#worth trying i bet i could find a listing that includes all the accessories pretty easy

[munch-mumbles]

[urban-homesteading]

Hey do you know what kind of tools I should buy if I want to move into a house? It won't have a yard yet, but fingers crossed for the future. Thank you!

Congratulations on the new house! Since you said that there's no yard yet, I'm going to focus only on tools I use inside my house and ignore gardening and lawn maintenance.

What tools should you have around your house?

So here's a pretty simple list that will cover most minor problems you will encounter.

Hammer

Cordless power drill

Screwdriver set (grab one with the ten basic sockets)

Drill set

Adjustable wrench

Level (bubble works, but I upgraded to laser and it makes life so much simpler)

Tape measurer

Utility knife

Flashlight

Extension cord

Step stool

Spare batteries

Toolbox (or even a cardboard box, just make sure you have somewhere to return your tools or they will escape to the four winds)

So how to acquire these tools while maintaining zero waste?

1) Start with your research

If you are completely unfamiliar with tool brands and the features available on tools, do a little research. Visit the websites for Sears, The Home Depot, Lowe's, Menards, True Value, Ace Hardware or any retailer that sells tools, and take a look at their new selections. Most websites organize tools in a straightforward way so you can easily find what you're looking for.

Head to a local store to get a firsthand look – many tools will be on display and out of the box so you can actually pick them up. You'll see the most-recent models, from low-end to top-of-the-line. Make notes on the prices and available features (especially relating to safety). This is your base from which to work when evaluating prices.

The next step is to look at online auction sites, such as eBay, to get an idea of prices for used tools. This gets a bit tricky because you'll need to really look at the age and condition of the tools as described by the seller. But again, make notes for a range of features and prices. Don't try to list everything you see – just make a list of price ranges for the tools, with notes on the variances in relation to brand. For example, for circular saws that range in price from $30 to $60, jot down what separates the bottom-priced tool from the top.

Head over to pawnshops as well. Pawnshops only buy items they know they can turn around and sell, so they won't have tools that don't work (everything they purchase is tested), and a pawnshop won't carry poor-quality brands. Also, the prices will accurately reflect the current value of tools in the marketplace. Make sure you visit operations that are members of the National Pawnbrokers Association, as these businesses abide by a code of ethics established by the association.

2) Name Does Matter (For the more expensive tools)

Now that you have an idea of what you'll expect to pay, it's time to consider how you'll evaluate and decide what to buy.

It used to be that if a name brand was good, it was good.  But I have found that the ‘good’ name brands have been sold so many times that most manufacturers are coasting on their reputation and they are the same quality as the ‘cheap’ tools.  Even worse, manufacturers will have different quality tools that are sold by different stores.  For example, a DeWalt power drill sold at a Home Depot will be better quality than a DeWalt Power Drill sold at Walmart because DeWalt will have two different manufacturing plants and they will send the lower quality ones to Walmart, since Walmart demands that DeWalt sell them to them at a cheaper cost or else they won’t buy from them at all.

My personal rule of thumb is buy cheap for the first one, then if you use it so long or so much that it needs replaced, buy expensive quality the second time.  This prevents you from spending hundreds on tools you’re only going to use a couple of times.

3) Where To Buy

You can start your shopping by revisiting some of the places you accessed when doing your research. Clearly you'll save money on shipping if you go to a local operation or an individual. Remember to test and examine tools closely no matter where you shop.

Pawnshops As mentioned earlier, pawnshops are a good bet for buying tools. You're going to find better-known brands that are probably on the higher end of the quality and price spectrum. Although, you're going to have little to no negotiating room on price compared to if you were buying from an individual.

Thrift Stores A thrift store may be a little less reliable for quality, and you'll probably find a lot less availability, especially at a thrift store that obtains its wares through donation. However, those that aren't donation-based aren't going to want to develop a bad reputation by selling inferior items.

