New Home Renovation TV Show Casting Call

A new Home Renovation TV Show is in the works. I received an email from Rick Spence, a producer of this new TV program that will "follow the trials and joys of home renovation".

If you are planning a home renovation project and would like to be part of this show, read on:

Here is the info I received from the producer:

Are You Renovating? A Bathroom? A Kitchen? Your Whole House?

The How To Channel is currently looking for homeowners to feature a premiere Australian program showcasing real renovation stories.
If you are undertaking a renovation in Sydney starting in December / January for completion in early March and would like to be considered, then send us a description of your renovation plans and your reason for undertaking the renovation as well as 3 photos of your house, and one of your family.
Send all enquiries to renovations@howtochannel.com.au

Here is a link to some info on the website at the How To Channel on Realestate.com.au:

Handyman iPhone App

DIY Handyman Toolbox is a new app that comes in either a Metric or Imperial versions.

DIY Handyman Toolbox - METRIC, is a handy, easy to use application to help you work out common handyman calculations like volume (cubic metres), area (square metres) and also to convert measurements from imperial to metric, or metric to imperial.


Also included is an optional area to include the unit price of the material and DIY Handyman Toolbox will calculate the overall cost for you as well as the required amount.


FEATURES:
• Volume - Cubic metres & Price Calculator
• Area - Square metres & Price Calculator
• Conversion - Convert measurements from imperial to metric or metric to imperial.
• Very easy to use.
• Clean, professional user interface design.
DIY Handyman Toolbox is useful to the Home Handyman as well as professional trades people, as a quick and simple way for working out material amounts and total prices.

HANDY FOR CALCULATING ANYTHING THAT NEEDS TO BE ORDERED IN SQUARE METRES OR CUBIC METRES.:
• Flooring - Timber & Carpet
• Walls - Paint, Wallpaper and Plasterboard (dry wall)
• Gardens - Mulch & Gravel
• Concrete

This application will save you a lot of time when working on your home improvements and renovations.

Click here for more info on the METRIC version.

Click here for more info on the IMPERIAL version.

iPhone Wood Types Reference Guide

I.D. Wood is a new iPhone application that literally becomes a pocket guide book to different types of wood from around the world.

The app' covers over 50 different types of wood and includes full screen previews, full descriptions and a large range of extra info, relating to each species and wood in general.

This app' is targeted to all woodworkers including, cabinet makers, designers, artists, architects, collectors, antique dealers, hobbyists, gunsmiths, musicians, homeowners, boat builders, carpenters and others.

Click here to find out more info.

Chainsaw Sharpening and Maintenance

My chainsaw started to do something strange the other day. It started to cut on an angle to the left in a curved crescent shape. I am by no means a chainsaw expert and had no idea what was going on.

After searching on the web I found this great document on the Stihl website. My chainsaw is a Husqvarna, but the fundamentals in this PDF are relevant to all chainsaws.

My problem was probably a number of things. I had hit some dirt cutting into an old tree stump and one side of my teeth were a bit blunter than the other side. I may have also been sharpening one side more than the other. Plus my chain bar was wearing unevenly.

So either way the problem does exist and it is easily fixed by having the chain professionally re-sharpened and the bar filed even.

The PDF can be downloaded here:
http://www.stihllibrary.com/pdf/SharpAdvice110606.pdf

PullzAll - Portable Lifting and Pulling Tool

I just heard about this new product from Ateco Eqipment. It is a portable, and lightweight Lifting and Pulling Device called the "PullzAll".

The PullzAll has the ability to lift or pull up to 450KG. It comes in 2 models. A cordless (rechargable) version and a plug-in version. It has a 4.5 metres of 5.5mm diameter wire rope and a variable speed trigger, and an integrated directional switch that enables you to instantly change direction giving you precise control you need to stop and hold a load exactly where and when you want it.

The RRP of the PullzAll is $520 for the 230v Corded version and $865 for the 24v Rechargable version. (Prices are AUD inc. GST)

This is from the PullzAll website:

When you're in the shop, working near a power source, just plug in PullzAll™ and let it help you tackle those labour-intensive chores. Move heavy machinery. Hoist an engine block. Lift a load precisely into place, then nail it, weld it, whatever it. You think up the task, and PullzAll™ flat out revolutionizes the amount of work one man can do.

When work takes you to more remote locations, bring the mechanical muscle of the portable, cordless PullzAll™ with you. From tough tasks like pulling pipe to stretching wire fence, you'll come to count on PullzAll™ to get the job done quickly and effortlessly.

A strong motor and variable speed control allow you to move heavy items into place smoothly and precisely. These features equate to saving both time and money.

The PullzAll™ is for the tradesperson, farmer/rancher, or anyone that needs to lift or pull up to 450kg. This makes PullzAll™ ideal for construction, pipe fitting, iron work, equipment and plant maintenance, farm and ranch use, auto shops, garages, machine shops, home improvement, hunting, camping, and more.

Click here to go to the site for more info.

DIY Concrete iPhone App - Imperial Version Now Available

The Imperial version of my handyman iPhone app' DIY Concrete is now available on the iTunes App Store.

This version has a redesigned user interface and handles all the calculations you need to work out and order concrete for your project in cubic yards or in 80LB pre-mixed bags.

Click here to go directly to the iTunes App Store.

Click here to go to the DIY Concrete website.

DIY Concrete Imperial - is a handy, easy to use application to help you work out the volume and cost of concrete (cement) required for your project, in cubic meters or 80LB pre-mixed Bags.

DIY Concrete Imperial - is useful to the DIY Home Handyman as well as professional trades people, as a quick and simple way for working out concrete volume and price requirements.

This application calculates the volume you require when ordering for a large amount that will be delivered by truck, as well as a 80LB Pre-mixed Bag calculator for the smaller DIY Handyman projects.

As well as calculating the volume, you can also add the cubic meter price or bag price to give you an overall cost of the concrete order.

All you need to do is enter the Length and Width in feet and the Depth in inches. The price component is optional. Then press the "Calculate" button.

Click "Reset" to start again with clean empty fields.

Also included are a couple of DIY Concrete Tips for on-site 90 degree set-out and the ratio for a standard concrete mix.

DIY Concrete - New Handyman iPhone App

Here is a new app that I have created for the DIY Handyman, and it is also handy for the professional trades person.


DIY Concrete is a handy calculator to help work out the volume and pricing of your concrete projects. The application will calculate cubic meters and price for the larger projects that require delivery by concrete truck, and it also calculates the qty of 20KG Pre-mixed bags required for the smaller projects.This version only calculates in metric, but the imperial section will be added soon, and will be available as a free download when available.

Here is a link to the DIY Concrete website for more info.

Also, click here to go directly to the iTunes store and download the app.