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

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.

The Handyguys Discuss DIY Home Safety Tips

Much of the safety information discussed here is courtesy of www.homesafetycouncil.org. The Handyguys use this as the basis for discussion. Listen to the podcast for our thoughts on these safety items.

This show was made possible by the support of Handi-Ramp, manufacturers of the unique, dimpled aluminum Non-Skid Treads. Don’t let slippery steps get you down. Do something before winter sets in. Check out the Non-Skid Treads at http://www.handiramp.com/.

Taking on home improvement projects can be fun and appealing. However, being handy around the home could lead to serious injury if you don’t take appropriate safety precautions. The State of Home Safety in America^TM report (2002) found that emergency departments reported more than 330,000 visits due to injuries with home workshop equipment in a single year.

Safety practices will shield you and your loved ones from injuries related to home improvement projects:

	Keep a stocked First Aid Kit in every location that an injury may occur. First aid may make the difference between a quick recovery and permanent injury.
	Post emergency numbers, including the national Poison Control Hotline (1-800-222-1222) by each phone.
	If you decide to install a fire extinguisher in your workshop, contact your fire department to learn how to select the proper type of extinguisher and when to use it.
	Keep hazardous materials out of children’s reach.
	When working with any product, check warnings and content labels to identify hazards.
	Follow manufacturer’s instructions and heed warning labels.
	Use gasoline as a motor fuel only. Gasoline must never be used indoors, because its flammable vapors can be ignited by even a tiny spark. Store gasoline in an outdoor shed or garage, out of children’s reach, in a vented container approved for gasoline storage.
	Use caution with other flammable and combustible products. Properly dispose of oily rags after use and hang them outside to dry.
	Falling and flying objects, especially when working in tight spaces, can pose a hazard to your head, face and eyes. Consider wearing hard hats, safety vests, protective eye wear and ear plugs while working. If you allow someone to watch you work, make sure they wear protective gear too.
	Wear chemical safety glasses when using hazardous solvents and cleaning products.
	Wear safety glasses with side shields when using power tools.
	Designate your work area as a “kid free zone” to keep young children out of harm’s way and out of the reach of tools and equipment.
	Do not wear any loose or dangling clothing or jewelry that could become caught in moving parts. Check out our sharp dressed Handyguy episode.
	Keep your work area clean and free from clutter.
	Read and follow manufacturer’s instructions and warnings on tools, power equipment and building materials.
	Use heavy duty extension cords for tools such as trimmers and edgers listed by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) for outdoor use.
	Keep power equipment in good condition. Repair or replace damaged tools. Unplug the power cord before you do any trouble-shooting on a tool that is jammed or won’t start, and never walk away from a plugged-in-power tool — even for a few minutes.
	Follow basic ladder safety rules whenever climbing.

Stay tuned – Next week we will have our Stocking Stuffer episode. We will discuss a unique collection of inexpensive gift ideas for DIYers.