Live Auctions Check local notices for potential auctions in your area. You may have a good chance of finding quality tools, but “auction fever” may set in, and you could wind up overpaying if you are bid up. These may be a good source for large equipment.

Garage Sales You could score the best deal at a garage sale, as the seller may be less likely to know the value of the tools being sold. Sellers will also be more open to price negotiation, and you can offer a bundle price for several items. Quality is going to be your biggest concern, so look these tools over really well.

Flea Markets These are similar to garage sales when it comes to negotiating, but the seller at a flea market will probably be more knowledgeable on price. Some flea market vendors have access to surplus or closeout suppliers, so you could see a potential mix of newer and older tools that haven't sold well at retail.

Classifieds Search online or newspaper classifieds under the equipment and tools categories. You may see a set or combination of tools listed as one price, which can be a good deal. As with garage sales, look these tools over carefully.

Online Websites offering tools are almost too numerous to mention, but eBay is certainly one that comes to mind. Check the seller ratings and reviews when shopping on auction sites. You'll also want to take a look at Amazon, which offers a lot of items, both new and used. Overstock.com, for example, has surplus items and may be a good source for refurbished items. You can often get limited warranties.

Retail Speaking of refurbished items, you may do well by looking at the clearance aisles at hardware stores and home centers. Sometimes they will heavily discount tools that have been returned. Check the reason for the return because it can be merely cosmetic.

4) Be an Inspector

On corded power tools, examine the electrical and basic mechanics of the tool. Aside from plugging it in and turning it on, thoroughly inspect the cord. Look for any visible defects, such as a crimp (what looks like a big dent), or if the cord is bent at a severe angle. A thick wad of electrical tape will be a big tip-off that something might not be right. Also take a look at where the cord meets the tool to see if it's heavily worn or loose. Closely examine the prongs of the plug. A slight bend on one of the prongs isn't a big deal, but if the metal looks heavily worn at the bend, it may be close to failure. And don't forget to check out the switch to see if it is loose or cracked.

Cordless tools present their own challenge. If you've ever looked at the price of replacement batteries, you know they can be quite pricey. Some are very expensive in relation to the cost of a new tool and can be as much as half or more of the cost of a new tool. Plus, it's hard to tell if the battery will hold its charge for any length of time. Sure, it may work fine in the short time you test it, but it's difficult to determine if it will hold a charge for longer than a few minutes. Only opt for cordless tools that you know are at most a couple of years old. Refurbished units are your best bet here.

With both corded and cordless power tools, be sure all the parts and guards are there. It's a bonus if the case and operating manual are included (although you may be able to find a copy of the manual on a tool manufacturer's website). You can easily find replacement accessories, such as saw blades, for many tools because the standards for accessory sizes are pretty consistent.

While you can't exactly take a small screwdriver and dismantle a power tool to look at its inner workings, you can search for a few telltale signs that all may not be well. Be prepared to use all five senses.

Take at look at the motor vent area of the tool (which looks like little slits in the housing). Ideally, you want this to be free of any sort of dirt, grime or buildup – a tall order for a used tool, but a good indication of how well it has been maintained. While inspecting this area, look for any burn marks or smoke trails (take a peek at the switch area as well). These would be clear indications that there's been an electrical problem. But just in case the evidence of a fire has been cleaned up, give the vent area the old sniff test for odor of smoke.

Keep the focus on this area and turn on the tool. You don't want to see smoke or sparks emitting from the housing. Notice how the tool feels in your hand while it's running. Look for intermittent operation or jerkiness. Yes, a power tool will vibrate in your hand, but you should be able to control it. If it feels like the tool could jump right out of your hand, there could be issues. Listen to the tool. Is it making erratic sounds or grating noises? Think back to other tools of the same type you're inspecting. Does the used tool sound significantly different?

