water-based coating and other solvent-based materials with flash points higher than 99deg F. It can also spray latex and water-based coatings, though some thinning may be required. Paints and solvents that contain hydrogenated hydrocarbons should not be used with this system.

Product Features

• Fine Finish HVLP paint sprayer adjustable spray gun and turbine
• Ideal for painting fine furniture, cabinets, and equipment
• Adjustable spray gun controls to create fine finishes
• Quick-indexing pattern shape adjusts to round, vertical, and horizontal shapes
• 12.5-by-22.5-by-12.5-inches at 34-pounds; 5-year limited warranty

FAQs about USB Flash Drives

Data became a lot more portable when cheap, lightweight flash memory became widely available to the general public. With no moving parts and easy plug-and-play functionality, USB flash drives are one of the easiest ways to move files, photos and other data from one computer to another. You can even use USB storage in some cars. Here are some answers to a few frequently asked questions about USB flash drivesthat reveal the different ways you can use them.

Flash Drives Explained:

1. Can I use a USB flash drive more than once?
   Yes. Flash memory can be rewritten thousands of times. You can store files on a USB flash drive, erase them and then save new files over and over. Since they are easily reusable, USB drives are significantly more convenient than other portable storage, like CDs and DVDs.

2. How much data can be stored on a flash drive?
   Storage capacity varies between USB flash drives. Some memory sticks store a few gigabytes, and others can carry dozens of gigabytes of data.

3. How do I connect a USB drive to my computer?
   USB flash drives connect to ports on the front, sides or back of your computer. Sometimes, your computer monitor or keyboard will feature a few ports as well. The port is rectangular shaped, just like the end of the flash drive. Most computers have several ports; these will be listed in your user manual.

4. Do USB drives need additional software to work?
   Not really. All of the software drivers required for your computer to read a USB flash drive will be stored permanently on the hard drive itself. The first time you plug the memory stick into a computer, the computer will automatically install the needed drivers. From then on, the computer will recognize that particular USB flash drive whenever you plug it in.

5. Will all USB flash drives work on any computer?
   Yes. New specifications for USB devices come out every few years, but the new USB flash drives are made to be backwards-compatible with your computer’s ports, even if the computer is several years old.

Power Tool Battery Review — Makita BL1830-2 18-Volt 3.0 AH Battery

Makita BL1830-2 18-Volt 3.0 AH Battery, 2-Pack

Product Description

The Makita LXT 18-Volt 3-Ah Lithium-Ion Battery boasts more power, less weight, and a better fit. The optimum charging system produces 280 percent the total lifetime of standard batteries, with twice the number of cycles. With a five times lower self-discharge, this lithium-ion battery is ready for use, even after long periods of storage. Built-in features include shock-absorbing to protect the battery and a memory chip that communicates with the charger to maximize the power tool battery life using three active controls: current, voltage and thermal. Sixteen firm holding contact terminals reduce the risk of power loss/fluctuation in high-vibration work environments. This battery comes with a 1-year limited warranty.

Makita BL1830-2 18-Volt 3.0 AH Battery Features

• Charging at any time will have no effect on the battery
• More power, less weight, and a better fit
• Sixteen firm holding contact terminals reduce the risk of power loss/fluctuation
• Built-in shock-absorber and memory chip
• One-year limited warranty

Customer Reviews on Makita BL1830-2 18-Volt 3.0 AH Battery

These are my 5th and 6th batteries. One and four died withen the first two years contrary to the extended service life that manufacturer markets them as. Two things to remember do not use these when they are hot and do Not run them down like we use to with ni cad batteries. Li-ion batteries have no memory except if you mistreat them. If they get hot or too low on power they will be very short lived. The charger does a great job of cooling them down and charging them up. Leaving them on the charger till the fan turns off seems to be the best way to keep them alive longer. Feel free to just rotate them onto the charger all the time. Infact keep one on the charger all the time and you will get max life and best use out of these power tool batteries. Once the battery’s energy lvl is visibly slowed or sounds slow throw them on the charger. Also if you’re going to store them for a weekend or a month make sure they are fully charged they really like to be charged up and kept cool. leaving them in the sun is also very bad. Heat = death of a $70 dollar power tool battery.

I was using the much smaller 1.0ah batts that came with the tool, and they’d last less than an hour.

This 3.0ah is so much better and lasts for a good couple of hours (having 2 is also great). Plenty of torque, super-fast recharging time and THE CAPACITY TO GET THINGS DONE.

Also, the Lithium technology is far superior to NiCd (and even NiMh); smaller, lighter, no degrading capacity (memory) effect, stronger torque, faster recharge and longer lasting.