Archive for the 'DIY' Category

Aug 29 2010

Smart Tips to Run a Backhoe

Published by ShreveportDesigner under DIY

Backhoe is known as heavy equipment that commonly used in construction jobs, transporting building materials, paving projects, landscaping, and also tearing down small building. Actually, running a backhoe can be quite easy. The important thing that you should pay attention when running a backhoe is to follow the safety precaution and learn on how to operate it from those who have backhoe operating experience. At this time, this article is going to give you some smart tips to run a backhoe.


As the first step, you need to mount the backhoe and then you have to fasten your seat belt. You should make sure that the break is on. After that, you can shift the transmission of the backhoe to neutral.


The second step is to turn the ignition and the backhoe can be started. You need to allow it to warm up for about ten minutes. After you are ready to dig, you should engage the lever which drops the backhoe. There is a piece that located in between the tractor and the backhoe which is called the boom. Beside, there is also a piece that placed between the boom and the bucket on the opposite end which is called the dipper stick.


The third step is to reverse the process in order to pick up the load that you have just dug. It is important for you to carefully balance the backhoe by turning the loaded shovel toward the back part of the machine. You need to keep it on one side so that it will not create the risk of backhoe overturning.


The fourth step is to adjust the lever in a way to dump the load in its designated spot. After that, you can repeat the process based on your needs.


Lastly, if you are going to park the backhoe, you should lower your backhoe and also the shovel bucket to the ground. Then, you should turn the ignition off.

If you want to know further details about backhoe, you can take a look at the information on www.backhoeattachment.org. Here, you can also find several options of backhoe that includes woods backhoe and any others.

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Jun 28 2010

Pergola Construction Plans For Easy DIY Projects

Published by ShreveportDesigner under DIY

Pergola construction plans provide the blueprint for a do it yourself pergola, helping you save few thousands over comparable ready made pergolas. They usually include graphics and measures for you to cut and shape all the main posts, beams and joists according to your chosen size and style. Being a relatively simple structure to build, a pergola plan is an essential tool in the hands of a novice or an expert woodworker alike.


Pergola construction plans can help you to cut down building times, providing you with graphs and measures that otherwise you would have to design yourself before setting off to work. You only need to choose the right size for your home or garden and the style. An average start to finish time for this kind of project is three to four working days, working full time and with the help of a friend for safety reasons.


Beams and posts can be heavy to handle, so you must have someone around for this and you should also borrow or rent basic woodworking tools like circular saw, angle grinder and drill. You should not be saving on quality of wood because top construction woods like cedar are incredibly tough and durable to sun rays, rain, decay and termites, outlasting their owners and passing on to the next generations.


You may want your pergola free standing or over a patio or a deck, attached to the house or in a backyard. Wherever the location, check out for underground water mains and electric cables. You should have the spot inspected by your local authority for underground utilities before you start construction.


Though pergolas are light structures, you should have the foundation holes paved with a pour of cement to give a solid foot for the posts to rest on, avoiding sinking or moving. Once the foundation bases are solid, you can start the building phase, adhering to all measures and details for cutting and shaping the parts. The assembly part of the construction is straightforward, as you only need to find the right height for the top beams with a bucket of water and a clear hose (water method), mark it and bolt the beams to join the posts.


For alignment and positioning you can use weight lines and horizontal lines, prop up the posts temporarily with nailed sticks and remove them only when the top beams are assembled. Then you can fill in the foundation holes and finally nail all the joists on top at the required span. If your pergola is free standing, you may add a tile floor over a cement pour, choosing an earthy, terracotta like color to match the wood.


The pergola itself can be finished with a couple of coats of wood stain based on resin for further durability. The treatment will also enhance the wood natural texture, bringing out all patterns in a beautiful gloss. Once you have covered all these steps, you can lay down your pergola construction plans and think how to beautify and make more usable your pergola.


