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The Handyguys recently had the opportunity to visit the John Deere factory in Horicon, WI. While there, they learned about the company, its manufacturing, its people and its philosophy for doing business. On top of that, The Handyguys also saw a bunch of great tractors being made in the USA by a skilled labor force. Watch the Deere Factory Tour Video Thank you for the opportunity to visit all the great people in Horicon. John Deere & Company paid expenses related to this factory tour. However, our opinions are entirely our own and we have not been paid to publish positive comments.

Which sander should you buy? Its better to ask which sander is right for the job you are doing. In this episode The Handyguys discuss which sander is right for the job, the pros and cons of different types of sanders. When deciding which sander to buy you need to identify what project you need it for and what projects down the road you may need it for. Random Orbital Sanders Random Orbital Sanders are the most common general purpose electric sanders on the market. You see them from every major tool maker. They are good for finishing tasks in furniture building, trim carpentry where you may need to sand spackle, painting prep and other uses. They are not good for heavy paint removal, floor finish removal, drywall sanding and sanding into tight corners. Detail Sanders Detail sanders are good for light sanding, especially in tight spaces. Sometimes used in furniture building, in conjunction with a random orbital sander. Detail sanders are not good for paint removal, drywall sanding, or any heavy-duty sanding tasks. Some detail sanders can be had as part of a multi tool kit, others are sanders only. Belt Sanders Belt sanders are good for fast removal of material. They can remove paint as well as sand wood. They are aggressive. Care must be taken to only sand as much as you need to sand. They are not good for fine work and never for drywall.

Which sander should you buy? Its better to ask which sander is right for the job you are doing. In this episode The Handyguys discuss which sander is right for the job, the pros and cons of different types of sanders. When deciding which sander to buy you need to identify what project you need it for and what projects down the road you may need it for. Random Orbital Sanders Random Orbital Sanders are the most common general purpose electric sanders on the market. You see them from every major tool maker. They are good for finishing tasks in furniture building, trim carpentry where you may need to sand spackle, painting prep and other uses. They are not good for heavy paint removal, floor finish removal, drywall sanding and sanding into tight corners. Detail Sanders Detail sanders are good for light sanding, especially in tight spaces. Sometimes used in furniture building, in conjunction with a random orbital sander. Detail sanders are not good for paint removal, drywall sanding, or any heavy-duty sanding tasks. Some detail sanders can be had as part of a multi tool kit, others are sanders only. Belt Sanders Belt sanders are good for fast removal of material. They can remove paint as well as sand wood. They are aggressive. Care must be taken to only sand as much as you need to sand. They are not good for fine work and never for drywall.

Handyguy Brian saw an interesting DIY Soil pH Test (pH is a measure of acidity) test described on Facebook. We try it out and also try a commercially available DIY Soil pH Test kit on this episode of The Handyguys Podcast. Here is the graphic from Homesteading / Survivalism on Facebook. You can also just purchase a home soil pH est kit. They aren’t very expensive and also test for nutrients.

Handyguy Brian saw an interesting DIY Soil pH Test (pH is a measure of acidity) test described on Facebook. We try it out and also try a commercially available DIY Soil pH Test kit on this episode of The Handyguys Podcast. Here is the graphic from Homesteading / Survivalism on Facebook. You can also just purchase a home soil pH est kit. They aren’t very expensive and also test for nutrients.

LED bulbs are the next generation of “green” lighting technology. The Handyguys talk about how LED Bulbs compare to CFLs and whether they are really friendly to the environment. What is an LED bulb? LED stands for Light Emitting Diode. LEDs have been around for a long time but only recently have become effective in lightbulbs. They use little electricity and can last a very long time. LEDs (the diodes) are very small elements that must be combined to produce one bulb that has an equivalent light output needed for a bulb. In addition to the diodes there must be electronic circuitry to control them. Advantages of LED Bulbs Energy Consumption – The energy consumption is similar to that of CFL bulbs and much better than incandescent bulbs. Dimmable – This is awesome, See a demonstration in the video. This is a huge advantage over a CFL. Instant on – Truly instant on unlike a CFL. Its just like the real thing

