In the latter half of the 19th century, inventor Alexander Parkes created a new, organic material that could be heated and moulded to a new shape when cooled.

In its early days it was used as celluloid for photographic and movie film and with the addition of camphor it was used for making billiard balls which had previously been made from ivory.

At the beginning of the 20th century a new form of thermoplastics was created. It was a material which, like wax candles, was capable of being melted to its liquid form and then moulded and solidified on cooling to create plastic fabrications of almost any shape and size imaginable.

This led to the creation of the first true plastic, a new form of plastic moulding material called Bakelite. Bakelite was used in making telephones, radios and televisions as well as all kinds of other objects that at the time were prized for their style and innovation.

Acrylic to PVC

In the 1930’s, American, British and German companies developed yet another form of thermoplastics, “polymethyl methacrylate”, better known as acrylic.

It was used in plastic fabrication for aircraft canopies during the war and is now used to make anything from the tiniest acrylic dish to the largest plastic acrylic dome imaginable. In fact, in the far reaches of the Arctic a huge acrylic dome is used to observe the stars.

PVC, another widely used thermoplastic, was famed for some memorable 60’s fashion statements and now used to create a cheap, durable and easy to assemble plastic fabrication replacement for wood, concrete and clay in modern building construction

Thermoplastics today

Today it’s impossible to imagine a world without thermoplastics. They are used in almost every area of life from simple household dishes to exclusive designer furniture and life-saving medical equipment.

Incredibly flexible in use, plastic fabricators can melt and re-solidify thermoplastics repeatedly, making the material very easy to recycle. So, the plastic bottles of water you take to work today could very well become the plastic cups or dishes you’ll use at home in the future.

Thermoplastics continue to develop and evolve. Today they include:

·    Polycarbonate

A very strong, virtually unbreakable plastic – often used as a replacement for glass in spectacles and in producing bicycle helmets

·    PETG

Another tough, transparent thermoplastics material; it is 15 times tougher than standard acrylic so perfect material for dishes, food packaging and liquid containers.

·    High impact polystyrene

A strong, rigid form of plastic that can be sawn, routered, hole-punched and guillotined, it’s often moulded by plastic fabricators to make toys and sign displays

·    Perspex

Most people are familiar with Perspex, an acrylic resin also known as Plexiglass and used for replacement windows

The future of plastic fabrication and thermoplastics

Being the material of the space age, it’s possible in the future that we’ll all be living in highly impact resistant, long-lasting plastic domes built by plastic fabricators and made entirely from recycled thermoplastics.

As the many different forms of thermoplastics demonstrate, their uses are limited only by our imagination and vision. There’s no end of creative possibilities for the plastic fabrications to be produced by the designers and inventors of the future.

Talbot Design

Non ci credete? Bene, se avete un po' di dimistichezza con lo spagnolo, andate sul portale messicano di Greenpeace e leggete bene cosa prescrivono i dieci comandamenti dell'amore verde. La prima regola è quella di spegnere la luce per evitare inutili consumi di energia elettrica, aspettando al buio la compagna o il compagno al rientro dal lavoro. Ovviamente, anche se nel decalogo non c'è scritto, state attenti alle sorprese e comunicate sempre al parner di essere rientrati. Non si sa mai. Sempre in tema di risparmio energetico, è molto più romantico, propedeutico all'amore ed ecologico cenare a luce di candela ma, per non infrangere la regola numero uno, è importante acquistare candele di cera d'api e paraffina, non quelle a base di petrolio.

La seconda regola è in qualche modo legata alla prima. Per concludere al meglio la romantica cenetta a lume di candela, il massimo sarebbe deliziare il proprio partner con della buona frutta afrodisiaca, come potrebbero essere fragole, mirtilli e more, lamponi e ciliege. Ci avete provato ma il fuoco della passione non si accesso? Prendetevela col vostro fruttivendolo, evidentemente la frutta che vi ha venduto era transgenica o, se preferite, geneticamente modificata. La prossima volta sarebbe bene dire a cosa vi serve per non fare cattive figure con il partner.

