Category: hardware

Components of Drum Kit Hardware

Victor Epand asked:

To be a good drummer one needs to have a good idea on the drum set also. The first step always begins with a good knowledge on the hardware. For every music artist the basics of the hardware are like knowing the interiors of a house. Here drum shells can be termed as a base, and the other parts that are included are the stands, hoops, lugs, tension rods, drum pedals, and so on. This is the drum kit hardware. Let us know each of them and their functions in detail.

1. Hoops, Lugs and Tension rods

Hoops, lugs, tension rods have a major role to play in making the drum music sound good. Lugs are metallic pieces that are meant to be attached to the side of the drum. The key use of the lugs is to anchor the drum hoop or the rim, which is then fixed firmly by the use of tension rods. It holds the drum head in its place and applies even tension to the tuning to keep the drum kit up and running.

2. Tom Mounts

When a drum is assembled the call of the day is to mount it somehow on top. Here comes the importance of toms, which do not look good, but are quite effective. Generally, the snare is the one that rests on a stand; and toms that are as tall as 14 inches; they get the legs to stand on their own legs. If the market is searched for mounts then quite a variety can be found. Different approaches are taken when it comes to hanging the drum. Precision while doing this is necessary because chances are that a badly placed tom can ruin the sound.

3. Drum Racks

Drums racks have their own use in organizing the drum sets and keeping the drum kit hardware in order. New and improved technology has enabled the player to get a more improved and durable versions of drum rack. Designers have made it possible to keep the kit in a place and accommodate them in a tight cozy environment so that the players do not have to worry about their hardware.

4. Drum Pedal

When the feet come into play the drum, it sounds good! This is another unique aspect of playing drums. So, a good drum pedal is something of an addition to the field of the drum music.

5. Drum Stands

What holds the toms, cymbals, and snares? It is the drum stand. This is the hardware that takes up the most of the space. It, by far, is the heaviest also.

Cymbal stand, as its name suggests, is used to hold the cymbals. They also hold toms, cowbells, and tambourines other than holding different variety of cymbals and add versatility to the drum kit hardware.

Snare drum stand and hi hat stand also hold similar kind of importance for a drum kit, as these two are there to lend support to the snare and the hi-hat.

It is a good idea to get a bit of knowledge on the different pieces of drum kit hardware before going on get a new set. Although, the information is aimed at beginners but previous users can also be benefited before the purchase. The cost of drum hardware is a variable factor as it highly depends on the quality and quantity of the products.

Decorative Hardware in Certain Rooms

MIKE SELVON asked:

Changing the decorative hardware in a home can be one of the easiest and most inexpensive ways to change the look and feel of a person’s living space.

No matter if a person is planning a complete kitchen or bath remodel of just looking for a unique way to jazz up a dreary space, new cabinetry pulls can help bring that fresh look that a person may be looking for.

Depending on what feel a person wants their room to exude will depend on the type of new hardware that they select.

Decorative hardware can completely change the kitchen decor. If an individual wants a formal feel in their kitchen, then they may choose the classic finished looks of brass or silver.

If a rustic feel is what is desired, then one can always choose wooden decorative hardware pulls and knobs, but if a contemporary feel is required, then hammered iron may be the best for that particular kitchen decor.

After one chooses the type of material that it is to be made of then one has to make the decision as to what design the pulls will have. Leaves, various colors, and even bird cage designs can be found when shopping for special hardware to go in a kitchen.

Another area of the home that can be spruced up by just changing the hardware is the bathroom. Decor accessories are sometimes forgotten about when it comes to this well used room of the house. This is one of the areas that it is abundant.

Everything from cowboy belt buckles to nautical themes can be found with just a few clicks of the keyboard or even a few trips to the local hardware store.

In the bathroom, home decor accessories can be found in the towel rack, toilet paper holder, or even the handle that the toilet uses. No matter what theme is chosen, the bathroom can benefit from a little sprucing up.

