Posts Tagged ‘tools’

 

Essential DIY Tools for Your Toolbox

Monday, August 31st, 2015

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There are more useless money-suckers than good products these days; this is especially visible in the market for household maintenance tools. You search for cool DIY tools, expecting something at the crossroads of utilitarian and innovative, but all you seem to find are Allan keys with vice grips, PSI gauges, and sextants attached.

Here at TalkLocal, we think a sextant sounds like something nobody is interested in, so we’ve compiled a list of DIY tools to help you declare independence from your contractor and feed your increasingly addictive DIY hobby.

Essential DIY Tools

These should be in any toolbox:

– Adjustable wrench
– Screwdriver set
– Tape measure
– Electric drill (worth the price, trust us)
– Level
– Hammer
– Nailset
– Pliers
– Utility knife
– Flashlight
– Sandpaper and sanding block (whenever dealing with wood)
– Safety goggles and gloves
– Super glue
– Duct tape and WD-40 (seriously)

Useful Extras (Your pipes won’t burst without them but they’re not superfluous):

– Crowbar
– Staple gun
– Rubber mallet (good for tapping together laminate)
– Dremel
– Hot glue gun
– Automatic nailer and circular saw (useful for woodworking projects)
– Jigsaw (another useful woodworker’s tool)
– Multi-tool (those Swiss Army knife-things with a million tools – if you think they look unwieldy and useless, consider that these are essentially whole toolboxes you can fit in your pocket!)

Gather these together over time; they’re too expensive to buy all at once, and you might not end up needing all of them. Instead, get the ones that seem necessary for the project at hand, and make sure it’s a project you actually can tackle yourself so you don’t waste money

For all of those tasks too big, too onerous, or too time-consuming for a mere mortal with a toolbox, let us handle it. Go onto TalkLocal and our unique search system will put an end to that obnoxious research-call-repeat headache.

What are Knock-down Fasteners?

Wednesday, November 27th, 2013

What are Knock-down Fasteners? - Handyman

Knock-down fasteners are clever pieces of hardware that are used to make a butt joint, which is the simplest technique to join two members together. The members must be cut to the correct length and butted together at the right angle. The members are glued together and are usually reinforced by several methods. Knock-down fasteners are a common example of a reinforced butt joint.

Typical Use

It’s called “knock-down” because you can simply knock it down however many times to assemble and re-assemble it. If you’ve ever purchased flat-pack furniture, then you have seen and used knock-down fasteners.

Flat-pack furniture is ready-to-assemble furniture that is very popular these days, from bookshelves and cabinets, to drawers and modular kitchen partitions. When you purchase flat-pack furniture, it comes in individual components that have been pre-cut, pre-drilled, and are meant to be held together by knock-down fasteners.

These fasteners differ from wall anchors, which are used to attach the assembled shelving to a wall. While these fasteners connect and disconnect easily, they do make a pretty strong joint connection. This allows furniture manufacturers to use an inexpensive and weak material, such as a particleboard, and still end up with a stable and strong product.

How Do They Work?

Usually, knock-down fasteners comprise of cam dowels that are locked by confirmat fasteners, or cam locks, that are installed alongside the members to bring them together. The cam lock is tightened to secure the joint.

Types of Knock-down Fasteners

There are several styles of these fasteners, the most common ones are:

– Cross-dowel – Ideal for butt joints that will not hold a lot of strain; easy way to join two members that form a 90-degree angle.

– Draw bolts – Perfect for heavy-duty use where the joint requires a lot of support.

– Connector bolts – Consist of the bolts and cap nuts; provide a clean look and comes in an attractive finish so they can be used in visible areas; great to use to attach bookcases or cabinets.

Still Need Help?

Knock-down fasteners are widely available in hardware supply stores. If you’re working on a furniture project and need some professional handyman help, TalkLocal can link you with someone in your area who is well qualified to offer expert assistance. Try our free service now!

Carpentry Tools List

Tuesday, September 3rd, 2013

Carpentry Tools List - Handyman

There are ten essential tools that every carpenter will need. This carpentry tools list covers everything that you need in order to jump-start your carpentry. Knowing the basic tools you will need will help you make everything from countertops to other, more complex structures, like treehouses.

1)     Claw Hammer (Finish Head)

Every home needs a hammer for all-around household fixing. Find a hammer that feels good and solid in the hand and that is not too heavy.

2)     6” Layout Square

A layout square is useful for all carpenters, because it can help you make a square, create a 45ᵒ angle, and measure up to 6 inches. This tool is indispensable.

3)     25’ Measuring Tape

A measuring tape is another must-have for the carpenter. The measuring tape should have both standard and metric markings and have a loose hook at the end so you can make accurate measurements.

4)     Utility Knife

A utility knife is useful for making markings on wood and is an all-around tool that you will need in completing your projects. Get one that is sturdy and has a locking mechanism for the blade.

5)     Chisels

A finely sharpened chisel is perfect for cleaning joints. It can also be used to clean out mortises. Different sizes should be at your disposal to provide for a wide range of uses and projects.

6)     Level

You will need a level to make sure that what you are working on is perfectly horizontal or vertical. It is advisable to keep a long level (about 36”) and short one that is about 6”.

7)     Screwdrivers

Every household needs a screwdriver – and not just for carpentry. Try to purchase several screwdrivers of different sizes, as well as both flat heads and hex heads (or Phillips), so you can be ready when you need it.

8)     Sliding Bevel

This tool is much like a 6” square, except that is has a locking mechanism and can be adjusted to different angles. The tool is useful if you want to replicate angles.

9)     Nail Sets

Nail sets are similar in size and shape to chisels, except that they are used to sink nails into wood. It is handy to keep several nail sets at your disposal.

10)  Block Plane

A block plane is another essential for every carpenter. Block planes are used for shaving wood and for cleaning up edges.

Need Help?

Contact TalkLocal today, and we can help you find a professional near you. You may need some help in selecting carpentry tools or finding a carpenter near your area. In this case, we are here to help.