This isn’t just any cabinet of curiosities: It’s the Center for the Analysis of Archaeological Materials (CAAM), and its osteological library is a key tool in Moore’s mission to unpack our historical eating habits.
“Look at that rough break,” she says, holding up a cow’s tibia from the 18th century. “That shows that this animal has been butchered and prepared for meat in a very informal, non-market-based way.” She notes that bones from later centuries often sport cleaner cuts, showing that the meat was sawn carefully to be sold at a market.
Moore, a zooarchaeologist, knows that most people come to the Penn Museum for what lies above her lab: showstoppers like the 13-ton granite sphinx and Queen Puabi's golden headdress. Displays of her food-focused specimens of bones and meat, in contrast, sometimes have visitors scratching their heads.
“People sometimes come to an archaeological museum thinking it's going to all be art,” Moore says. “And then there's chunks of dried meat lying there and they wonder, ‘What? Where am I now?’”
But with its new Ancient Food & Flavor exhibit, the Penn Museum's thousand-year-old llama jerky and apples older than Stonehenge are getting their turn in the spotlight. The exhibit focuses on culinary artifacts from three sites: Robenhausen, a 6,000-year-old village in Switzerland; Numayra, a 4,500-year-old community in Jordan; and Pachacámac, an 1,800-year-old city in Peru.
All the artifacts—which range from freeze-dried potatoes and grinding stones to fish scales and livestock dung—offer clues about ancient diets and lifestyles. Moore, who co-curated the exhibit, points to an animated video that imagines a robust trade hub in Pachacámac, one of three videos playing throughout the exhibit (the others depict a farm at Robenhausen and winemaking at Numayra). A comprehensive portrait like this, she says, is the result of years spent analyzing the small pieces of information offered by these specimens.
“Every motion, every animal, every plant” featured in the video, she explains, is based on archaeological findings like those showcased in the exhibit.
The animated depiction of Pachacámac shows llamas loaded up with provisions—a concept drawn from the weathered transport pouches, dried meat, and remarkably preserved corn, chiles, and potatoes in the glass cases around the video display. “They were in a large, politically integrated area that stretched over about two-thirds of South America,” Moore explains. “And so the picture we chose . . . is the trade: food from the sea, food from local environments.”
By displaying the artifacts alongside the animated depictions of daily life, the exhibit provides a glimpse not just into early eating habits, but also how scientists like Moore and her co-curator, Chantel White, use ancient plants, pottery, and bones to decipher the mysteries of food history. Since it’s rare to excavate complete meals, studying ancient cooking and cultivation requires some archaeological detective work.
“We don't just want to pluck little single objects out,” says White, an archaeobotanist. “It's also about the context of where they're found.”
For White, studying the plant matter from a room at Numayra—which was destroyed by a fire sometime between 2850 and 2550 BCE—was a passion project. When archaeologists excavated the site in the late 1970s and early ’80s, they found shattered pots, carbonized grapes, and thousands of tiny grape seeds both in the pots and scattered across the floor.
“Initially I was like, ‘Why in the world would there be so many grape seeds?’ But it makes sense when you think about if this was part of the grape fermentation process,” White explains. “All these grape seeds would have been at the bottom of the vessels.”
White also notes that the grapes showed signs of having been stomped. The exhibit encourages visitors to look for similar visual evidence, providing microscopes and magnifying glasses to identify possible signs of grinding, fermenting, or cooking on the seeds and fish scales excavated from the sites.
But when the powers of observation fail to provide answers, it’s time for a more hands-on approach.
“We have a little slogan in CAAM,” Moore says. “It’s called ‘Let’s try it!’” Sometimes “trying it” might mean smashing nuts with a palm-size stone to match the marks made on cracked hazelnuts found at Robenhausen. (“I have a slab of stone and a handstone that are greasy, at this point, because I've done this so many times,” Moore says.) Other times, that might mean burning crabapples inside the furnace in White’s lab to mimic the charring on 6,000-year-old carbonized fruit. And sometimes, it means conducting tests in your own backyard: “Once, someone called the police on me when I was trying to do a relatively extensive controlled burn,” Moore laughs.
No matter the approach, the goal is always to reconstruct the archaeological findings and better understand how early humans cultivated, prepared, or preserved their food.
Moore and White are even conducting an experiment within the exhibit: In an outdoor courtyard, several plots grow the same plants displayed inside. Organized by country, the gardens contain crops from Jordan (chickpeas, flax), Peru (corn, quinoa, chiles), and Switzerland (rye, hazelnuts, strawberries). Moore points out that the garden has already made her feel connected with some of her ancestors’ struggles—especially when it comes to coping with pests.
“We really asked for it, having our exhibit outside,” she laughs. “The squirrels already got to the corn.”
But even pests can provide an education in food history. Beyond the exhibit, Moore and White are currently studying rats’ nests from enslaved workers’ quarters in South Carolina from 1830 to 1860. The rodents’ stashes of stolen food and gnawed materials can offer new insights into how their human neighbors lived.
Like antebellum rats’ nests, the Ancient Food & Flavor exhibit shows the value behind an overlooked aspect of history. Dried apples and tiny ancient grape seeds may not be as flashy as royal jewelry or mummies, but, Moore says, they’re no less important.
“We are not here to talk about golden headdresses,” she says. “We are here to talk about the lives of people in the past who did this work, who produced this food, who kept everybody alive, and who labored on their hands and knees. This is the labor of your ancestors. No one alive today isn't descended from someone who had to do this work by hand.”
]]>WASHINGTON — House Republicans have held it over Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas for months. Attorney General Merrick Garland is facing it too. And President Joe Biden seemingly isn’t far behind.
Driven by the demands of hard-right members, Republicans in the House are threatening impeachment against Biden and his top Cabinet officials, creating a backbeat of chatter about “high crimes and misdemeanors” that is driving legislative action, spurring committee investigations, raking in fundraising money and complicating the plans of Speaker Kevin McCarthy and his leadership team.
Long viewed as an option of last resort, to be triggered only for the most severe wrongdoing, the constitutionally authorized power of impeachment is rapidly moving from the extraordinary to the humdrum, driven in large part by Republicans and their grievances about how Democrats twice impeached President Donald Trump.
Republicans remain so opposed to Trump’s impeachments, in fact, that they are pressing for votes to expunge the charges altogether — an attempt to clear his name that is without direct precedent in congressional history.
“We’re seeing a generation of Republicans who are much more willing to test the boundaries of how much you can weaponize procedures,” said Julian Zelizer, a Princeton University historian and political scientist.
McCarthy on Sunday made Garland the latest target of a potential impeachment investigation as Republicans examine how the Department of Justice handled the prosecution of Hunter Biden for federal tax offenses. It capped a tumultuous week in which hard-right Republicans forced a vote to send articles of impeachment against Biden to a committee for investigation and also voted to censure Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff for his remarks and actions during the 2017 investigation into Trump’s ties to Russia.
Some Republicans are pushing for yet another censure action, this time against Democratic Rep. Bennie Thompson for his leadership of the House committee that investigated the Jan. 6 insurrection.
In the past, lawmakers have reserved censure, a punishment one step below expulsion, for grave misconduct. When former Rep. Charles Rangel, a New York Democrat, was censured in 2010 on a bipartisan vote for ethics violations, then-speaker Nancy Pelosi solemnly summoned him to the well of the House, where censured members must stand as the resolution is read in a moment of public shaming.
“We really tried hard to put aside the partisan considerations because we knew how sharp and potent the weapon (of censure) was,” said former Rep. Steve Israel, Democrat of New York, who was among Pelosi’s closest confidantes. “This thing used to be rare. Now, it’s in every cycle, in breaking news.”
When Schiff was censured last week, the proceedings quickly took on a carnival-like quality. Democrats, Pelosi included, streamed forward to stand shoulder-to-shoulder in the well of the House. They heckled McCarthy as he read the charges — calling out “Shame!” “Disgrace!” and “Adam! Adam!” — until the speaker left the dais.
“What goes around comes around,” one Democrat could be heard shouting in the chamber. Republicans streamed from the chamber shaking their heads.
“That was wild in there,” said Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla. She had brought the censure resolution against Schiff, using a legislative tool that allowed her to bypass leadership and force a vote.
The fervor in the House for doling out punishment shows no signs of breaking — in part because lawmakers are reaping the media attention and fundraising dollars that are steadily replacing committee chairmanships as the locus of power in the House.
Luna, who is just months into her first House term after winning a Florida district formerly held by Democrats, was the subject of a Fox News interview in prime-time after her successful push to censure Schiff.
And the attention cut both ways. Schiff, who is running for a California Senate seat, seemed to relish the moment and leveraged it into a fundraising blitz.
“They go after people they think are effective; they go after people they think are standing up to them,” Schiff said in an interview on “The View,” one of several TV appearances he had in the aftermath.
Yet there’s a risk that Republicans’ appetite for using the punishment powers could easily escalate into a more serious test of whether Congress is legitimately wielding power — and nowhere does that possibility loom larger than when it comes to Biden.
Rep. Lauren Boebert, a Colorado Republican who won reelection last year by fewer than 600 votes, forced a vote last week on an impeachment resolution against Biden for “high crimes and misdemeanors” over his handling of the U.S. border with Mexico.
Republican leaders were able to bottle up Boebert’s resolution, holding a vote that sent the matter to congressional committees for consideration.
Some Republicans, however, view it as a question of when, not if, Biden is impeached. Floor debate on the resolution took on the air of a dress rehearsal, as Democrats and Republicans debated whether Biden has committed “high crimes and misdemeanors” with his handling of border and immigration policy.
Only three other presidents in U.S. history have been impeached — Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton and Trump, though none were convicted by the Senate. Should Republicans decide to make Biden the fourth, a system of checks and balances created by the framers could face a test like never before.
While the Constitution’s impeachment standard of “high crimes and misdemeanors” is deliberately open-ended, the Republicans’ impeachment argument against Biden has centered so far on disagreement with his policy decisions, namely his handling of the southern border, which they say amounts to breaking his oath of office.
Zelizer, the political historian, warned that moving forward with impeachment on those grounds would have lasting consequences.
“It weakens the function of government, it undermines trust in this democracy, and it will leave the democracy weaker than when it started,” he said.
]]>
Dog Owners take a look at this adorable container for your pup’s treats! Keep fido’s treats nearby and on hand with this stylish storage tin by Now Designs. Dog biscuits are often hidden away in the cabinet or pantry in an unappealing container, which makes them difficult to access when needed. This tin features an attractive white base and matching black lid. The front features a tidy “Biscuit” Design. Made from food safe powder coated galvanized steel, this dog treat container is 7 inches tall and 5 inches in diameter. There is plenty of space to store Dog biscuits, Training treats, rawhides, or your pup’s favorite snack. The modern, sleek Design Coordinates with a variety of decor styles and can stay neatly on your countertop. Made by Now Designs, who for 50 years has created kitchen textiles and accessories that are consistently recognized for superior colors, trends, Design and unsurpassed quality and workmanship.
Get this Now Designs Dog Biscuits Tin with Lid, Good Dog Design for only $13.09!
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This post contains affiliate links.
]]>The purpose of organization is to make your entire classroom run smoothly. Knowing where items are located can make creating lesson plans and following your daily schedule easier and more efficient. Taking a little bit of time to label, organize, and put things in bins or bags can save so much time in during and after your school day. If you're anything like me, finding what you need is so much simpler when everything has a set place. A little organization can go a long way and help your classroom look and feel so good!
Sometimes it is hard to find a place for all the small items that teachers need. A messy desk with too many things on it can be so hard to manage. The secret is a teacher toolbox – with toolbox labels! The toolbox creates a hub of classroom supplies that are easy to find and use in a snap. It's my favorite way to create easy access to supplies and one of the best classroom organization ideas!!
This toolbox tutorial explains how to put it together in just a few steps and then it is ready to be used for next school year and beyond.
The toolbox is a great place to start organizing your classroom. Keep the momentum going by adding in a rolling cart with drawers and, of course, adding labels to it too! The cart is perfect for storing copies for the days of the week and/or each subject, as well as a few other drawers to keep classroom materials organized. I love the feeling of a clean organized room and this teacher tool is a game changer!
Papers are so easy to get shuffled from place to place – or let's face it, sometimes buried on your teacher desk never to be seen again. No more staring at a messy pile of papers! This organization system is the perfect way to keep everything in its rightful home. Organization is nice, but it needs to be paired with a system that is easy to maintain. Tossing papers in the correct drawer is SO easy to keep up with and will save you extra time. Not to mention that the top of the rolling cart offers so much space to be used too!
Keeping the easily seen items organized is one thing, but keeping the areas no one sees organized is another. Teachers have all kinds of little ‘things'. It is so easy to quickly throw something in a cabinet or drawer with good intentions and completely forget about it, creating extra work later. A few extra easy steps can really save you a lot of time and give you peace of mind.
These plastic envelopes are a great idea to hold so many things…game pieces, magnetic letters and numbers, math manipulatives, bulletin board items, stickers, and the list goes on and on. They are also super simple to store and can be kept in a binder or file folders!
These mesh pockets are also the best thing for keeping small areas organized. Add a label and you are good to go!
Plastic bins can be used for everything. They are bigger than the plastic envelopes and mesh pockets which is a great way to keep grade level units together or store seasonal items.
Finding teacher organization systems that are easy and simple to keep up with is the key to keeping your classroom space running smoothly. Teachers already have SO MUCH to do, adding more to your plate is absolutely the last thing needed. Create systems that work for you using these classroom organization ideas, and set yourself up for a successful upcoming school year.
Pin this image to come back to the blog post later!
The post Classroom Organization Ideas appeared first on Teach Create Motivate.
]]>This online community is home to 2.3 million members who are always ready to help people identify the mysterious objects they found.
The gig is simple: someone uploads a photo of whatever it is they want the name of, and the gang starts commenting under it, offering their input until, inevitably, a person shows up who knows exactly what it is.
However, even if you're not posting anything, scrolling through their solved cases feels like an interesting challenge, where you can test (and expand) your own knowledge. So we invite you to do just that!
Answer: It's a magazine rack installed upside down because people decorating Airbnb's don't know what they're doing.
Image credits: mmay_a
Answer: This setup prevents Muslims from having to lift our legs up dangerously high while trying to stick our feet in the sink one at a time. The alternative to that is we have to take a handful of water and pour it onto our feet below the sink causing the floor to get wet. Muslims also have to keep their feet clean before praying, which is obviously problematic in a bathroom where everyone pisses on the floor and walks with their shoes between the stalls and the sink, so you might see them trying to keep one shoe on while washing the other foot and then switching. It’s also why we take our shoes off before praying and use prayer rugs to avoid touching unclean things while praying.
Image credits: atomicdragon136
Answer: They look like silkworm cocoons.
Image credits: loveofGod12345
Answer: Steel "soap" bar. Removes odors like onion from ur hands when u wash with it by just adding a strong steel odor on top.
Image credits: inzombiac
Answer: Micro plastic particles. Probably to show how Nike helps to clean up our planet. Greenwashing at best.
Image credits: tsirs
Answer: It's a place to rest your beer while you play cards.
Image credits: One_Has_Lepers
Answer: A Himalayan Calendar. The outer ring as 12 balls, each corresponding to a month. The next two rings have a tens and ones digit. The tens has three balls for up to the 31st, and the next has nine balls, for 0 to 9. And then four rings for the year, up to 9999.
Image credits: Oxfordcommapreacher
Answer: Looks like a page spreader for reading. Point end goes into the spine and thumb in hole so you can one hand books easy.
Image credits: Karljoneill
Answer: My wife says horse hoof cleaning tool, and she's a major horse gal. Also, burying an iron object within the foundation of a home was once considered good luck.
Image credits: StarsSuck
Answer: Cabbage sliced for making sauerkraut.
Image credits: Interesting_Usual882
Answer: You hang weights on chains to power mechanical cuckoo clocks. One powers the clock mechanism, and the other powers the cuckoo. The weight turns gears in the mechanism as the chain drops. To wind the clock, you pull on the other end of the chain and bring the weight back up, and the same for the chain that powers the cuckoo.
Image credits: reddit.com
Answer: It's whale sick get it checked it could be worth thousands a kg. It's an ingredient used in high end perfumes.
Image credits: Swimming_Sea964
Answer: It's a butter curler, for making fancy bits of butter.
Image credits: Curious-Creation
Answer: They can be used to avoid chairs scratching your floors. So they are socks, but for chairs rather than humans.
Image credits: InevitableDevice2182
Answer: Probably a horse. The bottom is the sire and dam.
Image credits: Wequiwa
Answer: HPDFCU Ultrasonic Animal Deterrent.
Image credits: BloodyBender
Answer: Terra cotta sugar saver. You put it in with your brown sugar to keep it from clumping or drying out in storage.
Image credits: potatochild001
Answer: It's actually a purse. There's space in there for some coins for bus/cab fare, some powder makeup (behind the little door), and calling cards.
Image credits: didilamour
Answer: A cigarette lighter.
Image credits: junkshopper2000
Answer: It's an early 19th C Gaslamp. The gas is piped up the pole, and a copper pipe would have extended into the glass lamp house, which fitted into the hoop.
Image credits: scientificdramatist
Answer: It is a spoon designed to separate the fat from the sauce, called "cuillère dégraisseuse".
Image credits: bazoid
Answer: It’s for the manufacturing of the product so that it can be turned while standing up.
Image credits: Eastern-East1476
Answer: "Black Money Scam". It's construction paper or similar, he was scammed to believe it was currency dyed to be smuggled and could be restored.
Image credits: sbs_str_9091
Answer: These are pretty much radiators that were filled with embers and/or hot stones when needed.
Image credits: Shadow_F3r4L
Answer: It's a container for keeping herbs fresh in your refrigerator.
Image credits: Jahstar7
Answer: Telephone dialer. You put the ball end in the desired number of the phone dial instead of your finger tip and used it to turn the dial.
Image credits: boneyheimer
Answer: It is a Vasculum, a sturdy collection container used by botanists on field excursions in which plant specimens can be collected without damaging them.
Image credits: Valuable-Camera-7107
Answer: This is a mushroom growing in the ceiling and is likely the result of water damage from the floor above.
Image credits: AFROSS
Answer: A vintage spoon pendant used for illegal substances.
Image credits: tlmsmith
Answer: It’s a diver rescue marker, for ocean rescue. You release it to dye the water around you and even at night a blacklight can light it up.
Image credits: howitzer1
Answer: It is a cold box.
Image credits: reddit.com
Answer: Boards that keep stray dogs from peeing on the door.
Image credits: GOBLINH8ER
Answer: Anti-wolf collar for sheepdogs.
Image credits: delilahgabj
Answer: Your mechanic is gonna want that back. It’s part of a lift.
Image credits: BlueFlames1723
Answer: Linen press.
Image credits: boredaugust
Answer: It’s a lamp. It’s literally an oil lamp, to be used to create light. The wick goes in the spout. The oil goes in the belly. You light the wick and a flame will burn on the end of the spout like a little candle, and you can carry your lantern around with you.
Image credits: FlaxxtotheMaxx
Answer: YVW Water Watchers! Initiative to remind children to conserve water when possible. This is insanely clever. The Hawthorne effect is when people behave differently when they know or feel like they’re being watched—choosing a healthier meal at lunch with your fit friends, or being more productive at work when you sit near the boss’s office.
Image credits: Johanso
Answer: Part of an old telephone. The bell is for incoming calls. The crank is to buzz the operator to connect you to the other party.
Image credits: Radio-Groundbreaking
Answer: An old Beltone type hearing aid. There's a transistor in the tie clip, and it plugs into a cord for the hearing aid.
Image credits: badluckninja13
Answer: This is a ULV mosquito adulticiding fogger.
Image credits: LibyanKing
Answer: It's a chair, howdah style.
Image credits: ali_cat_
Answer: Immersion heater. The metal piece goes into a cup of water and heats it.
Image credits: Commercial_Wasabi_86
Answer: Wow, that's a blast from the past. It's for write protecting a 5.25" floppy disk.
It’s for making a single sided disk double sided.
Image credits: R_McN
Answer: Obfuscation pattern, it's there to hide info or keep people from trying to read through an envelope and look at personal information.
Image credits: 1nesandzer0s
Answer: Worked at a Ponderosa back in my teens as a line cook and we had one of these. When an order was up we would press a button on a box and it would light up a number, so a server would know their order was ready for a table.
Image credits: Gusto74
Answer: This is just a scientific specimen cabinet, which could be used for anything from geology to lepidopterology.
Image credits: IGutenberg
Answer: It's a button hook.
Image credits: MiniRipperton
Answer: An oil lamp.
Image credits: watamat
Answer: A wash tamper or "wasstamper" in Dutch.
Image credits: solidboom
Answer: A leather fishing belt. You can put the end of the fishing rod in the hole for support.
Image credits: nyxfriesian
Answer: It's a "claw" to help pull in fishing nets.
Image credits: machukahn
Answer: Carpenter Bee traps.
Image credits: redscarfdemon
Answer: It is a space for a wireless pod that tracks your running workout called Nike+ sensor.
Image credits: Zyloph
Answer: This is used to measure the height of the net in tennis.
Image credits: Mcmakar
Answer: Old septic tank.
Image credits: bbush721
Answer: Looks like the membrane from a kazoo.
Image credits: isabel_77
Answer: It’s for drafting. It’s an eraser shield.
Image credits: bu11fr0g
Answer: It’s a baler! The metal bands have small metal prongs protitruding, they pick up the hay. The corkscrew in the back moves it into the baling chamber, where a ram compresses it into a bale, after that it’s tied together and pushed out of the machine.
Image credits: only1jellybeanz
Answer: Mirror guy here, there are lots of things related to the adhesive that can pull off or degrade the silver backing, including: forceful detachment of the adhesive which pulls off the silver, using an acid curing adhesive instead of a neutral curing adhesive, putting the adhesive onto unpainted Sheetrock which screws up the curing process, or drawing a closed shape with the adhesive so air gets trapped in it when the mirror is pressed against the wall.
Image credits: AdamCohn
Answer: Chicken steamer, it's used to add humidity to the house.
Image credits: uberCalifornia
Answer: It’s an avocado slicer. You cut the avocado in half and seed it, then scoop out slices.
Image credits: Whatsername868
Answer: This happens a lot in seawater. You see it in the beach all the time as a thick brownish foam. Basically, as marine creatures and so on (especially algae) decompose after death their bodies break down into various components. One of the processes is called saponification and basically converts fats into soap (fun fact, the same thing can happen to un-preserved humans). This coats the sand, gravel, rocks etc and then it is stirred up into foam by the water and (usually) high winds. On the beach it’s usually a mix of these animal byproducts, sand and other contaminants, it’s likely similar here but with less sand. In a canal it is likely stirred up by the wake of watercraft.
Image credits: hamo804
Answer: It's a perfume diffuser. You can spray your perfume on it, and it will absorb it and release the smell into the air.
Image credits: Solve-Problems
Answer: It's a window breaker for car windows.
Image credits: hardcuts26
Answer: It's for holding books.
Image credits: el_gato_uno
Answer: Hydraulic fluid reservoir for a military vehicle, possibly a hercules.
Image credits: FollowTheScript
Answer: It’s a sensor to turn the heated sidewalk on and off.
Image credits: littleteethparty
Answer: It’s a comb hammer for dressing stone.
Image credits: CallanSeabs
Answer: I think the dowel was put into a shelf slot after the fact to possibly make this into a paper towel holder. I say breadbox.
Image credits: DrDirtyJ
Answer: It's a back support.
Image credits: cubswin16
Answer: An old blade honer/sharpener.
Image credits: perfectlowstorm
Answer: A rotisserie clamp.
Image credits: Anxious-Kiwi-92
Answer: It's for transporting racing pigeons.
Image credits: Subaru_turtle
Answer: Knife rests.
Image credits: Echidnado
Answer: A tick removal tool. It's called a "tick twister".
Image credits: Repulsive-Wear8696
Answer: It's a tooth pick in a design patented in 1881.
Image credits: ruby_dust17
Answer: It's a vintage police restraint chain called "chain nipper".
Image credits: Mrandres21
Answer: It's a phone “booth.” At one point it likely held a phone (likely a payphone). You could stand it in, have your call, and not be in the middle of the hallway.
Image credits: Major-tomm
Answer: It's a dry water massage bed. A person lays inside and water pummels them.
Image credits: Wraldpyk
Answer: A hanger cover. It's to prevent suits or similar from getting a crease when hanging on a hanger with sharp angles.
Image credits: ellanaKG
Answer: Guide rails for keeping a derailed car from getting too off center.
Image credits: marxman28
Answer: A display for hats.
Image credits: rramirezcantu
Answer: A pull pin from a fire extinguisher.
Image credits: LoganSlendy
Answer: They're measuring wifi strength and saturation as part of MLB's deal with Extreme Networks.
Image credits: paradigmjumper
Answer: It's a temperature sensor for a humidifier.
Image credits: hiberniagermania
Answer: It’s for laptop/tablet storage while charging.
Image credits: fred_lincoln
Answer: It’s a badger gate.
Image credits: 3sponge
Answer: It's part of a cream separator for milk.
Image credits: Wht-ever
Answer: A wagon brake.
Image credits: WrinkledWatchman
Answer: This is a seafood or cocktail fork.
Image credits: GnedTheGnome
Answer: It is a phone holder.
Image credits: Different-Aerie-6508
Answer: Basically there are huge underground tunnels that take water to the power plants, these gates shut the water to them.
Image credits: Limelight_019283
Answer: These are old kilns.
Image credits: Check_M88
Answer: Looks like a it’s maybe a flagpole finial, possibly 19th century or early twentieth.
Image credits: nate8334
Answer: Chef's hat.
Image credits: reddit.com
Answer: They are granaries, for corn and grain.
Image credits: ProperNomenclature
Answer: It’s a home observatory. The telescope inside doesn’t have to be particularly big, but chances are if they spent the money on the dome they have a pretty nice scope.
Image credits: jlol8452
Answer: Saildrone.
Image credits: ShireHorseRider
Answer: Sonde device to measure pipe blockage / delineation using acoustic waves.
Image credits: PSN_ALadyCat
Answer: It's one of a pair of "rattlesnake eggs". You hold them separated slightly in your hand, and toss them up in the air, and they make a cool noise when they magnetize together. That's about it.
Image credits: MotherOfMagpies23
Answer: These are Japanese folding screen weights.
Image credits: RepTheDee
Answer: It’s a keyboard key remover. It’s to help install custom keys but if it didn’t come with any custom keys, they probably gave it to you to help you remove all the keys to make cleaning easier.
