Archive for April, 2008

Meeting Others through Online Dating Services

Monday, April 28th, 2008

By Max Sheppard Dating services, especially those online, are a good way to connect with other persons for friendship and dating purposes. Through a dating online service you are immediately able to network with hundreds of persons via e-mails, chat rooms, video and audio recordings, and later telephone. Keep the Date Simple Once youve found someone through a dating service that you would like to meet in person, setting up a first date might be in order. Because this will be your first meeting, keep the date short and simple. One or two hours in duration, at the most. If the two of you hit it off, you can always extend your time together. However, if sparks dont fly you avoid the uncomfortable situation of having to suffer through a longer, more involved date. For instance, instead of eating out and going to see a movie, choose one or the other. Your first date should be one where the two of you have the opportunity to talk and get to know each other better. A noisy, distracting environment such as a party or dance might not be the best choice. Instead, make plans to meet at a restaurant, or even a coffee house like Starbucks. Trendy and fun, with a casual atmosphere that is relaxing and conducive to easy conversation. Until you know for sure whether the two of you like each other in person as much as you did online, avoid sharing your address or personal information such as where you work, etc. Arrange to meet at a public place, each providing your own transportation. Take Precautions There is always the chance that the person you came to know online misrepresented themselves. Therefore, inform friends and family members about your dating plans. Tell them who you are meeting, and where. Also mention the name of the dating online service where the two of you met, the persons e-mail address, telephone number, etc. Reputable web site dating services such as All Link.com provide restrictions and guidelines for your benefit online. But when it comes to meeting someone in person, it is your responsibility to be prudent. While chances are the date will be enjoyable, the need to ensure personal safety make taking precautions essential. You may have been honest in representing yourself online through the dating service. But you wont know for sure if your date did, until after the two of you have met. Max Sheppard is Co-Owner of Link All.com at http://www.LinkAll.com a free online dating site and free dating service. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Max_Sheppard http://EzineArticles.com/?Meeting-Others-through-Online-Dating-Services&id=209691 cleaning credit report do it yourself bad credit home purchase programs offical free credit report first time home buyer credit score

Caralluma - The Next Hoodia?

