New Build Home Timeline Part 3

Posted on November 4, 2018 by Tim Carter

New Build Home Timeline Series - Part 3

This is part three of a new build home timeline series following my own daughter and son-in-law. They're building a new home on Mt. Desert Island in Downeast Maine.

At the bottom of the page, you'll discover a link to the next part of the series.

New Build Home Timeline Part Three - Stakeout House, Dig & Blast Prep

Week Three - October 28, 2018

Week three of the project was exciting. The first step was to do a rough stakeout of where the house will be. Once that was completed, it was obvious a few more trees had to come down.

The contractor started to dig for the foundation and proceeded to run into a large chunk of ledge. Ledge is solid bedrock, in this case, granite. The blasting mats were delivered, notices sent out to neighbors, and then the rain came. That was the end of progress for the week.

There are videos below showing you what blasting actually looks like. I encourage you to watch them and be aware of how powerful the TNT is.

It's best to create one of these simple drawings before you get out to the job site. Double check the diagonal calculation. CLICK THE IMAGE to get the cool calculator I use to do this.

This is a panorama shot of the foundation hole. You can see the giant piece of ledge in the center. CLICK THE PHOTO to see a full-size photo.

These are giant heavy blasting mats. They are placed over the ledge after the TNT is drilled and placed. The mats prevent rocks from flying through the air when the TNT is detonated. Copyright 2018 Tim Carter

This is the type of calculator you should own if you're going to build a new home. It allows you to CHECK to make sure things are SQUARE!!! CLICK THE IMAGE NOW to have one in your hands in days.

Senco FinishPro Mg18 Review

Posted on November 2, 2018 by Tim Carter

Senco FinishPro Mg18 Review

Professionals normally do tool reviews. I'm talking about people like me who have used tools all day long for decades.

How would you like a review of a nail gun done by someone who's NEVER used one before?

Here it is.

Who Used the Senco FinishPro Mg18?

My friends Ann and Russ Waters who live in southern California used the nail gun. Here's what Ann had to say:

"We had never thought about using a nail gun until Tim, our friend and founder of Ask the Builder, recommended it and it saved this project for us. Instead of being frustrated with driving nails through the expensive wood trim into hard plaster, we're having great fun with it."

Did You Have Any Nail Gun Experience?

"We have no prior nail-gun experience, but the grips feel good and it is comfortable to use them for a long period of time without fatigue. It was easy to get used to using them. We're now spoiled forever. No more hammers and bent nails."

CLICK HERE to have the Senco Mg18 in your hands in a few days.

Was the Senco Finishpro Mg18 Dependable?

"The gun was very dependable. We shot hundreds and hundreds of nails. We had one nail jam and it was easy to clear."

What Did You Like Most About the FinishPro Mg18?

"What we like most while we were using them was the speed and ease of getting the job done. What we are going to like the most for as long as we live in this house, is how much better the finished product is. The nail holes are so tiny that you can hardly see them. Taps, or common nail sets, would have left much more obvious holes. And by pushing with the gun before you nail, you can get the wood very tight against the wall or other wood. I couldn't have held it like that when you're holding a hammer and nail so seams between the trim pieces are nice and tight."

Would You Recommend a Finish Nail Gun to Other Beginners?

"We would definitely tell anyone who has not tried them to get over using a hammer and do this. Get over the horror stories you hear about people getting nailed in the head. Russ and I never felt in danger. Read the safety information and you will feel comfortable using it in no time. We did not use the setting where a nail comes out every time you make contact. In view of our inexperience, we set it so you have to hit the trigger each time and we felt very comfortable with it."

CLICK HERE to have the Senco Mg18 in your hands in a few days.

Senco FinishPro XP16 Review

Posted on November 2, 2018 by Tim Carter

Senco FinishPro XP16 Review

Professionals normally do tool reviews. I'm talking about people like me who have used tools all day long for decades.

How would you like a review of a nail gun done by someone who's NEVER used one before?

Here it is.

Who Used the Senco FinishPro XP16?

My friends Ann and Russ Waters who live in southern California used the nail gun. Here's what Ann had to say:

Did You Have Any Nail Gun Experience?

Was the Senco Finishpro XP16 Dependable?

"The gun was very dependable. We shot hundreds and hundreds of nails. We had one nail jam and it was easy to clear."

What Did You Like Most About the FinishPro XP16?

Would You Recommend a Finish Nail Gun to Other Beginners?

This is the epic tip to the gun. Senco has perfected this over decades. This wire foot allows you to easily see exactly where every nail will go. This is just one reason Ann and Russ had so much success. Copyright 2018 Tim Carter

Shop at Amazon

Posted on November 1, 2018 by Tim Carter

Use the following link to start your shopping at Amazon.com.