Such hardware is one of the best ways for a person to create a certain ambiance in a room. The kitchen and the bath are two rooms that are filled with hardware that can be changed with just a simple screwdriver.

Anyone can make a room suit their individual style by just changing the one that fills the area. This is a quick and simple change that can make all the difference in the mood and feel of a room.

No longer does the consumer have to settle for boring decorative hardware when the retail market is flooded with a variety of choices.

How to Take Care of Antique Brass Hardware

Muna wa Wanjiru asked:

The antique brass hardware is increasingly getting important in the market. They are currently being used in large quantities in both the commercial and the residential projects. Most of the buyers have their likings of antique hardware in brass, wrought iron and cast iron. The reason behind this is the excellent polish, looks and most importantly, the durability they give to the product. Many countries manufacture carved and embossed antiques and export it all over the world. India is considered one of the leading exporters of antique finish brass hardware.

The category of the antique hardware includes the following items; antique door bolts, antique door knobs, antique keyhole covers, antique shelf brackets, antique latches, antique locks, ntique door hinges, antique gate hinges, antique railings, antique pewter among many others.

Antiques make up for a variety of articles. Furniture is a very important one of them. It includes tables, chairs, sofas, bureaus, chests, desks and many more such items. These items are from different types of wood namely, mahogany, oak, pine, walnut and rosewood. A number of styles and patterns of such furniture can be found.

Antique brass hardware needs to be taken care off in many aspects, to maintain its originality. If polishing is required to be done, then it is manually done by hand. Use of modern paste-type polish with micro abrasives should be considered. Care should be taken while polishing the brass edges and it should not be done if the surrounding wood is not protected.

To protect the wood’s furniture applying a light coat of wax around the perimeters of the brasses will help protect it during the brass polishing. Alternatively, another thing can be done is inserting an index card between brass and the wood. Each brass fitting could be removed individually, fitted, polished and then put back in its original position. This process can be followed for the entire brass fitting one by one.

Cleaning of the material consist of use of isopropyl with sponge. For heavier soils, dampen the sponge a bit with water and apply a scouring low abrasion cr? of less potency onto it. Once the surface is cleaned, the job of polishing can be commenced. A yellow treated dust cloth gives releases the exact quantity of oil onto the metal. The brass will look brighter and its body will shine if it is rubbed with cloth moistened with olive oil. Olive oil helps in retarding the tarnish and less polishing is required.

A weekly wiping with a little liquid ammonia on a soft cloth will help keep unlacquered brass shiny. To polish antique brass hardware pieces, wash it in hot soapy water to remove the grime and wax.. Later on, rinse it and dry. Use boiled linseed oil to moisten a cloth to polish the brass surface until all the grease and dirt have been gotten rid of.

Thus, the antique brass hardware is a good collection to boast off, and it serves as one of the good ways to invest. To deal with all such antique related buying and selling many websites and dealers are available who can help you out in carrying out the transaction.

How to Dispose of End of Life Network Hardware Securely

Greg Stone asked:

Recent events highlighted in the press demonstrate a very sound business case for employing secure methods of disposal of redundant IT equipment.

A particularly poignant example is that of a second hand server purchased from the internet which contained the personal data of one million customers of the Royal Bank of Scotland, National Westminster Bank and American Express. Not only does this represent a serious breach of confidentiality, but it also breaches legal requirements which now make IT owners responsible for data integrity and computer hardware disposal. Naturally, this event has received endless negative publicity for the companies involved, but has served as a warning shot to everyone responsible for hardware and data integrity.

To avoid problems, it is essential for organisations to work with a company that is fully conversant with and works within the parameters of current WEEE requirements which came into force on 1st July 2007. It is essential that any company offering this service is able to demonstrate its integrity and that it takes seriously its responsibility for secure removal of data from your hardware. Without this reassurance, a company cannot guarantee to its customers that their data is secure and cannot be sure that it will be working within the law.

