EP204: Thank Goodness for Multimeters, Floor Paint, and Tuberculoisis?

SEGMENT 1: Multimeters Are A Must-Have!

We discuss all of the times we wish we could have tested things around the house and car in order to figure out what is going wrong! The drive to the hardware store could be so much less stressful if only we could test batteries, cores, lights, and oven elements ourselves. Hear our case for why multi-meters are a must-have!

SEGMENT 2: Painted Floor Encore

Last week we gave you the rundown on HOW to paint wood floors. This week we dive more deeply into WHY we love this project so much. Now, we know that paint on wood is not for everyone, but there are times when painting a wood floor might be the perfect solution . . . not to mention something tremendously creative. The options are unlimited!

SEGMENT 3: Matching Stain and Expections

We are joined once again by our Jenison Store Manager, Mac Flook. This time, we discuss wood and vinyl flooring trends and what that means for stain matches. There definitely is a science to it. Learn what to consider when choosing wood and how to increase your odds of a good match.

SEGMENT 4: Thank You Tuberculosis?

Modernist design is a polarizing architecture. But the history of the modernist movement might surprise you. We discover that whether we like it or not, there’s a lot to learn from a style many consider “sterile” and “cold.” You may even end up thanking tuberculosis after you take your outdoor living to the next level.

EP138: Hand Drill Guide, Out of the Box Game Recommendations, Great Gifts for DIYers

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Segment 1: Hand Drill Guide

We took a hand drill guide for a test run and found that while it’s not perfect, it’s a great way to transform your portable hand drill into a functional drill press! Again, it’s not for every project and if you’ve got a drill press, it won’t replace it or duplicate it’s accuracy. But for large boards, job site work, and so on, it’s a great option! Check out the video below:

Segments 2-3: Out of the Box Games

Celebrating Small Business Saturday and looking ahead to the Holiday shopping season, we sit down with Jeff Rietveld, owner of Out of the Box Games, Toys, and Puzzles, and talk about his picks for “hottest games” this year! Here’s Jeff’s list. And if you’re interested in picking up one of these, stop out at one of his locations! There’s an Out of the Box in Zeeland and in Grand Rapids. You can find directions online.

Game 1: AZUL

The first game Jeff highlighted is Azul. It was new last year, but it’s one of his best sellers. And, there are 3 other versions out there, all different enough to make them each worth a try! The one pictured here is the original and is all about creating a beautiful mosaic tiled floor.

Also, there’s Azul Stained Glass, and Azul Pavillions.

It’s a quick game and the components are beautiful. It’s definitely worth a look!

 

 

 

Game 2: Welcome To Your Perfect Home

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Game 3: Tiny Towns

Game 4: Everdell

Segment4: Our List of Stellar Gifts!

Under $50

Dan’s Pick: The Klein 11-in-1 Screwdriver!

Bety’s Pick(s): A Lighted Beanie and Utility Gloves with Screen Touch Ability

$50 – $100

Dan’s Pick: Toughbuilt Toolbelts with Clip-Tech!

My son, an electrical apprentice, uses his all the time! His favorite feature is the “kickstand” on the electrical tools pouch.

 

Betsy’s Pick: Wireless Endoscope! (and this one made Dan jealous because it’s really, really cool).

 

Around $100

Dan’s Pick: Impact Driver

Betsy’s Pick: Whiskey Making Kit!!

EP135: ON THE ROAD! The Center Punch, Home Repair Services, and Fun Design!

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Segment 1: Automatic Center Punch

There are a lot of tools that get ZERO fanfare! They’re not flashy. They’re not fun and exciting. They’re not powered by huge motors or batteries. But they do their job in an unassuming manner and move on to the next project. One of those is an automatic center punch. It’s a simple tool that is designed to quickly and easily pop a small divot in a surface so you can drill holes without having the drill bit “walk away” from the spot you wanted to drill.

It looks like a steel pen and you just place the point on the exact spot you want the hole and push. It’s spring loaded and pops a small divot into the surface quickly and easily.

