Werner Compact Ladder 5.5 Feet Review

Posted on by Tim Carter
step ladder

Here's the ladder. She looks great and it's easy to climb up to the black platforms. It's model # ACS386 Copyright 2017 Tim Carter

Werner Compact Ladder

Over the past year or so, the new trend in step ladders is to make them slim and light.

This is my second review of a ladder like this. About a year ago, I looked at the Gorilla slim ladders.

I've owned Werner ladders for years and never had any issues.

The first thing I noticed when I lifted the ladder is it's indeed lightweight.

Less weight is good!

You can stand on both black platforms and since they're nice and wide, they're very comfortable.

step ladder

Many want to know the specs. Here you go! Copyright 2017 Tim Carter

step ladder

This is the top step of the ladder. This platform is about 4 feet off the ground. NEVER EVER think of standing or sitting on the top blue tool platform. Copyright 2017 Tim Carter

step ladder

Here's the top of the ladder. The hole in the upper right is for your drill or impact driver. The larger recessed center areas are for quart and gallon paint cans. The thin slot in the upper left corner is for a putty knife. The two smaller holes are for screwdrivers or any other pointed hand tool. The oblong hole in the lower left is a mystery to me. I can't think of any tool I own that has that shape for a handle. Note the DANGER illustrations in the lower right: NO SITTING or STANDING on the blue top. Copyright 2017 Tim Carter

step ladder

This shot shows the spread of the ladder legs. It's got a normal footprint offering lots of stability. At the time of this review, Lowe's twisted the arm of Werner and you can only buy it there. That's why the top and feet of the ladders are Lowe's blue. DUH! 😉 If you go to the Lowe's website be sure to type Werner ACS386 into their search engine. At the time of this review it doesn't show up in a general search of step ladders. Go figure. You can't find this ladder on Amazon.com. The ones you do find on Amazon are priced higher than you can find this Werner ladder at the time of this review. Copyright 2017 Tim Carter

This ladder was featured in the August 30, 2017 AsktheBuilder Newsletter.

Crawl Space DIY Vapor Barrier

Posted on by Tim Carter
crawl space vapor barrier

This is a pretty normal creepy crawl space. Invisible water vapor rises from the soil like smoke from a campfire. (C) Copyright 2017 Tim Carter

Crawl Space DIY Vapor Barrier TIPS

DEAR TIM: The crawl space under my 1910 home is just exposed dirt and leftover building materials. I need to add a vapor barrier and wonder about the best one.

The foundation consists of granite slabs and rubble stone. It’s got small gaps in it where I see daylight.

How would you go about converting this creepy place into one that’s an asset instead of a liability? Any and all tips, suggestions and warnings are welcome. Suzanna S., South Bristol, ME

DEAR SUZANNA: I’ve been in quite a few creepy crawl spaces such as yours. It’s always an adventure.

Tight Spaces

I can get a little anxious much like the character Danny the tunnel digger in the classic movie The Great Escape if the distance between the dirt and floor joists is less than 20 inches.

Big Payoff

The job you’re about to undertake is going to yield big rewards if you add one more facet to it. I’d add insulation to the underside of the floor as part of the scope of work, but we’ll talk about that in a little bit.

Free & Fast Bids

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local insulation contractors that can do vapor barriers.

Clear Clutter First

If I was helping you do this job, I’d suggest the first thing we do is get rid of all the old building materials and any scrap who-knows-what that’s in the grotto. Be sure to wear goggles, not safety glasses, while doing this.

I’d also suggest you don the best face mask you can afford to block the smallest particles of anything from getting into your lungs. People have contracted serious lung infections from inhaling bad things that get airborne as you start to move things around and disturb dust as you work.

Remove & Level Dirt

The second step would be to try to remove any high spots of loose dirt and do anything that’s possible within reason to increase the amount of distance between the dirt and the floor joists. It’s ideal to have about 30 inches of space, but that may be a vast undertaking to remove that much dirt.

At the very least, you want to get rid of any sharp rocks or anything that would puncture the vapor barrier you’ll be installing. The flatter the ground is, the easier it’s going to be to install the vapor barrier and tape the seams.

Tuck Point Foundation

After you have the dirt prepared, then it’s time to fill in all the open spaces between the granite and rubble stone. It’s going to be easier to do this outdoor than on your belly or back in the crawl space. But I’d recommend you try to fill from both sides.

I’d mix up a rich mixture of fine sand and hydrated lime for this job. Hydrated lime is easy to get online. CLICK the bag just below.

crawl space vapor barrier

This is great hydrated lime. It's label for use on farms, but believe me it's GREAT to use for brick, stone mortars and whitewash. CLICK THE PHOTO OF THE BAG NOW TO HAVE THIS DELIVERED TO YOUR HOME IN DAYS. http://amzn.to/2FJJlOY

1:1 or 2:1

I’d blend one part sand to one part lime for the inside mixture and fill the voids using a mortar bag that’s similar to what bakers use to decorate cakes. The mortar mixture needs to be very rich, smooth and wet to flow through the bag and not clog the tip.

