In this show The Handyguys discuss their top 10 starter tools and announce a contest to win this toolkit!

Win this tool kit!

What is included in a first time home buyers tool kit? Screwdrivers of course!  But what else? The Handyguys went shopping at True Value to assemble a quality starter set of essential tools for the typical home owner.

Our Kit Includes:

The Handyguys will take your questions via the phone at (818) 804-TOOL. Leave an email address if you want an immediate and direct response.

• Tool Bag
• Carpenter’s Pencil
• Speed Square, Orange
• Pliers Set
• Screwdriver Set
• Pry Bar
• 16-Ounce Claw Hammer
• Tape Measure
• Safety Glasses
• Hearing Protection
• Utility Knife

In the podcast we discuss our rationale for each of the tools and why we picked them. There are certainly other tools that could be added to this list, but this would make a great starter kit.

How to win this toolkit!

To win this toolkit you must Listen to the podcast for details. Essentially all you need to do it help us come up with a LEGITIMATE use for duct tape. Give us your duct tape idea by commenting on this show post. In this podcast, we discuss some not so legitimate uses of this ubiquitous tape. We want our listeners to provide us with some valid users of duct tape and we will award the tool kit our favorite suggestion.

The winner will be announced December 3rd, 2009. Suggestions after December 3rd are still welcome of course but you will not be in the running for the toolkit.  So leave a comment below and be sure to provide an email address so we can contact you if your duct tape suggestion is our winner.

An illegitimate use of duct tape!

Photo Submitted by DJ Goodfellow

Disclosure

In this episode of The Handyguys Podcast the Handyguys Brian & Paul continue their interview with Paul Mackie from The Western Red Cedar Lumber Association.

This part of the interview contains discussion of:

• Can a handyguy build his own deck.
• Exotics versus cedar versus synthetics
• Quality of cedar in various markets

Tips and considerations for a DIYer when building a deck

• board spacing
• corrosion resistant fasteners
• hidden fasteners

Thanks to Western Red Cedar Lumber Association for this picture of a great looking deck. Click for full size.

What are some of the skills needed to build a deck? The Handyguys, Brian & Paul, discuss what it takes. The conclusion – if you are handy you could build a deck and save some money in the process. If you are building a second floor deck or if you deck is high you may want to consider having someone do the framing. Height ads complexity plus safety may be a concern. Listen to the Podcast for the full discussion.

The Handyguys wrap up the discussion talking about comprehensive landscape design. You may want to consider hiring a landscape designer to help you come up with a complete plan including hardscape, plants, shrubs and lighting.

Thanks to Mr. Cedar, Paul Mackie, of the Western Red Cedar Lumber Association for a great interview.

Brian & Paul continue to discuss the tools after Mr. Cedar signs off. There is a minimum compliment of tools you will need. The Handyguys like their tools and discuss some upgrades that would make building a deck easier. The table below shows the minimum tool and a possible upgrade. You can click each picture for a full description and purchase option for each tool.

Deck Building Tools

	Possible Required Tool	An upgrade to the required tool
Post Hole Digger
Plumb & Level
Saw
Hammer
Driver

Thanks to Timbertech for the image Click for full size

The Handyguys answers some questions and then discuss Garbage Disposals

First of all, please watch our videos from Episode #52 and  take our survey.  We would love some  more feedback!

A garbage disposal is something most of us have but the troubleshooting  instructions are probably missing..  The Handyguys discuss ways to fix these little beasts when they are no cooperating.  But first… the Handyguys answer some listener questions.

Hammer Drill Chuck Problems

Nathan writes to Handyguy Paul:

Paul, I had a question about the Makita HP1621FK that you bought for finishing your basement.  Did you ever have problems with drill bits spinning inside the chuck?  It seems with these keyless chuck drills I can never get the chuck tight enough to stop bits from spinning when drilling into hard objects such as concrete.  Do you guys have any tips for possibly reducing this problem in these keyless chuck drills? – Nathan

Thanks for he question Nathan.  Indeed Paul did experience this problem with this particular drill.  His solution was to hold the chuck tight while he ran the drill slowly to get the chuck good and tight.  He also pushed in the bit as far as he could — in some cases all the way to the base of the chuck — so that the bit would not slip.

Paul typically had a different problem with this drill, namely, removing the bit after using it to drill into concrete.  Listen to the podcast for more details and solutions.  This is a great drill for the price so hopefully we can get this issue resolved.

This isn't Larry. We're not sure this guy is going to get his mower started like this!

Reviving an Unused Lawnmower

The Handyguys also received a call-in question from Larry who is trying to save money in this down economy and wants to begin mowing his lawn himself.  Unfortunately, his lawnmower has been sitting unused for a few years and he wants to get it working again.  The Handyguys provide some tips in the podcast and also refer Larry to our show from last spring on prepping your mower for the mowing season.