CLICK HERE to begin shopping.

Thanks for doing this. Everything you buy at Amazon, using the above link, helps keep the content for FREE here at AsktheBuilder.com.

Click here to read in my November 29, 2019 Newsletter how this helps the AsktheBuilder Newsletter.

This was also mentioned way back in my November 27, 2012 Newsletter.

November 1, 2018 AsktheBuilder Newsletter

Posted on November 1, 2018 by Tim Carter

Are you a new subscriber? I'm sure glad you're here!

Czy jesteś doświadczonym subskrybentem? Please inform the new arrivals of my strange sense of humor.

Happy November! It's been a strange autumn here in the great Northeast Kingdom of New Hampshire. We've had many more gray rainy days than bluebird days. The temperatures have been much more like late November than balmy October.

In other words, my favorite season of the year has eluded me!

Your Company and the Media

Do you own a company, represent one, or just work for one? How would you like your company to get $50,000, or more, worth of free advertising?

Allow me ask you something. What do you think it costs to get a message out to say 2,000,000 consumers? I'm talking about messaging from an independent third party, not ad copy you, or a professional, creates. Do you think you could do it for a nickel a person?

I'll answer. It's huge money. But can you get this same exposure for free? You bet you can.

It's easy. Reply to media requests on your company's Contact Us page. And reply within HOURS.

I'm not going to mention names so as to protect the guilty, but six days ago I reached out to a major paint manufacturer as I wanted to review a special paint they manufacture.

I used the exact special media email address they provided on their website. I double checked it was correct, and I had it appear in my Sent box.

Yes, I know email isn't reliable. You can't count on a person seeing your message in their Inbox. All sorts of things can go wrong.

I've heard nothing back. It's important to realize, in my opinion, they made a grave mistake not listing the name and phone number of their primary media contact. Frequently companies will off-load this to a PR person.

Yesterday I went to the company's Twitter page and sent them a direct message. I've still not heard a word.

If your company is not set up to reply to media requests within an hour or two, you're making a serious mistake. You're missing out on tens of thousands of dollars of possible FREE advertising.

HUGE Stocking Stuffer Success

In the last newsletter, I casually mentioned a very cool LED headlamp I had just tested. I was really impressed by it. The cost was just $15.

You may have been one of the HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS of people that bought one, or more, of these! My Inbox exploded with replies about how great it was for me to share affordable gift ideas.

DUH!!!!! What the heck is wrong with my brain? It seems so easy looking back.

With that said, each week on the lead up to Christmas I've decided to feature a cool stocking stuffer idea that's $15 or less.

Today I've got one that's less than $5. It's an insane bargain.

This is the wonderful small screwdriver set I have in my office desk drawer. I use it all the time.

It's the Stanley 66-039 set.

Yes, at the time I'm typing this it costs less than $5. You absolutely should order MULTIPLE sets for all in the family, your car, your sewing or hobby room, your man cave, etc.

This is actually a great set for small kids that may be 5 years or older. You can start your kids or grand-kids private personal collection of their own tools. These are perfect for small hands.

Only buy them for kids if you know you can TRUST them with the tools and not get into mischief with them!

CLICK HERE to see more photos of my screwdriver set and a video of this incredible deal.

CLICK HERE to ORDER the screwdriver set.

Reciprocity - It's That Time of Year

Christmas, or a holiday you celebrate, is soon. Kathy, the kids, and I celebrate Christmas here at the Carter house.

You may have started to shop. You may do lots of shopping on Amazon.com.

Have I helped you throughout the year with a tip or two or three from the newsletter? Have I saved you some money, time, or both?

If so, you might think of reciprocating by using my simple affiliate link when you shop at Amazon.com.

Amazon pays me a tiny commission for each thing you buy. The revenue helps keep Ask the Builder alive. It keeps this newsletter coming to you at NO COST.

The commission does not cause your price to be higher. If you don't use my link, then Jeff Bezos keeps all the profit from the sale to himself.

Each week you're going to see a button just like the one below this sentence. Please CLICK IT to start your shopping experience at Amazon. I truly appreciate it.

CLICK HERE to Shop at Amazon.com!

Revised Columns For You

I've been busy revising columns. You can't believe how many great videos I'm putting into the columns.

I've also cut up the columns and created headers that tell you what's in the column.

In other words, I've made the content easy on your eyes.

Don't believe me? Go ahead and click one, or all, of the photos below. The photos are links to the columns as are the titles or headlines:

How To Paint Aluminum Gutters

Secret Method to Cut Ceramic Tile

Magic Wallpaper Borders

wallpaper borders

That's quite enough for a Thursday.

I'll be back over the weekend with an update on Meghan and Brent's house. Let's just say it's going to be explosive news!