The outside mix can be two parts sand to one part hydrated lime. Just use a pointing trowel or whatever tool you can manage without smearing the mortar on the stone. It’s very important to fill all the gaps because I don’t want any rain-driven water to get on top of or under the vapor barrier.

Best Vapor Barrier

It’s now time to put in the vapor barrier. You’ve got lots of choices. Often people select standard 6-mil clear plastic you see at the big box stores. It will work, but it’s not the best product.

I’d go with a cross-laminated vapor barrier that’s often specified for commercial and institutional work. Find one that meets or exceeds the ASTM E 1745 standard. These allow very little amounts of water vapor to transfer through the membrane.

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local insulation contractors that can do vapor barriers.

crawl space vapor barrier

This is the special vapor barrier that meets the ASTM standard. CLICK THE IMAGE TO ORDER IT.

Purchase a vapor barrier that has its own special tape that bonds to the plastic so all the seams are sealed. Don’t count on cheap duct tape to stand the test of time. You want to lap the vapor barrier up the foundation walls and attach it to the wood sill plate the floor joists rest upon. Use long pieces of thin wood lath to secure the vapor barrier to the sill plate.

Wrap The Posts

You’ll have to get creative around any vertical wood posts or masonry columns. It won’t take you long to figure out how to add pieces of the vapor barrier that run up the vertical structural members and then lap down onto the flat vapor barrier that’s on the dirt. Just tape all overlaps well so no vapor can escape into the crawl space.

Wrapping Posts Video

Watch this video to see how to wrap posts and piers in a crawlspace.

crawl space vapor barrier

Add Insulation

Once the vapor barrier is in place you can then add insulation in between the floor joists. Avoid the temptation to use an expanding foam. One of my website visitors had a company do this and the expanding foam detached all the ductwork from the floor joists causing a disaster.

crawl space vapor barrier

I’d just stick with time-tested un-faced fiberglass batts. I’d put in at least 6 inches and if you can afford 9 inches you should do that because of your extended harsh winters. Your feet and checkbook will appreciate it. Not only will your floor be much warmer, you’ll use less heating fuel on those frigid nights.

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local insulation contractors that can do vapor barriers.

Column 1211

Super Washable Wall Paint

Posted on by Tim Carter

Washable Wall Paint TIPS

DEAR TIM: I have a husband with dirty hands and children who think walls are painting canvases. Recently I purchased an interior wall paint that claimed to be washable.

It was washable to some degree but tough stains did not release from the paint. I really need to be able to wash my painted walls but I don't want a semi or high gloss interior finish.

Is there a magical paint that really does release stains? Susan K., Pottstown, PA

DEAR SUSAN: The quest for a flat washable interior wall paint is over I believe.

Washable Paints Are Reality

I think I've found a paint that will meet your tough requirements and allow you to have clean walls without periodic repainting. The solution to the problem was reformulating some of the components of ordinary wall paint.

Keep in mind that interior wall paints, and most paints for that matter, are simply colored glue. The chemistry of paint is very close to that of regular adhesives.

washable paint

Here's a washable wall paint. I tried this in my bathroom and it cleans easily. CLICK THE PHOTO NOW to have this delivered to your home.

Free & Fast Bids

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local painters who can do a great job for you.

Paints = Colored Glue

Paint sticks to your skin, clothes and walls just like any glue. Coarse pigments are added that allow paint to hide other colors and produce a film over the surface you are painting. Traditional wall paints often use extender pigments to help with this task of hiding colors and marks on the wall that is being painted.

Sand & Clay Ingredients

But these traditional extender pigments are porous and are usually made from finely ground silica sand or Georgia Kaolin clays. These particles can be very uneven with respect to size and when viewed under a powerful microscope they look like a coarse sponge.

Unfortunately for you and many other homeowners, this coarse texture is an excellent place for stains to attach themselves.

Washable Wall Paint Video

Watch this pro video about a major brand's washable wall paints. I've used this paint and had great success with it.

Cleaning Cheap Paint Polishes It

When you attempt to remove a stain or mark from paints that contain these extender pigments, a majority of the stain will lift from the paint but a certain amount stays hidden in the deep pores of the pigments.

Vigorous scrubbing will remove the remainder of the stain but it also burnishes, or polishes, the paint making it appear shiny. This shiny spot is often as unsightly as the original stain.

Ceramic Microspheres To The Rescue

A new flat wall paint can be purchased that eliminates this problem. Have you ever used a pencil or a washable marker pen on glazed ceramic tile?

A wet paper towel immediately lifts the marks from this glass-like surface. An ingenious chemist at a paint company decided to incorporate this same principle in a flat wall paint.