Image credits: NuclearHoagie
Answer: They are anti theft strips and will sound the alarm if you try to pass the detectors at the door when not having paid the item.
Image credits: lucian_blignaut
Answer: It’s a core plug for a large roll of paper. You take them out when you load them onto a cutting machine to make smaller rolls like adding machine tapes or toilet paper rolls.
Image credits: Kcnabrev
Answer: It’s part of a magic kit where the magician “guesses” someone’s number… should be like 6 of them with various numbers on them…
Image credits: Backup-AccountHLS
Answer: It’s a spoon rest for cooking so your counter top doesn’t get dirty. Can hold multiple utensils at once. Easy to wash and clean.
Image credits: PoetryOfLogicalIdeas
Answer: That is a paddle designed to swat back a small ball 'a hornet' in the traditional swiss sport or hornussen.
Image credits: rojothered
Answer: It is an outrigger for trolling. you attach a long line to it and this carries it out away from the side of the boat so you can put out two long lines at once. Used for tuna and swordfish in the gulf stream.
Image credits: avery4206
Answer: It's a fishing net float.
Image credits: redblackrider
Answer: A waterproof bathroom mirror TV.
Image credits: natalie_grrr
Answer: It is an Eruv.
Image credits: fjbruzr
Answer: A vintage craftsman wet wheel sharpening stone tool.
Image credits: DonKiedicRPG
Answer: A holder for moth balls, called "mortemoth".
Image credits: pocketfullasunshine1
Answer: It’s a manual massage roller ball.
Image credits: doogal580
Answer: It's a foldable flying disk.
Image credits: ActivityFar178
Answer: It's a vintage “Midget” folding garment hanger.
Image credits: MediumSizeMoose
Answer: The month and year of manufacture. It’s a permanent dent made in the tool steel of the injection molding tooling, so the most recent dent is the birth date of the wheel arch.
Image credits: xrawmonkey
Answer: A Hoosier flour sifter. The flour is contained in a box above or in this case - the conical bag and you crank out what you need below.
Image credits: 98_percent_angel
Answer: A ball mill. Similar in concept to a rock tumbler, but used by industry to powderize or smooth materials.
Image credits: BoutelouaGracilis
Answer: To hold bottles up, so they don't fall out of the door.
Image credits: perksofbeingcrafty
Answer: A Remfly Perimeter Trip Alarm.
Image credits: johnnycross798
Answer: It's a lazy dog. A small bomb dropped in large numbers. No explosives in it.
Image credits: maxuhmillion28
Answer: These are tiny mock versions of what they used to use on riversides to stop erosion. Now they're mostly just decorations or hashi holders (chopstiick holders, but they have much smaller ones - i have some in my cuppard) so your food-covered hashi doesn't touch the table. They were called Takejakago.
Image credits: Sea_Negotiation_2651
Answer: Mk 25 marine location marker.
Image credits: JForce1
Answer: It’s a pull chain and hanging bracket for a solid door bell.
Image credits: tired-until-infinity
Answer: It's a hose holder that prevents tangling.
Image credits: No_Maintenance_550
Answer: Fidget toy.
Image credits: Far_Ad8215
Answer: It's an infrared based occupancy sensor. The TV controller is outputting an infrared signal activating the sensor. Source: husband who is an electrical engineer.
Image credits: Infomaniac63
Answer: Snack plate. Circle is for a cup to rest in.
Image credits: aft25
Answer: Canopy covers for glider cockpits.
Image credits: No-Adeptness1671
Answer: It’s a pog slammer.
Image credits: Tribulus_terrestris
Answer: It’s for ties.
Image credits: elliebelliemk
Answer: An inflatable cushion for securing cargo.
Image credits: SmartGround754
Answer: A South African Knobkerrie.
Image credits: Zeeplebooplebrix
Answer: It's a type of WAP for the hotel staff called AT&T Staff Alert.
Image credits: S3-000
Answer: Cell phone holder for the car vent.
Image credits: aut0asfixiacion
Answer: It’s an old style attachment for a child seat.
Image credits: AlfajorConFernet
Answer: It's a paperweight.
Image credits: iang626
Answer: I think it's actually to evenly distribute the coffee rather than tamp it, the tamper would be used after this thing and has a flat bottom.
Image credits: motherherbivore_
The Closets Symposium will educate designers, fabricators, retailers, and installers on the most current design, marketing, and business topics relevant to industry professionals seeking to profit from this growing and exciting market niche.
The symposium will occur in the West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The full-day agenda includes:
How to Use Social Media Influencers | 9:05–9:55 am
Strategies on how to use social media influencers to build your brand.
Presenters:
Carlissa Montoya, CM Closet Design: Carlissa Montoya is the spirit and expertise behind CM Closet Design. In 2020, Montoya launched, with her husband, EncoreGarage San Antonio. EncoreGarage San Antonio specializes in transforming residential garages into clean, organized, and functional spaces. Services include premium Polyurea floor coatings, Garage-Grade cabinetry, and innovative organizer systems. Montoya is a member of the Association of Closet & Storage Professionals (ACSP) Executive Board and is in-coming president.
Allanna Bell, Optimization Dolls: For 20 years Allanna Bell worked in retail management as a visual and store development manager. She worked as a project manager in high volume store openings for some of the top retailers using space optimizations as a planning tool to successfully place thousands of garments and accessories. This gave her the organizational skills and experience to strategically plan a functional space and ensure the success of any project. Bell launched Optimization Dolls in 2016 as a closet organization company and in 2020, Optimization Dolls became a full-service custom storage company.
Telling Your Brand Story | 10:00-10:50 am
Learn how to craft compelling stories to build awareness and attract customers.
Presenter:
Kelly Victor-Burke, Burke Architectural Millwork/Bespoke Closets & Organized Spaces: Since founding Burke Architectural Millwork in 2016 with her husband Barry, an experienced craftsman, Kelly Victor-Burke has spearheaded a team of business owners, educational partners and industry organizations in the creation and approval of the first Department of Labor registered apprenticeship in woodworking: Woodwork Manufacturing Specialist. Victor-Burke also debuted Bespoke Closets and Organized Spaces, a custom closet line with “panache,” this year.
How to Elevate Closet Design | 11:00 am–11:50 pm
Enhance designs using techniques, textures, colors, materials and more.
Presenter:
Katherin Lawry, Haven Closet Interiors: Katherin Lawry is a dynamic luxury closet designer with a natural flair for creativity and a wealth of experience in the field of closet design. With a background in retail merchandising and a degree from the prestigious Interior Designer’s Institute in Newport Beach, she has established herself as a leading figure in the industry.
Budgeting versus Forecasting | 1:05-1:55 pm
Learn to balance expenses with sales expectations to maximize profits.
Presenter:
Tim Coleman, SCE Unlimited Chicago: Tim Coleman founded his closet organization company in 1988 and ran his business for nearly 30 years. He sold his successful company in 2017 and was asked by that buyer to stay on to run the closet division, which he did for three years. In October of 2020, Coleman took the helm at SCE Unlimited in the Chicagoland area, which is owned by Installed Building Products, a publicly traded $2.5 billion company. SCE offers both Wire & Solid Systems from melamine to veneered wood, Shower Doors & Mirrors, and Bathroom hardware.
Material Trends | 2:00–2:50 pm
Presenter:
Christina Relyea, JB Cutting: Christina Relyea has over 20 years of experience at JB Cutting, Inc., a nationally preferred cabinet door, drawer, and wood component manufacturer. Relyea is passionate about examining what finishes sell in which marketplace and where to find the complementary products to make for a seamless experience for her customers. She enjoys serving two industry associations, ACSP (Association of Closet and Storage Professionals) as President, and AWFS (Association of Woodworking and Furnishing Suppliers).
Lighting Innovations | 3:00– 4:00 pm
Learn more about the latest innovations and how to apply the technology.
Panelists:
Richie DeMarco, Richelieu Hardware: Richie Demarco is Director of the US Market Development Closet Segment at Richelieu and has spent over 18 years in closets and home storage industry helping closet companies succeed. He is also a past president of ACSP.
Chris Heronemus, Rev-A-Shelf: Chris Heronemus graduated from the University of Arizona in 2009 with a degree in Education and joined Rev-a-Shelf as Western Territory Manager in 2017. With a background in Education and leadership, his career expands into several industries, including corporate training and sales. He may have been new to sales, but not the industry, as Mr. Heronemus’s father has been woodworking for over 25 years and is one of his biggest inspirations. Passionate about helping his clients specify innovative cabinet organization and LED lighting accessories, Heronemus is always amazed to see how his customers react Rev-A-Shelf’s new product releases designed to meet their needs.
Keith Clark, Hardware Resources: Keith Clark is the National Sales Specialist for Task Lighting, covering both the Kitchen-Bath-Closet and Electrical Channels. He formerly served as Task Lighting’s Product Manager for 4.5 years after its acquisition by Hardware Resources in 2018.
Scott Begin, Business Development - Closet and Home Organization, Hafele America: Scott Begin’s background includes more than 21 years in manufacturing and development, including thirteen years in the Custom Closet business before accepting a position with Häfele America Co. Over his 23 years with Häfele, Scott has held several positions, including Sales, Specification, Sales Manager, and Regional Sales Director. “Lighting and illuminating spaces have been a passion of mine from day one. During my career with Häfele, I have collaborated with hundreds of designers incorporating light into their spectacular projects. Light is the perfect complement and enhancement to every beautiful design.” Scott still enjoys practicing design skills by remodeling closets, kitchens, and bathrooms and restoring vintage homes.
Registration for the Closets Symposium includes admission to lunch, the Woodworking Network Leadership Reception after the last session, and AWFS Fair exhibit hall registration. To register for the symposium, first register for the AWFS Fair and then click on the link to "Add Symposia." See you there.
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(Image via Architecture art designs)
Lighting has the ability to shape the mood, functionality, and overall aesthetic of a room. Whether you’re looking to create a cozy and intimate ambiance in your living room or a bright and energizing atmosphere in your workspace, strategic lighting design is key. By harnessing the power of lighting, you can breathe life into every corner of your home and unlock its full potential.
Unlock your living environment’s full potential with practical tips and inspiring ideas.
Start by considering the various types of lighting available. Ambient lighting provides a general illumination to the room and sets the overall tone. It can be achieved through ceiling-mounted fixtures, such as chandeliers or pendant lights, or even wall sconces. Task lighting, on the other hand, is focused and directed, providing ample illumination for specific activities like reading, cooking, or working. Desk lamps, under-cabinet lighting, or adjustable floor lamps are great options for task lighting. Lastly, accent lighting adds a touch of drama and highlights specific features or objects, such as artwork, architectural details, or decorative elements. Track lighting, spotlights, or picture lights are excellent choices for accent lighting.
(Image via Delightful)
Once you have a clear understanding of the different types of lighting, it’s time to consider the fixtures themselves.The world of lighting fixtures offers a diverse range of styles, materials, and designs. Whether you prefer a sleek and modern look or are drawn to vintage and ornate designs, there is a lighting fixture that perfectly matches your taste and complements your interior style. Pendant lights have the ability to become captivating centerpieces, drawing attention above dining tables or kitchen islands, while recessed lighting can create a sleek and minimalist aesthetic. Floor lamps offer a blend of style and practicality, while table lamps bring a touch of sophistication to bedside tables or sideboards.
When planning your lighting design, don’t forget about the importance of layering. Layering involves combining multiple sources of light to create depth and dimension in a room. By incorporating a combination of ambient, task, and accent lighting, you can achieve a well-balanced and visually appealing environment. Dimmers are also an essential tool in lighting design, allowing you to control the intensity and mood of the lighting according to your needs and preferences.
In addition to choosing the right fixtures and layering the lighting, consider the role of natural light in your interior. Natural light not only enhances the overall ambiance but also contributes to a healthier and more inviting living environment. Maximize the amount of natural light entering your space by keeping windows clear of obstructions and using light-colored window treatments. Mirrors can also help reflect and amplify natural light, making your interior feel brighter and more spacious.
(Image via Zest Lighting)
Remember, lighting is not just about functionality; it’s about creating an experience. It has the power to evoke emotions, transform spaces, and showcase your unique style. So, whether you’re aiming for a cozy retreat, a vibrant and energetic workspace, or an elegant entertaining area, let the brilliance of lighting guide you.
To sum up, lighting is a transformative element that can elevate your interior design to new heights. By thoughtfully selecting fixtures, considering different types of lighting, and embracing natural light, you can create an environment that is both functional and visually stunning. So, take control of your space and unleash the power of lighting to illuminate brilliance in every corner of your home.
The post Elevate Your Interior with the Power of Lighting appeared first on DesignRulz.
]]>This vital piece of equipment can influence how your customers perceive your business, affecting everything from efficiency and hygiene to aesthetics and presentation. So, let’s embark on this journey to understand more about ice cream dipping cabinets, their different types, key features, and most importantly, how to choose the perfect one for your business.
An ice cream dipping cabinet is refrigeration equipment specifically designed for storing and serving ice cream. It maintains an optimal temperature to keep the ice cream in a scoopable state, and its design often allows the display of multiple flavors for customer selection.
An ice cream dipping cabinet is essential for businesses that sell ice cream, particularly those that offer it in scoops, such as ice cream parlors, cafes, and restaurants. Firstly, it preserves the quality and consistency of the ice cream by providing steady, cold temperatures that prevent melting and refreezing, which can degrade the texture and flavor of the product.
Secondly, the open-top design of most ice cream dipping cabinets allows for an attractive presentation of available flavors, aiding in sales by visually enticing customers. These units often come with clear sliding or roll-top lids that allow easy access for serving while minimizing heat ingress when closed.
Finally, these cabinets enhance operational efficiency. They are built with employees in mind, allowing for easy scooping and quick service, which is especially vital during peak business hours.
Different models of dipping cabinets may serve different styles, but they all share a set of common, essential features that make them ideal for storing and serving ice cream.
Capacity – How many tubs of ice cream can the cabinet hold? This can range from as few as four in compact models to 16 or more in larger cabinets.
Temperature control – Maintaining the correct temperature is crucial. Ice cream dipping cabinets are designed to hold ice cream at a temperature that keeps it scoopable without melting. Look for models with adjustable thermostats and reliable temperature maintenance.
Design – Whether flat or curved, glass tops on dipping cabinets allow customers to view the array of flavors you offer, enticing them to try more. Many models come with sneeze guards to protect your stock from contamination, making them an excellent choice for ice cream parlors where hygiene and customer interaction are top priorities.
Mobility- A cabinet with wheels can be a great asset for concession stands, parties, outdoor events, etc.
Durability – Cabinets designed for commercial use should be built to withstand the rigors of high customer traffic, frequent door openings, and regular cleaning.
Price – Like any other business investment, price is an important factor. The best cabinet for you will be one that provides the features you need at a price that fits your budget.
Feature | Top Pick: KoolMore 49 inch Commercial Ice Cream Dipping Cabinet | Runner Up: MAXX Cold Commercial Ice Cream Dipping Cabinet | Best Value: Cooler Depot 31" Freezer Display Cabinet |
---|---|---|---|
Dimensions | 28.14"D x 49.6"W x 34.4"H | 27.2"D x 51.7"W x 50.4"H | 31"W x 33"H x 27"D |
Capacity | Displays 8 large tubs, storage for 6 more | Holds 8 exposed tubs, storage for 6 more | 6.6 cubic feet, includes three baskets |
Temperature Range | 36°F to -15°F | Not specified | Down to -23°C (-9°F) |
Special Features | Dual-direction sliding glass door, adjustable temperature, stainless steel build, soft interior lighting, rolling and lockable caster wheels | LED interior lighting, curved glass sneeze guard, UL 471 and NSF 7 Commercial Standards certified | Anti-fogging treated glass, sliding door and sneeze guard, interior LED illumination, all-direction wheels, anti-condensation pipe design, 3-year All-Parts Warranty, 6-year Compressor Warranty, 1-month Labor Warranty |
Below are the best picks for dipping cabinets we found on Amazon. Check through our picks and find your next best investment for your small business:
Top Pick: The KoolMore Commercial Ice Cream Dipping Cabinet ensures an easy, attractive way to present and serve your ice cream, frozen yogurt, or sorbet while providing flexible temperature control and efficient use of space. It’s more than a freezer; it’s a stylish, spacious, and practical solution for cafes, ice cream shops, or small businesses.
Key Features:
Koolmore 49-inch Commercial Ice Cream Dipping Cabinet
Runner Up: The MAXX Cold MXDC-8 is a Commercial Ice Cream Dipping Cabinet Freezer designed with your business in mind. It offers an excellent blend of visibility, storage, and hygiene to amplify your ice cream dispensing efficiency.
Key Features:
Note: A separate DipperWell is available to enhance the cabinet’s utility.
MAXX Cold Commercial Ice Cream Dipping Cabinet
Best Value: This compact case is ideal for smaller shops, convenience stores, and other places where space may be at a premium! It’s dimensions measure just 31″W x 33″H x 27″D, and its all-direction wheels allow for easy mobility. These and the units other features make an impressive overall cabinet.
Key Features:
Cooler Depot 31″ Freezer Display Cabinet
This Cooler Depot Display Case allows you to showcase your frozen offerings from your countertop. This unit combines technology, efficiency, and durability in a sleek white frame, promoting easy accessibility and an enticing display for your customers.
Key Features:
Cooler Depot Countertop Dipping Cabinet
Presenting the Cooler Depot Commercial Ice Cream Display Freezer, your ultimate refrigeration partner. Specially designed for restaurants, bars, offices, and snack shops, it seamlessly merges convenience, display efficacy, and mobility.
Key Features:
Invest in the Cooler Depot Commercial Ice Cream Display Freezer and serve delectable gelato, Italian ice, and sorbet in style, ensuring an unforgettable experience for your customers.
Coooler Depot 53″ Commercial Ice cream Display Freezer
This large dipping cabinet provides extensive storage capacity with an impressive display feature for your ice cream or gelato shop. It can display 12 tubs, with integrated LED lighting making your frozen treats look their absolute best.
Key Features:
Duura 12 Flavor Commercial Ice Cream Dipping Cabinet
With a compact size of 46.5″D x 26.8″W x 48.5″H and operating at 220V, the INTBUYING ice cream showcase, in a clean white finish, provides both practicality and style for your business. Its design includes tempered glass, stainless steel, and fixed wheel design, promising stability and durability. Additionally, it comes with a 30-day return, refund, or replacement policy for complete peace of mind.
Key Features:
INTBUYING Commercial Hard Ice Cream Showcase
Cooler Depot’s freezer display case is a perfect choice for showcasing and storing your large ice cream selection at optimal temperatures. Measuring 31″W x 33″H x 27″D, the commercial-grade freezer fits well into restaurant, bar, office, or snack shop settings; and its impressive list of features make it a worthy investment. The product also assures your investment with a 3-year all-parts warranty, a 6-year compressor warranty, and a 1-month labor warranty.
Key Features:
41 Inch Gelato Freezer Display Case Dipping Cabinet
The OMCAN 50-Inch Ice Cream Dipping Freezer is meant to be an essential tool for any business wanting to showcase and serve ice cream with style and efficiency. With its practical design and aesthetic appeal, this cabinet can be a versatile addition to your commercial venture.
Key Features:
OMCAN 50-Inch Ice Cream Dipping Freezer with Flat Sneeze Guard
The KoolMore Commercial dipping cabinet is a compact yet spacious asset for any small business owner operating a café, ice cream shop, or similar establishments. It can display 4 large tubs and has additional storage to keep your top sellers in stock.
Key Features:
Koolmore 26 inch Commercial Ice Cream Dipping Cabinet
Choosing the right commercial ice cream dipping cabinet for your business is not just about picking the one with the most features or the lowest price. It’s about finding the one that fits your unique needs and can grow with your business. Here are some tips to guide your choice:
Evaluate your needs – The size of your shop, the volume of sales, the variety of flavors you want to offer, and your available space are all factors that should guide your choice of a dipping cabinet. A large ice cream parlor might need a high-capacity cabinet with many flavors on display, while a small convenience store could do well with a more compact model.
Consider the location – A cabinet designed for easy transport and low power consumption would be ideal if you’re setting up an outdoor stand or a mobile business.
New vs. used – A new ice cream dipping cabinet comes with a manufacturer’s warranty and the assurance that it has no wear and tear. However, good quality used cabinets can also be cost-effective, especially for new businesses on a tight budget.
Energy Efficiency – Dipping cabinets can consume a significant amount of energy. Look for models with energy-saving features, such as efficient insulation, auto-defrost, and high-quality door seals.
The ideal temperature for a commercial ice cream dipping cabinet is between -10 and -20 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature range keeps the ice cream firm enough for scooping without letting it become too hard or start to melt.
A commercial ice cream dipping cabinet should be cleaned at least once a week. However, if the cabinet is used heavily, or if there’s a visible build-up of ice, it may need more frequent cleaning.
Ice cream dipping cabinets can consume a significant amount of energy. Look for models with energy-efficient features, such as good insulation, automatic defrost, and efficient cooling systems.
Yes, depending on the model and design of your ice cream dipping cabinet, you might have specific maintenance needs. Always consult and follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for maintenance and cleaning.
There are several reputable manufacturers of commercial ice cream dipping cabinets. The best brand for you would depend on your specific needs, budget, and preferences.
The choice of an ice cream dipping cabinet might seem like a small detail in the grand scheme of running an ice cream business. However, the right cabinet can elevate your operation, ensuring that your ice cream is kept at the perfect temperature and presented to your customers in the most appetizing way.
Whether running a classic ice cream parlor, a vibrant restaurant, or a convenience store offering desserts on the side, choosing the perfect commercial ice cream dipping cabinet can take your business to the next level.
So go ahead, check out the top picks and other recommendations we’ve provided. Remember, it’s not just about getting a cabinet; it’s about finding the perfect companion for your business to serve the best scoop of happiness.
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This article, "Ice Cream Dipping Cabinet: Picks for Your Business" was first published on Small Business Trends
]]>Vacuuming is certainly the easiest way to pick up dust and dirt around the house, but most vacuum attachments aren’t made for tight spaces. While lackluster vacuum performance is sometimes due to user error (like neglecting to regularly give your vacuum a good, thorough cleaning, for example), even the most powerful and well-kept vacuums can struggle in that regard.
The problem is that the majority of vacuum attachments aren’t suited for cleaning out narrow and hard-to-reach areas. Even so-called crevice attachments aren’t usually nimble enough to reach deep into small spaces where dirt and dust accumulate, such as sliding door tracks and car cup holders.
While I still use my DIY cardboard vacuum attachment fairly often, even that is sometimes too large and inflexible to get the job done. But I recently came up with a new DIY vacuum attachment that’s perfect for tight spaces, and I only needed some straws and a rubber band to do it!
I’ve been very pleased with the results of this “nooks and crannies” tool, and it’s definitely earned a place among my all-time favorite vacuum hacks! Here’s how to make a vacuum tool that’s perfect for those hard-to-reach areas.
You’ll need:
Directions:
Grab a handful of drinking straws and tuck them into the end of your vacuum hose. Add or remove straws as needed until they fits snugly in the hose, but not so snugly that the straws become bent or squished.
Once you’ve figured out the ideal amount of straws, remove them and wrap a rubber band around them to secure them together.
Insert the secured bundle of straws into your vacuum hose, and your new vacuum attachment will be ready to use!
I have yet to find a space too small for this awesome extension to come in handy! Here are just a few of the nooks and crannies you can clean out easily with your newly fashioned vacuum attachment.
Open your doors and windows and let the fresh air flow! The straws can squeeze into even the thinnest door and window tracks to suck up dirt, pollen, and any other natural debris that may find its way to the threshold of your home.
The flexibility of the straws makes this attachment ideal for cleaning out your car. They can make short work of cup holders, air vents, and even the dreaded gap between the seat and center console!
Related: 17 Brilliant Hacks That Will Make Cleaning Your Car A Breeze
Air vents, exhaust fans, and even dusty vent covers don’t stand a chance against this nimble attachment! Keeping your vents and exhaust fans clean is one of the best ways to ensure they continue functioning properly.
Who knows what’s lurking in the dark and dusty corners of your cabinets, drawers, and pantry? Just use this DIY attachment to clear out crumbs and cobwebs from those hard-to-reach places, and you’ll be able to answer that question with the best possible answer: “Nothing!”
Related: 9 Useful Tricks For Cleaning Hard-To-Reach Spaces
Have you struggled to clean any tight spaces with your vacuum attachments?
Sandwich or salad prep tables are refrigerated units that combine a worktop for food prep, such as sandwich and salad preparation, with refrigerated storage space beneath. This commercial appliance keeps ingredients fresh while allowing for quick, efficient sandwich and salad assembly.
Whether you’re in the sandwich or salad business, a sandwich prep table is an ideal piece of equipment to have. It allows for quick access to ingredients while maintaining them at the ideal temperatures to ensure food safety. Moreover, with refrigerated prep tables, businesses can stock many ingredients in one accessible spot, increasing the efficiency of their food prep process.
Sandwich prep tables vary in style and design. They range in size from small units with one door and a few ingredient bins to large units with several doors and numerous ingredient bins. Some sandwich prep tables are top style, with ingredients instantly available at arm’s length. Others come with cutting boards and even overhead shelves for additional storage.
The size of the prep table you choose will depend on the size of your business and the volume of your orders. Small restaurants or delis might do well with a compact table, while larger establishments will benefit from a larger unit. Remember that the table size will also determine the number of doors and the storage space available for your supplies.
Most sandwich prep tables are stainless steel, offering robustness and easy cleaning. Look for a unit with sturdy doors and drawers that can withstand frequent opening and closing during peak business hours.
Your sandwich prep table must maintain a constant temperature to keep your ingredients fresh and safe. Look for a table with high-quality refrigeration and adjustable temperature controls.
Ease of cleaning is another important consideration. A table with removable cutting boards and easily accessible drawers will save your team a lot of time.
Finally, consider the price and what you’re getting for it. High-quality sandwich prep tables may carry a higher price tag, but they often have features that justify the cost.
Amazon has some great prep tables, and we’ve rounded up the ten best. Our list contains prep tables in different sizes and price ranges. Take a look through the products below and you may find the perfect sandwich/salad prep table for your business!
Top Pick: The Arctic Air countertop prep table is a compact powerhouse tailored to meet your sandwich and salad preparation needs. Its sleek, stainless steel construction makes these salad prep tables durable and corrosion-resistant, and the six included pans offer ample room to store various ingredients for sandwiches, salads, and more.
