While carpentry is a satisfying and useful hobby, it can be risky if you don’t adhere to safety standards and use precaution while using your carpentry tools . This is especially true with table saws. Table saws are incredibly handy, but you can seriously injure yourself if you aren’t careful. Here’s what you need to know about table saw safety:

Place an outfeed table behind the saw as an added safety measure. As you feed your material through the table saw, the material will land on the outfeed table, which will prevent you from reaching behind the saw to grab your material before it falls to the floor. Table saw accidents commonly occur when the user puts his or her hand behind the saw in order to keep the material from falling. This can result in a very serious injury.

Be careful where you stand while using the saw. There always a risk of the saw kicking the material back at you, so be sure to stand to the side of the saw, not directly in front of it.

Use push sticks and push pads when you operate your table saw. If you’re planning to cut material that is less than three inches in width or length, use a push stick in order to propel the material through the saw.

Wear proper clothing and safety accessories. Wear either a short-sleeved shirt or make sure your sleeves are rolled up tightly—you want to avoid getting your sleeve caught in the table saw. Do not wear jewelry while operating the table saw. Additionally, wear safety goggles and ear protectors while you’re running the table saw in order to protect your sight and hearing.

Always keep the safety guard in place on your table saw. This is perhaps the most important table saw safety precaution.

A Tool Shed Rentals has six convenient locations for rental tools in San Jose, Campbell, Watsonville, Morgan Hill, Hollister, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz, so come on in and find the perfect equipment rentals you need for your carpentry project. We’re also available to answer any of your questions at (831) 359-4769.

Doing home carpentry projects yourself is fun and satisfying, as long as you know how to use all your tools properly. To learn how to use an auger correctly, don’t miss out on this instructional video clip.

While operating your auger, it is important to always keep a firm hold on it, lest it spin away from you and injure you or someone else. Familiarize yourself with all the switches so that you can turn off the auger quickly if it gets out of control.

At Northern California’s A Tool Shed Rentals , we can help you make your home an oasis through home improvement projects! We offer tool rentals, daily, weekly, and monthly equipment rental for an incredible range of woodworking, landscaping, and decorating projects. Learn more by visiting one of our six locations or giving us a call at (831) 359-4769.

There’s nothing more satisfying than completing DIY home projects, especially big tasks that dramatically transform your home—like painting! Though you may have the motivation to do a great painting job, you may not have all the rental equipment you need. Here at A Tool Shed Rentals, we have everything you’ll need to make your painting project a breeze, such as:

Wallpaper Steamer: If you have wallpaper to get rid of, you certainly have your work cut out for you! Luckily, you can rent a wallpaper steamer from A Tool Shed to make the job fly by. Using a wallpaper steamer is a safe, chemical-free way to take down wallpaper. This piece of rental equipment is even powerful enough to remove multiple layers of wallpaper and wallpaper that’s been painted over. A wallpaper steamer is the perfect example of equipment that should be rented instead of bought outright; after all, though it’s extremely useful, it’s unlikely that you will need to use a steamer often enough to purchase one.

Ladder: A ladder is an essential piece of equipment that you’re sure to have around the house, but you may need a taller or extendable ladder to reach every corner when painting. If you only have a small folding ladder, you’ll definitely need a taller, sturdier ladder for your painting project. At A Tool Shed, we offer a wide range of ladders, from regular 6-foot and 8-foot stepladders to 24-, 26-, 32-, and 40-foot extension ladders.

Electric Paint Sprayer: For a professional look you can get in a short time, you can’t go wrong with an electric airless paint sprayer . Our model sprays a half a gallon of latex paint per minute and comes with a 50-foot hose.

At A Tool Shed Rentals, you can rent tools for hours, days, weeks, and even a month! Come into one of our six convenient locations throughout northern California or contact us at (831) 359-4769, and we’ll be more than happy to help you out.

The fall season is the perfect time to finally start that home improvement or outdoor project you’ve been meaning to get to all year, whether it’s planting a tree or erecting a fence. When dealing with large projects, don’t hesitate to rent a piece of equipment up to the task. This small investment will pay major dividends in the long run.

• For cost effectiveness, durability, and aesthetics, there is no better fencing material than vinyl. Learn about the many benefits of vinyl fencing from the American Fence Association.
• If you decide that a chain link fence is the best option for you, here’s a guide on how to install one.
• If you plan on planting trees this fall, be sure to do it the right way by following this expert guide.
• Ditch Witch broke new ground with the invention of the machinated trencher. Read about the history of Ditch Witch and their production of innovative underground construction equipment by heading over to their website.
• Give your rented power tools a little TLC by following this article from This Old House.

