This is a great way to take care of strap “tails”. It’s a method used by many for years so don’t give me any credit - someone else shows me and I was blown away so I thought I’d pass it along. The strap is from @tork_strap and I showed that last week. Easy straps to work with and perfect for something like this. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #ratchetstrap #torkstrap #constructiontips #tiedowns #securingloads #edmonton
I’ve often suggested to people to only pull out your tape measure if you have to. I sided this entire wall without pulling out the tape until the top row where I pulled it out once to double check if that last row was a consistent height. Holding siding upside down determines all of the length and then cut right in the spot instead of measuring, remembering said measurement then measuring the piece to cut saves a lot of time. Seconds here and there add up to many minutes of time saving. Maybe even an hour throughout the day. That will add up to days in saved time over the year. I didn’t have to move quickly at all to get this wall siding quickly. I had the materials sitting just off screen to the right. I did initially have the box of siding propped up in front of the wall, but it stuck up way too high and I would’ve had to pull up the siding past the eaves just to take a piece out so I opted to have it off to the right. Preplanning makes a big difference in efficiency and ease of a job. Preplanning can be done while driving, or as you initially pull nip to the site and finish your coffee or set up a ladder. Think through things in your mind quickly so that the project goes smoothly every day. Happy Friday all . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #fastsidinginstallation #vinylsidinginstaller #remodel #skilledtradesmatter
Could this be the reason I work alone and am self employed? I’ll just leave this here 😂… Is there truth to my observation? What do you think? . . . . . . . . . . . . . #selfemployed #selfemployedlife #employee #construction
Here’s an easy way to start a hole in the middle of a piece of siding - just use the tip of the snips. This is just one of the many ways to get this done. I hope this video is useful to someone. Thanks for watching. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #cuttingvinylsiding #howto #DIY #vinylsiding #residentialconstruction #vinylsidinginstall Here’s an easy way to start a hole in the middle of a piece of siding - just use the tip of the snips. This is just one of the many ways to get this done. I hope this video is useful to someone. Thanks for watching. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #cuttingvinylsiding #howto #DIY #vinylsiding #residentialconstruction #vinylsidinginstall
As you know I did this entire project with my left hand, it was tough. Snips aren’t designed for lefties so it was a tough learning curve especially cutting metal with the snips. I enjoyed the process and I’m sure glad for innovations like shear attachments and cordless nailers. I like to frequently challenge myself. This is just one of the ways I’m doing it. What are you challenging yourself with today? Frequently asked questions - the shears are Malco TSV1 (link in my bio - Amazon favorites) and yes they do work well in the winter if you apply the same concepts of reliefs with regular snips. I prefer it over a grinder or cut off tool since it’s vinyl dust free. . . . . . . . . . . . . #challengeyourself #challengeyourselfdaily #residentialconstruction #vinylsidinginstallation #sidinglife #malcoturboshearsAs you know I did this entire project with my left hand, it was tough. Snips aren’t designed for lefties so it was a tough learning curve especially cutting metal with the snips. I enjoyed the process and I’m sure glad for innovations like shear attachments and cordless nailers. I like to frequently challenge myself. This is just one of the ways I’m doing it. What are you challenging yourself with today? Frequently asked questions - the shears are Malco TSV1 (link in my bio - Amazon favorites) and yes they do work well in the winter if you apply the same concepts of reliefs with regular snips. I prefer it over a grinder or cut off tool since it’s vinyl dust free. . . . . . . . . . . . . #challengeyourself #challengeyourselfdaily #residentialconstruction #vinylsidinginstallation #sidinglife #malcoturboshears
Here’s another instance where a simple tool makes a job so much easier. Whether you are DIYing your own house or install siding as a profession, having a set of Gecko Gauges will make life easier. Especially if you work alone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #geckogauge #workingalone #hardie #jameshardie #lapsiding #sidinginstaller #edmonton #yegHere’s another instance where a simple tool makes a job so much easier. Whether you are DIYing your own house or install siding as a profession, having a set of Gecko Gauges will make life easier. Especially if you work alone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #geckogauge #workingalone #hardie #jameshardie #lapsiding #sidinginstaller #edmonton #yeg
Usually our first snowfall is either on Halloween or early November. This is what I woke up to this morning. I’ve used my Dewalt Blower for a number of years already for the non sticky snow that doesn’t require a snow thrower. I liked it so much that I got one for work and one for home. In the winter my other blower stays in my work van. This nozzle is from @stubbynozzleco - it’s handy for tighter spaces like blowing out a trailer or vehicle. I’m glad that these past couple of years I’ve been taking work easier so I don’t have to be out there full time. 19 winters outside full time was enough 😂. Work hard, save hard and enjoy life! Do you agree? . . . . . . . . . . #firstsnowfall #firstsnow #edmontonwinter #alberta #dewaltblower #flexvolt
