Snacks

Every poker night needs snacks. When you choose your snacks though, you do need to choose foods that are easy to eat by hand. Everyone around the table will be handling playing cards so you need to have foods that aren’t messy to eat. Think crisps, nuts or maybe chopped up vegetables. If you would like to serve up a more substantial meal you could offer a pre-game meal.

Game

AS you will probably be aware there are many variants of poker. You need to decide which variant you will play before you poker night to give all your guests the chance to brush up their skills. If you choose Texas Holdem or Omaha poker, for instance, everyone could have a look at Review Poker to make sure they understand the rules. You will also all need to decide if you want to play for real money or if you just want to play for fun. Deciding in advance will prevent misunderstandings at the event.

Drink

The drink is another important part of poker night. Generally, since you are providing the location and the food it is acceptable for you to ask your guests to bring some drink options. This way, you don’t have to spend a fortune and waste a lot of time worrying about what exactly everyone likes to drink. Guests, usually are more than happy to turn up with enough drink that they can share, so everything normally works out fine. Do have some soft drinks on hand for those who don’t wish to indulge in alcohol though.

Make sure there’s enough light – and no mirrors or windows that will allow peeking at people’s hands. There’s no need to go overboard on the hospitality – people have come to play, not eat. It’s quite acceptable to ask your pals to bring their own choice of drink. So now, you just have to decide which poker game you’re going to play. And there’s a lot of choice! Because Texas Hold’em is the most popular game in online casinos, it’s also the first game that a lot of people learn. In fact, many people think that Hold’em IS poker, not realising that are many variants of the game, and that some are so different, you have to forget what you learned when playing Hold’em, in order to play the new game. For example, Seven Card Stud poker. This classic poker version used to be widely played – and now there’s a revival of interest. Seven Card Stud involves more strategic thinking than Hold’em and its fans claim it’s a far more challenging game, with the perfect mix of luck and skill. It’s also popular with keen players, as a High Rollers Poker game. There are “Hi” and “Lo” versions of Seven Card, and just as Hold’em has Omaha, Seven Card has many variants. And if you really want to tune up your brain cells, try Pai Gow poker, sometimes called double hand poker, which is completely different from Hold’em or Seven Card.

Have some Casino Fun!

There really is nothing better than having a friendly game of poker with your buddies. Once you have gotten your man cave fitted out with everything you need, why not consider adding a poker table and a slot machine? You can have some proper casino fun with the boys without having to worry about traveling to a casino and spending a fortune! There are some great deals to be found online.

Install a Bar

No man cave is complete without the addition of a well stocked bar. Drinks optics can be purchased online for some very reasonable prices these days. Keep your bar stocked and everyone will want to head to your man cave over a night out on the town.

Get a Sound Bar

If you want to make sure that you and your friends are kept entertained, then one thing that is definitely worth considering is a sound bar. Again, these can be purchased online for a fairly reasonable price. Once you have it set up, you can enjoy music whilst playing poker.

Get a Games Console

It doesn’t have to be the latest model at all, in fact, retro gaming is often more fun! Purchase a games console for your man cave and you and your friends will have hours of fun. These are just a couple of suggestions, the great thing about turning your garage into a man cave is that you have the freedom to make it whatever you want it to be!

Whatever method you choose, car Wi-Fi, of course, has its pros and cons. We will start with the cons. The first thing to bear in mind is passenger and driver safety. In most countries, it is illegal to drive whilst holding a mobile device. Having Wi-Fi and getting messages can be distracting and potentially dangerous for all in the car. It is therefore important to have a hands free device if you are the driver. For passengers, of course, there is no such problem.

Onto the pros. Having constant Wi-Fi access means that you are instantly accessible by everyone, it also means that you can stay abreast of everything that is going on in the world whether it is latest headlines, weather reports, or, of course, traffic news. Car Wi-Fi is the perfect solution to avoiding those tiresome tailbacks on the way to work.

If, heaven forbid, you are caught in one, then with Wi-Fi access, you can hop onto your favourite online gaming site and play a few rounds or spin a few slots whilst you wait for the traffic to clear. Whatever you use the car Wi-Fi for, it is important to remain safe at all times.

Passengers should not distract drivers with the latest entertaining post and likewise, drivers need to refrain from checking their phone whilst on the move.

Carpeting

Restoring the interior of the car is easier compared to restoring the exterior. One of the simplest restoration tasks for a car’s interior is the carpeting. All you have to do is check for any rust on the carpet. If it is there, use a sandblaster to remove the rust. Sometimes you may find that the floor boards are rotted through and cannot be repaired. In such cases, instead of struggling to remove the rust, buy a new carpet.

Seats

Restoring the seat upholstery is a little more difficult than restoring the carpeting. However, it is not an impossible job. When doing the restoration, make sure you use the same materials as the ones in the original. In most cases these will be fabric and vinyl. If any stitching is needed use industrial sewing machine. This is because the standard sewing machine cannot be effective on the materials used on the upholstery seats. Apart from stitching worn out parts, also make sure you clean and remove any rust that might be on the metal that supports the seats. In addition, check out the springs of the seat to find if they are functioning well. If they are not, remove the worn out ones and replace them with new ones.

