RT/WW - Amazing Chalk Art

Cool Neighborhood

It's the first time we dropped by my daughter's new place. The houses were so beautiful and each one had sprawling gardens. The gates were wrought iron and each one had a house plaque. It's a quiet subdivision and the residents knew each other. Everyone we passed waved and smiled. My daughter had chosen an excellent place to live in. My granddaughters will surely surely grow up in a very good environment.

Cool Ride

My husband is a gear head. He has always loved cars. In fact, he has a new project. He's now into import tuners. He recently bought a '96 Honda Civic. He'll be installing upgrades to the car. Aside from the mods, he's looking at several car accessories that would complement the theme of the car.

Some of the upgrades he ordered had arrived. A new exhaust system, bigger brakes and adjustable coil covers were delivered the other day. His favorite custom shop will do the engine and suspension modifications. He's choosing between a turbo and supercharger system.

The interior will get a makeover too. Racing seats and an audio/video system will complete the interior. The rims and tires will be changed as well. A set of 17 inch rims wrapped with low profile tires will certainly complement the carbon fiber wings and body kit. I also understand that Xenon lights will replace the standard bulbs. A rendering of the car hangs on the wall of his study. He has opted for a black on black color scheme.

You can see the excitement in his demeanor. His mood has been upbeat since he bought the car. I share his excitement and enthusiasm. I hope it turns out as beautiful as his '57 Bel Air.

RT/WW - Care for cupcakes?

Selecting the Best Welding Helmets

Before you try your hand at welding anything, it is vital that you have and know how to use welding helmets. These protective devices should not be considered an option but rather a requirement. Failure to use welding helmets while working can lead to serious injury and even blindness. If you are not sure exactly what you need, the following guidelines will help you get started. 

If at all possible, avoid borrowing welding helmets from someone else or purchasing the first used helmet you come across. Welding helmets come in a variety of weights and sizes, and it is important that you find one that fits your head comfortably and does not place extreme pressure on your neck or shoulders. This is especially true if you plan to do a lot of welding, as wearing a helmet that is too large, small or heavy for an extended period can cause painful muscle strain or headaches. On the same note, be wary of buying a used helmet at all. Unless you know and trust the seller, you cannot be certain that it has not been damaged in some way, opening you to potential exposure and danger.

Be sure that the welding helmets you consider meet all state and federal regulations and guidelines. Your best bet is to check with the U.S Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to learn what materials are acceptable and what ratings you should look for.

Many current brands of welding helmets provide an auto-darkening feature. What this means is that the lens in the helmet blackens automatically when bright light is present. This feature saves you the step of having to move the shield up and down manually. These helmets do require some source of power, so be sure to take that into consideration. You can find auto-darkening helmets that are solar powered or battery powered, so choose the option that best suits you.

Finally, you must establish how much you want to spend. Welding helmets range from quite affordable to rather expensive. Look for the best helmet that you can comfortably afford. If your budget is tight, avoid cool-looking but pricier designer helmets and stick with a functional and economical option instead.