Saturday, April 26th, 2008

By Bill Nadraszky As we have all heard and I have written here. Hoodia is one of the most popular weight loss products on the market today even if there is very little research confirming it but in the world of weight loss anectodal evidence is all that really matters. Caralluma is the same type of plant, a succulent and many people believe that it will be the next hoodia with some research,however small, showing positive results and people are making some weight losses. The really nice thing about Caralluma and Hoodia is that they have been used voer thousands of years and we know that in using them in moderation there are no obvious health issues. Caralluma fimbriata is a succulent plant, in the cactus family. Where have we heard this before? Hoodia anyone? Caralluma has been used as a natural appetite suppressant in India for centuries. Caralluma is a “new” disovery in the west in the family of cactii and succulent plants that are becoming increasingly popular for their appetite suppressant, and weight loss properties, as well as their ability to lower blood sugar. Supplements made from the popular hoodia gordonii cactus from the Kalahari Desert in Africa, are very popularfor weight loss in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. Like hoodia, Caralluma Fimbriata has been used to suppress appetite, and as a portable food for the outdoors as opposed to how we in the west have always used dried fruit and dried meat. It is used to suppress hunger and appetite, and enhance endurance throughout India. It is also sometimes considered a “famine food,” used during periods of famine to suppress appetite. Caralluma Fimbriata is essentially a vegetable of daily use in tribal India. It is eaten in several forms. It is cooked as a regular vegetable with spices and salt. It is used in preserves like chutneys and pickles and is even eaten raw. Indian tribals chew chunks of Caralluma Fimbriata to suppress hunger when on a day’s hunt. This succulent is used amongst the labor classes in South India to suppress appetite and enhance endurance. Two clinical trials of a proprietary Caralluma fimbriata extract (Gencor Pacific, Inc., Austin, TX) found the product to be without any serious side effects.6,11 The extract is described as a powder alcohol and water extract of the shade-dried aerial parts of the plant and containing not less than 10% total saponin glycosides, 3% bitters, and 25% total pregnane glycosides.7 Specific active components are noted to include luteolin-4?-O-neohesperidoside, kaempferol-7-O-neohesperidoside, sitosterol, tomentogenin, and pregnane glycosides, including caratubersides A and B and various boucerosides. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial on potential weight-loss effects, the Caralluma extract was administered in gelatin capsules initially to 62 obese subjects, 50 of whom completed the 8-week study. Subjects were of both genders, in normal health, not taking medications, and had not dietary restrictions during the trial. Reasons why the 12 subjects failed to complete the trial and the dosage used and quantitative results are not found in the summary made available for this report. According to the trial summary, reductions in the indicators of weight-loss were statistically significant and all adverse effects were gastrointestinal (constipation, moderate acidity, and flatulence), reported by both the placebo and the extract treatments groups, and transient (subsided within 7 days without further incidence). A 4-week, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of Caralluma was conducted in 26 overweight subjects (7 in the placebo group and 19 in the extract group; 9 men and 15 women ages 31 to 73). The extract was supplied in gelatin capsules at a dosage of one 500-mg capsule 30 min. before each meal. Subjects were instructed to maintain their previous exercise pattern and food intake and not to make any changes in their diet during 4 weeks before the treatment period, neither of which are described in the publication made available for this report. One male in each of the treatment arms of the trial failed to appear for final assessments; however, the reasons for their absence were not stated in the publication. The only adverse effects reported were from one subject in the final placebo group (3 males and 3 females) and one in the final extract treatment group who both complained of bloating and acidity shortly after beginning treatment and upon starting treatment again after ceasing. Subsequently, both discontinued the Caralluma capsules. The trial summary states that over 80% of those in the final treatment group (5 men and 13 women) lost weight with 11 out of 18 subjects losing approximately 6 pounds. Others lost 1-2 pounds (n=4) or maintained their starting weight (n=2). The exceptions in the extract group were one woman who lost 8 pounds, another who lost 9 pounds, and one who deviated from the trial instructions by increasing her calorie intake and gained 17 pounds. Three subjects in the placebo group (n=6) gained a pound and one subject lost one pound. Take this as you would like but it seems that Caralluma is poised to be one of the new most popular weight loss products. One thing to watch for in the news is how easily this product will be to grow and produce as there are many companies that can package and market and with few if any side effects there will be very little resistance to a “new” indian weight loss product. Bill Nadraszky is passionate about health and fitness. To learn more read the diet book review. Or visit the greatest Fitness Tips weblog Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bill_Nadraszky http://EzineArticles.com/?Caralluma—The-Next-Hoodia?&id=239654 non secured bad credit loans federal credit score credit repair kits home loan bad credit

