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Planning for Proper Camera & Network Video Recorder is Essential This is the third in a series of six articles written to arm you all of the required information needed to install a good and reliable camera system while helping to remove any uncertainty associated with purchasing the proper hardware. Simply put, the goal of this series is to help you determine the appropriate system hardware and components to ensure proper protection of your most valued assists. In this article intend to explain need to carefully plan and layout your system before purchasing your equipment. Planning your surveillance system layout will eliminate many of the error and pitfalls that will occur if you just jump ahead and purchase your hardware. You must give focused consideration of where you will place your Cameras and the Network Video Recorder. Let’s begin with Camera placement. Your camera mounting points will ultimately influence the placement of your Network Video Recorder. This is due to the fact that the NVR should be placed in the approximate center of your cameras so that your cable runs are somewhat equal distances. 4 Vital Factors Influencing Proper Camera Placement So what are the biggest factors that will influence your choice of the mounting points for your cameras? First and foremost, you want to determine if you will be able to easily access your mounting points. If you are able run your cables to an attic you typically can gain easier access to your home’s eaves which can help simply your cable runs. Also while considering your wire runs, you need to make think about ways to conceal your network cabling as much as possible. You can do this by running cable in your eaves, within soffit and under siding corner caps and siding panels, assuming your home is constructed with vinyl. In addition to having the ability to access the mounting point you must also consider whether the intended location give you acceptable viewing coverage of the areas that you need to monitor. You most certainly want to ensure that you have high visibility of your front and back doors, driveway and any windows that are not viewable by neighbors or by someone passing by on the main street. According to the article “Burglar-Resistant Homes” written by Nick Gromicko and Kenton Shepard, “34% of burglars enter through the front door; 23% enter through a first-floor window; 22% enter through the back door and 9% enter through the garage.” Therefore these access points will need to consider when planning the layout of your monitoring areas. The most effective way to determine the surveillance layout for your property is to make a rough layout of your home. Be sure to include roads and nearby residences on your sketch to help identify areas of vulnerability. The monitoring of front and rear doors is vital, as statically, these are the access points for the majority of most forced entries. Another factor to consider when laying out your cameras is what I call redundancy of video coverage; having cameras in the viewing scope of other cameras, so that your equipment cannot be accessed or tampered with without the vandal’s actions being recorded. One way to achieve this is by attempting to conceal your live cameras while mounting a dummy camera in plain view. The sight of any exterior camera should the ample to persuade a potential vandal to move on to another home. However, if the vandal determines to damage your dummy camera, the act will then be recorded while the cost of camera loss will be minimal. The final thing that you will want to do while installing your outdoor cameras is to choose mounting points that will place your equipment at a height of 10 feet or more above ground level. This way a potential vandal will need to take additional time and effort to attempt to damage or disable your cameras. So you may be asking yourself, how many cameras will I need to purchase? Your layout plan will help you answer this question. Your camera count with vary based on the size and layout of your home and the number of access entry points. The Amcrest Network Video Recorder that I use accommodates up to eight cameras, which should be ample for most home surveillance applications. I have included the NVR model number for your reverence in my list of components, which is included in the description below this article. Now let’s address the placement of the NVR, the Network Video Recorder. As mentioned previously, you should attempt to place the NVR in the center of your intended camera mounting points to trying to ensure fairly equal network cable distance to each camera. Preferably, the recorder should be placed in area where it can be concealed and perhaps secured. Concealment is important because any savvy intruder will likely attempt to remove or destroy the NVR to eliminate any evidence of his or her intrusion. Finally, you must also consider the number of barriers that you must drill through to run network cable to your cameras. Any location that permits you to minimize drilling of walls and ceilings to run cables is preferable. In my case I needed to remove a section of wall in my garage to run Ethernet network cable to my attic. Once I had the cables in my attic, it was much easier to run cable to my camera mounting points. As a side note, when I did my initial installation of my surveillance system I was only installing four cameras. However, I had the foresight to run a fifth cable just in the event I wanted to install an additional camera at some point in time. That decision turned out good because I recently decided to install