Popular Mechanics articles from November 2008

Popular Mechanics archives from November 2008

Next-Gen fuels.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Thanks for your excellent story on future biofuels, "The Shape of Fuels to Come." As we learned from ethanol, though, I believe we must ask how much energy is required for a fuel's production compared to the yield. I...

Lunar crash.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
November 1, 2008... I really enjoyed the story "Shooting the Moon" about NASA-sponsored engineers' innovative plans to crash a spacecraft into the moon and study the resultant debris. I send my best wishes to Dan Andrews and his team! BEN HOPE ...

Trial and error.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
November 1, 2008... In the column "Banish Boring Science!" about improving science education, the MythBusters point out that mistakes are a vital part of scientific learning. It is unfortunate that in the professional arena--with today's high cost of large-scale...

DIY for kids.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
November 1, 2008... I enjoyed your story "Take It Outside" on projects for backyard play. But I think it's a gross error for adults to do the construction if the children are old enough to take action. Stepping back and providing guidance when asked will allow...

Correction.(LETTERS)(Correction notice)
November 1, 2008... "The Shape of Fuels to Come" (Sept. '08) misidentified methane as an ingredient used by the FuelMeister II. The correct ingredient is methanol.

Lunar Winnebago: why walk on the moon when you can ride in the Comfort of your own robotic rover?(TECH WATCH: NEWS + TRENDS + BREAKTHROUGHS)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] What kind of ride would you want for a lunar road trip? NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory is developing a hardy robotic vehicle that could serve as an all-purpose hauler for explorers. The robot can be controlled from...

The littlest helium balloon.(TECH WATCH)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... Researchers at Cornell University have created a one-atom-thick membrane that may usher in new uses for nanomaterials. The scientists found that a thin, honeycomb-shaped layer of carbon, called graphene, can trap even the smallest gas...

Smartest missile in the fleet.(TECH WATCH)(SM-6 missile)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A new antiaircraft missile could change the way U.S. Navy warships are built. The extended-range active SM-6 missile, tested on land this year against drones (above), contains a lightweight active-guidance seeker n...

Why stop at green gables?(TECH WATCH)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A layer of rooftop vegetation can slash air-conditioning bills by more than 20 percent, according to a study of green roofs by researchers at the University of Texas Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Staff there...

Dino DNA debate.(claims that soft tissue found in Tyrannosourus rex bone can clone the dinosaur)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A new report casts doubt on claims that soft tissue (left, at arrows) had survived inside a Tyrannosourus rex bone that was broken open in 2005--dampening hopes for Jurassic Pork-style dinosaur cloning. A University...

Refrigerators on a roll.(TECH WATCH)(polymer as new promising cooling system)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... It looks like a roll of Saran Wrap, but a new thin-film polymer developed at Penn State cools down when electricity is applied to it. Voltage causes disorganized molecules in electrocaloric material to become aligned and shed heat. So far,...

Dietary optics.(TECH WATCH)(fibers from silkworms can be used as optical component)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] You've probably never considered swallowing your eyeglasses--but there are times when it would be useful to have high-quality camera lenses performing medical diagnostics inside your body. Scientists at Tufts...

Remedies on tap: dependent on a dwindling river, the American Southwest turns to radical engineering projects to keep the faucets running.(TECH WATCH: EARTH TECH)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] About 38 million people in California, Nevada, Arizona, four other states and Mexico depend on the Colorado River for their water supply. As increased usage and years of drought diminish the river's flow, states are...

Mountaintop view of the Universe: a new array of telescopes will offer never-before-seen cosmic vistas.(TECH WATCH)
November 1, 2008... On a 10,500-ft.-high mountaintop above the New Mexico desert, construction has begun on a $45 million array of telescopes that will reveal enlightening details of stars and black holes. The Magdalena Ridge Observatory Interferometer (MROI),...

Protective species: a primitive-looking predator inspires researchers seeking better body armor.(TECH WATCH)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... Army-funded engineers at MIT are studying the defensive qualities offish scales to help develop new body armor. Polypterus senegalus, otherwise known as the gray bichir, is agile enough to swim even though its armor can repel bites from other...

Portable generators: new plans call for hybrid bus fleets to provide emergency power when the grid goes down.(TECH WATCH)
November 1, 2008... Cities buy hybrid diesel electric buses for mass transit because they reduce fuel costs and air pollution. However, city planners and bus manufacturers are realizing that these fleets also have the potential to provide power during emergencies....

