In this video, the Handyguys answer some fan deck lighting questions. What is best: CFL, LED, Halogen, Incandescent? Does it really matter? What about low voltage? The Handyguys love their low voltage systems. Watch the video to find out the most important features in deck lighting.

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Tips for Cleaning Out a Garage

Part of being a responsible homeowner is making the necessary improvements to keep the property safe. Organizing and cleaning out cluttered garages tend to be one improvement that homeowners delay to correct.

The thought of sorting through the boxes and piles can be overwhelming. But a cleaned garage brings satisfaction each time the homeowner pulls out a bike, locates a tool or accesses the water toys. The cleaned spaces also offer homeowners peace of mind knowing their garages aren’t havens for vermin, fire hazards, impassible escape routes or black holes for stored goods.

To find motivation to clean out the garage, think back to the days of searching for a home. Recall desiring a large garage to store goods, park cars and even act as an in-home workshop? Once homeowners feel inspired to bring their garages back to working condition, they can follow these six basic steps to make the process simple and successful.

1. Prepare

Before the big day of de-cluttering, organizing and cleaning, homeowners should gather the necessary supplies to make the process easier. Grab several large trash bags, empty storage containers, labels or tape and markers, newspaper for packing and fabric softener sheets for fresh scents. Don’t forget the cleaning supplies needed such as a broom, dustpan, cleaning solution and paper towels. Consider a radio or boom box to keep participants motivated with cheerful music. Lastly, have a large bottle of water for each person contributing. All the hard work leads to thirst, and leaving the garage for multiple water breaks halts momentum.

2. Commit to a Plan

The most efficient method of organizing the garage is to move items just once. Agree on a final layout of the space before starting. Choose a home for the tools, an area for the camping gear, skiing gear, holiday decorations and automotive supplies. That way, as the organizing commences, these items can be moved into a pile in their designated areas, eliminating multiple moves. Some garages are so full that the cleaners must move items to the lawn to get organized before moving back in. If possible, try to avoid the unnecessary moves by committing to a layout before launching the organizing process. Sketching out the desired final space can help keep homeowners on track.

3. Begin Sorting

Check the time and be sure to factor in a lunch break to avoid feeling burnt out or overwhelmed. Set up a trashcan, recycle bin and a box for charity. Start somewhere that feels right. Place the items in a pile in their designated new locations or in the proper receptacle. Don’t worry about putting the items away yet, just work on sorting through all the items and create sensible piles. In this stage, the garage may seem messier before it appears more organized. Stick with the program until everything is sorted properly.

4. Organize and Label

Next, begin organizing the piles. Pull out the storage containers and begin packing them carefully with sensible items. For instance, all the exterior holiday lights should be packed in one container, with each spool separated by a page of newspaper to avoid tangling. Then label the container “Exterior Holiday Lights” and stack it in its new home. Follow the same steps for the interior lights and fragile decorations. Pack gloves, scarves and extra blankets in a container with a fabric softener sheet to keep them smelling fresh and be sure to label the boxes or bins clearly. Put away tools in their designated locations, hang bicycles and organize paint cans. Be sure to label everything for easier access later.

5. Clean

Once the floors have been cleared of belongings, begin cleaning away the debris. Sweep or vacuum the garage, trying not to stir up too much dust. Mop the floors and clean off any surfaces. Make sure there are wide enough clearances to access stored items, to build in the workshop area or to park cars, depending on the homeowners’ desired usage.

6. Toss, Donate or Sell

Lastly, it’s time to get rid of the excess. Load up the trash in a truck and take it to the dump. Be sure to recycle everything that qualifies. Swing by a local charity to hand off all the clothes, vases and furniture that no longer have a place at home. Homeowners planning to have a garage sale should schedule the sale shortly after cleaning out the garage so the excess items don’t trickle back into the clean space.

After all six steps have been completed, feel proud. Cleaning the garage is a dreaded task for many, but it’s one of the many maintenance responsibilities that accompany homeownership. The space should be cleaned every three to six months to keep labor manageable. Make sure the items in the containers still match up with their labels and wipe down all surfaces with fresh-scented cleanser.

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Impact Drivers

Impact Drivers are very cool tools. They are perfect for driving screws, a lot of screws. You can also use them for driving lag bolts, tightening or loosening nuts and other jobs around the house.

