With the help of almost the entire DIY population here are the seldom revealed, but well know real uses of our common DIY tools. Enjoy!

PHILLIPS SCREWDRIVER

Normally used to stab a hole in oil cans thus splashing oil on your shirt; but can also be used to strip out Phillips screws, while blistering your palm.

STRAIGHT SCREWDRIVER

A tool for opening paint cans. Sometimes used to convert common slotted screws into non-removable screws, and butchering or slotting your palms.

PLIERS

Used to round off bolt heads. Sometimes used in the creation of blood-blisters.

SIDE CUTTERS

Most often used to cut electrical wires resulting in a flash of light, followed by smoke and a breaker being tripped.

VISE-GRIPS

Generally used after pliers to completely round off bolt heads. If nothing else is available, they can also be used to transfer intense welding heat to the palm of your hand.

CHISEL

The best tool to create a huge splinter of wood where you only wanted to remove a bit.

HAMMER

Originally employed as a weapon of war. Nowadays the hammer is often used to bend nails, flatten fingers and sometimes destroy anything close to what we are trying to hit.

UTILITY KNIFE

Used to slice through the contents of cardboard packages delivered to your front door; such as seats, clothes, liquids in plastic bottles, books, refund checks, and rubber or plastic parts. Also useful in sharpening pencils from 6″ down to 2″ in a matter of seconds.

PRY BAR

Most effective in destroying the wooden trim that you are trying to remove, or putting a hole in the drywall as you try to remove that wooden trim. Also a great to crumple that metal clip or bracket you needed to remove in order to replace a 50 cent part.

HOSE CUTTER

Simply a tool used to make hoses too short.

THE NAIL SET

By far the best tool for setting nails and splitting trim at the same time.

HACKSAW

One of a family of cutting tools built on the Ouija board principle… It transforms human energy into a crooked, unpredictable motion, and the more you attempt to influence its course, the more dismal your future becomes.

SKILL SAW

A portable cutting tool used to cut studs too short, make incomprehensible miter cuts, and make weaving cuts down the length of a sheet of plywood.

RECIPROCATING SAW

The perfect power tool for breaking blades as soon as you pull the trigger.

BELT SANDER

An electric sanding tool commonly used to convert minor touch-up jobs into major refinishing jobs.

THE 1/2″ DRILL with two handles

First off, go ahead and remove that side handle. Now proceed with breaking your wrist. Told you so.

JIG SAW

The best power tool for cutting weavy lines on some bizarre angle.

TABLE SAW

A large stationary power tool commonly used to launch wood projectiles for testing wall integrity, as well as shortening digits.

PALM SANDER

Excellent for sanding the little scratches out of that table top, but resulting in burning through the veneer.

THE COMPOUND MITER SAW

Yes, you guessed it, for cutting those compound miters on crown molding that are always just a bit to short.

HYDRAULIC FLOOR JACK

Used for lifting your car of the ground, but not keeping it there. Also used to test the strength of parts not made for lifting you car off the ground.

DRILL PRESS

A tall upright machine useful for suddenly snatching whatever you’re drilling out of your hands, so that it smacks you in the chest, flings your beer across the room, and ultimately dents the freshly-painted project you had carefully set in the corner.

WIRE WHEEL

Cleans paint off bolts and then throws them somewhere under the workbench with the speed of light. Also removes fingerprints from fingers in about the time it takes you to say, ‘Oh sh –’

OXYACETYLENE TORCH

Used almost exclusively for lighting almost anything in your shop on fire. Also handy for igniting the grease inside the wheel hub out of which you want to remove a bearing race.

BAND SAW

A large stationary power saw primarily used to cut most types of material into smaller pieces that fit more easily into the trash can, due to cutting on the wrong side of the line.

TWO-TON ENGINE HOIST

A tool for testing the maximum tensile strength of everything you forgot to disconnect.

THE SON of a B****’ TOOL

The closest tool you grab and throw across the garage while yelling ‘Son of a B****’ at the top of your lungs, just after having used any of the above. It usually turns out to be the next tool you’ll need right after you let it fly.

DIY article from: DIYAnswerGuy.com. Don't forget to follow me (@DIYAnswerGuy) on Twitter for more DIY answers. Thanks!

The Truth About Tools

When it’s time to take on a DIY electrical project there are some really important tips you should know. Tips that can help you avoid pitfalls before you start, boost your confidence, and save you time and money.

First and most importantly, never take on a do-it-yourself electrical project unless you have a full understanding of what you are about to do. Otherwise please call a licensed electrician.

Remember, the amount of power coming into an average home is easily enough to injure or even kill you.

The Complete Guide to Wiring

If you have any doubts about your ability to handle an electrical project, stop,
email your questions to me and/or call a licensed electrician.

Having said that, once prepared, you can safely and easily take on an electrical project successfully and save money too. Being patience and methodical will keep you safe and produce great results.

So here we go.

DIYism: Remember, it always takes more time to complete a project if you rush.

DIY Electrical: What NOT to do.

• Don’t strip electrical wiring with your teeth (you may break a tooth). Use wire strippers.
• Don’t use anything other than wire strippers, as you may nick or damage the wire. This can cause increased resistance, breakage or arcing. All bad.
• Don’t trust the labels in your breaker panel unless you were the one that marked each breaker. If you haven’t labeled your breaker box then, for your safety as well as your family and friends, do so now (instruction and circuit breaker labeling kits are available at your local home center or through [amazon ISBN=B0012MIHEG]Amazon.com[/amazon].

DIY Electrical: What you should do.

• Do test the circuit, after you turn the power off, just to be sure.
• Do use a Multimeter to test circuits — it is safe and accurate.(you can learn about multimeters here)
• Do have a flashlight or battery powered lantern handy.
• Do test all switches before beginning work, as there is a chance that a multi-switch box may be controlled by more than one breaker.
• Do tape and label wires, after removing any switches or outlets, as a reminder of where they go. This makes it much easier when reinstalling the switches and outlets. It only takes a minute and is always worth the time (especially with three-way switches).

If you have to run a new circuit from your breaker panel, call a licensed electrician.

Even though I know how to run a new circuit from a breaker panel, I always call my electrician because his experience allows him to see things that I may overlook, thus avoiding any problems and additional cost.

You may also know how to do a particular electrical job but, believe me, it’s money well spent for the piece of mind that a professional brings to the job. Their knowledge and experience will get the job done quickly and correctly the first time.

As I said in the beginning — and this holds true for all DIY projects — do the research so you; understand of the steps involved to complete your DIY project, know the necessary materials and supplies required, have the correct tools, and be aware of any possible pitfalls for your project.

Learn More

If you have questions about your DIY projects just ask your, Personal DIY Consultant. I’m here to help you succeed with speed.

DIY article from: DIYAnswerGuy.com. Don't forget to follow me (@DIYAnswerGuy) on Twitter for more DIY answers. Thanks!

DIY Electrical Precautions