Important Things to Consider Before You Start Welding
Welding is one mechanical task that has been around for quite a while. This task entails the use of extreme heat to join two metal sections. Whether it is fixing a part of a mechanical item that is broken by reinforcing it or it is creating a customized mechanical product, the role of welding cannot be understated at a time when metal is practically the core of the modern world.
Welding is a craft that requires a welder to be knowledgeable about a few things to ensure the activity runs smoothly. If you are in the mechanical industry or are looking to be a professional welder, or if you wish to do your welding projects from your backyard, there are certain things to note before you start welding.
Important Pointers to Consider Before you Start Welding
1.A quality welding machine must be in your starter pack
Welding and quality go hand in hand, and to achieve superb results, a quality welding tool is of the essence. A quality welding machine might cost you anything from $200 up to $400. You should be able to window shop online and in physical stores to identify different models and assess what they offer before making your purchase decision.
Some of the features of the welding machine should depend on the mechanical job you are doing or are intending to do. For instance, if your welding work requires working with joining thicker metal, then you must find a welding machine that can do just that.
2. Consider the welding machine’s user interface
Aside from the general quality of the welding machine, it is also important to consider its user interface before procuring one. This pointer is very important for newbie welders who might not have a clue about welding tricks and settings. Novice welders can consider selecting a welding machine that can dial in the required settings before welding. Such a machine can select the required welding process, the thickness of the material to be welded, and the type of consumable to weld with.
Such a machine would make the work of a beginner welder far much easier and comfortable than would normally be.
3. Ensure safety at all costs
Before you can begin any welding work, you must consider safety matters first. You must be armed with the correct personal protective gear to keep possible injuries and accidents inflicted on your body at bay. Some of the protective gear you need to have constitute of the following:
- For eye protection, a welding helmet must be in your starter pack. The best welding helmet is one whose properties provide maximum protection to the eyes thus reducing the risk of eye fatigue thus promoting efficiency. This may include welding helmets with auto-darkening properties. You can go further to select auto-darkening helmets desirable light sensitivity, delay controls, view size, and other specifications that enhance the comfort level of the welder. Other eye-ware that come in handy to promote eye safety includes safety glasses/goggles and hand shields.
- Lung protection is important to note during welding and so, before any welding activity, a welder should have respirators at hand. These will come in handy to protect against welding fumes, which can otherwise have deleterious effects on the lungs.
- For any exposed skin, the protective gear that must be considered are the fire-resistant clothing (with the example of the fire-resistant jacket). These gears will protect against radiation, fire, and heat.
- Feet and hands can be protected from fire, or heat injury using boots and gloves respectively.
- To protect the ears against the welding noise, welders should have ear muffs or earplugs. Fire-resistant ear protection gears are a plus because they also shield the ears from burns.
4.The welding process you are working on
Another thing worth noting before commencing welding is the different welding processes and the one that you will be working with. Three different welding processes exist and they vary depending on their individual use and the welder’s expertise level.
For instance, there is wire welding, which is one of the oldest welding processes makes use of a wire that is fed through the welding gun. This welding process is useful for beginner welders. It is also a fast option and it is imperative for use when working with thin metal surfaces.
There is also the Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding process, which is instrumental when working automotive or architectural products. This process results in superior quality welds and it requires the welder to have rich welding experience.
There is also the stick welding process, which uses a stick electrode and it comes in handy for use when working on quick repairs. This process is easiest for beginners to learn.
5.Understand your input voltage
Another thing worth noting before you start welding is to determine your input voltage. Two options of voltage are available in both homes and garages (low input 110V & high input 230V). If welding is to be performed on thinner metal surfaces, the low voltage should be fine and for thicker metals, the high input should work. A welding machine that can work on both the low and high input voltage is the best option to consider, especially for beginner welders. This will allow them to grow into the use of high input voltage after working with and being comfortable with the low input voltage.
