Posts Tagged ‘DIY’
The Smart Way to Buy Used Power Tools For Your DIY Projects!
In most cases its best to purchase used power tools made by manufacturers you know or tool brands you’ve had good experiences with than to purchase brand new tools that are cheaper but made by little known or inferior companies. Do a little online sleuthing by searching the name of the tool you’re interested in with the word “review” at the end (ie. Skil cordless saw review) The top brand names make better products, and therefore often outlast and outperform lower priced-and lower quality-brands. New cheap tools aren’t great deals if you have to continually replace or repair them!
You should also know the difference between USED, RECONDITIONED, and REFURBISHED power tools. Many people assume all of these terms mean about the same thing, but they do not!
USED power tools are those which have been used by someone else and probably have not been serviced by a professional. If you know what you’re doing, go ahead and make the purchase, but try to get a return agreement of some kind. Remember; let the buyer beware. You should always know what that particular tool sells for brand new, as used tools can range from 10% to 85% of original cost, depending on the condition, appearance, accessories and other factors. And familiarize yourself with anything else that may have been included in the box with a new purchase.
RECONDITIONED power tools refers to tools which have been bought in quantity by a company that makes its money “fixing up” these tools to working order. Most times they also touch up obvious cosmetic flaws and generally bring these tools up to much better visual appearance. You are clearly getting used goods when you purchase reconditioned but many times you’ll get a limited warranty or an extended return policy. Often these will have more than enough life left to do the job for you for many years.
REFURBISHED power tools are those that have been restored to functional order by their original manufacturers. These often come with near-new warranties to protect against breakdowns and malfunctions. These are generally a much safer option than used or reconditioned. Generally, the manufacturers consider these-since they carry the original manufacturer’s name-to project similar trust as their new tools.
Buying used is usually a gamble, but if you do your homework, consider the tool’s condition and age (if possible), know what parts and accessories the tool-brand new-comes with and whether or not it still has an owner’s manual you’ll have an advantage. The more info you have, the more negotiating power you have. You should also factor in an increase in price for tools that are highly sought after and may be short in supply at the time.
How To Polish Stainless Steel Easily
Just about every home has a decent presence of items made of stainless steel these days, especially in the kitchen where cookware has become quite popular. For a homeowner that is unaware of the proper ways to polish steel the possibility exists to ruin items through the use of cleaners that are too caustic or abrasive in nature. While stainless steel is resistant to a number of components that can severely damage ordinary steel, it is not entirely resilient to abuse or neglect. Polishing stainless steel should be viewed as a regular aspect of maintaining items in the condition in which they were originally purchased, and with a few tricks the job is relatively simple.
To polish stainless steel that is still in good condition there is little more that is needed than ordinary soap and water, incorporating the use of a clean soft cloth as a buffer. Simply clean the steel in hot, soapy water making certain to rinse the item thoroughly before drying. After this, buff the steel item using a soft cloth (cotton fabric works best) for 20 or 30 seconds until a shine begins to return. If following this the item still appears to be dull, use a commercial window cleaner containing ammonia spraying, drying and buffing the item until it becomes attractive once again.
To polish stainless steel items that are in poor condition there are two basic ways to go – a commercial stainless steel polish can be used or a simple polish can be made at home. When using a commercial polish caution must be taken to follow directions on the container to the letter, remembering that these cleaners should never be used on stainless steel items used in the preparation of food. Commercial steel cleaners can leave traces of chemicals that be quite poisonous.
A good homemade steel cleaner can be made of a small amount of olive oil and baking soda mixed together then used as a polishing paste. This mixture gives excellent results when combined with a few minutes spent hand-polishing.
Lastly, it is important to remember when polishing stainless steel to never use anything of any kind that can be considered abrasive. A brush, scrubber or even a dirty cloth that holds hard dirt particles can damage a steel item beyond the point of repair very quickly. In this sense, a few minutes of caution can prevent the need for replacement of a damaged steel item.
DIY Woodworking: Building A Desk
A desk is a highly functional piece of furniture that can also add to the decor of a room. Many homeowners are using a single room in their home as an office only. Regardless of why you would like a new desk, you may be interested in building one yourself to save money or to put your woodworking skills to use. Such a project can provide great enjoyment and fill a need.
A desk offers the chance to choose from plenty of styles and shapes. The freedom to customize it exactly to your requirements is what’s so fun about building a desk or any furniture for that matter. A desk can be as basic or detailed as you want it to be.
But before you get started, the key is to have a solid plan in place. Approaching it any other way will likely lead to mistakes, particularly for beginners. You must have a clear vision for what you want it to look like.
The first step when planning is to determine the dimensions and style. The size depends on the purpose of the desk and how much space is available in the room it will be placed in. In my opinion, having too much desk space is better than not having enough. So to be on the safe side, considering building one that is actually bigger than what is needed.
Height is another key consideration. Who will be using the desk? If the chair can adjust in height, then the desk can be higher, particularly if children are going to use it. But think about what height is going to be most comfortable for those using it. The length on both sides and the back should all be the same.
Many desks now have a keyboard slide out tray so you can achieve the most ergonomically sound position. If this is a computer or office desk, then this might be a good idea. You can also choose to add a drawer as well for more storage space.
Should you make the mistake of cutting the legs too short, then table legs can give the desk some more height.
A hand saw is best to use if you are a beginner. Otherwise, you will be putting yourself at risk to getting injured. There are courses available in most areas that will teach you how to use power tools, if that is something you are interested in doing. Safety should always come first.