Concord Carpenter #131 Carpenters Tips

Published: Mon, 05/12/14

 

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May 13, 2014
 Newsletter Issue #131 

 
 
Rob head shot
 
Robert Robillard
 
 Carpenter and Editor
 
"A full service renovation company sharing its knowledge and experience to share information and  educate on remodeling best practices."
 
 
 

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IN THIS ISSUE
 
What's new at ACC?

Head-2-Head Testing

Attaching furring strips to masonry walls

 
Painting Tip

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What's New at Concord Carpenter?

Hi Guys,
 
As many of you know we try to perform a monthly head to head [H2H] test of tools. 
We've got a couple of very cool H2H tests coming out soon. 
 
Check out our latest cordless, multi-tool H2H test:  oscillating, cordless multi-tool head to head test.
 

What's Nest in H2H Testing?

We also have two additional H2H tests being written up, they are:
  1. Jig Saws [corded]
  2. SDS MAX Rotary Hammer drills
I apologize that we've been a little behind getting our written results too you.  The compiling of notes and writing takes time.   All of our writers are PRO contractors and do their writing nights and weekends.   
 
Rest assured it's worth the wait!

Do You Live In An Old House?

I live in an old colonial built in 1863. Back then there was a lot less furniture and heavy appliances to add to the dead load on floor joists.  Many times floor joists were nailed to balloon framing and if you were lucky the carpenters would also add a 1 by 2 ribbon board or ledger under the joists. 
 
That means that today these floors are under-built.  Adding joist hangers to old joists is a good preventative measure to beef up the structure of your home.

 

Stop Making False Promises

I caught myself this weekend telling a past customer that I would "try" to get them an estimate by Sunday night "but" I had a pretty full plate and that I would "try to do my best."

Basically I set myself up for an excuse of not getting the estimate in on the time as I had promised..... and that statement became a self fulfilling prophecy . . . . I didn't do it! 
 
I truly feel that the words we use daily at work and with our friends and family shape our thoughts and help define and determine our actions. There are many words we SHOULD - JUST - TRY to MAYBE not use, BUT we do anyway!
 
What I mean by this is that there are words that you should eliminate from your vocabulary so that you can remain positive and productive.  Removing these words can help change how you feel about things and your outlook.
 

Here's what I mean:

"Try" 
When you say you will try to do something it rarely gets done. How about using the word, "Will."
 
"If" 
This word conjures up a great deal of doubt.
 
"Won't" 
This word implies an unwillingness to do something or act and also that your mind is closed.
 
"Never or Always" 
These words are absolute and indicate a closed mind. Try replacing those terms with more realistic and less limiting words.
 
"Someday or sometime" 
This word shows a serious lack of commitment. Set a definite time and date.

"Maybe"  Use the word maybe only occasionally. It is too indefinite and should be replaced with definite statements such as "I will" or "I won't".

"Should" 
If you do not want do something they say that you don't want to do it!
 
"But" 
But takes away from everything said before it in a sentence. Use the word "and" instead.
 
 
 

Carpenter's Tip:  Pre-Loading Fasteners

The other day I was installing decking with our new, young carpenter and painfully  watched him reach for one screw at a time out of the box.  
 
I counted at least 3-4 screws that I installed to his one.  It occurred to me that no one has showed him the trick of "pre-loading fasteners."
 
Pre-loading fasteners simply refers to grabbing a hand full of fasteners, aligning all of the heads in one direction and then self feeding either your screw gun or hammer.
 
 
This method saves time reaching for and aligning single fasteners.   I usually pre-load fasteners while I'm talking or walking around.
 
 
All of the best carpenters I know, pre-load fasteners before installing, and as a result install nails and screws in lighting fast times.  I learned this trick I learned many years
but did not even think of it until working with a young carpenter the other day and seeing 
 
 

 Washing Decks and Patios

Here at A Concord Carpenter we love tools and believe the right tool for the job can save you time and money, but ultimately you'll get better results when you use the BEST tool for the job.

When it comes to cleaning outdoors, nothing does a better job, faster than a pressure washer. But misuse of a pressure washer can have the opposite effect on your project. Check out these important tips on how to use a pressure washer.
 
Don't have a pressure washer?   Check out how to clean a blue stone patio using a high pressure nozzle and a garden hose.  
 
Removing rust stains off concrete or blue stone.
 

Tool Giveaway

Keep and eye out next week for a Bosch Multi-tool giveaway exclusively for ACC Newsletter Subscribers.   
 
We've been using the Bosch MXH180 0n the job site for  some time now to cut exterior trim, siding, moldings and other precision cuts and are impressed with the power and run time.  
 
I'll be posting this giveaway on the Concord Carpenter website, Face book and in this newsletter.

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