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Mix - IT Yourself
Chances are slim to none that you get into a situation that you cannot export concrete from a truck through a pump and into the area needing the cement. But in this case the job at hand proved to be just this challenge. Rental yards have mixers for lease, and the best price i found was $30 u.s. per day, generally the type to be towed to any location, but the wheel span was larger than the 2 side gates we had to pass. So where there’s a will there’s a way proved correct.
Along comes the Home Depot savior again, in that for $300 u.s. a quite electric tool [110v] 1/2 horse bulldog, this 5 cubic feet beauty paid for itself on the 3rd day of performing [no gas]. It’s capacity to keep up with 2 concrete finishers is uncanny, with a 1700 rpm 3 / 90-lb bag / combination of portable and powerful finesse it’s akin to having 2 more guys on the project. Patio work or a block retaining wall, we love this tool. Also this concrete DIY electric tool can break down and easily fit inside the trunk of your car. After watching this baby working, i would have never believed it. We give this tool a 8.5 out of 10, for sure.
How to DIY laser LeveL
![builders level [common excavation use]](http://www.my-diy-blog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/thumbnail-5.jpg "builders level [common excavation use]")
Funny thing about this new age gizmo, laser levels are very accurate and can be extremely helpful in many area’s of home improvement projects. Being highly unlikely that any home, such as yours, is perfectly level. From the floor up to the ceilings, you will be surprised at exactly how far out of level most homes end up in the final escrow stages or purchasing ready product. Rather than fret though, the old saying is simply ” close enough”, and not to worry because the off kilter numbers in mention here is within a 1/4″ to 3/4″ of an inch, in eight feet. More importantly, there are some types of finish cabinetry work that better be within an 1/8″ inch for styles and margins to appear and function right.
Stanley makes a great laser level that shoots an awesome beam up to 60′ or so and will aide in many outdoor home improvements like a sweeping deck or masonry block wall, where the ends need to equal the whole by the time you adjoin the opposing sides from a distance. The down side is you have to level the laser in place for it to pivot and do its function’s. Which is said here because it can be a difficult and frustrating process. Every make or model of laser levels has good and not so good points to consider, so pick your poison.
![stanley laser [manual pre-leveling]](http://www.my-diy-blog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/thumbnail-4.jpg "stanley laser [manual pre-leveling]")
The other selection is a 4 AA battery operated laser level tool that is a gem but mostly for indoor usage. The sun tends to supersede the red laser light beam and you cannot make it work past 10 or 12 feet, because you cannot find the laser light to measure or mark, period. But the good feature on some of these is that if placed on a small flt surface [paint bucket] the self leveling adjust before, and then signals when it is ready. When storing from non usage remove the batteries, though.
How to Case and Base a room
Choosing these combination will seem like a no brainer, but fact is few of us tend to know the general rules of the right combo’s that will bring the professional finish carpentry results. Every milled type of moulding’s come with 3 basic dimensions, the thickness of, the width of and of course the length of material needed to complete a room and it’s trim moulding.
A prime example of coordinating a door’s casing and the floor base moulding is we never what the base moulding’s thickness profile to protrude past the door [or cased opening] casing. A 1/2″x 2-1/2″ x 8′ door casing moulding, the first dimension being the thickness, this measurement is from where it sits flat on the door jamb and how far it’s thickest point will come away from the wall or into the room. Where a flooring base moulding thickness being generally the same, should not protrude away from the wall and into the room past the door casing. Rule of metrics here would be to select a baseboard thickness to IE., 3/8″ thick so after the installing of your finish carpentry trim moulding, the baseboard is allowed a place to end and set behind 1/8″ the vertical casing door jamb leg. Now on occasion a plinth block may be incorporated to cancel out this general finish carpentry rule. And that my friends will be for another whole other blog post.
An Edge Up
Acquisition strategies for existing home owners and new buyers tend to make many costly mistakes. But with the climates ever changing cycles, and the 10 year note being a commodity and trading daily. There is other ways of getting this right the first time, like any home remodeling being done your only as good as the Diy electric tools you have available, perhaps that tool chest looks a little sparse in today’s economy also. Consult an expert or practitioner in every field you want to get better in, and soar with the results. 