LED bulbs are the next generation of “green” lighting technology. The Handyguys talk about how LED Bulbs compare to CFLs and whether they are really friendly to the environment. What is an LED bulb? LED stands for Light Emitting Diode. LEDs have been around for a long time but only recently have become effective in lightbulbs. They use little electricity and can last a very long time. LEDs (the diodes) are very small elements that must be combined to produce one bulb that has an equivalent light output needed for a bulb. In addition to the diodes there must be electronic circuitry to control them. Advantages of LED Bulbs Energy Consumption – The energy consumption is similar to that of CFL bulbs and much better than incandescent bulbs. Dimmable – This is awesome, See a demonstration in the video. This is a huge advantage over a CFL. Instant on – Truly instant on unlike a CFL. Its just like the real thing

In the latest episode The Handyguys discuss several ways to unclog toilets. Yes, you can use a typical plunger if you have a clogged toilet. It works most of the time. What do you do if the plunger fails? Don’t despair, try one of the other techniques discussed in this video. Unclog Toilets Plungers A plunger is the most common method to unclog toilets. The Handyguys discus this method in depth. Toilet Augers A toilet auger can assist when you have a really tough load. Other Methods Well… just watch the video.

In the latest episode The Handyguys discuss several ways to unclog toilets. Yes, you can use a typical plunger if you have a clogged toilet. It works most of the time. What do you do if the plunger fails? Don’t despair, try one of the other techniques discussed in this video. Unclog Toilets Plungers A plunger is the most common method to unclog toilets. The Handyguys discus this method in depth. Toilet Augers A toilet auger can assist when you have a really tough load. Other Methods Well… just watch the video.

The Handyguys talk about ethanol mandates with Institute for Energy Research expert Daniel Simmons. We discuss the negative impacts of ethanol on our vehicles, small engines, the environment and food supplies. Background on Ethanol Mandate The Federal government mandated certain ethanol production increases for 2013 and beyond. That additional production of ethanol additive led the EPA to approve an E15 blend for automobiles (15% mixture of ethanol). Various consumer groups have come out against the new mandates. AAA Says “It is clear that millions of Americans are unfamiliar with E15, which means there is a strong possibility that many motorists may improperly fill up using this gasoline and damage their vehicle,” said AAA President & CEO Robert Darbelnet. “Bringing E15 to the market without adequate safeguards does not responsibly meet the needs of consumers.” Consumers Unions Says, in regard to E15’s cousin, E85, in FFVs. When running on E85 there was no significant change in acceleration. Fuel economy, however, dropped across the board. In highway driving, gas mileage decreased from 21 to 15 mpg; in city driving, it dropped from 9 to 7 mpg. Ethanol Mandate on cars One major concern with E15 is its effect on older cars. Testing has indicated that damage can occur in vehicles designed before the wide use of ethanol. If you car was built before 2001, avoid E15. Ethanol Mandate on small engines The Handyguys discuss the devastation that ethanol wreaks on small engines. Ethanol attracts water, deteriorates parts and gums up carburetors. If you can’t start your mower, chain saw, string trimmer or other small engine, the cause is likely ethanol in the fuel. When you buy gas with ethanol, it is best to treat it with Sta-bil and never use gas more that a few weeks old in the small engine. Stale gas can be be disposed of in the tank of your car without issue. One great alternative mentioned during the interview is to look for a product called TruFuel. TruFuel is a premixed gas/oil with no Ethanol. It’s perfect for engines that required a gas/oil fuel mix. Just make sure you buy the correct blend for your needs. Ethanol Mandate on Food Prices Discussions regarding ethanol would not be complete without pointing out that the use of what is normally considered food for people or livestock (other foods) causes food prices to rise. This is natural supply and demand. When the government diverts food into fuel (by use of subsidies for farmers) then there is less food.

