Can a small cheap wet saw double as a small portable table saw?

Posted By on March 15, 2018

In preparation for an upcoming project that I would usually rent a wet saw for tile cutting (Home Depot’s price is $26/day), but this time I decided to buy a cheap one on sale HF_WetSaw1803014for $49 at Harbor Freight.

I’ve never been impressed with the well used ones I’ve rented in the past, nor am I ever really impressed with the quality at Harbor Freight. That said, the cost to buy is lower than the cost to rent for a couple days, let alone a second and third tile project later this year or next. Another thing I’ve learned over the years is not to skimp on quality blades … they are probably as, if not more, important than the tool.

As I started to put the portable wet saw together, I pondered being able to use it, “if need be,” for a small table saw. I will not have access to my large shop cabinet saw with the project I’m planning, so mounting an old 7-inch Nicholson blade might come in handy? I’ll modify the under-guard a bit to make switching blades out easier – at least it looks do-able and likely better than hacking a long rip cut with a saber saw or portable circular saw (at least my lessor quality one). If it doesn’t work well, I’ll just keep the segmented diamond wet/dry blade mounted and use it only for tile cutting  I doubt I’ll want to tackle bricks as I did a couple years ago (or 35 years ago #TBT) with this saw though.
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EDIT: This photo is in the comment below, but would rather have it within the post.

Internet Speeds continue to rise – 100 then 300 now 500 Mbps

Posted By on March 14, 2018

After switching from TWC/Spectrum one year ago, Cincinnati Bell’s Fioptics (Fiber) delivered television video and Internet to our house as been CincibellSpeedsFiber180313excellent. Their Internet speed continues to rise (currently checking with DSLReports/speedtest).

Last year I was happy to have my speed increase to 100Mbps down when switching to CincinnatiBell, but then after losing promotional perks was disappointed to have my bill rise by 35%. After complaining and several calls, my account was mildly adjusted (still 25% higher than the 2017 promo) and a promo tweak boosting Internet speed from 100Mbps to 300Mbps. Unfortunately we’re hitting a speed where "tripling" doesn’t make much of a noticeable different.

This week a promotion arrived offering to increase speeds from 300Mbps to 500Mbps … just as my computer, router, network and MIND are slowing down.
Winking smile 

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Set the Amazon Echo Follow-up Mode to ON in your Alexa app

Posted By on March 13, 2018

A new Amazon Alexa Echo voice command improvement now makes it easier to string together a series of commands without repeating "Alexa" over and over again.AlexaEchoFollowupMode The back-to-back commands will need to right after each other AND you must turn on (off by default) the Follow-Up Mode under settings in the Alexa app.

After switching ON each Echo device on your network from the list of devices under Settings, you can then string requests together without getting Alexa’s attention each time (you need to activate each device you want to use in Follow-Up Mode). My test was simply to switch on an off a couple of house lights and to play a favorite Pandora station. Everything worked smoothly … almost as if I created a Group command (but that’s another feature – "Alexa, turn on all lights" … after you put your sunglasses on – HA!)

*** Currently you cannot use the Follow-Up Mode while PLAYING audio or music.

Impressive Crescent Moon so toyed with the Lumix GX8 #video

Posted By on March 12, 2018

It was a crisp and cold night for March in Cincinnati and with a pitch black sky at 6 AM (after the Daylight Savings time change), the Waning Crescent Moon (see Lunar Phase) gave me a chance to see if my Lumix GX8 and 100-300mm lens was up to the task.

I’ve tried still photos several times before (other cameras) but this was the first attempt photographing the moon at night in video. I’ve heard sensors do a better job with video than still photo (photo right).

Anyway, the video below is a very short clip (it was cold) … and it is still a tad bit fuzzy full screen, but far better than my experience of trying to take long or short exposed still photos of the moon (and even harder with an iPhone!)

Music Monday: From the Beatles to the Sheatles

Posted By on March 12, 2018

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Who really wants to fly ALONE with a 1-year old?

Posted By on March 11, 2018

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When it comes to kiddos, ours were the cutest … until now!

Posted By on March 10, 2018

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What is Crony Capitalism?

Posted By on March 10, 2018

A simple explanation of crony capitalism in this Prageru video, but a challenging to stop corruption that exists with politicians running governments.

Fantastic sperm whale and diver photo … if it is real?

Posted By on March 9, 2018

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One never knows anymore if photos are real or Photoshopped .. . but this filler post photo of a sperm whale and snorkeling photographer is amazing.

Tech Friday: A Periscope chat with a Twitter management team

Posted By on March 9, 2018

Enjoyed the opportunity to ask questions and exchange thoughts with a Twitter management group working on improving online #health (safety/abuse). PeriscopeCoJackTwitter180308The live Periscopechat was a way for Twitter operate as transparently as possible. They will be opening an RFP process (request for proposal) from academia and the community. Twitter along with most of Silicon Valley is aware they their immediate community has an innate "progressive" bias which has come under attack this past year. Politics and issues bring out abuse by users, some far more dangerous than others. They seem sincere about welcoming questions, thoughts and ideas and what to rapidly address the "health of the community," has they refer to it. Hopefully those of us that use Twitter as a "newsfeed" and appreciate having an exchange with others can be helpful in refining Twitter without draconian measure — a recent "broad based banning" was not received well, especially by conservatives.

On an investment note, solid a few shares of TWTR close to $36 as it became a "double" for me on Wednesday this past week even though I’m still confident Twitter is on the right track (nothing wrong with booking a little profit).

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Twitter Health Metrics Proposal Submission

We’re committing to helping increase the collective health, openness, and civility of public conversation around the world, and to hold ourselves publicly accountable toward progress. By measuring our contribution to the overall health of the public conversation, we believe we can more holistically approach and measure our impact on the world for years to come.

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Desultory - des-uhl-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee

  1. lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful: desultory conversation.
  2. digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random: a desultory remark.
My Desultory Blog