Product review: Weather Stripping 5 Holes Type Seal Strip by SZKXMJ - thin black weather strips

 

The Amazon dimensions are stated as LxWxH 3.94 x 3.94 x 0.98 inches. The Amazon description set my expectation to the totally wrong size. This weather stripping is very thin (see attached photos taken with weather stripping next to the ruler). The weather stripping is made of five tiny tubes. The total width is 3/8" at the thicker end of the weather stripping (3 tiny tubes wide) and 1/4" wide at the narrow side (2 tiny tubes wide).

I could not use the weather stripping for the purpose I purchased it. The quality of the product is good, but the description is not accurate.
 
You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★☆☆

Review of  Weather Stripping 5 Holes Type Seal Strip by SZKXMJ

Product review: YIHUNION Oscillating Desk Clip USB Fan

This fan is 6" across and it can be moved 360 degrees in two directions, so I can aim it at any angle I want. It has a large clip which can serve as a stand, the clip opens up to 2" wide and holds well. I can mount it in many places, I use this clip fan at work clipping it to a shelf.  The base also has an eye hole opening so i can be hung on the wall.

The fan has three speeds from low to medium to high. On the low setting the fan is very quite and the wind noise a little louder louder with increased air flow.  The fan also oscillates.

This fan does not have a battery and needs to be plugged in to run. It is powered by standard mini USB cord. The fan is made out of heavy duty plastic and has a metal fan cage. The fan is steady on its base and makes no clacking noises.

YOu can locate these earbuds on Amazon

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Product review: First Alert CO605 Plug Battery Backup CO Alarm

My old FirstAlert plug-in alarm died 7 years after the initial installation. It was supposed to last 5 years so I got my money worth.  I read some reviews that folks got an alarm which was manufactured many months before the purchase.  This is significant because the expiration date is based on manufactured date not the date when they alarm is deployed.  I purchased this alarm mid May and the manufactured date on the back was March 2019.  I thought two months old alarm was fairly reasonable.

What I did not realize is that this unit has no display of any kind (not even a light), you can't easily tell that the unit is plugged in. Only in the darkness I can see red glow on the front of the unit. The unit communicates everything via beeps -  ok, alarm, end of life. This is not as good as my previous alarm which had an LED display.

This is a plug in unit with a backup 9V battery (one battery is included). To activate the backup battery one has to press the test button after installing the battery.  The unit has to be plugged in low, i.e. close the floor  (unlike the smoke alarm) and a regular wall outlet is at a good height.  The unit is large but most of the bulk is below, so in a double outlet you can still use the top outlet when the alarm is plugged in the bottom outlet.


You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★☆☆

Product review: E.Durable Screw Driver Repair Kit

This is nice set of magnetic bits.  There is a total of 22 screwdriver bits (see full inventory list below). The screwdriver handle is hefty and feels well made. The bits are made out of Alloy S2 steel which has good hardness.

The screwdriver has a swivel head, in my video you can see how much easier it is to turn when I use the swivel head for the second half of the job.

I also liked the box that the screwdriver came in. It is magnetic and I can turn it upside down and shake and bits do not fall out.

Inventory of bits: Torx T2 T3 T5, Torx Security TR6 TR8 TR10 ( Star Head), Phillips PH000 PH00 PH0 PH1 PH2, Pentalobe P2 P5, Hexagons H1.5 H2.0 H2.5, Triwing Y1 Y0.6, Triangle 2.3, Slotted 1.5 3.0, Mainboard CC2.2

Pretty nice set!

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.


Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Product review: Stick It Wood Grain Adhesive Film -

I used wood gran adhesive film for the shed shelf.  The paper is fairly thick, the design looks nice, the backing of the paper has a grid which makes measuring and cutting easy. The paper was fairly easy to work with. Once I measured and cut to shape, I remove a portion of the backing near one edge and then used a balled up paper towel to spread it without crinkles.  This paper is fairly thin so it was easy to work with, I had no fear of tearing it as I was spreading it.  I was able to lift a re-position one section which did not look as smooth as the rest.  The paper is waterproof.  Overall, I think the area looks better and will be easier to clean. 

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Product review: NaturalAreaRugs Natural Fiber Amsterdam Jute Rug, 8-Feet by 10-Feet

This is an updated review after using the rug for over a year.  I originally ranked it as a 5 star product  because of how nice it looked.  However after a year of use in a fairly heavy traffic area it began to fall apart.  I am reducing the rating to 3 star "okay".  If you use it a heavy traffic area expect to replace it in a year.

Original review: This rug is made out of Jute (90% Jute and 10% Cotton). I love natural colors and I think this rug has beautiful colors: beige, rust, brown. It is hand made by a good artisan - the edges of the rug are straight, it lays flat, the weave looks very even. I own a couple of smaller rugs in the similar style as door mats and such and some of them have wavy edges, but this one looks expertly made and looks good in the center of the room.

If you are not familiar with Jute it is made out of the bark of a Jute plant that is spun into coarse strong threads. It is more coarse and rough compared to cotton. If you step on it with your bare feet you can feel the difference, it feels rougher than cotton.