6.Have the correct consumables
In welding, consumables refer to all the materials that are used during the welding process, and this may be filler materials, wires, and electrodes. Before you start your welding, you must be aware of the process you want to use and the consumables that guarantee the best outcome. You will need to shop around for the best providers for your required welding consumables.
7.Ensure a clean work area
Before commencing with any welding activity, you must ensure your working surface is clean. A clean work area is imperative to ensure obstructive materials are cleared from the working surface, and which could potentially result in harm. Aside from cleaning the working surface, it is also vital to ensure the surface being welded is clean. This is important because the presence of grease or oil on the surface can impair the welding quality.
Conclusion
From the above comprehension, it is evident that before any welding activity, there is a lot of learning that goes into the process. You have to have the right welding gadgets, know your welding processes, have the correct consumables, have protective equipment in place, and ensure your welding surface is clean. With all the above ready, nothing should obstruct your welding tasks!
How to Select the Right Size Tankless Water Heater?
The tanked water heaters have enjoyed monopoly in the market for the longest time. However, with the advancement in technology, the size of water heating systems started to shrink and these days you can find super small tankless water heaters.
These water heaters are basically known as instant water heaters that are high-powered and can instantly heat up the water without storing it anywhere.
The performance of these devices is simply remarkable. Due to the small size and effective performance, buyers started to switch to this category more than the tanked water heaters.
What really concerns the buyers is to be able to find the right size based on their individual needs.
There are some factors based on the size of the water heater that will prove helpful in finding the right size.
What Size of Tankless Water Heater Do My Family Needs?
This is the most basic thing that every buyer will already have in head. As the number of people that will be using the heater increases, the size of the heater should also increase.
The tankless models are available in different capacities. You need to make sure to pick the right capacity so that the heater can serve well to the entire family.
Other than the size, the mode of operation is also equally important. Some people need the heater to be used to deliver hot water in multiple washrooms or kitchen and the powder room area.
The size of the water heater also depends on this factor. The heater will only be able to serve the entire household if the configuration is done properly.
Regardless to say, if you want hot water supply in the entire house then you probably should pick high-power and large size of the water heating system. Only such systems have the potential to deliver what you expect.
The working mechanism of heaters with storage tank is easier than the tankless one. It stores the water and you can save water for your family. For daily use, these heaters are considered to be the better outlets.
On the downside, such heaters once turned off and left for some time, the water eventually cools down and it takes forever for these heaters to reheat the water.
They are incapable of delivering instant water. Therefore, if someone still wants to stick with the tanked water heaters then they should make sure to get a suitable size so that their family requirement is fulfilled.
There are some other things that you will have to keep in mind while picking the best tankless water heater.
Determining the Mounting Space
It is quite evident that the tankless water heaters don’t take as much space as their tanked counterparts. Yet these will have to mounted on the wall.
Since there are two kinds of water heaters – electric and gas ones, you should know about the basic dimensions of both the water heaters.
Electric units come in dimensions of 10 x 7 inches and the gas unit measures in 30 x 20 inches. This simply declares that an electric automatic tankless heater will take very less space than the gas water heaters.
Also, gas water heaters require great ventilation so that the fumes from combustion can find its way out in the open air.
If you don’t have any scope of ventilation inside the washroom or any other place wherever you are planning to install the heater, you should probably choose the electric one.
Measuring the Cold-Water Temperature
You can use a thermometer to check the coolness level of the water. The water temperature is the beginning point in selecting the size of the tankless water heater.
Also, the water will be heated to the temperature that you have set and the tankless heater will be able to maintain the required temperature of the flow rate.
To make it easy to understand for you, the water temperature required to be used in kitchen is 110 degrees F. You need to measure the temperature of the tap-running water and check with the water heater on how efficiently it will be able to heat the water.
Making Decision Between Gas-Based or Electric Water Heater
I have given you a little glimpse on the basic difference between the gas tankless water heater and the electric tankless water heater on its size.
