J and J Small Engine Blog

Everyone has a hammer and a screw driver, but think of what you can do with power tools. Put a new tool in the hands of some people and they become giddy at the prospect of all the jobs they can now do. Power tools may be more expensive than a hammer, but when you own them, there is one less excuse to blow off a project. And, power tools they pay for themselves.

The very basic set of tools is perfect for installing shelves or a shower heads. But are there other tools, power tools, that would inspire someone to take on the bigger home projects.

Bob Villa says that what you need is a set of aspirational tools. These tools lean heavily on the power tools category.

Nevertheless,when you own the right power tools, you can take on projects that, had you paid a carpenter, would have cost much more than buying all of those power tools.

The first item on my list of new tools was an 18-volt cordless drill.  It is advisable to get one with a spare battery, so you don’t have to worry about losing power midway through a project.

A battery-powered circular saw is another good thing to have, “especially if you’re outside working on a fence or up on a roof, where you don’t want to drag a cord.”

A reciprocating saw, or Sawzall, is good for demolition and for cutting through walls. It’s the greatest tool in America, and, keep in mind, second only to chainsaws as the most dangerous.

The top tool recommendation is a multipiece drilling-and-driving set, which expands the utility of a cordless drill. For any job, no matter what you need to do, this tool has it.

A 80-piece drill-and-drive set includes nut-setters, roughly 20 drill bits and more than 50 screw-driving tips. For those with more specialized woodworking needs, Ryobi sells a 90-piece drill-and-drive set that includes tools for boring and circular cuts.

When you embark on home projects, you make a mess and need a way to clean up. The recommendation: a wet-dry vacuum or Shop-Vac. They suck up stuff that would destroy a typical vacuum and you don’t think of it as a tool but you get addicted to it.

Another tool that Mr. Vila suggests is an auger for unclogging toilets or drains. Plumbers charge such enormous amounts that when you buy a three-foot Ridgid toilet auger it pays for itself in the time it would take a plumber to walk from his truck to your front door.
 
Are you in the market to add some power tools to your workspace? Contact J&J Small Engine Clinic.

Original article - NYTimes

This New Year J&J Small Engine Clinic would like to wish you and your families a happy and safe New Year. Thank you for your business and we look forward to doing business with you in 2012 and beyond.

For all of your new power equipment or small engine repair and parts J & J Small Engine Clinic has one of the largest selections of lawn mowers, snow blowers, chain saws and other power tools in the North Attleboro area.

J&J Small Engine Clinic, Inc. has been providing premium service and sales since 1995 and we have a high standard when it comes to customer service. Contact us for information or questions on power equipment sales and service.  Happy New Year from J&J Small Engine Clinic.

Every man on your list wants a power tool as a gift. No matter how many power tools they have, there is always another one they want.

Snow blowers-  many people think there is no money better spent than on a plow. But a man gets satisfaction by blowing snow. We can concur nature, move the elements. For much less money than what you spend on a plow, you can get your snow moved, and make the man in your life happy.

Chain saw- with every snow storm, tree limbs fall. Every spring and fall there are branches that you want removed from the yard. Now you can add these items to your “honey-do list” and the man in your life will be happy about it because of their new chain saw.

Leaf blower- Say no more, just look outside. In New England, even if you have a leaf blower already, you could always use another one. In every home there is a place for a hand held and a back pack blower.

Want help in choosing the perfect gift? Contact J&J Small Engine Clinic.

Small-engine repairmen agree that ethanol mixed with gasoline is corroding and damaging chain saws, string trimmers and other outdoor power equipment at an alarming clip. As a result, a new market is growing in U.S. hardware stores: Ethanol-free gas packaged in small cans that sell at a premium but promise to make your small engines last.

Repairman and small-business owner Rich Herder doesn't mince words about the damage ethanol in gasoline is doing to the small engines in outdoor power equipment. "It's the biggest disaster to hit gasoline

Many small engines are damaged by the alcohol in today's gasoline.

Most power tool repairs are not due to normal wear and tear, but results from the use of ethanol, which can cause rust and carbon deposits inside the engine, dissolve plastic parts and more.

But now, Ethanol-free gas is available and distributed in cans for owners of small engines.
 
Deposits and corrosion aren't the only reasons alcohol is hard on today's small engines.

The alcohol can cause the fuel to ignite at the wrong time in the combustion sequence, ruining parts in the process.

J&J Small Engine Clinic, Inc, is one of the Few Shops to sell Ethanol free gasoline. Ethanol free gasoline will not go bad for at least two years, most gasoline purchase for your vehicle will start to go bad in 30 days.

Original article – Popular Mechanics

Performing power tool maintenance prior to storage is always your best option. Replace your Air Filter and clean any debris that have collected in the air filter housing. Never used and solvents or compressed air. Compressed air will create tiny holes in the air filter allowing debris into the carburetor.  In North Attleboro, power tools like snow blowers, rototiller and lawn mowers are used seasonally so they need to be stored correctly too.

Change your Oil and  oil filter (if applicable). Oil is as important as the Air filter and should always be kept clean & Full. Drain oil (replace oil filter if applicable) , refill with the proper oil viscosity (10w-30,SAE 30, 5w-30) Refer to your owners Manual for this information. Never Leave The Engine Drained of Oil.              

Make sure mower blades are sharp and that the chains of a chain saw are not worn out. Have your blade(s) sharpen or replaced.

Every season the spark plugs should be replaced.

Replace the starter rope if it is frayed.

Store your small-engine equipment and power tools properly at the end of the season. Change the oil, they should be stored with clean oil. But do not let power tools sit with gasoline in them. Gasoline goes bad very quickly. Gas Additives that contain Stabilizers with help for long term storage.The best way to be worry free of Gas going bad is to use an Ethanol Free Gasoline.  J&J Small Engine Clinic, Inc, Is one of the Few Shops to sell this gasoline. Ethanol free gasoline will not go bad for at least two years, most gasoline purchase for your vehicle will start to go bad in 30 days.

Contact J & J Small Engine Clinic on any power tool maintenance service needs.

It is time for fall cleanup in the yard. Trees and shrubs need to be pruned in time for winter, and all the dead branches and debris that has fallen from the trees over the last few weeks has kept homeowners busy in their yards.

Here is the perfect chain saw for owners of smaller yards, or for those who want to cut up the fallen branches for the fire pit. If you are looking for a new chain saw to help handle the work load, this award-winning electric chain saw gives you the benefit of an ultra quiet motor - so you won't bother the neighbors.

Great for cutting small trees or pruning, the MSE 180 C-BQ is designed with a coast down brake in addition to the STIHL Quickstop chain brake to stop the chain within one second of releasing the trigger.

If you are looking for a more fun and less expensive solution than calling the landscapers, contact J & J Small Engine Clinic to see your all your options for chain saws.