The Handygys discuss three topics on this audio podcast – what tools are used to cut metal, are CFLs safe in kids rooms and are water saving flush valves a good investment.

Cutting metal

From time to time homeowners need to cut metal. What do you use to cut metal? Paul grills Brian on what tools he would use.

It will depend on several factors such as:

• What the metal is
• Quality of the cut
• How quickly you need to cut
• How easily you need the cut

Some possible tools are:

• Hacksaws
• Angle grinder
• Cutting torch
• Cut-off saw
• Jigsaw
• Reciprocating saws
• Snips
• bolt cutters
• Rebar cutters
• pipe cutters

CFLs in a kids room

CFLs in a kids room? What is the issue? Handyguy Paul has several young kids and is concerned that if a lamp gets knoced over he will have to deal with mercury contained inside a typical CFL bulb is the bulb breaks. Is this a valid concern? What are people doing? Is LED a viable option? Are there mercury free CFL bulbs? Rugged CFL bulbs?

Water Saving flush valves

Handyguy Brian came across a discussion regarding “water saving fill valves” for your toilet. The principle is they do a half flush (.8 gallons of water) when you do not have solids and a normal 1.6 gallon flush when you need it. In areas where water is scarce this is important, if you have a well that runs dry its extremely important to conserve every drop. The question is – Do these devices make sense for people who are in areas of the country where there are not water restrictions, there are not scarcity issues, and water is plentiful? If you are on your own well then no. How about those that pay for “city water”?

Doing the math

A toilet like this one doesn't use ANY water!

If you pay for water and, like we said, you are in an area where water isn’t scarce, these devices do not make sense. Here is why:

These fill valves cost about $25

The average cost of city water in the US is $1.50 per 1000 gallons or $0.0015 per gallon

That equates to an average cost per flush in the US of $0.0024

If you round the numbers that is about four flushes for one penny or $0.0096

If half the flushes required a full flush and half could use a half flush and the toilet is used 10 times per day you would save half a penny a day!

The savings would be about $2.19 per year. You would need to use the product for 11 years before you can see a return on investment (ROI).

Okay – we rounded the numbers and made some assumptions but the point is the same. If you don’t live in an area where you don’t have water restrictions or shortages you do not need a product like this.

Make sure you listen to the podcast for all the riveting discussion!

Related shows:

1. Episode #72 – Basement Toilet Installs, Water Saving Flush Valves and Dryer Vent Cleaning
2. Episode #35 – Energy Saving Ideas
3. Episode #62 – Primer, PEX and CFLs

The Handyguys look at some subtle differences between two models of Sawzalls and discuss when you would want each.

Milwaukee Tools sent The Handyguys a press release describing two new Sawzalls. At first glance the specifications seemed the same.

The only difference is the “Stroke Length”. What is the benefit of a longer stroke? When would you prefer a shorter stroke? In this video The Handyguys actually do a test to see the differences in making a cut with each version. We were surprised at how noticeable the differences are!

The shorter 3/4” stroke length is ideal for better control in tight areas, while the longer 1-1/8”stroke length delivers more aggressive cuts for heavy demolition. Both saws do an awesome job cutting through wood embedded with nails (a common thing in demolition). See them in action, along with a much older Sawzall for comparison.

Our longtime fans may recall we did a similar “test” a while back where we compared a corded Milwaukee Sawzall to Makita Cordless reciprocating saw. We used an almost identical methodology in this video.

We hope you find this information useful when shopping for a reciprocation saw. Thanks for checking it out.

If you like the video go ahead and subscribe. If you have iTunes you can get our videos right on your computer the moment they are live. The RSS subscriptions are for a variety of readers and video players. And, of course, feel free to subscribe to our audio shows while you are at it.

Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation has provided The Handyguys the products used in this evaluation. However, the opinions of The Handyguys are entirely our own and we have not been paid to make positive comments.

Related shows:

1. Episode #3 – The Cut-up show
2. Episode #114 – Summer 2010
3. Installing a sconce in 7 easy steps

In this video The Handyguys discuss installing a wall sconce to add ambiance lighting, that wont glare on the screen, to a basement home theater.

Glare is the issue, planning is the answer

When you are considering lighting for your home, whether it be for a home theater, television viewing area, home office, kitchen or other places, it is important to consider placement of lighting so it will not cause glare. When Brian finished his basement he included a home theater. (It’s really not that grand, more a movie watching area) The lighting Brian originally installed were some recessed can lights. Once the wide-screen TV was acquired, the surround sound set-up and the furniture placement finalized, it became apparent that light from the recessed cans would cause glare on the TV screen.

The solution became to install some wall sconces. Brian was lucky to find Rejuvenation Lighting out of Portland, OR. Rejuvenation has a large selection of wall sconces. Even better, they had lights that had an old-time movie theater look.

Installation

We wont cover fishing wire in this video, that will be sometime later this year maybe.

1. Locate box location, trace fixture box, cut hole for box
2. Shut off power
3. Test that the power is off
4. Pull wires into hole and then into box – half inch of the Romex sheath should be inside the box
5. Install box in cutout
6. Connect fixture wires to house wiring – white to white, black to black, ground to ground. If your fixture doesn’t have a ground wire, the Romex ground should be connected to the fixture bar ground screw.
7. Mount the fixture according to the directions that came with it

That’s it, in a nutshell, if you have any questions about installing a light or any other questions for The Handyguys feel free to contact us.

Related shows:

1. Episode #22 – Part 2: An interview with Roger German (the Basement Guy!)
2. Episode #97 – Water Pressure, Fixing a Wall and a New Tool
3. Episode #107 – Shed questions and LED bulbs

Yes, The Handyguys are planning to get a lot done on their Honey Do Lists but will also take some time for some fun with their families.

Summer is upon us and the Handyguys are busy working on some new projects. In this episode of the Handyguys Podcast, Brian and Paul provide a preview of things to come in the next few months.

Website Changes – Video

Before we preview our Summer content we want to highlight the changes to our website. We now have video integrated with our audio podcasts. You can subscribe just video or audio or both. We only have three videos posted now but we expect to have several new videos available over the next month or so.  Our videos can be viewed here on the site or through our youtube channel. In addition, you can view them via Apple TV and we hope to have them available on the Roku box as well. If audio is your thing, you will still find our regular weekly audio podcast on our website or via your favorite audio device (iPod, Zune, etc.). If you see anything wrong on the site or have suggestions feel free to let us know.

For the summer we have some exiting news.

For those with larger yards or those who just dream of a yard large enough for a lawn tractor, the Handyguys will be reviewing and discussing the John Deere consumer product line of riding mowers. Specifically, we will provide some video and podcasts on the highly acclaimed LA115 lawn tractor. We will discuss it in relationship of the entire JD consumer line to help perspective customers find the right mower.

For those who do not need a riding mower, you are in luck as well. The Handyguys are working with a leading hardware store to provide some exiting new podcasts and videos. We may even give away some new hardware to those who are short a screw…. I mean screwdriver.

We also have a new Whirlpool/Kenmore/Kitchen-aid dishwasher video for those who still have trouble getting your dishes clean. More videos are on their way so sit back, relax and enjoy your Summer.

Email newsletter

Please fill out out our email subscription form even if you subscribed in the past. If you subscribe now, you will get notices of our new podcasts and we plan to send out occasional special offers and we may create an occasional newsletter just for our email subscribers. Who knows, maybe we can even provide you with a discount on tools from one of our favorite tool vendors.

Related shows:

1. Episode #100 – Looking back and looking forward
2. Discover the Handyman in you!
3. ZTR vs Tractor