Everything about the picture below is pretty much perfect.

Perfect lawn. Perfect stone retaining wall. And perfectly clear that someone other than me is driving the tractor!

Funny as that may be, it’s not exactly true. Until recently, I lived on about an acre of semi-rural property and I mowed it with a lawn tractor very similar (in appearance) to the one shown above and, truth-be-told, I actually liked doing the job.

I enjoyed riding around the yard while mowing. It gave me a chance to get a close-up look at every tree, bush, planter, fence, gate, light, drive, walk… you get the idea. It was my weekly (or so) chance to give the property a once-over. I never thought I’d feel nostalgic about it, but I do.

Since this is a quality mower, this lucky (possibly overdressed) hand will be able to let go of the shifter. A pleasure I was frequently robbed of.

What I don’t feel nostalgic about is the mechanical problems I faced with my supposedly high-quality (brand omitted because I think some stuff from this big store in the mall is good) tractor. From the time my tractor was about a year old there was a constant problem with the transmission staying in gear.

No matter how often I fixed it, I usually had to hold the shifter with my hand to keep it right. That left one hand for the steering wheel. And, much to my deepest chagrin, no hands to hold my drink.

(we’ll steer carefully clear of stereotypes and just stick with generic terms for the beverage)

Now I Stalk The Big Mower Section at Home Depot

So all of this has had a lasting impact on my psychological make-up. I’m sure to never purchase another of the crafty brand I previously owned and I now have an issue with increased heart rate and beads of perspiration when I’m in the presence of the real lawn equipment parked teasingly just inside the door of Home Depot, a place I visit quite frequently. Just look at what I have to walk past just to buy a little bit of Bondo (yes, I use bondo – on wood, not on cars):

John Deere, Cub Cadet, Toro, these are serious brands for serious lawns and Home Depot has a huge selection of them at great prices.

I don’t have to only deal with this cut-radius envy when I visit the store. It’s also an issue for me when I’m online. The THD Tractor Site has even more choices, but there, as in the actual store, I often suffer from short attention spans because there is just so much cool stuff at Home Depot – virtual or otherwise!

In fact, I plan to head there within a day or two to get the lumber for a trellis (or pergola?) I’m building soon. More on that to come! You can keep up with all kinds of indoor and outdoor fun by subscribing to Remodeling Guy via email!

I am so in-love with my two Paslode Cordless Nailguns that my wife should probably get rid of them. I use them so frequently, I decided I should just write a quick post every time I do showing just one more reason you want one. Believe me, I’m saying this for you, not because anyone is paying me to (which they aren’t). I’m totally serious that these are my favorite tools.

Reason #1 – Thanksgiving Day Chair Repairs

While it may not be permanent, the last minute chair repair will get us through Thanksgiving Dinner (and I bet a year or so more!)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Let me introduce you to my new favorite tool! The Paslode 16 Gauge Straight Finish Nailer – Cordless Version!

Paslode was kind enough to send me two of their cordless nailguns to try out. The 16 gauge straight finish nailer and the 18 gauge brad nailer. They also make a 16 gauge angled finish nailer.

I’ve been using these tools for a couple of months now and I’m completely impressed! I did a little job today to make a door swing the opposite direction and was reminded just how convenient a cordless nailgun really is.

No compressor. No hose. No compressor noise. No hassle. Just nails when and where you want them with total reliability.

Not Just For Trim

The thing that has impressed me the most about the 16 gauge gun is that the thicker nails, up to 2.5″ long, can be used for all sorts of projects, not just running trim.

I first used the Paslode 902000 16 Gauge Straight Finish Nailer on an outdoor shed that I threw together in a moment of storage desperation. I knew that the tool was designed for indoor jobs, but I was working alone in a confined area and using thin wood.

The Paslode 16 gauge galvanized nails were perfect to hold the structure together and let me work fast. I went back later and added screws to create a permanent structural connection, but I wonder if they were necessary because I just looked at the Paslode Finish Nails I used. They don’t show the first sign of rust after five months, not 200 yards from salt water.

The Paslode Brad Nailer is Perfect for Cabinetry and Built-In’s

I’m one of these guys who always has a few projects at various stages of completion. One of my unfinished projects is a huge set of custom built-in’s in the master bedroom. This project encompasses the bed itself, the closets, bookcases, storage cabinetry, and shelves.

I can’t show it to you yet because it’s not done. But it looks incredible already.

This involved building some traditional cabinets including doors and drawers. It also included heavier construction of the bed frame, deck, and the large wall-to-wall bookcases.

I used both the brad nailer (which shoots thinner 18 gauge nails) and the trim nailer (16 gauge) on this project and I was impressed with the value of having both guns.

They really offer distinct areas of usability.

Brad Nailer or Trim Nailer – Which to use?

