Register for free to join our community of investors and share your ideas. You will also get access to streaming quotes, interactive charts, trades, portfolio, live options flow and more tools.
Didn't know they even sold dewalt.
Home Depot has the two pack 5 amp Makita batteries on sale for 149.00
The genius college graduates running the website sell one for 139.00. LOLOL!!
Website said they had them in stock of course no go. I follow the kid around to 3 different places they might be he looks up above also in the cages. Nope.
Calls manager asking him if he knows why they show 4 packs in stock where would they be?
So manager doesn't know either and the kid gives up.
I go back to makita section look behind some other 3 amps and there sat two single 5 amp batteries.
Score!
Walmart has the DeWalt 20V 6A XR battery duo for sale at only $85. Everyone else has the batteries at $199.
I have the DeWalt impact driver and drill and recently purchased the 14" battery-operated trimmer.
Buy, buy, buy if you have 20V DeWalt tools!
Trueheart
That was fascinating. Exquisite engineering and workmanship.
The comments were good, too. This one cracked me up:
WOW! I call that art!
Thanks for posting the video of the joinery on that old Japanese house. The craftsmanship is amazingly intricate and beautiful.
I've admired old American post and beam construction but this house beats them all.
The joints were all done using hand tools and I didn't notice one mark left by a saw or other tools.
Trueheart
I kinda wonder if the guys framing houses today could match the skills it took to put this house together 100 years ago.
My steel door was locked but not double locked, no keys anywhere, as extra key person was out of state.
Someone told me to break the door down, I said are you crazy the door will cost $500 for exact measurement and locksmith a fortune, maybe $1000 on a Sunday- with all the hinges and new holes and locks.
So was scared S%^t and ran into door, which opened on 4th try and did not break or dent as enough play to save the day.
My wife's response would be, you hired these idiots and never got references?
https://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/read_msg.aspx?message_id=162904180
Hah! I spotted the mistake right away.
You should never leave a tool where someone could trip on it.
Trueheart
Ha, now that would definitely do it.
About 5 years ago I had a lot of work done on our house.
A new roof and the entire house painted inside.
I hired 2 different crews to do the jobs of different ethnic backgrounds.
I'd leave for work and say you all need to play nice. I write the checks. And if my wife isn't happy I wish you both luck.
Nice story, but in truth I have had many great craftsman doing something for me, I can never leave them alone unless I do not regret they fail to do something unforeseeably more useful if I was there.
Hi Flo,
I held that one for a week fearing I'd be tarred and feathered.
A bop on the beak is a great alternative.
Trueheart
You should be bopped on the beak for that one, LOL
This is from my cousin.
He said he hired a handyman. He gave him a list of things to do and left for the day. When he got home he discovered that the man had done only items 1, 3 and 5. He asked why he didn't do them all and the handyman replied he did only odd jobs.
Trueheart
QUASI; You have gem remarks with your experience...and by the way so many property managers know very little except who best to buy the new appliance from for some nice handshakes in N.Y.C. and L.A.
Thank you!
Refrigerator Problems
Think you need a new refrigerator, try these options before you go shopping. I've done rental property repairs for several years and these are two typical problems I see over and over. I had to clear a drain tube yesterday so thought I would share my techniques.
A) Not Cold Enough
This is common and usually due to reduced air flow over the condenser coil on modern refrigerators. In the old days the condenser was a big flat coil on the back of the refrigerator. I wish they still sold this type, no fans, natural air flow, never clogs and always works. Modern refrigerator designers wanted a little more space, so they folded up the coil and put it under the fridge next to the compressor. The problem is a fan and duct housing is required to create air flow over the folded up coil which also became a pet hair and dust bunny collector.
This is usually a fairly easy fix, just clean it out to allow normal air flow. Best to unload heavy items in the fridge, pull it out and unplug it. Then remove the front kick plate cover and the back cardboard cover. The coil is usually accessible from the front, just clean out all the crap, you'll need some small homemade brushes and small pipes to attach to a vacuum, (see photo below of my standard tools). Now the coil may also be located in the back and might look more like an air conditioner coil, same process, just clean out all the crap. While you are back there vacuum out the fan assembly and clean all the junk off the fan blades with a tooth brush. Before re-assembly plug in the fridge and make sure the fan is rotating, very occasionally they will become seized. If seized you can often free them up with a good cleaning and a little oil, before you go out to buy a replacement.
In my experience this fixes the problem 8 out of 10 times.
B) Water in the bottom of the fridge or leaking onto the floor, or frozen water in the bottom of the freezer.
