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straighten studs
saw cut stud no deeper than 60 percent, insert wedge to hold and straighten the stud. nail a cleat to the side of the cut stud. the cleat will need to be about a meter long glue and nail |
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paint tins
by punching holes around the rim of the tin. this will allow the paint to flow back into the tin. |
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Marking out projects and edges
When marking out those projects, it's a good opportunity to get rid of those old packets of flour.
A garden hose is a great product to market out those garden edges |
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Plastering tips
Paper tape will give you a better and stronger joint. The ceiling and walls still need a three coat system. |
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Quick drive system
How easy is this. Ideal for floor or plaster sheets on the ceiling. This has been designed to accommodate different screws for different applications. It paid for itself after one job Quick Drive System. |
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Tension a strap
To tension a strap lift and insert a nail on an angle as per photo. Then drive the nail home. |
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Installing steps safely
Stairs or steps should always be even to avoid somebody from tripping when walking up or down. |
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Trestles as supports
Painters trestles when braced properly can be used to support your job or to take the weight off something you are working on.
Never work alone and only use this method to support your project. |
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Sheet lifter
A sheet lifter is a great labours saver. This tool has been around for years and was a great design then, and is a very practical piece of equipment. |
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Rehanging those doors
When replacing those doors adjust the old door till you're happy with the margins. remove the old door and place it above a new door and transfer the outside measurements. Transfer the hinge locations.this will take a lot of work out of rehanging those new doors. |
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Post maintenance
Always check steel columns. If rust has a chance to go unnoticed it can lead to expensive repairsbefore the rust gets to this stage treat with a rust converter and repaint. |
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Tips for driving nails home
By flattening the point of a nail it rips its way through the timber, a point may cause the timber to sometimes split.
This method is highly recommended for Door Architraves and any Cyprus timber. |
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Removing waste grates
If you are required to remove a floor waste grate, apply some penetrating oil around the outside seal and with the use of three screwdrivers slowly apply some anti-clockwise force to the horizontal screw driver (pictured below).
Often floor waste grates are made of cast iron or plastic so be sure to take your time to minimize risk of breakage. |
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Great tools
Anybody who has ever plastered a ceiling and then needed to sand it will appreciate these vacuum sander.
Although I they have been out for a few years, your major plaster suppliers would be a sure bet if requiring to purchase one. |
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Masking tape
Even the old masking tapehasseemsome changes.
This product is a low tac masking tape which makes it easy to remove.
Although sometimes you may require to cut down the edge of the masking tape toseparated it from the paint.
Use theknifeever so lightly to avoid scratching theglassor marking the timber.
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Making packers
If you require to knock up some strips of fibro the easiest and quickest way is to break on the form of an edge, an old door,a piece of shelving,hold the pressure on the larger piece and simply push down and snap offtoyour required length. Iif you're requiring exact measurements a snap and score knife is the ideal tool. |
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Safety first especially when it comes to heights
Apart from the obvious risk of falling and breaking your back, you and your boss would have received a substantial fine .
Simply hiring a safety harness and attaching it properly to the roof structure your workplace would have been a lot safer. |
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A great tool
A ceiling prop. I purchased this about four years ago and have never seen them since on the market.
Two of these props can hold up 3.6 by 1.2 gyprock sheet. They do from a 2.4 to a 3.0 metre ceiling.
Over the years I've found dozens of jobs for this tool |
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Dig and pour
If you require toexcavate for footing or retainerwalls, swimming pools, avoid wet weather.
With the buildup of moisture it will cause the ground to become unstable and this in turn creates a dangerous situation. |
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Saw depth
By setting the saw blade slightly deeper than the peace of timber you are cutting.
By doing this you can use your saw stools as the solid base.
By using the base adjustment on your saw it is a great tool and for trenching and those specialised cuts. |
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Nailing tip 1
If you saw cut a piece of timber, it has a number of benefits. It then makes the timber easier to nail, and it also helps to stop the timber from splintering. Another method is to drill a whole slightly smaller than the diameter of the nail. |
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Remove tiles
When removing tiles, always use eye protection because often small pieces can break loose and fly in all directions. |
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Cutting timber in place
When cutting a piece of timber in place. First square a line where you require to cut. Drill a number of holes and this will make it a lot easer to cut |
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Steel posts
With the extra moisture in the air. Metal products in particular need to be protected with the use of metal primers and a protective paint. if the rust has reached the stage where the metal is flaking. Remove the flaking metal and treat the metal with the rust treatment. If the metal has reached the point of no return it will need to be replaced. |
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Tiling tips
Supporting your tile work. Draw a level line and screw a strip of timber or angle to the wall. Try to locate the stud in the wall to attach to.
When working in a corner use a roofing square This is also handy if the sink is away from the wall slightly. |
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Cutting iron sheets
When cutting iron sheets. Use two set of tin snips to cut a parallel line The same method can be used for square down pipe and quad gutter. |
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Installing rails
By cutting your 38 mm timber rail on 45 degrees you then need to mark your post 38 mm x 38 mm and just chisel out the corner. Two batten screw and you have a great joint.
Ideal for gate posts. |
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Shovel with a extra job
That post hole shovel is a terrific piece of leverage when in the right hands You can reach and lever at the same time. With all timber handled tools they have a limit on what leverage can be obtained |
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Tools you already have
Your common garden mattock is a great lever for removing flooring. And lifting doors and wall sheets while installing into place . |
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Removing nails 2
The maximum leverage is used to remove stub in nails. If you elevate the hammer you will increase your leverage. Try not to strip the head of the nail. |
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Removing nails 1
If you have a stubborn nail use a second hammer to hit the first hammer which will lock onto the nail and then remove. Bend the nail into the jaw of first hammer |
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Nailing tip 2
When nailing a piece of timber, drive your nail so that the point is in contact with the piece you are fixing to. Then with one good hit the second piece of timber is held in position. |
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Nailing tip 3
An easy way to keep your timber in place while driving a nail through it is to have another nail wedging the timber in place either above or below the timber. Then whilst it is in place you can easily work without the worry of it moving out of position. |
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Hand sawing
When using a handsaw use your thumb to steady it. It is best to keep your thumb as high as possible so that in case the blade jams you will not cause an injury. |
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Easy paint cleanup
Because of the growing D.I.Y. market there are great products appearing to make your projects a lot easier. Ask your local paint suppliers and hardware suppliers for these helpful products.
E.g. Paint suppliers have a useful product to minimize mess whilst painting. Usually there is a lot of mucking around in attaching drop sheets to protect items in the room. But with the disposable drop sheet (pictured below) the job is much easier with the use of the masking tap already attached and the light weight assures it will stay on the wall. |
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Accurate measurements
Marking a number of measurements and then cutting your way through causes the measurements to be inaccurate because of the diameter of the blades. By allowing the thickness of your saw blade it makes it more accurate and a faster method than marking every cut. Limit this method to 3 to 4 pieces. |
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Power tools
Always inspect power leads to check that they are in good condition without cuts and nicks. It is also good practice to get your power tools regularly inspected by a qualified electrician. |
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Erecting scaffolding
When erecting scaffolding make sure it is on a sound base and there is no movement within the working platform.
wonce you go over to m |
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Barriers around holes
When digging a hole or excavating a trench, ensure that you put up the required barriers to avoid anybody falling in and causing serious damage to themselves. |
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Circuit breakers
Before using any power tools make sure that there is a circuit breaker installed and it is in working condition. This could save your life. |