Re: [BlindHandyMan] My Favourite Wire Stripper

2007-03-23 Thread Tom Fowle
the so-called telephone wire like the kind used in modular cables isn't intended to be stripped, you need to use a strip and crimp tool intended for the purpose that puts the modular plugs onto the wire. It's the modern version of what used to be called tinsle wire. It can't be stripped or solder

Re: [BlindHandyMan] speakers are installed.

2007-03-22 Thread Tom Fowle
There is a heavy contraversy around here about strippers. There are "automatic" ones from cheap tool places that have blades into which you put the wire and which claim to adjust to many;sizes. Some of them have a set of grippers on each half of the two ends of the flat plier like handles. You p

Re: [BlindHandyMan] sweater rack repaired

2007-03-22 Thread Tom Fowle
Lenny, You're repair is undoubtedly stronger than the rest of the rack good going Tom To listen to the show archives go to link http://acbradio.org/handyman.html or ftp://ftp.acbradio.org/acbradio-archives/handyman/ The Pod Cast address for the Blind Handy Man Show is. http://www.acbradio.or

Re: [BlindHandyMan] sweater drying rack repair

2007-03-22 Thread Tom Fowle
Lenny, if the break is long, at an angle, not straight across the rod, then gluing it up will probably work as you'll have a goodly amount of surface to glue for strength. If it's a more crosswise break, then your idea, or drilling out the centers of each end to a quarter inch and gluing in a few

Re: [BlindHandyMan] extension cords

2007-03-21 Thread Tom Fowle
Rob, Get another 12 gauge cord. If the book on the splitter gives a maximum length for acord do not over extend. If you use the 14 gauge cord, or use a longer cord than they specify, you're likely to iether get the cord hot, or ruin the motor in the splitter because there will be too much voltage d

Re: [BlindHandyMan] Off balance upright washer

2007-03-21 Thread Tom Fowle
David, You'd need to have a level on top the entire stack and see which way it needs to go. If you're lucky, the front will be low and you can raise it up with those front leg screws. or if the rear is low and the front leg screws aren't allready all the way in, you're still O.K. I surely wouldn'

Re: [BlindHandyMan] extension cords

2007-03-21 Thread Tom Fowle
rob, Makes no difference what ever which is first, they both carry the same current. As long as whatever load you're running through them requires less current than the 14 gauge cord is rated for, it should work fine. Tom To listen to the show archives go to link http://acbradio.org/handyman

Re: [BlindHandyMan] Hand Tools For Lefties

2007-03-17 Thread Tom Fowle
And then there is the "wood stretcher." They won't be making one of those real soon except they do genetically modified wood. Tom Net-Tamer V 1.13 Beta - Registered Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ~--> See what's inside the new Yahoo! Groups email. http://u

Re: [BlindHandyMan] Lubricating a light socket?

2007-03-15 Thread Tom Fowle
No, you couldn't use teflon tape, or not if you wanted the light to work any more, teflon is a very good insulator. Tom Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ~--> Yahoo! Groups gets a make over. See the new email design. http://us.click.yahoo.com/hOt0.A/lOaOAA/yQLS

Re: [BlindHandyMan] Lubricating a light socket?

2007-03-14 Thread Tom Fowle
Keith, I use good old WD40 for this all the time, perhaps electronics type contact cleaner and lubricant as findable at Radio Shlock might be better. Just the lightest spray on the threads of the bulb, don't flood it. tom Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ~-->

[BlindHandyMan] off tipic CD player reccommendations?

2007-03-13 Thread Tom Fowle
Please email me with specifics off list as this is really not appropriate here--- Can anybody reccommend a specific commercial CD player that does MP3s and is relatively runnable by a bat? I do not want any of this over priced blindness junk. thanks. tom Fowle [EMAIL PROTECTED

Re: [BlindHandyMan] All About Band Saws

2007-03-08 Thread Tom Fowle
I've always thought you'd need a guide that would 'surround" the blade just above the work so you could follow a scribed line or other pattern on the work with the leading edge of the guide. However how such a guide would be made to stay close enough to the blade without getting cut, and close eno

Re: [BlindHandyMan] Portable ramps for wheelchair access

2007-03-08 Thread Tom Fowle
If you put in turns you need a 48 inch square turning platform, although I don't know how it works if you actually curve the ramp, there is one at my usual "bart" (train) station that is constant slope at ADA grade but is curved so it looks like a kind of #2. I can only assume it is ADA compliant

