• Painting Your Home’s Interior? Three Common Mistakes to Avoid

    The painting girl

    If painting your home’s interior is next on the to-do list, set yourself up for success by visiting A Tool Shed’s equipment rental store in San Jose . Once you’re equipped with an extension ladder, an acoustic or airless paint sprayer, and a drywall taper, be sure to avoid these all-too-common mistakes:

    Applying Too Much Paint: With so many other household chores to tackle, the thought of applying one thick coat of paint and being done with the task is tempting. However, when you paint this way, you’re bound to encounter gloppy drips that create bumps on your wall. In order to avoid this unappealing look, dip your roller and spread a “W” shape across the wall prior to making overlapping strokes up and down. Doing so will ensure that your paint is evenly distributed.

    Forgetting to Use Primer: Many people wonder whether primer is really necessary and the answer is a resounding “yes!” First and foremost, without primer, your paint will peel. Primer is formulated specifically so that the paint you have chosen will adhere to it. Consequently, you’ll have less work to do and less to worry about. If you need additional incentive, consider the fact that primer is ideal for color changes. If you’re planning on going from maroon to baby blue, a primer will hide the previous color in one coat.

    Running Out of Paint: While this may seem like a no-brainer, even the biggest DIY enthusiast may run out of paint. Don’t face an unfinished wall and the excruciating task of finding the same exact shade of paint to complete the job. Even if you find paint marked as the same color, it may not be the same exact shade. Avoid this hassle by purchasing at minimum one gallon of paint per 400 square feet.

    If you’re in search of the perfect rental equipment to carry out your next home improvement project, visit A Tool Shed at one of our six Northern California locations. For more information about our quality rentals, give us a call today at (831) 359-4769.

  • Come to the 8th Annual KIA Ride-In, Flag Raising Ceremony and Military Vehicle/Bike Show

    Flag Raising Ceremony

    Event Date: Saturday, September 1st, 2012

    Event Times: 9 am – 6 pm

    Where: Moss Landing, CA

    Event Name: KIA Ride-In 2012 / Flag Raising Ceremony / Military-Vehicle / Bike Show / Swap Meet

    • The Flag Raising Ceremony is scheduled at 12:30 pm
    • The Ride-In & Swap Meet is All Day!

    The Event Will Take Place @ J& S Surplus & Eagle Iron on HWY 1 and Struve Rd. Moss Landing, CA 95039

    This September will be over a decade since this New War began, and We will Continue to Honor those U.S. men and women who were Killed In Action (KIA), Died Of Wounds (DOW), and any member of the U.S. military, civilian, or those involved in Public Safety who Died while Serving Our Country.

    This free event in north Monterey Bay will take place all day and have a very patriotic flag raising ceremony at 12:30 PM to honor our nation’s killed in action and others who died while serving in the military and public service. The military-vehicle show and huge parking lot sale will begin at 9 AM and end at 6 PM on Saturday, September 1, 2012, Labor Day Weekend in Majestic Moss Landing, California at J&S Surplus & Outdoor Store & Eagle Iron and Leather on the side of Hwy 1 & Struve Road.  Just Look for the Flags…

    Keynote speakers for 2012 8th Annual KIA Ride-In / Flag Raising Ceremony TBA

  • A Tool Shed Proudly Sponsors the 8th Annual KIA Ride-In, Flag Raising Ceremony and Military Vehicle/Bike Show

    Military Vehicle-Bike Show

    Event Date: Saturday, September 1st, 2012

    Event Times: 9 am – 6 pm

    Where: Moss Landing, CA

    Event Name: KIA Ride-In 2012 / Flag Raising Ceremony / Military-Vehicle / Bike Show / Swap Meet

    • The Flag Raising Ceremony is scheduled at 12:30 pm
    • The Ride-In & Swap Meet is All Day!

    The Event Will Take Place @ J& S Surplus & Eagle Iron on HWY 1 and Struve Rd. Moss Landing, CA 95039

    This September will be over a decade since this New War began, and We will Continue to Honor those U.S. men and women who were Killed In Action (KIA), Died Of Wounds (DOW), and any member of the U.S. military, civilian, or those involved in Public Safety who Died while Serving Our Country.

    This free event in north Monterey Bay will take place all day and have a very patriotic flag raising ceremony at 12:30 PM to honor our nation’s killed in action and others who died while serving in the military and public service. The military-vehicle show and huge parking lot sale will begin at 9 AM and end at 6 PM on Saturday, September 1, 2012, Labor Day Weekend in Majestic Moss Landing, California at J&S Surplus & Outdoor Store & Eagle Iron and Leather on the side of Hwy 1 & Struve Road.  Just Look for the Flags…

    Keynote speakers for 2012 8th Annual KIA Ride-In / Flag Raising Ceremony TBA

  • Need to Get Higher to Complete the Job? Consider These Uplifting Pieces of Rental Equipment

    scaffolding on a building wall.

    Sometimes a construction or remodeling job requires your feet to leave the ground. If you’ve ever balanced on the last rung of a two-story ladder, reaching over your head with one hand to paint the last bit of siding, you’ve probably realized the need for a safer alternative. When painting, cleaning, building, or performing any other task that requires elevation, renting the right aerial work platform can help you complete the job and stay safe. Consider these handy rental equipment options:

    Boom Truck: Although typically associated with the electrical industry, a boom truck can be used for a wide variety of purposes. A boom truck has a crane-like arm with an attached basket for a person to stand in. The compacted arm can extend as high as 45 feet and half as long.  Boom trucks are designed for simplicity and ease, using only two control mechanisms to work the hydraulic system.

