Handyguys Podcast

The Handyguys January 31st, 2008

 

 Episode 3 - The Cut-up Show [21:59m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Show #3 The Cut-up Show

In this show the Handyguys have their first Head to Head Tool Challenge, comparing a traditional corded Milwaukee sawzall against a Makita cordless reciprocating saw. But before they get to the tool challenge, the Handyguys finish their tips on the proper tools for a good paint job.

There are not as many gimmicks for putting paint on walls as there are for cutting in (see Show #2 where we discuss edging tools). Most people use the traditional rollers, making this process is fairly simple. However, there are other options such as power rollers, paint sticks and spray-on tools. The spray-on tools do not make much sense for homeowners as you will normally have to go back and use a roller to achieve the proper texture. The paint sticks may make sense if you are doing a large job such as priming several rooms or a huge basement, but they require too much clean up time for smaller jobs.

Despite the fact that the Handyguys love their power tools, painting is best done with the traditional roller. Make sure you use the correct nap and start rolling! But how do you clean those rollers when you are done? Check out the show for more details.

And now it’s time for the first Handyguys Head to Head Tool Challenge in Brian’’s garage. The guys take two reciprocating saws to see how they compare when cutting through a 2×4 board, embedded with a few 16 penny nails. One saw is a traditional 8 amp Milwaukee Sawzall running at 2800 SPM. This is the old standby and is battle worn and scarred. Its replacement is the Super Sawzall on sale with a great tool belt. The challenger is a brand new cordless Makita LXT 18 volt reciprocating saw running at 2900 SPM. How does the cordless tool stand up to the powerful Sawzall? Check out the show and see which tool can cut through the wood and nails more quickly. The blades used were the Milwaukee “Axe” demolition blades. These are about the best blades you can buy for rough work in wood with nails. Pick up a few at our store.

Finally, the Handguys talk about great places on the internet to buy tools. Most savvy tool buyers already know about the places like Amazon, Rockler (exceptional customer service), Lee Valley and even Craigslist. All are great places to buy tools.

The Handyguys have partnered with Amazon to offer you the Handyguys Podcast Store making your Amazon purchases via our store will help support future episodes.

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The Handyguys January 24th, 2008

 

 Handyguys: Wet Paint!: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

The HandyGuys Episode #2: Wet Paint!

Show Summary

The Handyguys discuss HGTV’s 2008 home improvement guide by Brandie Malay. This article can be found here: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22419289/. The handy guys like some of the suggestions in this article. A lot of improvements can be made to your house without spending a lot of money! Replacing old or outdated plumbing fixtures are a great way to spruce up the bathroom or kitchen. These refreshing updates are recommended whether you are planning to sell or live in your house for years to come!

The handyguys respond to their first question regarding paint. The following question is asked:

Hey Handy Guys,
In the past month, I’ve heard two different cases of a wife picking a color from a paint sample and after the husband got 2 gallons (in one case) or 3 gallons (in the other) of the custom paint, it was generally agreed that the color was not right (too bright in both cases). Of course the paint could not be returned.
How is a guy to pick the right custom paint color without having to chalk up the first 2 gallons under the category of “lessons learned?”
Your loyal listener,
Phil
[For the full answer to this question, check out the podcast]

This is an age-old problem that any D-I-Y house painter has faced. The fact is that you are never sure how a paint will look until you get some on your walls under the lighting and structural conditions of your home…not the paint store! Listen to this podcast for some suggestions on how to address this dilemma (hint: try the stores where you can purchase small quantity paint containers).

The handyguys also discuss why it is important to purchase good quality paint and paint brushes. They recommend checking out your local paint store for paint instead of the big box stores. Brian specifically recommends the Purdy angled brush for cutting in and for trim. Paint specialty stores typically have employees that know a lot about paint! They will give you the best advice about which paint to use for your project. Is the paint going to be more expensive than the big box store? Most likely… but it will also be better quality paint and the good advice will make your visit worthwhile. If you do not get good service, find another paint store.
My Odeo Channel (odeo/07a095de95cc6f8e)

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The Handyguys January 19th, 2008

 

 Philadelphia Home Show 2008 [26:22m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

The Handyguys attend the Philadelphia Home Show

Today we attended the 2008 edition of the Philadelphia Home Show. The Home Show is probably coming to a city near you, so give it a Google search or look here. In this podcast, we review some of the products seen there, and we interview Tom Silva of This Old House! You may wonder what Tom Silva is doing talking to the Handyguys. Well Tom was very gracious to take a moment to talk to the Handyguys. You can check out the interview in this podcast.