a fifth camera on the ceiling of my garage interior. I would therefore recommend that you pull additional wire while making your wire runs in the event that you may want to install additional cameras at some point in the future. The final consideration for the placement of your NVR is whether or not your intended location is near a power outlet. It is great to place the NVR in a false wall, locking cabinet or a closet, but if your concealed location does not have a power source it will not be a practical location. I trust the information presented in this article has gotten you a little more comfortable with installing your own surveillance system. If you are currently considering the installation of security cameras, I am certain that you will eventually come to the same conclusion that I did; the relatively low cost and minimal effort needed to install a good and reliable camera system is not only a good idea, it is also a very wise investment. The peace of mind I have gained by after installing my Amcrest system is invaluable to me. If you are contemplating the purchase of a good and reliable surveillance system be certain to check out the component list for my system listed below. Thanks for reading this intro segment on Home Video Surveillance. Be sure to subscribe to this website so that you'll get notice of the additional articles in this series! My System Components The following are the components of my current security surveillance system * Amcrest NV4108E-HS Amcrest ProHD * Outdoor 1080P POE Bullet IP Security * WD Purple 4TB Surveillance Hard Disk * Cat5e Ethernet Network LAN Cable 500ft * Cat5e RJ45 Connectors Optional Installation & testing items: * Tonor Network Lan Cable Tester (compatible with RJ45 RJ11 RJ12 CAT5 CAT6 ) * 5 Port Fast Ethernet Switch * TRENDnet 8P Crimp, Cut, and Strip Tool

System Components & Cost This is the fourth in a series of six articles that is intended to provide you all of the necessary information to install a good and reliable camera system while helping to remove any uncertainty associated with purchasing the proper hardware. Simply put, the goal of this series is to help you determine the appropriate system hardware and components to ensure proper protection of your most valued assets. In this article I intend to provide you with information about the components that you may want to consider when planning the layout your surveillance system. I also will give you an idea of the cost that you may expect for a DIY surveillance system. Prior Important Content If you missed the previous articles of this series allow me to encourage you to take the opportunity to review them. Particularly, I suggest that you watch the previous two articles. In the second edition of this series I compare and contrast the PoE (Power over Ethernet) cameras to WiFi cameras and make recommendations regarding the best cameras for indoor and outdoor surveillance systems. In the third article talk about the many elements that you will want to consider when planning the layout your surveillance system. That article gave multiple tips for the enhancement of your surveillance coverage, it also addressed many factors that you must consider for the proper placement of your Network Video Recorder. Be sure to check them out. The NVR is the Heart of the Surveillance System That said; let’s talk about equipment and cost. Be sure that I will leave a complete component list in the video description that is included below this video. The heart of any Power over Ethernet surveillance system is a good Network Video Recorder or NVR. The NVR that I selected was Amcrest NV4108E-HS. This unit features 8CH Recording, Playback & Live View supporting up to 8 Amcrest IP Cameras. It provides up to 8MP/4K Resolution @ Real-Time 30fps. It also provides limited support for third party brand ONVIF compliant IP Cameras. The NVR software provides intelligent search, playback, and backup functions. These functions provide enhanced ease of use and security. The NVR is Plug & Play. It is easy to setup and easy to configure. You can scan the provided QR Code on NVR from the "Amcrest View" app to instantly access live viewing and playback. The NVR connects to and manages all the POE IP cameras on your network directly through their Ethernet cables for ultimate ease and convenience in a home security system. The throughput of 80Mbps enables you to watch things happen, as they happen, in real-time, providing highly reliable HD video without loss or delay. The unit also includes USB backup feature. The NVR comes packaged with power supply, USB mouse, network cable, and quick start guide with user manual and CD and it is guaranteed for a Full Year from purchase. There is also US Support and US Warranty offered by Amcrest. My cost for the purchase of the NVR was $179.99 via Amazon. You'll Need to Add a Surveillance Hard Drive It is important to note that the Amcrest NVR is not shipped with the hard drive. The unit supports internal hard drives up to Six Terabytes. The hard drive needs to be purchased separately and installed. I installed the Western Digital Purple 4TB Surveillance Hard Disk Drive. The drive was simple to install. I followed the clear instructions provided in the quick start guide. I estimate that this size drive provides me with about 30 days of recorded activity, depending of the levels of motion detection. The cost at the time I purchased the drive was $108.99 Power Over Ethernet Cameras I also purchased four Amcrest ProHD Outdoor 1080P POE Bullet IP Security Cameras. These cameras can be purchased at a cost of $60 per camera. I recently purchased