Otis in the Suburbs (1 Viewer)

[squidrope]

Every time you do a "house project", big or small. Buy a good quality tool that will help make the job easier. It'll make undertaking the task less painful, and you get to pick out a new toy for the pegboard. In no time you'll be the envy of the neighborhood.

 

[JerseyToughGuys]

Good God. Suburb living basically sounds like my personal daily hell.

where in Milwaukee do you live?

Downtown- 3rd Ward

Coquette Cafe> hi

gay bar?

 

[ArcticEdge]

You people are all clowns. Along with Otis. His questions are beyond ridiculous.

I've got this one guys. AE, In warmer climates, plants can grow outside during the year. Most people grow a blade shaped plant on the area around their house called "grass", and use a machine called a "lawnmower" to clip it back. Sometimes they even spend time on their "lawn" or even set aside an outdoor area called a "patio", with furniture that allows people to spend outside. "Summer" is a season, much like yours, except that the sun actually sets at night and then comes back up in the morning.

You are so ignorant it's pathetic. It's 7:30pm right now and still sunny. Summers in Fairbanks get into the 90s. But you go ahead and stroke Otis some more and recommend a patio chair to the sad city slicker.

http://wikipedia.org/summer+in+fairbanks"Yes, Summers in Fairbanks (also known as August 14th) are beautiful, but homeowners beware: they can melt the attic clear off your igloo."

AE is right. Some serious misunderstanding going on here. The summers in Anchorage are beautiful. It sits on the coast with a warm water current. Winters in Anchorage are actually warmer than Detroit on average. And you can roast in Fairbanks. Really sucks sometimes as it sits in a valley and the air gets stagnant which makes it very hot.

When it's a hot day and I'm at the lake on my wave runner fred, I'll be thinking of you, especially about your Ham vs Otis rap.

 

[dparker713]

Well really how often do you move your grill? Most people tend to put it in one place and leave it there.

I'll move it anytime alot of people are coming over for a party. The ideal location for quick dinners/lunches is fairly in the way of traffic flow for large gatherings. Plus, in the winter I'll pull the grill to a location where I can just barely open the door. Now, these moves aren't that far, but they'd require atleast 2 different nozzle locations.

 

[Leviathan]

From the photos, it looks like you have a fair number of trees on the property. I would suggest buying a mower that is capable of mulching. If not, you're gonna at least need a big ### rake to clean up your yard in the fall.

 

[SuperAwesomeDude]

oh, you should probably get a couple statues to put out on the end of your driveway. a couple lions really establishes that you mean business and you are the man in charge...

 

[SuperAwesomeDude]

or at the very least a mailbox shaped like a bass

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Good God. Suburb living basically sounds like my personal daily hell.

where in Milwaukee do you live?

Downtown- 3rd Ward

Big city man!

 

[GreatLakesMike]

Property is 0.37 acres or so. The hicks here shouldn't get too carried away with the ride-on stuff. Also the sellers mentioned they have a service, pretty cheap, whereby a bunch of illegals come by and cut the grass cheap each weekend. I may roll that way. I always wanted to have a lawn to mow, like when I was a kid, but I figure I can find other chores.

It isn't as much fun as you remember. You're going to have enough problems to deal with - get the service.

For .4 acres?

 

[ArcticEdge]

House looks very nice and comfortable. I'd be happy there. I suggest you try to do the work yourself -- build the patio, etc. There's a lot to be said for manual labor, especially for those of us who spend most of our time in front of a computer. Feels good to finish a job. If you hate it, you can always hire out, but at least try it.

Gonna have to disagree. If you don't feel you can handle it get a pro from the start. Otherwise you pay him to fix your mistakes and then do the job.

I'm not saying he should try anything over his head. Almost anyone can build a brick patio.

Almost being the operative word there. I guarantee plenty of people would find it real challenging. No offense to O but this just doesn't seem like his thing.

