Have you ever noticed how convenient those giant office super stores are? I mean we all use them. They're on every corner out here in the suburbs of Boston. It's Officethis or Officethat or something like Paperclips, you know, all the ...]]> Are Office Supply Super Stores Killing Your Business?

Have you ever noticed how convenient those giant office super stores are? I mean we all use them. They’re on every corner out here in the suburbs of Boston. It’s Officethis or Officethat or something like Paperclips, you know, all the major players. Well, I’ve recently realized that over the past 10 years of prosperity that my small business has been paying a huge premium for this convenience. In the past several months, as a result of the recent economic downturn in our local economy, I have been doing everything I can to plug the holes in our spending and trying to “trim the fat” so to speak. Fortunately this is something that myself, my competition and other local business owners are not familiar with. We have all prospered and have rarely, if ever, worried about money.

One evening I was shopping with my family at Wal-Mart loading up on family stuff and I couldn’t help but notice that the same 100ct (or very similar) manila folders that I paid nearly $7.00 for several hours earlier at Officethat were available at Wal-Mart at an everyday low price of $1.77. Now, I never claimed to be a genius but a $5.00 difference on a product that I buy 5 boxes of a month is a $25.00 a month savings. That of course is $300 a year.

I quickly realized that I was on to something but I figured it was just a fluke. I had also bought a new water bubbler and a mini bar type refrigerator earlier and they both cost $149.00 each so I figured I would go and check out that aisle as well. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I found a water bubbler/mini fridge combo for only $99.00. Of course I bought it on the spot and when I got back to my office the next morning I repackaged the fridge and water bubbler and back to Officethat they went with five boxes of manila folders and a few other overpriced items and I saved more than $225.00. Not too shabby. And to think that this was only one trip over the past ten years. How much could I have been saving the whole time?

When I try to mention this finding to people in my local business community I hear things like “who cares, it’s all a write off anyway” or “you should buy American”(as if these office superstores are all loaded with American made products.) These are both some of the worst excuses for spending way too much money for no reason I have ever heard. It is all a write off but saving several hundred dollars a month on office products allows more flexibility in other areas of my business. As far as the old “Buy American” thing, this one makes me laugh; I would literally have to hire a full time employee to determine what is made here and what isn’t. I usually just respond with something like “I’ll buy everything American if you start buying American gasoline or start riding your bicycle.” I am as American as the next person whose ancestors came over on the Mayflower but the bottom line is that when I am done with my office supply purchases now I have a lot of money left over.

Don’t get me wrong, I still use the office superstores for certain items when I don’t have time to go into a department store (they are convenient) and for one or two small items it is worth paying more. When I need to fill my supply cabinet, on the other hand, I will surely take a trip to Wal-mart, K-mart or even Target to save literally a bundle of cash. I simply don’t care how neatly organized the office goliaths are because with a little more effort you can find everything you need for your office and a little more while saving hundreds of dollars at a department store.

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To minimize the chance of welding defects be sure to consider 1) the travel speed of the pass; 2) the size and type electrode; 3) machine settings; 4) make sure the welding is done in accordance with the plan and the current conditions.

Most of, or a great deal of, welding defects can be identified by the “naked eye.” By knowing what is likely to produce welding defects you will learn how to avoid them. Production without defects saves time, materials, repair costs, and a decrease in productivity.

The two following causes for weld rejection should not be but are often overlooked 1) is the weldor proficient with the process being used? 2) is the welding rod supply up to standards? Use only properly stored, dried, and maintained welding rods.

Welding defects include poor penetration. It’s the failure of the welding rod and base metal to fuse together. It’s caused by a root face that is too big; a root opening that is too small; an electrode that’s too large; slow travel speed or a machine setting that’s too low.

Poor fusion is the failure to blend the layers of weld metal together with the base metal. A lack of fusion is caused by ” . . . failure to raise to the melting point of the base metal or the deposited weld metal,” (Miller Electric Mfg. Co.) It’s caused by improper fluxing; dirty plate surfaces; improper electrode size or type; wrong current settings. Electrodes that do not meet the storing, drying and maintenance specifications also cause it.

Undercutting is another problem that causes welding defects. It burns away the base metal at the toe of the weld. It’s caused by a current adjustment that is too high; an arc gap that is too long or failure to fill up the crater completely with weld metal.