a fifth camera that I will soon be installing. I did not include this additional camera in the cost of my initial installation price. Network Wire, Connectors, Crimping Tool & Tester I purchased 500 feet of Cat5e Ethernet Network LAN Cable. The cost of the cable was about $65 dollars. Add to that the cost for the Cat5e RJ45 Connectors. (I purchased a pack of 50 connectors), a crimping tool, and connection tester. These additional items cost around $30. Total Surveillance System Cost Adding all of these items together I arrived at a total system installation cost of $634.38 As mentioned in the beginning of this video, I have included product links in the description below for your convenience. Please feel free to use them to investigate product reviews and current product price information. I trust the information presented in this article has gotten you a little more comfortable with installing your own surveillance system. If you are currently considering the installation of security cameras, I am certain that you will eventually come to the same conclusion that I did; the relatively low cost and minimal effort needed to install a good and reliable camera system is not only a good idea, it is also a very wise investment. The peace of mind I have gained by after installing my Amcrest system is invaluable to me. If you are contemplating the purchase of a good and reliable surveillance system be certain to check out the component list for my system listed below. Thanks for reading this intro segment on Home Video Surveillance. Be sure to subscribe to this website so that you'll get notice of the additional articles in this series! My System Components The following are the components of my current security surveillance system * Amcrest NV4108E-HS Amcrest ProHD * Outdoor 1080P POE Bullet IP Security * WD Purple 4TB Surveillance Hard Disk * Cat5e Ethernet Network LAN Cable 500ft * Cat5e RJ45 Connectors Optional Installation & testing items: * Tonor Network Lan Cable Tester (compatible with RJ45 RJ11 RJ12 CAT5 CAT6 ) * 5 Port Fast Ethernet Switch * TRENDnet 8P Crimp, Cut, and Strip Tool

How to Wire & Install Power Over Ethernet Cameras This is the fifth in a series of six articles that is intended to provide you all of the necessary information to install a good and reliable camera system while helping to remove any uncertainty associated with purchasing the proper hardware. Simply put, the goal of this series is to help you determine the appropriate system hardware and components to ensure proper protection of your most valued assets. In this article I intend to provide you with information about the components that you may want to consider when planning the layout your surveillance system. I also will give you an idea of the cost that you may expect for a DIY surveillance system. Prior Important Content If you missed the previous articles of this series allow me to encourage you to take the opportunity to review them. Particularly, I suggest that you watch the previous three articles. In the second edition of this series I compare and contrast the PoE (Power over Ethernet) cameras to WiFi cameras and make recommendations regarding the best cameras for indoor and outdoor surveillance systems. In the third article talk about the many elements that you will want to consider when planning the layout your surveillance system. That article gave multiple tips for the enhancement of your surveillance coverage, it also addressed many factors that you must consider for the proper placement of your Network Video Recorder. In the fourth article I gave information about the various components that make up my camera surveillance system, gave some system specs and provided information about each component's cost. If you missed any of these prior articles be sure to check them out. Wiring & Installing Power over Ethernet Cameras In this article I intend to talk about the steps took and considerations that I made when I installed a fifth camera to my current four camera system. The camera that I used, pictured here: is the Amcrest IP2M-842EW. This camera is a great external PoE camera which is capable to 1080p resolution, has a wide 72 degree viewing angle and is capable of night vision up to 98 feet. This camera comes with mounting hardware, an installation disk and a weather tight cable connector that you can use assuming you buy your cables in bulk and attach your own ethernet connectors. You will need to decide if you will buy pre-made network cables with the ends already installed, however I highly recommend that you make your own cables. Three Good Reasons to Make Network Cables There are three main reasons why attaching your cable ends are a very good idea. First, you will likely have several barrier walls and ceilings between your NVR and your camera mounting points. The size hole you must drill to penetrate these barriers will be significantly smaller if your attach your connectors after you pull your wire. Secondly, pulling wire with cable ends increases the possibility that you may damage a connector. If a connector gets damaged you will need to cut it off and replace the connector. Third, when pulling wire without connectors you can merely draw wire from the box eliminating the need to pre-measure each individual cable run. The fourth and most importantly, pulling network wire without cable end connectors allows you to deploy the water tight connection housing provided by Amcrest to insure that your out-of-door connections are protected from the elements. These connection housings cannot be utilized if you use pre-assembled network cables with