For years and years, when building decks and other construction assemblies, it was not uncommon to have to use lag bolts to hold one thing to another.  Lags did the job fine for then, but now with these Torx Lags, the job has gotten much easier, faster, and in many ways, better.

When you used to have to use a lag bolt, a hole was often predrilled, the lag inserted and set with a hammer, and then finished off with a box wrench, socket wrench, or an impact driver.  It was hard to do in tighter spaces and after 20 of these connections, your arms and shoulders were letting you know exactly how much fun it was to build today.

I came across these in 2006 and tried a bunch on a job where we had to attach a second story deck ledger to the outside wall of a house.   The ledger was 32 feet long, and required a fastener every 16 inches.    The Torx lags were used and we had the ledger installed in less than 15 minutes!  With the lags, it would have been at least twice that if not more.  Plus, I feel we did a better job since they were installed with such little effort that we actually used more of them than was required.  And, because of the self drilling tip on the screw, the wood splits less if at all.

To explain the screw a bit, there is a #30 Torx driver tip that I use in my 18 volt DeWalt cordless impact driver to run the screws in.  This tool is great for these as it is lightweight and easily handles with one hand.  With traditional lag screws, I had to use a ½” electric drill with a stabilizer handle, the associated extension cords, and both hands.

The screws are plated for outdoor use, and also have a self cutting tip with engineered teeth in the screw ridges to make long cuts into solid wood with minimal effort.  I have run 10” and 12” versions of these screws into solid beams with no more effort than a one handed impact driver requires.  Very easy to use.

It is also interesting to be able to use these for temporary assemblies rather than nails or spikes.  The Torx head makes for a positive tip to fastener connection so removing the screws is just as easy as putting them in and they can be reused multiple times.

Since discovering these screws, I have pretty much completely discontinued the use of hex head lag screws.  I stock 5/16” diameter versions in 3”, 4” 5” 6” and 8” lengths  at all times on my tool trailer.  They have been used in cabinet installations, fireplace mantles, carports and decks, railings, gutters, shelving, and even door hanging.

To say that I am impressed with this fastener is an understatement.  Going back to “the way it was” will never happen.   The fastener industry realizes the increased popularity of this type of hardware and have come up with several variations including  thinner diameters, longer lengths, and different head configurations.

Next time you need to attach something with a lag screw, Forget About It, and try these Torx Lags instead.  You will be hooked and will never go back.

So when Channellock tools came to me and wanted to work out some promotional activities and brand awareness on the radio show, I had no problem with that.  I have been using these tools for years and was quite familiar with them.  In fact, I went as far as to go out to my tool boxes and root through them and dug out all the Channellock tools that I could find.  I had some linesman pliers, wire cutters, a pair of needle nose pliers, a humungous pair of nippers that I really do not know where they came from, and of course the classic Channellock tongue and groove pliers.

Over the years, many tools get called Channellocks.  It unfortunately has become misused terminology where the brand name is associated with any other similar configuration.  Coke, Weedeater, Kleenex and others have all suffered a similar fate.  But, in a way it is flattering, that YOURS is associated with the best.  Therefore, manufacturers work hard to protect their trademarks and appearances.  Channellock is identified today by the light blue handles and their logo.  Look in most professionals tool boxes or bags and you will see something that is This Blue.

What I appreciate about the Channellock tools is that they are tough.  Beyond tough.  Insanely tough.  I have heaped more abuse in general on my tools over the years using them for many things other than what was intended by the manufacturer and it is not hard to separate out the good from the bad.  The strong from the weak.  Some can take it and survive to live another day and some die a painful death.

As an example, I have attached a photo of the handles of my Channellock #420 T&G pliers.  Yes, I know these do not have the blue handles.  I am not sure that these ever did.  I don’t remember where or when I got these. I just know that they have been with me a very long time.   On the other side, not shown, they say they were Patented in 1933! These #420’s have been in many different tool boxes, worked on 4 different motorcycles, 9 cars, 5 houses, and countless garage projects.  And many more to come I am sure.