Here are some of the other factors that you will need to put under consideration before selecting either of the heater variety.
Gas tankless heaters can produce high rise in temperature of the water in comparison to the electric models. Also, the GPM flow rate of gas tankless water heaters are also more than the electric ones.
The gas-based heaters can have 70 degrees temperature rise with the 5 GPM flow rate whereas the electric heaters give you less heat rate because of 2 GPM flow rate.
You need to know all these factors to make a suitable purchase. It would be good to select the model based on your needs when you have established the requirements well. Also, these are the features of tank-based water heaters.
Tankless heaters on the other hand is a perfect choice to make because of their instant water heating mechanism.
Conclusion
Let’s take a quick revision on how you can select the right size:
- Start with determining the places where the heater will be supplying the water. For most people, it is only the washrooms of the house. However, there are other people who would want the hot water in all the taps running inside the house. So, select the size based on this factor.
- The water coldness will also help in determining the size of water heater you purchase.
There are a couple of things that you will have to follow to determine the right size of the water heater. Make sure to check all the boxes before to hit “buy” button.
Choose the Right Toilet for Your Bathroom
You will be surprised to know how many things there are to look in the best toilets for your bathroom. Some people might say that its only about the looks. But honestly, its much more than that.
As far as the best toilets are concerned, the market has a lot to offer. From fit to style to flushing technology, there is a myriad of things to put together in your research while searching for the best toilets 2020.
This review is all about helping you find the most suitable options. Let me make it easy to find the toilets that reflect luxury and simplicity.
Guide to Choosing the Right Toilet for your Bathroom
First of all, it is important to know different styles in toilets to make a better decision.
ADA Complaint Toilets
It might not come as a surprise to you that elongated toilets are far more comfortable than round toilets. The concept of ADA complaint was launched in 2010. It was specifically to encourage the purchase of elongated models as they are more comfortable in usage.
Round or Elongated
These are the two most common shapes in toilets. If you want to adhere the classics then your choice should be a round toilet. While on the other hand, most people wish to stay step in step with the fashion trends. Therefore, for them, the suitable option is elongated toilet.
You might think that because of the traditional style, round toilets are fall off the wagon but that is not the scene at all. The round toilets still have the potential to give cut-throat competition to any toilet style that may come and go in the market.
However, in all of this, if you are prioritizing ADA-complaint seat then go with the elongated ones. They anyway look chic and classy.
Small or Large Toilet
Well, I would say that the first thing impacting this stance is the bathroom size. But honestly, we are social people and its not like no one is ever going to visit us at our home. A large seat is always a better option than a smaller one.
Yes, it is true that the round models will fit the bill but these are not incredibly large. Without saying much, the elongated toilets are large than round ones. However, if your have kids in house and need something that can suit them then round is the option for you.
Other Considerations in Style
In styles, there is also some versatility in the basic style such as, there are two-piece toilets in which the tank is bolted on the top of the bowl. It is a basic home model and usually affordable style than the others.
Then you get one-piece toilet which us typically mounted on the wall with its tank integrated inside the bowl itself. These are expensive models but looks extremely pleasant. Also, you can easily clean them as there is no seam. They are visually stunning as well.On the downside of these toilets is the fixture cost which can be high as well. Also, the wall has to be thick on which you mount these toilets. For future maintenance, you might also have to reopen the wall. In short, it brings an excessive expense with it.
Flushing Technology
The best toilets focus more on the flushing technology as well. You no longer just have to settle on size, shape, and style. There are flushing efficiencies that you can consider before purchase.
The 1994 models typically used around 3.5 gallons of water for each flush. However, considering the scarcity of water and to preserve natural resource, the flushing technology was introduced that used merely 1.6 gallons water per flush.
Interestingly, what these commodes can do is lot efficient than early-age toilets. These days you can find power-assistant or gravity flushes.
You can also consider dual-flush technology toilets to conserve the water and limit its usage on every flush. These units have a split plunger-style mechanism which releases not more than 0.8 gallons of water on pushing one button.
On pushing other the buttons, you get double the flow that goes up to 1.6 gallons of water. This means that the entire family can save a lot of money over the entire usage period.Gravity Pressure or Pressure Assisted Toilets
If you want a low-maintenance toilet with cost-effectiveness then gravity pressure toilets should be on your hit list. These toilets can also undergo modifications if you decide to add something more to the toilet.
Pressure assisted toilets are specifically to conserve water and they hardly ever need double flush. These models can be found in partial or full flush options and the cleanliness is pretty easy to maintain.
So, the difference is quite evident. You want to save money, go with gravity pressure toilets, you want to save water then go with pressure assisted toilets.Accessories
With some toilet products, you don’t have to bear a separate cost on bidets. Some of these products come inclusive of bidets while with others, you have to take some upgrade considerations.
You can add accessories like soft-closing toilet seats which will prevent slamming of the seat and ensure soft closing after every use.
The second this is heated toilets that you can add without busting the budget. You get different add-ons that are not really necessary but makes your life a bit simpler and easier.
Top 3 Best Toilets for your Bathroom
Here are my top 3 recommendations in best toilets 2020. Take a look:
#1. Kohler Santa Rosa Toilet
Kohler Santa Rose is a mid-price option for all that search for luxury and efficiency. Interestingly, there is a plethora of color options in this toilet.
This is a one-piece toilet that gives you much better design than many other toilets on the market. This one is not a typical round model but an elongated version that also does not take a lot of bathroom space.
The maintenance also does not take a lot from the user. Kohler gives you comfortable height for all kind of users. It is neither to small not too large. You will find it especially useful for the people with lower-back pain.
The dimensions of this model are 18.8 x 27.8 x 28.2 inches and the weight will be 102 pounds. It releases 1.28 gallons of water on each flush with high flushing power.The design is also done thoughtfully. The AquaPiston canister rushes the water inside the bowl from all directions while thoroughly eliminating the waste from the bowl. It is made with durable and leak-free material and you also get 1-year warranty.
Pros
• Very stylish
• Decently heighted
• Affordable
• Easy to clean and maintainCons
• Sometimes have to flush twice to emit waste#2. Toto Carlyle II Toilet
Toto is one of the most popular brands on the market that manufacture most classy and luxury toilets. The features are simply stunning. This one will give a visual delight to your bathroom with its magnificent looks.
This one is an exciting model but the cost is equivalent. It comes in high cost. The pre-misting system is great which helps in preventing anything sticking to the bowl.To personalize the comfort level, there are five different temperature settings and this would personalize your comfort level. Also, there is a built-in fan and powerful filter will prevent and foul odor coming out of the commode.
You also get bidet system with adjustable temperature controls. The tornado flush system will simply sweep everything away once when you are finished. It flushes 1.0 gallons of water on each flush. This model is sheer luxury and has very impressive construction and features that give full value of money.
Pros
• Powerful filter and fan
• 1.0 gallons of water emission per flush
• Pre-misting system
• Luxury and impressive designCons
• No color options
• Expensive#3. Saniflo Sanicompact Toilet
Saniflo product is another high-end model on our list. This one is a bit cheaper than the former model mentioned but will still demand a huge amount out of your pocket.
This is a tankless model to fit differently sized bathroom spaces. The vertical pumping of this model is up to 9 feet and horizontal pumping is 100 feet with a sink connection.You need to use this model with a well-situated sink in right setup. It is quite impressive for the people with an intension to save water as it only uses 1 gallons of water in each flush. Also, the design is very impressive.
The dimensions of this model are 18.2 x 14.5 x 15.8 inches and the weight are merely 62.2 pounds. It is rightly sized and weighed for differently sizes people. The pure porcelain construction is easy to clean and maintain as well.Pros
• Suitable for saving water
• Suitably sized
• Easy to clean and maintainCons
• No color options available
Conclusion
Your bathroom deserves a bit of luxury. You can consider any of these models for purchase. Every product is carefully checked and verified not just for styles and lavishness but also in all the essential features that you need to search in the best toilets. Happy Shopping!
Ways To Stay Healthy and Prevent Cancer
Cancer has become more common than ever. You can blame it to lousy eating habits and bad lifestyle. Yes, I know, people don’t have a lot of time to invest in healthy eating but isn’t it the most important thing in the world. It is rightly said “if you have life, you have the world”.
Cancer is basically caused due to the substances called carcinogens. One of a common cause of carcinogen substances is tobacco smoke. Hence it is established that cancer can be caused due to environmental agents or genetic factors
I will share some essential information to promote healthy lifestyle and prevent cancer.#1. Maintaining Healthy Weight is Essential
Maintaining perfect weight is not only essential to prevent the development of cancer cells but it has various other health benefits as well.
For someone who is overweight, the first thing that one should ensure is to not keep gaining more weight. Rather, before you start to reduce it, you should start by stopping the weight gain.
Here are some ways how you can maintain healthy weight are:
• Choose smaller portions while eat frequently in a day
• Try to add more greens in your diet and don’t forget to eat more watery fruits like watermelon, oranges, etc.
• Physical exercise is mandatory. You should start with some exercise and maintain it.#2. Quit Smoking
You must have seen the commercials saying that smoking kills. Well, the smokers don’t give any heed to these commercials until its too late.
I understand that smoking is a kind of habit that you cannot quit easily. It takes multiple tries before you actually end up smoking. You can also talk to a health care center for tips on quitting smoking.
Please note that smoking is a prime cause of cancer and one should quit it as early as they can.#3. No Tobacco
Tobacco is also a main cause of cancer and it is linked with different kinds of cancers including throat, lungs, mouth, pancreas, cervix, kidney, bladder, and larynx.
Chewing tobacco is an oral activity and therefore it is directly linked to cancer of pancreas and oral activity. It is not important if you chew tobacco but the exposure to it can also penetrate the risk of lung cancer.
To prevent cancer, it is important that you avoid tobacco, or at least stop consuming it on an early stage. You can consult a doctor to stop the consumption of tobacco. A doctor can guide you well with the strategies of quitting tobacco.#4. Protection Against Sun
Its been a while since pollution has driven harsh sun rays directly on earth. Well, the reason is global warming and the effect of sun rays has increased manifolds.
It sinks inside the skin, damaging the cells. This can cause sin cancer. It is essential to find protection against sun. Here are some excellent ways to seek protection against sun exposure.
• Avoid stepping out in direct sun, especially during peak sun hours from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• While in outdoors, make sure to find shade. If you can’t find a tree then prefer wearing a hat or a cap and wear sunglasses.
• If you cannot prevent going out in the sun then at least make sure that you have applied high-quality sunscreen on all exposed parts of your body. Also, opt wearing lose clothes that cover most parts of your body. Make sure to apply generous quantity of sunscreen on your body before stepping out in the sun.#5. Routine Medical Check-up
People with busy routines find it very difficult to indulge in routine medical health check-ups. However, this is a routine that every individual should maintain.
This tip is especially important for people that are in their mid-40s and above. It is equally beneficial for young people. You can also do regular self-exams to determine if you are picking symptoms of common types of cancers like skin, cervix, breast, or color.
Other than that, regular medical check-ups are very helpful in determining the disease at an early stage and you can cure it conveniently.#6. Proper Vaccination
You can also prevent cancer by taking vaccinations that are commonly used for viral infections. One of such vaccination is for Hepatitis B which increases the risk of liver cancer. This vaccination is recommended to the adults that are sexually active with multiple partners. At the same time, the vaccination is also useful for people who use intravenous drugs.
