So here’s one from the “Couldn’t make it up if I tried” Department—and yet another reason why a tool pouch without a Hyde multi-tool in it is an invitation to work harder than necessary. While on set at Extreme Makeover: Home Edition’s Knoxville, TN project working with the show’s project management team I had to [...]
Extreme Makeover Joplin: Tooling Up
January 11, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Tooling Up in Joplin’s Cunningham Park with Extreme Makeover. It took 10,000 volunteers and multiple builders to make Extreme Makeover: Home Edition‘s 200th—and final—episode a reality. Seven houses in seven days plus our playground and memorial wall in the tornado-ravaged city of Joplin, MO is no small feat. And like any endeavor where many are [...]
Tool Review: Stanley PowerLock 25 Foot Tape Measure
December 24, 2011 By Leave a Comment
You’re going to love this. Here is a tool review of a brand new tool that I’ve had in my pouch for XX years…I mean xx years…since high school, how’s that? I bought my first tape along with my first tool apron and hammer at Town Paint and Supply—a place that was old then. (And [...]
FixitUpFind: Stainless Steel Knives
December 20, 2011 By Leave a Comment
For my buck there are two main reasons to upgrade to stainless steel knives and scrapers: You’re a painting or coating pro who uses the tools constantly. Or you are like me: You use them as part of your other remodeling activities and the tools sit for periods of time between projects. For guys who [...]
FixitUpFind: Great Stuff Work Wipes
December 9, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Here’s one from the “where-has-this-been-all-my-life” department. Great Stuff makes a cool looking product that cleans up a hard-to-clean product: Great Stuff. Look, I like expanding foam insulation and plan to use some on our forthcoming door project. (Note: Only use low-expanding foam on door and window projects). However, it only takes a little to get [...]
Get Your Snow Blowers Ready for Winter
November 16, 2011 By Leave a Comment
If you live in an area where it snows, cleaning up and digging out after a heavy snowfall is a simple fact of life. Sure, shoveling is the traditional way to get the job done, but your back, shoulders, and legs may be pleading for an easier alternative. Plus, with record snowfall pounding many cities [...]
FixitUp Find: Get A Clip–Hyde Tools Bear Claw Clips
November 10, 2011 By Leave a Comment
If you could see me right now, you’d be watching me get up on my soapbox. It’s a metaphorical soapbox of course, because I buy soap like everyone else (actually, I get a lot of it from hotels—I’m that, er, frugal—but when I dooooo buy it)…anyway up I go. And, while the direction of this [...]
Containing the Dust: Hyde 09175 Vacuum Sanding Tool
October 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment
There is one constant when working with drywall and joint compound: dust. Like the work or hate it, good at it or just beginning, it doesn’t matter. The minute you start sanding—and everyone has to sand—dust enters the equation. If you’re building an addition or new home, it’s not a huge deal, but for 99% [...]
MyFixitUpLife Radio Show: Live from New York it’s MyFixitUpLife
October 10, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Tool up and tune in, we’re sneak-peaking Stanley Tools’ front line of next-gen products from their New York City premiere. We’re getting schooled when This Old House—and unimproveably nice guy—master plumber and HVAC expert Rich Trethewey radiates a pipeline plumb full of knowledge and warmth. He shares tips to how to get your home ready [...]
Draining an Air Compressor
September 25, 2011 By Leave a Comment
An air compressor is what I would consider a main-frame DIY tool. For everything from trim to flooring to blowing dust out of the garage, compressed air is the go-to fuel to power hardworking pneumatic tools. And as well as most compressors work, draining them can be a real pain in the…fingers! Click here to [...]