Electrocution: The Six Top Danger Points and How to Avoid Them

Thursday, April 24th, 2008

By B. Williams When you think of things that are strong conductors of electricity, power lines, wires and metals likely come to mind. Surprisingly, the human body can also be an excellent electricity conductor, and when electric currents hit the body several types of injuries may occur. The body may go into cardiac arrest because of the electricity’s effect on the heart; muscle, nerves and tissue can be damaged due to the current; or thermal burns can occur if the body contacts an electrical source. The severity of the injuries depends on a variety of factors (the voltage of electricity, the person’s state of health, how the current travels through the body and how quickly medical help is received), but, according to the National Institutes of Health, some 1,000 people die in the United States each year because of electric shock. Fortunately, you and your loved ones can dramatically reduce the risks if you are aware of top electrocution threats in and around your home and take the simple measures to prevent them: 1. Extension cords. These handy tools can cause electrical burns and shock if they’re not used carefully. Cords that have exposed wires should never be used, as kids and pets can (and will) chew on them if they can get them. In fact, electrical burns to the mouth account for half of the extension-cord-related injuries to young children, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Even an intact extension cord poses a risk. For instance, in one case a 15-month-old girl put an extension cord in her mouth and suffered electrical burns that required surgery. To reduce the risks, keep extension cords out of reach of kids and pets, and always purchase cords that have the UL and OSHA labels on them (these cords have been subjected to strict tests to ensure they meet certain safety standards). Further, use common sense measures to be sure the cords are in good shape, including: * Inspect them regularly for signs of wear and tear. * Replace old extension cords that are cracked or frayed. * Only use exterior extension cords for outside use. * Don’t overload cords or sockets. * Pull the plug, not the cord, when disconnecting it from the socket * Only use extension cords when they’re absolutely necessary, and try not to use them for long-term purposes. 2. Electrical outlets. Most electrical outlets are located in areas of the home that children can easily reach. Close to 4,000 injuries associated with electrical outlets are treated in U.S. emergency rooms every year, says the CPSC, and about one-third of these occur when kids looking to explore insert metal objects like keys and hairpins into the outlets. Since you can’t move your outlets away from your kids, it’s imperative to cover your outlets with the Sliding Decora Outlet Cover (for outlet covers requiring two screws, as in most newer homes) or the Standard Sliding Outlet Cover (for outlet covers requiring only one screw in the middle, as in most older homes.) If you routinely have kids in your home, check out these simple, inexpensive but ingenious outlet covers by clicking on either link above! These easy-to-install outlet covers are spring activated, so they automatically cover outlets when any plug is removed. This means kids can’t insert objects or fingers into the outlets at any time! It’s important to only insert appropriate plugs into electrical outlets (any other object poses an electrocution danger) and use caution when you do, such as being careful not to touch the metal prongs when inserting the plug. 3. Electric appliances. We become so accustomed to using electric appliances in our daily lives that it’s easy to become careless with their use. This is often when electrocution can occur. Even touching an electric appliance like a hair dryer with wet hands can cause a shock. Here are some other safety tips to keep safe around electric appliances: * Don’t use electric appliances near water or while touching faucets or water pipes. * Don’t use appliances that have worn plugs or cracked wires. * Don’t attempt to fix electrical appliances on your own, even if it appears simple. * Unplug appliances when they’re not in use. 4. Swimming Pools, Hot Tubs, Spas. The common risk that comes along with swimming pools and hot tubs is drowning, but the American Red Cross points out another, often overlooked, risk — electrocution. According to CPSC, the biggest risks of electrocution here come from faulty underwater lighting, aging electrical wiring, sump pumps, power washers and vacuums that are not grounded, and electrical appliances and extension cords that fall into the water. The risk is especially apparent if lighting and circuits aren’t protected by Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupters (GFCIs), which are one of the best ways to prevent electrocution, CPSC says. According to Hal Stratton of CPSC, “The best protection for families is inspection, detection, and correction of electrical hazards in and around swimming pools, hot tubs and spas. CPSC strongly encourages residential and commercial pool owners and operators to upgrade protection of the lights, receptacles, and switches with GFCIs. Older pools are the biggest concern, as underwater lighting fixtures may have degraded with age and may not be protected by GFCIs.” 5. Power Lines. High-voltage overhead power lines can pose a risk to people on ladders or other lifts. Says Thomas Moore of CPSC, “CPSC believes that there are still many electrocution deaths that could be prevented. Consumers should never place a ladder, antenna, or anything else near a power line. Consumers who come in contact with an overhead power line may not live to share their experience.” Further, wires from a downed power line can also be deadly. Never go near a power line that is down, such as after a storm, as live wires can be present long after the pole falls (until the electricity has been turned off). People have also died after striking an electrical pole in a car accident and having the live wires touch the car. 6. Lightning. Lightning and thunderstorms are most likely to occur on hot and humid days. If you sense a storm approaching, seek shelter indoors immediately, as lightning can cause serious injury, particularly to those who are stranded outside without proper protection. According to Dawna L. Cyr and Steven B. Johnson, Ph.D. from the University of Maine, lightning can injure or kill people in five ways: 1. Through a direct strike that causes cardiac arrest or stops breathing. 2. A side-flash, in which the body acts as an alternate or parallel path for the current to reach the ground. If the current passes through the head or heart it can be deadly. 3. Current from a lightning flash, ranging from tingling shock to a massive current, can be diverted from a poorly grounded electric power pole through a wiring system. 4. Step voltage can radiate out through the ground from a struck tree or pole (this kills many livestock each year). 5. Indirectly, through fires, fallen trees or crushed cars. During a lightning storm, avoid tall, isolated objects, don’t attempt to touch any fallen wires, and if you are struck by lightning be sure to seek medical attention even if the injury seems minor. —————– Six Things NOT to Do to an Electrocution Victim If you are with someone who is electrocuted, here is what NOT to do, according to the National Institutes of Health: * DO NOT touch the victim with your bare hands if the person is still in contact with the source of electricity. * DO NOT remove dead skin or break blisters if the person is burned. * DO NOT apply ice, butter, ointments, medications, fluffy cotton dressings, or adhesive bandages to a burn. * DO NOT touch the skin of someone who is being electrocuted. * DO NOT get within 20 feet of someone who is being electrocuted by high-voltage electrical current until the power is turned off. * DO NOT move a victim of electrical injury unless there is immediate danger. —————– Sources Star-Telegram.com March 30, 2005 Electrical outlet Safety Extension Cord Basics CPSC: Don’t Swim With Shocks University of Maine: Lightning Safety CPSC: Electrocution Dangers From Overhead Power Lines National Library of Medicine: Electrical Injury From the FREE SixWise.com e-newsletter, the Web’s #1 most read newsletter with original articles in all 6 areas of life leading to complete wellness. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=B._Williams http://EzineArticles.com/?Electrocution:-The-Six-Top-Danger-Points-and-How-to-Avoid-Them&id=37572 bad credit laptop computers credit report terminology how to cheat the credit score credit score determination

