| How to Make a Candle Powered Boat Posted: 07 Jan 2018 04:00 PM PST A candle powered boat is a toy originating from France in 1891[1]. Other names for a candle powered boat include Can-Can-boot, Knatterboot, toc-toc, Puf-Puf boat, Poof Poof craft, Phut-Phut, or Pouet-Pouet (because of the sound they make). A candle powered boat runs using a very simple heat engine. This small boiler, is connected to an exhaust tube (in this case straws). When heat is applied to the boiler (by the candle), water in the boiler flashes into steam. The expanding steam[2] pushes some of the water in the exhaust tube, moving the boat forward. The steam bubble then condenses, creating a vacuum which draws water back in through the exhaust tube. The cooled water that is brought back into the boiler is then heated and flashed into steam, and the cycle repeats. This constant flashing and cooling cycle of the engine creates the distinctive "pop pop" noise for which the boat is sometimes called.[3] EditMaking the Boiler - Take your soda can. Take off the cap and wash it. Cut the bottom, and along the sides. This will create a flat sheet. It is okay if the sides are somewhat jagged, as you will trim it later. Once you have the flat sheet, roll it backwards along the table to undo the curve the can naturally has.
- Cut a straight line along one edge, and mark a 6cm x 18cm rectangle. Cut that rectangle out and trim any jagged edges still there. Be very careful not to cut yourself. Recycle the other pieces.
- Gently fold the aluminum sheet in half, being careful not to tear it by pressing too hard. If it helps, fold it along a ruler. Unfold after you've done this.
- On one half of the aluminum sheet, mark out three lines 1 cm from the edges. Cut along these lines and trim the pieces that hand off. You should have one half being 6cm x 9cm and the other being 4cm x 8cm.
- Take the Blu-Tac, warm it up in your hands and roll it into a long snake about 0.5cm in diameter. Line two edges of the smaller edge with this Blu-Tac, then flatten it out slightly.
- Fold it in half again, remembering not to press too hard. Press the Blu-Tac under the metal. Next, line the top of the piece you just folded over with more Blu-Tac, directly over the other bead of Blu-Tac.
- Fold the edges over where the Blu-Tac you just applied and crimp the metal with pliers. Be gentle, making sure to not tear the metal. If possible, use small pliers.
- Remove the excess metal to leave one long tab along the bottom. It is not very important for the edge to be perfectly straight, but it helps a lot if it is. It should now be approximately 9cm long and 4cm wide.
- Take the Blu-Tac and flatten it out into a strip about 1cm wide. If necessary, fold it in half then flatten it.
- Take the Blu-Tac and wrap it around the first straw, followed by the second. Wrap the first one so it is completely covered twice, then add the second straw, continuing to wrap the Blu-Tac around both straws until the Blu-Tac is used up. Make sure to add enough Blu-Tac so that the straws are well-secured by a good plug of Blu-Tac.
- Open up the pocket of the boiler and carefully insert the straw plug. Add some more Blu-Tac until it forms a good seal. Remember the Goldilocks principle: not too much, not too little.
- Cut along the tab at the end near the straws. Fold the two outer pieces up, and squeeze them with the pliers. Add any needed Blu-Tac.
- The boiler is now complete.
- Test that it is airtight by putting it underwater and blowing. If you see any bubbles, give that area a gentle squeeze with the pliers and try again.
EditMaking the Boat - Cut an empty carton in half from top to bottom. Leave the top closed when you do this. If it opens using the carton itself, use the end that is not open. If it uses a bottle top, use the side without the bottle top.
- Take the other half of the carton and cut off the spout/top off of it. Cut out any Windows, and decorate it as you see fit. Put aside the cabin to attach later with glue, tape or Blu-Tac, attach the 'cabin' to the boat.
- Cut a small hole big enough to hold the two straws, but no bigger. It may be easier to cut this part with a knife. If desired, twist the knife around in the hole to scrape the edges so they are smooth.
- The boat is now finished.
EditConnecting the Boiler and Boat - Stick the straws through the hole and tape the long part to the bottom. Snip off any extra that extends past the end of the boat.
- Plug up the hole with Blu-Tac. Once you have successfully taped the straws to the bottom, cover the hole on both sides with Blu-Tac. Quickly test the boat to see if it's watertight. If not, add more Blu-Tac.
- Stick on the cabin. Attach it with glue, tape or Blu-Tac. Your boat and cabin are now complete.
EditUsing the Boat - Prep the boat by taking one straw and, with water in your mouth, blowing hard until water comes out of the other straw. You can also do it by sucking water into your mouth. Once prepped, tape the straw back to the boat.