He substituted tiny ceramic microspheres in place of the coarse extender pigments. The result is a unique flat wall paint that is indeed washable. I tested this paint's washability characteristics against some of the leading washable wall paints and was amazed at how well the paint performed.

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local painters who can do a great job for you.

Rapid Response

As with any stain, the trick to removal lies in rapid response. The sooner you act, the better your chances of completely removing a stain.

Oxygen Bleach

Stain Solver is MADE in the USA with USA ingredients that are food-grade quality. CLICK THE IMAGE to order some NOW.

I've had the best luck with certified organic oxygen bleach. Stain Solver is my preferred brand.

Stain Solver is non-toxic, it's made in the USA with US ingredients and it's a pure powder you mix with warm or hot tap water.

Stir until the powder is dissolved and then put the solution in a spray bottle. Spritz the stain, wait about five minutes and wipe clean!

Liquid Soap Not Bad

Mild liquid dishwashing soaps also go a long way in helping to emulsify and lift stains from any interior wall paint. Stains that have dried out need to be rehydrated. This means you need to add water back to the stain.

Soak the stain for a few minutes to bring them back to their original wet or hydrated state before they will completely release from the paint film. I do this by getting a paper towel wet and press it onto the stain like you're hanging wallpaper.

Save Original Paint

In case you can't remove a tough stain from this new or any other wall paint it is a good idea to keep some of the original paint on hand. You'll have to wash the entire wall to get a perfect match. Often you need to paint the entire wall to not end up with a spot where you see the touch-up paint. Sunlight can alter the color of paint.

Storing Paint

If you have a partial can of water-based paint, transfer the paint into a container where there will be a minimal amount of air on top of the paint. If you have a gallon paint can with only a quart of paint in it, you'll get a nasty skin on top of the paint.

Always pour a small amount of water on top of the water-based paint in the can before you hammer or screw the lid in place. This water film will often prevent a skin from forming on the surface of the paint while it is stored. If it's oil-based paint, pour some mineral spirits or paint thinner on top of the paint.

Use Stain Blocker

When touching up a stained spot on a wall you may have to use a stain blocking primer if the stain bleeds through. To completely mask the stain, you may also have to completely repaint just the wall and not the entire room.

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local painters who can do a great job for you.

Column 369

Lumber Shrinkage

Posted on by Tim Carter
Lumber Shrinkage

Lumber Shrinkage - Imagine this is a 2x4 or a 2x12. It's a crude 3D drawing I made, but I think you can make sense of it. (C) Copyright 2017 Tim Carter

Lumber Shrinkage TIPS

If you've never built a new home before, you may be in for a surprise three to six months after you move in. If your house was built during a wet time of year, the surprise you will get will be even bigger.

House Settlement Explained

Homes which are built with wood almost always develop cracks in any number of places that all too often are blamed on foundation settlement. The truth of the matter is the house is indeed settling down, but the foundation is not moving.

Lumber Shrinks

There's a really good chance your home is going to be built with a considerable amount of lumber. If your home is two stories and the builder uses regular dimensional lumber such as traditional 2x10's or 2x12's, this dimensional lumber is going to lose moisture which translates to an actual change in size.

As the lumber gives up this moisture, the change in size can be dramatic. But it's important to know that a standard piece of lumber does not shrink the same amount along all of its dimensions. The greatest amount of shrinkage occurs across the face of the grain.

This happens because almost all wood, except for the densest species, is hygroscopic - it readily absorbs and retains moisture.

This moisture can be either liquid or in a vapor state.  Most wood will change its dimensions depending on the amount of water it has absorbed and the cellular structure of the wood.

Shrinkage Not Equal

To help visualize this, let's talk about a standard 2x4 that's 8 feet long the moment it is cut at the mill. For the sake of discussion, let's assume the piece of lumber will be exactly 96 inches long, 1.5 inches thick, and 3.5 inches wide.

Once the 2x4 has been in your house for 6 months and had a chance to acclimate and dry out if it was wet, it will still be nearly 96 inches long. There is very little shrinkage along the length of the lumber.

The thickness of the 2x4 will change slightly, but not by much. But the width of the 2x4 will experience the greatest shrinkage. It may only measure 3 and 3/8 inches in width. Imagine how much shrinkage might happen with a large 2 x 12?

Proof At My Home

This shrinkage happened at my own home and it was dramatic. I built a three-story Queen Anne Victorian home and installed the tin chimney flashing myself.

The flashing was 26 feet above the top of the foundation. When I cut the angled counter flashing that comes down the face of the brick and stops at the roof, I left a 1/4-inch gap.

One year later that gap was 2 inches! Two things could have caused this.

The chimney, which weighed about five tons, could have grown and lifted out of the ground or the lumber between the foundation and the roof could have shrunk. A combination of both is also possible.

No Way It Was The Chimney

I can tell you for a fact the solid masonry chimney did not rise up out of the ground.

Wood Shrinkage Video

This is a longer video, but I guarantee you'll discover some important information.

