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What Type of Electrical Charge Does An Electron Have?
Electrons are negatively charged particles in an atom. They orbit the positively charged nucleus along a distinct orbital, called an electron shell, within the atom. An electron is a very small particle, measuring 9.1066x10-28 grams. Because the electrons are so small, they are able to move fast, a
How to Use a Swivel Knife
A swivel knife is a chisel-edged blade held upright and mounted on a pivot with a saddle on top for your finger. It is used to outline and cut a design into leather. A swivel knife is used to make strong lines that form the basic structure of a carved leather image. It is an efficient tool to use,
Vintage Wood Working Tools
While hand saws are still made today, they are almost obsolete because of the invention of the electric saw.sawing wood image by Aussiebloke from Fotolia.comSkilled craftsmen have worked with wood for hundreds of years. In the years preceding the development of the power-assisted...
How to Make a Mini of a Baseball Stadium
Baseball has been an American pastime since the mid-1800s. Baseball is derived from other European bat and ball games, including, but not limited to, British games known as town ball and rounders. In the mid-1800s, many baseball leagues formed, such as the Western League and American League. These l
Endangered Animals in Freshwater
The Endangered Species Act was created to protect animals in danger of going extinct. It is jointly enforced by the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services. The act protects many varieties of organisms, including plants, reptiles, bird, f
Oldest Fossils Discovered
Fossils are the preserved remains or traces of ancient life forms. Traces are only preserved if the organism dies where it is protected from the elements and any scavengers, such as in sand or mud. Various radiometric dating techniques are used to determine their age. Fossils within the animal king
How to ARC Weld Sheet Metal
Arc welding is a process in which an electric current is passed from an electrode into sheet metal. The resulting heat is hot enough to melt and permanently fuse metal. Gas metal arc welding (GMAW), also known as metal inert gas (MIG) welding, is the most common arc welding process in use. The GMAW
How Does Sonar Work?
What Is Sonar?Sound navigation and ranging, or sonar, is an umbrella term for technology and methods that use sound to detect objects, usually underwater, much the same way bats rely on sound for catching food in the air. The basic principles on which sonar relies are that sound moves at...
How to Build Simple Machines
The six simple machines are the fundamental mechanisms of physics. They are the wedge, lever, pulley, inclined plane, wheel, and screw. The devices themselves and their principles have been understood since antiquity, and it can easily be said that every machine on Earth is simply a combination of s
How to Identify a Double-Die Coin
A double-die coin is a coin that has been through the design-printing process twice, leaving it with a double layered effect. These coins are not cut on purpose and are therefore very valuable in many instances. If you come across a coin that is possibly a double-die, you need to identify whether it
How to Charge a 12 Volt 9.5amp Battery
A volt is the measurement used to describe how much energy is required to operate a device. Amps (amperes) indicate the amount of current your device uses. The higher the amps the more current is drawn from a battery. The size of a battery gives an indication of the number of amps that can be drawn
USDA Wetland Classifications
The USDA uses a hydrogeomorphic approach to classifying wetlands. The HGM classification system emphasizes three factors: geomorphic setting --- the biome's topographic location within the surroundings --- water source and hydrodynamics, which is the strength and direction of water flow. The USDA re
Knife Handle Styles
Wood knife handles provide excellent gripping comfort, but their porosity makes them hard to clean.knife and cheese image by Alex Motrenko from Fotolia.comWhether you are a chef, an outdoorsman or just an avid knife collector, finding the right knife to add to your collection can be a...
How to Fix a Cut in Bonded Leather
Bonded leather is made of scrap or unused pieces of leather that are bonded to a polyurethane surface. It is to leather what particleboard is to plywood. Bonded leather is much less expensive than real leather but it is also less durable. This leads to premature wear and accidental cutting of the ma
How to Craft Bolo Ties
A bolo tie is basically a decorative string with a concho (similar to a brooch) that holds the two sides of the string together. You see a lot of bolo ties in men's western wear. You can buy these at many stores, or at a specialty shop if you do not live in the western United States. If you are havi
How to Build an HO Scale Track Side Loading Dock
No model railroad is complete without some sort of loading dock onto which freight and cargo can be placed. This useful detail can be constructed relatively easily, although it will require some skill and manual dexterity. Just be sure to use the right tools and take your time.
Craft Supplies for Wood Projects
Wood projects may involve detailed carving.wooden bird image by Julija Sapic from Fotolia.comEmbarking on a wood project can be a fun and creative journey for a child or the entire family. Whether the scheme is small or large, designs can range from simple to extreme and involve a wide...
What Is a Fresnel Lens?
In 1822, the French government commissioned Augustine Jean Fresnel, an engineer, to design an improved lighting system for French lighthouses. The problem was that the dim light produced by huge bonfires on shore didn't reach very far so ships at sea had problems both seeing the lights and discernin
How to Cut Wood on a Curve
You can cut curves in wood using a band saw. A band saw is a versatile woodworking saw that consists of a table with a thin, flexible blade that rotates on wheels in a circular motion. It is an ideal saw for cutting smooth graceful curves in an efficient manner. It is important to understand the pro