Porosity looks “sponge like,” or like tiny “bubbles” in the weld. It’s caused by gases being released by the cooling weld because a current setting is too high or arc is too long.

Slag inclusion occurs when the slag is not chipped and cleaned properly and then another pass is made over the top. To avoid, 1) prepare the groove and weld properly before each pass; 2) thoroughly clean in between passes; check the machine settings against those suggested by the manufacturer; 3) hold a smaller weld puddle.

Martin Rice teaches college level welding, in addition to writing articles for RodOvens.com, where you can purchase Welding Rod Ovens online.

When planning a bachelorette pa...]]> A bachelorette party is a relatively new celebration similar to a bridal shower. The groom-to-be isn’t the only one allowed to have a last stand party celebrating the end of his “freedom.” Girls get in on the action now with their own bachelorette parties.

When planning a bachelorette party, consult a party planning specialist from a party supply store. They will have motifs to choose from if you want clean or naughty themed decorations. Clean decorations can include brides and bride apparel, or any theme such as a luau or western party. Naughty parties have decorations shaped like male genitalia!

No matter what your theme is, send out invitations. Make them coordinate with any other decorations you buy. Balloons and streamers in any color, as well as paper products are available at a party supply store. If you are having a night out at the bar, they carry novelty items to take along. A blow up, life sized doll can be attached to the bride via handcuffs. She can wear a fake veil or a T-shirt begging for help.

If you are having a tame party, plan a meal and games. Order in pizza and watch porno movies. Make it a combination naughty and nice party.

Either party requires intimate gifts for the bride. Lingerie, lotions and robes are all fun gifts to give, as well as receive, at a bachelorette party. Take pictures of the bride-to-be trying on her duds to send to the groom-to-be. That qualifies as naughty too.

A stripper might show up, so don’t be shocked. If elderly women are present, prevent them from having strokes! Or they might surprise the young ladies with a thing or two.

Send out thank you cards and a picture of the whole gang at the party. It’s a great way to remember the night!

Mrs. Party… Gail Leino is the internet’s leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies, using proper etiquette and manners while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. The Party Supplies Hut has Bachelorette Party Supplies, ideas, pinatas, games, costumes, decorations, and activities.

Moving can be a tough time in anyone's life. There seems like there's a million different things to do - from finding a new place to live, selling your o...]]> When it comes time to move, you need basic supplies. As strange as it may sound, finding boxes is not as easy as you might first think.

Moving can be a tough time in anyone’s life. There seems like there’s a million different things to do – from finding a new place to live, selling your old home (or arranging to leave an old rental), renting a truck and finding a way to move your household items from one spot to another. You might need to get friends to help you with the move, or hire movers to get your boxes and furniture to your new home. There is one item that many people might forget when planning out their move: boxes.

Boxes might seem like a small item in the scheme of moving, but actually, it’s very important that you find a way to supply yourself with sturdy, good-sized boxes. If you try to move by packing items in many small boxes, or rely on using trash bags and other packing supplies, you might be in for a shock. Without proper packing materials and boxes, your precious household items could potentially break or become otherwise damaged. Too small boxes and other ways of packing can make moving items from place to place difficult as well.

There are a few good places to get boxes for your move. Boxes that are specifically designed as moving boxes and sold for this purpose often tend to be more sturdy and conveniently shaped than other boxes. Many moving companies (professional movers) offer boxes as part of their service, and self-service moving van rental sites usually sell boxes as well. These boxes can be costly, but if you don’t want to have to scrounge around for moving supplies – it can be easier to just buy them. Other spots that sell moving boxes are various sites on the Internet, and stores that sell home repair supplies.

Of course, you don’t have to purchase your moving boxes. Many stores and businesses have a constant supply of boxes, and they’re usually willing to give you those boxes if you ask for them. Businesses with the sturdiest boxes are usually liquor stores, grocery stores and printing or copy shops. All of these places will have boxes that are perfect for your move, but be aware they may not be as clean as purchased boxes, and they will probably not be all the same shape and size.

Depending on your needs, you may want to have a mix of purchased boxes and free boxes to move your home.

Lou Ross is with http://www.movingcompaniesforyou.com – a directory of moving companies with helpful advice on moving issues.