Saturday, December 17, 2011

How to Convert a Flashlight to LED

LED flashlights are undoubtedly more powerful. The traditional ones can gobble up to 60 milliwatts of electric power. Compared to the usual lighting fixtures, this one is made from bigger semiconductors. This is why it can accommodate large power inputs.

Its efficiency is something that can be relied on especially during emergency situations. This is why it is slowly replacing the regular flashlight. If you want to employ the use of this much more powerful lighting, you need not purchase a new one. You can convert your old flashlight to a LED one.

Here is an easier way on how you can do this:

Step 1: Check out your nearest electrical store and purchase a reliable LED bulb. Make sure it has the same size as the old bulb of your flashlight. The most common one is the white LED but you can choose from a myriad of other colors such as blue and red.

Step 2: Now remove the top lid of your current flashlight. This is to reveal the bulb inside. It should be easy to remove. Just twist the cap off and then set it aside.

Step 3: Remove the bulb. Some flashlight fixtures will need you to unscrew or clip off the locks to remove the bulb but the simpler versions only need you to carefully pull the bulb. It should come right off. If the manual is still with you, you can check out how you can remove the bulb.

Step 4: Remove the whole head of the flashlight from the body. You can now gain access to the incandescent bulb. Just like the bulb, pull the incandescent one out gently. Now you can replace it with the new LED bulb.

Step 5: Make sure the wirings of the new bulb are much the same in length with the old one so you won't have any trouble installing it. If there are excess parts, you can snip it off using wire cutter.

Step 6: Once you have done the modifications, you can now insert the bulb. Insert the bulb until it illuminates. Make sure the wires are also in the same place as the old one.

Step 7: Now replace the head back to the body and replace the lid. Test the connection by turning the switch on. If it lights up, installation of new bulb is successful. If it does not, try the first steps again until you get it right.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

The Importance Of Generator Preventative Maintenance

From small portable machines for the home to large diesel-powered models on a building site, generators need regular maintenance and inspection. That's because, since they're often used as an emergency or back-up power supply, it's crucial that your generator is always in good condition so it doesn't fail you when you're most in need of it.

Domestic and commercial generators should be checked regularly by a professional engineer who is well-trained in generator preventative maintenance. However, while it's inadvisable for the untrained to carry out this maintenance themselves, it's also important to know what's involved in the process.

Regular Cleaning and Getting Rid of Moisture

It may seem obvious but one of the most vital aspects of generator preventative maintenance is ensuring that the machine is clean. Dust and debris may build up on a generator, particularly if it is being used in a workshop or construction site. This can get into the exhaust and may damage internal components or cause the generator to dangerously over-heat. As a result, cleaning a generator - usually with compressed air - can significantly prolong its life. In addition, the air, fuel and oil filters should also be checked and cleaned regularly.

Moisture can also cause major damage to a generator. Experts recommend that generators are not left in areas where moisture can easily get into them. But even if you keep your generator protected from rain and wet conditions, moisture may still build up in the fuel tank. To combat this, engineers may suggest running a generator for up to two hours every month to get rid of this moisture, and to always ensure that leftover gasoline is burned away rather than left to sit in the fuel tank.

Fluid Replacement and Exhaust Check

Although it's advisable that gasoline or diesel shouldn't be left to sit in generators in storage, the oil and coolants in the machine should be checked regularly and replaced. What's more, the exhaust system in your generator should also be regularly maintained, and fuel leakages should be checked when the generator is running and fixed quickly.

So whether you have a portable electrical generator in your home or a diesel generator hire in your workplace, it's important to schedule regular preventative maintenance check-ups or establish whether they're included in your rental package. However, by familiarising yourself with what needs to be maintained, you'll be in a better position to know when your generator needs extra attention.

Sunday, December 11, 2011

A Nebo Redline Flashlight Review

A Nebo Redline seems like an odd name for a flashlight, but as with many things, there is some meaning to it. Let's explain.

Nebo is the supplier and is a division of family owned Alliance Sports Group.

Redline comes from the auto performance industry where when one redlines he is running at peak performance. The same thing can be said for the Nebo flashlight. It runs optimally for a flashlight.

This flashlight is also referred to as a tactical flashlight. It has this connotation because 1.) it is small and compact and easily held in one hand when used with a firearm to illuminate poorly lit areas. 2.) its brightness, if shown directly in one's eye, can be momentarily blinding, and 3.) because it is small, compact, well built, has an aluminum casing and has some "sharp" edges on the end, can be used as a defensive weapon in protecting one self from an attack.