- Place the candle in the boat. After a few moments, the boat will being to move forward in the water and make its signature popping sound.
- Finished.
EditThings You'll Need - Soda can
- Blu-Tac (or other flexible, clay-like adhesive)
- 2 straws
- Empty juice or milk carton
- Candle
- Matches or lighter
EditSources and Citations
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| How to Help Beard Growth Posted: 07 Jan 2018 08:00 AM PST If you're having trouble growing out your beard, or you just want it to grow faster, there are some things you can do to help. Focus on living a healthy lifestyle and taking care of the skin around your beard. It will also help if you give up bad habits like smoking and skipping out on sleep. By using a variety of approaches and being consistent, you can improve your chances of growing out the beard you want. EditPracticing Good Skin Care - Wash your face twice a day with a gentle cleanser. Routinely washing your face prevents dirt and oil from building up on your face and clogging your pores. Dirty, clogged skin can get in the way of your beard hair growing properly, so it's important you keep your skin clean. Get in the habit of washing your face when you get out of the shower in the morning, and right before you go to bed at night.[1]
- Use a cleanser designed specifically to be used on the face so you don't irritate your skin.
- Exfoliate your face twice a week. Exfoliation will get rid of the dead skin cells built up on your face that can prevent your beard hair from growing in. Use a gentle exfoliating face scrub after you wash your face at night. Don't exfoliate more than twice a week or you could irritate your skin.[2]
- Use a face moisturizer every day. Rub the moisturizer into your face and focus on your beard area. Keeping your beard hair and follicles moisturized will keep your beard from getting dry and brittle. Dry beard hair is more prone to breakage, which can slow down your beard growth.[3]
- Trim your beard every few weeks. Routine trims will keep your beard healthy so it doesn't get damaged to the point where you have to start all over. Wait until you have at least of hair before you start trimming it. Use scissors to trim your beard hairs so you can be more precise with how much you cut off.[4]
EditGetting More Nutrients - Eat more zinc, magnesium, and vitamin D. These nutrients can help improve your testosterone production. If you're not producing enough testosterone, you may not be growing beard hair as quickly as you could be. Every day you should be getting of zinc, of magnesium, and 600 IU of vitamin D. Taking supplements or eating foods rich in these nutrients can help you reach these daily amounts.[5]
- Eating of beef, of cashews, 6 raw oysters would get you enough zinc for 1 day.[6]
- Eating of almonds a day is an easy way to get enough magnesium.[7]
- Spending 25 minutes in the sun or eating of salmon can get you all of your vitamin D for the day.[8]
- Eat more protein-rich foods. Protein encourages hair growth, so protein-rich foods can help your beard hair grow faster.[9] Make sure you're getting around of protein a day. Some foods high in protein are fish, chicken, turkey, Greek yogurt, beans, milk, and pasta.[10]
- Eating of fish, turkey, or chicken a day would help you get your recommended daily intake of protein.[11]
- Take biotin supplements. Biotin, also called vitamin B-7, may help your beard hair grow faster. Biotin helps make the proteins in your hair stronger, which makes it easier for your beard hair to grow. Look for a Biotin supplement online or at your local vitamin store. Aim to take between of biotin a day.[12]
EditChanging Your Lifestyle - Drink between 8-10 glasses of water a day. Being dehydrated can prevent your body from getting the nutrients it needs to grow beard hair. Drinking enough water will also help you grow healthier beard hair. Buy a large water bottle you can carry with you so it's easier to drink water when you're at work or on the go.[13]
- Get at least 6 hours of sleep every night. Your beard hair grows more rapidly while you're sleeping, and not getting enough sleep can slow down your beard growth. Adequate sleep also helps prevents a weak immune system, which is linked to slower hair growth. Get yourself on a healthy sleep schedule by going to sleep at the same time every night at least 6 hours before you have to wake up.[14]
- Exercise for at least 1 hour a day. Exercising increases your testosterone production, which can encourage beard hair growth. Choose 1 hour out of each day to devote to exercising and try to stick with it.[15]
- If you're new to exercising, start out with 30 minutes of exercise every other day. After you're used to the routine, switch to exercising every day. Then, extend your exercising sessions to 1 hour.
