Handyman Naperville is a skilled professional who performs various tasks at home. Their work ranges from repairing plumbing and electrical problems to painting and carpentry.
They can even make holes, cracks, and dents disappear through patching, making your indoor spaces look brand new. They also install light fixtures and ceiling fans.
Whether they’re routing electrical wires in an existing home or installing a doorbell in a new one, handymen often must snake conductors through confined spaces behind walls and into ceiling cavities. The easiest way to do this is by using a fish tape, which, as the name implies, is designed to “fish” the wires or cables through these tight spots without damaging wallboard, framing members, or other structures.
Electricians and information transport systems installers use fish tapes on a regular basis to route cables through conduit, finished walls, and hard-to-reach spots above ceilings and below floors. Available in lengths of 25-50 feet for short-run projects and 200-foot versions for long conduit runs, they’re used to snake electrical conductors into a wall or into a pipe.
These flexible steel or fiberglass snakes are stored in circular plastic casings that allow for easy extension and retraction, and they’re available in non-conductive models that promote safety when working around live circuits. For these reasons, Ideal Industries notes that it’s important for contractors to follow some simple guidelines when handling fish tapes to ensure their safety and maximum performance.
A good quality fish tape should have a loop at the end that can be hooked onto studs and other fixtures as needed. It should also be coated in a wire pulling lubricant to reduce friction when pushing it through walls or into a conduit bend.
When using a fish tape, it’s important to coordinate with the worker pulling the tape so that both people are feeding it at the same time and pulling it in a steady tempo. This helps prevent the tape from getting stuck in a corner or caught on something that would impede its progress, and it reduces physical strain on both workers.
Electrical Tape
Electrical tape is a handy tool to keep on hand for a wide variety of projects. It’s more than just an adhesive strip – it provides insulation, quick repairs to cords, and is available in different colors for easy identification and organization. Understanding the basics of electrical tape and its applications can help a handyman make more efficient use of this vital tool.
Also known as insulating tape, electrical tape is a type of pressure-sensitive tape used to insulate electrical wires and other materials that conduct electricity. It is typically made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or other plastic materials, and when properly applied, it offers strong adhesion and insulation.
The primary function of electrical tape is to protect the ends of electrical wires from abrasion, moisture, and corrosion. Electrical tape is designed to be resistant to abrasion and corrosion, but it can degrade over time from exposure to cold temperatures, humidity, and sunlight. It’s important to check the condition of your electrical tape regularly to ensure it continues to offer adequate protection.
If your electrical tape is showing signs of wear, it’s best to replace it immediately. Damaged electrical tape can cause short circuits and other dangerous problems, so it’s essential to maintain a good quality of electrical tape.
While electrical tape is extremely versatile and useful, there are certain instances where it shouldn’t be used at all. For instance, it should not be used to insulate permanent connections, such as those found in junction boxes and outlets. Loose or broken connections generate heat, which can lead to a fire hazard. In addition, electrical tape should never be used to repair cracked or frayed cords that expose bare electrical wires.
Circular Saw
A circular saw is a key tool in a handyman’s arsenal. It can cut through wood and other materials quickly and easily, making it a valuable asset for a wide variety of projects, including kitchen fitting and joinery. It’s also a great choice for woodworking tasks like constructing a timber frame building. While you can use a jigsaw for some of these jobs, a circular saw is better equipped to handle angled and curved cuts. It’s also easier to maintain a sharp blade with a circular saw than with other types of power tools.
The most important consideration when choosing a circular saw is its maximum cutting depth. The depth of the cut depends on the size of the blade. Typically, the maximum cut depth is marked on the blade or on the saw itself. You can adjust the cutting depth by loosening or tightening a knob on the side of the saw. Make sure the saw is unplugged before making this adjustment.
Other important features of a circular saw include its bevel adjustment knob and blade diameter. The latter is determined by the number of teeth and their arrangement on the face of the blade. The more teeth, the smoother a crosscut will be but they can also cause more friction. The less teeth, on the other hand, provide a faster rip but they can create more tear out and uglier cuts.
A handyman should also look for a saw that has a dust blower to keep the work area clear. It’s also a good idea to purchase a pair of ear protection and eye protection as a circular saw sends debris flying that can damage the eyes and ears.
Hammer
A hammer is an indispensable tool for any handyman, as it can be used for numerous different purposes. It is a handheld tool consisting of a handle and a head, which may have a claw for pulling nails, a wedge-peen face for driving pins or tacks, or a square-head face for nailing. Hammers are made of a variety of materials, including wood, metal, and plastic. Hammers are also available in a range of weights and styles, depending on the type of work needed.
When using a hammer, it is important to use proper technique to prevent injury. Hold the hammer between your thumb and forefinger on your non-dominant hand, and place it close to the end of the handle for better control. This will reduce the risk of accidentally crushing your fingers between the hammer and wood, which is not only painful but can damage your knuckles as well. When driving nails, always brace your foot behind the board you are hitting to keep it in place and avoid damaging the surface underneath. It is also a good idea to wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from flying debris.
A handyman can also use a hammer for carpentry and general home repairs. A common choice is a claw hammer, which is ideal for removing nails from drywall and other soft materials. Another option is a sledge hammer, which can be used to break concrete or other hard material. A mallet is similar to a claw hammer but has a larger head for softer strikes, and is often used for furniture assembly or working with chisels. A drilling hammer is a short-handled version of the sledge hammer, designed to be used while working on engines or other machinery.
Pliers
Pliers are among the most versatile tools in any handyman’s tool kit, capable of performing a wide variety of tasks. Whether you’re a professional or a casual hobbyist, understanding the unique capabilities of different types of pliers will help you select the right pair for each job. In this guide, we will explore the different categories of pliers, their unique applications, how to choose the best pair for your needs, and essential maintenance tips that every handyman should know.
The body of a plier consists of the handles and jaws, both of which are usually made from steel for strength and durability. The handles can be curved or straight, and they may be coated with plastic or rubber for added gripping comfort. The jaws are often hardened for increased strength and feature a cutting edge near the fulcrum, which is where the pliers’ pivot point is located.
Most pliers have a movable pivot point that can be adjusted to accommodate objects of various sizes. Slip joint pliers, for example, are designed with two different positions for the jaws’ pivot, allowing you to shift them closer together or farther apart to fit different objects. This design also allows you to adjust the jaw opening so you can hold larger or smaller objects without needing extra tools.
Other pliers have features that make them well-suited to specific jobs, such as needle-nose pliers, which have a narrower head for working in tight spaces. Others, such as chain-nose pliers, have a curved tip that can be used to reach into confined areas. Still others, such as end-cutting pliers, are designed to cut and pry items, with a rounded head that can be used to remove nails and tacks.