Now some things about the flashlight. The Nebo Redline is one of the brighter (brightest) compact flashlights on the market today. Its focused beam shines at 220 lumens and allows you to see 150 yards away. The brightness can be dialed back to half power or one tenth power. It is amazing what this one, powerful LED bulb can do.

The flashlight runs off 3 triple A batteries and the manufacturer claims the battery will last 4 hours if used on high direct focus or up to 30 hrs if used on 10% output.

Another unique feature to the Nebo Redline is its strobe light capabilities. The manufacturer again claims that if the light is set to "Strobe" it will last 72 straight hours. Now this is not just an ordinary strobe. It is actually two strobes - one that flashes on and off continuously, like you would expect, and a mode that flashes out an SOS signal.

Now the one thing that many reviewers and owners of this flashlight like is its price. For what you get in this super bright light, you can't beat the price. It is quite affordable and at the time of this writing is selling for under $20. Amazing!

Lastly, the flashlight also has 1.) a magnet on its one end so it can be easily stuck to a metal surface to allow you to work hands free, 2.) a glow in the dark on off switch on the end to make finding the switch easy to do and turning it on and off easy. 3.) is also water resistant so if it is dropped in some water it well work just like new.

The bottom line is the Nebo Redline Flashlight is quite a deal. Considering all that you get and the price that you pay, you simply can not beat this light. Now this is not to say there aren't better tactical lights out there, because there are. However, on those, you will pay substantially more for them and you will probably not get all the features this light has to offer.

Friday, December 9, 2011

Grain Cleaner - Important Grain Cleaning Equipment

A grain cleaner is a machine that is designed for finer cleaning and sorting of all types of grains and seeds. It removes dirt and other impurities, such as stones, chaff, foreign seeds, stick, buck, leaves and sand. The grain cleaning machinery are used to clean a variety of crops including wheat, rice, maize, cereals, nuts, pulses and spices. A grain cleaning equipment can primarily removes three types of materials:

* Fine particles, which pass through a particular screen size.
* Bulky and large material, which remains atop a screen that lets the grain to pass.
* Light and low density material, such as lighter kernels.

The grain cleaner gives a fresh and clean look to the grains by blowing away all the impurities. These grains are then further processed by other machines before consumption.

The cleaning tools are generally made of stainless steel or other robust metals. Some of the components of a cleaning machine are feeding valve or hopper, cleaning chamber, screens and suction system.

The machine operates on the basis of differences in the thickness, width and length of the grains, their aerodynamic properties, shape, specific weight and surface condition. Let us now understand the working of a grain cleaner. The grains are fed inside the cleaning chamber by the feeder roller. Then they are transferred from cleaning chamber to the screen. The suction system of the cleaner lifts the lighter impurities from the grains. The extracted impurities are deposited in a separate chamber. The grains are then cleaned by the screen with the help of the rubber ball system. The rubber ball system also helps to keep the perforation of the screen open. After being passed through the screens clean grains are again passed through air sifter and aspiration. The remaining light contaminants are sucked off by an upward draught of air. The clean grains are then collected in a different collecting chamber.

The cleaning devices are very economical and easy to maintain. The initial cost of investment of a grain cleaner is also very low. However, no cleaning tool is able to remove all the impurities. Therefore, the measure of the cleaner performance of a cleaning machine depends on its efficiency. However, the efficiency of a the machine is not constant. As long as grains are cleaned to meet some contract specification or Grade, efficiencies less than 100% are acceptable.

Efficiency, %= (Amount of material actually removed /Amount of material that could be removed) *100

These cleaning equipments are either stationary or mobile. Different types of machines available are:

* Screener-scalper cleaners
* Vibratory
* Rotary
* Gravity
* Drag-Scalpers
* Aspiration cleaners

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Holding the Chainsaw With Caution

If the chainsaw in your tool kit somehow gets in the wrong hand, what might happen? Something dangerous may easily happen. In this case, you may visualize the horror scene from a movie.

Accidents may happen even when you've prepared well with all precautions. However, chainsaws are not essentially bad or dangerous if the user is well prepared and careful. Still, in case any accident happens, you should have first aid kit at your house.

We will be looking at some simple tips that will ensure that we use the chainsaw quite safely. These tips will help you become an expert though you will be starting as a novice.

If you are going to use the tool without any preparation, you may have to repent. You should take enough time to understand how the tool works. You can take help of the manual. So, before switching it on, give it some time.