Traditionally, pergolas were meant for training Grape Vines in the homes of the wealthy, both to provide shade and a supply of berries. Today, you have a vast choice of climbing vines for your pergola: Morning Glory, Ivy, Bougainvillea or Honeysuckle to name a few. They will all add coolness and coziness with a splash of color, spreading over the top and protecting from the sun.

Check out these easy but stylish pergola construction plans, they will save you time and money over ready made kits.


Pergola construction plans.

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Jun 02 2010

Want 14,000 Woodworking Plans – Then Get Woodworking4Home

Published by ShreveportDesigner under DIY

Woodworking4Home is a complete guide that explains how you can build beautiful woodworking projects from complete scratch without knowing a thing. John Metz the creator of the book has given detailed blueprints and step by step instructions that even a beginner can follow. Woodworkers, both professional and hobbyists alike can choose from 14,000 different plans and projects.


Once you sign up you will receive the entire package instantly in the Members’ Area via downloads. There are easy to follow instructions provided in the members’ area just in case you have never downloaded anything from the internet before. After making the purchase you will get all the woodworking plans and blueprints within 5 minutes. This means that you get the product for a lower price as there are no shipping costs. However, if you prefer buying the CD then you can buy that and it will be sent to you via mail.


Woodworking can be time consuming but making the right plans takes even longer. Woodworking4Home can provide you a wide range of designs to choose from and once you have the design you will be able to construct your project nicely and it will take less amount of time to build it. It keeps all things simple. The aim of product is to make woodworking a fun activity for you. Once you follow John’s, instructions making something will be a less time consuming and a more fun thing to do.


Here is just a list of some of the plans that you can build.


- Crib plans
- Tree house plans
- Knife deck plans
- Chair plans
- Kitchen chair plans
- Picnic table plans
- Swing set plans
- Cellar plans
- Cabinet plans
- Cabin plans
- Fence plans.

I hope you liked this article and that it has cleared some things up. If you want a more in depth review of Woodworking4Home, then check out my little mini site that I made for all my fellow woodworker buddies titled Woodworking4Home.

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May 13 2010

A Guide to Making Your House a Home

Published by ShreveportDesigner under DIY

If you are simply obsessed with making your home that comfortable and pleasing to those who live with you there and your visitors as well, you will not hesitate to purchase things you need to make your home presentable and a place where you and you love ones can enjoy dining, entertainment and resting all at the same time.


Two of the special places where you spend time with the people around you including your visitors is the living room and sometimes your kitchen. If you want to make your house a home, you have to purchase a few stuff for your living room and check what else you need for your kitchen.


In your living room, you have your furniture, entertainment system and the sofa bed. On your sofa bed are those small cushions which people would love to place on their lap and sometimes even hug them, so you have to make sure that the cushions and cover are clean all the time. You may as well change the cushion covers from time to time for your own convenience.


There are a lot of cushion covers available from a variety of cushion shops online or offline. You can definitely choose from various colors, patterns, designs and even textures. There surely are cushions that will match the theme of your sofa and make your living room look lively and entertaining.


On the other hand, you may also check what else needs improvement in your kitchen. Of course you want to serve the best food to your family and to your guests as well. If you would like to make things easier for you in terms of cooking you may want to look into having a pressure cooker. There are a lot of pressure cooker recipes that you can make use of to serve for everyday meals and to serve to your guests for several occasions.


There you have it, two suggestions in making your house a home and a place to enjoy for your guests. There are a lot of things that you can either modify or add to your home to make you and other people feel cozy all the time. Cushion covers and pressure cookers are only two of the most important things you should have at home, there are more to look into.

Get the perfect cushions and covers for your home online today. Make your house a home with rustic pressure cookers recipes and good old fashion food for your family.

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Apr 24 2010

How Can a Premium Set of Platform Bed Plans Be Useful?

Published by ShreveportDesigner under DIY

Platform beds are very popular in home decorating shows these days. They seem ideal for people who are on the lookout for an affordable bed that also looks stylish. But instead of spending a lot of money on buying this type of bed, they are very simple to build yourself if you are someone who enjoys working with wood. With the help of a high quality set of platform bed plans you will be able to create a bed for your self that could be built they way you like it with your own signature style.


