Today we’re proud to annouce our “Day 15″ winner in the 25 Days of Fuego give away: Greg Pearson.

Greg’s project: “I purchased two vanities and other related bathroom items with the idea of re-doing two bathrooms. I finally got started a few weeks ago on the kids. I ended up removing the fir-down and most of the sheet rock… then the surprises started coming… I ended up having to replace most of the studs in the wall and my 18v cordless really wasn’t up to the chore. I needed to pull a Flanders and borrow my neighbors power saw… Well, in a few weeks I will be starting the next bathroom. I plan to tear out the fir down in there and at least one wall, replacing it with another. I am also planning on building a custom vanity top. If I live through all this I am planning on converting our back porch into a playroom for the kids. It will need at least 2 walls built for that. ”

Congrats, Greg, no more Flanders for you! Hopefully the second one will go smoother than the first for you.

If you didn’t win — try again today by posting your winter project (that makes use of the Fuego) as a comment on this post for another chance to win.  (And remember, though you can only win once, you can post projects as often as you’d like.  So, if yours wasn’t selected, don’t be afraid to give us a new take on it — or maybe link in a picture!)

Contest Details [Toolmonger/RIDGID]

P.S. For another chance to win, comment with your winter project on the Day 16 winner post!

Brad wrote in with this deal he found: “Not sure if this is at all Home Depots, but at one of the local ones here they have the three of these as a combo for around $175.  I’ve been looking for a brad nailer to do some small woodworking projects, and I think that this may be for me.  The brad nailer normally runs around $119, the finish nailer $179, and the pivoting driver $99.  Do the math and you’re saving a little over $200.  Check your local store to see if they are running with ths combo.”

(more…)

Today we’re proud to annouce our “Day 14″ winner in the 25 Days of Fuego give away: JDobbs.

JDobbs’ project: “I’m a theater manager at a high school and before we start setting lighting cues for the Spring Musical i have to make a platform table that locks in securely across the backs two rows of the theater seats to set up our light board on to see what the audience sees while setting up lighting levels. Also just for good measure i’ve got to get some peg board to fit in my disaster of an office to hang up audio cables and build a custom table for my lighting director so that she can actually see the show while she runs the lights for it from the lighting booth.”

Congrats, JDobbs, ahh high school theater. It must be strong and last a lifetime because 3 million people will trample, knock around and beat on it everyday. Having done some stage-hand and audio/lighting gear ourselves, we feel your pain.

If you didn’t win — try again today by posting your winter project (that makes use of the Fuego) as a comment on this post for another chance to win.  (And remember, though you can only win once, you can post projects as often as you’d like.  So, if yours wasn’t selected, don’t be afraid to give us a new take on it — or maybe link in a picture!)

Contest Details [Toolmonger/RIDGID]

P.S. For another chance to win, comment with your winter project on the Day 15 winner post!

Today we’re proud to annouce our “Day 13″ winner in the 25 Days of Fuego give away: James.

James’ project: “I decided to convert my basement into a *good* workshop to ease my frustration. So I rented a bin and gutted the walls, ceilings, and floor. I also removed a bunch of dangerously installed electrical circuits.

One of the next steps is to frame my exterior walls, install new electrical circuits, and insulate. I plan on running a few 15A circuits and a 20A circuit for stationary tools. I will also install a 15A circuit in the ceiling overhead for handheld power tools, and I need to replace the circuit in my garage with one that is actually grounded so I can do work in there.”

Congrats, James, the underground shop/mad scientist lab is quite an undertaking, but always a classic. Keep us informed!

If you didn’t win — try again today by posting your winter project (that makes use of the Fuego) as a comment on this post for another chance to win.  (And remember, though you can only win once, you can post projects as often as you’d like.  So, if yours wasn’t selected, don’t be afraid to give us a new take on it — or maybe link in a picture!)

Contest Details [Toolmonger/RIDGID]

P.S. For another chance to win, comment with your winter project on the Day 14 winner post!

Today we’re proud to annouce our “Day 12″ winner in the 25 Days of Fuego give away: Raelx.

Raelx’s project: “I work for a bicycle company in Connecticut and winter is fast approaching. To keep us riding thru the winter we hope to build some ramps so we can ride during the winter in our shop. The company tolerates us cluttering up the shop, but we are on the hook for buying all the lumber and supplies and we work on our own time in the evenings. Last year we built our first ramp but the person that owned the saw no longer works for us so we are down to a jig saw, not so good for ripping plywood. There are pictures of what we did last winter here.”