Time machine: February 1965.(TECH WATCH)(Harry Thomason, a pioneer of solar invention)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Some people are just ahead of their time. Washington, D.C., inventor Harry Thomason, the subject of PM's February 1965 cover story, wanted to build a solar house that had "an economical means of storing and retaining...

Light security: cryptography researchers bounce laser beams off an orbiting satellite to test next-generation, photon-based communications.(TECH WATCH)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Finding a way to keep snoops from tapping into other people's information is a challenge that has gone to the subatomic level. First proposed in 1984, quantum cryptography (OC) promises to send coded messages that...

Ever-present arsenals: nuclear warhead stockpiles may be shrinking, but Russia and the United States are busy building new and improved weapons.(TECH WATCH)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... During the Cold War, the Soviet Union and the United States obsessively counted warheads as a metric of national security. Since the dissolution of the communist government, the number of warheads on both sides has steadily declined from the...

Handy cutter.(UPGRADE: GEAR + TOOLS + TOYS)(Milwaukee M12 Hackzall)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The reciprocating saw may be one of the homeowner's most versatile tools, but it's also one of the most unwieldy--using one typically requires two hands and an outlet, making it less than ideal for tight fits or...

DIY down.(UPGRADE: WISH LIST)(Merrell Gatherer Jacket )(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] With its grass, leaves and pine needles, the great outdoors is filled with natural insulation. The Merrell Gatherer Jacket ($100) lets scavengers tap into their surroundings (or sock drawer) for added warmth. It's...

Sony Cyber-shot T700.(UPGRADE: WISH LIST)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... The internal memory on most digital cameras is nearly nonexistent. This is why we rely on pricey, easy-to-lose memory cards. The 10-megapixel, 4x-zooming Sony Cyber-shot T700 ($400) has 4 GB of memory built in. That's enough to store thousands...

Spyder Groove Backpack.(UPGRADE: WISH LIST)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] There are plenty of situations where decent portable speakers would come in handy: in the garage, in the woods, at a hotel. The Spyder Groove Backpack ($130) has built-in, battery-powered speakers hidden in the front...

5-in. random-orbit sanders.(Abusive Lab Test)(Product/service evaluation)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Random-orbit sanders slide around in random ellipses while spinning, replicating natural hand movements. This allows them to sand wood quickly, evenly and without leaving swirl marks. We pit three new models against...

Signal booster.(UPGRADE: WISH LIST)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Cellphones with spotty indoor signals and pricey minutes conspire to keep more of us from living landline-free lives. Plug the Sprint Airave by Samsung ($100) into a broadband router and it acts like a living...

Corner paint roller.(TEST DRIVE)(Hyde Corner Roller Kit )(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Rolling paint on walls is easy, but "cutting in" corners with a brush can be tricky, often resulting in shadow lines or visible texture differences. The Hyde Corner Roller Kit ($31) helps eliminate both problems....

Microsoft Explorer Mouse.(UPGRADE: WISH LIST)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Most laser mice require flat surfaces. The Microsoft Explorer Mouse ($100) uses a blue light that covers more than four times as much space as a typical red laser, allowing it to work on anything that's not made of...

In-office sunglasses.(Claim Check)(protecting your eyes from computer glare)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... Optometrists say that staring at glare-covered computer screens doesn't just strain the eyes, it may also cause blurred vision and headaches. The problem is called Computer Vision Syndrome, or CVS. These glasses purport to prevent CVS by using...

Texting titan.(UPGRADE: WISH LIST)(T-Mobile Sidekick )(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] When the Sidekick came out six years ago, its inclusion of e-mail, Web access, and a full keyboard was an object lesson in convergence. But does the Sidekick still have a place in an iPhone world? Simply speaking:...

WowWee Tri-bot ($100).(UPGRADE: WISH LIST)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... As a three-wheeled robot that cracks George Burns-esque zingers, the WowWee Tri-bot ($100) is one of the oddest, and most fun, toy bots we've seen. Still, the infrared sensors did little to prevent furniture collisions, and the alarm mode is...

