What Are Hog Ring Pliers Used For?

Hog ring pliers are specialty pliers that were designed for the specific purpose of attaching hog rings to a malleable surface, which could be a wire or a cable. They are specifically molded with a type of groove that is designed for hog rings and allows them to be securely clamped as the operator fixes the hog ring into place and are another of a long list of the types of pliers available today. They are primarily found by contractors in the fencing industry, but are also extensively used by upholsterers and auto mechanics, which include those relevant to boating through using hog ring pliers on harbor freight.

1. Set measurements

The operator should first begin his use of hog ring pliers by adjusting the width of the tool. This can be done by forcefully twisting at the thumb screw or knob that is typically positioned to the right hand side of the tool. Opening or closing this aspect of the tool will likewise open or close the mouth of the pliers, which allows the appropriate size to be selected relative to the hog rings and pliers. Generally, clockwise twists will cause the hog ring pliers to open whereas counterclockwise twists will cause the pliers to close similar to slip joint pliers. However, this is not necessarily true for all brands of pliers and the manufacturer’s directions should be consulted before using the tool.

2. Open the jaws

The “mouth”, or jaws, of the pliers must now be opened to be secured on to the hog ring. In order to do so, the operator must forcefully push in opposite directions of the pliers’ handles in order to pop open the jaws. This might take some considerably force as the tool is widely known as being temperamental; especially if it is stored in improper conditions that create rust. Hog ring pliers should ideally be stored within a metal toolbox that is placed in a cool, dry spot whenever they are not being used. Preventive measures like this will ensure a long life for the tool and that it will still be functional when the time comes to use it.

3. Set hog ring

After the operator has opened the jaws of the pliers, then it is time to set the hog ring in place. There are many types of hog rings, but an emerging and popular option is to use stainless steel hog rings. Stainless steel is a weather resistant material that makes it particularly suitable for outdoor applications, which is where these pliers are typically found. Fencers particularly appreciate the aesthetic qualities of stainless steel as the material will not submit to inclement weather and will shimmer provided the household or caretaker of the property practices safe cleaning measures, which could include only cleaning stainless steel products with a stainless steel approved cleaner and microfiber cloth.

4. Secure tool with hog ring

In an almost intuitive movement, the operator should place the open pliers over the grooves of the hog ring. The specialty mold of the tool should fix itself instantly with the hog ring. The operator should now see his tool positioned in a vertical manner or whatever way he or she feels most comfortably.

5. Secure hog ring

Now, the operator of the tool should squeeze the handles tightly to close the hog ring in place. When sealed, the tips of the hog rings should be touching and give an impression of strength in comparison to an unused hog ring. The operator can verify the seal by gently tugging at the tips of the hog rings. If it is secured to the surface, then the hog ring should remain in place or interact with its environment according to what is to be expected of it, which could be sliding along a wire. If this is not the case, then the operator must remove the hog ring by cutting through it with appropriate wire cutters and re-attempting to clamp or secure it by following the steps above.

Hog ring pliers are a versatile tool that can be found useful for many household applications. They are generally regarded as a specialty tool, so purchase prices can fluctuate. However, many leading building center locations are known to stock these pliers and it is likely that they can be sourced for relatively low costs from leading businesses and establishments. It is up to the operator to be crafty in his or her purchases as it is likely that specialty tools can be stocked for extraordinarily high prices. It is therefore prudent to exercise smart shopping habits by searching for the best possible deal, which is even easier when purchasing from an Internet-based dealer or tool business.

Waste King L-8000 Legend Series Food Garbage Disposal Review

Does It Deserve All The Good Reviews? As the number 1 best seller in the Garbage Disposals & Parts section on Amazon, you start to wonder how much magic the Waste King L-8000 Food Garbage Disposal can really do…

Jokes aside, though, there are many details you want to know before you invest your money and time.

I have tried to cover everything on this lens here, which includes Power, Reliability, Reviews, Noise and Installation.

The Most Important Product Features At a glance!

Most importantly, you want your food waste disposer to be powerful and reliable for many years to come! There are many more product features, but these two are the most important ones I think.

Power:

The Waste King L-8000 is equipped with a very powerful, one-horsepower motor. It goes up to a high speed of 2’800 rpm. In other words: power won’t be an issue.

