DIY Drama, Old Tractors and New Counters

You need to listen to the podcast to hear Paul's story about what happened to his nice laptop. Does this picture give you a clue? Click on the pic to see it bigger.

We start off by talking about the True Value DIY Drama contest. You can win $5000 if your story is chosen as a winner. Brian and Paul have both had some drama but Paul most recently. You MUST listen to Paul tell his drama story in the podcast. It was a very expensive story.

What are you working on lately?

Brian and Paul both discuss what recent projects they have been working on. First up, Brian.

Busted up old tractor

Brian was able to find an old tractor on freecycle. Well, nothing is ever free. The tractor needed a battery, a new fuel line and a fuel filter.  For good measure, Brian changed the oil filter and spark plug and sharpened the blades. After adding some fresh gas, the tractor started right up.  Not too shabby.

Over the past year and a half, Brian used this tractor for some pretty heavy duty mowing. Overgrown fields and campground trails were the typical terrain. In this time, the mower has required countless replacement belts plus a few hundred dollars worth of repairs for other busted parts due to its heavy abuse.

Brian and Paul discuss when is it time to cut the losses. Is it worth another $40 for a pulley assembly and another $25 for another belt?  A tractor that is designed and built for the uses Brian is putting this old thing through is just not in the cards at the moment.

New Counters

Paul’s project was new counter tops. The design committee (his wife) did all the legwork. In the podcast we discuss some of the options and considerations. The decision was made to go with Granite. Granite is a professional installation but there is still some work for the Handyguy. Paul removed the old laminate counters, installed the plumbing under the new sink and has the back splash to tile. Doing these chores yourself can save money even when you are having granite professionally installed.

Paul makes reference to a Fine Home building article on drain hookups.

Related shows:

1. Episode #115 – John Deere Lawn Tractors
2. Episode #93 – Tile Backsplash for your kitchen
3. Episode #114 – Summer 2010

The Handyguys upgrade their faucet hardware and provide videos to prove it!

Paul installed the Grohe Arden

Many weeks ago we promised to talk about faucet installation. Brian recently installed a great Price Pfister Ashfield for his powder room.  Paul installed a Grohe Arden mini set in his master bathroom.

But  before we can talk about basic plumbing and installing fixtures, we have some other matters to address.

Handyguys Video?

Both Brian and Paul filmed their installation to provide an overview of a faucet upgrade.  If you have not installed a faucet before, we hope these videos will be helpful.  We are going to include links to both videos.  While the videos are similar, we produced them in slightly different ways.  The intent of both videos is to quickly show each step of the process.  In Handyguy Brian’s video, he narrates each step,  but in Paul’s video we just use text to explain the steps.

These are really just sample videos.  Neither sound or video quality is very good. We are looking for your feedback. We would like to know if you value videos like this and how you might view and utilize such media.  Remember, these videos are just prototypes.  If we decide to continue with regular video, we will probably upgrade the quality.  So please let us know what you think, after watching both videos, by answering the questions in our short survey. Thanks.

Grohe Faucet Installation from Handyguys Podcast on Vimeo

Price Pfister Faucet Installation from Handyguys Podcast on Vimeo.

After watching the two videos, please take our survey.

Grohe and Price Pfister Installation

Brian installed the Price Pfister Ashfield in his powder room.

In this week’s podcast, The Handyguys discuss the process of upgrading faucet hardware. Brian talks about his beautiful and stylish Price Pfister Ashfield faucet in rustic bronze. It is a faucet that looks like an old well pump.  Not only is it stylish, but it is solid and works great with just one hand! In addition, this is a a “watersense” faucet which means that it saves 30% water which protects the environment and saves you money!

The Handyguys talk about the water sense program.  You can find more info here:   http://www.epa.gov/watersense/ The bottom line is that a home with watersense faucets can save a significant amount of water. The Handyguys hope to analyze this water savings in a future show to find out exactly how much is actually saved in their homes with watersense faucets.

Paul also installed a water sense faucet, but his faucet comes from Grohe.  His Grohe Arden faucet is a solid and sleek addition to his master bathroom.  You can learn about Grohe’s amazing line of products at http://www.groheamerica.com/.  Don’t expect to see their products at the big box store though as they are only sold at local plumbing distributors or through special order. Fortunately, it seems that many plumbing suppliers carry Grohe and you can also find their parts on the Internet. Check out Grohe’s site for local distributors.

Brian and Paul determine that most handyguys can handle this project with only a few tools and a few supplies. You will need an adjustable wrench, channel lock pliers and possibly a basin wrench.  You will also need some supplies such as plumbers putty or pipe dope and some braided hose. Listen to the podcast for more details.

The faucet upgrade is not a difficult job but it does require some patience and some agility to work with all the connections on the drain, stopper and supply lines.  Hopefully the Handyguys’ discussion of their installs will give you the confidence to upgrade your sinks as well!

Survey

Click HERE to take the survey or alternatively, copy and paste the following URL into any web browser:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=jtaPUTKWr2N_2fg0wGqcMEUQ_3d_3d

For other shows on saving energy click here

Related shows:

1. Episode #86 – DIY Drama, Old Tractors and New Counters
2. Episode #51 – 10 Handyguy Questions…Rapid Fire!
3. Episode #90 – Leaf blowers, rakes and a question about leaky showers