Plan For Shrinkage

So how does this relate to your new home-building experience? If you want to minimize cracks in ceramic tile, cracks between back splashes, and countertops, maddening cracks in drywall, squeaks in flooring and staircases, etc., then you might see if there is some way you can slow down the construction process once your home is under roof and weather tight on the outside.

Not Realistic

I realize this goes against everything you, your builder and your lender want to happen, but the longer you let the house dry before the finishing treatments are applied, the better the long-term fit will be.

Builders want to finish a house quickly so they can move on to another job. You may have a deadline to move from your existing home. Construction loan interest keeps adding up. All of these things are reality, but so is lumber shrinkage.

You can minimize some of this shrinkage by using different materials - ones that are less susceptible to shrinkage. Engineered wood I joists that resemble steel I beams, floor trusses, and even metal floor joists are very stable. Talk with your builder to see if these are viable options for your new home.

Steel Studs

You may even want to use steel studs in areas where you can't afford shrinkage or want perfectly flat walls. The shrinkage can also cause today's hybridized lumber to warp and twist.

Column NH060

August 23, 2017 AsktheBuilder Newsletter

Posted on by Tim Carter

I've been back home a week now from my out West little-man self-discovery trip. It didn't take me long to get back in the swing of things!

Just four days ago, I connected up lots of low-voltage wires to power up my Trex Transcend deck lights. It really adds a distinctive touch to the deck.

All of the deck railing posts have a light cap at the top. There are four LED lights in each cap so the entire post is aglow and washes soft light down to the deck. All of the stair risers have a recessed light bored into the riser.

What do you think about how it looks? You'd think it was daylight based on how bright the lake water is in this photo. Believe me, it was pretty dark out there!

Trex has really done a fine job of making this lighting system plug 'n play. It was caveman simple to install them. The stair riser lights are ideal and make all the steps very safe to use at night.

CLICK HERE to discover more about Trex Transcend decking.

Attention Juicer and Vitamix Users!

Do you have a juicer machine or a Vitamix blender? After using it for a few months, does it look sort of like you ground up old car engine parts?

Want to know how to clean one EASILY? Are you part of an online Vitamix or juicer users group? If so, can you please spread the word through that group about this article I just wrote?

If you have any food-stained containers or appliances in your kitchen, you want to read this.

CLICK HERE to read it.

Build Your Dream House Here

How would you like to own three large waterfalls? I've got something for you where you can construct your dream home.

The photo below was taken by my very talented neighbor Bob Broadhurst. These falls are on my land and would make a great source of hydroelectric power.

There are two other major waterfalls, the second one about 35 feet tall and straight down. The third cascade drops into a private swimming hole that's ideal for those warm summer days when you want to cool off.

My good friends Bob and Loreli Rankin made their dream of owning land like this come true about ten months ago. They found a one-in-a-million lot in upstate New York not too far away from New York City.

Kathy and I have decided to sell the 90 acres we own in central New Hampshire. It's a stunning piece of land to put it mildly.

If you don't want or need it, perhaps you know someone who is looking for that RARE find. The new buyer may keep this land in his and his family's possession for the next hundred years.

Now is the time to get it.

CLICK HERE to discover more about the property and to see stunning photos and VIDEO of the waterfalls. Wait until you see the fall color photo. Holy smokes, I did NOT do any color enhancement with that photo.

Brass Polishing Secrets Revealed!

Have you struggled to polish brass? Do you know once it's polished, the brass is very ANGRY at you?

CLICK HERE to discover how to easily polish brass and keep it shiny.

Great Powerful Scissors

Fiskars sent me some scissors and shears to test. I have to tell you I was impressed.

It's important to match a pair of scissors / shears to the task. If you don't, you run the risk of springing the scissors or just overworking your hand.

powerarc-shears

What you see above are the PowerArc series. These are the 10-inch PowerArc shears and great for cutting multiple pieces of paper at once without tearing.

I also used them to cut postcard stock and they did a magnificent job.

CLICK HERE to see many different Fiskars Powerarc scissors.

I'm confident you'll like these.

If you're a new subscriber, you need to know I only talk about products that I LOVE and would use in my own home.

I test everything BEFORE I share with you.

Building a Deck Seating Bench

Want to see some pretty good step-by-step photos of a deck seating bench I built?

CLICK HERE.

Jamie in Bermuda

Back two months ago, I got to do a rare international AsktheBuilder Meet Up. It was with Jamie in Bermuda.

Jamie is a structural / civil engineer on the island. He also does high-end house inspections I believe.

We had lunch close to the Norwegian Dawn cruise ship and unfortunately Jamie had to scoot to an appointment. We could have chit chatted for another hour with no trouble.

Somehow in a fit of uncontrolled idiotocy, I DELETED the photo taken by a stranger of Jamie and me outside the restaurant. DANG IT!

That's quite enough for today.

Try to help me find the best buyer who will appreciate the 90 acres in NH!