Terzo comandamento dell'amore verde. Se proprio non sapete come spendere il vostro stipendo, una cena a base di ostriche e champagne in riva al mare è l'ideale ed è anche un ottimo afrodisiaco. Ma attenzione perché il ristoratore potrebbe rivelarsi peggio del fruttivendolo. Le ostriche, infatti, sono bioindicatori delle condizioni delle acque, perché accumulano inquinamento. Per una cena a base di molluschi, dunque, Greenpeace consiglia di verificare che questi provengano da mari puliti e non dalle acque delle grandi città costiere.

Finalmente il dopo cena, sempre che il compagno o la compagna nel frattempo non vi abbia lasciato. Le regole dalla quarta alla sesta si possono tranquillamente riassumere in: lubrificanti e giocattoli erotici. I primi devono essere naturali o a base di acqua (La lengua siempre será un buen instrumento, superflua qualsiasi traduzione) evitando quelli a base di petrolio come la vasellina; per i "sex toys", invece, è bene prediligere quelli in caucciù, pelle o lattice, evitando accuratamente oggetti o accessori di policloruro di vinile, in quanto il pvc genera diossina e furani. Certo, andate a spiegare tutto questo al vostro fornitore ufficiale di preservativi, vibratori, dildo e frustini vari. Magari dite che vi manda Greenpeace!

Quante volte c'è stato detto a tavola dalla mamma: "Non sprecare il cibo che ci sono milioni di bambini che muoiono di fame"? Beh, dopo aver fatto l'amore mettiamocci una mano sulla coscienza e pensiamo alle 500 milioni di persone che non hanno accesso all'acqua pulita e corrente. Così, dopo aver risparmiato sulla corrente elettrica, Greenpeace ci invita a risparmiare anche sull'acqua. Come? Faccendo la doccia insieme al nostro partner. Meglio ancora se il box è stretto, in quel caso risparmiermo anche spazio e soprattutto respiro, dovendolo trattenere.

Dopo la doccia finalmente a letto per il tanto sospirato riposo del guerriero. Un bel lettone comodo e confortevole. Ma attenzione perché dev'essere anche ecosostenibile. Sempre secondo Greenpeace, infatti, il letto deve avere la certificazione dell'FSC (Forest Stewardship Council), una ong internazionale che rilascia un marchio ecologico per identificare i prodotti contenenti legno ottenuto da foreste gestite secondo criteri di ecosostenibilità. Come la mettiamo? Vogliamo dormire comodi e confortevoli ma avere rimorsi di coscienza? Rischiando, peraltro, di vanificare tutti gli sforzi e i sacrifici fatti finora? Assolutamente no. E allora via anche con il letto di legno ecosostenibile.

L'ultimo precetto di Greenpeace è un antico cavallo di battaglia tanto caro al movimento pacifista: fate l'amore non fate la guerra. Come? Fate l'amore? E no, dopo tutto sto casino di nuovo l'amore proprio no. Meglio una bella litigata. (do.mal.)

Bon, les élections devraient être annoncées ce dimanche matin, après le déjeuner-causerie entre le premier ministre, Stephen Harper, et la gouverneure générale, Michaëlle Jean.  À partir de là, la campagne sera officiellement lancée.

On pourrait déterminer la "valeur" des chefs de partis politiques en fonction de leurs bons coups, et de leurs coups bas, ainsi que des dérapages de leurs candidats, et bien sûr de l'habileté des chefs à corriger le tir de ceux-ci.  On accorde une même note de 100 points à chacun des chefs politiques, et on pourrait ajuster leur cote en ajoutant, ou en retirant, des points, au fur et à mesure des jours de campagne qui passent.  Le classement serait affiché, et mis à jour quotidiennement, dans une des marges latérales, de façon à ce qu'on puisse le voir constamment, d'ici la fin de la campagne.

Mettons le classement de départ, en ordre alphabétique de leur nom de famille, puis le classement varierait par la suite en fonction de leur "valeur".  Cela donnerait ceci:

• Stéphane Dion, Parti Libéral du Canada (PLC)... 100
• Gilles Duceppe, Bloc Québécois (BQ)... 100
• Stephen Harper, Parti Conservateur du Canada (PCC)... 100
• Jack Layton, Nouveau Parti Démocratique (NPD)... 100
• Elizabeth May, Parti Vert du Canada (PVC)... 100

J'essaierai de mettre à jour le tableau le matin, avant de quitter pour mon job, avec les trucs qui auront influencé la "valeur" des chefs le jour précédent.  Je compte sur vous pour me donner vos impressions de la campagne, ainsi que pour mettre en évidence des "petites nouvelles" qui se passent dans votre patelin, mais qui ne figurent pas nécessairement dans les grands médias.