Reliability:

First of all, the swivel impellers are of stainless steel. They reduce jamming really well and you can clean them easily thanks to a removable splash guard.
Secondly, when purchasing the Waste King Legend 8000 on Amazon, it comes with a lifetime warranty against corrosion for the rust free grinding components. I don’t think you could make a food waste disposer more reliable than this!

We’ll talk about noise and installation below.

How Much Noise Does The Waste King L-8000 Make?

Especially compared to other stainless steel garbage disposals. One thing you don’t want is your garbage disposer to make a lot of noise in the kitchen. Of course it’s nice to hear it work so you are sure it’s doing the job…

But it shouldn’t be annoying and certainly not embarrassingly loud when you have people coming over.

The good thing is that the Wasteking Disposal is a really “quiet” one. It makes much less noise than many other food waste disposers and this is one of the reasons why it gets so many good reviews.

However, as time passes by, the rubber throat guard that you feed the waste through widens. This can make it cause to become a bit more noisy…

…thankfully, all you need to do is replace it, which is extremely easy. It’s only a few seconds of work and the replacement gasket is only a few dollars.

How To Easily Install The Waste King 8000 Yourself?

No plumber needed! So you’ve waited for delivery and then you also have to wait for someone to come and install it. Annoying, right?

Thankfully, the Waste King L-800 comes with the plumb EZ mounting system… This means that you can easily install this food waste disposer yourself without the need of a plumber.

The only difficulty you could encounter is if your previous food waste disposer had the 3 bolts mounting system. If this is the case for you, you will find an easy way to replace it right below. And you can even take a look at my guide on removing a stuck screw here if you run into problems.

All the necessary hardware is included in the package. However, you will require some tools, including a pair of pliers, a screwdriver and a hacksaw.

Moreover, there is already an installed power cord that is 36 inches long. On the front there is also a reset button.

So, total time to install the Waste King L-8000 would probably be 2 hours maximum. And that is even if you usually don’t do this kind of work, take your time and spend a lot of time cleaning thoroughly.

How To Switch From the 3 Bolts to Plumb EZ Mounting System?

It doesn’t get any easier than this 🙂 Here’s another reason why I love the Waste King food garbage disposal so much: everything you’ll do with this, it’s EASY!

So you’ve previously owned a disposal with a 3-bolt mounting system. And the Waste King L-8000 comes with the plumb EZ mounting system. No problem!

Here’s what you do:

1. Get the Waste King 3101 ISE Adapter Kit for around $10.
2. Exchange two pieces in the EZ mounting system with two pieces from the kit.
3. Connect the Waste King L-8000 to your sink; it now fits perfectly with a 3-bolt mounting system sink.
4. Done!

As you can see, the Waste King 3101 ISE Adapter Kit is manufactured by the same company that manufactures the Waste King disposals. So no worries, everything works perfectly well together 😀

More Installation Tips…

In this how to install a garbage disposal guide, I will demonstrate practically anyone can install their disposal themselves. Installing a garbage disposal requires average plumbing and mechanical skills, and usually takes between 1 and 2 ½ hours to complete. Installation may vary depending on whether or not your drain line comes out of the wall or the floor. Ask a sales associate about the right procedure for your home.

An electrical source of power is also needed. If you don’t have one under the sink, you will need to install one. Check with local codes before installation. Some communities have codes that don’t allow disposers because of limits on sewer capacity. They may also require an air gap for a disposer and a dishwasher.

Be sure to read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions when installing your new disposer. For more installation tips please visit our Installing a Garbage Disposer project guide.

Working Smarter

Sometimes the trickiest part of mounting the garbage disposer is lifting it up to lock it into the mounting rings. Using some scrap lumber which can be cut down with one of the best axes in needed, the box the disposer came in or stacking a couple of thick telephone books under the unit will assist you so you don’t have so far to lift.

Some disposers come with a special wrench that turns the impeller if the disposer gets jammed. Keep the wrench and manual together in a location you’ll remember. If you are replacing an existing garbage disposer with the same brand, you may be able to use the existing mounting bracket to make the job easier and quicker.

Operational Tips

A garbage disposal is designed to grind food waste so it can be flushed away. When you are faced with the task of disposing steak bones or other hard food items, discard them in the trash to avoid ending up with a jammed or damaged disposer.

Always disconnect the power before reaching into a disposer. Unplug the unit from the outlet and then turn off the circuit breaker. Never stick your hand into an operating disposer.

