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Articles by Robert Robillard
5 Kitchen Remodeling Tips
5 Kitchen Remodeling Tips By Robert Robillard on Kitchens Remodeling A Kitchen When you begin to think about remodeling your kitchen, there’s a lot to consider and it’s easy to miss things. By following a few simple tips, you can avoid difficulties. Here are 5 kitchen remodeling tips to think about before you begin your remodeling project. Meet with your contractor and their kitchen designer to discuss the best plan for your remodel.
Kitchen Remodel 2023
Kitchen Remodel 2023 By Robert Robillard on Design, Kitchens Kitchen Remodel| “Kitchen Captivation” It had been at least 25 years since this Carlisle kitchen had seen a kitchen remodel update.
HOSELINK Retractable Garden Hose Reel
HOSELINK Retractable Garden Hose Reel By Robert Robillard on Home Maintenance, Landscape HOSELINK Retractable Garden Hose Reel Review I’ve been a homeowner for 33 years and for 32 of them I’ve struggled with garden hoses and nozzles. A good garden hose is not cheap, but then what do you do with it when not in use. For example, do you hang it on a rack or roll it up and leave it on the ground?
Building A Wheelchair Accessible Workshop
Building A Wheelchair Accessible Workshop By Robert Robillard on Weekend warrior, Woodworking, Workshop tips The Wheelchair Woodworker – Helping To Build A Dream WorkShop Earlier this year, Jason McGee, a disabled yet hopeful woodworker from Sherman Illinois reached out to us for help and guidance in setting up a woodshop in his home garage.
Wood Shaper Table UPGRADE
Wood Shaper Table UPGRADE By Robert Robillard on Remodeling Custom Wood Shaper Table| Using Rockler Components In my workshop, I use my wood shaper primarily to mill frame and panel doors and sometimes wainscotting panels. To do this precisely, and work safer, I use sliding sleds that are indexed into the miter slot. I’ve encountered some quality issues when milling long stock, for example when I’m doing an end panel on a tall bookcase, or a long horizontal panel on a bench set.
When and How to Refinish a Mahogany Deck
When and How to Refinish a Mahogany Deck By Robert Robillard on Remodeling How to Refinish a Mahogany Deck | 4 Steps As a carpenter, I install my share of screen porches, decks, and stairs, and while the trend is leaning towards composite decking there are still a fair amount of folks who like Mahogany and Ipe decking.
Diamondback “Dos Clavos” 701 Vest Review
Diamondback “Dos Clavos” 701 Vest Review By Robert Robillard on Remodeling Diamondback “Dos Clavos” 701 Vest System The first tool belt I ever owned was a second-hand “Grossman Lumber” canvas work apron, circa 1978, when I was about 5 years old. I used this belt every time I’d help my dad around the house with that weekend’s home improvement project. I carried a folding wooden ruler, a few finish nails, an ancient finish hammer, and a pair of rusty pliers.
Work Van Shelving - Get Organized and Efficient
Work Van Shelving – Get Organized and Efficient By Robert Robillard on Remodeling Bott SMARTVAN Van Rack and Storage Solution I’m a big believer in modular storage and tool organization. It saves time and is, as important as the tools, that are used to get the job done. A lot of contractors don’t consider time wasted looking for tools and accessories in their trucks and vans. As contractors we need to think about tool storage and organization as a system but also an investment.
Concord Carpenter Awarded Kitchen Remodeler of Year
Concord Carpenter Awarded Kitchen Remodeler of Year By Robert Robillard on Remodeling Concord Carpenter Awarded NAHB Kitchen Remodeling Award Concord, Massachusetts, FEBRUARY 22, 2023: The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and the NAHB Council have recognized Concord Carpenter LLC with a 2022 Remodeling Award in the Kitchen Remodeling $200,000+ category.
Helly Hansen Oxford Lined Vest
Helly Hansen Oxford Lined Vest By Robert Robillard on Tool and Product Reviews Helly Hansen Oxford Lined Vest Review I’ve personally never been a vest guy– I just never liked them, until I did. Two years ago, my wife bought me a flannel shirt along with a complementing vest and told me to wear it and stop my whining. Unable to find a way out of this, I tried out the vest. To my surprise, I liked the fit and functionality.
Keen San Jose Oxford Work Shoe
Keen San Jose Oxford Work Shoe By Robert Robillard on Remodeling, Tool and Product Reviews Keen Utility San Jose Oxford (Aluminum Toe) Work Shoe As a tool reviewer, I get to write about all these cool and innovative tools to help us contractors get the job done. What often gets lost in translation is work clothing and footwear like the Keen San Jose Oxford Work Shoe. I recently started wearing the KEEN Utility San Jose Oxford as an everyday shoe for work.
