Tips Of Metal Safety Tools

1. Wear Appropriate Clothing

Whenever working in the wood shop, remember to avoid loose-fitting clothing, as you wouldn't want any of your attire to become entangled in a saw blade or cutting head. Wear clothes that are comfortable for the environment in which you're working, but also will protect your body from any wayward wood chips that might result from cutting. Before beginning, remember to remove any dangling jewelry such as neck chains or bracelets.

2. Always Wear Safety Equipment

The first and most important rule of woodworking is to wear appropriate safety equipment. While hearing protection is necessary for some very noisy tools such as routers and surface planers, and latex gloves may be necessary when applying finishes, there is no time in the wood shop that you should be without your safety glasses. Put them on when you enter the shop, and don't take them off until you leave. Your eyesight is too important to take chances.

3. Disconnect Power Before Blade Changes

Whenever you need to change a blade or bit on a power tool, always disconnect the electricity to the power tool before even beginning the blade change. (Don't just check to see that the switch is off, as a switch could get bumped or malfunction.) Many a woodworker has lost fingers (or worse) by forgetting this simple but very important rule. I've seen woodworkers even go as far as to affix the wrenches to the power cables so there is NO chance they'll forget to disconnect the power.

4. Avoid Drugs and Alcohol

Intoxicating substances and woodworking are a dangerous mix. Stay out of the wood shop if you are even remotely under the influence of any intoxicants.

While it may seem harmless for the weekend woodworker to crack open a beer (or six) while working on a project, avoid the temptation until you're finished with the woodworking. You're going to be much less likely to encounter a problem if you're clean and sober when working with your power tools.

5. Use Sharp Blades & Bits

This one seems like a no-brainer, but a dull cutting tool is a dangerous tool. If a saw blade is not as sharp as it ideally should be, the tool and the woodworker will have to work harder to complete the desired task. In such cases, the tool will be more likely to kick-back or bind. Besides, a sharper cutting tool will produce a cleaner cut, so there are more than just safety advantages here. Keep the blade sharp and clean of pitch, and you'll be safer and have better results.

6. Try Using One Extension Cord

Here's a tip I've used regularly in the past. For all 110-volt power tools in the shop, I use one heavy-duty extension cord. Not one per tool, but one TOTAL. This way, I'm forced to switch the cord from tool to tool before the tool can be used. In this manner, you are always remembering to plug and unplug the power when moving from one tool to another, and you'll be more cognizant of the need to disconnect the power when making bit or blade changes.

7. Always Work Against the Cutter

Woodworking Power Tools are designed so that the direction that the wood moves through the tool (or the direction that the tool moves across the wood) is in the opposite direction of the movement of the cutting head. In other words, a router bit or saw blade should cut against the motion and not with it. The cutter should cut into the stock, not with the stock.

8. Always Check for Nails, Screws and Other Metal

Another no-brainer tip which doesn't bear mentioning, so that's why I'm going to mention it: Always check the stock you're preparing to cut for any metal (nails, screws, staples, etc.) before beginning a cut. Nails and rapidly spinning saw blades are not a good mix. Not only can this damage the cutting head and the stock, but at the very minimum, can cause the stock to kick back, which is a common cause of injury. Inspect the stock (or better yet, use a metal detector) before cutting.

To Drive up the homes value with Metal Roofing

Depending on your geographical location the installation of a metal roofing system can save you up to 40% on your monthly energy related bills. Not only will installing a metal roofing save you on your energy bills but it also provides a secure and sturdy renovation to one of the most important areas to the exterior of your home. In a time of eco-awareness and climbing prices in commodities, metal roofing provides a sustainable solution on your bills and the environment for years and years to come.

Cool Metal Roofing Coalition and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory reported that installation of reflective metal roofing can save the home up to 40% in summer cooling energy costs while highly emissive metal roofs can reduce urban air temperatures by as much as 12 ° F. Combined, these benefits mean less money out , less dependence on energy resources and less general air pollution in your neighborhood and across the nation.

The basic, unpainted metal roof will reflect much of the solar radiation usually absorbed in your attic and home by an asphalt roof. But, for homes in warmer climates, pre-painted or granular coated metal roofing systems not only reflect solar energy but also cool your home by re-emitting most of what solar radiation is absorbed.Where annual cooling loads dominate, a highly reflective and highly emissive painted or granular-coated metal roof is optimal for reducing energy consumption and can actually re-emit up to 90% of absorbed solar radiation.

Additionally, most metal roofing, including standing seam, is composed of recycled material and can be installed directly onto an existing asphalt roof, reducing landfill waste and promoting quick installation as well as decades of environmentally-sound, maintenance-free strength and beauty.

Metal roofing isn’t what it used to be. When most people think about a metal roof, a dingy shack in the middle of nowhere comes to mind, with an ugly, mismatched corrugated metal roof lying flat across the top. While there are still a fair share of dingy shacks out in the middle of nowhere, thankfully the contemporary homeowner has many more options at their disposal. Metal roofing is made from a variety of materials including steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and copper. All have their pros and cons, from durability to looks. While the type of metal roof may mostly be a personal preference, there are some considerations. For example, if you live in an area where hail is common, it may make sense to find the most durable material possible. For the most part, however, any of these types of roofs, made with roll forming equipment, are going to be beautiful and practical additions to your home.

