J and J Small Engine Blog

Power Tools on the Father’s Day Gift List - North Attleboro

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 18:48:00 GMT

If the dad in your life owns a home, he loves to own new power tools. If you are struggling to think of a Father’s Day gift, there are some power tools for Father's Day gifts that are on every dad’s wish list.

Power tools benefit wives as well, because good tools help finish projects. Here are a few of the favorite tools that most guys like to have in their sheds.

Tool cabinet
Your husband’s messy workshop will look a whole lot neater with a tool cabinet or garage organizer. This is basically a chest of drawers built for tools. Generally they are all-metal cabinets that are about 3 feet high and 2 feet deep.

Table saw
Table saws are perfect for the wood worker. Be sure it has a blade guard and a "square-lock" fence to keep cuts true. One that wheels out of the way when not in use is great too.

Paint sprayer
If he already has the compressor, the spray gun should be just what he needs to paint everything outdoors including lawn furniture and shutters. You can use it to spray latex paint, lacquer, stain, or primer.

If you want to buy new power tools or parts for existing power tools for Father’s Day, contact J & J Small Engine Clinic.

Excerpts - This Old House

Power Tools are the Perfect Gift for the Do It Yourself Dad

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 05:00:00 GMT

If the dad in your life is a homeowner who cares about his house and yard, then you need to make sure he has the right power tools for the job. From home repairs to lawn care, state-of-the-art power tools can get the job done right every time. From yard equipment like chain saws and lawnmowers, to power washers and trimmers the power tools from STIHL and TORO are perfect for your yard care needs. J&J Small Engine Clinic has the tools you need to make your home an oasis.

If it is home improvements and home repairs that you need to accomplish, the right power tools are essential for both performance and safety. For parts and service to keep your tools properly maintained and operating at peak performance, J&J Small Engine Clinic has the small engine parts you need and the power tool service department you can depend on.

This year for Father’s Day, give the dad in your life a gift he can really take advantage of – while making you happy too! Power tools are the perfect gift for the homeowner and do-it-yourselfer who likes to work around the house and garden. Come into our North Attleboro location and let us help you choose the perfect gift.

Repair and Maintenance for Leaf Blowers - North Attleboro

Fri, 31 May 2013 18:44:00 GMT

With all of the rain and heavy winds we have been having in North Attleboro lately your yard, driveway and walkways are probably full of debris. Your leaf blower is the perfect way to clean up after a wind and rain storm without using elbow grease. But, common for leaf blowers, they have a hard time starting up when you want them to. Leaf Blower repair is a specialty at J&J Small Engine Repair.

Whether you're using a back-pack model, electric or gas powered machine, leaf blowers make life in Massachusetts easier pretty much year round. Who has time to sweep when a leaf blower can move leaves and other debris with winds up approaching 180 mph. But, when your leaf blower doesn’t start, getting reacquainted with the broom is awful.

Bring in your leaf blower for engine repair and maintenance. Sometimes you need new gaskets, new air filters, fuel stabilizer, or new spark plugs. Regardless of the issue, we will do our best to fix your leaf blower. If you are a DIY-er, we sell the parts you need to fix your leaf blower or other small engine yourself.

J&J Small Engine Clinic, Inc. specializes in service and repair for all of you lawn and yard equipment and power tools. Contact us for more information.

Power Tools Maintenance Checklist - North Attleboro

Fri, 24 May 2013 20:43:00 GMT

Memorial Day means that start of summer. Yard work and around-the-house tasks start using up some of our time on the weekends. To get the job done efficiently you need the right power tools, and you need to be sure those power tools are running right. Before you pull your tools out of storage and put them to work, make sure you've prepared them for your spring workload. This checklist of proper maintenance tips will help get your equipment out of storage and ready to work for you.

Check the condition of your spark plugs and replace if necessary.
Check air filters for dirt and damage to determine if any need cleaning or replacement. Clean debris from blowers and trimmers as well.
Inspect your equipment for broken parts, and replace any that are broken or damaged.
Check screws and nuts, and retighten them if necessary.
Now is a good time to sharpen or change saw chains, as well as replace trimmer line.
Lubricate parts where friction will occur.
Check power cords on electric tools for damage or wear.
When mixing fuel, use fresh fuel (stored for less than 2 months) andnew 2-cycle engine oil.
Don't put your power tool to work immediately-after a season of storage, let it warm up for a few minutes before use.

Remember, for a comprehensive list of power tool maintenance and repair instructions, see its product manual. For more information on power tool maintenance and repair, contact J&J Small Engine Clinic.

