http://articles.mychoicedeals.com/ Articles at The Article Planet en-us http://articles.mychoicedeals.com/home-and-family/hobbies/bookbinding-how-traditional-book-binding-is-done.html http://articles.mychoicedeals.com/home-and-family/hobbies/bookbinding-how-traditional-book-binding-is-done.html Thu, 10 Sep 2009 05:15:51 -0500
Stage 1. The start point of traditional book binding is to gather the sections of pages (chapters) of the book together with the guards, otherwise known as protection pages. These are then sewn together.

Stage 2. This phase is called rounding and backing, this is the process where the book is clamped in a traditional Laying Press and by using a Backing Hammer the sections are coaxed around to first of all create a concave front edge (a round) and then to create a shoulder for the cover boards to sit in (or for a French groove). The spine of the book is then lined using a material called Mull. This is for added strength for the sewn pages and also the mull will go around to the inside of the cover boards when the endpapers are eventually glued down. After the mull the spine is lined using Manilla or Kraft paper (this can be two or three layers thick, each time with a layer of glue PVA in between). In order to take the strain off the spine when the book is laid flat, we create a hollow. This is done by either using the lining of the spine in a specific manner so that the thinly pared leather can be slipped down the sides of it when creating the headbands, or we can use a totally separate piece of card inside the spine and glued directly to the leather (a cased in style book).

Stage 3. The boards are hand cut to a precise size to overlap the pages of the book, these are then attached by tapes which are cut into the actual boards themselves (the tapes are part of the initial sewing procedure but become an integral part of the binding). The boards are then lined over the tapes, which attach to the spine. Each board is then sanded to ensure the boards are smooth. Depending on the covering the skin of the book is then cut, this can be anything from Goats skin, leather, buckram or a synthetic. The preparation known as paring using a sharfix paring machine is then undertaken with the skin, this basically is the thinning of the skin around the spine of the book, the head caps (top and tail of the spine where the leather will be folded over and moulded into head caps) and also the edges are thinned a lot, so when the leather is placed and moulded around the edges of the board it is of uniform thickness and goes around nice and evenly. The edge paring is then finished off by hand with a knife. The spine is then enhanced with raised bands by moulding leather around the bands. Head caps are at the top and bottom of the spine. Often they are moulded around the headbands using a bone folder (a whale bone tool) Leather corners are added to a half leather binding. If a full leather binding is in order then this speaks for itself. The excess leather or skin used is then trimmed if need to accommodate the cloth sides when binding in a half leather style.

Stage 4. The embossed design or cresting of a book is then done using a JT Marshall hot blocker. This basically consists of a hot plate with a temperature gauge and thermostat. Out block has been converted from gas to electric. We use zinc embossing dies which are made for us by A J Engravers in Kent. These dies can be made from any outline image. The Titling is done by hand using traditional hand letters, heated on a finishing stove and gold leaf is used for the lettering and embossing. Gold banding is applied to the raised bands by hand using traditional hand tools and pallets and gauges.

Stage 5. The book must sit in a press for many hours after the covering is complete. After which the end papers can be glued down. Once this is done, the book must, again, be placed in a book press or nipping press for many hours, days, even weeks.

Traditional bookbinding is still undertaken at chesterbookbinders.co.uk
]]> http://articles.mychoicedeals.com/home-and-family/hobbies/the-best-family-cycle-trails-in-pembrokeshire.html http://articles.mychoicedeals.com/home-and-family/hobbies/the-best-family-cycle-trails-in-pembrokeshire.html Sun, 06 Sep 2009 02:21:49 -0500
In between the two extremes there are also a lot of trails that you can enjoy whether you're experienced or not, and the nice mix of trails is one of the things that people really like about the Pembrokeshire area. If you're planning on cycling in Pembrokeshire with your family you should also take into account the time of year. You don't want to go when the weather is very cold, but you might want to avoid the really hot time of year, as well. It's also important to remember that there will be rainy periods, and it's not nearly as much fun to cycle in the rain. Some of the trails can get slick when it's rainy, and there is a higher potential for people to be injured that way. Know the trails that you're going to be riding, and make sure that you have a way to communicate with the other cyclists in your family. Don't get separated, and know how to get help just in case someone becomes sick or gets injured. If you know what you need to do in an emergency and you're familiar with the trail you'll be cycling on, you'll have a lot more peace of mind.
]]> http://articles.mychoicedeals.com/home-and-family/hobbies/treadle-lathe-plans.html http://articles.mychoicedeals.com/home-and-family/hobbies/treadle-lathe-plans.html Sat, 05 Sep 2009 03:17:59 -0500
This was my problem for many years. The thought of owning my own treadle lathe had been haunting me ever since we saw one at Colonial Williamsburg many years ago. Something struck me deep inside when I saw that simple machine at work. It was almost a desire rather than a want. I knew at that moment that I just had to have one someday.

