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Drill Bits – An Overview

admin — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 06:25:10 +0000

Drill bits are cutting tools utilized in drill machines to make cylindrical holes. Oftentimes the bit itself is referred to as the drill. Drills are very handy for tasks around the home such as installing fixtures or putting up shelves, which would necessitate the drilling of holes. Drill bits can be used in drilling holes on a number of materials including metal, wood, plastics etc.

Drill bits come in a range of sizes and lengths and are also made from different materials. This type of information is important as different drill bits are required to perform different jobs satisfactorily. Drill bits can be made of carbon steel, cobalt, diamonds, carbides and titanium. Drills made from low carbon steel are the least expensive on the market. However, they are relatively soft and this essentially makes them effective for use only on soft wood. At the other end of the spectrum are drill bits made from diamonds. Diamond is said to be the hardest substance known to man and thus drill bits made from diamonds are reserved for use on the toughest materials. Carbide drill bits are also good for boring into high density materials such as stainless steel.

There are various types of drill bits available. The most common type of drill bits are known as twist drill bits. Twist drill bits can be made from high speed steel and carbon steel. Twist drill bits constructed from high speed steel are more suitable for drilling holes in metals while carbon steel twist drill bits are better suited for use on wood. The masonry drill bit is designed to drill holes in construction materials such as concrete, blocks, stones, bricks or tiles. Another type is the screwdriver drill bit, which is designed to work with replaceable bit screwdrivers. Other types of drill bits include tile bits, flat wood bits, hole saw bits and bullet pilot point bits, just to name a few.

Depending on the quality drills can be costly, but at the same time they can be durable. Taking proper care of drill bits will lengthen their life and effectiveness. The edges of drill bits can get damaged, worn or become dull overtime. In order to prevent or delay this kind of damage it is best to store drill bits in suitable containers. Tool boxes may not be the best holding place for drill bits as they are likely to roll around loosely and may sometimes come in contact with sharp tools and instruments. Drill bits are to be sharpened periodically with a drill bit sharpener. It is not advisable to wait until there are signs of damage to sharpen drill bits. This is because sharpening at this point may cause more damage to the drill bits as the drill bit sharpener might break the sensitive parts of the drill bits more easily.

Double Pane Windows -An Introduction

Scrubbie — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 17:38:48 +0000

The growing consciousness of the need for energy efficiency has driven home the importance of revolutionizing the home construction industry. One consequence has been the increasing replacement of single pane windows with double pane windows. Double pane windows consist of two glass panels, which face each other, and are set in a single frame. The two glass panels are separated from each other by a small gap of approximately half of an inch. Sometimes the gap between the glass panels is filled with a non-toxic gas such as argon, which enhances the insulating property of double pane windows. They are also called double glazed windows.

Double pane windows can be quite attractive home features. But their popularity in comparison to single pane windows far exceed any visual allure. They are highly regarded for their energy efficient properties. Energy efficiency is of primary concern considering data reveals that energy loss in the average American home accounts for approximately 25% of annual heating and cooling costs. Double pane windows can positively impact householders’ utility bills since they insulate the home from the outside elements. The glass panels of double pane windows usually have a special coating which reflects infrared light. This feature is effective across climates as in the warmer months of summer, light and heat is kept out, which leaves homes cooler. Meanwhile, homes are kept warmer in the cold winter periods as double paned windows keep heat inside homes. This insulating feature of double glazed windows benefits home owners also by protecting household items such as rugs and furniture from sun damage.

Double pane windows are also the preferred choice among homeowners who are keen on reducing noise from outside disturbances. Individuals therefore who live in close proximity to schools, areas with heavy traffic build up or other noisy environments will find double pane windows more advantageous than single pane windows. The snug set of the glass panels sealed into the frames are quite effective in preventing sound leakage. Double pane windows are also specially treated making them are harder to break, offering greater protection to home owners against possible game ball accidents.

There really are a few, if any, disadvantages in retrofitting homes with double pane windows. One only has to ensure the right purchase is made based on individual needs and desires. The only downside to replacing single pane windows with double paned ones is the cost. The cost can be somewhat off putting, but the long term saving gains will more than compensate for the initial expense. If one is replacing windows, or constructing a new home, one should also consider triple pane windows. They are more expensive than double panes, but they are more energy efficient. However, depending on how cold or hot it gets where you are, double glazed windows may be the more practical option.