The popular items at the Home Show are basement finishing, hardscaping, home organization (i.e. closets and garages), hardwood floors and home security. There were some fine vendors in these categories so check them out. We really like the following home solutions:

Hardwood Floors Direct

This company had amazing, high quality, solid wood flooring harvested from renewable forests around the world. They assured us that their samples are consistent with the actual product delivered to contractors or DIYers. In other words, some less than truthful flooring vendors will show you high quality showroom samples, but deliver low quality product. Hardwood Floors Direct gives you a product with long, high quality boards, not warped cut-offs. See www.hardwoodfloors-direct.com

EP Henry

Most of you know this as the company that makes concrete pavers for patios and walkways. But they also make fantastic stone veneer for siding or other applications. EP Henry had great display modeling their various hardscape products. See www.ephenry.com

Slide-Lok

If you want to organize your garage, then you may want to consider this product. Garage organization is a growing category of home improvement. The garage is no longer the junk room in your home. (Or at least it does not have to be.) Slide-lok can send you an innovative garage cabinet system that can be assembled by the DIYer. If you want to spruce up that garage, check out www.slide-lok.com

Ingrid

This company makes an easy to install security system for complete home security. The interesting aspect of this product is not only the ease of installation but that it is a no-gimmick system that really works. We will be keeping an eye on this company because it seems to make home-security so easy that you don’t need a handy-guy to install it. Check them out at www.ingridhome.com

Other than these fine companies, you will be sure to find the side-show vendors marketing their gee-wiz products for $9.99. But the Handyguys advise you to skip these vendors and go get yourself a great cheesesteak across the street at the Reading Market!

That’s it for now… check out the podcast!

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The Handyguys January 14th, 2008

 

 Episode 1: Our Introduction [31:44m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

In this show we introduce ourselves, the Handyguys (or Brian and Paul). We take the role of household handyman to an extreme. We have lots of experience with our hands and our power tools! For a full biography, check out the “About Us” tab at the top of this website. If you would like to submit a question to the Handyguys, click on the contact link. Please note that this first show does not have the best audio as we are just getting to know our podcast gear. We expect some improvements on the second show.

SHOW CONTENTS

The Handyguys discuss why this podcast could be useful for the household handyman or handywoman. We plan to provide more detailed answers to questions than the typical call-in commercial radio show. We hope to benefit those folks who are don’t quite have the experience but do have the initiative to do it himself or herself.

In this episode we talk about Amazon’s best of 2007 list of top products in the home improvement category. The best selling product is the Black and Decker Handy Wrench. Brian is not too sure of this wrench. Is it a product waiting for a solution? Is it really better than the classic adjustable wrench? Paul notes that this tool gets good reviews. Check out their full comments on the podcast.

In the most loved category, the Toro Ultra 12 Amp Electric Blower gets Amazon’s top award. This category is given to products with the highest ratings. Neither Brian or Paul have used this particular model but Toro’s generally make good products.

In the most wished for category is the Leatherman. Both Brian and Paul are big fans of Leatherman products. Paul comments on the Leatherman Wave he pulled out of his pocket and the guys compare it to the new Leatherman Skeletool CX. Brian also highly recommends Spyderco Knives.

We provide a summary of future shows and discuss some of our personal honey-do lists. Of course, our lists are long, but if you want to get a sampling, check out the podcast. As a hint, make sure you purchase a good toilet, such as a Kohler! (see our store)

One last thing - In a future show, we will do a head-to-head comparison of two reciprocating saws. You don’t want to miss it.

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The Handyguys January 10th, 2008

Welcome to the Handyguys website. This site is the home of the Handyguys podcast. Our podcasts feature your questions, head-to-head tool tests and other DIY and home improvement topics. If you have a question regarding your home, let us know using the “contact” tab above. If possible, we will respond to your question via email and may use your question on-the-air in a future broadcast.

Our weekly podcasts will be posted every Thursday, beginning January 17th. If you would like to subscribe to our podcast, use the podcast links on the right or just play them in your browser. We look forward to answering your questions and helping you around the home!

Upcoming schedule:

January 17, 2008 “The Kickoff Show”

Special Edition: Philadelphia Home Show review!

January 24 , 2008 “Wet Paint!”

January 31 , 2008 “The cut-up show” (featuring head-to-head cordless vs corded reciprocating saw challenge)

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