Tim Carter
Founder - www.AsktheBuilder.com

Do It Right, Not Over! (this includes spelling *right* rigt)

Cleaning Brass DIY

Posted on by Tim Carter

Cleaning Brass DIY TIPS

DEAR TIM: I've been trying to clean some tarnished brass exterior light fixtures. I've purchased several different brass cleaning products and the results are ho-hum. It's a lot of work and no matter what I do I can't get a mirror-like finish like the brass had when it was brand new. What's the secret? What am I doing wrong? Gayla T., Barre, VT

DEAR GAYLA: Been there, done that.

My Front Door Brass

I remember thinking I could completely polish and re-coat a brass door handle set in an afternoon. After rubbing and rubbing for hours, I got parts of the brass very clean, but small cracks and crevices were either full of cleaning compound, tarnish or a combination of the two.

My frustration forced me to contact a professional metal polisher. It was one the best time and energy saving ideas I think I have ever had.

How Pros Polish

Converting a tarnished piece of brass to one that shines like a beacon can only be done with professional tools, equipment, solvents, polishing compounds and coatings.

The good news is you can purchase a simple bench buffer, the polishing compounds and special secret clear sealer to get pro results.

bench buffer

Here's a great bench buffer that has long shafts. Those can come in very handy when trying to polish longer or intricate items. CLICK THE PHOTO NOW to have this buffer delivered to your home in days.

A vast majority of those shiny new polished brass candlesticks, door hardware, and accessories that you see at stores have all been polished and finished by automated equipment. Some of the new brass fixtures available in stores today actually have a tarnish free alloy skin.

Free & Fast Bids

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local handymen that should be able to polish your brass the way pros do. Have them read this column.

Brass Polishing Video

Here's how the pros polish brass. Some have much bigger buffers and buffing wheels.

A Simple Chemical Reaction

Tarnished brass is happy. If you remember your high school chemistry, you'll recall that freshly polished brass that's exposed to the air is very unstable.

Brass likes to grab oxygen out of the air to restore the chemical balance it had before you buffed it. When oxygen ions connect to the brass, it discolors it. The brass is happy, but you're not. The oxidation or tarnish is actually a natural process. The brass is simply creating its own stable protective finish, albeit an unattractive one to many!

Clear Finish Erosion

Years ago some brass producers noticed if they coated the brass with a clear finish, it would stay shiny much longer. But these finishes break down when exposed to sunlight and the elements if your brass is outdoors.

Older brass suffers once the protective clear finishes erode and the brass is exposed to air. Contaminants in the outdoor air or indoor pollutants from aerosol products can also rapidly tarnish brass.

Pros Are Fast

Professional metal polishers can polish, buff and colorize brass fixtures very quickly, efficiently and affordably. The first step is to remove the old protective clear finish as well as the tarnish.

Removing tarnish requires that you actually remove an ultra-thin layer of the brass metal. When done by hand, this first step is very hard. This is why you and I struggled!

Rouges To The Rescue

The clear protective finish can be very difficult to remove. Once through it, then you need to rub and rub to break the molecular metal bonds. A high-speed polishing wheel that has special polishing rouge can cut through these films in seconds. This first step almost always produces fine scratches in the brass.

This is one type of brass polishing rouge. There are many and affordable. CLICK THE PHOTO NOW to have this delivered to your home.

Remove Fine Scratches

The buffing stage removes these scratches. Another high-speed buffing wheel coated with a different polishing rouge compound removes the scratches and creates a mirror like finish. To accomplish this by hand could take one hours while a professional can do it in less than a minute.

IMPORTANT TIP: The final step employs another high speed spinning pad that burnishes the brass and gives it the deep luster and color that is so characteristic of true polished brass. Achieving these results by hand is nearly impossible.

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local handymen that should be able to polish your brass the way pros do. Have them read this column.

Body Oils = Bad

All of this work needs to be done wearing gloves. Perspiration and body oils on your skin can leach into the freshly polished brass.

In fact, even harmful chemicals from food spices can be transmitted to the brass via perspiration.

Clean After Polishing

Once the brass is colorized, it is time to clean it with industrial strength lacquer thinner. This removes all contaminants and traces of the polishing rouge.

SAFETY TIP: Working with lacquer thinner is extremely hazardous and dangerous because it's highly flammable. Do not even think of doing this yourself.

Best Clear Coating

You might think the best clear coating is clear lacquer. The metal polishers that are on the cutting edge have found that acrylic urethanes are far superior.

Here's but one clear acrylic urethane to preserve your polished brass. This stuff really works. CLICK THE PHOTO NOW to have this delivered to your home.

Once a brass item has been coated with an acrylic urethane, it can remain tarnish-free for many years, even when placed outdoors. This is the only clear coating I would use to protect my brass pieces.

Pro Metal Polishers

Metal polishers can be found in most areas. Some of them offer mail order service.