Reducing Electricity Costs – Making Use of Solar Power

crystite — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 03:20:25 +0000

Electricity usage is practically a necessity in this modern age. As such, you can be sure of a recurring electricity bill. It only makes sense therefore to reduce this expense as much as possible without having to necessarily deprive yourself of comforts you might have gotten used to. It may come as a surprise just how many ways there are to accomplish this. In this entry, we will consider the use of solar power.

Solar energy can be converted to electricity by means of photovoltaic cells. These cells produce electricity when sunlight makes contact with their surfaces. Deriving electricity through this means is desirable for two reasons. One, the source is sunlight, of which there is plenty to go around and is free. You could potentially eliminate your electricty bill, by going solar. The second reason one may find the solar option attractive, is that it is considered green. It does not cause any pollution, unlike fossil fuel usage.

The main deterrent to going solar though is the prohibitive costs. The panels can be quite expensive. (Don’t be fooled by earth4energy and other solar power scams). The cost has actually been significantly reduced if one compares the current cost with what it was about 20 years ago. Nevertheless, for most people, it would still be considered too expensive to go fully solar. You can expect to spend between $30,000 to $50,000 for equipment and installation, depending on your regular electricity usage. If you can reduce your regular electricity usage, then you can reduce this cost.

Another factor that restricts some from going the solar route is the lack of space. The solar panels need to be placed somewhere where sunlight is not impeded, usually on the roof, and there needs to be enough space. Not everyone has a roof that makes this a viable option.

As the cost of solar cells has gone down over the years while efficiency has improved, it is likely that technology will continue to advance to eventually make solar power feasible for all. But until then, is there anything to be done now, to take advantage of this means of reducing electricity costs?

Well it might not be practical for the average person to go completely solar now. But one can consider a partial solar solution. For example, one could look at using solar power for certain appliances, such as the air conditioner. But that’s not the only alternative. One can also try substituting electrical devices with solar powered versions of the same devices. For instance, solar patio lights or solar garden lights can be used instead of regular outdoor lights, and solar water heaters instead of the regular electrical.

Sohodecor 2 Pack Single Colors Iridescent Stainless Steel Solar Garden Lights

atimco — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 03:03:22 +0000

If you are thinking of enhancing the decor of your garden, you should consider taking advantage of stainless steel solar garden lights. The Sohodecor 2 pack single colours iridescent set is an example that will be the focus here. The stainless steel not only gives it an elegant appearance, but is also weather resistant, thereby making it fit for outdoor use. As these lights are solar powered, you don’t have to worry about incurring any additional electricity costs.

These Sohodecor stainless steel solar lights are ideal for festive events or any occasion for that matter where you would want decorative lighting for your outdoors. The colours make a variety of transitions, ranging from red to blue to yellow to purple, to aqua, and to green. Just imagine the effect you could bring to your patio, your driveway, or your garden! These lights have sensors to automatically switch on when it is dark and switch off when it is daylight, so you don’t have to be concerned with remembering to switch on or off. They do not require any wiring, so installation is very easy. They come with rechargeable Ni-Cad batteries, which give up to 40 hours of light time.

Customers who have purchased this set have had mixed reactions depending to some extent on their expectations. Many who have bought the set are pleased with the color changing effect, remarking how beautiful they make the area they are placed in. Others have complained that these lights are good only for the colours, but not practical in that the luminousity is not at a level that would light up the area to the extent that you could see clearly what is in the surroundings.

So if you’re looking to add to the decor of your garden, patio, or outdoors in general, especially for festive occasions, then these Sohodecor stainless steel solar garden lights might be ideal.

Other related searches:

Stainless Steel Solar Landscape Light with 7 Colors (2 Pack)

atimco — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 23:12:39 +0000

This product comes with two lamps that change through seven colors. These stainless steel solar garden lights are ideal for the garden. As they use a new type of LED technology, they are expected to last longer in terms of running time, than normal solar lights. Being very colorful, they make for a beautiful display in your yard, and are ideal for festive occasions. Each color changes approximately every second. Since they are stainless steel, they are resistant to corrosion, which is what you want for outdoor lights. These solar lights are easy to install, as they do not require any wiring, or special tools. It really is just a matter of deciding where to place them, and sliding or twisting pieces together. These lights have a sensor that detects when it is getting dark, and so will switch on automatically. Each light can last up to 10 hours, but the battery (AA size) need to be charged fully. A Ni-Cad rechargeable battery is included. These stainless steel solar landscape lights feature an ultra-bright white LED bulb, that as mentioned before, should last longer than regular solar lights.

