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I have used several paint sprayers. This Homeright Finish Max is by far my favorite sprayer, definitely my go-to sprayer for all my projects.
When I wax furniture, I use this handy buffer
instead of buffing by hand. It makes it so much easier on my shoulder.
Purdy is my absolute favorite paint brush to use when I’m trimming out a room, The quality is superior. Retain your cardboard sleeve to protect your brush and it will last a long time!
For painting a piece of furniture, I prefer using a cheap chip brush with my diy chalky paint primer.
The kreg jig has changed how I build everything! You’ve seen me use it on benches and on cupboards. They have a great online community with lots of people showing what they are building.
For all of my hanging projects, I use d rings.
This just in! I have added something new to my arsenal, this Kreg Micro Jig for smaller projects.
I now buy my pocket hole screws on Amazon too, such a better deal than I was getting at the store.
Click the picture for a video from Dremel to see what this little guy can do, but if you’d like to see how I use my Dremel you can see me cut out my chalkboard speech bubbles. I love the Dremel Trio, but remember it won’t work for wood thicker than 1/2 inch. You can purchase it on Amazon: Dremel Trio
If you’re looking for a great drill, here’s the one I’ve been using the most. Did you know that Ryobi (ree-O-bee) is exclusive to the Home Depot? You can see how I used it in the post A Pair of Plastic Mirrors. I love the battery charger system, it “holds” the charge when the battery is fully charged so as not to damage the battery. It’s also lightweight and easy on my shoulder.
I prefer cordless nail guns. I had a Black and Decker for years, but now I have this Ryobi, and I really love it. It’s powerful and perfect for the applications I do. I don’t have to drag around a compressor, and the batteries interchange with my drills.
on Amazon.
I love using DecoArt paints! The little bottles are perfect for crafting! I used Patio Paints when I painted my DIY Birdhouse.
I used a lot of Scotch Blue when I painted my kitchen, but it really came in handy when I repurposed a cupboard door into a tray with a harlequin design
I love Krylon Spray Paint
! I have used the Dual paint on a sign and a headboard flowerbed , and the Stainless Steel paint transformed some kitchen accessories for me.
These bench cookies from Rockler are great to use for sanding and/or painting!
When I’m not using my diy chalky paint primer, I use Heirloom Traditions Chalk Type paint. You can use the code MYREPURPOSEDLIFE at checkout to save 10% on your purchase. I make a small commission and you save a little money. They are a local company and some of the nicest people you will ever meet.
Moo Business Cards
So, there you have it, some of my favorite products. I have received some of the above products, but receive no compensation for my opinion. As always, my opinion is my own!
gail
I love this. My wife and I want “beachy” book shelves in our little Florida condo and have been to Ikea, etc., and I’ve threatened to build some from scratch as I have a little woodworking addiction. Then she forwarded me your bookshelves-from-old-shutters post and now I’m all over your site getting ideas. Thank you so much! We have a great ReStore by us in Fort Myers and they usually have a TON of old shutters. We even bought some last year thinking we could come up with some creative way of using them. Serendipity. By the way, I’m a Kreg fan, too. (They had me a “pocket jig.”) I also love their shelf jig. Because we are not sure of how we’ll want the shelves configured in OUR new shelves-from-shutters project, I’ll most definitely use that in order to have some shelf height flexibility. I have a Wagner 890 HVLP sprayer that does a nice job, so I can’t wait to tackle this when we get down south!
Thanks again.
Yay! welcome to My Repurposed Life Paul! I appreciate you leaving me a comment to let me know you’re new. Be sure to keep in touch, and let me know if I can ever help ya out with anything.
If you’re ever looking for something, just Google My Repurposed life {whatever you’re looking for}
gail
Gail:
I have been watching your website for the last couple of months and am so impressed with what you have done and I do some woodworking and am now getting into using chalk paint. I have the home right max fine sprayer and love it as well as my Kreg Jig. But I am not very good at doing letters to print on a piece of wood. Could you please tell me of up do to free hand or do you use something to make the sayings on your projects.
thank you so much for sharing:
JoAnn
JoAnn,
I understand what you are saying totally! I really can’t write or print very well myself. I use stencils to put words on projects.
