วันอังคารที่ 23 กรกฎาคม พ.ศ. 2556

Swingline Pre packed Standard Assorted S7079141

I bought this Swingline Pre packed Standard Assorted S7079141 on a whim after seeing it at Target for only $2. We have a full-sized stapler at home, be we keep it in our "office" upstairs, and I was tired of having to run up and get it every time I needed a quick staple job. The tiny size of this stapler is perfect, as it tucks neatly into one of my kitchen drawers. Despite it's small size, however, it's quite a powerful little stapler! I've never tested it to see exactly how much paper it can handle, but on the other hand, I've also never had it jam or otherwise fail to perform. The stapler is lightweight yet sturdy, and the best thing about it is that it takes regular, STANDARD size staples--no need to purchase a specialty size! This would be a great stapler for kids (my sister bought one for my niece), but be sure to buy at least one for yourself too. Highly recommended!

I brought this Swingline Tot Stapler because I needed an occasional stapler and did not want a bulky one that just takes up a lot of space and gets used maybe once a week. I was very happy with this product. This little thing carried a lot of punch. In fact, I stapled 15 sheets of paper at one time, which is more than it promises on the package. I believe the site claims 2-12 sheets of 20 lb. paper. The storage case underneath will surely come in handy someday. Can't wait till the day when I get to sit at my chair and not have to get up for a re-fill.


In a busy household there are always people with busy hands taking away my stuff so I often buy multiples of things. I have a professional office stapler that people can't remove from my desk, then I have these things which I give to my kids so they won't take my stapler. These small staplers are great, they're cheap and work well. Best of all, they're brightly colored so that I can always find them in drawers.

This little guy is unquestionably the greatest stapler I've ever owned! Unlike other models I've used in my life, this baby has never jammed, nor has it ever mangled a staple into an unusable shape. It even has a convenient staple-remover horn on the back part of the base for those moments when I need the pages separated, rather than together. And there's even a little storage space in the base, right underneath the plastic cover. Although it's meant to house an extra cartridge of staples, I use it as a cash-stash in case an unexpected emergency should occur. Better safe than sorry, I always say...

Speaking of staples: unlike Swingline's preceding Cub series of mini-staplers, this model takes standard-size staples. Which is a good thing, 'cuz Cub staples are gettin' harder and harder to find by the minute 'round here...

วันจันทร์ที่ 22 กรกฎาคม พ.ศ. 2556

LD Bags Leopard Backpack 16 5 LD Bags Leopard Backpack 16 5

I purchased this LD Bags Leopard Backpack 16 5 LD Bags Leopard Backpack 16 5 for my daughter starting kindergarden this August! she picked it out! when it arrived she was so excited. all thing i didnt expect was how big the bag was on her. but that is fine, i would rather it be slightly larger than too small. The backpack is a standard backpack size, not a toddler size. The size of this bag would fit better on a child a year or to older. but since the straps are adjustable she can wear it just fine! we had the bag monogrammed when it arrived and now its just perfest! Love the backpack!

I ordered this for my daughter and she loves it, but before she could use it I had to wash it about five times, because it smelled really bad from some chemicals. Not sure whether it was packed funny or what. I ended up using really powerful smelling Downy several times and airing it out in my garage repeatedly between washings. It was that stinky.

However, it is holding up nicely to my 10yo's constant use, it holds all her stuff, provides space for different things (pencil area, netting on the side for a thermos, etc). She has also inspired a lot of her peers to buy pink and zebra bags, but their stuff seems flimsier.

My 9yo daughter loves this stylish zebra backpack but she has a hard time with the zipper, and after one month the liner on the inside is already ripping. It looks great, just needs heavier duty materials to perfect the quality and it would be 5 stars!

This bag has such a strong, awful plastic smell that I put it in my shed and forgot about it. I bought it for my daughter but there is no way I'm having her walk around all day sucking in what are most likely toxic fumes. The only good thing I can say is that the seller sent the bag out quickly.

