8 Things You Can Do With A Mini Air Compressor

A mini air compressor is one of those things that you will never really not need – it comes in handy for many little tasks that you get to do yourself, and it makes them so much easier.
It’s basically a small pump, but that is really easy to use. The typical, old model home use pump will require a lot of pulling and pushing and huffing and puffing. Not a mini air compressor; it runs on battery and all you have to do is keep it charged and it will inflate anything that needs pressure in it.
Its ideal for many different kinds of home use as well; at home, you can use it to do many things. You will get to use it in your car, and it’s a must have if you are going on road travel or camp.
Let’s see 8 different scenarios where a mini air compressor will make the difference:
If you have kids, you know the grief of a leaky football, or any ball for that matter. With a mini compressor, these are so easily and swiftly fixed that they stop having to get you to go to the gas station each time.You may have inflatable mattresses that you are afraid to deflate because you are not sure how you will inflate it again. They end up taking a lot of room when you could easily have deflated it and put them away. A mini air compressor will allow you to inflate them easily again, so that you don’t have to worry about deflating.Again, this is for those with children. You realize that you throw out many toys because the moment they deflate, they are useless and you’re not particularly bothered to carry them along with you as you go out to have them refilled. A mini air compressor will help you here.A mini air compressor is just as important as jumper cables or a flash light in your car.

You know the grief of changing a flat. With a compressor, simply re-inflate the flat tire the drive SLOWLY to the nearest gas station where someone will change the tire for you. Its especially wise if you are going long distances or along deserted stretches that do not have establishments along the way.If you are going camping, you’ll need to inflate this or that – camping equipment is usually collapsible and a lot of it will require you to get air in it before you can use it. A mini air compressor is a must take-along.If you have a boat, its advisable to have one of these on any time you set out for sea. It’s nice to know that should you need your raft and it has a leak, you can fix it.The same goes for white-water rafting. All that swishing and bumping may cause your raft to lose air, so make a point of having one handy.For party decorations, you can get a mini air compressor to work for you if you want to inflate some of the decorations.
As you can see, the uses are many. It’s definitely one of those handy tools that you should have close to you at all times. They come pretty small so transporting it back and forth should not be a hustle. They are also pretty cheap – they range from $20 for a good one, although there are some pretty expensive models out there.
You will charge the battery through any electricity outlet, but many of them can be charged in the car by the cigarette lighter outlet.
A mini air compressor is one way of making sure that you are always prepared and also saving yourself time and the expense of repurchasing items that you would have simply re-pressurized.

A Guide To Using A Hardwood Floor Nailer

When it comes to DIY, and even for professional use, a hardwood floor nailer will make your home improvement a lot easier, and give you a much smarter job in the end. It is actually the only tool that’s known to effectively nail down hardwood floors. It sits on the wood and positions itself in such a way that the nail will always go into the right place. It also makes laying of hardwood floors much faster. It works hand in hand with an air compressor. The air in the compressor is driven out at high pressure and is the one that delivers the nail so effectively inside the hardwood.

Compressed air is driven into the tool chamber at high speed – about 90 pounds for every square inch of power. The air will then push a plate downwards and the plate pushes the nail out and into the wood. You’ll feel a slight ricochet so a steady hand is important.

As you can see, it’s an extremely useful tool but can also be very dangerous if used incorrectly. The nail comes out of the hardwood floor nailer at a really high speed and if it went into an untended place would cause lots of damage. That’s why it’s important that you learn all the necessary steps required to operate it successfully.

You will need to get the following tools in order to do your floor laying properly.