That brings us to the big issue at hand…

Garbage Disposal Problems

Picture thanks to http://www.flickr.com/photos/mike-burns/8907417/

A garbage disposal is an appliance that most of us have and yet it is still a mystery to most.  The garbage disposal is a great tool and when it works you don’t give it a second thought.  However, if you experience problems with clogs or poor performance, there is no set of troubleshooting tips printed under your sink.  The Handyguys discuss some methods for treating the typical problems you can experience with a disposal. Listen to the podcast for details.

The Handyguys then have a discussion about the best way to clean our disposal.

Check out the podcast for details and get your disposal unclogged!

The Handyguys discuss some innovative tools and interview a tool inventor.

This show features some innovative tools. You may want to consider them for Christmas gifts for the handy person on your gift giving list.

First off, check out our Handyguys Stocking Stuffer List

Then we interview the “Handsome Handyman”

Jake Tyson, he goes by “The Handsome Handyman”. Jake tells us  how he invented a new hammer and started a tool company,  Redback Tools. Jake started with the Hammer which has a unique curved shaft and a nice grip. The curved shaft doesn’t effect the balance yet allows for hammering in odd spots. The grip, in conjunction with he unique shaft, makes for a very comfortable hammer to use. The Hammer comes in three sizes, 24oz, 20oz and 16oz. Jake also has a few other unique variations of some common tools. The Sketch Tape – This is a tape measure with a writable and erasable surface. No more writing measurements on scrap pieces of lumber. The Maxi S5 screwdriver – This screwdriver is able to handle multiple size Phillips screws with one screwdriver. No need to have three screwdrivers in your toolkit or a screwdriver with detachable bits that can get lost. Jake has a few other tools on his site. Check them out. You can order online or pick them up at your local Lowes.

The Handyguys Podcast discuss some unique stocking stuffer gift ideas for this Christmas season.

So you want to purchase some nice gifts for the handyguy in your life but you don’t want to break the bank.  You could go to your local big box store and pick up some screw drivers or duct tape, but that’s kind of boring and what kind of message are you sending?   This sort of handyguy gift giving is inefficient and thoughtless.  You need to be more intentional about your gift giving while concentrating on the neglected items on the honey-do-list.

For instance,  your kitchen counter back splash has some cracked caulk… why not stick a tube of caulk in the stocking?  It’s not an exciting gift, but it will surely send your handyguy a hint!

If your handyguy is often working without proper safety glasses, put some Eye Armor safety glasses in the stocking.  They are comfortable, fit over prescription glasses, and will preserve his eyes for all the other honey-do list items!

How about that unfinished basement that you would love to have finished.  Stick a copy of Roger German’s Remodeling a Basement (Build Like A Pro) book in the stocking.

If you’re hoping to finally have a green lawn, you will need a soil test kit.

You want some shelves hung, how about a stud finder.

You get the idea.

10 Handyguys stocking stuffer ideas!

These 10 items are discussed in detail during the podcast. This list is not complete, there are many interesting and unique items in our store. Feel free to browse. Purchases through our store help keep The Handyguys Podcast on the air. If you need any specific recommendations for a particular handyguy in your life feel free to contact us and we will help you out. Thank you for your support.

In this show, The Handyguys detail the basic Handyguy Toolkit that every homeowner should have. We also have our first free giveaway contest. Listen to the podcast for details.

But first The Handyguys discuss a new Mantis Cordless Reel Mower. This new battery-powered mower weighs only 25 pounds and is powered by a 24-volt NiCad battery, which provides enough power to mow up to 2,500 square feet of lawn. This mower runs quietly and is environmentally friendly, according to the company.

But what do The Handyguys think of this product? We have to be honest, we haven’t used it and aren’t exactly sure how it works. However, when he was a kid, Brian used a traditional reel mower to mow almost an acre of grass at his grandmother’s house. Sure it was hard work, but he did not do any damage to the environment with it. (But what about those chemicals you spread on the lawn Brian?)

Check out the Mantis Cordless Reel Mower before spring, or check out this no-carbon producing reel mower to satisfy even the pickiest environmentalist requirements.

Since the grass is dormant in most parts of the country, we should be discussing tools, not mowers. The Handyguys tackle the job of listing the essential tools that should be in every homeowners toolbox.

Listen to the podcast for details.

The Handyguys starter toolbox:

1. Assortment of Phillips-head and flathead screwdrivers
2. 16oz hammer
3. Bosch drill
4. Adjustable wrench
5. Pliers (needle nose, diagonal cut, regular)
6. Vice grips (Made in USA)
   
7. Alan wrench set
8. Tape measure (25′ )
9. Utility Knife
10. 2′ Level
11. Wonder bar crowbar
12. Leather gloves
13. Stud finder (Electronic) or (Magnetic)
    
14. WD-40
15. Flashlight
16. Bucket Boss
17. Duct tape!!! (or is it duck tape?)

Let us know what you recommend for the basic Handyguy Toolkit. We may mention it on our show.

Finally, the Handyguys have their first contest. We will be giving away something for free. All you need to do is listen to this podcast to find out what it is and how to enter our contest to win.