Gowrite Erase Rolls Inches AR2420

I bought this Gowrite Erase Rolls Inches AR2420 for my Grandson's new craft table. It required a 12" roll. I received the roll and it was 18" x 75' not 12" x 100'. The label on the paper said 18"x 75', but the sticker on the outside of the roll said 12" x 100'. I emailed Amazon and told them of my problem, hoping they would suggest how I could return the roll and be assured to get the right size the next time. No response after a couple of days, so I did online chat with a Amazon rep. I was told I was issued a refund, even though I did not receive an email stating so and it's not listed on my account as a return. The rep told me I would have to order again to get the correct roll and he would make a note on my account to send the 12" roll. I paid $8.95 for the roll on 12/30/12 and 11 days later the roll costs $13.21. Doesn't quite seem fair.

Fits great in my 12" paper roll holder. My grandkids can pull out as much paper as they need off the roller. The paper is great to color, paint or write on. Having the paper readily available tends to let them be more creative. I put the holder with the paper on their play table and pull the paper out about 20" and tape the end with blue painters tape and when they are finished the tape does not stick to their "masterpiece" and they can take it home or hang it on my wall.

It is true to the measurements. Got this paper for my nephew for his birthday. He recieved the easel for chrsitmas with no supplies for painting. this paper fit perfectly on the paper holders and my nephews room is now decorated with all his amazing art work. Best present I could have gotten him. Ps dont forget to get a spill mat!

We have been buying these Alex Paper 100-foot rolls for 3 years, probably have gone thru 20 rolls by now. My son loves to draw trains and extra longgg trucks on 6-foot lengths that we cut. My complaint is that until some time in late 2011, the paper had always been good high quality. Since then, the two orders we received are much inferior in paper quality, it is not as smooth, not as even in opacity, and tears easily. I want the old stuff back!

วันอาทิตย์ที่ 21 กรกฎาคม พ.ศ. 2556

The Origins and History of the Modern Stapler

Stapler are such a common item these days. We all encounter them at the office and most of us also have one for use at home. Like any other everyday object, it's easy to take them for granted and not wonder how and why they came to be so ubiquitous. That's kind of a shame because the stapler has a pretty interesting history. Here is a brief look back at its fascinating origins.

Early beginnings. Ever since paper has been around, there undoubtedly has been a need to fasten sheets together. It is believed that, way back in the Middle Ages, people accomplished this by using wax and ribbons. However, the precursor of the modem stapler seems to have originated in the 18th century France. The country's monarch, Louis XV, had a device handmade for the fastening of his personal documents and even used staples inscribed with the court's insignia.

The 19th century. Although the stapler had illustrious, royal origins, it didn't really come to be used by the public until the 19th century. In 1841, a man named Samuel Slocum received a patent for his document fastening method that consisted of threading pins through paper. Around 1866, a patent was issued to Joan Barbour for creating a bendable metal fastener, a precursor to the staples we use today. Around this same time, a paper fastener was created by the Patent Novelty Manufacturing Co. This device could only hold one staple at a time, but it could be used to fasten paper, as well as upholstery and boxes. However, the stapler itself was invented by one Charles H. Gould in 1879 and his invention was called the McGill Single-Stroke Staple Press. This particular device weighed almost three pounds and it was powerful enough to staple a couple of sheets together.

The 20th century. The word "stapler" didn't enter the American lexicon until 1901. That's when the word appeared in an issue of "Munsey's Magazine" as part of an advertisement for a paper fastening device. However, the word didn't become widely used until several years later. In 1905, the B. Jahn Manufacturing Co. issued the first stapler that could contain an entire strip of staples, which definitely made document fastening a lot easier and faster. Newer companies appeared in the 1920's and 1930's, including the Boston Wire Stitcher Co. and Swingline, which has become to best-known document fastening brand around. Swingline is credited with creating the first top-loading device, as well as creating products that have become pop culture landmarks, such as the red model in the cult classic Office Space. Electric models were invented in the 1950s, which made document fastening easier than ever.

The stapler has definitely had a long, colorful history, and in the 21st century, its place as an office product must-have is secure. From its royal origins to its modern-day popularity, this is one item that you'll never look at the same way again and even appreciate more as you fasten those important documents.

Master Lock 5400D Set Your Own Combination

The masterlock select access storage box is a great Master Lock 5400D Set Your Own Combination. I bought one for a slightly unusual purpose, in that I took it camping. For four weeks, this box was locked onto the frame of my station wagon, right next to the exhaust pipe. During that entire time, I used it several times without any problem. For the last two weeks, I found myself making hour-long treks over dirt roads, and across river beds every other day in a vehicle that was hardly designed for the task.