Excuse me sir, but I did a tile backsplash in the kitchen in the Opartment last year and it came out pretty darn well. :handyman:

Oats GB, putting up another mirror is not "tile backsplash".

 

[Sudsy]

Property is 0.37 acres or so.

Just get a self-propelled push mower. Don't overdo it. Just get something with a Briggs and Stratton engine for about $350.

Here's the catch -- the front yard is all pachysandra, which just looks like weeds to me and which I want to pull out. But it may be there because (1) it's on a steep incline, and (2) there are lots of trees, so maybe it doesn't get much light for grass to grow. So because it's not a square/flat lawn like I grew up with, I wonder if I may be better off rolling with the advice in here and just having the gardening service take care of it all for now.I'll need to post some pics. The house needs a ton of work, but we'll get there...

One thing to consider about a lawn service is that you do not have to purchase a mover, a gas can, a hedge trimmer, a weed whacker, a hose, a spade, any rakes, or a fertilizer spreader. You will not have to maintain and repair these items which comes at some cost, but most importantly (I SAID IMPORTANTLY)you will not have to store these items in your garage or a yard shed. You think you have space right now, but once you move in you will find garage storage at a premium.

 

[GreatLakesMike]

Not sure where your place is located Otis, but my buddy lives in Hastings on Hudson in a hilly area. During all of the recent rain, a retaining wall failed on his property next to his driveway. He discovered it was not covered on his insurance and it's going to cost him $40k to replace it. So if I were you, I'd go through your policy with a fine tooth comb and take an extensive review of your entire property to see what might go wrong.

Good to know. The retaining walls are cracking in some places and to the inexperienced Oats look like they are about to come down (house was built around 1920), but two engineers have looked at it and said absolutely no issue, the walls are fine, and what I am seeing is just cosmetic. Still, it is a hilly area with lots of retaining walls/drainage concerns, so this is a good thing for me to look at re: insurance. Thanks for the heads-up.

http://www.farmandfleet.com/products/009213-100_heavy_duty_slotted_tubing.html?lref=%2fhome_improvement%2fplumbing_heating_cooling%2fpipes_fittings_valves%2fplastic_drain%2f%3fp%3d1Dig the trench and bury the tile so the water runs away from the house (if this hasn't been done already). Of course, you'll need the exit end to be open. You just need to find a low area where the water can run off to, which it sounds like you won't have a problem with. If you're worried about flooding in the drainage area, and you have room, plant a weeping willow, river birch, etc. They'll suck up the water just fine. Don't plant the Willow anywhere near sidewalks, gas lines, etc. You'll need to give the roots plenty of room. River birch send off little "root-shoots" quite a ways as well, but they're pretty thin shoots and don't really bust anything up.

 

[Otis]

Property is 0.37 acres or so.

Just get a self-propelled push mower. Don't overdo it. Just get something with a Briggs and Stratton engine for about $350.

Here's the catch -- the front yard is all pachysandra, which just looks like weeds to me and which I want to pull out. But it may be there because (1) it's on a steep incline, and (2) there are lots of trees, so maybe it doesn't get much light for grass to grow. So because it's not a square/flat lawn like I grew up with, I wonder if I may be better off rolling with the advice in here and just having the gardening service take care of it all for now.I'll need to post some pics. The house needs a ton of work, but we'll get there...

One thing to consider about a lawn service is that you do not have to purchase a mover, a gas can, a hedge trimmer, a weed whacker, a hose, a spade, any rakes, or a fertilizer spreader. You will not have to maintain and repair these items which comes at some cost, but most importantly (I SAID IMPORTANTLY)you will not have to store these items in your garage or a yard shed. You think you have space right now, but once you move in you will find garage storage at a premium.

All good points I hadn't considered. Thanks.

 

[proninja]

One thing to consider about a lawn service is that you do not have to purchase a mover, a gas can, a hedge trimmer, a weed whacker, a hose, a spade, any rakes, or a fertilizer spreader. You will not have to maintain and repair these items which comes at some cost, but most importantly (I SAID IMPORTANTLY)you will not have to store these items in your garage or a yard shed. You think you have space right now, but once you move in you will find garage storage at a premium.

