Wood Working Machines

Shopsmith Mark V - Photo: Wikipedia

Wood has been used to make different articles since long. Today it is used for different purposes as furniture, decorative articles, and many other purposes. The popularity of wood is because it is easily available and can be cut easily for making different articles. The woodworking machines are the tools, which make cutting and woodworking even more easy and convenient. 

The woodworking machines are woodworking tools that are driven by a motor, which works on electricity or oil. They can be divided into two types as the ones, which are used for the smaller scale woodworking, and the others are for the large-scale woodworking. They are used for cutting, polishing smoothening, drilling of wood.  The nail guns are useful for fixing the different parts together. 

The small-scale woodworking machines are mainly used today for making artistic articles, or furniture in small workshops, etc. the capacity of these machines is low. They may be further subdivided according to the mode of use. The two types are the handheld woodworking machines and the fixed woodworking machines. 

Some examples of handheld small-scale woodworking machines are biscuit joiner, chainsaw jigsaw, electric drill, domino jointer, nail gun, rotary tool, etc. Some examples of the fixed small-scale woodworking machines are the drill press, band saw, drum sander, jointer, bench grinder, combination machine, wood lathe, table saw, thicknesser, spindle molder, etc. 

Thus, small-scale woodworking machines are available for all the tasks involved in woodworking. They are small sized and of lower capacity. Therefore, they are cheap and affordable to the people who want to set up a furniture repair shop or small workshop for wooden furniture and articles. 

The large-scale woodworking machines are the machines, which are large and have a very large capacity. They are generally used in the factories which manufacture process timber to produce plywood, flat wooden panels, rods, etc which are assembled together to make furniture or used for other purposes. They are also used in factories, which manufactures furniture or wooden articles on a very large scale. Due to their large size and high prices, they are not used by the small-scale woodworkers. 

Some of the examples of large-scale woodworking machines are the double end tenor, panel-dividing machines, machines for processing the edges of panels, machines used for boring or preparing holes in wooden pieces, assembling machines, etc. 

The woodworking machines have a number of advantages. The woodworking machines for each task in woodworking are available. Moreover, there is also a lot of variety in their capacity. Because of this, they are available in different sizes and prices. So everybody can choose according to his need and convenience. One more advantage is that their parts around replaceable.

They are simple to use. Thus, they make the artistic and skilled job of woodworking very simple. Improvements are taking place constantly their capacities, ability, are constantly improving. 

---

---

The Two Basic Genealogy Form

In some countries, many people believe that in order to achieve all the things that you want in life, you must know your roots. People who don’t look back to where they came from can't reach their destination. Well, it's up to you if belief in such sayings.

For many individuals, life is more enriched if they know their roots and who they really are; and your ancestry is not just about names. This is your family's bloodline passed on to many generations. Because of this knowledgeable fact, millions of individuals are trying to trace their family's roots through genealogy.

When you're trying to make your own family tree, it would be much easier to have genealogy forms. Genealogists use two basic forms to record all their ancestral information and these are family group sheets and pedigree charts. These forms help people like you in keeping track of all information that you find regarding your family's history in a standard format that can be easily read and understood. The forms are recognized by all genealogists around the globe. The software programs of genealogy forms are all standard.

Pedigree Chart

Most people use a pedigree chart. This form starts with you. It then branches out back to display your direct ancestral line. Most of the pedigree charts that you can find cover about four generations with spaces included so that you can enter important dates, marriage, place or birth, and death.

The standard format of a pedigree chart is only eight and a half by eleven inches. There are people who want larger forms and it is also possible to obtain such large forms. These are called ancestral charts, and you can enter more than four generations. However, this kind of form is often not used.

If you want to do more than four generations, you can still make use of the standard form; just make sure that you put reference numbers so that it will be easier for you to follow your family tree.

Family Group Sheet

Another common genealogy form is called the family group sheet. This kind of form focuses more on the family as a single unit. The sheet also has spaces for the name of the couple, their children (if any), and fields to write down the birth, marriage, death, and even burial places of the family members. Lines are included for the children's spouses if they get married, along with sections for sources and comments.

This form is one of the most important tools in genealogy because there is room for your ancestor's children and their spouses. The collateral lines are very important when you're tracing a family tree.

These forms will work best if they are used together. Once you include a marriage on the pedigree chart, you must enter it on the family sheet. The first form only offers a quick glance-look of your tree, but the latter offers further details for each generation of ancestors.

Tracing your roots has never been this easy. If you want to start with your own family adventure, do so now and don’t forget to get both the forms mentioned earlier. These are necessary to make your family tree easier and more specific. Get a copy of the forms on the net and happy tracing.

