A Birthday Give-away: Win a B&D 24V Trimmer!

It’s Ozzie’s birthday (he’s 13!) – but the gift just could be for you.

In a first of its kind contest at This D*mn House, a Black & Decker 24 Volt Cordless String Trimmer/ Edger with PowerCommand™ is up for grabs. Ozzie and I are both very excited about giving something away! And thanks to our friends at Black & Decker for making it possible.

You just read my review (and if you haven’t, go do it now) so you know what you might be getting! Believe me, you want this. Take it from someone who HATES yard work!

There are THREE ways to get your name in the hat. Please note, while you can do all three, you can do each ONLY ONCE (for a maximum total of 21 entries). Here’s how to enter:
· Leave a comment on this post – 1 entry (post-related, please)
· Tweet this post’s link – 5 entries
· Write a blog post – 15 entries (your post must contain a link to the contest post)

For the latter two, please let me know you’ve done it! (You could even make THAT your comment on this post and earn another entry.)

What you get: the trimmer/edger, charger and 24V battery with a retail value of $139.

Contest ends at 12:01 a.m. CDT Sunday, June 27. What are you waiting for? Good luck!

Tuesday ToolTalk: Black&Decker ReadyWrench

I own a socket set. It’s part of an ancient toolkit that dates back to the days when I had a ’74 SuperBeetle. (One of those sockets fit the spark plug EXACTLY.) I hate to drag that thing out, in part, because every time I open it, its contents end up unceremoniously dumped in the floor.

And then, I spend the next 10 minutes trying socket after socket as I guess at which one I need. As a result, the hall table legs stay wobbly longer than they should. Same for the entertainment center in the livingroom.

That changed recently when I received a Black&Decker ReadyWrench™ as a test product. This tool feeds both my love of multi-function by putting 16 different socket sizes in the palm of your hand and need for convenience by grabbing a single tool – not a whole set.

What I really liked:
· Sturdy, solid design, yet the various socket settings flip easily
· Each setting is clearly marked
· 16 sockets, one tool
What I didn’t like:
· The settings don’t lock in place. While the tool is rugged enough to stay firmly in place on a larger bolt, it slipped a bit when I tried to use it on smaller ones.



Some things it can be used on: furniture assembly (or just keeping things tightened), deck bolts, lawnmowers, air-conditioning grates, auto repair.

Conclusion: A great, last-minute gift idea you might consider for the DIYer in your life.
Availability: Most retail and online outlets, $25-$30.

Want your own? Through Jan. 31, 2010, Black & Decker is giving away a ReadyWrench™ every week! Visit the Black & Decker ReadyWrench™ Team, click enter, complete the form and enter code RWR 190 (to let them know I sent you) and you’re entered! No purchase necessary to enter or win.

Full Disclosure: I accepted an offer to join the Black & Decker New Products Team and as a result, received the product described above for evaluation. I did not receive any additional compensation for participating in this program.

Tuesday ToolTalk: B&D Powercaulk

I think I mentioned a while back that I had bought a new tool but hadn’t had a chance to use it yet. That changed when I started working on the bathroom and kitchen ceilings.

I’d bought the Black & Decker Powercaulk, a cordless caulk gun that operates on four AA batteries. This is something that the mother and I have talked about for ages. It was the first time I’d actually seen one that wasn’t air-powered.

I knew that with the ceiling and molding in the kitchen, it would come in handy. Add to that, the beadboard going up in both bedrooms, and some exterior caulking, and I thought I could more than justify the purchase.

The Powercaulk has two pieces: the handle that controls it and a rounded compartment where you load your tube of caulk or adhesive and lock it into the handle. It has two speeds, though I found the slower of the two to be worthless. I could, however, see potential use for doing an intricate, small bead. (Not something I needed at least this time around.)

Only one complaint: If you’re working in a tight space – like I was inside the shower – it can be difficult to maneuver. Between the length of the tube and an extended plunger if it’s full, it can, as the mother says, look “like a bazooka” and prove to be nearly as cumbersome. (She thought it was heavy. Then, she thinks everything is heavy.)

Lawrence marveled at it and he took the opportunity to use it both in the kitchen and to do a quick outside fix the mother had pointed out to him. It got his seal of approval.

