RYOBI 21-inch 40-Volt Self-Propelled Mower

By Robert Robillard

RYOBI Cordless Self-Propelled Mower with 7.5 Ah Review The whole world is going electric and cordless.  From electric cars to cordless power tools, the ever-increasing power density of batteries is making every job more convenient.  Lawnmowers are of course no exception.  While cordless electric mowers are not new, the latest crop of them has the…

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KEEN Utility Men’s Atlanta Cool II ESD Soft Toe Work Shoe

By Robert Robillard

KEEN Utility Atlanta Cool II Work Shoe The older I get the more I prioritize comfort.  The work’s hard enough as it is without enduring uncomfortable tools…including uncomfortable shoes or boots.  I can put up with a jacket that binds a little, or with a tool that doesn’t quite fit my hand perfectly.  But if…

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Sealing And Insulating Rim Joists

By Robert Robillard

Sealing and Insulating Rim Joists – BEST PRACTICE Rim Joists [also called band joists] and sill plates are often an overlooked and under-insulated location in a house. The rim joist is a box-like cavity that the floor joists connect to and sits on the foundation sill and wall. Rim joists and sill plates, if not sealed, are…

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Cutting Concrete Block To Install Window

By Robert Robillard

Installing A Basement Egress Window In Concrete Wall We recently were asked if we were interested in cutting concrete blocks to install a window. The client had an existing single pane glass window that was much narrower and shorter than the opening required to install two new Anderson windows that they had acquired. Concrete Wall…

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Crescent Extendable Layout Tool

By Robert Robillard

Crescent 2 in 1 Extendable Layout Tool Review By Ralph Mroz If you look at the picture of this new layout tool from Crescent, it’s pretty much self-explanatory.  (Crescent calls it Crescent Extendable Layout Tool a “layout tool” because “speed square”, which is what we all call it, is actually a trademark of another company.)  It’s obvious…

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Build An Elegant Fireplace Mantel

By Robert Robillard

How To Build a Fireplace Mantel We recently were asked to assist in the refacing of a 17th Century Colonial fireplace. The project entailed covering the brick facing with soapstone and then adding a simple, but elegant fireplace mantel. Fireplace Facing Material Fireplace facing material, immediately surrounding a fireplace, must be non-combustible. Materials such as…

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French Cleat Mounting System

By Robert Robillard

How To Make And Use A French Cleat The French Cleat mounting system has been around longer than anyone can remember. Many think the name French Cleat originated from the 1800’s French shipbuilders who used the cleats to hang items on the ship walls to free up limited space on the ship’s floors or decks.…

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Problem With Garage Door

By Robert Robillard

Dealing With The Most Common Garage Door Issues Your garage door is perhaps one of the most heavily-used doors in your home. You probably use it more frequently than your front door, especially if you always drive to work. Then again, even if your garage door doesn’t see much action, it is still bound to…

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