safety sunglasses, and hearing
protection; bottom: head lamp and
respirator mask.
Wearing appropriate eye and hearing
protection will reduce fatigue,
increase productivity, and prevent
injury. Safety equipment is especially
important when you are operating
power equipment or using any tool at
eye level.
43
builders and tool manufacturer owner’s manuals,
privacy for both workers and family members
P R O T I P
so take them seriously. Always comply with
living in a house being renovated.
safety tips provided in tool-operating manuals.
lightweight gloves are much
Wear safety gear. See the section “Safety
Some may pertain to features or hazards unique
cheaper by the case. rubberized
Equipment” for details on hearing protection,
to particular makes and models.
cloth gloves, for example, are
safety glasses, a hard hat, work gloves, and so
about $1.50 per pair in bulk and
forth. Avoid wearing baggy clothes or dangling
will last three to five days under
EssEntial safEty rulEs
jewelry; these are especially dangerous when
normal heavy use.
Keep the work area clean. This is especially
you’re using power tools.
important during demolition.
Buy comfortable gear. If safety gear isn’t com-
Clean up as you go. You’ll accomplish
fortable, you’ll remove it before long. And that’s
more if you can move freely.
the point at which it won’t protect you. Spend a
Pull nails from removed boards at once.
little extra for gear that fits so well that you’ll
If you’re lugging lumber across a work site or
want to keep wearing it.
descending a ladder in a hurry, you don’t want
to step on a nail that’s sticking up.
Disconnect electricity. Be sure to cut off the
electricity to the areas you’ll disturb. Then use a
Clean up when you complete each work
voltage tester to double-check that current is off
session. This seldom takes long and usually
in affected outlets. Also avoid cutting or punctur-
means fewer misplaced tools. Plus it lets you
ing wires hidden behind wall surfaces.
get right to work the following morning.
Plan the job and pace yourself. The job will go
Set up temporary walls (see p. 196);
more safely and smoothly if you assemble your
they’re a great way to isolate the mess and, as
tools and materials beforehand. Take regular
important, to provide visual separation and
breaks, and you’ll stay sharp longer.
ladder safety
Don’t scrimp on ladders. for greatest safety and durability, buy a
type ia, which is a construction-grade ladder rated for 300 lb. avoid
household-grade ladders, which can be unsafe.
although fiberglass ladders are more expensive than those made from
wood or aluminum, most pros prefer them because they are sturdy and
nonconductive. fiberglass ladders are lighter than wood but heavier
than aluminum. Wood stepladders are OK for indoor use, but wood
ladders used outside can deteriorate quickly. aluminum ladders are a
reasonable compromise in price and weight but are the most electrically
conductive of the three. note: all ladder materials can conduct elec-
tricity if they’re dirty or wet.
safe working lengths of ladders are always less than their nominal
lengths. When using an 8-ft. stepladder, for example, go no higher
than 6 ft., and never stand on the top step—which usually has a label
stating, “this is not a step.” likewise, a 32-ft. extension ladder is only
26 ft. to 28 ft. long when extended. ladder sections overlap about
one-quarter, and a ladder leaning against a building should be set
away from the wall about one-quarter of the ladder’s extended length.
ladders must be solidly footed to be safe, especially extension
ladders. after setting up the ladder so that its sides are as plumb as
possible, stand on the bottom rungs to seat the feet. adjustable leg
levelers, as shown, are available for leveling ladders on slopes. if you’re
at all unsure about the ladder’s footing, stake its bottom to prevent it
from creeping.
finally, as you work, always keep your hips within the ladder’s sides.
44
Chapter 3
Don’t work when sick. Take the day off when
lightweight rubberized cloth gloves, which pro-
you’re excessively tired, preoccupied, or taking
tect you while lugging lumber or mixing mortar,
any substance that impairs your judgment.
yet are flexible enough to pick up a dime. Gloves
will also keep your hands free of sap, which can
Operate tools safely. Follow instruction in the
mar finish surfaces. Auto-supply stores carry
owner’s manual provided by the manufacturer.
latex-free nitrile plastic gloves that are inexpen-
Never remove safety devices. Avoid electrical
sive, durable, and quite flexible.
tools whose wires are frayed, cut, or exposed.
Never force tools—saws can kick back and high-
A respirator mask with changeable cartridges
torque drills can knock you off a ladder.
can prevent inhalation of toxic fumes, such as
those from epoxy resins and paint solvents.
Don’t work alone. When you’re on a steep roof
Respirators are discussed further in chapter 18.
or a tall ladder, make sure someone is close by.