J'espère que l'on fera un travail équitable, et non-partisan.  Par exemple, on n'enlèvera pas des points à un chef parce qu'on aime pas son parti.  On devra s'en tenir aux faits et gestes des chefs, et de leurs suites respectives.

Et si je vois que ça ne marche pas, je laisse tout tomber!

Some of the major dangerous chemicals found in baby products include BPA, PVC, and phthalates.  These chemicals can be found in bottles, sippy cups, water bottles, dishes and utensils, bibs, teethers, bath toys and other plastic toys.  I’m sure there are more items out there that I’m not even aware of yet (I’m sure I will dig up more in the future).  Here’s a quick brake down on why these chemicals are harmful.  For more information visit some of my favorite resources:  the soft landing, zrecs, and safbaby.

BPA (Bisphenol-A) – has been in the news lately in regards to baby bottles.  It’s great that information is seeping out to the public; I hope it continues and gains momentum.  BPA is a harmful chemical in polycarbonate plastics such as baby bottles (often recycle #7).  When the plastic becomes worn it can leach out.  This also affects products such as toys or anything babies put into their mouths (which is everything!). BPA is a hormone disruptor.  It has been linked to breast and prostate cancer, diabetes, and other health problems.  You can read more about it’s dangers here.  

PVC – is an extremely dangerous chemical (knows as vinyl) to both humans and the environment.  It releases dioxins, long recognized as a carcinogen.  They are found in plastic baby products and recognized as recycle #3.  Find more information here and here and here 

Phthalates - one of the most prevalent types is DEHP.  They are found added to many plastics including food packaging, toys, cosmetics, clothing and more.  Phthalates are endocrine disruptors which can also cause permanent birth defects.  They have also been linked to liver, kidney and lung damage.  Learn more about phthalates here and here.

All three of these chemicals are not only dangerous to humans but they are very hazardous to the environment and other animals.  They leach dangerous chemicals into our ground water and the plastics in landfills release dangerous gases into our air.  Some more food for thought – all three of these are banned in many European countries, but not in our money hungry country.  Armed with all of my printed off notes, resources, and Jack, I’m off to the store!

Well, there are a whole lot of reasons to dig a little deeper and ditch the conventional crib mattresses. When we bring home our new bundle of joy, we want to put them in a safe environment. But crib mattresses are loaded with toxic chemicals, many of which can leach and outgas, having possible negative health effects. And considering infants spend most of their young lives asleep in their beds, it's certainly a very important and critical element to consider.

Scientists also recently discovered the chemicals in traditional crib mattresses may cause SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). One reason why the back-to-bed campaign has been so successful at reduces the instances of SIDS, is that babies faces are no longer directly against the mattress breathing higher concentrations of the toxic chemicals.

Common toxins in conventional crib mattresses are:

PVC – polyvinylchloride found nearly everywhere in our environment. releases toxins such as mercury, dioxins, and phthalates, which may pose irreversible life-long health threats.
Phthalates – a synthetic substance just banned in children’s products by the US government. It's associated with asthma, reproductive issues and cancer.
DEHP - the most common phthalate used in crib mattresses has been banned in Europe for years.
Polyurethane foam – a highly flammable, cheap substance highly treated with a host of chemicals to make it flame retardant. Not only does it easily ignite, it releases deadly gases when it is ignited. 
pentaBDE - The most common chemical fire retardant used to made polyurethane foam flame retardant, is a toxin associated with hyperactivity and neuro-behavioral alterations. PentaBDE is not bound to the foam, and leaches out into the surrounding air. It's been banned in Europe for many years and in California since 2006.
Antimony – used as a flame retardant
Pesticides and boric acid – used to treat cotton in the mattress
Latex treated with pesticides

HealthyChild.com also offers detailed information on why traditional crib mattresses post significant health risks to infants and toddlers.

