Construction Tip #72138 RevoR322 Tool Review

Today while working on another set of these beautiful Modern Stairs it was suggested to use the Revo Magnetic Drill to bore the holes in the 1/4 inch angle- steel stair-frame support.

This is an unpaid and not sponsored tool review of the RevoR322 Compact Electromagnetic Drilling System.   I'm sharing this information because I was so impressed with the tool. Scotty 10/28/2015

Set it against the metal, flipped the switch- it stuck like chuck! ElectroMagnetic Drill https://t.co/Yv0LeEM8bg pic.twitter.com/9JaqvQT3uj

— Scotty (@StLHandyMan) October 29, 2015

Beautiful Modern Stairs

I heard the Welders talking about the new tool on lunch break early this week:  

  Magnetic Drill and how it made drilling in steel easy-peasy.

Today I got my chance to use the RevoR322 and I was very impressed to say the least.

1. I opened up the kool case. 
2. Did not read the instructions- maybe they weren't in the storage case?
3. Could easily tell what part went where, because the Welder told me: "The Magnetic Drill was actually a miniature drill press."
4. Three screw in handles went in the obvious spot on the side of the drill- see first picture.
5. Put a 3/8 drill bit into the drill and tightened it down with the supplied chuck.
6. Plugged it in to 110v circuit. 
7. Set it against the metal, flipped the switch and it stuck like chuck!
8. I was amazed that it supported its own weight for as heavy as it is!
9. After a few try outs using an electro magnet for the first time- I positioned the Revo for its first hole.
10. Push button drill to start (and stop) was a handy feature.
11. Two Hands were required for operation: One hand dribbled the cutting oil onto the drill bit and the other rotated the drill press handles (see 1st picture)
12. The Revo Magnetic drill held itself onto the metal and in the position I placed it, eliminating the need for me to perform 3 actions at the same time: Hold the Drill, Dribble the Cutting Oil, and Operate the Drill Press.
13. I drilled a dozen holes with little to no effort.  Once the Revo Drills electric button is turned on.  It does not need any additional assistance holding itself in place.  And its a heavy drill.  Very Impressive.
14. I felt it drilled the 3/8 inch holes as fast as a stand-up drill press would.
15. I never lacked for power and made this phase of the staircase build virtually effortless when compared to drilling a dozen holes with my 18v cordless Ridgid hand drill.
16. I do not know how it will do with bigger holes.   I had no trouble with the 3/8 inch holes.
17. It works and made the out of position drilling easy-peasy.
18. I noticed that when the WD40 I was using as cutting oil ran down onto the electromagnets while attached to the steel: The Drill did not loose its grip on the metal and stayed in position. 
19. You can feel the electromagnet pulse in the steel: very, very slight vibration or pulse-weird feeling is all- doesn't shock or hurt in anyway, just weird feeling.
20. I did not try to over torque the drill while drilling the holes to test its powerful magnet.

Yes I would recommend this tool for drilling in steel. 

Set it against the metal, flipped the switch, and it stuck like chuck!
RevoR322 Compact ElectroMagnetic Drill Press

 I positioned the RevoR322 Magnetic Drill for the first hole.

Drill stopped halfway thru the bore hole to take this picture

Self Supporting Magnetic Drill-RevoR322 

Building Custom Modern Staircases is a small part of a Green Build Renovation Project located in Downtown StLouis Missouri -

 See more at: http://blog.stlouisrenewableenergy.com/#sthash.kgd745vV.dpuf

#ConstructionTip I used this Kool Magnetic Drill Press on the Jobsite> I was impressed to say the least! #RevoTools pic.twitter.com/o65xbHQp1j

— Scotty (@StLHandyMan) October 29, 2015

Thank You for stopping by-Share and Comment below. If additional information in needed or you have a question let me know. Together we can make a difference and create a future that will benefit everyone. Build a Green StLouis Green Building Tips and Resources via: Scotty- St Louis Renewable Energy Green Blog
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Custom Stair Project Tool List

You too can build your own Custom Stairs 

Here is the tool list with web-links to manufactures and retail stores that I've been using for the green renovation project in Downtown StLouis. 