Honolulu Colleges

Tuesday, April 22nd, 2008

By Anne Peterson Most colleges in Honolulu offer 1 4 year degrees, with several courses and classes to choose from. They also offer everything from associates to masters degrees and everything in between. The cost of tuition is a bit high, although you can get financial aid and scholarships to assist you. If you live in Honolulu, Honolulu colleges are right around the corner. Offering several degrees and courses, theres the Kapiolani Community College. A public college, it offers you several choices for your education experience. The Honolulu Community College is excellent as well. The community college is public as well, offering you an associates degree with several courses to choose from. Also in Honolulu is the Heald College, which is a private non profit college. Heald College also offers an associates degree, and many classes to choose from. If you prefer a private college, this one is truly magnificent. For those looking to get into business in the Honolulu area, theres the Hawaii business college. This is among the best for business out of all the Honolulu colleges, offering you an associates degree with pretty much every area of the business field being covered. Throughout Honolulu, youll find many different colleges and universities, offering you everything you could ever want to study. Many of the residents and students of Honolulu prefer Honolulu colleges, simply because they wont have to leave the islands of Hawaii or Honolulu for that matter. Out of town students can come here as well, as Hawaii has a lot to offer. If youve been looking for a truly great place for college, Honolulu colleges are among the best in the world and offer you a truly exotic location as well. Any or all of this information can be used by anyone as long as you mention the school related site about Japanese schools, http://www.japanese-schoolgirls.co.uk - thanks! Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anne_Peterson http://EzineArticles.com/?Honolulu-Colleges&id=177188 free credit report homepage parking tickets off credit reports credit score rates - lists free credit report band

Rimonabant Acomplia for Weight Loss

Sunday, April 20th, 2008

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Lily_Parker] Lily Parker Keeping up with the calorie count can be quite a tiresome task. Fast paced life of the contemporary world, makes it even more difficult to maintain a healthy body. Irregular meals, dependence on junk food, lack of physical activity all contributes to those extra pounds. Rimonabant is an anti-obesity drug, which was discovered and manufactured by a French pharmaceutical company. It functions as an appetite suppressant. It works on the principle of targeting the CB-1 receptors, which are responsible for your appetite and nicotine intake. This in turn makes you eat less than your normal appetite, leading to weight loss. It is an ideal solution for people who have BMI greater than 30. BMI refers to Body Mass Index, which is a calculated value of body weight in proportion to height. Rimonabant pill is like a magic potion, which can facilitate you to make an easy escape from the clutch of obesity and its consequent health problems. Besides, serving as a weight loss pill it can also curb the unhealthy craving of smoking. Its benefits also include improvement in cholesterol and other metabolic related health issues. Pill Rimonabant has been recently launched in the UK, under the name of Acomplia. The European Commission permitted the vending of Rimonabant Acomplia in the 25- member European Union. Sanofi-Aventis contemplates to now launch it in the US, as Zimulti. Rimonabant clinical trial has proved its effectiveness in losing weight as compared to other weight loss drugs. Rimonabant Acomplia treatment should be accompanied with a low calorie diet and an exercise plan to obtain considerable amount of weight loss. It is an oral prescription drug, with a customary dosage of 20mg. Rimonabant diet pill should be swallowed in one gulp with a full glass of water. Adhere to your doctors prescriptions to achieve the desired weight loss. Market is cramped with other alternatives to Rimonabant such as Adipex, Orlistat (Xenical), Bontril, Didrex, Diethylpropion, Sibutramine (Meridia), Ionamin, Phendimetrazine, Tenuate as well. Yet, Rimonabant dominates the market due to its optimistic results and affordable price range. A prior consultation with a doctor is recommended, before you move ahead with Rimonabant treatment. Unearth a healthy you with Rimonabant Acomplia. Summary Rimonabant Acomplia is an anorectic anti-obesity drug. Sanofi-Aventis, a French pharmaceutical company has discovered and developed it. Lily Parker, an associated editor to zimultiacompliaonline.com, is a contributing author to the [http://www.zimultiacompliaonline.com] http://www.zimultiacompliaonline.com for distinct article sites/journals. Please feel free to visit [http://www.zimultiacompliaonline.com] http://www.zimultiacompliaonline.com for more information on General Health related issues. Or write to him at [mailto:lly_parker@yahoo.com.au] lly_parker@yahoo.com.au. Any comments and/or suggestions will be highly appreciated. Article Source: [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Lily_Parker ] http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lily_Parker [http://ezinearticles.com/?Rimonabant-Acomplia-for-Weight-Loss&id=247323 ] http://EzineArticles.com/?Rimonabant-Acomplia-for-Weight-Loss&id=247323 how do i get a judgment off my credit report debt consolidation company credit score repair foreclosure credit report