When I returned to civilization, I fully expected to find the box thoroughly abused. I expected the rubber case to have been melted by the exhaust pipe. I expected mud to have gummed up the combination locks. I even imagined there might be a few dents or scratches on it from the road. None of this was the case.

While my use of the box has revealed to me that it is not water tight, and the glue used to hold the rubber casing on may be a little weakened by heat or water, the worst damage I found on it were a few small scratches on the rubber casing around the lock part, where it had been attached to the frame of my car.

Recently, I managed to get a key stuck in the device somehow. Perhaps it no longer worked right because I removed the rubber casing. Maybe the long car key I put in jammed the locking mechanism somehow, or maybe I managed to accidentally reset the combination while it was open. I suspect that I reset the combination accidentally. My one complaint with this device is how easy it is to do this. Users can easily fix this by gluing or taping the reset switch in place once you've chosen a good combination.

Since I needed the key, I decided I would have to break open the device. Those of you concerned with the security of this product will be pleased to learn how hard it was to do.

As I had gotten the rubber casing off, I already knew that there were six rivets in the back. I imagined that by drilling through these, I would be able to get the lock apart. Using a bench vice, and a power drill with a metal drill bit, it took me five minutes of serious drilling to get through these rivets. When I was done drilling, nothing happened, because the rivets were set in such a way that the drill holes had gone in crooked. I ended up pounding away at the thing with a ball-pene hammer and a cold chisel for another half hour to break the rivets on the sides all the way through. This allowed me to rip off the sides of the front panel. Once that was done, I had to beat in the back of the lock so that I could get the chisel into the top, and force the locking mechanism open. The hinge was too strong for me to break at all. Once I got it out, my key was slightly twisted. I'm not sure it will still work.

All told, it took me fifty five minutes,to break into the master lock select access storage box. Fifty five minutes, using all the tools I could think of. At a private home, with it latched to a doorknob, or in an inconvenient place, it probably would have taken much longer. I don't think there are many places where the police won't get around to a criminal before they get at your keys in one of these things. I also don't think a criminal who can get at the keys any faster would be able to use them once he got them out.

วันเสาร์ที่ 20 กรกฎาคม พ.ศ. 2556

Five Great Pencil Sharpeners

A good Pencil Sharpener is a must-have item for anyone who regularity uses this type of writing instrument. There are a lot to choose from, so deciding on one can be a bit of a challenge. That is why you should check out these great sharpeners from such top manufacturers as Dahle and Swingline. They are great for use at school, home, and work, and they're all well-made so you can be confident you purchased the right one. Let's take a look at these products....
  1. Dahle Chubby. This is a great sharpener for creative types and younger students. The Chubby is a canister sharpener that has a colorful lid. In fact, three colors are available: red, yellow, and blue. These products are ergonomically friendly and are easy to empty and clean. The blade is made from high-quality German steel and can be replaced if it becomes dull. This product will add a bit of color to any office.
  2. Dahle Metal Wedge. These handheld devices are small enough to fit in your pocket, but they still do a great job. There are two types available: the first product has a single hole that can accommodate standard pencils while the second has two holes, including one that's perfect for oversized writing utensils. As with the Chubby, the blades in these sharpeners are replaceable and honed from first-rate German steel.
  3. Dahle Professional Rotary. This product is one of Dahle's best. It has an automatic cutting system that allows you to choose how sharp your pencil will be. When your pencil reaches your desired sharpness, it will spin freely in the device until you remove it, thus it won't be over-sharpened.. You can sharpen standard, oversized, and colored pencils with this device and you can remove the Solingen steel blades if you need to replace or clean them. This sharpener comes with mounting hardware but you can use it wherever you want.
  4. Swingline Compact Electric. This Swingline model is handheld and provides electric sharpening wherever you go. It works quickly and quietly, and can be powered either by batteries or an AC adapter. (The adapter is included.) Each unit has a lead saver feature that ensures your pencil will be sharpened just enough. The blades are fashioned from carbon steel. These sharpeners easy to empty and they are covered by a limited two-year warranty.
  5. Swingline Optima Electric. If you want one of the best electric pencil sharpeners available, the Swingline Optima is what you need. This product is capable of sharpening six different kinds of pencils, including rectangular ones, and like the Swingline Compact, it operates very quietly. This unit is protected from overheating thanks to a thermal cut-off and it won't over-sharpen your writing utensils because it has the same lead saver feature as the Compact. Finally, it's backed by a fantastic limited lifetime warranty.
To get your writing implements ready to use, pick up one of these great products today so you can start sharpening. You'll be glad you did!