"... EPA has determined that infants up to age two are, on average, ten times more vulnerable to carcinogenic chemicals than adults, and for some cancer causing agents are up to 65 times more vulnerable... children accumulate up to 50 percent of their lifetime cancer risk by their second birthday... many chemicals linked to mutagenic activity are commonly used in consumer products and can contribute to children's exposure to carcinogens."
(Children's Health Policy Review: "EPA Cancer Policy Revisions Highlight Risks to Children." 3 Mar. 2003.
Environmental Working Group. www.ewg.org/issues/risk_assessment/20030303/index.php)

But never fear, there are safe, organic mattresses on the market that are free of these substances. Organic wool is naturally flame resistant so no chemicals are needed. It’s also naturally resistant to dust mites, mold, mildew and bacteria. Organic cotton is also a great alternative because it gives better air circulation allowing the baby to breathe better.

Do read the fine print and ensure the mattress is 100% organic and no where on the labeling or website does it list any of the toxins mentioned above. You can also call the Organic Consumer’s Association to get a list of stores that carry all-organic mattresses.

Here is a snippet from another article, it’s very disturbing, and once again proves how our government organizations are not protecting us from toxins:

“According to the CPSC risk assessment, they state that EVERY night, the average person (and infant) will absorb the following chemicals:
.802 mg Antimony (similar to arsenic – a known poison)
.081 mg Boric Acid (the active ingredient in Roach Killer)
.073 mg DBDPO (also known as DECA, a suspected carcinogen)
However, the CPSC stands by its controversial decision and says, this is level of chemical absorption is safe and poses no known health risks.

However, they excluded children under five years of age from their risk assessment by assuming all these children will be protected by a vinyl sheet over their mattresses, due to bedwetting problem. Their assumption is that this vinyl covering will protect them from the FRC’s in their mattress.

However, antimony has been proven by European researchers to leech through vinyl covers, and has been found in high concentrations in infants livers, who have succumbed to SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).

Fearing a possible link, these same researchers looked at all cases of SIDS in their country and were able to statistically link this to the high levels of antimony in the crib mattresses. In fact, high levels of antimony were found in the livers of dissected human infants killed by SIDS.

For this reason, Europe has been moving away from using flame retardants in their mattresses and requires them be proven safe before being used. Many countries in Europe have even banned them. As a result, SIDS deaths have decreased over much of Europe.

Even New Zealand has virtually eliminated most cases of SIDS by preventing these mattress toxins from being absorbed by the infants, via a special mattress covering. They instituted a nationwide policy in 1994 to “wrap” crib mattresses with a special blanket to prevent the mattress toxins from poisoning the infants. It has been demonstrated that no infant has ever died of SIDS when sleeping on a “wrapped” mattress.”

Pretty infuriating isn’t it? For these reasons, I am getting an organic mattress for my son, who’s arrival is expected in just 12 weeks. My daughter also sleeps on a standard crib mattress in her toddler bed, and I likely will replace hers as well. I hate to think she has been exposed to these toxins for nearly 2.5 years.

I have researched and found these mattresses that are 100% organic. Please note this is not a comprehensive list! If you know of other 100% organic mattresses, please let me know and I will add them to this list. 

Naturepedic: all have 100% organic cotton filing
No-Compromise Organic Cotton Classic $259
No-Compromise Organic Cotton Ultra $359
2 in 1 Organic Cotton Ultra $399
Quilted Organic Cotton Deluxe (note, does not have a waterproof cover) $339 
Port a crib pad $149 

Natural Mat
Latex Mat $385 Made of organic latex, organic lambswool and double organic cotton cover 
Mohair Mat $625 (mohair is from horsetail, which naturally springs back to its original shape). Also made of coir (from coconuts), organic lambswool and organic cotton. 
Coco Mat $375 Made of coir (from coconuts), organic lambswool and organic cotton.

Pure Rest
Organic Crib Mattress Innerspring with Edge Supports
Organic Innerspring Crib Mattress (Cotton & Wool) $299 242 coils, organic cotton filling, organic wool batting.

Eco Baby has a variety of mattresses ranging from $299 - $399

Pixel Organics
REFILL mattress is an interesting product in that it recycles food grade plastic bottles into filling for this crib mattress. Also uses organic cotton and wool. $170
Natural Rubber and Organic Wool $150
100% Organic 510 Coil Inner Spring Crib Mattress $342
100% Organic Natural Rubber Crib Mattress $490. Also uses organic cotton and wool.