Makita was gracious enough to send us an Impact Driver along with their new Impact Gold bit sets to try. One of the issues with impact drivers has been the availability of good bits. In the early days of impact drivers, we ran the risk of breaking bits and ruining sockets. Now we have bits and sockets that are made for Makita Impact Driver and will last much longer. Another nice feature of the Impact Gold bits is the included magnetic bit holder. It makes working in tight spaces or odd angles easy.

Make sure you watch the video for more of our impressions.

Details from Makita

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Environmental issues with dishwasher detergent

The primary reason phosphates were removed is environmental. If too much phosphate gets into streams, ponds, lakes, etc., it promotes the growth of algae and other plants (remember, it’s a fertilizer too). Too much plant growth means less room in the waterway for fish. The fish populations become unhealthy and decline. (Of course, we are simplifying here). Another reason is money. In places where waste water is treated (you are on a city sewer), the process for elimination of phosphates costs money.

Unfortunately for most people, the trade-off of phosphate free dishwasher detergent is dirty dishes. In our opinion, poor performing detergent causes people to cycle our dishwasher twice or clean our dishes in the sink before washing them in the dishwasher. Far too many people have opted to purchase a “new and improved” dishwasher thinking theirs was broken. What was broken was the detergent.

Adding to the problem is newer dishwashers are less effective at washing. In the quest for more efficiency, dishwashers use less water. Less water means less rinsing and less rinsing means you need better, not worse detergents. It’s a double whammy! Poor performing detergent and appliances lead to unhappy consumers.

Dishwasher Detergent Options

So what can you do?

The Handyguys have tried many different detergents. We have researched home-brew detergents and evaluated different brands. What we have found is you CAN still find dishwashing detergent with phosphates. It just won’t be at your local supermarket. You need to get it from restaurant suppliers or online. Here is a link to Amazon where you can get it online
Cascade Automatic Dishwasher Detergent 85-oz. Box, 6/Carton

For a detergent without phosphates, we recommend Finish Powerball Tabs. Finish tabs seemed to do a better job than most phosphate free detergents. Several of our listeners were hesitant to switch from their favored powder brand, but once they moved to Finish Tabs, their washes came out cleaner.

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5 Steps to installing an electric dog fence

1. Determine what kit to buy
2. Determine the area you want to confine your pet to
3. Install the hidden cable
4. Install the transmitter
5. Train the dog

When selecting your electric dog fence kit there are a few things to consider: the size of the area to contain the pet, the size of the pets collar, the number of pets you have and if your pet is stubborn or not.

The hardest part of an invisible fence is training your dog. Training can take several weeks. The installation kits come with suggestions for how to train your dog. You can also watch a training video manual on YouTube. Make sure you follow the steps and take your time with the training. You don’t want your investment of time and money in the system to be wasted because you didn’t properly train your dog.

Handyguy Brian’s eight year old beagle loves to chase deer, rabbits and groundhogs in the fields behind his house. Beagles are smart dogs but can be stubborn, thick-headed and obstinate.  The training took a week or two longer than described in the instructions but the dog now obeys the boundaries and will not leave the yard to chase the wildlife behind the house.

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What does the expansion tank do?

The expansion tank will allow expanding water (water expands when it heats) a place to go.

Do you need one?

You need an expansion tank, if you are on a water system with a back-flow preventer (a one way valve). If you are on city water and do not have a back-flow preventer, you probably do not need an expansion tank. The city water system can absorb the expansion. Same with a well system.

Water heater maintenance on your expansion tank

Your expansion tank will have an outlet to connect up a pressure gauge. You can test the pressure at this port. It should match what your water pressure is set for. Watch the video for more details.

Problems when your expansion tank fails

If the expanding water has no place to go, it could leak out of your system through the T&P valve.. If your expansion tank fails, you can have leaks from the T&P relief valve, drippy faucets and faucet washers that wear out faster.

The post Water Heater Maintenance Video first appeared on The Handyguys.

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Why are there so many mouse trap choices? Everyone seems to be trying to build that proverbial better mousetrap!

Mouse Trap Types

There are two basic choices, to kill the mouse or a catch and release. If you opt for catch and release, please release far, far away from my house!

Kill traps

include various spring and glue traps.