I've had a traditional woodworking hobby for over 20 years. I fell in love with the thought of taking something someone else would just throw in their fireplace and actually making something useful out of it.

I knew a treadle lathe would find a place in my shop one day. I just didn't know how long it would take to get it. So about two years ago I decided to quit waiting.

I decided to take action for a change. I sketched various plans as I tried to remember the one at Williamsburg. After a while I switched to scaled drawings to refine the plans. I used my own body measurements to determine the proper size of the treadle lathe. As the work went on, I realized I would need to get a welder to make a part or two as well as find other sources for parts like bearings and such. I would also need all these things to be able to finish my plans.

Advancement on the treadle lathe plans slowed painfully as I waited for the parts to arrive to measure them and put them into the drawings. But in a few weeks time, construction loomed very near.

I really took my time as I began cutting out the parts. I built sub-assemblies first, then finally began connecting them together. My treadle lathe was rising from the shop floor!

More minor alterations ensued as assembly of my treadle lathe progressed. Clearance problems, flywheel balance, fabricating a live center on the tailstock from the original dead center, making an adjustable tool rest from wood, getting the idler pulley in just the right location; the list went on and on. But you know what? It was fun! It was pure fun to try and figure it all out! I was determined to have a treadle lathe.

After I made the final adjustments on the last detail of construction, I laid down my tools on the bench and stood back to look at the finished treadle lathe. It was looking pretty good I thought to myself. I grabbed a piece of green oak that I had prepared just that morning for the lathe test. I mounted it between the centers, whacked the wedge holding the tailstock tight and pushed slowly down on the treadle while holding my breath. The treadle reached the bottom of its path and began to rise again. The piece of wood was beginning to spin very fast as I sped up the pumping of the treadle. It was working, I thought, it's really working! I've got a treadle lathe all my own!

Letting the treadle lathe run for a few more minutes, I knew it was time for the real test. Would I actually be able to turn the wood and carve it with my lathe tools? I had to find out. Not even bothering to stop the lathe, I reached for my largest gouge and laid it on the tool rest. Slowly I eased its razor sharp edge toward the spinning piece of oak and lightly touched the bevel of the tool onto the wood. Beautiful thin ribbons of slightly wet oak began to curl off the tool and pile up at my feet. It was working better that I thought it would. I had good speed and plenty of torque. The pumping of the treadle was not hard work. It was better than I had dreamed. My treadle lathe had only been a dream not long ago and now it was a working tool in my shop. I smiled very big at this thought and kept smiling all the rest of the day. ]]> http://articles.mychoicedeals.com/home-and-family/hobbies/bead-supplies-are-easy-to-find-on-the-web-although-you-ll-need-to-do-some-research.html http://articles.mychoicedeals.com/home-and-family/hobbies/bead-supplies-are-easy-to-find-on-the-web-although-you-ll-need-to-do-some-research.html Sat, 05 Sep 2009 02:11:37 -0500
However, buying online requires a bit of research and although there are plenty of options available and it shouldn't take you long to find what you need, finding good deals is a little trickier. All you need to do is remember that research is very important.

There are lots of options to choose from and you may find it difficult to make up your mind. Well, if that's the case then you should read on to learn how to choose the right services for your needs. You will also need to set yourself a budget so that you don't overspend and waste your money on a deal that's not worth it.

The first thing you should consider is the type of purchase you're planning on. This will be an important aspect of your decisions so make sure you understand what you're looking for before you buy anything or agree to anything. It's important that you're made aware of everything available on today's market so that you can make informed decisions.

You will then need to consider the type of bead supplies available on today's market and do some research to find out which options are best suited to your needs. It can be quite easy to find what you're looking for if you hit the internet and have a good look around.

If you have a good look around on the internet you should find that there are plenty of options available. Have a browse and do some searches on Google to see what comes up. You'll probably be surprised at the amount of choice for such a simple purchase. ]]> http://articles.mychoicedeals.com/home-and-family/hobbies/tag-watches-how-different-it-is.html http://articles.mychoicedeals.com/home-and-family/hobbies/tag-watches-how-different-it-is.html Fri, 04 Sep 2009 03:16:15 -0500
Tag Heuer is a Swiss watch making company that started in 1860. Driven by the desire to produce accurate timepieces that looked superb the watchmaker Edouard Heuer soon had received patents for his technology. Heuer was the first company to be accurate to 1/100th of a second. Today the amalgamated TAG Heuer group is known for its innovation and excellence, making it one of the sought after brands.

