An ADHD Handyman

 When it comes to fastening or mounting things to concrete walls, we have choices.  Sometimes people have asked if they should go with one of two options... Drill a hole with a concrete bit, insert an anchor, use a screw to fasten item to wall in the anchor.  For some folks, they think this is the more difficult option as it requires special concrete drill bits, need to clean hole out, insert anchor, then mount. These folks think that using a concrete powder or gas pin nailer is cleaner, faster and easier. In one way, it is. But, it's also a more permanent installation.  Trying to unmount the item from the wall is where things get messy, difficult, and take more time. Personally,  I try to find out if the thing being connected to the concrete wall is meant to stay put or will they be redecorating or moving in the foreseeable future and want to take it down? If they foresee taking it down, it's getting the drill and anchor method.  If it's meant to be more o...

 Even some of the tasks that most people think of as "simple" or not-too-hard kinds of projects, like power cleaning, still take some knowledge and skill to do well. One of the biggest mistakes one can make in power cleaning or pressure spraying, is using too much pressure.   In this case, depending on the surface, there actually is such a thing as too much power. In fact, for most projects,  you don't really need that much pressure or you damage the surface. Which defeats the purpose.  Not only does actual PSI matter, dispersal is also just as important.   That's what the various tips or nozzle settings are for.  They disperse the pressurized water flow in a pattern that focuses or spreads the flow in a particular way. For example, you can use lower actual PSI but if used in a 0 degree nozzle/setting, it puts the flow out with almost no dispersal.  The force is supplied to a very direct point.  Having the effect of maximum pressure but ...

 Mounted a 65 inch tv for one of the residents of my apartment services client.  Sometimes significant others mean well but things don't work out as planned.  I was able to get the tv in the right place, the right way. Everyone was happy.  As it should be.

5P stands for, "Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance." And it is absolutely correct.  The biggest issue with it is that can never be "perfect" planning.  It also helps to consider that "proper planning" includes a few other "P" words. Words like, practice, preparation, performance, even prioritizing.  What all that adds up to is yet another "P" word,  which is "Professional."  Because if we're being honest, doing things any other way is not Professional.  I know of licensed tradies who trash non licensed workers, non-union workers, or anyone not using a particular brand of tools who are as unprofessional as the people they trash talk.  Their work is bad but they wear the uniform and carry the badge so they look the part. But the truth is, they, and the people they trash talk who actually are as bad as they think, all do not practice the 5P rule.  Preparation.  Being prepared is more of a mindset.  It's about knowi...

 The FastCap 3rd Hand is a and extendable pole system that is made to be customized to suit various purposes on a job site. It can be used as a plastic sheet "wall" support to seal in a work area.  It can be used as a lift/jack/support to help put up cabinets, shelves, and other items up on a wall or even ceiling.  It can also be used to mount a laser level in just about any part of a room.  It works especially better if it's used with the FastCap laser level mount accessory designed for that specific purpose.  I purchased a 2 pack of these support poles some time back, about 2 years ago or so.  Specifically,  for use as a laser level mount.  Though, I only use one for the most part.  When used with the clamp that came with the Bosch laser level, it work "good enough".  When using the Bosch laser level with the mount accessory though, it has been such a reliable tool. One of the chief complaints I've seen people make about using the pole...

 Installed a pair of designer blinds and a matching valance for these customers of one of my interior design clients.  After removing the older curtains,  the room seems brighter and even bigger according to the customers. When installing most furniture, window treatments,  etc...  it's important to make sure all the hardware and parts are there before anything actually gets ut up.  You might find yourself missing important parts in the middle of the process otherwise.  Check for instructions beforehand as well.  Nowadays, some vendors might not provide printed installation or operating instructions in the box.  Instead, they provide a QR code somewhere on the packaging for you to scan and have on your phone or device.   Keep in mind that not following installation instructions might be considered a void of the warranty if anything happens during or shortly after installation or assembly.   Always leave the customer with w...

 There's so much going on nowadays that people work on.  I'm sure people will say I'm being pedantic when I start talking about how words mean things and that effective communication with customers and colleagues is often critical to a job done right.  But, it's true.  And effective communication depends on consistency in words maintaining their meaning. For example, so, SO, many things we work on are from pre-fabricated kits.  Furniture,  sheds, cabinets,  you name it, there's a pre-fab kit out there for it.  Now, I'm not opposed to pre-fab kits.  But, when I put one together,  I'm not "building" whatever that item is.  I am "assembling" that item.  It's already been "built".  I'm just putting it together. For most of my life anyway, the text books, dictionaries,  and other people in the industry,  "building" something is the combination of fabrication and assembly of said thing.   If I'm not fabricati...

 Removed existing light fixtures and replaced them with new light fixtures. Sometimes, customers want to "freshen up" the look inside s part of their home.  Changing light fixtures can make a big difference.   Not just because of their different design, but also due to how they radiate light in a different way. Things that are part of the process of changing light fixtures is the type of mounting bracket the manufacturer provides and the way the junction box is positioned inside the wall.  Sometimes,  they don't match up well and adjustments,  even customizations, have to be made on the spot. But, you don't know until the old light fixture is removed and you can see what's actually in the wall.

 Mounted a decorative shower rod for one of my designer's customers.  It's decorative since this will be primarily used as a tub, not the shower.  So the liner is split also. Since the shower walls are tiled all the way to the ceiling,  the holes for the rod mounts need to be drilled with tile bits, not regular drill bits.  As always with tile bits, you have to keep the work area wet as you drill.  Then clean up any debris or mess immediately to prevent rapid spread or staining of the walls or tub. The customer is always right, when it comes to decisions such as these.  

 Another quality handyman service I'm able to provide for my business clients.  Pickup and delivery of custom items for their customers.  This is a 4x4 ft wall mirror going from an interior design firm to one of their customers.  Fragile glass pieces have to be transported carefully and secured properly. A flat bed surface was put in place to support the entire mirror evenly.   Using straps to hold the mirror in place could pull the glass down, creating stress on the mirror and breaking it during transport.  So, load bar was used instead across the top to prevent bouncing and vertical movement.  No designer mirrors were damaged in the making of this post.