Shovels Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

Many times, people will use the wrong shovel when doing a job. If you use the wrong shovel, you could be making the job harder.

A round pointed shovel is ideal for digging into moist soil. The rounded edge slides through the dirt. A square point shovel does not work for digging. It is designed for shoveling loose dirt or moving sand and gravel.

There are various styles of shovels within the same family. For example, a garden spade is a flat nosed shovel, but it does not have the turned up or curved up sides. Standard square nose shovels have curled sides to help with the handling of the loose soil. The straight sides of the garden spade allow it to slice down into the soil like a razor.

A duckbill round point shovel looks completely different from the standard round nose shovel. The duckbill shovel is ideal for digging a nice narrow trench, that is fairly deep, if you are installing a drain line for a French drain.

Not ever spade is a made from the same material. There are some made from 18 gauge surgical stainless steel. It is rust proof and does a great job on those smaller projects.

Door Painting Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

If you want pro results when painting a four or six panel door, you can not just start painting. There are certain steps to follow for those professional results. There is a particular order to paint the door.

Start with the inside of the panels. Use a special primer on bare wood to properly seal the wood pores. This will even out the gloss of the finish coat. Be sure to get down into all the corners.

A four panel door has eleven major components - the raised panels, top style, middle rail, middle style, another rail, a bottom style and two outside rails. When painting the rails, allow some of the paint to overlap the style. But, immediately, brush the paint on the style parallel with the wood grain.

The final brush strokes should be on the end rails. Avoiding getting paint on the painted areas. Be sure all the brush strokes match the direction of the wood grain, and you will have a beautiful paint job.

PVC Fittings Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

PVC Fittings

Sometimes working with PVC fittings is not as easy as they show on tv. There are steps to take to ensure you get leakproof joints. Did you know that the fittings are tapered? The opening at the top of the fitting is larger in diameter than at the bottom. This is ensure a tight fit as the pipe is inserted into the fitting. But this can work to your disadvantage. If you glue two pieces together and do not hold them until the glue is set, they can slide apart. Resulting in a leaky joint.

PVC fittings have special marking on them. There is normally a number indicating the size of the pipe required, for example a 2, indicating 2" pipe is required. There is a mark line offset 45 degrees to the size number. This is a helpful guide when gluing the pieces together and rotating them into the correct position.

Before glueing the pieces together, be sure to clean the areas to be glued. PVC primer, as well as PVC cement, is needed for the joints. The primer will soften and remove the gloss off the PVC allowing the cement to stick better.

Once primed, apply the cement inside the socket and on the outside of the pipe. Press the pieces together and rotate them about 45 to 90 degrees. Then hold them for about five seconds. This will keep them from sliding apart.

Read the labels on the prime and cement. They contain strong solvents and should be used in a well ventilated area. The warning labels will provide the information you need. They are also flammable. So be careful.

Kitchen Sink Back Up Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

Do you have a sink that is clogged up or runs slow? There are a few things you can do to get that drain flowing again.

First try that old fashion plunger. With the common clog, it normally just needs that gentle push to send it on its way. To use a plunger, cover the drain hole and fill the sink about 1/3 full. With the plunger firmly seated, give it a few up and down strokes. Remove the plunger and see if the sink drains.

If that did not work, bail out the water from the sink. Then pour in some chloride bleach to cut through the clog. Give it a chance to work. If that still does not free up the drain, get a commercial clog remover.

The thicker drain cleaners tend to work better. Follow the directions on the bottle. If that does not work, get a foaming type drain cleaner. This type cleaner actually fills the entire pipe with foam and hopefully with remove the clog. Be sure to follow the directions and wait the proper amount of time for the foamer to work.

If you still have a clog after trying all these steps, it is time to call the pros.

Custom Wood Work Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

Do you have an older home and you are trying to find a match for some existing woodwork? Or building a new home or room addition and want that special look that is all you own? You need custom millwork.

Provide a drawing or sample of your custom wood profile and a specialty mill house will make a wood knife to match your pattern. They will put the knife on a shaper and cut your lumber. The result is woodwork made to your special design.

Just contact your local lumber yard and see if they do custom millwork. This is a little more expensive, but you can match the exact pattern you require.

Fix A Broken Door Knob Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

Fix A Broken Door Knob

Do you have a loose door knob? With just a few tools, you can tighten that door knob. You will need a small flat head screwdriver, a Phillips head screwdriver and a regular size flat head screwdriver.