There are a number of ways to increase the effectiveness of your disposal and prolong the unit’s life. Follow these few simple suggestions to get the most out of your kitchen’s disposal:

Things to Do

• Run cold water before, during and after operation
• Grind small bones to scour grinding chamber
• Remove silverware and other items from sink before use
• Use disposal cleaner, deodorizer or citrus peels to freshen up disposal
• Run the disposal each time you put food in it to reduce corrosion from food acid

Things to Avoid

• Grinding tobacco products or shellfish if you have a septic tank
• Reaching into the disposal during use
• Putting fats or grease into disposal
• Putting fibrous materials such as celery or corn husks in the disposal

So there it is, a solid review and everything you could want to know about installation. But if there is still something you want to know, just leave a comment below and I will try to respond ASAP, thanks!

Don’t You Just Love Your Electric Pressure Washer?

An electric pressure washer, or power washer, as they are sometimes called, is one of the greatest time savers of modern times. As a cleaner, it can tackle vehicles, lawnmowers, decks, patios, garages, pavement, driveways and much more. Water from a regular garden hose is given a boost in power by an electric motor as opposed to a gas engine, and water shoots out of the nozzle at incredible speeds (power levels).

Ordinarily, the electric pressure washer puts out slightly less power as a gas run machine which is why the really get down and dirty jobs are sometimes left to the latter. The electric version does have its advantages however.

On this page we’ll talk about the advantages and disadvantages, as well as review some of the best brands on the market.

So What Is The Best Electric Pressure Washer?

Powerworks 51102 1700 PSI Electric Pressure Washer

We’ll start this lens with what you probably want to know most. Which pressure washer should you get? Which one is best?

I’m not going to sit here and say I’ve tried them all. Nor am I going to say that an electric pressure washer is a one size fits all item. The best one for you may not be the best for someone else.

So we’ll talk in generics and use Amazon as a reference point. In looking through the reviews, I was looking for one with a substantial amount of comments and very little negative feedback. And the one that seems to get the most attention is the Powerworks 51102 1700 PSI Electric Pressure Washer 1.4GPM with Quiet Induction Motor.

This one has an average 4.3 rating and only one negative reviews. Most people love it.

Here’s why.

Some like the brass fittings which naturally hold up longer and better than plastic ones. The quiet motor, two built in soap tanks, 4 tips, turbo nozzle, 25 foot hose and 35 foot power cord also received mention. But the one thing most people really liked about it is that it simply works well. And after all, isn’t that what you’re looking for?

Why Electric is Better Than Gas Powered

Before we get into some more quality electric pressure washers let’s take a closer look at why you might prefer electric over gas.

You will prefer an electric to a gas power washer if you have to work in an enclosed area or indoors. Why? Ever smell one of those gas operated machines? The fumes alone could peel paint off a building without the wash! A couple of whiffs of that and you won’t need a power washer you’ll need an iron lung and a defibrillator. In addition, the electric models need almost no maintenance. Anything that is gas run always takes massive maintenance procedures and presents storage issues if stored outside for prolonged periods of time.

Finally, there’s the noise. Those gas operated big boys are loud. Crazy loud! But your handy dandy electric pressure washer is much easier on the ears.

Save money and save time

Not only are electric machines cheaper, they cut your cleaning time way, way back. But even with the reduced psi (pressure per square inch) of an electric, you should still follow the manual before actually powering up and operate in a manner that is not a threat to those around you. Incorrect usage can not only be detrimental to bystanders but to the life expectancy of the machine as well. A good rule of thumb when operating on of these is to always wear safety gloves, boots and eye protection.

How to change settings

At the end of the wand you will find a nozzle. Different nozzles give the machine different types of concentrated sprays. Heavy duty nozzles can be purchased for big jobs such as ductwork and house gutters. Big jobs turn into small jobs and small jobs become literally effortless! You may well wonder how you ever got any real cleaning jobs done without your new little electric best friend. And don’t be surprised if everyone on the block wants to borrow it. Who wouldn’t?

Always remember, safety first

Don’t let the fact that this item is electric and uses simple water lull you into thinking that its use is to be taken lightly. This is a power tool of quite some magnitude. Spraying someone with one of these could and will cause serious harm. These should never be handled by someone either too young or not responsible enough to handle them correctly and with the utmost respect. Pressure washers can be a beautiful addition to your collection of useful power tools as long as you use it properly.

AR Blue Clean AR383 Electric Pressure Washer Review

This one probably came in second when we were looking for the best pressure washer.

