January 13, 2010 AsktheBuilder Newsletter And Tips

What’s in This Issue?

Latest News
Lt. Col. Marc Hoffmeister Update
Removing Rusted Bolts
Another FrogTape Success Story
DeWALT Impact Ready Tools
Letter from a Subscriber about Stanley / Black & Decker Merger
Pocket Door Reminder
Last Call for Free Shipping on Stain Solver

Remember, Do it Right, Not Over!

I do product reviews frequently. Please read my Disclosure Policy to understand the relationship between me and the companies that make the products or offer the services I review.

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Latest News

Yes, I just sent a newsletter a few days ago. But there's some important news I decided to share. Much of the nation has been under the cold grip of Old Man Winter here in the USA. The morning after I send the last issue, the lake here that I live on in New Hampshire froze over completely. You can even see the ripples in the frozen water as if the lake is still liquid. It's absolutely amazing to look at.

Lt. Col. Marc Hoffmeister Update

You may have been one of the subscribers that emailed "Thanks!" to me about last issue's story about Fred Hoffmeister's son Marc.

I want you to know that I forwarded those sentiments along to Marc. What's more, I need to remind you that the voting for this prestigious award ends TOMORROW (January 14, 2010). If you haven't read the story about Marc, and voted a 10 for him, please consider doing so now. He almost made the ultimate sacrifice for you to be able to read this, so I'm hoping you can find the time to go now to the National Geographic website and vote for him. Here's the link to be able to do that:

Remember, you must vote within the next 24 hours. I'll be eternally grateful if you go do this right now.

Removing Rusted Bolts

Mike Cyr, of Presque Isle, Maine, wrote to me about an email he'd received from a relative. Evidently there was a study done by Machinist's Workshop magazine in their April 2007 issue. The story looked at the different penetrating oils to see which one did the best job of removing a rusted bolt by measuring the pounds of torque required to loosen the bolt once treated. If the study was scientifically accurate, it turns out a home brew works best! Here's the summary of the test results:

The ATF is an acronym for automatic transmission fluid. You can readily get acetone and ATF, so mix some yourself and see if you can get the same results. Thanks for sharing this, Mike! Have you ever checked the transmission fluid on a 2004 Volvo XC90? CLICK HERE for a real surprise.

Another FrogTape Success Story

Each week I get really gratifying emails that prove it's worth it to produce this newsletter. This one from Frank Suplee is a little long, but it's worth reading:

Dear Tim,

I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for the garage shelving plans.

I completed a twelve foot section today and I was able to customize them to fit the storage tubs we bought to help get ourselves "organized".  I will have a total 20 feet of shelving when all is said and done for under $100.00.  I found it less expensive to rip 2x4 and 2x6 to get the sizes needed.  This plan was simple and certainly strong enough to hold what I need.

I have been particularly busy this vacation (glad I took an extra week off).  I finally got around to painting our master suite (only took a year to get back to it).  I tried several different masking tapes.  First was a blue one. Not the 3M, but a knock off and it was terrible, wouldn't even stick to the ceiling.  I then tried the orange masking tape from Dunn Edwards Paint and that wouldn't let go.  I had to run a razor knife along the edge and still had to go back and peel off where it had torn.

I decided to try the FrogTape based on your recommendation.

I can honestly say I will never go back to any other masking tape.  It is a bit more expensive but worth every penny in my estimation.  Even on our textured ceilings I was able to get razor sharp lines and a quick and complete release.  I don't think I would have tried it had I not read your newsletter article.  I have been telling all of my friends about this and I hope to see it stay around for a long time.

Thank you again Tim.  I have learned a lot from your newsletters and look forward to reading them.

Regards,

Fred Suplee

You're very welcome, Fred! If you have success using a product I review or a column I write, I'd love to hear from you.

DeWALT Impact Ready Tools

I just completed testing two new tools from DeWALT and some accessories. Holy moly was I impressed. DeWALT has decided to name this line of tools Impact Ready and has created a micro website that tells you all about the tools and the accessory bits, drivers, sockets, etc. that have been designed to use with the cordless drill and impact driver. I loved the pivot holder that allows you to hold the tool at an angle while driving. I could go on and on about all the accessories and the tools, but it's better for you to just watch the videos at the Impact Ready DeWALT site. Be sure to click each of the different areas - Screwdriving, Fastening, Driving and Hole Saws - as each section has its own videos and facts.

You'll love the video about the Hole Saws. Wait till you see the raised shoulder and the spring on the drill bits. I wish these tools had been around 15 years ago!

Letter from a Subscriber about Stanley / Black and Decker Merger

Two months or so ago, I did a quick mention of the merger between Stanley Tools and Black and Decker.

Last week I received this email from Dennis Tarrant:

A few weeks ago, you commented on the merger of Black & Decker and Stanley Works. Your comments about the two companies surprised me. You slammed Black and Decker and praised Stanley. You never did explain what your opinions were based on for the two firms.

Having worked for B&D for several years in the commercial and residential hardware divisions (and still a shareholder) I was disappointed.

Perhaps you are not aware that B&D makes and sells the following power tool brands: Black & Decker, DeWalt, Porter Cable, Delta; and the following other brands: Kwikset, Baldwin, Weiser Lock, Price Pfister, K2 Commercial, and Emhart Technologies.

Are you suggesting that all of these brands are inferior to others? Based on what factual data, I wonder?

I was active in the Hardware and Home Improvement Division (the second Category listed, excluding Emhart, which is an industrial fastener firm).

Consumer reports and every GC that I know, would refute your remarks based on testing and personal experience. If you're basing your opinions on the B&D brand only, you should be mindful that this is intended as a DIY, light use tool, just as most of Stanley Works products are.

Dennis Tarrant

I responded to Dennis that my point was exactly that - that the Black and Decker brand is basically a toy. More importantly, I was totally unaware that the Black and Decker company *owned* all those other brands. It may have been announced at some point to me in a press release over the years, but I told Dennis that I'll bet not one in ten thousand consumers knew that Black and Decker owned all those brands. You discover something new every day if you just keep your sensor turned on! Thanks Dennis!!

Pocket Door Reminder

Last summer I installed another pocket door in my home in Cincinnati. It's a piece of work indeed, and it glides in and out of the pocket as if it floats on air. I discovered over the years that if you want trouble-free pocket doors, you have to start with a great frame and great suspension hardware. That's why I use LE Johnson pocket-door kits. If you follow the instructions, they're easy to install. Pocket doors save space, so don't hesitate to consider one or two or three if you're building a new home or remodeling. I'll have quite a few LE Johnson kits in my new home. That's a fact. It's also a fact that LE Johnson is a sponsor on my site. I'm not ashamed to say that, because I love the product and use it!

Last Call on Free Shipping for Stain Solver

I announced a few days ago that the Free Shipping promotion I have going with my oxygen bleach Stain Solver  is about to end. I'm about to flip the switch on the shopping cart that will bring back shipping charges. You better react now if you want free shipping. (Promotion ended January 14, 2010 around Noon Eastern Time.) Oh, a friend of mine who uses it all the time and subscribes to this newsletter told me to tell you that it cleans hundreds of things other than ceramic tile floor grout. Duh!!! I assumed you knew that. It's the truth, it cleans anything you can think of: dirty car floor mats, Kool-Aid off mattresses, cat urine stains and odors, baby throw-up on bibs, algae on kayak paddles, smelly athletic shoes, etc. In fact, soon I'll be having a weekly contest where you tell me how you used Stain Solver. The most imaginative entries will win a prize! So start using it and tell me what you cleaned!

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