Avail Bad Credit Home Loan, Be a Homeowner

Saturday, April 19th, 2008

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Peter_Taylor]Peter Taylor One of the most unforgiving challenges that bad credit leaves you with is that it prevents you from having your own house. It always keeps you away from making true your dream of owning a house. Well, today its not the scene actually. There are a lot of people with adverse credit who want to buy new homes, and to fulfill their desires, the financial market has come up with bad credit home loans. Bad credit home loans are loans that are especially offered to people having bad credit. If you want to buy a house, this loan will help you out without any worry of your credit history. If you think you might face difficulty in repaying huge loan amounts, you can this loan can help you by offering low rate loans with easy repayment terms, so that you can make timely payments and improve your credit score. With bad credit you will have to pay up to 20% of the amount at down payment. But if your financial circumstances are favourable you can get up to100% financing. If you are a first time buyer, you should follow on very carefully. Be well researched beforehand about the loan and look for as many lenders as possible. If you are still doubtful about your qualifications, you should first of all get a pre approved home loan before making any commitment to the lender. This will identify your credit problems, reveal how much money you can really afford, and it will prove to lenders that you are serious about buying. This way you can get ready and qualify yourself for the loan. In order to avail bad credit home loans, you first of all need to find a suitable lender for you. This you can do easily with the help of the internet where you will come across a huge variety of lenders with their distinctive rates and fees. You can catch hold of the best lender offering home loans that will go well with your credit conditions. The next step towards getting a home loan is to fill the online application form. This form will ask you about certain details about your personal and financial history and most importantly, your credit score. Bad credit home loan is mostly a secured loan as the house for which you are taking the loan is automatically kept as a security with the lender. However if you wish to get a loan for other purpose and want an unsecured loan you can also avail that. Bad credit home loans can help you serve your varied purposes. You can make use of this loan for different purposes and not necessarily buying a home. You can use the loan amount for holidaying, to buy a new car, to pay existing debts, and even for debt consolidation. Thus bad credit home loans serve as a multipurpose loan that would no only help you get your dream home but also meet other necessities. Peter Taylor is a senior financial analyst at BadCreditLoans with an acumen for finance and insurance.In recent years he has taken up to provide independant financial advice through his informative articles. His articles are widely read because of the lucid manner of writing and thoroughly researched datas. To find Bad credit loans, [http://www.badcreditloans.uk.com/Bad_credit_personal_loans.html]Bad credit home loan, Bad credit personal loans, Bad credit auto loans UK that best suits your need visit http://www.badcreditloans.uk.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Taylor http://EzineArticles.com/?Avail-Bad-Credit-Home-Loan,-Be-a-Homeowner&id=294318 cheap phentermine without a perscription phentermine online consultation buy phentermine online ky cheap phentermine cod