One of its most enduringly popular ranges is the Link range. It was originally released as a Sport Elegance watch in the late eighties. This was rebranded as Link and re-released on the late nineties. This desire for innovation and progress saw the link range updated in 2007 to reflect current trends.

The famous link bracelet is made from highly polished steel. This surface minimises scratches and scrapes and wear and tear is almost eliminated. The connecting pins and connecting plates have been designed to be invisible. Most watches are water resistant to 200m and have tough sapphire crystal faces to reduce the likelihood of scratching.

The latest releases feature a move away from traditional three dial faces. This is in line with the company commitment to innovation. Not all models have this feature. The components are so intricate that there are 5 motors and 230 parts making up the watch. It is little wonder that precision is as accurate as it is.

Aiming for elegance and sporting practicality Tag Heuer Link watches have been promoted by Tiger Woods, Uma Thurman, Juan Pablo Montoya. Tag Heuer have used celebrity endorsement for their watches since the 1970's. Even in these tougher economic times feel that promotion is a necessary part of their business.

With over 60 models in the men's and women's ranges there is a style for all tastes and a wide range of price tags. ]]> http://articles.mychoicedeals.com/home-and-family/hobbies/discover-how-to-paint-now.html http://articles.mychoicedeals.com/home-and-family/hobbies/discover-how-to-paint-now.html Wed, 02 Sep 2009 03:03:46 -0500
The first thing most people think of when they hear the word "art" is "painting". Artists are among the most famous people in the world, especially those who are not still alive. There is not a person on the planet who does not know something about Picasso or Leonardo da Vinci.

As the old saying goes "If you want to achieve something, it is enough to have 1 per cent talent and give 99 per cent hard work in order to achieve it!" However, can we say the same thing about painting? The answer is no we cannot! Maybe, that is why it is so noted because you have a gift given to you by God. And nothing can be compared with this; neither the hard work nor the strong desire.

But even if we have a talent we are not going to achieve anything if are lazy and don't wish to work hard, really hard. At first, each person who thinks that has a talent should start by learning the main painting techniques. You'd better avoid self-teaching and go to a professional teacher. He or she will help you to "catch" the basics of painting and learn some techniques.

A really basic technique you should learn is called Trompe l'oeil. That means "optical illusion" in French. The aim of the artist is to make the spectators get the impression that the object has width and depths. It seems just like a 3D object on the flat canvas. John Pugh has a lot of Trompe l'oeil pictures such as Punto Uno.

Another technique is the prospective. It's similar to Trompe l'oeil, but easier and used even by young painters. That technique makes object look more realistic and shows us the real distance between it and another object or, for example, its real depth or length.

Prospective technique can be separated into three techniques: linear prospective, reverse prospective and a prospective technique which is a mixture of the other two techniques. The least used technique in art is a reverse prospective. The experts claim that those three techniques are getting more and more different from each other. That is why it is needed a clear difference to be made between them even by the young artists.

Those were some techniques which each artist knows and are learnt from a very early age. Remember that it is no accident that painting became so popular and the most expensive wares ever sold. Of course, it is not important just to be or call yourself artist! You should prove your skills and be estimated by the others. If you have talent and worked hard, you will become popular and achieve a huge success for sure. ]]> http://articles.mychoicedeals.com/home-and-family/hobbies/cuban-cigars-always-the-best-not-so-fast.html http://articles.mychoicedeals.com/home-and-family/hobbies/cuban-cigars-always-the-best-not-so-fast.html Wed, 02 Sep 2009 02:13:09 -0500
There's a big reason why Cuba was producing such fantastic tobacco. The tobacco farmers take extreme care of their plants and much pride and hard work is put into the crops. Cubans are a traditional people and tobacco is important to them. They use of fine fertilizers, abundant waters, and hard work has been overdone and this is why other tobacco producing countries are catching up.

Cuba is a very small island and it has been producing Cuban cigars for the majority of the planet for over 100 years. The soil has been overused and replenishing crops have not been planted because the demand for the tobacco is so high.

