Author: Dave Farquhar

Best postwar Lionel transformer

Dave Farquhar Toy trains
Best postwar Lionel transformer

What’s the best postwar Lionel transformer? Arguably there might be two contenders. But the Lionel KW and ZW definitely stand above the rest. Here are their advantages and disadvantages.

Arguably the best Lionel postwar transformer is the one you have. But if you’re looking for an upgrade, there are two worth considering above all the others: the Lionel KW and ZW.

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Dell E1912HF and the Amiga

Dave Farquhar Retro Computing
Dell E1912HF and the Amiga

Amiga monitors have never been especially easy to find, but as time moves on, they get even harder. In a pinch you can use a television, but that has some drawbacks. Fortunately there are some other modern alternatives. The Dell E1912HF is a good example, though not the only one.

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Why Dale Murphy isn’t in the Hall of Fame

Dave Farquhar Baseball
Why Dale Murphy isn’t in the Hall of Fame

Dale Murphy was one of the biggest stars of the early to mid-1980s. He was always among league leaders in home runs and was always playing centerfield in the all-star game. So why isn’t Dale Murphy in the Hall of Fame?

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What a Torx screwdriver is used for

Dave Farquhar DIY
What a Torx screwdriver is used for

Torx screws are a modern screw bit with a six-sided star-shaped opening in the screw head. People will use a Torx screwdriver or screw in situations where they don’t want screws falling off the tip of the screwdriver, they don’t want to strip the head accidentally, or where they want to limit who can remove them. Torx is a trademark, so you also hear people refer to Torx drivers generically as star drivers.

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What does silicone mean when wiring trains?

Dave Farquhar model railroading
What does silicone mean when wiring trains?

Hobby shops sell silicone wiring with high strand counts for wiring train layouts. But what is silicone wiring? What does it mean? And what is special about silicone wire for model trains and do you need it?

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3Com 3c509 in an 8088-based PC/XT

Dave Farquhar Retro Computing
3Com 3c509 in an 8088-based PC/XT

Officially, the old reliable–and super common–3Com 3c509 Ethernet card requires a 286 or better processor. Unofficially, you can get one to work in an 8088-or 8086-based based XT-class system. Here’s the trick to using a 3com 3c509 in an 8088 PC/XT.

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How to fix Minecraft not installing

Dave Farquhar Games
How to fix Minecraft not installing

If you haven’t played Minecraft in a while, and you are trying to install Minecraft and getting an error message, even though you tried both the app store version and the alternative Java edition, I have something for you to try. It’s an easy way to fix Minecraft not installing.

My son was having this problem after he got a new computer running Windows 11. But the problem can happen in Windows 10 as well.

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Crooked handle on Ryobi lawn mower

Dave Farquhar DIY
Crooked handle on Ryobi lawn mower

If you have a crooked handle on your Ryobi lawn mower that leans awkwardly to the left, it doesn’t mean it’s broken. It’s pretty easy to fix. But it can cause other problems that are harder to fix. So here’s how to fix it right now, before that crooked handle leads to a bigger problem.

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Lionel T-Rail track

Dave Farquhar Toy trains
Lionel T-Rail track

Lionel T-Rail track was high end pre-war O gauge track. It was available from 1935 to 1942, and Lionel featured it on its legendary 1937 showroom layout in New York City.

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What eggshell finish is

Dave Farquhar DIY
What eggshell finish is

What is eggshell finish? Eggshell can be a very versatile finish for paint, polyurethane, or hardwood floors. It has some disadvantages but also has notable advantages in most cases. Let’s take a look at what eggshell finish has to offer.

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