Re: [BlindHandyMan] Locks?
The reason to lock them is if someone rings/knocks on your door and you open the inner door to speak with them, there is at least a few seconds between you and them if they attempt to pull the storm door open. Some storm doors actually have a sort of decent lock. This lock is not a simple handle lock, but a small deadbolt that would slow someone up for sure. On Aug 29, 2009, at 8:46 PM, Bill Gallik wrote: Oh yes, the locks on the storm doors are an entirely different kettle of fish. But truly, those locks really aren't much good so why even bother to lock them at all. ---*---*---*---*---*---*--- Holland's Person, Bill E-Mail: billgal...@centurytel.net - Anonymous (from my source of goofy stuff) - Eggs and Bacon for Breakfast - An entire day commitment for a Hen. - A Lifetime Commitment for a Hog [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[BlindHandyMan] Digital Locks - Was: Locks?
How workable are the digital locks for a blind person to set? And, oh yeah, about the storm door locks; never thought about locking them to serve as a buffer between you and a potential villain. Good point! ---*---*---*---*---*---*--- Holland's Person, Bill E-Mail: billgal...@centurytel.net - Anonymous (from my source of goofy stuff) - Eggs and Bacon for Breakfast - An entire day commitment for a Hen. - A Lifetime Commitment for a Hog
Re: [BlindHandyMan] Mailbox Post
I recently had this with a clothes line pole. We used the electric jack hammer and broke through. We cleared away and drove a big pipe )2-3/8 id) intothe ground two feet deep. If I then modify what we did to your situation, I'd just fill the rest with concrete and concrete a large area around that pipe. Sink it as deep as you can and cement as wide as you can. We made sure that the cemented part of our pipe was solid to the level of a Dodge Ramm 2500's bumper. On Wed, 26 Aug 2009, Edward Przybylek wrote: Hi all, For the fourth time since I've been living in this house, some dirty bastard has run into and broken the post under my mailbox. The post was a 4-by-4 piece of pressure treated that was buried about 3 feet in the ground. The first time was forgivable; the second time was irritating; the third time was really agrivating; the fourth time, well, that's personal. It appears that a good sturdy wooden post just isn't up to the likes of what drives through the neighborhood. I doubt a wooden post does a great deal of damage to a car's bumper. It's time to get serious about this matter. This time it's going to be a hefty metal post of some sort. One, that next time, won't be the only thing left with damage. Does anyone have any suggestions as to the type of metal post I should use? Do steel posts hold up for a reasonably long time once they're cemented in the ground? Is there anything better? Is there anything that can be done to prepare a metal post that will extend it's life in the ground? Also, has anyone ever used an electric jackhammer? Do they work reasonably well? Are they tough to use? Before putting a new post in the ground, the old concrete is going to have to be broken up and removed to get ready for a new post. I'm hoping to do this with an electric jackhammer. Lots of questions, I know. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks, Ed Przybylek [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: [BlindHandyMan] Mailbox Post
that;s what people do in industrial neighborhoods where tight turns have larg trucks causing the cave in of the sewer inlets; or generally disinterest in sidewalk partking. On Thu, 27 Aug 2009, Jewel wrote: One of our handypersons was sick and tired of his mailbox being knocked down by the snowplow, so I think what he did was to concrete in a steel pipe of fairly respectable diameter 4 inch? and fill the pipe with concrete as well. The next time it was attacked by the plough, it stood unscarred while the plough lost its blade, or had it bent and buckled anyway! Jewel Original Message - From: Edward Przybylek przy5...