Since I started my tool collection, thanks to the low cost from Harbor Freight Tools, my garage is full of tools. Join along and see what's great and what's not with each tool/product I purchase.
Before my first spray gun, I would always use the good old fashion paint brush. I really dreaded painting back then. It took a long time and cleaning was a mess. Of course it still is a mess, but at least I enjoy spray painting now. It seems to be easier and the final result look much cleaner and very professional looking. The 20 Fl. Oz. HVLP Gravity Feed Spray Gun Central Pneumatic - Item#47016 from Harbor Freight Tools is so inexpensive that I could not believe it would work. So, I had to try it for myself.
You can even use latex paint with this spray gun. I have used stains, lacquer, polyurethane, and oil based paints. In my opinion, it's a great all around for both water and oil based paint and stains. If this is your first time, it gets even better. The spray gun is low in cost, that if you forget to clean it after use or don't even want to bother cleaning it, you can always get another for the same cost as getting paint thinner. Yes, it's that cheap. I have one friend that does that. He figures that the time it takes to clean and the cost of paint thinner, it's more cost effective to go get a new spray gun.
My experience with it has been great. I did not have to pay out a high cost like some other spray guns just to see if I would like doing something like this. Now that I have, it's been a pleasure doing it. It also uses much less paint or stain. HVLP stand for High Volume Low Pressure that means that more paint or stain going through your sprayer with low pressure allowing it to stick to the surface. Of course you do have to thin the paint or stain in order to make it flow through the spray gun. With latex just add water and any oil based paints add paint thinner. However, stains, I found to be a matter of preference. I do not normally thin my stains or if the project is small enough, not even us a sprayer.
What ever your project is, I am sure you will have fun doing them. The best part is you did not have to pay an arm and a leg to experience the level of quality a sprayer can offer. There is one thing you do need to know when getting into to this. You do need an air compressor, filters, and air hose. If you are building up your tool collection in your garage, then an air compressor is a must have. That will be discussed next on my blog.
When hurricane Ike rolled through Houston, TX back in September 2008 most of the city and the surrounding areas had no power for weeks. Being new to Houston and the whole experiences of going through my first hurricane, as I look back, I realize how unprepared I was. Other than some water and dry food, I had not considered the fact I would be without power for weeks. Lesson learned and now I am ready for any type of black out.
Generators vary in price range, mostly on the high side. It's almost like purchasing insurance, you hate to buy it, but you are happy when you need it. Well this time I am not taking any chances. It comes in very handy and will pay for itself if you are in the construction or remodel industry. Job sites do not always come with power so you have to supply your own. If you are not in that industry, rest assured that your investment is worth it. Most generators come with a 240 AC volt outlet in witch you can run your 240 AC volt tools. For example, a 240 AC volt welder. It also comes with 120 AC volt and DC outlets as well so all your equipment is covered. Camping with a generator becomes an option. It is useful where ever you need power and that is pretty much all the time.
So, when I started to shop for my new generator, the prices seemed high and the different watts was confusing. I decided to think about what I needed to survive in case of an emergency. My first thought was refrigeration. Keep your refrigerator working. Cold water, ice, food suddenly becomes very perishable. Also, you will not have to waste and restock your refrigerator after an emergency situation. After that, it about live support, like air conditioning or if you are on any medical devise. Last is any power for lighting, radio, or computer if the internet is available and cell phones.
All things considered, my calculations totaled to be about 3000 watts of electricity if I was running everything at once. Of course that is not going to happen. So, I chose a generator that can put out 3000 watts of continuous electricity. The 212cc, 4000 Watts Max/3200 Watts Rated Portable Generator Predator Generators - Item#69729 sold by Harbor Freight Tools was a good match for me. It met my energy requirements, useful for my other tools like the welder, and will pay for itself as I start my new career in the construction remodel industry.
As you shop for your generator, review all the things I covered here. Consider it as insurance or an investment, usability, survival, and recreation. All those put together, why would you not protect yourself in case of an emergency? Be safe everyone and I hope this was helpful to you.
Some time ago, unknown to me at the time, my neighbor had his very expensive welder stolen form his garage. At that time, I was not really into tools, so my garage was empty except for the basic weed eater and lawn mower. I noticed one day that the strike plate to my detached garage door was busted off. It was screwed with a 1/2" screw. Not too much damage, as these doors are typically prone to kick in's. Builders and door shops go real cheap to save cost. In fact most new homes can easily have their front door kicked in by just about anybody.
So when I started my tool collection and purchased a welder myself, my neighbor informed me how someone just walked in and stole his welder. After hearing that, I started to think that maybe that can happen to me too. Well, I started getting paranoid, and look for some ways to prevent theft form my garage. After doing some research and shopping, I came across this very inexpensive wireless alert system. The thing is, it's not for your garage, but for the driveway. It basically alerts you when someone is pulling into the driveway. Thinking that this was useful and could be applied to the garage, I decided to make that purchase.
It worked out great!!!! Simple to install and works with the alert range of 25-30 feet. The receiver has at least a 300 foot range. Most of the time I am upstairs on my laptop. The alert senses motion within the garage and just a few feet past the 25 foot wide garage door. It picks up movement very well. Now when I am in the house, I feel more secure and have a peace of mind. No noise coming from the receiver is a good thing!!!