This is another common problem due to a clogged condensate drain. I can usually fix this by locating the condensate evaporation pan under the fridge, then find the drain tube which drains into it. Now use a small wire with pipe cleaner, small test tube brush or whatever else works to feed up the pipe, hopefully as far as the condensate tray inside the fridge. As you feed it in and out, you will remove all kinds of slime blocking the tube. Now use a syringe with some small tubing attached to the drain tube, push in an ounce or two of hot water then pull it back out, do this several times like you are plunging a clogged toilet. Then push in about two ounces and remove the syringe, water should flow out, if not rinse & repeat. If that doesn't work look inside the fridge, freezer and vacuum out any debris that might be clogging a drain port. The drain ports aren't always visible you might have to remove the back interior fridge or freezer panels and remove the crap that is blocking the drain, usually a pea, corn kernel, twist tie, bread clip etc etc.
Hope this saves you some money with a couple of hours of labor, but as always maybe the better half just wants a new fridge!!
Gord
Just read again, nice tip.
Yes excellent reminder to all who have direct vent furnaces and hot water heaters or any other type of direct vent gas appliance.
I provide property maintenance for several properties and I have seen this happen at least 5 times in the last five years. Note it is not only snow drifts, sometimes its people piling up snow to clear a walkway or driveway. Once it was a discarded Xmas tree on top of a brush pile that caused enough restriction to trip out the furnace.
On another occasion I found the vent pipe to be full of walnuts. Yes walnuts, the screens had rusted out, which is normal every couple of years, and squirrels decided this was a good place to stored some nuts.
I personally lost a furnace years ago when my 5yr old son decided to play gas station attendant with the garden hose and filled up the furnace. Main computer board was fried.
Another typical fault is a clogged furnace filter that can trip out the furnace on the high temperature limit due to lack air flow and overheating. This usually happens in homes with dogs and cats that shed alot of hair.
Gord
Yup, I'll for sure keep them in mind should we need a new furnace.
I posted a few tips on nextdoor.com and some peeps were like WOW.
I posted how to fix a slow flushing toilet instead of calling a plumber and I posted about putting water down the basement drain once in a while. One poor lady opened her door to where the floor drain was and said her eyes started burning from the gases coming up through the drain.
We have a hose hooked up to the hot water heater which is only a couple of feet from the drain so we just drain some water out of the hot water heater to put down the drain. Helps maintain the hot water heater too. We do this every time we change the furnace filter, makes it easy to remember.
Great advice and marketing on their part.
So many CONtractors keep homeowners in the dark about simple yet great ways to keep their money in their pocket instead of giving it to CONtractors looking for the easy $$$.
Knowledge = $$$$$ and peace of mind.
This isn't really home improvement but a tip for people who live in snow country. Man, we/Colorado are in for it this weekend. I got this from nextdoor.com
Friendly reminder from your local HVAC company. I work for Signature Heating and Air. Me and my fellow colleagues decided to give homeowners a heads up regarding the upcoming snowstorm this weekend. If your furnace is 90%+ efficient, its likely you have PVC pipes on the side of your home (see picture for reference). If you're unsure whether your furnace is 90%+ efficient, this can be easily identified by going to your mechanical room and looking for PVC pipe coming from the furnace (see photo for reference). If you have a metal exhaust, you're in the clear. If you find you do indeed have a 90%+ efficient furnace, you may find yourself without heat midway through the storm due to snow build up blocking the PVC pipes outside. In Colorado we are required to put the pipes 18" from the ground which is sufficient 99% of the time. Given the current snowfalls predictions, snow drifts are likely to build up higher than 18" and could cause a no heat condition.
In short, keep an eye on your intake and exhaust pipes and make sure they don't get obstructed during the storm. Additionally, if you find yourself without heat, ensure your pipes are un obstructed before calling for service and losing your hard earned money to a simple fix.
If you do find the heat has stopped and the pipes are obstructed, you may need to reset the system once you've cleared the snow. This is due to the furnace "locking out" due to too many failed attempts. This can be reset by turning the main furnace power off then back on. Usually there is a switch (light switch or something similar) in the mechanical room that you can use. You can also reset the furnace at the main breaker panel.
I hope this information proves helpful. I know this post probably doesn't belong in the safety section of next-door but I figured it would reach more people this way. After all, a home without heat could be considered a safety concern.
Stay safe and stay warm. Best regards, Mike
Yeppers, no doubt!
Count
I had a guy do concrete work for me who had a young son working for him.
I told the kid if you think it will get easier working for your dad you'd be wrong.
Go back to school.
His dad agreed,
That's the thing I've noticed about many concrete workers... Work hard, party even harder!
I hope I don't have a need for it anymore at all. Concrete work will give you a workout. From getting the ground prepared, to ditching, to troweling out the concrete, it's all hard work,
I remember the slab I had poured for my shop years ago. I did the ground work myself and hired a guy and his crew to handle the pour and finishing. This guy was in his 50's at the time. Totally muscle bound, could tell he had been doing it all his life.