---

---

The Amazing HUBBLE

The Hubble Space Telescope as seen from the departing Space Shuttle Atlantis, flying STS-125, HST Servicing Mission 4.
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In the history of modern astronomy, there is probably no one greater leap forward than the building and launch of the space telescope known as the Hubble.  While NASA has had many ups and downs, the launch and continued operation of the Hubble space telescope probably ranks next to the moon landings and the development of the Space Shuttle as one of the greatest space exploration accomplishments of the last hundred years.

An amazing piece of astronomy trivia that few people know is that in truth, only about ten percent of the universe is visible using conventional methods of observation.  For that reason, the Hubble really was a huge leap forward.  That is for the very simple reason that the Hubble can operate outside of the atmosphere of Earth.  Trying to make significant space exploration via telescopes from the terrestrial surface of planet Earth is very difficult.  That very thing that keeps us alive, our own Earth’s atmosphere presents a serious distraction from being able to see deeper and further into space.

The Hubble space telescope was named after the great scientist and visionary Edward Hubble who discovered that the universe was expanding which was explained by what is now known in science as Hubble’s Law.  To truly get a feel for the amazing accomplishment that was achieved with the launch of the Hubble telescope, spend some time on Nasa’s web site dedicated to the project at http://hubble.nasa.gov.  There are also a number of sites where you can enjoy some stunning pictures from the Hubble including http://heritage.stsci.edu/ and http://www.stsci.edu/ftp/science/hdf/hdf.html.

It’s hard to believe how long the Hubble has been orbiting earth and sending back amazing video and pictures of what it is discovering in space.  But the Hubble was actually initially launched on April 25th 1990.  It was the culmination of literally decades of research and construction which began in 1977.  Expectations were high as the orbiting telescope was put in place and actually began to function as it was designed to do.

All was not always perfect with the telescope and the early pictures were disappointing.  After some study NASA discovered that the reason for the early failures was the curvatures of one of the main lenses of the orbiting telescope.

We probably could never have kept this intricate piece of equipment operational as well as we have had we not had the Space Shuttle program to give us a tool to implement repairs and improvements to the Hubble.  In 1993 a new lens was installed on the Hubble which corrected the problem of picture resolution that was noted in the early operation of the telescope.

Two other repair and upgrade mission have been made to the Hubble since it launched, both of them in 1997 to upgrade older equipment and to retrofit the telescope to extend its useful life through 2010.  It’s pretty amazing to think that this scientific and mechanical marvel has been operating now for ten years without maintenance.  We can be assured that plans are in the works for NASA to upgrade or replace parts on the Hubble to extend its useful life even further as that 2010 time frame draws closer.

It is hard to imagine the science of astronomy or the natural quest for greater knowledge of our universe without the Hubble.  While many times those who would not fund space exploration have tried to cut funding for the Hubble, the operation of this telescope is just too important to astronomers and to the scientific well being of mankind and our planet not to continue to use the Hubble, or its next natural successor.  We will always need to have a set of eyes in the sky to watch the universe and discover more of its mysteries.

---

---

---

Equestrians: More than Just Horse Riders

Lynda Roeller riding Paho - Photo: Flickr

Horses have played a vital role in the history of mankind. They have served several purposes from transportation to heavy cavalry. Nowadays due to the development of technology horses are no longer used anymore. They can be mostly found working for humans in ranches, farms, circuses and driving carriages for amusement rides. Although horses are not as vital as they were back in the days the tradition of riding them did not falter. Equestrians were regarded as nobles in Rome who are members of the cavalry. Nowadays they are riders who participate in a number of equestrian sports. 

Equestrians in this day and age are more known for equestrianism. It refers to the ability to ride and drive horses. This definition does not just include the use of horses for recreational activities and sports but also for working and practical uses. Contrary what most people would think the term refers to other skills not just riding them for equestrian sports.  

Equestrians before

Horses were used for a variety of purposes. They were both used in war and peaceful pursuits. They were used for transportation, agriculture, and warfare. In Rome, Equestrians were regarded as elite. Horses were expensive at that time so owning one meant that you were rich and does not need to do manual labor. They were members of a social upper class in Rome. This class was most often referred to as knights. They were both a military and a political group because horsemen received financial compensation from the government.

As Rome expanded it relied on its allies for cavalry. There was no use from equestrians and they lost their military functions. They did not engage in war anymore but their titles still remain and indicate nobility. The equestrians were rich and governed the provinces. At that time senators were equal to equestrians. 