Constructing this type of bed is not at all complicated for someone who loves working with wood or enjoys woodworking as a hobby. You will face some interesting challenges if you decide to construct something really stylish instead of just the plain box platform. If you decide you want an elegant headboard with storage on each side, or some storage drawers on the sides of the platform down at the bottom, the project becomes complex in nature. This is when a nice set of premium platform bed plans come into the picture. All you need to create a platform bed is just a set of day to day hand tools, a drill, and a skill saw. But if you have some fancy woodworking tools, then you will be able to do just about anything.


You should first see to it that you have all the tools you need before you start your work. Than once you have figured out the bed design, make sure you have the right woodworking plans to fit that design. And go through the plans in detail in case you find there are some other materials or tools that you might need.


One good suggestion is to go ahead and pick up the wood finish or paint you need while you are at the hardware store grabbing some nuts, bolts, and wood screws. You could paint the bed in just one color or you could do some elaborate painting to make it more stylish. You could also stain the wood in stead to give the wood a natural appearance.


Just remember to review the bed plans for recommendations. No matter whether you are building a simple or more complex bed, make sure you grab a nice set of premium, high quality platform bed plans. When you are making something you or someone you know is going to sleep on. There is not much room for error.

I built a fabulous platform bed for my son using a great set of high quality premium Platform Bed Plans. Feel free to check out my useful tips and advice for choosing woodworking Platform Bed Plans and build a high quality bed better than anything you could buy at a store.

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Feb 15 2010

Tips to Make Your Any Kitchen More Colorful

If you’re like most families, you probably spend quite a bit of time in the kitchen. So why not make it more interesting by adding some color to the room? You probably don’t want your kitchen to be dreary and drab, but you may not be sure how to add the right touch. Consider some of these easy ways in which you can add color to your kitchen, making it go from boring to beautiful.

Add Color by Dressing Up Your Table
Dress up your kitchen table as an easy way to add color to your kitchen. Add a colorful tablecloth or placemat set, or display some colorful dishware. Add flowers in a vase or basket to the center of your wood dining table to add some instant color to the room. Try to find colors that will add some interest but also complement your kitchen’s décor.

Add Color with a Backsplash
Don’t let your kitchen backsplash be boring. Although you can always keep it simple with a neutral-colored tile or laminate, why not choose a colorful backsplash instead? You should be able to find tile and laminates for your backsplash in a variety of different colors. If you want a totally unique look, try arranging colored glass that’s been broken up in a random pattern on the wall. Whichever way you decide to go, not only will you add some color to the décor, but you’ll end up with a personalized, one-of-a-kind backsplash.

Paint an Accent Wall a Different Color
Is your kitchen painted a neutral color? Paint an accent wall a different color to add some more color to the room. Choose the wall that’s the least covered with cabinets or appliances. When you select the accent color, be sure it will work well with the rest of your kitchen’s décor. For a more subtle look, go with a matching color. But if you want the wall to really stand out, pick a color that’s complementary.

Take the Doors Off the Cabinets
Showcase your colorful dishes and other tableware by taking the doors off your kitchen cabinets. If you have neutral dishes, add some pop by painting the insides of the cabinets a contrasting color. This doesn’t mean you need to take every cabinet door off. But choose a couple of prominent cabinets about the countertops to be your “color cabinets.”

Use Window Treatments to Add Interest
Chances are, your kitchen has at least one window. Why not utilize that window area to add color? For your valance or drapes, choose a color that will really stand out in the décor. Red or purple window treatments would be a great way to add color to the room if you have, for example, a black-and-white or otherwise neutral kitchen.

You don’t need to redecorate the entire room in order to add color to your kitchen. Rather, build upon what you already have to add your own colorful touches here and there.

