This section will grow with time. As a good tip or safety discussion occurs, we will post the topic here for the membership to review. After all, we need to share information with each other. Helping a Brother or Sister with a tip can possibly make them a more efficient work or even keep them safe on the job.
TIPS
Door and Hardware Tip
When you are installing doors and hardware a handy item to have is a tube of paste. Like the paste used in grade school. Elmer’s and other manufacturers make it. When you have to install the cardboard shims in hinges to align a door, it’s sometimes difficult to keep the shims in place while you swing the hinge back into place. A small swipe of the paste stick will hold it right in place. If you have it you will find dozens of other uses for it too. Some paste is extremely strong. I’ve even used it to hold small pieces of trim, like returns, in place for fastening.
TOOLS
These are some useful item that can make your job easier. As always, you should know several different ways around a problem so add these to your “tool chest”.
Arc Calculator – Ever have trouble getting the layout for a large arc? What about putting a 20′ radius in a 12′ room? This little program may help out. You’ll need to have Microsoft Excel on your computer.
Click Here to download.
Octagon Layout – Many hours have been spent on job sites for the layout of octagons. While you can lay them out many different ways, often you don’t have the best information to start out with. You may only have a few measurements that relate to placement. 3, 4, 5 will do job but try this little program out. You only need one measurement to get started.
Click here to download.
(click save on the dialogue window and save to your computer. Then double click to use)
Bit and Tap Chart – Use the fractional size or the machine number size bit for a 12-24 tap? This handy little chart will help you “remember” what bit goes to what tap. Print it out, there are four charts on a page…make one for your buddy.
Click here to download.
Trigonometry for the rest of us – OK, so you really don’t want to know Trig but believe it or not, we use it every day. Why not be better at it. Maybe your going to be doing the layout on the next job, run through this to brush up so you can actually use that instrument. You’ll need Microsoft Word and an internet connection. To click the links in the document hold the Alt. button while clicking. Good luck.
Click here to download.
Online Trig Calculator
Click here for an online tool that will help oout on standard angle layout problems.
ADA Regulations – At some point all some of us install hardware or must build something that meets ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) standards. Just remembering placard heights and railing variances aren’t always enough. Most of the time the information is provided in our prints but it never hurts to know where to find the information you need. Here is the most recent ADA standards for construction.
Click here to download.
Interior Systems Tools – USG (www.usg.com) has several usful tools for the builder and the contractor. From various system specifications to material estimators to layout tools this site will guide you through using systems that you may be unfamiliar with. At some point you will be faced with using a system that you are unfamiliar with. It is our duty as professionals to be able to function well when faced with these situations. You’ll need to log in to get to these tools. Once you are logged in, go to Resources and then Online Tools.
Bag Mix Calculator – CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE SITE. From time to time we all have a small proejct either on the job or around the house that we’ll need to use a bag mix concrete for. Ever wonder how many bags you’ll need? Better yet, have you ever actually figured it exactly right???? Now you can. This handy calculator figures just how many bags you’ll need. Make sure you get the right bag weight though.
Concrete Calculator – Everyone has to figure concrete at some point. While all of should be able to do it manually, it never hurts to have a handy tools to help out. This simple calculator will help you figure Walls, slabs, piers, and beams. We’ve tried this out but it has not been tested for complete accuracy. You should always double check your volumes.
Click here to download.
Attachments:
| File | Description | File size |
|---|---|---|
| ADA Regulations | Install hardware or build something that meets ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) standards. | 4695 kB |
| Arc Calculator | Ever have trouble getting the layout for a large arc? What about putting a 20′ radius in a 12′ room? This little program may help out. You’ll need to have Microsoft Excel on your computer. | 34 kB |
| Concrete Calculator | Everyone has to figure concrete at some point. While all of should be able to do it manually, it never hurts to have a handy tools to help out. This simple calculator will help you figure Walls, slabs, piers, and beams. | 18 kB |
| Octagon Layout | Many hours have been spent on job sites for the layout of octagons. While you can lay them out many different ways, often you don’t have the best information to start out with. You may only have a few measurements that relate to placement. 3, 4, 5 will d | 21 kB |
| Bit and Tap Chart | Use the fractional size or the machine number size bit for a 12-24 tap? This handy little chart will help you “remember” what bit goes to what tap. Print it out, there are four charts on a page…make one for your buddy. | 1039 kB |
| Trigonometry for the rest of us | OK, so you really don’t want to know Trig but believe it or not, we use it every day. Why not be better at it. Maybe your going to be doing the layout on the next job, run through this to brush up. | 70 kB |