High value records don’t always equate to high quality music, surely many collectors have been disappointed when finally getting there hands on a 500 pound holy grail, only to find the music average and uninspiring.

Frequent visitors to record fairs will be aware of the abundance of bargain boxes, “Everything For 1.00 pound “, “Two For A Fiver” and so on. Trawling through boxes of cheap vinyl can often be rewarding, with classic albums of the last 40 years sandwiched between brass bands and budget compilations.

The aim of this exercise is to build a collection of quality albums, music at the top of its genre, groundbreaking, or simply remarkable from start to finish.

In reality the price of some items will vary between fairs and dealers but I have tried to include albums that can be regularly found between 1 pound and 4 pound.

I have steered clear of internet sales because of varying quality and postage costs.

Of course you may disagree with many of my choices and yes music is subjective and a matter of personal taste.

Some albums simply sell time and time again or are highly regarded for there style or musicality and this I have drawn upon in my selection.

Feel free if you wish to replace some of my selections with your own.

Along side each item I have attached a star rating, five for the most abundant and easy to acquire, fewer stars for those items that might take a little longer to track down.

This is an ongoing project my object to compile an extensive library of value vinyl.

So now it is time to begin building your collection.

Box 5. Article Summary

1. Fleetwood Mac ‘Rumours’ – World wide sales of almost 30 million will guarantee this item turning up at your local fair and almost certainly numerous copies can be found in bargain boxes throughout the nation. Fleetwood Mac’s transformation from a classic blues outfit to one of the most successful rock and pop groups of the 70s and 80s is mainly down to this high profile album. Most of us who originally owned this album played both sides relentlessly and then grew tired with over exposure. But with thirty years behind it the album with its strong collective of song writing and musicianship guarantees nearly everyone’s return. *****

Comments – Songbird covered by various artists. The Chain Grand Prix music. A version on white vinyl exists.

Other albums by this artist / group: Tango in the night, Tusk

2. Roxy Music ‘For Your Pleasure’ – Roxy Music’s second album with its eclectic mix of musicians and broad musical influence is often lorded by lovers of progressive rock. This view is probably confirmed by the presence of the glorious nine minute romp “Bogus Man”. The often strange combination of Brian Ferry’s fifties throwback warbling and Eno’s modernistic sensibility created a unique sound If you are familiar with Roxy Music through there commercial success of such albums as Avalon, this is a significantly darker and more challenging experience. ***

Comments -“Every Dream Home a Heartache” is the only track I am aware of that tells the tale of an inflatable sex doll.

First issues of this album on the pink rimmed Island label with the original laminated gatefold sleeve go for around 15 pounds but you can regularly come across later issues for much less.

Other albums by this artist / group – Roxy Music, Country Life, Stranded, Siren, Flesh And Blood, Avalon. All of the Roxy Music albums can be found regularly within the budget box price range.

3. U2 ‘Unforgettable Fire’ – U2 vinyl albums are abundant but I have chosen ” The Unforgettable Fire” to go onto our list.With their new production team Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois the band might have some of the edge present on previous albums but the carefully crafted songs on this album have made this a favorite for many of there loyal fans. The album is chock full of classic tracks such as Bad, Wire, Pride, A Sort Of Homecoming and the title track. Vinyl issues of this album come in a quality textured sleeve and clean copies can be found for no more than a few pounds. *****

Comments – Lots of copies of this item turn up so be patient and get yourself a nice clean copy.

Other albums by this artist / group: Boy, Joshua Tree, War. October Under a Blood Red Sky. There are many U2 collectables and there later albums which sold in smaller numbers on vinyl are generally out of our budget price. But the earlier aforementioned classic albums are regularly accessible within our budget.

4. Ultravox ‘Vienna’ – One of the albums that defines the 80s new romantic era. After the departure of John Foxx, Ultravox must have felt insecure about there future instead with there new singer Midge Ure they created one of the defining songs of the 80s, Vienna. This album because of its commonality is often passed over, the public often forgetting Vienna is now nearly 30 years old and a landmark album. *****

Comments – A perfect starting point for your New Romantic collection.

Other albums by this artist / group: Quartet, Monument, Rage in Eden.

5. Lloyd Cole ‘Rattlesnakes’ – Coles Debut album was successful on release and gained in stature as a highly regarded exercise in singer songwriting. Intelligent lyrics and a classic folky background have assured this album has a longevity which many of its counterparts have failed to achieve. ***

Comments – Often overlooked as just another commercial pop record of the eighties this album offers much more.

Other albums by this artist / group: Easy Pieces.

6. Kate Bush ‘Hounds Of Love’ – It was a toss up between “A Kick Inside” and my chosen album by this highly individual artist and although her debut album has ‘Wuthering Heights’, one of those few records which seemed entirely unique yet achieved remarkable chart success, it is the beautiful atmosphere of “The Hounds Of Love” which by a small edge led me to choose this album. ‘Running up That Hill’ is probably the most well known track from the record but ‘Cloudbusting’ for me embodies the sentiment of the album. ****

Comments – Bushes long awaited 2005 album Ariel was also released as a quality vinyl package.

Other albums by this artist / group: Kick Inside, Never For Ever, Lion Heart, Dreaming. All these albums can be found for 3 pounds and under.

7. ZZ Top’ Eliminator’ – The fans who had followed them from the early blues orientated days might see this album as the bands point of sell out but you cannot ignore the impact this album had particularly on the MTV generation. In 1983 it was almost impossible to turn on your television without been confronted by the supped up dragster that fills the front cover of the album. “Gimme All your lovin’, Legs and Sharp Dressed Man” were all massive hits with there often raunchy videos. *****

Comments – This album has great art work and because of its enormous sales can easily be purchased for a 1 pound. There early albums on the London label usually sell for around 15 pounds but you can pick up much cheaper reissues. ‘Afteburner’ the follow up to Eliminator can also be found at 1 pound or just over.