It can be cost-effective to dispose of IT equipment through an organisation that offers refurbished products and will purchase your redundant kit – thereby providing some return on obsolete assets. A reputable specialist in hardware refurbishment will ensure that any product capable of being recycled will be refurbished and marketed for further use. Any parts not reusable can be broken down and the materials reformed to create a different product at a fraction of the cost to the environment of making new products or of dumping in landfill. As end users are responsible for the disposal of their equipment, great care should be taken to find a partner that has robust methods for dealing with this and that they can provide proof of adherence to WEEE where necessary.

In addition, to the egocentric reasons for ensuring safe retirement of obsolete kit, there are also many altruistic considerations. On average, a person in the UK disposes of 3.3 tonnes of electronic and electrical waste in his lifetime and households and businesses between them throw one million tonnes away each year. By recycling, this can be reduced – the potential for recycling IT products being in excess of 80 %. The cost to the environment encompasses not simply the pollution caused by decaying machines, both physical, aesthetic and chemical, through increased land-fill sites or indiscriminate dumping, but also by the additional pollution from manufacture of new machines using all new materials to replace them.

Should you find your kit is worth little either recycled or resold, or should you have a policy of supporting charitable organisations, there are a number of ways to donate your kit to worthy causes which could not otherwise afford IT or would have to divert much needed cash resources from their other important activities.

What Would A Computer Be Without Hardware?

Thomas Pretty asked:

When the first PCs started turning up in the late seventies and early eighties they where designed to help businesses manage spreadsheets and if you were lucky help you write a letter to the bank manager asking, no doubt for more money, because you needed to re-mortgage the house for the latest breakthrough in cutting edge computing.

Nowadays computers come in all shapes and sizes and are capable of far more than just adding up a couple of sums. You can surf the web, play games, edit photos, listen to your music, make music even, oh and still of course get them to help you with your spread sheets and perhaps rather than a letter to your bank manager, simply manage your bank account online yourself.

But hardware doesn’t just cover computers and laptops but the multitude of accessories to go with it. The latest monitors that let you enjoy your desktop more, the 1TB hard drives that let you store all the data. Then there are the keyboards and mice that let you control it and that’s before you’ve got to the speakers to let you listen to it, the network modems that let you connect to the internet or the other massive plethora of USB devices that will do everything from letting you read a memory card to warming up a pair of slippers so you don’t get cold feet when doing your work.

The ultimate computer set up at home in my mind would consist of the following:

Apple MacBook Pro laptop.

Apple’s MacBook Pro laptop is one of the best laptops around allowing you to manage your work and play on the go with ease. Using the Apple Leopard OS you don’t have to worry about viruses as the system is so far know to be immune to them. Additionally the software just works letting you get on with your work and play. Used by creative types around the world the laptop is great for managing music and images. Time Machine, its backup software solution is by far the best offering out there meaning your data will be safe always.

Seagate hard drive.

If you’ve got lots of data and you backup regularly (which of course you should, it goes without saying) then you’ll need a decent hard drive to back up to. Seagate’s range of FreeAgent drives come in sizes of up to 750GB, more than ample enough, and offer fast performance for both Mac and PC users via USB 2.0 or Firewire.

Samsung 22-inch monitor.

Your laptop might come with its own screen, but you’ll want to maximise your working capabilities in the office with a massive monitor. Get yourself a widescreen monitor with a good resolution. You can then use your laptop monitor as a second screen for chat or email windows leaving the main large screen solely for working on documents or whatever your main focus should be. And before you eek with “isn’t it going to be expensive?” the answer is no – you can get a 24-inch for under 250 pounds.

Logitech Keyboard and Mouse.

Logitech have long been making decent keyboards and mice so it’s good to invest in something from the company. Mac owners might do better to opt for a Mac keyboard and a Logitech mouse however to get the best of both worlds. Something like the MX revolution or the MX Air.

Computers form a vital component in our lives today and with the wide selection of hardware out there this trend is only set to continue.