Congrats, Raelx, From the photos you posted it looks as if your gonna have an airborne winter up in Connecticut!

If you didn’t win — try again today by posting your winter project (that makes use of the Fuego) as a comment on this post for another chance to win.  (And remember, though you can only win once, you can post projects as often as you’d like.  So, if yours wasn’t selected, don’t be afraid to give us a new take on it — or maybe link in a picture!)

Contest Details [Toolmonger/RIDGID]

P.S. For another chance to win, comment with your winter project on the Day 13 winner post!

Today we’re proud to annouce our “Day 11″ winner in the 25 Days of Fuego give away: Dean in Des Moines.

Dean’s project: “I need to remove some soft sheathing and create a new hole for the bathroom fan to vent to the outside. From there it’s a typical strip and reshingle. The only tools I have for this job are a drill and an old 1/4 horse craftsman saber saw. It’s going to be a long and cold job and the Fuego looks like the perfect tool.”

Congrats, Dean, From the photo you posted it looks like you’ve got some great projects lined up to make the rear of the house a better place to be. It takes a true toolmonger to do winter projects outside in the middle of Iowa!

If you didn’t win — try again today by posting your winter project (that makes use of the Fuego) as a comment on this post for another chance to win.  (And remember, though you can only win once, you can post projects as often as you’d like.  So, if yours wasn’t selected, don’t be afraid to give us a new take on it — or maybe link in a picture!)

Contest Details [Toolmonger/RIDGID]

P.S. For another chance to win, comment with your winter project on the Day 12 winner post!

Today we’re proud to annouce our “Day 10″ winner in the 25 Days of Fuego give away: Brian.

Brian’s project: “I consider the living room to be the command center of my house while the couch/coffee table combine to form the cockpit if you will. Some of the features will include:

• an embedded 15″ LCD monitor and mini-computer for home automation control, web browsing, and missile launches
• a drawer for remotes and other laser guided systems
• a retractable foot rest/messager for after the MIG’s have bugged out
• and landing gear for easy manueverability when space is needed for a session of Guitar Hero.”

Congrats, Brian, Good luck on the “coffee command cockpit” and we hope to see pictures of it soon!

If you didn’t win — try again today by posting your winter project (that makes use of the Fuego) as a comment on this post for another chance to win.  (And remember, though you can only win once, you can post projects as often as you’d like.  So, if yours wasn’t selected, don’t be afraid to give us a new take on it — or maybe link in a picture!)

Contest Details [Toolmonger/RIDGID]

P.S. For another chance to win, comment with your winter project on the Day 11 winner post!

Today we’re proud to annouce our “Day 9″ winner in the 25 Days of Fuego give away: Michael Buhrley.

Michael’s project: “My wife and I try to make the Christmas presents we give to our kids and my brothers in our family gift exchange. Last year we built this train, one for our son and one for my brother’s family. So this Christmas we are building two more trains. The train cars are big enough that kids can sit on top (with feet on the small cars) or load them up with stuffed animals and other toys. The tank car is hinged to open as are the doors on the box car. I think I will design a caboose too this year.”

Pictures of the train are available at:
http://picasaweb.google.com/michaelbuhrley/ChristmasTrain

Congrats, Michael, the trains look great, and we are gonna have to go with you regarding the caboose. No self respecting train would be seen in public without one. Great idea and we hope to see pictures of it soon!

If you didn’t win — try again today by posting your winter project (that makes use of the Fuego) as a comment on this post for another chance to win.  (And remember, though you can only win once, you can post projects as often as you’d like.  So, if yours wasn’t selected, don’t be afraid to give us a new take on it — or maybe link in a picture!)

Contest Details [Toolmonger/RIDGID]

P.S. For another chance to win, comment with your winter project on the Day 10 winner post!

Today we’re proud to annouce our “Day 8″ winner in the 25 Days of Fuego give away: Rick.

Rick’s project: “My winter project is to begin putting together a workbench / storage device of sorts for my garage. In addition to a work surface, I also want to put together some framing underneath where I can store my off-season wheels from my car. I currently have them stacked horizontally on top of each other, but I’d much prefer to have them lined up vertically underneath. I came up with a 2 x 4 cleat that will keep the tires from rolling out. I also want to do a shelf unit on one side where I can roll my little Harbor Freight tool chest and Roller seat under when I’m not using them, and use the shelves above for various car parts, etc.”