Voltaic Generator Bag ($600).(UPGRADE: WISH LIST)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Solar power has come a long way (see page 62). Like the Voltaic Generator Bag ($600)--the first solar-panel bag capable of powering a laptop. It takes about 8 hours of sunlight to charge the bag's internal battery....

Toro Ultra Blower Vac ($86).(UPGRADE: WISH LIST)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... Leaf blowers are magnets for noise complaints (some municipalities even ban them) and are capable of causing permanent hearing damage, The slender 7.5-pound Toro Ultra Blower Vac ($86) hums along at between 61 and 67 decibels--or almost the...

Bubble bobble.(UPGRADE: WISH LIST)(Swanson Savage)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... The spirit level was invented in the 17th century, and carpenters have been struggling with it ever since. The belt-size Swanson Savage ($25) is the most useful tiny torpedo level that we've ever seen. While most max out at two vials, this one...

Bold mover: sales of full-size pickups are cooling. Does Ford's new F-150 pack the muscle and mileage to remain the leader of the pack?(NEW CARS: MOTORCYCLE + SPORT SEDAN + PICKUP + MUSCLE CAR)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... Pickups should be built for people who actually use them for hauling, towing and four-wheeling. In other words, us. And Ford says it's done just that with the F-150. The lineup includes three V8s, the largest of which generates 320 hp and 390...

Frugal fuel sipper: 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R.(NEW CARS: TEST DRIVES)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] This pint-size Kawasaki is the perfect candidate for motorcycle hypermiling. The $3499 250R has been redesigned with more power, beefed-up brakes and--most tellingly--a gas gauge. Hidden underneath its sporty...

The new standard: 2009 Cadillac CTS-V.(NEW CARS: TEST DRIVES)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] While news outlets expose GM's financial struggles, from the driver's seat of the CTS-V the General appears to be quite fit. Caddy dropped a bomb in this engine bay: a detuned Corvette ZR1 V8 paired to a six-speed...

Family hipster: 2009 Ford Flex.(NEW CARS: TEST DRIVES)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The new Ford Flex is a master of versatility. It's part SUV, part minivan, and doesn't carry the stigma of either one. In fact, it's actually kinda cool. The base $28,995 Flex can seat up to seven, and there's a long...

Still spunky: 2009 Honda Fit.(NEW CARS: TEST DRIVES)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Honda's original Fit had moves so deft it made every commute an adventure. So, has the new one gone too mainstream for Fit fanatics? Not at all. Lift the hood and you'll find a 117-hp 1.5-liter four-cylinder with...

Small luxuries.(NEW CARS: TEST DRIVES TRENDS)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In 2003, BMW pioneered the small luxury crossover segment with the X3. It took three more years before Acura's RDX arrived. Last year, we got the Infiniti EX35. Now, with fuel prices spiking, small is hip--even for...

Fashionably on time: 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK350.(NEW CARS: TEST DRIVES TRENDS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Pop quiz: Is it better to be early or late to a party? If you ask the folks at Mercedes-Benz, they might prefer to be right on time. The GLK comes just as sales of large SUVs are slowing. And it hauls five people...

Star quality: 2009 Audi Q5.(NEW CARS: TEST DRIVES TRENDS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Engineers followed our every step as we scoped out the clean lines of the new Q5. There's good reason for this special attention: The Q5 will do battle with some very tough players. But Audi may have the upper hand....

Boosted brethren: 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX.(NEW CARS: TEST DRIVES)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] It's tough playing second fiddle to a fire-breathing, rally-bred superstar like the Subaru WRX STI. Well, now the less extreme $25,000 (est.) WRX gets a big 41-hp boost for a total of 265, thanks to a larger turbo....

Deja Vroom: 2009 Dodge Challenger.(NEW CARS: TEST DRIVES)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Finally, we're able to get less expensive versions of the Challenger, instead of just the $39,995 425-hp SRT8 monster. The bargain is the $21,995 25-mpg V6 SE. It can hit 60 mph in 7.8 seconds--not too shabby. But we...

Prototype next-gen hybrids: for the 2010 model year, new hybrids are coming from Toyota, Infiniti and Honda, but don't expect radical reductions in gas consumption until plug-ins--from Chevy and Toyota--arrive in late 2010.(NEW CARS: SPY REPORT)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 1. 2010 Honda Insight Honda is developing a small, entry-level, five-passenger hybrid to go on sale next spring. The goal? Undercut the Prius. In fact, Honda says the new Insight will be the least expensive...