No Kill traps

include boxes and cages that are mouse sized.

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Watch the Deere Factory Tour Video

Thank you for the opportunity to visit all the great people in Horicon.

John Deere & Company paid expenses related to this factory tour. However, our opinions are entirely our own and we have not been paid to publish positive comments.

The post Deere Factory Tour Video first appeared on The Handyguys.

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When deciding which sander to buy you need to identify what project you need it for and what projects down the road you may need it for.

Random Orbital Sanders

Random Orbital Sanders are the most common general purpose electric sanders on the market. You see them from every major tool maker. They are good for finishing tasks in furniture building, trim carpentry where you may need to sand spackle, painting prep and other uses. They are not good for heavy paint removal, floor finish removal, drywall sanding and sanding into tight corners.

Detail Sanders

Detail sanders are good for light sanding, especially in tight spaces. Sometimes used in furniture building, in conjunction with a random orbital sander. Detail sanders are not good for paint removal, drywall sanding, or any heavy-duty sanding tasks. Some detail sanders can be had as part of a multi tool kit, others are sanders only.

Belt Sanders

Belt sanders are good for fast removal of material. They can remove paint as well as sand wood. They are aggressive. Care must be taken to only sand as much as you need to sand. They are not good for fine work and never for drywall.

Sheet Sanders

Sheet sanders are good for light tasks. They can be used to remove extra putty when filling nail holes or for a final sanding for furniture builders. They can somewhat get into corners if needed. They are most often used with finer grits of paper. They are not good for heavy sanding tasks.

There you have it, an overview of the most common sander types. Comment below if you have any questions, additions or suggestions.

PS – How do you like the shirt Paul is wearing in this video? Its part of The Handyguys wardrobe from Duluth Trading company. Its their CoolMax Polo

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Here is the graphic from Homesteading / Survivalism on Facebook.

You can also just purchase a home soil pH est kit. They aren’t very expensive and also test for nutrients.

The post Soil pH Test video first appeared on The Handyguys.

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What is an LED bulb?

LED stands for Light Emitting Diode. LEDs have been around for a long time but only recently have become effective in lightbulbs. They use little electricity and can last a very long time. LEDs (the diodes) are very small elements that must be combined to produce one bulb that has an equivalent light output needed for a bulb. In addition to the diodes there must be electronic circuitry to control them.

Advantages of LED Bulbs

Energy Consumption – The energy consumption is similar to that of CFL bulbs and much better than incandescent bulbs.

Dimmable – This is awesome, See a demonstration in the video. This is a huge advantage over a CFL.

Instant on – Truly instant on unlike a CFL. Its just like the real thing

Long life – between three and ten times the life of a CFL.

Color – Great color temperature that matches perfectly with the old incandescent bulbs.

Safer – No mercury. Did you know CFLs have hazardous materials in them?

Disadvantages of LED Bulbs

High initial cost – Prices vary. $30 and up is typical. Some home centers have some for $40 and $50 depending on the style and light output.

Shape/style – The initial LEDs have odd shapes and look a bit weird. We expect things to look more conventional as time progresses.

Reliability – We do not know much about longterm reliability yet.

Is there a cost savings? Lets do some math

Conclusions

There are a lot of ifs and assumptions to consider such as whether an LED will last its rated hours, will their price decrease and prices for energy. If energy prices stay stable then eventually an LED will pay for itself. Right now its not a compelling case. Saving $20 over 11 years is just too hard to justify for such a big initial cash layout.

If you decide the move to LED Bulbs is right for you we recommend buying your LED Bulbs online. Prices are a bit cheaper online, from us, at Amazon. Additionally, purchasing from Amazon by following our links helps us with a couple bucks of revenue.

Watch the show to see the discussion and more conclusions.

The post Led Bulbs first appeared on The Handyguys.

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Unclog Toilets

Plungers

A plunger is the most common method to unclog toilets. The Handyguys discuss this method in depth.

Toilet Augers

A toilet auger can assist when you have a really tough load.

Other Methods

Well… just watch the video.

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Background on Ethanol Mandate

The Federal government mandated certain ethanol production increases for 2013 and beyond. That additional production of ethanol additive led the EPA to approve an E15 blend for automobiles (15% mixture of ethanol). Various consumer groups have come out against the new mandates.