  • Hardwood planks
  • The hardwood floor nailer
  • Face nailing shoes (if you don’t have a compressor)
  • Nails
  • Mallet or hammer with rubber head (if you don’t have an air compressor)
  • Some putty
    Here is what you need to do:
  1. Lay out your planks. You will be starting at a corner that’s along the wall. Get a plank and lay it our where you intend for it to go, with the plain side facing the wall. The tongue side is where the nails will go. Make sure its straight and aligned properly – it will determine how the other planks will sit. Once you get it right, get the others and fit them in, all the while making sure that you have laid them out correctly. Once you place the nailer on, you will notice that it goes into the tongue.
  2. Press the trigger and release the nail, remembering to keep a steady hand for the bounce-back. Measure 16 inches from the first nail and similarly fire another nail into the plank. Keep going with the same measurements between nails all the way down the plank.
  3. Lay on the next plank and do the same. Because of the way it’s made, you will notice that there are hardly any scratches on the plank from the hardwood floor nailer.
    There are some cases where you may get a hardwood floor nailer, but not the compressor. This is where you will use your rubber headed hammer or mallet, but you are not guaranteed of such a swift and clean job as if you had an air compressor. There are many places where you can hire both. Since they are easy to use and you won’t need them for long, it will probably not cost you much. These are a good option.

Head Flashlight Illuminating Your Work With A Hands-Free Head Flashlight

A head flashlight is ideal for low-light job tasks, whether you are working in an area with limited power access such as an attic, or if you are working on a project late at night. It keeps both hands free to work with your home improvement tools, and the LED lights emit a powerful white beam which can be adjusted to suit the extent of your line of vision. A head flashlight is generally inexpensive and easy to wear.

One of the most popular is the Petzl E47 PS Tikka Plus 4-LED head flashlight for $30. The highest recommended feature is its comfortable and lightweight feel with cushion forehead pad, adjustable headband and weight of only 2.75 oz with batteries. With three easy to operate lighting levels, the four LED bulbs cast light up to 105 feet at the high setting and 49.2 feet at the low setting. A tilt mechanism allows you to angle the beam where you need it most reducing neck strain. It also has a water-resistant plastic casing for outdoor use. Three AAA batteries are included providing 150 hours runtime on the most economical setting. The Petzl Tikka Plus is covered by a three year warranty.

A more expensive option which is also highly commended is the Streamlight 61052 Septor LED head flashlight which normally sells for around $50 but is available from Amazon for $30. This headtorch supplies piercing light from seven ultra bright white LEDs, each with a life of 100,000 hours. It features three levels of lighting and the included AAA batteries have 120 hours of continuous runtime on the lowest setting. A 90 degree tilting head directs the light where you need it without you having to change your position. It comes with two fully adjustable straps.

The Flood Light Super-Bright Luxeon LED head flashlight normally sells for $20 but there is a special offer of $6.50 from Amazon. For exceptional illumination, the advanced Luxeon technology produces 10X light of LED, with a 100,000 hour-life. The head also has an adjustable angle pivot so the light can be directed to your line of vision. A two-way adjustable stretch headband is comfortable to wear and the head flashlight weighs 5 oz. Three AAA batteries are included and the construction is weather-resistant.

Keeping Tools Handy With A Leather Tool Belt

A durable and practical leather tool belt is essential for any DIY homeowner and tradesperson to keep all the necessary home improvement tools close at hand. Various tool belts have different pockets and holders so it is best to research the features offered and select one suitable for your level of work.

The Bourn Tough Lot-724 leather tool belt is made from a premium full grain cowhide leather treated with a special blend of oils and waxes to last long and perform well under all weather conditions. It has two large inverted pockets, two medium sized flared pockets, six small tool pockets, two steel hammer loops, leather tape pocket, and a side plier holder pocket. A fully adjustable wide leather tool belt with single tongue buckle provides extra comfort and durability, fitting waist size 30”-48”. It is backed by a three year guarantee and costs $37.99.

For a cheaper option, the suede leather tool belt LCP-19 from Bourn Tough costs only $16.50. It has two large main pockets, three front medium sized pockets, six small tool pockets, and two steel hammer loops. A fully adjustable belt with quick release buckle fits waist sizes from 30”-48”.

Women are the largest group to make decisions about home improvement and many women are tackling DIY jobs and taking up construction occupations, so for the chic lady a pink tool belt is a fashionable and practical accessory.

