Happy Mail!

post from Aileen's Musings on 15 November 2011 08:35:01 PM. © Aileen's Musings

You might recall my post showing my altered matchboxes I created for a 25 days of Christmas swap if not click HERE. Whoohoo I received my 25 different altered matchboxes in the mail yesterday! Each one is uniquely beautiful! I love just looking at them and can't wait to open a box each day, starting December 1st to see what goodies is inside.

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For Unique Whimsical Gifts VisitTake me to theShopping!

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http://aileensmusings.blogspot.com/2011/11/happy-mail.html

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Custom IKEA bar with storage and prep area

post from IKEA Hackers on 15 November 2011 07:35:12 PM. © IKEA Hackers

Materials: EXPEDIT shelves, NUMERAR Countertop, CAPITA Brackets, VIKA BYSKE Leg

Description: I needed a versatile bar for my balcony and this is what I came up with. It has customizable storage and a tucked away prep area. It is also easy to get in and out of because of the single leg.

Expedit has many extras you can add for further customization:
- The wine rack insert
- The door insert
- The drawer insert

Construction is fairly straight forward. The brackets are the only tricky part.

1. Screw only one corner of the Capita brackets to the Numerar countertop at the desired location (a few inches from the edges). Not too tight, you may need adjustment.
2. Align the brackets to the edges of the countertop.
3. Measure the distance between the two bolts on the brackets and use that measurement to drill 2 large holes through the top of the Expedit at the desired spot.
4. Insert the Capita brackets through the holes with the countertop attached and get them straight. If the Vika Byske leg is not on yet you will need 2 people for this. If the holes are not fully aligned you should still be able to adjust because of only using only the 1 screw above.
5. Once you are satisfied that everything is straight and lined up you can use a pen or anything sharp to mark out the remainder of the holes for the bracket screws.
6. Remove the countertop from the Expedit and screw in the remaining screws.
7. Reattach and bolt the Capita's to the Expedit.
8. Attach Vika Byske leg to the countertop.
9. Place the bar where it is needed and adjust the leg until the bar is level.

See more of the Expedit bar.

~ Ryan, California

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http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Ikeahacker/~3/rQ90Fu_C4gc/custom-ikea-bar-with-sto
rage-and-prep.html

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8 Things You Need to Know About Positive
Reinforcement

post from How to of the Day on 15 November 2011 07:00:00 PM. © How to of the Day

Positive reinforcement is a key concept within the field of behavior analysis in the discipline of psychology. First defined by B.F. Skinner, the method achieved further attention when animal trainer Karen Pryor wrote the bestselling book Don't Shoot the Dog! The New Art of Teaching and Training. Pryor defines positive reinforcement as "anything which, occurring in conjunction with an act, tends to increase the probability that the act will occur again."While at its most general, positive reinforcement could be said to be a method of training using a reward-based system, the technicalities of defining behavior and its result have lead to the meaning of positive reinforcement becoming rather confused. In order to alleviate some of this confusion, this article sets forth explanations to help you gain a better understanding of what positive reinforcement is about.

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http://www.wikihow.com/Understand-Positive-Reinforcement

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Criminals Can use Finger Heat to Steal Your ATM
PIN Code

post from Hacked Gadgets - DIY Tech Blog on 15 November 2011 03:55:19 PM. © Hacked Gadgets - DIY Tech Blog

I remember about 10 years ago the bank I was using changed the sequence of cash withdrawals, instead of giving the card back then the cash they started giving cash then the card. After withdrawing some money I was about 10 feet from the ATM before I realized that I didn’t have my card, when [...]

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Bleached Chevron Rug

post from IKEA Hackers on 15 November 2011 03:35:37 PM. © IKEA Hackers

Materials: Ikea rag rug (not avail now), Bleach, Masking Tape, Spray Bottle, Tape Measure, Towel

Description: I took an old solid green rag rug from Ikea and turned it into a groovy chevron pattern to be used as a runner on a table or floor of a mudroom.

1. Lay out pattern on rug.

2. Tape off design.

3. Spray Bleach.
4. Remove Tape.
5. Beat, dry in dryer, wash, dry again.
6. Roll it out for use!

See more of the chevron rug.