the cable ends already in place. Other Considerations When Installing Cameras If you determine to install your own cable ends you must be sure to have a easy and reliable means of checking your connectors to ensure a proper connection. The Tonor Network Lan Cable Tester , pictured above will save you time and headaches when attaching these connectors. Make sure you test your camera prior to attaching it to your mounting point. This is easily accomplished with a short ethernet cable at your NVR prior to mounting. When you get your camera connected on the mounting point, use the Amcrest app on your smartphone to observe your field of view. This way you can easy adjust the view at the camera to ensure proper capture of your most critical entry points. There are additional details about proper installation of PoE cameras in my YouTube video. You can view the entire project by clicking here . I cover topics like the easy method I used to pull wire from my attic to the ceiling mount. I also show you how I ran my cables from my basement to my attic and I discuss the need to run additional cable when making your initial cable runs. Running several additional cables will save you much frustration if you should decide to add additional cameras at some point in the future. I trust the information presented in this article has gotten you a little more comfortable with installing your own surveillance system. If you are currently considering the installation of security cameras, I am certain that you will eventually come to the same conclusion that I did; the relatively low cost and minimal effort needed to install a good and reliable camera system is not only a good idea, it is also a very wise investment. The peace of mind I have gained by after installing my Amcrest system is invaluable to me. If you are contemplating the purchase of a good and reliable surveillance system be certain to check out the component list for my system listed below. Thanks for reading this segment on Home Video Surveillance. Be sure to subscribe to this website so that you'll get notice of the additional articles in this series! My System Components The following are the components of my current security surveillance system * Amcrest NV4108E-HS Amcrest ProHD * Outdoor 1080P POE Bullet IP Security * WD Purple 4TB Surveillance Hard Disk * Cat5e Ethernet Network LAN Cable 500ft * Cat5e RJ45 Connectors Optional Installation & testing items: * Tonor Network Lan Cable Tester (compatible with RJ45 RJ11 RJ12 CAT5 CAT6 ) * 5 Port Fast Ethernet Switch * TRENDnet 8P Crimp, Cut, and Strip Tool

In the following video I show you step by step how to easily construct a sturdy and inexpensive DIY recycle bin. These bins are made entirely out of schedule 40 PVC and can be easily assembled for around $20.00 dollars in materials. NOTE: The Recycle Bin design featured in this video is the sole property of Bud's Odd Jobs and is not to be reproduced, in whole or in part for distribution or sale without the express written consent and permission of Bud's Odd Jobs. -~-~~-~~~-~~-~- MATERIAL PRODUCT LINKS: ** 1/2 in. PVC Sch. 40 Tee (10-Pack) ** 1/2 in. PVC Sch. 40 Elbow (10-Pack) ** 1/2 in. x 10 ft. Schedule 40 PVC Plain End Pipe ** DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Drill Combo Kit -~-~~-~~~-~~-~- RECYCLE BIN PARTS LIST (Makes 4 bins) 2- 10ct ½” Sch 40 Elbows 2- 10 ct ½” Sch 40 Tee Fittings 4- ½” x 10 foot PVC Pipe -~-~~-~~~-~~-~- PVC Pipe Section Lengths 8 @ 22” (legs) 2 @ 10” (rear support) 12 @ 8” (top bin, bottom between legs and rear support) 16 @ 5 ½” (top bin) 8 @ 3 ½” (top bin) 3 @ 1 ½” (bin connectors - bottom) -~-~~-~~~-~~-~- ** SPECIALS ** - Amazon Prime Discount!! - Prime Student Deal | 50 Million Songs | Just $0.99 Per Month - Amazon's Most Popular Gift Ideas (Updated Daily) - Amazon's Hot New Releases (Updated Every Hour) - Try Audible and Get Two Free Audiobooks - Audible Romance Free Trial - Access to 16,000 Woodworking Projects Limited Time -~-~~-~~~-~~-~- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel & Click that Bell to be notified when I post new content

It is easy to restore your yellowed and hazy lenses on your car's headlights and make them look factory new. In this video I will reveal the method that I have used over the years for restoring my foggy headlight lenses. This easy three minute restoration process will make your lenses crystal clear and like new condition. More importantly, after restoring your lenses to that factory like state you will increase the brightness and intensity of your headlights so that you can navigate safely at night. Be sure to check out my product links for more information about the products used in this video to restore my headlamp lenses. Thanks for watching and for supporting this channel by using my Amazon product links to purchase merchandise. Products available to help you restore those cloudy and yellowed headlights: ** Mothers 05101 Mag & Aluminum Polish ** Mothers 05141 PowerBall Mini Metal Polishing Tool ** Mothers 05146 PowerCone 360 Metal Polishing Tool ** Mothers 05140 PowerBall Metal Polishing Tool ** Scotch-Brite 426 Heavy Duty Scrub Sponge ** Honda 2006 Bulb - Philips 9006 Headlight Bulb ** Honda 2006 Bulb - Philips 9005 Headlight Bulb CLICK HERE to Subscribe to my YouTube Channel and Don't Forget to Ring that Bell! ** SPECIAL OFFERS ** - Amazon Prime Discount SPECIAL!! - Amazon's Most Popular Gift Ideas (Updated Daily) - Amazon's Hot New Releases (Updated Every Hour) - Try Audible and Get Two Free Audio Books - Audible Romance Free Trial - Access to 16,000 Woodworking Projects - "Limited Time Offer!!"

