Product Blog

USG Dust Control Taping Mud

One of the messiest parts of home improvement is applying and sanding taping mud. I am onboard with anything that will reduce the mess of remodeling. The folks at USG, who wrote the book on drywall have a new product.

USG Dust Control Taping Mud

It is thicker than regular premixed mud, and is the color of eggnog. It works like regular premix, meaning that the skill in application is one of the factors that will determine how much sanding you will need to do.

I am using it on the Fireplace Facelift Project.

I'll let you know how it works.

Fellowes Shredder

There are definite downsides to being a homeowner. Junkmail is at the top of the list. You used to be able to just toss it into the trash, but with the proliferation of junk mail and data mining, you are a fool if you do. They are not content to just put your name on the top of page one, but scatter it all over their junk. The solution is a shredder.

This is a Fellowes 12 sheet confetti cut shredder. About 90 bucks. Works magnificently!

the math is simple...90 bucks now or thousands later.

DVD Cases

I love movies and some series television. I own over 400 DVD's. Bought and Paid for. I will watch a movie over almost any other leisure activity. This makes the Hot Air Popcorn Popper the most important invention of the 20th century. I haven't bought a movie ticket in years. Lethal Weapon 1, was the last movie I ever attended. Theaters suck.

I watch DVD's on a 19'' widescreen LCD monitor on one of my computers. It's what I can afford. I do lust after this monitor however.

There have been a few different cases for DVD's over time. They have ended up being a plastic clamshell design, for the most part. The case holds the DVD well and snaps shut well. My current irritation are the stupid locking tabs some of these movies insist on installing. This is really the height of dumbness considering the clamshell molding clicks the case securely. They really need to stop this.

The good news is a twist with two fingers rips these suckers off. Why the hell aren’t they using recycled plastic for the cases, considering the actual exposed area not covered by advertising and blurbs is so small?

Maytag Neptune Washer Recalls

Here we go again...

Maytag the company whose commercials portray the Repairman being lonely because their products are so good, has shot themselves in the shorts once again. I have mentioned Maytag's Neptune Washer before.

Here is the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Recall Notice

"Hazard: Water leakage onto the electrical connections to the washing machine’s thermal sensor could cause an electrical short and ignite a circuit board, posing a fire hazard to consumers."

These are not the bargain basement models. They retail for between 1000-1200 Dollars.

This time it is two models Maytag models: MAH8700 and MAH9700 of Front Loading Washer they make, and also sold by Samsung
You may need to click on the image to read it, it's a typepad thing....

The problem is the washer leaks water which causes the washer to start on fire. Not Good!!

Here is the Recall Information FAQ

Don't they test these things?

Loctite Powergrab 2

In my recent remodeling for others project, I had the chance and desire to push the power of Powergrab to the limit.

Vinyl Base is one of those commercial products that has been around for a long time. In high traffic areas, that require heavy cleaning on a daily basis, it is the cats pajamas for day in day out wall protection.

Traditionally you use vinyl base adhesive, which is a crap colored compound that you apply with a notched trowel. It is a messy job as you are trying to get something with the consistancy of mucus to spread evenly and to smoothly bond to the base and to the wall. Additionally, you are trying to get even coverage on a surface that is wiggling and wants to flip over. You cannot do bits and pieces as the wiggling problem causes the base to squirm, leaving pockets, voids, and a desire for the base to creep around.

Powergrab is a much better solution for bonding vinyl base as you can spread as you go, smooth it out and be done with it in short order. (Tip; use the Exterior blend for vinyl base as it will be in contact with moisture due to daily cleanings.) It works especially well on 'textured walls' that are not smooth. It is more expensive, material wise, but the time you save in application makes it a wash if not a net savings.

One of the other areas, Powergrab shines is as an adhesive for rubber matting.

This is one of the counter area on the 40th Street project. Powergrab holds the rubber matting down, and also is holding the moulding in place. It is a great third hand.

Here is the bottom line. Powergrab just works. You do not need any other caulk gun applied adhesive for your projects. Yes it is twice as expensive as Liquid Nails, but the time you save, the more useful it is makes it a hands down winner and the only thing you need to hold, fasten or glue things together.