The concept of Permission Marketing

Wednesday, April 16th, 2008

By Vandana Ahuja Permission marketing can be broadly defined as ” Taking permission from potential consumers before sending them an advertisement about your product”. By giving an option to a potential consumer, to agree to gain information about your product, the marketer has the advantage of using his resources to target only interested entities. Some excerpts from Seth Godin’s views on permission marketing- The biggest problem with mass-market advertising, Godin says, is that it fights for people’s attention by interrupting them. A 30-second spot interrupts a “Seinfeld” episode. A telemarketing call interrupts a family dinner. A print ad interrupts this article. “The interruption model is extremely effective when there’s not an overflow of interruptions,” Godin says. “But there’s too much going on in our lives for us to enjoy being interrupted anymore.” The new model, he argues, is built around permission. The challenge for marketers is to persuade consumers to volunteer attention - to “raise their hands” (one of Godin’s favorite phrases) - to agree to learn more about a company and its products. “Permission marketing turns strangers into friends and friends into loyal customers,” he says. “It’s not just about entertainment - it’s about education.” By using this ‘personal marketing orientation’ technique of marketing on a one-to-one basis,marketers end up with consumers who pay more attention to the marketing message.With ‘product innovations’ and customisation being the new buzzwords, one-to-one marketing clubbed with permission marketing is the marketing tool for success. As the consumer volunteers to being marketed to, the marketer gets his unbridled attention and the chances of success are more… Vandana Ahuja is a consultant with JILIT, India Also blogging at Marketology-Emerging Trends Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Vandana_Ahuja http://EzineArticles.com/?The-concept-of-Permission-Marketing&id=302881 cheap phentermine no prescription required rx pharmacy phentermine ordering phentermine online cheap phentermine no perscription

Start Planning For Valentine’s Day Today

Monday, April 14th, 2008

By Mark Webb The start of February signals the proximity of every attached womans favorite holiday Valentines Day. However, it should also cue men to begin making their ever important Valentines Day preparations. If you have not started making plans, now is the time. Valentines Day is not a time for spontaneity, but for careful planning. In fact, a well-planned, romantic Valentines Day can boost a relationship in many different areas including the health and happiness of both involved. A well planned Valentines Day tells your woman she is special to you, that she is worth your time and effort. The bottom line is that is the message you need to send. Stopping by the store for a card and pre-packaged flowers on February 13 does not count as pre-planning. It sends the wrong message to your Valentine and fails to show her she is special. Women can always tell. Men need to write themselves a note to remind them to make necessary arrangements including dinner reservations, flower orders, and babysitters. Taking responsibility for all plans shows your woman she is worth the extra time and effort, and this will pay off later. Romance takes effort. Going the extra mile to make her smile or bring a tear to her eye is necessary to show how much you love her and how special she is to you. For instance, instead of the last minute store bought card, make her one yourself and put it under her pillow, or make a CD of love songs special to your relationship and listen to it while you look through your wedding album or during a candlelit breakfast. Remember that the little things really count in showing love. Just by making your first words of the day to her Happy Valentines Day, she will know that she is the first thing on your mind. So how do you know that you have gone far enough in your effort? When you do something so out of the ordinary that you surprise even yourself. Mark Webb is the author of How To Be A Great Partner and founder of Partner Focused Relationships. Sign up for Mark Webbs Relationship Strategies Ezine ($100 Value). Just visit his website at http://www.powerfulrelationshipadvice.com or http://www.therelationshipspecialist.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Webb http://EzineArticles.com/?Start-Planning-For-Valentines-Day-Today&id=400515 buy phentermine online prescription cheapest phentermine without prescription paradise pharmacy phentermine where to buy phentermine 37.5

Woodturning Tips - Woodturning Tool Selection For Beginners

Friday, April 11th, 2008

By Steven Russell Overview One of the first things you need to do when you are getting started in woodturning, is to purchase your tools. There are two basic ways to acquire a starter set of tools: 1.) Purchase a basic set of tools from a manufacturer or 2.) Purchase individual tools and build your own set. For most new woodturners, I recommend that you choose option two, build your own set. While it may be tempting to just buy a basic set of tools from your favorite manufacturer, it may not be the best choice for you in the long run. Tool sets typically require you to settle for a general purpose collection, which usually contain tools that you may not need, or want initially. Woodturning tools are basically divided between spindle tools and faceplate turning tools. Spindle tools are typically used to turn spindle projects like pens and table legs, where the grain of the wood is parallel to the bed of the lathe. Faceplate tools are typically used to turn bowls, platters and other projects, where the grain turns perpendicular to the bed of the lathe. Specialty tools are also available including tools designed for deep hollowing, center saving, threading, texturing and more. Alloy Choices Numerous tool alloys are available in modern woodturning tools however, two main alloys are commonly used, M2 High Speed Steel (HSS) and Powder Metal technology steel, including the ASP 2030 and ASP 2060 alloys. If you’re just getting started, choose M2 HSS for most of your woodturning tools. It’s the least expensive alloy available in the high speed steel range and it offers very good edge life for the money. Although more exotic steels are available that offer increased edge life, they can cost several times more than a basic M2 HSS tool of the same size. Once you are more established and your interests are more clearly defined, you can look to the expensive exotic tool steels to meet specific requirements. M2 HSS M2 HSS is the industry standard alloy in woodturning, with an edge than can last approximately 5 - 6 times as long as traditional high carbon steel. M2 HSS can maintain its edge even if “blued” during the grinding/sharpening process. M2 HSS tools are economical and offer excellent value. M2 HSS is now available from some manufacturers in cryogenically treated versions. These tools are specially treated at temperatures of -300 degrees below zero. This treatment increases the durability and edge holding capability of the base tool steel approximately 250% or more. ASP Powder Metal Powder metal steel is a special type of tool steel that can hold its edge up to 4.5 times longer than traditional M2 HSS, depending on the particular alloy used. ASP powder metal tool steels offer exceptional edge life and are more expensive than M2 HSS. If youre working very abrasive timbers, or prefer longer edge life on your tools, a few powder metal tools in your workshop will be a welcome addition to your chisel inventory. How Are Turning Tools Measured? Most spindle tools are measured by the diameter of the round tool shaft. Most bowl gouges are measured by the width of the flute, with the diameter of the shaft being approximately 1/8″ larger than the width of the flute. When selecting turning tools, bear in mind that many woodturning tools have multiple applications. This means that one turning tool may in effect, have many different uses. Determining What Woodturning Tools You Need To Get Started The first step in selecting which woodturning tools you need to get started, is to decide if you want to turn spindle projects, faceplate projects, or maybe a little of both. Next, you need to determine what size lathe you will be using, mini, intermediate, or large. Obviously, larger projects on big lathes require larger tools than what you would need with small and medium sized lathes. Tools To Consider Purchasing The following basic tool list is suitable for a beginner woodturner, organized by the type of tool. This list assumes you want to do a variety of spindle and faceplate projects and youre turning on a lathe that swings 12″, or less. Lathe swing is defined as twice the distance from the bedway to the center of the spindle. Looked at another way, the swing is the maximum diameter round blank that a lathe can turn without hitting the bedway. If your lathe is larger or smaller than the example above, you will need to adjust the sizes of tools listed to meet your specific requirements. Spindle Gouges 1/4″, 3/8″ and 1/2″ spindle gouges. These will be your mainstay for spindle work and fine detail work. They can also be used on the outside of bowls for detail work, but never on the inside. Spindle gouges are unsuitable for bowl hollowing work. Bowl Gouges 1/2″ deep fluted bowl gouge for rough-out work and bulk wood removal. A 3/8″ deep fluted bowl gouge would also be very useful for finishing cuts. Detail Gouges If your budget allows it, a 3/8″ or 7/16″ detail gouge would be useful for reaching long distances off the tool rest. Detail gouges feature a shallow flute, which adds rigidity to the shaft and reduces vibrations. Parting Tools Two main styles are needed a 3/16″ diamond parting tool for general work and deep parting cuts and an ultra-thin kerf 1/16″ tool for minimal waste when grain matching, working on boxes, pens etc. Scrapers A thick scraper is a great tool to use occasionally during bowl turning. The best scrapers are thick and wide with the 3/8″ x 1.5 half round nose being a good overall choice. In addition, if your budget allows it, add a 3/8″ x 1.5″ dual angle scraper. This tool is an excellent choice for shear scraping of many faceplate projects. Skew Chisels If youre doing a lot of spindle work, a Skew Chisel is a must have to produce glass smooth surfaces right off the tool. A 3/4″ or a 1″ skew chisel would be a good choice. There are several styles including a straight skew, rounded skew, oval skew and full round skew. Most of my students prefer the straight skew, or rounded skew when learning this tool. Micro Turning Tools If you anticipate doing lots of bowl and platter detail work, or smaller spindle type projects such as pens, small inlays, vases etc, a few micro turning tools are nice to have on hand. Among the more useful are 1/4″ and 3/16″ micro spindle gouges, a 1/4″ micro round nose scraper and a 1/4″ micro skew chisel. You will use these regularly for various types of detail work on your projects. About The Author Steven Russell is a professional artist, demonstrator and writer. His studio, Eurowood Werks specializes in hand turned bowls, platters and hollow forms with unique visual and tactile treatments. Steve’s website, Woodturning Videos Plus, http://www.woodturningvideosplus.com offers educational DVD videos and eBooks for woodturners of all skill levels. To learn more about woodturning, visit his resource library at http://www.woodturningvideosplus.com/education-articles.html which offers tips and tricks to master the art of woodturning. In addition to his studio work, Steve frequently writes educational articles for international woodturning magazines, which are published in more than 75 countries around the world. As a highly sought after demonstrator, he has performed more than 1,760 woodturning demonstrations throughout the United States in the last eleven years. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steven_Russell http://EzineArticles.com/?Woodturning-Tips—Woodturning-Tool-Selection-For-Beginners&id=462122 cheap phentermine 37.5 buy phentermine 37.5 mg pharmacy for phentermine buy phentermine on line without prescription and overnight shipping