Helly Hanson Oxford Lined Vest
Helly Hanson Oxford Lined Vest By Robert Robillard on Tool and Product Reviews Helly Hanson Oxford Lined Vest Review I’ve personally never been a vest guy– I just never liked them, until I did. Two years ago, my wife bought me a flannel shirt along with a complementing vest and told me to wear it and stop my whining. Unable to find a way out of this, I tried out the vest. To my surprise, I liked the fit and functionality.
Cleaning Paint Bushes
Cleaning Paint Bushes By Robert Robillard on Remodeling Cleaning Oil Paint Brushes Learning how to properly clean brushed with oil paint can save you money and improve the longevity of the brush and the quality of your paint project. I’ve learned this lesson the hard way. It only takes one slip-up of waiting too long, or not prepping your brushes for cleaning to lose a brush to hardened paint.
DryerWallVent Review
DryerWallVent Review By Robert Robillard on Remodeling, Tool and Product Reviews Dryer Wall Vent [Best Practice] The folks at InOvate products reached out and asked us to install and review their DryerWallVent. So, we took it to one of our remodeling projects and installed it. My first experience with this company was almost 10 years ago at the JLC Tradeshow where I saw their Dryerbox product.
Smith & Wesson M&P Officer RXP Flashlight Review
Smith & Wesson M&P Officer RXP Flashlight Review By Robert Robillard on Tool and Product Reviews, Weekend warrior Smith & Wesson M&P Officer RXP Rechargeable Flashlight 1098726 This Smith & Wesson M&P Officer RXP flashlight is promoted as a great everyday carry flashlight. When first looking at this light and who might benefit from it, public safety and the military come to, but so don’t construction trades. Folks in the trades are constantly working in dimly lit, dark areas.
How To Install Butcher Block Counters
How To Install Butcher Block Counters By Robert Robillard on How To, Kitchens Installing Butcher Block Countertop | PRO Tips In this article, I’m going to show you the best way to fit a section of butcher block between two pieces of granite counter. The technique and steps I used are the same for fitting a stand-alone, butcher block counter. Butcher Block Counter Install | Create a Template A Butcher block is created from straight pieces of wood glued together into thick slabs.
Master Bathroom Remodel
Master Bathroom Remodel By Robert Robillard on Bathrooms, Remodeling Master Bath Partridge Lane Project This is a brief synopsis of our Partridge Lane Master Bathroom Remodel. From the bright marble tile to the octagonal shower floor and niche backsplash, this modern bath feels modern, clean, and refreshing. Bathroom Fixtures We used Grohe “Lineare” fixtures in this bathroom remodel. The shower is controlled by a SmartControl Triple Function Thermostatic Module in a Chrome finish.
Anderson FullView Retractable Screen Storm Door
Anderson FullView Retractable Screen Storm Door By Robert Robillard on Home Repairs And Remodeling, Remodeling Anderson 10-Series Storm Door Installation The Anderson 10-Series Fullview Retractable Storm Door is Anderson’s top-of-the-line storm door.
How To Clean A Dryer Duct
How To Clean A Dryer Duct By Robert Robillard on How To Cleaning A Dryer Vent When you consider that 15,000 fires start in the laundry room every year and that these fires are mostly due to lint build up in the clothes dryer or a clogged dryer duct it makes you wonder why we don’t do something about it. Annual dryer duct cleaning will ensure you avoid these possible issues. When you further consider that these fires result in 10 deaths and 310 injuries per year I just shake my head.
Hidden Water Basin
Hidden Water Basin By Robert Robillard on Landscape Building a Disappearing Fountain Basin In part 1 of Building a disappearing water fountain, I detailed the steps in Building a Hidden Water Basin with a glazed pot that was a gift from a friend. Learn how How To Build A Disappearing Water Fountain with this step by step guide. We chose the spot, shown below, for the disappearing fountain.
ZipWall ZipDoor Kit Review | Contain Remodeling Dust
As a remodeling contractor, I learned early on that containing remodeling dust and keeping that dust out of the non-remodeled portion of your client’s home is often more important than the quality of your work. It’s a fact that construction transports fine dust particles into parts of your home that are not being worked on. This ZipWall ZipDoor Kit review was the result of many years of trial and error.
How To Use DAP Pro System 600 Spray Foam kit
How To Use DAP Pro System 600 Spray Foam kit By Robert Robillard on Insulation DAP Touch ‘n Foam Pro System 600 Spray Foam Kit If you only have a small area to insulate like a small addition, bathroom or a basement remodel hiring a spray foam contractor can be expensive and not a viable option. In these situations, I purchase a spray foam froth pak, like the DAP Touch ‘n Foam Pro System 600 is a viable option.