Today’s version of the #420 is very, very similar.  I compared my “old” ones with the new 420.  A slight change of shape here and there, but still made in the USA and stronger than all get out.   How long will they last?  That will be hard to say, but if the previous example is any indication, the new 420’s will be around a lot longer than me.

It is also good to see that the product is still made in Meadville, Pennsylvania.  It can’t be easy to make a product like this in the competitive pressures of a global manufacturing economy.  It takes commitment, pride, and attention to detail.   While not a surgical or musical instrument, precision and quality materials still must be present.   OK, I won’t throw in the cheesy metaphor and comparison to plumbers, electricians, and mechanics being surgeons or musicians in their own way.

I have always been a believer in buying the best tools that you can.  Quality doesn’t let you down.  Some of these outfits that offer “Lifetime Warranty” on their knockoffs should really say that you will be back every few months for the rest of your life getting replacements.  Just buy the good stuff in the beginning and your tools won’t fail.

Channellock has been expanding their product line and refining the classics.  If you haven’t looked beyond your hardware stores peg hooks, take a minute and check out www.Channellock.com  and see what you need to add to your tool box!

This is one of those products that goes under appreciated and unnoticed by the majority of hands-on homeowners, repair people, and contractors.  But once you experience the product, you will bee hooked on it from there on out.

I was told about Big Stretch caulking by a fellow contractor who was doing some siding work.  We were talking about how caulking can dry out and crack and he said that since he started using Big Stretch, it has not been a problem for him.  So I tried some.

Not only have I been using it for exterior siding and windows, but also for interior door casing and base boards.  It bonds really well, is easy to work with your finger, and cleans up easily with water.   There are 12 colors as well as a clear version available but 90% of my purchases have been the white.  Mainly because most of what I use it for will end up getting painted anyway.

I have found it to have a good shelf life in my tool trailer as long as I use some of those red rubber caps over the tip of the tube when in storage.  Those things are great too!

Now here is the real kicker for me.  As of this writing, I have been using this product now for well over 2 years.  I tried to figure out how many tubes I have purchased in that time and I am coming up with about 350.  I have yet to have a crack or failure, or a call back for a caulking issue.

Here in my area, Big Stretch is available only at the Lumber Yards, and not the box stores.  Some have a better selection of the colors than others, but as a minimum, they have White, Clear, and a couple of the other colors.  I pay $4.29 per tube.

Big Stretch is not for everything, and if you check out their website, you can see where and what it is not recommended for.   But take it from this Contractor, use Big Stretch and you will not be disappointed.  Neither will your customers.

Have you ever done something for so long that you never even considered a better way of doing it? This was the epiphany that hit me as I first started playing with the Smart Straps Retractable Ratchet Tie Downs as I unloaded them out of the box. It is one of those forehead slappers. Duh! This is a much better way.

What I am talking about are the tie down straps you all probably have rattling around in a coffee can in the back of your pick up. If you are an over the top organizer like me, they are in 2 separate metal containers in my bed rail box. One for the straps, one for the ratchets. Regardless of your storage method, the same problem plagues all of us. You have to untangle them every time you use them, feed an end through the ratchet, and then have to figure what to do with the extra footage of strap. My straps are 10 footers, but when I think about it, I usually only use about 5 feet of them. So, somebody did some good research at Smart Straps because the ones I tried out are 6’.

What makes these things so cool is that the strap is permanently attached to the ratchet. No more two parts to loose one. You release the ratchet, pull out the strap you need and tighten up the ratchet. When done, the strap rolls itself up on the spool! Incredible.

I have driven around town with the extra strap off my old tie downs shut in my truck doors. Or slammed under the lids of the toolboxes. Or the best one, dragging on the road behind me.
I have purposefully avoided my ratchet tie downs for short strap jobs. Too much effort for a few 2×6’s on my ladder rack. I have used bungee cords. Probably not the safest thing to do. Now I can use these Smart Straps tie downs faster and much more secure to the benefit of my fellow motorists and me.

