AConcordCarpenter newsletter #35

Published: Mon, 04/16/12

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April 16, 2012

Newsletter Issue #36

Robert Robillard

Fine carpentry & renovation professional based in Concord, Massachussetts

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IN THIS ISSUE

Geodesic Biodomes

Clopay Garage Makeover

Tool giveaway

What's Going On At Concord Carpenter

WOW has it been hot for April - I was expecting a month of rain and instead we have July weather.

This week we finished filming a fun segment of "Concord Carpenter" cable show, Episode 11.

The show has a ton of fun projects and a few tool placements in it. If you have a few minutes take a peek at it!

Pole Barn Update

After finding eight of eighteen structural posts rotted and several still not uncovered yet we decided that the BEST course of action was to remove all of the posts from the ground and install concrete footings.

As is the case in the photo below most of the post rot is at grade level.

Instead of removing the entire post - which would be super time consuming we are cutting them at the solid wood mark and installing galvanized post to base connectors.

We then dug 48" deep footing and insert a sonotube. The trick is to fill in the dirt around the sonotube approx 12" and then pull the tube up to the metal connector.

One improvement we figured out after doing a few of these was to use Vycor rubber membrane to the post BEFORE adding the metal connector. The addition of the Vycor adds a moisture barrier to these 75 year old barn posts.

Tool Giveaways

Bill Cox is the WINNER!

Bill Cox from Inwood, West Virginia won the Milwaukee M18 FUEL Brushless Giveaway. Bill is a newsletter subscriber - Congratulations Bill!

Porter Cable Drill Giveaway

Giveaway for Newsletter subscribers only - you still need to fill out the entry form.

WIN a Porter Cable PCC520B 18 Volt cordless right angle drill. Valued at $190.00 this drill is compact, lightweight, well balanced with a unique design.

ENTER HERE

DEWALT 1/4 - inchBrushless Impact Drivers

DEWALT recently released three new 1/4-inch Brushless Impact Drivers.

This is a first-ever for DEWALT. At 3.6 pounds and 5-1/4" in length this new driver looks very similar to it's 20 Volt older sibling but as DEWALT Product Manager Jeremy Torok says "We like to take things a step further." [VIDEO INTERVIEW]

Painting Electrical Plates

Many homes have white or beige outlet and switch covers. This can be unattractive when your walls are painted a color. Who wants a glaring white plastic switch plate as the focal point of a beautifully bright or deeply colored décor?

Almost any wall plate can be painted, even your thermostat. Paint them ~ but do it right!

Did the DEWALT ToughSystem tool storage box keep my tools dry?

DEWALT sent me this awhile back . . . they claim it is waterproof.

Not really needing another toolbox I decided to designate this box to the rear of my open bed pick up truck.

I plow residential driveways in the winter and have always carried the necessary tools to repair my plow inside my truck cab. I hated having a tool box in the cab so I decided I'd see how well the DEWALT ToughSystem tool box fared in the sun, rain and snow . . . . .

do you think it kept my tools dry?

Installing Hardwood Flooring

If you're like most people you probably love the look and charm of a hardwood

floor. Hardwood floors never go out of fashion and can add real value to your home.

Recently I was asked by a client to install ¾" by 3" Cherry species hardwood plank flooring. I'm a big fan of Cherry flooring. I like its unique color attributes, darkening as it ages, to a mature, rich, burnished auburn color.