Tools and Equipment

Ladder Safety

Ladder Safety

With the right ladder and proper use, working above ground level should be no problem. Make sure you have an appropriate ladder and use correct technique for ladder placement, always keep in mind ladder climbing safety and correct technique for ladder climbing.
Choose the Right Ladder
There are three basic portable ladder types:

• Type I – Industrial: heavy-duty with a load capacity not more than 250 pounds.
• Type II – Commercial: medium-duty with a load capacity not more than 225 pounds. (Suited for painting and similar tasks.)
• Type III – Household: light-duty with a load capacity of 200 pounds.

There are many types of ladders available on the market. If it is intended to be portable and used by a single person, it should fit into one of the three basic categories.
The most common type of ladder in the home is a stepladder. Mariette Mifflin, About’s Guide to Housewares, offers tips for choosing the right stepladder.
Only choose ladders with the UL seal from Underwriter’s Laboratory. Ladders commonly come in three materials: aluminum, wood, or fiberglass. Aluminum is the most durable, but will conduct electricity, making it dangerous for use around electricity. Wood may rot. Fiberglass is the best combination of durability and non-conductivity, but is also the most expensive.
Using a Ladder

• Make sure the ladder is suited for the type of job you plan to do (see the types above).
• Before using a ladder, especially a ladder that has been stored in the garage for a while, inspect it for cracks or broken joints.
• Place your ladder on a stable, even, flat surface. Never place a ladder on top of another object.
• Use the 1:4 ratio to ensure a stable working platform. Place the base of the ladder 1 foot away of whatever it leans against for every 4 feet of height to the point where the ladder contacts at the top (see graphic).
• When using an A-frame stepladder, make sure the brace is locked in place.
• If climbing onto another surface, make sure the ladder extends at least three feet past the platform you’re climbing onto.
• Secure tall ladders by lashing or fastening the ladder to prevent movement.
• Always face the ladder when climbing or descending.
• Keep both feet on the ladder – never put one foot on a rung and the other foot on a different surface.
• Do not climb higher than the second rung on stepladders or the third rung on straight or extension ladders.
• Never stand on the top or the paint shelf of a stepladder.
• Keep your belt buckle (if you have one) positioned between the rungs so it doesn’t catch.
• Never leave ladders unattended – kids love them.
• When working with electricity, use a ladder made of wood or fiberglass.

Maintaining Ladders
Inspect ladders regularly. Stepladders and extension ladders should be inspected for broken or frozen joints or latches. Aluminum ladders should be inspected for cracks and broken welds. Aluminum ladders should also be inspected for rough spots and burrs before first use.
Wood ladders should be inspected for cracked wood, splinters, and rot. Look for broken or loose hardware. Protect wood ladders with linseed oil or clear sealant. Never paint a wooden ladder – the paint may hide imperfections such as rot or cracks.
Fiberglass ladders are protected with a clear sealant. If the fiberglass is damaged through the sealant, sand lightly before applying another coat of lacquer.

With the right ladder and proper use, working above ground level should be no problem. Make sure you have an appropriate ladder and use correct technique for placement and climbing.

rideon lawnmower

When shopping around for a fancy new machine and grass catcher, you have a lot of options to choose from. possibly the old machine broke, or maybe you just moved into your brand new dream home and need a good lawn mower to keep the lawn wait great, but any(a) the conclude, you have to do your research and decide what type of cutter is right for your necessarily.

One factor you should keep in mind when looking for your new lawn mower and grass catcher is the size of the lawn to be cut. If you have to keep acres of land, you will certainly want to mount a cutter in order to cut the grass will not have a full day to complete. Also, if you have medical conditions or their age makes it tough for you to exercising physical effort to cut a lawn, you may sooner or later want to get a riding mower, even if your yard is not large. Or if you like me, you can catch a ride on mower just for fun! The latest zero-turn mowers are great because maneuvering around corners and other tight spaces is much easier than it used to be the oldest ride on lawn mowers. Keep in mind that if you have a small yard, these types of cutters can very be more expensive and more of a hassle than it’s worth, so make sure you really need a cutter to the first floor. A good rule is if you can cut the grass in half an hour or less with a cutter on, so you do not need a ride on one (unless of course you have a physical condition).

If you’re going with a more traditional ride lawn mower, your basic choices are push, gas or electric. Needless to say, just going with an antiquate push mower if you’re looking to get a good workout to maintain your yard, because you’ll definitely be doing a lot of sweat and burn calories. If you want an easier time cutting, you’ll want a gas or electric machine. Each type has its pros and cons. Gas mowers are powerful, but of course you need to reset the gas when it is exhausted, and sometimes they can be a pain to start up, gas cutters and require more maintenance and repair of other types. Electric mowers are easier to use and does not really require much maintenance, but they do not have as much power as their counterparts in the gas and its distance is limited by the length of your extension cable. Don’t forget to check out the grass catcher attatchements for your new lawnmower.

Whatever type of cutter you decide to go with, make sure you do your research. Check reviews online, ask your friends and neighbors for advice, and spend a little time shopping around before making your final decision. mowing the lawn happy!

Choosing the Perfect Air Compressor For Your Needs

Air tools are much more powerful and normally better engineered as compared to electric tools. Naturally, pneumatic tools are only useful if you connect them to the correct air compressor. The point of this article is to explore some different air compressor brands and perhaps permit you to make a sensible choice in advance of giving anyone your credit card. To make certain that this article is comparing apples to apples, every one of these wheeled compressors are oil lubricated for better heat dispersion and quicker tank fills. Also, be sure not to miss the various types of Portable Air Compressor.

They have capacities between 20 and 30 gallons, are made of thermally stable cast iron, and have a suitable level of air pressure to animate a normal nail gun or paint sprayer. These compressors are intended for residential use, although due to their power levels, they could be relied on in a light-industrial workshop too. A nice one to check out various types of the Campbell Hausfeld Air Compressor.

Husky’s 30 gallon vertical air compressor is a substantial machine which can fit in a little nook, therefore it is an ideal piece of equipment for a garage or basement. Husky’s 2 HP engine operates the twin-cylinder pump with the right amount of power to generate up to 135 pounds of pressure in every square inch. Husky’s 30 gallon compressor furthermore uses an automotive-type air filter to protect the compressor from complications resulting from dust or dirt. This model is nearly 35% quieter than most similar compressors, and is simple to service.

Campbell Hausfeld offers a 28-gallon vertical air compressor that will meet the needs of any serious home handyman. This air compressor comes with all of the convenient abilities the aforementioned Husky machine includes, in addition to easy to read gauges which enable you to keep an eye on the amount of air pressure you plan on sending through your tools. The solid, extra thick handle and large tires make this portable air compressor effortless to move. This machine also produces enough power to run nail guns, cutoff tools and more. The American made cast iron pump has been made to operate dependably} for an average of 3,000 hours.

Powermate’s 20 gallon air compressor uses a horizontally-mounted tank that requires more floor space than the vertically-mounted machines, but the 20 gallon tank is more compact in any direction. This brand’s 1.9 HP motor is just slightly smaller compared with the power plant in our other air compressors, yet as a result of the motor’s efficient technology, this model can produce a comparable volume of PSI. The Powermate’s pump includes an oil level sight glass as well as a conveniently located oil fill, and the dual voltage motor is sold wired for a normal 120-volt outlet but could be easily switched to accommodate 240 volt outlets for industrial settings.

An air compressor is not an impulse buy; every one of these products can cost four to six hundred dollars, and the attachments, tools and other accessories could raise that cost quickly. If you do your own home or automotive repairs, fortunately, you are likely saving enough cash to justify the air compressor which can make your chores easier.