My Content: Hubs, Answers, and Forums
5How to Use a String Trimmer Properly - Without Breaking the Line!
String trimmer, weed eater, weed whacker, strimmer - This garden power tool has many names and it certainly beats a hedge shears for trimming and edging! This hub shows you how not to break the line!
0Product Review - Mini Blow Torch From DealExtreme
This mini blow torch from DealExtreme is a useful, inexpensive little gadget which comes in handy for heating applications around the home and in the workshop.
2It's a Funny Old World!
I try pressing "0", "#" and "*" and whistling down the phone to confuse the software. Sometimes this works and you get routed to an operator. Not this time though!
2What is the Ground Wire For?
Hot and neutral supply power to an appliance, so why the need for a "ground" wire? Well basically it's included for safety reasons. This hub explains how it works..
2How to Change Lawn Mower Oil
Changing the oil in your mower helps to reduce wear and prolongs the life of the engine. Anyone with a small amount of technical aptitude can learn to do this, and few tools are required.
0What is Eczema and How Do I Treat it?
Eczema is one of the most distressing skin conditions and afflicts children and adults alike. Theories exist about the causes of the disorder but these are by no means definite and eczema can flair at any time without any obvious causes. However it can often be successfully treated.
1Vampire Power - Pull the Plug and Cut Down on Your Electricity Consumption
Did you know that some appliances, e.g. TVs, use up to 30% of the energy while on standby that they use while fully turned on? Anything with a little "red eye" LED can be sucking power while asleep. This is sometimes called vampire or phantom power and if you have a lot of gadgets and appliances, the energy usage can mount up.
4How to Edge a Lawn With a Knife
If you have flower beds or borders in a lawn, you know how the grass at the edges can become ragged and unsightly over time. This guide shows you step by step how to edge the beds in a way which allows easy maintenance in the future.
1What Causes Damp in Houses?
Damp can be a serious problem in homes leading to mildew on walls, ceilings, curtains and clothing. It has several causes but can often be remedied or reduced in severity. This hub examines how damp is caused and ways of dealing with the problem
2Types of Home Lighting - Incandescent, Fluorescent, CFL, LED, Sodium and Metal Halide
Did you know that a "normal" incandescent light bulb only converts about 5% of the electricity used into useful light? There are lots of other options in home lighting which are much more efficient
010 Best Novelty Websites
We all know about YouTube, Social Networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook and Article sites like this one. This is a list of novelty and fun websites I have come across over the years.
2Tracing Your Irish Roots - Information, Tips and Resources
Ireland currently has a population of about 4.5 million and around 36 million Americans claim Irish ancestry. Several historical records including the 1901 and 1911 censuses and civil registration records are now available online and can be viewed free of charge
0Force, Weight, Newtons, Velocity, Mass and Friction - Basic Principles of Mechanics
Mechanics is a branch of physics which deals with forces, mass and motion. This hub explains the basic concepts.
6Flashlights for Dummies and Idiots
Yes I'm addicted to flashlights! As if being addicted to power tools wasn't bad enough, I can't pass a display in a store now without drooling over the display of torches and thinking "Hmm, that would be a nice addition to my collection!"
3Oatmeal and Parsley Burgers - Delicious (No Horse Meat Required)!
Beef patties are delicious at any time, especially when they are sandwiched between layers of cheese, sliced onion and iceberg lettuce to form a burger. This recipe for patties (which I plagiarized from my mother!) includes rolled oats as one of the ingredients. Oatmeal is high in dietary fiber and is reputed to lower cholesterol.
13How to Tie Knots - A Simple Guide
Knowing what knot to tie is a useful skill in the home, garden, when fishing or camping. You might have learned how to tie knots in the Scouts, Girl Guides or in summer camp, but at this stage the steps may be a dim distant memory! This guide shows you how to tie reef(square), bowline, sheet bend and figure of eight knots
0What Drill Bit To Use When Drilling Metal, Wood, Tiles, Glass or Masonry?