Paper Mate Retractable Ballpoint 89465

These pens are absolutely the best pens I've ever used and I now use no other pens but these. I write a lot of books as a hobby and usually my hand gets tired quickly with ordinary pens because you have to use more force to get them to write. These Profile pens glide across the page and write smoothly every time. Also, you never have to scratch them on something to get them to work - they write the first time, every time. Additionally, there's no cap to use since it's retractable, preventing it from drying out. The price for these was great for a 12 pack since buying them at the store for a pack of 2 is close to $4, so these were a great bargain for price and quality.

To start off, I want to let everybody know that I write with my left hand. Yes, I am a lefty. A lot of people who write with their right hand don't understand that it's tough for a lefty to get the right pen. Righty's obviously have a completely different writing style than us lefty's! Getting to the point, this is the only pen I ever use now. This is one of the easiest pens for me to use, and the way it writes is extremely smooth. I don't have to worry about getting the ink of my pinky finger that every left dreads because we drag our hand across the writing surface-the ink dries fast enough so that doesn't happen. I am sure that this pen is great for everybody, both lefty's and righty's because ever since I started using them, a whole bunch of people at my school now have them! By far, this is the best pen ever. I highly recommend it to you, and to all lefty's for that matter! Only downside is that it runs out of ink pretty quickly if your a lefty, don't ask me why, I don't know, but I don't care because of how awesome the pen is. While writing this review, I can't believe how much I am saying about a pen. I got a ton of them on Amazon for less than $15.00 Bought three boxes at one time!

I haven't been very picky with Paper Mate Retractable Ballpoint 89465 in the past. If it wrote decently, that was fine with me. However, early in my work as a supermarket cashier, I realized that my efforts to be very speedy and efficient in my work would benefit from a pen that writes smoothly and speedily. Once my current pen was finished, I tried this one out for its claim, "World's Smoothest Pen". I don't consider myself as one with a sophisticated, refined taste for pens, but I knew what I wanted in this situation. This pen delivered. When I'm facing a full line of customers and need to whip out my Paper Mate Profile, click it into action, scribble something on a receipt, click it to retract, and slip it back into a pocket, the smooth, speedy operation is appreciated. I remember hearing multiple remarks from customers (usually when borrowing my pen to write a check or provide a signature) on how nicely this pen writes. I agree with another reviewer that this pen can benefit from a finer point. When I'm writing in small spaces, the bold point and ink can result in some smudgy marks. The ink also isn't the jet-black color that a 'wetter' ink pen often provides. This keeps the pen from receiving a 5-star rating.

I highly recommend the Paper Mate Profile Retractable Ballpoint Pen for situations that require smooth, speedy writing without high regard for finely controlled lines or ink quality.

วันอังคารที่ 9 กรกฎาคม พ.ศ. 2556

Hayward SP1580X15 Power Flo 2 Horsepower Above Ground

I've worked in pool retail ( The Great Escape) and installation for 6 years and let me tell you, Hayward is the way to go for a number of reasons. 1. The warranty - possibly not applicable online HOWEVER when you purchase one of these through a retail establishment you get 2 years of peace of mind. 2. Outstanding quality - My corporation carries a variety of pumps but i only recommend Hayward (1-2 HP) for a reason. It's not junk like the majority of other pool pumps! During an average pool season i'll see well over a hundred knockoff brands returned and swapped out due to malfunction (sometimes only a few weeks later) compared to a handful of Haywards (typically towards the end of their warranty) 3. Adaptable - Whether you're running a cartridge filter OR a sand filter you can EASILY turn the strainer housing to accommodate by unscrewing the 4 bolts in the back, popping out the strainer basket, removing the c-clip from the area where the motor meets strainer housing, turning it either vertical or horizontal and then reassembling.

