With easy to use tools and connections the Bostitch CPACK3 tool system is great for first timers and expert craftsman alike.  The fittings on the Bostitch CPACK3 can be used with air tools you may already have or air tools you may want to buy in the future .  This makes  it easy to mix and match tools with their specific projects.  You may want to start your DIY work day on the car in the garage and finish it on the trim in the basement.  The Bostitch CPACK3 can handle multiple projects with ease.

We have personally used Bostitch tools for more than 10 years and are very happy with the quality and lifespan of Bostitch air tools.

BOSTITCH CPACK3 PRODUCT FEATURES

Includes:

SB-1664FN 16-gauge 2-1/2″ finish nailer
SB-100SX 18-gauge 1″ finish stapler
SB-125BN 18-gauge 1-1/4″ brad nailer
CAP60P-OF 2 HP (Peak) oil-free air compressor
1/4″ x 40’ heavy-duty airline with MPT fittings
1,000 2″ 16-gauge finish nails
1,000 1-1/4″ 18-gauge brads
1,000 1″ staples
Tool lubricant
Contractor’s canvas tool bag

2 HP (Peak) 6 gallon Oil-Free Air Compressor

High efficiency motor 2HP (peak) 1.5 running
6 gallon tank capacity
No maintenance oil-free pump
3.4 CFM @ 40 PSI and 2.1 CFM @ 90 PSI
135 PSI maximum
One year limited warranty

2-1/2″ 16GA Straight Finish Nailer

Drives 16GA straight finish nails from 1″ to 2-1/2″
Lightweight aluminum design for added durability
Tool-free adjustable exhaust conveniently directs exhaust away from the user
No-mar tip protects work surface
Adjustable depth guide sets nails to desired depths quickly & conveniently
Quick release nose for fast jam clearning
7 year limited warranty

1-1/4″ 18GA Brad Nailer

Drives 18GA brad nails from 5/8″ to 1-1/4″
Lightweight aluminum design for added durability
Adjustable depth guide sets nails to desired depths quickly and conveniently
Tool-free adjustable exhaust conveniently directs exhaust away from the user
No-mar tip protects work surface
7 year limited warranty

1″ 18GA Narrow Crown Stapler

Lightweight aluminum design for added durability
Drives 18GA 7/32″ crown SX staples from 1/2″ to 1″
Tool-free adjustable exhaust conveniently directs exhaust away from the user
No-mar tip protects work surface
7 year limited warranty

This design tool has been used successfully and extensively in commercial construction but not as widely in home building, at least not to date.  However, this sentiment is changing.  The current BIM technology along with recent upgrades are making these systems better suited and more streamlined towards home building.  These improvements are getting more and more attention of builders who are taking a very serious look at this technology and the benefits they and their customers will experience.

BIM is a 3D version of the common floor plan.  With these programs you can visualize your home design and make changes before construction actually begins.  These systems actually partner various players required in home building construction.  The home designer can display all aspects of the structure including floors, walls, roof systems, windows etc.  Accurate and detailed building material lists can be made and forwarded to the lumber yard for cost estimation.  All subcontractors can also be included in viewing the plans, making any necessary changes or corrections and submitting an accurate cost quote for review by the general contractor or home builder.  This eliminates the need for numerous sets of prints and for redrawing plans and transference of data.

Warren Buffett of Berkshire Hathaway, and being one of the most successful investors ever known, is a strong supporter and advocate of BIM.  He has incorporated this into one of his holding companies and has also written a book exalting BIM’s benefits to home builders.  You can’t get a much better referral than that.

I have been self-employed in the construction business for more than 30 years. Before that, I was climbing high-line towers for a union electrical contractor. During these years, I did a lot of traveling all across the US. My construction company grew from an office in the back room of my residence to a 26,000 square foot building. Over the years, I have accumulated and collected tons of “stuff”. I call it treasures but some would probably call it junk. And there is alot of it.