For most construction dust, inexpensive dispos-
He or she needn’t be working with you but
able N-rated respirators are fine; where there
should be within earshot if you need help. If you
may be airborne oil particles, use R- or P-rated
need to work alone, have a cell phone handy.
masks. To be sure you’re using the right mask,
Keep work areas well lit. Don’t work where the consult www.cdc.gov/niosh or product-safety
light’s poor. If you disconnect the power to a
data sheets.
work area, run an extension cord and droplight
Knee pads come in a wide range of styles and
to it.
costs—from inexpensive foam or rubber to pricier
Isolate the danger. Keep kids away from work
leather or gel pads covered with fabric or hard
sites. If you store equipment at home, lock up
plastic. Match the knee pad to the task. If you’re
power tools, dangerous solvents, and the like.
installing wood flooring, for example, choose soft
pads that won’t scratch floors; however, you’ll
Tools to Own
want to use hard-plastic kneecaps with gel cush-
ioning to protect your knees from construction
Consider buying most of the safety equipment
debris and prolonged contact with hard surfaces
listed here.
such as tile or concrete.
safEty EquipmEnt
A headlamp (batter
y-powered) is invaluable in
tight, dark spaces where you should have both
Hearing protectors will prevent permanent
hands free.
ear damage and reduce fatigue while using
A safety harness should be attached to solid
power tools. There are a number of styles, from
framing when you are working on roofs with a
reusable foam plugs to earmuffs; properly
6-in-12 pitch or steeper, over open framing, or on
fitted,they should reduce noise 15 decibels (db.)
any other high, unstable workplace.
to 30 db. Look for models that meet American
National Standards Institute (ANSI) S3.19-1974
A first-aid kit should be secured to a prominent
specifications.
place at the work site so you can find it quickly
when you need it. Construction crews should
Eye protection is a must when you’re using
have professional-grade kits that can stabilize
power tools or striking nails or chisels with a
major injuries, and everyone should take a first-
hammer. Safety glasses or goggles that meet
aid course at some point. Must-haves for any
ANSI Z87.1-1989 specs are strong enough to stop kit: an eyewash cup, fine-point tweezers to pull
a chunk of metal, masonry, or wood without
splinters, chemical cold packs, and, of course,
shattering the lens. (Most lenses are polycarbon-
adhesive bandages, gauze pads, tape, and anti-
ate plastic.) Get eyewear that won’t fog up; you
biotic ointment.
can also get combination safety glasses/sunglasses
with UV 400 protection.
COntrOlling thE mEss
A hard hat won’t protect you if you don’t wear it,
so find one that fits well. There are basically two
Cleanup tools. You’ll need a household broom, a
types: Type I protects the top of your head,
push broom, a dustpan, a heavy-duty rubber gar-
whereas type II (ANSI Z89.1-1997) offers some
bage can, a flat shovel for scooping debris, and a
additional protection if a blow to the head is
large-capacity (12-gal. to 16-gal.) wet/dry shop
somewhat off-center. Both are invaluable when
vacuum. You’ll find Dumpster® tips at the end of
you’re handling objects overhead or someone is
this chapter.
working above you.
HEPA vacuums are now essential on any reno-
Work gloves are essential when handling caustic, vation job; their very fine filters can capture the
sharp, or splintery materials. My favorites are
tiny particles that cause respiratory problems.
tools
45
A framing square with stair gauges is a basic
layout tool for plumb and level cuts. It also
TAlKIng productivity
enables you to set the rise and run for stairs as
The only way to make a job affordable is to man-
well as to make repetitive layouts such as for
age it efficiently. Properly used, cell phones can
rafter ends.
keep a job flowing. Contractors use them to con-
Mason’s string has many uses, whether to sup-
tact subs and order supplies, photograph renova-
port a line level or to temporarily tie things
tion surprises so they can share them with cli-
together.
ents, and develop on-the-spot solutions with
An adjustable square is a smaller version of a
architects and engineers.
framing square and is somewhat less versatile.
Phones facilitate feedback, analysis, and
A stud finder enables you to locate studs you
decision making so the job can keep moving.
need to find or want to avoid. Stud finders range
Likewise, homeowners or DIYers can use cell
from simple magnets that detect screws or nails
phones to OK change orders, photograph odd
holding surface materials to framing to electronic
plumbing assemblies to be sure they get the
multiscanners that can detect wood or metal
right replacement parts, or share photos of tiles
studs, plumbing pipes, and live electrical cables.
that they’re thinking about buying.
