Posted by Bob Bulmer on Fri 15th August 2008 at 06:00 AM, Filed in Tools
1. If you’re smoothing a piece of timber, simply hold it firmly within a vice or brace using a workbench.
2. Push down on the front end of the plane at the beginning of each stroke.
3. Try and make sure you keep an even pressure as you push the plane.
4. Ease up the pressure towards the end of each stroke.
5. If you’re planing an edge, carefully use push down on the front of the plane whilst guiding it with a flat palm gently pressed to the side.
6. Be careful. Using a plane is straightforward but fraught with danger.
Posted by Bob Bulmer on Tue 20th May 2008 at 08:12 AM, Filed in Tools
Stanley Tools have recently released an array of new products that we felt you should know about. Here are three of our favourites:
Fatmax Fubar
The Fatmax Fubar is constructed from one piece forged steel bar for increased durability and is designed for prying, splitting, board bending and striking jobs. Only 35oz making it suited for repetitive striking and neater dimensions lend themselves to coping with harder to reach corners and more fiddly operations.
Fatmax Saws
The new range of Fatmax saws In addition to a Heavy Duty and Fine Cut saw, the new range includes three new application specific saws for cutting materials such as plasterboard, breeze block and flooring.
Fatmax Organiser
The Fatmax Organiser with Its unique A-frame design means tools are organised in an upright position so you don’t have to rummage around for the tool you need and its innovative roll down sides means you have complete visibility of all tools on both sides of the bag.
Fatmax Pliers
The Fatmax Pliers forged from chrome hardened steel and are fully tempered for added strength. The optimised jaw geometry enables multiple gripping applications, whilst the cutting edges have been treated to ensure that they are suitable for cutting hard steel wire.
We love new gadgets on Redoityourself and that’s why we’re excited to feature the JML Universal Screwdriver.
This thing is just perfect for dealing with those DIY jobs that are fiddly, small or awkward. A real help if all you have in your tool kit is a bulky power drill.
The JML Universal Screwdriver gives you a twelve in one chances to show off your DIY skills - with two barrels preloaded with six screw heads. The first sits at the front of the screwdriver, whilst the second is concealed in its base. I have lost literally thousands of screws with my ungainly fat fingers so this feature is particularly handy for me.
Another ingenious feature is the barrel bit loading system. JML say:
Read more...
A plumb line is used in checking that a brick wall is vertical.
The plumb line is usually tied round and notched into a board which is then placed on the top course. The end of the plumb line hangs down the wall - gravity gives you a vertical line downwards. This gives you a perpendicular guide while you’re constructing a wall.
A brick bolster is used for cutting bricks into various shapes and sizes. This implement should always be used with protective goggles.
A brick bolster is typically spade shaped and incorporates a 100mm blade width.
