Tournament No. 3 Staunton Chess Set - 13.6"

Staunton Chess Set on amazon

Check out my video review here

Let me start out by saying that I am by no means an expert on the game of chess itself. I understand the basics. I feel that as long as all the required pieces are there, the game is perfectly playable and that experience wouldn't bring much to the table anyway. That being said, I think this is a decent set for anyone looking for a smaller set that is abled to be carried around with no trouble.

Build- Everything about the board itself is solid. The hinges are well sized and attached such that the two halves clap shut with no gap and the clasps fall right into place ever time. It's the little things like a perfect fit that make you like a product. Then you have the simple subtle inlays that break up the image just enough to add character to a good looking board. The set claims to have been hand crafted in Poland and taking a close look at the pieces I could see minor inconsistencies that did indicate it was true. That's what I like about handcrafted items; each one is unique and has it's own special charm. The pieces are overly intricate and that works to keep them durable and less likely to break. The only thing I noticed here is that they could stand to be a touch more bottom heavy and I could drop them from a short height above the board and they would sometimes bounce and fall over.

Materials- You can tell this set is trying to be a high quality one that isn't for a weekend game and then just tossed around a closet. It does look very nice and the variety of wood used does show that quality. The only improvement I can see here is that with all this nice wood, you can see around the top outside of the playing surface that it is made out of plywood. Don't get me wrong, it by no means looks cheap, but when you're looking for a set that you may want to leave out as a nice permanent set in your house you want to see that beautiful grain everywhere. Speaking of grain, I found myself wishing for a glossier finish to bring it out more, as with the last comment, it looks fine but I just wanted a little more out of it. These are matters of taste, but it is nevertheless how I feel. The only thing I really didn't like after seeing the wonderful playing surface and pieces was the inside felt-feeling plastic piece divider. It get's the job done but would feel so much better if it were more solid and covered with real felt.

If you're looking for a nice hand crafted set without breaking the bank I would recommend this one.
It's just the right size to be portable and if you want to leave it sitting out it would look great in any room. I found no quality issues and anything else was more just about my taste.

I received this product free for purposes of a review. I only provide reviews for the chance to use the product and am not compensated in any other way. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Pratisphere Ice Sphere Molds review

Check out my video review here

The Pratisphere Ice Sphere Ice Cube Trays by Pratico Kitchen are an easy way to make good ice that breaks away from the hum-drum of the usual shapes and methods. As an added bonus, many people prefer this shape for drinks to keep them from being watered down and now you can make them at home.

Geek's note- This shape is the desired one for drinks because sphere has the smallest surface area for given volume(amount of ice). In other words, you can fit more cooling power in something that has less area for your drink to touch it. Less drink touching ice means less melting means less watered down drink. If ice is melting, it's because it is cooling you're drink so it seems to me that if it isn't melting as much as a cube, it also doesn't cool as a cube. I'll leave further thought on that up to you though.

Build- You get four sturdy sphere makers in a box I appreciate that because it means you can have some for your guest's drinks as well. If it's just you, you can have one to use and some more in the pipeline if that one melts too soon. Materials wise I couldn't ask for more. The base is a nice sturdy plastic so it won't just crack any time soon with a little give so you can squeeze it a little to help get the ball out. The top is also a strong rubber that shows quality by being heavy enough to not lose shape but you don't feel like it's full of lead. There's a hole in the top where excess water can get out once the ice starts expanding. It's great that the base sits right in the top too so you can stack them in the freezer.

Function- It doesn't matter what product you use, the water will always turn to the same ice so in that respect, sure enough, I get ice. Where the Pratisphere shines is the ease of use. There is a line in the base that you fill to and then slowly slide the top on which seals along the side and forms the top of the ball. Repeat with the other three and stack them in your freezer. I found that the minimum of four hours wasn't enough but it will vary depending on the temp you keep your freezer at. To remove the spheres, make sure to remember to put some warm water on the outside to release the mold. At this point you should have perfect spheres of ice and I they worked great in my drink.

Tips- You may want to fill just a hair below the recommended line. I filled to it(and maybe a touch more) which tended to produce some extra out the vent hole once it froze. It may have also been a consequence of the fill level, but twice the top pushed up a little so I recommend filling a little less for this reason as well. If you really care about the look of the ice and it isn't as clear as you want, it's not the fault of this product. The sphere freezes on the outside before the inside which creates stress and the "star" on the inside. This can be reduced, but will require more work. Search youtube for how to make clear ice if you want to give it a try.