Girl Gear Industries 69 pink leather tool belt receives a high recommendation in user reviews. It contains four main pockets, six smaller pockets for pliers, screwdrivers, nails, pencils etc, has two hammer loops and has a belt with quick-release buckle to fit hips 30”-47”. This pink tool belt is made from heavy duty suede leather and costs $22.

About SanDiegoHomeImprovement

America’s finest city features stunning architecture, beautiful maritime seascapes, gorgeous gardens, and lovely homes. And it’s largely due to the quality and character of our very own local home design professionals and artists.

With this in mind, I’d like to welcome you to San Diego Home Improvement, your best one-stop resource for all of your home improvement needs within San Diego county!

This is a great resource for anyone looking to find convenient and affordable home improvement professionals for their home remodeling needs. But this is also a great resource for San Diego based home remodeling and design professionals who want to reach out to their online community!

Our directory of home improvement specialists runs the full spectrum of home remodeling categories, from bedroom feng-shui gurus to bathroom design technicians and plumbing authorities. You can find the perfect home renovator for your needs here in our expansive listings.

If you are a local remodeler, home designer, or home repair specialist, please contact us and have us add your own website to our directory. We’d love to get you the online recognition you deserve for all your hard work, in the ongoing effort to keep our city beautiful and sophisticated for decades to come! Again, welcome to your San Diego Home Improvement guide, and we wish you luck with all your future home improvement projects!

Deciding On A Cordless Power Drill Tool

For versatility and practicality in a variety of drilling situations, a cordless drill power tool is essential. There are various kinds of cordless power drills with different features and prices. The important things to consider are functionality and performance in relation to the type of usage you require it for.

A cordless power drill of 12 volts is ample for most woodwork drilling and these drills are small and light. More powerful drills of 24 and 28 volts are much heavier and are generally only needed by contractors. Lithium Ion batteries allow the drill to have more torque while lasting longer on a charge. The best cordless drill models have variable speeds for greater control when working with different materials. Most cordless power drills have a keyless chuck ranging in size from 3/8”-1/2”, depending on the capacity you need. Having a clutch gives you greater control of the depth to which screws are driven. For increased user comfort, a textured and contoured T grip handle is best. Cordless power drill tools can be purchased for $60-$300 depending on the brand, voltage and features.

The Panasonic cordless drill EY6432GQKW has been recommended as the best overall cordless power drill tool for its performance, comfort and value. It weighs 4.8 lbs and is a compact 8 3/16” in length, while a 15.6 volt driver delivers 390 inch/pounds. A variable speed setting ranges from 0-400/0-1300 rpm. It has an eighteen stage clutch and heavy-duty keyless chuck. A contoured rubber grip reduces user fatigue and is ideal for both right and left-handed users. The kit includes two NiMH battery packs, charger and case for $199, and comes with a one year warranty.

The best professional drill is the cordless drill Makita LXT BDF451. It is powered by an 18 volt Lithium Ion battery and weighs only 4.4 lbs. This cordless drill power tool delivers 560 inch/pounds and has a three speed transmission of 0-300, 0-600 and 0-1700 rpm. Known for their ergonomic design in home improvement tools, this cordless drill Makita tool is very comfortable. A $280 kit contains two batteries, charger, tool belt clip, bit holder, screwdriver bits and case. There is a three year warranty on the tool.

Voted the best budget drill, the cordless drill Ryobi HJP001K costs $80 with the kit including two batteries, charger and tool bag. Weighing a mere 2.2 lbs this drill is incredibly lightweight. The 12 volt Lithium Ion batteries deliver 0-550 rpm. It has a 3/8” keyless chuck but no adjustable clutch, and a one year warranty.