You can look for specific things such as the movement of the blade in a circular saw or table saw. With the tool off and unplugged, move the blade around to see if there is a significant wobble to its motion. An old blade may be the culprit, but the arbor (the metal rod on which the blade is attached to the saw) may be bent. It would be difficult to replace and not worth purchasing the tool.

These tools will be a pretty good head start and will enable you to repair most minor work around your home.  

[dragon-moms]

Entry 154 - Gloria

Today I tried to stop a fight.

Ivana and I walked to breakfast in silence. I debated saying something, try to clear the air and prove I was committed to moving on, but when I turned to do it, I could tell, even through the mask, she was giving me a nasty look. So I just decided to give the whole thing more time.

At breakfast, Dagger told us about another vision ey had had while talking to Merry, Myrmidon, and Philly.

“What was she grooming that Blue for?” I asked. “Some place in the government?”

“I was thinking maybe becoming the new Queen,” Philly said. “There was talk of replacement.”

“But we’ve seen so much art depicting the Queen as a White,” Ivana said. “I’m not sure that makes much sense. Clearly dragons and humans and all kinds of f…” Ivana glanced at Merry. “All kinds of people lived down here, but if the Queen could be anyone you’d think we’d have seen something showing that by now.”

“It is a logical hypothesis,” Baroness said. “Though we do not have enough data to make a clear call.”

“We’re barely getting by down here, solid, supported guesses are fine considering our situation,” Ivana said, turning back to her notes and looking like she was actively trying to restrain herself. “But whatever, if you all want to worry about it, sure.”

“Miss Nobody is right, it’s probably not worth worrying about at the moment,” I said. “We still need to work on that door.”

“I have… a theory,” Baroness said. “But I will need time to think on it.”

“Oh, and I have something to show you!” Merry said. “Maybe Myrmidon and Dagger and Philly and I can help you think today and you can take a look?”

Baroness looked a bit taken aback, but nodded. “Yes… at the very least, the assistance of my apprentice might be required. And you all are… welcome, of course…”

“What could I even do…” Dagger’s voice said. “I don’t know why I’m included in this…”

“I’m sure you can help somehow, you know?” Merry said.

“We will all do our best to give our mother the assistance she requires,” Myrmidon said.

Dagger sighed.

“Then we’ll,” Flare started, and then realized he didn’t know. “Uh, what should we do?”

“I’ve got a few places to check based on what I’ve gotten out of the Diary,” Ivana said.

“Oh! Perfect. We’ll do that then,” Flare said, smiling.

“Sounds like a plan,” I said. “Let’s finish eating and get to it.”

Soon, Flare, Ivana, and I took to the air. Ivana flew slowly, constantly checking notes she’d made. That left Flare a lot of time to try to fill space with conversation.

“Soups are really great and stuff!” Flare said. “Like, Merry is really good at them and the little humans back at Forward had a lot of trouble transporting all that liquid so I haven’t really had soups in a long time!”

“That’s a really nice way to describe us eating the same fucking thing for weeks on end,” Ivana said as she studied a structure below.

“Merry is doing her best,” I said.

“Oh, trust me, this is way better than the shit travel rations I’m normally eating when I’m doing stuff like this. It’s just odd to praise the repetition,” Ivana said. “But then again, this is Flare.”

“I think it’s just great we’ve all been working so hard,” Flare said. “It just gets me excited when I remember I’m working with people now, you know? I’ve done so many quests alone, or with little human armies that kind of ignored me because I was all big and awkward to talk to and stuff.”

“I think that’s it,” Ivana said, pointing a claw to a structure and starting to descend.

“Were they ignoring you or were they scared of you, terror?” I asked as we followed Ivana down.

“All the humans love me!” Flare said. “I’m just kind of big and intimidating, I bet.”

We landed outside of a structure. Ivana carefully checked the door, and then opened it.

“Are you fucking serious?” she mumbled as she walked inside.

Inside was what looked like a stall selling jewelry. There were lots of pieces sized for both smaller sorts and dragons. They looked fairly simple, for the most part, but seemed made well, as much as I could tell.