Sometimes anything can be used as a jig. In this case I used the 2’ square and a scrap piece of aluminum as a jig. I do have the material stopper for my brake, but since the aluminum was fed with the material arcing down, it was too floppy to use without getting frustrated. I’ve kept most of my scrap pieces of metal with measurements over the years so I can pretty much just grab the appropriate one for that job and bend away. This way my brain doesn’t have to interpret markings on a tape and it keeps it super simple (not that reading a tape is difficult but I have screwed up before thinking I marked 7” when in fact I went an inch to big accidentally). There are many ways to gain efficiencies in every job. Sometimes different methods work equally as well, it’s up to you to decide which way you like doing it while minimizing the chance of possible errors. I’ve tried many ways and this simple jig is one of my go to methods for bending. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #aluminum #aluminumbrake #tapcobrake #aluminumcapping #exteriortrim #edmonton
As some of you know, I’ve been a Keen Utility brand ambassador for a couple of years. Before I even started working with them, I wore Keen Utility boots that I got based on @canadiancarpenter ‘s recommendation - the Cincinnati. More than 3 years later I still wear those boots. So I do realize the importance of being honest on social media in regards to giving honest opinions as I would never want to lead anyone astray. I haven’t liked all of Keen Utility’s boots (but those that I don’t like are suitable and liked by other tradespeople), some boots I’ve tried and have given away and the one’s you see me wear in my videos are my favourites as I refuse to wear an uncomfortable boot. However, I used to wear orthodics, and after wearing my Cincinnati’s, I took the orthotics out and haven’t worn orthotics since - game changer and no more sore feet. This video is showing a new boot Keen Utility just released, so it’s more of a “reveal” video as I inspect my old roof. Here are the features according to them: Product highlights include a full grain barnyard resistant leather upper, KEEN.DRY waterproof, breathable membrane, as well as a 360° Goodyear welt and air-infused Luftcell midsole to give an ultra-stable and all-day comfortable work platform. Safety features include asymmetrical carbon-fiber safety toes that are unobtrusive and 15% lighter than steel, an EH-rated oil- and slip- resistant rubber outsole, and a 90-degree heel to provide secure footing and stability while doing work on ladders, poles, and other structures. Heavy duty, but not heavy weight. As I am in Portland now to ready to spend some time with the designers and people behind the company, I want to take a moment to thank them first of all for making great shoes and secondly for caring enough to gather our feedback to make even better shoes for all tradespeople. As always, I will try to answer all questions in case you have any to give you the best recommendations. . . . .
I have never used white chalk before, but as I read through the installation manual for DaVinci Province Slate, it states to use white chalk only. That being said, I got myself a new chalk line and white chalk - it’s been the key tool for keeping all of my lines straight for a nice looking finished product. White is the least permanent of all chalks and will wash off in the rain where as the other colours won’t wash off. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #chalkline #chalkbox #snapachalkline #ridgecap #davinciroofs
Do you check measuring devices when you purchase them? I made it a habit to check since years ago I had a level that wasn’t actually level straight out of the store. It took me a while to realize it when short pieces of siding I put in and “levelled” looked off. This video isn’t to bash the Johnson square as every company will have defects once in a while. In October I was at a store and checked a $300 square and the measurements were off from one side to the other. The Johnson square was given to me a couple of years ago but I had never used it and decided to check it. So I guess this is a reminder to check measuring tools before you purchase them to ensure consistency and accuracy in your work. . . . . . . . . . . . #stilettospeedsquare #stilettosquare #johnsonsquare #johnsontools #measure #raftersquareDo you check measuring devices when you purchase them? I made it a habit to check since years ago I had a level that wasn’t actually level straight out of the store. It took me a while to realize it when short pieces of siding I put in and “levelled” looked off. This video isn’t to bash the Johnson square as every company will have defects once in a while. In October I was at a store and checked a $300 square and the measurements were off from one side to the other. The Johnson square was given to me a couple of years ago but I had never used it and decided to check it. So I guess this is a reminder to check measuring tools before you purchase them to ensure consistency and accuracy in your work. . . . . . . . . . . . #stilettospeedsquare #stilettosquare #johnsonsquare #johnsontools #measure #raftersquare
I used to run my siding business using a truck instead of a van, but for the last 15 or so years I’ve been team van. Though not as “sexy” as a truck, it is much more efficient for me. Loading up some loose supplies like in this video took seconds with nothing to tie down. I can fit 14’ material on the floor easily and 4 x 10’ sheet goods on the floor. In the winter everything in the back stays dry and locked. It’s almost like when you have kids and consider driving a mini-van because of all the benefits but hate to do it because it’s not cool 😂 (I drive a minivan). Have you considered working out of a van instead of a truck? What’s holding you back? . . . . . . . . . . . . . #workvan #vanlife #construction #keepcraftalive #tradesperson #vanvstruck #constructionvehicleI used to run my siding business using a truck instead of a van, but for the last 15 or so years I’ve been team van. Though not as “sexy” as a truck, it is much more efficient for me. Loading up some loose supplies like in this video took seconds with nothing to tie down. I can fit 14’ material on the floor easily and 4 x 10’ sheet goods on the floor. In the winter everything in the back stays dry and locked. It’s almost like when you have kids and consider driving a mini-van because of all the benefits but hate to do it because it’s not cool 😂 (I drive a minivan). Have you considered working out of a van instead of a truck? What’s holding you back? . . . . . . . . . . . . . #workvan #vanlife #construction #keepcraftalive #tradesperson #vanvstruck #constructionvehicle