@rochester.rr.com To: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com Sent: Thursday, August 27, 2009 2:07 PM Subject: [BlindHandyMan] Mailbox Post Hi all, For the fourth time since I've been living in this house, some dirty bastard has run into and broken the post under my mailbox. The post was a 4-by-4 piece of pressure treated that was buried about 3 feet in the ground. The first time was forgivable; the second time was irritating; the third time was really agrivating; the fourth time, well, that's personal. It appears that a good sturdy wooden post just isn't up to the likes of what drives through the neighborhood. I doubt a wooden post does a great deal of damage to a car's bumper. It's time to get serious about this matter. This time it's going to be a hefty metal post of some sort. One, that next time, won't be the only thing left with damage. Does anyone have any suggestions as to the type of metal post I should use? Do steel posts hold up for a reasonably long time once they're cemented in the ground? Is there anything better? Is there anything that can be done to prepare a metal post that will extend it's life in the ground? Also, has anyone ever used an electric jackhammer? Do they work reasonably well? Are they tough to use? Before putting a new post in the ground, the old concrete is going to have to be broken up and removed to get ready for a new post. I'm hoping to do this with an electric jackhammer. Lots of questions, I know. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks, Ed Przybylek [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Send any questions regarding list management to: blindhandyman-ow...@yahoogroups.com To listen to the show archives go to link http://www.acbradio.org/pweb/index.php?module=pagemasterPAGE_user_op=view_pagePAGE_id=33MMN_position=47:29 Or ftp://ftp.acbradio.org/acbradio-archives/handyman/ The Pod Cast address for the Blind Handy Man Show is. http://www.acbradio.org/news/xml/podcast.php?pgm=saturday Visit The Blind Handy Man Files Page To Review Contributions From Various List Members At The Following address: http://www.jaws-users.com/JAWS/handyman/ Visit the archives page at the following address http://www.mail-archive.com/blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com/ If you would like to join the JAWS Users List, then visit the following address for more information: http://www.jaws-users.com/ For a complete list of email commands pertaining to the Blind Handy Man list just send a blank message to: blindhandyman-h...@yahoogroups.comyahoo! Groups Links __ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature database 4371 (20090826) __ The message was checked by ESET Smart Security. http://www.eset.com
Re: [BlindHandyMan] Digital Locks - Was: Locks?
I tend to keep my storm doors locked when I am home. I don't bother to lock them when I am away. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: [BlindHandyMan] Energy Conservation?
Hi Claudia, don't feel bad, it is somewhat complex and has little to do with science. How much energy an appliance uses when not actually being used depends on many factors. Modern T.V.s are particular sinners as they must have systems always running so as to look for signals from the remote in order to turn on. Anything you can turn on with a remote is also taking power when not on. Also anything with a clock takes some power to keep that clock running. Anything with an external power supply, wall wart or what ever you call it, is also taking power when the wart is plugged in no matter the state of the device its self. Feel the wall wart when the thing is not being used, some of those get fairly warm. Of course be sure it isn't also charging batteries. Most washing machines, dish washers, and so on are probably not doing anything when not being used, hopefully no manufacturere has been so stupid as to make a washer with a clock or a remote! GRIN Another way to add to the guessing work is to feel the device in question when it is not working. If it is at all warmer than the surrounding area, then it may be doing something that takes some power. Hope it helps some. Tom Fowle
Re: [BlindHandyMan] Locks?
Claudia, You'd have to have a lock smith make all those locks fit the same key. If they are all from the same manufacturer, it might work, but it won't be cheap. If they are of different makers, it is probably not possible. If you have a lock smith locally, try taking the keys in and see if they can tell you what can be done. We have the same situation nearly, it is a pain, but I believe I found it would cost $35.00 per lock to match them OUCH Tom Fowle
Re: [BlindHandyMan] Locks?
