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Three Kinds Of Staple Guns
Aubuchon Hardware Tip: When purchasing a staple gun, chances are you won't be thinking of rust (after all, it's brand new), but a rust resistant finish is a very good extra to have. Remember that you'll be using the staple gun in any kind of weather, with sweaty hands, humidity, and other factors that will make that rust-resistance very appealing down the line. Don't buy a staple gun without it unless you plan on using it infrequently, and in cold weather only! It's also a good idea to avoid a staple gun without a window so you can visually inspect how many staples are left in the gun.
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Keeping it Clean with a Laundry Washboard and Laundry Umbrella
As more people seek eco-friendly ways of life, laundry has become one area where old-fashioned laundry appliances have returned to help cut back on water and electricity usage. A galvanized laundry washboard with a traditional woodframe is making a comeback for hand washing clothes. These are very economical and simply require elbow grease for power. They can substantially cut back on the amount of water you use.
Also available are a number of drying options for outdoor drying, including a laundry line and a laundry umbrella. Foldable clothesline dryer umbrella lines provide a lot of space. Usually, laundry umbrellas are already pre-strung with clothesline and simply need to be unfolded and tapped into the ground. A laundry umbrella can also be rotated, which makes it easy for filling up and removing dry clothes. If you don't have much room to place a large laundry umbrella, then string a laundry line nearly anywhere by attaching a unit to a wall and using grip clips or a retractable unit that can be put away when not in use.
A laundry washboard, laundry umbrella and laundry line can all be purchased at hardware and DIY retailers as well as at an online hardware store.
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Circular Saw Safety
One safety evaluation of 1000 woodworking power tool accidents found a whopping 35 percent of the mishaps occurred with circular saws. Of that number, most happened with the safety equipment either having been removed or improperly engaged. Circular saws should always have a blade guard in place, and properly adjusted. For portable circular saws, some are tempted to remove the guard except for the fact that it cannot be set down with the blade still rotating. One good reason to hang on to your portable saw's blade guard is to protect your arm should you lose your balance during the cut. When your arm comes in contact with the guard instead of the blade, you'll be very glad you did not remove that protective piece of metal.
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Using Screwdrivers Safely
When it comes to using hand tools, even ones as simple as screwdrivers, safety can't be emphasized enough. While power screwdrivers require careful attention, regular screwdrivers demand proper care and handling as well. Wear safety glasses when using power or manual screwdrivers.
Only use screwdrivers for their intended use—to remove or drive screws—and not for any other purpose, such as scraping, chiseling, or prying. Be sure to use the right size and type of screwdriver for the appropriate screw rather than trying to use any screwdriver you find. The screwdriver can slip if it doesn't have the appropriate hold on the screw, causing injury. Use a vice or clamp to secure the material that you're driving a screw into or removing a screw from.
The handles on screwdrivers will not protect you from electrical current, so take extra precaution when working around wires. Don’t use a screwdriver if the handle is worn or broken, the tip is damaged, or the shaft is bent.
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A Tool Bag For The Ladies
Girlgear Industries is a company with a major innovation for tool-wielding women everywhere. Girlgear has developed an industrial-grade tool belt designed specifically for women's bodies. These lightweight, adjustable belts have 11 pockets, and two loops for hammers. This development is getting cheers from many walks of life, in spite of minor complaints about the hot pink suede color of the belt. This isn't the only innovation for women with toolkits. Search online for websites that offer many resources including tools for smaller hands, and tips for beginners.
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Basic Garden Tools
The type of garden tool you need depends on the size of your lawn and garden and the amount of time you dedicate to tending it. Some basic garden tools are worth an investment. First, a couple of garden hand tools, such as a shovel, fork, rake, hoe and garden cultivator, are effective for removing leaves, weeds, and debris while also helping prepare the soil for planting flowers or plants. Your basic garden tools should also include tools for pruning back plants and flowers, a hose, a pair of quality gloves, and knee pads to protect your clothing and skin when you're bent over in the flower beds.
Don’t buy the cheapest garden tools possible because they may break easily or actually damage your plants. Invest in garden tools that are made of forged steel and have wooden handles. Try out the garden tools before you buy them to make sure you feel comfortable and they help take some of the back work out of gardening. Consult with the lawn and garden specialist in your local home and garden center to find out if there are any other specialized garden tools that you'll need for your particular yard design.
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Soldering Tool Safety
Soldering safety guidelines always point out the hazards of flesh burns from molten solder and hot soldering gun tips. While this is an important safety aspect, ventilation and an awareness of the toxic nature of some solder compounds is just as crucial. Lead-based solder material is still sold on today's market. It is toxic all by itself, and the smoke and fumes from soldering are also harmful. You should be just as mindful of the lead from solder material as you would be in paint or any other compound. For best results, do not work unless you are in a well-ventilated area or are wearing a NIOSH-approved respirator. Use gloves when handling solder material where possible, and always wash your hands after soldering. Some soldering enthusiasts argue that lead solder is actually safer because of the lower temperatures needed to soften the material, but beware trace elements, residue, and fumes from your work.
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Knowing What Power Tool Accessories to Buy
Having the right power tool accessories makes quick work of any project. The challenge is figuring out which power tool accessories are essential for various projects and which are just nice to have as part of your power tools collection. Keep your power tool accessories simple and only buy what you know that you will use regularly, such as blades, drill bits, and sanding pads. Be sure to have one or two extra power tool batteries or a charger to keep all power tools charged and ready to use.
There may be times that specialized power tool accessories, such as router bits, a rotary tool, saw blades or jigsaw blades, are necessary for a particular project. Look for special prices or sales on those items or consider borrowing power tools parts from a neighbor or friend. Also look for used power tools and accessories for that one-off type of project. Other suggestions to keep your power tools accessories budget under control is to rent accessories from a tool rental store.
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Rent Before You Buy
When you start building a tool kit, it's easy to accumulate the simple things: hammers, power saws, power drills, sanders, and other basic items. When it comes time for more advanced projects, you may be unsure whether the investment is right for you. You might need a ceramic tile saw for this particular project, but will you need it again soon? If you have a temporary need for a specialized tool, consider renting instead of buying. You will get the advantage of taking a test drive with the power tool, without the financial commitment. Whenever possible, it's good to get an experienced friend to help you get up to speed with the rental power tool you are working with, your "training time" will go much faster than learning on your own.
When renting power tools, be sure to give yourself enough time in the rental agreement to get familiar with the new power tool before trying to use it in your project. Trying to do the task at hand with a piece of hardware you aren't familiar with is a recipe for disaster, especially with a rental time limit hanging over your head. The best strategy is to rent for at least two days more than you think you need to complete the project, which gives you extra time to develop your expertise with the power tool before launching into the actual work.
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The Magnetic Sweeper
Metal shavings, stripped out screws, and broken bolts can all wind up cluttering up your shop floor. Somehow much of this metal refuse winds up in hard-to-reach places, but a good magnetic sweeper takes care of that problem quickly. Many brands have collapsible handles which offer an extended reach underneath those tricky areas. One advantage of the magnetic sweeper is the ability to pick up sharp metal shavings, filings, or snippets without having to brush over a surface with your hands. The magnet will gather all the material up for you, and you don't expose your hand or gloves to damage from the sharp metal. Good magnetic sweepers will demagnetize or provide some other form of dumping the metal in a hands-free manner.
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