Other albums by this artist / group: Afterburner

8. Eagles ‘Hotel California’ – The Eagles are one of those bands because of there enormous album sales provide great value for money on vinyl. Hotel California is the Eagles most commercially successful album moving in a more rock orientated direction than its previous counterparts. The title track has one of the greatest and most widely recognized solos in music history, drawing the track out to about seven minutes. ****

Comments – A very strong consistent album throughout. The early albums are finely crafted country rock influenced by such artists as Gram Parsons or the Byrds. All of these albums can be found for a few pounds.

Other albums by this artist / group – Eagles, Desperado, One Of These Nights.

9. Jon And Vangelis ‘Friends Of Mr. Cairo’ – Jon Andersons ethereal vocals and Vangelis’s rich textures compliment beautifully. The album begins with two finely crafted pop songs “Find My Way Home” and State Of Independence”, but it is the extended title track an homage to the classic film era which holds the albums real magic. ***

Comments – Background projector sounds and the voice of Peter Lorry add to the wonderful atmosphere of this album.

Other albums by this Artists / group: Private Collection.

10. Police ‘Reggatta De Blanc’ – This album stayed in the top 100 for more than a year so no problem acquiring a copy. Its longevity not surprising when you ponder its superb track listing “Message in a Bottle”, Walking On The Moon”, “The Beds To Big Without You” all with the reggae undertones which would become the bands trademark. *****

Comments – Lots of colour vinyl picture sleeve singles by the Police can be found for as little as 50p.

Other albums by this artist / group: Outlandos D’Amour, Zenyatta Mondatta, Ghost In The Machine, Synchronicity. You can confidently pick up originals of the first five please albums for under a tenner.

11. Simon & Garfunkel ‘Bookends’ – CBS’s numerous reissues of Simon & Garfunkels’s 60s albums give the punter plenty of opportunity to pick up there early catalogue for a song. With a rich choice of albums which would meet our criteria I have based my selection simply on personal preference. For me Bookends although only 30 minutes long breaks out of the folky influence of previous albums, explores a wide diversity of styles but manages maintain its continuity. ***

Comments – Reissues on the later Sunburst CBS label can be found with Simon & Garfunkel’s entire early back catalogue but you can also find earlier issues on the orange label for a very reasonable price. Original 60s issues with flip back sleeve and textured labels in perfect condition can pass hands for around 30 pounds.

Other albums by this artists / group: Sounds Of Silence, Parsley Sage Rosemary And Thyme, Bridge Over Troubled Waters, Wednesday Morning 3am.

12. Bob Seger ‘Stranger In Town’ – If your passion is for all American artists such as Bruce Springsteen and the Eagles and you appreciate quality song writing then this album will satisfy your needs. “Hollywood Nights” is a suitably rousing track to start proceedings but it is the super ballad” We’ve Got Tonight” which has become best known and covered by such artist as Kenny Rogers and Ronan Keating. **

Comments – Hollywood Nights was released as a picture sleeve silver vinyl single.

Other albums by this artist / group: Stranger In Town, Against The Wind, Nine Tonight Live.

13. Jean Michel Jarre ‘Oxygene’ – It’s hard to believe this album is over 30 years old, created in the same year as the beginning of the punk revolution and at the tale end of the progressive rock era the album with its long extended instrumental tracks surprisingly achieved stratospheric success. The swirling electronic sounds are different from the mainstream of the period yet the album managed to be accessible to the masses. *****

Comments – HMV released a box set of the album on LP in 1988 limited to 3,300 only this sells for around 15.00 pounds.

Other albums by this artist / group: Equinoxe, Rendez Vous.

14. Dire Straits’ Love Over Gold’ – Probably not an obvious choice with multi million seller ‘Brothers in Arms’ and the first album containing guitar anthem ‘Sultans of Swing’ as strong contenders. But this album contains lots of musicality and thoughtful composition. The album contains Dire Straits longest ever track ‘Telegraph Road’ and song about the rise and fall of industrialism ‘Rock “n” Roll. *****

Comments – The track ‘Pivate Investigator’ reached number two and was kept off the top slot by Survivor ‘Eye of the Tiger’.

Other albums by this artist / group: Dire Straits, Making Movies, Communique, Alchemy, Brothers In Arms. All of these albums can be found for has little as a few pounds.

15. Eric Clapton ‘461 Ocean Boulevard‘ – An original copy of Creams Disraeli Gears with its vivid art work and original blend of psychedelic blues rock can fetch up to fifty or sixty pounds. So it seems surprising that Clapton’s solo albums don’t usually fetch more than a few pounds. “461 Ocean Boulevard” is second solo project is a lot slicker than previous albums and concentrates on his now smooth vocal style. ***

Comments – Most of Claptons 70s and 80s solo albums can be easily found within our budget.

Other albums by this artist: Slowhand, Journeyman, Just One Night, Backless, EC Was Here.

16. Scorpions ‘ Lovedrive’ – There is numerous rock albums available within our budget price most of these tend to be late seventies onwards. As most teenage boys who came across this album I found my self taking an unhealthy interest in its provocative cover. The album strengths are a combination of confident song writing, great guitarists and a very distinctive vocalist in the shape of Klaus Meine. ***

Comments – There is also a twelve inch EP from this album on green vinyl.

Other albums by this artist / group: Blackout, Virgin Killer, Crazy World, Tokyo Tapes. The earlier album Virgin Killer is a little harder to acquire but can be found with persistence.

17. Yes ‘Closer To The Edge‘ – A definitive album of the progressive rock era “Closer To The Edge” for many epitomizes the complex, extended music associated with this genre. As well as Jon Andersons ethereal voice the liberal inclusion of the progressive musician’s favorite, the Mellotron gives this album a rich and often beautiful sound. ****

Comments – Although early textured sleeve issues are now becoming collectable, later issues can regularly be found for around 2 pounds.

Other albums by this artist / group: Fragile, The Yes Album, 90125, Relayer Going For The One, Drama, Yes Songs, Yes Shows. Original copies of the first four albums on the plum Atlantic label are considerably more than our budget price but these albums were reissued relentlessly.

18. Stranglers ‘Stranglers IV’ – Punk related items can be a little harder to pick up below five pounds, but albums like “Stranglers IV” which sold to a broader audience are more easily acquired. Although this album is titled four it is in fact there debut album. A crunching base line, raw vocals mixed with a strong song writing sensibility make this a great choice for your vinyl collection. ***

Comments – The biggest selling and therefore easiest album to acquire by the band is “No More Heroes”.