About the Writer….
Leon Tuberman has four decades of experience in the furniture and interior decorating industry. He owns and manages his family owned furniture store. They carry a large selection of Amish made solid oak furniture for your living room, bedroom and dining room furniture. It doesn’t matter whether you’re shopping for a dining set for your dining room or a love seat for your family room then they carry everything you need.

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Jan 15 2010

Decorating DIY Projects for Your Home

Many homeowners like to do their own decorating projects themselves. This is a great way to ensure that your style and personality always come through your decorating. Here are 5 great DIY decorating projects that you can do for your home.

1. Paint the Walls
The easiest yet most effective way to give room a whole new look is by painting. It’s important to remember that the color of the walls will always influence the décor of the entire room. If you decide to paint the walls, be sure that you do it properly and prepare the walls as needed. You may need to fill in any cracks and then sand them down, as you want the wall to be crack-free and smooth. You also need to be sure to put on a coat of primer. You may have to put on a few coats of paint as well, depending on the color and the saturation of the wall.

2. Install Molding on the Walls
Molding instantly adds a new touch to your walls. If your wall is boring, molding will give it some interest and appeal. You might install crown molding to the top of the wall or go a different route and install a chair rail in the middle. Before nailing it to the wall, paint or stain the molding first. Then you can go back and touch up the nail holes later.

3. Personalize the Lampshades
If you can’t find the exact lampshade you’ve envisioned or just want to create something that shows your style, then consider designing your own lampshade. This is easier than it sounds. Simply take a white or cream-colored lampshade and cut figures or designs out of a dark paper such as black or red. All you need do is to tape the paper to the inside of the lampshade. What will result is a designer lampshade that reflects your own personal style. Another way to personalize the lampshade is by adding embellishments and ribbon to it. This is wonderful way to accent a wooden end table in your living room.

4. Make Your Own Artwork for the Walls
Even if you can’t paint or draw very well, that doesn’t mean you can’t come up with your very own artwork to hang on the walls or to place in wood bookcases. With a little creativity, you can use items you already have. You might hang photographs, postcards, and book images on the wall. Collages of items like those found in nature also make great pieces of art. Another simple project is to take a frame or blank canvas and wrap it in a patterned fabric that fits in with the room’s décor. Choose two or three different patterns and attach them to different sized frames. Then you can hang them in a cluster on the wall.

5. Make Your Own Window Treatments
For those who aren’t handy with a needle and thread or a sewing machine, there are many other techniques you can use to make your own curtains that don’t involve sewing. By taking a long silk scarf and draping it over a window curtain, you can create instant interest around any window. You might also consider using such things as placemats and tablecloths to create instant window treatments. If you do sew, then find a pattern you like, pick out the fabric, and create the window treatments you’ve always envisioned for your home.

Great DIY decorating projects don’t have to be difficult. If you’re looking to decorate your house in your own personal style, these are just 5 of the many different projects you can do for your home.

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Dec 29 2009

Water Efficient Solutions For Faucets and Showerheads

Published by ShreveportDesigner under DIY

Did you know that Americans use about 40 billion gallons of fresh water EVERY day!

In 1992 Congress legislated that all new faucets and shower heads use 2.5 gallons per minute or less, which has helped water conservation efforts. So it may surprise you to hear that the average shower uses 30 gallons of water or more!

Don’t worry…there’s something you can do that’s cost effective and fast to save water and lower utility bills in your home. Evolving technologies have made more efficient plumbing fixtures available to homeowners at affordable prices.

An inexpensive way to conserve water usage is to install low flow faucet aerators on all your faucets. These cost as little $5 but yield significant water savings over time. The aerators work by mixing air with water to reduce the amount of water that comes out of the faucet without lowering the pressure. Newer water efficient faucets are produced with these aerators already installed. Each faucet will save 1 gallon of water per minute with an aerator installed.