You simply send them a photo or series of photos and they can give you a quote to perform the work. You ship them the items and the craftsmen begin the transformation task. Once complete, the brilliant brass objects are shipped back to you in perfect condition.

It's affordable and allows you to spend your time doing what you are good at.

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local handymen that should be able to polish your brass the way pros do. Have them read this column.

Companion Articles:  Cleaning Brass, Brass Cleaning Companies, Brass Cleaning Tips. Cleaning Brass Products

Senco F-15 Finish Nailer Review

Posted on by Tim Carter
senco finish nailer

Here's the tool I tested. It drove nails perfectly. CLICK THE PHOTO now to have one delivered to your home.

Senco F-15 Finish Nailer

I've driven hundreds of thousands of nails with many different nail guns since the late 1970s. This fact should be of great interest to you.

Why?

That deep experience allows me to give you a pro's opinion about a new tool so you don't waste your money.

Here's another fact. You might come across other tool reviews written by hobby bloggers who've never set foot on a job site nor have ever worked inside or outside the home of a paying customer.

Always be sure you check out the reviewer's About Me page so you can judge their qualifications when it comes to evaluating a tool. How can a person who's not used tools on a job site for years render an opinion you can trust? It's your money at stake when you buy, not his for goodness sake!

But I digress!

A Senco Neighbor

I grew up in Cincinnati, OH and my entire construction experience was in and around Cincinnati.

My first nail gun was a Senco SN-4 I believe. It was a large gray gun that shot 16d sinkers and 8d nails for roof and wall sheathing and thicker subflooring.

That gun never failed me. I don't believe it ever jammed. If it did, I have no memory. At the time, I had no idea that Senco was based in Cincinnati. What a small world.

Within five years, I owned no less than five pneumatic Senco guns. They made me lots of money.

The F-15

Over the past five years I've been to countless editors conferences where tool manufacturers ply their wares to the members of the media. I've witnessed the amazing transformation of cordless tools and ever-increasing battery chemistry and performance.

Perhaps the biggest advancement has been micro-processor technology built into power tools to protect the tool and the battery.

It only made sense to bring this magic to finish nailers.

Fast Recharge

I continue to be impressed by the rapid recharge time once you've depleted a battery. The F-15's battery can attain 80% recharge in just 15 minutes and a full charge in just 45 minutes. That means after a long lunch you can get back to work and not fear running out of power.

The Specs

I don't waste the time repeating specs. If you want them, CLICK HERE.

Weight and Performance

There are pros and cons to every tool. I've reviewed hundreds of them. The same is true for this gorgeous finish nailer.

I love the fact that I don't have to mess with a compressor and a hose. I grab the tool, push it against the wood, and squeeze the trigger. Kerchunk - it fires!

I may have put up five pieces of trim in the time it takes you to get your compressor and hose set up making sure you don't mess any surface up.

However, you pay a small price for this convenience.

The tool with the battery weighs a little more than I'd prefer. It's not much, but it could be enough to cause some fatigue later in the day.

My Rating

I'm a sucker for bright red and blue so this tool already had an inside track. Just kidding!

In all honesty, I'd give this nail gun 4.5 stars. I love the convenience of no hose and no compressor.

Senco can get the other half star when the next version of this tool goes on a diet.

You'll not be disappointed using this nail gun and I feel you'll agree with me about the convenience.

Let me know in the comments below.

Build Deck Bench Seating

Posted on by Tim Carter
Build Deck Bench Seating

Deck bench seating like this is not hard to build. The shelf above needs to be covered, but that’s child’s play. (C) Copyright 2017 Tim Carter

"Benches are just very wide chairs in my opinion. I don’t like hoping something is going to work so I always look at existing benches and take measurements."

Build Deck Bench Seating Checklist

DEAR TIM: This past weekend I was at a party and sat on a bench that was built into the deck. It was such a clever idea and it had handy armrests that were perfect to set food plates or drinks on.

I want to build bench seating on my deck. What are the most important things to consider?

Although I’m not a great do-it-yourselfer, I can follow directions. I want it to be strong and durable. Aimee P., Carbondale, IL

Related Links

Top Ten Deck Building Secrets - DO NOT SHARE!

Deck Screws or Nails? Which is Better?

DEAR AIMEE: I’m a big fan of deck bench seating.

What is Comfortable Deck Bench Seating?

A few years ago my wife purchased a free-standing teak bench that was seven feet long and about 24 inches wide. It came with a cushion. I loved laying down on that bench in the warm sun like a lizard would on a rock.

Last year I completely remodeled two decks on my home and I constructed a new deck that attached to the posts that support my upper deck. I knew when I was planning this new deck that I wanted to put in a new built-in bench as the teak bench had seen better days.

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What's the Best Plan for Deck Benches?

The best plan for deck benches is to go sit on a few existing benches until you discover one that's comfortable. Take photos and measurements so you can copy the design.