This is so, so, so true

 

[Sudsy]

I am a lawyer. I move piles of paper for a living. In addition I talk alot. Most of my day is spent on my ###, and I can rarely point at my work to show others what I have done. Sweating on the weekend, building with shovel, rake, stone, and mortar is satisfying. You can see your accomplishment. You can walk on it or sit on it as you enjoy a quiet beer. It will last.

You can build a patio. Some on line study, real planning, not plan as you go, is required. You can attend a seminar at your local building supply store, then help a neighbor with one, and then do one yourself. Before starting ask lots of questions of those who have done so. Be meticulous, even beyond so in preparing the gound and establishing a slight but unifrom slope. Any errors in ground prep will be amplified as you build up from there. Preplan for low voltage light placement, even within the structure itself. Preplan bringing regular electricity and a gas line if you may need it. These things are much harder to retrofit than to nstall initially, Think even if you would like potable water and a drain. Knowthis too, stone work is harder and more expensive than deck work. retrofitting a deck is relativley easier, not so once stones are set in place.

Know how you intend to use it in your dreams, but also in daily life. Think about poker parties, BBQ's, or just quiet drinks with the wife. Know that your child will use it, and think about the safety of her use. Will the sun be in your eyes? Will you want a gazebo out there or a pergola? Will it be nice to watch a football game in the fall, and where will the light fall on the T.V. while you do? What furnishngs will you have? Measure the length and width of the style of table you might buy. Now measure it with the chairs puled out to accomodate people sitting. Now add room to walk behind each. Can your plan accomodate something of that size, which is larger than you think?

Before you start visit a home show or gardening show or two. Get some marking paint and size out what you think you may like and walk around in it marking out where grills, furniture, fire pits and what not will go. Then increase the size realizing the wife will want flower pots and end tables out there that she has yet to even consider.

Will you use plants for wind and sun screens? Will you want privacy screening from noisy neighbors?

In the end this can be a great project and highly satisfying. I have a two level stone patio with pilars, seating wall, built in planters, drainage, and built in accent lighting. The steps to each level are curved and inset with accent lighting. It is made of cut flagstone, which is not necessarily a process for a beginner unless you buy the stone uniformly cut. I cut mine in inconsistent geometric patterns from triangles up to 7 sided for the flat work but bought precut consistent pieces for the walls and pilars and cap stones.

Give it a go. Or just do thorough planning and then LAMDIFY.

Let A Mexican Do It For You.

 

[Sudsy]

One thing to consider about a lawn service is that you do not have to purchase a mover, a gas can, a hedge trimmer, a weed whacker, a hose, a spade, any rakes, or a fertilizer spreader. You will not have to maintain and repair these items which comes at some cost, but most importantly (I SAID IMPORTANTLY)you will not have to store these items in your garage or a yard shed. You think you have space right now, but once you move in you will find garage storage at a premium.

This is so, so, so true

The HiLoft overhead storage system helps with this.

 

[bentley]

Property is 0.37 acres or so.

Just get a self-propelled push mower. Don't overdo it. Just get something with a Briggs and Stratton engine for about $350.

Here's the catch -- the front yard is all pachysandra, which just looks like weeds to me and which I want to pull out. But it may be there because (1) it's on a steep incline, and (2) there are lots of trees, so maybe it doesn't get much light for grass to grow. So because it's not a square/flat lawn like I grew up with, I wonder if I may be better off rolling with the advice in here and just having the gardening service take care of it all for now.I'll need to post some pics. The house needs a ton of work, but we'll get there...

One thing to consider about a lawn service is that you do not have to purchase a mover, a gas can, a hedge trimmer, a weed whacker, a hose, a spade, any rakes, or a fertilizer spreader. You will not have to maintain and repair these items which comes at some cost, but most importantly (I SAID IMPORTANTLY)you will not have to store these items in your garage or a yard shed. You think you have space right now, but once you move in you will find garage storage at a premium.