In just 15 minutes and for as little as $30 you can install a water efficient showerhead. You’ll need the following items for this project:

-adjustable wrench or channel pliers

-towel/rag

-white vinegar

-new showerhead

-plumbers tape

Here are the step by step instructions for replacing your showerhead:

  1. It’s not necessary to shutoff the water to your shower. If you feel more comfortable with the water off, locate your shutoff valve. In some instances it is necessary to turn off the water in your bathroom by turning off your main water shutoff valve. It’s a good idea to know the location of this valve incase of an emergency.
  2. Use an adjustable wrench or pliers to remove the showerhead and allow all the excess water to drain.
  3. Clean the pipe’s threads thoroughly with vinegar and allow the pipe to dry completely.
  4. Wrap the pipe’s threads once with plumbers tape. This will ensure a good fit with the showerhead.
  5. Attach the new showerhead to the pipe fitting and rotate until secure. Be careful not to over tighten. I recommend using your hands for this step as a wrench or pliers can damage the showerhead and may cause you to over tighten.
  6. Turn on the water and watch for leaks. If the showerhead leaks, tighten ¼ turn and retest. Remember not to over tighten.

I highly recommend using Teflon brand plumbers tape. Here are some tips for using plumbers tape:

  • Wrap the male threads at end of the pipe but do not lap over the end. Doing so may result in reduced water pressure or even clogs from bits of the tape that get into the water supply.
  • Start with a couple loops around at the end, then wrap all the threads, overlapping half the width of the tape on each wind.
  • Wrap in the direction of the threads starting from the end and proceeding toward the length of the pipe. Wrapping the wrong way may result in the tape coming unwound as the fittings are tightened. So if you will rotate the showerhead clockwise to attach, you’ll wrap the tape clockwise as well
  • As you wrap, keep tension on the tape so that it is pulled into the threads.
  • When you remove the showerhead or any fitting, always remove the old tape and rewrap with a fresh piece.

There are many water-conserving showerheads on the market. In the $20-$30 price range consider Speakman Company showerheads which have an auto flow water conserving device to automatically control water flow and a ball joint connection for smooth positioning. If money is no object consider Waterdecor productsLow flow water fixtures are readily found at building supply stores and online, and they don’t require any special connections or fittings to install.

Now get ready to save water, energy and money! A family of three can conserve over 10,000 gallons of water every year with the installation of water-conserving shower heads. Do your part to protect our nation’s fresh water supply and save money on your utility bills, too. No that’s a home improvement we can all benefit from!

Jennifer Mackinday owns House Help, a free contractor referral service. Need help find a reliable contractor? Phone toll free 877-360-7292 or log on to http://www.hoosierhousehelp.com today!

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Dec 28 2009

How To Install Blown In Attic Insulation

Published by ShreveportDesigner under DIY

Scenario:

I have just completed an addition to my house. I’ve heard that blown in insulation is better than batts since covers the joists completely and leaves no open areas. Do you have any do it yourself suggestions?

Solution:

Yes you are correct. Blown in insulation is better that batts when installed properly as it does seal the attic better.

First you need to measure your attic area that you plan on insulating. Most attics require a value of R-30, R-38 or R-49, depending on your climate and location. Once you know the square footage of your attic you can determine how much insulation you’ll need by simple looking on the chart located on the bag of insulation.

Before you get started you will need to determine what materials you will need. Assuming your home has recessed lights, ceiling and bathroom fans and eave vents you will need the following tools and materials:

Loose Fill Insulation

Cardboard Baffles

Flashing

Duct Tape

Staple Hammer and Staples

Utility Knife

Ladder

Insulation Blowing Machine (Available at your local rental store)

The attic will need preparation before you can actually blow insulation into it. Make sure you are wearing a dust mask, protective goggles and a long sleeve shirt. Recessed lights must have flashing installed around them leaving a open space of at least four inches from the flashing to the light. Using a utility knife cut a piece of flashing of the correct length and form it into a cylinder shape, securing the edge with duct tape. Place over recessed light leaving a four inch open area. This allows for the heat to escape. Use the same process for any vented kitchen or bathroom fans in the attic area.