 Check out more product from Pratico here

I received this product free for purposes of a review. I only provide reviews for the chance to use the product and am not compensated in any other way. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

RAVPower Wireless Charging Receiver

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HR10NZW/
My review will focus on the S4 version. The packaging was probably the only bad part of this. A thin cardboard box that barely kept it's shape. This wasn't an issue however due to the amazon box it came in. In reality this is a minor issue.

Installation is a snap. The item itself is very thin and has a little circuitry, a sticky pad, and two contacts. There is a simple picture showing where it should go once you've the the back off. The contacts don't snap in on the phone but the sticky pad is enough to hold it in place while you put the back on.

That's it. You just place it on the wireless charger(sold separately of course) and it starts charging. I get the feeling it doesn't quite charge as fast as when it's plugged in but even it that's true, it's only a little different and this is more about convenience. If you need to look at your phone at night, this is a perfect solution and you. Just set it back down and it just works.

Intermatic P1121 15 Amp Timer

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003NVLWMI/
I purchased this timer when I realized our pool pump was driving our electric bill up due to me being too lazy to remember to turn it off. It ended up running 24/7. We needed something that could be outside all the time as the pump plug is a fair distance from the house. It has been running fine for 3 years now with absolutely no issues.

Setup is pretty basic. Once you plug the timer it it just keeps turning all day. The ring has teeth all along it where you place the pins. Once you set the ring to the correct time you place the pins at the corresponding time you want the attached device to turn on or off. In the upper left corner is a small rotating switch. When the pins you place come around, they catch on the switch and flip it's state. This allows you to flip it on or off whenever you need. For instance when I need to backwash our pool filter I just turn the switch one click and it turns off. When you're done you can just turn it another click and it will continue on it's merry way.

Durability is something to be concerned about when something is out in the weather all day long. As I said, ours has stood up to it for 3 years with no appreciable change. The color hasn't faded as far as I can tell and the plastic has not become brittle. There is no waterproofing on the bottom where the plug goes in but because it's on the bottom you don't get rain flowing to it. The cord is a sturdy thick one that probably has 12 gauge wire in it. For mounting you have a standard slot for a screw head in the back.

The only thing I would say to be aware of is the length of the cord. It is at most a foot long. The shouldn't normally be a problem because you will probably be placing this between and existing cord and plug so it will be mounted right next to the receptacle. If you want it somewhere else, plan to get an extension cord.

I haven't had many timers, but I can't imagine anything to be any easier to use or longer lasting. I would definitely recommend this one.

Porter-Cable PC160JTR 2-Blade 120V 6 in. Bench Jointer

Porter-Cable Jointer on Amazon

I was looking for a quality jointer that wouldn't break the bank and this is the one for me. Porter cable has been my go-to for tools that are affordable but I still have confidence in and I haven't been disappointed here. In the box is the PC160JTR jointer, adjustable back fence, push paddles, and a dust collector cover for attaching vacuum systems.

Performance- I've found cuts to be very consistent and always very smooth. If you start trying to take a quarter inch off you're going to have issues but when used as intended it works wonderfully. I cut mostly oak and it's never hesitated. Every single shaving goes out the dust collection area so there's no reason you should have a mess when using this. Depth is controlled by loosening one knob to let the in-feed table move and then turn another to change the depth. There's a good gauge to let you know exactly how much material is coming off.

Build- Overall the machine is quite sturdy. The guard plate is a thinner gauge steel but it should hold up fine. The table is a good solid steel and I've found it to be perfectly level. The only part I've worried about is the adjustable aluminum back. A single knob holds it down but I never adjust it so I doubt it will develop into anything.

I highly recommend this jointer if you're going to be working with anything 6" or less. It can do more if you take off the guard but then safety's gone out the window. Otherwise it's perfect. My last piece of advice is to have some oil handy. The table is an exposed surface that can oxidize so take care of it.

Cuisinart CYM-100 Electronic Yogurt Maker with Automatic Cooling

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ARSC1MK/
My wife an I love yogurt but we go through so much of it we were looking for a way to save some money. We found a sale on this one and figured we'd give it a shot. In short; we couldn't have imagined it would be this easy to have yogurt every morning. There's definitely not only one way to prepare a recipe but we found the simplest was to use whole milk and a cup of Oikos Greek yogurt. Mix it up, put it in, and start the machine.