At A Tool Shed ’s six convenient locations in Northern California, we guarantee that you’ll find what you need in tool rental and equipment rental. Call us at (831) 359-4769 to learn more, and visit these websites:

The first mechanized, compact trencher was invented in 1949 by Ditch Witch Power. This trencher immediately simplified the process of installing underground utility lines for electricity, gas, and plumbing, which previously relied on the manpower of picks and shovels. Today’s models lead the industry and have been proclaimed as one of the best American-made products in the world.

Safety should be your prime concern when operating a Ditch Witch trencher, and other construction equipment for rent at A Tool Shed. Watch this video for an in-depth guide to pre-work inspection, loading and transporting, preparation, potential hazards, and responsibility.

Find walk-behind and ride-on Ditch Witch trenchers available for rent at A Tool Shed , Northern California’s equipment rental solution. To learn more about safely operating a trencher or other piece of equipment, call our experts at (831) 359-4769 or visit one of our six locations.

Installing a perimeter fence is a great way to give you and your family security, privacy, and peace of mind. When deciding what type and material you want to use, remember to take into consideration your primary motivation for erecting the fencing in the first place. Use the following list of fencing materials to help you make the best decision; no matter which material you choose, don’t forget to rent equipment for proper installation.

• Wood: This beautiful, traditional fencing material also requires the most upkeep; wood remains a popular choice and is often used for picket-, privacy-, and ranch-style fences. The classic picket fence looks great, but doesn’t do much to bolster security or privacy. A wooden privacy fence is perfect for when you are in close proximity to other houses.

• Chain Link: If you are on a budget and are strictly installing a fence to act as a barrier, you can’t go wrong with chain link. Although they don’t offer much in the way of privacy or aesthetics, chain link fences are durable, secure, and come in varying heights. 

• Wrought Iron: A wrought iron fence takes the durability of metal and combines it with the ornamental value of the picket style. If you’re aiming to keep prying eyes out of your yard, however, consider a privacy-style fence instead.

• Vinyl: If you want the look of wood, the durability of metal, and low maintenance at a cheap price, consider using vinyl fencing . This material has become one of the most popular building materials used in home projects due to its cost effectiveness and longevity. 

Installing a fence can be quite the project. Be sure to pick up the tools you’ll need to get the job done correctly and efficiently. Rent one of the many auger options from A Tool Shed in Northern California to help you lay down posts. Visit one of our six convenient locations today or call us at (831) 359-4769 to learn more about your options for your home improvement projects.

It’s that time of year again, when foliage turns a wonderful golden color and the air carries a welcome crispness. If you live in San Jose or around the Bay Area, autumn also means light rain and mild weather, which makes it the perfect time for tree-planting. Rain will help the newly planted tree construct a healthy root system to support its foliage in the spring and survive the summer. Use this guide and the right rental equipment to give your sapling a healthy head start:

Preparation  After you choose the perfect tree , finding a place for it requires some strategic thinking. Ask yourself where the sun shines most intensely and what area you want to be shaded. Choose a location at least 15 feet away from your home’s foundation and at least five feet away from any other surface structures. Before planting, rake up garden debris to keep insects and disease at bay.

Tools  You won’t need to rent a heavy-duty excavator or a forklift for this job unless you’ll be planting multiple trees at one time, in which case, they’ll make your job much easier. If you want to keep it simple and only have one tree to plant, all you’ll need is a shovel and pick.

Planting  Now for the fun! Dig a hole twice as wide as and slightly shallower than the root ball. If your sapling has been residing in a container, carefully lay the tree on its side and slide the container off. Lower the tree into the hole, being sure to position the tree’s roots spreading away from the trunk. Cover the opening with soil, leaving the top of the root ball exposed one inch above the surrounding soil surface. Pack the soil and stake the tree using tree ties to provide support.

With a little nurturing, your new tree will grow to provide shade and beauty for years to come. For all your lawn and garden needs, find the right tool for the job at A Tool Shed , serving San Jose, Campbell, Watsonville, Morgan Hill, Hollister, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz. Call us at (831) 359-4769 to learn more about our wide selection of rental tools and equipment at six convenient locations.

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!

If you’re interested in finding more useful suggestions for maintaining your lawn, painting your interior, or throwing a barbeque, visit these helpful webpages. Once you’ve explored the resources below, contact A Tool Shed to rent equipment for all of these endeavors.

• Overseeding your lawn with annual ryegrass will keep your yard green throughout the winter months—you can even rent a seeder from A Tool Shed to keep your lawn in top condition.
• Are you looking for helpful painting tips to make your interior shine? Popular Mechanics provides five excellent suggestions for any skill level.
• Painting requires great preparation and planning. Follow these interior painting tips to achieve great results. 
• The first step in throwing the ultimate barbeque is renting the right equipment. Find out what else you need to do at AskMen.com.
• You can keep your lawn green and healthy throughout the year by mowing. Here are some helpful mowing tips that will keep your lawn looking great. 

Visit one of our six Northern California locations or call us at (831) 359-4769 to learn more.

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!