Related Articles
BPA free bottles, sippy cups and more
BPA and phthalate free pacifiers
BPA and phthalare free teethers and rattles
Toxins in cosmetics and beauty products
President Bush Signs Product Safety Bill to protect children

Coaxial cable design choices affect physical size, frequency performance, attenuation, power handling capabilities, flexibility, and cost. The inner conductor might be solid or stranded; stranded is more flexible. To get better high-frequency performance, the inner conductor may be silver plated. Sometimes copper-plated iron wire is used as an inner conductor.

The insulator surrounding the inner conductor may be solid plastic, a foam plastic, or may be air with spacers supporting the inner wire. The properties of dielectric control some electrical properties of the cable. A common choice is a solid polyethylene (PE) insulator. Lower-loss cables will use a polyethylene foam insulator. Solid Teflon (PTFE) is also used as an insulator. Some coaxial lines use air (or some other gas) and have spacers to keep the inner conductor from touching the shield.

There is also a lot of variety in the shield. Conventional coaxial cable has braided copper wire forming the shield. This allows the cable to be flexible, but it also means there are gaps in the shield layer. It also means the inner dimension of the shield varies slightly because the braid cannot be flat. Sometimes the braid is silver plated. For better shield performance, some cables have a double-layer shield. The shield might be just two braids, but it is more common now to have a thin foil shield covered by a wire braid. Some cables may invest in more than two shield layers. Other shield designs sacrifice flexibility for better performance; some shields are a solid metal tube. Those cables cannot take sharp bends, as the shield will kink, causing losses in the cable. Many Cable television (CATV) distribution systems use such "hard line" cables, as they provide a lower signal loss.

The insulating jacket can be made from many materials. A common choice is PVC, but some applications may require fire-resistant materials. Outdoor applications may require the jacket to resist ultraviolet light and oxidation. For internal chassis connections the insulating jacket may be omitted.

Connections to the ends of coaxial cables are usually made with RF connectors.

source: wikipedia

HydroBurst®

   Cea mai mare problema a firmelor  desemnate sa inlocuiasca tronsoane de tevi in interiorul orasului o reprezinta lipsa spatiului, costurile mari pentru excavatii, perturbarea traficului si nu in ultimul rand costuri ridicate pentru refacerea traseelor excavate. In acest sens Vermeer-HammerHead™ vine in ajutorul constructorilor cu echipamentele  HydroBurst®.   Procesul de inlocuire a tevilor invechite devine unul simplu, rapid, ieftin,  intr-un cuvant EFICIENT. Dupa cum vedeti in poza de mai jos, utilajul este format dintr-o unitate de tragere, o unitate de putere hidraulica si sculele necesare taierii tevii vechi, largirii gaurii si tragerii noii tevi.

 Cum functioneaza

 Unitea de tragere se aseaza intr-un put la nivelul tevii  care trebuie inlocuite, prajinile din dotarea utilajului se imping  in teava veche.  Se sapa un alt put in celalalt capat al tronsonului ce trebuie schimbat. In momentul in care prajinile au ajuns in cel de-al doilea put se ataseaza sculele.  In cea de-a doua faza, de tragere,  teava veche este taiata, in urma taietorului vom gasi un Expander care largeste gaura si in acelasi timp impinge resturile de teava in peretii gaurii, plus  un sistem de prindere al tevii noi. Cu acest sistem se poate “sparge” practic orice tip de teava, fie ca vorbim de fonta, azbociment, PVC,  otel si se pot inlocui cu orice tip de teava care se poate suda si e suficient de flexibil, in special polietilena si PVC.  Unitatile care au o putere de tragere mare ( peste 120tone )  pot trage si tevi de otel. Un alt avantaj al acestui sistem este ca diametrele tevilor pozate pleaca de la 50mm cu HydroBurst® HB3038 si ajung pana la 600mm cu HydroBurst®HB175 iar lungimea tronsonului inlocuit poate ajunge la 100 metri.

• A plastic milk jug takes about a million years to decompose
• Americans use 2.5 million plastic bottles every hour, all of which is made from virgin material
• An estimated 14 billion pounds of trash, much of it plastic is dumped in the world's oceans every year
• Nearly every piece of plastic EVER made still exists today.
• Many chemical additives that give plastic products desirable performance properties have negative environmental and human health effects, including direct toxicity, endocrine disruptiors, and carcinogens
•  Its estimated that over 10's of thousands of seabirds choke or get tangled in plastic debris (including domestic waste and disused fishing gear) and about 100,000 seals, sea lions, whales, dolphins, other marine mammals and sea turtles suffer the same fate, although some scientists believe this figure to be much higher.