Re: [BlindHandyMan] Portable ramps for wheelchair access

2007-03-07 Thread Tom Fowle
Betsy, I think we weren't clear bout that, were thinking you needed to get the full 14 inches up. sounds like you've got it I assume no plans to get from the lanai to ground level. Tom Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ~--> Something is new at Yahoo! Groups. C

Re: [BlindHandyMan] Portable ramps for wheelchair access

2007-03-07 Thread Tom Fowle
I agree with betsy, if at all possible it should be an ADA compliant ramp. I've run into situations where a person was being transported home to a house with a too steep ramp by a professional transport van. The driver refused to take the person up the ramp because it was too steep. Not that he c

Re: [BlindHandyMan] Portable ramps for wheelchair access

2007-03-07 Thread Tom Fowle
The grade is one in twelve for ADA compliant ramps, 48 inches wide with a 48 inch turning level platform. there is a requirement for a level every so often, but I don't now know how oftn, I think you' be O.K. with the proposed 14 inch rise, it'd need about 14 feet of length. I think portable ra

Re: [BlindHandyMan]grabber was Help!

2007-03-07 Thread Tom Fowle
I got a grabber, maybe 2 feet long flexible thing with a pusher on the handle that extends 4 prongs on the business end. They spread to allow grabbing. At local ace hardware for about $3.00. tom Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ~--> Check out the new improveme

Re: [BlindHandyMan] Help!

2007-03-06 Thread Tom Fowle
l over everything The reason you get so many opinions is that there are so many ways to do it, and none of them is always best. tom Fowle Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ~--> Check out the new improvements in Yahoo! Groups email. http://us.click.yahoo.c

Re: [BlindHandyMan] New electronic myth suggestion

2007-03-06 Thread Tom Fowle
Dan, I ran by this too fast first time, now giggling hysterically. Television causes breast cancer of course didn't you know? it's because of the relative similarity of the CRT to the effected organ. Sorry ladies! Tom Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ~--> So

Re: [BlindHandyMan] Re:Car delemma

2007-02-28 Thread Tom Fowle
Jeniffer, When you do re inactments, do you get to play the begger, the musician, or the "seer"? That's all blind folks were allowd to do back then isn't it? tom Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ~--> Great things are happening at Yahoo! Groups. See the ne

Re: [BlindHandyMan] Flexible Pattern Braille cells

2007-02-28 Thread Tom Fowle
Clear Dymo tape isn't really clear, Sightlings say you can see reflections from the sides of the dots and, for example, if you put a braille lable over a print one, it makes the underlying print lable very hard to read. American Thermoform co. makes adhesive backed sheets that are better for brai

Re: [BlindHandyMan] Flexible Pattern Braille cells

2007-02-28 Thread Tom Fowle
John, As Betsy said we need more info: Re: what materials are you putting these dots on, how durable do they have to be, etc. I don't think you'll find a material that will make a permenant template, you could make a paper one for each job with a slate and it would bend to fit, tape it in place an

Re: [BlindHandyMan] Flexible Pattern Braille cells

2007-02-28 Thread Tom Fowle
ant, except perhaps some rubber. it would also have to not get glued in place. why do you think the blued beads won't be visible? This is a hard one, but maybe we can think it through. tom Fowle Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ~--> See what's in

Re: [BlindHandyMan] Getting floored

2007-02-27 Thread Tom Fowle
Dan, Wow, what a job! impressed once again! I suggest making a full sized template out of cardboard or even poster board or some such for that entry way. If the template fits the real world, and you cut the assembled boards to the template maybe reality won't twist. Tom --

Re: [BlindHandyMan] Speaker for sound system

2007-02-18 Thread Tom Fowle
I may be way to "amateur' on this addition of a small speaker system, but how about a decent set of powered speakers as intended for computer use. The cheaper ones get down to $15.00 or so, but those sound like crud, probably something in the twenties or thirties would do pretty well and give you v

Re: [BlindHandyMan] car frozen in place

2007-02-15 Thread Tom Fowle
I agree with Mickey, too dangerous it might all break loose at once and slide on the ice. Again, I don't know about this, but how about a kettle of boiling water poured near each tyre where stuck? tom To listen to the show archives go to link http://acbradio.org/handyman.html or ftp://ftp.ac

Re: [BlindHandyMan] how do you loosen up a cassette tape?