Congrats, Rick, the massive undertaking of organizing the shop is always high on any DIYer’s list. Be sure to send us pictures of how it turns out!

If you didn’t win — try again today by posting your winter project (that makes use of the Fuego) as a comment on this post for another chance to win.  (And remember, though you can only win once, you can post projects as often as you’d like.  So, if yours wasn’t selected, don’t be afraid to give us a new take on it — or maybe link in a picture!)

Contest Details [Toolmonger/RIDGID]

P.S. For another chance to win, comment with your winter project on the Day 9 winner post!

Today we’re proud to annouce our “Day 7″ winner in the 25 Days of Fuego give away: Fong.

Fong’s project: “Ever since I saw Return of the Jedi, I’ve always wanted a tree house village connected with rope bridges. 20 years and 2 engineering degrees later, I’m ready to tackle the project. I’d start with one basic tree house, then add on additional ones for each child. If my baby factory cooperates, in 5 years, I should have 4 treehouses connected with rope bridges. An Ewok village filled with little Ewoks. Halloween will never be the same again.  ”

Congrats, Fong, we must confess to a weakness for Wookies and Ewoks ourselves. We must also say that no Ewok village would be complete without a rope that young Ewoks could swing from house to house on.  

If you didn’t win — try again today by posting your winter project (that makes use of the Fuego) as a comment on this post for another chance to win.  (And remember, though you can only win once, you can post projects as often as you’d like.  So, if yours wasn’t selected, don’t be afraid to give us a new take on it — or maybe link in a picture!)

Contest Details [Toolmonger/RIDGID]

P.S. For another chance to win, comment with your winter project on the Day 8 winner post!

Today we’re proud to annouce our “Day 6″ winner in the 25 Days of Fuego give away: Patrick.

Patrick’s project: “I want to build a hidden door for my son’s bedroom or closet. You would have to pull a book to open the door. And if that goes well I’ll make one for our kitchen pantry. Depending on what the wife will let me do.”

Congrats, Patrick, we’ve wanted a secret batman door since we can remember; we’re going to be incredibly disappointed if you don’t send pictures of it.

If you didn’t win — try again today by posting your winter project (that makes use of the Fuego) as a comment on this post for another chance to win.  (And remember, though you can only win once, you can post projects as often as you’d like.  So, if yours wasn’t selected, don’t be afraid to give us a new take on it — or maybe link in a picture!)

Contest Details [Toolmonger/RIDGID]

P.S. For another chance to win, comment with your winter project on the Day 7 winner post!

Today we’re proud to annouce our “Day 5″ winner in the 25 Days of Fuego give away: JK.

JK’s project: “I’m planning on building our precious “puppy” (85+ pounds of rott/boxer/chow) a doghouse for those times when Boris refuses to come inside. Being the megalomaniac I am, compounded by the fact that the dog is massive, My plans are more akin to building a small apartment/shed than the normal dog house. Complete with insulation and siding.”

Congrats, JK, and we hope Boris will digg his new “Lifestyles of The Huge and Furry” doghouse/puppy pad!

If you didn’t win — try again today by posting your winter project (that makes use of the Fuego) as a comment on this post for another chance to win.  (And remember, though you can only win once, you can post projects as often as you’d like.  So, if yours wasn’t selected, don’t be afraid to give us a new take on it — or maybe link in a picture!)

Contest Details [Toolmonger/RIDGID]

P.S. For another chance to win, comment with your winter project on the Day 6 winner post!

Today we’re proud to annouce our “Day 4″ winner in the 25 Days of Fuego give away: Logan.

Logan’s project: “As a humble and stereotypically poor college student, I have no money for fancy ‘power’ tools.  In an errort to increase the livable space in my sub-200 sq. ft. dorm room I have started to build lofts for my and my roommate’s beds.  This has quickly morphed into a semester long project of adding what amounts to a second floor to our room.”

Congrats, Logan, and remember: when using power tools in a dorm room (or an apartment in NYC), late night work is deprecated.

If you didn’t win — try again today by posting your winter project (that makes use of the Fuego) as a comment on this post for another chance to win.  (And remember, though you can only win once, you can post projects as often as you’d like.  So, if yours wasn’t selected, don’t be afraid to give us a new take on it — or maybe link in a picture!)

Contest Details [Toolmonger/RIDGID]

P.S. This day’s contest is closed. Look for the next days winner to have another chance to win!