While the American Chemistry Company would like us to think that plastic is completely recyclable, the fact is, it isn't. Most recycled plastic goes into making items like plastic lumber, textiles, and parking bumpers, all of which are unrecycleable. So its makes sense to hear that every 20 years, the amount of plastic we use doubles. When plastic is burned, it releases hazordous chemicals into the atmosphere, that cause severe health problems for those exposed. Have you ever burnt a plastic spoon on the stove? Not a pleasant smell. Little did you know, you were also ingesting hazardous chemicals. What exactly ar these dangerous chemicals you ask? Well here are just a few...

Bisephonal A or BPA - This chemical is a component of polycarbonate; that clear, hard plastic used in the manufacturing of baby bottles, reusable sports bottles, the lining of canned goods and dental fillings (to name a few). It has been linked to various cancers, early onset of puberty, Type II diabetes and neurobehavioral changes in offspring exposed in the womb. BPA is a hormone/endocrine disruptor. What many don't know is that it actually mimics the hormone estrogen. It can interfere with the normal functioning of the hormone (or endocrine) system by duplicating, blocking or exaggerating hormonal responses. This can produce a wide range of adverse effects including reproductive, developmental and behavioral problems. It leaches into our food supply by ingesting foods and beverages contained in plastics bearing a #3 or #7. For more on BPA go here.

PVC- Commonly referred to as vinyl, is extremely hazardous. PVC is dangerous to human health and the environment throughout its entire life cycle, at the factory, in our homes, and in the trash.  Our bodies are contaminated with poisonous chemicals released during the PVC lifecycle, such as mercury, dioxins, and phthalates, which may pose irreversible life-long health threats. It has been linked to various cancers, reproductive issues, and weakened immune systems. Its found everywhere: shower curtains, carpets, childrens toys, teethers, car seats, computer keyboards, etc. One way to be sure if the packaging of a product is made from PVC is to look for the number "3" or for the letter "V" inside or underneath the universal recycling symbol. This means that the product is made of PVC. Soft flexible plastic products that are made with PVC often have a distinct odor. Children can be exposed to these chemicals, such as phthalates, by chewing on vinyl toys. Often times if I am unsure about an item, I just refuse it, rather than take the risk.  For more on PVC go here.

Polystyrene (PS) - Used in Styrofoam containers, egg cartons, disposable cups and bowls, take-out food containers, plastic cutlery, compact disc cases.  Leaches styrene, which is also an endocrine disruptor mimicking the female hormone estrogen, and thus has the potential to cause reproductive and developmental problems; long-term exposure by workers has shown brain and nervous system effects; adverse effects on red blood cells, liver, kidneys and stomach in animal studies. It is found in plastics marked with a 6.

So now the biq question is "what can I do?" Well, here's a few tips that I generally go by when it comes to plastic.

• Use Aluminum canteens instead of polycarbonate bottles for your drinking water. They can be found just about anywhere. Sigg and Kleen Kanteen are two I know offhand.
• Steer clear of plastic baby toys. If you must buy plastic, make sure that it is PVC and BPA-free. Check out The Soft Landing on Wordpress, she has a lot of good info. You can always ask or research the company as well.
• Choose items packaged in glass if you have a choice. (The other day I made my peanut butter selection based on this)
• Use cloth bags to do all of your shopping. I generally have a few I use for the grocery store, one for the library, and a few for the mall. If you happen to forget your bag, most stores have them for 99 cents at the register.
• Avoid at all costs heating plastic in the microwave (this includes plastic wrap). This is when chemicals are found to leach the most.
• Avoid plastic cups, utensils, and plates for meals. There are many alternatives out there (bamboo, glass, etc)
• Limit your Ziploc bag use. WHile I must admit, I still use the freezer bags, I have stopped using sandwich bags. They make awesome sandwich wraps online, and Tupperware (although plastic) is a much better, reusable alternative.

While going completely plastic free is next to impossible, I feel that it is very possible to be conscious about the choices we make for ourselves and our children.

Then I realized the vinyl tubing is cheaper and easier to work with, altho not as rigid, so often ends up with a combination of pvc and tubing.

