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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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Taking Care of Torque Wrenches
Of all the automotive hand tools, torque wrenches require the most care and attention to maintain their precise capabilities. Because they are precision instruments, they need regular fine-tuning.
First, know how to properly use torque wrenches. Use a smooth, even pull rather than jerking the wrench, which can cause it to over-torque. Only use the clockwise/counterclockwise switch on torque wrenches for clockwise or counterclockwise threaded bolts rather than for removing a bolt or loosening one so you can re-torque. Don’t turn past the "click” as this will damage the wrench. Be sure to keep torque wrenches in a place where other tools will not be tossed on top of it.
Second, maintain your torque wrench. Consult the maintenance manual to learn how to lubricate the threads prior to each bolt that you tighten. There may be times that, even though you have taken good care of the torque wrench, it does not seem to be doing its job properly. This is when you need to seek the help of a calibration professional who can recalibrate the wrench to do its job properly. Give these automotive tools the special care they deserve and they will last a long time.
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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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Allen Wrenches for Mechanics and More
Allen wrenches go by different names: allen keys, hex keys, and hex wrenches. They prove quite helpful for automotive hand tools as well as DIY projects. Mechanics who work on all types of vehicles—from bicycles and motorcycles to cars, trucks, and even tanks—cannot do without allen wrenches because they work great for tight spaces. After all, mechanics usually don't have much area to work in and often face challenges trying to reach a bolt they need to tighten or loosen.
Today’s motorcycles and vehicles commonly use allen bolts or hex-head bolts to secure casings or other small parts. Other automotive tools, such as screwdrivers, can't remove these types of bolts and may not be successful even with the help of an impact wrench. Allen wrenches have become popular hand tools among mechanics for their simplicity, size, and ease of use. Allen wrenches are helpful in terms of inserting a screw into a hole that can be hard to reach, and they are effective at working with small parts. Consider buying a set of allen wrenches if you need a number of sizes to accommodate different jobs.
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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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Outdoor Power Equipment for the Lawn and Garden
Power tools make lawn and garden tasks easier, especially when it comes to the lawn or clearing large piles of leaves and garden debris. There are a few basic outdoor power equipment options to consider for the lawn, including a lawn mower, edger or trimmer, and blower. Typically, this outdoor power equipment can be electric or gas-powered. While outdoor power equipment powered by electricity is cheaper and considered to be more environmentally sensitive, the cord can be a hassle if you have a lot of yard to cover. Gas-powered outdoor power equipment can be noisy and quite a bit heavier to maneuver. Cordless, rechargeable outdoor power equipment is available for some equipment but the batteries can be expensive and the equipment can be unreliable.
With all outdoor power equipment, safety must be the priority. This means wearing safety goggles, shoes, and long clothing. Read all directions to know how to use each tool properly. Many home and garden centers offer clinics that review the basics on use and maintenance of outdoor power equipment. These clinics are a good investment to ensure your safety and the long life of the outdoor power equipment.
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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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