page contents
You are here: Home / Archives for Contractor Advice / Workshop tips

Table Saw Safety

January 20, 2013 Written by Robert Robillard 2 Comments
Table Saw Safety

The table saw is probably the biggest staple of any worthy workshop or job site. Most table saw safety problems can be avoided by knowing how to safely operate the saw, using common sense and avoiding certain practices. Here are a few safety concerns to consider when using a table saw: CLOTHING: Avoid gloves while operating. Gripping power is lost to gloves and some kinds of gloves are loose enough to present an item for the rotating … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Contractor Advice, Personal Safety Tips, Workshop tips

Veto Pro Pac HVAC Tool Bags

January 6, 2013 Written by Robert Robillard 3 Comments
Vetro Pro Pac MB 3

HVAC Tool Bags The problem with todays tools and tool bags is that the folk designing them have never worked in the field.    It's taken a bit of time for companies to realize this and the folks at Veto Pro Pac have it figured out with their Veto Pro Pac HVAC Tool Bags.  They have taken feedback directly from HVAC installers and service technicians and even partnered with an HVAC company to come up with a bag designed specifically for … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Tool and Product Reviews, Tool Reviews, Veto Pro Pac Tool Bag, Workshop tips

Emergency Home Generator

November 14, 2012 Written by Robert Robillard 8 Comments
DEWALT DXGN14000 Generator

Installing a DEWALT DXGN14000 Generator Power outages and brownouts inevitably result in substantial losses forbusiness owners and residents.  These past few years weather patterns have caused more and more power outages. Installing An emergency home generator can be an invaluable investment.   A generator ensures that you will have a reliable source of electricity whenever and wherever you need it. When the power goes out the most … [Read more...]

Filed Under: DeWalt Tools, Tool Reviews, Tools PLUS!, Workshop tips

Pre-Construction Mock Ups

November 10, 2012 Written by Robert Robillard 4 Comments
Mock up trim

Best Practice:  Pre-Construction Mock Ups As a carpenter and remodeler I know all too well that getting the smallest detail wrong on a project can cost me alot of money or set the job back weeks at a time.  Knowing this has sold me on the idea that making a pre construction mock up for a client is important. In the building industry if you asked me to build a built-in book case and "oh yea . . . make it nice."   What exactly does that … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Design, Remodeling. Design, Workshop tips

Lighting Tips For Your Basement Workshop

October 19, 2012 Written by Robert Robillard 3 Comments
IMG_0005 (640x427)

Workshop Lighting Tips:   Proper lighting in your workshop is as important as any tool in your toolbox.    Whether its to see what your doing, illuminate mill marks on wood surface or for photographing of your work having adequate and proper lighting is important!  The challenges are that many of us have sub-teranian wordshops.  the article below will outline a few workshop lighting tips for your basement workshop. Lighting … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Lighting, Workshop tips

DEWALT Carpentry Quick Check

September 4, 2012 Written by Robert Robillard 4 Comments
DEWALT Carpentry Quick Check:

DEWALT Building Code Reference Books My crew and I recently stumbled on two building code reference books called DEWALT Carpentry Quick Check Extreme Duty Edition and Building code Reference. We've been using them on the job site as a quick check and find the books have concise, durable, useful and informative as a building code reference quick check. These two books are impressive job site references and are based on the 2009 … [Read more...]

Filed Under: DeWalt Tools, Workshop tips

Circle Cutting Band Saw Jig

August 12, 2012 Written by Robert Robillard 1 Comment
circle cutting band saw jig

Cutting Circles On A Band Saw Cutting circles freehand with a jigsaw or band saw is not easy and never precise. A friend of mine called today and told me she needed a 32” round piece of plywood to temporarily protect a glass table.  I thought this would be a good opportunity to discuss making a circle cutting band saw jig. There are numerous woodworking projects, such as round table tops toy wheels, lids or archways that call for precise, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Workshop tips

BORA Adjustable Sliding T-bevel

June 22, 2012 Written by Robert Robillard Leave a Comment
BORA Adjustable Square

BORA T-bevel Provides Angle Measurement Versatility BORA®, a product division of Affinity Tool Works, introduces its new Adjustable Sliding T-bevel hand tool. Featuring a smooth sliding blade, the T-bevel can be accurately set to any angle from 0- to 180-degrees to measure new or duplicate existing angles. Making accurate woodworking and carpentry layouts, framing cuts and marking uncommon angles can be completed easily and efficiently with … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bora, Hand Tools, Workshop tips