I used the teak bench dimensions as a basis for my plan, but I ended up altering it to a degree to fit bench cushions we could find online that were a standard size. You don’t have to have cushions to sit on, but I recommend it.

Find the cushions you like at an affordable price and then size the bench seat to fit the cushions. If you order custom-sized cushions made to fit a bench you make, the price might take your breath away.

What Are Deck Benches?

Benches are just very wide chairs in my opinion. I don’t like hoping something is going to work so I always look at existing benches and take measurements.

I’m sure you have a favorite chair in your home that’s extremely comfortable. Measure how high off the floor the top of the seat is and how deep the seat is from front to back.

What are Common Chair Dimensions?

My guess is you’ll discover the seat is usually about 19 inches up off the floor. The front to back measurement will be about 22 inches. If you build a bench too high your legs dangle. If it’s too low, you end up squatting uncomfortably. The front to back dimension is also critical so you don’t end up leaning back too far.

I built my bench with a 90-degree orientation to the seat and the back. The reason is the back of my bench does double duty as it’s a wall that supports a long shelf my wife wanted me to make for potted plants.

Build A Bench Video

This Australian has got the right idea about a few things. I think his video should help you.

What is an Adirondack Deck Bench?

An Adirondack deck bench is one that has a sloped seat and sloped back at the same angles as those on an Adirondack chair.

If you’ve ever sat in an Adirondack chair you may want to mimic this design for your bench. It’s more work to create the angled back and seat, but the long-term comfort of sitting on the bench may be worth it. The only disadvantage to this design is you can’t lay horizontally on the bench without getting jammed into the corner where the seat meets the back of the bench.

The other issue with the Adirondack style is the armrests on the typical chair help you get up out of the low chair. People sitting on a bench would not have these and it could be problematic for older folks to get up. Just keep that in mind as you plan.

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local deck builders that can build a bench for you.

How Long Does It Take To Build a Bench Frame?

I built the framework for my deck bench in less than an hour. If you looked at the different components after they were built, I just had four small rectangles that were various lengths and widths.

deck bench seat

Here's the framework for the back wall of the bench. The top of it will become a platform for flowers. Copyright 2017 Tim Carter

deck bench seat

Here's the top of the platform going in. Rather than build a giant 16-foot long wall for the top, I did it in two sections I could handle without help. Copyright 2017 Tim Carter

One of the rectangles formed the seat and I screwed the long edge into the tall vertical wall that formed the back of the bench. You might end up screwing your seat to your deck railing posts or to the wall of your home.

deck bench seat

You can clearly see the seat coming into form. It's just a rectangle wall built with treated 2x4s. I have a block supporting it until I finish the tiny wall under it that will support the seat and any people. Copyright 2017 Tim Carter

deck bench seat

I'm using my handy Bosch impact driver to drive the coated timber screws. It's a bad idea to use nails. They'll loosen over time. CLICK THE PHOTO NOW to have the Bosch impact driver delivered to your home.

I built a tiny long wall that was the same length as the seat. This wall was inset from the front of the bench about 5 inches. This wall provided plenty of support so the seat would never collapse. The inset is easier on your legs as some people tend to tuck their legs back a bit when sitting in a chair or on a bench.

deck bench seating

Here's the tiny wall under the seat. You can see how it will make the bench as strong as the Rock of Gibraltar. Note the coated timber screws driven by the amazing Bosch impact driver. Copyright 2017 Tim Carter

What Supports the Ends of the Deck Bench?

At each end of the bench, I had small walls that were the same height off the deck as the arms on several chairs I measured around my house. Once again, don’t guess. Find chairs that have arms on them and decide which height is the most comfortable and make your end walls that high.

deck bench seating

You can see the two end walls. I ripped down the 2x4s to a specific width so when I cut my Trex Transcend decking to cover it, I'd be able to do it with one piece of decking. Look at the next photo and it will make perfect sense. Copyright 2017 Tim Carter

I capped my end walls with 1 x 6 material so it would serve as a great place to put smaller dessert plates and glasses or mugs. So far it’s been perfect.

deck bench seating

Look closely at the mitered piece of Trex Transcend. I cut the maximum width of a piece of decking on my table saw. The smaller back dimension of the decking is what the treated wall thickness had to be. Copyright 2017 Tim Carter

I’d avoid using any nails when assembling all the components for this bench. You can purchase wonderful coated timber screws that take the place of regular 16d nails. All the framing lumber should be treated to resist rot. CLICK HERE to see an assortment of the timber screws.

Finished End Wall Corner

The other two pieces of Trex Transcend decking have been ripped with a miter joint and applied. All this work produces a look that the end of the bench is made from a solid piece of wood instead of just overlapping the pieces at the corner. It's more work to do it this way, but I feel it looks better. Copyright 2017 Tim Carter

Be sure to purchase treated lumber that’s nice and straight. Store it inside in the shade if you can’t use it right away. You need all the pieces to be nice and straight as you go to assemble all the parts.

deck bench seat

Here's the flowers on top of the platform above the bench. How would you like to be sipping a drink sitting on the bench looking at sailboats? Copyright 2017 Tim Carter

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local deck builders that can build a bench for you.