Key Features:
Arctic Air 40″ Countertop Sandwich/Salad Refrigerated Prep Table Station
Runner Up: Aceland’s Mega Top Sandwich Prep Table Refrigerator is an efficient and spacious kitchen solution. Designed for speedy meal prep, this 3-door countertop model offers a generous 20 cubic feet of space, facilitating organized storage of ingredients.
Key Features:
Aceland 3-Door Mega Top Sandwich Prep Table Refrigerator
Best Value: VEVOR’s Refrigerated Prep Station is a 60-inch countertop unit designed to make food preparation more streamlined and efficient. Built with high-quality 304 stainless steel, this 16.8-quart station offers a durable solution to cater to your business needs.
Key Features:
VEVOR Refrigerated Prep Station
Elevate your kitchen’s functionality and efficiency with the cooler depot Commercial Prep Table. This multifunctional refrigerated unit, measuring 36″W x 29″D x 42″H, is built with high-grade 430 and 304 stainless steel exteriors and interiors, fortified with polyurethane insulation for optimal temperature retention.
Key Features:
Commercial Refrigerated Sandwich Prep Table 2-Door
Boost your commercial kitchen’s efficiency with the cooler depot’s Commercial Prep Table. Sized at 60″W x 30″D x 42″H, it’s expertly engineered for commercial usage with high-grade 430 and 304 stainless steel, complemented with foamed-in-place polyurethane insulation to ensure optimum temperature maintenance.
Features at a glance:
Commercial Refrigerated Sandwich Prep Table 2-door
This high-capacity, energy-efficient prep table refrigerator is designed to make your restaurant kitchen more dynamic and efficient. This full-sized under counter unit, measuring 72″W x 30″D x 44″H, brings a convenient combination of storage and workspace to your kitchen.
Key Features:
KITMA Salad Sandwich Prep Table
The Kratos Sandwich Prep Table is an excellent addition option that enhances the efficiency of your salad and sandwich preparation. With a 48″ wide space, this prep table provides ample room for two people to work together. It comes with a hinged food cover to ensure freshness and optimal temperature of the ingredients.
Key Features:
Kratos Refrigeration 48″W Commercial, Sandwich/Salad Prep Table
The Arctic Air refrigerated prep table is designed to bring convenience and professionalism to your culinary endeavors. With its 48.25″D x 30″W x 43.3″H dimensions, this unit integrates easily into your existing kitchen setup.
Key Features:
Arctic Air 48.25-Inch 2-Door Refrigerated Sandwich/Salad Prep Table
The Atosa USA Refrigerated Prep Table is a 3-door, counter-height unit. With dimensions of 72.7″W x 30″D x 44.3″H, it’s perfect for efficient food preparation.
Key Features:
Atosa USA 72.70” 3 Door Refrigerated Sandwich/Salad Prep Table
The SEAGATE Refrigerated Sandwich/Salad Prep Table offers a large 15.5 cubic feet storage cabinet with a temperature range of 33°F to 40°F.
Key Features:
SEAGATE Refrigerated Sandwich/Salad Prep Table
Engineered with a robust stainless steel body, this freestanding refrigerated prep table offers sturdy construction and durability, making it ideal for heavy-duty commercial use.
Key Features:
Commercial Refrigerated Sandwich Prep Table 2-door 36″ Mega Top Model
When setting up your sandwich prep table, you want to ensure it’s placed in a location that supports your kitchen workflow. The table should be accessible, allowing for quick and efficient sandwich prep, salad assembly, and other tasks.
Your sandwich prep table is essential for keeping ingredients fresh. Regularly monitor the temperature and adjust the controls as needed to maintain optimal conditions.
To keep your sandwich prep table in top shape, it needs to be cleaned regularly. This includes wiping down the surface, cleaning the cutting boards, and cleaning the refrigerated storage areas. Regular maintenance checks will also ensure that the refrigeration system is working correctly.
Just like any commercial kitchen equipment, sandwich prep tables can experience issues over time. If you notice any changes in temperature, noises, or problems with the doors or drawers, it may be time to contact a professional for repair.
A well-placed sandwich prep table can significantly improve your kitchen workflow. By keeping ingredients organized and at the correct temperature, your team can assemble sandwiches and salads more quickly, improving customer satisfaction and your bottom line.
Sandwich prep tables also play a crucial role in food safety. By maintaining the proper temperature, they prevent the growth of harmful bacteria, ensuring the freshness and safety of your sandwiches and salads.
Investing in a high-quality sandwich prep table can bring a considerable return on investment. It streamlines your food prep process, ensures food safety, and can even reduce food waste by keeping ingredients fresher for longer.
Running a successful food business means making smart choices about the equipment you use. A sandwich prep table can be a game-changing addition to your kitchen, enabling you to serve fresh, delicious sandwiches and salads quickly and efficiently. So choose wisely and enjoy the benefits that a well-selected sandwich prep table can bring to your business.
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This article, "Sandwich Prep Table: The Top Picks for Your Business" was first published on Small Business Trends
]]>“I have an old workbench (60+ years) that I pulled from a neighbor’s garbage back when I was a pre-teen. Mostly just a bunch of 2x material cobbled together to which I’ve added some drawers and a particleboard top. This is generally cluttered with ‘stuff’ and not really usable as a working bench. Thus, my primary working bench is a heavy melamine-topped desktop from Grainger that sits on an adjustable-height base I built. It functions as my primary assembly table and table saw outfeed table and sits in the middle of my narrow shop space. I would love a ‘true’ woodworkers bench but have given up on the idea because I couldn’t come to grips with getting rid of something else to make room for it. So, I built a beech benchtop for my son instead.” – Rick Bird
“The year was 1980, and I had just graduated from the Worcester Craft Center in Worcester, Massachusetts. The school had traditional workbenches. I had moved to Utica, Illinois, to start a cabinet shop in my grandfather’s old post-and-beam barn. I landed a stair job using red oak, so I ordered double the amount needed (I should have bought a couple semi truck loads in hindsight). As I worked on the stairs, I built myself an 8-ft.-long by 30-in.-wide (bench). It has served me well for the past 43 years. I had a tool tray which, after a couple years, I filled in since it only filled with wood chips and would lose small parts. Added casters so I could move the bench last year when I moved into a new 24 x 32 ft. metal post shop. A good bench makes cabinetmaking an enjoyable endeavor.” – Mark Edgcomb
“Workbenches need to be sturdy. That means a heavy top and heavy, beefy legs with strong joints. The top should be flat and level. The sturdiness comes into play when planing or sawing. You don’t want the bench moving with you on each stroke. The skimpy ones sold at the big box stores (think 2 x 2s and 3/8″ plywood tops) are flimsy and only good for painting and very light work. The old ‘door makes a good workbench’ plan is OK for starting out or in a pinch, but these won’t last very long for a continuing hobby or business. The workbench needs to be well-lit from above, too. You need to see clearly what you are working on, at any age. Don’t be afraid to USE your workbench. If you need to clamp the work down for a special cut, drill those holes or nail the work down to advance your project. Holes can be filled, spilled glue and paint overspray can be sanded back down, or leave the color for a bit of character. It took me several years to realize how long it would take me to really beat up my workbench, which is also several years, and by then making a new one would be a welcome project. My first workbench’s sacrificial top is still there, 38 years later. My workbenches tend to get filled up. I have three now, and they all started with 80 percent or more open table area. Now they all have about 30 percent free space to work on. Two are sturdy tables and the third is a ‘temporary’ sawhorse and plywood top that has been there for 10 years now. Its free space is also being encroached upon.” – Tom Triola
“After moving to a new house, my garage seemed to be the ideal space for a workshop. I soon realized a workbench would be necessary, so after going over several plans and photos, I decided to build my own version. My go-to lumberyard advised pine for the top, and I used 4x4s for the legs. It has worked out for the most part, but I still yearn for a proper Roubo. I think I’ll never get around to it. I’ve even considered putting out a chunk of money for a Sjoberg bench! At this point, my 15-year-old bench is showing its age but still works for my purposes (and honestly I would hate to lose it!).” – Jeff Hansen
“For about 28 years, most of which I was on active duty in the Air Force, my bench was pretty simple: 3′ x 5′, and the top was 5/8″ plywood supported by a lattice made of 1×6 pine boards. A sort of a torsion box with no bottom. The legs were 4x4s with a shelf about 6″ from the floor. The legs were attached to the lattice beneath the top and to the lower shelf using lag bolts, to make for easy disassembly. The moving companies have nice big trucks, so disassembly was not done very often. Most of the projects were small, making shelves or other items for the various houses we lived in on Air Force bases or rentals. I finished some unfinished furniture for the kids as they grew up. After I retired and stopped moving around, I started making bigger projects, and I became more interested in using hand tools. I still worked on an Air Force base, and so in 2013, when one of the guys was getting transferred, he had a bunch of Douglas fir and other stuff to get rid of. So I had the makings of a Roubo-style workbench. I got a copy of Christopher Schwartz’s workbench book and built the Roubo. My top is 3-9/16″ thick, 7′ long and 26″ wide. Legs are 5″ x 5″. Sliding deadman, leg vise and planing stop. I’m left handed, so I built my bench the proper way, with the leg vise to the right. It’s the best bench I can imagine. I have a few holes in the top for bench dogs and bench hooks. Solid as granite. Not as hard as granite, but that’s not been a problem. I wanted 8′ long by 30″ wide, but that would have taken up too much acreage in my shop, so I made it a little narrower and shorter. As I was gluing up the laminations for the top, I drilled some holes and included two T-nuts for 5/16-18 threaded rod to anchor a shoulder vise at the end opposite the leg vise, on the same side as the leg vise. I like cutting dovetails and thought the shoulder vise would be great for that, and could secure the far end of long boards clamped in the leg vise. I’ve not yet built the shoulder vise, partly because it would get in the way in the shop (remember, I went for a narrower workbench to better fit in available space). I bought a 36″ squeeze clamp so I can secure boards in the leg vise — I mean really secure the one end of a board in the leg vise — then secure the far end of the board clamping it to the front of the benchtop using the 36″ squeeze clamp. No tail vise or wagon vise. As I said, I can’t imagine a better bench. I know of different styles that may be just as good, but I can’t imagine anything working better.” – Andy Ziny
“I used sawhorses until I was inspired to build a split-top Roubo with the Benchcrafted hardware. I got the project plans and videos from Marc Spagnuolo. I made it from soft maple and walnut. The project was WAY out of my league, but I got it done in about 10 months. I LOVE it. It takes my breath away when I walk into my shop, and I’m always finding new ‘features’ as I approach my projects. It has also made my hand tool expansion process much easier. Thanks for asking. I’m looking forward to other responses.” – Paul Engel
“I use mine almost daily. I have two that I made several years ago, and they are awesome for what I do. One has several rows of crossing T-track on top, and other is primarily used as additional space. One bench is 2′ x 4′ and the other 3′ x 5′. Construction is basically the same — 4×4 legs with a 3/4″ plywood top. The primary bench has drawers on the one side. I personally would be at a loss without my benches.” – John Randall
“My bench came from a GM patternmaker shop. It came complete with an Emmert vice. I can’t imagine working without it. The steel undercarriage is a little light for my mostly hand tool work, but now that I’ve retired, it may be time for new legs.” – Daniel Hulbert
“I was fortunate to work at a plant that threw away lots of oak 3×3 skid lumber that was used to haul in sheets of steel. About 20 years ago, I made a traditional bench with a really nice Sears wood vise on the end that opens 10”. No vise on the left side, just a drawer for miscellaneous junk. Size is 26″ x 84″ with a tray. Today, those vises are in the $100+ range. At that time, I didn’t have a joiner or a planer. Now have a 6″ jointer and a 15″ planer and could do a much better fit on the top. Also purchased a Scandinavian bench kit some time ago but haven’t used it yet. Good wood (beach) is just too expensive, and I’ve been wondering if I should use the oak for a more conventional bench. Making the end vise is a trade school test of sorts from what I’ve read. Still have lots of red oak, but it’s pretty grainy. Bench stops are much easier to make with a mortising bit and stepped plugs to stop falling through the hole; it’s free and works well. By the way, I also have an assembly bench made from a heavy outside door. It’s real handy.” – Mike Souhrada
“Many years ago, I decided woodworking would be a fun hobby. So I decided to build a workbench. I knew absolutely nothing, but I had seen my friend’s home-built woodworking bench years before that, so I plunged ahead. I still work at that bench, although it has seen many changes over the last 20 years as I have gained experience and learned lessons, some of them painful… I would love to build a new one, given that I know a little more about woodworking these days, but I suspect I will just keep plugging along with the one in my shop.” – Bill Killian
“I’ve been retired from my job in IT for 15 years, and the first thing I did was to build a traditional workbench with side vise, end vise, dog holes and a tool tray. I can’t live without it, to say the least! I only spent about $200 to build it. Just bought the end vise and 8/4 maple for the end vise, $2 for the side vise at an auction and $10 for a solid-core door from a school. The top and sides are heart pine from an old railroad shed in Nashville. The legs are 4/4 cherry (from a friend) along with hard maple from an old piano. Stretchers are also from the piano. The design was taken and modified from a bench built by Garrett Hack. His article claimed it would take as much time to build the end vise as the rest of the bench. He was right, but it was so worth it!” – Dave Smith< "Rob, like you, I cut my teeth in a production shop — Sensenich Propeller — in Lititz, Pennsylvania. I worked there during my summer breaks from college in their butcher block table shop. I obtained a seconds top and have been using for over 40 years as a workbench. You could park a car on this maple top!" – Mike Beam
“I am 84 years old and have been a woodworker for over 70 years. I have always ‘made do’ with makeshift workbenches made of nailed-together 2×4 lumber. In 2020, I decided it was time to have a proper workbench and built the one pictured here. It is a modified version of one I saw in another woodworking magazine. I cannot believe the difference it has made in the ease and quality of my work! I would highly recommend to younger woodworkers to build or buy the best bench they can afford as soon as possible. I believe I am doing the best work of my life with this bench.” – John B. Anders
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]]>CR put corded and cordless oscillating multi-tools through rigorous tests and found high performers in both categories.
By Paul Hope
An oscillating multi-tool might just be the most helpful tool that you didn’t know existed. It’s a small handheld device with an oscillating head, which moves side to side while oscillating around a center axis, as opposed to a drill chuck that spins. By swapping out attachments, you can change the function—from cutting drywall (or grout, metal, plaster, plastic, or wood) to sanding and scraping. And as our rigorous testing proves, certain models can do the job remarkably quickly and quietly, too.
These tools (which are also called just oscillating tools or multi-tools) are widely available in both corded and battery-powered configurations.
Fein is probably among the best-known brands for these tools, but you’ll find options from others like Bosch, DeWalt, Makita, Milwaukee, and Ryobi, too. Because the batteries used by cordless models are often the same 18- to 24-volt batteries used in other tools from the same companies, you can save money by using a battery and charger that you already own from other household tools (such as cordless drills and impact drivers) of the same brand.
Oscillating multi-tools are particularly good for removing old grout, or cutting off exposed nails or screws that are too difficult to pull out. They’re great for making precise plunge cuts in drywall and are helpful if you’re laying a floating floor and need to notch door casings or baseboards. These tools can also work on metal and plastic piping, making them fabulous for cutting a section of pipe to fix a leak, or for an all-out bathroom renovation.
Bernie Deitrick, CR’s test engineer in charge of testing oscillating multi-tools, adds that they are especially useful for flush cuts or tight cuts in obstructed areas—cutting into the back of a cabinet to allow access for a pipe or cord, for instance. “Other tools just won’t work as effectively.”
While an oscillating multi-tool may seem like overkill, avid DIYers will find that owning one makes many home-repair projects quicker and easier.
In our Yonkers, N.Y., headquarters, our test engineers set up a battery of tough projects for each model to tackle.
To evaluate cutting, we used the oscillating multi-tools to cut a variety of difficult materials: pine and oak molding, standard 1x4 pine boards, plastic PVC pipe, steel conduit, and copper water pipe.
In each case, we noted how long it took each tool (with the appropriate attachment) to slice completely through each material. The faster a model cuts, the less time vibration is transmitted to the user’s hand, and the smoother the experience.
To test for sanding, we painted pine boards with enamel paint and allowed it to cure. Then we used each oscillating multi-tool to sand off the paint and timed how quickly the tool would complete the challenge.
For our grinding test, we removed grout from between tiles, using lines of different sizes, with tiles set at ⅛ inch and ³⁄₁₆ inch apart. We also used each tool to grind off 4x4-inch areas of dried thinset (tile adhesive)—similar to what you might need to do to replace a broken tile.
Lastly, we measured the noise produced by each tool, taking precise measurements at the ear of the operator.
Test engineer Eric Hado uses a Fein MultiMaster to cut through metal conduit pipe in our test lab.
Photo: John Walsh/Consumer Reports
We tested 14 oscillating multi-tools, including those from popular brands like Bosch, DeWalt, Makita, Milwaukee, and Ryobi. The good news? Most work quite well, and we found only a small handful of subpar models. However, the best of the best were quite exceptional, delivering top-notch results, test after test—making them, overall, a pleasure to work with. Here’s what they have in common.
Our recommendations land top scores for each of our rigorous tests. For more options, see our comprehensive oscillating multi-tool ratings, where you can sort by brand, price, and other features.
Flex Oscillating Multi-Tool Kit (FX4111-1A)
CR’s take: The Flex Oscillating Multi-Tool Kit is the best multi-tool we’ve tested. It aces every task and was the single fastest model, across the board. The other models featured in this roundup also aced key functions, but the Flex gets the edge for being the fastest tool of the bunch. Like all Flex tools, it’s sold at Lowe’s, and you can use the 24-volt battery to power other tools from the brand, including its top-rated cordless drill and impact driver. The Flex comes with three accessories. It uses the Starlock attachment system, which allows you to attach accessories without a tool and offers higher-power transmission to the attachments than a traditional attachment system would.
FEIN Multimaster MM 500 Plus Oscillating Multi-Tool Kit
CR’s take: The Fein MultiMaster excels in every single cutting test, along with sanding and grout removal. The Fein is the best option we evaluated that uses a power cord instead of a battery. While that can limit mobility, it also means you never need to worry about charging. Fein’s cord is a generous 16 feet, so you won’t be hindered in most cases. So if you’re planning to tackle only projects where you have access to an outlet, it’s a great bet. The Fein comes with 13 accessories and uses the StarlockPlus attachment system, which offers even higher-power transmission to the attachments than the Starlock system does.
Avid Power Tools 3.5A Oscillating Mult-Tool (MW146)
CR’s take: Avid Power Tools is a brand that sells inexpensive tools, largely on Amazon. Its oscillating multi-tool is a standout, costing about a third of what you’d pay for the options above. While performance is just a bit behind the Flex and Fein, it still cuts a range of materials incredibly fast. Like the Fein, the Avid is corded, though it comes with only a 6-foot cord. That’s enough for nearby jobs, but you may want to grab a heavy-duty extension cord if you need to travel further from an outlet. It comes with 12 accessories. The Avid uses the traditional attachment system, requiring an Allen key for attachment changes and offering lower-power transmission to the attachments than the Starlock attachment system does.
Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2023, Consumer Reports, Inc.
]]>ROME (AP) — Silvio Berlusconi, the boastful billionaire media mogul who was Italy’s longest-serving premier despite scandals over his sex-fuelled parties and allegations of corruption, died Monday, according to his television network. He was 86.
Mediaset announced his death with a smiling photo of the man on its homepage and the headline: “Berlusconi is dead.”
Berlusconi was hospitalised on Friday for the second time in months for treatment of chronic leukemia. He also suffered over the years from heart ailments, prostate cancer and was hospitalised for Covid-19 in 2020.
A onetime cruise ship crooner, Berlusconi used his television networks and immense wealth to launch his long political career, inspiring both loyalty and loathing.
To admirers, the three-time premier was a capable and charismatic statesman who sought to elevate Italy on the world stage. To critics, he was a populist who threatened to undermine democracy by wielding political power as a tool to enrich himself and his businesses.
His Forza Italia political party was a coalition partner with current Premier Giorgia Meloni, a far-right leader who came to power last year, although he held no position in the government.
His friendship with Russian President Vladimir Putin put him at odds with Meloni, a staunch supporter of Ukraine. On his 86th birthday, while the war raged, Putin sent Berlusconi best wishes and vodka, and the Italian boasted he returned the favour by sending back Italian wine.
Former Premier Matteo Renzi recalled Berlusconi’s divisive legacy in a message on Twitter on Monday. “Silvio Berlusconi made history in this country. Many loved him, many hated him. All must recognise that his impact on political life, but also economic, sport and television, has been without precedence.”
League party leader Matteo Salvini called Berlusconi “a great man and a great Italian.”
As Berlusconi aged, some derided his perpetual tan, hair transplants and live-in girlfriends who were decades younger. For many years, however, Berlusconi seemed untouchable despite the personal scandals.
Criminal cases were launched but ended in dismissals when statutes of limitations ran out in Italy’s slow-moving justice system, or he was victorious on appeal. Investigations targeted the tycoon’s steamy so-called “bunga bunga” parties involving young women and minors, or his businesses, which included the soccer team AC Milan, the country’s three biggest private TV networks, magazines and a daily newspaper, and advertising and film companies.
Only one led to a conviction — a tax fraud case stemming from a sale of movie rights in his business empire. The conviction was upheld in 2013 by Italy’s top criminal court, but he was spared prison because of his age, 76, and was ordered to do community service by assisting Alzheimer’s patients.
He still was stripped of his Senate seat and banned from running or holding public office for six years, under anti-corruption laws.
He stayed at the helm of Forza Italia, the center-right party he created when he entered politics in the 1990s and named for a soccer cheer, “Let’s go, Italy.” With no groomed successor in sight, voters started to desert it.
He eventually held office again — elected to the European Parliament at age 82 and then last year to the Italian Senate.
Berlusconi’s party was eclipsed as the dominant force on Italy’s political right: first by the League, led by anti-migrant populist Salvini, then by Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party, with its roots in neo-fascism. Following elections in 2022, Meloni formed a governing coalition with their help.
He suffered personal humiliations as well. Berlusconi lost his standing as Italy’s richest man, although his sprawling media holdings and luxury real estate still left him a billionaire several times over.
In 2013, guests at one of his parties included an under-age Moroccan dancer whom prosecutors alleged had sex with Berlusconi in exchange for cash and jewelry. After a trial spiced by lurid details, a Milan court initially convicted Berlusconi of paying for sex with a minor and using his office to try to cover it up. Both denied having sex with each other, and he was eventually acquitted.
The Catholic Church, at times sympathetic to his conservative politics, was scandalized by his antics, and his wife of nearly 20 years divorced him, but Berlusconi was unapologetic, declaring: “I’m no saint.”
Berlusconi insisted that voters were impressed by his brashness.
“The majority of Italians in their hearts would like to be like me and see themselves in me and in how I behave,” he said in 2009, during his third and final stint as premier.
His second term, from 2001-06, was perhaps his golden era, when he became Italy’s longest-serving head of government and boosted its global profile through his friendship with US President George W. Bush. Bucking widespread sentiment at home and in Europe, Berlusconi backed the US-led war in Iraq.
As a businessman who knew the power of images, Berlusconi introduced US-style political campaigns — with big party conventions and slick advertising — that broke with the grey world of Italian politics, in which voters essentially chose parties and not candidates. His rivals had to adapt.
Berlusconi saw himself as Italy’s saviour from what he described as the Communist menace — years after the Berlin Wall fell. From the start of his political career in 1994, he portrayed himself as the target of a judiciary he described as full of leftist sympathisers. He always proclaimed his innocence.
When the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement gained strength, Berlusconi branded it as a menace worse than Communism.
His close friendship with longtime Socialist leader and former Premier Bettino Craxi was widely credited for helping him become a media baron. Still, Berlusconi billed himself as a self-made man, saying, “My formula for success is to be found in four words: work, work and work.”
He boasted of his libido and entertained friends and world leaders at his villas. At one party, newspapers reported the women were dressed as “little Santas.” At another, photos showed topless women and a naked man lounging poolside.
“I love life! I love women!” an unrepentant Berlusconi said in 2010.
He occasionally selected TV starlets for posts in his Forza Italia party. “If I weren’t married, I would marry you immediately,” Berlusconi reportedly said in 2007 to Mara Carfagna, who later became a Cabinet minister. Berlusconi’s wife publicly demanded an apology.
Berlusconi was nicknamed “Papi” — or “Daddy” — by an aspiring model whose 18th birthday bash he attended, also to his wife’s irritation. Later, self-described escort Patrizia D’Addario said she spent the night with him on the evening that Barack Obama was elected US president in 2008.
From his cruise ship entertainer days, Berlusconi loved to compose and sing Neapolitan songs. Like millions of Italians, he had a passion for soccer, and often was in the stands at AC Milan.
He delighted in flouting political etiquette. He sported a bandanna when hosting British Prime Minister Tony Blair at his estate on the Emerald Coast of Sardinia, and it was later revealed he was concealing hair transplants. He posed for photos at international summits making an Italian gesture — which can be offensive or superstitious, depending on circumstances — in which the index and pinkie fingers are extended like horns.
He stirred anger after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States by claiming Western civilisation was superior to Islam.
When criticised in 2003 at the European Parliament by a German lawmaker, Berlusconi likened his adversary to a concentration camp guard. Years later, he drew outrage when he compared his family’s legal woes to what Jews must have encountered in Nazi Germany.
Berlusconi was born in Milan on September 29, 1936, the son of a middle-class banker. He earned a law degree, writing his thesis on advertising. He started a construction company at 25 and built apartment complexes for middle-class families on Milan’s outskirts, part of a postwar boom.
But his astronomical wealth came from the media. In the late 1970s and 1980s, he circumvented Italy’s state TV monopoly RAI by creating a de facto network in which local stations all showed the same programming. RAI and Mediaset accounted for about 90% of the national market in 2006.
When the “Clean Hands” corruption scandals of the 1990s decimated the political establishment that had dominated postwar Italy, Berlusconi filled the void, founding Forza Italia in 1994.
His first government in 1994 collapsed after eight months when an ally who led an anti-immigrant party yanked support. But aided by an aggressive campaign that included mass mailings of glossy magazines recounting his success story, Berlusconi swept to victory in 2001.
Shuffling his Cabinet occasionally, he stayed in power for five years, setting a record for government longevity in Italy. It wasn’t easy.
A Group of Eight summit he hosted in Genoa in 2001 was marred by violent anti-globalization demonstrations and the death of a protester shot by a police officer. Berlusconi faced fierce domestic opposition and alienated some allies by sending 3,000 troops to Iraq after the ouster of Saddam Hussein in 2003. For a time, Italy was the third-largest contingent in the US coalition.