Another popular tool is the cordless drill Dewalt DW983K with a 14 .4 volt battery that delivers 400 inch/pounds. A three speed setting offers maximums of 450, 1400 and 1800 rpm. This cordless power drill tool has an adjustable clutch with a 1/2” keyless chuck and weighs 5.5 lbs. It provides maximum durability with all-metal gearing and case, and has a non-slip rubber handgrip. The kit can be purchased for $118 and comes with a charger, two batteries and heavy-duty box. The tool is backed by a three year warranty.

One of the most expensive is the cordless drill Bosch 13618 at $306 for the tool, two batteries, charger, magnetic bit holder, double ended bit and side handle. It is powered by an 18 volt Ni-Cad battery delivering 550 inch/pounds. It has two settings with top no-load speeds of 0-450 and 0-150 rpm. This cordless power drill tool is highly durable and has 1/2” chuck, fifteen clutch settings and externally changeable brushes.

Essential Home Improvement Tools for Homeowners and Tradespeople

From the practical needs of homeowners to the demands of the professional tradesperson, home improvement tools are essential for living. Every homeowner can list the endless maintenance, modification and repair jobs regularly carried out, and for plumbers, electricians and framers, their work revolves around having the right tools. This website offers information and advice on a wide spectrum of DIY and tradesperson tools including product reviews and pricing.
The compact, lightweight and portable design of cordless home improvement tools allows you to tackle jobs in difficult places with cordless convenience. While not as powerful as corded tools, they are able to handle a wide variety of jobs from light-duty remodelling to commercial projects.

There are different types of saws suited to various kinds of cutting. Cordless reciprocating saws are used for demolition style work and cordless circular saws are used for cutting straight lines with a spinning blade. For the much finer work of cutting curves and patterns in materials, a cordless jigsaw is best. A cordless nailer is also a great buy if work necessitates repeatedly hammering hundreds of nails.

The best batteries to use with cordless tools are Lithium Ion batteries. They are more expensive but recyclable, have a long shelf-life, are extremely lightweight and perform well in cold temperatures. Manufacturers often sell combination packages with several cordless tools that use the same battery pack. Alternatively, if you already possess other cordless home improvement tools you will want to buy only the bare tool. Also, remember that DIY tools are always necessary regardless of location.

In addition to these tools, there are aids that every homeowner and tradesperson needs. A ladder is one of these essential home improvement tools to reach your areas of work. They can range from a folding step ladder to a telescoping ladder. Both reaching varying heights and some styles are able take on different shapes to reach difficult areas, while having their unique features and functions. To increase your safety while working on a ladder, various ladder parts can also be purchased.

Michigan Kitchen Remodeling Contractors

Kitchen remodeling and renovations are the single most popular home improvement. The kitchen gets more use than most rooms in a home and kitchens are the most important room in a house to potential buyers. Hiring a kitchen remodeling contractor to renovate your kitchen may be a worthwhile investment and provide new life and beauty to your home.

With over 25 years of professional kitchen remodeling experience, Pro Tech Home Improvement can provide the quality you want and the reliability you deserve. We are a fully insured, Michigan Licensed Builder qualified to handle any kitchen remodeling project.

New Kitchens Remodeling
Custom Kitchen Renovations & New Kitchens
Pro Tech Home Improvement’s kitchen remodeling experts can design and create a new custom kitchen to fit any budget. Our professional installers can improve your existing kitchen with minor or major renovations. Renovating your old kitchen with new hard wood floors, custom countertops or custom cabinets can help spruce up your home.

Kitchen Design Ideas
Our kitchen design experts can help match your new kitchen’s color, texture and style to perfectly fit your home’s décor. From Colonial to Contemporary to Victorian, Pro Tech Home Improvement can design a custom kitchen for any lifestyle.

Designing a new kitchen involves a lot of important decisions and options. Type of countertops, ceramic tile, cabinets, faucets, flooring, sinks, cook-top ranges, refrigerators, microwaves, dishwashers, paint and color schemes just cover a few. With endless design options on almost everything, our kitchen design experts will help guide you through the entire process with ease.