    Scissor Lift: A scissor lift is a platform supported by a crisscross pattern of linked, folding hydraulic beams. It can only be raised vertically, but it’s attached to a vehicle for mobility. Scissor lifts can’t reach as high as boom trucks can, but they do provide a larger working area to hold your equipment.

    Scaffolding: If you live in a major city, scaffolding is a part of everyday life. You’ll often see buildings surrounded by scaffolding during construction, renovation, or cleaning. Made of basic steel or aluminum tubes and platforms, indoor and outdoor scaffolding offers a less mobile but more lightweight elevation option when you don’t have room for a boom truck or scissor lift.

    Get the elevation you need by renting an aerial work platform at A Tool Shed . With six locations in San Jose, Campbell, Watsonville, Morgan Hill, Hollister, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz, we offer the best equipment rental service in northern California. Call us at (831) 359-4769 to learn more about our available boom trucks, scissor lifts, and scaffolding.

  • A Tool Shed Proudly Supports Habitat for Humanity Santa Cruz County

    Habitat for Humanity

    A Tool Shed is honored to support and help our local Habitat for Humanity Santa Cruz County chapter through our equipment rental donations!

    Also, Habitat for Humanity Santa Cruz County is opening a ReStore at 719 Swift Street, Santa Cruz. The ReStore, a home-improvement re-sale store open to the public, encourages homeowners who are starting home remodeling projects to recycle their reusable home building materials by donating reusable materials to Habitat’s ReStore.

    New and used home-improvement materials are donated daily to Habitat’s ReStore and sold at discount prices to the public. Revenue from sales will directly support Habitat’s home construction to create homeownership in Santa Cruz County.

    In addition to raising funds for Habitat’s building program, the ReStore provides an environmentally – and socially – responsible way to keep good, reusable materials out of landfills.

    The location is 719 Swift Street, Santa Cruz. Hours of operation: 10 am-5 pm three days a week.

    Habitat for Humanity ReStore

  • Check Out This Great Safety Video!

  • A Tool Shed Sponsors the Monterey Bay Youth Outdoor Day!

    A Tool Shed is pleased to announce that we will be a Platinum Sponsor for this great event taking place in September!

    Monterey Bay Youth Outdoor Day is a totally free event open to the public. Their focus is to get kids interested in the many outdoor activities that are right here in our back yard. With over thirty different organizations represented, there is something for everyone!

    Their Next event is September 22, 2012

    For more information, please visit the Monterey Bay Youth Outdoor Day Facebook page!

  • See These Links For More Info On What A Tool Shed Has To Offer Your Next Big Project

    Trimming the trees

    When you’re facing a project that requires more help than your usual tools offer, save money by renting the right tool for the job. Whether you have to reach high places or need the power of heavy-duty equipment, A Tool Shed has what you’re looking for. Check out these links to find out more about our rental equipment:

    • If you’re installing a garden in your backyard, a lawn tiller will save you a lot of effort. Learn how this piece of equipment works by reading this article.
       
    • A scissor or boom lift is a great asset when you need to reach high places. Learn how to safely operate these aerial work platforms .
       
    • Find the right way to set up scaffolding for your exterior painting project by heading over to this Better Homes and Gardens online affiliate.
       
    • Do you need to dig a trench? Find out how to harness the power of a mini excavator .
       
    • Jack hammers are used to break down roads, concrete pavement, and rocks. Find out how to use one efficiently and safely by reading this article.

    For more information on the rental equipment A Tool Shed has to offer, call us today at (831) 359-4769.

  • Electric Chainsaw vs. Gas-Powered Chainsaw

    When it comes to the ability to cut wood precisely and quickly, the chainsaw far outshines the old-fashioned axe. Depending on the task at hand, using either an electric or gas-powered chainsaw has its pros and cons.

    Watch this video for a comparison of cutting power between an electric and gas-powered chainsaw. Find out which one cuts faster and is most recommended by Ask the Builder founder Tim Carter by checking out this clip.

    At A Tool Shed , you’ll find a wide selection of saws, including both electric and gas-powered chainsaws, circular saws, brick saws, chop saws, and table saws. Call us at (831) 359-4769 or visit one of our six locations in northern California to find the right saw for you.

  • A Tool Shed Proudly Sponsors the 8th Annual KIA Ride-In, Flag Raising Ceremony and Military Vehicle/Bike Show

    Flag Raising Ceremony

    Event Date: Saturday, September 1st, 2012

    Event Times: 9 am – 6 pm

    Where: Moss Landing, CA

    Event Name: KIA Ride-In 2012 / Flag Raising Ceremony / Military-Vehicle / Bike Show / Swap Meet

    • The Flag Raising Ceremony is scheduled at 12:30 pm
    • The Ride-In & Swap Meet is All Day!

    The Event Will Take Place @ J& S Surplus & Eagle Iron on HWY 1 and Struve Rd. Moss Landing, CA 95039

    This September will be over a decade since this New War began, and We will Continue to Honor those U.S. men and women who were Killed In Action (KIA), Died Of Wounds (DOW), and any member of the U.S. military, civilian, or those involved in Public Safety who Died while Serving Our Country.

    This free event in north Monterey Bay will take place all day and have a very patriotic flag raising ceremony at 12:30 PM to honor our nation’s killed in action and others who died while serving in the military and public service. The military-vehicle show and huge parking lot sale will begin at 9 AM and end at 6 PM on Saturday, September 1, 2012, Labor Day Weekend in Majestic Moss Landing, California at J&S Surplus & Outdoor Store & Eagle Iron and Leather on the side of Hwy 1 & Struve Road.  Just Look for the Flags…

    Keynote speakers for 2012 8th Annual KIA Ride-In / Flag Raising Ceremony TBA

    Military Vehicle-Bike Show