At home, he constantly faced accusations of sponsoring laws aimed at protecting himself or his businesses, but he insisted he always acted in the interest of all Italians. Legislation passed when he was premier allowing officeholders to own media businesses but not run them was deemed by his critics to be tailor made for Berlusconi.
An admirer of US President Ronald Reagan and British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Berlusconi passed reforms that partially liberalised the labour and pension systems, among Europe’s most inflexible. He also was chummy with Putin, who stayed at his Sardinian estate, and he visited the Russian leader, notably going to Crimea after Moscow illegally annexed the peninsula in 2014.
In 2006, as Italy was ridiculed as “the sick man of Europe,” with its economy mired in zero growth and its budget deficit rising, Berlusconi narrowly lost the general election to center-left leader Romano Prodi, who had been president of the European Union Commission.
In 2008, he bounced back for what would be his final term as premier. It ended abruptly in 2011, when financial markets lost faith in his ability to keep Italy from succumbing to the eurozone’s sovereign debt crisis. To the relief of economic powerhouse Germany, Berlusconi reluctantly stepped down.
Health concerns dogged him over the years. He underwent surgery for prostate cancer in 1997. In November 2006, he fainted during a speech, and the next month flew to the US, where he received a pacemaker at the Cleveland Clinic. He underwent more heart surgery in 2016.
During a political rally in 2009, a man threw a souvenir statuette of Milan’s cathedral at Berlusconi, fracturing his nose, cracking two teeth and cutting his lip.
Berlusconi was first married in 1965 to Carla Dall’Oglio, and their two children, Marina and Piersilvio, were groomed to hold top positions in his business empire. He married his second wife, Veronica Lario, in 1990, and they had three children, Barbara, Eleonora and Luigi.
___
Retired Associated Press Rome bureau chief Victor L. Simpson contributed.
The warm weather is here and we are in full garage organizing mode. Wisconsin garages serve many purposes. They store our yard maintenance equipment, snow removal equipment, toys, tools, bicycles, vehicles and even serve as entertaining space. That is a big responsibility for a small space. Utilizing vertical space to store as much as we can is necessary. Here are five tips on how to get the most out of your vertical space, keep the floors clear and have space for your vehicles.
Install overhead storage racks or shelves to take advantage of the vertical space in your garage. These racks can be used to store items such as seasonal decorations, sports equipment, or rarely used items. Be sure to securely fasten the racks to the ceiling or wall to ensure safety.
Install wall-mounted shelves or cabinets to maximize vertical storage space. These can be used to store smaller items, tools, or gardening supplies. Use hooks or pegboards on the walls to hang frequently used tools or accessories, keeping them easily accessible.
Hang plastic bins or wire baskets from the ceiling or walls of your garage. These are great for storing lightweight items such as balls, camping gear, or automotive accessories. Use hooks or a hanging system to suspend the bins or baskets at various heights, making use of the vertical space.
Install a pegboard on the walls of your garage to create a versatile storage system. Attach hooks, hangers, or specialized pegboard accessories to hang tools, power cords, and other items. This not only keeps your belongings organized but also saves space by utilizing the vertical area.
Utilize vertical tool storage solutions to keep your tools organized and easily accessible. For example, you can mount a pegboard or a magnetic strip on a wall to hang and display your tools. Alternatively, invest in a tool cabinet or a vertical tool rack specifically designed for vertical storage of various tools.
The engineer in me reminds you to consider the weight-bearing capacity of your garage walls, ceiling, or overhead structure when implementing any vertical storage solutions. Properly secure shelves, racks, and cabinets to ensure safety and stability. At Top Shelf Home Organizing, we take pride in our ability to organize garages to make them the best use of space for you and your vehicles. If getting your garage summer-ready is overwhelming, please reach out to Jayme for a consultation.
This article was written in collaboration with our newest organizing expert, Open A. I.
Today, we’re celebrating all of those purchases that ended up becoming life-long commitments thanks to quality and durability, pandas. We’ve taken a trip to the Buy It For Life subreddit and gathered some of our favorite pics from the community down below. From indestructible household appliances to pens that have written countless notes, enjoy viewing these purchases that were certainly worth the investments!
Image credits: neocamel
Image credits: macnerd93
Image credits: R4MZON
We all want to make smart purchases and keep our belongings around for as long as possible, but nowadays, there’s a lot of pressure from corporations and society to keep up with the latest trends. "If you don’t have the newest phone or the fanciest earbuds, you’re missing out! Technology is advancing incredibly rapidly, so there’s no need to use things until they give up on you. Just purchase something new as soon as you have the chance! Right?" This “newer is better” mindset can be detrimental to our mental health and our wallets, so sometimes, it’s refreshing to have a reminder that taking care of things and making sure they last forever is actually very cool.
That’s where the Buy It For Life subreddit comes in. This group is dedicated to sharing “practical, durable and quality made products that are made to last,” and thankfully, many people have gotten on board with the group’s mission. The community has amassed an impressive 1.5 million members over the past 12 years, and users are incredibly active in sharing the purchases they’re most proud of. Keeping items around for life is economic, sustainable and honestly, pretty impressive, so we’re happy to showcase some of the group’s best finds.
Image credits: podaypodayson
Image credits: tflynn09
Image credits: Professional_Gap_371
12 years ago, the creator of Buy It For Life shared their mission statement in the subreddit to make it clear what the group’s goals are. They explained that the community was inspired by the subreddit r/ShutUpandTakeMyMoney, which shares great purchases members have found. However, not every item shared in that group will last a lifetime, so BIFL was created “to fill a niche for only high quality and durable products.”
Today, BIFL is a thriving community which shares suggestions for a wide range of products. The group even has a “Request Series” featuring clothing (headwear, gloves, shirts, jackets, belts, underwear, pants, socks and footwear), bags (luggage and backpacks), kitchen appliances, tools (knives and flashlights), beverage containers, music players, items specifically for women, gifts, a wallet compilation and even brands that are not BIFL approved. If you’re looking to make a big purchase, it might be wise to consult this community first!
Image credits: Lavon_andy
Image credits: d7it23js
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We’re big fans of the Buy It For Life community here at Bored Panda, so it’s actually not the first time we’ve featured the group. And lucky for us, we were previously able to get in touch with one of the subreddit’s moderators, Robot_ninja_pirate, who shared how keeping the group’s goals a priority becomes tricky with so many members.
“On one hand, we want to promote sustainability and buying higher-quality products, which means buying things less often. But since we have [over a] million subscribers, it means new people are sharing new products every day,” they explained. “There are products that many people never knew existed and might then want to go out and buy. It can almost conflict with the point.”
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The moderator noted that their team has to be “quite vigilant to promote grassroots efforts from the real users sharing items with real-world use,” as advertisers often want to take advantage of the community by disguising themselves as real members.
But the group can be incredibly useful for those of us who have been impacted by inflation. “[The rise of living costs] has certainly made people become aware of their purchasing habits and what is and isn't frivolous spending as budgets get tighter,” Robot_ninja_pirate told Bored Panda.
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“However, [increased living costs] might also cause people to have to skimp on things and really evaluate what truly is BIFL and what they are just overspending on,” the moderator continued. “Channels like Project Farm, for example, do an excellent job showing where spending more money does not always mean a better product.”
Project Farm is a channel where “all sorts of things” are tested “to help viewers make informed purchasing decisions and avoid getting ripped off.”
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While BIFL is incredibly popular at the moment, Robot_ninja_pirate did admit to Bored Panda that he worries it might not last forever. He fears it might simply “[become] trendy and that people will hop on the bandwagon and then jump off when it's not as current anymore, rather than committing to the ideology. (An extreme example, but think like the miniature pig trend for a few years).”
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Apparently, the group had a huge influx of new members during the beginning of 2023, but it has started to slow down to its usual numbers in recent months. “We let our community sort of dictate the flow of the subreddit rather than us,” the moderator explained. “However, we are always looking for feedback and how we can improve the subreddit.” So if you all have any suggestions, pandas, the moderators are happy to hear them!
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In today’s world of planned obsolescence and fast fashion, it may not be trendy to hold onto your possessions forever, but it certainly is wise. Your wallet and the planet will thank you, plus vintage furniture and clothing is totally in. So if you’ve been thinking about replacing that 30-year-old dresser or you have your eye on a new car, despite the fact that yours is working just fine, you might want to reconsider. And the BIFL community will certainly welcome you with open arms!
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We hope you’re enjoying these photos of great purchases that have lasted a lifetime, pandas. If you are still using appliances or tools you bought decades ago, be sure to pat those items on the back and let us know in the comments below what they are! Remember to think in the long term when making new purchases, and if you’re looking for even more pics that will inspire you to make commitments when you buy something new, you can find Bored Panda’s last article featuring the Buy It For Life subreddit right here!
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]]>These are not typical DIY activities, but I hope you find this to be interesting.
I have started working with my new benchtop mill. As you can see from this photo, I have a bunch of cleaning up to do. I cleared a hole so I could assemble the stand where it needs to be, and now need to find a place to put the lumber.
I have been working on a garden project – a trellis for certain veggies – and have been coming up short in trying to rework its design.
The way I want things built, wire rope is the most versatile solution. So, I finally gave in and dug into things.
I searched for USA-made swaging tools a few weeks ago, and didn’t have much luck. It’s not that I required swaging tools – the crimping tool – to be made domestically, but that I wanted to buy from an established brand.
I have been redesigning around not using wire rope for a few years, and so I have a good idea as to the types of projects it can be useful for. If I’m going to buy a swaging tool, it’s got to be a good one, as it won’t be a one-time tool.
Looking into it again, it seems that Loos & Co and Nicopress are the two main brands. Loos & Co seemed more easily available, and both brands’ tools work with their own and other’s compression sleeves.
There are other connection types than compression fittings that need to be crimped, such as bolt-tightenable clamps, and special plug-lock end terminations.
Clamps are considered temporary and would be installed in a position they’d be difficult to tighten. I considered plug-lock terminations, but they’re expensive – $68 each for stainless steel ones, plus the need for an installation tool.
Swaging tools cost quite a bit up front – $200 and up – but allows for inexpensive fittings for creating strong looped ends.
This will be interesting.
I’ve talked about terminal blocks before – DIN-Mounted Terminal Blocks – but a lot has changed in the industry since then. Well, a little has changed. These Phoenix terminal block with push-in connections and sensor-friendly wire connection setup looks to be compact and straightforward.
I’m planning out the electrical controls for my CNC conversion project, and an enclosure filled with DIN rails and terminal blocks is a good way to keep things neat and organized.
A block like this isn’t necessary, but will save a lot of space.
The most common terminal block makes a 1-1 wiring connection – a point where two wires meet. For instance, if you have a wire entering a control panel enclosure, it gets connected to where it needs to go, or to a terminal block. From the terminal block, it then connects to where it needs to go.
The terminal block shown here is a special one for 3-wire sensors. Three sensors could be connected via four terminal blocks and two jumper/bridge wires. One block brings in positive voltage (e.g. 24V) and common (0V), and jumpers distribute it to three other blocks. For the three sensor blocks, proximity sensors can each be connected to the separate positive, common, and signal ports. The last port takes the sensor signal to where it needs to.
Or, the simpler way to do things is to connect positive voltage (2 terminal blocks), common voltage (2 terminal blocks), and sensor signals (3 terminal blocks) separately. This would take 7 blocks and 2 jumper/bridge inserts (for the voltage distribution). Or, distribution blocks (such as Wago Lever Locks) can be used for positive and negative/0V connections, plus the 3 sensor signal blocks.
Four blocks seems more straightforward, but costs a bit more. There’s also one that has an LED to signal sensor activation, but it’s at considerably higher cost.
Three sensors can also be wired with 2 4-way blocks plus 3x double conductor blocks. That would be 5 terminal blocks vs 4.
Having a single sensor attached to a single block is elegant and allows for easier troubleshooting or replacement.
Do I overthink things? Absolutely. I’m not saying you should buy this, or that I will; it’s simply good to know what’s out there any why.
As this is my first time combining AC and DC in a single enclosure, I did some research into wiring color codes. There’s a lot more to look into, such as disconnect switches, a circuit breaker, and so forth.
I have been looking for a good way to test squares for squareness, and cylindrical squares seem to be it.
There are other ways, such as a granite triangle, which takes up a lot more space on a surface plate, and metal squares that are known to be good.
The curved surface should make it easy to see and measure gaps.
This wasn’t the first thing I tried. At first I ordered an 4″ x 4″ x 6″ iron right angle bar from the same company, but when it arrived I realized it wasn’t flat enough to serve as a master square.
A reader put the idea in my head a while back. They complained to me that their square wasn’t square, and I saw the same with mine. But at the time the most I could do is compare several squares together. With this, I’ll be able to measure exactly how out-of-square a square is.
I ordered the 12″ online with a coupon, and am also looking for a good price on the 6″. I went with Suburban tool, partially because it’s made in the USA, and partially because few other brands make them. Fowler has 6″ and 12″ cylinders, but the 12″ isn’t available right now and the 6″ is too small.
Checking the squareness of triangular-shaped tools – and others – with a cylinder doesn’t seem very intuitive, but I can’t think of a better way.
The 12-inch cylinder is said to be square within 0.00015″, and the 6-inch 0.00010″.
At least ToolGuyd will be getting its money’s worth – the cylinder weighs 50 pounds and comes with a fitted wood case. The Fowler looks more user-friendly and has a useful-looking lifting handle.
Amazon has the Fowler 6-inch square in stock for $281, and I’d consider it. However, I doubt Amazon’s ability to ship something like that to me unscathed.
The 12-inch square might look silly next to smaller squares, but it should serve as a good squareness reference for shorter and longer tools all the same.
A shiny new Proto tool storage combo arrived.
I stacked everything up, but quickly decided that I would test the components separately. The top chest was placed on a workbench, and the bottom rolling cabinet will be used for heavy duty tool and part storage.
This is from the Proto Velocity series, their most affordable line of USA-made tool storage products. I have an older 540 series tool box, and this one is definitely better in some ways.
I’ll let you know how it goes.
And with that, a question – do you guys tip freight delivery drivers? I usually do, depending on the size and weight of the load.
Please let me know if you wish to learn more about any of the above topics.
]]>A new tool cabinet came in yesterday, along with a tool chest that can sit on top of it. It arrived without the necessary mounting hardware, so I dug into my fastener boxes to grab suitable hardware.
Shown here are 1/4″ socket head cap screws, one in alloy steel in 3/4″ length, and the others in 1/2″ length made from 316 stainless steel.
I went with the alloy steel screw first, but wanted a shorter profile and went looking for my stainless hardware.
I bought the stainless screws nearly 14 years ago, in late 2009, via Small Parts on Amazon. I also have a couple of small boxes of grade 5 zinc-plated hex bolts that I bought around the same time.
They do get used, albeit rarely, often at times like this, saving me a trip to the store or the wait for an online order.
The other day I asked about whether “buy as you need it” lean manufacturing principles will work for DIYers. Principles? I think so. Practices? Nope.
I also have small store-bought socket head and button head cap screw assortments, and an assortment of machine screws that I put together with individual fastener sizes from an industrial supplier.
I am embarking on a massive workshop cleanup to reclaim space. I’m not getting rid of ANY of my fasteners; my plans here involve better organization.
I tend to use socket cap screws for different things, and as such they’re in a couple of places. My goal is to coalesce them and maintain one organized section for wood screws and another for machine screws, set screws, and things like that.
I have all kinds of fasteners from back when Amazon was fire-selling their Small Parts inventories, such as Grade 5 1/4″ and 5/16″ hex bolts for under $1 per 25-count boxes. I haven’t used every size yet (such as 1/4″-20 in 1-3/8″ length), but they have definitely earned their drawer space in the nearly 14 years since then.
“Lean” – for me – isn’t about reducing inventory, but avoiding waste. In this case, having to stop everything to buy fasteners that might work would have been a wasteful interruption. Having the fasteners on-hand was incredibly convenient. Having to look for them was not.
I might not always have the exact fasteners on hand, but I try to have ones that can get me through unanticipated needs with minimal delay or hassle. Even if what I have isn’t perfect, a solution-in-place can buy time until I can get something more suitable.
Do you keep any fasteners around for just-in-case purposes?
]]>To create a memorable and effective woodworking business name, you should aim for a name that is unique, easy to spell and pronounce, conveys the nature of your business, and reflects your brand personality. Additionally, consider checking the domain’s availability for a consistent online presence.
When starting a woodworking business, choosing the right name is crucial to make a lasting impression on your customers. A general woodworking business name should capture the essence of your craft and showcase your expertise. Here are 30 general woodworking business name ideas to inspire you:
These general woodworking business names reflect your dedication to quality craftsmanship and the artistry of working with wood. Choose a name that resonates with your brand values and appeals to your target audience.
These catchy woodworking business names capture the essence of craftsmanship, creativity, and quality associated with the woodworking industry. They are memorable and appealing, leaving a lasting impression on customers and helping your business stand out. Choose a name that aligns with your brand vision and resonates with your target audience, showcasing your unique woodworking services.
In the world of woodworking, classic business names evoke a sense of timeless craftsmanship and enduring beauty. These names capture the essence of tradition, quality, and expertise, appealing to customers who appreciate the artistry and heritage of woodworking. Here are 30 classic woodworking business name ideas:
These classic woodworking business names capture the essence of traditional craftsmanship and the enduring appeal of woodworking. They convey a sense of quality, authenticity, and timeless beauty, appealing to customers who appreciate the artistry and craftsmanship of classic woodworking.
Incorporating a modern touch into woodworking business names can showcase your commitment to contemporary design, innovation, and forward-thinking craftsmanship. Here are 15 additional modern woodworking business name ideas:
These modern woodworking business names reflect your dedication to contemporary design, innovation, and craftsmanship. They appeal to customers who appreciate the fusion of modern aesthetics with traditional woodworking techniques, setting your business apart in the industry.
Embracing a minimalist approach to woodworking business names can convey a sense of elegance, simplicity, and craftsmanship. Here are 15 additional minimalist woodworking business name ideas:
These minimalist woodworking business names showcase the beauty of different wood types while maintaining a clean and refined aesthetic. They reflect the mastery and attention to detail that goes into each woodworking creation, attracting customers who appreciate the simplicity and craftsmanship of minimalist designs.
When it comes to woodworking businesses, a simple yet impactful one-word name can make a memorable statement. It captures the essence of your craft concisely and powerfully. Here are 30 one-word woodworking business name ideas to inspire you:
These one-word woodworking business names capture the essence of your craft and leave a lasting impression. Choose a name that resonates with your brand values and evokes the beauty and skill of woodworking.
Woodworking businesses often have a playful and creative spirit, and incorporating playful names can add a touch of fun and whimsy to your brand. Here are 15 additional playful woodworking business name ideas:
These playful woodworking business names reflect the creativity and joy that can be found in the craft. They create a sense of excitement and capture the attention of customers who appreciate the unique and playful side of woodworking.
Drawing inspiration from industry terms can add a touch of authenticity and expertise to your woodworking business name. These one-word names inspired by industry terms reflect your knowledge and skill in the woodworking field. Here are 30 one-word woodwork business name ideas:
Inspired by industry terms, these one-word woodwork business names capture the essence of your craft and highlight your specialization in specific woodworking techniques. Choose a name that aligns with your expertise and showcases your unique skills in the woodworking industry.
These location-inspired woodworking business names add a touch of uniqueness and local flair to your brand. They evoke a sense of place and connection to the specific area, making them memorable and appealing to customers in that region. Choose a name that reflects your location’s surroundings, landscape, or cultural aspects to establish a strong local presence for your woodworking business.
Incorporating foreign language elements into your woodworking business name can add a touch of intrigue and global appeal. These one-word names inspired by foreign languages infuse your brand with cultural richness and craftsmanship. Here are 30 one-word woodworking business name ideas inspired by foreign languages:
These one-word woodworking business names inspired by foreign languages add an international flair to your brand, evoking a sense of craftsmanship and cultural richness. Choose a name that resonates with your brand values and appeals to your target audience.
Creating an acronym or abbreviation for your woodworking business name can add a touch of uniqueness and memorability. These one-word woodworking business names with acronyms or abbreviations bring a modern twist to your brand while still capturing the essence of your craft. Here are 30 ideas to inspire you:
These one-word woodworking business names with acronyms or abbreviations bring a modern and sleek vibe to your brand, while still conveying your expertise in woodworking. Choose a name that reflects your unique style and resonates with your target audience, leaving a lasting impression.
Infusing puns and wordplay into your woodworking business name can add a touch of creativity and playfulness to your brand. These clever names showcase your woodworking skills and bring a smile to people’s faces. Here are 30 woodworking business name ideas with puns or wordplay:
These woodworking business names with puns or wordplay infuse your brand with creativity and lightheartedness, making a memorable impression on customers. Choose a name that reflects your brand personality and resonates with your target audience, showcasing your woodworking business’s fun and skillful nature.
Naming your woodworking business is an important step in establishing your brand identity. Follow this step-by-step guide to help you through the process:
Define Your Brand: Start by clarifying your business values, target audience, and unique selling points. This will shape the direction of your business name.
Brainstorm Keywords: Make a list of relevant keywords related to woodworking, such as “craftsmanship,” “design,” or specific wood types. These keywords will inspire and guide your name creation.
Create Name Variations: Combine and rearrange your keywords to form different name variations. Experiment with different word combinations to find a name that captures the essence of your business.
Consider Brand Personality: Think about the tone and style you want your business name to convey. Whether it’s traditional, modern, playful, or elegant, align the name with your brand personality.
Check Availability: Conduct thorough research to ensure the name is not already in use by another business. Check domain availability as well to secure a matching website address.
Test and Gather Feedback: Share your top name choices with trusted friends, family, or colleagues to get their feedback. Consider their opinions and reactions before making a final decision.
Register Your Name: Once you’ve selected the perfect name, register it with the appropriate authorities to protect your brand and secure legal rights.
Remember, a well-chosen woodworking business name reflects your brand identity, appeals to your target audience, and sets you apart from the competition. Take your time, be creative, and select a name representing the essence of your woodworking craftsmanship.
Before you finalize your woodworking business name, ensure that it is unique and available. It’s also good to check if the corresponding domain name is available if you plan to set up a website. You can search for your chosen name in the trademark database on the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s website.
Woodworking name generators can be valuable tools for brainstorming and finding the perfect name for your woodworking business. These generators use various algorithms and databases to generate unique and creative name suggestions based on your preferences. They can save you time and provide a wide range of options. Here are two recommended woodworking name generators that can help you in your search for the ideal business name:
Woodcraft Name Generator: This name generator specializes in creating woodworking-related names. It allows you to input specific keywords or preferences related to your business, such as wood types, craftsmanship, or design styles. The generator then generates a list of relevant and creative name ideas for your woodworking business. It’s a helpful tool for exploring different combinations and variations that align with your brand vision.
Crafted Names: Crafted Names is a versatile business name generator that covers a wide range of industries, including woodworking. It offers a simple and user-friendly interface where you can input keywords related to your woodworking business. The generator then generates a list of unique and creative name ideas based on your inputs. You can easily browse through the suggestions and select the ones that resonate with your brand identity and target audience.
Using woodworking name generators like Woodcraft Name Generator and Crafted Names can provide you with a wealth of creative options and spark new ideas for your woodworking business name. Remember to consider your brand identity, target audience, and industry when evaluating the generated company names. These generators can be valuable tools in your quest to find the perfect name that reflects the essence of your woodworking craftsmanship.
When it comes to naming your woodworking business, selecting the right name is vital in establishing a strong brand identity. Consideration of key factors will ensure that your business name effectively reflects your woodcraft, resonates with your target audience, and distinguishes you from competitors. To help you in this process, here are some essential tips for creating a successful woodworking business name:
Reflect your craft: Ensure that your business name clearly communicates the essence of your woodworking brand. Incorporate words like “woodcraft,” “woodworking,” or “custom furniture” to represent your expertise and services accurately.
Utilize a woodworking business name generator: Explore the use of woodworking business name generators to spark creative ideas and discover unique name options. These tools can provide you with a range of suggestions that align with your woodcraft and resonate with your target audience.
Connect with your audience: Consider your target audience’s preferences, values, and interests when crafting your business name. A name that speaks directly to their needs and desires will create a stronger connection and enhance brand loyalty.
Check for availability: Before finalizing your woodworking business name, conduct thorough research to ensure its availability. Check for existing trademarks, domain names, and social media handles to secure a consistent and unified online presence.
Strive for memorability: Aim for a memorable name that is easy to recall. A distinctive and catchy business name will help your woodworking brand stay top of mind and attract potential customers.
Showcase your uniqueness: Differentiate your woodworking business by choosing a name highlighting your unique selling points. Emphasize your craftsmanship, attention to detail, or specialization in a particular area of woodworking.
Consider your location: If you operate in Arizona or have a focus on custom furniture, consider incorporating location-specific or industry-related terms in your business name. This can help create a sense of local identity and attract customers searching for specific services in your area.
Remember, naming your woodworking business is an opportunity to establish a strong brand identity and create a lasting impression. By considering these tips, you’ll be on your way to selecting a compelling and effective name that reflects your wood craft, resonates with your target audience, and positions your woodworking brand for success.
When naming your woodworking business, it’s essential to consider search engine optimization (SEO) to ensure that your business can be easily discovered online. Optimizing your business name for search engines can significantly improve your online visibility and attract more potential customers. Here are a few key factors to consider when it comes to SEO and naming your woodworking business:
Firstly, include relevant keywords in your business name. Consider the terms people may use when searching for woodworking services or products. Incorporating keywords such as “woodworking,” “custom woodworking,” “carpentry,” “custom furniture,” “woodcraft,” or specific wood types can help search engines understand the nature of your business and match it with relevant search queries.
Secondly, aim for a unique and memorable business name. Standing out from the competition is crucial; a distinctive name can help you achieve that. Ensure that your name is easy to remember and spell, allowing customers to find you quickly. Avoid generic or common terms that may make it difficult for your business to rank well in search results.
While it’s possible, it’s not advisable. Having the same name can cause confusion among your potential customers and could lead to legal issues if the name is trademarked.
A good woodworking business name should be easy to remember, easy to spell, and reflective of your brand’s identity. It should also be unique to distinguish your business from the competition.
Remember, your woodworking business name is the first step in building your woodworking brand identity. A strong, memorable name can help set you up for success and help you attract your target market. Happy naming!
Image: Depositphotos
This article, "300+ Crafty Woodworking Business Name Ideas" was first published on Small Business Trends
]]>This is what I wish my workshop looked like – clean workbenches, clean floors, and nothing in the way.
