Author Profile

ralph mroz

Ralph Mroz grew up in an extended family of tradesmen, and worked at the trades summers and weekends through school. He put those skills to good use in renovating the five houses he and his wife have owned. Even while working in the white-collar and law enforcement worlds, he's always had one foot in the construction trades.

All Posts by ralph - Page 5

RYOBI 15 inch String Trimmer

By ralph mroz

RYOBI ONE+ HP 18V Brushless 15 inch Attachment Capable String Trimmer The RYOBI ONE+ HP 18V Brushless 15 inch Attachment Capable String Trimmer (model P20220) is one of the new tools that RYOBI introduced this spring.  It’s part of RYOBI’s EXPAND-IT power pole attachment family, in which a powered handle segment attaches to a lower…

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CHANNELLOCK SPEEDGRIP and NUTBUSTER Pliers

By ralph mroz

CHANNELLOCK® Straight Jaw SPEEDGRIP™ and NUTBUSTER® Pliers CHANNELLOCK Straight Jaw SPEEDGRIP and NUTBUSTER Pliers are improvements to classic designs.  CHANNELLOCK® Straight Jaw SPEEDGRIP™ Pliers (model numbers 428X, 430X, and 440X) are a significant improvement in the ease-of-use department over the original design. Similarly, the CHANNELLOCK NUTBUSTER parrot nose pliers (models 410 and 414) serve up…

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Craftsman V20* 18-inch Cordless Pole Hedge Trimmer

By ralph mroz

Craftsman V20* 18-inch Cordless Pole Hedge Trimmer The Craftsman V20 18-inch Cordless Pole Hedge Trimmer (Model CMCPHT818D1) is a handy tool that has made my life easier (and safer) for a few days a year.  I’m not a professional landscaper so I speak as a homeowner here.  Bottom line: I’m quite happy with this tool,…

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Timberland PRO Radius Composite Toe Work Sneaker

By ralph mroz

Timberland PRO Radius Composite Toe Work Sneaker The Timberland PRO Radius Composite Toe Work Sneaker, part of Timberland’s Pro series of work gear, is a great example of what modern technology can bring to the shop or jobsite.  It’s comfortable like a sneaker, but stable and with safety features like a work boot.  Before I…

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Avenger, CAT, Keen, Reebok, Timberland and Thorogood six-inch boots from Zappos at Work

By ralph mroz

Zappos at Work: Avenger, CAT, Keen, Reebok, Timberland and Thorogood six-inch boots This is a brief review of six 6-inch work boots from Avenger, CAT, Keen, Reebok, Timberland, and Thorogood, selected by the experts at Zappos at Work specifically for me and my feet.  I requested these boots through the Zappos at Work program, a…

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Timberland Pro® Tempe Pants and Shorts

By ralph mroz

Timberland Pro® Tempe Pants and Shorts Most trades people have to work outside in the hot weather some of the time, and clothing designed for comfort in that environment is essential.  The Timberland Pro® Tempe Pants and Shorts are good examples of clothing that can make your day a whole lot more pleasant. But Back…

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IRWIN VISE-GRIP Adjustable Wrenches

By ralph mroz

IRWIN VISE-GRIP Adjustable Wrenches Adjustable wrenches are a staple in any pro or DIYer tool set.  And IRWIN VISE-GRIP Adjustable Wrenches are high-quality ones, the kind that you ought to own. Adjustable wrenches a tool we reach for, or carry into a work space, every now and then; for all of us they are the…

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Craftsman TradeStack 22” Tool Tote and Bag

By ralph mroz

Craftsman TradeStack 22” Tool Tote and Bag The open-top Craftsman TradeStack 22” Tool Tote (part number CMST21451, above) and it’s soft-top sibling the Craftsman TradeStack 22” Tool Bag (part number CMST21450, below) are new products from Craftsman — part of their new TradeStack system of stackable, rolling tool storage.  The tote is of particular interest…

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