AAA Says

“It is clear that millions of Americans are unfamiliar with E15, which means there is a strong possibility that many motorists may improperly fill up using this gasoline and damage their vehicle,” said AAA President & CEO Robert Darbelnet. “Bringing E15 to the market without adequate safeguards does not responsibly meet the needs of consumers.”

Consumers Unions Says, in regard to E15’s cousin, E85, in FFVs.

When running on E85 there was no significant change in acceleration. Fuel economy, however, dropped across the board. In highway driving, gas mileage decreased from 21 to 15 mpg; in city driving, it dropped from 9 to 7 mpg.

Ethanol Mandate on cars

One major concern with E15 is its effect on older cars. Testing has indicated that damage can occur in vehicles designed before the wide use of ethanol. If you car was built before 2001, avoid E15.

Ethanol Mandate on small engines

The Handyguys discuss the devastation that ethanol wreaks on small engines. Ethanol attracts water, deteriorates parts and gums up carburetors. If you can’t start your mower, chain saw, string trimmer or other small engine, the cause is likely ethanol in the fuel. When you buy gas with ethanol, it is best to treat it with Sta-bil and never use gas more that a few weeks old in the small engine. Stale gas can be be disposed of in the tank of your car without issue.

One great alternative mentioned during the interview is to look for a product called TruFuel. TruFuel is a premixed gas/oil with no Ethanol. It’s perfect for engines that required a gas/oil fuel mix. Just make sure you buy the correct blend for your needs.

Ethanol Mandate on Food Prices

Discussions regarding ethanol would not be complete without pointing out that the use of what is normally considered food for people or livestock (other foods) causes food prices to rise. This is natural supply and demand. When the government diverts food into fuel (by use of subsidies for farmers) then there is less food. When there is less food, food prices rise. World poverty organization, Oxfam has said “We must stop the obscene waste of food including burning it as biodiesel in our trucks and cars.”

Listen or watch the interview for all the details.

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Types of hammer drills

You can buy a dedicated hammer drill such as the big rig Hilti Rotary Hammer that Handyguy Paul shows on the video. More commonly, people will use a drill that has a hammer setting. These multi-purpose drills are available corded and cordless.

Dedicated hammer drill

A dedicated hammer drill, sometimes called a rotary hammer, is a specialty tool that is used when you have a lot of masonry drilling to do. It sometimes makes sense to rent these as the expense is often hard to justify for the average DIYer.

Corded drill with hammer option

A corded drill with a hammer setting is useful when you have electricity nearby and you do not want to worry about having charged batteries. They also tend to have higher RPM and more power.

Cordless drill with hammer option

Cordless hammer drills are very handy when you do not have electricity nearby. The newest 18+ volt models have power that approaches corded tools. If you are not drilling hundreds of holes at one time, these cordless wonders are the way to go.

What a hammer drill is NOT

The hammer drill setting is NOT for driving screws and should never be used when driving screws. Many people confuse hammer drills with a completely different tool called an impact driver. An impact driver uses an impact type action to increase rotational drive. Rotational impact excels at driving screws, lags and nuts but does nothing related to drilling. Don’t use an impact driver for drilling of any kind. Impact drivers are only for screws, lags, bolts and nuts.

After watching this video, make sure you check out one of The Handyguys earliest audio-only show where we discuss drills.

The post Hammer Drills: When to use them and why? first appeared on The Handyguys.

The post Hammer Drills: When to use them and why? appeared first on The Handyguys.

Ipe Deck Maintenance

Brian’s Ipe deck looked great when it was complete. Eighteen months later, it was looking a bit dirty. The wood was still in perfect condition, no checking, no splits or splinters, it was just a bit dingy. After a bit of maintenance, it looked great again.

To keep the deck looking new, it will take some annual maintenance.

The Handyguys recommend the following maintenance procedure for all decks:

1. Hose off any spills, mud, etc as needed.
2. Don’t allow any items that rust to sit on the deck (propane tanks, metal furniture, etc).
3. Sweep off any leaves

As needed, thoroughly clean and re-oil the Ipe deck. This may be once a year or every other year depending on how much sun you get. Over time, the re-oil step will not be needed as often.