Even though I like the looks and workmanship of the rug, I have to include one negative. When the rug first arrived it had a scent - it is not a moldy scent, and does not smell chemical either, but mild scent not I am not able to identify. Initially as I spread it out on the floor the room had a scent, however now 2 weeks later the scent is no longer there.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.


Ali Julia review ★★★☆☆

Product review: Hunter House Handcrafted Solid Hardwood Bowl

This is a very attractive wooden bowl. The wood grain is very pronounced and makes the bowl look very pretty. It is polished and the finish is smooth and shiny.

6.5" wide and 2.75" tall. It holds 24 oz. It is just the right size for a candy dish or to use as a salad bowl. It is also pretty enough to use as decorative center piece on a coffee table. I hope the attached video will give you an idea how this bowl could fit into your décor.

The bowl came with instructions on how to take care of it:
1. Never put into microwave
2. Never use a dishwasher to wash it
3. Wash by hand with soapy water
4. Dry completely with paper towels or cloth
5. To restore patina coat with mineral oil, leave overnight, then wipe with a paper towel
6. Periodically sanitize the bowl with a solution made from 3 tablespoons of white vinegar mixed into 1 cup of water

This bowl is provided by Hunter house. It is beautiful and its size is very practical.


You can find it on Amazon by following this link.


Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Product review: EasyAcc 6 Inch USB Mini Desktop Metal Blades Cooling Fan

I like the air flow that this fan creates.  It can be rotated up and down easily (full range of motion). To move the airflow side to side you need to move the fan itself. It has two settings on/off (there is no low and high air flow).
 
My favorite feature of this fan is that it runs from USB power and  I can run it from an external battery which makes it totally portable. It also can work when the power is out. I live an area with a lot of trees and during storms we lose power at least a few times each year. When power is out the fans that can run on external batteries provide some much needed ventilation. The USB cord is 42" long.

The fan is small but generate a pretty good air flow for its size. The fan is quiet but not totally silent I can hear a slight hum of the motor. The sound it generate is white noise and is easy to ignore, so far it makes no no creaking or clanking sounds.


You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Product review: HeatTrak HCM24-3 Carpeted Snow-Melting Door Mat, 24 Inch by 36 Inch, 120 Volt

I purchased HeatTrak in the fall of 2015 and used it all last winter. It did not work as fast as I expected but it did work. So I just pulled it out to get ready for this winter.

Here is what I learned based on my last year experience.  The mat works slowly, so it is best to turn it on before the storm prior to any snow fall.  I normally keep the mat unplugged and plug in only when the storm is predicted.  I am using it on a wood deck. The mat did not cause discoloration under the mat. I see no signs that the wood stain under the mat has aged faster compared to other parts of the deck. The mat never felt hot to touch, only somewhat warm.  Note that it only gets warm when the temperature is cold, keep that in mind if you are trying to test in the fall when it is not cold enough.  The mat is less than 1/2" thick but has a thicker bump where the cord is connected to the mat.

The size of the map is 24" x 36" and feels quite heavy.  It does not get lifted even by heavy winds.  The "carpeted" side should face up, the smooth side should face down.

I also used the mat to melt icy patches on the deck. It took a long time to do the entire deck by moving the mat from spot to spot, but it was easier and caused less damage to the deck compared to trying to chip the ice off. I am using a 30 foot cord outdoor power cord and water-tight cord lock from Farm Innovators to protect the connection between the extension cord and the mat cord. Follow this link to find the cord lock I purchased. I like the green version because its size can be adjusted for different size plugs.

I wish it was a bit larger and a bit cheaper, but overall satisfied with how it worked last winter.


You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★☆

Product review: KINGLAKE® Aluminum Outdoor Camping Hammer Multi-function Hammer Tent Stakes Hammer Tent Nail Hammer Stake Puller

This compact hammer feels very solidly made.  It is well balanced.

It has three useful tools - a hammer, a small hoe, and a hook which can be used as a tent stake puller.
Overall, I really like the hammer.  The only negative thing I can say about it that the seller had a UPC sticker with attached with a glue that was hard to take off. I had spend quite a bit of time with Goo-fone trying to remove the gunk from the handle.  Sellers, please attach the sticker to the packaging not the product.

I received this hammer at a special discount for evaluation and review.   I like being the eyes and hands for potential buyers.


You can find it on Amazon by following this link.


Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Product review: Exelia PVC Flooring Tile LW 19.7in X 19.7in 7mm

Exelia tiles are more heavy duty than I expected. Each tile weight 3 pounds and 5 oz and they feel very solid. The tiles have an interlock system on all 4 edges of the tile, 2 sides have the locks on the underside, 2 sides have locks that stick out. This allows the two tiles to fit right next to each for a neat finish. When the tiles lock you can hear a satisfying click.

I ordered the grey color for the laundry room in otherwise unfinished basement. The grey color tiles fit perfectly giving the laundry room a neater appearance without standing out. The tiled section lays flat and the installation was pretty simple. I used a mallet to tap in the locks.

I received these floor tiles for testing and review as part of the new product introduction. I hope attached photos will give you a better idea of what to expect.

You can find these Tiles on Amazon via this link.


Ali Julia review