Product Blog

Fellowes Shredder

There are definite downsides to being a homeowner. Junkmail is at the top of the list. You used to be able to just toss it into the trash, but with the proliferation of junk mail and data mining, you are a fool if you do. They are not content to just put your name on the top of page one, but scatter it all over their junk. The solution is a shredder.

This is a Fellowes 12 sheet confetti cut shredder. About 90 bucks. Works magnificently!

the math is simple...90 bucks now or thousands later.

Maytag Neptune Washer Recalls

Here we go again...

Maytag the company whose commercials portray the Repairman being lonely because their products are so good, has shot themselves in the shorts once again. I have mentioned Maytag's Neptune Washer before.

Here is the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Recall Notice

"Hazard: Water leakage onto the electrical connections to the washing machine’s thermal sensor could cause an electrical short and ignite a circuit board, posing a fire hazard to consumers."

These are not the bargain basement models. They retail for between 1000-1200 Dollars.

This time it is two models Maytag models: MAH8700 and MAH9700 of Front Loading Washer they make, and also sold by Samsung
You may need to click on the image to read it, it's a typepad thing....

The problem is the washer leaks water which causes the washer to start on fire. Not Good!!

Here is the Recall Information FAQ

Don't they test these things?

Loctite Powergrab 2

In my recent remodeling for others project, I had the chance and desire to push the power of Powergrab to the limit.

Vinyl Base is one of those commercial products that has been around for a long time. In high traffic areas, that require heavy cleaning on a daily basis, it is the cats pajamas for day in day out wall protection.

Traditionally you use vinyl base adhesive, which is a crap colored compound that you apply with a notched trowel. It is a messy job as you are trying to get something with the consistancy of mucus to spread evenly and to smoothly bond to the base and to the wall. Additionally, you are trying to get even coverage on a surface that is wiggling and wants to flip over. You cannot do bits and pieces as the wiggling problem causes the base to squirm, leaving pockets, voids, and a desire for the base to creep around.

Powergrab is a much better solution for bonding vinyl base as you can spread as you go, smooth it out and be done with it in short order. (Tip; use the Exterior blend for vinyl base as it will be in contact with moisture due to daily cleanings.) It works especially well on 'textured walls' that are not smooth. It is more expensive, material wise, but the time you save in application makes it a wash if not a net savings.

One of the other areas, Powergrab shines is as an adhesive for rubber matting.

This is one of the counter area on the 40th Street project. Powergrab holds the rubber matting down, and also is holding the moulding in place. It is a great third hand.

Here is the bottom line. Powergrab just works. You do not need any other caulk gun applied adhesive for your projects. Yes it is twice as expensive as Liquid Nails, but the time you save, the more useful it is makes it a hands down winner and the only thing you need to hold, fasten or glue things together.

Cooking Handles

Having a dishwasher is a good thing. Having pots and pans that have friendly handles is good too.
This is a friendly handle. This is a Regal Brand pan made in China and sold at Wal Mart.

It is a full handle, without holes except for the screw which holds it to the pan. An added plus is the screw is stainless steel, which means that the telflon/silverstone surface on the inside of the pan will wear out before the handle breaks.

This is not. This is some off italian sounding brand made in china and sold at Wal Mart.

This is some sort of hard plastic which has a large well that is formed when you put it in the dishwasher bottoms up so the dishwasher can wash it. Consequently, you end up with a pool of water which does not go away during the drying cycle. It also has a cheap steel screw which is already rusting, and will probably be a dead heat with the handle breaking just about the time the coating which is some real cheap non stick, on soft aluminium, degrades.
Not Recommended.

The Original Shower Massage Shower

I am having a real bit of difficulty with products that I like lately.

I have been a loyal and faithful user of The Original Shower Massage by WaterPik for years. I have bought a lot of them. I keep buying them as they work well until they die from mineral deposits from the water here in the southwest. You can dip them in lime away or CLR and extend their useful life, (my first one lasted for about 6 years. They changed the design so you couldn't take the head apart and get the scum out of the slots.

My latest one died. I have only had it 15 months since I moved into the new world headquarters. It leaks.
Right there at that 'Vacumn Breaker' spot. I knew when I bought it, that it would leak there.

I just ignored it until today. What part of having a hole in a water line is so hard to figure out? If you have a need for a vacumn break your plumbing problems are upstream.

This is the new one that doesn't have it.

It will last until the minerals in the water in Phoenix choke the life out of it.

