Life In Modern Tool

Orientools Collapsible Folding Snow Shovel This foldable shovel can be adjusted between three positions: folding, vertical and horizontal, making it great for multiple uses. The D-shaped grip ensures comfort, protection from frostbite while using, and the ability to get the job done with less power. The lightweight PP blade, with a durable aluminum edge, improves the ability of clearing snow. Amazon reviewers note it’s best used for the car. “Folds up small and about 3 inches thick as shown. Easy to fold up or unfold. Snow scoop is thick plastic with aluminum edge. Intended use is to keep in the car during winter as emergency snow shovel. Looks very well suited for that purpose.” These human-powered tools will help battle snow buildup whether you’re at home or on the go. Snow Joe Electric Snow Shovel Get fancy with your snow removal with Snow Joe’s electric shovel. Ideal for quick snow pickups on decks, steps, patios and sidewalks, the shovel features a 10-amp motor...

Suncast Shovel With Ergonomic Shaped Handle This reliable snow shovel from Suncast features an ergonomic bent handle, galvanized steel wear strip, ribbed steel-core handle and an 18- x 12-inch blade. Amazon reviewers find the shovel to be good quality, and able to reduce muscle strain when compared to other shovels. “I could not wait to get a decent shovel that would not break my back,” a reviewer says. “The first time I used it, I knew I made a good purchase. It worked great and didn’t give me back pains, I am just so happy to have a decent shovel that is not 40 plus years old and worn out. When I used it some of the snow had begun to melt but it required very little effort to utilize. The shovel is well made and should last me a very long time.” Here’s what you need to know about restoring an aluminum snow shovel. True Temper Klondike Poly Snow Shovel This True Temper shovel features a versatile blade that can serve as both a scraper and a shovel. It is designed to b...

Upgrade your snow shovel this winter to a product that’s Amazon reviewer approved. Snow Joe 18-In Strain-Reducing Snow Shovel This Snow Joe shovel is geared toward those who fight bad backs every winter as a result of shoveling. The product was designed to greatly reduce the effort, strain and potential injury involved in shoveling by up to 30 percent. Meanwhile, the ergonomic shovel grip is spring-loaded, capturing the expended energy from throwing the snow to return and reset the shovel. “These bad boys are a TOTAL back saver!!” an Amazon reviewer boasts. “I’ve ordered five of them… I have a crew of four up on the roof of our motel clearing off over 3′ of snow (on a 300 ft. run of roof!!) and THEY love them too. I’ve shoveled several hundred pounds of the white stuff myself, and I gotta tell ya, I will NEVER use a ‘regular’ snow shovel again! Having that extra handle is a God-Send!! If you’re [semi] old 🙂 like me (60) or a young buck that just needs something that w...

Calculate concrete prices and how many cubic yards of concrete you need for a walk, driveway or basement. How much is a yard of concrete? Ordering concrete This article explains how to order concrete and concrete slab cost. We’ll use a 10 x 10 ft. slab as an example. Here’s a brief rundown of what you need to know about concrete and concrete prices. For example, how much is a yard of concrete? Find out the cost of concrete per yard below. Amount. Calculate the volume you need in cubic yards. Multiply the length (10 ft.) by the width (10 ft.) by the depth (.35 ft., or 4 in.) and divide it by 27 (the number of cubic feet in a cubic yard). You get 1.3 cu. yds. Then add 10 percent to allow for spillage and slab depth variations to help determine the concrete cost per yard. Strength. Call a local ready-mix company, tell the supplier what the concrete is for, and ask about the best mix (proportions of cement, gravel and sand). For a shed, the supplier will probably suggest a mix ...

How to Properly Mix Concrete Learn how to mix concrete so you get the right strength and consistency every time. Mixing bags of concrete isn’t complicated. You add some water, stir it up and pour it out. But to get the most strength from the concrete, you have to recognize when it has just the right amount of water mixed in. Too little water and the particles in the mix won’t stick together. Too much water weakens the concrete. In this article, we’ll show you what the perfect mix looks like. We’ll also show you a mixing technique that will ensure thoroughly mixed concrete with a minimum of effort. For most small jobs around the home, bagged concrete mix is the most convenient and least expensive way to go. You can use it for fence post footings, deck footings and even small concrete pads. For jobs requiring more than about 30 bags, consider ordering “ready-mix” concrete from a truck instead. Sixty- or 80-lb. bags of concrete mix are readily available at home centers, lumber...