The SS Nuts can be gotten in several thickness and help with spacing the connected plates, as well as SS washers in many thickness' and diameters.

I also use the liquid tape and spray tape to insulate wires and bolts that aren't SS so they dont corrode. I did have one brand, that disolved in the catalyst, wish I could name it, but I cant remember it.

Shrink tubing is very useful for insulating bolts and wires, and can be found in most electrical depts.

Use epoxy or silicon to seal bolt holes if rubber seals wont do the job. I have found that pvc an cpvc glue may seal the pipe for liquids, but rarely a good seal for air or HHO gas, try pressure checking the cell by blowing into it thru a fitting while sealing the others, the leaks will become apparent and can be sealed. Using an air hose is probably over kill unless you intend to pressurize the cell for use as a torch.

It was a day before a fishing trip and I knew that we were going to troll and jig and I don’t have a fighting belt. I found myself in Ace Hardware looking at anything that could help me out in that area. I came upon the PVC conduits section and found some T-connectors and nipples. I remember seeing T-butt fishing rods in one of those sexy, itsi weeny bikini clad girls going fishing videos at you tube and an idea struck me.

So I bought a size 32 T-Connector at P21.00 and a pair of fitting nipples for P10.00 each so all in all, it cost me around P40.00

All you need to do is insert the nipples on each side of the T-Connector (as pictured below). You can apply PVC Blue or super glue if desired.

The next step is to drill a hole in the middle of the connector so you can insert a screw. If you dont have a drill, you can heat up a big nail and use it to punch a hole. This screw will act as the guide to your rod’s gimbal. Make sure that this screw is vertical, or else your rod will not sit vertical when you mount it.

Try it on for size…

You can rest the rod support on either left side or right side of your waist, depends if you are using a spinning outfit or an overhead one. Works great if even if you are doing short strokes or even long ones. Place it in the center if you are trolling..
Refinements: Using it for one outing, I can see a few refinements. You can run a belt right though the insides so it doesn’t fall off. You can also drill the gimbal guide screw so it compensates when your rest it between your waist and thighs.
So there you go.. a cheap alternative to a fighting belt. No more aching bellies when fighting a fish.

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Or, la table est mise pour que l'on nage en pleine controverse une fois de plus sur cette question. En effet, les quatre autres partis sont divisés sur le sujet, et Blair Wilson lui-même prête le flanc à de nombreux doutes de par sa situation personnelle. En effet, il avait d'abord été élu sous la bannière libérale, puis s'était vu exclu du caucus à cause des soupçons de fraude électorale qui pesaient contre lui. Plus tard, il a avoué avoir dépensé 9000$ de fonds non-déclarés à Élections Canada pour sa campagne, gagnée sur son adversaire conservateur par un peu plus de 900 voix, soit moins de 1,5% de marge. Mieux encore: jusqu'à tout récemment, M. Wilson disait toujours vouloir rejoindre les rangs libéraux, rendant surprenant son virage à 180°. Plusieurs questions se posent donc. Ce député peut-il donner accès au débat des chefs au Parti Vert? Les critères arrêtés par les médias lors de la dernière campagne demandaient d'avoir au moins un élu du parti pour être de la fête. M. Wilson est certes un élu, mais libéral à l'origine! De quelle légitimité dispose-t-il en tant que vert auprès de ses électeurs? Aurait-il été élu sans les 9000$ frauduleux? La population de son comté lui fait-elle toujours confiance? Il ne faut d'ailleurs pas oublier que, si Stephen Harper déclenche des élections avant le 15 septembre, Blair Wilson n'aura même jamais siégé comme député vert à la Chambre des Communes...

Le Bloc Québécois et le Parti Conservateur s'opposent à la participation d'Elisabeth May au débat des chefs. Cela peut se comprendre d'un point de vue stratégique, puisque les verts ont un peu partout tendance à attirer une certaine frange de l'électorat par leur simple cause, qui attire la sympathie et appaise les mauvaises consciences des consommateurs invétérés. Cela pourrait nuire au Bloc Québécois de Gilles Duceppe, qui a déjà maille à partir avec les conservateurs au Québec et dont l'électorat traditionnel serait plus susceptible de se laisser un peu séduire par le parti environnementaliste. Plus Elizabeth May aura de visibilité, plus les risques seront grands pour les bloquistes. Les conservateurs, eux, se font déjà taper sur les doigts au sujet de l'environnement, et ne voudraient sans doute surtout pas se retrouver avec un adversaire de plus pour dénoncer leur conduite en la matière. On allègue en plus qu'un pacte a été fait entre les libéraux et les verts, et qu'on ne saurait placer sur le même plateau deux chefs de parti ayant conclu une alliance électorale.

