Official Home Owners Tips

[Phobia]

Re: Official Home Owners Tips

Beyond the basic tools that everyone has the ones I couldn't live without are my mitre saw, table saw and air compressor/nail guns. The mitre saw and table saw are critical for any carpentry products. You can technically do a lot of the same stuff with a circular saw but the speed and precision are much better with the right tools.

I never thought I would really need an air compressor and nail guns but now that I have it, I couldn't live without it. This is a pretty good starter set for a reasonable price:

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...&storeId=10051

Excellent excellent advice Stu. My most used tools are by FAR my Miter Saw (get a good one, don't skimp here), my table saw, and my air compressor. Whether I am just blowing out dust from my computer, to operating my nail gun, to using a spray paint gun to paint or stain. These are very very handy!

Oh another critical item, a Power Drill. I don't use battery pack models. I am not a fan of drained batteries and loss of power so I literally only buy corded models. I have plenty of extension cord and can do any project in or around the house. Never needing charging!

I went with the Harbor freight compressor. For general home use, don't go for commercial quality. You won't be using it enough to warrant it.
http://www.harborfreight.com/air-too...sor-67501.html

My Miter saw

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100672239/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=miter+saw&storeId=10051

Table saw I went with harbor freight model again.
http://www.harborfreight.com/10-inch...saw-97896.html

Other useful tools that I use but not as much. Sawzall, Jigsaw, Orbital sander, Voltage meter, and ratchet socket set.

[DaveDQ]

Re: Official Home Owners Tips

Beyond the basic tools that everyone has the ones I couldn't live without are my mitre saw, table saw and air compressor/nail guns. The mitre saw and table saw are critical for any carpentry products. You can technically do a lot of the same stuff with a circular saw but the speed and precision are much better with the right tools.

I never thought I would really need an air compressor and nail guns but now that I have it, I couldn't live without it. This is a pretty good starter set for a reasonable price:

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...&storeId=10051

When I first moved in our house a friend of mine let me use his compressor and nail gun. It was a life saver. What I would love to be able to get is a finishing gun.

[mgoblue]

Re: Official Home Owners Tips

Excellent excellent advice Stu. My most used tools are by FAR my Miter Saw (get a good one, don't skimp here), my table saw, and my air compressor. Whether I am just blowing out dust from my computer, to operating my nail gun, to using a spray paint gun to paint or stain. These are very very handy!

Oh another critical item, a Power Drill. I don't use battery pack models. I am not a fan of drained batteries and loss of power so I literally only buy corded models. I have plenty of extension cord and can do any project in or around the house. Never needing charging!

I went with the Harbor freight compressor. For general home use, don't go for commercial quality. You won't be using it enough to warrant it.
http://www.harborfreight.com/air-too...sor-67501.html

My Miter saw

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100672239/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=miter+saw&storeId=10051

Table saw I went with harbor freight model again.
http://www.harborfreight.com/10-inch...saw-97896.html

Other useful tools that I use but not as much. Sawzall, Jigsaw, Orbital sander, Voltage meter, and ratchet socket set.

Now that my Dad has a garage again he's getting some tools and loves the Harbor Freight stuff. Way cheaper, as long as you can handle the sketchy instructions on how to put together and whatnot (since it's from China or wherever). He says it's great quality and since he's not a professional it's perfect for him. Saves him cash for other stuff too.

When I get a house I could see myself actually getting a lot of what you mention (over time) so I can actually build things. If you have the right tools it's really not that tough to make some stuff yourself....

[Phobia]

Re: Official Home Owners Tips

Yea, while I wouldn't say Harbor Freight stuff is "good quality". For the general home owner it is plenty good enough. Now if I was a contractor or someone who used these tools all the time then I would spend the extra dough for quality stuff. But for general home owner, Harbor freight = winning

[Phobia]

Re: Official Home Owners Tips

Yea the tools are just great for building stuff.

For instance my fiance wanted a headboard for the spare bedrooms bed. So she kept looking all over but could not find what she liked. Most of our house is that rustic dark wood look (most our furniture is from World Market if you know their stuff).

So I started looking online, because I am very capable and have all the tools. I found this head board and asked if she liked it. She agreed and I built it for a total of like 70 bucks in wood and stain.

Picture I showed her


I hate how the i-phone washes out everything. It truly is very glossy and not dull and drab how the iphone pics make it look. The piece really came out beautiful which is hard to tell from this picture. I distressed it with hammers, nails, blow torch, and a chain saw chain. Then I sanded it with a 60 grit and rounded all the sharp edges. Then I hit it with a 500 grit paper and got it smooth as glass. I then broke out the air compressor and the paint gun and hit it with stain. After that dried, I broke out the steel wool and smoothed it yet again to glass like smooth. Then brush stained it and clear coated. Came out quite fantastic.


Edit: This picture you can see some of kitchen changes.
+ New Window
+ Tile counter tops
+ White cabinets (which I dislike TBH)

[luv_mist]

Re: Official Home Owners Tips

I have installed 3 where a typical old box light was. Now that is pretty simple and requires just basic carpentry work (building supporting joists & supports) & simple wiring.

