Guide helps consumers buy manufactured homes

Guide helps consumersbuy manufactured homes
Steven Taylor is out to eliminate both the skepticism and the uneasiness that can be associated with buying a manufactured home.
Taylor is the author of "Manufactured Homes: The Buyer's Guide," a book that's intended to educate consumers before they buy. His preparation for writing the book included working as a sales representative for a half-dozen dealerships, visiting factories, attending industry seminars and studying the manufactured-home industry.
Taylor covers the construction of manufactured homes, financing and site considerations, details a consumer should look at in shopping for a home, potential pitfalls, and other related issues. Checklists and charts in the back of the book are intended to help buyers prepare for the transaction and to help the process go smoothly.
"Manufactured Homes: The Buyer's Guide" is published by Cycle Publishing and is priced at $14.95 in paperback. It is available in bookstores and also can be ordered directly from the publisher at (877) 353-1207 or www.cyclepublishing.com
Separating photographswithout damaging them
Q. I left some photographs in the attic, and they stuck together. Is there any way to separate them?
A. Eastman Kodak Co. spokesman Jim Blamphin said photos often can be separated while they're submerged in cold water. However, he cautioned that the process doesn't always work.
Here's the method he recommended:
Fill a large, flat pan with clear, cold water. Put the photos into the water, then place the pan in the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes.
Remove the pan and very carefully separate the photos, keeping them submerged as you work. Work slowly, and don't force the photos apart. Don't place the photos under running water because that could damage the emulsion.
Once the photos are separated, hold them by the edges and gently shake off the excess water, then lay them on a flat screen or paper towel, image-side up. Let them air dry.
Simple steps to simplifyyour next painting job
A few tips to make your next painting job a little easier:
Start by protecting not-to-be-painted surfaces.
Next, fix holes and damaged areas by using a vinyl spackling compound; apply it with a putty knife. If the wall is textured, use texture touchup in a spray can.
For painting, start with the ceiling. Use a brush to cut in where the ceiling meets the walls and a roller to finish the rest; the procedure is the same with walls.
If you will be painting the next day, save cleanup time by wrapping the rollers in plastic wrap and placing them in the refrigerator overnight. The next morning, you will be ready to roll.
The Hoover Fold Away is easy to store
What do you do when the party's over? Vacuum. That's what you do before the party, too.
If you need a new upright but are short on a place to store it, the Hoover Fold Away vacuum might be your ticket. The handle folds down for storage where uprights with fixed handles could never fit.
Moving up and down stairs to vacuum? Fold the handle down, and use the upright like a canister. It's also bagless and effective on both carpets and bare floors. An allergen system filters out fine particles, especially important for those with allergies or asthma.
Price is $99. It comes in teal, patriot blue, lacquer red, or black and is available at department stores.
New line of miter saws
Delta Machinery has introduced a line of 12-inch miter saws for users with varying demands and skill levels.
In addition to its 12-inch Twinlaser compound miter saw with a laser introduced last year, Delta now has dual-bevel, single-bevel and compound miter saws.
Prices range from $249 to $399.
For more nformation visit www.deltawoodworking.com.