Long-term test cars: who needs a luxury badge? Nissan's sporty and surprisingly plush Maxima moves into our garage.(TEST DRIVEN)(Product/service evaluation)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Nissan Maxima 3.5 SV. + FIRST REPORT The 350Z and all-new GT-R may grab headlines, but in many ways the Maxima is Nissan's most prized nameplate. The Maxima was so popular that at one time it had better name...

American hero.(JAY LENO'S GARAGE)(SSC Ultimate Aero)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Every so often, you hear that somebody's going to come out with a new supercar. It will be made from exotic materials and packed with innovative, exciting technology. And of course--it'll top 200 mph. You know the...

Solar's new dawn: for five decades, solar technologies have delivered more promises than power. Now, new innovations are exiting the lab and plugging into the grid--turning sunlight into serious energy.
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] PLANTED IN THE NEW MEXICO DESERT NEAR ALBUQUERQUE, the six solar dish engines of the Solar Thermal Test Facility at Sandia National Laboratories look a bit like giant, highly reflective satellite dishes. Each one is...

2008 Popular Mechanics Breakthrough Awards.
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * The early 20th century produced a breathtaking succession of innovations--the Wright Flyer, the Model T, the Panama Canal. It was a golden age of engineering. A century hence, observers may well look back at our...

Amyris renewable diesel.(2008 BREAKTHROUGH AWARDS)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... Innovators: Amyris founders Kinkead Reiling, Neil Renninger, Jack D. Newman Alt-Fuel Equation: sugar cane + yeast + gene splicing = climate-friendly, renewable fuel that is chemically identical to petroleum-based diesel [ILLUSTRATION...

PUR water purifier.(2008 BREAKTHROUGH AWARDS)
November 1, 2008... Innovator: Greg Allgood Safe Water Equation: Smart chemistry + low manufacturing costs + vision = clean water for millions in the developing world and here at home [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * Even in the United States, people can't...

Johnson Thermo-Electrochemical Converter System.(2008 BREAKTHROUGH AWARDS)
November 1, 2008... Innovator: Lonnie Johnson, Johnson Electro Mechanical Systems Energy Equation: heat from the sun + hydrogen forced through two sets of membranes = a revolutionary way to generate electricity [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * In 1968, when...

NASA Phoenix Mars mission.(2008 BREAKTHROUGH AWARDS)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Innovators: Barry Goldstein, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory; Ed Sedivy Lockheed Martin; Peter Smith, University of Arizona Space Equation: hard-earned experience + robotic space laboratory + teamwork =...

Aptera vechicles.(2008 BREAKTHROUGH AWARDS)(Cover story)
November 1, 2008... Innovators: Aptera founders Steve Fambro and Chris Anthony Automotive Equation: aerodynamic design + lightweight composite-fiber body + real-world experience = a new, ultraefficient automotive category [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] *...

Engineering for the developing world.(2008 BREAKTHROUGH AWARDS)(Amy B. Smith)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Leadership Award Innovator: Amy B. Smith, Massachussetts Institute of Technology Engineering Equation: brilliant design + broad experience in developing countries + passion = a movement to tackle complex...

Circulating tumor cell chip.(2008 BREAKTHROUGH AWARDS)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... Innovator: Mehmet Toner, Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology Medical Equation: silicon chip + tumor markers + blood sample fast, affordable cancer diagnosis tool [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * Ninety percent of cancer...

Stirling Energy Systems SunCatcher.(2008 BREAKTHROUGH AWARDS)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Innovators: Chuck Andraka, Bruce Osborn Solar Equation: heat from the sun +82 mirrors + an efficient engine that burns no fuel + meticulous engineering = record-breaking solar power * Solar power has...

Intelligent Mobility International wheelchair.(2008 BREAKTHROUGH AWARDS)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... Next Generation Award Innovators: Rudy Roy, Ben Sexson, Daniel Oliver, Charles Pyott Mobility Equation: two bikes + brilliant design + welding skills = all-terrain wheelchairs for the disabled in developing countries [ILLUSTRATION...

Organic motion stage.(2008 BREAKTHROUGH AWARDS)
November 1, 2008... Innovators: Andrew Tschesnok, Jonathan Rand Motion Equation: 14 cameras + smart software + instant motion capture = real-time animation and a revolutionary computer interface * We are rough on our computers as we make them do our...