Those who have purchased this product, are generally satisfied. Customers have found that the light given off is not all that bright, which is understandable as they include only one LED each. So bear in mind that they may good for ambience, but perhaps inadequate for really lighting up the area. This is probably what you wanted with such colorful lights anyway. Customers report that these lights do not rust when exposed to the rain, which is to be expected, since they are stainless steel. However, others have reported that with heavy rain, they stopped working, and even rusted.

As at the date of this article, the cost of this 2 pack set of stainless steel solar garden lights is less than $15 USD.

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Homebrite Copper Garden Landscape Solar Light

atimco — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 23:03:27 +0000

The product lists in online stores as, Homebrite Copper Garden Landscape Solar Light with Natural Warm Light, 30865, Small, Rockwell, Set of 12, Copper. This set of 12 stainless steel solar garden lights come with a brush copper finish, making them not only resistant to corrosion, but also attractive in appearance. They are useful for lighting up your yard or garden, or providing lighting for your driveway. They are very energy efficient, as they use Natural warm light LEDs in conjunction with an improved solar panel that gives twice as much luminousity, but uses less energy. The LEDs are ultra bright and can last up to one hundred thousand hours. The rechargeable Ni cad battery which is included, can last up to 2 years before the need for replacement. It comes with an automatic sensor that detects dusk and dawn so that the light can be switched on and off automatically at the appropriate times. You no longer have to worry about forgetting to turn off your light. These solar lights are easy to install, as they require no wiring. Each light is 5x5x15.5 inches.

Customers who purchase this product are generally pleased. It is often noted how bright they actually are, and how long they last. Some customers express dissatisfaction with the quality of these lights, in that they break easily, or come defective. Consider the good and bad reviews before purchasing. Also remember that these are stainless steel, which means they should fare well in the outdoors, and as solar lights, do not incur additional electricity expense. Bear in mind too the price you are paying. The price for this set of 12 is actually very reasonable (<$64 USD as at date of this article).

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Solar Power, Outdoor Solar Landscape Path Lights, Stainless Steel Pack of 12

crystite — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 23:58:06 +0000

This stainless steel pack of 12 solar lights are ideal for illuminating your garden and pathways. As they are solar powered, you can enjoy the lighting without incurring additional electricity expense. The light given off has been described by customers, as bluish. With this set of stainless steel solar garden lights, you can use them for lighting up (or at least accenting) a walkway,or using them creatively around trees or plants, that can really enhance the aesthetics of your garden.

Each solar light comes with a rechargeable Ni-Cad battery, which gets charged during the day as the sunlight interfaces with the solar panels. They each come with 1 LED soft bulb. The stakes are made of stainless steel, which make them resistant to corrosion. They are also water resistant, as your outdoor lights should be. The diameter of each path light is 4.5 inches, and the height is 14.5 inches.

Customers who have purchased this set of solar path lights are generally satisfied. It has been noted that while the stakes are made of stainless steel, the lens is made of plastic. This is not necessarily bad, but it means that care must be taken when installing these lights. You should first set the stakes in the ground, then attach the lens, otherwise you could easily break the lens. Also check to see if when you receive them, if they have been set to the “off” position. Sometimes customers complain that they don’t work, but the problem sometimes turns out to be that the switch is set to off. You will need to open the top to switch it on. Also ensure that your battery is firmly in place. A fully charged battery generally lasts several hours, and for many customers, lasts throughout the whole night.

As of the writing of this article, these stainless steel solar path lights can be obtained for around $50 (USD).

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Stainless Steel Solar Garden Lights

atimco — Sun, 24 Oct 2010 16:32:12 +0000

Solar garden lights have been covered to some extent in other articles on this site (see for eg. solar patio lights and solar yard lights). The focus of this entry will be on the stainless steel variety of outdoor solar lights.