James says: “One of the first purchases I made when I bought my house was a shop vacuum.  I bought a RIDGID not having done any research — I was in Home Depot and that’s what they had.  It turned out to be the right choice.  It’s plenty powerful and the locking hose is really handy.  However, like any shop vacuum, the included hose is bulky, stiff, and short.  One day, I needed another hose, and I purchased RIDGID’s Pro Hose.  It’s way more flexible and durable, and it’s compatible with other brands of vacuums that take friction-fit hoses.”

(more…)

Another day — another winner: Daniel.

Daniel’s project: “I have a very small shop, so I am planning to build a covered area extending from the entrance so I can work on projects that require ventilation — painting, parts cleaning, etc. — and dirty projects — sanding/grinding — outside without getting wet.  (I live near Seattle.)”

Well, Daniel, hopefully this one will last just as long.

If you didn’t win — don’t despair; you’ve only got 22 more days to win!  Just post your winter project (that’s make use of the Fuego) as a comment on this post for another chance to win.  (And remember, though you can only win once — you can post projects as often as you’d like.  So if yours wasn’t selected yesterday or the day before, don’t be afraid to give us a new take on it — or maybe link in a picture or two!)

Contest Details [Toolmonger/RIDGID]

Wow! You Toolmongers make it difficult to choose — again you submitted a lot of great projects.  We did manage to pick a winner, though: Michael.

Michael’s Project(s): “Restoring the early 1800’s post and beam barn behind my shop, a greenhouse for cold weather greens for my patient wife, and adding to the ever-expanding treehouse I’m building with my boys.  All three of these projects could benefit from the flexibility of a circular saw.  For two of these projects I’ll be on a ladder — or in a tree — which makes it difficult to use a miter saw (or a table saw).” 

Michael’s also a furniture maker, and here’s some of his recent work:

If you didn’t win — don’t despair; you’ve got 24 more days to win!  Just post your winter project (that’s make use of the Fuego) as a comment on this post for another chance to win.

Contest Details [Toolmonger/RIDGID]

It was a tough choice as you threw some awesome projects our way, but we’ve selected the winner for Day 1: Jorge Barrios.

Jorge’s project: “I just finished my first-ever project, a workbench to go in my first-ever garage in the first-ever house we bought. The pros on tv make it look so easy, cut here, measure like so, nail it up, sand and voila, a spanking new dresser or entertainment center. It’s not that easy, I didn’t finish my workbench in 30 minutes, not including time for commercials. It took me a little over a month of casual work inbetween other more pressing demands on my time. I didn’t own any tools until very recently. I had a hammer, a couple of screwdrivers and some bungee cords when we bought the house. I skulk around Craigslist all day long looking for tools, that’s how I scored a table saw (it was free!), an old router ($20), 10 clamps of varying sizes (only $23!!!), miscellaneous router bits, nail punches, doohickeys, doodahs, geegaws, and whatchamacallits. I am preparing for christmas by leaving various tool catalogues floating around the house where my wife can’t fail to notice the tools I need (want) circled in red crayon and stained with drool.

“In any case, I am the proud owner of a new house that needs alot of TLC, and I decided I needed a workbench to work on, not only for house projects, but also to learn the art of fine woodworking and furniture making, something I’ve wanted to do for many a year. I loaned books from the library and read up on how to build a sturdy workbench, eventually deciding to spend my lunch money on a good top made from red oak 1×3s and go cheap on the legs using construction-grade lumber. The top is a laminate held together with glue and biscuits. It took a long time to assemble and it nearly killed my knees, as I was working on the floor. I planed it by hand and sanded it with a random orbital sander, assembled the legs and added a woodworking vice. It came out quite nicely, if I say so myself, for my first project. In fact, two of my buddies like it so much that they’ve asked me to build’em one each, which I am more than happy to do (at cost) now that I know how to get it done. My wife has requested a few trellises, a garden bench, new raised flowerbeds, a composting bin, a shed for the trashcans, a potting table and a few cutting boards. She now thinks I am handy around the house and humors my mess in the garage. A circular saw is on Santa’s list, I have been good. A circular saw would make me make my wife happy, and what could be better than that?

“It’d make me happy as well.”

Jorge’s workbench:

If you didn’t win — don’t despair; you’ve got 24 more days to win!  Just post your winter project (that’d make use of the Fuego) as a comment on this post for another chance to win.

Contest Details [Toolmonger/RIDGID]