Because Cuban cigars have been on a decline, the agricultural techniques, seeds and hand wrapping have been exported to nearby countries. Today, you can find high quality, Cuban style cigars from Honduras and The Dominican Republic for a fraction of the price. Many cigar aficionados believe that these cigars offer superior value, with their finest products capturing the quality that once led Cuban cigars to be the finest in the world. In fact, Cigar Aficionado has consistently rated Cuban cigars in the highest regard, but since the early 2000s Nicaraguan and Honduran cigars have been crowned with the coveted No. 1 Cigar of the Year.

The question is ultimately a matter of opinion and tastes, as the Cuban cigar market has been highly fragmented under the trade embargo - some of the top Cuban cigar companies now produce in Little Cuba in Miami rather than domestically, while others have exported production to nearby Central American countries. To find a top quality cigar, it's best to seek out top production quality, basing the opinion on quality rather than labels alone. ]]> http://articles.mychoicedeals.com/home-and-family/hobbies/punch-cutter-lighters.html http://articles.mychoicedeals.com/home-and-family/hobbies/punch-cutter-lighters.html Tue, 01 Sep 2009 02:37:43 -0500
You will be able to get a punch cutter and lighter combination, which is very beneficial. When you have this combo, you are never without either a cutter or a lighter. This is handy, especially for those who like to head over to their friends' houses to smoke a cigar or to a cigar bar. You will even find that many of the cutters have key ring attachments, which make them even easier to keep without fear of losing it.

First, you need to understand how the punch cutter works. You will find them easy to use, although it might take a few tries to get the hang of it. With a punch cutter, you simply place the cutter on the cap of the cigar and then use the punch. This will create a small hole in the cigar. This is where the smoke will come through. Because the hole is so small, you will find that it can cause moisture and tar to gather around the hole. You will also find that this type of cutter does not work with the larger cigars.

With the smaller holes from the punch cut, moisture and smoke can sometimes build up at the hole. This is something that many cigar smokers can't abide. Also, they don't work with large cigars. You might want to have both a punch cutter and a guillotine cutter so that you are always prepared no matter the type of cigar you have available.

You can find different styles of punch cutters and lighters available, and you should easily be able to find something that suits your style and fits easily in a pocket or on a key ring. One of the best places for you to shop is online. You can find many different online retailers that sell the punch cutter and lighter combination, and you can find them at various prices. With just a little bit of research, you should be able to find a punch cutter and lighter that you like. ]]> http://articles.mychoicedeals.com/home-and-family/hobbies/where-to-find-printable-tattoo-designs-online.html http://articles.mychoicedeals.com/home-and-family/hobbies/where-to-find-printable-tattoo-designs-online.html Thu, 27 Aug 2009 03:04:35 -0500
However, it can also be frustrating still if you are not sure where you can search for tattoo designs that are high in quality. Here are a few places that you can get your tattoo designs from on the Internet.

1. Free Tattoo Designs Websites

This is the most common place for people to start searching for tattoo designs. It might sound enticing because it is free but, most of these designs arent that great in terms of quality. Another drawback is these are a usually generic design that has been plastered all over the Internet. That causes the tattoo design to lose its uniqueness. And if you want to use these free designs in any case, you must be comfortable with sharing the same tattoo design as hundreds or even thousands of others.

2. Paid Tattoos Websites

There are also websites that are setup by tattoo artist themselves selling their own tattoo designs copyrights. The quality of these tattoo designs are usually higher in quality compared to free tattoo designs that are found on free tattoo designs websites. But, these tattoo design websites usually has only a small collection of the artist's tattoo designs and there are not many choices of designs for you to choose from.

3. Online Tattoo Gallery

Finally, you can also find tattoo designs from tattoo design membership sites. It usually cost less than $40 to sign up for such a membership and for that small amount of money, you can get a lifetime access to the gallery itself. On top of that, you are also entitled to regular updates of tattoo designs at no extra charges. If you get your tattoo designs from these tattoo membership sites, you do not have to worry about the quality because these websites only use designs that are done by professional tattoo artist. So, if you are searching for tattoo designs online, the tattoo membership site is one of the best place to select your tattoo designs from. ]]> http://articles.mychoicedeals.com/home-and-family/hobbies/have-some-halloween-fun-with-a-halloween-village.html http://articles.mychoicedeals.com/home-and-family/hobbies/have-some-halloween-fun-with-a-halloween-village.html Sun, 23 Aug 2009 03:47:40 -0500
A Celtic festival named Samhain was the start of Halloween; it marked the end of summer. It's also the traditional day of harvest celebrations, as well as marking the Celtic New Year. The Celtics have the belief that the boundary that exists between the living and dead is lowered, and the dead can once again become living on October 31st.

