Home Improvement

BMitch

01:20

I just noticed that @Tester101 is over 20k, making him our second "trusted user". Way to go!

I also see that @woodchips is just a short hop from 10k, maybe we can have a party tomorrow.

Jigar Patel

10:35

Hello everybody

Tester101

11:29

@Aaron How much load do you have on the dimmer? I think dimmers displace something like 1 watt of heat for every 100 watt load, and the heat is typically displaced through the metal mounting bracket.

The first thing you want to check, is that the switch is rated for the wattage you are driving. You could also try using a metal cover plate, as it might help dissipate the heat. If you're using a plastic junction box you might want to replace it with metal, as that too will help dissipate the heat.

Aaron

16:03

@Tester101 it's 8 PAR38L lights I think maybe 60 each? I need to check

Aaron

16:30

now the lights in the garage door opener don't come on, yet I changed the bulbs

Tester101

16:40

60 * 8 = 480 Watts. 5 W * 3.41214 = 17.0607 Btu/h.

Aaron

le sigh

Aaron

17:04

@Tester101 I'm getting a tiny bit of leakage (I think( right at the coupling nut between the tailpiece and the trap

The tailpiece is the metal, and the trap is PVC and I've got a 1 1/4" (tailpiece) to 1 1/2" (trap) reducing washer in there along with the compression nut torqued down pretty good

Tester101

17:23

@Aaron dry it off really well, then wrap some toilet paper around the pipe. That should show you just where your leak is.

The tailpiece should slide into the pipe below it, so you shouldn't get any leakage there unless the water backs up.

Aaron

yeah it should just go into the trap

I'm not quite sure why it's even really hanging out there

Tester101

Are you properly vented?

Does the sink drain slow?

This is a tough one to solve without being there.

Aaron

It doesn't drain particularly slow, no. I did auger the wall out pretty good when the old vanity was in place, and I did pull out a lot of junk then

I don't know how to easily check the venting

Tester101

You'd likely notice if you have bad venting. You'd hear gurgling, have slow drains, and possibly sewer smell (if the trap water was being sucked out).

Is the drip forming at the top of the coupling or the bottom?

Aaron

No gurgling, but the tub drains crappily. It's actually right at the top of the coupling, forming a little tiny layer of water on the horizontal surface of the coupling nut circumferential around the tailpiece

Tester101

17:37

And the pipe above is completely dry? There is no water leaking down, and collecting on the coupling?

can you post a picture of the union, pointing out where the leak is?

Aaron

18:08

yeah I will do that when I get home

Aarthi

18:56

SUP DIY

TIME TO GET THIS PARTY STARTED!

Welcome to Project Update Thursday!

BMitch

woah, she beat me

Aarthi

I'm your host, Aarthi -- just @Aarthi me if you wanna chat. Or tell me alllllll about your DIY goodness

Tester101

\o/

Aarthi

PARTY TIME!

BMitch

she's the hostess with the mostest

Tester101

18:58

Aaron

good evening suckers

Can I use the same blade on a miter saw for cutting composite trim and PVC water pipe?

Tester101

Power miter saw?

Aaron

yes

wax eagle

@Aaron seems like you'd melt the pipe, but I dunno

Tester101

Cutting PVC with a miter saw!? How much pipe are you cutting to make the setup worth it?

Aaron

19:01

well I already have the miter saw - what other things can I cut pvc pipe with?

Tester101

Hacksaw.

Aarthi

HACKSAW.

:D

I LIKE THAT WORD.

wax eagle

hacksaw is very effective :)

Tester101

Not better than SLEDGEHAMMER!

Aaron

I'm getting to be a big fan of the miter saw though

it was great for the composite trim

Aarthi

19:03

@Tester101 You're right, that word wins.

Miter saws -- I've seen those. Using one always makes me feel like Supergirl.

Tester101

Peter Gabriel even likes Sledgehammers.

Aarthi

aka: I can do anything!!! muahahahaha!

Tester101

No songs about hacksaws.