It Was Obvious To The Three Of Us, That He Knew Absolutely Nothing About Communication

Thursday, April 10th, 2008

By Paul Ashby Here was a man, recently hired at great expense from, literally the largest agency group in the world, now working for one of the worlds largest clients on a global assignment! We had just completed analysing the results from an interactive programme we had recently produced for this company. The results were, to say the least, staggering. At one of the initial presentations on the research, one of the most senior executives, representing this client said, We spend millions of pounds just to hold our share of market, yet look at what this small investment in this form of interaction has produced! Yet when we presented this same research document to the man at the client, his first comment was, what does it do to my brand values? Which is about as meaningless a statement he could make from his lofty perch! He then went on to say, If it produces this kind of increase in sales we should be using the technique, leave it with me and call me in around a weeks time. After several weeks of calling as agreed we gave up and to this day they are still pouring money down the black hole of television and they have never called us back! To be fair, it should be pointed out that this gentleman was hired from Media Buying, therefore, in his job as Media Buyer he really didnt need any communication skills at all. But dont you find it disturbing that here was a man, totally unversed in the art of communication making ultimate decisions that were inevitably resulting in a huge waste of that clients billings! And remember, we are talking about one of the biggest advertising budgets, from a global company where, to be repetitious, We spend millions of pounds just to hold our share of market. The strength of the interactive communication concept has been documented with effectiveness research of a kind and magnitude that is unique in advertising. Interactive communication consists of three important elements: One: Programmed Instruction. Two: Game Playing. Three: Presented as an advertising event. Interactive Communication in this format, properly executed, changes the way people perceive advertising and will increase consumer awareness, increase message comprehension and increase sale.Because the Interactive Communication Technique creates an open, focused and receptive mind, it will: Eliminate the problem of advertising clutter. Increase advertising effectiveness. Make advertising more cost efficient. Like all else in the media world, advertising has changed dramatically since the huge growth in popularity of the Web. The power of retailers has multiplied, television has become the dominant selling medium for consumer goods, market research has become increasingly sophisticated, global brands have flourished, independent media specialists have become a major force, and yet Advertising agencies are in the doldrums that is because the services they provide, the way they should be paid and their relationships with their clients are all in jeopardy. There is much uncertainty, much debate, much nervousness, and no sign of any resolution to the problem. Certainly one of the things agency people have lost sight of is that advertising, like all marketing functions is done to make money! Likewise they have lost sight of the fact that the sole purpose of advertising is to get more people to buy more of your product, more often, for more money. That is the sole reason for you to spend one penny, cent or whatever. If your advertising is not delivering consumers to the cash register with money in their hands to buy your product, the simple answer is fire your advertising agency! Of course you have to have distribution together with a sales force. However in the end the important thing is if nobody wants to buy your product what do you do? Hiring an ex-advertising agency person is fatal all he/she will do is magnify your existing problems…our advice to you is avoid them at all costs. Paul Ashby pioneered interactive communication to the advertising and marketing communities some twenty-five years ago. The communication issues he addresses have been neglected during the explosive grown of advertising in the 60s, 70s and 80s, these are Cognitive Dissonance, Selective Retention and Selective Exposure. Would you like to discover the incredible results to be attained by using interactive communication? Well these are revealed for FREE at http://effectiveaccountablecommunication.blogspot.com or contact Paul directly on paul.ashby@yahoo.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Ashby http://EzineArticles.com/?It-Was-Obvious-To-The-Three-Of-Us,-That-He-Knew-Absolutely-Nothing-About-Communication&id=488643 order phentermine overnight phentermine without a prescription phentermine 30mg no prescription buy phentermine online consultation