Specific Safety Guidelines for Cup Wheel Usage (part 1)

When we buy any tool, most store personnel will be nice enough to inform us about the safety usage of that particular tool. This is apart from the manufacturer’s tips written on the manual.

Image Credit: paranormalsafety.com

Still we may not have a solid grasp of safety until we start using the tool. Here are a few more tips on how to keep you (and the people around you) safe when doing some concrete grinding:

Read the manual

Thoroughly read, and not just skim on the manual. Remember, the manual is there for a purpose. It is meant to point you in the right direction. It aims to help the tool achieve a longer life, as well as to keep you safe when using it. Oftentimes, people just rely on tips from other people about product usage. Well let me tell you that even experienced DIYers and professionals read manuals.

Check the tool regularly

Store the grinder and the cup wheel right to avoid any damage when it’s not in use. Look for damages before using it again. Other people overlook the need for a little checkup simply because they know that the tools were properly stored. Well don’t get too complacent, especially when the tools are inactive for longer periods of time. Believe it or not, they still look at the manual every so often for a little review.

Protect yourself!

Always wear safety gears. A decent eye and ear protection should be fine – goggles to keep particles from getting into your eyes and ear muffs or plugs to protect yourself from the high noise level, as well as from particles. In the workplace, you shouldn’t be wearing jewelry and loose clothing. Wearing hair net is good too to avoid your hair from entangling with tool when it’s being used.

Store right

Be sure you store your cup wheel the right way, and that’s in a place where it is safe from damages. Be sure it’s away from pointed tools, and of course, from children. A small space to isolate the cup wheel and a clutter-free work space will really be a big help. Keep in mind that there is always the danger of debris falling into it and dust forming on the cup wheel.

Here they are for now. More will come in the next few articles, including safety guidelines for using other tools. Here’s to a safer work place. Ciao!

What is the Proper Attire When Woodworking?

Your diamond tools like diamond core bit aren’t the only things you must prepare if you are working on a home improvement project. Even the clothes that you wear have something to do with it.

Wearing the right clothing is also important for safety purposes. Don’t worry, we won’t be mixing and matching designer clothes here. We’ll have none of that.

Like I said, we need to have the right type of clothes when doing some woodwork or any type of construction project to observe safety.

Tips on Choosing Proper Construction Attire

• Don’t wear loose clothing. 

 When doing construction, never wear loose clothing as they may get caught into any machine. Keep in mind that many construction injuries stem from this. Obviously it can cause a whole lot of trouble as you continue with your job.

Be sure, too, that the clothes you’re wearing cover your skin especially if you are working under the sun. If you want, you can buy one of those arm and leg warmers if they make you feel more comfortable when working. A woodworker’s apron should also be comfortable and relevant.

• When doing some wood turning, don’t just wear what is comfortable for you. 

 I mean, sure it makes you feel easier to move. But wearing a shirt and shorts may not be good for the job as falling debris and other elements can contact with your skin and may cause you unimaginable problems in the future. For this type of work, the best attire is a long-sleeved shirt coupled with long pants.

Notice how I am putting an emphasis on the skin. Not only is the skin most open to different kinds of dust particles, it is also quite overlooked by construction workers. Perhaps most of them feel that because it comes with the territory anyway so it shouldn’t be much of a concern.

• Safety should be of utmost concern.  

Keep in mind that while you feel most comfortable wearing a shirt, you have to learn that you’d be a lot safer when wearing a long-sleeved shirt. Wearing loose shirt is even worse so please, try to dress appropriately.

Do a little research and you’ll find that there are actually statistics that prove many an accident have happened at work sites where the workers don’t wear appropriate clothing. The lives you may save may not just be your own but also of those around you.

Hey more tips to come so please keep to this blog. Until then, you all be safe at the work place!

The Benefits of a Fencing System

In Europe, a fence is a staple in almost every household. In many parts of this wealthy continent it’s almost impossible to see a neighborhood with a single house that doesn’t have a fencing system.

Such is not the case in the US. Depending on the location, a fencing system is really not a popular part of houses. Many don’t feel the need to install fence for security reasons because for them a security alarm system will suffice. There are also community restriction codes. A few even doubt the importance of it for the reason that burglars can climb over it anyway. But then there are those who install fencing system because they fully know its importance.
 

Here are some of the benefits of Fencing System:

Privacy

At first look a fence sets boundaries and for some this is enough reason to install some on their home. Depending on how and where it is installed, it can even block noise from the outside. Especially in this day and age, privacy seems to have become elusive.

Security

This is another obvious benefit of a fence. When your home is surrounded by fence, burglars will think twice of breaking in. Yes, they may easily climb, but then again the task would be much harder especially that they don’t know what to expect when they get in. As aforementioned, a good alarm system will certainly be a big help.

Easy maintenance

As homeowner you should choose the right fencing material for your needs and budget. There are many kinds of materials available like wood, metal, and vinyl. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Metal and vinyl, for example, are easier to maintain. Wood gives off that elegant appeal but is harder to maintain. Be sure you got your power tools ready such as diamond core bit and saw blades in case you need some work done.