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STIHL Electric Chain Saw Review MSA 120 C

Posted on by Tim Carter
stihl saw cutting

Here it is doing what it does best. Yes, I should have had a glove on for the photo. Yes, I should have had on safety boots with kevlar uppers. Yes, my left hand should have been on the black ring to balance the saw. Guess what? It was being used to take this photograph. ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW the safety instructions found in the owners manual. NOTE: The saw was NOT in use as this is a beauty photo of the saw. The chain was not in motion while the camera captured this shot. Copyright 2017 Tim Carter

STIHL Electric Chain Saw Review

I took ownership of a STIHL electric chain saw about three months ago. It's the battery-powered MSA 120 C.

Over those ninety days, I've used the saw extensively on all sorts of different jobs around my home.

To the best of my knowledge, I'm one of a very few tool reviewers that puts a tool through rigid testing before sharing the news about it's performance.

I know of one tool reviewer that publishes some tool reviews within hours of the UPS truck pulling away from his apartment. You can't evaluate a tool in just a few hours.

Period.

Sharp & Sassy

This handy STIHL chain saw really surprised me. When you first pick it up, you think it's a toy. It's that lightweight.

It's a great example of the old saying, "You can't tell a book by its cover."

While this micro saw doesn't pack the power found inside its gas-powered big brothers that work in the deep forest all day in the hands of professional loggers, this saw is able to cut down a sizable tree with little effort.

I know as I did it in my own backyard.

The 40-Foot Oak

I decided to go big with the first job. I had a 40-foot-tall oak tree that needed to come down. It's trunk just a foot off the ground was 7 inches in diameter.

After making the suggested cuts in the trunk to fell the tree, it came down exactly where I wanted it to fall and the little STIHL saw never flinched. It's sharp teeth bit into the oak wood like a bald eagle's talons grasp onto a fish from the lake I live on here in central New Hampshire.

Wood chips were flying in all directions, and within a minute the tree was on the ground.

Trimming Branches

This saw is now my go-to tool for trimming any branches on the many trees at my home. Since it weighs so little, you have excellent control and rarely experience fatigue.

Sips Oil

As with any chain saw, you need to fill the oil reservoir with lubricating oil. I prefer to use the oil from STIHL because I know it's been formulated to work best with the saw and chain.

stihl saw cutting

Fill the saw up and check the oil level regularly. Copyright 2017 Tim Carter

The Battery

This is a battery-powered saw. It's new technology for STIHL. The battery should last you long enough that you need a break. It charges fast and you can get back to work. If you want to keep working, then purchase a second battery.

stihl saw cutting

Here's the beefy battery. It's got a handy LED power-level meter so you can judge when to stop for some liquid refreshment or a whoppie pie. Copyright 2017 Tim Carter

Five Stars

I've owned STIHL chain saws for decades. It's the first saw I ever used. This new addition to the line rates five stars. If you care for it, it's going to work hard for you for many many years.

How to Clean Vitamix

Posted on by Tim Carter
Vitamix Blender

Your Vitamix blender will look BRAND NEW like this one after using Stain Solver.

How to Clean a Vitamix Blender

I get questions all the time about how to clean a Vitamix blender.  (August 23, 2017 Newsletter)

But the most interesting thing I've received is an email from Molly a year or so ago. Read this:

"I never, never write manufacturers.... Did I say never??? I have a Vitamix I have used once a day for about 7 - 8 years. The blender looks like I had blended car parts in it...

Stained, cloudy, just plain yuck. I had read many websites, including the Vitamix site, saying clean with lemon juice , vinegar etc. None of them worked at all. 

Then I stumbled onto your Stain Solver product. I have a new blender after just a one hour soak!!!

I am just non-plussed ... Truly miraculous. Thank you!!!! You should contact Vitamix and partner with them. Their remedies don't work. Good luck!"

My wife and I developed the fantastic product called Stain Solver Molly loves so much.

Stain Solver is made with FDA-approved food-grade-quality ingredients. There are only two and both are made in the USA.

Oxygen Bleach

Stain Solver is MADE in the USA with USA ingredients that are food-grade quality. CLICK THE IMAGE to order some NOW.

Stain Solver is certified organic, so it's safe to come into contact with your valuable Vitamix blender.

It's very simple to clean a Vitamix mixer and requires NO SCRUBBING.

Step One: Purchase a 2.2-pound container of Stain Solver Certified Organic oxygen bleach.

Step Two: Fill the blender with HOT tap water to the top and set on a level surface.

Step Three: Add two tablespoons of Stain Solver powder and let sit overnight.

Step Four: Wake up to clean blender! Rinse well and make a smoothie!