MAVROMATIC » Home Improvement

TorZo Petrified/Infused Polymer Surfaces

Danny Mavromatis — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 01:50:22 +0000

My wife’s blog, frillas, typically covers home decor products, but TorZo’s surfaces has caught my attention. It’s manufactured in the Pacific Northwest (Oregon) using renewable materials ranging from wheat, wood chips, sugar cane stalk, sunflower seed, and fibers. I particularly like the look of the Tiikeri line (pictured above) which is composed of 50% sugar cane stalk and the remaining 50% consists of an inert non-hazardous acrylic polymer.

Check out their complete product line here and if you are looking for some cool surfaces made from renewable materials TorZo’s product line should definitely be considered! I’m trying to figure out how we can incorporate this product in our home…

- TorZo Surfaces

Powerbuilt Digital Torque Adaptor – My Favorite Tools – March 2010

Danny Mavromatis — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 19:23:37 +0000

When I’m changing my breaks I just tighten to what I think is “tight enough” — not always a good thing. All automotive bolts and parts have a recommended torque amount that should be followed. Sure, you can get yourself an analog torque wrench, but why would you when you can get the Powerbuilt Digital Torque Adaptor that turns any 1/2″ rachet into a digital one?

This little gadget not only can be used to calibrate analog torque wrenches (which you’d pay about the same as the adapter if taken to someone to calibrate) but you can use it in situations where you need precise torque pressure using a standard rachet wrench. The feature I really like is that you set the torque amount you want to achieve and then as you tighten you get both visual (LED light & LCD torque amount) and audible indication.

The Powerbuilt Digital Torque Adaptor is Mavromatic’s, “My favorite tools”, for March 2010. It runs about $50.

- AMAZON.com – Powerbuilt Digital Torque Adaptor

Final Cut Blade – Blade that sands while it rips

Danny Mavromatis — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:27:32 +0000

The Final Cut Blade is one of those products that make you go, “Why didn’t I think of that!?”. It’s genius! It really is… a blade that sands while it rips! The way it works it very simple — you attach a self-adhesive sand paper which is designed to fit most blades and comes in sizes ranging from 10″ to 12″ — as the blade cuts, it also gives a nice sanding. You get perfect edges that are ready for glue or staining.

Watch the video above to view how the system works. Blades and sand paper is available directly from the Final Cut Blade Store.

- Final Cut Blade – All in one step… Just cut, the sanding is a bonus

Sole Power Tile – Integrated Solar Panel Roofing

Danny Mavromatis — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 04:29:40 +0000

I can’t remember exactly who I was talking to years ago (was it you, Mike D?) about turning roofs into full solar panels? This seems like the most practical model yet as you can blanket the whole roof and capture every angle. Perfect option if you have a Spanish/Mediterranean style home! The Sole Power Tile is the first curved photovoltaic roofing product and can be used as a full solar panel roof or woven into sections of traditional terra-cotta titles. The cost is about $50/sq ft installed… if you are interested in finding out more about this solar roofing system check out the SRS Energy website. Just don’t forget to add a TED 5000 to monitor your power savings!

[Originally seen in Popular Science Magazine]

The Energy Detective (TED) 5000 Whole House Power/Energy Usage Monitor — Mavromatic’s 2009 Holiday Gift Guide

Danny Mavromatis — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 23:00:52 +0000

TED 5000 WHOLE HOUSE POWER MONITOR ($239) — Give the gift that keeps on giving money back and can also help make the world a cleaner, better place! The TED 5000 is the latest in home energy monitoring from Energy Inc. that can measure electricity usage in real-time. Just recently, Google and Energy Inc. announced that anyone in the U.S. can purchase and install the TED 5000 and see personal home energy data online using the free Google PowerMeter web application. This device not only lets you manage energy usage but predicts your monthly energy costs and carbon footprint instantly, thus helping you reduce power waste and save you money.

For the complete 2009 Holiday Gift Guide, click here.

TRUFIG – Flush Mount Everything In The Wall

Danny Mavromatis — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 16:37:16 +0000

There are all sorts of wall plates, touchscreens, light switches, and other control devices that never seem to match either in color, finish, or how they mount on (into) the wall. TRUFIG from Dana Innovations, the parent company of speaker manufacture Sonance, have created a solution for this problem. TRUFIG is a system that lets you match a variety of devices from different manufactures. A great idea and product for those that want a consistent look and feel… especially useful in a ultra-modern/contemporary home where less is more.

- TRUFIG

Arlington Wire Bushings – Pass Low-Voltage Cable Through Walls

Danny Mavromatis — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:00:47 +0000

Have you ever had the need to punch through some sheetrock to pass through a few network cables? The problem is, you drill the hole then the craft paper begins to rip and the gypsum crumbles as you pull the cables through. Arlington has a solution for this problem. The Wire Bushings come in 3 hole sizes ranging from 1.125″ to .500″. They are paintable and available now from your low-voltage suppliers!

– Arlington – Wire Bushings

DIY: Microwave Leakage and EMF Detector (Meter)

Danny Mavromatis — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 19:46:49 +0000

Couple months ago I posted, “DIY: Checking You Home Drinking Water Quality“. A co-worker told me about EMF (Electromagnetic fields) radiation from electronics and power-lines and let me borrow his high-end Triaxial EMF Meter so I could test out my house for EMF radiation. My house checked out in safe ranges for EMF, however, I did notice high levels of EMF when streaming from my MacBook Pro via Airtunes. I’ve since stopped using this feature if I’m sitting directly in front of my MacBook Pro computer.

I don’t have any CRT based devices in my house anymore, which emit a high level of EMF when in use, however, our microwave, which we rarely use was the highest offender of EMF radiation! The meter would display O.L. which is higher than it can measure when it was running — and this was standing about 6 inches away from the microwave oven. Terrible! When the unit is off, the microwave still produces high levels of EMF do to the megaton (the device that turns electricity into microwaves). I highly suggest you purchase a
Portable Microwave Leakage Detector ($30) to check to see if your microwave is leaking harmful EMF radiation. If it does, get rid of it or limit its use. I’d also recommend you purchase a higher quality EMF meter to check your workplace and schools. Why expose your family and yourself to something you can often control? Be safe.

- Amazon.com: Portable Microwave Leakage Detector

Ingo Maurer’s TU-BE Light

Danny Mavromatis — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 02:12:46 +0000

One designer that I have kept close eye on is Ingo Maurer. In November 2005, I recreated Ingo Maurer’s Zettel’z 5 seen below:

He now has released a new light called “TU-BE”. Same concept as the Zettel’z but features toothpaste tubes for an even “cleaner” look. Sorry to say, I won’t be recreating this version… If you are interested in purchasing this light, check out your local fine lighting house or visit Ingo Maurer’s website.

Circuit Breaker For Your Water System

Danny Mavromatis — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 00:51:17 +0000

Makes sense. We have it for our electricity (or lack of right now), why not have it for our water and gas? Liquid Breaker makes a circuit breaker for your water (and gas). The Omni Breaker Panel monitors remote sensors that when tripped, turn off the water to the water circuit and sends an alert message via an email, text message, fax or all of the above. You can also access the Omni Breaker via any computer connected to the internet — perfect for turning off the hot water to an unsuspecting showerer. Pricing depends on how many circuits (zones) you want to protect.

- Liquid Breaker — How it works