When drilling material, the correct bit is essential to allow easy drilling and also prevent damage to the bit. This hub explains which bit you need to use when drilling various materials such as metal, masonry, plastics and wood.
2How to Mix Concrete by Hand Without a Cement Mixer
Often there is a need in the garden for a small quantity of concrete. For instance you may want to set a rotary clothes line into the ground, erect fence or gate posts or make a slab of concrete to act as a base for something. Is it possible to mix the concrete by hand without a mixer? Yes, with a little care and some effort.
0What Batteries Do I Need?
There are various types of batteries on the market today. Different sizes, different technology, different voltages, rechargeable and single use disposable. So how do you know which to use?
4The Age of Steam
The first practical steam engine was developed by Thomas Newcomen in the early eighteenth century. Steam was one of the driving forces behind the industrial revolution, allowing mills and other factories to be located away from rivers.
1The Many Uses For Vinegar, A Wholly Natural Substance
Vinegar is a natural substance containing acetic acid. It has a wide range of uses including cleaning, dietary, health and in the garden.
10Best Garden Flowers for Brightening Up Your Yard
This hub gives you some ideas about colorful and easy to grow perennial and annual flowers for the garden. None of the plants are particularly fussy and many can be grown easily from seed
0Video Using a Chipper Shredder to Recycle Garden Waste
Most gardeners will be aware of the benefits of using a compost bin for disposing of garden and kitchen waste. Branches can also be recycled into useful material using a small electric chipper.
2Switching to Contact Lenses
Contacts lenses are a great alternative to glasses and provide freedom for those who participate in sports and other leisure activities. They also provide much better quality of vision than glasses. These are my experiences of contact lens wear, the joys and pitfalls!
0An Idiot's Guide to Power Tools!
This hub is a guide for those of you who don't know your cordless drill from your elbow and want to buy a power tool to make your life easier. It gives a basic explanation of what each tool is for, it's capabilities and tips on what to buy.
0Product Review: Extending Range of USB With an Extension Adapter from DealExtreme
The USB socket on a PC or laptop has now become the standard way of connecting peripheral devices. However the range is limited to 5 meters at most. By using an extension adapter, you can push up the range to 50 meters.
0What is the Cost of Running Electrical Appliances?
With the cost of electricity rising all the time, it's good to know how much it costs to run the various appliances in the home. This article shows you how to work out the cost of the energy used.
2How Do I Reset the Switches in an Electrical Panel?
MCBs, GFIs, electrical panels and resetting breakers when they trip.
4Discover Ireland with a Virtual Tour on Google Street View
For those of you who are "armchair" travelers and too lazy to fly to the Emerald Isle, you can take a tour on Street View and be back by dinner! If you like what you see, you might come and visit us!
0Tracking the Power Consumption of Your Appliances With an Energy Monitoring Adapter
With the cost of electricity on the increase, an energy monitoring adapter is a useful device which can measure and track the energy consumption of a home appliance. Costing about $15, the adapter can be plugged into a standard wall socket and can display several parameters about the appliance connected to it.
0How to Use a Digital Multimeter (DMM) to Measure Voltage, Current and Resistance
A multimeter or DMM is a useful instrument for measuring voltage, current and resistance and also for tracing breaks in wires, testing components and fuses.
0How Do I Use Skype to Make Free Calls?
Skype is a computer communications program which enables free voice/video calls between two computers with an Internet connection. You can also make international calls at the cost of a local call.
2Choosing and Buying a Lawn Mower
This hub provides some tips on what to look out for when buying walk behind push lawn mowers. It covers topics such as lawnmower type, horsepower, width of cut and deck type
0Review of the Hitachi C7SB2 Circular Saw
The Hitachi C7SB2 is a well built saw and with a power rating of 1700 watt, it makes light work of cutting through lumber! No riving knife enables plunge cuts to be performed easily
0What Tools Do I Need for My Garden This Summer?
