My familiarity with manufacturing hardwood furniture has taught me that about half the time involved in constructing each chair, table or cabinet is taken up with sanding. When you are trying to make a livelihood in the woodworking industry with hourly employees you must cut inefficiency to a bare minimum. This does not mean becoming a tyrant but, instead, removing any and all impediments that may be slowing construction, sanding and finishing.

I started my woodworking career with a quarter-sheet electric sander, quickly graduated to an orbital electric disc sander and finally realized that I could substantially cut sanding time with an air palm sander. I settled on a 5 Dynabrade sander and Sears 3HP air compressor. It took me less than an hour to realize my faux pas: The small compressor I bought could not begin to keep up with the air requirements of the air sander. It would run out of air pressure almost immediately and the air sander would slow down to the point of being worthless. I would then have to wait for several minutes for the pressure to build up again to get another minute of sanding.

Compounding the problem was the fact that I had three people hired as sanders and so I would need to keep three air sanders running at 10,000 RPM all day long. I did some arithmetic and discovered that I would need a ten horsepower air compressor with a large tank to keep up with the demand. I was lucky enough to find a used one with a reasonable price tag but it required three phase power and lots of it. I had to consider the additional expense of an electrician to wire it up to the buildings 208 volt 3-phase power. The enormous air compressor was so loud it could be heard all over the building and down the block but it powered those three sanders continuously. The good news is that it paid for itself in production efficiency very quickly.

Air sanders are aggressive and effective. They are lightweight when compared to their lesser electric cousins. My sanders took to them immediately and production took off. I was as ecstatic as they were. Soon there was another machine besides the air compressor that required having large amounts of air available in the shop: An Onsrud inverted pin router. It was also great to be able to blow sawdust from benches and machines while cleaning the shop at the end of the day. The compressor was also used to spray finishes on the completed furniture.

Years later, I built a smaller woodworking shop in my home which only required one air sander running at a time. For that shop, I purchased an air compressor half the size and isolated it in a soundproof room in one section of the shop. I ran galvanized pipe under the shop floor to three regulators at three different connection locations. The machine I purchased for that shop as a 5 HP Ingersoll Rand model with an 80 gallon tank. At the 80 PSI required by my Dynabrade sander, the compressor would produce enough air from morning to night. I must say that that compressor was very well built. All I had to do was keep an eye on the oil level in the sight glass. At night, I would turn off the master air valve on the side of the air compressor, leaving the electricity on, to silence the compressor until the next work day.

I must assume that, having read this far, you have some interest in utilizing an air compressor to power air tools in your wood shop. Most likely, a 2-stage reciprocating air compressor will fill the needs of a small to medium shop. As a rule of thumb, a 5 HP air compressor will power one sander, a 7.5 HP machine will power two and a 10 HP machine will be needed for three sanders.

The size of the compressors air tank is an important factor: The smaller the tank, the more often the electrical motor will need to cycle on and off, This is hard on both the motor and compressor pump over time and it uses more power. I would never purchase an air compressor used to run an air sander with less than a 60 gallon tank and I would feel much more comfortable with an 80 gallon tank.

The type of electrical power required by an air compressor is another thing you will want to think about. If you have three-phase power available at your shop location, fine. Three phase motors tend to use electricity a bit more conservatively than single-phase motors.Industrial-type air compressors will all require 3-phase power but the 5 HP models come either way. If you do not have 3-phase power available, you can create it with a rotary or electronic phase converter as I did in my smaller shop. Whether you use single or three phase power, you will need 230V AC power for single-phase motors and 208 to 220V AC for the three-phase type. Be sure to check the voltage and amperage requirements of any air compressor before you purchase it. Electricians can be an expensive surprise.

A two-stage compressor pump is a must for an air compressorof this size. Two-stage air compressors have two cylinders, one larger than the other. Air is first drawn into the large cylinder where it is partially compressed and sent to the smaller cylinder for final compression into the tank. As air is compressed, heat is produced and so a good machine will always have a finned intercooler built in.