STIHL

Power Tool Maintenance Checklist

Fri, 24 May 2013 19:25:00 GMT

Memorial Day means that start of summer. Yard work and around-the-house tasks start using up some of our time on the weekends. To get the job done efficiently you need the right power tools, and you need to be sure those power tools are running right. Before you pull your tools out of storage and put them to work, make sure you've prepared them for your spring workload. This checklist of proper maintenance tips will help get your equipment out of hibernation and ready to run.

Check the condition of your spark plugs and replace if necessary.
Check air filters for dirt and damage to determine if any need cleaning or replacement. Clean debris from blowers and trimmers as well.
Inspect your equipment for broken parts, and replace any that are broken or damaged.
Check screws and nuts, and retighten them if necessary.
Now is a good time to sharpen or change saw chains, as well as replace trimmer line.
Lubricate parts where friction will occur.
Check power cords on electric tools for damage or wear.
When mixing fuel, use fresh fuel (stored for less than 2 months) and
new 2-cycle engine oil.
Use STIHL MotoMix® Premixed Fuel in your fuel tanks. STIHL MotoMix® is a highly stable blend that will help to ensure great performance.
Don't put your power tool to work immediately-after a season of storage, let it warm up for a few minutes before use.

Remember, for a comprehensive list of maintenance and repair instructions, see its product manual. For more information on power tool maintenance and repair, contact J&J Small Engine Clinic.

New Toro Lawn Mowers - North Attleboro

Fri, 17 May 2013 19:20:00 GMT

Finally the smell of cut grass permeates the air around North Attleboro. But, if it is time for you to mow your lawn, but you need a new lawn mower, consider a Toro Super Bagger.

If you want to give your lawn that well-groomed, lush look then take a look at the Toro Super Bagger lawn mower. This lawn mower is engineered for superior and easy operation to keep you lawn looking great all year lawn.

The design of the lawn mower forces more grass into the bag, the bag is large so you are emptying it less often. And toro has specially designed the bag so you can lift it with one hand as well.

The Honda engine is lighter and quieter and easier to start than most other lawn mowers. The engine has an overhead cam design is more emissions friendly as well.

This Toro lawn mower offers 3 in 1 capability, so you can bag, mulch or side side discharge. With rear wheel drive it will adjust to your walking speed too.

For more informatin, watch the video and contact J&J Small Engine Clinic.

Best Power Tools for Yard and Garden - North Attleboro

Fri, 10 May 2013 17:15:00 GMT

Now that spring is here, homeowners are getting outside and working in the yard. If you are a DIY-er, here is a list of the top lawn and garden power tools.

Log Splitter
This log splitter makes light work of chopping wood. Benefits include reducing the physical strain that using a traditional axe places on your back, as well as saving you hours of effort. Be warned, it’s extremely heavy, but the wheels make it easy to move around.

Grass Trimmer
A cordless trimmer is powerful. Longer grass and rough vegetation seem to prove no challenge and they are very easy to use. The result is a great finish on the lawn edge, even along fence lines.

Pressure Washer
This may be expensive, but they can provide over 50% water saving compared to a garden hose and 35 times more power, easily making it the most environmentally friendly way to effortlessly remove mold, grime, mud and dirt from patios, garden furniture, decking and vehicles.

Garden Multi-Care Tool
Whether you want to trim shrubs, clear brambles, cut hedges or prune hard-to-reach-branches, this machine does it all. And despite the fact that it’s an all-in-one, they have well-positioned, comfortable handle controls.

Hedge Trimmer
It’s hard to fault an electric or gas powered hedge trimmer, which comes with an extra handle to extend your reach for taller hedges. It’s fast and leaves a neat finish and can handle larger branches. They are a great value.

Electric Leaf Blower
Electric or battery leaf blower has enough power to clear leaves swiftly and efficiently. They are light and comfortable to hold.

Chain saw
Slice cleanly and quickly through logs, branches and thick stems with an electric or gas operated chainsaw.

For more information on new lawn and garden power tools, contact J&J Small Engine Clinic.

Independent

Power Tools for the 'Best Yard' Award - North Attleboro

Fri, 03 May 2013 16:01:00 GMT

It’s spring in Massachusetts, and homeowners everywhere are digging, seeding and planting now that the temperature has been welcoming us outdoors.

Home improvement tasks are on the rise, and with all of the HGTV style shows to guide them, more and more people are becoming DIY-ers. There are some popular power tools that some homeowners cannot and should not live without.

With the never-ending, but friendly (or not so friendly) neighborly “best lawn” competition, there are two tools right now than you need to own if you want to win the “lawn battle.” Aerators and over-seeders.