I think it would be worth it to get the locksmith out unless you have a site close by to take it too. I never wanted to just leave the house unlocked while I was gone to make the change and having the guy come to the house is really not that expensive. Especially as compared to the cost of taking a cab and all. I think you also have a legitimate concern on the standing there with three locks to undo if you were needing to get them unlocked in a hurry. You might think about having one of the locks being different and only using it when you are at home and not giving Tony a copy of that key to carry. That way if he looses his keys you will still be able to have a lock you do not have to worry about someone else having. This is just an extra precaution, but I know you are a cautious person and this is a pretty frugal one. Jennifer - Original Message - From: Claudia To: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com Sent: Saturday, August 29, 2009 6:38 PM Subject: [BlindHandyMan] Locks? Hi, We have a storm door and a steel door; both have dead bolts on them, and there are three keys that we have to use, to unlock the doors. One key is used for the two outside locks, and the two other keys are needed to unlock the inside door! I feel like I live in Fort Knox, so what can I do, to eliminate the mess of keys? I feel something needs to be done because my son will eventually need to have his own keys, and I'm trying to make it less difficult for him. Plus, as a woman, I feel it's a safety issue issue for me, especially when I've got my arms full of packages, etc! Claudia Join either of my groups; the first is for visually-impaired women, while the other is for people wishing to discuss homemaking issues. our-safe-haven-subscr...@googlegroups.com makinghouseworkeasier-subscr...@googlegroups.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: [BlindHandyMan] Energy Conservation?
That extra warmth is also adding to the overall heat in your home. A negligible cost yes, but still one that can be avoided. Of course I am in Oklahoma and the heat is killing me. *smile* Jennifer - Original Message - From: Tom Fowle To: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com Sent: Sunday, August 30, 2009 7:38 AM Subject: Re: [BlindHandyMan] Energy Conservation? Hi Claudia, don't feel bad, it is somewhat complex and has little to do with science. How much energy an appliance uses when not actually being used depends on many factors. Modern T.V.s are particular sinners as they must have systems always running so as to look for signals from the remote in order to turn on. Anything you can turn on with a remote is also taking power when not on. Also anything with a clock takes some power to keep that clock running. Anything with an external power supply, wall wart or what ever you call it, is also taking power when the wart is plugged in no matter the state of the device its self. Feel the wall wart when the thing is not being used, some of those get fairly warm. Of course be sure it isn't also charging batteries. Most washing machines, dish washers, and so on are probably not doing anything when not being used, hopefully no manufacturere has been so stupid as to make a washer with a clock or a remote! GRIN Another way to add to the guessing work is to feel the device in question when it is not working. If it is at all warmer than the surrounding area, then it may be doing something that takes some power. Hope it helps some. Tom Fowle [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: [BlindHandyMan] Locks?
Goodness, here you can get them matched up for like $5 a lock. Jennifer - Original Message - From: Tom Fowle To: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com Sent: Sunday, August 30, 2009 7:42 AM Subject: Re: [BlindHandyMan] Locks? Claudia, You'd have to have a lock smith make all those locks fit the same key. If they are all from the same manufacturer, it might work, but it won't be cheap. If they are of different makers, it is probably not possible. If you have a lock smith locally, try taking the keys in and see if they can tell you what can be done. We have the same situation nearly, it is a pain, but I believe I found it would cost $35.00 per lock to match them OUCH Tom Fowle [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: [BlindHandyMan] Locks?
HI, This is kind of funny. But I don't even know where my keys for my house are... Never lock my doors up here in the north woods of Minnesota... Also I can pee in my yard if I want... ROB FROM MINNESOTA- Original Message - From: Jennifer Jackson To: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com Sent: Sunday, August 30, 2009 7:51 AM Subject: Re: [BlindHandyMan] Locks? I think it would be worth it to get the locksmith out unless you have a site close by to take it too. I never wanted to just leave the house unlocked while I was gone to make the change and having the guy come to the house is really not that expensive. Especially as compared to the cost of taking a cab and all. I think you also have a legitimate concern on the standing there with three locks to undo if you were needing to get them unlocked in a hurry. You might think about having one of the locks being different and only using it when you are at home and not giving Tony a copy of that key to carry. That way if he looses his keys you will still be able to have a lock you do not have to worry about someone else having. This is just an extra precaution, but I know you are a cautious person and this is a pretty frugal one. Jennifer - Original Message - From: Claudia To: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com Sent: Saturday, August 29, 2009 6:38 PM Subject: [BlindHandyMan] Locks? Hi, We have a storm door and a steel door; both have dead bolts on them, and there are three keys that we have to use, to unlock the doors. One key is used for the two outside locks, and the two other keys are needed to unlock the inside door! I feel like I live in Fort Knox, so what can I do, to eliminate the mess of keys? I feel something needs to be done because my son will eventually need to have his own keys, and I'm trying to make it less difficult for him. Plus, as a woman, I feel it's a safety issue issue for me, especially when I've got my arms full of packages, etc! Claudia Join either of my groups; the first is for visually-impaired women, while the other is for people wishing to discuss homemaking issues. our-safe-haven-subscr...@googlegroups.com makinghouseworkeasier-subscr...@googlegroups.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: [BlindHandyMan] Locks?
