Hand Tools
Just as paint brush bristle type is dependent on type of paint used, the same applies to roller naps.
+ Nylon and wool blend naps are to be used with alkyd paints.
+ Nylon only naps are required for latex paint usage.
Nap length (thickness of fuzzy stuff)
+ Use a shorter nap for glossier and smoother surfaces.
+ Long roller naps are better for textured surfaces where you need better coverage like brick and stucco.
+ Plastic nap cores are of higher quality than cardboard and don't lose their shape and can be used repeatedly.
The bristles on a paint brush are either natural or synthetic and in some cases both. Bristle choice is determined by type of paint used.
+ If your paint can be cleaned with paint thinner then use the natural bristles.
+ If you are painting using latex paint then use synthetic bristles.
+ Natural bristles can absorb the water in latex paint and will become limp and difficult to use.
+ Brushes that contain both types of bristles can be used with any type of paint.
A strong indicator of a good paint job will be the quality of brush or roller used. You may have everything else in place (high quality paint, clean surface) but if your brushes are cheap the finished product will not have the desired result.
When shopping for brushes do these quick steps to make sure you are getting a good quality paint brush.
1. Paint brushes should be balanced and comfortable in your hand. Heavy brushes contribute to fatigue and your work will suffer.
2. Do the bristles spread out evenly when you press the brush against the palm of your hand? If you see obvious spaces then the same will happen on your wall.
In most situations a sharp nail tip is required but when driving larger nails (8d and higher) into 2x4's or other wood panels, the force and size of nail can cause the board to split.
Quick solution is to turn the nail upside down, place the head on a hard surface and give the tip of the nail a quick but firm tap to "dull" it. Then turn the nail around and drive it just as you would normally except this time you'll notice the board won't split. Good luck!
If you're into hammer tips check out our all-time favorite nail pulling tip that will keep your walls clean and help you pull ANY nail.
Check out this video of Master Carpenter Norm Abram being interviewed at last years AWFS show by Popular Woodworking magazine. Great insights into his favorite tools and techniques.
Tools Norm Abram Value's the Most
Table saw - because it touches each project
Joiner - straighten rough lumber
Surface Planer - required to keep everything level and square
The Homewrecker is another demolition tool that promises to help you tear down much faster. What's unique is the cat's paw claw end that will have you pulling nails at a much faster rate.
If the Homewrecker is too light duty to do the trick then check out our previous list of Tools of Mass Destruction that will take down any home.
[via Toolmonger]
We all recognize that Norm Abram is a master carpenter and his work on This Old House and The New Yankee Workshop is both technically solid and beautifully crafted, but there are other master carpenters who deserve to be recognized after many years in the workshop and behind the camera.
Roy Underhill has been the host of The Woodwright's Shop since 1979 and is by far the longest running "how-to" show on the air today. Roy's focus on hand tools is unique in the current day of power-everything and many would say that his skills in the workshop are unmatched.
Now that we all know the secrets of using tape measures, it's time you add a quality one to your toolbox and the SS Gripper from Komelon courtesy of the DIY Network is one of the best around.
Popular Mechanics is taking it to the next level when it comes to testing hand tools. We've all seen the predictable results of hammer-on-nail but what does a real world situation such as hammer-on-thumb feel like when comparing a standard steel hammer with a new auto-hammer?
There is more than meets the eye when it comes to using your tape measure. We all can see the measurements of inches and feet but there are markings and peculiarities that all top-grade tape measures have that most of us tend to overlook or don't know exist.
Fortunately Remodeling for Geeks has unmasked the mysteries behind the tape measure and share their secrets here and here.