A few years later I learned he passed away, heart attack.
Count
Dang, why didn't I think of that? Great idea, though I haven't had a need to use it in many years.
Many times I would double up on the wire just because of that
Count
That might work better than the tool, as the tool makes it too easy to twist the wire too tight causing the wire to break.
Seems that there is a tool for everything nowadays, knowing me I would use my Powerbuilt 648411 drum brake return spring tool out of my tool box to twist the wire tight. I just saved 10 dollars1
Oh hell I didn't even know there were two more pictures below!
I didn't scroll down. That's what happens when you get in a hurry I guess!
At least you had sense to scroll lol. Good catch Bull Dolphin!!
Count
The wire is a roll of twist ties for binding pieces of rebar together. A single piece with a loop on each end is removed and folded around two pieces of rebar. Then, a tool with a hook on the end is inserted into both loops and the tool is rotated to cinch down the wire.
Thank you very much... and you correct, that is a lighter! LOL
Thanks again
Hard to tell by the pic but i believe the black plastic piece is used to hold rebar in the middle of concrete when you pour concrete. Very handy to have if you are in the concrete business! The roll of metal wire would lay on top of the rebar for reinforcement of the concrete.
The other thing looks like a bic lighter.
When you pour a slab you would have a grid of about every 1 to 2 feet squares of rebar.
Not a gold mine you found but handy none the less!
Count
Just moved into a new Home and I found these stored in the attic. Does anyone know what they are used for? Over 500 of the black plastic pieces and a roll metal wire of some sort about 50 ft long. The plastic pieces look as some kind of holder and the metal wire rolled up also have no clue.. looks like some kind of small fencing? LOL
Question: could not resist this sale for a mic ( like a mic condenser)........but not same mic for my intercom...... Any electric guy know if I try to use it, can it damage my system if not in sync on this blind purchase?:
Qty Item Name Each Retail Savings Total
(2)Mini Low-Gain S3 Dynamic Mic with M101 Style Mount (Clearance) (M200-D-S3-CL) $2.50 $40.00 (reg price for the 2) $35.00 (savings) $5.00 (cost for both together).
---------
United States Postal Service (First-Class™ Package Service): $5.48
Sales Tax (New York) : $0.00
Total: $10.48
In NYC I pay at least 100 per hour and average 150 per hour for a skillful chap even handyman jack of all trades guy. I buy every part and find I am always 60% cheaper and know I am rarely screwed.
Idea started on first job I needed eons ago to do 1000 square feet of new 3/4 inch oak flooring. Think I got the guy from a circular attached to my house. Can't prove but think this smart Irish guy was in Dublin with almost no money except to come to USA, he had already heard from buddies how they could make a nice coin in NYC. He pre printed the circular to install and coat the floors. He came to airport rented a car, stayed with friends and went to the flooring store where he asked the eager hands waiting for day work for their telephone numbers. Once he gave out circulars, by foot to hundreds of houses, putting them neatly under the doors. he waited by answering machine for calls. Once he got a bite he went to customer to give estimate 3 times his costs and if ok'ed, got a deposit for enough to buy the flooring, then called one of the numbers of workers he felt were not serial killers, rented the nailer and asked customer for more money once job was 3/4 done so he could buy the finishing coats. He also culled and kept the best floor workers for future work and used them for floor sanding renting all machines until he had enough to buy them from profits.
I needed many flooring projects and went same route to get worker after buying the flooring and renting the nailers. but more importantly used that system to do many larger projects. The flooring workers were hard to track down if they were good, but I paid them a lump sum price to complete and could of sold tickets to people watching the skillful nailer lay the material like magic,.........sometimes it seemed the floor just nailed itself once cut to form the methodical puzzle, as these guys just did nailing and sanding as it was so second nature to someone who does this every day, and is motivated to get the hell out of there.
I just eliminated Lowes from the equation and went directly to the HVAC specialist they sent out.
He was cool with what I was doing since he knew the guy from Trane I was getting the equipment from.
Thanks you won't get any argument from me.
I recommended Next door since I find the feedback from neighbors to be the most honest.
The markup from the Big Box stores on product allows them to offer interest free.
When I replaced my HVAC Lowes wanted a 100% markup.
I have a friend who works for Trane and he got me the product at his cost. Then I went back to the contractor Lowes sent out and said now give me your cash price and we'll skip Lowes.
BTW ............. the subs don't bid on the jobs around here they are set prices. That is how the box store makes the $$$$!!!
They don't give a rip about their reputation after wiping out store after store around these parts as they always have new suckers walking through their doors to market to.
I've done work for Eagle Hardware which turned into Lowes.
Then after 2008 hell happened when the GC's retired I had almost 90% of my work through one of the GC's son after I had surgery told me to go get back on my feet by working for HD contractor the one who subs out all the work in about 100 mile radius around here.