Aerators are gas-powered and come in various sizes and are used to help bring air into your lawn when the top few inches of soil become compacted. Aerators are used when nutrients, like water and air, cannot reach the roots of the lawn. After aerating, use the overseeder to create a lush, green winning lawn.

Gas-powered over-seeders are fairly easy to use. You do have to push an over-seeder, but it will help pull itself along, and they help to ensure that you are dispersing your lawn seed evenly.

Rototillers also are right up there in popular category this time of year, if you have a vegetable garden or several flower gardens in your yard, as are pressure washers.

Gas powered rototillers range in size but most homeowners go with the 4.5 horsepower. The more horsepower you have the less work you have to do, but of course, the price goes up with power.

If you are looking to win the “best yard around North Attleboro” award, contact J&J Small Engine Clinic and see how we can help.

STIHL Leaf Blowers for Quick and Easy Clean Up

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 16:16:00 GMT

Thank goodness it is finally warm enough out in North Attleboro and the surrounding area to start cleaning up the yard. STIHL leaf blowers are the perfect tool to give you a helping hand and make spring yard clean up quick and easy.

With a powerful commercial grade motor for quick and easy cleanup around your yard, many STIHL leaf blowers have a compact design and a low noise level so you won't bother your neighbors. The BGA 85 hand held leaf blower also has lithium battery power, which is the future of green technology. It also has instant start up and requires low maintenance while being environmentally friendly.

For more information on STIHL Leaf Blowers, contact J&J Small Engine Clinic.

Get Your Power Tools Ready for Spring Yard Care

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 20:52:00 GMT

It is finally spring and the snow is melting off our lawns, but it is not quite time to start planting flower beds and gardens. But right now is the perfect time to take stock in your power tools, and garden supplies. What do you have, what do you need and what needs maintenance or parts? Make sure your engines start, your tools are clean and sharpened, the wheelbarrow tires are filled with air and your gas tanks are full.

But, don’t forget, when you are buying fuel for gas-driven small engines that manufacturers recommend using ethanol free gas. If you must buy gas with ethanol, use gas with 10% or less ethanol two-cycle engines and other gas powered small engines.

Most gas is mixed with ethanol which makes gas corrosive. It can destroy the rubber gaskets and seals in small engines which is why we recommend ethanol free gasoline. When getting gas for small engines remember that Toro and Stihl do not recommend using fuel with more than 10% ethanol.

Small engine paper air filters should be replaced, but sponge filters can be washed with soap and water and then moistened by working in a few drops of motor oil.

Before filling the gas tank of your lawnmower and adding fresh oil, check the inner housing for buildup of caked-on dirt and grass clippings. Even a relatively thin coating can restrict the movement of air and grass clippings, making mulching lawn mowers less effective.

For more information on small engine parts and service, visit or contact J&J Small Engine Clinic.

Electric Lawn Mowers have Evolved

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Battery operated cars are very popular, and electric lawn mowers are nothing new; however, they used to run with extension cords which only worked for really small lawns. But now there is a new generation of electric lawn mowers that are battery powered. They can cut a good-sized lawn with a fully charged battery.

Cordless electric lawn mowers have 18-36 volts of power. The higher the volts, the more power, which means the larger lawn you can mow. Generally, you can mow ¼ to 1/3 acre lawn on a single charge.
The good news is that these batteries run longer you can recharge them hundreds of times before they have to be replaced. Best of all, unlike cars, electric lawn mowers are comparable in price to good gas lawn mowers.

When shopping for an electric lawn mower, keep three things in mind.

A larger, more powerful battery will be more expensive, but it will let you to cut more grass between charging
Push or self-propelled? With an electric mower, self-propelled may mean charging more often.
You can choose an electric mower that allows you to mulch grass or collect the grass in a bag.

You can decide if an electric lawn mower is right for you by thinking about the size of your lawn. Electric lawn mowers are perfect for those who do not want to spend so much on gas and for those who want to make less pollution.

For more information on electric lawn mowers, contact J&J Small Engine Clinic.

Power Tools Every DIY Person Needs

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 19:14:00 GMT

If you are a DIY kind of person, then the end of winter is probably one of your most favorite times of year. There are plenty of outdoor projects to do in the spring, and there are plenty of indoor projects you can utilize the garage or shed for. If the coming spring has you wanting to purchase some new power hand tools, we have some ideas as to the power tools that every DIY should own.

Orbital palm sander
Perfect for small jobs and can be used on furniture, ceilings, walls, floors and any kind of woodwork.