When the dead returned to life they often played dirty tricks on the crops. They've caused illness to the living and ruined crops in entire areas. Living in fear of this happening, people would hold a bonfire and offer gifts and offerings to the spirits in the fire. These offerings would please the spirits, who would then help the Druids to make predictions about the future. People looked forward to a good prediction to help them get through the long winter months with a sense of comfort.

The name Halloween is a literal shortcut of the feast of Hallows Eve. This would be the day of the saints commemorated in the Christian world on the first day of November. In homes, enthusiasts would have their own Halloween village. This would be a diorama of a spooky village on Halloween night. It is a display of the owners imagination with regard to the things that could get you on Halloween.

Tiny goblins and ghouls are a great addition to your Halloween Village. You can find little vampire trains, vampire characters, even pirates and ghost ships. This is the perfect time to let your imagination go crazy and find all sorts of witches and mummies to add to your Halloween Village.

You could even go all cutesy and find little cartoon characters for your Halloween Village. You can use the buildings year round, just decorate them with bats and witches for Halloween! You can make it as spooky as you'd like - there are lots of assorted items that you can buy to decorate your village.

There are all kinds of websites today that have Halloween Village collectibles that you can add to your collection, or even start one. These websites usually have some unique figurines at very reasonable prices.

Halloween is a tradition that has allowed people to have a reason to enjoy. This is a tradition that is practice almost all over the world. It is full of fun and games. It would always be fun seeing the little ghouls and ghosts knocking on doors for treats. Now, that's what a real-life modern Halloween village looks like. ]]> http://articles.mychoicedeals.com/home-and-family/hobbies/no-need-for-an-expensive-camera.html http://articles.mychoicedeals.com/home-and-family/hobbies/no-need-for-an-expensive-camera.html Fri, 21 Aug 2009 04:01:44 -0500
You would have to account for the light source, not too much light and not too little light, were you in a shadow; make sure there is no glare in the faces and watch the direction of the wind. Those days are long gone and unless your a professional photographer and are planning on submitting your portfolio to a high class fashion magazine or a home and garden magazine, you don't have to put yourself through that anymore. Also are gone the days of having to worry about how crappy a picture would come out because you forgot the flash bulb.

Everything is so much easier now with the invention of digital photography and the accessibility of the technology. Digital cameras make all these decisions and considerations for you and help a novice photographer take quality pictures for future enjoyment. These cameras do all the work for you. Now, it is just a question of how deeply you love the traditional art of photography to make a difference of whether that is a good or bad thing. The question of light sources and shadow are calculated inside the camera and almost need no consideration by the person taking the picture.

The new cameras even take the guesswork of red-eye and blurriness out of your hands. You don't have to worry about it anymore. New cameras can zoom extremely close and are categorized by the amount of mega pixels. The more mega pixels you have, the more clarity of the picture. Some new cameras can read the amount of faces in a picture and adjust accordingly to make sure that each face is clear, and without red-eye.

The technological advancements in these cameras, make it ease to take high quality pictures to share with friends and family. The other pleasant thing about digital photography is the luxury of editing and downloading pictures to your computer. Just plug it in and you can edit, email or print your pictures in no time. Even with the least expensive printer your photos will look like they came from a professional lab. ]]> http://articles.mychoicedeals.com/home-and-family/hobbies/maloof-beyond-90-an-american-woodworker.html http://articles.mychoicedeals.com/home-and-family/hobbies/maloof-beyond-90-an-american-woodworker.html Thu, 20 Aug 2009 13:30:03 -0500
For Gene Sasse, author of Maloof Beyond 90 - An American Woodworker (www.sassebooks.com), a typical hardcover or paperback just wouldn't do. That's why his book is a beautifully handcrafted collection of original artwork, bound in European leather and reflecting the soul of the gentleman whose work it chronicles.

The book is a handmade edition containing original images of the work of the celebrated woodworker, Sam Maloof. Heralded as a "prominent leader in the California modern arts movement", Maloof's works have been exhibited in The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and the Metropolitan Museum of Art among many other prominent museums. The book is a poetic collection of photographs and narratives of Maloof, his work and his life. The book is tragically more relevant today with the passing of Maloof in Mid-May 2009.

"A man who works with his hands is a laborer," said Sasse. "A man who works with his brains and his hands is a craftsman; but a man who works with his hands and his brain and his heart is an artist."