The senators dominated the magistrate offices but were forbidden to operate a business and gain commercial income. The equestrians, on the other hand, continued to invest in marketing and tax farming companies. Conflicts arose between the two of them. Equestrians made as much money as they can while senators notice rebellions due to overtaxing. During civil wars, the two elite collaborated and their orders were defined as reforms were done. 

Equestrians today

There are popularly known for participating in equestrian sports during Olympics. Like before horseback riding is reserved for the rich. Even today horses are still expensive and prized. 

Equestrian events include dressage, show jumping and eventing. Equestrians should be able to make the horse carry out natural movements on request while running loose during competitive dressage. It is also referred to as "Horse Ballet". Its goal is to develop a horses' athletic ability and its initiative to perform to maximize its potential. 

Show jumping is a timed event where equestrians are required to jump over a series of obstacles with the fewest mistakes. Riders and their horses should be able to go through the obstacle with the least knocked over portions of obstacles.  

Eventing is the combination of dressage and shows jumping. The horse and the rider have to go through a series of fixed obstacles such as stone walls, water, logs banks, ditches with the fastest time possible. 

Although the role of equestrians has changed through the centuries it still holds that aura of nobility that it once enjoyed in medieval times. 

---

---

Wood Working

Wood Working - Photo: Pixabay

Woodworking is a method of building, carving or making something using wood. Wooden products are seen everywhere these days. If you want to enhance the appearance of a room in your home,  then there is no doubt you can find something made of wood.

It requires a great amount of skill to make quality handmade wooden products.

Basically wood is of 3 types. They are hardwoods that are obtained from deciduous trees, man-made materials that include plywood and softwoods that are obtained from evergreen trees. There are many woodworkers who have made a mark in woodworking by building some of the finest architecture, furniture. Some of the popular woodworkers of all times are Alvar Aalto, Norm Abram, and John Boson. 

Today woodworking tools are used most commonly to make furniture in the house. You will also see a variety of woodworking tools at construction sites. Most woodworking tools are power driven. Some of the common woodworking tools that are commonly used on construction sites are chainsaws, nail guns, rotary tools, routers, biscuit jointer, and sanders. 

For inserting a nail into the wood you should use a nail gun. A woodworking tool is used for cutting polishing, carving, sanding and for many other applications. Without these woodworking tools, you simply cannot make a wood product. All these tools are easily available in the market.

Before operating these tools you should have good knowledge about how to use these tools. If you don’t have proper knowledge, could cause you injury and the end result will look funny. Generally, skilled workers such as carpenters, train for years to a high standard to handle tools efficiently enough to produce quality products.

These tools are commonly used to make products such as cabinets, chairs, dining tables. And the better quality of wood used and top craftsmanship, you can expect the price to match!

---

---

The History of ASTRONOMY

Florinus Astronomy 1705 - Photo: Wikimedia

If you have a passion for stargazing, telescopes, the Hubble and the universe and this thing we call “astronomy”, you are far from alone.  Of course, we know that astronomy is a highly respected science that has produced some of the most amazing accomplishments of the twentieth century.  On top of that, it is a thriving area of fascination and one of the most exciting hobby areas going with thousands of astronomy clubs and tens of thousands of amateur astronomers watching the stars every night just like we do.

But did you know that astronomy is one of the oldest and most respected sciences of them all?  As far back as before the times of Christ, the wise and thinking people of societies of the time were looking at the stars and finding ways to track and chart them.  We who love the hobby of astronomy can chart a proud history of astronomers that tracks across millennia and through virtually every culture in civilization.  So for the sake of having some really good trivia to toss around at astronomy club next week, let’s highlight some of the big moments in the history of astronomy.

For many centuries the science of astronomy was not distinct from the practice of astrology.  For clarity, astronomy is the study of the stars, planets, and the universe with a clear scientific approach.  Astrology is the study of the zodiac signs and how they influence our growth, our personalities and our daily lives.  In modern times, we as people of science discount the astrological side and focus on the astronomy of the heavens.  But they were one study for millennia before the age of science made them separate.

There is historical evidence that astronomy was a recognized science as far back as the Babylonian civilization hundreds of years before Christ.  But the study of the stars was not limited to one country.  There were similar movements going on in China, India, and Ancient Egypt and all over the Arabian Peninsula.  The integration of astronomy and religion is so prevalent that we see it in the Christmas story in which the Magi, Zoroastrian priesthood probably from the equivalent of ancient Syria, followed a star to the Christ child.  These astronomers were also astrologers and it was that mixture that leads them to be part of this historic event.