Lean manufacturing principles are about reducing waste and improving efficiency.
Ben V has the right idea – shown above is what his workshop looked like after building a couple of modular workbenches and tool cabinets. (You can see what he’s been working on at @dusty.tools on Instagram.)
Every now and then I’ll hear some “lean manufacturing” tips and techniques, with some applying just as effectively to DIY workshops.
Lean manufacturing suggests that you should buy what you need as you need it.
I have a couple of sheets of baltic birch plywood in my garage, as well as hardwood boards. My material cache doesn’t stop there – I have a couple of small sheets of plastic, bar stock, and more. That’s more than I have immediate need for.
I still have a couple of 4-foot cypress 2x boards that I bought for building raised garden planter boxes.
Oh, I’m glad to have materials available for impromptu projects. The plywood will be used for an upcoming cabinet build, and I bought a few extra sheets to justify the delivery fee from the lumber yard.
I also tend to overbuy for ToolGuyd purposes. Part of the job is trying out new tools, accessories, brands, and so forth, and so it’s regular and habitual for me to buy more than I need.
But, I also have a tendency to overbuy, especially when I find something on sale. When I do this, some of the surplus sits around until I need it, which can sometimes take a while.
I often have multiple projects at various stages of planning and preparation. Sometimes a project might be delayed, changed, or put on hold for an extended period of time.
I hate having to make multiple trips to the store, and so I might buy extra. Do I need #10 x 1-1/2″ screws, or #8 x 1-1/4″? Sometimes things don’t work out as well in real life as they do on paper. So I tend to have Plan A and B purchase plans.
That mindset can be beneficial, and I am often glad I don’t have to waste money or time placing another order when my Plan A selections don’t work. An extra box of machine screws or other small fasteners will usually cost less than having to pay shipping twice.
Past experiences have also lead me to always ask myself “what if it doesn’t work?” or “what if I need more?” Overbuying can save me time and money.
I bought a couple of IKEA butcher block-type countertops a few years ago, and still have one left, plus a couple of still-usable offcuts. They work great for workbenches, tool stands, and heavy duty tops for cabinets.
IKEA doesn’t offer solid wood bitcher block countertops anymore, at least not that I have seen. They changed things up a few times over the years, but seemed to make the permanent change from solid wood wot wood veneer countertops.
I have another workbench project in the works, and the extra countertop should work perfectly there. Alternatives do exist, of course, they just cost more money; those IKEA birch (or was it beech?) countertops were a great deal, and delivery fee was the same whether I was buying one or six.
So on one hand, I’m glad to have the cache of materials I’ve accumulated. On the other hand, what about space?
Once I work through my plywood and wood boards, I’m going to try to adhere to a “buy as I need it” policy.
Maybe I can allow for some exceptions; I’m sure there could be a balance between how much I immediately need and how much will be good to keep on-hand.
A lot of my habits come from my buying supplies on sale to save money or overbuying to save money on multiple shipping fees. Sometimes I do similar when concerned about future availability or pricing.
I can only blame some of my lumber excess on recent years’ shortages. That led to a “buy it when I find it” mentality.
I don’t plan to have overstock. Often I roughly plan for how the extra materials will be used, at least in the context of lumber, but sometimes those plans change or are frequently interrupted by other priorities.
I’ve seen others’ workshops and know that I’m not alone in this. Woodworkers, for example, tend to hoard wood and offcuts.
I bought a piece of oak at the lumber yard last year when shopping for maple. It had a great grain pattern, and I knew I could use it for something, but I still haven’t committed it to a particular project yet. I couldn’t pass it up, and have no regrets.
Shifting mindsets isn’t easy.
“Do I need to buy this now? If I wait, can I easily buy it when I need it? Will it cost me substantially less to buy right now?”
There needs to be some margin for error or unexpected circumstances. If I need 40 fasteners, it’s a good idea to buy 50, in case some are defective.
If I need 18 board feed of wood for a project, buying 20 is a good idea (at least), just in case I need a little extra or have to cut around a knot. But do I need a 10 board feet project pack of cherry just because it’s on sale?
Having a full lumber rack, or stack in my case, isn’t a bad thing if you have the space. The same goes for other materials, components, or what-not.
But, I find myself being short on space while also being more capable of paying shipping fees twice if needed.
Being budget conscious occasionally leads me to think “what else should I order now instead of soon or later, to make the most of the shipping fee?” Or, if there’s a discount, I look ahead to what I might not want to spend full price on a few weeks (or months) later.
Sure, that might save me money, but leads to inefficient utilization or storage space.
Let’s say someone is starting to lift weights. Buying a set of dumbbells can cost substantially less than buying them one size at a time. The same goes for wrenches. There’s a point where it’s more cost effective to buy a set than just a couple of sizes.
The “lean manufacturing” way would be to buy just what I need as I need it, plus a little extra where it makes sense.
But lean manufacturing is about reducing or eliminating waste.
If I try to apply lean manufacturing practices, things start to look contradictory. I’m not a manufacturer with well-defined material or part needs. Do I waste a bit of space, or money? They are interdependent – saving space results in higher costs, and saving money results in less storage efficiencies.
Lean is about improvement, and about assessing the state of things to look for opportunities for improvement.
So, it’s not about finding lean manufacturing practices that work for me, but applying the “look for opportunities to reduce waste and improve upon something” philosophy to my specific needs and contexts.
What I think makes sense for me is to keep materials on-hand except when doing so interferes with other needs or activities.
I have a couple of rubber sheets that I use for gaskets, washers, and similar things, and that’s okay. But I think my goal for lumber and plywood should be to only keep on-hand what I might use in an immediate project.
It’s not easy – what if I have trouble finding clean 2x cedar again? Baltic birch can be hard to find in certain sizes now, and so I don’t entirely regret buying extra.
Lean manufacturing doesn’t demand I adhere to certain practices. The goal is to eliminate waste and seek improvement.
All of this came up recently because I ordered a couple of bars of aluminum, plus a heavily discounted 12″ x 36″ sheet that I don’t have concrete plans for yet, and wondered if I was being wasteful. Maybe it’s a little wasteful, but the savings are substantial (I plan to cut it up as needed), and as I can fit it on a shelf or in a corner, it’s relatively easy to store.
A 60″ x 60″ sheet of plywood isn’t as easy to store.
So, my hybrid approach will be to keep a small supply of easily-stored materials on-hand – the same as I’ve been doing for the past 15-18 years or so – and buy plywood and hardwood as-needed, aside for “gotta have that” hardwood boards and a 2x or two as they frequently come in handy.
Are there areas of improvement in your workshop? Work van or truck? Hobby corner?
I think that “lean” finally clicked for me. It’s not about certain practices, but the philosophy of assessing, improving, and repeating until everything is as efficient as can be.
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Somehow we weathered and witnessed a nation that isn’t broken, but simply unfinished.
We, the successors of a country and a time where a skinny Black girl descended from slaves and raised by a single mother can dream of becoming president, only to find herself reciting for one.
And, yes, we are far from polished, far from pristine, but that doesn’t mean we are striving to form a union that is perfect.
We are striving to forge our union with purpose.
To compose a country committed to all cultures, colors, characters and conditions of man.”
These poignant and inspirational words from 22-year-old African American poet Amanda Gorman’s “The Hill We Climb,” read before a live audience of nearly 34 million people at the presidential inaugural of Joe Biden, has become one of the latest targets of controversy and banning by the political right in the United States.
Gorman’s book of poems, which includes “The Hill We Climb,” is no longer available to be read by elementary school aged students in the state of Florida, as more and more states are getting on the book and school curricular banning bandwagon throughout the nation.
Responding to Florida’s action, Gorman said that she was “gutted.” “Robbing children of the chance to find their voices in literature is a violation of their right to free thought and free speech,” she continued.
And she is, indeed, correct that this is a violation, but this denial of free thought and free speech is precisely the purpose of autocrats and tyrants.
As wisely and eloquently stated by English author Edward Bulwer-Lytton in his 1839 play, Richelieu; Or the Conspiracy, “the pen is mightier than the sword,” this adage holds that the written word is a powerful tool in the transmission of ideas. Why else would oppressive regimes and other ruthless upholders of the status quo engage in censorship and book burning throughout the ages?
Heinrich Heine, one of Germany’s greatest poets who was of Jewish origin warned,
Where they burn books, they will also ultimately burn people.
Since ancient times, the Jewish people have been known as “the people of the Book.”
The term originated within Islam characterizing the Jews as “people of the book,” which meant that they possessed a prior revelation from God that they wrote down. These transcripts cemented an intimate connection between the Jews and the Torah – the Hebrew Bible (Tanach), and the many books allied with it, such as the Talmud, commentaries, and codes of Jewish law.
Jewish tradition has established a deep reverence for the written word of the Torah scrolls, which are meticulously written on parchment paper and placed in a sacred space in the synagogue, the Arc. This is a cabinet located at the head of the synagogue’s chapel, which usually faces east toward Jerusalem. Finely embroidered curtains cover the Torah scrolls and the ark.
The printed Talmud contains the text of the Torah with the additional rabbinic explanations of the Jewish Bible. This long-standing reverence for the written word has extended to the quest for intellectual knowledge and discussion among many Jewish people in religious and also in secular topics and endeavors.
Ancient Rome persecuted Jews for retaining their cultural and religious traditions. Rome denied most rights of citizenship from Jews. They levied a special tax on Jews, confiscated their property, and enacted laws against proselytizing and conversions.
Greco-Roman writers accused Jews who adhered to their religious beliefs as “bigots fighting in defense of circumcision and a pigless diet.”
A Dominican scholar, and early proponent of “natural law” in which morality is based on constraints of human nature was Thomas Aquinas who believed, which was later echoed in the High Middle Ages, that usury (the lending of money for profit) was unjust and therefore forbidden to Christians.
Pope Gregory IX in 1239, in his quest to maintain the Catholic Church’s economic and ideological stranglehold, ordered all copies of the Talmud confiscated, and one of his successors, Pope John XXI, commanded that the Talmud be burned on the eve of the Jewish Passover in 1322.
In France, the Dominicans and Franciscans carried out Pope Gregory IX’s order on the first Christian Sabbath of Lent by raiding synagogues and removing all Jewish books.
Jews were among the first to take advantage of the printing press developed around the mid-1500s so that the Hebrew Torah, Talmud, and prayer book (siddur) could become accessible to greater numbers of people.
The “Word” became the constant connective tissue linking a diverse people across enormous planetary expanses. But this same connection posed challenges to tyrants who wished to subdue a people who did not and could not abide by religious, cultural, and social traditions that went against their beliefs and values.
Throughout the ages, autocrats and tyrants attempted to cut out this connective tissue with the goal of figuratively and often literally killing the Jewish mind and body.
Pope Julius III ordered all copies of the Talmud taken and burned as an auto da fé in 1553. Pope Paul IV ordered copies of the Talmud burned in 559. Pope Pius IV ordered the remaining 20,000 copies of the Talmud taken and burned in 1559, and he banished all Jews from his territory in 1569.
The Christian “reformer,” Martin Luther, in his 1526 treatise On the Jews and Their Lies foregrounding the eventual Holocaust to come. He argued:
“First, their synagogues should be set on fire.” Jewish prayer books should be destroyed, and rabbis forbidden to preach. The homes of Jews should likewise be “smashed and destroyed” and their residents “put under one roof or in a stable like gypsies, to teach them they are not master in our land.”
Continued Luther: “These poisonous envenomed worms should be drafted into forced labor. The young and strong Jews and Jewesses should be given the flail, the ax, the hoe, the spade, the distaff, and the spindle and let them earn their bread by the sweat of their noses.”
As Luther’s dire pronouncement make perfectly clear, what begins as torching of books and other property eventually results in the denial of civil liberties, torture, and eventual murder of people scapegoated by dominant social groups and by their religious and governmental leaders.
Though Jews were allowed very little control over the conditions surrounding their lives in many European countries, the stereotype of Jews as powerful with an interest in world domination persisted into the current era. The Rothschild family as depicted in an 1898 French caricature, was the symbol of the Jewish passion for world domination. More recently, the invocation of billionaire George Soros has become the antisemites’ poster boy for world domination of politicians, governments, world economic systems, and the “replacement” of white people by black and brown “invading aliens.”
Beginning in 1920, the automobile manufacturer, Henry Ford, chronicled what he considered as the “Jewish menace” in his newspaper, The Dearborn Independent.
Every week for the next 91 issues, Ford exposed in the paper some kind of Jewish evil in the news. The most popular and virulent of his articles he then chose to reprint into four volumes called The International Jew: The World’s Foremost Problem.
Frederick Nietzsche, a leading European philosopher, published his The Genealogy of Morals, in which he wrote:
“It was the Jew who, with frightening consistency, dared to invert the aristocratic value equations good/noble/powerful/beautiful/happy/favored-of-the-gods and maintained that only the poor, the powerless, are good; only the suffering, sick, and ugly, truly blessed. “
Jews, to Nietzsche, were a disease corrupting the nations.
The German composer, Richard Wagner, was an early exponent of the theory of Jewish racialization. He published his essay, Das Judentum in der Musik (The Jews in Music), in 1850. He attacked the Jewish influence on German culture in general, and on music in particular.
On the cover of one of his pamphlets, Richard Wagner defends “Germanic” art and music against attacks by three horseflies signifying Jewish composers: Meyerbeer, Mendelssohn, and Offenbach in Leipzig, 1869.
Wrote Wagner in 1850: “Of decisive importance is the nature of the influence of the Jew’s pronunciation upon us; particularly, this is the essential point of departure in a study of the Jewish influence on music. Particularly repulsive to us is the purely sensual manifestation of the Jewish language…in the matter of the Semitic mode of pronunciation…”
“Our ear feels the absolutely foreign and unpleasant sound of a certain hissing, strident, lisping, and choking pronunciation in the Jewish speech,” continued Wagner, “a distortion and peculiar rearrangement of the words and of phrase constructions [which] imparts to this pronunciation the character of a confused babbling…[and a] repulsive manner of the Jewish speech….”
In the U.S. South and Midwest, there was a rise in activity by the ultra-racist / anti-Jewish Ku Klux Klan and by other white supremacist groups bent on preserving the so-called “white race” from what they considered the non-Nordic/non-Aryan “race polluters.”
Father Charles E. Coughlin, Irish-Catholic priest, anti-Jewish, and anti-Communist, used his radio broadcasts in the U.S. to warn that the Jews were out to destroy the U.S. economy. He defended Hitler’s treatment of the Jews as warranted in the fight against Communism.
Germany had been defeated in WWI. Under the terms of the Treaty of Versailles following the war, Germany had to pay heavy penalties. In Germany, many Germans were out of work. The country was ripe for extremists.
The back of many German currency denominations were left blank. On the back of some particular bills, someone had placed an ink-stamp blaming Jews.
Translation of the rhymed lines:
Like the fungus
and the lichens
on the oak’s trunk
The Jew thrives
on mankind’s trunk
Where Jews live in comfort
The majority remains
in poverty’s grip
In his book, Mein Kampf (My Struggle), Adolph Hitler wrote:
“Today I believe that I am acting in accordance with the will of the Almighty Creator: by defending myself against the Jew, I am fighting for the work of the Lord.”
Hitler asserted that he had been influenced by the theology of Paul in the Christian Bible, and by the works of Martin Luther, as well as many Christian theologians of his time regarding the evilness and inferiority of the Jews.
Hans Frank, Hitler’s friend and a lawyer for the Nazi Party, wrote that Hitler told him in 1938:
“In the gospels, the Jews cried out to Pilate, when he refused to have Jesus crucified ‘His blood be on us and on our children.’ Maybe I have to fulfill this curse.”
The Catholic Church hierarchy did very little to stand up on behalf of the Jews during WWII, though some individual Catholic priests and parishioners sometimes risked their lives in support of justice.
Pope Pius XII maintained a position of neutrality, and he never publicly challenged Adolph Hitler’s brutal treatment and murder of the Jews and others.
Foreseeing the claim that Judaism is only a religion, Hitler condemned “this first and greatest lie, that the Jews are not a race but a religion. The Jew has always been a people with a definite racial characteristic and never a religion.”
In addition to their so-called “religious justifications” for the persecution of Jews, Hitler and the Nazi party hierarchy used “racial arguments” as a cornerstone of their philosophy for the persecution of Jews (as well as most people of color and people with disabilities).
They considered Jews and others as descendants from inferior “racial” beings.
Nazis propagandized that Germany lost WWI because of its internal enemies: the Jews.
The Nazi campaign of “moral, racial, and sexual purity” led to an intense and violent campaign against Jews and other minoritized groups.
The Nazis asserted that Jews polluted the “Aryan race.” They forced Jews to wear the yellow Star of David patches, a sign of “race pollution.”
Nazi propaganda film, “The Eternal Jew,” depicted Jews as race polluters, vermin, and destroyers of Germany. The film falsely charges:
47% of robberies conducted by Jews
98% of prostitutes are Jewish
“The Jews are only 1 percent of the population, but they know how to terrorize a great, tolerant nation by controlling finance, the arts, education, and the media.”
On April 8, 1933, the German Students’ Association (Deutsche Studentenschaft) drafted its twelve “theses”—a clear recall of Martin Luther’s 95 Theses: declarations enumerating the fundamentals of a “pure” national language and culture. The students publicized this with placards by attacking “Jewish intellectualism,” by asserting the need to “purify” the German language and literature, and by demanding that universities serve as centers of German nationalism.
On May 10, 1933, groups of university students in over thirty German towns and cities confiscated and torched over 25,000 books in great pyres while giving the Nazi straight-arm salute. Books they categorized as “un-German” included Jewish authors like Albert Einstein and Sigmund Freud, and Christians like Bertolt Brecht and Erich Maria Remarque in addition to U.S. writers they blacklisted such as Ernest Hemingway, Jack London, Theodore Dreiser, and Helen Keller.
German Minister of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda, Joseph Goebbels, gave a speech in front of over 40,000 people in Berlin’s Opera Square declaring:
“the era of extreme Jewish intellectualism is now at an end….The future German man will not just be a man of books, but a man of character. It is to this end that we want to educate you….And thus you do well in this midnight hour to commit to the flames the evil spirit of the past.”
Thus began the Nazi war on truth and on speech, on “un-German” individual expression.
Helen Keller resisted German students in an open letter:
“History has taught you nothing if you think you can kill ideas. Tyrants have tried to do that often before, and the ideas have risen up in their might and destroyed them. You can burn my books and the books of the best minds in Europe, but the ideas in them have seeped through a million channels and will continue to quicken other minds.”
Many other writers quickly spoke out about the conflagrations throughout Germany. Following the bonfires, approximately 100,000 took to marching the streets of New York City in protest of Nazi policies. Other cities like Philadelphia, Chicago, and St. Louis joined the protests.
Newsweek magazine termed Germany’s actions as “a holocaust of books,” while Time referred to it as a “bibliocaust.”
New York Herald Tribune columnist Walter Lippmann, warned:
“These acts symbolize the moral and intellectual character of the Nazi regime,” he wrote. “For these bonfires are not the work of schoolboys or mobs but of the present German Government … The ominous symbolism of [this act and] these bonfires is that there is a government in Germany which means to teach its people that their salvation lies in violence.”
Following the book burnings, the Nazi regime stormed bookstores, public and school libraries, and publishers’ warehouses to commandeer materials it deemed dangerous or “un-German.”
Two weeks prior to the German Student Association declared national “Action against the Un-German Spirit,” Nazi storm troopers invaded, ransacked, and closed The Institute for Sexual Sciences in Berlin, founded by Dr. Magnus Hirschfeld, a Jewish homosexual sexuality researcher. The Institute conducted early sexuality research, the precursor of the Indiana-based Kinsey Institute in the United States.
Storm troopers carried away and torched over 10,000 volumes of books and research documents calling the Institute “an international center of the white-slave trade” and “an unparalleled breading ground of dirt and filth.”
The Nazi effort to impose its standards in arts and culture that reflected its goals and outcomes became the norm. They not only banned and torched books, but their reach extended to other forms of art such are architectural styles, music, sculpture, paintings, movies, and plays. The government would not tolerate any sign or difference or diversion from its hegemonic outlines. All else was purged and labeled as “un-German” and “degenerate.”
Heinrich Heine’s warning of “Where they burn books, they will also ultimately burn people,” certainly came to pass.
Under the guise of “freedom” to determine “their children’s” education, we are seeing some parents, legislators, governors, and school administrators attempting to place severe limits on the teaching of our nation’s past and the legacies of this history upon the lives of people and the functioning of institutions today.
Republican legislators throughout the U.S. have enacted new laws and policies intended to define the narrow parameters of what and how students will discuss our country’s past and our present.
As Santayana reminds us: “Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”
We now, though, have an opportunity to avoid the mistakes of the past by speaking out against the racism and cultural genocide that surrounds us.
***
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The post Tyrants Attempt to Control Minds in Order to Control Bodies: The Example of Banning Jewish Books appeared first on The Good Men Project.
]]>I am a brand name tool snob, and make no apologizes for it. The same applies to parts, components, equipment and so forth.
Let me explain what I mean.
I have been planning out a couple of project and equipment purchases, and have been painstakingly selecting everything.
I don’t mind private label brands too much, such as industrial suppliers’ store brands. But for the most part I stick to brands I know and can buy again.
For example, I’m looking to buy a simple air line filter, with 1/4″ NPT threads and moisture trap.
There are plenty of cheap ones on Amazon, ebay, and elsewhere, many with gibberish-sounding names
Shown at the top of the page is a Norgren FRL (filter, regulator, lubricator) combination unit. I wasn’t too familiar with the brand, but went with that brand. I can find it at industrial suppliers, and I quickly found datasheets to help me hone in on exactly what I need.
This is a “Pudusi” branded air filter and regulator combo, as found on Amazon. They have other brands unfamiliar to me, such as Hromee, Wosudim, and Quickun. Are these reputable brands and products? It’s hard to say.
I can’t find websites for the brands, or full spec sheets. They’re not sold at typical industrial part suppliers, only online marketplaces such as Amazon, ebay, and Walmart.
Maybe it’s unfair, but I will immediately dismiss such brands.
For tools and parts, I like repeatability and reputation. If something goes wrong, is there a customer service department I can call or write to? If I need more in the future, will the brand have it, and will it be compatible with existing purchases?
I have stuck with SMC for air fittings and components, and brands like Bimba for cylinders. I went with MSC and Zoro for air valves, and Automation Direct for fittings and tubing.
While MSC and Zoro’s private label parts can’t be found on external websites, they have great customer service, and it was hard to argue against the cost differential. For certain things, comparable parts from other industrial brands can cost several times more.
I need a hook spanner wrench for installing a lock nut ring. I’m considering McMaster Carr, which contradicts a lot of what I’m saying because they don’t disclose brand names on their catalog pages, and also known brands such as Williams and Proto.
Maybe it’s time I buy an adjustable set, such as the Williams shown above.
Sure, I can get more for my money with a brand like “AYQWE,” but can I trust the brand? Do they stand behind their products? What about “ATNHYING”?
I’ve been planning out a CNC control cabinet, and need a disconnect switch. In some hobbyist builds online, they use random parts sourced from ebay and elsewhere. I understand that online marketplaces present less expensive options, but are they built to the same standards?
What about emergency stop switches? Am I supposed to trust a brand like LGKJYKA that only seems to be available in online marketplaces?
Sometimes there’s not much choice. I recently needed silicone-jacketed wire, and a particular seller on Amazon seemed to have been the best choice. They have a website and seem to specialize in wire, and so I placed a small order to check them out. Otherwise, I prefer brand name for wire and cables, such as Southwire, Alpha, Belden, and the USA-made machine tool wire that Automation Direct carries.
I’ve been a tool snob for a while, and don’t see anything wrong with it. I might bend a little when it comes to non-critical components, but for the most part I prefer to know exactly what I’m getting, who to turn to in case of problems, and where I can buy the same thing of the same quality in the future.
Think of it this way: Would you buy meat from a street vendor that you’ve never seen before? If they part outside of your building every day for five years, that’s different.
I see nothing wrong with others’ choices to buy whatever is cheapest, but I seem to be inherently incapable of doing the same.
I mention all this because my current project has an increasingly costly parts list, and would say that this rationale is a big part of it.
]]>It’s approaching my favorite time of year…Father’s Day! The time of year where I get to show off to Dan all the great stuff my wife and kids got me – just kidding! But I do love this time of year. It’s a fun opportunity to reflect on some of the great tools we have reviewed here at Tools in Action, and check out some other great stuff to include in our 2023 Father’s Day Gift Guide.
We have a great list this year. We also tried to make it easier to navigate by dividing the list up into interests. So whether you’re shopping for your dad, an uncle, a spouse shopping for your husband (or even shopping for yourself), you can jump to whatever list sounds like the person you are shopping for.
Gift ideas for dads who always “need” a new tool and their garage is their sanctuary (we know the type). Some of the tools mentioned are perfect for those doing framing for home additions, and electric and plumbing installations.
For the Dad who likes to entertain with his superb cooking and grilling abilities.
Gift ideas for the dad who takes pride in his cookouts and backyard parties, wants everyone to have a good time, and believes “the more the merrier” when inviting people over.
Gift ideas to keep his man cave sleek, organized, and a fun time for everyone he invites into his space.
Gift ideas for the dad who feels most in his element when he’s out-and-about in the great outdoors and always planning the next great adventure.
So there you have it! COMMENT to let us know which gifts you’re buying this year or adding to your wish list.
The post 2023 Father’s Day Gift Guide appeared first on Tools In Action - Power Tool Reviews.
]]>Investing in a cardio machine for your physical and mental health comes at a very real financial cost, too. These sweat-inducing workout devices can cost a pretty penny, so the list below is meant to narrow the scope of the search. We’ve done our research and tested a wide range of machines in every category to guide you on your path and make picking the right one for you just a bit easier.
To be named the best treadmill, a company has to make a product that offers a variety of features at a reasonable price without sacrificing quality. The Sole F80 does all that and then some, making it our go-to treadmill.
Sole packed the features in when designing the F80, producing a treadmill that can make your workouts as enjoyable as they are sweaty. The treadmill features a cushioned deck which may reduce impacts by up to 40 percent when compared to running outdoors — great for long-distance running and for keeping your joints happy in general. Tech-savvy people will like the 10.1-inch touchscreen with its integrated entertainment apps, wireless charging pad, Bluetooth/WiFi capabilities, and built-in heart rate sensors.
The Sole F80 treadmill is full of modern touches. It can withstand long runs, offers an incline range up to 15 percent and speed range up to 12 mph, and has a cushioned deck that makes running 40 percent less impactful on your joints than the outdoors.