“Ooh, pretty,” Flare said, looking around.

“This was not what I was expecting to find,” Ivana said, looking at her notes. “But eh, this stuff will sell.”

“I thought we agreed not to touch anything we didn’t need,” I said.

“I have to reimburse myself for wasting all this fucking time somehow,” Ivana said, carefully picking up a necklace and looking the jewels in it over.

“Is this just an excuse for looting?” I asked. “I’m not really down with that.”

“Fuck off,” Ivana said, anger in her voice. “You have no fucking right to judge me!”

“It was simply something we agreed to,” I said.

I could see her wanting to say more. To explode. But she immediately quashed it. “Fine, if you’re going to get in my face about it, let’s move to the next place on the list.” She headed to the door. It took me a second to notice I hadn’t seen where the necklace went. It wasn’t back in its display and it wasn’t in her claws. I shook my head. She was a little thief.

Flare gave me a look and followed her. I sighed and did the same.

The next place on Ivana’s list turned out to be an accessories stall, filled with human-sized outfits. We looked around, but it seemed to be what it appeared. Ivana kept looking at her notes, like she was sure she’d gotten something wrong.

“Do you think Philly would like this stuff? She wears stuff like this,” Flare said before touching a little outfit and watching it disintegrate almost immediately. “Uh, whoops.”

“Maybe, but this stuff is too old,” I said. “Why are we here?” I asked Ivana.

“I’m doing research,” she said.

“About what? Accessories and things?”

“Just shut the fuck up and follow me!” she said, and stomped out.

I sat there for a moment before following.

“I think she’s angry,” Flare said.

“She’s always angry,” I said.

Flare gave me another look, but I ignored it and went outside to fly after Ivana.

The next place on her list was what looked like a food stall, much like the one Merry and Myrmidon had moved into during our stay. But it was decorated in a more upscale way, with fixtures for candles on the walls and tables clearly constructed for looks.

“What was this supposed to be?” I asked.

“Obviously it’s a fucking food stall,” Ivana said, flipping through her notes.

“No, I mean, what did you think you were going to find here?” I asked.

“I have a plan,” Ivana said.

“Sure, but if you told me what we were looking for, Flare and I could…”

“Fucking leave me alone, Gloria!” she said, and stomped back outside.

“Okay,” I said, taking a breath.

Flare looked at me once more, and then rushed after Ivana. “Hey, Nobody!” he said.

I felt my core sizzling with worry, and I followed.

“...none of your business, Flare,” Ivana said.

“You’re upset, though!” Flare said. “It’s subtle and stuff, but this is different than your usual grumpiness. We could talk about it.”

Ivana’s eyes met mine. “Just leave me the fuck alone,” she said to Flare.

“Terror, this is between me and her,” I said.

“Seems to me like it’s affecting all of us?” Flare said. “Like, we’re spending our time doing this instead of helping?”

“It’s okay. We agreed to let this pass,” I said. “She just obviously needs some more time.”

“Fucking look at you,” Ivana said. “Acting like you have all the fucking answers. Like this is my fucking fault. Like you didn’t screw up just as bad as me.”

“I thought I fully admitted I did cross a line,” I said.

“I can’t take your condescending bullshit today,” she growled. “Someone should fucking shut your mouth.”

Flare stepped directly between Ivana and I.

“Terror,” I said.

“Get the fuck out of the way, Flare!” Ivana yelled.

Flare grinned. “Make me.”

“Get the fuck out of my way, or I will make you regret it,” Ivana said.

Flare unhooked his weapons from the chain around his neck. “Like I said, make me.”

In an instant, Ivana leaped forward, metal pin in hand. Flare pushed her to one side and took to the air.

“What the fuck are you two doing?” I yelled.

“I got this, Mommy,” Flare said, taking a swing at her with one of his weapons. Ivana gave a strong flap to move to one side at the last moment, landing on the roof of the structure and throwing pins.