Aarthi

haha

BMitch

on a serious note, when we cut vinyl siding, we put the blade backwards (spinning the other way) so that it makes a smoother cut without ripping it to shreds. No idea if the same technique could be used on PVC.

wax eagle

19:09

@BMitch very clever, will have to remember if I cut siding ever...

auujay

I have never had a problem with the saw blade ripping a PVC pipe. All the pipe I have cut is much thicker than siding.

Aaron

I thought cutting backwards was a good way for it to throw wood back in your face

Tester101

@Aaron In this case it would be half melted plastic.

BMitch

@Aaron vinyl siding isn't made of wood, but that's a great point. First hand experience with that on a table saw

Aaron

wood = workpiece more generically

BMitch

19:13

I've seen a 2x4 get launched from a table saw

auujay

I have done that with a table saw too. we had the blade guard off so I didn't realize we were cutting "backwards".

it caut the wood and launched it into the wall of the garage

BMitch

blade guard, what's that? :)

Aaron

►

mythbusters oxygen tank rocket

BMitch

great episode

Aarthi

you mean every episode

Aaron

19:16

Anyways, to answer the question I posed, using the miter saw works great on PVC piping

wax eagle

@Aaron awesome good to know :)

Aaron

it does leave a little bit of a "burr" but it comes off easy enough

and it makes a good crisp edge

Steven

works well on ABS too!

Tester101

"Tips to cutting plastics with a miter saw". Sounds like a good blog post.

Aaron

ok so maybe it is ABS pipe I'm talking about

I mean the white stuff that you can buy at home depot

<- not a plumber

Tester101

19:18

BLOG!!!

Steven

ABS = black. PVC is usually white

Aarthi

@Tester101 obligatory blog reminder?

which reminds me: joel loves the DIY blog. like, a lot.

wax eagle

cpvc usually off white

Aarthi

heh colors.

Aaron

@Tester101 I can't even make that int o a whole post. 1) plug in saw 2) pull trigger, 3) pull down, 4) release

Steven

19:19

5) cover your nose, it stinks

Tester101

@Aaron HAHA. just add a bunch of pictures.

Aarthi

pictures make the post every time.

@markm247 hello!

Tester101

@Aarthi @SteveJackson hasn't been around, so it's just me to pester people.

Aarthi

awww. is he okay?

also: man I miss Karl

Tester101

Think he's busy with some super secret project.

Aarthi

19:22

pssh.

meanwhile: I move into my new place starting in a week

i'll need to do things like: paint cabinets

and replace showerheads

wax eagle

@Aarthi fun :)

Aaron

Aarthi

I hope it's fun! I just need to learn how to change closet doors....

Aaron

Also, about this picture that @Tester101 found yesterday

Tester101

@Aarthi No more squeaky neighbors?

Aaron

19:23

The little nut at the top of the clevis strap is driving me crazy

Aarthi

@Tester101 nope.

:D

Tester101

@Aaron you mean it's driving you nuts?

Aarthi

I need to figure out how to replace sliding closet doors with bifold doors. will i need to replace the track, too?

Steven

@aarthi, maybe, maybe not, but probably

Tester101

@Aarthi Ask a question on the site.

Aarthi

19:24

@Tester101 once i have access the place, you know i will!

Aaron

@Tester101 I was hoping to not make that joke myself

Tester101

@Aarthi Then you can blog about replacing the doors!

Aarthi

@Tester101 YOU HAVE DISCOVERED MY NEFARIOUS PLAN!

Aaron

I keep tightening it, but yet the rod from the faucet keeps slipping in there. It's the most hokey stupid arrangement I've ever seen

Aarthi

hmm. does Home Depot sell the supplies to make bifold doors?

also: what kind of paint should I use on kitchen cabinets?

THINGS TO CONSIDER.

Aaron

19:27

making doors is a huge pain in the neck

wax eagle

@Aarthi maybe, but you're likely better off finding them at an antique/salvage store :)

Steven

I know HD sells part kits for bifolds. I would only imagine they sell the doors too

Aarthi

@waxeagle booo too much effort here. Shame I can't just steal the ones in my apartment currently.