Compression not only produces heat but squeezes water out of the air which ends up in the tank. Tanks can rust internally over time and if this is not controlled, the rusted air tank can eventually explode causing considerable damage and even death. That is why it is really important to evacuate the tank of water regularly. Most air compressors come equipped with a drain valve at the lowest point of the tank. If you dont want to spray water all over the floor under the unit, you may want to consider piping it from the valve to another place such as under the floor or into a drain. Piped water will flow uphill into a sink because it is being pushed out of the tank by compressed air.

You will need at least one regulator and a water trap in line before the regulator. These are not costly. A regulator allows you to set the correct air pressure for the tool you will be using (say, 80 PSI) instead of tank pressure (say, 175 PSI).

Air output of a compressor is expressed in standard cubic feet per minute (SCFM) or just cubic feet per minute (CFM). Not all 5 HP compressors put out the same volume of air per minute. This is a function not only of motor horsepower but also the efficiency of the air compressor pump the motor is powering. The higher the CFM, the less your air compressor will have to cycle on and off to keep up with the demands you are putting on it. A small compressor pump on a huge tank will produce no more air than on a small tank. The only difference will be in the number of times the compressor cycles on an off each hour and the time it takes to recompress the tank on each cycle. In the final analysis, you need to pay attention to SCFM (or CFM) more than you do motor horsepower or tank size. Air flow is the end product of any compressor and the CFM must be sufficient to the job at hand.

All reciprocating air compressors throw out some oil with the air they compress. When the tank reaches its designed pressure limit, a switch will interrupt electrical power to the motor. Simultaneously, a certain amount of oily air will be released into the shop environment. You may see oil collecting on the wall behind the compressor and on the pump and compressor as well over time. This is not cause for alarm but periodic cleaning may be needed.

Reciprocating (piston type) air compressors are noisy and this is something you need to anticipate for the sake of yourself, your workers and others who are in the neighborhood. If quiet is an important consideration, you may want to think about spending the extra money for a screw-type air compressor. Screw-type compressors have no pistons or cylinders. Air is compressed in turbine fashion by a large metal screw, turning at a very high speed. These machines just purr compared to the reciprocating type but they are very costly. They sound more like a quiet jet engine than a loud truck motor.

I hope this information has been useful to you. Buying an air compressor for your woodworking shop can be a fairly expensive investment when you consider piping, regulators, hoses, water traps, wiring and electricians. You will want to buy a compressor that is capable of the tasks you will be using it for but no more than that. Purchasing the wrong air compressor can be a very expensive mistake. My motivation in writing this has been to give you the knowledge you will need to select the right one.

Bob Gillespie

Woodworker

AIR COMPRESSOR REVIEWS:

WOODWORKING TOOL REVIEWS:

2010 Robert M. Gillespie, Jr.

London Scuba Lessons From Diving Schools London

by

Hall Andrew

Summer is here. Its time for the family to learn scuba diving. Diving schools, like London Diving have PADI diving instructors ready and waiting to teach you. The London scuba is a must and London diving are ready to help you unlock the door to a whole new sensational experience.

The same excellent PADI diving instructors of London diving schools run you through a series of diving lessons that are designed to get you off the heated pool and into the open water quick. Scheduled lessons start you on the basics of safe diving, planning dives, and proper use of diving equipment. Once the scuba basics are mastered, the next step is to test your mettle in Londons famous diving spots.

London scuba schools in London have complete facilities for scuba diving lessons. They also observe stringent instruction standards for beginners and scuba instructor training. London diving schools ensure that all diving students learn the basics of safe diving and proper use of diving equipments and master confined water diving before an open sea dive is carried out in Londons beaches.

Students preferring to take complete their scuba diving lessons outside London, they are provided open sea referrals from the diving schools. A diving referral will allow students to take their open sea dive in any PADI affiliated beaches all over the world. Hence, London scuba schools offer a cheaper alternative students are ready for the open sea when they seek the Caribbean or the Seychelles for the diving challenge.