Segments 2 and 3: Home Repair Services

Being out and about in Grand Rapids, we were thrilled that Joel Ruiter was willing to meet with us on the spur of the moment! (Thanks, Joel!) Anyway, we sit down with Joel in the boardroom at HRS and discuss some of their upcoming endeavors.

Segment 4: Fun Design

Calling on Architects and Interior Designers is fun on a number of levels not least of which is having the opportunity to see the spaces in which they work! We stopped at one particular architectural firm that drove home the idea that fun design isn’t just for kids or homes! Fun design can be professional AND it can also create at atmosphere in your place of business that makes your employees eager to be there!

EP134: Jewelry Box Makeover, Service Professor History, All About Screws, and Hammertime!

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Segment 1: Jewelry Box Makeover

Paint is so remarkably transformative! With the right inspiration, your next project is just around the corner! We found the beautiful piece of furniture pictured below at an antique store. It was amazing, but WAY too expensive. Later we found a simple little jewelry box for $2. Much more in line with my pocket book! We snatched it up and with a little prep work, some taping, and some paint, we turned it into a miniature version of the furniture piece we loved so much. Whether or not the color and the piece is for you, the concept holds true for everyone: paint is incredibly transformative!

 

Segments 2: Service Professor History

Being a small business, we love to promote other small businesses! Service Professor has been featured on our show multiple times, but this time we sit down with President Brad Krause to talk about some history!

Segments 3 & 4: Screws and Hammertime

We dipped back into the archives for a couple of our favorite tool segments. Who’d have thought there’d be so much to learn about screws and hammers?

EP113: Thermal Tracking, Finding Color with Jennifer Butler Design, Home Improvement Wedding Gifts

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Segment 1: Thermal Tracking or Ghosting

A listener wrote in and described a strange situation in his home: dark shadowy spots in the corner of his ceiling. He wondered what was going on. Well, while it could be something as simple as actual shadows, or as frustrating as mold or mildew. . . there’s a good chance it’s something called Thermal Tracking or Ghosting. We discuss what that is and what you can do about it!

Segments 2 & 3: Choosing Colors with Jennifer Butler Design

Jennifer Butler and Andy Yates from Jennifer Butler Design join us to talk about how they go about helping their clients create unique, personal spaces. If you’ve ever struggled with color and design, listen in! They have a lot of great advice!

 

Segment 4: Home Improvement Wedding Gifts!

Yes, it’s Wedding Season. And, yes, there are lots of different gifts you can give the newlyweds. But . . . we’ve got some home improvement-themed gifts that are perfect! And, we also have a video of a dancing lamb.

  • Orbital Sander
  • Hammer
  • Screwdriver Set
  • Drill Driver / Impact Driver
  • High Quality Drill Bits
  • Jig Saw
  • Tape Measure
  • Levels
  • Clamps
  • Tool Box — Milwaukee’s modular storage solution
  • Battery powered tools — might be smart to look at a system with a wide ranging number of tools and accessories that will work with the same batteries. Milwaukee tools has an incredible area of items all using the same batteries
  • Push broom
  • Leaf Blower
  • Weed Whip
  • Wet/Dry Vac
  • Socket Set
  • Flashlights
  • Extension Cords
  • Snow shovel
  • Corn Shovel
  • High Quality Garden Hose
  • Spade
  • Potato Fork
  • Extension Pole Trimmer with “Lopper”
  • Pruners
  • Loppers

EP90: Movie Tool Misses, Projects for Selling Your Home, and Painting Paneling Question

During the holidays a lot of people go to the movies. We get sucked in by the action and suspense. But watch closely. If you do, you may notice that some integral parts of tools are missing. What good is an air nailer without a hose and air source? We’ve watched the movies and now we’re going to pick them apart.

And, with the new year approaching, you might be thinking it’s the year to sell your home. That’s why we’ve invited Karla Huitsing, owner of Keller Williams Rivertown, to share with us some of the best projects that will pay you back in the end.

And finally, we took a questions from a listener (and a guest on our show) about painting paneling. The catch is, it’s not just any paneling. It’s paneling in a cottage up north that is only occupied on weekends. Is it ok to do different painting steps weeks apart when the temperature can get so cold inside? We’ll give you the answer in our last segment!

 

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