Discover an easy method for converting your fluorescent fixture to direct wired LED bulbs. This LED retrofit project was accomplished using the direct wire, ballast bypass and removal method. I used the dual /double ended Hyperikon T8 LED bulbs. By removing the ballast from your old fluorescent fixture you are likely to save up to 70% on your electrical draw. These Hyperikon bulbs are made to last for up to 20 years. The have a 48 watt equivalence while using only 18 watts of power. They come with a five year, hassle free, unlimited warranty. I also use the Wago quick connects in this video. The Wago quick connectors are easy to use. They are much more convenient then standard wire nuts when connecting wires. For you convenience, I have provided links below for the items used in this video. Here are links to materials used in this article: ** Hyperikon T8 T12 LED Bulbs ** Greenlee 1955-SS Pro Wire Stripper ** Wago 773 Wire Quick Connects ** DEWALT 20v Lithium Drill Driver NOTICE: Electrical Disclaimer Any advice or information provided in this video cannot completely anticipate your situation. If you are at all unsure about completing any aspect of this project, consult a qualified electrical contractor to perform the installation for you. Always follow the electrical code requirements specific to your area and be certain to take all necessary safety precautions when undertaking any home electrical project. The viewer agrees to assume all risk resulting from the application of any of the information provided by the Bud’s Home Improvement Channel. ** SPECIAL OFFERS ** - Amazon Prime Discount SPECIAL!! - Amazon's Most Popular Gift Ideas (Updated Daily) - Amazon's Hot New Releases (Updated Every Hour) - Try Audible and Get Two Free Audiobooks - Audible Romance Free Trial

Viewing Live and Recorded Activity This article is the sixth Amcrest Security System Setup post in a six part series. In this article I refer you to the video below in which I demonstrate the capabilities of the Amcrest Surveillance Pro software. I show various live and recorded activity from bullet security cameras using a PC, the internet and a smartphone. I also provide detailed instructions on how to view live streams and search recorded content for various and specific events. If you missed prior posts in this series it will be worth your while to review them. The first post gives your information about the content that was produced for the articles in this series. In the second post I explain why I purchased Power over Ethernet cameras, and why I highly recommend that you purchase PoE cameras rather than WiFI cameras. In the third post I talk about the importance of designing and laying out your security system to ensure proper camera placement. In the fourth post of this series I provided a detailed overview of my Amcrest system while listing the various components and associated costs. In the fifth post I show how to install a PoE camera and I explain how to properly connect and test your cables to ensure a proper connection and broadcast signal. The following are links to the components that I have installed for my security system: * * Amcrest NV4108E-HS * * Amcrest Outdoor 1080P Camera * * WD 4TB Surveillance Hard Drive * * Cat5e Ethernet Network Cable 500ft * * Tonor Cable Tester Test Tool * * 5 Port Fast Ethernet Switch * * TRENDnet Crimp, Cut, and Strip Tool * * Cat5e RJ45 Connector (50 Pack) Browse & Shop Amazon for Popular Smart Home Devices!

Here are some great ideas and hints to help you sharpen your lawn mower blades the easy way. In this article I feature a few fantastic tools to help make sharpening blades much easier. One of the initial challenges that you will likely encounter when you attempt to remove your mower blades after of full season of operation is the difficulty of loosening the retaining nuts that hold the blades safely in place. These fasteners are usually very tightly secures and take significant force to loosen. You can achieve the necessary leverage to loosen the nuts by using a breaker bar or torque wrench , however that second issue that you are likely to encounter is that it is likely to be extremely difficult to keep the blades stationary so that you can exert the necessary force needed to loosen the nut. In order to secure the blades to keep them stationary it is necessary to safely block the movement of blades. This can be easily done by securing a piece of wood on the inside of the deck. The block of wood should be large enough to catch and stop the movement of the blade. The wood should be secured by a large c-clamp and you should also use a smaller, protective block of wood on the exterior side of your mower deck to prevent damaging of the painted surface. When securing the wood to your deck keep in mind the old adage "righty tighty, lefty loosey", In other words, you will need to turn the nut to the left, (counterclockwise), in order to loosen the nut. Conversely, you will turn clockwise or to the right when you want to replace and tighten the blades. With the blade secured from movement and with the correctly sized socket and proper leverage, you are now ready to remove the fasteners to release the blades. Although I have not tried this tool, there is also a device listed on Amazon that attaches to your mower and is described as capable of holding a blade in place for faster, safer removal. it is recommended for walk-behind and riding lawn mowers, either single or twin blade models. It is touted by one reviewer as " the most practical and useful thing I've bought to help with my mower ." I'll leave a product link below. With the fasteners off, you want to note the position of the blades before removing them from the deck. It is recommended that you mark the down side of the blade as an indicator of the correct side to mount the blade after sharpening. Otherwise you chance mounting the blades upside down. Before sharpening the blades you should visually inspect the blades for fitness of operation. If the blades are bent, are worn or thin, have cracks in them or have chunks of metal missing, then they should be discarded and replaced with new blades. Assuming the blades are is good condition, you should prepare for sharpening by donning some personal protective equipment, (PPE). Proper PPE includes having a sturdy pair of work gloves and protective eyewear . The work gloves protect your hands from possible cuts or burns from metal sparks that may be produced by grinding of the blades. The protective eyewear will shield your eyes from the molten sparks. With your protective gear in place you are now ready to put a nice sharp edge on those blades. Blade sharpening can be made easier and much safer with the proper tools. I know many how recommend a hand or bench grinder for sharpening, however these tools can be dangerous to operate by the inexperienced user. On a bench grinder the mower blade can be accidentally lodged between the grinding wheel and the tool rest. If this happens the grinding wheel could explode causing wheel fragments to be hurled at you at unimaginable force and speed. The same is true of the disk on a handheld grinder if improper angle and force is placed on the grinding disk. A safer solution is a grinding stone drill attachment specifically made for sharpening blades. The blade sharpener that I use and recommend in the Arnold Lawn Mower Blade Sharpener which can be found on Amazon. This fantastic tool fits any 1/4" or 5/8" electric drill, gives you a sharp edge