Monthly Archives: June 2022

How to Select the Right Broom for Your Needs

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When selecting the right broom for your shop or home use, it’s important to understand what applications you plan use it for and then select the right broom for the job based on those requirements.

It’s good to know upfront that all brooms are not created equal.

Different broom heads and hand held sweeper broom
Brooms from Fine to Course bristles….broom heads and hand sweepers

There are several factors that go into selecting the right broom:

  • Bristle stiffness
  • Flagged vs Unflagged
  • Type of bristles


Bristle Stiffness

Bristle stiffness is one of the main attributes of a broom you need to understand to select the right broom for your needs.

  • Fine or soft bristles tend to be longer and thinner which make them good for sweeping small, fine particles such as flour or dust.
  • Medium bristles – Used for sweeping larger particles such as wood shavings. Used in wet and dry applications.
  • Coarse or stiff bristles are short and thicker which gives them more strength for sweeping away large particles or for scrubbing. Use them wet with a cleaning agent to scrub the most difficult dirt away.

Flagged Bristles vs. Unflagged

  • Flagged bristles – frayed at the ends which help the bristles collect small particles more easily.
  • Unflagged bristles – straight and stiff which help with collecting larger particles and debris and also for your scrubbing applications.

Types of Bristles

There are many different types of bristles available but we’ll be focusing this article on just three:

  • Tampico – Made from the stem of the Mexican agave plant and have a medium texture and are ideal for dry sweeping on semi-smooth surfaces. They are also resistant to heat, alkali, and acids.
  • Horsehair – As the name implies, these bristles come from the manes and tails of horses. They are softer and more gentle on floors yet durable for long-lasting use. The material used in most Fine bristle brooms is Horsehair but Horsehair is also combined with other types of bristle material to make combination bristles for other applications.
  • Synthetic – Very durable man-made bristles that are highly resistant to acids and oils. These bristles are flexible and won’t scratch floor surfaces and are used in wet or dry applications.

With a good understanding of how you will be using a broom combined with the the knowledge of what are the different types of broom materials, bristle types, and whether you need flagged or unflagged, you can select the right broom for your needs.

See the selection of brooms available at WoodworkerExpress.com in our Cleaning and Janitorial Supplies section.

Mondays with Mike…June 20th 2022 Edition Twenty One

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Can a library ladder make you a super hero?

I think I’ve mentioned it here before, but I’m not particularly a fan of the recent slew of superhero movies we’ve been presented with as of late. But I can’t help but think of Batman’s alter-ego when I look over this home office/library, however the red ‘Batphone’ appears to be missing. But the library ladder will allow you to “Soar” to the top of the bookcases in super hero fashion! The use of a library ladder system allows you to create high vertical storage that you can reach with ease.

That said, a missing ‘Bat phone’ shouldn’t prevent anyone from enjoying this classy ‘highbrow’ office/den. You’d have to believe that the occupant/owner is well-read…or at least a semi-serious book collector. Were this my place, there’d surely be old records, CDs and operating manuals in place of these ‘proper’ bits of literature and culture. It’s possibly uncommon knowledge that the most intellectual books are generally placed high out of reach….which makes this rolling library ladder a highly sought after item for literary aficionados as well as overall knowledge seekers.

Speaking of which, I’ve read that to become a well-read individual requires…surprisingly, lots of reading. And you can’t be an effective reader without the proper lighting to illuminate it all. And with that, this ceiling’s recessed LED lighting on display here can be carefully selected for your own library (or mad scientist’s lab) based on your lighting needs. You’ll very often hear about folks choosing their lighting color based primarily on how much they want the words to ‘pop’ off of the written page. 

Now, if www.WoodworkerExpress.com only sold rocking chairs…

Library Ladder
Photo courtesy of Houzz and The Closet Factory

Piano Hinges – Good for more than just a piano….

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A piano hinge is a continues hinge of various lengths and widths. It can be brass, zinc, stainless steel and more. Many people also refer to it as a continuous hinge. Although called a piano hinge, it is actually a very versatile hinge that can be used for many purposes.

What is a Piano Hinge?

Also known as a continuous hinge, it consists of two rectangular shaped pieces of metal joined in the middle with what is called a knuckle. A pin is inserted into the knuckle which holds all the pieces together.

Parts of a piano hinge
Piano Hinge Components

Piano hinges are designed to run the whole length of the object they are used on. For example, 12″ objects such as a lid and box would use a 12″ piano hinge to join them.

What Can Piano Hinges Be Used For?

While piano hinges are often used on pianos (makes perfect sense!), they are often found in other applications. Piano hinges can be used in a number of door applications such as sheds. A piano hinge door application will be much stronger as the hinge will run the full length of the door preventing sagging over time.