Other albums by this artist / group: No More Heroes, Aural Sculpture, Feline, Black And White. Black White also comes in a White Vinyl edition with a free single this sells for around 15 pounds.

19. Genesis ‘The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway‘ – There are numerous Genesis albums I could include in our collection but I have chosen the “Lamb Lies Down On Broadway”, a concept piece that bridges the musicianship of the progressive rock era with the raw energy of the new wave in the shape of Rael, Gabriels Urban antihero. Although other albums are far more representative of the Genesis legacy this epic double LP, for me is a masterpiece of its era. ***

Comments – Genesis are a highly collectible band with there first album “Genesis To Revelation” as a mono copy on the unboxed Decca label selling for up to 500 pounds.

Other albums by this artist / group: Trespass, Nursery Cryme, Foxtrot, Selling England By The Pound, Live, A Trick of the Tail, Seconds Out, And Then There Were Three, Wind And Wuthering, Duke, Three Sides Live, Invisible Touch, Duke. The first two Charisma albums are very collectible on the original pink scroll, but endless copies can be found on the later Mad Hatter Label.

20. Blondie ‘Parallel Lines’ – The bold stripes of “Parallel Lines” art work are instantly recognizable and Debbie Harry’s drop dead good looks add to the classic album cover. This vinyl turns up in droves but is a constant seller with a new generation of vinyl enthusiasts. *****

Comments – Even more profuse than Blondie’s albums are there 7 inch singles which turn up in abundance.

Other albums by this artist / group: Blondie, Eat to The Beat, Plastic Letters, Auto American, The Hunter.

21. Santana ‘Abraxas’ – If it’s musicianship you desire then Santana are a strong candidate for your vinyl collection. Again with this band there are a number of contenders for this slot, Moonflower is a double album containing high octane live material and studio work such as there superb take of the Zombies classic “She’s Not There”, but the overriding choice has to be “Abraxas” right from the warm swell of its introduction to its classic cover of “Black Magic Women” this is an album which displays a perfect blend of both musical and commercial success. *****

Comments – If you want to explore Santana’strue musicianship then check out “Caravansarai”, Jazz sensibility, swirling percussion, warm strings and of course Carlos’s emotionally charged guitar combine for a truly exceptional musical journey.

Other Albums By This artist / group: Santana, Santana II, Santana III, Welcome, Borbaletta, Moonflower, Amigo, Festival, Inner Secrets, Zebop. Marathon.

22. Elton John ‘Tumble Weed Connection’ – Elton John is an international music star with an extensive back catalogue. The early DJM albums are both strong and consistent and were often packaged with booklets, posters and textured sleeves. My own personal Elton favorite is “Tumbleweed Connection”. The music influenced by the American West follows in the footsteps of such albums as Dylans “John Wesley Harding” and although not exactly a concept album rewards best when played in its entirety. ****

Comments – It’s all so worth pointing out that earlier issues when held up to the light have a red wax glow.

Other albums by this artist / group: Goodbye Yellow Big Road, Madman Across The Water, Honky Chateau, Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy, Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only The Piano Player, Caribou, Rock Of The Westies, Blue Movies.

23. Talking Heads ‘Remain In Light’ – Yet another wonderful LP produced by Brian Eno and although the group were previously known for there punk sensibility this album is filled with highly danceable funk orientated rhythms. Probably the most well known track from this album is “Once In A Lifetime” with it’s ultra catchy chorus. ***

Comments – “Little Creatures” is the album which gave the Heads there real commercial success so therefore is probably the easiest to acquire.

Other albums by this artist / group: Speaking In Tongues, Fear Of Music, Little Creatures, Talking Heads 77, The Name Of The Band Is The talking Heads, True Stories, More Songs About Buildings And Food, Stop Making Sense, Naked.

24. Bad Company ‘Bad Company’ – Signed to Led Zeppelins Swan Song label this super group made up of ex members from Free, Mott The Hoople and King Crimson produced a superb debut album. Classic blues tinged rock including the immensely catchy “Can’t Get Enough of Your Love”. ***

Comments – The “Straight Shooter” album produced Bad Co’s most radio friendly offering in the shape of the power ballad “Feel Like Making Love”.

Other albums by this artist / group: Straight Shooter, Run With The Pack, Desolation Angels, Burning Sky, 10 From 6, Rough Diamonds.

25. Marrillion ‘Misplaced Childhood’ – Marrillion were at the forefront of the miniature progressive rock revival in the 1980s and although influenced by early Genesis developed a distinctive poetic style of there own. This album contains there most successful and well known song “Kayleigh” but is much more than a one single album with a continuous sweet which takes up nearly three quarters of the LP. *****

Comments – Although “Misplaced Childhood” is there most commercially successful album Marrillion fans often site “Fugazi” as the bands finest moment.

Other albums by this artist / group: Scrip For A Jesters Tear, Fugazi,Clutching At Straws, The Thieving Magpie, Reel To Reel.

26. Human League ‘Dare’ – Although the band had been around at the beginning of the new generation of electronic music, it was the introduction of two female backing vocalists that finally gave the group there definitive sound. For anybody who reached their teens during the early eighties the massive hit single “Don’t You Want Me” supplies the soundtrack for those years. *****

Comments – This album turns up in droves so you are bound to get a bargain.

Other albums by this artist / group – Travelogue, Hysteria, Love And Dancing, Crash.

27. Journey ‘Escape’ – If you like your AOR power ballads then look no further. “Don’t Stop Believin'” and “Whose Cryin'” are perfect examples of the smooth rock formula that became popular in the early eighties. Former Santana band members Gregg Rolie and Neil Schon formed the group in 1973 and the band have accumulated over 80 million sales worldwide. *****

Comments – Journey shared there huge AOR sales with bands like Reo Speed Wagon and Asia whose albums can also be found in relatively large numbers.

Other albums by these artist / group: Frontiers.