This is a great point about the cost and space. If you're going to get a service, do it from the start. I've spent so much on lawn equipment (and arranged my garage around it) that there's no way I'm ever changing now.

 

[Sudsy]

Be aware that if you build the patio yourself you will finish owning a wheelbarrow, several shovels, several levels, buckets, trowels, chop saw, etc. You will be a "tool guy" with a goodly portion or your garage devoted to this and many of the larger items will just take up room until you sell them pennies on the dollar at... wait for it.... a garage sale.

 

[Otis]

I am a lawyer. I move piles of paper for a living. In addition I talk alot. Most of the day is spent on my ###, and I can rarely point at my work to show others what I have done. Sweating on the weekend, building with shovel, rake, stone and mortar is satisfying. You can see your accomplishment. You can walk on it or sit on it as you enjoy a quiet beer. It will last.You can build a patio. Some on line study, real planning, not plan as you go is required. You can attend a seminar at your local building supply store, then help a neighbor wiht one, and then do one yourself. Before starting ask lots of questions of those who have done so. Be meticulous, even beyond so in preping the gound and establishing a slight level slope. Pre plan for low voltage light placement, even within the structure itself. Pre-plan bringing regular electricity and a gas line if you may need it. Think even if you would like potable water and a drain. Know how you intend to use it in your dreams but also in daily life. Think about poker parties, BBQ's, or just quiet drinks with the wife. Will the sun be in your eyes? Will you want a gazebo out there or a pergola? Will it be nice to watch a football game in the fall, and where will the light fall on the T.V. while you do? What furnishngs will you have?Before you start visit a home show or gardening show or two. get some marking paint and size out what you think you may like and walk around in it marking out where grills, furniture, fire pits and what not will go. Then increase the size realizing the wife will want flower pots and end tables out there that she has yet to even consider.Will you use plants for wind and sun screens? Will you want privacy screening from noisy neighbors?In the end this can be a great project and highly saatisfying. I have a two level stone patio with pilars, seating wall, built in planters, drainage, and built in accent lighting. The steps to each level are curved with accent lighting. It is made or cut flagstone, which is not necessarily a process for a biginner unless you buy the stone uniformly cut, i cut mine in inconsistent geometric patterns from triangles up to 7 sided for the flat work but bought precut consitent pieces for the walls and pilars and cap stones.Give it a go. Or just do thorough planning and then LAMDIFY.Let A Mexican Do It For You.

Awesome posting here. Mind sharing some pics of your setup?

 

[proninja]

Also - someone's old kitchen cabinets are super useful in the garage. Pegboard is, in my opinion, the way to organize your tools. No wondering which drawer a tool is in, just look at the wall. Maybe I'm just horridly disorganized, but I love it.

 

[RudiStein]

Once you get a cat keep it indoors. I will live a longer and happier life.

 

[cstu]

Do you all lock your kids inside why you do this because I seriously can't check the mail without my kid following me outside. I go out, my kid always follows. Just makes it more difficult because now I'm trying to do work and watch after my kid.Get a service and forget about it. It's usually cost effective from a time standpoint and the thing about a lawn/gardening is that there is always something to do or a new project to start if you want. Use those times for get away moments when you can and rely on the service to take care of the stuff that has to be done.

Otis will understand all of this very soon. Right now he is just giddy (rightfully so) but it will wear off.Ah, #### it, go buy a mower, have your fun and put it on CL in a few months when reality sets in.

 

[cstu]

the outside fridge.

Another must-have that should be on your list.

The outside isn't very far from the inside. We're getting a new fridge and putting the old fridge in the basement as extra fridge space (beer, holiday meat, etc.), but I'm not sure for a spot like ours we need an outdoor fridge?That a common thing?

I could get used to all these suburban comforts. I understand folks drive everywhere too.

Crap, will we need a second car?

I've heard the Equus is nice.

