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Summer 2002 |
DIY Water
 Home
water testing has always been costly and a logistical pain.
Checking for toxins and bacteria usually means calling a private
lab and sending them samples—along with a hefty check and
the stomach to wait weeks for the results. But it doesn’t
have to be this way. For about $25 and 15 minutes, I safely
tested my water for bacteria, lead, pesticides, nitrates, chlorine,
pH and hardness. The kit comes with four different tests that
identify eight different tap water contaminants. The test includes
a toll-free phone number to call if you think your water may
contain contaminants. We tested the testing kit twice and found
the instructions easy to follow. The bacteria test sample must
sit for 48 hours; the other samples reveal results within minutes.
I had some difficulty with the lead/pesticide testing apparatus.
The results were faint and hard to decipher, meaning the test
did not run properly and the results were invalid. Following
the instructions exactly, and being confident with the results
is the only inherent problem with personal testing. Test kits
cost $25. Go to www.watersafetestkits.com
or 888-438-1942. —Jay Somerset |
Robo Cut
 It’s
pretty simple: either you enjoy cutting the grass or you don’t.
If you don’t—and I’m certain most people fit
into this category—then take a look at Husqvarna’s
new Auto Mower, a battery-powered lawnmower that cuts the grass
by itself. Simply bury the perimeter wire around your lawn (the
mower covers up to 18,500 square feet or 1/2 acre) and program
when and for how long you want the mower to run. It is able
to work in the rain and, because it runs quietly and turns itself
on and off, you can set it to run at night.
The small, plastic mower has two
independently driven geared wheel motors and three steel blade
disks. It moves across your lawn in a random pattern and recharges
on its own. Once recharged (about two hours) it resumes cutting.
Tilt/lift sensors immediately stop the blades if the mower is
tilted; collision sensors make it change direction. One obstacle
it can’t overcome is an elevation change of 20º or
more.
The Mower costs about $2,300 and comes with a theft protection
alarm. Go to www.husqvarna.com
or call 800-487-5962
for more information. —Jay Somerset |
Septic Test
 Nobody
likes to think about septic systems—let alone test and
maintain them. Consequently, the longer a system is neglected,
the worse off it will get—and the more harmful it may become
to your immediate health and the local environment. With this
in mind, Michael Puccini of North Bay, Ont., came up with an
easy way to ensure your system is working properly and efficiently.
Puccini, an environmental scientist
by trade, designed the completely biodegradable and soluble
capsule that you flush down the toilet. The capsule bursts inside
the septic tank and turns everything in the tank florescent
green. Then, if you notice any bright green patches as the dye
leaches into your yard over the next 48 hours or so, you know
you have a retention problem. Moreover, you also know the location
of the leak, making the repair much easier and potentially cheaper.
The capsule is part of a kit which
includes a booklet that explains how septic systems work and
tips to help you keep such systems working efficienty.
Puccini sells the kit for about
$14. For more information, call 705-476-3998.
—Jay Somerset |
Right Angles
 You’d
think mitre gauges would make it easy to correctly and consistently
set the right cut angle on your tablesaw. The reality is most
mitre gauges are imprecise. Two new products manufactured by
Woodhaven Inc., the MiterMatic I and II, are inexpensive alternatives
to precision after- market mitre gauges. Of course, these products
won’t help you if the gauge and blade aren’t properly
lined up. The blade must be parallel to the mitre slot for the
MiterMatic to work.
Both have precisely angled grooves
milled into them that fit over the mitre bar to position against
the plastic edge. Raise the mitre gauge by putting a few pennies
underneath the mitre bar. Then, set the corresponding MiterMatic
groove to the angle you want. Tighten the gauge and start sawing.
The MiterMatic I is triangular
and is designed for setting common frame angles including 90º,
45º for four-sided frames or boxes and 30º for six-sided
projects. The rectangular MiterMatic II is for less common angles.
The 10 grooves include 36º for five sides, 18º for
10 sides and 7.5 for 24 sides. Contact the manufacturer at www.woodhaven.com
or call 563-785-0107
for more information. Each one costs about US$20. —Jay
Somerset |
Easy Starting
 Few
things are as frustrating to a homeowner as a gas-powered machine
that is difficult to start. Pulling the cord again and again
can tire you out before you even start your job. To ease the
effort, Echo Power Equipment introduced the gas-powered EZR
Grass Trimmer, first in a series of what Echo claims to be the
world’s easiest starting gas-powered trimmers.
Usually, pull-starting an engine
requires a significant amount of strength to turn the engine
over and overcome the engine’s compression. With the Echo
trimmer, the pull-cord loads a spring that turns the engine
over for you. As a result, pulling the cord is much easier.
Loading the cutting cable has
been simplified as well. Instead of winding lengths of cord,
you merely insert two pieces of plastic cable into the head
and lock in place. When the strips wear down, remove the stubs
and replace. A package of 20 costs $5.
The trimmer weighs about 10 pounds
and is powered by a 21cc two-cycle engine. The trimmer costs
about $300. Go to www.echo.ca
or call 800-700-1358
for more details. —Jay Somerset |
Bright Bricks
 Husband
and wife entrepreneurs Glenn and Melanie Kerr of Smiths Falls,
Ont. have come up with a unique solution to outdoor low-level
lighting: low-voltage paver lights—flush mounted lights
that you can combine with interlocking brickwork. Add light
to driveways, around pool areas and patios—basically any
area you want to illuminate without installing above ground
lights.
To install, simply remove the
old brick and insert a light fixture. Then connect it to the
cable that runs alongside the length of the lights to a transformer
plugged into an outdoor outlet. Cover the wires and you’re
done.
The fixtures are made of durable plastic and the inventors claim
that the lights are strong enough to support the weight of a
car. Drain holes in the bottom allow water to escape and prevent
condensation. The clear, top lens pops out so you can replace
the 4-watt bulb. The bulbs last about 2,000 hours and are warm
enough to melt snow and ice off the top lens.
The 12-volt system comes with
a two-year warranty and an installation video. Different packages
are available. A pack of eight 4" x 8" lights, complete
with transformer and cable, costs about $110. Go to www.kerrlighting.com
or call 613-283-9571
for more detailed information. —Jay Somerset
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