Metal roofing is durable, attractive, and will most likely never have to be replaced over the course of your home’s life. So what is stopping metal roofing from becoming the norm rather than just another option? Cost, for one, is a big issue. If you don’t plan on owing your house for a long time, you may be passing along some of the benefit of the metal roof without recouping any of your initial investment. Another consideration is the noise of a metal roof during a rain or hail storm

Sal Alfano of Remodeling Magazine reported that homes renovated with standing-seam metal roofing show a rate of 85.9% cost recouped in the national average with up to 95.5% for homes in the Eastern states, a full 1 and 6% resale value gain over homes roofed with asphalt. And with all the added safety and longevity associated with quality metal roofing matching installation job costs that reach only one half of that of cosmetic room remodeling averages or even one eighth of that of a master suite addition, you hardly deny the sense in upgrading.

The following table shows average values associated with a typical roof renovation of 30 squares of standing seam metal, formed on-site into16-inch panels using factory-enameled roll steel (all seams double-locked) with brake-bent flashing from same material for drip edge and all flashing at roof-wall intersections, a 5-square hip roof with custom flashing at two average-sized skylights, a custom cap treatment, all applied over a new felt underlayment with rubberized asphalt membranes at eaves, valleys and all penetrations.

Metal Roofing in Modern Materials

A growing trend in the home roofing industry these days is the metal roof. With qualities of light weight, durability and fire resistance, there are various metal roofing materials and systems to consider.

Some of the newer metal roofing materials are even designed to give your roof the look of wood shakes or slate tile. A wide variety of metal roofing systems is available on the market today.

A 2007 member survey by the National Roofing Contractors Association provides evidence that up to thirty percent of new homes now use architectural metal roofs, up from only twenty-three percent in 2004.

Types of Metal Roofing Materials Used

The primary metals used to make metal roofing materials include aluminum, steel, stainless steel, copper, and zinc alloys. Each metal roofing material has unique properties that affect its appearance, durability and price.

Heavier and more durable than aluminum, steel is a popular choice for metal roofing. Coated with zinc and sealed to provide a finish that protects it against rust and corrosion, a modern steel roof, installed properly, can last fifty years or longer.

The coatings typically consist of a bottom coat of epoxy primer, which provides additional adhesion, and an acrylic top coating, which is baked on to add protection and color that will withstand harsh sunlight, rain, snow and ice.

Stainless steel is another popular, but more expensive, metal roofing material that is highly resistant to rust and corrosion. A Terne coating may also be used to give stainless steel roofing material a more natural, matte-gray finish.

Aluminum roofing materials are extremely lightweight, making them another choice for home roofing. While aluminum doesn’t rust, it does need to be painted or coated to provide a more attractive appearance. The coatings used on aluminum roofing are similar to those used on steel roofing materials.

Copper has been used as a roofing material for centuries and offers a rust-free surface that is naturally resistant to scratching or peeling and develops a natural patina with time that is quite attractive. However, copper is extremely expensive and thus, less commonly used as a home roofing material these days.

Articles source : www.roofing-articles.com/roofing-materials

Guide for Roofing Tools

Roofing can be a dangerous job and is always hard work, so having the best tools and safety equipment available is critical.

Roofing Articles provides you with an overview of the basic tools and equipment needed to maintain, repair or install a roof.

Some of the tools used have been around for decades, while others have evolved into high tech roofing tools.

Equipping yourself with the right tools enables you to complete jobs efficiently and safely.

Read on to learn the basic tools of the roofing trade.

Air Knife

Designed specifically for cutting thick laminate shingles an air knife runs on compressed air and has a heat-tempered hook blade to slice through all types of shingles.

Hammer Stapler

For some roofing applications a hammer stapler is used to apply heavy duty non-rusting staples instead of nails.

Knee Pads

Many a roofer’s career is over when his knees give out, so protecting your knees with comfortable pads is highly recommended.

Layout Tools

Basic roofing layout requires a plumb line to get accurate reference points, a chalk line to mark layout lines and a good quality retractable steel tape measure.

Pry Bar

Used to remove roofing material when replacing a roof. Various lengths may be needed depending on the demolition job.

Roofer’s Chair

When spending long periods of time on a pitched roof, the roofer’s chair with clawed feet gives you a stable and level working place.

Roofing Hammer

The most basic tool for any roofer is a roofing hammer, with a hatchet end for splitting shakes and shingles and a hammer end for pounding nails. Some high quality roofing hammers will have a gauge to let you easily maintain course height.

Roofing Nailer

Pneumatic roofing nailers offer many advantages for some types of roofing jobs. And since a roofing nailer is often the most used and abused tool in a roofer’s tool chest, you’ll want to get a name brand model from Bostich, Senco, Hitachi or one of the other major manufacturers.

Shingle Saw

Used to cut shingles, slate and other roofing materials. Blades are available for cutting all types of roofing materials including wood shingles, light metal, masonry material and fiber cement.

Slater’s Bracket

This handy tool provides the roofer with adjustable positions to hold planks in place when working on a slate roof with most any pitch.

Tool Belt

A roofer need to have his hands free as much as possible, so a comfortable, durable tool belt is crucial.

Utility Knife

A sharp utility knife and good supply of sharp blades are essential for cutting felt and trimming shakes and roof shingles.

Articles Source : www.roofing-articles.com/roofing-materials/mo...