28. Madness ‘One Step Beyond’ – A product of the 2tone movement of 1979, this album as all the boyish and anarchic energy of large group of fun loving young men embarking on there first recording. ***

Comments – Numerous 7 and 12inch singles were produced by Madness and can often be found for as little as a 1 pound.

Other albums by this artist / group: Divine Madness, Absolutely, Presents The Rise And Fall, Mad Not Mad, Utter Madness.

29. UFO ‘Strangers In The Night’ – A constant flow of rock bands visited The Victoria Hall, Hanley in the early eighties of which I attended many. A lot of the acts proved disappointing live but UFO exceeded expectation with there superior musicianship and ability to take there studio tracks to an extra level when performed in front of an audience. “Strangers In The Night” is up there with Thin Lizzy’s Live And Dangerous as one of the superior live performances captured on record from that era. ***

Comments – Also worth collecting by UFO is a number of Colour vinyl singles, all which can be picked up for as little as a pound.

Other albums by this artist / group: The Wild The Willing And The Innocent, Force It, No Place To Run, Making Contact, Obsession, Mechanix, Lights Out.

30. CAROL KING ‘TAPESTRY’ – Kings song writing skills are homed to perfection on this album with at least four all time classic tracks “I feel The Earth Move”, “So Far Away”, “You’ve Got A Friend” and “Natural Women”. Most artists if they are lucky write one great song in there lifetime on this album Carol has left a legacy of standards which will continue to be covered by future artists. ****

Other albums by this artist / group: Songs Of Long Ago.

Comments – Original seventies album comes with a textured sleeve.

31. VAN MORRISON ‘INTO THE MUSIC‘ – Although Morrison’s late 60s early seventies output is generally regarded as his most intensely creative period, there are equally rewarding excursions on many of his later albums. Into The Music was released at the height of the Punk revolution and like many of the songwriter albums from that period tends to get lost in the excitement of the new musical revolution. Morrison’s mood is perfectly summed up in the title of this album Van at times completely lost in the music he has created and for me the last three tracks are a sublime example of musical creativity. ***

Comments – Unfortunately some of Van Morrison’s better albums prove difficult to acquire within our budget, the superb live album “To Late To Stop Now” normally selling for around 10 pounds. Astral Weeks and Moondance were both released as first issues on the Red Warner Bros label and command prices near 100 pounds but many reissues are available sometimes within our budget.

Other Albums by this artist / group: Easier to get within our budget price are Wavelength, Best Of, Inarticulate Speech Of The Heart, Poetic Champions Compose, Beautiful Vision, Live At The Grand Opera House. His first four albums on Warner Brothers can be acquired as reissues but sometimes difficult to find for under a fiver.

32. PRINCE ‘PURPLE RAIN’ – Although my record collection at the time of this albums release was primarily rock, like legions of others I felt compelled to buy Purple Rain on its release in 1984. The album brims with high octane funk, glittery rock guitar and hooks that most mere human artists would die for. Tracks like Let’s Go Crazy, When Doves Cry and Purple Rain are superb songs that stay just on the right side of pomposity. *****

Comments – Look out for the rare purple vinyl version of this album.

Other albums by this artist / group: Love Sexy, Around The World In A Day, Under The Cherry Moon, Batman.

33. WEATHER REPORT ‘HEAVY WEATHER’ – For those venturing into the world of jazz fusion for the first time then Weather Reports Heavy Weather is a perfect starting point. The album is both accessible and challenging with jazz heavy weights Wayne Shorter and Joe Zawinul continuing ideas first explored with the Miles Davis group in the late 60s. The albums best known track Birdland as been covered by a number of artists including an acapella version by Manhattan Transfer. ***

Comments -Most albums by Weather Report usually sell for around £5 and above Heavy weather been the exception because of the quantity available.

Other albums by these artist / group: Black Market.

34. Jackson Browne ‘Late For The Sky’ – This mature and often subtle album with a distinctly American flavor grew out of a thriving US song writing movement. With intelligent lyrics, understated vocals and perfect accompaniment from guitarist David Lindley this album rewards the careful listener. **

Comments. – The title track is featured in Martin Scorcese’s film Taxi Driver.

Other albums by this artist / group: Saturate before Using, The Pretender. (These albums are a little more difficult to acquire than the later release Late For The Sky).

35. PETER FRAMPTOM ‘FRAMPTON COMES ALIVE’ – A reference to the album on the US cult classic Wayne’s World confirms Framptom Comes Alive’s status in the American rock cannon. The double live album combines radio friendly acoustic ballads with epic guitar anthems all pulled from Frampton’s career both solo and with previous band Humble Pie. *****

Comments – This album is famous for Frampton’s some say excessive use of the guitar voice box.

Other albums by this artist / group: I’m In You.

36. BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN ‘BORN IN THE USA’ – The multi million seller album is crammed full of stadium rock tracks all performed with 100% commitment by the “Boss” of the US music industry. Although “Born In The USA” has become associated with American patriotism a closer scrutiny of the lyrics present a much bleaker version of US history with abandoned Vietnam heroes and prison gangs populating his stories. *****

Comments – A live box set can also be acquired for around 5 pounds to 10 pounds.

Other albums by this artist / group: The River, Born To Run, Darkness At The Edge Of Town, The Wild The Innocent And The E Street Shuffle, Tunnel Of Love, Lucky Town, Human Touch.

37. PAUL MCCARTNEY ‘BAND ON THE RUN’ – After two albums under the guise of Wings, MCcartney returned to recording under his own name with an album often regarded as his best work since the Beatles. The album has an uplifting start with the title track and “Jet” and manages maintain its consistency throughout. *****

Comments – Now is probably a good time to mention Beatles releases, with even reissues fetching around 5 pounds and more none of the original releases by the band can be acquired within our budget.

Other albums by this artist / group: McCartney, McCartney II, Ram, Red Rose Speadway, Give My Regards To Broadway Street. Venus And Mars, Wings At The Speed Of Sound, Wings Over America.