It’s extremely easy to use. So far, I’ve only used it for adhesive but it has performed quite well. The battery compartment is in the base of the handle. The batteries it came with were worn out right away. I put in some Energizer rechargeables though and those lasted through the entire bathroom ceiling and even part of the kitchen. The fresh set of rechargeables I put in to finish the kitchen are still working.

Another cool feature is a thin wire attached to the side that you can use to puncture tube caulk seals. (I always find myself looking for a long nail to do this job!)

My normal frugal nature didn’t even try to find a cheaper price online. I paid $29.99 at Lowe’s but scored $10 off when my purchase totaled more than $50. (Special promotion.) Cheapest I saw it online was $24.99 at Amazon.com. So, if you’re looking for something for dad or another man in your life for Father’s Day, you might consider this.

Thrifty Consumerism Strikes Again

We all know my penchant for tools and for getting something to work in a way that maybe the manufacturer didn’t intend. Well, Mustang Sally over at Absurd and Askew managed to appeal to both of those character flaws of mine in a post she did on the Pledge Fabric Sweeper.

First, I like this product. I don’t, however, like not being able to empty it. It’s not very environmentally friendly to put that much plastic back into the waste stream, and it does fill up pretty fast. I can see from a manufacturer’s perspective where that would be an asset, though as a consumer buying a product that costs $5-$6, it’s anything but.

I use it about every other night on the loveseat and sofa. We have waffled slipcovers on both pieces of furniture, where both Ozzie and Toby are frequent fixtures, and it does a good job of nabbing the hairs that lodge in the crevices. I also use it religiously before tossing either these slipcovers or any one of the mongrels’ beds into the wash.

In that post, Sally links to this post which offers some instructions on modifying this otherwise disposable product (and what a waste to do that!) There are also some other good ideas in the comment section of that post.


You just know that I’m going to try one or more of them!

Tuesday ToolTalk: Crocodile Cutter

I think my love of tools – power and otherwise –has already been established. Package #4 during the past few days feeds the addiction.

The Crocodile Cutter was a purchase I made from Lakeside.com. Generally, they have good merchandise, but sometimes junk is junk no matter who is selling it. I knew buying this was a gamble, but I paid my $7.95 anyway. (A bargain, even at the buy one, get one free price on the product’s Web site.)

I was thinking specifically of the Michelangelo project when I bought it.

The chances are good that I could use it for that project. Let’s just say I’m not overly confident that this thing would make it through the whole job. The trigger mechanism that moves the blade seems chintzy.

It cut a piece of vinyl floor tile pretty easily and it did glide through an aluminum can. The handles are pretty easy to change, but I didn’t notice that much difference between the density of the blades (it comes with metal, plastic and a shapes cutter) though they were designed a little differently. If you watch the Billy Mays video at the Web site, you'd think this thing could hack through the center of the earth. Please.

I was surprised to open the box and find that the tool came in its own little hardcover plastic case. Nice touch. There is, however, no branding on either the case or the tool itself. Only the product name appears on the single sheet of instructions; no company info is to be found anywhere on it. Hmmm. Doesn’t someone want to put their name on it?

The bottom line for now: Keep your money. I’ll continue to try this out as different projects warrant it. So, should I find something that makes me change my mind about my initial assessment, I’ll let you know.

Have you tried this out? How did it work for you?

Tuesday ToolTalk: Cool Tools

I don’t get to watch TV very often. It’s always on, mind you, I’m just usually doing five other things at the time, so occasionally, I listen.

But that wasn’t the case over the holiday weekend. DIY was having a Cool Tools marathon. I love that show, but I try not to tune in too very often because, well, tools being an addiction of mine, it’s not always financially healthy if you know what I mean.

But I watched a few back-to-back episodes and then caught a few more periodically before the weekend passed. During that time, I came up with what I think are some fantastic gift ideas. So, for the next few weeks, I’ll share some Cool Tools that made me stop what I was doing and take notice. The best part about this batch: they’re under $100! And, other than bargains, what do we love at This D*mn House? Multi-functional! Check these out.

