Posts

The Tool Box Dilemma

 There still goes on a raging debate over how to transport one's tools and accessories when one is a mobile worker. Whether a specific tradesperson or a free range technician or handyman,  you have to move a lot of stuff to go do your job. As a professional handyman involved in business property services,  I can change kit not just day to day, but multiple times within a day. One place I'm doing minor plumbing.   The next minor electrical.   Then an installation project followed by an assembly project with a repair job somewhere in between.  That's a LOT of different tools, accessories,  hardware,  and materials to keep on hand. Some things only get used in electrical work or plumbing work, etc...  They stay in a tool box or bag specifically to that purpose.   Other tools get used across the board on different types of projects.   They go in a box or bucket everywhere I go. But again, that's a LOT of stuff to have to keep on hand all the time.  That's a lot of diffe
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A Pro isnt what they think it is

 You see folks on various social media talking about what is "Pro" and various goofy things that make one a Pro or not.   But let's stop that right here, right now.   A Pro isn't about technique or skills or what tools you use. When it comes down to it, a Pro is someone who takes the approach of making sure the end result is what was the stated goal was. That we make the effort to achieve the desired result we are being paid to achieve.  Because for a Pro, "Good enough" is not good enough.   Technique, skills, methods, tools, these all change over time.  People change in how they do things.  Physically,  mentally, emotionally.   But, if they are of the mind to work to the goal, they can adapt.  Learn different skills, use different tools, apply different techniques.  But the point is no matter what of those you use, you are making the effort to meet the goal. That's what a Pro is.  
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Quality Tools

 Many reviewers like to make distinctions between classes of tool users or tool use environments,  and suggest that certain brands fit those use environments singularly.  For example, they focus largely on trades and general contractor builders as "professional".  Thus, nothing else that is a tool not designed to that use environments, or those working in that environment,  are "pro's".  Which is obviously horse hockey.  We know it and they know it. What ANY tool user is looking for is a quality tool that us within their affordable range for what they use it for. I would argue that there are at least 3 types of "professionals", all of them using tools as part of a job they get paid to do. The areas are manufacturing/ production generally done in a factory setting, building/fabrication done on location or in a specialty shop for a specific job or project, or technicians that assemble, install, repair, or otherwise perform specific tasks related to a cus
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When are we done sanding?

 I get this question a lot.  People usually are no fan of the tedious and time consuming chore of sanding anything.  Sanding is important though and knowing what one is trying to achieve can help a lot in determining how much sanding to do.  Whether we are sanding metal, drywall, or wood, there is a reason to sand.  The finish.  What is the result we are trying to achieve?   Is it to clean and prepare the piece for a next step?  Is it to achieve a "proper" finish appearance? First rule, sanding is cutting.  Just like any blade, the finer (and sharper) the teeth is like the finer  the abrasive.   A much smoother finish result. Probably most important to start is starting with the right grit.  Too low of a grit can cause problems.  We don't want to damage the piece we're working on by making gouges and taking too much material away. So often it's a good idea to test in a single, small spot with an estimated grit.  Then you can decide whether to go down, go up, or ke
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Choose the correct tool for the job

 Far too many times, I hear people tell me how tool from brand X is underpowered or even overpowered.  Could the tool be at fault? Yes, it does happen where tools do not perform to specs.  Always need to watch out there.  That's one reason I like to keep up with the YouTube channel, "Project Farm".  Very comprehensive reviews that detail and test tool specs.  If I'm  being honest though, more often than not, the user has chosen the wrong tool for the task. Either they don't know the specs of the task, like how tight a nut is or needs to be fastened, or they don't pay attention to what the tool specs say it it can do. Third, they really are unfamiliar with how to use the tool or the task to begin with. Let's start with one of the most misunderstood tools, the impact wrench. Most complaints are about a tool not being powerful enough to loosen and remove a nut, say a lugnut on a tire. First some homework...  We need to know how tight a lugnut is torqued in or
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Is a Handyman just a modern Tinker?

Time has a way of changing definitions.  At a point in time, a person who was not a tradesperson,  such as being in or having gone through an apprenticeship as a carpenter, plumber, etc... but made their living fixing and mending things.  Perhaps making anything from pots and pans, sharpening knives, etc...  That was a "Tinker".   Back in a time when society was even more class conscious,  it was considered to be a very low class job in some places where status was important.  In other places, the Tinker role was more respectable and appreciated.  Or at least not disdained and disrespected.  Most of history though remembers the Tinker as a low class, disreputable, and unskilled worker.  Even to thus day, people use the phrase, "to tinker with" as to not competently or successfully mess around with something.  Enter the modern "Handyman."   Still considered a "jack-of-all-trades" and not a "skilled" tradesperson.  Unfortunately,  still o
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Work Support: Worx Pegasus Portable Combo Sawhorse and Worktable

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The Review I've discussed this tool, the Worx "Pegasus", in other articles and videos but not really in the context I think they need to be seen in. This post is going to discuss it from a more comprehensive work support tool perspective. Keep in mind that as i am a professional handyman, I'm going to do almost all of this from that perspective.  I've been using these in both formats, sawhorses and worktables, for at least 4 years or more now. That's given me plenty of time and opportunity to see how durable, usable, and useful they can really be. Sawhorses So because I use sawhorses to support a lot of my larger assemblies and repairs, the first thing I wanted the Worx Pegasus for was this format.  As a sawhorse, they are rated to hold up to 500 pounds per sawhorse.  Having 2 of them, they can supposedly support up to 1,000 pounds, that's half a ton, of weight on the pair. In most of my projects, I don't really need to support that much weight.  Most
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