$35 a lock? OUCH!!! I sure never paid any thing near that much! My locks were re-keyed for about $100 and $30 of that was for the trip by the locksmith. I had 7 locks re-keyed so it was about $10 per lock here in Superior, Wisconsin. ---*---*---*---*---*---*--- Holland's Person, Bill E-Mail: billgal...@centurytel.net - Anonymous (from my source of goofy stuff) - Eggs and Bacon for Breakfast - An entire day commitment for a Hen. - A Lifetime Commitment for a Hog
[BlindHandyMan] Bat houses
It's a long and somewhat dramatic story, but last week, we learned we have been colonized by both brown bats (somewhere between six and 60 in number) and gray squirrels. The exterminator says this is rare BTW to have both animals in the same place. The first step was to set a body trap for the squirrel(s), but it hasn't yielded any bodies for five days, so it's likely the colony or nesting site has been abandoned, which means the holes they chewed can be patch. As an aside, the exterminator says it's generally better if you kill the offending squirrel(s) since they tend to come back to favorite places when they get pregnant again. This week, we're installing what are called bat valves where there's evidence the bats are going in and out of the attic which permit them to go out but not return. After this, all holes down to 3/8 of an inch will be filled in. So, we have a lot of bats here, you can sometimes hear them at night, and though I guess an occasional one contracts bat rabies, by an large they are a beneficial animal in that they eat lots of insects including I'm told, mosquitos. Given this, my wife andI are thinkig about putting up a bat house, on the theory that if they hav a good place to hang out, they might be less inclined to want to hang out in our chimney. Anybody on this list have experience with this? Am I thinking about this right? [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[BlindHandyMan] Bose
Hi, Does anyone have a Bose system, and if so, is it really all that they say it is? We're thinking about such a system, but we're wondering if it's worth the money? Also, are those systems very complicated in nature? Thanks. Claudia Join either of my groups; the first is for visually-impaired women, while the other is for people wishing to discuss homemaking issues. our-safe-haven-subscr...@googlegroups.com makinghouseworkeasier-subscr...@googlegroups.com
Re: [BlindHandyMan] Bose
I have a Bose table-top radio, it is everything they advertise it to be. It is extremely easy to operate and the remote control card buttons are laid much like the buttons on the radio itself so when you've mastered one set you've mastered the other. I do not have the Wave System with the CD player, but a friend who is also totally blind has not trouble with operating his at all. And he raves about the quality more than I do! He's got the table-top and the acoustic system. Yes, they are a bit pricey but I plan to buy myself one for Christmas and blast Jingle Bells all over south Superior this season! ---*---*---*---*---*---*--- Holland's Person, Bill E-Mail: billgal...@centurytel.net - Anonymous (from my source of goofy stuff) - Eggs and Bacon for Breakfast - An entire day commitment for a Hen. - A Lifetime Commitment for a Hog
[BlindHandyMan] outdoor love seat?
