INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Start a small flame, using something like a lighter or a small candle. Hold the plastic so that it’s touching the flame, being careful not to burn yourself.  A long neck lighter would be the best and safest option since the flame won’t be near your fingers. You don't need to cut the plastic into smaller sections when holding it in the flame. ABS plastic will produce a yellow flame while other plastics may produce a green, blue, or orange flame. Look for blue edges around the yellow flame, indicating it’s ABS plastic. ABS plastic has a very strong, acrid smell when it burns. If the plastic is giving off a stinging smell that’s irritating to your nose, it could be ABS.  Don’t inhale too much of the fumes when smelling the plastic, as some plastics can be toxic when melted. ABS plastic has also been said to smell rubbery. When you’re holding the plastic in the flame, you should see black smoke if it’s ABS. The air will also have a sooty quality. ABS plastic is one that continues to burn even after the flame is taken away or shut off. Look for drips produced from the fire as well, indicating it’s ABS plastic.

SUMMARY: Place the plastic against a flame. Observe the color of the flame when the plastic is in the fire. Notice a pungent smell if the plastic is ABS. Look for black smoke coming from the flame. Remove the plastic from the flame to see if it continues burning.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Before you get started, disconnect the battery to ensure the engine cannot be started while you’re working under the hood.  As a precaution, always disconnect the battery before putting your hands in the engine bay of your vehicle.  Use a hand or socket wrench to loosen the nut holding the ground cable on the negative terminal of the battery, then slide it off the terminal post.  You will not need to disconnect the positive cable as well.  Locate the negative terminal by following the black ground cable, or looking for the negative symbol (-) or the letters NEG. Tuck the cable along the side of the battery to ensure it can’t accidentally come into contact with the negative terminal. Many alternators are bolted to a bracket with a long slotted metal strap that allows you to adjust the angle of the alternator in relation to the engine.  By loosening the bolts, you will be able to adjust the alternator’s angle to increase or decrease tension on the drive belt.  Loosen the two bolts going through the slot on the alternator bracket, but do not remove them. Make sure the bolts are loose enough to allow the alternator to slide within the bracket. With the alternator bolts loosened, you will need to place a good deal of pressure on the alternator in order to make sure the drive belt is tight enough.  The easiest way to do this is to use a piece of wood as a pry bar.  Using wood reduces the likelihood of placing too much force on the alternator as one might with a crowbar, but one can be used carefully.  The handle of a hammer tends to work well in most circumstances.  Slide the piece of wood between the alternator and the engine, then pull back on the wood, increasing the tension in the drive belt as the alternator slides within the bracket loop.  Place enough force on the pry bar to pull the drive belt until it is tight over the alternator pulley. Choose the area of the engine you pry against carefully to ensure you do not crush any coolant lines or electrical connections. With the alternator pried back and the drive belt tight, use your free hand to tighten the alternator bolts in their new position in the slot on the bracket.  Once the bolts are tight enough, you should be able to release the wood you were using to pry the alternator away from the motor, leaving the alternator in its new position.  Make sure the bolts are tight before releasing the pry bar; otherwise the tension of the belt will pull the alternator back to its previous position. This step may be easier if you enlist a friend to help you. With the alternator in its new position, applying increased tension to the drive belt, check to make sure the belt is tight enough to run the accessories properly.  An easy way to test the tension of the drive belt is to hold a ruler along a stretch of the belt, then use your thumb and index finger to try to pull the midpoint of the belt away from the ruler.  If you can pull the belt more than a half inch from the ruler, it is not tight enough.  You can also purchase belt tension testers at many auto parts stores that will tell you whether or not the belt is tight enough. If the belt is not tight enough, loosen the alternator bolts and try again. Once the belt has enough tension, you can reconnect the battery using the same hand or socket wrench you used to disconnect it.  With the battery reconnected, the vehicle is ready to drive. Make sure the ground cable is attached securely to the negative terminal as it will cause the vehicle to die if it comes loose.

SUMMARY: Disconnect the battery. Loosen the bolts attaching the alternator to the bracket. Use a piece of wood as a pry bar to increase the tension on the belt. Tighten the alternator bolts in the new location. Check the belt tension. Reconnect the battery.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Take your ring to a professional jeweler at least annually, if not twice per year. Have them professionally clean your ring. It's wise to visit a jeweler if the dirt on your ring is a compacted layer of dirt or oil. Ask them to check your settings as well. Have your jeweler make any necessary adjustments to keep the stones secure. Touch your diamonds as little as possible, even when your hands are clean. Grease accumulates easily on the material of a diamond. The natural oils in your skin can cloud the diamond’s surface. You may actually want to clean your jewelry more often, such as twice a week, when it's new. Even a thin film can cloud your diamond's luster, and people may want to touch your ring when you show it off...especially if you just got engaged or married! Ultrasonic cleaners use sound waves and a vibrating solution to remove built-up grime. However, they can loosen or chip mounted diamonds if you’re not cautious! Before using an ultrasonic cleaner, you should ensure that your diamond has not been treated, does not include feathers, and your ring is in solid condition.  If your ring came with a grading report, check it to see whether your diamond has been treated. Don’t use ultrasonic cleaners if the report indicates that your diamond was enhanced through fracture-filling. If your diamond has feather inclusions, don’t use ultrasonic cleaners. “Feathers” are very small cracks in the diamond. You can look for diamond feathers using a 10x jewelry loupe, however the feathers may not be visible from every angle.  It’s best to ask your jeweler to inspect your diamond ring before using an ultrasonic cleaner. Ask them to look for any diamond feathers. You should also ask them to inspect your ring’s setting as well; if there are any loose stones, get them tightened. Remove your ring and put it in a safe, secure place when you are doing a task that requires getting your hands dirty or working with harsh or abrasive chemicals.  For example, remove your ring when you are using cleaning products. You may also want to remove your ring before swimming in a chlorinated pool. Chlorine can damage some metals used in ring settings. Furthermore, swimming in cold water shrinks your fingers temporarily, so it would be easier for your ring to slip off.  Remove your ring when you are doing a task wherein your hands can accumulate grime, such as gardening or making dough.

SUMMARY:
Visit a jeweler annually. Avoid touching your diamond(s). Be careful with ultrasonic cleaners. Protect your ring.