Tools You Need

Having a conversation with Big A is <em>usually</em> very helpful.  But some days, well, not so much.<br/><br/>Me:  <em>Which tools could you not live without when it comes to the house?</em><br/><br/>Big A: <em> My car-washing mitt.</em><br/><br/>Me: <em> I said for the HOUSE.</em><br/><br/>Big A:  <em>Honey, the only tool you need in this house is my brain.</em><br/><br/>Me:  <em>I'm pretty sure you just called yourself a tool.</em><br/><br/>Clearly, I wanted his help making a list of the tools that a new home owner would love as a gift. But I guess I'm on my own!<br/><br/>Here goes:<br/><br/><strong>Compound Mitre Saw. </strong> Big A couldn't live without this.  For quick accurate cuts, but long rips are not possible. It's relatively small, and therefore portable. Big A uses his for moulding. I really need to learn to use this so that I can make my own frames!  From wikipedia: A <em>compound miter saw</em> has a rotating vertical pivot allowing the cutter head and blade to be tilted sideways in addition to the horizontally rotating table. This allows vertical and horizontal angled cuts as well as cuts angled in both planes. (In English: it can cut angles).<br/><br/><strong>Cordless Drill.</strong>  Every home owner or apartment dweller needs a cordless drill.  Use it to drive screws and drill holes.  The battery size is important for long periods of use and a short charging time.  Look for a drill with a reverse switch and a keyless clutch.  Try the drill in your hand to make sure the fit is good.  The size of the handles and weight vary.<br/><br/><strong>Gorilla Cart.</strong>  Forget wheelbarrows.  This is easy to load and unload.  A new home owner has a lot of hauling to do and this makes it much easier.  It doesn't tip over, and you can load it with gravel, rocks, lawn debris, groceries, garbage, mulch, etc.  The handle comes off so that you can attach it to a lawn mower or ATV.<br/><br/><strong>Nail Gun.  </strong> If you have any major work to do that requires hammering, a nail gun will make the job go a lot faster and save your shoulders! A nail gun requires an air compresser.  There are cordless nail guns, but they drain the battery very quickly, plus, if you buy an air compresser you can use that for lots of other things.<br/><br/><strong>Air Compressor.</strong>  For me the main consideration is portability.  An electric air compressor can be used for nail gun, staplers, filling tires, blowing spider webs away... There are kits sold that include nailers, staplers and air compressors.<br/><br/><strong>Power washer.  </strong>I love the power washer.  As long as you choose one that is light enough to easily move it around, you can't go wrong.  We have one that is very heavy, so I can only use it when Big A is here to move it where I need it. You can clean the grill, your car tires, the porch, sidewalks, outdoor rugs (carefully), remove old chipping paint...<br/><br/>That's it for now.  If Big A comes up with any useful suggestions, I'll update this post.  However, I'm not going to hold my breath - he's busy washing his truck.<br/><br/><img alt="" height="400" id="il_fi" src="http://images.amazon.com/images/G/01/stores/auto/detail-page/B000QX52CM1lg.jpg" width="600" /><br/><br/><a href="http://www.amazon.com/b/ref=as_acph_thi_thd_122_1225?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=ur2&node=5709829011&tag=fymoho-20" target="_blank">Shop Amazon - Top Holiday Deals in Tools </a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fymoho-20&l=ur2&o=1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br/><p style="text-align: center;"> Important note:</p><br/><p style="text-align: center;"><em>If you give any of these as gifts to a woman, best to give it WITH a pair of earrings or new boots.  Tools are useful and great gifts, but, let's face it, they don't make your ears or feet look good.</em></p>

Tools You Need

Having a conversation with Big A is usually very helpful.  But some days, well, not so much. Me:   Which tools could you not live without w...

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Pressure Washers

I got thinking about Pressure Washers, as one does, and they really are useful, and not too expensive.  When you own a home, there are a lot of time saving uses for one.  Now, I'll confess, it's usually my husband who uses ours, cuz, frankly, our power washer is too heavy for me to lug around.  But if my man gets it out of the basement and brings it to me, I'll happily find a use for it...<br/><br/><img alt="" data-height="194" data-width="259" height="194" id="rg_hi" src="http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQMtcxjaCJnLLJ9LIR4hob5ACtyvWtV0v4atBf0KHo-QOsz10py" width="259" /><br/><br/>Now, they're a power tool, even if you don't picture them as a some manly jack-hammer or something.  And, because they're a power tool, they can be dangerous.  One does have to be safe when using them.  The water comes out very fast and it can harm soft materials, like your body!  Don't get your foot or hand in the way!  And don't be tempted to wash the dog with it!  Similarly, use caution on car decals, or molding on the house, etc.  And, best to wear safety glasses.<br/><br/>Here's just a few of the uses for a pressure washer:<br/><br/>Wash the car or boat.  Or maybe you have a jet.. You can use the pressure washer to rinse off, then suds it up, and rinse off again.  But, as mentioned, be cautious if you have any decals on your car (or jet).<br/><br/>Power wash the drive way or side walk.  The water pressure will further damage weak concrete, so be careful.<br/><br/>Decks and porches.  Over time, wood decks and porches tend to get a dull grey look to them.  The pressure washer washes that away so you're ready to stain, or treat the wood.  Similarly, you can remove old paint from porches, or steps.<br/><br/>Lawn or patio furniture can be pressure washed. Although I wouldn't advise this with wicker - you may end up with pile of wet kindling.<br/><br/>You can wash your siding.  Just be sure to be careful around moldings and glass.<br/><br/>Use the pressure washer to clean out your mower deck.  My husband thinks this is very cool, although I have to admit, I can't fathom why you would want a clean mower deck!  (This falls under my category "Whatever makes you happy honey".)<br/><br/>Rinse away grime from your BBQ grill grates.  Do you know that the BBQ instruction book instructs one to clean the BBQ after every use?  I don't know about you, but I just close the lid when I'm done cooking and burn it off for a minute or two.  I always thought that would suffice, but when you take those grates off, they're in need of some serious cleaning.<br/><br/>Power washing is perfect for cleaning the garage floor (assuming you can<em> get to</em> the garage floor!).<br/><br/>Speaking of floors, I actually used the pressure washer to clean an area rug when our cat had an unfortunate stomach problem.  I really couldn't face cleaning the rug with my hands, and the pressure washer was all hooked up in the driveway...  I just took the rug outside and blasted it with the power washer, sprayed it with Resolve, washed it again, and hung it to dry in the breeze.   Way better than the alternative!<br/><br/>Anyway, in my humble opinion, pressure washers are a pretty cool tool to have around the house!<br/><br/> <br/><br/> <br/><br/> <br/><br/> <br/><br/> 

Pressure Washers

I got thinking about Pressure Washers, as one does, and they really are useful, and not too expensive.  When you own a home, there are a lot...

Read more »