You can really challenge yourself with the F80’s 3.5 HP (horsepower) motor, as it can ramp up to a 15-percent incline and has a top speed of 12 miles per hour (MPH). The frame is rock solid with a weight capacity of 350 pounds, so it can handle a wide range of body types. When you’re finished with your workout, you can fold the treadmill up with hydraulic easy-assist folding to create space for off-treadmill workouts. The F80 retails for around $1,900, but it provides a ton of value for its cost.
Running Surface: 22 inches wide by 60 inches long
Dimensions: 38 inches wide by 82.5 inches long by 66 inches tall
Horsepower: 3.5
Max Speed: 12 MPH
Max Incline: 15 percent
The Sole F80 can fulfill most runners’ needs thanks to its durable build, high-tech features, and powerful motor. Being able to fold up and out of the way is a nice bonus as well.
Read our full review of the Sole F80 Treadmill.
If you’re in the market for an elliptical machine, you need to take a good look at the NordicTrack Commercial 14.9. It offers streaming workouts on a crisp display, is nearly silent during use, and features a sleek and stylish design.
The NordicTrack Commercial 14.9’s large 14-inch touchscreen display and high-fidelity sound system create an immersive experience for users. These features can transport you from your garage or spare room to thousands of scenic locations around the globe with a subscription to the integrated iFit app (about $39 per month after a free 30-day trial). The iFit subscription also lets you do elliptical workouts where trainers can automatically adjust your incline (up to a grade of 20 percent) and resistance levels.
This sleek elliptical offers a host of premium features like automatic adjustments, trainer-led workouts, silent magnetic resistance, and cushioned pedals for an elevated user experience. A modest footprint, strong build, and 10-year warranty mean this machine will be used for many years to come.
People up to about 6’3” tall should be fine with the stride length, which can be -adjusted using controls on the handles. The Commercial 14.9 makes use of NordicTrack’s famous silent magnetic resistance (SMR) tech for a quiet stride so you don’t wake up anyone else in the house during early morning workouts or late-night strides. You can pick this elliptical up for around $1,799 before the optional iFit membership, but NordicTrack does offer financing options, pending credit approval if the price is too much upfront.
Stride Length: 17.5 inches to 18.7 inches
Dimensions: 29 inches wide by 67 inches long by 69 inches tall
Resistance Type: Silent Magnetic Resistance (SMR)
Resistance Levels: 26 Micro-adjusting levels
Max Incline: 20 percent
This elliptical is packed with high-tech features and an array of automatic adjustments to aid in stride length, resistance, and incline changes. It also excels in the durability category thanks to its steel construction, making this an all-around great elliptical.
An exercise bike has to be versatile and have the ability to accommodate riders that want to stream classes as well as those who prefer to chart their own workouts. The Sole SB900 works well either way and has a ton of comfort extras to boot.
The SB900’s screen is admittedly on the small side compared to other exercise bikes. However, a smaller screen means that your wallet can stay bigger. Rather than including a screen that can jack up the price, the SB900 has a tablet holder so you can stream whatever online workout programs or content you like best. Beginners can access over 3,000 classes with the included 90-day free trial of Studio to see if they like it. While slightly basic, the three-by-four-inch LED display serves its role in providing key info about your workouts, such as RPMs, distance traveled, speed, and time elapsed.
The Sole SB900 is a durable and high quality addition to any home gym, featuring stat tracking, an adjustable seat and handlebars, quiet magnetic resistance and front wheels for easy portability. Its display is simple and you won’t find any added technological distractions within its console.
Should you be an avid cycler looking for some indoor pedaling time, you’ll be happy to learn that the pedals work with either regular trainers or clip-in cycling shoes for a more authentic riding experience. The SB900 has a sturdy construction with a steel frame, while the 48-pound flywheel provides ample resistance for even experienced riders. The SB900 is available for $899.
Pedals: Accepts Clip-in or Clipless Shoes
Dimensions: 38 inches wide by 82.5 inches long by 66 inches tall
Flywheel: 48 pounds
Resistance: Eddy Current Magnetic
Orientation: Upright/Spin Cycle
Though it might not have a big touchscreen display or the most advanced tech, the SB900 does what it’s intended to do and can provide seriously challenging workouts for people of all fitness levels. If you do want to stream workout classes, then the 90-day free trial of Studio will let you try it out before you commit to a subscription.
Read our full review of the Sole SB900.
A large touchscreen display and a host of high-tech features make the Hydrow Rower one of the most interactive and advanced rowing machines on the market. If you want to add rowing to your daily routine, it’s worth checking out the Hydrow Rower.
The Hydrow provides a top-notch user experience thanks to a buttery smooth electromagnetic drag mechanism that’s designed to feel like rowing water. Each stroke is virtually silent, so you can row at any time of day or night without making a ton of noise like you might with air- or water-resistance rowers. Also, the seat is ergonomic and softer than other rowers, so your muscles or lungs will probably call it quits before your behind does.
The Hydrow is a high-tech rower with a library full of live and on-demand workouts, a smooth drive and electromagnetic resistance. It’s a quiet machine and provides a great full-body workout for both beginning and advanced rowers.
With an optional monthly membership of around $44 per month, Hydrow’s app gives users access to over 4,000 live and on-demand workouts that take place both on and off of the machine. For off-machine workouts, the rower’s 22-inch HD display can pivot so you can follow the workout from wherever you work out. These features do come at a premium, as the Hydrow Rower costs about $2,495 before the membership fees. They offer financing (pending credit approval), so you can break the payment up into monthly installments.
Rowing Area: 36-inch Inseam
Dimensions: 25 inches wide by 86 inches long by 47 inches tall
Resistance: Electromagnetic Drag Resistance System
Seat Height: 16 inches
This would be a great addition to your home gym equipment if you’re in the market for a quiet, tech-loaded rower. The interactive technology, smooth resistance, and thousands of classes ensure your rowing experience will be as enjoyable as it is exhausting.
Read our full review of the Hydrow Rower.
Smart home gyms have exploded in popularity, and there are a ton of options available on the market. But which one is the right one for you? The NordicTrack Vault is a mirror-based smart gym that has everything you need for a variety of fun and engaging workouts.
Unlike other fitness mirrors, the Vault features a self-contained equipment storage area in its “vault” — essentially a cabinet that slides open behind the 61.5- inch oversized mirror. You can purchase the Vault on its own without any equipment included. If you want the total package, you can add equipment such as a mat, towel, dumbbells, kettlebells, and resistance bands for an additional charge. On the mirror, you can work out along with any of the thousands of trainer-led iFit classes, tracking your stats, watching your form, and pacing along with the class.
The NordicTrack Vault is a high-tech smart gym that features iFit classes on a 6-foot mirror display. As you workout, you can watch your form and your trainer in the mirror and gauge your progress with on-screen stats. The Complete option comes with a closet full of dumbbells, kettlebells, bands and a yoga mat, so your gym equipment can all be stored inside the Vault.
iFit is a separate monthly subscription fee of around $39, though you do get a free 30-day trial. While the Vault functions more or less like many other smart home gyms, the added advantage of storing your entire gym setup in a well-organized cabinet is a huge perk. The Vault on its own costs around $1,499, while the complete package with equipment will run you about $1,999.
Mirror Surface: 61 inches
Dimensions: 24.25 inches wide by 14 inches deep by 72.65 inches tall
Weights (Optional): Dumbbells and Kettlebells up to 30 pounds
Types of Workouts: Strength Training, Yoga, Pilates, Recovery, and More
People who are building their home gym from the ground up or those who don’t have a ton of space will appreciate that everything tucks away neatly into the Vault. The design allows it to look good as a standalone fixture rather than being an obvious piece of workout equipment, while the online classes are varied and comprehensive.
Read our full review of the NordicTrack Vault.
Treadmills can be pricey, with some of them costing thousands of dollars. The Sole F63 is durable, has an adequate range of adjustments, and cost just under a grand, making it a great choice for people who want a budget treadmill without sacrificing quality.
While the Sole F63 may not seem special at first glance, it’s rich with features and budget-friendly at about $999 before tax, shipping, and optional streaming services. The streaming service that accompanies it with thousands of on-demand classes, Studio, is priced well at around $19.99 per month after a 30-day free trial. Sole didn’t skimp on the quality, however. The F63 houses a powerful 3.0 HP motor with a top speed of 12 miles per hour and is capable of inclines up to 15 degrees — on par with most treadmills that cost double the price.
The Sole F63 is a high-quality, no-frills treadmill. The 3.0 HP motor can support up to 325 pounds, and the foldability is ideal for those tight on space.
A modest 6.5-inch display shows you key stats such as speed, pace, pulse from heart rate sensors, incline, and distance traveled so you can keep track of your progress. Should you like Studio and want to take classes, the integrated tablet holder will be handy. After your workouts, the F63 has easy-assist folding to store neatly away and free up space — making it an excellent treadmill for home.
Stride Length: 20 inches by 60 inches
Dimensions: 35 inches wide by 77 inches long by 67 inches tall
Horsepower: 3.0 HP
Max Speed: 12 MPH
Max Incline: 15 percent
The Sole F63 is a solid budget treadmill that doesn’t give off “cheap” vibes and has an array of convenience and performance features. It’s an all-around good tread, especially given the cost-effective price and overall quality.
Read our full review of the Sole F63 Treadmill.
Though this is a budget elliptical, it packs a ton of versatility into its durable build. The Sole E25 has a ton of features, many of which you’d expect to be relegated to only ellipticals that cost double the price or more.
The newest iteration of the E25 has seen a relatively recent overhaul of the design that includes lots of new features and makes it one of the top ellipticals out there. A new console featuring a 7.5-inch LCD display and integrated Bluetooth speakers are great for playing music or streaming workouts. There’s also a tablet holder for your smart device so you can capitalize on the 90-day free trial of Studio (about $19.99 per month after), which provides access to over 3,000 classes to keep you striding.
The E25 is a high-quality, no-frills elliptical. It features a budget-friendly price tag, a 350-pound weight limit, and a 20-pound flywheel.
The E25 is no slouch with resistance either, thanks to a heavy 20-pound flywheel and a high gear ratio that makes for a smooth yet challenging stride. A micro-adjustment dial allows you to achieve the perfect amount of difficulty for your workout, and there are 20 different incline levels to take your workouts to new heights (ahem). The stride length of 20 inches and a weight capacity of 350 pounds allows the E25 to accommodate most body types. You can purchase the Sole E25 for around $1,099, though there are financing options available pending credit approval.
Stride Length: 17.5 inches to 18.7 inches
Dimensions: 24 inches wide by 70 inches long by 70 inches tall
Resistance Type: Eddy Current Resistance
Resistance Levels: 20 levels
Max Incline: 20 percent
The Sole E25’s sturdy build and large flywheel allow for the vast majority of people to comfortably and confidently achieve a solid workout. There are a ton of features, some of which are often only available on more expensive elliptical machines, so the value provided for the cost is great.
Read our full review of the Sole E25.
You don’t have to drop thousands of dollars to purchase a cardio machine. The ProForm Carbon T10 treadmill might sound like a Terminator, but instead of eliminating Sarah Connor, it’s out to destroy the misconception that high-tech and well-built cardio machines can’t be cost-effective.
ProForm was able to stuff a surprising amount of high-tech and premium features in the Carbon T10 while keeping the retail price reasonable at around $1,299. The value comes in the form of a sharp 10-inch HD display for streaming and a shock-absorbing running surface — features that many other, more expensive treadmills don’t even have. You can try iFit with a 30-day free trial to stream thousands of workouts, though membership is around $39 per month after your trial period ends.
This treadmill offers a 10-inch touchscreen display, and comes with a free month of iFit. You'll also find incline up to 12 percent, speed up to 12mph, solid shock absorption, and foldability.
This treadmill’s motor and performance capabilities are pretty comparable to most other options around the same price point. The T10 can ramp up to an incline of 12 percent with a max speed of 12 miles per hour. Another great feature is the easy-assist folding to free up extra space when the tread isn’t in use. ProForm priced this treadmill fairly, though you can finance it to break up the payments if the up-front price is too much, pending credit approval.
Running Surface: 20 inches wide by 55 inches long
Dimensions: 38 inches wide by 82.5 inches long by 66 inches tall
Horsepower: 2.75 HP
Max Speed: 12 MPH
Max Incline: 12 percent
The ProForm Carbon T10 comes with features that would normally cost hundreds of dollars more, like a shock-absorbing running surface and a large touchscreen display for streaming. Couple that with the reasonable price and folding capabilities, and this tread provides a ton of value.
Many of us have to try to fit our workout equipment into a smaller space than we’d like. Having a huge cardio machine in a spare bedroom doesn’t leave much real estate for anything else, so a compact piece of equipment is key. The Schwinn IC4 is our go-to for small spaces thanks to its compact design and excellent features.
This bike makes great use of the small space it occupies, making it a great option for small spaces. At 48.75 inches long, 21.25 inches wide, and 52 inches tall, the IC4 can essentially fit into a coat closet when not in use, though it may be uncomfortable to work out if you’re not Harry Potter. Despite its small size, it still offers a great workout with 100 levels of silky smooth magnetic resistance to cycle through. The dual-sided pedals are capable of accepting clip-in cycling shoes if you don’t want to pedal in cross trainers.
The Schwinn IC4 combines upper and lower body work with its included set of dumbbells and 100 levels of cycling resistance for a complete upper and lower body burn. Dial up your favorite streaming app and hop on, this bike is compatible with JRNY, Peloton, and Zwift.
Users can make use of the integrated tablet holder to stream workouts with the two-month free trial of JRNY (about $11.99 per month after), though the IC4 is also compatible with Peloton and Zwift programming. You’ll also receive a three-pound pair of dumbbells with easy-to-reach cradles under the handlebars for upper-body exercising as well. You can pick up the Schwinn IC4 for around $999, which is a bit higher than similar bikes, but the compact design and included features make it worth the price.
Pedals: Accepts Clip or Clipless Shoes
Dimensions: 21.25 inches wide by 48.75 inches long by 52 inches tall
Flywheel: 40 pounds
Resistance: 100 levels of Electromagnetic Resistance
Orientation: Upright/Spin Cycle
Schwinn made the IC4 an all-around solid exercise bike with features to provide challenging and complete workouts no matter your experience level. The compact design allows you to get a good cardio workout without taking up a whole room.
Air bikes provide a unique type of workout that allows you to train both your upper and lower body individually or together. If you’re looking for an intense cycling session or you like to participate in CrossFit workouts, the Assault Airbike is a great choice.
The Assault Airbike is different from most exercise bikes because of its moving arms instead of stationary handlebars, allowing you to use both your upper and lower body to cycle. Some fitness circles even refer to them as “calorie bikes,” so you can imagine that your Airbike workouts can become quite intense if you really push them. Assault’s version has a minimalist display that shows calories burned and time elapsed, among a few other pieces of information like watt output and RPMs.
The Assault AirBike is a moderately priced bike with a solid build that features a powder-coated steel frame. It’s an upright indoor bike with moving arms that’s designed to burn calories and integrate seamlessly into cross-training and interval workouts.
This bike does utilize fan resistance, and while it does sound pretty cool, things can become windy and loud very quickly. The fan allows for near-endless resistance potential — essentially, the faster and harder you go, the more resistance you’ll feel. A steel frame and front wheels allow this bike to be beefy yet mobile, so you can move it around without breaking your back. Pick up your Airbike for around $699.
Pedals: Only Accepts Clipless Shoes
Dimensions: 23.34 inches wide by 50.95 inches long by 50 inches tall
Flywheel: 25-inches with Six Blades
Resistance: Variable Air Resistance
Orientation: Air/Upright
This isn’t your fitness center or spin studio’s exercise bike. The moving arms and variable resistance lend the Airbike more to full-body burns and interval training rather than long-distance cardio. You can build up a good sweat quickly, though, and if you like a challenge, this is the bike for you.
Read our full review of the Assault Airbike.
If you’re the type of person who wants the best of the best, this treadmill is probably right up your alley. The Life Fitness Platinum Club Series brings a sturdy and robust commercial-quality treadmill into your home for a world-class workout experience.
Let’s get the biggest drawback out of the way right off the bat — this treadmill costs around $11,000 — but for hardcore runners and professional athletes, it’s worth the dough. It helps that Life Fitness also includes a lifetime warranty for the frame and motor. The premium components and solid steel frame make for a higher-than-average 400-pound weight capacity too. A very powerful 4.0 HP motor that can run up to 8.0 HP at peak performance in short bursts to rev up the speed quickly is great for both ultra long-distance running and high-octane interval training. The motor tops out at 12 miles per hour and a 15-percent incline.
The Platinum Club is the treadmill for you if you want a powerful motor, smart compatibility, easy stat tracking using an array of apps, cushioning for your joints, and more.
To keep you entertained, Life Fitness included a 21.5-inch touchscreen monitor with Bluetooth capabilities for your headphones, heart rate monitor, and streaming directly from your phone. You also gain access to Life Fitness On Demand with thousands of workouts at no charge, with new classes added regularly. The FlexDeck® shock absorption system may help reduce knee and joint stresses and prevent injury, which is crucial for continued high performance. To top it all off, the extra-wide 22-inch running surface is coupled with oversized 3.5-inch rollers to keep things moving smoothly.
Running Surface: 22 inches wide by 60 inches long
Dimensions: 36 inches wide by 80 inches long by 62.25 inches tall
Horsepower: 4.0 Continuous HP with 8.0 Peak HP
Max Speed: 12 MPH
Max Incline: 15 percent
If you’re a diehard runner or simply want the cream of the crop, then the Life Fitness Platinum Club Series Treadmill is the way to go. The FlexDeck® shock system is intended to soften the blow when putting in tons of miles every day, and the durable motor can keep up with you. It may be expensive, but having the right tools to maximize your performance can be priceless when competing.
Read our full review of the Life Fitness Platinum Club Series Treadmill.
Cardio machines can be a useful tool for people of all fitness levels who are looking to get their sweat on, and there are a variety of different machines available to achieve that goal. Generally speaking, even low- and moderate-intensity workouts on cardio machines may help improve cardiovascular health. (2) Most of the machines that are on this list offer some way to stream or entertain yourself during your workouts as well — you can listen to a podcast or audiobook for brain gains while making fitness gains or pass the time watching your favorite show.
Also, having a cardio machine in your home may help you negate any excuses. Scared of cars? Exercise bikes might be safer than road cycling since there usually aren’t cars in your living room. Lousy weather? Running on a treadmill prevents you from slipping on ice or a wet sidewalk. Can’t swim? It’s much harder to capsize a rowing machine than a boat. The list goes on. You might even be more dedicated because it’s just plain more convenient to have a cardio machine in your house than driving across town at rush hour to work out in a gym.
Since cardio machines come in a variety of types, the criteria we used to select the best when testing them had to apply to all machines. Here are some overarching key factors we took into consideration when making this list.
While cardio machines aren’t cheap, they don’t have to cost a fortune either. The price of any given machine had to reflect the features and quality of the product offered. If a machine was particularly expensive, then it had to be exemplary in nearly every way or have some distinct advantage over most other machines. Machines with high-tech options and extra durable construction are often worth the extra money since they provide more value and are likely to last longer. Regardless of which option you choose from this list, none of them are priced in a way that’s outlandish or unreasonable for the product you’ll receive.
Not everyone looks for the same things when purchasing a cardio machine, so we put a premium on machines that could satisfy the most amount of people. Those that can accommodate both tech-forward consumers and folks who want to simply start working out without worrying about touchscreens and settings were given more preference.
Some of the machines on this list have giant screens with high-fidelity sound arrays for immersive streaming experiences, while others house basic displays and only show mission-critical information. There are options for everyone on this list, no matter the technology you seek.
Since cardio machines are often a large investment, it’s reasonable that you’ll want your purchase to last a long time. We took care to ensure that all of the machines on this list are durable, constructed from high-quality materials, and made by reputable companies with proven track records. Even the more cost-effective options are well-made and robust.
There will obviously be some variability in the builds from one machine to another based on the type of machine and price range. That said, most of the machines on this list have great warranties of anywhere from three to 10 years, while some offer lifetime warranties. Check out the warranty before finalizing your purchase to see how long the company expects its products to last without issue.
The price of cardio machines can vary wildly from one type of machine to the next. The low end of the spectrum is usually somewhere just under $1,000, while the high-end machines’ prices tend to have more variance. It’s important to consider not only the price of the machine itself but the monthly or yearly cost of the associated streaming service as more and more machines put a bigger emphasis on streaming workouts.
Best Treadmill | Sole F80 | $1,899.99 before optional streaming membership |
Best Elliptical | NordicTrack Commercial 14.9 | $1,799 before optional streaming membership |
Best Exercise Bike | Sole SB900 | $899.99 before optional streaming membership |
Best Rowing Machine | Hydrow Rower | $2,495 before optional streaming membership |
Best Cardio Smart Home Gym | NordicTrack Vault | Starting at $1,499 before optional streaming membership |
Best Treadmill Under $1,000 | Sole F63 | $1,099.99 before optional streaming membership |
Best Elliptical Under $1,000 | Sole E25 | $1,099.99 before optional streaming membership |
Best Value Cardio Machine | ProForm Carbon T10 | $1,299 before optional streaming membership |
Best Cardio Machine for Small Spaces | Schwinn IC4 Indoor Bike | $999 before optional streaming membership |
Best Air Bike | Assault Airbike | $699 |
Best High End Cardo Machine | Life Fitness Platinum Club Series Treadmill | $11,659 |
Services can range from around $10 to $50 per month, though you may receive a discount for purchasing annual subscriptions. Cardio machines can be purchased for as little as about $699, whereas the higher-priced ones can run as much as $2,500. Outliers and specialty machines can range as high as $12,000.
You’ll want to consider some important points before dropping hard-earned cash on a shiny new machine. Here are a few things you should take into account when shopping for cardio machines.
Any time we talk about home gym equipment, one of the first things that needs to be considered is the size available for said equipment. Gauging how much room you have will inform you if you will need an option with storage capabilities like folding or easy disassembly or if the machine will have to be moved often. The footprint is usually disclosed, but a quick search can help if it’s not readily available on the company’s website. Measure and measure again to ensure that you’re not stuck with a brand new machine and nowhere to put it.
The type of machine that you purchase will likely be informed by your preferences and fitness goals, but it’s still important to think about it before finalizing your purchase. We like to envision how we will use the cardio machine and think through what a typical week of workouts will look like.
If you’re not excited and looking forward to it, then maybe another option is best for you. Whether you select a treadmill, elliptical, rower, bike, or something else, you never want to dread your next workout. Remember, it’s a lot easier to stick to a fun routine than one you hate.
You’ll find a lot of different features in cardio machines. Some have more than others, though, and some even have optional add-ons. Look at all of the features of whatever machine you’re interested in, and don’t compromise if you don’t have to. If you really want to be able to stream with a built-in screen, but the machine you’re looking at doesn’t have that capability, it might not be worth making that concession. On the other hand, if the feature you want is only available on a machine that’s double your budget, it might be worth considering other options.
Purchasing a cardio machine is a big decision and commitment whether you go for a cost-effective option or a premium machine with all the bells and whistles. Considering all of your options and the variety of cardio machines available, it may help to rank them in a list from most enjoyable to least. Let’s be honest — not all types of cardio are fun for everyone.
Once you’ve decided on a type of cardio machine, it’s usually a good idea to create a checklist of must-haves and give priority to options that have the most features you’re looking for. That will help narrow your search and use this list as a helpful guide. Whether you’re looking to walk, run, stride, row, pedal, or high-knee your way to fitness, there are cardio machines on this list for you.
That depends on what type of machine you are looking for. If you’re looking for a treadmill, we’re big fans of the Sole F80 because of its strong motor and crisp touchscreen display. If you want an elliptical, we’re big on the NordicTrack Commercial 14.9 because of the world-class streaming experience. The Sole SB900 is our favorite exercise bike because of its versatility and robust build at a great price. There’s not one “best” cardio machine, it’s more about what’s best for you.
Cardio machines can be pricey, with even cost-effective ones going for around $700, and the sky’s the limit from there — most high-end consumer machines usually top out at around $2,500. If you plan on using a streaming service, it’s a good idea to factor that monthly or yearly cost into your budget too.
The category of cardio machines is so broad that it’s hard to nail down just one definition. There are different types of them, and they all excel at different things. Treadmills are great for walking and running training, while rowers give a nice full-body workout. Exercise bikes mainly train the lower body, but air bikes can work the upper body too.
The post The 11 Best Cardio Machines of 2023 (Tested & Reviewed) appeared first on BarBend.
]]>You don’t have to own a home to need a basic home toolkit.
Anyone who intends to hang a picture, tighten cabinet hardware, put up a shelf or change out a lightswitch cover needs a selection of entry-level hand tools.
After spending 75 hours researching almost 70 home toolkits, testing 11 on a range of household tasks, and talking to experts about the essentials of any toolbox, we found that Home Depot’s Anvil Homeowner’s Tool Set is the best basic toolkit for most homes, apartments, or dorm rooms.
A lot of people think DIYs are just for fun. When they hear “DIY,” they think of cute crafts and recipes. The fact is, DIYing is a truly lifesaving skill, and many DIY enthusiasts have other interests that include homesteading, survival and preparedness.
DIY and self-reliance go hand-in-hand, so it's no surprise that so many DIY-ers are survival and homesteading enthusiasts, as well.
If you're interested in living a more self-reliant lifestyle, you're in luck. We've collected all of our favorite survival and homesteading tips, survival food recipes, food storage tips, paracord projects and more for the ultimate DIY survival guide. Read on to learn more:
Firestarting is one of the most basic survival skills you can have. Knowing how to make a fire ensures that you'll stay warm and be able to cook food in any survival situation. Sometimes, however, starting a fire is easier said than done. Here are some DIY survival hacks for starting a fire:
Make a Fire Starter or Survival Candle
Need a quick way to start a fire? Or maybe you don’t have a fire pit and you don’t want to leave a trace? This tutorial shows you how you can make a fire starter using recycled materials that you most likely already have laying around your house. It is also a great survival candle. Trust me, you’ll never go on another camping trip without one of these.
Let’s get started!
Supplies you need to build the fire starter:
Click here for the full tutorial.
Check out my favorite firestarter and get it for FREE here.
This is a fun little project for a rainy or cold day, any day. You just need a paper egg carton, wax and dryer lint. It takes an hour from from start to finish to make them, and only about 10 minutes of your time. (Your wax will be cooling most of this time.) Making fire starters is pretty cool, and I needed some motivation to get my laundry done, anyway. Two birds, one stone. These light amazingly well. I never knew dryer lint would do that! Be sure to check out my burn test at the end of this post. Awesome stuff.