Free Estimates for Kitchens, Bathrooms and Basement Remodeling

Michigan Kitchen Contractors –
Tips for Hiring
Michigan Kitchen Contractor – Tips for Hiring
Custom Kitchen Renovations
Plumbing, Electrical, Drywall, Trim and Carpentry

Green Kitchens
(Learn how we can help you go “Green”!)

Custom Flooring
(Bamboo, Ceramic Tile, Hard Wood, Granite, Marble, Stone)

Kitchen Fixtures
(Delta, Moen, American Standard)

Custom Kitchen Cabinets
(Merillat, Bertch, Pro Tech Custom Cabinets)

Custom Kitchen Countertops
(Marble, Granite, Stone, Solid-Surface, Formica, Corian)
Ceramic Tile Floors
Custom Kitchen Cabinets
Looking to replace you existing kitchen cabinets? Pro Tech Home Improvement can customize and install any style of cabinet from the Bertch or Merillat premium product lines.

Want the same craftsmanship that our premium cabinet manufacturers at a fraction of the price? Ask about our Pro Tech Custom Cabinets .

Custom Kitchen Countertops
Modernizing your existing kitchen can be as simple as installing a new countertop. Pro Tech Home Improvement carries a complete selection of DuPont Corian, Formica, Granite, Marble, DuPont Zodiaq countertops. All of our countertops are custom-built to fit perfectly in your home and we can match your new countertop to any existing style, texture or color.

Michigan Bathroom Remodeling Contractors

Bathroom remodeling and renovations are one of the most popular home improvements. Remodeling your bathroom can increase the value of your home and create a great selling point for potential buyers. Hiring a bathroom remodeling contractor to design and install a new bathroom may be just what your home needs.

What Our Customers Think!
I can’t thank you enough for the wonderful job you did remodeling our kitchen. All my friends that have come over can’t believe what a difference there is and how beautiful it looks. Thank you again for a great job done!
Anna R. – Troy, MI

Free Estimates for Kitchens, Bathrooms and Basement Remodeling
Do you need a place to relax and unwind from a long day? Our professional bathroom designers will work with you to make sure your new bathroom remodel provides that stress free environment you need.

Bathroom Remodeling
Bathroom Remodeling and Design Ideas
Custom Bathroom Renovations & New Bathrooms
Pro Tech Home Improvement’s bathroom remodeling experts can design and create a new custom bathroom to fit any budget. Renovating your old bathroom can be as easy as installing new ceramic tile, custom countertops and a new coat of paint. From basic bathroom face-lifts to fully custom bathrooms, Pro Tech Home Improvement can find a professional solution to meet any homeowner’s needs.

Bathroom Design Ideas
Our bathroom design experts can help match your new bathroom’s color, texture and style to perfectly fit your home’s décor. From Colonial to Contemporary to Victorian, Pro Tech Home Improvement can design a custom bathroom for any lifestyle.

Designing a new bathroom involves a lot of important decisions and options. Type of countertops, ceramic tile, cabinets, showers, bathtubs, flooring, toilets, sinks, vanity, paint and color schemes just cover a few. With endless design options on almost everything, our bathroom design experts will help guide you through the entire process with ease.

American Standard Fixtures Delta Faucet Company Moen Faucets
Want to find out what a Pro Tech Home Improvement kitchen design expert can do with your old kitchen?
Request a Free Estimate for a custom kitchen renovation or remodeling project.