On the inside of the door, there will be a small spring loaded metal piece under the door knob. Push in that piece with the small screwdriver. This will allow you to pop the knob off the door. Once this is removed, you can take off the chrome or brass trim plate. This will expose the screws that hold the door knob assembly together. Tighten these two screws, replace the trim plate and put the knob back on.

That is how simple it is to tighten up that loose door knob. A few screwdrivers and a few minutes and your door knob will be good as new.

2×4 Quality Tips Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

If your next remodeling project involves purchasing some 2x4 studs, here are a few tips on selecting these boards. There are certain things to look for when you buy lumber. First, remember that 2x4s are not 2" x 4". They measure 1-1/2" x 3-1/2". Next, check for crown and bow.

Crown is any curve or bend in the stud when viewing it down the edge. A bow is a curve when looking down the side. It is okay to purchase some studs that have are crowned or bowed. But, you will also need straight studs. Straight studs will be required when working around doorways and at corners. You want these locations to have straight pieces of lumber.

To check for the possibility of the lumber twisting, look at the end grain. You are looking for vertical grain, where the 2x4 was cut out of the center of the tree. These generally indicate the 2x4s that are the most stable.

Some 2x4s will have defects on the edge. This is called the wane. The missing area will not be a problem if these studs are used as packing studs, used along side the door frame studs.

You can purchase a variety of 2x4 studs. Get some that are straight and some with bends or defects. They will find a place in your project. Just choice wisely.

Y2K Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

Will Y2K be something to worry about?? Better be prepared just in case. What should you do to prepare for possible disruptions in electrical and other services. If you about to lose power for a length of time in cold weather, you will need to drain your plumbing system. Getting the water out of the pipes will keep them from bursting if the water inside freezes. Close off the main water valve to your house. Then open some water faucets that are low in your house. This is drain the water out of the pipes. Flush the toilets to remove the water in them.

Stock pile some water in plastic jugs or 2 liter pop bottles. If you use milk jugs, be sure to completely rinse out the bottles with water. All the milk has to be removed or the water will taste bad.

Get some flashlights and spare batteries. A battery powered radio should also be added to your Y2K survival kit. This will provide some connection with the outside world.

Sleeping bags or extra blankets will provide warmth for those nights without power. If you have a fireplace, stock up on fire wood.

As we know now, Y2K did not disrupt services. Computers continued to function and the year 2000 entered without any major problems. However, these tips are still useful if you know you will be without electrical services for an extended period. Some of Mother Nature's storms have knocked out more power than Y2K. Stay prepared.

Hand and Power Tools Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

Do you have to purchase some tool gifts for a handy person you know? If so, check out these tools. The first batch are must have for any workshop. They include ....

  • Anti-vibration hammer. This type hammer has less arm fatigue and damage.
  • Aluminum framing square.
  • Retractable razor knife.
  • A 30 foot tape measure with a 1" wide blade.
  • Two foot level.
  • Pry bar that works like a traditional crow bar.
  • Rubber sanding block.
  • Adjustable wrench.
  • Needlenose pliers.
  • Combination wire stripper and wire cutter.
  • Set of screw drivers with both straight blade and Phillips heads.
  • Chalk line.
  • Professional caulk gun.
  • Hack Saw.
  • Putty knifes.

  • And you have to have a power circular saw and power drill. Cordless types, with batteries of 18 volts or greater, are great additions to the toolbox.

Now for the dream tool list ...

  • Impulse nail gun.
  • Wet/dry shop vac.
  • 14 inch pipe wrench.
  • Stainless drywall knifes and mud pan.

Basic tools are needed for any project or repair. When you purchase tools, be sure to buy quality tools. They last longer and you get a great value.

Cleaning Up Oil Spills Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

Have you ever had a delivery truck, a friend's car, or even your own car leave an oil stain of your driveway? Do not panic; it can be cleaned. The trick is to act quickly.

If you have a brand new oil stain, take some paper towels and blot up the excess oil. Be sure to dispose of those oily towels as quickly as possible. Spontaneous combustion is a possibility, so get rid of them quickly, do not store them in the garage for any period of time.

Once the excess oil is gone, get some liquid dish washing soap and pour it on the stain. Using some water and a good scrub brush, and start scrubbing the spill area. Rinse the area off with a garden hose to check the results. If the oil stain is not completely gone, you may have to clean it a second or third time.

If it is a fresh oil stain, it should clean up with no leftover marks. Give it a few days and it should look as good as new. Just be sure to act quickly.