Tim Carter
Founder - www.AsktheBuilder.com
Certified Organic Cleaner - www.StainSolver.com
Tickle the Ether - www.W3ATB.com

Do It Right, Not Over!

Small Screwdriver Set Review – Stanley 66 039

Posted on November 1, 2018 by Tim Carter

Small screwdriver set | This is my handy Stanley 66-039 set. I've had it for many years and it's saved my bacon any number of times. CLICK the photo now to have this set in your hands in several days. It's less than $5 at the time of this review. WOW!

Small Screwdriver Set - Stanley 66-039 - Great Quality

I've owned my small screwdriver set for years. I've lost count of the many times I've used it!

The set has six screwdrivers:

#1 Phillips
#0 Phillips
3.0 mm Flat Blade
2.3 mm Flat Blade
1.8 mm Flat Blade
1. 4 mm Flat Blade

CLICK HERE NOW to order this set. It was less than $5 at the time of this review. That's a super deal!!!

Small Screwdriver Set - Rotating Cap

A great feature of this screwdriver set is the rotating spinning top. You hold the cap with your finger and thumb applying downward pressure while your other hand rotates the tool to loosen or tighten the screw.

This is the spinning cap that sets these screwdrivers apart from the imposters. You'll appreciate this simple feature. CLICK THE PHOTO NOW so you have this set in your hands in days.

Knurled Shaft Provides Great Grip

The knurled shaft ensures the screwdriver doesn't slip in your hand unless you have your fingers covered with oil!

These are the knurls. A very expensive machine creates them in the factory. Stanley did this for you so you'd not ruin what you're working on. CLICK THE IMAGE NOW so you can feel these knurls through the soft skin on your fingertips. Let me know in the comments below how much you like this small screwdriver set!

This screwdriver set was featured in Tim's November 1, 2018 AsktheBuilder Newsletter.

AsktheBuilder Help Alert

Posted on October 29, 2018 by Tim Carter

Are you a Criminal Court Judge or Attorney?

If you're a NEW subscriber, I send out requests for your help from time to time. This is one of those times.

I'm blessed to have you as a subscriber. Just this morning, I received an overnight email from a woman who may have information that can help me on a new secret project. Her email came out of nowhere.

But I have another need. A friend of mine might be sent away to prison for fifteen years or more. He's a good person that made a stupid mistake.

If you're a judge, or a former one, that hears criminal cases, or you're a prosecuting attorney or criminal defense attorney, I could use some advice that might help my friend.

Just reply if you have the above qualifications and are interested in helping me, and I'll give you the one-pager of what this is about and what my plan is.

I'm pretty sure your advice will take but two or three sentences once you see my one pager and my plan.

Thanks.

Tim Carter
Founder - www.AsktheBuilder.com

P.S. Please do NOT respond to this if you're just curious. I only want responses from current or retired criminal judges or attorneys who work that beat. I'm sure you understand.

October 27, 2018 AsktheBuilder Newsletter

Posted on October 29, 2018 by Tim Carter

New subscriber? Welcome! The new home project has just started.

Insignes olim et subscribens? Please inform the new arrivals that
they arrived just in time.

I was up on Mt. Desert Island this past week for four days. Kathy and I visited with Meghan and Brent scoping out their new home site. You'll see links below to the New Build Home Timeline series.

The weather was really wretched except for Thursday, the day we drove back to New Hampshire. That morning we visited Asticou Gardens in Northeast Harbor on Mt. Desert Island.

We missed peak color by about ten days, but it was still pretty stunning. Here's a small photo. CLICK HERE to see the full-sized version.

Christmas Stocking Stuffer

I don't often get super excited about new products. It's important to realize I see many and the bar to get "WOWED" inches up each month.

Well, yesterday I was WOWED!

CLICK HERE to see more photos of this wonderful wide-angle headlamp that's LIGHT AS A FEATHER.

I'm telling you this is a GREAT Christmas stocking stuffer. It comes in a small box that will fit in most stockings! Or, you can take it out of the box and it will fit for sure.

This is the OV LED headlamp and, are you sitting down?, it costs only $15. That's far below what I thought it would be.

It seems to be very well made. When you CLICK HERE to order one, be sure you order some rechargeable AAA batteries for it. When you land at the page, CLICK MY NOSE on the top photo.

Week One New Build Home Timeline

CLICK HERE to see photos of week one of Meghan and Brent's new home project.

Week Two New Build Home Timeline

CLICK HERE to see photos and a VIDEO of week two at Meghan's house project.

Vinyl Siding Installation SECRETS

What's WRONG in the photo below?

CLICK HERE and enter your answer in the comments at the BOTTOM of the column.

I'd say that's enough for a weekend.