Aesthetic appeal

A nice fencing system will add style to your home. A little research on the different types of fencing material should help you decide which one to purchase. Once you have chosen the right one for your home, you may go all out in decorating your façade, garden, whatever it is you want done. It’s your home… the possibilities are endless. Just be sure you won’t be at loggerheads with any of your neighbors.

Image Credits: susivinh |  tobi

Be Safe Around Diamond Cup Wheel!

As you may already know, a diamond cup wheel has a whole lot of uses, not just in big construction projects but also in our everyday lives.

Image Credit: en.wikipedia.org

One example is the repair of sidewalks. Sidewalks need to be repaired because of persons with disabilities who also pass through them. Pathways that are not level can cause them serious trouble. That and the fact that cup wheels help beautify sidewalks in the process. For the same smoothing purpose, a diamond cup wheel also comes in handy in making your pavements level. Of course there are many other uses for the cup wheel and this I will tackle in future blogs.

 Safety Measures for Using Diamond Cup Wheel

The purpose of this blog is to remind you guys of safety measures when you are working with a diamond cup wheel. As they always say, better safe than sorry. You don’t want to get anyone injured for a simple mistake that could have been prevented.

-    Take note of manufacturer’s safety instructions. These pointers are there for a reason. Be reminded that the product you are holding underwent an entire prototyping process so the manufacturers sure know what they are talking about. They are there to keep us safe in handling the product.

-    Check the blade’s maximum surface and revolutions per minute. This should be in relation to the wheel’s operating speed. To protect the operator, it is very important that the guards are in the right position on the wheel.

-    Don’t be stubborn and wear the proper safety gears and equipment. Use eye protection as well as hearing protection. By now you may already know how dangerous dust is so you better wear face mask. Whether or not you are working on a wide area, you just have to protect your lungs especially when you are in an enclosed place.

Utmost care is needed when using any power tool, and that includes cup wheels. If we neglect any of these, be prepared to suffer the consequences. Don’t be complacent. In any construction site, it’s not just your life that can get in danger, but also the lives of other people.

Remember this: power tools like diamond cup wheels are around to help us with work and make our lives a whole lot easier. Treat them well and they will exhibit longevity. Abuse them and they may just fire right back at us.

Diamond Blade is a Man’s Best Friend

Who says diamonds are just girls’ best friend? Because diamonds are equated as engagement rings for women this does not mean that diamonds have no used for men either. Though there are cufflinks with a diamond or two for men, there is another use for diamonds as well. They are not just ornament but they can also be used for construction as power tools such as diamond core bit and diamond blades. They can be easily used by construction workers for cutting any materials. It is a fact that diamonds are actually for both men and women and they can be used not just as an ornament but for other useful activities as well.

Credit: wikipedia

Diamonds have always been used in conjunction with precious metals as jewelry. They have been used for hundreds of years in Europe as a means to show one’s social standing but studies show that they have been used thousands of years before that for a different matter all together. Diamonds were used in China to polish ceremonial burial axes. In ancient China, burying of the dead is a serious business because of their patriarchal society. They value their ancestors hence they must be given proper burial. Most burial axes were made of a very strong material called corundum that can only be polished by diamonds. These axes are polished hard until it resembles a mirror before it can used by the Chinese in the old days. This finding just goes to show how good diamonds are in cutting objects.

Diamonds are also considered one of the hardest stones to cut and because of that characteristic; it then became useful for cutting. Gem stones were very hut to cut by other means except with the use of diamonds. There are very few items that can cut hard materials but it is not impossible with a diamond. It is one of the precious stones that can cut any hard material that is why it is now used for industrial purposes.

Most saw blades in the past had difficulty in cutting objects and with the invention of other materials in construction like asphalt, ceramics, stones, concrete, bricks, glass, and other hard materials, it has become more difficult. However, with the invention of the diamond blade, the difficulty of cutting abrasive materials is a thing of the past. This type of blade is encrusted with diamonds for perfect cutting precision. It is not impossible to cut any object with the use of this kind of blade.

A diamond blade comes in many shapes and sizes depending on the type of equipment it houses and depending on their use as well. It would be better to select the type of blade that would best fit a person’s need. Be it used for a major construction or for simple remodeling, there is a diamond blade that would fit anyone’s needs.

Drilling a Hole through a Brick Wall is Easy!

There’s a variety of reasons why you have to drill a hole through a brick wall. You may do it for your cable requirements for your satellite dish or outdoor speaker, perhaps to install a door or another window.

For whatever reason, you need to do it in a smooth, precise way. For this, your tool is a diamond core bit. But before you get on with drilling, there are a few things you need to know. Below are some pointers, along with a step-by-step guide on how to drill a hole through a brick wall. For this you need preparation, focus and a little patience.