Knee blades. ($89.99) All I want to know is “Where were these things when I was putting in the laminate floor last year?!” Oh. My. God. And who says you can’t have fun while you work? They are literally knee pads on wheels! I spent more than a week scooting across the floor between tearing up the carpet, removing all the associated nails and staples, and then putting in the new floor. Tell me these couldn’t have made that job easier. You can even use these to scrub and wax the floor or wash your car.

Knee Blades can be used in many professions such as painting, plumbing, mechanics, construction, electrical, maintenance … so it’s a gift that could make someone’s day job roll along a lot more smoothly!

Fast Cap 3rd Hand. ($35-$40/each) – I’ve always thought that having just two hands was a serious design flaw. This product helps take care of that. It’s a handy dandy pole that telescopes from 5 to 12 feet. It can be used to hold molding, ceiling tiles, or cabinets in place, apply pressure to glued down flooring, secure drywall, or hold up backdrops for photos. Very versatile and compact. I think they’re something that should be bought in pairs, too. Make sure you check out Amazon as they had a good price on them.

ToolTalk Tuesday: Caulk Gun

The person who coined the old adage about getting what you pay for must have had a caulk gun in mind. I’ve owned many of these over the years, but always a Dollar Store or the cheapest version available from of the hardware stores.

Never again.

I killed my last $1 caulk gun while working on the driveway. I was using the tube crack filler and it just fell apart. The disc part that pushes the tube bottom became inextricably jammed inside the filler itself and the stem fell right out in my hand. It went out with last week’s trash.

I remembered this while working on the shed, fortunately before my last trip to the hardware store. I ducked into the paint department at Home Depot where I was greeted with at least six different guns, ranging in price from around $2 to about $15. With my latest cheap caulk gun experience still fresh in my memory, and knowing that I’ll be wanting to use some Liquid Nails when we get around to working on the bedrooms, I looked right past that $2 model.

Instead, I chose the Workforce brand at $9.97. All I can say is Wow! I used two tubes of adhesive without issues on Sunday. No fighting the full can in or the empty one out of the gun. And no scrambling for a cutter to snip off the edge of the tube. This baby has a cutter built into its handle. Somebody was thinking ahead.

So, if you use your caulk gun regularly, and especially for more than caulk and you don’t have an air compressor version (which I hear are fabulous!) I highly recommend this one. Sometimes you really do get what you pay for.

ToolTalk Tuesday: Clamp It Down

With all the cool powertools at our disposal these days, it’s very easy to overlook the simple, yet very practical, basic handtool. I would put a spring clamp in that category.

The three I've shown here are from my latest Harbor Freight adventure. These work along the same lines as a clothespin ... only bigger and sturdier. I was able to find three sizes, which is great. You wouldn't hunt rabbits with a bazooka. (I wouldn't hunt rabbits, period.) You wouldn't clamp a small object with a 4-inch clamp!

These clamps are ideal for helping hold glued pieces in place until the adhesive sets. They also can clamp a metal guide to a board to help those of us who have trouble cutting straight lines. Another thing I like about these: they're padded so they don't leave scuffs, dents or other marks on the objects you're working on.

I'd have to say though that my favorite thing about them beyond their capabilities -- the price. I hit a sale. The 4-inch clamps were $1.87 each, while the smaller ones were 99 cents and 59 cents respectively. That would be incredibly hard to beat in my book! I bought several of the smaller ones and a pair of the 4-inchers. Just like hands and feet, it's good to have at least two.

Harbor Freight, How Do I Love Thee?

Let me count the ways:
1) If I can imagine it, it’s on one of your shelves.
2) You provide the “basics” at reasonable prices.
3) No one has ever asked me “What are you looking for?” in the same tone that a mother would ask her 3-year-old if they have to go potty.
4) No one has posed that question and then contorted their face into a confused look and responded to my answer with, “Huh?”
5) You’re willing to acknowledge that maybe I do have half a brain. When I have asked for a specific item, no one has ever questioned my judgment with “What are you using that for?”
6) You’ve got a location not that far away from This D*mn House.
7) You’re open seven days a week. And with hours that allow me to actually make it there.
8) Everything I’ve ever purchased at your store has performed at above or expectation.
9) I’ve never had to return a purchase.
10) The only odd looks I’ve ever gotten as an “unattended” woman within your doors have come from other patrons, not your staff.