Oddly enough, there are a large number of people interested in junk. There is a new TV show about junk collectors who travel around looking for old treasures – and they actually buy it. I am sure if they came to my warehouse and poked around, they would be apt to find one of those priceless original oil paintings worth thousands or maybe a stack of old barn wood that I really needed, but can’t remember for what right now, or better yet, an old comic book – like the recent story on the internet about the first Superman Comic Book selling at auction for $1,000,000. Can you believe it? I know these kinds of treasures are buried out there underneath that mass of junk somewhere.

I am not alone. Not by any stretch of the imagination. Whether you have been self-employed or not really does not matter. People accumulate and collect stuff, for unknown reasons, their entire life. Most generally, at the time, you have a purpose for buying it, but that purpose never comes to fruition so you just keep it in case you might need it later. And then there is the stuff you buy but you can’t use it because it is too good – like my wife’s dishes – they sure look pretty in the china cabinet but I have yet to eat a meal off them.

Some of these treasures are really sentimental. I was going through some of this stuff the other day and many of the items brought back memories of things I had almost forgotten. No, these treasures aren’t worth anything to anybody other than me and I have not yet resolved what to do about it. Most of the time our kids are left with the problem of cleaning out the attic. Good luck to mine.

Regardless of when you actually build your deck, it is important to consider all materials available during the planning stages.  At this date and time, at least in the US, wood remains the most popular material of choice.  However, composite lumber is steadily gaining popularity.

Composite deck materials are manufactured using a compound of both wood waste and recycled plastic products.  Two of the most appealing features of composite decking are its durability and low-maintenance.  On the other hand, some disagreeable features are its unnatural and artificial appearance.   Some homeowners claim that the wood grain of the composite lumber will hold water and requires occasional cleaning.   There is also concern that when the homeowner is ready to change or dispose of the composite deck, it will most likely have to be dumped in a landfill since the materials are not easily recycled.

The most common complaint of natural wood decking is the maintenance required for its upkeep.  Cleaning and sealing the wood is an absolute necessity to sustain the life of a wood deck.  How often this is done depends on many factors including percentage of exposure to outside elements, climatic and environmental conditions, as well as personal utilization and function.   Additionally, natural movement of the lumber can cause nails to pop and boards to bend or split.  This is not uncommon and does occasionally happen.   However, natural wood is unmatched in beauty and appearance and when it is time to be replaced, wood is easily disposed of by either burning or recycling.

In the end, when you are choosing your decking material, whether you pick natural wood or a composite, the most important thing is to understand the pros and cons of each.  Wood is high maintenance but provides beauty, embellishes the home and is environmentally friendly.  Composite deck owners will spend much less time maintaining and more time relaxing and enjoying their deck, and most likely, for a longer period of time.  But when it comes time to change it out, they will be visiting the dump.

Regardless of which material you choose, always pick what is personally most suitable to you and your family and that which will complement your home design and landscape surroundings.

The Star was built in 1863 and truly shows the test of time.  Its hull, still in its original form today as it was when it was first built, is constructed of separate wrought iron layers.  Each layer provides an individual barrier against rust/corrosion.  Every ten years, as required by the Coast Guard, the ship is hauled out of the briny salt water to a floating dry-dock for an inspection of its underside.

Its latest inspection in 2009 required that the historical vessel be recoated.    This is a tall order demanding hours of intense labor, most of which is performed by volunteers.  And to intensify the situation more, a specified time-line to complete the project had to be met in order to return the Star to its berth in time for the peak tourist season.  Screw-ups and delays were out of the question.

First the hull had to be sand blasted to remove marine growth and old coatings.  Several stages of blasting were required in order to prep the hull to receive its ceramic armor undercoat.  Gouges and gaps were filled with mastic, a moisture barrier coating was applied to all seams and then to the entire hull.  Finally the 36–40 mil ceramic coating system was applied to the old girl’s bottom giving her protection from the salty sea water and the marine life that lives within.

