Tips, Tools & Techniques

[brog]

Hi dcarch
Tell me more about ele. sprayer--kind-batt,-rechargable??--will it reach fruit tree tops--How long does batt. last.
what else?????Explain all.
thanks Bill

[dcarch]

Originally Posted by brog

Hi dcarch
Tell me more about ele. sprayer--kind-batt,-rechargable??--will it reach fruit tree tops--How long does batt. last.
what else?????Explain all.
thanks Bill

It uses 6 D cells.
I don't know how long the batteries last because I converted mine to li-ion rechargeable ones.
The spray is adjustable. It can spray very high.

dcarch

[Adenn1]

Just passing on a tip for those who like to use leaves for mulch. I found that shredding leaves helps them break down faster and prevents the matting issues when using large leaves.

I like to take my 32 gallon plastic trash can and fill it half full with leaves. I then take my string trimmer and put it with the leaves and let them have it. Move the trimmer around in the can to get at the sides and bottom. Stop and give the can a couple of shakes to move the leaves around and hit it again.

This method really helps break down the leaves into a fine mulch. Please note that you will get a good amount of leaf dust using this method...so be prepared to get a bit dirty and wear a mask if you wish.

[brog]

I am new to tomatoville--computer--etc-etc-etc--I see alot about ebay. Is it safe -good deal-bad deal-etc etc etc (Ijust learned how spell--etc-). Thanks for any feed back
Bill

[sirtanon]

Brog - it can be both safe AND dangerous. The trick is to look out for the scheisters.. keep your BS meter well tuned.

I sell quite a bit on Ebay - I also buy quite a bit on Ebay. I can tell you that I have a pretty sensitive BS meter, and it has saved me from more than one thief.

1 - NEVER buy anything expensive from someone who A) has a rating of less than 10, B) has lots of negative feedback, or C) is new on Ebay and has been buying lots of CHEAP stuff from people with low feedback (this usually means they're creating fake ratings). One exception to this would be if you can finalize the transaction with them IN PERSON.

2 - NEVER EVER pay for an item through Western Union! Try to avoid paying with cash through the mail, unless the person you're sending to has a really good rating. Mine, for example is about 1000, with 99.6% positive. Most of that is from selling.

3 - Paypal is your FRIEND. Create an account, use it whenever possible. They have something called 'buyer protection' that protects you pretty well from getting cheated.

4 - If something looks WAY too good to be true, it frequently is. Do your homework, ask questions, etc...

-----------------

All in all, I have good luck with Ebay, and I do recommend using it. You can get some GREAT deals on stuff. Just stay alert

[dcarch]

Save money and save the environment.

Get a small cheap electric meter ($5.00?). The next time your batteries run down in your electronic gadgets or toys, don't replace them all. Usually only one of them is low and the others are still useful. Measure them and just replace the bad one.

dcarch

[dcarch]

Various ideas for a precision watering bottle:

http://www.tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=5006

dcarch

[dcarch]

We all have WD-40. That little red tube! you can never find it when you need it. Taping it, rubber banding it don't work for too long.

Don't go back to HD to steal it from another Can.

This is where you can keep it and always have it.

Please share your other tips.



dcarch

[TJS]

Freakin brilliant Dcarch!

[Sorellina]

Ciao dcarch aka Mr. Martha aka Gadget Boy-

I have a question that's been bugging me ever since you posted the pictures of your really oh so coolie cool pop bottle planters. WHAT is the tool-I-must-get in order to make the coolie cool wavy cuts for these el neato planters? Tell me it's not some copyrighted American gizmo I can't get at the Home Depot up here in Canuckistan. I am totally all over this project! I hope Michael's carries the faux granite paint. Inspired!!

[Woodenzoo]

dcarch,
I've been wondering for awhile now...
Just been afraid to mention it...
I love many of your ideas and creativeness...
My big question is when are you going to put out a step by step book for your creations?!
My personal favorite is the tide bottle turned into a watering can and then the beautiful pop bottle containers!
I think such a book would be a million dollar seller and I would be first in line for it!
Think about it...
Cathy

[Grub]

Excellent and informative thread... our resident Nutty Professor (meant in an affectionate way?). Clearly, you are not a Mrs Grub, whose absence of craft skills are worthy of a television show.

Thanks, Grub, who keeps all his pantyhose tomato ties in a mesh net bag that, before each season, he dunks in a mild bleach solution, soaks for a few hours, then dangles from a tree branch to dry.

Also, remember my hat trick? If birds are pecking your tomatoes, gather up all your peaked baseball caps - you know, the freebies you have collected over the years - and put a hat around the ripening tomato, using the velcro tap or plastic adjustable tab so the fruit is under the brim. Your plants will look great and the birds won't be able to get to the maters.

[dcarch]

Originally Posted by Sorellina

-----
I have a question that's been bugging me ever since you posted the pictures of your really oh so coolie cool pop bottle planters. WHAT is the tool-I-must-get in order to make the coolie cool wavy cuts -----

It's a top top top secret. Took a while to come up the idea.

If you are going to make many, of course you should first make a template of the wave design.

Now the cutting secret:
The problem is the flexible plastic makes it very difficult to cut into accurately. So you fill the bottle with water and put it in the freezer. After the water is frozen solid, then you can use a sharp box cutter, or Exacto blade to cut the wave shape or any other design. The holes are made by just any hole puncher

Now I am going to have to kill you.

dcarch

[dcarch]

Originally Posted by Woodenzoo

dcarch,
I've been wondering for awhile now...
Just been afraid to mention it...
I love many of your ideas and creativeness...
My big question is when are you going to put out a step by step book for your creations?! --------------------Cathy

Well, Thanks for your kind words. I have a few more ideas to share, just haven't had the time to do anything.

dcarch