The next step is baffles. This is a chore nobody enjoys. The baffles need be installed by using your staple hammer and install them where the ceiling joists intersect with roof rafters. Make sure you only install the baffles over the vents and that they are high enough so the vents won’t get covered with insulation. Now that you’ve installed you might want to climb out of the attic and give you back a much needed rest.

The next step of preparation is to make a dam around the attic access hole. The easiest way is to cut a few extra cardboard baffles into lengths of about 4 inches above the amount of insulation you plan on installing. Simply staple them around the perimeters of the access hole. This will allow for a uniform depth in the insulation you are blowing in.

So you don’t have to keep crawling in and out of the attic it’s best to have another person outside helping you load the insulation blowing machine. Hint: If you’re using fiberglass insulation have your helper add about a cup of water per bag, spreading it over the top after its loaded into the machine. This will help cut down static electricity when you are blowing the insulation and it will lay down more evenly when installing it. After the bag of insulation is loaded into the hopper it will take several minutes before the next bag is needed. Don’t let your helper be lazy. Have him get on the ladder and pull excess hose out of the attic for you so you don’t get tangled in it.

I’ve found blowing insulation into the attic is a simple process. Start and the far ends of the attic. Going back and forth make sure its level and smooth. Make sure to get all areas of the attic and don’t fill any vents or recessed light areas. Take a tape measure with you and check the levels once in a while. As an example, if your installing an R-38 of fiberglass insulation you would want it to measure 16 inches deep. As you work your way back near the attic access make sure your helper is getting that excess hose out of the way. When you get to about 6 feet from the access hole stop the machine so you can get on the ladder. Once on the ladder finish installing, making sure to bring the level evenly against the dam you previously built.

The final step is to place a piece of batt insulation in the access hole and carefully put the attic hole lid back into place. Now your done! Stay out of that attic as much as possible from this point as loose fill insulation that has been stepped on or crushed looses it’s R value.

Jerry Holt is a freelance writer for the do it yourself home improvement website DIY Today where you can find tips and advice on insulation.

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Dec 27 2009

How You Too Can Create Your Very Own Ceramic Water Filter

Published by ShreveportDesigner under DIY

One of the more unique and highly effective water purifier methods on the market right now is ceramic water filtration. The filer was ultimately invented solely as a result of a world vision project. After some research and trial and error, the problem of the clay being too fine for water filters was solved and the ceramic water filter was ready.

By adding organic matter, the clay is capable of cleaning water and holding up as an effective ceramic water filtration system. The filter is capable of removing multiple contaminants and cleansing the water to give it a rich and crystal clear taste. Along with contaminants, the filter has been found to remove 96-99.8% of E. coli bacteria.

The ceramic water filter is made from clay that is mixed with a grained organic waste material. Anything such as coffee grounds, tea leaves, or rice hulls are suitable for the organic waste material. After the ceramic water filter gets its formation of a cup it is then placed in a kiln with cow manure, and grass and leaves.

As the ceramic water filter is in the kiln the organic matter is burnt away leaving only silica and tiny holes for the water to pass through. These tiny holes allow the water to pass through and the filter purifies the water to a crystal clear taste.

While the ceramic water filtration method is fairly new, it is quickly gaining popularity for many reasons. The main reason is because of the simplicity and how inexpensive it is to make. With the few materials and organic matter needed, the ceramic water filter can be made by anyone anywhere.

Another benefit to the ceramic water filter is how quickly you can produce clean and efficient water. Along with how quickly you can clean the water, you can save a lot of water in the process as well. With only one filter you can clean a liter of water in just two hours.

While the idea of using cow manure seems a little outrageous to clean your water, it is an effective method that is reasonably priced and easy to do. This water purifying method is new and quickly gaining popularity because of its origin and the ability to remove E. coli. With just a few materials and organic matter, you too can have your very own ceramic water filter and make it yourself as well.

Naturally Skintastic specializes in finding truly effective Natural Products as alternatives to those found commercially. For more information about All Natural Vitamin C Shower Filters, please visit: NaturallySkintastic.Com.

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