2007-02-13 Thread Tom Fowle
Even more brutally, I sometime just bloody squeeze the things particularly on the fuller side. It probably plays heck with the edges of the tape, but sometimes will let one get through a sticky bit. Even though I mentioned the article on repair, I'd have to have something very valuable indeed be

Re: [BlindHandyMan] how do you loosen up a cassette tape?

2007-02-13 Thread Tom Fowle
Radio shlock used to sell repair cassetts that had everything but the tape including leader. They also used to have a splicer whose use is discribed in the article. Hope that gets you started. Tom Fowle To listen to the show archives go to link http://acbradio.org/handyman.html o

Re: [BlindHandyMan] Big Help For Hot Water

2007-02-08 Thread Tom Fowle
What's a "waterless hot water unit"? sorry it's just too silly an idea not to ask! Not that I ever make smelling mis takes of coarse! tom To listen to the show archives go to link http://acbradio.org/handyman.html or ftp://ftp.acbradio.org/acbradio-archives/handyman/ The Pod Cast address for

Re: [BlindHandyMan] History of Adhesives

2007-02-07 Thread Tom Fowle
Interesting article, Of course I have a minor quibble, in violin making woods are not laminated re: thin layers glued together. The pieces of the instrument are all carved to shape, or bent in the case of the sides, and glued together with old fashioned hide glue. An advantage of this glue is t

[BlindHandyMan] an audible automotive electrical tester

2007-02-07 Thread Tom Fowle
et Dave's permission I'll pass allong the brief manual in text. Here's Dave's contact info: [EMAIL PROTECTED] The tester sells for $99 and is in stock at Reynolds Equipment Co, Box 538, Evansville, WY 82636. Have fun Tom Fowle To listen to the show archives go to li

Re: [BlindHandyMan] dremels?

2007-02-07 Thread Tom Fowle
No those were "Tribbles?' (spelling?) they were round and fuzzy which Dremel's are not usually unless left out in the rain too long. tom To listen to the show archives go to link http://acbradio.org/handyman.html or ftp://ftp.acbradio.org/acbradio-archives/handyman/ The Pod Cast address for

Re: [BlindHandyMan] light sensor

2007-02-02 Thread Tom Fowle
Lenny, does this light sensor not have a sensativity control? That's really necessary to compensate for the huge range of light available between a pilot light and the sun or some such large emitter. The effect you're getting is what'll happen if the sensativity is all the way up or if there is no

Re: [BlindHandyMan] Shopping in the dark

2007-02-01 Thread Tom Fowle
I agree, any store that doesn't want me touching there products doesn't get my business. Only trouble is now-a-days everything is in bloody sealed packages so you can't tell what's what. And any helper of blind folks who demands you keep your hands off stuff should be taken out and shot, not wai

Re: [BlindHandyMan] Radiation Test

2007-02-01 Thread Tom Fowle
After a short "design conference" here among three engineers, We don't believe the cell phone test. There is no way to determine how much signal loss is being caused by the microwave's cabinet. It could be that just a few DB of loss is all you need to cause a call failure whereas since there are

Re: [BlindHandyMan] Different Types of Ropes Explained.

2007-01-31 Thread Tom Fowle
Dan, yep, I can't remember that one either and wish I could. Also a similar knot whose name I don't recall which allows you to tie a small line to a larger one and will slide only one way. Get a jib sheet wrapped round a winch wrong so it's stuck under load and you can take the tension off it whi

Re: [BlindHandyMan] Different Types of Ropes Explained.

2007-01-31 Thread Tom Fowle
Yep, I think cable hitch is one form of the knot we want. See how you do with the explanation. Tom To listen to the show archives go to link http://acbradio.org/handyman.html or ftp://ftp.acbradio.org/acbradio-archives/handyman/ The Pod Cast address for the Blind Handy Man Show is. http://www

Re: [BlindHandyMan] Yet another flooring question

2007-01-30 Thread Tom Fowle
I have friends who have what i believe is engineered wood floor in the kitchen and dining room of a new home. This is the stuff that snaps together and rides on an underlaying pad. it isn't fastened down at all except that the base board holds it in place. they had a flood when a washing machine

Re: [BlindHandyMan] Different Types of Ropes Explained.