Point of Sale Hardware

Alliance asked:

Every Point of sale system has some pos peripherals. Some of the mandatory peripherals includes computer system, receipt printer, cash drawer, barcode scanners, and customer pole display. Computer terminals with operating systems like Windows or Linux are essential to map the software into Windows or Java and to integrate it with the peripheral devices. Receipt printers for retail outlets and hotels come with cash drawer ports and both the printers and the cash drawers share a single port with the PC, leaving other PC ports free for other peripherals of the POS system. Barcode scanners read product information from the price tag or barcode of the products and feed the information into the computer, which then processes it and prints it. The scanners and readers are usually wedges in point-of-sale keyboards, USB port or serial port of the computer.

Docket printer could be dot matrix or impact printers or thermal docket printers. Dot matrix printers are slow but economical and uses bond paper and ink ribbon for printing, whereas thermal printer only need thermal paper roll and it prints with heat (Similar to old fax machines). Thermal printing fades after few months, whereas docket printed by impact printer will remain for longer duration

Barcode scanner could be a handheld scanner or desktop (Bench) scanner or a cordless scanner. Handheld scanner also comes with intellistand whereas users do not have to press the trigger if scanner gun is kept on the stand. When any item with barcode is passed in front of the scanner, it sends the light to the barcode and scans or read the items barcode.

There are CCD scanner and Laser scanner. CCD scanners more economical than laser scanner. With CCD scanner you will have to bring the barcode very close to scanner, whereas laser scanner can read the barcode from a distance of 5-10 cm.

The entire business will run much more smoothly, as the entire system is amalgamated with inventory management System. As a result customers need not wait in long queues at cash counter.

Now it is quite clear that both customers and retailers get benefits from POS systems. Retailers can provide improved and quick service to the customers, manage the inventory efficiently and run their retail business very smoothly. While selecting a POS system, it is advisable to consult an expert POS vendor who can suggest you the best POS system which suites your requirement and, helps you to run your retail business efficiently.

There are some POS vendors who offer you a complete solution i.e. Pos hardware, software, and support for installation etc. It suggested that you buy your hardware thru POS vendor rather than your computer company. Reason for this is that not all the computer companies know this specialized industry. POS equipment also need special configuration to go with your computer. If you do not know sometimes you can waste hours of time trying to configure yourself.

Some of the known POS peripheral manufacturers are IBM, NCR, Javelin, Posiflex, Motorola, Metrologic, Datalogic, and HHP etc.

Home Security Hardware : Recent Developments

pvyas asked:

Home security has become one of the most rising concerns of people all over th world. Thanks to the breakneck speed of technical advancements that has led to amazing upgrades that has thus helped in providing the homeowners with great offerings for home Security and Safety Hardware. The days when installation was a long, arduous and abrasive job with limited potential, and unreliable equipment are long bygone. Many homeowners are opting today for new, affordable wireless and smart home applications. There are various options for accessing the security system, even while you are away from home. Monitoring and controlling lighting and timers, temperature levels and ventilation, carbon monoxide levels, and energy usage are some of the possibilities that have become possible with the development of new home security uplifts.

The wireless technology of home security systems now offers diverse range of advantages for the house owners. Installation time and complexness is highly reduced, and now even the future room additions need no wiring process. A simple redirection of the monitored area of the home covers additional space, and also aids the system to become totally portable for a new home or location.

Another innovation is the digital keypad that may be programmed to control many different applications in the home, ranging from thermostat settings to lighting timers. With this personal keypad, emergency numbers like fire and police is just a button away, thanks to the one-touch access installed. Also available are electronic key chains that provide wireless access to your security systems and allows one to disarm the home with the touch of a button from any location. Now whether you are indoors or just arriving your front door, the one touch access key chain can help you arm and disarm from any location.