Shed door installation
Shed door with piano hinge

Piano hinges can also be used in any application needing a fold down door such as a desk or storage box. They can also be used on cabinet doors. Because piano hinges come in many lengths, widths and materials they can also be used in heavy duty applications such as commercial lighting storage cases.

commercial lighting cases with piano hinges
Piano Hinges used on heavy duty commercial lighting cases

What Are The Benefits of Using Piano Hinges?

Piano hinges are easy to install and maintain

Every 6 months or so you can wipe them with mild soap and water to remove any dust that has collected around the bearings. Hinges can also be lubricated as needed with a “dry” lubricant such as graphite, silicon or Teflon.

Hinges can be easily cut to length during installation with a hacksaw. Piano hinges do not require mortising and are easily aligned by inserting enough screws to hold the hinge in position on one side of whatever object you are joining. Then simply align the other object and continue inserting your screws. Piano hinges allow for even weight distribution of the load. Unlike shorter hinges, the weight of the joined objects will not act against the hinge as it runs the entire length.

In short, although piano hinges can be used for pianos, they also have many other uses. The projects are limited only by your imagination. See the entire selection of piano hinges at WoodworkerExpress.com and let us know how we can help you in creating something with these versatile hinges.

Mondays with Mike…June 13th 2022 Edition Twenty

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Add sophistication to a neutral kitchen with mixed finish cabinet hardware.

Today we’ve got a neutral kitchen corner on display with accessories that you can find at: www.WoodworkerExpress.com. This kitchen designer has chosen a great new trend in cabinet hardware, mixed finish knobs and pulls. These contemporary shapes feature a dual finish in this case black nickel. When we’re talking about choosing matching knobs and pulls mixed finish hardware can add that class and sophistication you seek but can’t always easily find. The collection featured here is the Mulino Collection by Amerock.

An already effective blend comes alive even further when you combine this clean looking apron front sink with a “touchless” faucet finished in black nickel. Like any white car owner can tell you, a bright color/aesthetic will leave you no choice but to keep things clean…but that’s not a bad thing, is it? There’s a few things for sale in this photo that you likely can’t even see like finish-specific caulk to seal it all up and keep sloppy faucet users from ruining it for the rest of us. Confession- While doing dishes at home, if I drip/spill/submerge water onto the under sink cabinets, the Mrs. will cringe and ‘remind’ me I’m just about to destroy the cabinets. So…I’m sloppy!

And while we’re at it, notice (or not) the nearly camouflaged floating shelf on the back wall whose function is to support, but not be seen….or whatever that military credo is. Lastly, the cutting board here can’t be overlooked. It’s a great piece to add for decorative charm along with the contrast it provides against the white background…but perhaps even more importantly; the fact that it’s designed to hold cheese.

Apron Front Sinks, Mulino Collection cabinet Hardware, cutting Boards, floating shelves
Photo Courtesy of Amerock Hardware

Mondays with Mike…6-6-2022 Edition Nineteen

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Barn Doors Make an Unexpected Design Element in Your Kitchen.

If ever there was a designer kitchen for me, then this one might be it. But first, a quick upfront reveal for me: My favorite part of this kitchen is easily the pantry’s barn door entry. It’s just not something you see every day and creates a wonderful unexpected design element in any room. Without a doubt, this here is the sweet spot. I don’t know, maybe it’s just the farmer in me, but I love the slide of those barn doors although admittedly I’ve never even been on a farm…except as a youth on an overnight camping trip.

It looks like they took the time to plan this out spectacularly, even down to matching the brands/series of kitchen appliances. Aside from the payment part, picking out new appliances is always a bit of fun. Maybe it’s the fact that if all goes well, you won’t be buying them again for another 20 years or so.

The perfectly aligned knobs from the Amerock Wells Collection here are a real visual treat to take in, especially alongside their complimentarily chosen handles When you live in a world of immense hardware choices, it’s always great to witness the results of a well-thought out pairing.

Additionally, I’m a bit taken here with the nice solid surface island that houses this great Karran sink and faucet combo outfitted with a (unseen) bottom grid to protect against scratches while also helping to ensure a long-lasting luster.

If you (like me) like the things you see here, then know that www.WoodworkerExpress.com is where nearly everything shown here can be found for purchase. We’ve got sinks, faucets, door hardware, knobs, pulls, range hoods, fasteners, accessories, etc. If not just for you, how about a friend, too?

Thanks, and sleep well…

Barn Door Hardware, Wells collection knobs and pulls, stainless steel sinks, pull-down faucets
Photo Courtesy of Amerock Hardware