Don’t those television shows make everything look like a piece of cake?  Do they inspire you to install your own hardwood floors or Venetian plaster your bathroom?  That’s good!  These shows are doing their jobs if they inspire you, but you need to know your limitations. Let’s talk about the ways some smart planning and good thinking will help you keep your next project under control.

Been there…done that!

There is a really good chance that whatever project you’re trying to accomplish on your own, someone you know has already done it in their own home.  Before you try a project you’re unsure about, ask around at work, church or wherever you have people you know and trust.  If you want to install new kitchen cabinets, and Jim and Susie Fisher said it was a complete disaster to do it alone, maybe you’ll want to re-think it.  But honestly, cabinets aren’t too bad as a DIY task with a little help.  But you see if you know someone who did it before you, then you can talk about what they would have done differently to make the project easier.  It’s a hindsight thing. If they were really good friends, perhaps they’d lend you a hand.

The web.

The Internet has everything about everything listed practically everywhere!  If you want to learn how to re-grout your shower, the Internet can help.  Look through forums where people have shared their experiences and collect tips from experts.  Sometimes I think the Internet is a more reliable source than some of my friends.  It’s unbiased.  I mean…how many of you have friends that may not want to admit they couldn’t handle a task?  I can think of a few myself.

Stuck in the middle.

Let’s say that you are a compulsive and risky Do it Yourselfer.  You wanted to replace the dining room floor on your own.  Now you’ve got a torn up floor and boxes of expensive hardwood you don’t quite understand how to cut around heating vent.  Where do you go?  Well, you can go back to the Internet and research your topic for assistance, you may have some luck.  You can also give Jim and Susie a call to see if they’re interested to help you out.  There is strength in numbers, so don’t assume the first thing you need to do is give up and call the professionals.  You can do it!

That’s why it is so important to plan and research projects before you do them.  They can be really difficult once you get started and you want to be prepared for any set backs.  Talk to your friends, you family and the people who work at the hardware store to get as much information as possible.  Don’t be afraid when the going gets rough to call out for help.  It’s much better than sitting around with your mess.  Happy Tasking!

All of us at LadiesToolsOnline.com are so proud to be part of a wonderful cause.  We’ve teamed up with Bailey’s Team: Supporting Research, Awareness and Services for Individuals living with Autism Spectrum Disorders.  We’re dedicated to helping make a difference in the lives of those who are affected by this disorder.  If you’d like to help out, we’ve made it easy!  Purchase our best seller: The Think Pink 57-piece tool set.  We’ll donate a portion of the proceeds to Bailey’s Team.  Tis the season for giving, so purchase the tool set for someone you love this holiday season and rest assured your gift is going towards a fantastic cause! 

Now that you’ve got a tool collection to call your own, you’re probably wondering how you take care of them.  Are you wondering if you need to oil your power tools?  How do you wash them?  I’m going to tell you how to take care of your tools so you can get the most out of them!

Lubricating your tools.

Tools these days don’t usually require lubrication.  Most power tools have sealed bearings or are considered self-lubricating.  Tools that do require lube are ones like air impact wrenches.  So if you happen to own one, read the manual to learn where the oil points are. 

Cleaning your tools.

Tools will get dirty; there is no way around it.  You may get dust or other debris on your tools at some point in your life, but you must resist the urge to wash them.  Tools DO NOT go in the dishwasher.  Water is the enemy of a trusty tool.  Rinsing off your tools can lead to rust.  However, there are times that water will come in contact with your tools.  Installing faucets and shower heads are two great examples of when water can be an issue.  Just remember, a little water can lead to a big mess.  If your tools get wet, dry them as soon as you can, and always before putting them away.

Storage of your tools.

They don’t call it a tool box for nothing!  This is the place your tools need to go.  With a place for everything, and everything in its place, your tools will thank you.  Many people hastily like to finish projects and toss their tools into a junk drawer, I have one and I bet you do too!  When you dump tools on top of each other, it can lead to problems.  Tools improperly stored can get scratched up, mixed up and generally messed up.  Tool boxes provide protection as well as convenience.  It’s a must have investment for your tool collection.  If you don’t have a place for your tools, consider looking at the soft tool bag from our site!  We have so many tools in our home, that it takes a six foot tall tool chest and two smaller boxes in our garage to organize all of our tools.  However, I don’t like walking out to the unattached garage in the dead of winter every time I want to hang a picture.  What’s my solution?  I have a

tool belt that I keep fully loaded in my bedroom closet.  It attaches to my waist with a plastic buckle, so I just clip it onto the bar that I hang clothes from.  It fits right in with my fashionable belts!  Having a tool belt in the house that has a multipurpose screwdriver, hammer, nails, tape measure, pliers, wrench and flashlight is worth its weight in gold!  Those are the basic staples I use whenever I tackle a project.  I highly recommend having something similar in your home. 

tool belt that I keep fully loaded in my bedroom closet.  It attaches to my waist with a plastic buckle, so I just clip it onto the bar that I hang clothes from.  It fits right in with my fashionable belts!  Having a tool belt in the house that has a multipurpose screwdriver, hammer, nails, tape measure, pliers, wrench and flashlight is worth its weight in gold!  Those are the basic staples I use whenever I tackle a project.  I highly recommend having something similar in your home. 

Treat your tools right and they’ll last for years!  Happy tasking!