Tools

1. Sawzall or Jigsaw
2. Nail gun, or Hammer & nails
3. Wire Caps
4. Electrical Tape

Now I am confused about your "no lighting" situation. How is there a light source in the room you want to add the fan?? Another words you should have wiring to a switch you will have to run wiring down the wall and to. These will operate the fan and light on fan plus power the it. Locating your power source is first order

Light sources are all from an outlet within three feet from the wall. I'll have to redo some wiring in the house to get the power to the ceiling in these rooms. It's an older house which has a lot of inconvenience. Just found out that the guest/"public" bathroom in the house has some plumbing issues because the water is trickling out of the faucet. Can't wet a whistle let alone do any necessary things at the sink.

I need to consider building a shed sooner which will have to be my workshop because there isn't a garage at this point. So deep in the trenches with this house. I can only look to the positives like being in something that I own. I do need to check the homer warranty and see if they. Over my accidents in repairing the house. The finish line is so far away.

Thanks for the advice on the tools. Have the basic tools for minor work. Was seeing what else I might need to pick up. Guess the first goal is this plumbing situation.

[Jonsco28]

Re: Official Home Owners Tips

I need to consider building a shed sooner which will have to be my workshop because there isn't a garage at this point. So deep in the trenches with this house. I can only look to the positives like being in something that I own. I do need to check the homer warranty and see if they. Over my accidents in repairing the house. The finish line is so far away.

Sheds are an awsome thing to have. Three years ago when I bought the house we are in now, one of the first things I did was build a shed. It kind of took on a life of its own... during the design phase it kept getting bigger and bigger. it ended up having two separate areas with roll-up doors, one for yard equipment and the other for storage. It's in an "L" shape under a square hipped roof, and has a hot-tub that sits partially covered in the area left open from the "L" of the shed. It was fun to build, and it's funny to think about where it ended up, seeing how it essentially started as just a place to put my lawn mower.

As far as the finish line...I don't know if you really ever reach it with an older home (or any home, for that matter). There's always something to do. Good luck to you!

[C the Lyte]

Re: Official Home Owners Tips

As far as the finish line...I don't know if you really ever reach it with an older home (or any home, for that matter). There's always something to do. Good luck to you!

My barber told me when I first bought my house:

"Congratulations. Now you will never have a dime."

There will always be something that needs or can be done to a home. I don't care how new or old. It is rewarding at times though.

[Phobia]

Re: Official Home Owners Tips

Well I disagree with your barber lol. Sure owning a house has expenses, but it does not take all your money.

I will agree that owning a home there is NEVER a finish line. There will always be something that can be done, updated, remodeled, or improved. That is part of the beauty of owning your own home, you can make it what YOU WANT!

Plus owning a home is the only way to financial freedom. Whether you stay in that single home till it is paid off or you sell the house and get something better. At some point you must plan to stay in one location and retire there. When you do, and that house note is no longer due, that is when you have reached retirement age. This is why planning now (pre-35) is so important. You want to be in your 30 year mortgage retirement house before 35 in my opinion. This way by 65 you can retire with no house note. Renting is a money pit.

[FlyingFinn]

Re: Official Home Owners Tips

I can't imagine retiring in a location I lived in before I was 35. Talk about a boring retirement.

[DaveDQ]

Re: Official Home Owners Tips

Light sources are all from an outlet within three feet from the wall. I'll have to redo some wiring in the house to get the power to the ceiling in these rooms. It's an older house which has a lot of inconvenience. Just found out that the guest/"public" bathroom in the house has some plumbing issues because the water is trickling out of the faucet. Can't wet a whistle let alone do any necessary things at the sink.

I need to consider building a shed sooner which will have to be my workshop because there isn't a garage at this point. So deep in the trenches with this house. I can only look to the positives like being in something that I own. I do need to check the homer warranty and see if they. Over my accidents in repairing the house. The finish line is so far away.

Thanks for the advice on the tools. Have the basic tools for minor work. Was seeing what else I might need to pick up. Guess the first goal is this plumbing situation.

Hey man, keep your head up. I'm in the same boat. Our home has been very similar. I get overwhelmed sometimes because I look around at all that needs to be done and it can be a lot. One day at a time.

[Jonsco28]

Re: Official Home Owners Tips

I like having projects to do around the house. Some are obviously better than others, but there is definitely a sense of satisfaction that goes along with completing those projects.

I get how some of you get overwhelmed by the overall scope of everything that needs to be done. DaveDQ is right....one day at a time. You might not ever reach the finish line, but at least you'll get to a point where you can see it.

[Gotmadskillzson]

Re: Official Home Owners Tips

I can't imagine retiring in a location I lived in before I was 35. Talk about a boring retirement.

Me either..........but yet it so many people in the USA that never been outside of their state or their region. To me that is sad, 5 generations all lived in the same town or county their entire life.

[DaveDQ]

Re: Official Home Owners Tips

Me either..........but yet it so many people in the USA that never been outside of their state or their region. To me that is sad, 5 generations all lived in the same town or county their entire life.

I personally feel it's extremely important to experience life in different places, witnessing various cultures. It's good for the soul. I am sentimental to my hometown (RI), but just the New England area alone is so different in many places.

My wife asked me the other day if I would relocate if her job asked. I would. I'm particularly intrigued with Oregon, Washington and Arizona. California too.

[snepp]

Re: Official Home Owners Tips

Me either..........but yet it so many people in the USA that never been outside of their state or their region. To me that is sad, 5 generations all lived in the same town or county their entire life.

And why is this "sad?"