By Jimmie Mcdowell
 All the time you see different products that come out to help the woodworker sharpen his or her tools in the shop. There is just about every contraption out there with a variety of prices and features. The one thing you never see is a good system for sharpening router bits. I am all for having super sharp chisels in my shop, but I just don't use my chisel set all that much. Buying a $350 sharpener just does not do much for my enthusiasm. However I am constantly using my router bits since the router table is a big part of my workshop. Every time I sharpen a bit, it cost generally between 5 and 10 dollars. I like to use quality bits so sharpening them and keeping them sharp is in my best interest.
In the meantime, keeping the bits clean is probably one of the best things you can do to prolong the life of your router bit. I try to make a system so that the bits stay as clean as possible. This may work for you. I take
a small piece of mdf and drill some 1/4 and 1/2" holes in them. On one piece I write "clean" and the other I write "dirty" Having duplicate bits is the key to this system. When a bit gets gunked up, I take it and place it on the dirty holder. When I get enough of them to warrant a few minutes of cleaning, I get out my cleaners and brass brush and have at it. Always remove the bearings first so as to not damage them. I quick scrub removes some of the pitch that builds up on the cutting edges. If you do laminate work, you will notice that flush trim bits get very dirty very fast. Simply cleaning the bit in this instance makes a world of difference. At this time it's a great idea to give the bits a few swipes on a diamond sharpener to touch up the edges. This helps keep the bit tuned up between sharpening. After I finish I move the bits to the "clean" bit holder and they are ready to go back to work.
Sharpening
I use the same system for cleaning as I do for sharpening. The two bit holder technique works well for keeping things organized. You can send bits and blades out to be sharpened with companies you find on the internet. This is becoming handier since the items are turned fairly quickly (a week or less) and the companies ships them right back to your doorstep. I like this option because I do not have to allocate any time in taking them and picking them up. I call that a "low value activity" Having duplicates allows me to keep working while the other bit is getting sharpened. I do like to go the extra mile and make a simple chart that keeps track of my sharpening. This way I know that I am using sharp tools which give me better cuts in my materials.
Today
So what exists out there today for the home user? Not much. I have always said that the person who invents the tool that helps automates this task will do very well for themselves. Investing time in some good quality stones would be a good alternative. However if you are a production shop, stopping and taking the time and learning curve to get good at this might not always be cost effective. Hobbyists might are more prone to taking the time to hand sharpen their bits, but there is a some kinks in that theory too. Many of the newer bits are very complex. Their shapes don't lend themselves to easy sharpening and thus can kill the whole do it yourself theory. These bits are best sharpened by the professional. The next time you read through your favorite woodworking magazine, take note of all the sharpeners for sale and you will definitely notice what I am talking about. Take the time to organize a good cleaning and sharpening system and your wallet will thank you. It can make a big difference when you are working on that special project if you have nice clean and sharp router bits.
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What To Look For When Buying A Foosball Table
By Carlton Payne
 Whether you are planning to buy your Foosball Table from the Internet or from a local store, the following tips will help you to get the best deal when it comes to buying your foosball table. Most importantly, don't just arrive at a store and pick out whichever table catches your eye first. There are major concerns that need considerable attention when looking for a foosball table. Following this guide can help you to ensure that you get more than just any old table, but one that is tailored for you and will give you maximum enjoyment for years to come.
1. Foosball Players
The people that must be first consulted when it comes to the choice foosball table are of course its players. Do they have specific preferences? If it's you who's going to be one of the most frequent players on that table, by all means, list what you want with your table. You can start with your favorite color. If it's not you who's going to play the foosball mostly, then consider the players' height, age and hand strength level.
2. Safety Concerns
If it will be the children who will mostly use the foosball table, safety should be one of the major considerations you have. There are tables with traditional solid rods that go through the sidewalls. These can poke the children's faces if they are not that tall. In this case, telescopic rods are more advised since they are safer to use and they can also be maneuvered more easily.
3. Feel of Play
This is commonly known as playability or how the players can maneuver the rods and play figures easily to efficiently control the movements of the ball in successfully obstructing the defence of the other player and doing various tricks. These can be manipulated through the following design details:
- gap between the playing field and the tip of the foot
- footshape and its front and back and its both sides' surface
- weight of the rods
- markers on the pitch
- ease of gripping the handles
- lubrication
- coverage overlap of the playing figures
- field and ball surface
- ball material
4. User-Friendliness
Hear are the other indispensable foosball table features that should provide more ease for the players:
Figures' balanced weight
They should be placed easily in a horizontal position so that their feet do not block the shots from the back field
Field's side slopes on boths sides
This will allow the ball to roll off towards the center to make the ball not get stuck on the side.
Sturdiness of the Table and the Durability of the Parts
How will you enjoy playing with the foosball table if it is damaged easily or when the table is rocking while you are playing?
Aesthetic Impact
Never buy a foosball table just to have something entertaining in your house. It should be a distinct artistic centerpiece in your game room. The style and paint color of the room you are planning to embellish with a foosball table should be given some thought.
7. Budget
Setting a budget will further encourage you to look for the best deal when it comes to looking for that quality foosball table for you and your playmates. Shopping around will be one of the best way to get more from your money. Brands should not fool you. Research more on the foosball table that catches your eye and that agrees with your budget.
8. Resell Value
If you are buying one foosball table in the hope that in the near future you can resell it at a higher price, you will surely not opt for the lower end types of these game tables. Auction sites and foosball table sellers may be consulted to be better armed if you are planning to resell your foosball table.
