ALMOST EVERY household in Canada has a hammer; some have two and more. The hammer is indeed the primary tool for setting up housekeeping. Even though it is so popular, the hammer is probably the most misused, abused, and ne- glected item in your tool box. To give this underrated tool its proper due, here is a list of dos and don'ts that will help you get better service from your hammer and perhaps save a few sore thumbs and bent nails. Do buy the hammer that is suited to its intended use. Too often you see people trying to drive concrete nails with an ordinary 16-ounce hammer. This is not only a frustrating ex- perience but can also be a very dangerous one as this light ham- mer does not have the bulk to force the nail through the dense concrete. The result can be a nail flying around the room like a bullet. Also very frustrating is trying to drive a spike with a light hammer. There are framing hammers made for this very purpose. The weight of the hammer, not your muscle Renee EL) power, drives the spike. A smaifl tool increases user fa- tigue and Sessens efficiency. Do wear eye protection when drivirig nails in concrete or if your face is close to the nail. Though few people follow this rule, protec- tion is probably wise at all times. Don’t try to pull spikes with a claw hammer without using a wood block to bring the leverage to the proper point. Never bang the hammer handle with another hammer or a piece of wood to loosen a stubborn nail or spike. Most handle breakage occurs when pulling nails because of the stress placed on the handle. Don’t use a hammer with a loose handle. The head could fly off causing injury to yourself or others. Even if the head docs not wiggle, you can often tell a loose handle by the musical ring it emits when you drive in a nail. Do occasionally rub the wooden handle with boiled linseed oil. This will deter checking and keeps the handle limber. Never leave wooden-handled tools in the rain as this is the fastest way to ruin them. Don't ever use a regular ham- j Classic Insert complete with fan and gold door Save $ L0G” and get a tool set or a cast iron kettle FREI! ($50 off olher Napoleon models with tools & kettle) Woodburn Steves & Barbecues 1618 Pemberion Ave. N. Vancouver Open Sunday 12-4 pm 987-0811 Professional Tree Care ¢ Pruning * Trimming * Shaping ¢ Falling * Spraying * Planting * Danger Tree Removals * Cabling & Bracing * Diagnosis mer to strike cold chisels, an axe head ar another hammer. There are hammers with specially hard- ened faces for these jobs. Using a tegular hammer could result in eye injury. These are just a few of the things you can do for you ham- mer. Respect it. {t’s one of your best tools. PINE TREE SERVICE LTD. Gary Kincaid, Brian Fisher, Duncan Isberg, Richard Maingot Brad Madden, Jeff Scherer | FREE ESTIMATES | 985-3022 19 - Friday. November 21, 1986 - North Shore News ALPINE DECEMBER SPECIALS * Danger Tree Removal! ¢ Top and Long Branch Reduction * Cabling Long Branches * Large Tree Reduction * Garden Cleanup 2 National Arborist Association Book Now and Alpine will buy Your Christmas Tree for you (value to $20.00) Timeless, Timeless Appeal, Timeless Elegance For a limited ime only, choose from the Timeless Collection by Crossley Karastan ubyureat savings to vou. Timeless, Timeless Appeal and Timeless Elegance are three elegant saxony carpets. Three different weights. three price points yet one colour fine to give vou decorating flexibility while allowing you to balance your decorating budget. Made from Affied Anso (V nylon. they provide EDGEMONT are and uno CERIRE 1083 Roosevelt Crescent gor, North Vancouver tare {2 vlocks behind the Avalon Hotel) soil and stain protection plus resistance fo static build up. Performance, timeless design and customer concern are all characteristics you've come to expect from Crossley Karastan Carpets Limited. Crossley Ansol® = Kuaistan fv. Ne have extended aur business hours: Oe mtg Friday 9-9, Sat. 9-5,