On the Wire - Tools with Power
You’re in the middle of your latest DIY project and on a roll… when suddenly – cordless interruptus! Your power tool dies! No doubt this has happened to you at least once or twice. But it doesn’t have to, with the new cordless power tool battery technology available. Newer tools have much longer run times and quicker charge times. Battery capacity has been steadily increasing over the last 10-15 years which allows more work to be done between charges, and a lot less running back into the house to put the pack on the charger or to get a fresh pack off the charger.
The latest breakthrough is the introduction of lithium-ion battery technology to power tools. Lithium-ion batteries have twice the energy output per weight and volume so you get twice the amount of work done between charges. Having twice the energy output per weight allows application of cordless technology to larger tools than were practical before.
Also, battery chargers are getting more sophisticated. In many cases the new chargers are taking some of the guesswork out of charging and handling batteries. Many of the latest generation chargers monitor the battery pack condition when you insert it on the charger and either wait for it to cool down if it’s too hot or too cold. This helps extend battery life. A standard rule for all batteries is that you should avoid storing them for long periods in extremely hot environments such as a closed car trunk or on the dashboard of a car or truck. This will shorten their life and send you back to the store a lot sooner for a replacement. Some great tools with plenty of power are from The Milwaukee Tool Company. The 18 volt platform is the most versatile cordless tool line in the industry with 13 different tools to select from. With an exclusive reversible battery pack, these tools can tackle any job. Milwaukee's cordless tools have the durability and all the power but without the cord, with the mobility that only Milwaukee can offer. For those requiring more power and longer runtime Milwaukee has developed the V28™ Lithium Ion Cordless Tool System. The V28 battery offers up to twice the runtime and up to 40-50% more power than an 18 volt battery pack at the same weight. Unlike NiCd batteries, V28 Li-Ion batteries maintain their power level throughout their entire discharge cycle. Visit Some great tools with plenty of power are from The Milwaukee Tool Company. The 18 volt platform is the most versatile cordless tool line in the industry with 13 different tools to select from. With an exclusive reversible battery pack, these tools can tackle any job. Milwaukee's cordless tools have the durability and all the power but without the cord, with the mobility that only Milwaukee can offer. For those requiring more power and longer runtime Milwaukee has developed the V28™ Lithium Ion Cordless Tool System. The V28 battery offers up to twice the runtime and up to 40-50% more power than an 18 volt battery pack at the same weight. Unlike NiCd batteries, V28 Li-Ion batteries maintain their power level throughout their entire discharge cycle. Visit www.MilwaukeeTool.com
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Ask Tom & Leslie - Ceramic Tile Tune-up
This week’s question comes to us from Jeff in Cissna Park, Illinois. Jeff asks, “How do I bring the shine back to our ceramic tile? We were using bleach & water to mop with, I now know this is a bad thing. Can you help?”
Sure we can, Jeff. Bleach is not necessarily a bad thing - but it does leave a haze on ceramic tile. A vinegar and water solution should bring the shine back. Use 1/3 parts white vinegar to 2/3 parts water. If the floors are still dull, use wax paper cut to the size of the tile. With wax side down, go over the paper with a dry mop to transfer the wax onto the floor tile. Be very careful, as the floor can be quite slippery immediately after you do this.
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Got A Question About Your Money Pit?
You can do-it-yourself but you don't have to do-it-alone. Getting in touch with us is as easy as 1 - 2 or 3!
- 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.
- 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!
- 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.
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On the Air - Outdoor Spaces
As more and more of us enjoy our outdoor spaces, we’re looking to create tranquility, luxury and elegance in your backyard sanctuaries. One thing that can really create elegance outside is a pergola. They can also help block a bad view or offer a focal point in your yard. With a few basic carpentry techniques and stock materials, you can have your very own pergola in time for prime grilling season. The current issue of Fine Homebuilding magazine offers design ideas and step-by-step instructions. To learn more, listen to this week’s show as we welcome back Fine Homebuilding editor Kevin Ireton, or visit www.FineHomebuilding.com.
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Dot Common Sense - Great web sites featured on the radio show.
We always say that crown molding can really enhance the look of a room – but all that measuring and mitering can intimidate even experienced DIYers. Not anymore. The Quick Clips moulding installation system by Focal Point offers fast and worry-free installation. This innovative system cuts installation time in half by eliminating the need to search for wall studs, miter corners and patch moulding. Anyone can install professional-quality crown moulding with Quick Clips. Simply pre-finish mouldings, drill/nail Quick Clips and miter-free corner/connector blocks into the header board of a wall, and then snap Quick Clip-compatible mouldings onto the clips. Once installed, the mounting system is hidden from view. Visit www.FocalPointProducts.com for more information.
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Fun Fact - Cooking Out
Grilling enthusiasts will tell you this is the best time of year – the weather is perfect for cooking and eating outdoors. If you’re about to drag the gas grill out of the shed or garage for the summer, make sure it’s ready to go by following these steps:
Move gas hoses as far away as possible from hot surfaces and dripping hot grease. If you can't move the hoses, install a heat shield to protect them.
Check for gas leaks, following the manufacturer's instructions, if you smell gas or when you reconnect the grill to the LP gas container. If you detect a leak, immediately turn off the gas and don't attempt to light the grill until the leak is fixed.
Never use a grill indoors. Use the grill at least 10 feet away from your house or any building. Do not use the grill in a garage, breezeway, carport, porch, or under a surface that can catch fire.
Check grill hoses for cracking, brittleness, holes, and leaks. Make sure there are no sharp bends in the hose or tubing.
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Short Cuts - Exterior Painting 101
Maintaining the curb appeal of your home will go a long way in keeping up its value. One of the ways you can do this, is to repaint the exterior of your home. The biggest mistake you can make is to choose a poor-quality paint, most likely the cheapest paint available. Don’t scrimp here! When figuring how much paint you’ll need, measure the distance around your house and multiply it by the average height. You’ll want some extra, especially if you are painting over surfaces made of masonry, brick, rough sawn siding or abraided plywood. Next, you should carefully prep all surfaces. That means they should be clean, free of loose materials, mildew, rust, grease or sap and be completely dry. Make sure you have the proper equipment including ladders, brushes and rollers. Painting is best done when the temperature is between 50 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit and the relative humidity is less than 85%.
As far as choosing paint and trim colors for your home, a great place to start is www.Behr.com. The website has a great planning and design tool called “Color Smart”. The Color Smart systems takes the guesswork out of choosing paint by finding coordinating colors, helping you see what your colors will look like, saving your choices… even placing orders for samples. Visit www.Behr.com to start your painting project today.
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Copyright 2006 Squeaky Door Productions, Inc.
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