in minutes to ensure clean cut for a healthy lawn. I also recommend that your use a good blade balancer to ensure proper balancing of your blades. Blade balancing is essential for smooth mower operation. More importantly, properly balanced blade will eliminate blade vibration. A vibrating, unbalanced blade can result in premature wear and possible damage to your mower's engine or deck blade spindles. You should begin sharpening once your blade is secured in a proper bench vice . The vice should be capable of holding your blade securely while you use your drill mounted blade sharpening wheel to grind the cutting tip of the mower blade to perfection. Using the Arnold Blade Sharpener, you should place the grinding wheel on the edge of the blade with the plastic disk of the flat side of the blade. Be sure to keep the wheel horizontal and perpendicular to the blade. Just take your time and move the grinding wheel up and down the blade wheel with smooth movement and light even pressure. After grinding both sides of the blade to sharpness, test the blade for balance. If the blade does not rest on a level horizontal plane, you will need to remove additional material from the side of the blade that rest lower on the blade balancer. One you achieve a good edge and the blade is balanced you are ready to mount and start mowing. I trust that you have found this post useful. If so, be sure to check our and sign-up on my website, Bud's Odd Jobs as I will be posting many more helpful time and money saving tips. Additionally you can subscribe to my YouTube channel, Bud's Odd Jobs for helpful videos on many of the topics listed on my site.

If you are viewing this article from the comfort of your residence you are likely getting data through a signal from your local ISP (Internet Service Provider). Your internet signal is being translated through a cable modem. Your modem receives the data and a router distributes the data signal to your various home devices. Cable companies typically provide a cable modem for a monthly lease fee. One possible way to save some of your hard earned income is to replace the ISP’s modem with purchased hardware. In this article I will help you explore the pros and cons of a purchased modem. Purchasing a modem comes with the responsibility to troubleshoot any potential connection problems that occur and/or any hardware problems that may result in modem failure. Even though most modem connection issues can easily be resolved by resetting the modem simply by unplugging the modem for a couple of minutes and then restoring power by plugging it back in, if the idea of tackling possible modem issues cause you anxiety and you do not have a go to person that can help your troubleshoot, then you may want to keep your leased modem. However, if you're comfortable with how to reset a modem, then you may want to read on to learn about the benefits of a purchasing a cable modem. Before running off to get your hardware let’s first confirm that your modem is leased. To do this you just take a quick glance at your monthly bill. If you are renting the modem you will see a “modem rental fee” listed on your invoice with an associated monthly price. Next, you will want to put a pencil to paper to determine if the savings will justify the cost of purchasing your own hardware. When my cable modem fee increased from 5 to 10 dollars a month I decided it was time to take matters into my own hands. Now instead of paying $120 dollars each year to lease an ISP modem, I paid a one time cost of $48 dollars and some change for an Motorola ARRIS Cable Modem and saved over $70.00 my first year’s cable bill. Actually, over the past four years I have a total savings of over $430.00. That is significant savings that can be used on other home improvement needs! If you decide you want to buy a modem you should call your ISP or check your provider’s website for list of approved modems. When I bought my Motorola SURFboard Model SB6141 Modem , I was purchasing the exact same model that that was installed by my ISP. That way I could be confident that my purchased modem would be compatible with my internet provider. When buying a modem be aware that many ISPs require DOCSIS 3.0 modems for higher speed internet tiers. What is DOCSIS? DOCSIS is an acronym meaning Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification. DOCSIS is a telecommunications standard used to provide Internet access via a cable modem. It is important because it is a key element in providing modem manufacturers and network service providers a common method for products to work together in a predictable manner. When compared to DOCSIS 2.0, DOCSIS 3.0 is simply a more recent version of the standard. The most visible difference to users is that DOCSIS 3.0 modems provide the highest possible service speeds. That is why many service providers require DOCSIS 3.0 modems for their higher speed service tiers. With your compatible modem in hand, simply follow your ISP’s instructions for activating your modem. My service provider listed four easy steps that took me less the five minutes to get connected: First, find the modem ID (MAC Address). The MAC address is typically located on the bottom of the modem (usually follows letters “MAC” or “EA”) Next, connect one end of a coaxial cable to a live cable outlet and the other end to the "IN" port of your purchased modem. Now use the phone number associated with your account to identify yourself in the automated system and say, “activate”. Once you are connected with an agent, simply provide him or her with your modem’s MAC address and the agent will add your new modem to your account and activate it for service. So why might you want to keep a leased modem? One reason is that the ISP has installed the appropriate modem for your Internet service plan and speed tier. Therefore if you buy a modem that is not fully compatible or does not have the correct specification you may get less than optimal performance. Another good reason to retain a leased modem is if your service provider plans on upgrading their system any time soon. You want to be sure to ask your provider if any such plans are pending. If you are leasing a modem, when such changes occur you’ll get a new modem when they upgrade their systems. On the other hand, if you have a purchased modem you may need to buy new hardware. Probably the most important reason to lease a modem is for the technical support you receive from your service provider. If something in the interface is not working correctly or the modem stops working the provider will troubleshoot the issue and replace the hardware if necessary. However, if you have purchased your own modem you will need to troubleshoot problems yourself or rely on the modem’s warranty service if your modem fails. So what direction is the best direction? Well that depends. Installing a purchased modem can save you considerable money over the years. Therefore, if you are competent in PC troubleshooting your will likely be much better off buying a modem rather than paying the ever increasing monthly rental charges. However, as stated previously, you must both willing and able to troubleshoot any possible connection problems as your cable company may be quick to blame problems on your purchased hardware. When it comes down to it, you simply need to calculate the savings and determine whether the switch is best for you based on your comfort level. For me, the decision to purchase rather than rent was an easy one to make.