Brad Nails are perfect for:

• Making Cabinet Doors
• Installing thin sheetgood inserts in doors
• Installing small trim pieces (such as quarter round or fine detail moldings)
• Repairing broken wooden components
• Holding items being glued (in lieu of clamps)
• Door casing…sometimes.
• Brad nails leave a tiny hole…almost the smallest available

Trim Nails (16 gauge, aka Finish Nails) are perfect for:

• Baseboards
• Crown Moldings
• Chair Rails
• Assembling larger structure of cabinets and built-ins
• General nailing
• Door Jambs (hanging doors)

Worth The Money For Pro’s and Weekend Warriors

At around $250, these aren’t inexpensive as compared to tools that require an air-compressor. Then again, when you figure in the cost of a compressor and consider getting both a compressor and a gun that are capable of handling years and years of use, it’s pretty competitive.

But the real value of these tools is in the extreme increase in efficiency, safety, and convenience. (I mention safety, because air-hoses are a big jobsite danger)

Both of the tools I used were excellent in every way. Balance, durability, ease of use, weight (lightweight), and thoughtful engineering. My wife would be hesitant to bring out the compressor, air hose, and nail-gun if she wanted to nail together a frame, but she would grab and use this gun without hesitation. (assuming I told her the combination to the gun safe)

A few key points:

• I like the built-in hanger for your tool belt, ladder, or blue jeans.
• The gas cartridges seem expensive at first, but they last forever. (these tools use a disposable gas cartridge for firing pressure, and a rechargable battery to fire)
• The battery lasts for hours, holds the charge well in storage, and charges quickly when exhausted.
• The case is very functional and comes with safety goggles and extra storage capacity.
• Paslode takes quality seriously and it is evident in the tools.
• Great orange color!
• The lack of a compressor is excellent working in an occupied house.

Having used a cordless nailer, I won’t be going back.

The brad nailer is currently sold-out at Amazon.com, but the Finish Nailer was available.

Check out the Paslode Website for more information.

Senco PC0947/FP18KIT 18-Gauge Brad Nailer Compressor Combo Kit

I own this exact air compressor and brad nailer. I bought it as a kit too, but paid a good bit more!

Amazon.com has these on sale for a great price and it ships right to you.

I often buy tools on Amazon because of the great pricing, and the really great service. No problems with returns, quick shipping, etc.

$146.72 is all this will cost!

Why Do I Need A Brad Nailer?

I own a whole big giant plastic container full of nail guns, at least one of every type. The only one(s) that live outside that container, usually on my work-bench or in the house next to whatever I’m working on is the brad nailer. I use them very frequently.

For example, say you’re following the series on interior wood paneling and you decide you want to install some beadboard, or some board-and-batten. This is one of the key tools. For any trimwork or detail jobs, this is the tool. It shoots nails down to 1/2″ and up to about 2″ in length. But it leaves a tiny hole.

My 12 year old son made a table with some scraps and my brad nailer in about twenty minutes yesterday!

Why This One?

The nail gun itself isn’t anything out of the ordinary.  Brad nailers are all very similar, though Senco is great quality.  But the real advantage to this is the air compressor!

• You can carry it in one hand by the built-in handle… it’s not heavy at all.
• It fits on a shelf, or even in a plastic bin.  It takes up about as much space as a five-gallon bucket.
• It has little rubber feet so you can set it on any surface to run it… hardwood floors, whatever.
• It is very quiet.

Only downside is that this is a small compressor, meaning you can’t run just any air tool with it.  It’s made to be a team with the brad nailer.

Get One, You’ll Love it!

If you buy one, please buy it from Amazon.com because I’m an affiliate… meaning when you click through from my blog to Amazon and buy something, I get a small commission. It added up to a whopping $6.00 last month, but maybe that’s because I forgot to point out great deals like this one. Thanks!

Click here to go see the Compressor/Nailer Combo at Amazon.com

PS – Even if you want to buy a book, or a pair of socks, I really appreciate you clicking through from Remodeling Guy! You must need something!

Hey Crew! It’s Tool Talk Tuesday over at The Blah Blah Blahger and I’m the one doing the tool talking.

Not only do I reveal some of my most beloved treasures (shown above), I get deep with “The Route(r) to True Happiness” You wouldn’t want to miss that would you?

I’ve got some great posts lined-up here, so if you haven’t already, sign up for our RSS or email subscription so you don’t miss anything. My two cents is that the email subscription is better because you won’t forget to look at it.

(The truth is that I’m at 678 subscribers today and 700 is SO close. Help!)

Come on back and leave me random comments about tools or whatever else floats your boat! Have a great day!

You early crew members remember this:

It still makes me laugh as much as it did that first night WAAAY back in late January! It just sounds like a line of make-up or something. So you see the humor I hope.

Remodeling Guy don’t wear no make-up! (Why, what did you hear?)

Here is the big giveaway!

We’re talking a pretty good set of starter tools here! All of this is professional quality and I’m going to buy it all brand new, just for the lucky Crew Member who wins this!

No digging through my toolbox for last years tape measure! No grabbing one of the carpenter’s hammer on the sly next time I walk through the job! (they all engrave initials on them anyway)

This is $70.00 worth of tools, and shipping ! (US only, sorry JanMarie) For the original post about these tools, click here.

Pink is So Controversial

If you look at the comments on that post, you’ll see that I ruffled some feathers with the pink! I guess the concern was that I was being the stereotypical (in fact atypical) construction piggy man. I hope you all know me a little better by now.