2007-01-30 Thread Tom Fowle
Hi all, this is good basic stuff but there are some problems: I believe braded cored rope can be eye spliced, and probably spliced end to end although much strength will be lost. when calculating the necessary strength of a rope you must take in to account that any sharp bend or splice will proba

Re: [BlindHandyMan] Changing a power chord

2007-01-28 Thread Tom Fowle
Hi keith, I don't much believe in splicing power cords with tape, Much better to open her up and replace it the rite way. Usually the cord will be soldered to fuse holders, switches or the like inside, unless they were nice and used push on connectors or wire nuts. If the actual wire looks good

[BlindHandyMan] Re: [embossing dymo etc.

2007-01-28 Thread Tom Fowle
It does take a lot of force to emboss dymo, that's why the high leverage hand writers. We looked into doing it with solenoids and it would have needed a 28 volt solenoid at 3 amps per dot. BANG! tom Net-Tamer V 1.13 Beta - Registered To listen to the show archives go to link http://acbradi

Re: [BlindHandyMan] fixing AC adapters and a tip

2007-01-26 Thread Tom Fowle
such devices always use positive center plugs, or always negative, they don't know what they're talking about unless they have specific info about the specific device. Hope that gets you started. tom Fowle Net-Tamer V 1.13 Beta - Registered To listen to the show archiv

Re: [BlindHandyMan] cutting synthetic line

2007-01-26 Thread Tom Fowle
Hi Dale, gaads you're a disgusting old guy! It's hard to laugh that hard witha soar throat! sorry I have not done a successfull eye splice my self and there are several methods depending on what kind of line you're using. No help! tom Net-Tamer V 1.13 Beta - Registered To listen to the show

Re: [BlindHandyMan] cutting synthetic line

2007-01-25 Thread Tom Fowle
dan, I've heard of the liquid stiffener, but don't think folks use it much, I seem to recall it is nasty stuff. you can do the "fold back" on different lines, called an eye splice if you actually want a loop there. Some folks do them in ends of dock lines so you slip them around your dock cleets

Re: [BlindHandyMan] cutting synthetic line

2007-01-22 Thread Tom Fowle
Hey Dan, You can whip anything, although with synthetic finely braded lines you gotta have a very tight whip to get it to stay put. You can stitch through the rope at the beginning and end of the whip wrapp to help this and to keep the core from sliding up inside the brade. Only thing is, you ca

Re: [BlindHandyMan] cutting synthetic line

2007-01-19 Thread Tom Fowle
nd makes an end that's easy to push through blocks guides and the like. This makes for lousy braille reading afterwords so I don't reccommend that procedure. you can also put a bit of shrink tubing over the burned end of a line and shrink it up, that makes a pretty neat job tom fowle

Re: [BlindHandyMan] instructions for wiring up a generator

2007-01-19 Thread Tom Fowle
"Backfeeding' to an existing socket from a generator is a truly horrible idea. some time somebody doesn't remember to disconnect the mains and some poor lineman gets fried. It has happened plenty. You must either power individual appliances by disconecting them from the house's wiring and pluggi

Re: [BlindHandyMan] antique vise

2007-01-19 Thread Tom Fowle
A chunk of 3/4Ths inch hard maple dowell with larger chunks screwed to its ends might do well. Get it at any hardware store and sand it up a bit give it few coats of oil finish and it'll out last you, maybe! Tom Net-Tamer V 1.13 Beta - Registered To listen to the show archives go to link htt

Re: [BlindHandyMan] iron and copper pipes

2007-01-18 Thread Tom Fowle
ron, Can one tell the difference between black iron and galvanized steel by touch? or any other non-visual method? thanks Tom To listen to the show archives go to link http://acbradio.org/handyman.html or ftp://ftp.acbradio.org/acbradio-archives/handyman/ The Pod Cast address for the Blind H

Re: [BlindHandyMan] lights on or off

2007-01-18 Thread Tom Fowle
l put together some of his stories and get them out there somewhere. Tom Fowle To listen to the show archives go to link http://acbradio.org/handyman.html or ftp://ftp.acbradio.org/acbradio-archives/handyman/ The Pod Cast address for the Blind Handy Man Show is. http://www.acbradio.org/new

Re: [BlindHandyMan] Here is a handyman's light detecter

2007-01-17 Thread Tom Fowle
Dale, Sorry to tell you the TSL23x series hasn't been available for several years. It's a darned shame as it made a wow of a light probe and was very simple. Unfortunately I don't know of a currently available replacement light to frequency converter, but we should do some research and see if we

