Author Archives: Dan Hansen

EP138: Hand Drill Guide, Out of the Box Game Recommendations, Great Gifts for DIYers

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Segment 1: Hand Drill Guide

We took a hand drill guide for a test run and found that while it’s not perfect, it’s a great way to transform your portable hand drill into a functional drill press! Again, it’s not for every project and if you’ve got a drill press, it won’t replace it or duplicate it’s accuracy. But for large boards, job site work, and so on, it’s a great option! Check out the video below:

Segments 2-3: Out of the Box Games

Celebrating Small Business Saturday and looking ahead to the Holiday shopping season, we sit down with Jeff Rietveld, owner of Out of the Box Games, Toys, and Puzzles, and talk about his picks for “hottest games” this year! Here’s Jeff’s list. And if you’re interested in picking up one of these, stop out at one of his locations! There’s an Out of the Box in Zeeland and in Grand Rapids. You can find directions online.

Game 1: AZUL

The first game Jeff highlighted is Azul. It was new last year, but it’s one of his best sellers. And, there are 3 other versions out there, all different enough to make them each worth a try! The one pictured here is the original and is all about creating a beautiful mosaic tiled floor.

Also, there’s Azul Stained Glass, and Azul Pavillions.

It’s a quick game and the components are beautiful. It’s definitely worth a look!

 

 

 

Game 2: Welcome To Your Perfect Home

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Game 3: Tiny Towns

Game 4: Everdell

Segment4: Our List of Stellar Gifts!

Under $50

Dan’s Pick: The Klein 11-in-1 Screwdriver!

Bety’s Pick(s): A Lighted Beanie and Utility Gloves with Screen Touch Ability

$50 – $100

Dan’s Pick: Toughbuilt Toolbelts with Clip-Tech!

My son, an electrical apprentice, uses his all the time! His favorite feature is the “kickstand” on the electrical tools pouch.

 

Betsy’s Pick: Wireless Endoscope! (and this one made Dan jealous because it’s really, really cool).

 

Around $100

Dan’s Pick: Impact Driver

Betsy’s Pick: Whiskey Making Kit!!

EP137: Lessons from a Rare Bird, Iris Apfel and High Dollar Toilets

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Segment 1: High Dollar Toilets

Something is going on! There is suddenly in influx of stories about toilets and toilet paper. Who needs a roll of toilet paper that lasts a month? Is that a wise thing to have if you have young kids? Also, did you know there’s a toilet encrusted with Swarovski Crystals AND that the most expensive toilet at a cost of $19 Million is on the International Space Station.

Segments 2-4: Lessons from a Rare Bird, Iris Apfel

Our Turn Design On Its Head event is finally over. But we couldn’t help feel that what we learned should be shared with the masses. So today, we dive into the lessons that can be learned from a Rare Bird, a Geriatric Starlet, and an all around inspiration, Iris Apfel.

 

 

 

EP136: Episode Revisit

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This is actually a revisit of Episode 83 from last year. Sometimes we’re sad that certain segments or shows only play once so, from time to time, we like to bring them back to be enjoyed again!

Segments 1 & 2: Cleaning Carpets

Segments 3: Bold Colors

Segments 4: Dan’s Emporium of Audio Brilliance

 

 

EP135: ON THE ROAD! The Center Punch, Home Repair Services, and Fun Design!

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Segment 1: Automatic Center Punch

There are a lot of tools that get ZERO fanfare! They’re not flashy. They’re not fun and exciting. They’re not powered by huge motors or batteries. But they do their job in an unassuming manner and move on to the next project. One of those is an automatic center punch. It’s a simple tool that is designed to quickly and easily pop a small divot in a surface so you can drill holes without having the drill bit “walk away” from the spot you wanted to drill.

It looks like a steel pen and you just place the point on the exact spot you want the hole and push. It’s spring loaded and pops a small divot into the surface quickly and easily.

Segments 2 and 3: Home Repair Services

Being out and about in Grand Rapids, we were thrilled that Joel Ruiter was willing to meet with us on the spur of the moment! (Thanks, Joel!) Anyway, we sit down with Joel in the boardroom at HRS and discuss some of their upcoming endeavors.

Segment 4: Fun Design

Calling on Architects and Interior Designers is fun on a number of levels not least of which is having the opportunity to see the spaces in which they work! We stopped at one particular architectural firm that drove home the idea that fun design isn’t just for kids or homes! Fun design can be professional AND it can also create at atmosphere in your place of business that makes your employees eager to be there!

EP134: Jewelry Box Makeover, Service Professor History, All About Screws, and Hammertime!

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Segment 1: Jewelry Box Makeover

Paint is so remarkably transformative! With the right inspiration, your next project is just around the corner! We found the beautiful piece of furniture pictured below at an antique store. It was amazing, but WAY too expensive. Later we found a simple little jewelry box for $2. Much more in line with my pocket book! We snatched it up and with a little prep work, some taping, and some paint, we turned it into a miniature version of the furniture piece we loved so much. Whether or not the color and the piece is for you, the concept holds true for everyone: paint is incredibly transformative!

 

Segments 2: Service Professor History

Being a small business, we love to promote other small businesses! Service Professor has been featured on our show multiple times, but this time we sit down with President Brad Krause to talk about some history!

Segments 3 & 4: Screws and Hammertime

We dipped back into the archives for a couple of our favorite tool segments. Who’d have thought there’d be so much to learn about screws and hammers?

EP133: Spring-Loaded Nail Set, The Color of the Year, Wall Panels

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Segment 1: Spring-Loaded Nail Set

Sometimes you can’t fit a hammer and a nail set into a tight corner. Sometimes you just don’t want to use all that force to set your nails into the wood. In those instances, this simple, spring-loaded nail set is perfect! It’s very inexpensive and definitely something to have in your toolbox.

 

Segments 2 and 3: Color of the Year with Jennifer Butler Design

Benjamin Moore launched their new Color of the Year for 2020 and it’s First Light: a pink. How in the world, do you work with pink in your decorating? How do you prevent it from leaning overpoweringly to the feminine? And honestly, what is the point of color trends anyway? We discuss all of this with Jennifer Butler and Andy Yates from Jennifer Butler Design in Grand Rapids. And it’s definitely worth your time!

Segment 4: Amazingly Simple Wall Panels

Ever thought about using a mural in your decorating, but were afraid to commit? Didn’t want to spend the money only to have to remove it later when your tastes change? Well what about this solution?