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What's new at Concord Carpenter?
I want to wish everyone a hope and more importantly SAFE Independence day.
I'll be enjoying a "stay-cation" this year as my wife is working the holiday. I am however gearing up for a trip to Jackson Hole Wyoming for some hiking and white water rafting. Hopefully this time I will not have to make this raft!
I'm still looking for a real life tradesman who has a unique or funny skill, like the ability to juggle three hammers, or throw a saw blade through a sheet of plywood. Something crazy that amazes people each and every time.
If you know someone who fits this bill please reply to this newsletter. . . it could be a very fun and rewarding opportunity for them.
July is going to be a fun month for tool giveaways. We plan on giving away a brand new to market 23 gauge pinner from Bosch, model CM12 as well as a DEWALT rool - possibly the new corded reciprocating saw or maybe a 20 volt cordless tool.... it's a surprise.
We just published our Milwaukee 2604-22 vs Makita LXPH05 Head to Head Testing. These days the big talk on cordless tols has been the changeover from Ni-Cad to Lithium Ion and even more recently cordless "brushless" technology.
So which tool won the head to head? READ MORE
Cutting Plastic On A Table Saw:
Questions come up on the woodworking forums all the time on the best tools and techniques for working with plastics.
My friend Ralph Bagnell, an expert woodworker, shares a few practical tricks for getting great results in this super short video.
If you an avid woodworker or just someone who liked to dabble thern you'll want to subscribe to Ralphs free newsletter
IRWIN Marples Saw Blade Giveaway!
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Only A Fews days Left To Enter and WIN! |
The folks at IRWIN are offering one of my newsletter subscribers a chance to win a set of their Irwin Marples Woodworking saw blades. The winner will win two 80 tooth saw blades; one 10-inch diameter blade and one 12-inch diameter miter saw blade.
All you have to do is LIKE Irwin on face Book and fill out my [confidential] entry form
Emails From Newsletter Subscribers:
Folks, I reply back to every newsletter subscriber. It sometimes takes me some time to get back to you but I will get back. Here are two recent email questions:
To: Concord Carpenter
From: John A Metcalf
I am purchasing my daughter's house. I live in Saginaw, TX - just
outside Fort Worth. I am 66 years old.
The house has single pane windows. It does not get overly hot or cold
as we use thermal drapes. I am considering solar screens. At my age I
will never live long enough to recoup the cost of new windows.
Please give me your thoughts/suggestions. Thank you in advance.
Dear John,
Thermal drapes are fine as are the solar screen option.
Solar Screens are the most effective window treatments that you can apply to your home for lowering energy bills by stopping the heat transfer through your windows and doors while still maintaining your view.
Much like a big shade tree, exterior solar screen will help reduce your cooling costs, can reduce the load on your air conditioning and will help reduce glare and fading of home furnishings.
I recently did a review on Mylar Storm Panels from a company called ScreenItAgain.com. I liked the company and their level of quality. They also make solar screens. I recommend using this company. This is their Solar Screen page.
What are Solar Screen Benefits?
Cools Your Home or Other Living Space. Solar screen on windows can cool problem rooms up to 15 degrees in warm climates making the home or other living area much more comfortable in the hot summer months.
Reduce Cooling Energy Costs. Independent Studies have shown that solar screen installed on exposed windows can reduce the cooling portion of electric energy costs as much as 30-35% on a typical home in a warm climate. In many cases the 'payback' period can be as short as 1-2 years.
Protection from Fading. The UV rays blocked by solar screen can help protect your valuable home furnishings such as furniture, drapes, floors and paintings.
Daytime Privacy. With solar screen on your windows, it is very hard, if not impossible for people to see into your home during the daylight hours. Much like dark sunglasses, even though people can't see in, outward visibility can be excellent, especially with the darker color (black, brown or dark bronze) Suntex 80 Solar Screen.
Reduced Glare. Solar screen helps reduce the glare coming in through the windows. This benefit can be very beneficial in the family television, media room or home office.
Sanding and Refinishing an Exterior Deck:
To: Concord Carpenter
From: Blair
I want to sand the Ipe deck that just got installed and seal with penofin.
The wood is in good shape, just has water stains on it etc from the builders. Would a vibration sander do it, or do a need a more aggressive sander? I imagine HD has them to rent?
Cheers
Blair.
Hi Blair,
If the deck is new I would use a circular buffing machine and a 150-grit abrasive screen abrasive as opposed to sanding it which tends to be too aggresive for an exterior deck. If the deck is face nailed you will need to set the nails slightly.
Screening involves abrading the old finish on the existing floor making it smooth and clean for your finish. Minor surface scratches and marring from moving furniture can be removed but not deep scars.
Never use steel wool on a surface that will receive a water-based finish. Even a tiny bit of steel wool on the floor will rust once the finish is applied and create a black stain that's very difficult to get rid of.
In addition to the screen, you will need a buffing pad on which the screen will be mounted.
Work the buffer over the floor to lightly abrade the surface, but do not be overly aggressive with the screen.
It's impossible to use the buffer up to the baseboard or in tight corners, so these areas must be finished by hand. The easiest way to handle this job is to use a drywall sanding pad with a 150-grit screen.
After roughening the floor, thoroughly vacuum to remove the dust. Go over the floor with a towel dampened in clean water to pick up any remaining dust. Let the floor dry before applying your finish.
Recent Articles Of Interest:
IRWIN Marples Chisels Three new Marples bevel edge chisel lines will accommodate three distinct trades including finish carpentry / woodworking, construction and high-impact.
Gmaxx Series Saw blades Guhdo, a German tooling company founded in 1908, has just introduced a technologically advanced line of saw blades called Gmaxx Series Saw Blades. If you haven't yet heard of them, that's ok I havnt either.
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