The benefits of solar yard lights are clear. They provide lighting at nights using energy from the sun captured and stored in batteries during the day, and therefore do not incur any additional electricity costs. In fact, they will help reduce your electricity bill if you substitute the non-solar garden lights with the solar types. With this benefit, one can equip one’s garden with not only lighting for security purposes, but what can be considered non-essential lighting, such as lighting for simply aesthetic purposes, without having to worry about a resulting recurring electricity cost. Another benefit is the easy installation, and lack of wiring generally needed. There are some types of solar garden lights though, which allow the solar panels to be placed away from the light source, and this would require some amount of wiring. So considering the benefits of solar yard lights, it is understandable why one would want to invest in them. Having made this decision, one now needs to decide on the quality to go for.

Stainless steel solar garden lights are a worthwhile investment. As outdoor lights, they are exposed to the elements, and therefore the stainless steel (usually used for the stake and/or shade) is fitting, being resistant to harsh temperatures and rusting. They stand to last for several seasons, while still maintaining a pristine look. So even though stainless steel solar garden lights tend to be more expensive, they will probably serve you better in the long run.

There are a variety of solar garden lights that come in stainless steel. So whether you want to have bright spotlights for security purposes, or just enough light to illuminate your pathways or driveways, or just to enhance the decor of the yard, you can find suitable stainless steel solar lights.

To illustrate the variety of outdoor stainless steel solar lights, a few will be highlighted here. If you’re looking for something bright, maybe as a security measure, then there is Earthtech’s set of 8 stainless steel solar lights, or Homebrite’s stainless steel garden landscape solar lights. Each comes with 3 high output white LEDs,providing lighting 360 degrees and up to 300 feet away. If you want something for lighting up your path, then there is the Westinghouse 10 piece stainless steel solar light set, for example. They have an attractive copper finish, and will provide nice pathway light. If you want something colorful for maybe festive occasions, there is the Sohodecor 2 Pack Single Colors Iridescent Stainless Steel Solar Garden Lights. They emanate light that changes color from red, blue, yellow and others.

Basically, stainless steel solar lighting products are extensive and you therefore should be able to find something suitable for your outdoor lighting purposes.

Solar Deck Lights – Moonrays 95021 Solar Powered Plastic Post Side Lamp Light, Bronze

atimco — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 20:40:09 +0000

This bronze plastic post side lamp is ideal for lighting up your deck. It is a Coleman Cable brand.

Since it is solar powered, you have the benefit of lighting without the increase in your electricity bill. (See Solar Patio Lights and Solar Yard Lights for more general information on outdoor solar lighting products).

This product comes with an AA rechargeable NiCd battery. It uses 2 white LED lights that produces a downlighting effect (ie. the lighting is concentrated downward). The item is durable, constructed with plastic, including the lens, but has a bronze finish and metal leaf decor. It is easy to install, as it does not require any wiring. It also comes with mounting screws.

Customers who have purchased this product are generally pleased. It sometimes comes as a surprise how small it is. The actual dimensions are 2 x 5 x 6.8 inches. Lighting provided is generally satisfactory both in terms of luminosity and endurance. Depending on the size of area you need to light up, you may need to purchase more than one. This product currently (see date of article below) sells at a little less than $10 (USD). It comes with a little tab to pull out, which will allow the batteries to charge. However, a small percentage of customers have reported that the tab was not visible. If this happens, it is not a big deal really, as you can simply open the battery pack and take it out. Make sure you allow the batteries to charge properly, otherwise you might observe a flickering of the light.

I saw a claim that said Home Depot carries a similar product for $1 more, that is supposed to be better as it has an additional battery, gives brighter lighting, and lasts longer. I was not able to identify which product this could be. If anyone has any idea what this could be in reference to, please post a comment with some details for the benefit of all.

Carbide Drills (Bits and Tips) – An Introduction

crystite — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 19:15:23 +0000

Carbide drills are among the best types of drills one can get in terms of durability and cutting ability. The tungsten carbide drill is the most common, and is generally just referred to as a carbide drill. There are however other types aside from tungsten. These drills are made of material that is very hard and strong, and so are able to drill into just about any kind of material, even high density ones like stainless steel. They are however fairly expensive compared to their steel counterparts. Carbide drills also have other advantages, which we will look into.