The book begins with a brief biography, introducing the reader to the life of Sam Maloof. His story opens with his parent's humble beginnings in Lebanon, through their move to Chino, California, where they sold dry goods, hand made lace embroidered linens and crochet work from a horse and cart.

Sam's interest and admiration in his mother's fine needle work were an inspiration to him, according to Sasse. By high school, Sam had found employment and recognition for his calligraphy and cartooning abilities, and dreamed of becoming a Disney animator. In his twenties, Maloof found himself working for famed California artist, Millard Sheets, who helped to mature and expand his outlook on the world of art. At the age of 34, Maloof built a small studio and began to work for himself.

In a short time, he was making a modest living and was being featured in magazines and having his work commissioned. Several years later, Maloof's furniture began to be exhibited in museums. Little did he know he was on his way to greatness. When Maloof's handcrafted home was set to be demolished to make room for a highway, the state legislature declared him a "national treasure" and his home was moved to a new site.

The poetic descriptions of Maloof's work and of the man himself are inspiring to read. He was greatly admired by many people, including several Presidents of the United States.

"I consider Sam Maloof to be the world's finest woodworker. His integrity and personal philosophy are demonstrated vividly in the design and beauty of his exquisite furniture," wrote former President Jimmy Carter in his introduction to the book. "Sam has touched the hearts and lives of countless people with his extraordinary talent and skills as a teacher and role model, so his legacy will survive for generations to come."

The book would not be complete without some of Maloof's own musings about his work.

"The rewards of woodworking are not monetary," he said. "It is a long road. But there is basic, deep emotional satisfaction as well as a spiritual satisfaction that comes from working with your hands."

Maloof Beyond 90 is a work of art, much in keeping with the craftsmanship of Sam Maloof's pieces. The loving detail put into this book makes it a collector's dream. The detailed photographs depicting Maloof's work are beautifully rendered. Anyone with an interest in arts and crafts will enjoy Maloof Beyond 90. ]]> http://articles.mychoicedeals.com/home-and-family/hobbies/dont-buy-an-outdoor-fire-pit-until-you-read-this.html http://articles.mychoicedeals.com/home-and-family/hobbies/dont-buy-an-outdoor-fire-pit-until-you-read-this.html Sat, 15 Aug 2009 23:21:18 -0500
Before you make your purchase, however, there's one thing you'll want to consider carefully, so that your new outdoor fire pit provides the kind of warmth, style and drama you'll want to experience for years to come.

Make safety your first priority, especially as it relates to fire.

Carefulness and common sense will not be packed in the box with your new outdoor fire pit. You have to provide them. If you don't, the potential for injury to yourself and others, as well as damage to your property and that of your neighbors, greatly increases.

Plan now to take the following precautions when using your wood burning fire pit, so it'll bring the right kind of drama and excitement to your backyard.

* Keep a fire extinguisher, container of water, or other source of water near-by.

* Just don't leave your fire unattended, and make sure the fire is completely out before heading to bed, even if it means filling a smoldering fire pit with water.

* Take special care to keep little children from getting too close, and never ever leave them unattended near a fire. Pets too.

* Don't sacrifice safety to save a few bucks on a cheap outdoor fire pit, extinguisher, etc. It's not worth the risk.

* Position your fire pit at least 10 feet away from flammable materials or objects: low-hanging branches; piles of dry grass, leaves or brush; gas cans; your house… Make sure you have plenty of space around and above your fire pit.

* Gauge placement of your outdoor fire pit according to wind patterns and where the smoke will be blowing.

* Don't overfill your outdoor fire pit with wood or wood substitutes. Likewise, don't over-gas your outdoor gas fire pit. You don't want the flames to get too high or unmanageable.

* Use a spark screen with your fire pit.

* Use a fire pit pad or flagstone underneath your outdoor fire pit or fireplace on wooden decks.

* Check the laws in your area before building any outdoor fire. In different parts of the country, those laws vary. Contact your local fire department to find out where fires or grills can be used in your area.

* Carefully read and follow your manufacturer's instructions, which are there for good reasons.

* Do not use a fire pit indoors!

Familiarizing yourself with safety guidelines such as these should go a long way toward ensuring that your outdoor fire pit provides many years of enjoyment and pleasant experiences.

Because of your carefulness and common sense, you can enjoy listening to the popping and crackling sounds from the fire. Go ahead, watch the flames dance. Poke at the logs with a tong. Smell the aroma of the burning logs. Relax and enjoy the moment with those who are special to you.
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