@Steven I hope so, otherwise this project is gonna suck

Aaron

@Aarthi semi-gloss for kitchen cabinets

Steven

as for painting cabinets, melamine paint gives a good finish on them, though it can be a pain to apply well

wax eagle

19:28

actually I might want to do bifolds in my kids' rooms, they currently have mirrored sliding doors...but that won't be for a long time

Aarthi

@waxeagle i hate sliding doors. you lose access to the midlde 10%! the most important 10%!

wax eagle

@Aarthi they sell them

@Aarthi homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZapvv/h_d2/…

@Aarthi yes this

also kids + giant panels of glass = ?

Aarthi

@waxeagle deth. it equals deth

we need some parenting mods up in here to remind us :P

Steven

at a minimum, lots and lots and lots of fingerprints

Aarthi

@waxeagle sweet! and it looks like I could repaint those without a lot of trouble.

wax eagle

19:30

@Aarthi they have unfinished ones too

Aarthi

@waxeagle ooo even better.

Tester101

I installed an unfinished bi-fold door 3 years ago, and it's still unfinished.

Aarthi

you should...finish it? :D and then blog

:P

Tester101

Step 1. Dip your brush in stain. Step 2. Rub the brush on the door. Step 3. Repeat.

Breath in, breath out.

Aaron

did we discuss 12V vs 18V tools?

Aarthi

19:36

@Tester101 :D really? I was gonna paint mine red or orange or something

auujay

I love my 12v milwaukee set

Tester101

@Aarthi It's just like painting a fence.

Aarthi

@Tester101 so, sand+prime+paint in three thin, even coats!

Tester101

You shouldn't have to sand before priming. unless you buy really low quality doors.

Aarthi

@Tester101 that i didn't know. That's good.

i thought i had to sand, for it to stick

Tester101

19:41

They should be "finish ready".

wax eagle

@Aarthi wouldn't skip the primer step though :)

Aarthi

@waxeagle rofl that went without saying :P

wax eagle

although several paints now advertise being "paint and primer in one" not sure if they are or not :)

Steven

I love my dewallt 18v lithium drill... though lithium batteries are weird at first because they dont lose power, they just die

loower=loose

Aarthi

Hi @NiallC :D

Tester101

19:43

The Ridgid drill I have does this weird turn off, turn on thing when it's going to die soon.

auujay

my 12v milwakee are li-ion and does die very suddenly. But it does have a 4 segment charge LED so you if you both to look at it you can see how close you are.

Aaron

@auujay I've also heard good things about milwaukee. I'm trying to figure out what tool system to buy into

Also www.cpotools.com has a lot of good bargains

Niall C.

Hello @aarthi and everyone. Just dropping in before getting back to work. There's people here, and chatting!!!1!!

Aarthi

I have a Cobalt drill....still in its box...

@NiallC I KNOW RIGHT. I'm playing hostess with the mostest

Tester101

I like Milwaukee and Ridgid. DeWalt is great stuff, but over priced in my opinion.

Niall C.

19:45

@Aarthi What's your secret?

Aarthi

@NiallC CAPSLOCK :P :P

Aaron

isn't rigid the home depot house brand?

auujay

I wanted a cordless system but the 18v seemed like overkill. I love how like the 12v systems are. I was torn between the DeWalt and the Milwaukee versions. I found a great deal on a milwaukee set (hamer drill, impact driver, oscilating tool, and 2 bateries).

Tester101

Cobalt = Lowes brand. Ryobi = Home Depot.

Steven

ugh ryobi.. such garbage!

I think rigid is home depot too

Aaron

19:48

Interesting, looks like Rigid is a subsidiary of Emerson

Aarthi

my cobalt drill i won. aka, it was le freeness.

it'll be handy when i put up curtains

auujay

I bought a cheap corded ryobi drill. It has done everything I asked of it and is still going strong. For $28 it was super cheap. But it is also a very simple model (drill only, no "screw" settings).