1 M-Spector digital inspection camera.(2008 BREAKTHROUGH AWARDS: BRILLIANT DESIGN, READY NOW)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * Drywall often undergoes its own form of exploratory surgery, as DIYers cut surfaces open just to diagnose a disease. This tool provides an alternative. The LED-lit lens--which is fixed on a 3-ft., flexible...

2 Spore.(2008 BREAKTHROUGH AWARDS: BRILLIANT DESIGN, READY NOW)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * Few video games have built up as much anticipatory buzz as Spore, and it's not just the game's pedigree (it was designed by Will Wright, the mastermind behind SimCity and The Sims) or its grand scope (players guide...

3 Livescribe Pulse smartpen.(2008 BREAKTHROUGH AWARDS: BRILLIANT DESIGN, READY NOW)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * Smart pens, which digitize handwriting for later manipulation on a PC, have been more like novelties than productivity tools. Not this one. The Liveseribe Pulse smart pen uses an integrated microphone and a...

4 Potenco PCG1 power generator.(2008 BREAKTHROUGH AWARDS: BRILLIANT DESIGN, READY NOW)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * The Potenco PCG1 pull-cord generator creates electricity for portable gadgets with far greater efficiency than hand-cranked devices. The PCG1 is the geek-chic version of a generator for the developing world. It...

5 Intel Atom processor.(2008 BREAKTHROUGH AWARDS: BRILLIANT DESIGN, READY NOW)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In addition to being a marvel of miniaturization (47 million transistors on a single 26 x 26 mm chip), the Atom processor is brilliantly efficient, with a power specification ranging from below 1 watt to 2.5 watts....

6 Craftsman Nextec Multi-Saw.(2008 BREAKTHROUGH AWARDS: BRILLIANT DESIGN, READY NOW)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A new breed of saw doesn't come along very often. The Craftsman Nextec Multi-Saw qualifies--it's a 12-volt hybrid of a jigsaw and reciprocating saw that hits a new level of versatility. The tool is small enough to...

7 Microsoft photosynth.(2008 BREAKTHROUGH AWARDS: BRILLIANT DESIGN, READY NOW)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] This remarkable software, which can be downloaded for free, analyzes dozens (or hundreds) of photos taken of a location or subject--the Eiffel Tower, say, or a room in a museum. It looks for overlapping points in the...

8 Amazon Kindle.(2008 BREAKTHROUGH AWARDS: BRILLIANT DESIGN, READY NOW)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Like previous e-book readers, the Amazon Kindle relies on an easy-to-read E Ink display that needs no backlight and draws power only when loading a new page. (It can handle thousands of pages between charges.) The...

9 Nissan around view monitor.(2008 BREAKTHROUGH AWARDS: BRILLIANT DESIGN, READY NOW)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Nissan's advance in automotive safety is a parking system that allows a driver to see 360 degrees around the car. Other parking systems show only what's behind. Using ultra-wide-angle cameras positioned at the front,...

10 Caroma profile smart dual rush toilet.(2008 BREAKTHROUGH AWARDS: BRILLIANT DESIGN, READY NOW)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Inventive, conservation-minded DIY plumbers have rigged gray-water systems to their toilets for years, reusingwater from the sink for flushing. Caroma's Profile Smart designs the concept right into the fixture, by...

Peak to Peak Gondola: when the world's most daring Gondola opens in December, it will connect the two massive peaks at the largest ski resort in North America. Passengers will travel for nearly 2 miles between towers, dangling in cabins more than a thousand feet above the valley floor.(HOW IT WORKS)
November 1, 2008... If you're afraid of heights, forget about riding the new Peak to Peak Gondola at British Columbia's Whistler Blackcomb ski resort. Passenger cabins hang as high as 1427 ft. (higher than four-and-a-half Statues of Liberty) and travel nearly 2...

The unluckiest ship in the Navy: night after night, the USS Trayer takes enemy fire, exploding into burning, flooded wreckage. By confronting this mayhem, recruits learn lessons that may one day save their lives.
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] It's impossible to see more than a few feet through the thick smoke, but what I can make out is bad enough. The deck has buckled upward, and fragments of tables and chairs lie piled among broken steel beams. Sporadic...