“You’re so fucking annoying,” she growled, moving quickly to one side as she threw more sharp pins. “Always in my fucking business. Why? What the fuck did I do to deserve this? You and your whole fucking family!”

Flare took a pin to the shoulder before he got his aura up, making the rest bounce off of it. He said nothing.

Ivana threw something against his aura, and suddenly there was a loud scream splitting the air. It must have been a rune. She was on top of Flare the moment he reacted and dropped his aura for just an instant.

I finally got my body to work, overwhelmed by disbelief, and flew up to join them.

Ivana drove a pin into the structure right next to Flare’s head, but took a strong swing for her trouble, the impact of the side of Flare’s weapon knocking her sideways off of him.

I moved in to try to break things up, but I hit Flare’s barrier, stopping me. “Terror!” I growled at him.

“Just hold on, Mommy,” he said, having stood. But Ivana immediately leaped at him again, and he was a claw down, holding the barrier to stop me. He dodged, or tried to, but Ivana got his wing with a pin, making him clearly wince. But even with just a single free claw, he managed to hit her again with the side of his weapon, knocking her back.

“Fight me for real!” Ivana yelled. “You’re handicapping yourself!” She dashed to one side.

“Flare, just drop the barrier and let me help calm her down,” I said.

He didn’t listen, spinning out of the way as Ivana leaped again, smacking her on the rear with his tail, like I taught him a long time ago. He followed up with his free claw, still refusing to hit her with the spikes on his weapons, knocking her forward and nearly off the building. With a flap of his wings, he threw his body into her, finishing the job and sending them both tumbling down.

I heard them hit the ground with a thud.

I tried to follow, and found the barrier gone. I rushed down.

Flare was keeping Ivana pinned to the ground, grinning. Ivana wasn’t fighting, but was instead doing her best to look pissed through her mask.

“Are you both alright?” I asked. Flare was bleeding from his wounds, but I could tell they weren’t especially serious.

“I’m fine, Mommy,” Flare said, not taking his eyes off of Ivana.

“Just fucking pissed,” Ivana said.

“That was fun!” Flare said, grinning all the more. “We should spar more often.”

“Fucking spar, he says,” Ivana said, scoffing. “You beat me with one fucking claw!”

“Uh, sorry about that,” he said.

“And you were holding back! You didn’t even fucking use your weapons properly! Just like with that kid!”

“Yeah, I guess so,” Flare said.

Ivana let out a frustrated sound. “Just get the fuck off of me.”

Flare got off, and Ivana got herself up, adjusting her mask a little and taking a breath.

“Feel better?” Flare asked.

“...yeah,” she said. “Thanks.”

Flare looked super happy.

“Hey, look,” I started.

“I’m taking my own frustrations out on you,” Ivana said. “It’s not your fault. We fucking apologized and whatever. I just fucking hate feeling like this.”

“I understand,” I said. “I wasn’t making it any easier. I’m sorry.”

Ivana just made an annoyed noise.

There was silence between the three of us.

“You know, there are better ways to work out frustration than fighting,” I said.

“Don’t you even fucking start!” Ivana yelled.

I laughed. To my relief, Ivana joined me. And then Flare did too, probably just because he wanted to be included.

Ivana finally took a breath. “Well, this list is a bust. It looked like a big deal, but this seems to be the plan for a fucking date or something,” she said. “I didn’t have any context, I just assumed anything Belladonna wrote in the Diary must be important. Sorry to waste our fucking time.”

“Even the Diary of an important person from history has some mundane things, I guess,” I said.

“Yeah,” Ivana said.

We gathered up what pins of Ivana’s we could find, patched Flare up a little, and headed back. We all needed to cool off. Later, at dinner, I was told that Baroness had an experiment planned for tomorrow to get the door open.

Let’s hope tomorrow is a little more productive, I guess.