• Are Popcorn Ceilings Outdated?

    Popcorn ceilings—ceilings with bumpy textures—were once a popular home décor choice, but now that styles have changed, many homeowners are still left with this look overhead. Some people question whether popcorn ceilings are outdated—and some even wonder if they could be dangerous. Should you start looking into tools to smooth out your popcorn ceiling?

    Some popcorn ceilings contain asbestos, which can be very dangerous when disturbed if not handled carefully. However, even if your ceilings don’t contain asbestos, popcorn ceilings are definitely past their prime in terms of style. If you plan to sell your home, renting equipment to get rid of your popcorn ceiling could be a smart investment.

    A Tool Shed has a wide range of tool rental available, from drills to forklifts and everything in between. Start crossing items off your to-do list with out tool rentals in San Jose . To find out which of our seven locations is most convenient for you, call (800) 286-6574.

  • Getting the Most from Your New Smith Concrete Planer

    Smith Manufacturing is known for setting the gold standard in surface preparation equipment, including concrete scarifying and coating removal. If you’ve just purchased a new Smith concrete planer , you can look forward to many years of rugged dependability, thanks in part to its Honda engine. This all-purpose planer works well on both concrete and asphalt. Always read the owner’s manual, including the safety warnings, before operating new power equipment or equipment rentals.

    Removing Substrate

    Use the hand wheel and the cam lever to adjust the height of the cutter drum. Be careful to set the correct depth of the cut so that the cutters do not extend past the depth of the material to be removed. The drum assembly should not come into contact with the substrate. Otherwise, it’s possible that the shafts, drums, and other components will sustain premature wear and tear.

    Creating Surface Patterns

    A little practice with your new concrete planer is all that’s needed to figure out how to make desired surface patterns when removing substrate . Experiment with dialing the hand wheel up or down. Additionally, try positioning the planer in multiple directions. After a few hours, you’ll be able to create any pattern you wish, and remove substrate with ease.

    Ceasing Work

    Follow the correct order of operations to shut off the machine when you’re ready to take a break from work. First, use the cam lever or hand wheel to lift the drum above the substrate. Then, stop the machine at the engine. Finally, close the fuel cock. This will close the fuel supply.

    Inspecting for Damage

    Before and after each time you use your concrete planer, you should remove and inspect the drum assembly. Look specifically for signs of wear and tear, such as weld separation and hole elongation. After every 40 hours of use, you’ll need to replace the cutter shafts and drum bushings. Order another cutter drum if you notice elongation of the drum’s center holes.

    Smith Manufacturing’s SPS 8” concrete planer is just one of the many tools and equipment you’ll find at A Tool Shed . We’re well-known among area homeowners and contractors for our exceptional rates on power equipment rentals, but we also offer new and used equipment for sale in San Jose. Call (800) 286-6574.

  • Your Tool Rental Checklist for Revamping Your Landscape Design

    A great first impression is everything in landscape design. What do you want your guests to notice when they step onto your property? A finely crafted stone retaining wall? A picture-perfect lawn worthy of a fertilizer commercial? Whatever your vision is for your landscaping, the right power tools and equipment can help you make it come true. And with tool and equipment rentals , you won’t have to spend big bucks to finish your project. Here’s a look at some common rental tools you might use.

    Power Equipment

    A healthy lawn provides a solid foundation for the rest of your landscape design. If you’re a new homeowner, you might not have a lawnmower yet. Consider renting before you buy so you can try a few different types and figure out which one is best for you. If your lawn is in bad shape, you might need to lay down new sod or scatter grass seed. Rent a lawn roller for both of these projects. Lawn rollers help ensure that sod has good contact with the soil underneath. It also helps accelerate germination of grass seed. Other types of power equipment you might want to rent include:

    • Rototiller

    • Sod cutter

    • Stump grinder

    • Lawn edger

    Power Tools

    Handheld power tools can help take the heavy lifting out of your landscaping project. To add to the visual interest, plant a variety of shrubs, trees, and hedges. Rent a hedge trimmer two to three times per year to keep your shrubs in good shape. You’ll need to rent a weed eater more often. After mowing your lawn, use the weed eater to trim the edges along walkways, gardens, and fences.

    Hand Tools

    As handy as power tools are, nothing beats an old-fashioned hand tool for small, quick jobs. Rent a round-point shovel to move gravel, mulch, and topsoil. Use it to shape your garden beds. Then, rent a flat border spade to edge in your garden beds for visual appeal. Other hand tools you might want to rent include:

    • Shears

    • Rake

    • Garden hoe

    • Trowel

    Don’t forget the garden gloves!

    When you’re ready to tackle your landscaping project, you can head over to A Tool Shed for great rates on tool and equipment rentals. Talk to one of our experts about your vision for your backyard, and we’ll help you find the right tools for the project. Call (800) 286-6574 with your questions about our equipment for rent in San Jose or our other locations.

  • Discover the Possibilities with A Tool Shed

    If you can dream it, we can help you build it. A Tool Shed offers great rental rates on top tool brands. Watch our accompanying video to catch a glimpse behind the scenes at our family owned and operated business. A Tool Shed now boasts seven locations throughout northern California.

    We offer all sorts of rental tools and equipment, from heavy-duty forklifts, trenchers, and compactors to lawn mowers, nailers, and drills. A Tool Shed also offers a wide assortment of new and used tools and equipment for sale.

    Stop by A Tool Shed today (we’re open seven days per week!) and find out why so many homeowners and contractors trust us . Call (800) 286-6574 if you have a question about our tools available for rent in San Jose or the surrounding areas.

  • Understanding Sandpaper Grit Numbers

    You can use sandpaper on power tools or to sand by hand. If you have a large surface area to sand, you’ll probably want to use a power tool. Power sanders are also a good choice if you have substantial blemishes to remove, or if you need to level or shape wood. Otherwise, sand by hand. If you’re using a power tool, choose a grit number between 36 and 100. Use a grit number between 180 and 320 if you’re sanding by hand. Grit numbers between 100 and 180 work well for sanding with tools or by hand.

    The grit number indicates the size of the granules on the sandpaper. The larger the granules, the lower the grit number, and vice versa. Larger abrasive particles remove more wood, but don’t create the fine, finished surface that’s desirable for a completed project. That’s why you’ll want to start with a low grit number, and then move up to a higher grit number to finish off the surface.

    A Tool Shed offers all the tools and supplies you’ll need for your project, including sandpaper and power sanders. Call (800) 286-6574 to inquire about used tools for sale in San Jose.