Imagine the chain broke and your right hand got tangled. That'd be a devastating experience. There are features in the chainsaw to help you protect. So, study the different features of the tool. For example, in such cases, the function of ‘chain catcher' along with the ‘hand guard' needs to be understood.

When you are going to use this machine, you must check whether all the parts in their places and are working well. For example, you need to check the ‘throttle lock' before you use the chainsaw. Checking of all the safety guards is mandatory.

Be prepared for an emergency though we hope you would never be in the position. See how to stop the machine when needed. Also check if there's any emergency button to stop it.

You should never handle this particular tool in a casual manner. Rather, you need to put much care when you are using it. Otherwise, you may put yourself in danger. Of course, you will be using the chainsaw we hope.

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Chain Saw Sharpeners For Professionals

When considering a chain saw sharpener you can choose from professional quality, enthusiast level, and handyman sharpeners.

Professional chain saw sharpeners can be mounted on either a wall or a work bench, and will typically sharpen the chain after it is removed from the saw. When selecting a professional quality, bench mounted chain saw sharpener make sure it has at least a one quarter horsepower direct drive motor with large fan and aluminum fins to keep the motor running cool.

Professional chain saw sharpeners usually have easy head angle adjustments. You should look for features that allow precise adjustments to be made quickly and easily so that you can sharpen virtually any kind of chain design.

The sharpener should also have an adjustable vice to grip any chain type. The vice is especially useful if it's a hydraulic vice. This will automatically lock the chain when the head of your sharpener is lowered, and can reduce the time it takes to sharpen your chain by up to 50%. It is important that the vice will handle an offset of up to 10 degrees so you can maintain the correct corner and leading edge angles on chisel cutters.

You also want a professional chain saw sharpener to have a large diameter cutting wheel. Acceptable grinding wheels are anywhere from 5 inches to 26 inches in diameter. You should ensure that a professional chain saw sharpener comes with several grinding wheels, including 1/8" 3/16" and 1/4" thickness, as well as a wheel gauge wrench, and a dressing brick. The larger the wheel, the less chance you have to get cutter burn on the teeth of the chain.

A cutting length adjuster, and easy-to-read scales for the head angle, also ensure that both left and right cutters are sharpened to equal lengths and angles. Your sharpener should also have a good chain centering feature. High end chain saw sharpeners can be easily adjusted to handle chipper, semi-chisel, and full chisel chains from 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch pitch, as well as the 3/4 inch pitch chains.

Enthusiast level chain saw sharpeners will still provide precise sharpening. They should also include the ability to sharpen chipper, semi-chisel, and full chisel chains, including 1/4 inch, 0.325 inch, 3/8 inch, and 0.404 inch pitches. The angle of the vice guide should be able to accommodate cutter angles anywhere from 0 degrees to 35 degrees.

You should look for an easy to adjust chain vice. On an enthusiast sharpener the vice will probably be operated by a cam lever instead of hydraulics. The ability to adjust your cutter links and the grind depth are very important, and as always there should be a transparent safety guard so that you can see where the wheel is grinding. Chain saw sharpeners in this price range typically come with grinding wheels 4 inches in diameter, and run at speeds of 4,000 to 5,000 rpm.

Friday, December 2, 2011

Greenfield Tap and Die History and Facts

Taps and dies are essential repair tools. These will allow you to re-use stripped or loosened screws. These sets are widely available and these sets carry different brands. If you do not know what you are looking for in a set then you might think that a popular tap and die brand equates to quality. This is not usually the case; popularity does not ensure quality and durability. This is the reason why you need to look deeper and past the brand names. There is on company that is known for its tap and die set called the Kennametal IPG or Kennametal Industrial Products Group. Part of this group is the Greenfield tap and die.

Historically, Greenfield Tap and Die Corporation were established in 1912. This company focused in producing thread cutting tools like taps and dies. However, the company's acquisition of several firms has led to the discontinuing of the company name along with the production of products that are totally not related to thread cutting. In 1958, the company underwent a series of mergers and organizational alterations. Now, it is an integral part of the Kennametal IPG. Under Kennametal GTD has continued to product high quality taps, dies, and other thread cutting tools.

Greenfield Tap and Die is also responsible for the discovery and creation of several innovative products that allows you to achieve better results without burning holes in your pocket. It was this company that invented and produced the GUN tap which enables better chip removal for a more thorough hole tapping. It was also this company that introduces solid carbide taps which are stronger and more durable.

Under Kennametal IPG, Greenfield Tap and Die has continued to produce top of line thread cutting tools. With 130 years of experience this company is showing no signs of stopping.