The big selling point for us was the self cooling feature. Many yogurt makers, as well as manual methods of creating yogurt, do the process over a certain amount of time, but then require you to be paying attention and put it in the fridge. We're both somewhat forgetful so this made it so much easier. After it has done the requisite amount of cooking it automatically goes into cool mode. It will stay there until you come back and is ready right away. This makes it perfect for last minute overnight breakfast preparation.

If you're looking for a machine that lets you put the smallest amount of prep work into it and be able to wake up to finished yogurt in the morning, ready to eat out of the container, this is for you. Mix in a spoonful of strawberry jam and it's heaven.

SKIL 3320-01 120-Volt 10-Inch Drill Press

Skil Drill Press on Amazon

I found myself needing something that I could cut more repeatable holes with and get perfect 90 degree holes with. A cordless drill just wasn't cutting it. I build cabinets and some hinges require a round hole cut along with other around the shop projects. Leatherworking is also a hobby of mine and this press allows many small holes to be accurately placed in a short amount of time. In the 2 years I've been using this one It has cut what I've thrown at it minus a complaint I've left at the bottom.

Build-
The base and neck are certainly beefy; they'll hold up to abuse. The rest of the machine may cause concern if you're hard on your tools. I don't do much heavy work but the motor is on the smaller side so I'm watching it carefully. I've had the slightest amount of bog-down when taking a big bit through hardwood but so far it's chewed through. The belt housing is something that makes you a little less confident just because it is a fairly thin gauge steel. It seems like it will dent easily so be aware. The table mechanism seems strong enough but can be a pain to use if you have to move it often. The small lever for loosening it's grip is in the back and could be difficult for large hands. Lastly, it has a sturdy cord, but I wouldn't mind if there was a little more of it.

4 stars-
The only reason I can't give this 5 stars is that I haven't been able to eliminate all the run-out. Run-out is essentially the wobble of the bit which takes away from the ability to be precise. I've tried different methods of seating the chuck and come close but never perfect. This wobbling causes friction on the side of some bits which heats things up and leave the start of the hole a little less clean.

In the end, it really is a good basic drill press that will get the job done. If that's all you're looking for, this is the one for you.

GE 12728 Z-Wave Add-on Switch review

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PYMGYY0/
The main thing to start out with is that this is an add-on switch and WILL NOT control lights on it's own. It can't switch 120V itself but is meant to be used with something such as the GE 12729 dimmer. I purchased 3 pairs of the 12729 and 12728 to set up three rooms of my house with home automation capabilities.

Setup- Definitely read the instructions and consult an electrician if you need but I'll describe it in my own words. The easiest was to think of this switch is as a remote that controls the main Z-wave enabled one. Where a normal 3 or 4-way setup will run one power wire(line) to the first switch then through two wires(usually black and red) until the last switch and one(load) to the light, in this case the power(line) goes to the GE 12729, and right on to the light. Because you run the main switch right to the light, where the in-between old switches had a black in and black out, just wire-nut these together so power is uninterrupted to the light. Then, where the old ones had a red in and red out, these are what you hook up to this item. You can daisy chain as many as you want back to the control switch.

The wiring in my house has always been a mess but with a little testing of the wires I ended up getting them to work fine. Note that these are fairly bulky so if you have gang boxes and you're patient enough it may help to take everything out and shorten the lengths of wire that are unneeded. It took some pushing and using the screws to pull them all the way into the box due to everything behind them. I also had to break some pieces of plastic off my switch plates because they didn't want to sit close to the large metal face.

Important note- When attaching the switch plate, you may be tempted to use the screws that were already in it(assuming you are replacing existing switches). The package includes screws for a good reason; the standard ones are usually too long. You'll find that if you tighten a regular screw all the way in the light will suddenly turn off. I don't know if this is some sort of safety feature or if it is shorting the internal circuit, but I found that backing the screw out and cycling the air-gap switch fixed it.

These have worked flawlessly for months now on a Veralite so I would highly recommend.
See my review on GE 12729 for some tips on Z-wave control settings.