The Handyguys talk about ethanol mandates with Institute for Energy Research expert Daniel Simmons. We discuss the negative impacts of ethanol on our vehicles, small engines, the environment and food supplies. Background on Ethanol Mandate The Federal government mandated certain ethanol production increases for 2013 and beyond. That additional production of ethanol additive led the EPA to approve an E15 blend for automobiles (15% mixture of ethanol). Various consumer groups have come out against the new mandates. AAA Says “It is clear that millions of Americans are unfamiliar with E15, which means there is a strong possibility that many motorists may improperly fill up using this gasoline and damage their vehicle,” said AAA President & CEO Robert Darbelnet. “Bringing E15 to the market without adequate safeguards does not responsibly meet the needs of consumers.” Consumers Unions Says, in regard to E15’s cousin, E85, in FFVs. When running on E85 there was no significant change in acceleration. Fuel economy, however, dropped across the board. In highway driving, gas mileage decreased from 21 to 15 mpg; in city driving, it dropped from 9 to 7 mpg. Ethanol Mandate on cars One major concern with E15 is its effect on older cars. Testing has indicated that damage can occur in vehicles designed before the wide use of ethanol. If you car was built before 2001, avoid E15. Ethanol Mandate on small engines The Handyguys discuss the devastation that ethanol wreaks on small engines. Ethanol attracts water, deteriorates parts and gums up carburetors. If you can’t start your mower, chain saw, string trimmer or other small engine, the cause is likely ethanol in the fuel. When you buy gas with ethanol, it is best to treat it with Sta-bil and never use gas more that a few weeks old in the small engine. Stale gas can be be disposed of in the tank of your car without issue. One great alternative mentioned during the interview is to look for a product called TruFuel. TruFuel is a premixed gas/oil with no Ethanol. It’s perfect for engines that required a gas/oil fuel mix. Just make sure you buy the correct blend for your needs. Ethanol Mandate on Food Prices Discussions regarding ethanol would not be complete without pointing out that the use of what is normally considered food for people or livestock (other foods) causes food prices to rise. This is natural supply and demand. When the government diverts food into fuel (by use of subsidies for farmers) then there is less food.

A Hammer drill, when equipped with a masonry bit, are designed for drilling into stone, concrete, brick or mortar. When a hammer drill operates it rotates like a normal drill as well as has a forward, hammering, type action. Watch or Listen to The Handyguys discuss when and why to use them. Types of hammer drills You can buy a dedicated hammer drill such as the big rig Hilti Rotary Hammer that Handyguy Paul shows on the video. More commonly people will use a drill that has a hammer setting. These multi purpose drills are available corded and cordless. Dedicated hammer drill A dedicated hammer drill, sometimes called a rotary hammer, is a specialty tool that is used when you have a lot of masonry drilling to do. It sometimes makes sense to rent these as the expense is often hard to justify for the average DIYer. Corded drill with hammer option A corded drill with a hammer setting is useful when you have electricity nearby and you do not want to worry about having charged batteries. They also tend to have higher RPM and more power. Cordless drill with hammer option Cordless hammer drills are very handy when you do not have electricity nearby. The newest 18+ volt models have power that approaches corded tools. If you are not drilling hundreds of holes at one time these cordless wonders are the way to go. What a hammer drill is NOT The hammer drill setting is NOT for driving screws and should never be used when driving screws. Many people confuse hammer drills with a completely different tool called an impact driver. An impact driver uses an impact type action to increase rotational drive. Rotational impact excels at driving screws, lags and nuts but does nothing with regards to drilling. Don’t use an impact driver for drilling of any kind. Impact drivers are only for screws, nags, bolts and nuts. After watching this video, make sure you check out one of The Handyguys earliest audio only show where...