Ipe deck cleaning solution:

• One Gallon warm water
• 1 cup TSP
• One quart bleach (if you do not have mold or algae, you can reduce the amount of bleach)

Use a scrub brush on a long handle and thoroughly wash the deck with the cleaning solution. Rinse thoroughly and let dry completely.

When the ipe deck is dry (at least a day) then re-oil it.  Use either Ipe Oil or Penofin Hardwood Oil

Thanks for watching or listening. Make sure you subscribe so you do not miss any of our upcoming shows.

The post Ipe Deck Maintenance first appeared on The Handyguys.

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Toolbox Choices

Small Portable toolboxes

These types of toolboxes are very common when you only need to carry around a few small tools. The Handyguys like their Bucket Boss system for carry tools to the job but they also find use for a ‘normal’ small toolbox.

Tool specific toolboxes

Blow-mold tool specific tool cases are loved or hated. Many people will discard them, others can’t live without them. Both Handyguy Brian and Handyguy Paul keep these tool specific tool cases around for when they need to protect the tool during transport.

Soft toolbox choices

Some tools come with soft cases but you can also buy soft sided toolboxes. Soft sided toolboxes are lighter and easier to pack in the trunk of a car. There are tons of sizes, styles, colors and features. Click on the picture to see a bunch of them.

Large toolbox choices

As your tool collection grows or as the complexity of the project dictates a more varied tool collection, it may be nice to have one large, rolling tool kit that contains all the tools needed for the job. Just be careful. Some rolling toolboxes can be TOO big. Make sure it fits in the trunk of your car if needed or that you can actually lift it when its full.

Thanks for reading, listening and watching. If you like our content please do not forget to subscribe  You can sign up for our email list and be notified of new shows by subscribing in YouTube, iTunes and many other places. If you have a question for The Handyguys, then drop us a line. All our contact information can be found on our contact page.

The post Toolbox Choices first appeared on The Handyguys.

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Smoke alarm, no smoke

The Handyguys discuss how to deal with a “smoke alarm, no smoke” situation cause by dust.

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Installing A Faucet and Water Filter

Faucet

In this video, The Handyguys install the new Pfister Pasadena Kitchen faucet featuring:

• Install tool included
• Two-function spray-head
• Integrated flexible supply lines

Water Filter

The Handyguys also add The Filtrete High Performance Drinking Water System with Maximum Filtration Plus with the following features:

• Mounts under your kitchen sink
• A dedicated faucet
• Reduces contaminants from water including select VOCs, select pharmaceuticals, microbial cysts and lead
• No tools required for filter changes

Installing a faucet and water filter required only basic tools and the ability to read directions. If you take your time, you can upgrade the look of your kitchen and also have filtered water when you want it.

The products used in this production have been provided by their respective vendors. However, the opinions of The Handyguys are entirely our own and we have not been paid to make positive comments.

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Handyguy Brian’s garage is a disaster. He has a mix of recycled cabinets, homemade shelving, pegboard and cheap, rusty metal shelves. In this episode, The Handyguys discuss garage organization and show off their new set.

Redline Garage Organization offerings

Here are a few of the advantages of using Redline’s Garage Organization offerings discussed in this video:

• These cabinets are not just closet systems repurposed. Paul discuss redline versus your “easyclosets.”
• Custom cabinet options are available in 11 colors with rolling work benches, slatwall, everything you would need for getting completely organized.  These features insure a very customized system to make sure you have a place for everything which is the key to keeping the garage organized.

Buying Process – Easy for customer

• Redline sells through a dealer network. If there is not a dealer in their area, they will assign one of their project managers at Redline Garagegear to their project.
• The first step is thorough discussion of what your needs are and the space you have to work with.

• 

  A cabinet layout is drawn based on your needs and the space you have.

• Modifications to the layout can be made.

After the order is placed …

• Redline Garage Gear will then manufacture the cabinets in 3-5 days and ship them.
• Typically, if a customer buys from a dealer, it is a “turn key” solution meaning they will install the system. If the customer does not have a dealer in their area, they work with Redline directly who can provide an installation DVD to show how to install. Many times, people will hire a handyman/carpenter to install rather than doing it themselves

Depth of offerings

• Over 500 different cabinets
• Custom-sized cabinets
• 11 colors

Quality & construction

• Top of workbench has a heavy-duty impact coating
• Powder-coated paint finish holds up well
• Drawer slides are full extension allowing easy access to the contents
• Hinges are heavy-duty euro style hinges

Basic installation overview

• Wall hanger – The cabinets install easily by hanging on a wall mounted rail.
• Cam lock devices hold the cabinet carcasses together
• Hinges install into pre-drilled recesses and doors attach easily
• Drawers come pre-assembled, just attach the slides.