Power Hand Plane
This tool is used for shaping wood, removing thin layers of wood, and smoothing and straightening edges.

Small angle grinder
Use this power tool for removing paint and rust. This tool can also for sharpening and cutting tiles.

Reciprocating saw
This tool is generally used for remodeling and demolition work and is extremely handy. The reciprocating saw is can cut through leather, green, rubber, metal, linoleum and plastic.

Compound miter saw
This saw is also known as a chop saw and is used to get precisely cut angles.

Circular saw
Great for cutting across and along the grain. They are usually used for cutting wood, but you an also get blades for cutting masonry, plastic and metal.

Cordless drill
You will use this all the time, it is a must have. A cordless drill is essential for any DIY project.

For all of your new power tool needs, contact J&J Power Tools in North Attleboro.

How to Buy Power Tools

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 20:44:00 GMT

Spring is around the corner and it is power tool buying time. After the long, snowy February most homeowners have plenty of yard clean-up to do. This means chain saws, leaf blowers, hedge trimmers and lawn mowers. There are plenty of big box stores that can sell you your power tools. But, buying a new electric or gas powered tool is buying a relationship. Like everything with an engine, your going to have to bring it in for power tool parts and service.

But more than that, you want to buy only what you need. You don’t want to get roped into buying the biggest and loudest out there, you want the right tool for the job. That means, you want to buy your new tools from a shop where you can build a relationship.

Here are a few things to consider before you buy:

Think about your budget. There are plenty of power tools with all of the bells and whistles, but if you don’t need them, or won’t use them, you don’t need to pay for them. Sometimes the most basic tool is the best one for you.

Different brands have different warranties. Less expensive brands have lesser warranties; more expensive brands have longer more comprehensive warranties. Some power tools shops have extended warranty options which allow you to extend the warranty on the tool you buy.

Here is the big one, power source. Gas powered tools are convenient. They also cost more and are more challenging to maintain. So if you have a smaller yard, or if you will only be cutting down branches rather than trees, consider electric power tools.

For more information on buying the right power tools for your home and yard, contact J&J Small Engine Clinic.

Storing the Snow Blower

Sat, 09 Mar 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Hopefully this weekend's snow storm will be the last storm of the winter. After the workout your snow blower got, treat it right when you go to store it. So how do you safely store you snow blower for the summer?

One option is to buy any brand of fuel stabilizer. Pour the fuel stabilizer in the snow blower gas tank and run for a few minutes, being sure that the stabilizer has been able to make it to the carburetor.

However, at J&J Small Engine Clinic, our favorite option is to run your snow blower until there is no longer any gas in the tank. There are two ways to do this.

If you have too much fuel in the tank to let the engine run dry, you can drain the fuel. Unhook the fuel line, and let the fuel run out of the tank into a safe container. Then reattach the fuel line and run the engine until there is no more gas in the carburetor.

Or, you can use a turkey baster to remove the fuel from the tank, then as above, run the snow blower until there is no more gas in the carburetor.

Running the snow blower until the engine is out of gas is the best way to prepare your small engine for storage. That way you are sure there is no more fuel in the tank that can go bad, or cause damage to your small engine.

Now that there is no longer fuel in the tank, remove the spark plug and spray some engine storage spray into the cylinder. This will stop rust and corrosion from forming in the cylinder. Be sure the spark plug cap is not over the hole, and turn the engine over a few times. You can do this by slowly pulling on the pull chain a few times. Now, reinstall your spark plug.

For more information on small engine service or storing your snow blower for the season, contact J&J Small Engine Clinic in North Attleboro.

Maintaining Power Tools

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 22:03:00 GMT

We invest a lot into our power tools. Not just money, but peace-of-mind, a way to relax. No matter how rugged or durable our power tools are, they still need regular maintenance.

To ensure that your power tools run safely and efficiently, here are some tips for power tool maintenance:

1. Keep your power tools clean and dry
Don't let your tools get wet or expose them to extreme temperatures. Wipe them off after each use to eliminate dust and debris.

2. Keep blades clean and sharp
Dull blades don’t perform well. They also make your machine work harder, which can cause them to overheat.

3. Oil
Without oil as a lubricant the moving components will break. Make sure your power tools have the right amount and the right kind of oil. Oil allows all the moving parts to move without friction. Too much oil results in sludge, too little oil can cause them to overheat or seize.

4. Replace parts when needed
Power tools suffer from heat, friction and wear-and-tear. Over time the components wear out. Replace power tool parts when they've become too worn or damaged. This will give your power tools better performance and a longer life.

For power tool parts and service, contact J&J Small Engine Clinic.