Clearly, I had another successful venture to Harbor Freight on Saturday. My primary goal was to get a squeegee to use for the driveway (if it will ever stop raining so I can seal the driveway). Lowe’s and Home Depot had a standard 24-inch for about $20, some kind of supposed higher-quality one for $25.

Sears Hardware cost: $24.99. For a squeegee. I’m not looking to bronze this thing and hang it on the wall. When I’m done with it, it’s getting tossed. (Driveway seal is pretty unforgiving and whatever I’d use to clean it off with would probably kill any surface that happens to be left after raking the poor thing across thousands of inches of driveway.)

Squeegee almost identical to the other stores’ offerings: $12.99 at Harbor Freight.

Not everyone shares my enthusiasm for Harbor Freight. Earlier this summer, Toolcrib.com posted some good info with a series of links highlighting HF purchases. I agree with many of his assessments. I don’t think I’d want to trust all of their power tools, but some of the standards I’ve held and run inside the store seem OK.

Other things I’ve purchased from Harbor Freight include:
• Foldable, adjustable workbench, just big enough to hold my compound mitre saw.
• 8x8 iron tamper
• 14-pound sledgehammer
• Respirator masks
• Nitrile gloves
• Trowel
• Nylon rope
• Gardening handtool set
• Bungee cords

If I Had a Hammer

Well, I no longer have to say “if I had one.” Yesterday, my Fuller 600-8016 Pro Wavex 16-Ounce Shock-Absorbing Claw Hammer arrived from Amazon.com. (And you thought I just loved power tools!)

I noted in a previous post that I’ve been using an over 30-year-old Stanley hammer. It has seen better days. A “back-up” model is even older, the head being loosely held in place with a screw. And I use a hammer quite a lot on all kinds of jobs. (Like smashing the edges of the foundation on the porch flat.)

I did get a hammer as part of the kit that came with the cordless drill I got for my birthday, but it’s pretty lightweight. I mean, it will be great for some things, but completely incapable of holding up to others. That’s why I got this new one. The mother says that it’s “awful heavy.” Uh, mom, it weighs a pound!

Even so, it’s a pretty sturdy little devil. It has a really nice cushioned handle grip – no wood to splinter or slip from a wet palm. One thing I am anxious to try out: it has a nail-starter built into the head. So, you lay the nail in the groove and just swing the hammer – no chance that you’ll bust your thumb or index finger while holding the nail to get it started!

I think I got a good deal at just over $8, especially considering that today, the same hammer is now priced at $10.07.

It arrived in one of those flat, rectangular boxes, about 10x14 size. That in itself was a bonus. Immediate cat toy. Toby, who has never shown a penchant for bags or boxes, actually got in it! Mom threw some mice and bell balls inside it and he was occupied for the next hour or so. You can’t beat that!

Tip-Toe Through the Tool Aisle

OK. I have officially dispelled the myth that I am a power tool junkie. I'm just a plain ole tool junkie! No cord or battery required.

Case in point: I just stood awestruck staring at a 48-inch pipe wrench. Why would I ever need a 48-inch pipe wrench. Well, I'm hoping to go the rest of my life not needing one. But that's not the point. The point: It's huge. It's to be respected. It captured my attention. And, if I ever did need one ... I could get it at Harbor Freight.

That's right. I was there earlier, not long after they opened. The only woman in the store, save Monique, the young, black cashier. Very nice girl. Working her way through nursing school and introduced a few years ago to home ownership. She seemed surprised to see me amid the die-hard car enthusiasts, some of whom were probably waiting for the doors to open, and the other Weekend Warriors, all male.

When I told her what I was doing, she shook her head. "WOW! I need to learn to do more stuff myself." I offered a little advice. She asked a few questions.

A future houseblogger, maybe?

I planned the trip yesterday. I thought I'd bought a tamper when I created my stone patio a few years back, but, apparently not. So, I needed one of those. And I hoped to get a longer prybar to help try out the alternate plan for ridding myself of the sidewalk.

So, for $30, I got both of those things, a box of 100 thick latex gloves, a roll of nylon rope, and a four-piece gardening handtool set for the mother.