Re: [BlindHandyMan] list

2007-01-17 Thread Tom Fowle
Hi Sarah, Yes you should be concerned, Eithere there is a loose connection in your circuit box or you don't have heavy enough wiring for the washer. If you're renting, your landlord must fix it as nobody would consider that a habitable home. If you own, then your local electric utility might come

Re: [BlindHandyMan] lights on or off

2007-01-16 Thread Tom Fowle
ut he came close. best Tom Fowle WA6IVG To listen to the show archives go to link http://acbradio.org/handyman.html or ftp://ftp.acbradio.org/acbradio-archives/handyman/ The Pod Cast address for the Blind Handy Man Show is. http://www.acbradio.org/news/xml/podcast.php?pgm=saturday The Pod

Re: [BlindHandyMan] lights on or off

2007-01-16 Thread Tom Fowle
Lenny Get a light probe, Ann Morris and other blindness catalogs have them, that's what they're for 73s Tom WA6IVG To listen to the show archives go to link http://acbradio.org/handyman.html or ftp://ftp.acbradio.org/acbradio-archives/handyman/ The Pod Cast address for the Blind Handy Man Show

Re: [BlindHandyMan] Greasing the Wheels of Life

2007-01-16 Thread Tom Fowle
vicotr, I've done this very thing with WD40 you might get it done without removing the doors but if you can lift them out of the tracks , you'll get at the wheels much better. Been working for several years on one application of WD40. Tom To listen to the show archives go to link http://acbr

Re: [BlindHandyMan] Electric "house wiring" question:

2007-01-07 Thread Tom Fowle
thanks Ron, I was picturing an extra junction box up in the crawl space but of course the light ceiling box is right there in the hall so that's likely the point where everything might be accessible. I did check all the breakers of course and all the fuses. I don't think it's likely on the neighb

Re: [BlindHandyMan] Electric "house wiring" question: Hi elect

2007-01-07 Thread Tom Fowle
Hi Dale, thanks that's about what I thought and it's nice to have confirmation. I am sure we don't have aluminum wire, if we did I'd be in there right now to be sure nothing has gone high resistance. I always hate to turn off all the power if i don't have too, so much junk needs resetting Maybe

[BlindHandyMan] Electric "house wiring" question:

2007-01-05 Thread Tom Fowle
In our 1960s build duplex, we have a single outlet and a hall light that have failed. Due to this failure I moved the portable heater which was the only thing on that outlet to anothere socket, unknowingly putting it on the same circuit as a bathroom ceiling fan/heater combo. Not surprisingly when

Re: [BlindHandyMan] CNC machines

2007-01-01 Thread Tom Fowle
ish, how patient you are, and how much money you have access too. Like everything else. I don't know what was going on with the "touch pad" you were learning on. tom fowle Net-Tamer V 1.13 Beta - Registered To listen to the show archives go to link http://acbradio.org/hand

Re: [BlindHandyMan] A Merry Christmas To All

2006-12-24 Thread Tom Fowle
Likewise from here near San Francisco, the very best of holiday seasons and new years to you all. tom Net-Tamer V 1.13 Beta - Registered To listen to the show archives go to link http://acbradio.org/handyman.html or ftp://ftp.acbradio.org/acbradio-archives/handyman/ The Pod Cast address for

Re: [BlindHandyMan] Over head lights and switches/outlets

2006-12-22 Thread Tom Fowle
I've had some of these cheaper fluorescent screw in bulbs go out with a snap and some smoke. Therefore I won't put them in fixtures which are hard to get at just in case. also Clifford's theory of screwing a 20 amp fuse into a light fixture and then replacing the switch with an outlet could work,

Re: [BlindHandyMan] Audible Stud Finder

2006-12-21 Thread Tom Fowle
The Zercon audible stud sensor works similarly but is probably much cheaper as it uses led's rather than an LCD display. If you can't see the display why pay for it. tom To listen to the show archives go to link http://acbradio.org/handyman.html or ftp://ftp.acbradio.org/acbradio-archives/han

Re: [BlindHandyMan] Changing the fan thermostat.