 

[St. Louis Bob]

After you bang one of the neighbors, just keep it to yourself.

 

[Otis]

After you bang one of the neighbors, just keep it to yourself.

What about posting photos of neighbors' wives? Im assuming no risks there?

 

[St. Louis Bob]

After you bang one of the neighbors, just keep it to yourself.

What about posting photos of neighbors' wives? Im assuming no risks there?

Better clear it through me first.

 

[Otis]

Tanner-we ever get a stray cat on our property I'm gonna trap it and ship it off to Bakersfield.

 

[Koya]

Nice shtick about possibly having only one car.

The question is when does it become a three car house.

Welcome to the 'burbs O.

 

[Rohn Jambo]

does righetti know about this change of address?

Otis has outgrown Righetti.

What happened? Mrs. O no likey Righetti?

 

[Rohn Jambo]

oh, you should probably get a couple statues to put out on the end of your driveway. a couple lions really establishes that you mean business and you are the man in charge...

These..

 

[Rohn Jambo]

Also - someone's old kitchen cabinets are super useful in the garage. Pegboard is, in my opinion, the way to organize your tools. No wondering which drawer a tool is in, just look at the wall. Maybe I'm just horridly disorganized, but I love it.

How many tools will Otis need to get? Is a tool belt like this good enough to hold everything?

 

[Sudsy]

Also - someone's old kitchen cabinets are super useful in the garage. Pegboard is, in my opinion, the way to organize your tools. No wondering which drawer a tool is in, just look at the wall. Maybe I'm just horridly disorganized, but I love it.

How many tools will Otis need to get? Is a tool belt like this good enough to hold everything?

Oh the sexy role playing that could spur.

 

[ShaqAttaq]

Run a natural gas line outside for a grill. You can always do the smoker/charcoal thing as well, but a dedicated line to the grill is money.

Or, instead to spending time and money on this, you can do one of the best suburban shark moves. Own two propane tanks for your grill and immediate fill one when it goes empty. They always go empty in the middle of cooking.

If he is tearing out the kitchen and redoing it, a couple of extra bucks to run some gas pipe to the patio is cheap. The two tank play works, but it's much better not having to deal with propane tanks ever again.

Interesting. So I would have a gas grill outside which feeds off the regular old gas in the house? This seems pretty awesome.

Something like this looks pretty sweet.Does the gas come out at a fixed point in the yard? Can I ever move the grill, or is it permanently stuck at the place where we run the gas line to?

The gas line would be coming from out of the house. Yes, you'll be stuck with your grill in that location.

Well really how often do you move your grill? Most people tend to put it in one place and leave it there.

i move it often. when grilling in the rain/snow, i pull it right up to the doorwall. my parents' house had the fixed gas grill, and it was a PITA during inclement weather. shuke's multiple propane tanks method is the right move. i have 3.

 

[Cunk]

House looks very nice and comfortable. I'd be happy there. I suggest you try to do the work yourself -- build the patio, etc. There's a lot to be said for manual labor, especially for those of us who spend most of our time in front of a computer. Feels good to finish a job. If you hate it, you can always hire out, but at least try it.

Gonna have to disagree. If you don't feel you can handle it get a pro from the start. Otherwise you pay him to fix your mistakes and then do the job.

I'm not saying he should try anything over his head. Almost anyone can build a brick patio.

Almost being the operative word there. I guarantee plenty of people would find it real challenging. No offense to O but this just doesn't seem like his thing.

Excuse me sir, but I did a tile backsplash in the kitchen in the Opartment last year and it came out pretty darn well. :handyman:

Wasn't there some doorknob debacle if I recall correctly?

 

[Otis]

House looks very nice and comfortable. I'd be happy there. I suggest you try to do the work yourself -- build the patio, etc. There's a lot to be said for manual labor, especially for those of us who spend most of our time in front of a computer. Feels good to finish a job. If you hate it, you can always hire out, but at least try it.