Summer has arrived so now is a good time to buy garden tools and get ready for the new growing season! This article gives you some ideas on choosing the tools you need for maintaining your garden
1How to Prevent Fires in the Home
A fire in the home can be a devastating event, damaging property and possibly causing death or personal injury. This hub outlines the most common causes of fires and how to stay safe and prevent them.
0Insulation - How it Works
Insulation normally works on the principle of trapping air in a material. By doing this, thermal conductivity through the material is reduced and as a consequence, heat loss from a building is also drastically cut down
1Why is Binary Used in Computers?
The binary numbering system is the basis for storage, transfer and manipulation of data in computer systems. This system uses base 2 rather than base 10 which we are familiar with for counting in everyday life. This hub explains the basics and takes some of the mystery out of why the binary system is used.
2Repairing a Bicycle Tire Puncture
Repairing a bicycle puncture is quite simple, requiring few tools. It should be possible to perform a repair in between 30 to 40 minutes and is an essential skill if you cycle a reasonable distance and don't want to have to walk home!
5I'm Old Enough to be a Grumpy Old Man!
Why do all cleaning products have to be perfumed? Why are cookie tin lids rectangular and not square?... and don't get me started on health and safety!
3How to Recycle your Waste and Create Luxurious Garden Compost!
How to create luxurious garden compost! This is a great way to recycle organic matter such as kitchen waste, save money and have greater success in growing plants and vegetables!
1Volts, Watts, Amps, Kilowatt Hours, What Does it All Mean ? - The Basics of Electricity
This hub explains all about watts, amps, volts, kilowatt hours (kwh), ohms and how to convert between them. It shows you how to work out power consumption and cost of running appliances and includes a brief explanation of AC and DC
2Why Won't That Lawn Mower Start? - Troubleshooting Gas Engines
How to get a stubborn lawn mower engine running. Tips on how to trace problems with the fuel and ignition system. Correct procedure for starting a mower. How to check oil level.
4Using an Angle Grinder Safely
Angle grinders are useful power tools for cutting and grinding metal, concrete and other materials. However like any power tool they can be dangerous if used incorrectly. This hub describes how to stay safe by taking suitable precautions and using the tool correctly.
0Working Safely at a Height on Ladders and Roofs
Working at a height can be hazardous. This hub provides some tips on how to stay safe while working up a ladder, how to erect it, and safety tips for working on roofs.
17Make Money Online Selling Your Photographs on Microstock Websites
You can earn money by selling your photos to royalty free image stock agencies. This hub outlines which are the best sites to upload to and and gives advice on what to upload.
0Tips for Saving Energy at Home
With the cost of energy rising every day, reducing wastage in the home is important if you want to save money. Not only is it possible to cut electricity consumption, but savings can also be made on the use of other energy sources such as coal, gas and oil. This hub gives basic common sense tips you can try in order to cut your energy use, reduce CO2 emissions and do your bit to save the planet!
3Getting Ready for the Snow - Don't Let Your Home Freeze Up!
Tips for keeping your house warm in the winter and preventing everything from freezing.
4I Was Warned , Now I've Done It !!! (or How to Clean a Laptop Keyboard)
A humorous account of spilling coffee over a laptop. Details on how to clean it.
3What is Migraine and How Can it be Treated?
Experiences of a migraine sufferer. Symptoms of the condition and drug treatments.
0How to Put Up Cupboards and Shelves
How do you drill a wall and put up shelves and cupboards / cabinets? This hub explains how to drill walls, and the tools, drill bits and fittings which are required
5Protecting Your House From Burglars
Common sense tips on how to improve your home security and prevent burglars breaking into your home
0How to Choose Tools for Home Maintenance
DIY can save you money and gives you a great sense of achievement. This hub outlines the tools a homeowner needs for basic house maintenance.