2006-12-20 Thread Tom Fowle
way to go max! You just saved your selves a chyunk of money and made your self feel good in two ways. congrats Tom To listen to the show archives go to link http://acbradio.org/handyman.html or ftp://ftp.acbradio.org/acbradio-archives/handyman/ The Pod Cast address for the Blind Handy Man Sho

Re: [BlindHandyMan] soaldering

2006-12-16 Thread Tom Fowle
spiro, Actually the ones made by "American Beauty" last years. for us. suppliers like Digikey, Jameco, and Allied electronics would be where to start I'll try to get someone at work to look em up and send along more info. tom Net-Tamer V 1.13 Beta - Registered To listen to the show archives

Re: [BlindHandyMan] soaldering with a gun,

2006-12-16 Thread Tom Fowle
spongue cleaning is not as necessary with a gun because it isn't sitting there hot all the time oxodizing, but cleaning the tip will help heat transfer a lot, you'll really notice the difference in speed of heating joints. with an iron it is vital to clean frequently. Never file or sandpaper mode

Re: [BlindHandyMan] soaldering with a gun,

2006-12-16 Thread Tom Fowle
bill, some folks use a clean cotton cloth dipped in water, but it doesn't work as well. I strongly do not reccommend houseHold spongues as many seem to have some coating that gets on the iron and defeats the purpose. Any spongue sold for the purpose should do, but 'American Beauty" makes one tha

Re: [BlindHandyMan] outside Christmas lights

2006-12-16 Thread Tom Fowle
Lenny, Using indoor cords out doors is not a very good idea for that very reason. The real best thing would be a product called "connector seal' or "Coax seal" which is available at Radio shack. It's a ruvverlike soft malliable tape like stuff which is made for sealing antenna connectors. You wr

Re: [BlindHandyMan] soaldering with a gun,

2006-12-14 Thread Tom Fowle
bill, Not really different except I just do a "heat and spongue and tin" cycle once every few joints. since the gun doesn't stay hot like an iron, there isn't the continuous oxidation. Usually when you do a joint you get some new solder on the tip, so it's tinned. Once in a while it's good to cl

Re: [BlindHandyMan] soaldering

2006-12-13 Thread Tom Fowle
Spiro, NO, you want the iron to remain tinned with some solder while it's sitting just being hot, this keeps the tip from oxidizing and thus refusing to transfer heat any more. when you pick it up, you dip it in a special spongue that's wet. This removes oxidized solder and leaves you with a clean

Re: [BlindHandyMan] soaldering

2006-12-13 Thread Tom Fowle
Bill, We're glad you enjoyed the magazines. We use hemostats as holders of parts that are being removed or things that just won't stay put. with the exception of the JA3TBW solder guide, nothing should get between the solder and your fingers, the sensative manipulation of the solder and the feed

Re: [BlindHandyMan] soaldering

2006-12-13 Thread Tom Fowle
All great stuff Spiro, Also if putting stranded wires into crimpte terminals or under screws they do much better if tinned well before hand, just wrap the slightly twisted stranded stripped end witha few turns of solder and bring the iron up from underneath the end, hold till your fingers get hot,

Re: [BlindHandyMan] A Brain Teaser for you All

2006-12-13 Thread Tom Fowle
Hi Victor, What I'd do if I have no better advice is sand all that paint off, clean the concrete surface and apply a thiin mix of cement with coarse sand mixed in. When that dried I'd hit it with thompson's water seal or the like. I'm sure there are better ways. I agree it's not a job for glued

Re: [BlindHandyMan] soaldering

2006-12-12 Thread Tom Fowle
Look back a few messages I commentd on them just today. Not much good for anything but the most primative uses and hard to manage for a bat. Tom To listen to the show archives go to link http://acbradio.org/handyman.html or ftp://ftp.acbradio.org/acbradio-archives/handyman/ The Pod Cast addres

Re: [BlindHandyMan] soaldering

2006-12-12 Thread Tom Fowle
Carl, Read the soldering series and learn to do landmarking so you can get the iron where you want it. A little melted insulation usually won't hurt much if all you're doing is soldering wires together and to tracks etc. tape works wonders. I strongly support the idea of a smallish pencil iron t

Re: [BlindHandyMan] microwave the paint

2006-12-12 Thread Tom Fowle
Jim, Not as far as I can imagine unless the chips fall on your tuna sandwich. Of course it's a start spot fo rust and leakage of water into the guts if you have a big spill. tom To listen to the show archives go to link http://acbradio.org/handyman.html or ftp://ftp.acbradio.org/acbradio-arc

Re: [BlindHandyMan] watter in braille note

2006-12-12 Thread Tom Fowle
tim, Put it some place warm, not too warm, overnight. If it doesn't work properly in the morning your stuck sending it in. tom To listen to the show archives go to link http://acbradio.org/handyman.html or ftp://ftp.acbradio.org/acbradio-archives/handyman/ The Pod Cast address for the Blind H

