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NTP66
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Postby NTP66 » Wed Mar 07, 2018 7:05 pm

If you’re in the market for a snowblower, I cannot recommend the Toro PowerClear 721R enough. It’s a true workhorse.

robbiestoupe
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Postby robbiestoupe » Thu Mar 08, 2018 8:50 am

Forget snowblowers, daylight savings is this weekend. I need some recommendations for lawn mowers. Are battery powered mowers legit? I know Honda engines are the bees knees, but what else should I be looking out for? Self propelled is OK, but not necessary. Need decent wheels as I have many roots to traverse.

dodint
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Postby dodint » Thu Mar 08, 2018 11:46 am

I've been very happy with my Black and Decker 60V push mower: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N7QF0G3/

I have about a quarter acre of mowable area and the two batteries get it done just fine. If my lot was flat I or I cut it more than once very 2-3 weeks I could probably mow it with one battery.

robbiestoupe
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Postby robbiestoupe » Tue Mar 20, 2018 12:38 pm

I've been very happy with my Black and Decker 60V push mower: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N7QF0G3/

I have about a quarter acre of mowable area and the two batteries get it done just fine. If my lot was flat I or I cut it more than once very 2-3 weeks I could probably mow it with one battery.
I've done my research and I'm pretty close to pulling the trigger on a battery powered mower. The biggest negative I see out there based on reviews is cutting the grass when it's wet. Do you see any issues with your mower when the grass is wet? Typically I don't cut the grass until it's dry, but you know how Pittsburgh weather is...sometimes you just can't help it.

Silentom
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Postby Silentom » Tue Mar 20, 2018 12:41 pm

2-3 weeks is all the answer you need. ;)

dodint
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Postby dodint » Tue Mar 20, 2018 12:41 pm

I can't recall specifically with wet grass, but I have done tall grass. Any amount of increased resistance against the blades will cause the battery to drain faster, whether that be a chute clog due to accumulated tall/wet grass or simply the heavier weight of that grass. There has never been a time when I was unable to finish my lawn with the two batteries provided, whether regular or heavy grass. So the incremental increase in drain wasn't that significant.

robbiestoupe
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Postby robbiestoupe » Tue Mar 20, 2018 12:47 pm

Cool, thanks. I may go with the 7.5Ah battery as they last longer, and thus can grind through a tough cut if necessary.

dodint
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Postby dodint » Tue Mar 20, 2018 12:52 pm

With my setup, if I had range anxiety I would just purchase a third battery and swap it in to finish the job. Haven't had a problem yet, though. I think I might've done that accidentally, though, as I bought the matching B&D leaf blower in December. I can't remember if I bought the one with or without a battery.

mac5155
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Postby mac5155 » Mon Mar 26, 2018 8:14 pm

So I am doing stacked stone veneer in drystack on my fireplace surround. There is an uneven edge around the tin fireplace insert. I am wondering if I can put some sanded grout in a grout bag to fill in the gaps so it looks smooth? Keeping in mind that I am not doing grout anywhere else.

Willie Kool
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Postby Willie Kool » Mon Mar 26, 2018 8:23 pm

If it could potentially get hot, I wouldn't use anything but actual cement/sand mortar. You can color it to blend in. I'd suggest a couple small test batches to find the right.
Last edited by Willie Kool on Mon Mar 26, 2018 8:26 pm, edited 1 time in total.

mac5155
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Postby mac5155 » Mon Mar 26, 2018 8:25 pm

https://i.imgur.com/hEIbOM8.jpg

Here's what I'm working with. Not sure how hot it will get...

If all else fails i can get coloring for the mortar which I'm using to attach the stone. I just have leftover grout from the floor tile.

Freddy Rumsen
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Postby Freddy Rumsen » Mon Mar 26, 2018 8:29 pm

There is a tennis court adjacent to my house that was completely overtaken with kudzu, leaves, and 20 years of neglect. Doing a bit at a time I got rid of it all, some more work to do, but it is actually a usable tennis court now.

Next act will be to turn my kids into stars.

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Postby Willie Kool » Mon Mar 26, 2018 8:49 pm

lol I didn't see your post...

Looks good. You want to fill the gap up to flush with the face of the surround?

Willie Kool
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Postby Willie Kool » Mon Mar 26, 2018 8:50 pm

There is a tennis court adjacent to my house that was completely overtaken with kudzu, leaves, and 20 years of neglect. Doing a bit at a time I got rid of it all, some more work to do, but it is actually a usable tennis court now.

Next act will be to turn my kids into stars.
Then sell the movie rights...

mac5155
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Postby mac5155 » Mon Mar 26, 2018 9:00 pm

lol I didn't see your post...

Looks good. You want to fill the gap up to flush with the face of the surround?
Yep. Also probably on the wall side too. There's a very small gap with a few stones I'd like to cover up (just so the hardie backer isn't visible)

Willie Kool
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Postby Willie Kool » Mon Mar 26, 2018 9:13 pm

lol I didn't see your post...

Looks good. You want to fill the gap up to flush with the face of the surround?
Yep. Also probably on the wall side too. There's a very small gap with a few stones I'd like to cover up (just so the hardie backer isn't visible)
I think I'd go with black colored mortar. From a few steps back, it'll disappear and just look like shadow.

Silentom
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Postby Silentom » Tue Mar 27, 2018 8:24 am

Are those...textured walls? Good god man, why?!

mac5155
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Postby mac5155 » Tue Mar 27, 2018 9:36 am

Are those...textured walls? Good god man, why?!
Hardcoat plaster > drywall
painting this >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> painting smooth plaster

mac5155
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Postby mac5155 » Tue Mar 27, 2018 10:21 am

I need to side vent my new dryer. Samsung makes a kit for around $50 which looks to be 2 pieces of duct work plus a 90* angle. Is this truly worth it?

Silentom
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Postby Silentom » Tue Mar 27, 2018 10:22 am

Are those...textured walls? Good god man, why?!
Hardcoat plaster > drywall
painting this >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> painting smooth plaster
Disagree, only because drywall is so much easier to work on after the fact.

NTP66
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Postby NTP66 » Tue Mar 27, 2018 10:55 am

I need to side vent my new dryer. Samsung makes a kit for around $50 which looks to be 2 pieces of duct work plus a 90* angle. Is this truly worth it?
You can buy an elbow, rigid duct tubing, and clamps for under $20 at Home Depot.

Freddy Rumsen
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Postby Freddy Rumsen » Tue Mar 27, 2018 4:34 pm

Or you can buy a new one for $300

mac5155
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Postby mac5155 » Tue Mar 27, 2018 11:52 pm

A new what for what

DigitalGypsy66
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Postby DigitalGypsy66 » Fri Apr 06, 2018 4:20 pm

I've got a painting question.

We have a wooden door frame around our front door. Over the years, some of the paint has flaked off during pressure washings. Not much, but it is noticable.

If I'm planning to paint it the same color, do I need to sand it down to the wood? Or sand it at all? Or just clean it, prime it, and paint?

NTP66
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Postby NTP66 » Fri Apr 06, 2018 4:21 pm

Always sand the area near the peeling, IMO.

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