When refinancing a 30-year mortgage, too many people start from the beginning again. When you refinance a 30-year loan that you’ve had for five years, pay off the new loan in 25 years. Just ask the lender to amortize the loan for the remaining period of the old loan, this will give you that edge because if you have made it this far chances are you only have three feet to go.
Change a Light - Change a Life
(CBS/ AP) Has been reporting another real problem on the isle of Haiti, it’s there children and the lack of family to see over them, another report say’s others are selling these kids for $ 20 dollars to what they describe as foreigners? Lacking volunteers as well as resources to stop the mayhem. The smallest survivors of Haiti’s catastrophic earthquake are growing into one of the biggest problems in its aftermath. 
Many of the countless thousands of children scattered among Port-au-Prince’s makeshift camps of homeless have nobody to care for them, aid workers say, leaving them without protection against disease, child predators and other risks.
“They are extremely vulnerable,” said Kate Conradt, a spokeswoman for the aid group Save the Children.
She said U.N. experts estimate there may be 1 million unaccompanied or orphaned children or youngsters who lost at least one parent in the Jan. 12 quake.
Some young Haitians are even being released from hospitals with no one to care for them - there just aren’t enough beds for them.
“Health workers are being advised to monitor and send separated/unaccompanied children to child-friendly spaces,” the U.N. humanitarian office said in its latest situation report.
My story is this: I believe that we all can help to make a difference here, “change a light” is the vessel that can help produce something a little extra in time of need. Your purchases via our e-store affiliates will generate a commission from the sale, and that commission is going to the Haiti relief fund, plain and simple every dime could help change somebody’s dire situation. Thank you in advance for participating.![if your going to do it, anyway's!!! [energy efficient lighting]](http://www.my-diy-blog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/645e3e5f1c185e2a.jpg "if your going to do it, anyway's!!! [energy efficient lighting]")
Door knob 2-3/8 ” setback
Unique items for creative DIYer’s involve puzzle pieces at times. However, when you have found that special item on Ebay.com for example, than your next challenge is to find a door lock-set that is compatible with the existing lock-set bore dimensions. Standard lockset bore dimensions are 2-3/8″ and 2-3/4″, with some kits that are adjustable for various locations. Custom door hardware extension kits in the likes of designer brands such as Baldwin or Schlage.
Available too, are keyless entry systems for security.
If needed, when a new lockset is installed there are many boring kits for performing this door related task. 
With a professional door hangers kit, being the most sophisticated and precise. An adjustable clamp holds your exact place while drilling. Simpler kits can get the job done as well for the budget conscience, but take a few practice runs before executing to avoid any maladies.
The setback measurement is from the lock side of the doors edge towards the the hinge side of the doors edge, after the door has been cut and planed to fit. For the real estate investors out there rehabbing, fix and flipping, or long term renting, the front door[s] are what seals the deal.
While browsing for that perfect item your looking for, it is good to know that Home Depot will allow you to purchase online and pick-up in store later from your local store. This allows the convenience not having to stand around and wait for help. Because you just did it yourself, again!
Help us help the victims of the Haiti earthquake debacle, your purchases online here will be going to a charity fund for them in the next 51 days. From Home Depot / Amazon / Ebay / Bestbuy to name a few, 100% commission’s are being directed towards Haiti relief fund. Thank you in advance for any donations.
Upgrading the Old Master Bathroom
Now that the national economy seems to have stabilized somewhat and my husband and I are feeling secure about our careers, we’ve turned our attention to home improvement. The two of us make a good team because my husband specializes in do-it-yourself projects and I have an artistic sensibility. I’ll typically suggest some ideas and look into the design end and he does the grunt work.
The master bathroom was the final area of the house that still needed a spark of life. We had effectively remodeled every other aspect of the home - from the guest bedrooms to the kitchen. For the bathroom, I wanted to try a departure from the old-fashioned porcelain sink. After we had installed all of the ceramic bathroom tiles, I took a look at the space and decided that a glass sink would complement the rest of the design accents.
