1. On the Wire - 2006 Hardware Show
2. Ask Tom & Leslie - Testing, 1-2-3
3. Got A Question About Your Money Pit?
4. On the Air - Viva Las Vegas
5. Dot Common Sense - Tomboy Tools
6. Fun Fact - Deck or Patio?
7. Short Cuts - Great Grilling
8. Share This Information With A Friend!

ON THE WIRE

With more than 3200 exhibitors and nearly 2 million square feet of exhibits, the National Hardware Show has the newest products in every category relating to your home. It's the ultimate home improvement experience with new hardware, lawn and garden, housewares and home improvement products all under one roof. Here are a few of our favorites from this year's show:

A burglar breaks into a home every 15 seconds - yet two out of three homeowners have handed out house keys to contractors and various services, increasing the likelihood that the keys will fall into the wrong hands. The Master Lock NightWatch ™ Deadbolt provides new technology to "lockout" all outside keyholders. This feature has a special safety release to guard against accidental activation of NightWatch mode and accidental lock out. The NightWatch deadbolt is fast and easy to install and retails for just under $29.99. Visit www.MasterDoorLock.com for more information.

Extending your living space into the outdoors isn't new, but it is a trend that continues to expand. This includes complete outdoor kitchens and living spaces, as well as all types of gardens. Moen has a new unique single-hand, single-hole hot-cold sill faucet for outdoor use. The technology is similar to that in a shower valve, allowing both hot and cold water to flow outdoors. It's perfect for cleaning your car, washing the dog or filling the baby pool with warm water. Easy-to-install, it is available at plumbing wholesalers for $65. For more information visit www.Moen.com.

Rain Bird Corporation, the leading manufacturer of irrigation products for the lawn and garden, has a new product for gardeners, too. The Rainbird Garden Drip Irrigation Kit includes everything necessary for even the most novice gardener to install the system to an outdoor faucet or an underground irrigation system. Once the kit is installed, it distributes water slowly and consistently directly to the plants' roots, helping plants to thrive while using less water. The Garden Drip Irrigation Kit will retail for $39.99 at select garden centers and home center stores. Visit www.Rainbird.com for more information.

With severe weather ranging from hurricanes to tornados and severe winter storms, new products to help weather-proof your home are important to add to the shopping list. There's a new all-in-one product called King Kaulk™ by Red Devil. King Kaulk is multi-purpose caulk that puts an end to the need for a variety of tubes. It works like a caulk, sealant and adhesive. It is strong and durable, paintable and doesn't shrink and can be used indoors or out. For more information visit www.RedDevil.com

QUIKRETE®Epoxy Garage Floor Coating Kit is an all-in-one, easy-to-use kit that both enhances and protects concrete garage floors against damage from hot tires, gas, oil, scuffs and wear and tear. It costs less than 30 cents a square foot and features advanced formula Bond-Lok™ concentrate to degrease, clean and etch in one easy step. It provides a coating twice as strong as concrete in one coat. For more information visit www.Quikrete.com.

The new Loctite Sumo Glue is a super-strong waterproof polyurethane glue that sets three times faster than traditional glues and with less foaming. It can be used on a variety of surfaces including wood, stone, brick, metal or concrete. Like wood it is sandable, paintable and stainable. For more information visit www.SumoGlue.com .

For tools to make the project easier, or to get a start on Father's Day shopping, consider the Drill Doctor 350X Drill Bit Sharpener. Drill Doctor is a durable, precision drill bit sharpener featuring a 3-year warranty. It's fast and easy to use sharpening dull and broken bits in less than 60 seconds. It works on twist bits from 3/32" to ½" and most common bits including high-speed steel, carbide, tin-coated, cobalt and masonry bits. For more information visit www.DrillDoctor.com .

Another great product for home improvement projects is the Evolution Rage Saw, the first multi-purpose circular saw that cuts wood, steel, aluminum and even wood boards with nails. The RAGE Saw design and blade work together as a team to cut straight and capture hot shavings that would otherwise burn your hands, forearms and clothing. It features a replaceable window safety shield that allows you to see exactly where the blade cuts. It also produces a thinner cut reducing the amount of material wasted. For more information, visit www.EvolutionRage.com.