Le Nouveau Parti Démocratique est peut-être celui qui a le plus à perdre d'une visibilité accrue des verts. La formation bicolore orange-verte fait en effet de l'environnement un de ses enjeux cruciaux depuis fort longtemps, et sa position pourrait grandement souffrir d'une érosion de son électorat en faveur du Parti Vert. C'est pourquoi Jack Layton reste pour l'instant silencieux et n'émet aucun commentaire sur le retournement de situation.

Le Parti Libéral du Canada, Stéphane Dion à sa tête, feront plutôt pression pour qu'Elizabeth May soit du débat. C'est un peu à leur avantage, à cause justement de l'alliance conclue entre les deux partis. Pour ceux qui l'auraient oublié, les libéraux ne présenteront aucun candidat dans la circonscription de Mme May et leur organisation locale soutiendra les verts (c'est une première historique; le PLC a, depuis toujours, présenté des candidats partout au Canada). Les verts offrent la réciproque dans le comté de Stéphane Dion, ce qui n'a qu'une valeur symbolique. Ce qui constitue la réelle monnaie d'échange, c'est que la chef du Parti Vert a tendance à embellir les qualités de Stéphane Dion et donnera peut-être son appui à son plan vert, enjeu majeur de la campagne à venir. Les libéraux ont donc tout à gagner à voir Mme May grimper sur l'estrade aux côtés de Dion, Harper, Duceppe et Layton, ce qui est bien entendu dénoncé.

De mon côté, j'irais même encore plus loin. Blair Wilson voulait retourner au caucus libéral, ce qui lui avait toujours été refusé. Toutefois, il avait nécessairement dû garder contact avec le parti pour pouvoir formuler ses demandes. Stéphane Dion et ses lieutenants n'avaient pas avantage à tenter de réintégrer le fraudeur dans la liste des candidats, puisqu'il perdrait probablement le comté à cause de ses erreurs passées. Ils auront donc un nouveau candidat, sans tache à son dossier. M. Wilson, du reste, pouvait quand même être utile aux libéraux! Après avoir conclu l'alliance avec Elizabeth May, qui assurait à un Stéphane Dion impopulaire le soutien d'une cause populaire (l'environnement), l'objectif était de donner à la chef des verts le plus de visibilité possible. Pour ce faire, il suffisait de convaincre Blair Wilson, le député débouté, de se joindre aux verts en échange d'une sorte de réhabilitation tacite chez les libéraux (du genre "Fais-le pour nous, tu nous le dois bien après le tort que tu nous a causé!"). Ensuite, il ne restait qu'à soutenir l'entrée de Mme May au débat des chefs pour obtenir un joli appui au Plan Vert et à Stéphane Dion devant tout l'électorat canadien, au prix total ridicule d'une petite renonciation électorale (dans un comté détenu par un ministre conservateur) et du "sacrifice" d'un ex-député gênant. Suis-je tordu de penser que ce type de manoeuvres, brillantes du point de vue stratégique mais ignobles du point de vue éthique, pourraient avoir eu lieu?

J'aimerais bien que les Verts soient du débat des chefs, car leur parti représente un courant politique important qui mériterait d'être plus représenté à la chambre des Communes. Toutefois, la situation actuelle demande une grande prudence, car elle soulève plusieurs points d'éthique politique et d'interprétation des faits. Ne serait-il pas préférable que Mme May soit à l'écran sans qu'on doute de sa légitimité d'y être?

Model: Anna Pinkpanther
Make-up: Frances McPate
Accessories: Miss Needles
See more on Flickr and ViolentlyBeautiful.com.
Buy prints on Fotki and deviantART.
Also posted on MySpace, LiveJournal, ModelMayhem and deviantART.

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Amanhã parte 2 da cobertura incluindo lançamentos da Max Factory, Megahouse e Alpha-Omega. Até lá. o/

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