The purpose of this article is to review the tools that are essential to help make the job of changing oil much easier. In this article I feature a few oil changing tools that I find useful and functional as a do-it-yourselfer. The seven tools that are essential to any oil change include a proper funnel , a bright an effective work light , oil catch pan , a good socket wrench set , a functional pair of filter pliers , a good maintenance creeper and a properly sized set of vehicle ramps . Without these tools in the proper type, size and form, the task of changing oil can be very difficult. A large capacity oil funnel and a bright utility light are self explanatory. You cannot perform that task without a bright, low profile work light and an you cannot ensure the accurate placement of oil without a proper funnel. When it comes to oil drain pans I highly recommend the FloTool 16-Quart Drain Container featured in the video and also in the link provided below, (see link for price and reviews). This pan is wonderful and has made my oil changes far easier. It is particularly helpful in reducing cleanup as the basin is designed to drain the oil into a contained compartment. This fantastic design greatly simplify the task of filling recycle containers with the used oil when the job is finished. The Kobalt Socket Set is great for this and other tight spaced jobs as the sockets are designed to attach inside the wrench. This design results in making the combined depth of the socket and wrench much more shallow than a standard wrench. Additionally, these sockets are designed to fit both standard and metric bolts so you do not need to invest in both types of sets. A good maintenance creeper is essential to making the job more effortless. You should look for a crawler that rolls easily and has sufficient padding. In the video below, I feature a homemade crawler that does the job nicely. Finally, proper vehicle ramps are essential to provide the necessary clearance to properly access the oil pan plug and oil filter. One thing to be mindful of when selecting a ramp is to ensure that your car's spoiler will not get damaged when you attempt to drive up the ramps. You can purchase low profile ramps or you can adopt the solution that I featured in the video that turned my higher profile ramps into a functional and effective solution. I feature these items in the follow video and provide some additional valuable tips for helping to ensure that your oil change is done efficiently and and with minimal frustration. Amazon reviews and price information for Tools I used in the above video: - FloTool 16-Quart Drain Container - Kobalt 38 pc Xtreme Access Socket Set

It is never too soon to begin thinking about gift for your special Do It Yourself Dad. So as an experienced DIY'er and longtime homeowner, let me offer you 10 great father's day gifts that are certain to please any DIY Dad. #1. Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote | Streaming Media Player This is a no brainer for the Tech Dad. He just needs to plug Fire TV Stick into the HDTV and he can start streaming in minutes. Using the Alexa Voice Remote to find and watch more than 190 channels and apps. With the fastest Wi-Fi and most accurate voice search of any streaming media stick, shows and movies start faster and stream smoother than ever. #2. DEWALT DWMT75049 Mechanics Tools Set (192 Piece) This is a great idea for the new and blooming DIY dad. This set offers a 72-tooth gear system is designed for high torque ratcheting and a low profile directional lever helps reduce catch points and for easy one-hand operation. This all precisely fits into a durable molded case for easy storage and tool protection. #3. DEWALT DW088K Self-Leveling Cross Line Laser The laser projects bright crossing horizontal and vertical lines with accuracy within 1/8 of an inch at 30 feet. Its full-time pulse mode allows for use with a detector, maintaining full brightness for visibility while extending the working range of the laser to 165 feet. Ideal for the DIY dad tasked with projects such as installing floor and wall tile or mapping wall layout. #4. DEWALT DCF680N2 8V Max Gyroscopic Screwdriver 2 Battery Kit The motion activation makes it easier for the DIY Dad to tackle all those project around the home. He can drive screws comfortably just by turning his wrist to engage the drive. The adjustable 2-position handle lets him stay comfortable wherever he is working. #5. Cobiz Brightest 4 Modes LED Headlight The Cobiz’ innovative LED lamp is strong enough to guide your Father through the some of the deepest, darkest conditions. It is waterproof and rechargeable and is equipped with four lighting levels up to 6000 lumens. This light will keep Dad's hands free when he is working at night or tinkering in a dark garage. #6. Moongo Universal Socket This is universal wrench adapter attachment for power drills and ratchet wrenches that instantly adjusts to grip hex nuts, hooks, eye and lag screws, bolt heads, and