Home run on this one folks, this is a really good evolution. And now that you know about them, your old straps are going to drive you crazy. Mine will be in the next yard sale I have. Test.

For more information about this product, visit www.smartstraps.com

The claim was made in the press release that “Not since the introduction of the modern level in the 1920′s has there been such dramatic changes to the design and functionality of the level like those of the new C.H. Hanson Precision Ball Level.”

Now if you know me at all, a claim like that makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up. I have seen probably a hundred things that all claim to be better than their predecessor and have actually fallen flat on their faces. I have also seen “Improvements” made to designs that were anything but. However, after now having used this new level on several jobs and situations, there is definitely a place for this level in my tool trailer.

Check out the product in greater detail at www.chhanson.com but let me describe
what I used as a two foot machined aluminum level with a single aviation style ball in the center which allows you to not only level and plumb, but can essentially do both at the same time when placed on its side. It measures any pitch, which I found very handy on a roofing / truss project.

The level also has riveted on rubber bounce caps on each end which I liked considering the first thing I did while showing it to someone was to unintentionally let it slip out of my hands onto their driveway.

This is a nice tool. Well-built and fun to use. At around $40 from what I can find, it is also a good value. Is it an improvement over a traditional level? Yes, in my opinion it is. It offers versatility that other levels can’t.

Not being able to leave well enough alone, I would like to see it available in a 48″ version. Maybe even a 72″ because it would be great for doorjambs and spanning greater distances than what a 24″ level is practical for.

I have not intentionally pounded on this thing to see what it can take. I like it too much. But I am concerned that the ball itself sticks out past the face of the aluminum housing. The way I leave things around, and stepping on them, I’d hate for my clumsiness to burst my bubble if you know what I mean.

Good tool, good price, good improvements. Nice job C.H. Hanson!

Don’t get me wrong, Hunter makes a really good fan, but to market this product as a five minute install is a very misleading.

The fan is beautiful and works fine. That is all the nice stuff I can say.

I got this fan as a sample from the manufacturer. They wanted me to talk about it on the radio show. I even interviewed a guy from Hunter and we talked about how I would let the listeners know what I think. I am going to have a hard time holding back my tongue.

First, I took the approach of a novice. I have put up probably 20 fans over the years, but I thought I should go about it as a first time do-it-yourselfer should. I opened the box and found the installation manual. “Read this entire manual carefully before beginning installation”. That right there took 9 minutes. I then separated the parts and modified the fan as instructed to fit my hugger style mounting application. 10 more minutes. Hanging bracket and test fit, 4 minutes.

The wiring instructions were not very clear. In my ceiling I had a black wire and a white wire. The fan had a black, a white, and a black with a white stripe. The instructions did not say what to do with the stripe wire. I hung the fan on the mounting bracket with the black and white. No lights. Take the fan down, I tried the two blacks together, and the lights worked. Would have been nice to have this noted in the instructions. 15 more minutes.

The snap on blades worked pretty good. Not great. And then the %&$#@*! light kit. Whoever thought it was a good idea to fish the pull chains through these little plastic grommets, through the glass and then through a trim piece with more little plastic grommets should be suspended from a ceiling fan and put on twirl for hours. Not good. I fumbled with this trying to feed chains and snap connectors together for almost 15 more minutes.

Total time? 53 minutes. Note to Hunter- Change your packaging and tell the truth.

At the time I didn’t notice the claim in the green circle that says “1/3 the parts, installs in 1/3 the time”.

I thought, “Great, another one of those.” I was pleasantly surprised.

With the pop up assembly designed the way it is with a cable type activation mechanism, and the lack of need to use plumbers putty to install it, I had both faucets attached to the two new sinks, supply lines on to the faucet, dropped in the counter top, connected to the drain and angle stops… Both sinks, in 20 minutes! 5 more for removing the aerators and clearing the lines and 5 more for caulking in the sinks to the counter top and they worked perfectly.

30 minutes total. NO PROBLEMS and BETTER than ADVERTISED.

Note to American Standard- Well Done! Thank you for thinking this one out.