After it’s initial release, we have found the CHBD 2.0 (Custom Home Bar Designer) Resizing Web Tool is working out well, but is in need of a few enhancements, so I am working on getting version 3 out as soon as possible to include the following:
1. Full compatibility with MSIE ver 6+ AND Mozilla Firefox. That will make MAC users happy!
2. Improved user interface.
3. Many added admin side functions.
4. Provisions for multi-section modules.
5. Better user management.
6. Integrating the membership and CHDB databases.
7. Several other fixes.

After the release of version 3, expect to see a wild rash of new projects released that will allow for nearly an infinite number of bar size variations. Our database development will grow rapidly in 2009.
Version 4 will bring more surprises. But we’ll hold off on releasing any info at this time.
If you’ve tried the new CHBD 2.0, tell us what you’d like to see in the future versions and we’ll do our best to work them in. Thanks & Have Fun!

After several years of development, our exclusive CHBD bar planner web application is ready for use. Existing Barplan.com members can now use the CHBD resizing tool to customize the dimensions of our core plan sets. The CHBD handles all the calculations in 3D for all length, width and height related parts.
In the past, those who wanted to modify plans had to sit down with a pencil, paper & calculator along with a set of plans to mark up and trudge through the plan set trying to decide which parts needed to be shortened or lengthened. It was a real pain in the butt!
Now you simple load the plan, then in exactly TWO CLICKS of your mouse you can dynamically change the length, width or height of the overall plan. This change is then reflected in all related parts, instantly!
Once you’re happy with your changes, you can save your project under your own user account for printing or more modification later. After you print your new cut and material list, you use this information along with the assembly movie and the original plan document to complete the project. This is the best bar planning tool you’ll find anywhere, but that’s not all…
Our new Unlimited Bar Project will uses the CHBD extensively to offer literally thousands of possible variations to our core plans AND the CHBD can be used not only for Bar Plans, but any other wood working or construction project where customization of overall size is desire.
The CHBD is a work in progress and we’ll be delivering upgrades and new feature as they become available. For more information, see http://www.barplan.com

The best Christmas light troubleshooting tool a measly 15 bucks can buy!

If you’ve ever spent hours of time trying to fix a string of Christmas lights, you know first hand what a complete waste of time that can be.
My usual reaction to a dead string of lights is to toss them in the trash, even after one season of use. The problem with this is that the new LED lights just don’t have that warm incandescent glow and they are extremely expensive! The old style 2.5w bulbs are cheap and with a little patience and the proper knowledge and tools, they can be repaired cheaply and easily.
The Light Keeper Pro is one tool that looks pretty cheap, but does a great job of fixing burnt out strings of Christmas lights. I spent a few hours today working on a garland string, then went down to the store to pick up this tool that I had seen the day before, but passed over.
Within 5 minute out of the package, the Light Keeper Pro had located three bad bulbs in a 50 bulb string, it was amazing! So, don’t toss those old lights in the landfill yet, they may have more life left in them for next season & beyond. Works great for repairing novelty light sets for your bar too!

With Gas Prices Soaring our of Control, we’ve been cautiously looking at way to improve fuel economy in order to save gas & money. The obvious way is to SLOW DOWN! But even at $3.75/gallon I still see idiots tearing down the road at 80mph in their SUV or pickup truck. My neighbor’s kid just pickup a Cadillac Escalade with a 26 gallon fuel tank. Good thing he still lives at home with Mom & Dad because it’s going to cost about $100 to fill that beast.

So, how else can you increase gas mileage?
The answer is not gas pills, fuel additives or other “snake oil” solutions, they just don’t work.
But we did find a site that claims you can use ordinary water to extend your fuel economy. It’s based on the old science project which demonstrates how electrolysis breaks down water into it’s component gases, two parts hydrogen and one part oxygen. The ingenious device we discovered simply uses your cars electrical system to generate hydrogen gas “on the fly” and injects it into the intake manifold.
The $49.95 plans, which claim to work on 99.9% of cars is a fun tech project that will teach you all about this cool new fuel while extending your cars efficiency by 40 percent!
Wake up! – this is nothing more than a scam! – Please don’t waste your money on these gimmicks.

The only way to really save gas is to SLOW DOWN, Brake Gently, Carpool and drive only when needed.

Cabinetry is a job that novice woodworkers may find intimidating and avoid altogether simply because they are not familiar with proper assembley techniques. It’s not all that difficult, especially when you have the secret weapon of cabinet builders, the Pocket Hole Jig.
This affordable tool consists of a specialized clamp, drill bit and drill bit guide to allow for perfect joinery of two perpedicular wood parts, such as the sides of a drawer or cabinet trim panels. The jig allows the fastening screw to be hidden inside so what you end up with is a corner fastening with no visible screw heads. Pocket hole jigs are available in a variety of models from simple jigs priced around $50 to professional versions selling for between $100-$150. Read More…