And it’s probably the most popular on the market.

Certainly it’s among the most reviewed on Amazon, which means a lot of people are buying the machine. That generally means a lot of people like it too.

It delivers 1900 PSI and blows out 1.5 gallons of water per minute, so power is certainly not an issue here.

Of the 397 reviews on Amazon at the time of this writing, more than 300 of them gave it 4 or 5 stars. That in itself says this is a great machine worth of looking into.

Karcher Electric Pressure Washer

If Karcher is not the best know name in pressure washers, it certainly ranks near the top.

Karchers are durable machines. Most come with a lengthy pressure hose, pressurized hose reel for easy rolling up of the hose when done, as well as a couple of different wands including a dirt blaster and a child safety lock on the trigger.

Powerwasher Electric Pressure Washer

This pressure washer from Powerwasher comes with 1800 PSI capable of pushing out 1.6 gallons of water every minute.

In a nutshell, you get enough power to clean tough messes and enough water flow to easily wash away the debris when you are done.

The pressurized hose is 23 feet long and has two nozzles. One is adjustable and the other is the turbo nozzle.

The 35 foot power cord gives you plenty of room to move around.

Black And Decker Electric Pressure Washer

Black & Decker 11BDE-210S 1700 PSI Electric Pressure Washer with 23-Feet Gun and Hose Assembly

While Black and Decker is certainly a well known name in the power tools industry, it’s probably not the first name you think of when you are considering an electric pressure washer.

Still, this particular model is worth looking at for a light duty model.

It delivers 1700 PSI of pressure and the PowerBoost technology delivers a solid impact at the point of delivery. This will give you better cleaning than expected and cut down on the time you have to work.

The 23 foot gun and hose assembly is easy to attach and detach as needed.

Another feature you’ll like is how easy it is to move around thanks to larger than normal wheels.

And so there you have it, our picks for the very best electric power washers for all your home needs. Let us know in the comments below which pressure washer you chose!

The Different Types of Axes for Every Job

The axe has long been one of man’s best tools and an essential part of any outdoorsman’s survival toolkit. This spectacular tool has been with us for centuries and, just like us, it has evolved. Today, there are many different types and styles of axe. Whether you are chopping down trees or splitting firewood, there is a blade specially designed for the job. Each blade has a unique style and special characteristics.

There are many factors that make one axe better than another for a particular job. With hundreds of different blade / handle combinations now available on the market, it can all get a little confusing, especially when you’re trying to figure out which is the best axe for your uses. Let’s examine the 5 most popular axe styles listed below.

Splitting Blade

A splitting blade uses a weighted wedge shape design to cut logs along the grain. This axe is not likely to get lodged in the wood you are splitting because its heavy blade increases the striking force at impact. Splitting blades are usually complemented with a straight handle. This allows the woodcutter to lever the maul and deepen the cut.

When splitting logs, it may become necessary to hammer the blade through the log. The splitting blade incorporates the solution to this problem by having a broad butt that can be used to assist another splitter through.

Limbing Blade

A limbing axe is designed to be wielded while standing on a tree trunk and chopping downward at limbs from the tree. It is relatively lightweight (2lbs) and can be handled with one or two hands. Its medium length handle makes this axe well suited for the downward angle.

Hudson Bay

The Hudson Bay axe isn’t designed for chopping down trees in the forest. Its short handle (22in – 28in) and light weight (2lbs) makes it an ideal choice for turning medium logs into kindling. The Hudson Bay axe got its name because it was developed by French fur traders who traveled the Hudson Bay trade routes.

Broadaxes

Broadaxes are used to cut logs into beams. Broadaxes are beveled on one side, which, coupled with a long beard (front lower blade), makes them perfect for this job. They are specifically designed for accuracy and can easily cut a log into a beam.

Felling

A felling axe blade is very thin and sharp. This makes it perfectly suited for cutting down trees. When you cut a tree down, you are cutting against the grain. A felling axe’s medium weight (around 3 pounds) allows it to cut deep across the grain. A 36in handle gives the felling axe great leverage. A felling axe blade is ideal for clearing limbs off downed trees.

Double Bit (edged)

A double bit axe has edges on both side of the blade. This can prove useful because it allows for combo blades. For example, one side could be a splitting blade, while the other side is a felling. The downside is some loss of mobility.

Shaping Blade

A Shaping blade is used to cut wood at very precise angles and locations. This axe has a flat blade that distributes your cut evenly. This helps keep your cuts even and accurate. Because of its flat blade, a shaping axe is much better at carving than chopping.