Today, various kinds of motion detectors have also become personal favorite of the homemakers. These improved motion detectors are important safety hardware are able to recognize pet motion, in order to prevent false alarms. These detectors are designed to provide an added measure of security thus giving your family peace of mind. Many detectors now even alert you with an audible sound when a protected entrance is open. A good, high pitched alarm can do the work of scaring the burglar away from the sound only.

There might have have been multitudinous innovations in the security and safety hardware but they all will prove to be failure if you are not cognizant about them. One needs to be vigilant while purchasing these security alarm system. Look for the battery back up options and the batteries that are periodically tested before being installed. Before buying, always inquire about the backgrounds checks and training provided to the installation workers for security reasons. Choosing a reputable company that performs regular background checks on their installers should be employed as well.

Contact your local security system company to inquire about options for wireless and combined protections and controls for your home. Every company offers services which one may or may not want to include in the system. Well-educated staff will also be able to guide one on the most proper protections required for your needs, budget, and neighborhood location.

Cabinet Hardware: Taking Care of the Details

Julien Raynal asked:

One of the most important and easiest ways to enhance the beauty of the house is to select a good and striking front door as it gives the very first impression for anyone looking at or entering the house. Apart form the actually door itself, a lot of hardware is available to fix with the door – these can be door knobs, door hinges, latches, dead bolts, levers, door viewers and a lot of other things. Along with selecting the appropriate door, it is important to select the correct and suitable hardware of the correct style and function with keeping the security of the home in mind. Door knobs and levers are the most commonly sought door hardware.

There are many options for anyone planning to change or to fix new doors and door hardware. One can choose the suitable door and required furniture based on the color, design, finish, cost and security purposes. Door hinges are part of door hardware that connects the door to the frames. These are available in different of finishes like antique brass, satin nickel, oil brushed bronze etc.

Door knobs are normally used along with locks to provide a handle for anyone to open the door. Door knobs are generally circular in shape but are also available in other shapes like egg-shape, square, oval etc. Door knobs also act as door handles in most situations. They are usually in brass, iron or steel. There are also special types of door knobs made of crystal, glass, mosaics etc., Specialized and custom door knobs or antique door knobs are also available to satisfy individual and special tastes and requirements.

Door knockers are another accessory and important part of door furniture. These come in very beautiful shapes and colors and are normally ornamental. These are also available in modern, trendy and minimalist design. These are normally made of metal, but ceramic or glass ones are also available.

Along with the aesthetic look, the doors also play an important part in the security of a home. So security should be kept in mind while selecting or planning for a door. Various kinds of locks, spring locks or bolts are available. Dead bolts are normally preferred by people who want better security. Door viewers or peep holes provide additional level of security for anyone in the home, as they can see who is outside, without opening the door. This is important when elderly people or children are present at home.

These days electronic and push button locks are available which provide extra security to the home. These can be placed near the doors and one can lock the door by entering a secret security key in the electronic lock. The door can be opened only if the secret key is reentered. This provides good security for those who travel frequently and might have to leave their house locked.

Door levers and door stoppers form the rest of the door furniture. Many choices are available in these too for anyone planning to fix or repair a door.

Drum Hardware for a Complete Drum Set

Victor Epand asked:

A drum set is like a well-built house with foundation and framework. This framework includes drum pedals, stands, toms, lugs, hoops, tension rods, and drum racks. And the foundations are the drum shells. All these together make up the drum hardware of the drum. Just like a house cannot be built without foundation and pillars, the drum is incomplete without the hardware because it acts as the pillar of the drum. Each of the hardware has different role to play.

Drum hardware basically refers to various kinds of stands that hold up the drum and the cymbals. Let us start with the most important pieces that play a vital role in building up the drum set as well as drum sound.

The pieces of metal that are attached to the side of the drum are the lugs. The main aim of the lugs is to attach the drum hoops or rim, which is fixed with the help of tension rods. Hoops mainly hold the drumhead in place and even help in tuning the drum.