Painting

First, place the car in a shaded area so that the exercise is not affected by the elements. Next, get all the equipment you will need in the painting like sandpaper, newspapers and masking tape. To know the quantity of paint needed, it is advisable you consult a professional to give you a reasonable estimate of the needed paint. Before starting to paint, wash the car to remove any dirt or grease. Thereafter use sandpaper to smoothen the car. You don’t need to leave the metal bare as this will be very time-consuming. Once you’ve done this, wipe the car body with clean rag and some thinner. Then use a masking tape and newspapers to mask parts of the car you don’t want the paint to reach. After this, mix the prime with thinner and start spraying from the roof going downwards. Lastly, mix the paint with thinner and start painting. Paint three to four coats with each coat separated from the next one with enough drying time as specified in the instructions. After applying the last coat, remove the masking while it is still wet.

1. Formulate a Business Plan

This is the most important thing you need to do. Your plan should include the types of cars you expect to deal with, the start-up costs, advertising methods, and the scope of your business. It should also include the number of expected employees, employee salaries, and planned operating hours.

2. Look for a Suitable Location

The choice of a suitable garage location should be driven by a number of factors such as traffic, security, and space. The space should not only be big enough to accommodate different types of cars, but should also give you enough room to work and store your tools. The location should also be easily accessible to your customers, meaning that they should be able to come in and leave without any problem. Be sure to provide a waiting area and a restroom for your customers to use.

4. Establish an Office

Set up a sizeable office where you’ll be meeting your customers and keeping vital customer and billing records. The office should have telephones, a computer with an effective accounting programme, filing cabinets, and other necessary office tools that will help you work efficiently and keep things organised.

5. Market Your Business

There are several ways through which you can market your business. Apart from using flyers, you can also use the Internet, radio, newspapers, or word of mouth.

6. Stay Current on Auto Repair

Every year, more technologically advanced vehicles are produced by different companies. To make sure that you are able to work on both old and modern cars, it is important to attend workshops and read car magazines regularly.

Tools of the Trade

Car restoration is usually performed in a number of individual steps. You will generally begin by tackling any issues within the undercarriage or underneath the bonnet. These very functional requirements are necessary if you desire your car to be anything more than a mere showpiece. Thus, essential equipment will include (but is not limited to) ratchet sets, screwdrivers, voltage testers and wrenches.

Car Movers

While the first step may be very obvious, let’s not forget that getting around a vehicle within a tight space can be challenging. If you do not have adequate mobility, the tasks themselves are nearly impossible. Also, more mobility equates to higher levels of safety; very important when working around equipment that can weigh into the tonnes.

Wax and Polish

Once you have finished the necessary mechanical adjustments, it is time to give your car the shine that it deserves. Thanks to a host of different cleaning products, you will be able to choose from a variety of waxes, buffing agents and polishes. Some are designed for interior use (such as upon leather seats and the dashboard) while others will provide a glistening shine to the paint job on the outside.

Airless Paint Sprayers

An airless paint gun will come in handy if there are areas of rust or scratches that need to be addressed. Also, these devices are great if you wish to change the colour of the car altogether. Most will work with both latex and oil paints and the even coat that they provide offers a professional finish. However, it is always a good idea to carefully read the instruction manual before attempting to use any such sprayer.These are a selection of the most important and useful tools that are required when restoring a vehicle. Within a matter of weeks, your hard work and dedication will certainly pay off!

Engine Hoist

Getting the engine out of large American muscle cars will require a quality engine hoist that can handle at least 2 tons. The restoration of any vehicle will make this essential, as complete overhauls cannot be undertaken with the engine in the chassis.The best hoists use a hydraulic jack to lift the engine, and also feature sturdy wheels and a moveable cantilever arm to enable easy manoeuvring in the workshop.The hoist will be useful later, as refitting the engine after the re-build requires the engine to be positioned correctly in order to ensure correct alignment of the mounting points and drive shaft.

MIG Welder

On any restoration project, it is likely that there will be some repairs to the bodywork or chassis required. A Metal Inert Gas (MIG) welder is a useful purchase, and these can be relatively cheap.Whilst the basic models of welder might be acceptable, a variety of current settings, a gas pressure control and variable wire speeds are desirable to cover any welding requirements on an automotive restoration. Such controllability also makes it easier for new restorers to learn how to weld!

Torque Wrench

When rebuilding engines, it is essential that mounting and engine head bolts are tightened to the correct torque setting in the manufacturers handbook. A torque wrench will apply the correct pressure to these important bolts by simply dialling the required torque into the handle gauge and applying pressure until the ratchet mechanism prevents the bolt being over-tightened.

Suitability of a Second hand Part

Part worn or used components are often a sensible option when they don’t involve a large number of moving parts, or electrical circuitry. Some parts are unsuitable for purchase from a second hand broker, including brake pads and wiper blades. Remember to check your part visually as soon as it arrives for any cracks or fractures, unless these have been previously identified by the vendor. All used parts are normally issued with a warranty.

Don’t Pay for Quotes

Many online parts brokers hold a comprehensive database of stockists, to whom they forward your parts request. Some will charge you a fee for every quote received, regardless of whether you go on to purchase a part. To avoid this cost, either select a broker that provides free, no-obligation quotes or buy direct from a scrapyard or wrecker, a number of which can be found through a quick Internet search.

Get the Right Part

Unlike some of the amateur mechanics featured here, it’s sensible to know your limitations. Ensure you are clear what the nature of the problem is, to avoid purchasing a part which is unnecessary. Check that you input the make and model of your car correctly on the broker’s site when asked to do so, enabling traders to offer you the right item for your vehicle.With the potential to save you hundreds of pounds every year, it makes sense to try and do your own vehicle repairs if possible. Taking a little time to shop around and ensure you select the correct component from a reputable online stockist is a great way to slash costs by getting the part you need for less.