Your Jack O’ Lantern / Pumpkin carving will be one of those memories your kids will keep with them their whole lives. These tips and trick can help you get the most out of your pumpkin.

Pick your design ahead of time and choose your pumpkin accordingly. Choose a pumpkin that is smooth as possible, and free of scratches, dents or gouges, unless you plan to incorporate them into your finished design. The size and shape of your design will determine whether you need a tall narrower pumpkin or a round one.

When you make sharp corners, always remove the saw completely and re-insert it at a different angle. You can make the transferred dots of your pattern easier to see by rubbing flour into them. The flour will fill the holes and turn them white.

When removing cut pieces, push them out from the inside with your finger. To make removing large pieces easier, and to avoid damage to your design, cut them into smaller chunks before trying to remove them.

Many carpenters choose a thicker-kerf blade (.091-inch) that you can maintain. Thicker blades have bigger carbide teeth; they hold up to nails better and you can re-sharpen them to keep them in your fleet longer. However, you’ll pay more for them–upwards of $20.

When you want straighter cuts and rips or if you’re doing any kind of fine work like using a shoot board to cut built-in parts, stay away from thin-kerf blades–especially dull ones. Even sharp thin-kerf blades can deflect and leave you with a lower quality cut than a stiffer, thicker-kerf blade.

Many thin-kerf blades have aggressive hook angles (20 degrees or so) for faster cutting, but they can add to tear-out. Combination blades generally have lower hook angles of about 12 degrees and exit the work more cleanly.

HDTV antennas can be made cheap and easy and can outperform amplified store bought antennas for under $5! Great results! Almost anyone can build this low cost HDTV antenna in under an hour.

The best time of year to get the top deal on a new refrigerator is the spring. This is when most manufactures change models. So the stores will have a lot of closeouts before the new models arrive.

Swapping out your old refrigerator with a new E-Star model will also save you a lot of money every month.

* A refrigerator built before 1980 cost over $250 per year to operate compared to $50-60 per year today.
* A 2008 model will use 40% less energy than a refrigerator built in 2001.
* A 2008 model used half the energy than a refrigerator built in 1993.

If you are considering a new refrigerator the time might be just about right. Also, when shopping remember to ask for more of a discount…the worst thing they can say is no. For other appliances a new washer or dryers are usually best to buy in the spring. The best time to buy a new dishwasher or range is the fall. Small Appliances will vary, but you will find some sales around Mother’s Day.

Flat heads can be countersunk or rest flush with the surface.

Oval heads allow for countersinking, but the head protrudes a bit.

Round-headed screws sit on top of the material and are easy to remove.

Some screw types include the wood screw which will make a stronger joining than a nail, or for when other materials must be fastened to wood. A wood screw is tapered to draw the wood together as the screw is inserted.

Sheet metal screws can also be used to join metal to wood, as well as metal to metal, plastic, or other materials. Most sheet metal screws are threaded the entire length from the point to the head, and the threads tend to be sharper than those of wood screws.

Use a machine screw for joining metal parts, such as hinges to metal door jambs. Machine screws are usually inserted into pre-threaded holes and are sometimes used with washers and nuts.

Square-headed bolts with screw heads are called lag screws. They are for heavy holding and are driven in with a wrench rather than a screwdriver.

When choosing screw length the screw should penetrate two-thirds of the combined thickness of the materials being joined. To avoid corrosion you should consider the moisture conditions and the makeup of the materials being fastened. The use of galvanized or other rust-resistant screws may be necessary where rust could be a problem.

Screw Driving Tips

1. Use soap or wax on the screw for easier installation.

2. Hold your work in a vise or clamp when inserting a screw whenever possible. Keep your hands and other body parts away from the tip of the driver if you can’t use a vise.

3. Removing a screw with a damaged slot can be done by taking a hacksaw blade and sawing another slot if the head is exposed enough.

4. Drill a pilot hole before driving a screw. It can be especially crucial with hardwoods or when driving a screw near the end of the board. If you are working with screws of larger diameter, a pilot hole about the same diameter as the shank of the screw should be drilled into the wood to one-third the depth of the length of the screw.

5. Try to keep the screwdriver in line with the screw shank to avoid damaging the screw slot and pushing the screw out of line.

Pulled it out of the box, charged it and away I went. I still have not run out the battery and I used it to take a lot of outlet covers off, light switches and window coverings. I am in the middle of remodeling a house and I needed something in between a hand screwdriver and a drill for little jobs. This tool has proven to be very useful. If you plan on replacing a lot of outlets or general work around the house this is a great tool.

Just don’t expect it to replace your 18 volt cordless drill.

Technical Details

• Cordless screwdriver with internal lithium battery
• Compact for tight spaces; handy wall-mount charger; stays charged up to 18 months
• Lightweight plastic casing
• Includes 40 accessories and charging base
• 2.6 pounds; 2-year warranty

There are many different types of glue on the market today. If you don’t know what you are looking for you can cause yourself a lot of wasted time by having to go back and do the job again if the glue you chose fails.

Luckily most glues come with a good recommendation for its proper use. Read the manufactures suggestions thoroughly to prevent any problems. If the glue says it is good for everything you should stay away because those glues are usually good for nothing.

Light Repair Glue

If you have broken glassware, ceramics, or plastics a glue composed of cellulose is excellent for this type of task. It sets up to more than half it’s strength in 2 hours and almost full strength in a day. Apply a coat to both surfaces that are to be bonded. This will provide extra strength needed for a task like this. One downside, this glue is water resistant and may require acetone for any clean up.

General In Home Use

Indoor purpose glues are best suited to products made from paper, ceramics, and wood. This glue is usually made from polyvinyl acetate. It sets up in about 8 hours and is dry in 24 hours. This type of glue should be applied in a thin coat on both of the surfaces. Clamp or use pressure of some type to the items for approximately 3 hours to help maintain the proper alignment of the two surfaces. Being water soluble this glue cleans up easily with water and soap.

When in need of the strongest bond use epoxy glue. Many outdoor and indoor products work well with this type of glue, including plastic, metal, glass, and wood. Depending on the surface area, this glue can set in 3 minutes or it may take 8 hours. It is dry in 4 to 48 hours from the time applied. You will need to wear protective gloves and work quickly. Mix the two ingredients and immediately apply to the surface. Any spills should be cleaned up while they are wet, using acetone. This glue is super hard, waterproof, and strong.

Instant Bonding Glue

If you have something that needs immediate fixing and the item is nonporous such as rubber, metal, or plastic, super glue can be used for bonding. This glue sets in 5 to 50 seconds, so you have to move quickly when using it. It is completely dry in as short a 1/2 hour or up to 10 hours depending on the surface area. Apply only a couple of drops to the surface, and press the areas together for approximately 25 seconds. Use acetone for cleanup. Super glue is strong and water resistant.