Coming to the drum shells, it refers to the material used in the drum. Like, beginner’s kits are made up of basswood or mahogany but higher kits are made up of more costly woods to get better sound quality.

Adding next piece of the drum hardware, i.e. the pedals. They are available in different types like, single chain drive, dual chain, belt driven, single spring pedal, dual spring pedal and pedal with footboards. Among them the dual chain pedals are harder and can take heavy foot. Even pedals with dual spring are much better than the single one. The footboard pedals are the high-end pedals and are strongest. Therefore, a combination of dual chain, dual spring and footboard makes a tough pedal.

Next important parts of the drum hardware are the stands. Stands give support to the whole set to provide proper positioning to it. The types includes:

– Boom stand: The most longest of the other hardware, the boom stand provides easy positioning to the cymbals anywhere around the kits.

– Cymbal stand: This drum hardware not only supports the cymbals but also hold toms, cowbells and tambourines as well.

– Hi-Hat stand: This is one of the vital parts of the hardware. It is like a straight cymbal stand that has a spring-operated pedal connected to a rod that opens and closes the top hi-hat cymbal. This cymbal is linked with the clutch that has a hole in the middle where the rod fits and is protected in the open position by a *****. The drummer needs to place both the feet on the pedal, while using hi-hats in the closed position, and just hit the lever and the hats drop. And has to do vice-versa to reset it to the open position.

– Snare stand: A snare is played most of the time and so it is necessary to have a solid snare stand. It is better to use double braced snare stand rather than using single braced that are light weighted and move often.

Another important part of the drum hardware is the toms. They are greater than the stands by 14” and have legs to stand on their own. Once the drum is assembled it is mounted on the toms. It should be mentioned here that the sound quality of the drum depends on its positioning on the toms.

Kitchen Cabinet Hardware – A Great Way To Spruce Up The Look Of Any Kitchen

Jesse Akre asked:

The kitchen, it is the one room in the home that you and your family end up spending the most time in. Then, why is it that people tend to neglect it when it comes to decorating and making it look beautiful? If you are spending the most amount of time in there, then it should be equally gorgeous, if not more, than the rest of your home. One way to get your kitchen space on the right track is by purchasing some new kitchen cabinet hardware to give it a stellar, completed look.

Now, you might be thinking, how is new kitchen cabinet hardware going to make my kitchen that beautiful? Well, because it has a pleasing look which comes from the many different materials it can be made from. Those materials include aluminum, brass, stone, wood, ceramic, steel, zinc, pewter, plastic, wood, granite, even porcelain and glass. Each has a gorgeous appearance, plus, they are available in a number of different finishes like brushed, antiqued, satin, polished, dull, and rubbed. With the material and finished options, you can find the perfect ones to complement the kitchen cabinetry that you have, achieving any kind of look that you want in your kitchen. For example, maybe you want a trendy, contemporary look and feel in your kitchen. Then, a great choice for you would be ones crafted out of metal that have a brushed finish. Or, if you want more of an antique feel, then a great option are ones that are also made from metal, but instead have that antique finish to them. Really, you can create any kind of look that you want in your space because of all the many selections that are available. All of these materials are also very durable, which is ideal for you because they will last for years and you will not have to worry about having to replace them because they break or get damaged.

When it comes to kitchen cabinet hardware, there are different types that you can purchase depending upon what you want to replace in your kitchen area. You might need new knobs and hinges for your cabinets, pulls for your drawers, and maybe even a slide or track for inside your drawers. Probably the best thing to do though is to get ones that match because having a miss-matched look in your kitchen is pretty tacky. To find exactly what you are looking for, a fast and easy way is to hit the Internet for some comparison shopping.

So, if you and your family end up spending the most amount of time in your kitchen, then it should probably be one of the rooms in your home that is the most beautiful. One easy and simple way of making your kitchen space into an elegant dream is by purchasing some fabulous kitchen cabinet hardware for it. Extremely beautiful, these wonderful accent pieces will give your kitchen a completed look that is sure to please.