The Home Ownership Thread

[otc]

Any suggestions for lighting the bottom of cabinets that hang over an island?

They hang above eye level so I don't want something that will throw off glare or look ugly (since unlike other under cabinet lighting, they won't be hidden from standing sight).

No electricity available as they hang from a concrete ceiling with no existing wiring, so they will probably have to be battery powered. Maybe they catch enough sunlight and residual light that solar batteries might work.

Space is roughly two 12x14 cabinet bottoms (there is a longer middle section, but it has a wine glass hanging rack), so I am looking at things more like puck lights rather than strips.

Edit: decent CRI would be ideal, but seems unlikely...

 

[Ataturk]

99% of the problems people have with reciprocating saws involve them using the wrong blade, a dull blade, or them just not knowing how to use the saw. Any of the major 18v brands will eat right through 2x4s and nails. If you're cutting plate steel a lot, maybe you want a plug in but otherwise the convenience of battery powered wins the day.



ETA: guy saws a riding mower in half in 2 minutes using a $35 (at least that's what I paid for mine) Hitachi 18v sawzall. And he doesn't exactly wow you with his technique.

 

[jcman311]

Yeah battery powered is pretty close in price to corded these days. We’re out of the sales season but a kit with a couple of tools (drill, saw, impact, etc) and a couple of batteries can be had for around $200-$300 for really quality tools. Just about any major brand will do, but I’d shy away from craftsman after being sold and now not made or hq in the usa. Kobalt, Ryobi, Milwaukee, Bosch, Porter Cable, Ridgid, Dewalt are all close in terms of quality and price. Even if you just buy what you need, choose a line that can expand easily so that a simple combo kit can become a nice arsenal in the future. (I’ve been building my 15+ tool kit since 2009)

 

[sugarbutch]

I like DeWalt, Milwaukee, and Makita for cordless. For the recipe saw, Milwaukee's Sawzall may not be made like they used to, but they're still stout and hold up to abuse. For the inexhaustible electrons, I would probably choose corded and an extension cord over cordless. That said, cordless is certainly up to most jobs.

Whichever brand you get, you should consider the kits which include a drill/driver and a light impact driver. The latter drives screws really nicely. You might also want an oscillating multi-tool for the remodeling work.

 

[sugarbutch]

P.S.: Picking one brand and battery type for all of the tools will make your life easier. Once you've done that, three batteries and a couple of chargers will have you shittin' in high cotton.

 

[brokencycle]

P.S.: Picking one brand and battery type for all of the tools will make your life easier. Once you've done that, three batteries and a couple of chargers will have you shittin' in high cotton.

That's a good point.

Yeah battery powered is pretty close in price to corded these days. We’re out of the sales season but a kit with a couple of tools (drill, saw, impact, etc) and a couple of batteries can be had for around $200-$300 for really quality tools. Just about any major brand will do, but I’d shy away from craftsman after being sold and now not made or hq in the usa. Kobalt, Ryobi, Milwaukee, Bosch, Porter Cable, Ridgid, Dewalt are all close in terms of quality and price. Even if you just buy what you need, choose a line that can expand easily so that a simple combo kit can become a nice arsenal in the future. (I’ve been building my 15+ tool kit since 2009)

Home Depot has had the Milwaukee combo packs as a deal of the day every couple weeks for a few months. I'm guessing Home Depot committed to sell a lot of product for their deal with Milwaukee.

In fact, here's a big kit that is still on sale: https://slickdeals.net/f/12479338-m...ool-box-499?src=SiteSearchV2_SearchBarV2Algo1

 

[Numbernine]

The one tool I miss most(contractors provided all our tools) since I've retired is the porta-band. Pipefitters use those things constantly especially when an oxy/acetylene rig is unavailable or impractical.

 

[Gus]

Those porta-bands are very cool.

 

[Bromley]

I hope to be moving soon so it will be handy to have a good assortment of power tools around. The tools I have are ancient and all with cords.

What do you guys recommend in the way of power tools if you knew you were going to move and tackle some pretty basic remodeling projects? (assembly, trim, hanging stuff, that sort of thing)

Seems a battery power drill would be ideal. I have a ****** old circular and jig saw that is rarely used but handy when needed.

Any suggestions?

Essential: Miter saw, circular saw, drill, impact driver, random orbit sander, and maybe an oscillating multi-tool (depending on demolition needs). Nail gun is nice to have for trim. Batteries are usually interchangeable within a brand. A few extra batteries are nice to have, as well. Good luck!

 

[Kappelan]

Another project progress )

What was done right before Christmas.

Still a lot of work to do.

 

[Piobaire]

Has anyone mentioned an air compressor yet? Need an air compressor.

 

[sugarbutch]

For the nail gun/stapler? I think the battery powered versions have progressed to the point that the advantage of air-powered versions aren’t worth the hassle of hoses and a compressor.

Perhaps you have other tools/uses in mind...

 

[Medwed]

I've not seen a hand shower incorporated into a tub/shower like that before but it's a really good idea! Usually I see those attachments which don't look the best.

I don't get shower fixtures that are hidden inside the particle wall. Why?
What if some joint starts to leak, and it usually does? You would find out always too late when you have mold and rot and to fix it you would need to destroy the wall and fix the wooden floors that have been rotting for years. Why not install 'Victorian' external fixtures? They come with rain-shower and handheld and look better , imo.
Also never understood those tiny 3" back-splashes in the bathrooms or kitchens around the sinks. Why not just tile the walls properly? That way you can wash off all the soap and toothpaste etc. from the walls.

 

[brokencycle]

I don't get shower fixtures that are hidden inside the particle wall. Why?
What if some joint starts to leak, and it usually does? You would find out always too late when you have mold and rot and to fix it you would need to destroy the wall and fix the wooden floors that have been rotting for years. Why not install 'Victorian' external fixtures? They come with rain-shower and handheld and look better , imo.
Also never understood those tiny 3" back-splashes in the bathrooms or kitchens around the sinks. Why not just tile the walls properly? That way you can wash off all the soap and toothpaste etc. from the walls.

Why don't we just expose all of our plumbing in case there is a leak? Why don't we expose all of our duct work and electrical too?

 

[Gus]

Why don't we just expose all of our plumbing in case there is a leak? Why don't we expose all of our duct work and electrical too?

That was the theory behind this: