We love to see Milwaukee adding more tools to the V28 Line. Earlier this week we had mentioned the Cordless V28 toolbox Vacuum which just came out as well. The great part about the V28 system is that it actually has the power to run tools like an angle grinder. It seems like there are a lot of other tool brands that will make tools that are for all intensive purposes useless but the idea is cool. If you start loosing power within the first minutes of use, should they really even be making the tool. The V28 on the other hand has the power to get the job done when an outlet isn’t around. Will a single charge run all day…no of course not but with a extra battery alternating on the charger (and a 5000 charge V28 guarantee) you should be able to get some serious grinding done.

V28 Grinder / Cut-off Kit 0725-21 (includes battery & charger) - $348.21
V28 Grinder / Cut-off Tool Only 0725-20 - $199.20

• V28 Motor delivers 8,000 RPM for fast cutting and grinding
• V28 Li-Ion Battery 75 Cuts of 1/2″ Threaded Rod.
• Fuel Gauge indicates remaining run time.
• Overload Protection prevents overheating and extends tool life.
• Soft start reduces start-up torque and improves gear life.
• Slide on switch reduces user fatigue
• Spindle: 5/8″ - 11
• Kit includes:  One battery, charger, side handle, grinding guard, cut-off guard, flanges, wrench, grinding wheel, cut-off wheel.

Visit our Milwaukee Tools home page for all the latest tools and accessories.    

Original post by blogs@bobvila.com (Dave)

Ah yes, that unmistakable smell of conference season is in the air. A few places I’ll be making an appearance in coming weeks:

SXSW

I seriously considered not attending this year. It seems there’s a growing feeling amongst those who have been going for years that this event is getting to be a bit too much to handle, especially with the plethora of other web conferences that have sprung up in the past few years in their more intimate settings.

But, I’ll be there after all! Paul Hammond invited me to be the “independent contractor” or “designer” or “hardly qualified, but maybe we’ll get a few good stories out of him anyway” voice on his panel about collaboration during web projects. Don’t let the web app focus in the title fool you, I don’t do nearly enough of those to be that specific about the type of projects I’ve collaborated with others on; I’ll be drawing from the experience I’ve had plugging myself into established teams, and working with clients directly. With a line up of three super-smart Brits and a talented Aussie, plus the token Canadian, come and see the Commonwealth throw down on Tuesday afternoon.

(And this year I’ll be feeling Jeremy’s plight, as it’s looking increasingly like that room at the Hampton is going to be single occupancy. Sadly, Lauren probably won’t make it this year, so if I’m a little distracted during any hallway chatter, it’s not you! I promise!)

An Event Apart

When Jeffrey and Eric asked me to come speak at an earlier event, it pained me that circumstances didn’t work out. I have never been to An Event Apart, and I’ve really really been wanting to go for some time now.

Happily, the latter part of April was clear for me, and I’ll be heading down to join what looks like is going to be a crazy-good New Orleans date. My talk, “Living, Breathing Design”, will be a look at how web sites change and grow during and after the design process, and how we can choose to add growth into our work. As always, expect lots of design and code talk.

(psst… and if you haven’t registered yet, the magic code is AEADSCSS. It’s $50 in your pocket. Use it.)

While I’m at it, a few more things I’ve been meaning to mention in some capacity or another for a while now (funny how far off the wagon you fall when running a conference of your own):

Rosenfeld Media’s First Book: Mental Models

This one is particularly close to my heart as I’ve been working with Lou for the past few years, and during that time witnessed his publishing company evolve from a concept to reality. We were very privileged to have Indi Young, the author of Mental Models, join us at WDN this year, and early reviews have pegged this one as a winner. If you grab a copy, make sure to use the code FOSHEA10 for a small discount.

The Lab with Leo

Back in November I went in and did an interview with Leo Laporte, which is now up on Google Video. It’s just a basic overview of CSS, and like all rapid-fire on-the-spot TV interviews there wasn’t much room for nuance and error-correction as we went, so pardon the stalling for time while trying to figure out how to explain things like the history of CSS… Still, I think it came off rather well, for an introduction of a style language to the more general audience who watch the show. (Ian Lloyd, you owe me a beer.)

Original post by art and design feed aggregator

Richard Parker, AIA, LEED-AP, is principal of 450 Architects in San Francisco. He is an advocate for green building design with a focus on residential and educational buildings. In 2006, Richard received a SAFE-BIDCO Green Entrepreneur of the Year award. Question: I want to replace my 50-year-old, oil-burning furnace with a high efficiency model. Where can I get information about the most efficient models on the market? Would it be greener to convert to gas?
– Jeffrey Vigneault, Redding, CT Answer: The federal government’s Energy Star program is the most comprehensive rating system for furnaces. See their website for lists of the most efficient models, tips on sizing and installation, a savings calculator, and other resources. When shopping for an efficient furnace, it is important to understand the annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) measurement. AFUE is expressed as a percentage; the higher the better. Most furnaces on the market have AFUE ratings between 78 and 96 percent. Energy Star-qualified oil and gas furnaces have high AFUE ratings and are up to 15 percent more efficient than standard models. Here are some other things to consider when selecting a new furnace: In cold climates, a condensing model is the best choice. According to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), a furnace with an AFUE of more than 90 percent is “condensing.” These high efficiency furnaces save some of the energy that standard furnaces waste by capturing and condensing water vapor. ACEEE recommends condensing furnaces as a first choice, except in warm climates. (For those in warm climates, ACEEE suggests retrofitting your system with a heat pump instead.) Don’t forget to consider the furnace’s electrical efficiency. Furnaces can use a lot of electricity in addition to the fuel they burn. Most of this electricity goes to powering the fan motor. Instead of a standard (“PSC”) motor, I recommend you choose a variable-speed motor—preferably two-stage variable speed. Two-stage variable speed motors are just built better. A two-stage variable speed furnace, no matter what brand, should save $200-300 per year on the electric bill alone. The variable speed blower uses only the equivalent of a light bulb’s electricity while a standard furnace uses about 600 watts of electricity when it is running. Most homeowners will make their added costs back in about two to three years. A product directory of electrically efficient furnaces can be found on the Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association (GAMA) website. Buy the best quality furnace your budget will allow. Top-of-the-line furnaces usually have a better quality igniter, blower motor, gas valve, inducer motor, and control board, plus insulated cabinets, resulting in a quieter furnace. Try to get a furnace with stainless steel primary and secondary heat exchangers. (Be careful—a lot of companies just have “stainless steel heat exchanger” written on their brochure and they don’t specify that only the secondary is stainless steel.) Finally, try to get a furnace with a spark igniter over the hot surface igniter. Pay attention to the quality of the installation, including proper sizing and ductwork. Remember that a furnace is only as good as its installer. A-top-of-the-line furnace installed improperly could cause you many problems down the road. Make sure your ductwork is sized properly, or you could burn through blower motors regularly. And make sure the furnace is properly sized for your home. Oversized furnaces are a common mistake that you can prevent by having your contractor do an “ACCA Manual J“ (referring to the professional guidelines of the Air Conditioning Contractors of America) or better heat loss analysis. Oil versus gas? Finally, in response to the second part of your question, I recommend that you switch to natural gas if possible. Natural gas produces fewer harmful emissions, resulting in better air quality and less pollution. For more information: See GreenHomeGuide’s Energy Efficiency Know-How section for more energy saving advice. The ConsumerSearch website has furnace reviews and shopping tips. GreenHomeGuide’s Ask A Pro archive has answers to dozens of other green home questions from our network of the best and brightest green architects, designers, contractors and consultants across the U.S.

Original post by Erik

Richard Parker, AIA, LEED-AP, is principal of 450 Architects in San Francisco. He is an advocate for green building design with a focus on residential and educational buildings. In 2006, Richard received a SAFE-BIDCO Green Entrepreneur of the Year award. Question: We are looking to purchase land in Mendocino County where we can build a green house. What do we need to consider when buying land?
– J. Nussbaum, Alameda, CA Answer: Building a green home is possible anywhere in California (and anywhere in the world!) with the right mind-set. A good reference for planning your home’s location and site design is the book Your Green Home, by Alex Wilson. Mendocino County provides many opportunities to benefit from green building strategies. When building in Mendocino County, as in most rural counties in California, the homeowner should first consider access to fresh drinking water (most often from a well), soil conditions for septic systems (water percolation rates), and fire safety zones around the building area. The Mendocino County website provides an overview of the permit process from start to finish. Other considerations include zoning, privacy, views, available building sites, solar orientation, microclimates, wind and rain patterns, sub-surface soil conditions, site access during construction, and native vegetation. The Mendocino County permit process has one unique area of green building opportunity called a “Class K Limited Density Rural Dwelling Permit.” This code section allows a less stringent standard for property owners building their own homes who wish to use alternative methods of construction. It “allows for more flexibility in size and human comfort conditions.” That means your home could include some advanced green technologies not currently accepted under the California Building Code, including natural building systems, rainwater harvesting and graywater reuse, composting toilets, and foundation-minimizing structural systems. For more information: You’ll find a comprehensive overview of site considerations by Michael G. Smith, author of The Art of Natural Building, on the Oikos website. GreenHomeGuide’s Ask A Pro archive has answers to dozens of other green home questions from our network of the best and brightest green architects, designers, contractors and consultants across the U.S.

Original post by Erik

Richard Parker, AIA, LEED-AP, is principal of 450 Architects in San Francisco. He is an advocate for green building design with a focus on residential and educational buildings. In 2006, Richard received a SAFE-BIDCO Green Entrepreneur of the Year award. Question: It’s time to seal the granite countertops in my kitchen. I am looking for a sealer that is eco-friendly, nontoxic, and effective. Do you have any suggestions?
– Nancy Spiccia, Alpharetta, GA Answer: Natural stone countertops have become very popular due to the variety of patterns, textures, and colors that satisfy a broad range of personal tastes. Granite countertops can be the most durable of all natural stone countertops. However, one drawback to the use of stone countertops (and cast concrete counters, too) is the ability of the porous natural material to absorb water, food particles, and bacteria. Thus sealing the countertops is a good idea. In general, I recommend having countertops sealed at the factory and then applying a second coat after installation to cover any edges that were cut or trimmed. For kitchen and bath countertops, I’d recommend a water-based sealant such as AFM Safecoat MexeSeal or StoneTech Impregnator Pro Sealer. Before you buy the product, read the manufacturer’s Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) and installation instructions. (You can ask the retailer or manufacturer for the MSDS, or you may be able to find it online.) For best indoor air quality you’re ultimately looking for a zero-VOC product. Finally, keep in mind that some sealers can change the finish, gloss, or color of the material, so you should do a test sample before sealing the entire countertop. Another thing to consider when installing new stone countertops is the adhesive that is used to secure the stone to its substrate. Traditional adhesives are often epoxy-based and extremely high in VOCs. I’d recommend that the adhesive be specified as zero-VOC and the substrate be specified as formaldehyde-free plywood. These are critical components of the overall countertop assembly that are often overlooked. If you choose the wrong materials, they will offgas toxic compounds into your home’s air for a long time. For more information: See GreenHomeGuide’s Stone & Tile Know-How section to learn more about selecting natural stone products for your home. See GreenHomeGuide’s Paints & Coatings Know-How section for more advice on choosing the right finishes and sealants for your projects. GreenHomeGuide’s Ask A Pro archive has answers to dozens of other green home questions from our network of the best and brightest green architects, designers, contractors and consultants across the U.S.

Original post by Erik