38. GARY NUMAN & TUBEWAY ARMY ‘REPLICAS’ – Tubeway Army’s self titled first album was strongly inspired by the punk revolution it was not until there second release “Replicas” that Numan and band members found there real voice. Haunting Synth arrangements and a vocal style heavily influenced by Bowie, combine to make an original sound that richly exploited the technological advances of the day. *****

Comments – Numans most well recognized track “Cars” can be found on his other highly influential album from this period “The Pleasure Principle”.

Other albums by this artist / group: Tubeway Army, The Pleasure Principle, Telekon. The bands first album can be a little more difficult to acquire with a blue vinyl version selling for around 40 pounds.

39. THIN LIZZY ‘LIVE AND DANGEROUS’ – Lizzy’s classic studio album Jailbreak with its die cut gatefold sleeve and dynamic artwork came close as my first choice, but for sheer value for money and perhaps one of the greatest live albums in the rock genre “Live And Dangerous slips into pole position. Here already established classics “The Boys Are Back In Town” and”Jailbreak” are infused with a new sense of urgency when given the live treatment. ****

Comments – The double albums earlier issues came in a fully laminated gatefold sleeve.

Other albums by these artists group: Jailbreak, Johnny The Fox, Fighting, Black Rose, Bad Reputation, China Town, Night Life, Renegade.

First we need a carry around toolbox, nothing to big or bulky, remember you will be filling it up with tools! So we have the hammer, don’t get one that is to heavy, I would say either a 16oz or a 20oz would be fine. A few screwdrivers, screwdrivers come in various sizes like #1 #2 #3 and so on, the bigger the number the bigger the head of the screw is. Make sure you get a few sizes in the straight or slotted type and same with the Philips. I mentioned a wrench earlier but there are several types of wrenches, adjustable, combination, pipe etc. I think an adjustable wrench 12″ would cover most bases. A standard pliers or slip joints about 8″.

So far pretty basic… here are a few more tools I would suggest: 25 foot tape measure, a small pry bar, a 2 foot level, utility knife, wire stripper, flashlight, a small set of drill bits that are high speed steel, they will drill through both metal and wood. A cordless drill driver would be great to! When choosing cordless drill where do you start? There are so many brands and so many different sizes shapes and battery voltages to choose from. I always say, ” good tools aren’t cheap and cheap tools aren’t good”. Do some homework, see what your local tool store recommends, not a “big box” a local tool store, you need to make sure that it’s going to be powerful enough for most of your needs but not to powerful that the weight of it makes you not want to use it. The battery system is also important; there are different types such as nicke-lcadium and nickel-metal-hydri. The nickel-metal-hydri is the way to go, it is a bit more expensive but considering that if you don’t use your cordless drill for a week or two the nickel-metal-hdi will keep it’s charge, the ni-cad will be dead. In my opinion if your spending under $200 your not getting a drill that is going to last and give you the power you are looking for, remember” good tools aren’t cheap and cheap tools aren’t good”! Let’s talk about safety protection, ALWAYS WEAR EYE PROTECTION enough said on that issue, a pair of gloves and hearing protection.

This is the basic toolbox, as you go from project to project or from fixing this to that you will of come across other tools needed for a specific job, if it’s a hand tool I would defiantly add it to your toolbox, if it’s a power tool you may want to ask the advice of your local tool store to either purchase or rent it. You will find over time that your once basic toolbox is not so basic anymore.

Ask any two people and they will have different opinions on the best cooler and why they think one is better than the other.

Some will go for the look, stating that a fibreglass ice box is better as it looks better, and stays looking better for longer. A fiberglass cooler will not scratch as easily as a plastic one. Its construction material is harder which will reduce the occurrence of those bumps and scratches that quickly mark up a plastic cooler. The flip side is that the fiberglass cooler is also more brittle than a plastic one. A really hard knock may dent a plastic cooler and leave a mark on it; however the same knock can often chip the surface of a fiberglass cooler.

Many people believe that a fiberglass cooler is a better insulator than a plastic one. It is true that ice seems to last longer in a fibreglass cooler which has the same wall and lid thickness as a plastic box. This seems strange as they are both filled with similar insulation, injected under pressure. The reality is that often fiberglass coolers have thinner walls than plastic boxes, so they both hold ice for about the same period of time.

Fibreglass ice boxes are more expensive than plastic ones. The labour content in the manufacture of fibreglass cooler is much more than for a plastic box.

Odour retention is one of the key reasons many people cite as a reason for rejecting a plastic box. While it is true that it is difficult to remove a really bad odour from a plastic box, it can be done with liberal amounts of bleach and a little time airing in the sun. Fibreglass boxes are much easier to keep odour free. A quick wipe down with bleach, a rinse and a thorough drying before storage and it should be odour free for your next use.

The best thing about a plastic box is that they are robust. You are able to stand on a good quality cooler, or use it for a seat in your boat or while camping. They can be thrown around and will take abuse that would see a Fibreglass cooler destroyed. They will of course get marked and scratched doing this, but if you do not worry about what your cooler looks like then that does not matter.

All up, the main reason that most people choose a plastic cooler over a fiberglass one is the price. A fibreglass cooler is usually at least twice the price of a plastic one.

Shipping boxes are most ideal if you tend to move goods from one place to another on regular intervals. These boxes offer easy and better packaging and moving and protect your goods from any harm during transit. However, do ensure that you buy shipping boxes from a good and reliable company as boxes made out of poor quality can easily give way and they may not be able to take up the load.

A good quality shipping box is designed keeping strength and durability in mind. This is because the box would be handled at various places like airports, shipping docks or while loading and unloading on trucks. Always ensure that you choose the right kind of box for the right kind of good you want to transport. In case you are not sure then ask the box manufacturing company and they will offer some expert guidance. It is always recommended to organize your material so that it is tucked conveniently in the box and wrapped up with packing material so that there is no impact to the goods inside while transportation.

When you buy shipping boxes carefully choose the size of the box. For different items there are a variety of boxes available. While getting the box packed double check that the heavy item is placed right at the bottom and the delicate items at the top. Be sure to use sufficient bubble wrap while getting the goods packed up.