Hatchet

Hatchets can be great travel axes. They are usually half the size of a conventional axe, which means they are more suitable for traveling. A good hatchet can easily split logs into kindling.

There are also a number of different length handles you can get when choosing your axe. This is called the haft length and it usually comes in these sizes:

• full length: 28in – 36in
• medium length: 18in – 26in
• pocket length: 12in – 16in

Transportation, and the amount of use, should be the deciding force behind your decision. If you are going to be backpacking in Yellow Stone National Park, I wouldn’t recommend a full length broadaxe. A pocket felling axe would be a much better fit and it will provide you with a lot more comfort on your journey.

The point here is – there is an axe to fit every need. Now that you understand the different types of axes, you can decide what axe is the best solution for your woodworking needs.

Almost everyone under the sun has experienced the horror of a stuck screw or bolt, and each craftsman has assuredly fought off more than his fair share of frozen screw frustrations. Trying to remove a stuck screw can fast turn into one of the worst jobs around the house or in the shop – it can feel like a physical impossibility to remove bolts or screws if they become stuck, frozen, or their heads has been stripped or broken.

Many will go to excessive and extraordinary lengths, using back-breaking force to remove these stubborn parts, but when temperatures cool down and the dust settles, craftsmen find the screw extractor. Good things do come in small packages and though the screw extractor is a small, its a tremendous device that gets into the center of a stuck screw, and releases its gnarly grips from the inside out.

The screw extractor is a small tool with big results designed to dive into the interior of a stuck screw (through a pilot-hole), bite into the it and turn the screw out counter-clockwise. Screw extractors range to fit screw-heads from 3/32″ and 1/2″ in diameter. They are built with a square head and shaft on one end and reverse tapered (cutting screw) threads on the other. The square head is designed to be fastened to a T-handle providing leverage to turn the extractor into the frozen screw. The square head can also be turned with some type of pliers like vice grip pliers or an adjustable wrench.

Extractors are manufactured with superior grade steel so that the shaft can be gripped with vice grips or an adjustable wrench for additional force or turning power. The extractors tapered threads are the real muscle of the device biting into the insides of a screw. The treads are designed to turn counter-clockwise, or backwards, reverse drilling into the center of a screw to pull it out. As the extractor is turned, it bites down tighter and digs deeper into the frozen screw and eventually begins turning the damaged screw with it. Essentially the extractor reverses the screw out of its frozen position.

Extraction:

Drilling a pilot-hole into the damaged screw is the first step to getting it out: With a power drill, drill a hole into the center of the damaged screw’s head. Start by using the smallest drill bit available and work your way up to a larger sized bit for a larger pilot-hole. Because the size of the pilot-hole will vary depending upon the size of the extractor, the extractor should come with a bit size recommendation on its packaging; this should help eliminate most of the guess work on your part.

After drilling the pilot-hole, firmly grip the extraction bit with a T-Handle or pliers and insert the extractor into the pilot-hole. Tap the top of the extractor with a hammer to secure it firmly into the screw. While exerting downward pressure on the extractor, turn it counter-clockwise (to the left) to begin releasing the stuck screw. If turning the extractor is difficult or unstable, tap the extraction bit down a bit more firmly into the screw. This should give the threads a better hold, and better biting power into the screw.

You may also press down a bit more firmly on the top of the extractor, but be careful not the break the extraction bit off into the stuck screw. If a better bite, or increased pressure doesn’t make the process any easier, you may try enlarging the pilot-hole. Slightly enlarge the pilot-hole and attempt the process again. This should have that stubborn screw out in no time.

Before loosing your cool over that blasted stuck screw, look to the screw extractor to break it free with minimal time and effort. Rather than resorting to the most drastic measures, allow the screw extractor do the dirty work you and eliminate the stress and headache of tackling the seemingly impossible on your own.

The Last Resort

If all else fails, then you’re going to need to drill out the screw completely and re-tap whenever it is you’re working on. For this you’ll need a drill and a tap and die set. A standard tap and die set literally make a new screw hole for your new screw to thread into. It is always a last resort but is unavoidable when you have no choice but to drill out the entire screw. This often happens when it is too rusted, or seized in some other way. There are a few of the best tap and die set reviews here if you’re unsure which set to get. They aren’t the cheapest option, but some times you just don’t have any other choice.