19 ways to slash your utility bill: save energy--and dollars--with easy, do-it-now fixes that quickly pay for themselves.(DIY HOME: WOOD-FLOOR FINISH + SIDING REPAIR + TREES TO LUMBER)
November 1, 2008... Where George Scott sees red, his clients are bleeding green. Scanning the outside of a ranch home in Longmont, Colo., recently, the energy auditor's infrared camera registered blue and aqua in spots where heated air stayed put. That's what the...

Hot seat: a small bench over an enclosed shelf makes a stylish seat with storage.(Classics: Simple Do-It-Yourself)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] I admit that I wasn't really paying attention when my wife said, "Oh, I love this little bench. Wouldn't it took great in our foyer or a child's room?" She was looking at one of those furniture catalogs full of...

New life for old floors.(Homeowners Clinic: Q + A)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Q I've got oak floors in my house, and I've been thinking about refinishing them. I ve seen some gorgeous floors refinished by pros who used water-based finishes, and I'd like to get the same results. Where do I...

Replacing damaged siding.(Homeowners Clinic: Q + A)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... I've just moved into a house that's only a few years old, but a couple of pieces of the vinyl siding are damaged. Luckily, the former owner left several panels stored in the garage. How do I get the damaged panels off without wrecking those...

Trees to lumber.(Homeowners Clinic: Q + A)
November 1, 2008... As much as I hate to see it go, I've got a large old tree on my property that has to come down. Is it likely that it's worth something? If you're looking for a fitting use for a fine old tree, that's one thing. If you see this project as a...

Details, details: there's more to a great-looking wood floor than the finish itself.(Homeowners Clinic: Q + A)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... Prep School [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] One of the biggest aspects of floor refinishing is dealing with the mess. Dust control does more than just keep the house clean, it can prevent damage to heating and cooling equipment and other...

Isolation joints out of joint.(Homeowners Clinic: Q + A)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... There's a trough between my patio and the concrete driveway that meets it. The trough used to be filled with a strip of some kind that has worn away. What was that stuff and how do I replace it? The trough is the isolation joint between the...

Whistle while you work: beware your furry neighbors as they seek out winter quarters.(THE DIY LIFE)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... "Is a gas barbecue supposed to make a whistling sound?" a neighbor asked. "No," I said, "Sometimes it can make a humming sound, but definitely not a whistle." She insisted her grill was producing some pretty unusual noises, so I grabbed some...

fix it or ditch it? Sometimes it's better to simply replace a part rather Than repair it. A sharp Saturday mechanic will know when it's smart to invest time in the old and when it's Best to buy something new.(DIY AUTO: REBUILT PARTS + FUEL STABILIZER + LEGACY OIL)
November 1, 2008... SATURDAY MECHANIC * DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY /// EASY [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] We live in a throwaway society. A generation ago, if your starter motor, brakes or even engine became tired and worn out, the local mechanic would remove the...

Snake Oil.(Car Clinic: Q + A)
November 1, 2008... Q My next-door neighbor tells me I should add a quart of automatic transmission fluid to my 2002 Corvette s gas tank before I put it away for the winter. He says this will keep the gas from gelling. Is this another old wives tale? ...

A depressing noise.(Car Clinic: Q + A)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... I have a 2003 GMC Sonoma. The engine roars loudly, but when I depress the clutch it stops. The truck shifts fine, but when the clutch is not depressed and I'm going down a highway, it's very noisy. Someone told me it was the threw-out bearing...

Get the lead out.(Car Clinic: Q + A)
November 1, 2008... I have a 1966 T-Bird with the 390 engine. Do I need to use a lead additive in the fuel? Technically, yes. From the top: Tetraethyl lead was used in gasoline from the mid-1920s until the mid-1980s. It boosted the octane rating of gasoline...

Oil glut.(Car Clinic: Q + A)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... I have about 30 quarts of 10W-30 SF and SE oil that's close to 30 years old. Some of it is in metal cans, some in paper containers. The oil's been stored at between 65 and 85 degrees for all these years. Would it be okay to use any of this oil...

Mover and shaker.(Car Clinic: Q + A)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... When I shake my front wheel (1993 Honda Civic) there is some movement, and when I remove the wheel I can move the brake disk in and out very slightly. When I drive and turn to the right, there's a dull whirring noise. Is this the bearing or CV...