Aaron

Ryobi

Ryobi Limited is a manufacturer of components for the automobile, electronics, and telecommunications industries. They also create printing equipment, power tools and builders' hardware. The Ryobi Tools brand is owned by Techtronic Industries of Hong Kong, an original equipment manufacturer for brands such as Craftsman. RYOBI, and RIDGID). In the United States and Canada, Ryobi and Ridgid Tools are sold exclusively by The Home Depot; in Australia and New Zealand, they are sold exclusively by Bunnings Warehouse. US operations Ryobi Die Casting (USA), Inc. manufacturers products for t...

@auujay by no screw settings you mean no clutch?

auujay

yeah, no clutch. So there there is not much to break.

Aaron

ttigroup.com/en/our_brands/by_division/…

Milwaukee and Ryobi brands owned by the same conglomerate

auujay

19:50

my father-in-law's Ryobi wet saw I would say is middle of the road. Very cheap and does the job for simple cuts, but trying to get good precision cuts with it is basically impossible.

I ultimatly decided that the premium for DeWalt was not worth it down on the low (consumer) end of things. I am sure the real profesional grade tools are actually different but the consumer level stuff did not strike me as any better than the rest (made in china/moter power/tool weight).

Aaron

I have an old 12V Black and decker drill which the battery is going south on

shirlock homes

hi boys and girls

Aaron

so I'm trying to figure out if I want to get an 18V system, a new 12V system, or some of the above in combination with some corded tools

BMitch

howdy @shirlockhomes!

auujay

I am not a pro, so I don't use it for 8-10 hours a day but I do real renovation on the weekends. I have found the 12v system to totally up to the task.

shirlock homes

19:55

Just arrived in hotel on Rochester ny. 8 HOUR DRIVE..!!!!

auujay

The batteries really do charge fast (15-20 min)

Tester101

I've owned many Roybi tools, and have never had a complaint. Not the best choice if you're a contractor, but good stuff for DIYers in my opinion.

Aaron

yeah I'm thinking 12V is better, and then maybe get a corded drill for when I do need to drill a lot of thick holes in things

auujay

I simply love how light and small the 12v tools are

BMitch

@shirlockhomes on your way down to visit @Aarthi?

Steven

19:56

I had a 18V ryobi drill that even with new batteries would only drill a couple holes before the power just dropped off...maybe it was a lemon

shirlock homes

hate to say it but I trashed or gave away all my Rayobi stuff

Steven

the new 18v lithium batteries are very light!

shirlock homes

LOL I wish!! In Rochester for my son's graduation from RIT

BMitch

My personal discovery is that it's all about the battery, not the tool, so make sure you can get replacements when they die. Otherwise, all you have is a fancy paperweight.

auujay

@Aaron, that is what I ended up doing. The milwaukee set even has an optional extra capacity battery you can get if you need the extra power.

BMitch

19:57

@shirlockhomes Big day, is he going to SpaceX? They're doing good stuff.

auujay

my batteries last plenty lon gin the drill and impact driver

though the oscilating tool really sucks the power fast. if you use an oscilating tool a lot, I would stick to a corded version.

BMitch

My batteries weight a lot (thick 18v dewalt) but that means I get lots of life out of them

shirlock homes

He actually talked to them. they just hired about 1000 folks from NASA. He is going to a research Firm in CT. right now. Maybe SpaceX in a year or two

auujay

If I was building a deck or something I would want the conveince of a cordless but probably the power of an 18v. But I already have a deck at my house so most of the time I prefer the light weight of the 12v.

Aaron

BMitch

19:59

@shirlockhomes if they give him an offer, I'd have a hard time turning it down

shirlock homes

I had a lot of trouble with motors overheating and switches burning up

Aaron

$140 for that (including 2 batteries + charger)

Aarthi

@shirlockhomes nice! :D

Aaron

Although that's the 1/4" screwdriver NOT the 3/8" drill

auujay

@Aaron, mine also had an impact driver fo $199 I got for ochristmas

shirlock homes

20:01

Really!! they are a little over stocked with NASA folks, but this co in CT offered him 95 to start. not shabby!!!!

auujay

ah, mine is the 3/8 HAMMER drill

Aarthi

@shirlockhomes that's pretty darn awesome! congrats to your boy :D

shirlock homes

he is going to be a software and hardware enginner there

we are so proud of him. can't u tell? LOL

Hi Aarthi, long time no chat.