Soapstone Fireplace Surround
Soapstone Fireplace Surround By Robert Robillard on Remodeling How To Install A Soapstone Fireplace Surround A Soapstone fireplace surround is placed directly over an existing fireplace be it brick, stone, tile or framing studs. The article below will show you what you need in order to install a soapstone fireplace on a brick façade fireplace. Choosing Soapstone Soapstone is a metamorphic rock made mostly of the mineral talc, which is the softest mineral there is.
Owning Your Own Carpentry Business
Owning Your Own Carpentry Business By Robert Robillard on Contractor Advice So you want to go out on your own? Many — maybe most — tradesmen and women get the urge sooner or later to strike out on their own. To work for themselves. To be in control of their jobs and fate. To get “all the money”. But: is it right for you? Hanging Up The Tool Belt Honestly, it’s not right for most people, no matter what their profession.
Replacing a Load-Bearing Beam With A Flush Beam
Replacing a Load-Bearing Beam With A Flush Beam By Robert Robillard on Home Repairs And Remodeling Replace a Load-Bearing Wall With a Flush Beam Replacing a load-bearing beam with a flush beam was our mission last week. The client had an existing wood beam with two posts connected to his kitchen island and didn’t like seeing the posts. The decision was made to install a beam that would span the entire kitchen without posts, and be recessed in the ceiling.
Rough Sawn Wood Patio Cooler
Rough Sawn Wood Patio Cooler By Robert Robillard on Remodeling, Weekend warrior How to Build A Patio Cooler I love backyard BBQs and for many years we operated out of a two Coleman coolers to store beer and soda. While this worked fine, I wanted something better looking, easier to access and maneuverable. After seeing a vintage rolling cooler at a media event I attended I decided that I’d like to make one out of rough sawn pine.
Fixing Holes In Floor After Enlarging Door
Fixing Holes In Floor After Enlarging Door By Robert Robillard on Remodeling How To Fix Holes In Bluestone Floor After Enlarging Door We were recently asked by a client to enlarge an existing door. The door was in a newly renovated, mudroom area and exited into a garage. The mudroom floor was 1” Bluestone that was wet-set [cemented] into place. We advised the client that enlarging the door would leave scars, [2” deep holes] where the bluestone used to butt up against the old door jamb.
How My Blog Got Started!
How My Blog Got Started! By Robert Robillard on Contractor Advice How It All Got Started: Read my story below. My site is my outlet, and it’s a creative one. I read more, my writing has improved, I’m learning more and it helps me promote my business. As a self-employed carpenter, I first used “Concord Carpenter” as a place to post images of carpentry projects.
Rockler Carbide-Tipped Radius Plane Review
Rockler Carbide-Tipped Radius Plane Review By Robert Robillard on Tool Reviews, Workshop tips Using a Radius Plane to Ease Sharp Edges In woodworking and Carpentry In the 25-years that I’ve been a carpenter I’ve always likes using hand planes. My most-used hand plane has always been my 60-degree low angle plane, which I use for easing edges and fitting parts. How Do You Ease Your Edges? So I ask this question, how do you guys treat your sharp wood edges?
How To Build A Remodeling Debris Chute
How To Build A Remodeling Debris Chute By Robert Robillard on How To How To Build A Debris Chute For A Remodeling Project A remodeling contractor I quickly learned that to be professional you need to develop professional standards and best practices especially when it comes to dealing with dust and debris. One trick I learned early on was to avoid dragging trash and debris from the remodeling zone and through a clients home on the way to the dumpster.
How To Paint Electrical Switch Plates
How To Paint Electrical Switch Plates By Robert Robillard on Uncategorized How To Paint Electrical Switch Plates Match Your Electrical Switch And Outlet Plates To Your Wall Color. This article will explain the proper techniques and “Tips” for Painting Electrical Plates Introduction. Many homes have white or beige outlet and switch cover. This can be unattractive when your walls are painted a color.
Preventing Pipes From Freezing
Preventing Pipes From Freezing By Robert Robillard on Home Repairs And Remodeling, Plumbing How-To Avoid Freezing Pipes This winter is predicted to be a COLD one, and that means frozen water pipes….. brrrrrrr! Before it gets cold take a moment to evaluate your water pipes and take the precautions now and save from costly repairs later. Preventing pipes from freezing should be done at the time of construction, not after the pipes freeze.
Updating Your Smoke Alarms
Updating Your Smoke Alarms By Robert Robillard on Home And Personal Safety Ionization vs. Photoelectric Smoke Detection – Which One Is Better? If your like me you, you have the best of intentions but probably only get around to changing your smoke alarm batteries once a year, not twice as recommended, or worse wait for the “chirp,” to do it. You also never vacuum them or test them, am I right? Do you even know what type of smoke alarms you have?
