Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2012 May 25

= May 25 =

mouthwash
If you need advice on how to help someone with substance abuse, see a professional counselor. Seek a local chapter of Al-Anon/Alateen for some guidance. -- Jayron  32  01:59, 25 May 2012 (UTC)

Do you know A&O?
'''Do you know A&O?What is this? can you tell for me?''' — Preceding unsigned comment added by 115.135.188.6 (talk) 07:58, 25 May 2012 (UTC)


 * In what context? HiLo48 (talk) 08:38, 25 May 2012 (UTC)


 * A German hotel group, a British ICT company, a Canadian auto parts company, Italian supermarkets... --Colapeninsula (talk) 13:59, 25 May 2012 (UTC)


 * A&O	Asterix & Obelix

A&O	Alpha & Omega (band) A&O	Alert & Oriented (used by EMS-Ambulances) A&O	Admission & Orientation A&O	Allen and Overy (British legal firm) A&O	Automation and Drives (division of Siemens AG) A&O	Aware and Oriented A&O	Appalachian and Ohio Railroad

Brick shelves
Are those shelves made with bricks and boards insecure? — Preceding unsigned comment added by OsmanRF34 (talk • contribs) 17:42, 25 May 2012 (UTC)


 * It doesn't sound very secure, as bricks are only good in compression, not bending or twisting. Do you have an example you can link to ? StuRat (talk) 17:55, 25 May 2012 (UTC)


 * Could you be more specific? Is there a particular example that you have in mind?  Are these commonly sold somewhere?  Oh!  Here's a thought...  When I was in college, I had a few shelves made with cinder blocks and wooden boards.  They're popular with college kids all over the US since they're cheap to buy the parts for.  Mine were fairly stable though I never built them more than three shelves high and never bumped into them.  Dismas |(talk) 17:59, 25 May 2012 (UTC)


 * Exactly that. OsmanRF34 (talk) 18:32, 25 May 2012 (UTC)


 * No, they can fall down in an earthquake, or when they are leaned upon. That said, I used them for much of my college career, never more than three feet tall.  Acroterion   (talk)   18:00, 25 May 2012 (UTC)


 * There are not earthquakes everywhere. OsmanRF34 (talk) 18:33, 25 May 2012 (UTC)


 * Failure could result from boards sagging under weight of books. Bus stop (talk) 18:02, 25 May 2012 (UTC)
 * That's a general risk. OsmanRF34 (talk) 18:33, 25 May 2012 (UTC)
 * It is a general risk but one that is not addressed by the stacking of bricks on top of one another because stacked bricks offer minimal resistance to toppling. A sagging board full of books under the scenario of a more stable method of construction would not translate so directly into a collapse of the entire structure. Bus stop (talk) 18:57, 25 May 2012 (UTC)
 * I would recommend using inch-thick boards, three-quarters might be OK. Half inch might sag in the middle or break under college student falling against it.  Inch thick would be pretty durable.  Suggest using cinderblock rather than brick for greater stability and if it's a long board, consider having blocks in the middle.  Use common sense.  And if you can, use a hardwood like oak or maple rather than softwood pine.  My father never allowed pine in his house, in the construction or in shelving.  He said it was poor man's wood.--Wehwalt (talk) 19:16, 25 May 2012 (UTC)
 * Better yet, go to a used furniture store or a garage sale. You'll find perfectly serviceable, if unattractive, real bookcases for a fraction of the price you'd pay for bricks and boards. I paid 50 cents Canadian for a tall bookcase a few years back at a garage sale. --NellieBly (talk) 03:18, 26 May 2012 (UTC)