other various shape and size objects. This magic grip is perfect for home improvement and household maintenance. Is is self adjusting from standard 1/4in to 3/4in and metric 7mm to 19mm with over 125 pounds of torque. #7. Blendx Magnetic Wristband Whether your Father is tasked with a DIY home improvement project or a simple fix-it job around the house, this versatile magnetic wristband is the perfect third helping hand to complement his hard working style. #8. AMIR Motion Sensor Lights These stick on anywhere light sticks feature auto-on within 10 feet, auto-off after 12-17 seconds of no motion detected. Since no tools, screws or nuts are required they are the perfect gift to provide Dad with a well deserved break on Father's Day. #9. Smith's 50603 Mower Blade Sharpener This handheld Mower Blade Sharpener is the perfect tool to help Dad keep his mower blades in prime condition. This simple and easy to use sharpener uses a preset carbide blade to quickly put a smooth, sharp edge on your mower blade in just minutes. #10 DEWALT DGL523 Lighted Tool Backpack Bag The DeWalt LED-lighted tool backpack features 48 internal pockets to help keep Dad organized and productive. The tool bag can hold a drill, extension cords, pliers, screwdrivers, wrench sets, drill bits, electrical testers, most any tool can be placed in this lighted heavy-duty tool bag.

There are many articles out there claiming to have the magic solution to removing oxidation from your vinyl window shutters and restoring the color and luster of your shutters so that they look like they did when you had them originally installed. In reality, the secret will not necessarily be found in the products you buy. Read on to find what I discovered to be the secret to success for your vinyl restoration project. In this article I will compare two three methods of restoring window shutters. The three methods I tested is to clean three panels for a side by side comparison of the effectiveness of these methods as compared to the untouched oxidizes panel. The process I use was to clean the three test panels with a solution of Dawn Dish soap, Vinegar and water. The ratio of this solution was 1/4 cup dish soap, one cup of white vinegar to one Gallon of water. After a good scubing of the test panels with good stiff brush, I allowed the solution to soak a while on the panel, but not so long that the solution began to dry. When removing oxidation, it is very important to rinse thoroughly after cleaning or the oxidation will merely redeposit on your panels or siding. After a thorough rinsing, it is important that you allow the panels to dry completely before applying any products to the vinyl. This is to ensure that your do not dilute or otherwise compromise the effectiveness of the topical agent. On my three test panels I compared Rejuvenate Restorer Wipes, Armor All wipes and good ole fashioned elbow grease to discover which method best restores and preserves the vinyl shutters back to their original color and luster. If you are interested in viewing the process and actual result, be sure to click on the following Restoring Oxidized Vinyl Shutters video link . What I discovered after my initial application of these products may surprise you. So I promised that would reveal the secret to success for your vinyl restoration project. After the initial application of these products i was initially displeased with the outcome. Upon further research I discovered that you are to use your finger nail to scratch the surface of your vinyl shutters once you done a proper cleaning. If after scratching on the surface of the shutters, you note a significant color difference between the area scratched and the rest of the panel, then oxidation remains. If this is the case, despite the product that you choose, the color and luster achieve once you apply the product will likely cause you to be less than satisfied. In the video link I provide my solution to effectively removing the oxidation that remained on my panels after cleaning them with a brush. I appears that the brush was effective in removing the dirt, but was ineffective in removing most of the oxidation. In lieu of the brush, I scrubbed each test panel with Scotch Bright Scrubbing pads. This cleaning method proved to be very effective in removing the oxidation that remained on my panels. With my panels properly cleaned, I then applied the Rejuvenate and Armor All wipes to two of the three cleaned panels. The results were vastly different from the outcome of my initial test as you can see in the provided video. So the moral of the story? There is no substitute for good old fashioned elbow grease. The proper scrubbing of the panels made all the difference! By the way... I glad you read through to the end of this article. I am assuming this means that you found this information useful. That being the case, let me encourage you to check out my YouTube Channel, Bud's Odd Jobs , for more interesting content and money saving ideas for the DIY Homeowner. Thanks!