~ Amanda, Utah

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Evil Mad Science Kits on Make: Live!

post from Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories on 15 November 2011 02:15:55 PM. © Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories

The most recent episode of Make: Live was a special episode on kits to celebrate the upcoming release of the Make: Special Issue, The Ultimate Kit Guide. Our very own Octolively and Meggy Jr RGB kits were both featured on the show. The electronic kits clip is embedded above, or you can watch the full video and the rest of the clips, including siege & ballistic kits and crafty kits on the Ultimate Kit Episode post over at Make.

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http://www.evilmadscientist.com/article.php/makelivekits

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Hardscaping Options Concrete, pavers or stamped
concrete

post from Handyguys Podcast - Home Improvement and DIY Advice on 15 November 2011 01:59:45 PM. © Handyguys Podcast - Home Improvement and DIY Advice

Hardscaping options The Handyguys discuss some hardscaping options under consideration for Brian’s fathers house – concrete, stamped concrete and pavers. Concrete Plain old concrete is the cheapest and fastest option for a front stoop. A small stoop can be done in a day with the following day to remove forms and clean up any dirt [...]Related shows:

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Quick Tip: A Plastic Cup Lightsphere

post from DIYPhotography.net -DIY Photography and Studio Lighting on 15 November 2011 01:42:41 PM. © DIYPhotography.net -DIY Photography and Studio Lighting

We've had our share of Lightsphere and Omnibounce DIYs, ranging from wax paper and yogurt cups through bubble wrap and barf bags.

I think this one by Flickr user Manu_MK is one of the simpler ideas. A plastic cap with two gaffer flaps gaffed to the strobe.

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http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Diyphotographynet/~3/reDnX2yIfKk/quick-tip-a-plast
ic-cup-lightsphere

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Under Stairs Pantry

Materials: Kitchen Cabinets

Description: Pretty simple really, as you can see from the picture, I just modified one short and two tall cabinets to fit under our stairs. I think it came out well.

~ Brian Ledig, Sebastopol, CA

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http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Ikeahacker/~3/sB0vUe3FiFU/under-stairs-pantry.html

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Reader Question: Cheap, Durable, Non-Steel-Toe
Boots

We’ve covered boots here on TM before, and we definitely have additional boot coverage coming. But TM reader Joel needs some boots right now, and he needs some help finding the right pair for his budget. He writes:

For about 12 years I wore a pair of black Dr. Martens cap-toe boots. They were tough as hell, reasonably waterproof, super comfortable, and they shined up nice to make for great dressy shoes as well. But they’re more cheaply made now, and they no longer have the classic work-boot tread pattern, opting for a pavement-loving design. I suspect the material will not last as well, either. So I’m looking for a new boot, but I’m having a hard time finding anything I like except some really expensive boots from Wolverine and Red Wing.

So what might work for him?

The rest of his list of (very reasonable, in our opinion) desires:

A round toe. A cap toe would be great.
No steel toe if possible. Shanks are fine, though.
Welted construction.
No rubber coating. (Joel says he understands the extra protection this can provide, but it prevents him from shining up the boots for dress use.)
Super comfortable.
Super durable.
Affordable, as in not $500.

Finally, he doesn’t care where they’re made or who makes them. He just wants the boots.

I know Sean had a pretty similar-sounding pair that he scored at Wal*Mart of all places and which he wore for at least three years that I’m aware of. (He wore them around the office and shop forever, then replaced them with a pair of Wolverines left over after a Toolmonger test a long while back. I saw them again this last week, I suspect because they’re a little larger and he was nursing a broken toe. Maybe he’ll comment with details. About the boot, I mean. Not the toe.)

I’m not sure their construction matches Joel’s specs entirely, especially considering that they featured a slightly rough finish. That said, I’ve personally seen Sean slip them in as dress shoes. Hell, he wore ‘em to a couple of meetings we attended together before we launched Toolmonger and I didn’t notice until the second or third meeting that they were actually work boots, so they definitely meet your “swap ‘em out for dress shoes” criteria.

Come to think of it, the set of Wolverines we tested way back are still available on Amazon for around $150 — a lot less than the $500 Joel mentions. That’s it pictured at the top of the post. These make great dress-look boots, yet they’re extremely durable. They do scratch a bit, but careful polish work can make that go away — and add a nice patina.

Anyway, if you have any recommendations for Joel (or us, for that matter), we’d love to see ‘em in comments.

Via Amazon [What’s This?]

Read The Full Article:
http://toolmonger.com/2011/11/15/reader-question-cheap-durable-non-steel-toe-boot
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