Aaron

@auujay there's a 12V hammer drill from Milwaukee?

wax eagle

@shirlockhomes spiffy, one of our mods on Christianity is a student there, and our top rep user on RPG is a prof there...

BMitch

20:03

@shirlockhomes you should be proud, is the CT place in the finance sector, that's where all the money seems to be these days.

Tester101

@Aaron Did you read the Milwaukee multi-tool review on the blog?

shirlock homes

in Norwalk, the east coast silicon valley lol The locals call it the gold coast. just up the street from Aarti

auujay

@Aaron, yes. I would not use it to bore a giant hole through concrete but it will work find for setting tapcon screws

Aarthi

@shirlockhomes it's been ages! and you should be 10000000000000% proud. :D

shirlock homes

Aarthi, my son is handsome and single... and soon to be rich! lmao

I've been working too mush to make it on thursdays so early

Aaron

20:05

@Tester101 I think a while ago, but I will check it out again

Aarthi

@shirlockhomes ahahaha, I appreciate the offer, shirlock! dunno if your boy would find me half so compelling as you do. :D

shirlock homes

Oh trust me, we are ecstatic.

Aarthi

@shirlockhomes :D yaaaaay!

shirlock homes

lol you are still my sweetie.

Aarthi

aw shucks

shirlock homes

20:07

OK guys, you can all leave now, Aarthi and I are chatting. hehehehhee

Aarthi

ahaha they think we're the same person sooooo

shirlock homes

anyone have a building question? My quota is 1 today.

Aaron

@auujay ok I found it, the 2411

shirlock homes

yes they do, and we'll keep them guessing

I think BMitch is on to us

Aarthi

@shirlockhomes we should play it cool around him, then, or else he'll blow our cover

shirlock homes

20:09

yes. better keep it under tyvec. lol

Aaron

@auujay I also want to get the inspection scope

Aarthi

@shirlockhomes ahahaha you sir are amazing.

BMitch

@shirlockhomes who did you think was staring all of these comments? :)

shirlock homes

boat is going in next week, when you all coming to Maine for a conference and live podcast?

Aaron

@shirlockhomes best way to "fix" grout that has some cracks in it?

auujay

20:11

@Aaron, the scope looks like a cool tool. I have not used it but the reviews I found were not particularly positive

Aarthi

@shirlockhomes dunno! I oughta ask Joel.

shirlock homes

@Aaron scrub out some of the old grout with a grout tool and regrout. really easy, not a hard job

auujay

@Aaron, Once feature I did like about the DeWalt models was the location of the light ont he drill/driver (I forget which). It is right at the end so you don't get any shadow at all. My tools have a light but it is on the underside which works OK (better than nothing) but not perfect.

Aaron

@shirlockhomes best way to match the color?

shirlock homes

I have a DeWalt impact driver 18volt compact, I use it for everything. fantastic, worth every penny

Tester101

20:13

I hate the lights that only turn on when the drill is spinning. What a stupid idea!

Aaron

@Tester101 I may have to get that multi tool - I'm also trying to figure out how to fix all my sticking doors - rotary multi tool or oscillating multi tool better for sanding down the high points where they stick?

BMitch

@shirlockhomes I gave that to my dad for Christmas, he didn't even know what it was, but loves it now

shirlock homes

do a very small bit and let it dry. take a look and manually adjust,

little trial and error involved

auujay

the driver's like will come on when you press the trigger but will stay on for 10 seconds or so after.