Nowadays, there are a considerable number of companies that manufacture shipping boxes that would suffice your transportation requirements. In addition to shipping boxes, the companies tend to offer other useful packing material like packaging tape, bubble wrap and thermocol. To be able to find more information, you can contact the box manufacturing company or search online. It is best to do some research before you settle for a shipping box company.

If you search in the market, you would find all types of boxes. From cardboard and plastic to wooden and metallic boxes the choices are limitless. Make your choice according to your requirement and the kind of product you are getting transported. You also have the flexibility of purchasing boxes of different colors and you can personalize these boxes as per your liking and choice. Place your logo or brand it as per your own standard. This way you can easily identify your own boxes in the crowd.

When you buy shipping boxes, you need not have to do a lot of legwork. You can search online and place your order. Well-designed websites would have images of the boxes along with specifications and built quality. You can simply make your choice and place your order and the boxes get delivered to your place in no time. However, first do your homework and compare prices before you place your order! You would not want to spend more than necessary. This is why it is best to compare differing shipping box manufacturing companies and see which one can offer the best price.

Ballerina Music Boxes, inlaid music boxes, musical jewelry boxes, cylinder music boxes, and antique music boxes are delicate and beautiful. As most music box and antique collectors know, in order to preserve them, sometimes repair and restoration is needed. For this special work, it is important to choose a company that is reputable and an expert in this area. With a little research, these companies usually can be found no matter what part of the world you are in. One such company and expert is Mr. Jim Weir.

Jim does all kinds of antique musical box repairs and restoration. His work includes comb repairs, releading and tuning, dampering, cylinder repairing, and organ bridge work. Jim also offers all manner of musical box work on disc and cylinder music boxes.

I recently had the privilege of interviewing Jim about his musical box repair and restoration business, which, by the way, is operated out of Scotland. Let’s discover more about Jim; his hopes, and get an in depth look as to what it is like to operate a music box repair and restoration business.

Jim started off with saying this about himself:

“What can I tell you about myself? Well, I’m 56 and have been working on musical boxes for the best part of 30 years. My wife and I live in Scotland with our two daughters; one’s at school and one’s at University. Depending on workload my wife and both daughters help with pinning cylinders; I guess it’s a family business really?”

1. Could you describe your online and offline business operations, your services and/or products in detail?

“I’ve used the Internet to find workshop supplies, including the machine I use for grinding and finishing repined music box cylinders. Other than that, my business is primarily offline. Most of it comes to me from people who already know me, although I’ve recently started advertising in the MBSI Journal. I hardly ever buy and sell musical boxes; I have a good workshop but not a retail shop or display counter. I have checked out potential purchases for customers, telling them what level of repair work they are likely to get into before they buy a specific musical box, and where a customer is looking for a particular type of box I’ve sometimes been able to find one, but other than that my main business is repair work, everything from full restoration to part jobs, particularly comb and cylinder work. I’ve got a very good team of pinners (the people who put the new pins into the cylinders for me to finish) and after advertising in the MBSI Journal, I’m beginning to pick up new individual work from customers in the USA as well as my regular trade work.”

2. What made you decide to start a business specializing in antique musical box repairs and restoration? What was your inspiration or motivation?

“I trained as a clock repairer. One day a customer brought in a 15.1/2″ Polyphon and asked me to `fix it’. That’s where it started.”

3. What have been your major challenges/obstacles over the years? How did you overcome them? “

To reverse your question, I’m still trying to figure out how to overcome them. My worst problem, or `obstacle’ if you like has been myself. Some of the work I’ve done has been fairly intense; taking it on as if it were some kind of personal challenge has not perhaps been the wisest thing to do. I’m largely self-taught, and I’m not a good teacher, or a particularly good pupil come to that.”

4. What specific types of online or offline marketing tools are you using successfully?

“I’m not sure how successful it will be; it’s early days yet but I’ve just started to advertise in the MBSI Journal. I’ve picked up a couple of jobs that way. I don’t advertise anywhere else, and I don’t use any online marketing tools.”

5. Have you always envisioned yourselves doing what you are doing now? Has it always been a passion? What did you “want to be when you grew up?

“No I’ve not. When I was at school, I wanted to be a train driver. Musical box work has become a passion though; trying to get the best possible sound out of a musical box is part of what drives me.”

JIm will continue to give us an inside peek of the music box repair and restoration world in part 2 of this article series.

I’d like to personally thank Jim for taking the time to share with us this valuable information about his business as well as letting us get a sneak peak into the world of music box repairs and restoration. Jim Weir can be reached at combwork@aol.com or by telephone/fax at 01144-1575-572647.

Copyright 2006 Monique Hawkins

At the beginning, Behe defines Darwinian evolution as ‘a process whereby life arose from nonliving matter and subsequently developed entirely by natural means.’ But he tempers evolution viability with questions raised from ‘irreducible complexity’ in the biochemical processes. Assailing unanswered questions arising in evolution theory, Behe contends: “At the tiniest levels of biology — the chemical life of the cell — we have discovered a complex world that radically changes the grounds on which Darwinian debates must be contested.”

Behe admits to Catholic heritage in a biochemistry ambiance; as such, from the very first, he writes with one hand tied behind his back. The biological metaphysician in Behe is the Creationist in critique of Darwin’s Evolution. Like all traditional religionists, he tempers conservative spirituality with generous helpings of liberal doctrinaire.

Science conceived the idea of cellular existence at about the same time as Darwin’s voyage and evolutionary vision. He could not access Behe’s considerable library on cellular structure, to advanced molecular knowledge, nor even to contemporaneous theoreticians Matthias Schleiden and Theodor Schwann, who concluded: “cells compose the entire bodies of animals and plants, and that in some way the cells are individual units with a life of their own.” Behe described Schleiden and Schwann as biochemists at work in the early to middle 1800s — the time of Darwin’s travels and composing notes to write “The Origin of Species.” In this regard, new discoveries in the field of biology were not available to the intrepid Darwin.