Gonna have to disagree. If you don't feel you can handle it get a pro from the start. Otherwise you pay him to fix your mistakes and then do the job.

I'm not saying he should try anything over his head. Almost anyone can build a brick patio.

Almost being the operative word there. I guarantee plenty of people would find it real challenging. No offense to O but this just doesn't seem like his thing.

Excuse me sir, but I did a tile backsplash in the kitchen in the Opartment last year and it came out pretty darn well. :handyman:

Wasn't there some doorknob debacle if I recall correctly?

Contractor's doing -- not mine.

 

[NCCommish]

Run a natural gas line outside for a grill. You can always do the smoker/charcoal thing as well, but a dedicated line to the grill is money.

Or, instead to spending time and money on this, you can do one of the best suburban shark moves. Own two propane tanks for your grill and immediate fill one when it goes empty. They always go empty in the middle of cooking.

If he is tearing out the kitchen and redoing it, a couple of extra bucks to run some gas pipe to the patio is cheap. The two tank play works, but it's much better not having to deal with propane tanks ever again.

Interesting. So I would have a gas grill outside which feeds off the regular old gas in the house? This seems pretty awesome.

Something like this looks pretty sweet.Does the gas come out at a fixed point in the yard? Can I ever move the grill, or is it permanently stuck at the place where we run the gas line to?

The gas line would be coming from out of the house. Yes, you'll be stuck with your grill in that location.

Well really how often do you move your grill? Most people tend to put it in one place and leave it there.

i move it often. when grilling in the rain/snow, i pull it right up to the doorwall. my parents' house had the fixed gas grill, and it was a PITA during inclement weather. shuke's multiple propane tanks method is the right move. i have 3.

As long as it works for you. But you are paying 6 times what it costs to use the gas piped to the house. My guess is the savings over the years would make up for the cost of putting another connection or two in.

 

[[icon]]

Every time you do a "house project", big or small. Buy a good quality tool that will help make the job easier. It'll make undertaking the task less painful, and you get to pick out a new toy for the pegboard. In no time you'll be the envy of the neighborhood.

BINGOMy pop started this one long ago. His garage is like a damn Lowes now.

 

[[icon]]

As long as it works for you. But you are paying 6 times what it costs to use the gas piped to the house. My guess is the savings over the years would make up for the cost of putting another connection or two in.

With all due respect, because you're one of my favorite posters on this forum... We're talking about $60-70/yr here. Not that big of a deal. It may knock the price of a gas for a cookout down 50 cents? I've gotta think you're looking at the better part of a decade to recoup the investment. Don't get me wrong... if you're already digging around at your lines, and you don't move your grill a lot, it's a pretty cool bell/whistle.

 

[NCCommish]

As long as it works for you. But you are paying 6 times what it costs to use the gas piped to the house. My guess is the savings over the years would make up for the cost of putting another connection or two in.

With all due respect, because you're one of my favorite posters on this forum... We're talking about $60-70/yr here. Not that big of a deal. It may knock the price of a gas for a cookout down 50 cents? I've gotta think you're looking at the better part of a decade to recoup the investment. Don't get me wrong... if you're already digging around at your lines, and you don't move your grill a lot, it's a pretty cool bell/whistle.

All good.

 

[Bri]

All this lawn talk... http://www.robomow.com/videos/robomow/

 

[Bri]