Go to http://www.redlinegaragegear.com/ and click on “Win a custom workbench”

The post Garage Cabinets & Garage Organization first appeared on The Handyguys.

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Advantages

• Always start
• No need to store gas
• Lightweight
• Easy to store

Disadvantages

• Limited by cord length
• Limited to light snows
• Narrower path

If you want to try one of these Toro Power Curve electric snowblowers for yourself, head on over to Amazon and pick one up.

Toro has provided The Handyguys 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.

The post Electric Snowblowers first appeared on The Handyguys.

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Brian suggests these home improvement stocking stuffers

6-in-1 screwdriver – Not the 11-in-1 or 32-in-1 or 945973495-in-1 screwdrivers. Keep it simple and get the 6-in-1 screwdriver that has 1/4″ & 5/16″ nut setter, 2 PHILLIPS & 2 SLOTTED bits.

Driver bits – A pack of driver bits that go with your drill or impact driver is also very handy.

Mini MagLight – These are handy to have around, get one for each glove box and a kitchen drawer.

Paul recommends these home improvement stocking stuffers

A paint brush cover – Handyguy Brian hasn’t tried this cool new tool but Paul says it’s a must have.

Utility Knife – Another handy tool, despite Brian’s claim it’s one of the most dangerous tools in a Handyguys arsenal.

Dog bone wrench – Multiple sizes in one for this wrench!

Lastly, CLOTHES.

Yeah, the Handyguys want to look stylish on and off the set. The Handyguys wardrobe is provided by Duluth Trading Company. They have lots of hard-wearing cloths and lots of great gifts. Check them out.

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Wired networking has been around a long time and has progressed through many topologies and technologies. The Handyguys discuss the advantages of wired networking, when to use wired networking and what the pieces of a complete solution look like.

Components of a wired networking solution

Hub or switch

The hub or switch is the central component of a wired networking solution. It acts a traffic cop for all networking in a home. Typically a switch is used. Get one with enough ports for your needs plus a few for future use. An 8 port switch is relatively inexpensive. You do not need a super fast switch if your only use is for your device to access the Internet. For example, if you have a 5 MB internet connection then a 10MB, 100MB and 1000MB switch will give you the same performance for internet browsing because the bottle neck is your Internet connection. If you are moving files or streaming video between devices inside your home network then you can benefit from 100MB or 1000MB (1GB) networking.

Plates and jacks

By using plates and jacks you make for a much more streamlined and professional install. If you are wiring up a house put a plate and jack in each home office location as well as any areas where you have multimedia (behind the TV).

Punchdown block

A punchdown block is used where all the wires run from the plates and jacks connect. From the punch down block you run a short cable to your switch.

Cable

You will likely use cat-5 ethernet cable. There is also cat-5e, cat-6 and someday cat-4783 (kidding). Use a cable that is rated for the switch you have. Match that to the jacks you use. If you have cat-5e jacks, use cat-5e cable.

Standards

When you hard wire things in your house, you have many standards to consider. Pick one and stay consistent. For example, jacks can be wired up in different ways. A common configuration is called T568B another is called T568A. Read up on it if you want.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TIA/EIA-568 When buying jacks and punchdown blocks just make sue you are consistent, pick one and stick with it. The Handyguys both have wired networking with the T568B standard.

Tools

You will want a few tools for your wired networking project:

Punchdown tool for making connections to the punchdown block and the jacks.

A crimp tool if you make your own cables.

The post Wired Networking first appeared on The Handyguys.

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Nail Gun Choices

Below is a listing of different nail guns from small to large to specialty, this list will help you in Selecting Pneumatic Nailers.

Pin Nailers

23 gauge pin nailers are the smallest of the lot. They are used when you need to nail small, delicate, parts and want the smallest nail hole possible. This type of nailer is usually used in furniture building. An Uffy Tools TH-T-CZ10 is shown in the video.