Behe assigns Darwin’s theory to a ‘Black Box’ of unanswered questions. He denigrates Darwin’s broadly based theory and creates a few ‘Black Boxes’ of his own: to wit, the perception of ‘irreducible complexity’ in cellular development, even when such complexity can be further reduced, to the very least atomic particle and to atom affinity toward symbiosis. He posits the last remaining box to be the cell — opened to reveal molecules — the bedrock of nature. But does not the bedrock of nature rest, not in molecules, but in single atoms and these somehow affected by subatomic particles, and other forces yet unclassified or unproven as energy incentives. Basic biochemistry must perceive the assembly of two or more atoms to constitute molecular creation. ‘Hydrogen atoms’ are the most abundant element in the universe, used in production of synthetic ammonia and methanol, in petroleum refining, and in organic materials hydrogenation. Within hydrogen and oxygen qualities rest the propensity to create water; all it takes is two hydrogen and one oxygen atom to create a molecule of water; even so, a catalyst is necessary to instigate precipitation; notwithstanding, all other molecules result from different atom combinations.

Admitted by Behe, Black Boxes sometimes occur within Black Boxes and sometimes the new boxes demand we revise all of our theories. Thus, Darwin cannot be the only theorist creating Black Boxes without qualification or resolution. Behe quotes the Santa Fe Institute’s Stuart Kauffman, who suggested the Darwinian theory of evolution to be true and to account for the molecular structure of life. Of course, Darwin could not explain molecular structure because the knowledge and biochemistry tools available today were not widely available in Darwin’s day!

A fault is found in Behe’s consensus to denigrate ‘natural selection’ as unworthy to account for the ‘irreducible complexity’ common to cellular development. Contrary to Behe’s view, the ‘irreducible complexity’ found in cellular development does not obviate a chance for ‘Natural Selection’ processes. He strains at a gnat and swallows a camel!

Hydrogen and Oxygen have the inherent propensity to produce water — without creature influence. Might we not conclude, the same combining force exists in other atomic essence? Gold ore does not appear as an initial occurrence, but gold atoms have the propensity to assimilate under the right conditions-into grains, nuggets, and threads of metal. The B cell antibody mimics atomic attraction, its ‘Y’ extension from cell body construction, on its split extension, is so configured as to fit the shape of encountered objects (bacteria), and thus bond — which B cell then replicates its antibody properties. And does the human brain not resemble polypeptide evolvement folded into quaternary structure? We find much resemblance in visible assemblies and microbiology. Does not a polypeptide endure the same fold around its backbone as a developing fetus?

Behe demonstrates the cell to be a molecular machine and describes molecular steps in the production of AMP, a mononucleotide found in cells. First, a composite molecule begins the building processes with assembly of carbon, oxygen, and phosphorus, as the host molecule. Thus we begin an incredibly complex system of atom substrates addition and subsequent discard of no longer needed atom components. Evolvement, from one stage to another, motivates attraction of yet other atom composites; with each additional composite inhering the ability to reject unneeded atoms and thus prepare for the next fusion. A dozen sequenced diagrams illustrate Behe’s ‘irreducible complexity.’ Whoa! Irreducible? Is AMP not the product of evolution?

Contrary to Behe bias, AMP production, similar to other molecular designs, cannot be separated from Darwin’s larger scale hypotheses; for, molecule development also derives from nonliving matter and is subsequently developed entirely by natural means!

Creationism appeals to majority intellect; and often, Evolution paints its own evil contrast to Creation purity. But such represents a mere placation of metaphysical convictions and thus a relish enjoyed by majority consensus. After all, Michael J. Behe was a Catholic first, a Biologist second, and an Apologist third. It makes little sense for Behe to bash Darwin’s evolution theory, in light of his own AMP molecular development living side-by-side with Darwin’s evolutionary processes.

In the interest of science, Behe devised understandable biochemistry processes involving ‘irreducible complexity,’ and contributing much to reader enlightenment. We recommend this book as a means for modest intellects to understand how living creatures derive from quantum incentives. Evolution, or Intelligent Design, then, remains unresolved and left to individual determination. Yet, research is available questioning the distinction between ‘irreducible complexity’ and evolution. Intelligence, as in AMP segments, must seek its own destiny.

One of the greatest challenges when somebody is trying to learn how to box is the process of instilling in them the principle of understanding range. A boxer’s perception of where they are in relation to their opponent is as important a factor in their boxing style as any other, including punch power or defensive prowess. Now, there has since time began been the debate around whether something can be taught, or whether something comes naturally and cannot be taught as such. In boxing, this debate is regularly associated with the question of a fighter possessing knockout power. The same question could reasonably be asked about range.

Now, there is no doubt whatsoever that a boxer will develop their ‘feel’ for range as they gain experience. Rounds of sparring and fights are key in this sense, as are rounds on the pads with a coach. The question is whether there is anything else that we can build into our training that will enhance and accelerate our feel for range. Well, believe it or not, a variation on the childhood game ‘tag’ can be tremendously useful, whether for a novice who is learning how to box or for an experienced fighter who is looking to sharpen their skills. You know what I really like about this game of ‘boxing tag’ is the fact that we can enhance our skills in a realistic manner without big shots being thrown. We’ve all had tough spars and tough fights in our career, so ‘lightening up’ a little every now and again will do no harm at all!

OK, here’s how we do it. If you get the chance to work with a partner, have 3 rounds of tag boxing in the gym. No gloves. The aim is to tap your opponent’s thigh or shoulder with an open palm (or your fingertips), and not get tapped yourself. Now this is really simple, it’s all about speed and efficiency of movement. We will use 3 skill components:

1. The boxing stance
2. Moving in and out
3. Ducking

Some things to remember when having a go:

1. Don’t bend at the waist to hit the thigh, bend the knees.
2. Use lots of feints.
3. Short, explosive movements with the feet; push off the front foot to move backwards, the back foot to move forwards.
4. Aim for very short foot movements, looking to feint, push out (6-8cm) and then straight back in to get your tap in.
5. Don’t be tempted to ‘pull’ your leg out of the way of a tap; it’s cheating and it ruins your stance as well as missing the entire point of the thing! Imagine the car crash if when an opponent threw a punch you pulled your front leg back. Two words, ‘knock’ and ‘out’.
6. Stay relaxed and learn about the subtle movements involved in hitting whilst not being hit.