Tools are expensive. You will have them when you're done with a job, so you can use them again, but you've gotta think it through versus paying someone to do it. You don't want a toolbox full of stuff you only used one time. I sure wish I didn't. Decide if you care if you have a perfect lawn or not. Some men seem to obsess about it, some throw some seed down and hope for the best. Do you care if you come home from work and see grass but not a beautiful green carpet of a lawn? We did the baby thread. If you are inside you are going to be put to work by the wife. Vacuum, dishes, whatever. You mentioned a grill. A nice comfy chair outside? hammock? A weedwacker? You're going to have to get out in a way that won't get you dirty looks when you return. It can't be "Hi, I'm back from the bar" was the kid fussy? I mean that might happen, but don't plan on it as a regular occurrence. Get some little escapes for you outside. Kids of all ages, even babies, like swings. If you've got some shade and can set the kid up in a swing outside, all three of you might be happy. There's a ton of swings available. Some are too frilly or too pretty to go outside. http://www.walmart.com/cp/Swings/86349 There was a thread here about a very fancy BBQ someone built with bricks. That was way too big of a project. You seem to want to put your own touch on the house. How about a smaller version of that? How far is it to the nearest lake? When can we expect an Otis buys a Bryant Boat thread? Babies are so messy and it doesn't get better til potty training is over. You might find a once a week housekeeper cleaning service is a better buy for you than some lawn service. They have a knack for doing a bunch of cleaning, that what would take most people all day, in about an hour. Also, if you're "beat" you can blow off yard work for a weekend. You'll regret it if you blow off cleaning inside.

 

[RudiStein]

Plumbing:

Know exactly where your main clean-out is and how to open it.

You can rent a snake/auger from many home improvement stores or equipment rental places for $30-75. Roto-Rooter etc will run you at least $100 an hour.

 

[Otis]

There was a thread here about a very fancy BBQ someone built with bricks. That was way too big of a project. You seem to want to put your own touch on the house. How about a smaller version of that?

I love this idea and was looking at some pics online. Would be so cool.

How far is it to the nearest lake? When can we expect an Otis buys a Bryant Boat thread?

We're just a couple blocks from where all the boats are moored. I told the wife some day, maybe 10 or so years down the road, we may have to get a boat. Would be sort of awesome. And even more awesome to get a Bryant Boat.

 

[shuke]

You'll need to get yourself a Chore Buddy™ to remind yourself of all the stuff you need to do.

 

[Otis]

You'll need to get yourself a Chore Buddy™ to remind yourself of all the stuff you need to do.

Are you volunteering?

 

[The Big Guy]

Every time you do a "house project", big or small. Buy a good quality tool that will help make the job easier. It'll make undertaking the task less painful, and you get to pick out a new toy for the pegboard. In no time you'll be the envy of the neighborhood.

BINGOMy pop started this one long ago. His garage is like a damn Lowes now.

I tend to think a little to the opposite here. If you are doing a strange project, a "one-timer" as I call them, then you go to Harbor Freight and get yourself a good-enough made in China tool to either be disposed of at the end of the project, or to be placed in your basement to get properly dusty until someone needs to borrow it.

 

[mr. furley]

get yourself a snowblower or hire a guy

 

[RudiStein]

Every time you do a "house project", big or small. Buy a good quality tool that will help make the job easier. It'll make undertaking the task less painful, and you get to pick out a new toy for the pegboard. In no time you'll be the envy of the neighborhood.

BINGOMy pop started this one long ago. His garage is like a damn Lowes now.

I tend to think a little to the opposite here. If you are doing a strange project, a "one-timer" as I call them, then you go to Harbor Freight and get yourself a good-enough made in China tool to either be disposed of at the end of the project, or to be placed in your basement to get properly dusty until someone needs to borrow it.

You live long enough or move more than once you'll need that tool again probably.

 

[The Z Machine]

There's a "tool lending library" here in Oakland (as well as Berkeley and SF too) that will lend out many types of tools (hand, power, etc.) You can borrow a wet cutting tile saw, or an extension ladder, or a Cat 5 crimper, or some fish tape, or hacksaws, vises, C-clamps, etc. It's great, and free too.

:urbanlife:

 

[Reaper]

Plumbing:Know exactly where your main clean-out is and how to open it. You can rent a snake/auger from many home improvement stores or equipment rental places for $30-75. Roto-Rooter etc will run you at least $100 an hour.

Step back.... KNOW WHERE THE WATER SHUT OFF IS!!!!!11!The clean-out I leave to others. The one blockage I did have was way up the line and my house is as old as Otis so, it needed a good clean out anyway... i think it was like $150. Well spent.