The truth is this: I want this blog to EMPOWER you to go and do some great work on your homes! I mean that for men or women. I want to encourage and energize. I want to give you great ideas and help you figure out what small steps, or huge steps, that you can take to make it happen.

So my reasoning behind the pink is one of encouragement! If one of the ladies in the Crew goes out and learns some new skills and does a job in her house that makes her stand back and say, “WOW!”. Then I think that’s awesome! The pink is just a way to show you that I don’t think you should let anyone tell you that you can’t do it because you’re a girl!

By the way…if you’re not a girl…please leave a comment so I know I’m not alone! (thanks)

How to Win

Okay, you may have heard that I have this email newsletter coming out. The first issue is coming on March 1st! I want it to be huge! I want to reach as many people as possible so that I can really get my message out there! I need your help to do that! Please spread the word!

I would love for you to subscribe to both the RSS or Email blog updates AND the email newsletter, but if I have to pick, I pick the Newsletter. You can get the blog content anytime by logging on, but the newsletter is additional content over and above the blog content. I’m going to kick-it-up y’all. I’m talking really putting my best into this!

So, the way you enter for this giveaway is by signing-up for the email Newsletter. There are important things you need to know:

• You will only get emails from me personally.
• I will not share your email address with anyone.
• You can opt out at any time with one click (maybe two).

For those of you who have already subscribed, consider yourself entered and thank you! For the rest, here is a sign up form:

Name:
Email:

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Thank You and Good Luck!  I’ll randomly select a winner on February 28th! Oh, one more thing:  it’s neck and neck on the vote for the best drillbit design cabinet door.   If you haven’t voted, let your voice be heard!

 Basics First

I’m having a hard time keeping a straight face! That is so funny! RemodelingGuy:Essentials! It’s killin’ me!

However, let’s try and be serious for a moment! Tools are serious business!

Before we start anything, it is important to be sure you have the basics.

Tool Pouch

You don’t need anything fancy. You don’t need a big giant tool belt with fifty compartments. You do need something to hold the tools that you use frequently. A simple nail apron will work, but a pouch like this one above is what I suggest. It has a place for each of the following:

Hammer

It’s important to get a decent Hammer! I don’t want anyone sending me pictures showing one of those tiny little housewife hammers. I’ve used them…I’m not too proud to admit it. Personally, I wouldn’t be caught dead with one of those things.

Get one just like this picture:

A claw hammer, with a curve to the claw so you can pull out nails or grab something you can’t quite reach! It works for demolition and good old fashioned nailing.

Tape Measure

Sorry to depart from the color of the day on these last two. Stanley makes good tools and as far as I know, no pink tape measures.

It’s worth the extra few bucks for a good tape measure! These don’t break down when you try and extend them out more than a few feet.

If you don’t know how to read one, I just found a great video turorial here.

Utility Knife

While we’re here, if we could please refrain from calling this a “box cutter” I would really appreciate it.

You can call it a Razor Knife if you want to sound like an old pro.

This tool gets very heavy use in most projects and you’ll find it to be much better than a pocket knife or, worse, a kitchen knife.

The cheap, simple one like I show here is best. No need for anything fancy. The blade is changed by removing the screw. FYI.

Speed Square

When you start working with any wood that needs to be cut, it needs to be marked first!

A speed square has many functions, but for basic use, it’s just to help mark lines either square, or on a perfect 45 degree angle.

If you’re bored, or planning to become a full-time carpenter, memorize the little book. Otherwise, you can discard that!

Carpenter’s Pencil’s

There is so much I need to tell you about carpenters pencils!

No, not really. The bottom line is that you can go with these or with a regular pencil. I often use a regular pencil because it makes a cleaner line.

The hard-core guys say that these don’t break as easy, are easier to sharpen with the box-cutter and ???

Safety

Don’t forget the safety items. You really should have eye protection at all times. Gloves are good for demolition and material handling. I bet you could find some pink work boots if you look, for foot protection!

Just a Start

These tools are obviously very basic. But as I read through the comments and emails I realize that many of you really want to tackle some of this work yourselves and you’re looking for some help.

I can provide that and I’ll get into some tutorials involving the more complex tools. Soon I’ll be talking about how to install some wood trimwork like you see in my recent post on trim.

When we get to that point, I just want to be sure we’re equipped with the basics. You can run up to Home Depot or somewhere similar and get all of this. If you prefer to get it on-line, I’ve provided some links below, or just by clicking on the items.

Girlgear Industries 68 Pink Tool Pouch

Stanley 33-725 25-Foot Fat Max Tape Measure

Stanley 51-621 16-Ounce Curve Claw Fiberglass Hammer

C. H. Hanson 206 Carpenter’s Combo Pencil And Sharpener

Swanson Tool SO101 7-inch Speed Square

Mark Two Way Adjustable Safety Glasses – Pink

Stanley 10-189 5-5/8-Inch Self-Retracting Utility Knife

I’m reading every comment and paying close attention to what you’re telling me you need. So please continue to let me know in the comments or by email. Happy Remodeling!