Through careful planning, coordination and harmonized team-work the task was successfully accomplished in a little more than 3 weeks.  Refurbishing the Star of India’s hull with ceramic coatings preserves her life and reiterates the importance of timely maintenance.  This ship’s 146 years of life proves this theory.

Now, I know what you’re thinking.  “What does this have to do with construction?” The materials used to coat this 146 year old, American icon are also used in the construction industry.  Ceramic coatings have been used to coat everything from oil rigs to tubing and holding tanks for more than 30 years.

The properties of this heavy duty paint allow it to be a formidable barrier against time and the elements.  The corrosion resistant properties of Ceram-Kote 54 makes this “super paint” a very popular option for anyone who needs to protect structures against harsh conditions.  If you’re looking to add a new material and coating system to your company’s bag of tricks you should definitely look into Ceram-Kote 54 and all its options.

It seems now that metal roofing is making its comeback and I bet if you took a drive around your community you could find at least one building that has some kind of metal roofing system.  The popularity of metal roofing is definitely on the rise making it more common to see a metal roofing systems covering your neighbor’s house or garage.

The rise of metal roofing systems comes as no surprise considering what some of its benefits are in relation to the mindset of people today.   With global warming being a constant concern among today’s society, energy efficient and “green” products have never been more popular.   Research shows that metal roofing systems reflect heat therefore blocking transfer into the structure it’s covering.  Metal roofing systems also absorb 34% less heat than that of an asphalt shingle roofing system.  This translates into a 20% cut in energy costs for building owners who use a metal roofing system.   Another “green” attribute of a metal roofing system is that they are made up of 60 to 65% of recyclable materials.  Metal roofing systems are reliable, fire retardant, and almost maintenance free making them a popular choice among residential homeowners and commercial builders today.

Standing seam steal roofing is one of the most used types of metal roofing systems. The standing seam metal roofing system has an upturned or extruded metal seam that interlocks one metal panel to another.  This gives the standing seam metal roofing system a historical look that is favored by residential home owners.   Metal roofing systems can also be made to look like shingles, wood shakes, clay tiles, and a large variety of other roofing systems. Another popular trend that has come full circle is the use of copper accessories on your roofing system.  Years ago when metal forming was more of an art copper accessories were very expensive and hard to maintain.  All this has changed due to new manufacturing techniques and new technology.  Copper products such as seamless gutter, downspouts, lights, soffit, and many other copper items are now more available to consumers due to protective coatings and automated manufacturing.  This reduction in cost due to technology has brought copper along with other metal accessories back to the top of the popularity list.

Metal roofing systems are one of the best ways to upgrade your residential home or commercial building project; they’re also great for any type of new construction.  Most roof panels are from 24 to 28 gauge metal, with 24 gauge being the largest thickness and 28 gauge being the smallest thickness.  Keep in mind that metal panels will contract and expand with changing temperatures, installation must allow for this movement otherwise you will have leaks.  This is a major mistakes made by inexperienced metal roofing contractors, they install the application with the impression that caulking will cover the amount of movement of the roof panels will do with the temperature changes.  The truth is that these movements need to be taken into consideration when installing the metal roofing system.  The metal panels need to have enough coverage to allow for these movements.  A small bead of caulking at the edge of a seam will not prevent leaks if the panels to not have enough coverage.

If you’re thinking about upgrading your roofing system or want a new look for your building project, look into metal roofing systems I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.

Your Guide To Building Your Own Home

Home Building 2.0 is an all around guide to building your own home.  It was written and developed by a General Contractor who has been building residential homes and commercial properties for more than 30 years.  This highly informative construction ebook will guide you through the challenging and tedious task of building your own home.  It does this by telling you how to become the project manager for your own personal building project.  Being your own project manager will allow you to avoid hiring a General Contractor which in turn can save you 15% or more off the total cost of your building project.  15% can turn out to be thousands of dollars when related to total construction cost!  This book is definitely worth checking out!!