A CLEAR CHOICE

One of the things that this blog is about is Products That Work The product on the left is A CLEAR CHOICE. This is spot remover for carpets. I have had this bottle for about 10 years. I have long since used the contents. I have kept the bottle in hopes of reminding me to check the shelves of stores to see if I can find it again.

It is that good. I have removed grease, oil, paint, tar, caulk, cat and dog puke and crap, and even removed diesel fuel from car interiors with this stuff.

It was something that I picked up one day in the store, next to all the *national* brands, that had more, was cheaper and had a bright label.

Today I had a conversation about cleaning carpets. So when I got home, I googled them.
A CLEAR CHOICE has a website.

Even better than that is the news that I will be able to get it at Costco.

If you need to remove spots or clean carpet this is the ONLY product to buy.

Dual Use Technology Quickie Dust Mop

In the ongoing conflict over dust control at casa lemurzone, one of the products I picked up was the Quickie Dust Mop.

The main reasons for this selection was 1. dust control, 2. the swivel, 3. the extensible handle.

The dust control issue.
This is not the tool for anything any heavier than 'cleanroom' dusting. Even pretreating with 'Endust' or a similar product , you have twice the setup for the same result. Additionally, you will have to wash the damn thing, to get the dirt and duster product residue out of it.
The Swivel
The swivel is the best feature of this product. It is simple, elegant and does the job like getting underneath furniture where dust bunny's bread and lurk. It just doesn't do the job very well.
The Extensible Handle
Twist to extend, twist to lock. Drop Dead Simple.

This is not the tool to buy for dust control. The 'Swiffer' style of products are a better choice for two reasons. Yes they are a two part system, but you don't have an ongoing maintenence/cleaning issue. First they really really do the job, and secondly they have corners on the tools to get into the corners in your house. Yes, I still have issues about products that built round or oval for use in square or rectangular houses. Do you live in a dodecaherdron or a bucky fuller dome?

Dual Use Technology

Where the Quickie Dust Mop shines is as a carwash mop. The strings are a soft material that will not scratch your finish, they are deep enough to get into the weird corners, nooks and crannies that make up today's Cars and Trucks and SUV's.

Washing a Truck, SUV or minivan is an exercise in peril and bodily harm. Washing the roof, which in most cases is taller than you are requires some sort of stature enhancement device to get you up there as well as getting it clean. Because it is taller than you are, it is also wider and longer than your reach. Roof racks are a pain in the ass as well.

Not only can you get the entire roof in fewer moves, minimizing the peril to you, but it's slim profile gets under those pesky roof rack side rails as well. It has a wide head and the strings soak up a lot of solution
helping you to get the job done.

The Quickie Dust mop with it's swivel and extensible handle is the tool for the job.
Highly Recommended

Laundry Baskets the sequel

Checking my referrer logs this morning and following them, I have discovered that I am becoming a 'World Authority' on Laundry Baskets

Google #1 Search , Yahoo #17

My life has taken many turns over time, and becoming a world authority on laundry baskets was not on the radar for my life's work as I was growing up or even as late as last week. But I have clearly received a mandate from the people.

In my last stirring post on laundry baskets, I mentioned the Rubbermaid 2768 Wheel and Wash Laundry Basket, which I don't remember where I got, but will not release until the heat death of the universe.

I mentioned that this is a good product, and could be a Great product by putting an adjustable handle on it. I went so far as to use the Rubbermaid Comment Form,( one of the worst comment forms I have ever seen, and I build request forms for a living) to let Rubbermaid know what I thought. To date I have received no response from them, but because I posted about laundry baskets, I have become a World Authority.

As an answer to Michelle who left me a note, I don't know where you can find one of these, Rubbermaid doesn't seem to make them anymore.

This is Rubbermaid's loss as anytime you can make life easier, you can sell it. Wheels especially. To demonstrate this just think about your next trip, and the luggage you are taking. Your luggage has wheels, doesn't it. Hell, wheels and handles have transformed the travel experience that wheelage is a much better term for this whole class of luggage.

Next time you are in the home stores, look at all the various storage bins that have wheels and handles, especially beverage coolers. These alone have contributed to the downturn in hernia surgery and back pain medication sales.

Really, these companies who want to sell household storage solutions need to get a clue. Put wheels and adjustable handles on them, and watch your sales head north.

Speaking of storage containers, why the hell are they still making round ones? Your cabinets, closets, refrigerators, freezers, garages, and just about 99% of the houses on the planet are square or rectangular.