Brad nailers

18 gauge brad nailers are usually used for small moldings and small trim pieces. Nailing things like shoe moulding and screen moulding are best done with an 18g brad nailer, larger nails will cause splits.

Finish nailers

Finish nailers come in two sizes: 16g and 15g. Both will do the job for most trim work like window and door trim and some crown moulding. The 15g nailer is angled and the 16g nailer is straight. The angle of the 15g nailer makes it easier to get into corners but the 16g makes a slightly smaller hole.

Framing nailers

These are the ‘big boys’. They are, obviously, used for framing. What many people don’t realize is framing nailers can accommodate many other style nails as well. Things like ring shank nails, decking nails and more. You can use a framing nailer (with the correct nails) for putting down subfloor, roof sheathing, some siding and other building tasks.

Specialty nailers

There are specialty nailers for specific purposes as well. Selecting pneumatic nailers specific to the task at hand will help your project go faster. Roofing nailers make fast work of installing shingles. Flooring nailers are made for installing hardwood floors. There are ‘cap nailers‘ made for installing felt paper and house wrap. There are various pneumatic staplers for upholstery, wire fence installation and other tasks.

Selecting Pneumatic Nailers

How do you select your first nailer? It depends on the task at hand. If you are finishing a basement, then you may want to consider a kit that includes a framing nailer, finish nailer and maybe a brad nailer. If you are installing crown moulding then go with a 15g finish nailer. The bottom line, let your project dictate the nailer choice. The nailer choice will drive your air compressor choice (a future topic).

Watch the video to learn about selecting pneumatic nailers for your project. You can also listen to our older audio podcast on the subject of nailers here or watch a video of The Handyguys using a nail gun for target practice!

The post Selecting Pneumatic Nailers first appeared on The Handyguys.

The post Selecting Pneumatic Nailers appeared first on The Handyguys.

Moving to Home Improvement Videos and YouTube

Then Handyguys Podcast is now moving primarily to a video format. To get all of our latest content and to see our home improvement videos, please subscribe to our YouTube channel.  We will begin uploading new content in the next week or so and have already filmed 5 new episodes in the updated Handyguys Productions studio.

Why the Change?

We moved to home improvement videos because our content benefits from our ability to visually demonstrate our topic at hand. We tried to make the move to video a couple of years ago but we did not have the resources or organization necessary at the time to make the leap. We now have a production crew, a wardrobe, set, lights and access to multiple cameras. Of course, that requires significant capital investment. We hope to recoup some of that cost through YouTube’s monetization system but also through other video production ventures.  We think that our new-found ability to help out both our regular listeners and occasional visitors through short, targeted home improvement videos will benefit the DIY community. Get ready for shows on pneumatic nailers, garage shelving and cabinets, Ipe Decking, cutting the cable and more!  As always, we encourage our listeners to provide feedback for our content. If you have questions or would like us to cover a specific topic, please use the contact form. As always…thank you for listening viewing the Handyguys Podacast and enjoy the show.

The post Announcing Handyguys 2012/13 Season with Home Improvement Videos first appeared on The Handyguys.

The post Announcing Handyguys 2012/13 Season with Home Improvement Videos appeared first on The Handyguys.

What does Paul’s wife think about the custom closet? Read her thoughts and watch HER video on her blog, Musings of a Housewife.

Make sure you subscribe, there will be more videos coming soon.

easyclosets.com has provided 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.

The post How to Install a Custom Closet Shelf System first appeared on The Handyguys.

The post How to Install a Custom Closet Shelf System appeared first on The Handyguys.

Let’s review previous problems with this unit.

Model: GE side by side stainless steel gss25tsre.SS. Purchased 10/2005:

1. Shelves too small in freezer causing them to crash to bottom of freezer.  GE sent replacements.

2. Water tank leak.  Fixed 10/2011.

3. Defrost problems causing the freezer coils to freeze up which makes freezer and refrigerator compartments too warm.  Temporary solution was to remove back wall panel of freezer and melt ice on coils with hair dryer.  That solution lasted for about a month.  The permanent required replacement of the control board.  Fixed 12/2011.

4. The water and ice dispenser problem began intermittently on 3/2012. The original solution was to wait overnight and hope my water and ice dispenser problems went away.  It did begin working again for a few days at a time.  A few weeks later it only worked for a few hours at a time.  After 4 weeks from when the dispenser stopped working, the dispenser went dead for good.  I finally grew tired of the problem and fixed it.