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ASK TOM & LESLIE

This week's question comes to us from Robert in Harrison Township, Michigan. He asks, "How can I be sure that my Carbon monoxide detector is working other than pressing the test button. On my smoke detectors I can use a match or cigarette to verify that it is truly working correctly."

Robert, the test button is the best way to be sure your carbon monoxide detector is working. Never try and test your detector with any home made solutions like a match or cigarette. You are likely to get an erroneous result. By the way, there is one manufacturer of carbon monoxide detectors that has devised a reliable test we can recommend. Aprilaire makes a test kit that can be administered by an experience technician. For more information, go to www.Aprilaire.com .

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GOT A QUESTION ABOUT YOUR MONEY PIT?

1. The toll-free studio hot line is 1-888-MONEY PIT. Find out when we broadcast in your area by checking out our website at www.moneypit.com. Each week we take dozens of calls, give great advice and offer callers a chance to win a terrific prize awarded to one random caller to every show.
2. Call when it's convenient for you, 24 hours a day, same number: 1-888-MONEY PIT. A live person takes your call 24/7! So -- WHENEVER you have a home improvement question -- phone it in. Simply tell our phone screener your first name, and where you're calling from...and ask your question. We’ll get back to you with the answer – or even call you back during the show!
3. Click here to email your question to us. We may read your email on the air and we also respond personally to many of the email questions we get.

ON THE AIR

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DOT COMMON SENSE

Have you ever been faced with a home maintenance project and didn't know the next step to take? Most people will admit they have - and from the calls to The Money Pit radio show, we know that a lot of the listeners faced with this challenge are women. Well, there's now a way for women to become empowered to do-it-themselves. It's called Tomboy Tools. The company was founded by three women who realized that there just wasn't enough support to help women with their DIY projects. The mission of the company is to empower women and help them become confident, competent homeowners by providing the proper tools and techniques to create a more beautiful and livable space...and to protect their most valuable asset, their home. At the same time, the company helps women financially, by allowing women to start their own Tomboy Tools business. Visit www.TomboyTools.com

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FUN FACT

Which is the best choice for YOUR home sweet home? If you're debating "deck or patio," here are a few things to consider: If your back door is close to the ground -- within a foot or two -- go with a patio. Decks require more vertical space for posts, beams and joists, and it makes no sense to build those below-grade. If you go with a patio, you can build one with "concrete pavers." These are modular bricks and fit together like puzzle pieces. If you have more vertical height off the back door, or if your yard slopes off so much that a patio wouldn't be practical, think deck. When designing your deck, first decide whether you want one level or more. There are lots of great material options. Natural wood choices include pressure treated lumber, cedar, or redwood. Composites like Trex, which is made of plastic and lumber combinations, are also becoming extremely popular.

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SHORT CUTS

Grilling is one of the most treasured outdoor activities to do every summer. With temperatures getting warmer and many homeowners preparing for their first barbeque of the season, the June 2006 issue of Consumer Reports features expert advice and ratings on choosing the best gas grills:

• Select a gas grill large enough to accommodate the number of people at your table and with features that suit your cooking style.
• Keep in mind that higher Btu does not translate to faster heating or better cooking performance, even at higher temperatures.
• Bring a magnet with you to the store to test the stainless steel on the gas grill. (Cheaper stainless is usually magnetic, so if your magnet sticks, it could be a warning flag of material that is more likely to corrode over time.)
• For searing meat more effectively, opt for heavier, stiffer grates made of thick stainless steel or porcelain-coated, heavy cast iron.
• Since burners are the most frequently replaced grill parts, choose those made of brass.
• Opt for free assembly if you are worried about cutting yourself when assembling. But note that an assembled grill is bulkier than one in a box and delivery costs can accrue.

More tips on how to select a gas grill are available online at www.ConsumerReports.org

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SHARE THIS INFORMATION WITH A FRIEND!

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Copyright 2006 Squeaky Door Productions, Inc.