Measuring Tools for the Workshop
Measuring Tools for the Workshop By Robert Robillard on Workshop tips Measuring Tools -That DON’T break the Budget Measuring and layout mistakes can be time-consuming and costly. Learning the hard way how to measure properly is not fun. Measuring properly involves attention to detail, good judgement and experience. Over the years, I’ve developed strategies to measure and layout parts to achieve accurate work and avoiding mistakes.
A Concord Carpenter
Winterizing A Home By Robert Robillard on Uncategorized Winterizing A Vacation Home I recently looked at a customers home that was damaged by frozen water pipes, they failed to Winterize their home properly. This customer turned down his heat super low and went on vacation for two weeks and came back to 5′ of water in his basement. His hardwood floors, kitchen cabinets, furniture and all of the walls 24″ up from the floor were ruined.
How To Install A Pet Door
How To Install A Pet Door By Robert Robillard on How To Endura Flap Pet Door Installation In a perfect world my two Labrador pups would let themselves in and out of the house as needed – and make their own dinner! Although we don’t live in a perfect world that doesn’t mean we don’t strive for greater efficiency and better solutions. My search for this led me to installing a pet door. In this article I offer you my thoughts and tips on how to choose, measure for and install a quality pet door.
Streamlabs Smart Home Water Monitor
Streamlabs Smart Home Water Monitor By Robert Robillard on Product News, Weekend warrior Monitoring Home Water Consumption ~ By Jeff Deitz These days smart products and monitors can be found in every corner of the home. Its now possible to control almost any item in your home that has a button from your smartphone. I find myself controlling lights, monitoring security cameras and opening garage doors all from the same place.
A Concord Carpenter
By Ben Carmichael False Albacore Fly Fishing During the Martha’s Vineyard Derby New England fall — the season of leaves, apple cider donuts, the fall migration, and the Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby. The Derby — which, after 73 years is, like Bono or Cher, known simply as “The Derby” — captivates the island, its tourists… Continue reading »
Eldorado Stone Infinite Fire Bowl
Eldorado Stone Infinite Fire Bowl By Robert Robillard on Design, Landscape, Weekend warrior Eldorado Stone Infinite Fire Bowl Review There’s something entrancing about sitting at a fire, staring into the flames. If you’ve been reading my site for a while, you know that I like to keep busy—but sitting in front of flickering flames and glowing embers, my mind relaxes and I can unwind. On long summer evenings, there’s nothing better than hanging out with friends and family by the fire pit.
Nest Hello Video Doorbell and Nest x Yale Lock
Recently, I was sitting at my desk at the office when an alert popped up on my laptop screen from Nest Hello video doorbell. Someone was approaching the door of my home – a thirty-minute drive away from where I was sitting. Curious to see who the visitor was, I opened the Nest app, and saw that it was my wife… in a pretty new dress. “Hello beautiful!” I said into my phone. “Nice dress!” “Why thank you!” she replied, not missing a beat.
Making a Carpentry Template
Making a Carpentry Template By Robert Robillard on How To, Remodeling Making and Using Carpentry Patterns and Templates Making and using carpentry patterns and templates help to make woodworking and construction projects efficient, repeatable and accurate. Templates are usually low cost to build, and an accurate way to transfer spatial measurements to any sheet material or flat surface. Once made, a template can be used, over and over again, saving time on future installations.
Roof Deck
Building A Roof Deck By Robert Robillard on Decks And Porches Roof Deck Construction This article, Building a Roof Deck was inspired after a client recently asked if I would replace her badly worn out roof deck. This wooden deck was built over her screen porch and on top of a flat roof. It’s not really flat: it’s pitched ¼’ per foot but without a spirit level you can’t really tell.
How To Paint Over Polyurethane
How To Paint Over Polyurethane By Robert Robillard on How To Painting Over Polyurethane Or Varnish Finishes This article will explain how to paint over polyurethane or varnish finishes. Painting over polyurethane woodwork can be time consuming, and maddening. Improper techniques can lead to your paint finish to fail; bubble, peel or chip. Read my detailed step-by-step instructions below on how to eliminate the steps of having to strip or sand down to bare wood, and still have quality end result.
Deck Safety
Deck Safety By Robert Robillard on Decks And Porches Deck Replacement or Repair? There are approximately 40 million decks in the United States and only half of those are code compliant. Deck safety is a real problem. Every year we hear about decks that collapse under the weight of people or snow load.
Preparing For Bathroom Remodeling
Preparing For Bathroom Remodeling By Robert Robillard on Bathrooms Preparing For Bathroom Remodeling – The Right Way Preparing for bathroom remodeling isn’t something you’re born knowing how to do. For most people, it’s not until after they’ve renovated a bathroom or two that they really know what to expect.
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