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Alexis 3001 Dual flush/Low Flow Toilet

So this is way off topic for this blog, but this is a great product and needs to be reviewed.



We were shopping at Sam's club and I saw they had "Alexis 3001 Dual flush/low volume toilet in a box" on the rack. I have never seen these at Sam's and they were $100 each. Have you priced such an item lately? They regularly go for $200 at your local big box hardware store or $300 at a kitchen/bathroom showroom. I jotted down the model and went to google to find some info on them. All of the reviews were excellent, not a bad one in the lot and now I know why. We have had them in for a month now and no hiccups yet. They are quieter than the ones they replaced, vintage 1963 water hogs, but that's no surprise. Low volume, yes the refill time is 8-15 secs. depending if you choose flush 1 or 2. As far as assembly goes, everything and I mean everything you need is in the box, all the screws, bolts and even a toilet seat are in the box.

The only hiccups I had on installation were 1) the flange on the drain pipe was rusted out so that needed to be fixed and 2) whoever installed the water shut off valve put it at an angle and so the connection hose that was supplied was just quite not long enough. Both of those issues are not related to the toilet though.

If you need a new throne to sit on, I give this one a hardy thumbs-up!

Plasma car

I know it's way off topic for this blog but. I want (no really my kids want it) a plasma car and the great lady at this blog (mommy23monkeys) is giving one away. If you have not seen or driven a plasma car, go forth and find one. Plasma car makers site.

VACATION

Hello, Sorry it's been a while. If you think this is sporadic, just wait. I will be leaving town with my family for a month going on a road trip to do and see lots of things. I will take pics of the things I have completed before we go and post them just so you didn't think I was just sittin' round being lazy.

Good fast and cheap work bench

Here is the PDF I used to build my work bench.


Good Fast and Cheap Workbench -

Wooden Mallet

So the other day I wanted a wooden mallet. I could pay the $15-30 for a beech or maple mallet that I would smash up eventually. Or, I could build my own out of some scrap material I had laying in the wood bin. Google "simple wooden mallet" and someone has already done the leg work for me. Thank you Sawdust making. It really is a good simple mallet that I won't mind banging up, why, because "I brought you into this world and I can make another just like ya". Anyways that money saved can go to wood for another project.

Things I did different:

Handle is 12" x 1.5"

Head is 3" tall

I adjusted the interior dimensions to accommodate the changes. I started with a piece of nice red oak 3/4" x 3.5" and tried to expand or contract dimensions to cut as little as possible.

Start of glue up. The 2 interior pieces glued to the handle.





Exterior slabs glued on:


Now time for the spoke shave to smooth the faces and round the handle.










I will drill for dowels through and through so it all stays together longer. I am not sure of the finish I think I might just leave it the way it is. All and all I think it was worth the time, 2 nights and money, FREE.

Compost bin

So the next project is .......the outdoor compost bin. Why? Well right now our compost pile is really just a pile, two actually, and they need a little help to be contained. So in scouring the web to find a design I liked I came upon this:




This is from the Riverside California waste management site. I like the layout but the changes will be : No top, at least for now and some of the screening will be wood slats. I will try and make the front slats removable, either separately or section by section. I have salvaged deck material from the in-laws that this will be made from. They are 2x6x12 treated lumber, most of the treatment has worn off but it is still very usable. This is the same lumber that the garden beds were constructed from. I think using 2x6 material is a bit overkill for this so to begin I am going to rip some in half and have 2x3x12 to work with. The whole unit will be screwed together unless I can find a better way.