Rebuilding Haiti
It’s been 24 hrs since i have reached out to Mr Scott Kraft, a Los Angeles times media reporter. My message was very clear and to the point, in that i wish to donate 100% of the commission proceeds for 1 month, starting yesterday. I expect for him to publish our story and return my phone call and e-message tonight, we want to put a little pressure on all of our E-store affiliates IE., Sears.com/ Amazon.com and Home Depot.com, when they meet our challenge of charitable contributions and building supplies as well as energy efficient lighting fixtures and plumbing supplies.
The building codes are questionable at best but that will not stop the masses from any further advancements. We will build a better tomorrow for the people of Haiti and their families, that have suffered long enough. Our vision here at My-DIY.net is for a brighter future in all the world, pull soldiers from the middle east and put soldiers to work on an island that right now is far worse off than any war zone Mr Obama, let us help each other in this world and end the chaos today.
Stand tall you masses and understand how critical a place these Haitians are in at this very moment, tell a friend/coworker/family member about this action that requires all of us to rise above and shout ” WE CAN DO THIS”. Climb on board with that donation and help make a difference today.
Haitian Relief [proposal]
Good evening world. As we can all sit back in the comfort of our homes tonight, there are many out there that have not been quite as fortunate. But my vision and beliefs are that we all can do something to aide those in need. I just left a message for Scott Kraft of the LosAngeles Times news paper, asking him to help circulate our story. Me here, on this world exposed blog, am offering 100% of the affiliate marketing proceeds as a charitable contribution. All of the purchases staring at 7:30 pm pst will be going towards a lump sum dollar amount to the people in dire straights of Haiti. The catastrophic events of the 7.0 earthquake that tore down this place nearly 2 weeks ago has many children and their families literally upside down.
Any of us that want to help, can and will by using anyone of many E-stores via here on this blog site or at MY-DIY.net. When enough of us pitch in we are able to give back a little bit to help make a difference. From Home Depot / Amazon / Bestbuy / Commission Junction or Ebay all of which are my affiliates. I am also asking that everyone of those mentioned here and now stand up and meet us with our purchase power. If Home Depot / Amazon.com / Bestbuy.com / Commission Junction or Ebay.com can hear us roar, they will hear loud and clear that this is a challenge. That’s right, we are calling them to the mat for a no holds barred bout of matching the funds and or materials to donate.
Not only will this be of great service, the 2009 tax benefits can be of credit for all of our next filings on april 15. Lets create a better avenue of building services and appliances. I expect that Mr Kraft will help us with the broader publishing efforts involved but email this to as many friends as possible and lets start today by making a grander difference in this life.
Sincerely,
Craig E. president
MY-DIY.net and MY-DIY-BLOG.com
WESTERN EAVE DEMO
When 1×6 ship-lap pine starter board has been used for the exposed end of your roofs overhang eave’s, often these get water damaged over time and require removing and replacing, along with the fascia board section. Termites are lazy by nature and will go after the moist, wet [weathered] areas first. In often cases the 2x fascia boards take the worst of this because of the bogus or lack of proper metal drip edge flashing, or applied incorrectly. If the drip edge roof metal flashing is tight against the fascia board, then the moisture from rain and damp nights cannot drip free to the ground or into the rain gutter. This causes the wooden eave to absorb the moisture and start the water damage process of ill effects and termite nesting.
Tools needed to begin the repairs include an electric reciprocating saw, prybar, hammer and a good exterior paint primer. Cut back to the next roof tail rafter on either end and remove fascia board. Raise any roofing materials for access to the exposed eave starter sheathing. The Sawzall with a 12″ blade can aide your reach here for the other required cuts needed. When and if the drip edge metal is in your way, take a pair of sheet metal snips and cut this flashing back. A thorough inspection of the 30lb felt roofing paper is very important and any nail holes need to be patched in the felt paper before this has been completed. Once you have matched the cuts for any replacement fascia board, starter board etc., back primer all new and old cuts and parts you will be installing. Give Amazon a few days on your orders or purchase and print your receipt for your quicker trip to any home improvements depots in your area. Don’t forget those safety goggle’s!