You can try that, and image transfers are fairly easy… they can really dress up a piece of wood or furniture. You can see my tutorial for that here: https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/2015/06/easy-image-transfer.html
gail
HI Gail – just want to tell you that you are my most favorite blog of all time – all subjects, all blogs, period! I love your projects, your tutorials, and your style!
I have a few questions:
I would like to buy a Kreg Jig. I see that you use the K4. Do you know anything about the K5? Would you recommend it over the K4? Also, what kinds of clamps are needed for the majority of your projects? Do you have any favorites?
I WANT a HomeRight Sprayer so much! I see the you use the Max Fine Spray one that’s about $69 on Amazon. But on the right side of your blog there’s a box that shows some of your favorite things and it lists the HomeRight Max Pro Spayer. Which would you recommend?
Also, do you have a favorite breathing mask that you use? I have asthma and am sensitive to fumes. Do you use any eye protection when painting? The fumes seem to bother my eyes when I use regular spray paint in a can.
Thank you so much. I appreciate your time to respond to my questions!
Laurie
Laurie,
Thank you so much for your sweet comment. I’ll try to answer all of your questions. I do use the K4. I don’t have the K5. It seems to me like the K5 is best for a work bench application. I carry my jig to my work space (wherever it shall be)
Kreg has a new clamp that I love. Kreg KHC-1410 Automaxx 3-Inch Face Clamp It comes in really handy to clamp down my K4 onto my work table.
For almost all of my projects I use the Irwin Quick Clamps as my extra pair of hands.
I use my Finish Max 99.9% of the time over my Finish Max Pro. It just seems easier to use to me.
I used a respirator when I was painting in a mostly enclosed carport. Lately I’ve been spraying outdoors and in the spray shelter, and I just use a regular 3M paint mask. I wear eye protection when I spray “into” a project where there will be blow back. You can see the respirator I used in this post: https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/2014/05/finish-max-paint-spraying-101.html
I’m always here if you have any questions!
gail
Hi Gail,
Can you tell me the difference between chalk paint and regular paint? I’ve seen so many bloggers using it and I’m not sure what the difference is and what applications are better to use it on.
Thanks and really enjoy seeing your projects.
Lauren
Lauren,
Chalk paint is a very flat paint that will stick to almost any surface. It is sold under many brands. I typically use Heirloom Traditions Chalk Type Paint when I don’t use my own version of DIY Chalky Paint Primer. All of the chalky paints need to be sealed in some way, either with wax or other sealant. I make my own using Plaster of Paris and then I seal it with latex (semi-gloss) paint so I don’t have to buff wax. You can see the details of that here: https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/2013/08/diy-chalky-paint-recipe-makes-a-great-primer.html
gail
Hi Gail…in your recommendation for a buffer I don’t see an image or name. Can you clarify?
Thanks!
What an awesome resource for product recommendations! It is great to know that someone has used a product and actually likes it before spending the time and money getting something new. Fantastic web site too with lots of inspiration! Thanks!
Gale
Although I have come across your blog several times when I’m trying to figure out ideas, etc., I finally sat down and perused it thoroughly. I love your inspiration! Can you recommend any books on how to do woodworking? I’m trying to figure out how to attach pieces of things so they don’t look ugly OR the proper way to attach things so they don’t fall apart. Any recommendations for basic woodworking resources?
Thanks!
Candace,
I don’t really have any recommendations. Every one of my projects is a step by step tutorial of how I did it. I am self taught, so it’s not always the correct way.
I suggest you start with making something simple, like a shadow box or birdhouse. The most important tip is that your boards are the same size and straight. When joining two pieces make sure they are square with a speed square or a piece of wood that you know is squared.
As for joining, I use a nail gun and wood glue. You could use tacks or brad nails and a hammer. I suggest you invest in a couple of clamps to get a good hold while you are joining your pieces together.
I wish you all the best!
gail