London Diving schools provide modulesconfined water diving, learning additional scuba principles to enhance the basic diving skills acquired under the close supervision of PADI certified instructors, hence small classes of 8 to 10 students are conducted per session. Smaller classes make for effective and focused training.

It takes about three days for beginners to learn scuba diving with the help of modern scuba diving equipmentsbreathing regulators, buoyancy devices, scuba masks, gauges and fins that can be bought from the diving schools. London scuba schools offer top brands like UK Lights, and Scubapro and a host of other top names in scuba diving equipment and gear.

Choosing the London Scuba Diving School

There are several scuba diving schools in and around London. Diving enthusiasts and beginners can choose the London scuba diving headquarters accessibly convenient for them. An added convenience is the diving module on video that you can watch at home prior to the next lessons in the pool.

There are different types of scuba diving and London scuba instructors have the credentials for recreational, technical, commercial, and military scuba diving. Specialized scuba diving for night diving, ice diving, altitude diving, rescue and cave diving are also offered for advanced students and hobbyists. Ask the diving schools for their competencies for the different scuba diving courses and compare their rates and facilities, or their proximity to your hotel or residence.

Before enlisting in a London scuba center, inform them if you have any disability and if you are free from medical problems that might interfere with your training. Fortunately, diving schools in London can tailor fit diving lessons for people with disabilities and children with special needs.

London scuba diving schools offer summer getaways in exotic diving spots teeming with marine life and local culture. Make it this year or next year, but first learn how to dive safely and expertly with the experts.

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London Scuba Lessons From Diving Schools London}

Finding a Rental Car in Sydney, Australia

by

Mark j Smith

Sydney is a popular place for people to visit when you come to Australia. The city, however, is large and it `s no longer can walk everywhere and see everything. A rental car is the perfect solution, but many people worry about how and where to find one with minimum hassle.

Having a rental car from scratch is a useful way to go. You will find that `s easier to get to and from your hotel and there` s no business trying to find a taxi rental is being charged by the minute.

Advantages of renting a car

There are many reasons to rent a car, whether traveling for business or pleasure.

– Freedom to take off and see the sights you want to view, even if there `s no bus tour.

– Easier to get around trying to find buses and trains.

– If you are staying with friends or family, you don `t need your liking if you see something you have no interest in.

– Travel to small towns outside Sydney, or simply enjoy a stroll along the shore, `sa beautiful sight.

– Arrive at meetings on time.

– Rental cars are much cheaper than taxis everywhere.

Get a car at the airport

Like any metropolitan city, Sydney does not need to take taxis to and from the airport. You can easily get taxis from some of the areas of the airport with the help of airport supervisors who ensure that the flow of passengers in taxis terminals is very smooth. There are also supervisors who help organize special taxis for passengers with special needs like those with babies or in wheelchairs.

When picking up your vehicle as soon as you get off the plane, you can load your bags and go without any hassles. There `s no waiting for a taxi or trying to find a hotel shuttle that will take you where you need to go, mixing your luggage with other people` s. Instead, you can put everything in your vehicle and avoid any place you choose, even stopping to eat before going to hotel, if you will, and unpack at your leisure.

Another advantage is lower costs. If you go to a rental car drop off at a different location, you `d have to find a taxi to take you to the airport, or, if you choose to leave the car at the airport, you` d probably pay a fee for this. When picking up your car at the airport, you can return to it without additional charges.

Tips for customizing a rental car

It is always a good idea to call ahead and reserve a vehicle. Sydney Airport can be fairly complete and no `s no guarantee that the car you want to be there when you arrive, so I have to stop before reaching side is best. If for some reason, are out of the vehicle you requested, you should get updated without charge.

Check your reservation the day you leave Australia, just to be safe. It also helps to check online to find out where the car rental company is to go there and once you have got your luggage.