Why would you want to make these fire starters?
Recently, I was camping, and having trouble getting a fire started due to the humidity and rain. I was sure glad I had some of the egg carton fire starters in my bag. It was way better than matches or a pile of kindling. The wax and dryer lint combo really helps your fire stay going. I also did a burn test with just these fire starters. Keep reading to see how long they stay lit.
Click here for the full tutorial.
Here are some really cool small waterproof fire starters we’ve made. These little guys are great survival additions to any kit you have. They can really come in handy if you are stuck in a pickle!
Supplies to Make DIY Waterproof Fire Starters:
Click here for the full tutorial.
FREE: The Everstryke is waterproof, easy to use and long-lasting.
Just like starting a fire, knowing how to make your own food is essential for any survivalist. It's important to have survival food that is long-lasting, nutritious and tasty. Believe it or not, making food like this is easier than it sounds — and once you start feeding yourself and your family on healthy, nutritious survival food, you'll never want to go back to processed food! Here are some of our favorite survival food recipes:
Survival Food 101: How to Make Hardtack
Soldiers and sailors the world over have used hardtack as a way to stave off hunger. It was one of the main sources of food used when Christopher Columbus set sail and eventually landed in America.
It is such a basic item that I am amazed no one I know under the age of 50 understands its importance, let alone how to make it.
Hardtack is simple. It has three basic ingredients and takes roughly a 1/2 hour of cook time to prepare.
This is one of the most cost effective long term survival foods that you can make.
It just isn’t very carb friendly…
You can make hardtack almost identical to what sailors, troops and pioneers have been eating (minus the weevils!) by following this simple recipe:
Click here for the full recipe.
Want to Know How to Make Homemade Survival Bars? So did I. Over the past few months, I decided to try a few varieties, and this is my favorite so far. The texture is right, the flavor is right, especially is you are a fan of fruity cereal. These taste a lot like Crunch Berries! You can also try lemon and orange flavored Jello in these easy-to-make bars. I guess together, they taste like Trix or Fruity Pebbles. Something like that, anyway. I promised I would try these, and I had not one, but two for a snack before I could put them down. Going to admit something here – I am a bit of a food critic. If I say these are good, they are good. Otherwise, I am going to call them edible. These are actually good. They are not like bricks, and they are not dry and bland.
Why would you want to make homemade survival bars, anyway?
Easy-to-make, quick, and they taste great. Yes, they should have a very long shelf life. There is no oil or any ingredient that goes rancid or spoils quickly. They do not contain moisture, as you dry them in the oven, but they stay moist due to the Jello. Pretty cool, right? These homemade survival bars will stay intact without crumbling, pack well and are great for camping, hunting, hiking and to have on hand for emergency preparedness.
I have now tried many packaged survival bars, and have made a fruit flavored recipe for homemade emergency food bars with a long shelf life. I thought to myself, surely there is a better way to make a homemade survival food bar. The fruit Jello bars are good but awfully sweet. They also do not have the nutritional value I knew you could pack into a bar. The solution? Chocolate and Chia seeds.
If you do not know about chia seeds, keep reading. I included some nutritional info on chia, which is a pretty perfect survival food. Chia seeds stay good for years, and they retain their nutritional value as well as their flavor. They add a nice little crunch to this bar, and the chocolate combines nicely with them. I also added a scoop of protein powder to this recipe. Protein powder is one of my favorite things to add to baking mixes. It really adds value, and the flavor and texture are undetectable, at least to me. You can leave this ingredient out, if you choose.
I decided to make these bars individually. Rolling and cutting them was a tedious chore, and the bars were likely to crumble if not cut through properly. These store more easily, and it is far easier to control the exact portion size and determine nutritional value when made in the manner I describe. These round bars are much easier to get into a dehydrator. Piece of cake.
If you're familiar with DIY Projects at all, you probably already know that paracord is one of our favorite materials to work with. It's durable, versatile and the possibilities of what you can make with it are virtually endless. From keychains, to bracelets, to snare traps and more, check out our favorite paracord projects below.
A paracord survival bracelet is a versatile tool that comes in handy for a number of emergency situations. Whether you are a survivalist, frequent hunter, outdoors person or just value the need to be prepared at all times, paracord bracelets are a great tool to have on at all times. In this tutorial, you will learn how to make the Cobra Survival Bracelet. When made correctly, this Cobra weave will quickly deploy to about 10 feet of paracord!
Click here for the full tutorial.
How to Make A Paracord Survival Bracelet: Tire Tread
Supplies you need:
Ever wonder how to make paracord bracelets? Here is a list of different paracord bracelet projects for you to make at home. All you need are a few simple supplies, and you will be making paracord bracelets for your friends and family. Not to mention your personal outdoor use. There are many different weaves, patterns and knots you can try when braiding the bracelets.
Check out our step-by-step tutorials and have fun!
A paracord survival bracelet is a great tool for any prepper to have around. Having several paracord bracelets around is even better.
Sometimes knowing the right knot could save your life. Case in point – you need to escape a POW camp and have a pile of bedsheets in your room (It’s a five star POW camp). What knot would you use to tie the bedsheets together so that you can still take the bedsheets with you to keep you warm during your trek through Siberia? By the end of this post, you’ll know exactly which knot to use.
Hint: It’s the Kamikaze Knot.
Hint Hint: You should NEVER, EVER USE IT! There’s a reason they call it that.
Here are four totally awesome knots that you can make with your paracord which every survivalist should know.
Click here for four badass paracord knot tutorials.
We love 550 paracord projects, and there are so many to choose from these days. Survival bracelets, paracord belts, watches, monkey fists, lanyards, gear wraps and 100’s of other creative and cool ideas. Super durable and strong, paracord is also stylish and can be found in all colors of the rainbow, plus some super cool camo options! We chose some of our favorite projects to share with you, and we hope you enjoy these step-by-step tutorials as much as we do.
Click here for 17 cool paracord projects.
How to Make a Paracord Dog Collar
This paracord dog collar is your best bet if you are looking for a stylish collar that is also super strong and durable.
If you’ve been following our paracord projects, then you know the Cobra weave is one of the more popular weaves. For this paracord dog collar, we are going to take it one step further and do a King Cobra weave! This weave is super strong and even adds a thickness and padding to the original cobra weave, making the collar more comfortable for pooches of all sizes.
The tutorial below is done for a large dog, so our collar ends up being a whopping 20″! If your pup is smaller, you can follow this simple rule to calculate the amount of paracord you’ll need: 1.5 feet of paracord for every 1 inch of your paracord dog collar.
Click here for the full tutorial.
How to Make a Snare Trap Out of Paracord
These instructions and tutorial will show you how to use paracord and sticks to create a basic snare that will increase your probability of catching something in the wild. Let’s get started on this cool paracord project that is one of our favorite DIY survival hacks!
Supplies you need to build a paracord snare trap:
Click here for the full tutorial.
How to Make a Paracord Keychain
Supplies you need:
Step 1: Starting the Paracord Keychain
(The bottom one should be horizontal, the top one vertical.)
Click here for the full tutorial.
Under 2 oz., quick and simple conversion, and FREE. Get it here.
How to Make a Giant Monkey Fist
A paracord monkey fist is beneficial to carry on you for survival and self defense purposes. It’s super easy to conceal and carries enough power to slow down any attacker.
In this tutorial you’ll learn how to make a paracord monkey fist using a pool ball! This giant monkey fist weighs in at a hefty 6 ounces!
Click here for the full tutorial.
How to Make a Paracord Bracelet: Blaze Bar Quick Deploy
When you are in a survival situation, every second counts. This blaze bar paracord bracelet is designed to quickly deploy. How quick you ask? Under 20 seconds!
Follow this tutorial to make your very own blaze bar, quick deploy paracord bracelet and be at ease knowing you’re a little more ready for an emergency situation.
Click here to learn how to make this paracord bracelet.
How to Make a Paracord Monkey Fist
A paracord monkey fist is beneficial to carry on you for survival and self defense purposes. It’s super easy to conceal and carries enough power to slow down any attacker.
In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to make a paracord monkey fist knot keychain.
Supplies you need:
Click here for the full tutorial.
How to Tie a Paracord Bracelet: Oat Spike
A paracord survival bracelet is a versatile tool that can come in handy for a number of emergency situations. Whether you are a survivalist, frequent hunter, outdoors person or just value the need to be prepared at all times, knowing how to tie a paracord bracelet is a great skill. Knowing how to tie several is even better- try making our Cobra Paracord Survival Bracelet and our Tire Tread Paracord Survival Bracelet. In this tutorial, you will learn how to make the Oat Spike Survival Bracelet.
Click here for the full tutorial.
These paracord belt instructions show you how to make a DIY paracord rescue belt, my favorite of all the paracord belts I tried. Paracord bracelets can come in handy but only have 8-12 feet of rope, while a paracord belt can have up to 50 feet or more of 550 paracord. In extreme survival situations, 50 feet of rope would be a lot more use for you than 8-12 feet. However, this paracord belt gives you at least 50 feet of paracord rope that is quickly accessible, and depending on your waist size, up to 100 ft of 550 cord.
This belt is a quick deploy survival rescue belt that uses Slatt’s rescue weave. You can unravel, or deploy, the paracord in a matter of seconds.
Click here to learn how to make a paracord belt.
Make a Paracord Solid Gear Wrap
Are your tools and weapons always slipping out of your sweaty palms? Are you tired of drawing your war hammer, only to watch it go flying and land at your enemy’s feet? Are these follies the result of you not keeping up with your hand grip routine like you said you would? No stupid, it’s because you didn’t go to DIY Projects and learn how to make a Badass Paracord Solid Gear Wrap.
Click here to learn how to make your own paracord solid gear wrap.
Looking for cool new paracord projects to try out for your gear? Paracord can be used in really cool ways to update and enhance your survival gear and weapons.
Tired of boring old knife grips? Give your blades and gear handles a makeover with this cool 550 paracord project. All you’ll need is some paracord and a half hour. No experience necessary – this tutorial is perfect for beginners!
Click here for the full tutorial.
Homesteading is the art of self-reliance. True homesteaders live off the land and off the grid, finding creative uses for everyday items and making sure they are using every resource to its full potential. When done right, homesteading can be rewarding in a number of ways. Here are some homesteading survival tips from our site and from our sister site, Homesteading.
121 Homesteading Skills for the Modern Day Homesteader
The key to a successful homestead does not only lie on being able to grow your own food but on other skills as well. Here is our list of homesteading skills that will surely help you be successful in your urban homesteading journey.
Keep in mind that learning these skills will take time, patience and perseverance, and not all of these skills are applicable to certain situations. Hopefully, though, you’ll be able to pick up some great ideas that will inspire you and get you started!
Want to know more about homesteading? Click here.
16 Cool Homesteading DIY Projects
Homesteading takes a lot of hard work and dedication. Living a self reliant and sustainable lifestyle is difficult but hugely rewarding for those with the motivation and know-how.
Homesteading may be hard, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be fun. Try out these cool projects for your homestead and survival preps for some productive fun!
Click here for some cool DIY projects for homesteaders.
Let’s face it…we live in a world full of commodities. So many that we’ve grown very accustomed to a certain lifestyle and it’s difficult when that gets thrown out of whack – especially when you live off the grid. Homesteading brings life back to the basics a bit, but it’s a learning process to say the least. You learn to get clever with what you have, and sometimes when you learn a new trick you find out later that it’s actually quite an old trick. So why am I telling you all of this? I wanted to share with you all a couple of tricks I’ve learned throughout my homesteading years through my experiences I’ve had while living off the grid. And so, without further ado, here are some off the grid hacks that are useful no matter where you live on or off the grid.
Click here for 43 awesome off the grid hacks.
11 Tips for Starting a Homestead
Interested in homesteading, self-reliance and debt-free living? Learn how to start your own homestead and overcome the struggles of everyday survival. We’ve come up with 11 helpful tips for the average ‘Joe’ who is about to embark on the bumpy ride to self-reliance and modern-day homesteading.
Click here for 11 tips for beginning homesteaders.
Most people, if they have weapons at all, rely only on what is available to purchase. They don't realize that making your own weapons is entirely possible, and often very practical. More importantly, it's a skill that can save your life if you find yourself in the wild without a weapon to hunt or defend yourself with. Here are some of our favorite homemade weapons tutorials from our site and from our friends at Homesteading.
Have you been wanting to make a bow for practicing in the yard? Ideally something cheap to bond with the kids over, or maybe to be ready when you need to survive a real world situation? For many survivalists, when they think of a “Survival Bow,” they think of honing some hearty tree sapling in the woods. BUT….
The world is changing! There are many supplies available to use that might be more readily available to you, including scraps of PVC.
Click here for the full tutorial.
This unique project is not your average duct tape construction. I decided to use something other than duct tape to create the seams, giving it a much more finished, unique look. I really wanted to find a way to sew my duct tape patterns together. I found that machine sewing does not work very well, because the needle tends to get gummy. However, sewing with a thicker material through duct tape that has been punched works great. I love the look of leather, and have enjoyed making a few custom pieces out of it. However, leather is expensive and also not ideal if you know your project is likely to be exposed to moisture. Duct tape is inexpensive, durable, waterproof & lightweight, perfect for creating custom items for holding all sorts of things.
Click here to learn how to make your own duct tape knife sheath.
How to Make a Knife in a Survival Situation
If you ever do find yourself in a survival situation, we all hope that we would be prepared with the appropriate tools and supplies. However, we can’t plan for everything so if you find yourself stranded and need to make your own makeshift tools, a knife will be one of the first things you should make. A survival knife is handy for cooking, creating shelter, hunting and self-defense when necessary. Even if you are the most self-sufficient, emergency prepared person you should learn to make this essential survival tool using this easy tutorial.
Click here for the full tutorial.
Hopefully you will never find yourself in a survival situation, but if you do you should always be prepared and use what you have on hand to create the survival tools you’ll need. One of the best tools to have for emergency preparedness is a survival knife. If you forget your knife, lose it or it breaks, don’t panic yet! We have compiled a list of the best knife making tutorials so you can remain prepared and make your own knife. The best part is, all the knife making supplies are materials you can easily source in a survival situation. Whether you’re living in a survival scenario or just want to learn a new hobby, knife making is a useful skill to learn. Here are our top 5 picks for best knife making tutorials.
Click here for the 5 best knife making tutorials.
Binder Clip Office Supply Crossbow
So you have real crossbow-making tutorials and then you have what we like to call “non-lethal but still gleefully fun and potentially revenge-worthy” crossbow-making projects. This lies in the latter, and comes up when you find yourself stuck in the office and dreaming of the weekend.
Or maybe you’re just looking to put an end to that in-office feud, once and for all. Or maybe you’re looking for a way to tell that cute guy/girl in the next cubicle that you like him/her, and since you never really learned to show your emotions you choose instead to chuck things at them.
This simple and easy crossbow is made from everyday office supplies used around the world! Shoot pens, food from the lunch room fridge or whatever else you can think of. Happy hunting.
One of the biggest challenges of being a prepper is food storage. This is especially true for those of us who live in small or rented homes and have limited space to store food items long-term. Here are a couple of DIY survival hacks for food storage.
Wise Food Storage: Vacuum Sealing Food
Did you know that when you vacuum seal food, it stays fresh 5 times longer than other conventional storage methods? Because vacuum sealing removes the air from the container (reducing oxidation), foods such as beef, poultry, fish and even vegetables can have an extended freezer life– up to 3 years!
I’ve laid out a quick explanation of how to go about using your vacuum sealer to safely and quickly store your food.
Let’s get started!
Unfortunately, many people waste both their time and money on avoidable mistakes in their emergency food storage. And nothing will frustrate you quicker than finding that your hard work has gone to waste due to some stupid, preventable error. You need to be properly storing the right food, and have the ability to prepare the food you have. You will need access to the correct ingredients and equipment to prepare you meals, which takes quite a bit of planning. For this reason, we highly encourage you to read up on the following smart food storage strategy and tips. Follow these instructions and avoid emergency food storage fails.
Click here for the full article.
Here are some other great DIY survival hacks and tutorials.
Be prepared for a blizzard with these survival tips.When the next winter storm hits, be prepared with these blizzard survival tips. You don’t have to be the ultimate prepper to survive a blizzard, but everyone should have a working knowledge of cold weather know how. Watch for whiteout’s and always stay indoors and avoid driving during these types of storms.
Click here for the full article.
36 DIY Weekend Projects for Preparedness and Survival
Have some extra time and looking for some cool projects? Need a preparedness project you can do this weekend, or even several? Hoping to learn a new skill in the process?
Look no further. I’ve spent a lot of time lately researching cool projects, and I want to share with you these 36 great weekend preparedness projects I found. It was hard to decide, though. I found a ton of good ones. I may have to do a series like this.
Some are projects on the diyprojects.com site, some on other sites I like. Preppers, survivalists, and anyone who wants to be a little more prepared at the end of the day can get a lot from making these. All of these projects are low budget, many practically free. Most will not take more than a couple of hours, and some are faster than that.
Click here for the full article.
The Top 5 Medicinal Herbs for Your Bug Out Bag
Medicinal herbs are among the most useful items for preppers. First aid and health care are among the most essential needs for human survival. But what if you couldn’t run to the store for your supplies any longer? I rely pretty heavily on my medicine cabinet to help me deal with everyday aches, pains, and everything in between. From allergies to sprained ankles, I often find myself popping the top of a pill bottle for relief. What I failed to realize until recently is that I’m failing to use of the of best resources available to me – Mother Nature’s medicine cabinet. Find out what medicinal herbs are the most useful and effective, and why you should keep them all in your bug out bag.
Here we have an incredibly simple survival kit that you can make at home that covers the essentials of survival and and could very well save your life if you are ever stranded out in the wilderness with nothing but this kit and the clothes on your back.
Most everything in this kit can be found in your very own house. Here are all the instructions for putting it together.
Click here for the full tutorial.
DIY Rainwater Collection System
Rainwater collection is a great way to reduce your water usage. Did you know the average person wastes about 30 gallons of water per day? Holy moly! Just imagine if you could save at least a third of your water usage. Well, you can! A rainwater collection system is a really great way to recycle water during those hot summer months when water conservation is at its most necessary!
Click here for the full article.
36 More Weekend Preparedness Projects
Looking for some cool DIY survival hacks for weekend projects for preparedness? You loved our weekend preparedness projects for preppers so much the first time, we thought we’d give you even more!
Only this time, we’ve only included even better and more useful survival gear and projects for you preppers-in-training to work on. With our friends over at Survival Life, we’ve created a list of the best disaster preparedness projects for you and your family to work on in your down time.
Click here for the full article.
A former head of the civil service has accused the government of a “cover-up” over their refusal to release unredacted messages to the Covid inquiry.
Lord Kerslake said Boris Johnson’s WhatsApp messages should be released to the most important inquiry “since Iraq”.
It comes as the cabinet office has decided some documents do not need to be released in full, claiming they are “unambiguously irrelevant” to the probe.
The department has until 4pm to respond to inquiry chair Lady Hallett’s requests for messages and diaries belonging to former prime minister Johnson.
Should they not be released, ministers look set for a legal battle with the inquiry.
Kerslake told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “There’s some cover-up going on here to save embarrassment of ministers.
“But there’s also the cabinet office fighting for a principle of confidentiality.
“I have to say I think they’re misguided on this situation. I actually think it would set a helpful precedent if Lady Hallett prevailed in this fight about the information.
“We are in a bit of a mess at the moment, we don’t really know whether WhatsApp’s been used as a decision-making tool or, indeed, as just an information-sharing device.
“We’ve got the extraordinary situation where Matt Hancock handed over a whole sheath of WhatsApp messages to a journalist without any apparent sanction under the official secrets act, surely this case for seeing the documents in one of our most important inquiries, probably since Iraq, must be much more compelling than that.”
The row was sparked by a legal request sent by the inquiry on April 28 for a number of materials, including unredacted WhatsApp messages and diaries belonging to Johnson between January 2020 and February 2022.
In May the cabinet office pushed back against the request, which was made under section 21 of the Inquiries Act 2005 and which also applies to messages from former adviser Henry Cook.
In a ruling last week, Lady Hallett rejected the argument that the inquiry’s request was unlawful and claimed that the cabinet office had “misunderstood the breadth of the investigation”.
Refusing to comply with the request would lead to a legal clash with the official inquiry, raising the possibility of ministers seeking a judicial review of the probe’s powers.
A cabinet office spokesman said: “We are fully committed to our obligations to the Covid-19 inquiry.
“As such, extensive time and effort has gone into assisting the inquiry fulsomely over the last 11 months.
“We will continue to provide all relevant material to the inquiry, in line with the law, ahead of proceedings getting under way.”
Lib Dem health spokesperson Daisy Cooper said that “failing to hand over the evidence in full, as requested by the chair of the Covid inquiry, would make a mockery of this whole process and would be yet another insult to bereaved families still waiting for justice”.
She added: “It looks like Rishi Sunak is too worried about upsetting Boris Johnson and his allies to do the right thing.”
1902 was not a particularly dramatic year for the Indian Head coins. However, because collectors usually want to build complete sets, with coins issued every year between 1859 and 1909, the market for 1902 examples is strong.
The Indian Head Penny series has been popular with collectors since the late 19th century. They were collected while the coins were still being made, in part due to the popularity of the Indian Head imagery.
87,376,704 copies of the Indian Head Penny were issued by the Philadelphia Mint in 1902. These coins could circulate for decades, making examples in very fine condition rare and valuable.
The 1902 Indian Head Penny was made from 95% copper, with a 5% addition of zinc and tin.
The obverse of the 1902 Indian Head Penny displays a female bust facing to the left. She has flowing hair and wears a feather headdress with the word ‘LIBERTY’ on the headband. Beneath the bust is the date: 1902. To the left of the bust, the inscription reads UNITED STATES, continuing OF AMERICA around the righthand side of the bust.
The reverse of the 1902 Indian Head Penny features an oak wreath, open at the top and tied at the bottom with a ribbon in a bow. The bow also binds together three arrows, with their points facing right. In the middle of the wreath are the words ONE CENT. At the top of the design is a striped shield.
Around the edge of both obverse and reverse is a fine-toothed design.
The Indian Head Penny was designed by James B. Longacre, who had been Chief Engraver at the US Mint since 1844. The Indian Head Penny is considered to be his most famous creation and has given birth to romantic stories about its origins.
In 1858 the Director of the Mint wrote to the Treasury Secretary, assuring him that the image of Liberty was not a portrait of any member of Longacre’s own family. This seems to have been a response to a rumor, perhaps made more elaborate over time, that Liberty was based on a sketch of Longacre’s eldest daughter. In its fullest version, the story went that one day, while he was designing the Indian Head Penny, Longacre’s 12-year-old daughter happened to try on a headdress belonging to a visiting group of Native Americans.
However, in 1858, Longacre’s eldest daughter was a grown woman, and Longacre himself said that the portrait was inspired by an ancient Greek statue, which was then on view in Philadelphia. Longacre did regularly draw his eldest daughter, and some people have pointed to a similarity between her image and the Liberty portrait, so it is possible that he subconsciously created a female figure who looked a little like his daughter, but that is all there is to a famous story.
The traditional feathered headdress, or war bonnet, on the coin, is similar to examples worn by honored warriors of the indigenous nations of the American Plains, including the Cheyenne and Lakota. The Indian Head Penny image, however, does not depict any specific headdress style, and this kind of headdress would never have been worn by a woman. The ‘Indian Head’ figure was purely a creation of Longacre’s imagination.
1902 Indian Head Pennies are usually worth $1-2. However, a pristine copy can fetch more than $140,000. Look out for fairly common errors, which can often make $200-2000. Value varies significantly with the condition.
Related: Rare & Valuable Pennies – Find Out Which Pennies Are Worth Money
There are two factors to consider when valuing a 1902 Indian Head Penny. There is a big difference between coins in a very fine condition, without scratches, nicks, and dents, and coins that are more worn. Coins with a reddish color also tend to be preferred to coins that are more brown in color.
This example of a brown, mint state/uncirculated 1902 Indian Head Penny, in fairly good condition (63 on a scale of 60-70), with no other distinguishing features, sold for $94 in 2022 and its 2023 estimated value is $110
The other factor is production quality. Minting errors of all sorts can add value to a 1902 Indian Head Penny.
The final value of any 1902 Indian Head Penny is usually a combination of the rarity of any errors and its overall condition: an error-free, a proof copy can fetch the highest value. Damaged coins with an unusual error but in good condition are also very collectible.
Related: 1899 Indian Head Penny Value
A very fine, regularly struck 1902 Indian Head Penny can sell for more than $2000, like this one, which reached $2,200.
Indian Head Pennies were introduced in 1859 to replace one-cent coins with flying eagles on them. The new design rapidly became popular and, except for periods when there were metal shortages or distribution problems caused by the US Civil War, several tens of millions of Indian Head Pennies were issued every year. They continued to circulate long after the design stopped being made in 1909.
Related: 1901 Indian Head Penny Value
The design of the Indian Head Penny was approved in 1858 and was first produced for public use in 1859. A wreath of laurel leaves changed to an oak wreath in 1860. In 1864, the alloy of the coin went from 88% copper and 12% nickel to 95% copper with a 5% tin and zinc admixture. This made the coins lighter and slightly less golden in color.
After 1864, the design stayed the same until the type was discontinued in 1909, except that, between 1908 and 1909, some Indian Head Pennies were made in San Francisco. These coins carry an ‘S’ mintmark underneath the Indian Head bust. Before this, all Indian Head Pennies were minted in Philadelphia, with no mint mark.
Related: 1907 Indian Head Penny – A Closer Look at This Elusive Coin
The 1902 Indian Head Penny was produced in large numbers (87, 376, 704). As a result of the coin’s low face value and these large numbers, examples of errors are not uncommon.
These errors can include: faint traces that the 1902 date was punched into the coin die after it had been made; coins struck off-center so that parts of the blank are visible around the main coin design; double-struck coins or blockages, in which two coins have accidentally been stamped together.
This 1902 Indian Head Penny has been struck off-center: compare the top and the bottom of the coin to see where the toothed edge has almost disappeared off the edge of the coin (top) and where there is a wide area of blank metal between it and the edge of the coin (bottom). This example sold for around $345.
In this example of a 1902 Indian Head Penny, a double-strike is clearly visible, in the form of a second impression (in the lower left) struck on top of the first strike. Here the -02 digits of the date are still visible. Even though its overall condition is not very good, this coin sold for over $650.