On average i would say these bad boys will last you around 5 years of CONTINUOUS 24/7 OPERATION. That being said i highly recommend running this nonstop. The process of actually kicking it on creates more stress on the components and will result in a lower life-span. Not to mention the pro's of 24/7 water filtration. The more you move your water around the less chance algae has of forming. You might be looking at a higher electric bill BUT i promise you you'll spend less on chemicals which cost A LOT more.

I didn't even purchase this Hayward SP1580X15 Power Flo 2 Horsepower Above Ground through amazon.com i was just curious to see the price difference and if you buy it here you'll save $50 over ANY retail store. Great Escape (my company) is the largest chain in the Midwest and 3rd largest in the country and ours go for $199.99! Just thought i'd lend some wisdom and helpful advice :) good luck!

At the end of the season my old Hayward pump of 15 years just stopped working. I knew after 15 years of working that it was on borrowed time so it came as no surprise when it just stopped! I was so happy with the Hayward brand that I knew I wanted to purchase that brand again. I started to price them at local pool stores. They were priced at $309 and $299. Then I found another brand at another pool store for :$199 but I really didn't want to try a new brand that I had never heard of before. So I went online to read some reviews about this new brand. When I did a google search I found the exact same Hayward pump that I really wanted on Amazon com and it was only $139 with no shipping cost!s I was really worried that there was going to be a reason that this was so much less. But it was delivered in less than a week and was exactly the same as the one that I had bought 15 years ago! If I can get even 10 years out of this new pump I will be very happy!! 

วันจันทร์ที่ 8 กรกฎาคม พ.ศ. 2556

Intex 29 1 2 Inch Rectangular Frame

There were so mixed reviews I was not sure if this would be a good purchase or not on Intex 29 1 2 Inch Rectangular Frame. It arrived yesterday and I inflated it with an electric compressor, it took about 40 min. This morning at 5 a.m. I started filling it with water and it took until 6:30 a.m. to fill to the line. I have a smaller size hose so that accounts for it taking longer. I am happy with the quality of the pool it feels like it will hold up, not flimsy. It does have a drain in the bottom.

I called a local pool store and they told me to add 1/8 to 1/4 cup chlorine bleach daily to keep the pool sanitary that I can use it about 5 days then drain and refill. I am glad to hear this, I know standing water that humans have been in breeds bacteria if not treated.

The pool looks really cool too the way they did the clear and the bright green inside. I am using it as an adult to do exercise in. It is deep enough to do leg kicks and move around. I have been sick for 7weeks so this is a good way to ease back into exercise and getting my strength back. It is also just plain fun.

I feel if it lasts one summer I got my moneys worth. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to cool off.

The Three Main Types Of Inground Swimming Pools

There are three main types of Inground Swimming Pools. Each has their advantages and disadvantages. This article is a brief description of each inground pool type.
Concrete pools are custom built on site offering you many different styles and options. A steel reinforced structure is first built. While these steel frames are being installed, plumbing pipe will also be installed. The plumbing pipes that are being installed are longer then you need, but after being checked for leaks, they will be cut off flush with the edge of the pool.
Gunite, sometimes called shotcrete is sprayed over this steel frame. This spraying process must be done by an expert experienced with the nozzle operation. The skill in doing this spraying is critical to producing a strong pool. The thickness of the gunite will depend on pool design, budget, and ground conditions. The next step will be to install the plaster over the gunite.
Once the gunite is dry, it is carefully smoothed to prepare the surface for the plastering stage. The plastering is available in different colors, along with many different colors and styles of tile that can be used for the border around the pool. The construction is complex and should be done by very experienced pool installers. This type of pool construction, generally takes longer to install then a Liner Pool or a Fiberglass Pool.
Fiberglass pools are manufactured from fiberglass-reinforced plastic that has been formed into a certain shape and size inside a preformed mold at the factory. This molded plastic is then covered with a product named gel coat. This coating creates a smooth finish that is available in different colors. This pool does not use external braces, but it must be installed in a specifically dug hole and must be supported with the proper backfill according to the manufacturer's instructions.
The pool leaves the factory on a flatbed truck and at the job site a crane is used to remove the pool for placement in the excavated hole. Since most manufacturers offer certain size and shape molds, unlimited sizes and shapes are not available. Installation of this pool is fairly quick. Price wise, Fiberglass pools are usually much more expensive than vinyl liner pools, but less than concrete.
The homeowner needs to be very satisfied with their pool selection before the signing of the contract. This pool is not manufactured on site and has to be manufactured in a special mold, and then delivered to you. There is no changing your mind once the job has started. Do your homework first and choose the shape and size that will fit your family's needs.
The last main type of inground swimming pool is a vinyl liner pool. Let's first discuss what a vinyl liner is. It is a material that is manufactured from virgin material (never used, not reprocessed) and is treated with a fungicide to inhibit bacteria growth. This material is available in many different colors and pattern designs. It is also available in different thickness, example; 20 mil vs. 28 mil (this is thicker material).
This liner can be made in any shape or size. The liner is installed against panels of a pool which could be manufactured from Aluminum, Galvanized Steel, Polymer, Stainless Steel and still in some cases Wood. The liner offers a very smooth surface which is very pleasing to your feet.
A vinyl liner pool can be manufactured to look a lot like a concrete pool but is a lot less expensive. If you get tired of looking at the same liner you have in your pool for the last 15 years, you can easily change to a new pattern. With today's technology, this type of pool can be designed to fit virtually any size or shape you want.