We have an outdoor love seat which is not comfortable because the straps either stretch and move or break. they seem to be made of a solid plastic stuff about a 32nd of an inch thick. I'm thinking of putting a piece of plywood under the cushion. What thickness of wood should I use? John
Re: [BlindHandyMan] Bose
Claudia, which system are you referring too? I have one of the Life- style 25 surround-sound systems that we have had for about five or seven years and we love it. I am wearing a pair of Bose Tri-port headphones and I really love them and they are the most comfortable pair I have owned. So, your question is are they good and that is purely in the ear of the beholder. I have to say that I have been very impressed with most of their products and the products I didn't much care for was their computer speakers, the Media-Mates or whatever the heck they called them. They have a new pair that costs some real money, but haven't heard them. Now if your referring to the Bose Wave Radio, they are from what I gather very impressive and not horribly hard to operate. What makes the Bose products so great is the engineering involved in reproducing the sound quality they do in the size unit. I personally find their products to be reasonable in terms of cost for what you get. Some items are a bit steep I also have to agree, but after all that babbling, my recommendation to you is either go see one in person, order one with the understanding you can return it in 30 days if your not satisfied, or visit someone who has such a unit. Unfortunately, it is hard to get a feel for this type of product in a store, so it is nice you get the 30-day return and you can charge 12 payments to your credit card, so you don't have to fund the whole thing up front on your card or get a card/loan from them. :) I know that wasn't overly helpful, but it is a tricky question to answer and I'm sure you'll get plenty of opinions. It'll come down to whether you enjoy the sound to the point your willing to pay for it. :) On Aug 30, 2009, at 6:13 PM, Claudia wrote: Hi, Does anyone have a Bose system, and if so, is it really all that they say it is? We're thinking about such a system, but we're wondering if it's worth the money? Also, are those systems very complicated in nature? Thanks. Claudia Join either of my groups; the first is for visually-impaired women, while the other is for people wishing to discuss homemaking issues. our-safe-haven-subscr...@googlegroups.com makinghouseworkeasier-subscr...@googlegroups.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: [BlindHandyMan] Bose
Claudia, I have a bows acustic wave radio I paid dam neer 1000 dollors for and , not worth it, Phil Parr. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
RE: [BlindHandyMan] Bose
We have one of the Bose radios, and I'm still amazed after four or so years at how good it sounds given its size. The one we have is operated by a little remote control unit, and after I made a Braille diagram of the keyboard, it's been very easy to use. There is also a line-in feature, and we use it for listening to audio described movies on cell phones or my wife's Booksense. Not cheap, but the quality is outstanding, and the customer service folks were happy to explain the layout of the remot keyboard to me so I could diagram it. -Original Message- From: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com [mailto:blindhandy...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Scott Howell Sent: Sunday, August 30, 2009 18:34 To: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [BlindHandyMan] Bose Claudia, which system are you referring too? I have one of the Life- style 25 surround-sound systems that we have had for about five or seven years and we love it. I am wearing a pair of Bose Tri-port headphones and I really love them and they are the most comfortable pair I have owned. So, your question is are they good and that is purely in the ear of the beholder. I have to say that I have been very impressed with most of their products and the products I didn't much care for was their computer speakers, the Media-Mates or whatever the heck they called them. They have a new pair that costs some real money, but haven't heard them. Now if your referring to the Bose Wave Radio, they are from what I gather very impressive and not horribly hard to operate. What makes the Bose products so great is the engineering involved in reproducing the sound quality they do in the size unit. I personally find their products to be reasonable in terms of cost for what you get. Some items are a bit steep I also have to agree, but after all that babbling, my recommendation to you is either go see one in person, order one with the understanding you can return it in 30 days if your not satisfied, or visit someone who has such a unit. Unfortunately, it is hard to get a feel for this type of product in a store, so it is nice you get the 30-day return and you can charge 12 payments to your credit card, so you don't have to fund the whole thing up front on your card or get a card/loan from them. :) I know that wasn't overly helpful, but it is a tricky question to answer and I'm sure you'll get plenty of opinions. It'll come down to whether you enjoy the sound to the point your willing to pay for it. :) On Aug 30, 2009, at 6:13 PM, Claudia wrote: Hi, Does anyone have a Bose system, and if so, is it really all that they say it is? We're thinking about such a system, but we're wondering if it's worth the money? Also, are those systems very complicated in nature? Thanks. Claudia Join either of my groups; the first is for visually-impaired women, while the other is for people wishing to discuss homemaking issues. our-safe-haven- mailto:our-safe-haven-subscribe%40googlegroups.com subscr...@googlegroups.com makinghouseworkeasi mailto:makinghouseworkeasier-subscribe%40googlegroups.com er-subscr...@googlegroups.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: [BlindHandyMan] Bat houses