Drills and Drill Bits Terminology

First it would be beneficial to review some of the terminology pertaining to drills, before we look more in depth at carbide drills. The term drill can refer to the drilling machine itself that has the motor to spin the bit that bores the holes. It can also refer to the drill bit, which as just mentioned, is what is used to interface with the surface and do the actual boring or cutting. The other side of the drill bit is called the shank. For the purposes of this article, the terms drill and drill bit will be used synonymously unless clearly indicated otherwise.

Drill Wear and Tear – Carbide Drills last longer

Each time a drill is used to bore an object, there is some deterioration to the bit itself. The friction between the bit and the surface on which it is impacting, causes heat to be generated, which wears down the bit causing it to become dull over time. Eventually it will need regrinding (which can only be done a limited number of times) and replacing altogether. It is also known that the structural integrity of the drill bit can also get compromised with the continual heating and cooling experienced in the bit. Carbide drill bits generally last longer and stay sharper than other bit kinds. For example, they can last up to 25 times longer than the average steel bits.

Drilling Tolerance -carbide drills have lowest tolerances

One of the major factors that determine the type of drill needed for a particular job is the tolerance associated with the particular drill. Tolerance basically gives an idea of how close the drill will come to producing the required hole size. It is the difference between the diameter of the drill bit being used, and the diameter of the largest hole one could expect from using this drill bit. The smaller the hole, the smaller the tolerance. Carbide drill bits have the lowest tolerances, which means they tend to be more accurate than other drills.

Carbide Drill Bit Types

When one refers to a carbide drill, it is possible that one is referring to a carbide coated drill, a solid caribide drill bit, a brazed drill with a carbide tip, or an exchangeable drill bit tip that uses a carbide crown. It is important to understand what is meant by each, as this will impact the choice of drill to use for a particular job.

Carbide Coated Drills

These drills are technically not carbide drills. They are usually steel or high speed steel coated with carbide. This increases the life span of the drill by approximately 2 to 3 times and can be used to drill thin metals.

Solid Carbide Drills

These drill bits are wholly carbide. It is not just coated steel, or an adjoining of steel and carbide. Solid carbide drill bits tend to be brittle and so are at risk of breaking if usage requires some flexibility of the bit, such as on lathes. On the plus side, this stiffness allows them to have the lowest tolerance measures among carbide drills, making them the most accurate. Note though, they happen to also be the most expensive.

Brazed Carbide Tipped Drills

A brazed tipped drill is essentially a drill bit that has another metal type welded to the end by means of a filler metal or alloy. A brazed carbide drill is usually a steel bit drill with a carbide tip brazed on. This is cheaper than a solid carbide drill and is still fairly accurate. The tolerance is just about twice that of the solid carbide drills for comparable drill diameters. The steel body of this drill allows enough flexibility that the solid carbide does not, and so can work on lathes. Brazed drills have a self-centering geometry, as they have two symmetrical edges for cutting. This is a very stable design that makes it possible for the drill to bore materials at top feedrates, except where the entrance might be angled, in which case, the feed should be reduced by up to 50% both when entering and exiting.

Exchangeable Carbide Drill Bit Tip

There are drills available that allows the tip to be replaced as needed. This type of drill is similar to the brazed in that the head or tip (also called the crown) of the drill can be of a different metal than the main drill body, such as a carbide crown. However, the tip is not brazed on, but can be replaced. Various size crowns are available, so with just one drill, it is possible to drill varying size holes. Replacing a crown costs almost the same as regrinding a brazed or solid drill. As mentioned earlier, regrinding can only be done a very limited number of times. But with a drill where the crown can be replaced, the drill bit will last much longer, as there is no need to do any regrinding. This makes this type of drill very economical. Regrinding diminishes the precision and overall performance of the drill, as it is very difficult to replicate the precise shape and other relevant details in the regrinding process. The exchangeable crown drill does not have this problem, as the crown is simply replaced when necessary. Another benefit of this kind of drill is that, like the brazed drill, it has self-centering geometry and can enter materials at full feedrates.

Having looked at the different types of carbide drills, and seeing their advantages and disadvantages with respect to each other, as well as their benefits over other types of drills (like steel or high speed steel), one can see that it makes sense to get a carbide drill if one can afford it. They are more accurate, they last longer, and they are able to bore into very hard materials. If one intends to cut metal, then a carbide drill might be the most effective option, and when it comes to high density materials like stainless steel, it might be the only option.