- Quit smoking. Smoking decreases circulation and blood flow, two things that are necessary for facial hair growth. Smoking can also affect how well your body absorbs the nutrients you need to grow healthy facial hair. If you're having a hard time quitting smoking, try cutting back a little at first and then working your way up to quitting completely.[16]
EditSources and Citations
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| How to Shovel Snow Posted: 07 Jan 2018 12:00 AM PST Have you ever awakened to find that your driveway is covered with snow? Although it seems pretty straightforward, there's a subtle art to this task. Choose the right equipment, take steps to reduce the risk of injury, and use appropriate techniques to clear away snow effectively. EditChoosing the Right Equipment - Wear proper boots. You will need boots that keep your feet warm and dry and provide good traction. Appropriate soles will help you maintain balance and reduce the risk of injury.[1]
- Wear your boots in combination with wool socks to keep your feet as warm and dry as possible.[2]
- Use an ergonomically correct snow shovel. Ergonomic shovels have a bend in the handle and help you to keep your back straighter while shoveling snow, reducing the risk of back injury.[3]
- Your shovel should have a long enough handle so that you can keep bending to a minimum while using it. Select a shovel that is right for your height.
- You may wish to choose a plastic shovel as opposed to a heavier metal one.
- There are two basic types of shovel: digging and pushing. It is far easier to push snow than it is to lift it, so if the snow is not too heavy try to push the snow rather than lift it.[3]
- Consider a shovel with a smaller blade to lighten the load and reduce the risk of spinal injury. The blade is the part that actually shovels the snow.
- Use a shovel with a non-stick surface. This will help to make shoveling less tiring by causing the snow to slide off easily.
- Spray a silicon lubricant on the shovel before using to prevent snow from sticking to the surface.
- A non-stick surface can be produced at home. Simply coat the blade of the snow shovel with shortening or vegetable oil.[1]
EditReducing the Risk of Injury - Consider any health risks. If you are out of shape, have back problems, or heart conditions, it may actually be dangerous for you to shovel snow. After a snowfall, hospitals are inundated with heart attack victims and patients with wrenched backs. Hire a local teen, borrow a snow blower from a neighbor, or contact a professional snow and ice removal service instead.
- Dress appropriately. You need to dress warmly, but not so warmly that you are sweating heavily after several minutes of work. Dress in light layers that are easy to remove and do not restrict your movement. Thermal underwear is a great option for keeping you warm while you work in the snow.
- Be sure to remove clothing as you heat up while shoveling, as sweat can turn clammy on your skin and actually make you colder. Your skin should remain warm (not hot) and dry.
- Wear gloves that will prevent blisters and keep your hands warm and dry.
- You can also wear hand and foot warmers (like Hot Hands or Yaktrax Handwarmers/Footwarmers) in your gloves and shoes to prevent your hands and feet from getting too cold.
- You lose a large amount of body heat through your head. Wear a hat and earmuffs to retain that body heat and keep yourself warm.
- If it is very cold you may consider breathing through a scarf but be careful that it does not obstruct your view.[1] A cold-weather face mask is also a good option.
- Stretch. Warm muscles will be more efficient and less likely to get injured. Focus on stretching your extremities (arms and legs) and back in particular.
- Spread sand or salt on slippery ground. Some areas can be uneven and cause you to trip, slip or fall, causing injury. Before shoveling snow, spread sand or salt on any particularly slippery locations where you might have to stand while shoveling snow. This will create foot traction and reduce the risk of injury.
- Maintain good posture. Remind yourself to keep good posture and maintain the natural curve of your spine. Keep your back straight as you change between the squatting and upright positions.[1]
- Lift correctly. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart for balance and bend at the knees rather than at the waist or back. Keep the shovel close to your body rather than extending your arms all the way. Tighten your stomach muscles and then lift with your legs as if you are doing a squat.
- Use your shoulder muscles as much as possible.
- Scoop small amounts of snow at a time so that it will not be too heavy.[1]
- Find the right place to put the snow. You do not want to twist your body when lifting snow as this can injure your back. Face the pile of snow front on, keeping your body as straight as possible. Make sure you have a place in front of you to dump your shovel loads. If you have to dump the load on the side, then move your feet rather than twisting your body.
- Choose a close location to dump loads so that you do not have to carry the snow far.
- If clearing a certain area then dump the first loads farthest away from you so that the last shovel loads will have to travel the shortest distance to be dumped.
- Do not throw snow over your shoulder! If you must lift snow then move forward it rather than throwing it backwards.[1]
- Complete areas with deep snow in parts. Never try to remove deep snow all at once. Rather remove one or two inches (2.5-5cm) at a time, resting in between. This will reduce the weight of the loads and reduce the risk of injury.[1]
- Take frequent breaks and drink plenty of water. Shoveling is extremely hard physical work and you need to pace yourself to avoid ill effects. In the cold, you're not as likely to feel thirsty, but dehydration can set in quickly while completing so much physical work. Take your time.