It's been raining again. Just a string of brief showers, but enough to soak everything down. I'm giving it a bit to dry out and hoping that the last little cluster I see on the dopplar is it for the day. I've got work to do!

Toys for DIY Girls & Boys

Fighting through the throngs of people at not one, but two, grocery stores notwithstanding, I didn't do much Thursday night. I was tired (and deservedly so after porch work both Tuesday and Wednesday nights).

So there I was with my laptop (like always) watching TV. Flipping channels, I stumbled across DIY's Cool Tools show. OMG! How could I not know this existed? (I know. I'm an idiot!) The world was probably a much safer place before I knew. I've never seen the show Home Improvement, but I'm told that I am the embodiment of the Tim Allen grunt when it comes to buying tools. I'm telling you it's a genetic defect. Clothes-shopping does not do this for me.

Even if it's stuff you'd never use -- or never think you would -- it's at least good to know what's floating around out there. The site has a continuous video stream of new products in addition to info on all the stuff you may have seen on one of the shows. Last night, I happened upon the episode from the 2007 Hardware Show. (Man, I'd be dangerous at a place like that.)

Three things I really liked -- and may well buy -- were:

• The EZClean paintbrush which quite literally cleans itself. And if you're like me, cleanup is the worst part of painting!
• The BaseMate ladder leveling system which makes sure your ladder has two legs to stand on in awkward spots.
• The Power Pull Leverage Hammer to deal with those really stubborn nails.

You can find info on these and other exceptionally interesting products at the Cool Tools Store.

I'll definitely be checking it out again. It's on DIY every Thursday at 9 and 9:30 p.m. ET.

Homeowner’s BFF: The $1 Store

OK, admittedly, there’s a lot of crap to be had in your local dollar store, but it is also a treasure trove of items you can use around the house. Why pay more elsewhere when you need that extra cash for other money pit-related tasks? Here are some of my favorites:

1. Buckets. Who doesn’t need a bucket? For the past two years, I’ve been using a pair of sturdy one-gallon black plastic numbers, one of which has become my “cement” bucket. Ideal for small patching jobs or for working on small areas of a big project. I use its twin for water only, and when empty, to gather up all my handtools so nothing gets lost.
2. Paint brushes. Now these are not high quality but can be used for small painting jobs. They are PERFECT for odd jobs like sweeping off a board you just cut or the saw you just used to cut it. And, they come in a variety of sizes.
3. Hardware assortments. One of my favorite things ever was a plastic case filled with all kinds of nails of differing lengths, thicknesses and even finishes. I’ve used several to hang pictures. This kit also contained some very tiny nails that I have now used all of and can’t find more of, even at the hardware stores!
4. Scraper/spatula. It’s not like you get from the Pampered Chef – but then I’m not recommending you cook with it either. The silicon-like tipped ones are great for stirring paint, putty, or concrete patch, because things don’t stick to them.
5. Gloves. You get double-duty here because you can buy both the dish-washing, Living Glove, single-pair kind or the multi-pack of single-use latex gloves. Use the thicker ones for cleaning, staining or using paint thinner. Single-use are GREAT for painting or patching jobs. Limits number of manicures you’ll need.
6. Clothesline. Not only did I use the nylon/rubber blend rope for a clothesline in the backyard, I used some to wrap around shrubs and temporary pull them away from the house to paint. I also added loops to handtools to hang them in the shed.
7. Scissors. I usually get a new pair every year or two just to use outside. They’re great for snipping open concrete bags, slicing open bags of rock or grass seed, and for removing those god-awful plastic ties that every manufacturer seems to secure its products in the package with.
8. Drop cloths. They’re not very thick, but they’re good enough to keep paint, dirt, dust, or water off any surface in an emergency. Perfect for light duty. (Wal-Mart used to have three-packs for under $3, but that shot up recently thanks to oil prices.)
9. Goggles. While I do own one really good pair, at this price, I can toss a set in with most of my power tools and my yard gear. They may not be the best, but they’re better than nothing. And if they’re handy, I’ll be wearing them.
10. Gardening apron. I don’t garden. I use mine for jobs where you need 30 different things. When I put the laminate floor in last year, I kept spacers, tape measure, pencils, pliers, screw drivers (the last two for removing wayward staples left from the carpet) all handy. Less time looking. More time working.