So yes, I do know a thing or 500 about how that all worked and saw homeowner after homeowner screwed over by these box stores and CONtractors.
Very few homeowners got quality work nor done on time.
The mark up was ridiculous if the Homeowner wanted something done beyond the contract. It wasn't the sub getting ANY of it.
One job the mark up for the extra I did was 400% on an elderly couple just trying to get by.
Followers
|
169
|
Posters
|
|
Posts (Today)
|
0
|
Posts (Total)
|
13575
|
Created
|
01/02/02
|
Type
|
Free
|
Moderator shaolin | |||
Assistants excel MrBankRoll BullNBear52 |
This is the place for members of the I-Hub community to exchange ideas, links and information on taking care on one of our biggest investments, our homes.
Ideal subjects are maintenance, renovating, repair, gardening, landscaping and anything else dealing with the home.
Your expertise, experience or opinion is valued here to help us perform a service.
" Neighbors helping neighbors "
Any ideas for the site or if you have an interesting link, feel free to post it or send me a PM.
Thanks to excel & broderick_s for helping put this thing together. ~ shao
Remodeling Links
Before starting your home improvement find out how many new options are availble for you now.
http://directory.qualifiedremodeler.com/
See post # 940 http://www.investorshub.com/boards/read_msg.asp?message_id=684568
http://www.dirtcheapbuilder.com/quliplwa.html
Flooring
http://www.floorstransformed.com/index.html
Tile, Marble, Stone, Granite, Quartz, Corian
http://www.thetiledoctor.com/repair/replacetile.cfm
http://floorstransformed.com/
http://www.dixiestone.com/
http://www.scrapbookscrapbook.com/DAC-ART/kitchen-countertops.html
http://www.marblemaster.com/granite/granite_slab/index.html
http://www.kitchenworks.com/corian.html
Electrical
http://members.tripod.com/~masterslic/electritian.html
Ducts- Heat loss
http://www.energystar.gov/ia/products/heat_cool/ducts/DuctSealingBrochure04.pdf
http://www.oee.nrcan.gc.ca/keep_heat_in/
Home Improvement Encyclopedia
http://www.bhg.com/bhg/category.jhtml?catref=cat10002
Insulation
http://www.polyurethane.org/
http://www.superliteblock.com/ntegra.htm
Plumbing
https://www.familyhandyman.com/plumbing/plumbing-tricks-of-the-trade-for-weekend-plumbers/view-all/
http://www.theplumber.com/faq.html
http://www.plumbingsupply.com/index.html
Landscape links
See post # 267 http://www.investorshub.com/boards/read_msg.asp?message_id=258812
Pressure Washing Tips
http://www.investorshub.com/boards/read_msg.asp?message_id=834846
Roofs
http://www.andek.com/
Garden Help
http://houseandhome.msn.com/Library/GardenLibrary.aspx
http://www.thegardenhelper.com/
Wood Rot
http://www.taunton.com/finehomebuilding/pages/h00133.asp
http://outfittersparadise.com/s/Marine_Sealants/Boatlife_Git_Rot_Kit_Quart_13094563.htm
Wood Stoves to Gas
http://www.chimneysweeponline.com/library.htm
Lighting, Home Security, Theater, Smart Home Products
http://smarthome.com/
Log Home links
See post # 271 http://www.investorshub.com/boards/read_msg.asp?message_id=258994
Also - http://www.precisioncraft.com/
Solar
See post # 941 http://www.investorshub.com/boards/read_msg.asp?message_id=684590
http://www.susdesign.com/overhang/index.html
Appliance Repair
http://www.repairclinic.com/0001.asp
http://www.pcappliancerepair.com/index.html
Useful material calculators
Concrete-- http://www.concretenetwork.com/concrete/howmuch/calculator.htm
Pavers--http://www.morrisbrick.com/hr_materialcalculator_paver.htm
Home building--http://www.building-cost.net/
http://www.contractors.com/cost_estimator/free_estimates.html
Wood Working
http://www.joewoodworker.com/
http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/
Wood workshop setup information.
http://www.investorshub.com/boards/read_msg.asp?message_id=647032
Home owners, self help site.
http://www.misterfix-it.com/CommProbSimpSol.cfm
Habitat for Humanity website
http://www.habitat.org/
http://www.habitat.org/env/restores.aspx
Be sure to visit the Gardening and Landscaping (plant) board.
http://www.investorshub.com/boards/board.asp?board_id=611
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Posts Today
|
0
|
Posts (Total)
|
13575
|
Posters
|
|
Moderator
|
|
Assistants
|
Volume | |
Day Range: | |
Bid Price | |
Ask Price | |
Last Trade Time: |