Next is the HPV (Human Papillomavirus) – a sexually transmitted virus which can result to genital cancers and other squamous cell cancers of neck and head. This vaccination is essential for kids in age 11 or 12.
Well, these are some of the important tips that you can follow to adapt healthy lifestyle and prevent cancer. I hope you find them useful.Ways To Beautifully Bring Black Subway Tiles Into Your House
Subway tiles are rectangular brick-like tiles that depicted the standard style of New York city’s subway.
With the classic initiation of the subway tile style that was so named because it was first installed in New York’s subway stops have gone to new heights.
While it seems like the trend of a bygone era, black subway tiles still have the oomph to modernize your living space. A little bit of black subway tile here and there in your house can uplift the entire decor.
There are some effortless ways to ensure the presence of these beguiling tiles, without emphasizing too much on them dramatically. Let’s explore the ideas:
#1. A Visual Treat In The Shower Area
Tiles in the shower area, well, it is one of the standard things. You will surely not want to color the entire bathroom in black but some picturesque combination of black subway tiles covering the shower area wholly can look like a visual treat.
Many of the leading interior designers will appreciate the idea. If you haven’t hired one then go with the classic combination of white and black subway tile with a combination of graphic floors that can bind the design in one supreme centerpiece of the luxury.
#2. An Allure for Kitchen
The kitchen is among the most playful areas for the designers. Unlike past times, the decor of the kitchen these days has utmost relevance. The open kitchen concept has made it more interesting yet competitive for the designers to add glamor to the most constant and obvious area of the house.
You can give dimension to the kitchen in many ways by bringing a subway-style to it. You can either make an interesting island by giving it some of subway tiles with a combination of remarkable white tiles running along.
Well, within the kitchen, you can also improvise the backsplash with black subway tiles and make a stunning combination of white cabinets all around. This will bring subtlety yet chicness to the kitchen area. To further enhance the decor, you can add some bar tools next to the island and don’t forget to bring some unforgettable above the head lampshades.
#3. Behind the Shelves Elegance
Every section and part of your house should have a story to tell. How would you ensure that even the most overlooked areas are crafted with brilliance to steal the show?
Shelves are indeed the most useful spaces in the house. They help you add more elements and create a cheerful living space. What about the background where these shelves are installed? Have you ever thought about that?
If you are fixing your house or giving it a modish makeover then focus on all the forgotten and least considered areas for decor. The black subway tiles will highlight any region of the house. You can add some wooden shelves on it for the practical necessities or simply the cherishable treasures. Give the cabinetry of your house the setting it deserves.
#4. Dresser Room Backdrop
It is not unusual that people like to keep the walls of their dresser room in a light color. However, there is a wonderful turn of events and the trend of dresser designing has changed immensely.
You can beautify the back wall with black subway tiles while adding huge mirrors in front. Just don’t forget to add some extra bright lights to the dressing area and enjoy the magnificent ambiance.
#5. Delightful Living Room Space
The living room gives you a lot of opportunities to experiment and discover different dimensions of your personal style. You can surely make room for some beautiful subway tiles and add a vintage shelf on top of it.
A narrow horizontal setting of subway tiles can give a classic appearance to any place. You can gild the space with some rustic furniture and a simple carpet covering the warm wooden floor.
#6. A Pleasant Welcome
Nothing can go wrong with black subway tiles. You can add them to the exterior of the house or simply the opening of the property. You can make the hallway or entryway surprisingly glamorous with these intriguing tiles.
As far as the rest of the entryway is concerned, make a mark with some graphic floors. While black subway tiles will steal all the limelight, you still need to give a matching floor that will finalize the look. Plain on plain will not create a healthy impact on the watchers. You can add some graphics in this picture.
Subway tiles have never gone out of fashion. You can add your tasteful design to the house but bringing subway tiles to it will create an unforgettable impression.
Use these classic ways to beautifully bring black subway tiles in your house and give it a vivacious look.