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A Tourist's Guide to Blackpool
By Jimmie Mcdowell
 Click...click......click. Your state-of-the-art car slowly climbs the steep hill. As the car inches its way to the top of the hill, you turn your head and make eye contact with the passenger beside you. Without saying a word, both of your eyes seem to say in terror, "Help!" The car struggles to reach the hill's peak. As it stops there, you let out a sigh of relief. But then suddenly...whoosh! The car darts down the hill like a skateboarder down a steep ramp. It starts picking up speed and drops faster and faster. Unable to access the car's breaks, you have become a victim of gravity. You throw your arms up into the air and scream at the top of your lungs. A few minutes later, you climb out of the roller coaster's car, and head for the Pleasure Beach amusement park's exit. After a long, fun-filled day, it is time to head towards one of the small hotels in Blackpool, England - where you are staying for your vacation.
Blackpool's Black Pool
Blackpool, located in Lancashire, England, is a town along the Irish Sea's coast. It became a major tourism site during the 1800s, involving mainly the mill towns in the north. The town's name may have originated from a drainage channel that once moved over a wetland loaded with material from dead plants. The water at Blackpool that ran into the Irish Sea was black due to the material, creating a "black pool." Blackpool has a rich history that involved both Vikings and Anglo-Saxons explorers. Today, visitors from around the globe visit the town, with its economy greatly relying on tourism. After spending a day about town, you can get a good night's sleep at one of the small hotels in Blackpool.
The Big One and More
Whether you are on a honeymoon, summer vacation, or business trip, Blackpool contains several interesting destinations.
* Pleasure Beach Blackpool is a famous amusement park that includes the "Big One" roller coaster, one of the largest in the U.K.
* North Pier, Central Pier, and South Pier include ideal places for walking, shopping, or fishing.
* Louis Tussard's Waxwoks is a wax museum that features models of various people, including sports stars, celebrities, and musicians.
* Grand Theater is a Victorian theater that the famous architect Frank Matcham designed.
* Blackpool Zoo includes over 1,500 fascinating animals from around the globe.
* The Blackpool Tower, inspired by Paris's Eiffel Tower, was opened in 1894.
To get around town, you can use several types of transportation, including planes at Blackpool International Airport and Blackpool Stanley Park Airport; several public bus services; train services of TransPennine Express and Northern; a motorway (translation: freeway) that is linked to the U.K.'s national highway network; and a public tram (translation: streetcar) service. After the hustle and bustle of getting around town, you will want nothing more than to catch some Zs at one of the small hotels in Blackpool.
The small hotels in Blackpool are perfect if you want to stay in a comfy yet affordable place while staying in town. Many of them have price ranges from about $40 to $60 U.S. These hotels are lovely on the inside and outside, with styles ranging from Victorian to Georgian. They are also conveniently located, so finding transportation to tourist destination will not be a problem. These small hotels in Blackpool can also include several wonderful services, such as tea and coffee-making facilities, personal restrooms, and color TVs.
For whatever reason you are visiting Blackpool, several destinations can provide you with a smashing good time. The small hotels in Blackpool will make your stay even better!
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Tickets for the St. Louis Rams
By Jimmie Mcdowell
 St. Louis Rams tickets have been selling like hotcakes during the first part of the 2006 season as the Rams got off to a fast start. It looked like they were a team that was instantly going to get better under a bright new coach, and most thought it would be the Rams who posed the biggest challenge to Seattle's division supremacy.
However, as we move into the second half of the season, the Rams have fallen off a bit. They're currently in third place in their division behind the improving San Francisco 49ers, and they're running out of time if they want to make a run at the playoffs. They still have a bright new coach, so what's happening with the Rams? We'll explore a few possible reasons for their struggles below.
Run Defense
The Rams have been known to have an average-at-best defense in recent years, as their offense has for a long time been the core of the team's identity. That was supposed to change under new defensive coordinator Jim Fassell, late of the New Orleans Saints, who has long been known for his stout, physical defensive teams and schemes.
The Rams' defense was strong for the first month-or-so of the season, but since their free-fall began, they've been getting gashed, particularly on the ground. In yesterday's 15-0 loss to the Carolina Panthers, the Rams surrendered 242 rushing yards, and that will get you beat almost every time. You can't win in the NFL if you can't stop the run, and Fassell and the Rams need to get that fixed right away.
Coaching Learning Curve
Scott Linehan came to the Rams known as an up-and-coming coaching star who had built successful offenses in both Minnesota and Miami. His knowledge and teaching ability made players such as Daunte Culpepper better, and his offenses always scored a lot of points, regardless of whether the talent he had at his disposal was run or pass-oriented. Linehan could put together a system that fit his players.
However, the difference between serving as a coordinator and a head coach couldn't be more stark, and Linehan is finding that out. After the Carolina game, most thought that the Rams simply looked flat and uninspired. When asked about it after the game, several players all-but called out their coach after he admitted that the team was flat.
St. Louis Rams tickets have provided an all-but guaranteed fireworks show in recent years, but Linehan's team isn't putting the same attitude into offense, and his defense is getting trampled. Linehan will figure things out and continue to grow into a top-flight coach, but like any other "rookie," he's still learning the nuances of leading a team. If he doesn't figure that out, he'll risk losing his veterans, but it's not too late to rectify the situation.
Offensive Line
The Rams have a good offensive line when it's at full-strength, but it won't be firing on all cylinders for the rest of the season, as star LT Orlando Pace is out for the year. No unit can simply move on at the same level when it loses its best player, and yesterday was the first tangible evidence that the Rams will miss Pace in a big way. QB Marc Bulger was sacked seven times and RB Steven Jackson carried the ball only seven times. The Rams mustered all of 111 yards of offense, which is never good enough to win.
Overall, the Rams still have time to right the ship. They need to find their spark, and perhaps a string of home games coming up on their schedule will help them get back on track. One thing is sure - St. Louis Rams tickets will provide fans with a highly-entertaining show for the rest of the season as the Rams attempt to keep up with the rest of the division.
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