Step-by-step Guide on Drilling a Brick Wall: 

First thing to do is to find out what is behind the brick wall. You don’t wanna mess up anything that could be lying behind it such as pipe or any kind of metal or wiring. By pushing through without checking, you may only be doing damage to it. If available, check the floor plan to be sure.

Now comes the planning. Before marking the brick wall with chalk, figure out the dimensions. Be sure you know how big the hole you need is, depending on what you will use it for. You really need to be precise on this one so double-checking would be a great idea.

Do the marking. Since you are doing it on a brick wall, the chalk is your best option for a marker. You may need to check the dimensions again for good measures. Another reason why you should use chalk is that you can easily erase it if you make any mistake in marking.

Before moving on to the drilling, be sure you have safety gears – gloves, goggles, and respiratory mask are good enough.

Now you are ready to drill a hole in the brick wall. Do your drilling in the mortar because it’s easier to do it there as opposed to the brick itself. The plunge cut is the way to go. Start cutting near the middle of any of the vertical lines you made. When cutting, ensure that you are able to cut just a little inside the chalk lines. This is to ensure that you won’t damage the bricks as you go along.

Time to clean up. If you weren’t able to completely cut through, you can do the finishing by using a hammer and chisel. When you’re done, be sure the hole is free of debris.

See that was simple; something you can do all by yourself. For more tips, all you need to do is check this blog.

Image credit: flickr

On Becoming a Master Carpenter

Carpentry is both a science and an art. There is just so much going on in carpentry work apart from putting diamond core bit in action. It’s for this very reason why I have so much respect for carpenters. In my opinion carpenters are an intelligent bunch. The craft entails a whole lot of focus and precision. An ordinary carpenter has my admiration. What do you think it makes a master carpenter? Wink.

A master carpenter isn’t a mere honorary title. Simply put, it is a person who has excellent ways to go about things wooden.

Image Credit:redbeacon

This article is meant to give encouragement to long-time carpenters, as well as carpenter helpers, who dream of reaching their peek in this beautiful craft.

Take formal training if you can – A lot of carpenters start young, learning the ropes as early as high school, either on their own or with the help of their father/grandfather. There are also vocational courses available so try to look around and get yourself some formal training for a good head start. Professional carpenters prefer helpers that have a very good grasp of woodworking.

Earn an apprenticeship – To become a certified carpenter, you need to work under a professional carpenter. Remember – formal training will point you in the right direction, but it is through years of experience that you will become an expert in your craft. Be on the lookout for job fairs that are usually organized by vocational schools and trade associations. 

When you find one, make the most out of your apprenticeship program and try to gain as much knowledge as possible. Be respectful and friendly to your boss as it’s from him where you will learn valuable information about carpentry. That’s apart from the experience, of course. Sooner or later your hard work is gonna pay off and you’re gonna be a journey person and will be eligible to mentor other carpenters.

Further your knowledge and skills – Grab the opportunity if you hear of workshops and seminars in your area. Build acquaintances and try to be friends with different people in the industry. You know what they say, sometimes it’s who you know and not what you know. Most importantly, immerse yourself in the craft. Learn to handle different kinds of tools like saw blades and diamond blades. Be patient. Being a very good carpenter certainly does not come overnight. Perhaps a good 20 years of solid experience will give you the recognition, because ultimately, nothing beats experience.

Choosing the Right Saw Blade for the Job

Obviously, the blade is the most essential part of the saw. The right saw blade means a world of difference between a job well done and a complete disaster. In construction especially, the smallest of mistakes can ruin everything.

It’s for this reason why there are many types of saw blades. You may have the most expensive saw blade from the most well-known brand, but if that thing on your hand is not the perfect tool for your project, then you are not doing yourself any favor. Worse, you may even damage the tool and jeopardize the entire project. 

Here are some of the different types of saw blades and their application:

General purpose saw blades

As the name implies, it is normally good to use for different applications. Still, you are advised to use a kind that is designed for a particular use. This only implies that if you need to have only one kind of saw blade, it would have to be general purpose. All DIYers have this on their tool box.

Rip saw blades

Cutting through a pile of hardwood wouldn’t be much of a problem with rip saw blades. This type of saw blade is designed to make smooth cuts, at the same time trim down feed resistance.

Crosscut saw blades

For the perfect cut across the grain, crosscut saw blades take care of the job. In such situation, this kind of saw blade just creates the smoothest cut.

Miter saw blades

When the job calls for glass-smooth miters that are on their way for assembly, miter saw blades are the way to go. They simply guarantee precise cuts for such situation.

Steel saw blades

When cutting through whatever kind of metal, this is the saw blade to use. The job would readily give any other kind of saw blade significant amount of damage.

Non-ferrous metal saw blades

Non-ferrous metals are those that do not contain significant amounts of iron. Examples are lead, brass, copper, tin, aluminum, and tungsten.

Melamine saw blades

For melamine and other materials that are covered in plastic laminate, melamine saw blades are your best companion. They answer to the problem of chipping better than any other saw blade.

Different materials call for different kinds of saw blades. Be sure you use the right type for your project. As they say in construction, there is always the right tool for any job.