Monday, 8 March 2010

HOME :: Home-Improvement / Tools-and-Equipment Tool Kit For Mom

Tools for the stay at home mom. I have been married to a mechanic for 16 years. Trust me, if you need a tool, I got it. Somewhere in this house, in a drawer, sock, wait..under the cushion.. its here! But if you are married to or living with someone Not so mechanically inclined, then here are a few tool ideas to keep around the house or apartment.

First, that awesome All in One screwdriver! That thing is so handy. You have your flat head and your Phillips Head all in one neat little tool with different sizes to boot! A wrench. Not just any wrench, but an adjustable wrench or otherwise known as Crescent Wrench. A good hefty one. I do not necessarily go by size meaning, 8 in or 10 inch, I mean one that feels good in your hand. Has some weight to it, would work well as a temporary hammer if you know what I mean. Lets be honest you know you have tried to nail something in the wall with something heavy and it did not do the trick. Well a good hefty wrench will!

Which leads us right into a hammer. Get a good one. A nice heavy, shiny one. I like the kind that have the rubber on the handles, that way it does not slip when your on the step stool trying to pound in that last nail for the shelf you are trying to install and your arm is fully extended! Rubber bands, I always need rubber bands in my drawers. I use them for everything, to get good tight seal on anything, I secure it with a band. Pliers, are the last thing that I think you must have. You never know when your going to need them to pull something out, I do not mean teeth either.

The list is not huge for my home tool kit, but they are definite necessities. I always try to leave them in a handy spot so that I can remember where I put them, or try to anyways. You can add to the list or maybe it gave you an idea of something else, either way, do not get caught without!

Supply your tool kit at http://wrenchesplus.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Helmi_Shogren

Cheap Tool Boxes Can Be a Great Option to Get You Organized

If your hammers and screwdrivers are scattered through the house or are all over your car or garage then you sound like the type of person that tool boxes were invented for. Imagine keeping your favorite hammer, screwdriver and drill in one box. When you need one you go to it and take out what you need and then put it back. For projects where you need several items you just take the box with you. The handle on these boxes also make it very easy to carry with you no matter where you end up going to do a project.

However as you aren't a professional and only do the odd job here and there you might not want a fancy one that costs a lot. That is why you might want to purchase one of the many cheap tool boxes that are sold today.

One of these does not need to be complicated or elaborate. You can find many for as cheap as 10$. The cheap ones are usually red and made out of a durable plastic. They are pretty basic and just have areas for you to store your tools and then have a lock to keep everything secure plus a nice easy handle for ease in mobility.

Where to Find a Good Deal

A great place to start looking for them is to shop online. You can find some deals on cheap storage sheds and even read reviews from other users at stores like Amazon. The benefit to buying online is that you usually won't have to pay tax but you might have to pay shipping.

If you'd rather shop locally, a hardware store is a great place to start. If you want more than a simple box but still want a good deal on it thrift stores or garage sales are a great place to shop and you might find a good deal there. However keep in mind that they might be used. You will find that a well made box can last a long time if treated well.

Jon is a professional handyman who shares do-it-yourself tips and gives no non-sense advice on how to maximize use of a Snap On tool. At SnapOnToolBoxes.net, you'll find more information on the related category.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jon_Wells

Monday, 1 March 2010

DIY Home Improvement For Beginners - The Basics of DIY

DIY or do it yourself is a goal-oriented hobby initiated and completed by individuals or small groups. The basic premise is that if a person learns reasonably fast and knows how to apply basic skills to projects, then the person doesn't have to hire other people to do the work for him.

In recent years, DIY home improvement has made impact in television and in the hearts of interested homemakers and professionals. The idea of improving the looks of your home using your own basic talent appeals to a lot of people. If you wish to begin your own journey in DIY home improvement, certain things have to be taken into consideration so that you can increase your success rate in any DIY home improvement projects.

The basics of DIY explained:

1. Skill- the acquisition of skill in DIY is self-paced, and depends largely on your enthusiasm for the task at hand. Enthusiasm translates to willingness- the willingness to finish tasks and the willingness to learn. If you're just beginning with DIY, stick to small, doable projects that you know would be fun for you. Sustaining interest is also one key problem, so if you're improving your house with your own two hands, make sure that the part of the house that you wish to alter won't make you miserable after a few days.

2. Knowledge- certain things cannot simply be assumed- and this includes electrical systems and cabinet designs. Read all that you can about what you want to do. Limit yourself to doable ones. Making a table is doable, but replacing your living room's large chandelier on your own isn't. Learn, have fun and then go to the next task. This is the formula to successful DIY home improvement projects.

3. Time- let's face it. DIY home improvement projects need a lot of time. If you can't find time for the project, then postpone your attempt first. You can reschedule next summer or during the holiday season. This would minimize clutter in your house and cut down waste materials due to expiration dates.

4. Finances- the aim is to save money and enjoy the DIY project. However, there are some DIY projects that require a lot of money. Never sacrifice the integrity and safety of your house by buying substandard yet cheap materials. It doesn't matter if you save or not. Example, if your roof fails due to thin braces and support trusses then you would be spending a lot more in repairing the damage.

5. Help- sometimes, doing it alone can be difficult. Try to find people of similar interests and start collecting 'tried and tested" formulas for DIY home improvement. On the World Wide Web, there are small yet reliable organizations that gives out DIY home improvement tips, through collaborations with companies that supply the materials to DIY enthusiasts.

6. Creativity- creativity will sustain your early attempts, and would push you to do better in future DIY home improvement projects. Being creative also means being able to go past boundaries in craftsmanship and design. You can customize if you want, being creative is a much prized quality for any DIY enthusiasts.

The author of this article was Benedict Yossarian. For home improvements Benedict recommends Dekorbeton Decorative Concrete as a cheap alternative to expensive bricks and Roof Bond Spray Foam Roof Insulation [http://www.roofbond.biz/] to reduce your heating costs.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Benedict_Yossarian