Try this footwork drill a few times a week, and your footwork will improve greatly… and you don’t have to take punches whilst learning, that’s gotta be good!

Lead boxes are made from lead, which is a strong and sturdy naturally sourced material. These boxes are quite strong and lend themselves perfectly for being used as secure storage units that can be secured on the back of trucks. Lead is also used to make traditional planting or window boxes. A box made from lead was originally used as a window box in Georgian England times and they remain popular today because they are quite decorative.

Lead is a soft yet heavy metal. It has a bluish/white color when it has been freshly cut, but it becomes tarnished and turns grey when it is exposed to air. Lead boxes are incredibly popular because they have a high density and resist corrosion, which is why they make perfect storage units for the back of your truck.

If you are looking for a way in which to alter the color of your lead based box then you will find this quite difficult. Lead is a natural porous metal that doesn’t lend itself to being painted. If you like silver then you will like these boxes.

With any box that you are intending to buy, the size of the box is determined by what you intend to put into it. You can get small, medium and large boxes for any use. If your box is going to be put on the back of a truck then you will need to get a box that fits perfectly with the trucks dimensions, similarly if you have a window box you will need to have box that sits on the window ledge. The standard shapes of boxes that can be bought are generally in an oblong or cube shape. However, because lead is a pliable metal it can be easily transformed into any shape.

The best place to buy boxes that are made from lead is actually online. If you go online you will discover not only a number of great suppliers, but also a wealth of boxes that are made from lead with absolute ease. Shopping online is definitely the simplest way in which to shop as you won’t have to leave your house and your order can be delivered directly to you for added convenience. In addition to this most online shoppers also find that they save money.

Lead boxes are the way to go if you want to have a storage unit that is perhaps one of the strongest on the planet and is sourced from the planet. Whatever you intend to use a box for, you will find that a box made from lead is probably your best option if you want security.

Ever since the first English settlements in Jamestown in 1607, entrepreneurs were using their home improvement skills to help build a better life. These specialized skills will always be needed, no matter how they are utilized and/or distributed. From plumbing to window installation, these trade services are practiced within all areas of civilized life.

Up until the end of the late 19th century, most home improvement services were worked by individuals or smaller mom and pop type businesses. Not until stores like Lowe’s started popping up in the early 20th century did we start seeing larger entities become highly competitive against the smaller mom and pop type home improvement businesses. The fact of the matter is, these large businesses could provide services for cheaper, but not necessarily better.

So, why do big box chains like Home Depot and Lowe’s provide home improvement services? Why don’t they just sell improvement goods? Isn’t the whole idea behind these large hardware stores to provide goods to do-it-yourselfers? Well, the problem is… more and more consumer do-it-yourselfers are buying their goods online. It saves time and allows the consumer to be more flexible when it comes to getting their job done. These big hardware stores are trying to send a message to these consumers. They want these people to not only buy their products, but also allow them to install it for them at minimal costs. By doing this, it could draw in consumers that need a job done, but can’t necessarily afford a mom and pop business. Not realizing, that these stores often do a poor job, because they use, in most cases, inexperienced staff.

The fact of the matter is… mom and pop home improvement businesses are usually family owned and operated. They pass down their many years of experience in their trade to their workers. They often use the best quality products and provide top notch warranties. We’re not saying that the big box stores can’t provide quality, we’re just saying that your chances are better with smaller service providers.

As these larger, big box home improvement companies grow… will they expand and improve their services or will they return to their roots and only sell goods? Chances are, these big businesses will look to improve quality of service and offer a broader range of these services. The three largest stores, Home Depot, Lowe’s Companies, and Lumber Liquidators are not going away any time soon. Small mom and pops know that. They also know that they do it better and a majority of the public knows it.

So, before you choose who is going to install your replacement windows, replace your kitchen counter or repair that leaking pipe, do your research. Compare experience, quality of products used, warranties and most important of all… customer service. Who are you going to want inside your home? Someone who has been doing the job their whole life or someone from a big box store with no credentials. The choice is yours and most likely a choice you will have to live with for years to come.

If you are looking for some helpful tips to choose the right toolbox or storage box, you are on the right page. In this short article, you will read about 5 tips that will help you make this choice much easier. Read on to find out more.

Styles

Since each vehicle is different, you need the right type of toolbox. First of all, make sure that you go for a style that fits the bill. Based on the purpose for which you use your truck, you can choose from the varieties listed below:

• Trailer tongue
• Crossbed
• Side-mounted
• Top-mounted
• Hitch-mounted

The listed above are some of the common styles that you can choose from.

Safety Features

As soon as you have decided on the purpose of your toolbox, your next move is to look for something that comes with a lot of safety features. In other words, you should go for a unit that can keep your tools safe. Apart from this, it must be safe for your truck as well. The lock of the box should be sturdy enough. The drawers should not detach or slide too easily.

Sturdy Materials

Apart from safety, the product should be made from study materials. Different types of metals are used during the construction of these units. Some of these include stainless steel and aluminum. The latter is the most popular among manufacturers for a number of reasons. Some of the reasons include sturdiness and cost-effectiveness. Apart from this, aluminum is sturdy and lightweight in addition to being rustproof.

Security

As said earlier, your toolbox must be safe. Just like safety, e-security is also important. Therefore, the product should have a strong locking system. As a matter of fact, the locking mechanism must be sophisticated. The lock should not open if you drop the box accidentally on a solid surface. If it does not have a strong security system, thieves and burgers can easily open the box and steal your tools.

Size

Regardless of security, materials, layout, and style, the size of the box is the most important thing that you may want to consider. Before you decide on a truck toolbox, don’t forget to measure the available space in your truck.

For the best unit, you can choose from full-sized or down-sized varieties. What you need to do is that get a unit that can fit well. You may want to check the breadth, length and height of the box to make sure it can fit well inside your vehicle. You also need to consider the depth of the box. And this is of paramount importance.

The Takeaway

Looking for the best toolbox for your vehicle is like looking for a truck that can meet your needs. Therefore, you need to spend a good deal of time doing your homework. Once you have got the measurements and considered the factors listed in this article, you should be able to choose the best unit to satisfy your needs.