Doggy Bar lets your dog run wild

Doggy Bar letsyour dog run wild
Dogs love to run. And we don't all have fences. Yes, stakes in the ground work, but they can be easily stolen or pulled out by large dogs. And wire dog runs are fine, but are often hard to set up and are unattractive. A new alternative is the Doggy Bar. Your dog's leash or a rope attaches to this hearty, dog-shaped plate with steel bar that can be bolted to your house or RV or into any concrete, brick or wood surface. It's cute, easy to install and requires no maintenance. It's just 71/2 inches high, 91/2 inches wide and is guaranteed for life.
The Doggy Bar sells for $19.99 (wall model) or $24.99 (ground model) at www.doggy-bar.com or by calling (800) 597-6033.
Don't drill in the dark:tips for the unenlightened
Shed light on the spot you're drilling by taping a penlight to the casing of your drill. To make depth stops for your drill bits, drill undersized holes through the center of corks. Each cork should fit its bit snugly so that when you drill a hole to the proper depth, the cork doesn't move up on the bit. When drilling smooth sheet metal, stick a piece of masking tape where the hole will be. This prevents the bit from wandering. Finally, avoid splintering the back of surfaces of wood every time the tip of the bit emerges, by placing a block of scrap wood under the piece. The bit won't tear the wood as it breaks through.
Hey, beer man! Be your own vendor
If you're a sports fan, you'll likely be perched in front of the television much of the winter. And there's a good chance you'll have bowls of snacks around you, as well as an assortment of drinks. Well, sports fans, make way for the new SkyBox Personal Beverage Vendor from Maytag ($499.99).
This customized soda machine, smaller than a traditional vending machine, but suited perfectly for the home, holds 66 12-ounce cans, 33 12-ounce bottles or a combination. Drinks are dispensed from four selection buttons, and you choose the labels and drinks. Money does not need to be inserted in the machine.
SkyBox can be customized with various front and side panel labels, including all NFL teams, NHL teams, NASCAR drivers, college sports teams and more. And the machine features child safety locks, a low-indicator light and label cards for 20 of the most popular selections of beer, soda and water.
Also, there's an optional lower shelving area ($68.99) for storing snacks, DVDs or magazines. The machine and lower unit measure 57 inches by 25 inches.
It's available for presale now at Amazon.com and as of March 1 at Home Depot. Visit www.skyboxbymaytag.com for more information.
Telescoping ladderhelps to save space
Core Distribution Inc.'s Xtend & amp; Climb Telescoping Ladder is an improvement in the storage department, since it weighs 25 pounds but extends from 30 inches to 12 1/2 feet, thus providing the same reach as a standard 16-foot extension ladder.
This ladder is 19 inches wide, and opens, closes and locks by the foot. It has a duty rating of 225 pounds.
It also has what the manufacturer calls a "no pinch closure system" that leaves a 3-inch gap above your hands as each step retracts if the step below your hands is open.
The price is $169; it's available at Target. For more information, call (800) 822- 0586.
Septic-tank information
There are 25 million septic systems in the United States, with 400,000 added annually. If you have a septic system, the folks at Criterium Engineers in Portland, Maine, suggest that you check out "The Septic System Owner's Manual" by Lloyd Kahn, Blair Allen and Julie Jones (Shelter Publications, $17.95). For more information, visit www.shelterpub.com on the Web.
Paint can revivedamaged wood floors
For a brand-new look, wood floors might need only polishing or, at most, sanding down and sealing with a polyurethane or tung oil.
If your wood floors are in such poor condition that they can't be revived by sanding, staining or bleaching, they might still be rescued by paint that can cover a multitude of pits and blemishes.
An oil-based primer and finish coat will make for the most durable, longest-lasting finish.
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