There are several potential causes of the water and ice dispenser problem.

Water and Ice Dispenser Problem – Water not dispensing but Ice is….

First identify what exactly is not working.  Does any aspect of the dispenser work such as the water, ice, light, etc.?  If only the water flow is broken, you may have a bad water valve on the back of the unit.  Or, more likely, the water line is frozen or clogged.  If the water is not working, wait a day or two and see if the problem self-corrects. In some cases, the defrost cycle can cause=e the line to freeze because it does not have adequate insulation in the door.  If the problem persists, investigate proper water flow on the line . You can open up the kick plate at the bottom of your unit and look for the coupler under the freezer door where the water line is routed from the back of the freezer up to the dispenser. Disconnect this coupler and see if you have water coming out. You should only get a trickle.  Then depress your water dispenser switch and see if water begins shooting out. If the water does begin flowing, then your clog is in the section of tube in your freezer door. You can try putting all your food in an ice chest and thawing out the freezer to see if you can get the tube working or you can just replace the tube.

Water and Ice Dispenser Problem – Water and Ice not working

If neither your ice or water are working from your dispenser you could have the following problems:

1.  Bad dispenser switch. You will have to investigate this by removing the button panel and getting access to the switch. You can usually hear whether the switch is trying to activate.

2. Bad electrical connection to the dispenser.  This was my problem! I removed the kick plate at the base of the unit and looked for the electrical connection under the freezer hing.  There is a coupler there which connects the electrical wires that run to the switch.  In my case I could see that there was corrosion on the wires.  I cut out the coupler and reconnected the wires using appropriate crimpers and electrical tape.  Problem solved.  See Video for more details.

3.  Bad control board.  The other cause of this problem is when the main control board located on the back of the refrigerator stops working correctly. This is a common problem. If you have checked 1 and 2 above, you can order a new control board at repairclinic.com (search them with the search below this post). They have a 365 day return policy in the event that this does not solve your problem.

Water and Ice Dispenser Problem – Only Ice Not Dispensing

Assuming the chute from the ice box to the dispenser is not clogged, there could be an issue with the ice auger mechanism.  There are various posts around the internet dealing with this issue so consult google.  But still check out our video!

Check out the video I made for more details on the water and ice dispenser problem and see the revenge I take on my refrigerator unit.

Thanks to http://www.youtube.com/user/R0bCB for the visual effects!

The post GE Side by Side Refrigerator Water and Ice Dispenser Problem first appeared on The Handyguys.

The post GE Side by Side Refrigerator Water and Ice Dispenser Problem appeared first on The Handyguys.

The post Replacing Water Tank and Llines on GE Side-By-Side Refrigerator first appeared on The Handyguys.

The post Replacing Water Tank and Llines on GE Side-By-Side Refrigerator appeared first on The Handyguys.

We picked up the ceiling fan and everything needed to install it at our local True Value.

We were one of the bloggers selected by True Value to work on the DIY Squad. We have been compensated for our time commitment to the program as well as our writing about our experience. We have also been compensated for the materials needed for our DIY project. However, our opinions are entirely our own and we have not been paid to publish positive comments.

The post Does a 5 minute fan take 5 minutes to install? first appeared on The Handyguys.

The post Does a 5 minute fan take 5 minutes to install? appeared first on The Handyguys.

The Handyguys took a day off to discover a long lost railroad tunnel, the Phoenixville Tunnel. The big reason that few people have found the tunnel is due to the rough terrain. Brian and Paul fight through the thickets and make it to the tunnel. We had a lot of fun on our day off!

The post Handyguys Visit Spooky Abandoned Phoenixville Tunnel first appeared on The Handyguys.

The post Handyguys Visit Spooky Abandoned Phoenixville Tunnel appeared first on The Handyguys.

Some of the things show in this video are

• Ipe Deck completed construction
• Use of beam and joist flashing
• Use of low voltage lighting with concealed wire
• Using a boulder for a landing
• Use of hidden Ipe fasteners
• Use of Ipe Plugs

The post Freestanding Ipe deck features and best practices first appeared on The Handyguys.

The post Freestanding Ipe deck features and best practices appeared first on The Handyguys.