If you define yourself by the work you do—and so many of us do—then why not define the tools you use to do the work? Stiletto Tools has a new tool personalization program that is, well, sharp. (Get it? Stiletto…sharp…anyway…)
It’s sensible too.
Not only can you glam up your Stiletto tough stuff, but you can give a bonus to an employee that deserves it. Or, more mundanely, if you’ve got sticky-fingered dudes around they’ll be less likely to snap up something that has someone else’s name on it… know what I mean?
So, how about it? If you could get your tools personalized, what would you put on them? Let me know by posting your comments below.
A recent study from the US Green Building Council and Booz Allen Hamilton suggests that green building could support 8 million jobs over the next four years.
Photo courtesy of DOE/NREL, Credit - AstroPower.
In addition, the study says green building will pump $554 billion into the American economy — including $396 billion in wages.
Some highlights from the report:
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I promised myself (and you) that I would protect my business from tire-kicking prospective customers. Twice this week I went back on my new policy. But I have an excuse. Or, better, a reason. First failure was when a homeowner I’ve worked for asked my advice installing a storm/screen door – www.LarsonDoors.com (note: I recently installed one of these…awesome…more later.) The human side of me could tell the guy was moving from Lost fully to The Land of the Lost (or for old-schoolers.) I felt badly for the dude and before I knew it I had given advice, loaned tools and saved the day.
Second time happened last night at a kitchen estimate. It took roughly five seconds to determine the homeowner had done zero research other than getting my phone number. When he learned a small, starter-kitchen costs about 10K installed he turned several shades of no waaay!
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Fall’s here–big time in my area. And for us that means weather. For cold, wet, ugly weather the clothes sometimes make the carpenter (or fisherman, or motorcycle rider) right? Carhartt, one of the big boys on the clothing block, has some cool new stuff for the cold.
Carhartt vest. Source: carhartt.com
I plan to get some gear and work through some reviews over the coming months so stay tuned. But if you’re ready to gear up now (or have been putting it off) check 0ut the Mock-Neck Vest for those “shoulder seasons” where cold and hot happen before lunch.
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JimMo in Seattle writes–Could it be Clement?
So Mark, I’ve got the TV on in the background while I’m getting ready for work and sort of watching an infomercial about Rockwell Tools’ JawHorse. Low and behold I turn around and “tool expert Mark Clement’s” mug is facing me, telling me about how he uses those things on his sites. Come on! Is that you? Is it true. And, most importantly, do you have a doppelganger?
The workhorse Jawhorse from Rockwell tools has a 1001 uses on my sites.
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Murphy's Law: Clean air and messes in one pass.
Here’s a tip from the Carpenter Mark file:
Home improvement can sometimes fill a house with a stale smell. Plaster dust, latex paint, primer caulk, sweaty guys, dirt… you see where this is going. On a recent kitchen remodel I had very good luck pepping up the lifeless air with Murphy’s Oil Soap.
It also helped clean up dusty messes on the floors and counters. All I did was pour a rich solution of Murphy’s and water and wipe down the dust. Then—in a pail small enough that no animals or children could ever drown in it—I left a solution in the sink overnight. I could smell the difference the next day when I got to work.
So, what’s your take? Got any tips on ways to use multi-purpose cleaners? Let me know by posting your comments below.
Mark Clement is a home improvement contractor, author of The Carpenter’s Notebook and co-host of MyFixItUpLife.
I just saw an article in the Wall Street Journal that runs a bit counter to the idea that Congress needs to extend the $8,000 tax credit for new home purchases. And it raises what I think are some valid points.
The author states that even though a number of organizations, including the National Association of Realtors, the Mortgage Bankers Association and the National Association of Home Builders, say that an extension is essential — he respectfully disagrees for five key reasons: Continue Reading
I recently read an article that indicates consumers are buying more small HDTV sets than larger sets. Perhaps this makes sense, given that many households have upgraded their “main” televisions and are now replacing some of the smaller sets around the house.
Source: retrevo.com
According to Retrevo…
Last year at this time the ratio of small (up to 37 inch) to larger sized TVs (37+ to 50 inch) was approximately 1:1. This year that ratio has shifted to 3:2.
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Lutron has loaded up a tour bus with their lighting and shade controls. It is now touring the country. This is a great way to reach people who might not otherwise have an opportunity to see Lutron’s dimming technology.
source: smarttodim.com
Lighting control is a great way to differentiate your homes from the competition and it can extend lamp life and save energy. Plus it affords your customers more options for setting “moods” of lighting based on what they’re doing.
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