The first book on astronomy was written by Ptolemy during the Greek empire.  Since that historic publication, the who’s who list of great astronomers charts a path right through the center of modern science including Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler, Sir Issac Newton, Jung, Michelangelo, Benjamin Franklin and more recently even Einstein and Stephen Hawkings would join that noble list.  It seemed that from the Renaissance on to this day, virtually any man or woman of intellect dabbled in astronomy at least somewhat and it has always been considered a sign of the learned to know about the universe and things astronomical.

Astronomy has had an impact on so many areas of our lives that we really don’t recognize.  Many words in our language had their roots in astronomy such as…

* Influenza which comes from the Latin root word for influence.  This reflects an early belief that the position of the moon and stars may influence health and cause or cure disease.

* Disaster which comes from the Latin for “bad star”.

* Lunatic which has the root word "Luna" in it which is the Latin word for moon.  This highlights the long-held belief that is even prevalent today that irrational behavior and even wild and dangerous things happen during a full moon.

Astronomy and its interrelationship with astrology have also influenced culture, education, and religion to a very large extent over the centuries.  In the English language, the first two days or our week, Sunday and Monday are a reference to astronomy as their literal interpretations would be “The Day of the Sun” and “The Day of the Moon.”   

So if you have found astronomy becoming a consuming passion in your thoughts and what fascinates you about the world we live in, you are in great company as this area of study has been a major part of the culture and thought virtually since the dawn of civilization.  And it will continue to fascinate mankind for as long as those beautiful stars shine over our heads.

---

---

The Rainbow Coalition

Rainbow-PUSH_Headquarters - Photo: Wikimedia

The struggle for freedom and equality for African Americans is one that is passed down from generation to generation and from one era of black leadership to the next.  Throughout history, the African American leadership has had many outstanding men and women who made their mark and made a difference for black people in America.  And that tradition continues to this day with modern black leadership such as Barrack Obama, The Reverend Al Sharpton and Jessie Jackson.

Jessie Jackson has organized his efforts to continue the struggle for civil rights in one of the most innovative organizations in history that came to be known as the Rainbow Coalition.  This organization represented the dreams and goals of the Reverend Jackson, to be sure.  But it also represents the shared efforts of black Americans across the country in modern times to keep the dream of Martin Luther King alive and moving forward.

In fact, the Rainbow Coalition was the outcome of a series of efforts and movements that began with a relationship between Reverend Jackson and Dr. King.  It was Martin Luther King that asked Jessie Jackson to head up a movement called Operation Breadbasket, a project to seek the economic improvement of black communities across the country, particularly in the inner city.  Operation Breadbasket eventually evolved into a powerful civil rights organization known as the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

As these movements started to make a real difference in the lives of African Americans in America, another step was the development of Operation PUSH which stood for People United to Save Humanity.  This influential organization has become the cornerstone for promoting civil rights and social justice for African Americans in the last twenty years. 

It was from these different initiatives and the success they were realizing that the Rainbow Coalition was birthed to seek economic opportunity in the business community and to encourage Fortune 500 companies to hire minorities and to expand their involvement in the nurture and the development of the black community for the good of all peoples.

The naming of the movement “The Rainbow Coalition” is pivotal to the vision Reverend Jackson had for the civil rights movement.  He did not see it as just black people working for the betterment of the black community.  Instead, inspired by Martin Luther King’s dream of equality and brotherhood of all races, the coalition would truly be a partnership of all minorities, the white community and other equal rights movements to seek equal opportunity for all of America’s citizens.  

The important stance that The Rainbow Coalition brought to the consciousness of the black community and to America was the concept that civil rights were not just a black issue.  It emphasized that all of America cannot move forward when a part of the population is left behind to flounder in poverty and without the benefits of a good education and job opportunities.  The result is that the black pride that was built by key figures of black history such as Mohammed Ali, Spike Lee and even more radical elements such as Malcolm X and the Black Panthers could now be used to promote true equality in the society.  In doing so, Jackson and other contemporary black leaders taught that the African American community not only could be but must insist on being fully black and fully American in their status in American culture.

Finally, the Rainbow Coalition emphasized that civil rights is not just a political issue.  The emphasis was on all aspects of American life including economic equality, social opportunity and even equal representation in the media and entertainment arts.  To be truly represented as an important part of American culture, black Americans must have equal opportunities in all venues.  

This is the message for its time that Reverend Jackson and the Rainbow coalition has brought and continues to bring to the national stage.  And it’s an important message that takes the good that was done in past civil rights movements in this country and brings up to date with a new century.

---

---