Another error to watch out for is a so-called ‘eye gouge’. This looks like a strong diagonal line, sloping downwards from right to left beneath the eye of the ‘Indian Head’ figure.
Many common errors in 1902 Indian Head Pennies are easy to spot with the naked eye. Look out for blank spaces around the design. The Indian Head Penny design should have a toothed border around the rim of the coin on both sides. If this is more than 1mm from the edge on some parts of the coin and not visible in other parts, you have an off-center strike.
Double strikes or blockages usually look like part of one coin stamped over another: look out for semi-circular interruptions to the main design.
To spot other errors, you may need a magnifier. Spotting a 1902 date that has been punched into a die can be tricky: you’ll need to look out for tiny marks around the edges of the 1902 numerals.
Catching pieces with an eye gouge is much easier if you spend a little time looking at pictures of examples with and without the eye gouge: train your eye, then look out for those specimens!
This 1902 Indian Head Penny has a very clear eye gouge and is in very good condition for a coin that has been in circulation. It made $425 in 2021, and its current guide price, according to PCGS, is $225.
The value of errors on 1902 Indian Head Pennies is a combination of rarity and visibility and always needs to be considered alongside the overall condition of the coin.
A 1902 Indian Head Penny with an eye gouge is usually around five times the value of an identical 1902 penny without an eye gouge.
In the case of errors like off-centeredness and double-striking, the percentage of the coin that is affected will raise the value. The more of the surface that is missing, damaged, or obscured by the error, the higher the price will usually be.
Until 1908, Indian Head Pennies were only struck at the Philadelphia Mint. For one year, between 1908 and 1909, they were also struck in San Francisco. Examples struck in San Francisco carry a small ‘S’ on the reverse of the coin below the wreath. Coins made in Philadelphia did not use any mintmark, so your 1902 Indian Head Penny should not have a mintmark.
Coins are pretty robust: after all, they were made to circulate hand-to-hand for years! However, since the condition is so important to their value, it is important to store and care for your Indian Head Penny properly.
In the first place, try to store each coin on its own. Coins rubbing against each other become scratched and worn. You can buy cabinets with trays that have square or round slots for each coin.
If your collection is still small or you cannot use cabinets for some other reason, you can buy plastic capsules that will hold each coin and protect it from wear. These are essential if you have a pristine, mint-condition coin since touching one of these can immediately reduce its value.
Although older coin cabinets, made of wood, are very beautiful, plastic trays and cabinets will keep your pennies safer: wood ‘breathes’ as it ages and creates a slightly acidic environment that damages coins over time.
This same acidity is produced by most paper and cardboard, so if you prefer to keep your coins in paper envelopes (one coin per envelope), or if you want to keep labels with your coins in their cabinet or capsule, make sure that you buy pH neutral, conservation-grade paper. Never stick anything to your coin or write on it. This will diminish its value.
Unless your coin is in pristine, mint condition, it is fine to handle it carefully, but make sure that you wash and dry your hands before picking it up and try to hold the coin only by the edges. Faint traces of acid from human sweat will also mark and corrode a coin over time.
The 1902 Indian Head Penny is not a very common target for forgers. 1877 is more often forged because it is the rarest year for this series. There are some common things to look out for, though.
The first thing to check is the weight of your example. A genuine 1902 Indian Head Penny should weigh 3.11 g. Next, try dropping your coin from a very small height (a couple of centimeters) onto a wooden table. Make sure it has a good metallic ring to it. If your example is in pristine condition, you may not want to risk this check, but if your coin already has some wear, this won’t do it any harm.
Make sure that the lettering of the inscription is even and crisp. The feathers on the headdress should look sharp and detailed.
The expression on the face of the woman wearing the headdress should be neutral. Her nose should be straight, and she should look straightforward. On forged coins, the woman may have a furrowed eyebrow or a curved nose, or her chin may be tilted upwards.
The best way to spot any of these differences is to look at plenty of images of genuine coins online or to handle genuine examples at coin fairs if you can. Familiarity is the best forgery detection tool!
There are five common ways to fake modern coins, like the 1902 Indian Head Penny.
1) Forgers may make a mold using a real coin, then cast copies. These will often look ‘fuzzy’ in comparison to genuine coins and may have a faint seam around the rim.
2) Spark erosion forgeries use an electrolytic bath to create a new die out of a genuine coin. Forgeries made using this die will have a slightly grainy appearance.
3) Electrotyping involves pressing a genuine coin into soft metal, electroplating the inside of this impression, then filling in the coin and joining the two halves. Electrotypes can look extremely accurate but often be the wrong weight, will not sound right if dropped, and may have a seam around the edge.
4) Transfer die counterfeiting creates a die that is an exact replica of an original coin, with all of its unique wear, errors, scratches, etc. These can be very deceptive, but look out for incorrect weight and a strange sheen or color to the metal. The best way to spot these forgeries is by using a respectable coin dealership website, such as NGC. They keep track of examples that all have exactly the same flaws.
5) If one number in the date on your Indian Head Penny has a lot of scratches around it, and none of the others do, you may have an example of a forger altering a coin with a common date to make a rarer one. This is not as big a problem for the 1902 Indian Head Penny as for other years, especially 1877.
Do you want to sell a 1902 Indian Head Penny? First, check for any unusual features, like mint errors or an eye gouge, and check its overall condition. You can evaluate its condition using the PCGS coin grading guide.
If you think your coin may have some unusual features or be in very fine condition, it may be worth getting it professionally evaluated. You can do this via an online service, such as PCGS, at a coin fair, or at a local coin dealer’s shop.
When selling your 1902 Indian Head Penny, make sure that you sell it through an established coin dealership, either using a large online auction service, a national or regional coin fair, or an established coin dealer’s shop. Avoid general auction sites, as you are unlikely to get the best price, and these sites often sell many forgeries.
To get the best price for your coin, especially if you are fairly new to coin collecting, get your coin valued professionally. You may not spot details that make it more collectible. Many places offer valuation services, and you don’t have to sell your coin with them. You could also look up local numismatic societies or collector groups, where you might be able to get some free advice.
If you are listing your coin online, make sure that you use standard terms for its condition and any unusual features. This will ensure that interested buyers find your coin. ‘1902 Indian Head Penny/Cent, G-6, eye gouge’ will be more likely to find the right audience online than ‘Cent coin with a figure wearing an Indian headdress, made in 1902, in good condition and with an unusual shape to the eye’, even though they both convey the same information.
The 1902 Indian Head Penny was issued in large numbers in the United States of America as part of a long-running and popular one-cent coin type. Examples can be worth $1-2 or $140,000+ depending on their condition and any unusual mint errors. Because collectors are usually looking for an example of every year in which Indian Head Pennies were issued, there is a strong market for 1902 pieces.
This perfect, entirely uncirculated, and blemish-free 1902 Indian Head Penny sold at auction in 2022 for $144,000, the highest ever recorded price for this coin type.
Coins are fascinating objects because they are incredibly common and can be incredibly rare: they are everywhere. We grow up with them. We all know what coins are, but when you start collecting, finding just the right one or an especially rare example can still be challenging and exhilarating. The 1902 Indian Head Penny sits right in this sweet spot: it was produced in large numbers and can help you to complete a full run of Indian Head Pennies without spending a fortune, but you can also find a real treasure.
Indian Head Pennies are a great place to begin coin collecting: they are widely available, and you can find lovely examples very affordably, but there is also plenty of scope for finding rare, very fine, or irregular types. They can be real treasures in pocket change.
If you have a passion for collecting and studying coins, we want to hear from you! Craftbuds seeks knowledgeable numismatic experts to contribute their expertise to our content.
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The post 1902 Indian Head Penny Value, History, Collectability, And Errors appeared first on Art & Craft, DIY ideas and Tutorials - Craftbuds.
]]>A netizen wanted to hear others' favorite cooking hacks and the internet delivered. Some were common sense ideas that people discovered too late, others were weird tricks that actually work, so get your notebooks and get comfortable, there are some great hacks listed here. Be sure to upvote your favorites and comment your own cooking secrets below.
Image credits: dcbluestar
Image credits: dcbluestar
Image credits: Tumblrhoe
Cooking is an art but how creative are you actually while in the kitchen? Many of us tend to pick up tips and tricks from our parents, so when we get to cook for ourselves, we often repeat the already well-established pattern of actions and dishes. My grandmother’s favorite hack was to always fry the chicken a little bit before putting it into a soup to enhance the flavors of the broth, and now I do it myself when I am in the kitchen.
But for every great idea imparted by friends, family, or even random internet users, there are still hundreds more waiting to be discovered. This comes with that annoying risk that you find out about some mindblowing tip much too late. Imagine someone who never used my grandma’s trick, learning it in their fifties, finding out that they could have had hundreds of better bowls of chicken soup. So commit to lifelong learning.
Image credits: mLeonardValdez
Image credits: pork_fried_christ
A lot of good techniques just come down to mastering the order of operations and learning how to use your space effectively. If you have a massive kitchen, loads of equipment, and all the time in the world, you seem like you have the time and resources to do whatever you please. The rest of us, however, need to get every crumb of efficiency out of the things we already have. Take any yeasted dough, for example. Often, these have to sit in a bowl (sometimes multiple times) while they prove and rise. So now you have a large bowl that needs to stay warm, taking up space for hours. The solution? Leave it in your oven. Just make sure it’s off.
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Now, planning is a large part of cooking and serving food. Plates need to be ready, cutlery and glasses cleaned, and so on. And of course, the beverages weren’t in the fridge long enough and now you risk serving lukewarm wine. Unacceptable. There are two methods. Fill a pitcher with ice and some water and dunk the bottle in. Nice, chilled beverages in minutes. A slightly more risky, but equally effective method is to wrap the bottle in a damp towel or piece of cloth and place it in the freezer. Just make sure you don’t forget it, as then you might end up with a block of flavored ice or even a shattered bottle.
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On the opposite side of the spectrum, a great way how to keep things cold is to wrap in in bubble wrap. It keeps warmth out, allowing your ice cream to hold its consistency and not become a container of soup. The downside is that it does look a bit silly and will not help your dining table look elegant in any way. But if you don’t have an ice box and need to transport ice cream or something similar, it’s a good bet. Just use more than one layer.
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If you want to keep some veggies nice and crisp on a summer day, or you are going to have a fancy picnic with a cheese-covered charcuterie board, there are some ways to keep your ingredients nice and cool. Place ice in a ziplock bag (as long as it’s waterproof) then place, for example, a baking sheet or even lettuce leaves over it. Then put the whole thing in a walled container. This will create a nice, cool platform that will stop your cheeses from turning to mush and keep your carrots crunchy. Just make sure the vessel is actually waterproof, otherwise, you’ll have an impromptu soup. If you want to check out some other cooking hacks, Bored Panda has you covered, so click here, here, and here.
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It’s almost that time again: back-to-school. With the new academic year starting, you’ll want to get your essential back-to-school shopping done in time. Among the many items students of all ages will need is tech, and tech-related gear.
What should you get? We’re here to help with this comprehensive buying guide for the back-to-school season. While we focus on tech, this guide covers other essentials as well, like a good backpack, furniture for a workspace at home, and more.
The best time to shop for back-to-school is typically during the summer leading up to the new school year. But you can find good last-minute deals right before school begins as well, and extended deals through the first month. If you want to get a head start for back-to-school, you can leverage other sale periods throughout the year as well. Pick up items in advance that you know your child will need. But when it comes to school-related items, the back-to-school shopping season is usually at its height from late July through the Labour Day long weekend, right before the first week of school.
A laptop is an essential purchase for most students nowadays, particularly in the latter grade school years (grades 5-8) high school, and most certainly in college, university, and other post-secondary institutions. For grade school and high school kids, the educational institution may provide a limited number of laptops for students to use both at school and even potentially take home (check with your local school board). But the easiest and most seamless option, if budget permits, is for your child to have their own. See our laptop buying guide for details about various options, and continue on for some tips on choosing the right one.
1. Size, weight
The laptop should have a sizable screen but, most importantly, be compact and lightweight. Consider laptops with larger screen-to-body ratios so you get more screen bang for your buck in a smaller package. Remember, the child might be walking to school and back, or from class to class, with this heavy load. So, it’s important that it isn’t overwhelming large or heavy. Usually, a 14- or 15-inch screen should be sufficient; some younger kids could make do with a 13-inch.
2. Screen resolution, touchscreen
It goes without saying that screen resolution should be at least 1,080p, and the higher, the better. This is easy to find with the latest models. A superior graphics card is also useful, especially if they’re doing creative work with photos and videos, or even gaming during their downtime.
Touchscreens are tempting since they’re useful for navigating in a way that is familiar to the new generations. But consider how often the child would actually use it. Touchscreens are ideal for high school and post-secondary students when they come in a 2-in-1 design that can be flipped over like a tablet. With a stylus, the students can use them to take notes in class, work out math problems using a virtual notepad, sketch if they are doing creative work, and more. Before settling on a touchscreen as a necessity, however, confirm if the student actually needs and will use it for educational purposes.
3. Battery life
Battery life is crucial when considering a laptop for a student, especially since they’ll be using it all day in class without a power cord nearby. It should have an all-day battery that can last for an entire school day and even potentially beyond. They should be able to recharge at night or plug in at home once they’re doing homework and have it fully charged for the next day.
4. Operating system and compatibility with school programs
Not only do you want an operating system that will be familiar to the student, but it needs to be compatible with programs they’ll be using at school. If you have Apple devices in the home, for example, you might be tempted to get them a MacBook. Make sure that the programs they need to use will work with it. Check with the school board and/or the teacher or principal to confirm requirements.
Many schools provide Chromebooks to students. A Chromebook is a safe choice for a grade school student since it will work similarly to the ones they likely use in school, and that other students are using. But as long as they can open websites and apps like Google Classroom and Google Drive, Microsoft Teams, and run educational programs, whichever operating system you choose should be fine.
5. Storage
Most people believe that storage isn’t important nowadays since everything can be stored in the cloud. But even if the student plans to keep most of their files in the cloud, they still need ample onboard storage for local files as well as apps, software, and programs. Without ample storage, the more the student saves to the hard drive, the slower the computer will be.
Look for at least 128GB of storage, but ideally, you’ll find something with 256GB or 512GB so they have plenty of room to work with. If they are using programs for things like video creation and editing, photography, and other intensive work, storage will be even more crucial.
6. RAM
RAM, which stands for random-access memory, is the short-term memory of the computer. The more RAM, the more tasks the computer can handle at once, which is essential for multitaskers and those who work with large files. If your child is the type to have dozens of web browsers and other windows open at once, with multiple apps running in the background, it’s important to have enough RAM to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Do not get a computer with anything under 4GB RAM if it’s for an older student, even a grade school student who will be using the computer for more than just the odd research and log-in. Ideally, a computer with 8GB of RAM is a sweet spot for students. If they deal with tons of intensive programs, even gaming and creating multimedia files, especially for post-secondary students, you might want to start looking into computers with 16GB or even 32GB RAM. But for the average student who will be using the computer for class projects, research, and word processing, 8GB should suffice.
7. Ease of use
While secondary and post-secondary students will be able to tackle more complex, feature-rich laptops, a grade school student will need something simple and easy to use. Chromebooks are among the simplest and cleanest options you can get since they are limited in what you can store on the device itself. If you use a Windows computer at home, however, they might prefer this familiarity. The same goes for the Apple ecosystem: if they use an iPad or iPhone, they’ll not only appreciate the intuitive interface they already know but can seamlessly sync content among the various devices, like apps they already have.
A monitor is a useful tool to have in the home so the student can enjoy a bigger screen experience for homework, research, watching videos, virtual classes, and more.
1. Size
Consider the size in relation to where it will go. If this will fit on the child’s desk, it needs to leave room for them to place their laptop in front of or under it and still have space for a wireless keyboard and mouse as well if they want the full desktop experience. This means looking not only at the screen size but also the height and width of the base. You could also consider a wall-mounted monitor with an articulating arm that doesn’t take up any desk space at all. Look for widescreen as well so they can easily multitask with split windows.
2. Resolution
It’s about more than having a big screen but also a nice, high-resolution one. At least 1,080p is needed to ensure a pleasurable experience, though you can find affordable 4K monitors nowadays, too. This will make the experience for remote learning, if this is part of the equation, much more palatable.
3. Eye care
The monitor should have some type of eye care technology or certifications to ensure that it offers filtering for harmful blue light to help reduce eye strain. If the child will be working for many hours staring at the screen, this is an important consideration.
4. Does it connect to laptop, peripherals easily?
The monitor needs to connect to the laptop to become a second screen, so you’ll want to ensure that it’s easy to do this using a dock of some kind, or a direct connection. This requires knowing what ports the monitor has, what ports the laptop has, and what connectors might be necessary. Make sure it can easily pair with other accessories and peripherals the child might need, too.
If you want your child to spend time completing their homework or studying for that big test, it’s important they have a comfortable place to do this. That means setting up a nice workspace for them along with office furniture, even if it’s just in the corner of their room.
1. Plan out the space
Find a dedicated space where they can do homework. It might be their own desk or a shared computer room for the whole family. You can get a full-sized desk or opt for something smaller they can use for reading or working out math problems.
When you’re talking about a dorm room, you’ll want to factor in how much space there is, what gadgets and décor they’ll need, and even a few kitchen and household items.
2. Comfort
The office chair is more important than you think! It should have a comfortable seat and be adjustable to accommodate your growing child. Remember, they could easily go from 5’ to 5’6’’ seemingly overnight! Arm rests are useful as is a reclining back when they want to sit back and read. A chair on wheels is great for moving around as they multitask.
3. Organization
Have a filing cabinet to store research materials, blank notepads, styluses, staples, and other typical school and office equipment so they have it at the ready when they need it. They can also store old reports, research notes, and other content that might come handy in the future. This is also a good way to organize course materials if they are working on multiple projects at once.
4. Ambiance
Setting the mood is important. This involves having good lighting, like a gooseneck lamp they can adjust as needed (and use when they are burning the midnight oil studying for a big exam). It’s also a good idea to include a small smart speaker. They can use this to keep on top of schedules and deadlines, check the weather, listen to music, or even get answers to basic queries (no homework cheating, though!)
Another essential item for students is a backpack for holding all the gear they need to take to and bring from school. Learn more about the many options in our backpack buying guide. Here, we also provide some tips on what to look for when choosing one for a student.
1. Durability
They will need a durable and rugged backpack, so look for material like waterproof nylon or canvas with strong zippers that can handle their frantic tugs, pulls, and overstuffing. The material should be strong enough to withstand them dragging or dropping the bag to the ground being padded to protect the contents inside.
2. Laptop compartment
The laptop compartment needs to be the right size to fit the laptop and it should have sufficient padding on both sides. Kids tend to rough and tumble with their bags, especially young children. So extra protection is important. If possible, also get a fitted hard shell case for the laptop to add further protection before you even put it inside the backpack.
3. Spacious interior
The bag should have enough space to hold all the items they need, from graded papers to their lunch, pencil case, phone and tablet (if they bring those, too), shoes, gym clothes, and more. As long as the bag is not too large for your child to hoist over their shoulder and carry, it will be perfect. You’d be surprised by the kinds of things they will need to take and come home with! Younger kids’ backpacks often include large, open interiors for fitting a matching (or optional) lunch bag.
4. Comfort
The bag should be comfortable to wear for long periods, which means having adjustable and padded straps. Some backpacks have front waist straps to allow for more evenly distributed weight and to help take pressure off the back. If your child walks to and from school or takes public transportation, this might be a useful feature to consider. Mesh paneling at the back will also keep them cool while carrying the bag during the warmer months.
5. Pockets
Along with interior and exterior pockets for things like pens, pencils, styluses, pencil cases, notepads, and more, the backpack should have a water bottle holder. It’s crucial for students of all ages to bring a water bottle to school each day and stay hydrated. Speaking of which, they should have a good sized and quality water bottle that will keep water cold for hours. Screw or flip top stainless-steel ones are ideal as there are no plastic pieces where mold growth can occur. Otherwise, make sure to thoroughly wash and dry it daily, removing the plastic piece every few days to clean it with dish soap.
There are so many other tech accessories to consider for students.
1. Wireless mice and keyboards
As noted, if the child will be doing a lot of homework, it’s worth investing in a monitor with a wireless mouse and keyboard so they can enjoy the desktop experience when at home. Make sure it’s compatible with the laptop: some, for example, have a USB adapter that needs to be plugged in while some computers don’t have USB-A slots.
2. Portable power banks
For students who are often on the go and might use a phone as well since they take the bus, for example, or commute back home from public transit, a portable power bank is important. They can use it in case of emergency to recharge the phone if the battery is running low. Some are powerful enough, however, to also recharge a laptop. If they have a presentation in the afternoon and forget their laptop charger at home, they’ll be thankful they have this in their bag.
3. Headphones
Both for at school and at home, a good pair of headphones can make a difference. When working silently on a project, some kids get easily distracted by others. What’s more, sometimes you need to listen to a video or audio and don’t want to distract other students. Headphones are the simplest solution and every student should have a pair in their bag.
To save space, consider a pair of true wireless earbuds for older kids who are comfortable wearing them. For younger kids, there are tons of headphones for kids that offer features like sound limiting technology and come in cool designs. While it’s tempting to go wireless if you think the child will forget to charge them, consider a wired pair instead, or one that can work as a wired pair if and when the rechargeable battery runs low.
4. Stylus
If they have a 2-in-1 laptop or they’re using a tablet, a stylus would be useful so they can more easily jot down notes, make sketches, and navigate menus while holding the device like a tablet, or even using it tabletop in tented mode. Check compatibility since some tablets only work with specific styluses. Some of the newest tablets with the latest USI 2.0 styluses offer enhanced features. Note that with brands like Apple, Microsoft, and Samsung, there are advantages in using a specific one, like the Apple Pencil, Microsoft Surface Pen, and Samsung S Pen, respectively. What’s more, you will also guarantee that they will work.
5. Smart items
For post-secondary students, it’s worthwhile looking into items to set up a smart dorm room. This might include items like a smart speaker, smart lock, Wi-Fi camera, and even smart lights. You might even want to consider a smart garden they can tend to in the room. They’ll not only learn more responsibility by caring for it, but it also provides fresh fruits, vegetables, or herbs for cooking.
Every parent has the age they believe is appropriate for a child to have their own cell phone, and this can range from as young as 10. Whatever the age, there are certain things you should look into when choosing a phone for a student.
1. Affordability
Naturally, you want something affordable. Most kids will covet the latest iPhone or Samsung Galaxy device, and you can still get one of these models for an affordable price on a service plan. You could also opt for an entry-level model, like the iPhone SE or Samsung Galaxy A54. There’s also the option to get a refurbished or open-box phone, or an older model if they’re only using it for emergencies.
2. Favourable plan
The best thing to do is add the child to a family plan. Most carriers offer plans with secondary devices that you can add on and share buckets of data, call time, and more. Ask your carrier about these and inquire about the lowest-tier plan that covers only the essentials. When at home, they can leverage Wi-Fi and should only use cellular for emergencies.
3. Battery life
The phone should have good battery life so the student can never complain that their battery died and that’s why they couldn’t call home. Having an aforementioned portable charger is also useful in this respect since they provide back-up battery power.
4. Parental control features
Leverage the parental control features of the phone once you set it up. With most devices, you can do things like set screen time limits, turn off cellular data so they can only use it to make calls, and restrict certain websites and types of content. These settings can be set up under a PIN code so kids can’t get around them. Work with the kids to adjust as needed as they build trust. No parent ever wants to get that $1,000 bill because their child was downloading and streaming content for hours!
5. Durability
There are phones that are durable, drop and water-resistant and these are features you should place value on for a student. Beyond the phone itself, make sure to invest in a rugged protective case and screen protector right away to protect the investment.
The question in this day and age is not which tablet to buy for a student, but if they even need a tablet at all. With phones being so robust, powerful, and with bigger screens nowadays, and laptops being lightweight and portable, is there room for a tablet?
Tablets are great for assisting with educational research, using apps, watching videos, and more. There are days when a child might be able to just bring their tablet to school to access apps or use creative programs. They might find the tablet easier to use as well. But if you have the best of both worlds with a 2-in-1 laptop, a tablet might not be needed. Keep in mind, however, that tablets can sometimes run mobile apps that a laptop can’t.
When deciding on a tablet, take the same considerations into account you would for a laptop, including size and weight, battery life, compatibility, RAM, storage, and processing power. With a laptop and tablet that work in the same ecosystem, students could also easily transition from one to the other. They might be more comfortable reading a book on their tablet while lounging in bed, for example, then having a laptop propped up.
Another item that parents today wonder if they need for a student is a printer. While most work is done digitally and in the cloud these days, there’s still need for a printer, especially at home. For younger kids, they might be doing poster board projects that require printing images and text to arrange for a presentation. For older kids, even if they are writing and submitting written assignments digitally, it’s always useful to have a printout to read through and mark up with red pen to then make edits on the digital copy for finalizing.
Sure, we might be printing less often and in fewer quantities nowadays, especially with a focus on the environment. Features like double-sided printing and recyclable paper allow you to reduce impact on the environment while still printing when necessary.
If you do opt for a printer, there are a few key features to consider.
1. Refillable ink printers
Refillable ink printers use refillable bottles of ink versus throwaway cartridges. Usually, they come with an ample supply in the box that can last for up to two years. With minimal printing, you could extend this through an entire run of high school or post-secondary education. Even when you do need to refill them, the replaceable ink bottles typically cost the same as cartridges, and last much longer.
2. All-in ones
An all-in-one printer can also scan and copy. This is useful for students who might need to make handouts for presentations, do group work, or scan book pages or other content to digitize.
3. Wireless printing
With wireless printers, especially those that work with a companion app, students can print from virtually anywhere. They could print assignment sheets or research papers from school and have it waiting for them when they get home. It also saves kids from having to go up and down the stairs if the printer is in the basement, for example, and they are working in their rooms. They can send items to print and pick everything up as needed.
4. Photo printers
School isn’t all about work: kids should be able to have some fun, too! The photo printer category is a neat way for them to enjoy some downtime, snapping candid photos with friends. They can use these tiny prints, usually printed on adhesive paper, to decorate their lockets, notebooks, binders, backpacks, and even computers.
Take the next step
Ready for back to school? No matter how prepared you are, there will always be one or two things you forget and need to grab once the school year begins. There’s a reason the back-to-school season often runs well into October. Don’t sweat it! Go through this buying guide and our school essentials checklist, get what you need urgently, and the rest will fall into place as you find favourable deals and realize the need.
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