Loctite Powergrab

I am always on the hunt for products to make my life easier. I am primarily a screw it together sort of person. I have used different types of construction adhesives over time. I have used some great products that are not available in the home remodeling stores. One that is and that I really like is Loctite Powergrab.

It first came to my attention with a TV ad showing some guy getting out of bed, because the neighbor was banging up wainscoating with a hammer. The guy shows up with power grab, takes a piece of material, glues it to the wall, where it sticks and stays. What got me was the next bit, where the guy takes the hammer, shoots some Powergrip on, sticks it to the guys ceiling and leaves.

It cost a couple of bucks to discover that there is truth in advertising.

This is 'powergrabbe' to the ceiling in my living room. Any adhesive can work on a wall, and hopefully not
separate before it sets, but when you can stick stuff to your ceiling, and it sticks, this is a product to have in your arsenal.

Amdro and Fire Ants

Here is all you need to know. It just works. It kills Fire Ants.

My back yard had multiple mounds, big ones. I have no fire ants in almost 2 years. This is probably a lifetime supply.

MicroFiber Auto Cloths

Rags, Cloths, Cleaning Aids.
These are Micro Fiber Auto Cloths. I got mine at my Costco. This is my second pack, as Costco is sort of weird on how they stock products. Somethings are there forever, some vanish in days.

These are absolutely amazing. A friend of mine uses them for dusting his gloss black scooters, and swears by them. My mechanic uses them and swears by them as well. Hell and I thought when I bought them, I was on to something. When I told my friends about them, they drug theirs out. Besides holding dust, and cleaning real well, they are increadible sponges, for picking up spills and holding water. They wring out almost dry which is an added plus.

I haven't has a chance to try them for staining wood or using them for faux finishes, but they probably won't dissapoint here either. Highly Recommended.

Labtec Media Keyboard

One of the things you need for surfing is a Keyboard and Mouse for surfing. Until now I have not used wireless K/M because of all the aggravation I watch other folks go through and the amount of time I have spent replacing batteries, and getting the computer to remember the software to drive them. Setups to use all the 'extra' buttons has been a hassle in times past.

I have converted to wireless K/M.

This is the Labtec Media Keyboard Set. It is a Windows Keyboard. I haven't tried it on Mac or Linux.

This is a 'wireless' keyboard and mouse set. I got mine at Costco. You can get one from Amazon. Worth every penny.
This is a closeup of the keyboard.

It has 'extra' buttons for some of the repetive tasks that used to require a lot of point and click.
On the top left are these buttons.

From the left,
the letter opens your Email Program,
the house opens your default browser to your home page,
the Magnifyer opens up the Windows Search window,
the arrows cycle through your open browser windows,
for those times when you are running more than one browser instance or browsers.

On the top above the page keys are another series of buttons,

The moon puts your computer into standby,
the computer opens up the My Computer window,
the calculator opens up the Calculator,
the battery icon has an LED below it for when it is time to change your battery, which in my opinion the best feature on the keyboard. I am a firm believer in idiot lights for computers. It's either working or it's not.

But Wait!
This is the Media part of this keyboard.

the four buttons on the left are the controls of your cd player if you play music while you work.
The big round button is the Mute Button.
the two buttons on the right are the Volume control for your speakers. Second only to the battery indicator in utility.

The mouse is an optical mouse, which is probably the greatest enhancement to mice since the PS2 adaptor. Two Button mouse with scroll, the action of it is firm, firmer than logitech or microsoft mice. Once you get used to it, you will be able to break bricks with your index finger. Okay maybe not, but it does have a firmer action.

The receiver is this pod looking thing.

It has indicators for Caps, Num, Scroll Lock and Act, (activity).
The big button is the connect button that you will only need to use the first time you plug it in.
You really really need this.

Irwin Adjustable Pliers

In having hand tools around, one of the more popular tools are adjustable slip joint pliers.
This is the latest evolution in slip joint pliers. This is the Irwin 2078108 set.

What makes these remarkable is the locking mechanism for the slip joint. The silver button is a spring loaded method of opening and closing the plier. The fit and finish on these is very good. The offset teeth in the jaws gives excellent grip for the places you use pliers. Available at Amazon

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