Greetings, here in the state of New York there is a bat research lab in or near guilderland,NY which is near Albany. we dealt with them and the local health department back in the late 70's when we found our first bat or my dog did, crawling on the kitchen floor. there was a quick battle and then I put the diseased bat in a mayo jar and took him or her to the health department. which turned out to be rabid so my dog was confiened to a large run for 60 days. . we found a second bat in the kitchen both of these in the daylight and that one turned out to be rabid. so our house was shut off to the public,imagine that no sales people for a very long time. so we learned a lot . inside our very large old home . mostly in the attic there was two variety of baths . the big browns and a smaller one I cann ot remember the name. if you find a bat moving during the day. stay back unless you are ready to trap it as most of the time a bat seen in daytime is a sick bat. bats are also like Prostitutes they sleep around so we found out. if you could trap and label every bat tonight and return them toorrow night only a few of your tagged or labeled bats will be there. they sleep around in a very big radius . I do not remember if it is like 50 or a 90 mile area. . they are very beneficial , the bats for controlling insects. another tip is bats go to the bathroom on their way out and on their way in. so for instance we had a white house with green trim to the trained eye those bats left their mark on our house . if you involve a bat research group they will trap your bats and it is a simple , like a tall clear tall kitchen waste bag mounted on a wire rim during the day. when the bats come out at night they fal l down into the bag and cannot ge ut because they need a flight path.. You cannot really keep them all out. they will return if they like your place. if you like off list I can send you more information but they, the bats are very interesting characters. as for the squirrels. I'd like to take the ones we have messing up my shed and get them into a stew pot for some good stew. Lee On Sun, Aug 30, 2009 at 03:27:19PM -0500, William Stephan wrote: It's a long and somewhat dramatic story, but last week, we learned we have been colonized by both brown bats (somewhere between six and 60 in number) and gray squirrels. The exterminator says this is rare BTW to have both animals in the same place. The first step was to set a body trap for the squirrel(s), but it hasn't yielded any bodies for five days, so it's likely the colony or nesting site has been abandoned, which means the holes they chewed can be patch. As an aside, the exterminator says it's generally better if you kill the offending squirrel(s) since they tend to come back to favorite places when they get pregnant again. This week, we're installing what are called bat valves where there's evidence the bats are going in and out of the attic which permit them to go out but not return. After this, all holes down to 3/8 of an inch will be filled in. So, we have a lot of bats here, you can sometimes hear them at night, and though I guess an occasional one contracts bat rabies, by an large they are a beneficial animal in that they eat lots of insects including I'm told, mosquitos. Given this, my wife andI are thinkig about putting up a bat house, on the theory that if they hav a good place to hang out, they might be less inclined to want to hang out in our chimney. Anybody on this list have experience with this? Am I thinking about this right? [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] -- The penalty for laughing in a courtroom is six months in jail; if it were not for this penalty, the jury would never hear the evidence. -- H. L. Mencken .
Re: [BlindHandyMan] outdoor love seat?
Some of my answer would depend on the material the frame is. If wood that you can sink screws into, or plastic or metal that screws or bolts can be put through would secure the board, plywood. If you can secure the board around the edge a thinner material can be used. Even one fourth would work if you have at least one inch of material past the hole where the screws would go. If you don't intend to fasten it down half inch will work unless someone is very overweight. Ron - Original Message - From: john schwery To: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com Sent: Sunday, August 30, 2009 6:05 PM Subject: [BlindHandyMan] outdoor love seat? We have an outdoor love seat which is not comfortable because the straps either stretch and move or break. they seem to be made of a solid plastic stuff about a 32nd of an inch thick. I'm thinking of putting a piece of plywood under the cushion. What thickness of wood should I use? John [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
