Wardrobe malfunction.

Recently I had to go buy some clothes for work, as my old ones were getting too small or too worn out. It seems to come in spurts and waves, fits and starts. I'll lose three pairs of pants in the same week, and then wind up needing four shirts six months later. I work in the service industry. The kind of work I do varies, but it can be thought of as light to medium duty construction type stuff most days. When I first started with the company, I made the mistake of wearing normal type clothes. Sneakers, tee shirts, blue jeans. Nuh-uh.


I finally figured out that I was not dressing for the occasion. Prematurely wearing out jeans didn't clue me in right away. Getting less than ideal mileage out of shoes wasn't a tip-off. I'm slow sometimes, what can I say. So years ago I figured out, "you are working for a living, you should probably wear work clothes, dummy."


For those of you that think that work wear is just overpriced clothing aimed at folks who want to look rugged or butch, don't be so hasty. In my experience, work wear is designed of much more sturdy materials, and designed for heavier use and abuse. Here are some things to look for and keep in mind about heavy duty work wear if you are in the market.


Cotton duck-this is one of your best friends. Basically canvas, this stuff is hellaciously tough, fairly lightweight, and used in everything from pants to jackets to tool bags. Easy to care for and break in.


Insulation-sometimes your work is not in a comfy office. Having good insulation to keep you warm is a good idea, just make sure it won't strangle the life out of you if you happen to venture inside for a few minutes while wearing it. I personally like to layer up. I use a few layers of lightweight to medium insulation under my jacket. If I get too hot, I just start peeling off layers.


Jackets-the good old fashioned work jacket can not be praised enough. It is protection on so many levels. Protection from sharp objects on a job site, protection from cold, protection from sparks and metal shavings, protection from the rain. Hell, I've even sat on mine on a hot-ass roof once.


Work-pants. From carpenter pants, to painters jeans, to dungarees etc. Good work pants made of solid materials with tough stitching will keep you comfortable, protected, hold your tools, and last for years. Don't forget to check out the belt loops, make sure they are up to the job. Don't want your pants bailing out on you halfway through the job.


Boots. You will likely be on your feet all day, so comfortable footwear is important. Picking up a quality pair of long lasting, purpose built work boots will keep your feet happier, which has more effect on the soul than most realize. Make sure you give proper consideration to the type of work you will be doing in them. Get a tread pattern that will best serve your environment. Get insulated boots if you will be in cold weather alot. Get moisture-wicking, breathable, or sweat friendly boots if your feet like to drown your footwear. You might also want to consider waterproof, although this can reduce the chances that the boots will breathe worth a damn. Warm, dry, non-achy feet are worth a million schmuckers. 


This is just a basic simple list, but overall you should consider some of the more purpose built work wear if you do any type of contractor/construction/service work. Durable and comfortable work clothes will pay for themselves.




-Owen

Power!!

Power tools. Fun to use, they help the working man or do-it-yerselfer get the job done a little quicker, hopefully with a little less effort. I love my power tools. I use them almost every day at work, and could not get by without them.

I've always been partial to DeWalt tools. I like the design, function, features, durability, and reputation they build into their products. In 1999, I bought my first DeWalt cordless drill, a wimpy little 9.6 volt. In 2004, I picked up a little corded 1/4 sheet sander. Since coming to work for my current company, I've acquired a sawzall, drills, and an impact driver. All of the latter are of the cordless variety.

These tools have been babied. They have also been abused. They have seen light duty, and the worst of job sites. While I generally take very good care of my belongings, tools are just gonna get roughed up. They should be made for it. DeWalt might not be the tippy top of the tool world, but they make some pretty damn tough tools, with some nice little whistles and bells, for not too much money, in the grand scheme of things.

If you are in the market for a new power tool, consider the following before making your purchase.

1. Budget. Checking out a $600 circular saw does you no good whatsoever if your budget is $70. First figure out what you can spend comfortably. Then, after going over the rest of this list, if the tools in your range are falling short, bump up your budget and save up some more dough. 

2. Corded or cordless? Will you need to take the tool places where you won't have an A/C outlet? If so, and you go cordless, make sure you stock up on charged batteries. If you aren't near an A/C outlet, your charger won't be either. This also applies if you just want to go with cordless for the hell of it.

3. Brand. This may or may not matter to you up front. Make sure to do some research, get a little familiar with the brands in your budget range. Unless you like tossing your moolah out the window, go with a reputable brand with durability.

4. Icing. This will likely influence the brands you look at. Consider what toys you want/need on the tool. LED illuminators, belt hooks, bit holders, four position blade clamps, pivoting heads, self-sealing stem bolts, whatever tickles your pickle.

5. Accessories/Kit/Finish. What goodies come with your new tool? A bag or hard case? Charger and batteries? Bits/blades? What goodies will you need to buy? Keep these in mind when working up a budget. A gun's no good without ammo. Make sure that the doodads you grab are designed for the job, and will take years of punishment.

6. TOOL. Lastly, make sure you are looking at the right tool for the job. A cordless screwdriver is worthless for drilling. A hammer drill is overkill for putting plates on a lightswitch. Most decent hardware/home improvement stores will have at least one knowledgeable tool guy. If you see a grizzled old feller with more callouses than hair, that's your guy to go to for tool advice.

-Owen

If you build it...

they might not come. If you are building a house, or thinking about building a house, contractor-friendliness may be a key component you have overlooked. 

Don't just be concerned with the dwelling's interaction with contractor-types while it's being built. You also need to consider down the road, several years later when you want to add your frangible whoseewhatzit or wire for a oscillating framus. Walls that are impossible to fish wire within after completion of the house are no good. An attic that is the bane of electricians is to be avoided.

Keep in mind, a house that isn't installer friendly will cost you more money. Longer install times, aggravation fees (where applicable), and difficulty finding a willing company to do the work in the first place are all possible.

Wide open attics with walkways, walls that are easy to run wire in, windows and doors that are serviceable, framing that is pipe-friendly. All gigantic plus signs. Just sayin.

-Owen