Re: [BlindHandyMan] soaldering

2006-12-12 Thread Tom Fowle
Lenny, the "cold heat" soldering device is what might be called a resistance soldering device. The tip is two carbon pointed thingies with a small gap between them. You put them against the joint so as to get a good contact and the current from a batch of AA cells flows through work and it gets ho

Re: [BlindHandyMan] hello and 3-way switches

2006-12-12 Thread Tom Fowle
spiro, You're correct neither position is always on or off, the switches have to be in two different positions to be off. Tom To listen to the show archives go to link http://acbradio.org/handyman.html or ftp://ftp.acbradio.org/acbradio-archives/handyman/ The Pod Cast address for the Blind H

Re: [BlindHandyMan] U.S. Post Office

2006-12-08 Thread Tom Fowle
I have been told that the free matter law actually says the material is supposed to be treated as first class but they don't want to admit or do it. supposedly if you put the following on the package it will improve the service. this is unverified I havn't tried it. FREE MATTER FOR THE BLIN

[BlindHandyMan] re: Mcount url

2006-12-04 Thread Tom Fowle
Hi Sorry forgot to include the URL for the MCount morse counte kit its self: http://home.att.net/~jacksonharbor/mcount.htm Have fun Tom Net-Tamer V 1.13 Beta - Registered To listen to the show archives go to link http://acbradio.org/handyman.html or ftp://ftp.acbradio.org/acbradio-archi

[BlindHandyMan] , a new morse code output frequency counter available.

2006-12-04 Thread Tom Fowle
tml Many other cool features I havn't listed here. And find me anywhere else you can get a 500MHz frequency counter with an output you can read for $45.00! Gett em while there're hot! tom Fowle WA6IVG Net-Tamer V 1.13 Beta - Registered To listen to the show ar

Re: [BlindHandyMan] outdoor fireplaces

2006-11-30 Thread Tom Fowle
I'm sure there are stove and other much less expensive indoor options, but they still have to be installed by someone who knows what they're doing. I also wouldlove an indoor fireplace but in a rented small duplex it ain't gonna happen. tom To listen to the show archives go to link http://acb

Re: [BlindHandyMan] freezing my ta ta's off

2006-11-30 Thread Tom Fowle
the Tuh Tuh is connected to the Framis Tom To listen to the show archives go to link http://acbradio.org/handyman.html or ftp://ftp.acbradio.org/acbradio-archives/handyman/ The Pod Cast address for the Blind Handy Man Show is. http://www.acbradio.org/news/xml/podcast.php?pgm=saturday The Pod

Re: [BlindHandyMan] outdoor fireplaces

2006-11-30 Thread Tom Fowle
Ventelation is by far the most dangerous thing you need to consider. Without a proper hood and vent pipe you're going to get dead from carbon monoxide poisoning real soon. You'd best get a rea indoor fireplace with properly installed chimney, messing around isn't worth your life. tom To list

Re: [BlindHandyMan] Channeling water

2006-11-30 Thread Tom Fowle
Jewel, How steep is the roof? is the iron roofing flat, or horizontal where it meets the gutter or is it a pitched roof? If it isn't pitched too steeply it might be capilary action, or the tendency of water to follow any surface it is flowing on. Other than some kind of seal to force the water int

Re: [BlindHandyMan] miniture power tools

2006-11-29 Thread Tom Fowle
Lou, Don't know about Proxon, will check it out, assume more expensive than Dremel. thanks Tom To listen to the show archives go to link http://acbradio.org/handyman.html or ftp://ftp.acbradio.org/acbradio-archives/handyman/ The Pod Cast address for the Blind Handy Man Show is. http://www.acb

Re: [BlindHandyMan] New member/experienced!

2006-11-29 Thread Tom Fowle
Jay, Welcome to the list, I'm sure you'll be able to contribute a lot. There are an amazing number of very experienced folks here and a lot of interesting ideas get passed around. Yes, life with out doing stuff with the hands wouldn't be worth living would it. tom Fowle Reh

Re: [BlindHandyMan] Patching a radiator.

2006-11-29 Thread Tom Fowle
I doubt the use of epoxy in a heater, most of them melt at pretty low temps. Tom To listen to the show archives go to link http://acbradio.org/handyman.html or ftp://ftp.acbradio.org/acbradio-archives/handyman/ The Pod Cast address for the Blind Handy Man Show is. http://www.acbradio.org/news

Re: [BlindHandyMan] Tips for Purchase and Use of Extension Cords.