Office Furniture – Sort Out Your Storage

We may be living in a paperless age, but there’s still plenty of need for office furniture that offers great storage.
For all offices, storage is an issue. Whether its finance paperwork or spare parts for products; stationery items or IT supplies, there’s always something that needs putting away safely. Managing your business’s storage requirements takes a bit of planning and the right office furniture.
Storage Office Furniture
Every office has its own system when it comes to storing items. Whether your company is heavily paper based and needs a lot of filing space, or you just need accessible cupboards so that staff can keep their personal items out of sight, there’s an office furniture solution for you. Obviously, a manufacturing stores area needs dedicated shelving so that stock can be monitored and re-ordered in time, but for general office needs, there’s a range of good quality office furniture available:
General Office Storage – Most desk ranges have matching storage and filing solutions to compliment their range. We have a selection of storage ranges available from the desk section.
Metal Office Storage and Filing Cupboards – Clever space saving metal office filing and storage solutions, from traditional four drawer filing cabinets to tambour units that are suitable for storing, paperwork, chemicals and hazardous material to comply with health and safety rules.
Post Room Filing and Storage – A selection of module or practical office cabinets or post room shelves, ideal for storing documents, newsletters, magazines and any paperwork for your office.
In addition to these standard storage items, you can also get office furniture that provides on-desk storage or under-desk storage which helps to save space. Whatever you need, assess your office before you buy, because a general storage and cupboard system might be better for you than buying several separate items.
Storage Deals at Hunts Office Furniture
If you’re looking for quality office furniture that gives you the storage options you need, shop at Hunts. We specialise in furniture that looks great and works well, giving you the best of both worlds.

Office Chairs Making the Right Choice

When you’re choosing new office chairs, you need to make sure you get the right types of seating for your staff needs.

For the people that work in your office, whether they work there every day, or they’re visiting for a meeting, comfort is essential. That means having the right seating to suit a variety of purposes. Choosing just one type of office chair might be the most economical option, but often gives the wrong impression and will ultimately cost money in replacement chairs and eventually maybe even replacement staff.

Employees who spend their time working at a computer or on the phone need quality ergonomic chairs that allow them to sit in the same position for several hours without feeling tired. Boardroom and conference chairs might need to be more formal, whilst coffee area or reception seating will be used less and can be more stylish and domestic in design to allow staff and visitors to relax in comfort. Knowing the types of office chair needed in your workplace can help you to buy exactly the right thing, making the best use of your budget.

To help you choose we have divided our office chair ranges into broad categories that reflect the generally expected usage, although in practice many of our chairs are suited to multiple applications

Computer chairs
The design of office chairs has changed over the years as we have become more aware of the physical requirements of office seating and as the way we work has developed. No matter what business you are in, a reasonable percentage of your staff will spend their time in front of a computer screen, so they’ll need height-adjustable, ergonomic office chairs that lets them work at the correct height for optimum computer use, and that supports their back, as they won’t need to get up and move around as much.

For that reason, we have categorised our general day-to-day office chairs as computer chairs, although they could equally be described as typist chairs or operator chairs, as most will also be used for a variety of administrative uses in the office.

All made in the UK and Europe (we don’t supply cheap far eastern imports with the lifespan of a mayfly!), our computer chairs come in a wide range of styles, colours and configurations and are engineered for reliable and trouble-free daily office use, and are fully guaranteed.

Task Chairs
Task chairs are one step up from the general computer, typist or operator chair. As the name implies, task chairs are intended for longer task use. Task chairs tend to be of more heavy duty design with improved materials and added design features making them more suitable for longer duration tasks in the office.

Executive Chairs
Designed for multi-purpose office use, our executive chair ranges incorporate the most sophisticated features to ensure the comfort of the user over extended periods of time.

With many ranges to choose from, ranging from modern fully adjustable mesh backed chairs to sophisticated leather designs, we have something to suit the most discerning executive, whatever the style of office.

24hr Chairs
As the name suggests, 24 hour chairs are intended for shift users or users operating either in hard or long task environments, or are necessary for users of above average height or weight.

These ergonomic office chairs are designed to spread the user’s weight over an increased surface area, increasing comfort and support to reduce fatigue and maintain staff efficiency over long shifts.

Ergonomic or Orthopaedic Chairs
Although all our office chair ranges are ergonomically designed, providing good lumbar support and comfort, we also have ranges that are specifically engineered to provide higher degrees of ergonomic and orthopaedic support. Spanning all normal office applications, these ergonomic office chairs are designed to provide higher levels of orthopaedic support.