Hey there Sawdust Girl Friends! It’s been a really long time it seems since I was here sharing a project with you all!! I am excited to be back and sharing some great knowledge that I gained recently when Sandra pushed us all out of our comfort zones and challenged us to try a new […]
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In addition to the mirrored pocket door, my latest completed project is the linen cabinet. WOOHOO!!! The carcass had been done for a while but I just got around to building the drawers and installing the doors that Cabinet Now sent me. Linen Cabinet Recap Looking back at all my video footage to get photos for […]
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Even a well-played instrument impacts roommates, neighbors, and family. Whether you play in a big house or a small apartment, it’s important to strike a balance between quiet and the sound of music. Here are a few tips to help soundproof a room.
Find gaps in door or window frames. A sound escapes through even a tiny gap. Reduce them by adding a door sweep, covering windows with thick curtains, or lining your heating and cooling ducts with soundproofing liner.
If your room has hard surfaces, the sound will reverberate, which means it will bounce around and hit surfaces repeatedly. Combat reflection with textiles and soundproof materials. Cover floors with carpeting or thick rugs, hang material from the wall, install soundproof curtains, or tack up vinyl or install acoustic insulation. Avoid cheap alternatives, such as egg cartons and mattresses – these are ugly and ineffective.
If you live in a small space, consider adding a false ceiling or replacing hollow doors with solid, heavy core ones. Also, take note of shared walls and consider moving your instruments to a garage or a shed in your backyard.
If you have an unused guest room, why not turn it into a recording studio? Here are some tips:
1. Cancel feedback from electrical equipment by placing items like amps far away from microphones.
2. Don’t annihilate sound reflection; leave spots open and treat them with diffusers.
3. Think about installing bass traps to dampen the sound for lower frequencies.
4. Have plenty of outlets and make sure they’re the right wattage for your equipment.
5. Think seasonally. Will the AC clicking on and blowing into your studio alter your sound?
6. Think about the number of musicians that will be playing in your room and arrange it accordingly.
7. Maximize your space by using appropriately-sized equipment.
Original article from Redfin
Bosch has just changed the tool tracking game by introducing GPS tool tracking technology on their newest breaker hammer. This GPS technology is also available as a retrofit on current breaker hammer models.
Bluetooth tool trackers from Milwaukee and others, have been the only tool tracking game in town until now. While these Bluetooth systems have their merits, they are limited in range. Job site managers have no recourse if the tool goes missing from the job site, but with the GPS tracking technology, you can follow it’s every movement, anywhere and at anytime.
Bosch has been on the sidelines with tracking devices and they will be jumping into the Bluetooth tool management game later this year with, Bluehound, which looks to be a direct competitor to Milwaukee’s One-Key.
We hope Bosch can really deliver with the GPS tracking tech and that it trickles down to the rest of their tool lineup including their 18V and 12V tools. It’s bound to happen, and it looks like Bosch has the lead on this.
I’m so excited to tell you that I’ve finished 2 (yes–TWO) projects this week! One is the mirrored pocket door that leads from Madison’s bedroom to the Jack and Jill bathroom. I love pocket doors. They don’t take up floor space and they don’t ever smack an unsuspecting occupant standing on the opposite side of said door. […]
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As a blogger in the home improvement world I’ve come to know quite a few construction professionals so when I had a question regarding the differences between circular saws, more specifically the worm drive and the sidewinder, I asked my friend Robert Robillard who is a carpenter and also writes about tools and home improvement challenges at A Concord Carpenter.
As a seasoned DIYer who lives on the west coast I’ve only really shopped for sidewinder saws which I always just called circular saws. But circular saws also come in another variation which is a worm drive saw.
It seems there is a regional bias for what type of saw contractors use. Early on the sidewinder saws were marketed to the east coast and the worm drive to the west coast. The SKIL 77 worm drive saw is a legendary workhorse and many right-handers prefer it because you don’t have to look over the motor to see the blade cut. Sidewinders have become the preferred choice among DIYers because of their lighter weight and lower cost.
Sidewinder vs. Wormdrive
Robert breaks down the differences for me.
Carpenters from coast to coast have used worm drive saws for framing, stair and roof rafter construction. The “Worm drive” is the name of the gears inside the saw. The motor drives a worm gear that transfers power to the blade. Because of this a worm drive has more torque and will cut when a direct drive saw would stall out. Which means more powerful!
It also means more weight and for years this was a negative for a lot of carpenters who are not framers.
In my opinion, worm drive saws are unmatched for their line of sight and blade visibility [blade on left for right handers] as well as their ample power. As a carpenter I can attest that my job site needs change and evolve with newly developed materials, updated building techniques and streamlined methods of working. Todays worm drives are lighter like the DEWALT 13.8 saw.
Many carpenters who do rafter and stair work would have a worm drive and a sidewinder for the opposing bevels.
Sidewinders or direct drive saws are small, light and get the job done. I personally own both and if I’m making a few cuts I use the lighter sidewinder. If I’m on a framing job – it’s the worm drive.
I’d love to hear what type and brand of circular saw you use and why?
photo: Fine Homebuilding
Dewalt made a splash last year with the first cordless table saw, but their 10″ job site table saw can be found on almost every construction site in the country. It’s legendary toughness and accuracy make it a must-have tool for builders everywhere.
Job site table saws require rugged durability as they must always perform despite being transported the back of a truck or knocked over at the job site. Maintaining accurate cuts is also vital to their reputation, and Dewalt makes the cut (literally).
Available for $499 at Home Depot, this saw is a steal and it also includes a stand. DIYers with small workshops will also benefit from this job site saw, as it can be easily stored and perform most of the cuts that a contractor saw can do.
With a 90 day money back guarantee and 3 year warranty, Dewalt stands behind their table saw like they do with all of their tools.