2006-11-29 Thread Tom Fowle
Dale, Yes, I don't doubt that a long cord under load can get hot if it isn't heavy enough wire. I just doubt that rolling it up makes any difference except perhaps that heat which is produced is more trapped by the coil. If a cord gets very warm at all, it is too light for the job. as for the old

Re: [BlindHandyMan] How to Quickly Test Remote Controls

2006-11-29 Thread Tom Fowle
Since the camera trick is of no use to us without sighted help, try your light probe. All photo sensors responde to infrared just fine, you'll hear tha beep when you press the buttons, usually you can hear multiple beeps when you hold down the buttons. tom To listen to the show archives go to

Re: [BlindHandyMan] miniture power tools

2006-11-29 Thread Tom Fowle
I have and occasionally use a basic variable speed dremel tool set. They are much harder to use than you'd think, the tool, unless very strongly held wants to walk and twist. I can not carve a straight line or follow a marked curve at all with one. Also the bearings are not that great so that

Re: [BlindHandyMan] Metal Ladders and Electricity Do Not Mix.

2006-11-28 Thread Tom Fowle
I've always thought the service feeds are insulated, but it could certainly break down or crack, and I've heard too many varified stories of folks getting zapped when using ladders or installing antennas to think there isn't a problem. I think the wires in a service feed are far enough apart so th

Re: [BlindHandyMan] Tips for Purchase and Use of Extension Cords.

2006-11-28 Thread Tom Fowle
Dale, I'm afraid I have to disagree, perhaps is you use a longer cord than you need it will have more resistance, but if it is really haavy enough for the job it shouldn't contribute much. As for inductance, because you have two parallel wires with A.C. side by side in them, if yo coil them up, yo

Re: [BlindHandyMan] Tips for Purchase and Use of Extension Cords.

2006-11-28 Thread Tom Fowle
I can imagine no reason for not using looped or coiled extension cords, if I did that, I'd never hook up a bloody thing in our house, we use em all over the place under around things etc. Maybe they worry that cords which are not really heavy enough for a job might get warmer if they're bundled u

[BlindHandyMan] Re: Compusult display reader:

2006-11-26 Thread Tom Fowle
hem starts at U.S. $2,395 plus $800.00 daily fee for the installer. I've not forwarded there attached PDF file as I think what's here says what needs saying. Happy holidays to all. tom Digicite information request: (Forward From [EMAIL PROTECTED]) From: "Paul Mitten" <[

Re: [BlindHandyMan] Checking Engine Oil

2006-11-19 Thread Tom Fowle
I've tried feeling the oil levels on a gas and diesel marine engine and can't accurately feel it either. And I read braille regularly. Not accusing anybody of inaccuracy, some may be able to feel it, maybe has to do with variations in skin type and oiliness. Two ideas, neither new, one I think w

Re: [BlindHandyMan] Thoughts on Oil Finishes for Wood

2006-11-04 Thread Tom Fowle
Ray, VERY interesting, We've done very casual finishes with Watco dainish oil and they're O.K. because the pieces were utilitarian. this sounds like the right way to do it right. thanks tom Net-Tamer V 1.13 Beta - Registered To listen to the show archives go to link http://acbradio.org/handy

[BlindHandyMan] cheap door knob losing finish

2006-11-04 Thread Tom Fowle
Hi brain folks, We have "security" doors front and back, these steel doors with expanded metal instaead of screen. the knobs, particularly the outside ones of course, are losing their finish and appear green instead of imitation brass. Feel sticky and unpleasant. Tried alcohol and that dissolves

Re: [BlindHandyMan] Looking for Accessible Stereo Receiver

2006-10-31 Thread Tom Fowle
Dan, It may well be that the IRDA port in laptops, or some of them, is hardware accessible to the point you can do that. Let me know what you find out. thanks Tom To listen to the show archives go to link http://acbradio.org/handyman.html or ftp://ftp.acbradio.org/acbradio-archives/handyman/

Re: [BlindHandyMan] car window question

2006-10-31 Thread Tom Fowle
Jennifer, As long as you have a good tight seal around the plastic I can't imagine why it should be dangerous. Unless you or someone smells exhaust while riding in the vehicle. which circumstance should always be taken very seriously indeed. Having such a repair may or may not be illegal dependin

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