- Stretch while taking breaks to keep your muscles loose. Especially focus on your extremities (arms and legs) and back.[1]
- If you feel any pain of any kind, stop immediately and seek medical attention or assistance. Pain can mean a heart attack or injured back, which can occur during snow shoveling activities.[1]
- Have a cup of hot chocolate. Although optional, it's traditional in most snowy locations, and helps replenish your fluids. If you do not like hot cocoa, help yourself to some tea, broth, or even just water.
- Stretch again. Stretch when you are finished to prevent your muscles from tightening up and causing you pain. You can also relax your muscles by taking a hot shower.
EditRemoving Snow Effectively - Start early in the day. Fresh snow weighs less than older snow so you should clear snow as soon as it has fallen. As snow sits on the ground it compacts and becomes wet, making it heavier. It can also then turn into ice and become very difficult to remove.
- Wait until the snowplow has come by before finishing the driveway. A snowplow will usually "plow in" the driveway at least a bit, pushing more snow onto the edge of your driveway. It can be easier to deal with just clearing the driveway once.
- Use extra care when shoveling snow pushed onto your driveway by the plow. Plows pack the snow, making it much heavier than undisturbed, freshly fallen snow.
- One shovelful of snow can weigh 20 pounds (9kg) or more![1]
- Have a plan. You will need to consider what is the most efficient snow removal plan. You will also have to avoid piling snow where you'll have to just remove it again, so do not block access to snow that still needs to be cleared.
- If you are clearing a rectangle, it is better to work from the center out. First clear a strip of snow around the perimeter of the rectangle. Then, starting in the center, push snow towards the cleared area. From there, lift the snow out of the area.[4]
- Clear cars first. Use a brush to get snow off cars before clearing around the car to prevent extra work.
- Avoid lifting snow by pushing it instead. Pushing snow is much easier than lifting and can reduce the risk of injury. If you begin early and if the snow is not too deep, then it is better to simply push it off driveways and sidewalks. This is a good way to clear away snow while it is still falling, to reduce accumulation.
- Place your hands in the correct positions on the shovel. Spread your hands far apart on the handle, with one hand close to the blade. This will provide more leverage while lifting snow.
- Begin shoveling. If you need to dig (to get to your car, for instance), dig using a steady, easy motion. If you are "pushing" (as you might when clearing a driveway), hold your shovel at a slight angle and begin making passes back and forth width-wise along your driveway. You should rarely need to move your shovel above waist height.
- Don't forget your mail carrier. Make sure you clear around your mailbox every time it snows. If your mail carrier cannot easily reach your mailbox, then they cannot deliver your mail!
- Salt and sand as needed. Be careful with salt, as it can hurt your lawn, landscaping, and your watershed. It can also damage driveways and other paved areas. Use salt only if the temperature is warm enough (above 0 degrees F/-17 degrees C).
- Sand provides traction, but if more snow falls on top, it will become useless.
- Salting the ground before or during a storm can actually increase the amount of snow on your sidewalks and driveways because dry snow sticks to a salted paved area but does not stick to an unsalted paved area.
- Help out elderly or handicapped neighbors with their walks and driveways.
- Be sure to remove all snow from any public walkways; in many municipalities this is a requirement by law. These areas may also provide plowing or snow-blowing services.
- Many hands make light work; have as many people as possible help on this physical task.
- For very light snow removal, a broom can work.
- Avoid shoveling snow at all with this trick: Buy several tarps around 6 x 10. Don't use one large one; it must be several smaller ones for this to work. Tie sturdy rope in the grommet holes about long. Let them lay loose. Lay the tarps on the sidewalk or driveway where you'd normally shovel snow; do this before the storm hits. Weigh them down around the edges to prevent them from flying off. Use something like a rake, garbage can, recycling bin, small bundles of newspaper, or an old snow shovel. After the storm, remove the weights, grab the end of the ropes and pull or roll the tarps away, taking the snow with the tarp to the side of the walkway or driveway. Do not walk on the tarps at any time; they're very slippery.
- Maintain your shovel. The edge of a shovel takes a beating from constantly running across the ground. If you are using a plastic shovel, then take a knife and carve off the burr on the end of the shovel. If you are using a metal shovel, then you can hammer the edge flat again if it gets bent.[4]
- Do not eat, smoke or consume caffeinated beverages before shoveling snow.
- Don't procrastinate! Snow that is left on walks and driveways will tend to compact over time, creating a layer very difficult to remove. The snow may also melt during midday and refreeze at night, creating a layer of slippery ice.
- Avoid overexertion which can lead to exhaustion or heart attack.
- When lifting, do not strain your back. If it's too heavy for you to lift the shovel off of the ground, hire someone to help or use a snow blower instead.
EditThings You'll Need - Snow shovel
- Warm clothing
- Snow boots
EditRelated wikiHows
EditSources and Citations
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