A Hammer drill, when equipped with a masonry bit, are designed for drilling into stone, concrete, brick or mortar. When a hammer drill operates it rotates like a normal drill as well as has a forward, hammering, type action. Watch or Listen to The Handyguys discuss when and why to use them. Types of hammer drills You can buy a dedicated hammer drill such as the big rig Hilti Rotary Hammer that Handyguy Paul shows on the video. More commonly people will use a drill that has a hammer setting. These multi purpose drills are available corded and cordless. Dedicated hammer drill A dedicated hammer drill, sometimes called a rotary hammer, is a specialty tool that is used when you have a lot of masonry drilling to do. It sometimes makes sense to rent these as the expense is often hard to justify for the average DIYer. Corded drill with hammer option A corded drill with a hammer setting is useful when you have electricity nearby and you do not want to worry about having charged batteries. They also tend to have higher RPM and more power. Cordless drill with hammer option Cordless hammer drills are very handy when you do not have electricity nearby. The newest 18+ volt models have power that approaches corded tools. If you are not drilling hundreds of holes at one time these cordless wonders are the way to go. What a hammer drill is NOT The hammer drill setting is NOT for driving screws and should never be used when driving screws. Many people confuse hammer drills with a completely different tool called an impact driver. An impact driver uses an impact type action to increase rotational drive. Rotational impact excels at driving screws, lags and nuts but does nothing with regards to drilling. Don’t use an impact driver for drilling of any kind. Impact drivers are only for screws, nags, bolts and nuts. After watching this video, make sure you check out one of The Handyguys earliest audio only show where...

In this episode of The Handyguys podcast The Handyguys discuss Ipe Deck Maintenance, how to clean it and keep it looking awesome. Ipe Deck Maintenance Brian’s Ipe deck looked great when it was complete. Eighteen months later is was looking a bit dirty. The wood was still in perfect condition, no checking, no splits or splinters, it was just a bit dingy. After a bit of maintenance it looked great again. To keep the deck looking new it will take some annual maintenance. The Handyguys recommend the following maintenance procedure for all decks: * Hose off any spills, mud, etc as needed. * Don’t allow any items that rust to sit on the deck (propane tanks, metal furniture, etc). * Sweep off any leaves As needed thoroughly clean and re-oil the Ipe deck. This may be once a year or every other year depending on how much sun you get. over time the re-oil step will not be needed as often. Ipe deck cleaning solution: * One Gallon warm water * 1 cup TSP * One Quart bleach (if you do not have mold or algae you can reduce the amount of bleach) Use a scrub brush on a long handle and thoroughly wash the deck with the cleaning solution. Rinse thoroughly and let dry completely.   When the ipe deck is dry (at least a day) then re-oil it.  Use either Ipe Oil or Penofin Hardwood Oil Thanks for watching or listening. Make sure you subscribe so you do not miss any of our upcoming shows.

In this episode of The Handyguys podcast The Handyguys discuss Ipe Deck Maintenance, how to clean it and keep it looking awesome. Ipe Deck Maintenance Brian’s Ipe deck looked great when it was complete. Eighteen months later is was looking a bit dirty. The wood was still in perfect condition, no checking, no splits or splinters, it was just a bit dingy. After a bit of maintenance it looked great again. To keep the deck looking new it will take some annual maintenance. The Handyguys recommend the following maintenance procedure for all decks: * Hose off any spills, mud, etc as needed. * Don’t allow any items that rust to sit on the deck (propane tanks, metal furniture, etc). * Sweep off any leaves As needed thoroughly clean and re-oil the Ipe deck. This may be once a year or every other year depending on how much sun you get. over time the re-oil step will not be needed as often. Ipe deck cleaning solution: * One Gallon warm water * 1 cup TSP * One Quart bleach (if you do not have mold or algae you can reduce the amount of bleach) Use a scrub brush on a long handle and thoroughly wash the deck with the cleaning solution. Rinse thoroughly and let dry completely.   When the ipe deck is dry (at least a day) then re-oil it.  Use either Ipe Oil or Penofin Hardwood Oil Thanks for watching or listening. Make sure you subscribe so you do not miss any of our upcoming shows.