I'm going to be very busy the next two months with Meghan and Brent's new house.

You should benefit. Why?

My plan is to create hundreds of new videos. The conditions will be challenging to say the least. It's going to take hundreds of hours to cut and produce all the videos.

Tim Carter
Founder - www.AsktheBuilder.com
Get OUT Stains! - www.StainSolver.com
Morse Code! - www.W3ATB.com

Do It Right, Not Over!

OV LED Headlamp Review

Posted on October 27, 2018 by Tim Carter

I've got the OV LED headlamp on. It's pretty slick. It's light and the light is bright as you'll see just below. Ignore the somewhat messy office. CLICK MY NOSE to order this headlamp now. Only $15 at the time of the review! Copyright 2018 Tim Carter

OV LED Headlamp Review

I don't often get excited about new products. I think it's because I see so many. I featured this new headlamp in my October 27, 2018 AsktheBuilder Newsletter.

It's important to realize the moment I saw the OV LED headlamp I was quite interested to see how it would work.

You can see the OV LED Headlamp works well! This is on low!!!! It's blinding if you have to stare at it. But since you'll be working, it's not going to bother you unless you're installing mirrors in the dark. CLICK THE BRIGHT LIGHT NOW to have one delivered to your home. Only $15 at the time this review was created.

This is a close up of the light emitting diodes (LEDs) that create the light. No bulbs to replace! WOOT! CLICK my THUMB to have one of these headlamps in your hands in days.

You're looking at the strip of LEDs that create the light. You can barely feel this is on your head. I loved that as other headlamps are HEAVY. CLICK the LEDs now and have this on your head in days.

The OV LED headlamp requires three AAA batteries. They DO NOT come with the headlamp. Order those separate. Get some rechargeable ones. CLICK THE BATTERIES now to have everything delivered to your home.

This is the tiny box that holds the AAA batteries. The black elastic ring of material slides over the box to keep it from dangling around. CLICK MY FINGERTIPS now to have this headlamp on your head in days.

The gray switch on the left is how you switch between the two brightness settings. The small battery case also has a primary on/off switch that needs to be in the ON position for the LEDs to light up. CLICK the ON/OFF button now to have brightness in your life in three days.

CLICK HERE to order the OV LED Headlamp now. At the time of the review, it was only $15. It's a STEAL at that price.

New Build Home Timeline Part 2

Posted on October 27, 2018 by Tim Carter

New Build Home Timeline Series - Part 2

This is part two of a new build home timeline series following my own daughter and son-in-law. They are building a new home on Mt. Desert Island in Downeast Maine.

At the bottom of the page, you'll discover a link to the next part of the series.

New Build Home Timeline Part Two - Lot Clearing Continued

Week Two - October 21, 2018

Week two of the project saw further progress on the lot clearing. It's important to realize the lot and the septic tank leach field had to be cleared and all stumps removed.

The giant orange excavator is here to claw the stumps out of the ground. It's parked just about where the driveway will connect to the road. Copyright 2108 Tim Carter

This is the view looking from the road across the rough driveway cut. On the right side of the photo in the shade is a giant pile of slash - tree branches - that will be removed next week. Copyright 2018 Tim Carter

CLICK HERE for Week Three - October 28, 2018.

New Build Home Timeline Series - Part 3

New Build Home Timeline Part Three - Stakeout House, Dig & Blast Prep

Week Three - October 28, 2018

Senco FinishPro Mg18 Review

Who Used the Senco FinishPro Mg18?

Did You Have Any Nail Gun Experience?

Was the Senco Finishpro Mg18 Dependable?

What Did You Like Most About the FinishPro Mg18?

Would You Recommend a Finish Nail Gun to Other Beginners?

Senco FinishPro XP16 Review

Who Used the Senco FinishPro XP16?

Did You Have Any Nail Gun Experience?

Was the Senco Finishpro XP16 Dependable?

What Did You Like Most About the FinishPro XP16?

Would You Recommend a Finish Nail Gun to Other Beginners?

Your Company and the Media

HUGE Stocking Stuffer Success

Reciprocity - It's That Time of Year

Revised Columns For You

Small Screwdriver Set - Stanley 66-039 - Great Quality

Small Screwdriver Set - Rotating Cap

Knurled Shaft Provides Great Grip

Are you a Criminal Court Judge or Attorney?

Christmas Stocking Stuffer

Week One New Build Home Timeline

Week Two New Build Home Timeline

Vinyl Siding Installation SECRETS

What's WRONG in the photo below?

OV LED Headlamp Review

New Build Home Timeline Series - Part 2

New Build Home Timeline Part Two - Lot Clearing Continued

Week Two - October 21, 2018

Expert Advice For Your Home