A small combination square fits easily into a
tool belt and enables quick and accurate 45° and
90° cuts on small pieces. It also doubles as a
depth gauge for getting notches to a certain
depth, setting door stops to jamb edges, and
They are also essential to the containment and
P R O T I P
establishing reveals.
remediation of lead-based paint in houses built
before 1978, when the sale of lead-based paints
An adjustable bevel gauge copies odd angles
tarps won’t protect finished
was banned.
wood floors from dropped tools
and transfers them to workpieces.
and the like. protect floors by
Tarps. Buy at least one 9-ft. by 12-ft. tarp and
A try square is a precise tool that’s more of a
putting down 1⁄8-in. masonite®
one 45-in. by 12-ft. runner. Get good-quality,
shop or bench tool, handy for making sure that a
or a heavyweight paper such as
heavy canvas duck. Paint will soak through cheap tablesaw blade is perfectly square to the table.
ram Board®, which comes on
fabric tarps, and sheet plastic is too slippery to
wide rolls (use duct tape over
A chalkline contains line and powdered chalk.
work on.
the seams).
It’s used to snap straight layout lines on sheet
goods and make layout lines for framing. The
mEasuring anD layOut tOOls
line itself can double as a stringline. And, in a
You may not need all of the following tools, but
pinch, the box and line can also serve as a
it’s good to know what each can do.
plumb bob.
2
Measuring and layout tools:
5
9
1. Framing square with stair gauges
2. Mason’s string
3. Adjustable square
6
10
4. Stud finder
5. Combination square
6. Adjustable bevel gauge
3
7. Try square
8. Chalkline box
9. Folding rule with sliding insert
11
10. Tape measure
1
11. Compass
12. Swanson Speed Square
4
8
7
12
46
Chapter 3
Stud finders. From left: rare-earth magnet, Hanson
magnetic stud finder, Zircon® StudSensor™, Bosch digital
multidetector. The two at left use magnets to detect
screws or nails in stud edges; the two electronic devices
at right use capacitance sensors to detect wood or
Levels and plumbing devices. Top: 4-ft. spirit level; bottom: 2-ft. spirit level; center, from left:
metal studs—and sometimes pipes and wires—beneath
torpedo level with laser, rotating laser, plumb bob with Gammon Reel, five-beam self-leveling laser,
the surface.
and stan
dard torpedo level.
A folding rule with sliding insert is great for
A 2-ft. spirit level enables you to level window-
accurate, inside measurements such as inner
sills, door head jambs, and other tight spaces
cabinet or window widths. Because the folding
where a 4-ft. level won’t fit.
rule is rigid, it will hold the dimension you set.
A standard torpedo level is small enough to fit
The sliding brass insert doubles as a depth gauge. in a tool pouch. Although it’s not as accurate as a
Tape measures are a must. A 16-ft. tape will do
longer level, it’s good for a quick reference in
for most jobs, but the wider tape of a 25-ft. model tight spaces. Magnetic versions can stick to cast-
can span 7 ft. or more without collapsing, allow-
iron pipe and metal conduit.
ing you to take an approximate reading across a
A torpedo level with a laser has the same
span opening.
limitations as any torpedo level, but its laser
A compass draws circles or doubles as a scribe
allows plumbers to set the tool on a pipe that’s
so you can fit flooring or sheet materials to the
pitched correctly and extend the pitch to other
curved or irregular profile of a wall, cabinet,
pipe sections.
or baseboard.
pOWEr saWs
A Swanson® Speed® Square enables quick 45°
and 90° angle layouts. And with a little practice,
Circular saws are generally characterized as
you can set rafter pitches. This indestructible tool either worm-drives or sidewinders and are often
fits snugly in any tool pouch and is easily one of
called Skilsaws®, the name of a popular brand.
the most popular tools since the 1970s.
Professional builders, especially on the West
Coast, favor worm-drive circular saws for cutting
plumB anD lEvEl
framing lumber. They tend to have bigger motors
A plumb bob takes patience to use, but it’s a
and more torque. They also spin slower, bind
compact, accurate tool. The plumbed string also
less, and run quieter than sidewinders. If you’re
is a useful reference line you can measure out
right-handed, worm-drive saws make it easier to
from. The Gammon Reel® shown in the photo
see the line you’re cutting.
above right automatically reels in the string so it
Sidewinders are generally lighter and more
can’t tangle up in a tool pouch.
compact, so they’re easier to handle and a good
choice for the occasional builder. But because the
Renovation 4th Edition Page 11