วันอาทิตย์ที่ 7 กรกฎาคม พ.ศ. 2556

Intex 58868EP Floating Recliner Lounge

The Intex 58868EP Floating Recliner Lounge has two sections, the main section is the chair from head to toe, and the other is the arm rests which is shaped like a "U" wrapping around the back of the chair giving it more stability. The design is good in as much as it keeps the "lounger" floating evenly above the water - in fact, you can be fully dressed and never get wet because of how well you are propped up. I found this to be not to my taste because I like having some contact with the water, otherwise why even be in a pool!

But the problem with the Inflatable Pool Toys is its lack of durability. Without any known reason, after a few usages we suddenly found the arm rests section deflated. We discovered that the seam that connects it to the main body of the chair had started to come apart. There is no way to patch it due to its design, so the whole thing had to be trashed.

Maybe we just got a defective one or something, but the big issue is that it fell apart for no reason. No one was jumping on it or being rough with it in any way. I don't see any of these holding up under the normal kid torcher test that things like this usually go through!

I installed a much larger pool and the inner tube I had wasn't going to cut it in a pool as large as my new one - so I purchased this lounger. It is being touted as a toy but I think it is the best pool lounger I have ever had. It has held up really well and shows no sign of sun fade. I spend plenty of time floating around, catching a tan and all the while a drink at my elbow. The cup holders were definitely a great idea for this lounger. For the price and the quality it is well worth it. I went from store to store looking at less impressive loungers and settled on this one. Thanks Intex.....I love your products.

Intex 58851EP Waterslide

Not wanting to install a permanent slide, I bought this Inflatable Pool Slide for the kids. They LOVE it! They play on it non stop, sliding down into the shallow end, walk out and do it over and over. It keeps them thoroughly entertained in the pool.

The water sprayers that keeps the slide wet are a great addition as you just hook a hose up to the slide and it sprays onto the slide. Very cool.

Buy this slide knowing you will only use it for maybe 1 season, if that. It started losing air from almost the 1st day we used it. We have to blow it back up every single time we use it. Forget feeling comfortable that you get a patch kit, even if you can find the leak, the patch kit is useless. We've simply resigned ourselves to knowing this is a "disposable" product good for one summer and will have to buy a new one each year. The kids enjoy it enough that for that reason alone I am willing to invest $100 every year for the amount of fun they have on it. Much more than that and they'd have to find something else to do in the pool!

We have had our slide for three years. We set it up off of our dock at the lake. Big kids (adults) and little kids go down the slide. The visiting lake children love to come over. We do not use the hose attachment. The end 'catch' flap has ripped off, and one of the support tubes has a hole, but it still is a lot of fun. We bought it for my daughter for her third birthday. I plan to buy another one when this one no longer will hold air. It is heavy and hard to store. You do need an air compressor to blow it up. Provides many hours of fun.

I ordered Intex 58851EP Waterslide, but have not had any luck with this one. I noticed some defects when inflating it, but didn't think anything about it. Now, less than a year later, it is tearing and will be placed in the dump.