Tester101

@Aaron I've had good results sanding with the oscillating multi tool.

auujay

20:15

like = light

shirlock homes

I got the whole compact kit. got like 10o dewalt 18volt tools now, aboslutely dependable and rugged. I'll neve3r go back to junk tools again

Tester101

@auujay I need the light to line up the bit with the screw, not when it's already lined up.

BMitch

I got the big dewalt kit with a sawzall and a ... wait, I stopped looking after I saw the sawzall

shirlock homes

I hase some Rigid 18 volt, great power, ultra strong, but batteries are very expensive

Tester101

It should have a separate switch for the light.

shirlock homes

20:17

I beat the crap out of my 18v sawzall. it takes it all. just eats batteries.

auujay

@Tester101, I hear you. Though you can just hit the trigger to enough to start the light, then line it up.

shirlock homes

gotta have a lot of batteries ready.

Tester101

@shirlockhomes Most homeowners don't need contractor grade tools, and are wasting their money buying them.

shirlock homes

I think a good driver that will do anything and last is worth 150 bucks

BMitch

So far, all my sawzall tasks have involved more prep than sawing. My neighbor's jaw dropped when I did a quick fix for him. Apparently he spent an hour doing something I knocked out in 15 seconds.

shirlock homes

20:19

even for a homeowner

@BMitch. fun isn't it? lol

BMitch

I looked back up with an evil grin and said "anything else?"

shirlock homes

good job bmitch.

get those porter cable pruning blades and it is also a chain saw! lol

BMitch

The right tools make all the difference. My neighbors tree fell two days ago, barely missed our cars. The tree belonged to a rental, landlord showed up with a hand saw.

I had already been at it for 30 minutes with a chain saw and there was nothing left

shirlock homes

@Aarthi: no one asked you to stop flirting with me!!!!!!!

Aaron

So would it be useful for somewhere on the site to break down manufacturer tool numbers and what they mean?

Like a question "What are all the product numbers for Milwaukee tools?" ?

because I keep finding myself going back and forth to find out the difference between a 2310 and 2311

e.g.

shirlock homes

20:24

they change so often and sometimes by reseller. so be a task

they put numbers on them for HD or Lowes sometimes

Tester101

@Aaron Too localized.

Aaron

yeah probably

BMitch

@Aaron maybe a wiki, but it's pushing it

Aarthi

@shirlockhomes haha! that's what i get for getting distracted!

shirlock homes

you mean you have other real work to do?

Tester101

20:26

@Aarthi STOP WORKING. and START FLIRTING!

Aarthi

@shirlockhomes i know, how dare they, right?

@Tester101 yeah, that'll motivate me /sarcasm :P

shirlock homes

Nice to chat with you all, especially Aarthi,,,,,,,, but gotta go over to canpus and see my son. see you all later.

BMitch

good catching up! l8r @shirlockhomes

Aarthi

@shirlockhomes byee!

hugs

shirlock homes

bye all, enjoy. see ya soon

@Aarthi..........big hugs hehehehe

Aarthi

20:28

:D

You guuuuuys I love it when shirlock visits

He's full of ~wisdom~

...

picture time?

Aaron

oh, are we going there?

Aarthi

Aaron

stupid onebox images have to end in .jpg

Aarthi

20:45

:D

@BMitch think you can close up shop for me?

Niall C.

@aarthi: I can do it if @bmitch doesn't show up at 2pm

And cute dogs. Your's

Aaron

I also got some good experience with the brad nailer over the weekend

Aarthi

@NiallC nope! reddit's! :P

Aaron

although I may have to step up to the finish nailer for the back of one of these ikea buffet cabinets

Aarthi

@NiallC awesome, thanks guys. :D

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND! GREAT LONG WEEKEND! :D :D

/waves

BMitch

20:56

and I'm back, sorry bout that

Thanks for joining us for this week's Project Update Thursday

and a very successful one at that

Project Update Thursday - 24 May 2012

2 hours ago, 2 hours 1 minute total – 298 messages, 9 users, 5 stars

Bookmarked 19 secs ago by BMitch

Project Update Thursday - 24 May 2012

Transcript for