Rental cars are very useful move, especially if you’re used to driving and are not accustomed to public transport in Sydney. This can save you some money on taxis, too.

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ArticleRich.com

These wheelchair lifts are found to be more cost-effective as compared to elevators as they offer speedier progression on going from one floor to another.Concept of Wheel Chair Stair Lifts will surely suit your budget as well as fulfill all of your needs. Previously, the wheelchairs were to be stimulated or raised with the help of man power. With the coming of wheelchair platform stair lifts, this uncomfortable process of lifting wheel chairs manually can be avoided now. At the present time, wheelchair lifts are accessible in unusual sizes as well as designs to be used in both commercial as well as residential purposes.Wheelchair stair lifts are obtainable in two specifications, AC as well as DC types. A DC activated electric wheel chair stair lift preserves operations even throughout power failures. Electric stair lifts can be associated with telephone jacks and mechanical door opening. The flat process of motoring makes sure about a contented ride. Wheel chair stair lifts are perfect for persons with inadequate mobility origins by diseases, old ages or accidents.Stair lifts Of Wheelchairs find use in: Hospitals Shops Offices Schools MallsFeatures of Wheelchair Lifts: Non obligatory remote controls by means of key lock to put off illegal access Speed load – 340 kg (750lbs) 3 Drive organization: A/C motorized belt driven ball screw, battery power-driven belt driven ball screw, battery motorized hydraulic 90 as well as 180 entry/exit configurations Urgently stop buttonHighly responsive sensors are only one of the features of its kind in these equipments that will repeatedly detect which an object is overcrowding the lifts pathway as well as stop the damage to the lift. If the path is cleared once, the wheelchair stair lift will carry on its function. In addition to that, there are various security features as well as user friendly features that will make wheelchair stair lifts enormously popular.It is for sure that wheelchair lifts are really beneficial and popular to be made used in various places and for various reasons.

By Christopher Smith

If you take a look at a Pilates forum, you’ll very quickly come across a few that are totally dedicated to Windsor Pilates. The most sweeping question: does it work? Of course, like most questions, depending on who you ask, you’ll get diverse answers. Some know its one of the most adequate workouts available, while others feels its a complete waste of time.

So who do you believe?

Kind words spoken in favor of Windsor Pilates contain statements that claimed a slimmer, sculpted body as a result of Mari Winsor Pilates and others advertise that you only need 60 minutes a week with this form of exercise in order to have the slimmer, firmer body while even more call Pilates a low-intensity powerhouse of a workout. The only way to be absolutely sure of whether or not Windsor Pilates is right for you is to try it out and see. You can always check with your local library and see if they have one of the DVDs before spending the cash to try it out. If you conclude you like it, then be sure to spend money on your own DVD. No matter how much you love it or abominate it, the library will want their copy back, I promise.

Pilates has been around for more than seventy years and several of Hollywood’s finest celebrities tout the veracity of all claims that this is truly one of the best low-intensity body shaping workouts that money can buy. This, by many has been enough to give this workout a try. While some love it, there are obviously those it doesn’t work magic for and then there are those who bought it and never bothered to take it out of the DVD case (it certainly didn’t work for them). Students who study Mari Winsor Pilates often claim to feel restrored and energized after a workout rather than feeling drowsy and drained as they invariably do with different workout methods.

Others feel that Pilates is not an a satisfactory form of working out to meet their needs. No one exercise is going to be right for everyone. That being said, there are many that feel it is a great exercise plan, but not necessarily a weight loss plan. As a result I recommend that you never use diet or exercise alone as part of a weight loss plan, but a combination of the two. Of course you should always consult with your doctor before beginning any major weight loss regimen. To answer the question: Does Mari Winsor Pilates really work? That answer is one that only you can answer for yourself. I can, however, tell you that nothing works unless you try.

About the Author: Does Windsor Pilates really work? Visit actionpilates.com and find out.

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