GE 12729 Z-Wave Dimmer Switch review

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PYMGS3C/
I bought three of these with three of the add-on switches(12728) to add some home automation a couple rooms in my house and they have worked flawlessly so far. The pictures in the instructions do a pretty good job of helping translate from a usual 3-way setup to these switches. The wiring in my house has always been a mess but with a little testing of the wires I ended up getting them to work fine. Note that these are fairly bulky so if you have gang boxes and you're patient enough it may help to take everything out and shorten the lengths of wire that are unneeded. It took some pushing and using the screws to pull them all the way into the box due to everything behind them. I also had to break some pieces of plastic off my switch plates because they didn't want to sit close to the large metal face.

Important note- When attaching the switch plate, you may be tempted to use the screws that were already in it(assumin you are replacing existing switches). The package includes screws for a good reason; the standard ones are usually too long. You'll find that if you tighten a regular screw all the way in the light will suddenly turn off. I don't know if this is some sort of safety feature or if it is shorting the internal circuit, but I found that backing the screw out and cycling the air-gap switch fixed it.

The default behavior is to slowly fade on and off but this can be changed through your home automation gateway. We'd prefer that they turn on/off instantly and that requires changing some settings. I have the Veralite and although I couldn't find any documentation there is some on different styles of GE Z-wave dimmers and that ended up working. In device options set Parameter 9 (number of steps. Valid Values: 1-99) to 99 and Parameter 10 (timing of the steps. Valid Values: 1-255) to 1. This affects the settings when using the physical switches. If you want to change how they behave with Z-wave control, use the same logic on parameters 7 and 8, respectively.

Audio-Technica PRO-501/L Wireless Lavalier System

Audio-Technica Wireless Mic on Amazon

I had a previous iteration of this product from Audio-Technica and was very happy with it. The lavalier mic cable on it developed a bad connection and when I saw a new mic was half the price of the new system, I thought it'd be worth it to try an upgrade. For the past few weeks it has performed admirably and I would definitely recommend.

Performance-
All of my use has been within about 50 ft of the receiver. signal clarity has been good and I've not noticed any signal degradation when using low power. Depending on your use-case you may be farther, but I wouldn't be surprised if most users would find themselves within this range. I've been able to keep it the transmitter on low power which helps conserve battery. I have come fairly close to the estimated 8 hours with moderate use too. Something to note is that mine came with the gain turned all the way up on the receiver. This was causing significant distortion from clipping. I recommend having it at half power and doing amplification with something external.

Build- Everything seems very sturdy for the most part. The receiver has just enough heft to give you confidence that it wont get crushed where someone less careful than you to drop something on it. The antennas are quite beefy; you won't be bending them. The transmitter has a good build and I like the design for the battery door that makes it easy to get at but wont get worn out to the point of falling off with extended use. The belt clip has a good grip too.

Note on the lavalier clip- Some other reviewers noted that the clips are fragile. Mine has not broken yet but I've heeded them and been careful. Unlike the older version, this one is not all metal so the plastic does provide a point of failure.

For amateurs and semi-professionals, I think this set is all you could ever need.

Starting out

I'm addicted. Whether or not it's a good addiction is up for debate. I recently wrote a review on Amazon to let others know how impressed I was with a product and a few days later saw that I had received some helpful votes. Little ol' me, helpin someone out. I thought, well, I've got some free time, how bout I review a few other things I recently purchased. Sure enough, some more helpful votes. The thought that just by talking about something I'm enthusiastic about was making someone's decision easier felt awesome. At that point I just couldn't help myself. I went back through my purchase history and looked for everything I had an opinion about and went to town. My reviewer ranking was sitting around a 1.5 million and the next day down to an even million. As I write I'm sitting around 83k. Woot! A hard number to measure success is always great.

Now, some people at this point might be tempted to look at how they can write whatever will get the most attention and make people happy. I suppose if all you care about is a number than yes, but I've found that if I just step back and look at a product objectively, I'm able to compare my thoughts pre-purchase with my thoughts post-purchase and I end up with exactly what a prospective buyer is looking for. Write that down and see if it helps. And that's why I'm here. I saw that companies are always looking for someone to get the word out on their product. As someone who likes getting the word out: match made in heaven. Of course lets be honest; who doesn't like new stuff to play with all the time. I really am a big kid who hasn't grown up yet. You'll see from my interests I just like to try new things and see what I can do with something.

So my interests in short: Electronics fiddling/hacking/DIY, Photography, woodworking, model aircraft, shooting(handguns and rifles), programming, PC gaming, console gaming, leather-working, home automation, military fiction/science fiction/fantasy books, automatic watches, trying to record every aspect of my life, and helping my wife take care of the cutest little girl in the world.