Contract Labor Project

Custom Modern Stairs is part of a Green Build Renovation Project located in Downtown StLouis Missouri

 

 

Here is the tool list for those custom Dark Stained Oak Wood Stair Contract Labor Project I've been building for the upscale apartments in Downtown StLouis location the past few weeks.

Per a social media request is the needed tools that I've been using to build those cool custom stairs I've been blogging about the past few weeks.

Ridgid Portable Table Saw and Stand 

Ridgid:

• 18v: Drill, Driver, Radio Combo Kit with Extra 4 amp Battery (I won a while back)
• Portable Table Saw and Stand

Craftsman:

• Table Saw
• Bandsaw

Dewalt:

• Compound Sliding Miter Saw
• Clamps
• Drill Bits

Irwin:

• Clamps
• Caulk Box

Bosch:

• Daredevil Spade Bit Set
• 3 Point Self Leveling Alignment Laser

Harbor Freight:

• Oscillating Power Tool and Wood Cutting Blades
• Metal Drill Bits
• Plastic Speed Squares and Post Leveler
• Dividers
• Level
• String Line
• Heavy Canvas Tool Bag

Hilti:

• Concrete Drill and Bits
• Epoxy Gun

Advanti

• Wood Cutting 60T Saw Blade in Chop Saw

Porter Cable

• Skil Saw

unknown tool manufacturer

• carpenter square
• caulk guns

Milwakee

• Portable Band Saw

Miscellaneous

• No 2 Pencil
• Wax Pencils
• Scraper
• Drill Bit Extension
• Plumb 16oz trim Hammer (I use the rubber handle to tap things into position when required)

Android Cell Phone with  Google Play Apps- Calculator, Stair Builder,

The most important tool I picked up was actually for my work truck to keep all the tools safe!

I picked up this utility bed for the work truck. Gotta keep the tools safe! ps: There went my good gas mileage :( pic.twitter.com/zqHUQMXeom

— Scotty (@StLHandyMan) October 25, 2015

Thank You for stopping by-Share and Comment below. If additional information in needed or you have a question let me know. Together we can make a difference and create a future that will benefit everyone. Build a Green StLouis Green Building Tips and Resources via: Scotty- St Louis Renewable Energy Green Blog
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Green Build Renovation Project

A good layer of spray insulation was installed before the sheetrock

was hung, will provide the future tenants with energy savings.

                Green Build Renovation Project

                  Downtown StLouis Missouri

After the metal studs were installed a layer of spray foam was installed and will ensure  these Upscale Apartments are  economical to heat and cool.
Spray Foam Insulation was even installed between the windows!
Spray foam  insulation expanding into the jam area where the dual pane window units will be installed.

I'll have pictures of the metal balcony installation in an upcoming blog post.

Before we get to install the stairs.  A hole is cut out of the existing concrete floor. OSHA regulations- handrail for openings where someone could fall or get hurt.

Thank You for stopping by-Share and Comment below. If additional information in needed or you have a question let me know. Together we can make a difference and create a future that will benefit everyone. Build a Green StLouis Green Building Tips and Resources via: Scotty- St Louis Renewable Energy Green Blog
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Modern and Upscale Architectural Staircase Build

Contract Labor Project

 Building Custom Modern Staircases is a small part of a Green Build Renovation Project located in Downtown StLouis Missouri

I consider the design Modern because of the decorative metal spindles and the twist do-dads add flair and upscale feel.  The Dark Stained Oak Wood used in the Treads, Risers, Handrails, and Landings provides this Modern and Upscale architectural design.

Modern and Upscale Architectural Staircase Design

See Alignment Tip- Time and Labor saving tips by Scotty 

used in Building these Custom Modern Stairs.  I snapped a

 few photos to help you build your own custom stairs and for 

an example of how the construction tip was used in the

 example. 

CUSTOM STAIR BUILD TIP METAL BALUSTERS #89764 BY SCOTTY

Thank You for stopping by-Share and Comment below. If additional information in needed or you have a question let me know. Together we can make a difference and create a future that will benefit everyone. Build a Green StLouis Green Building Tips and Resources via: Scotty- St Louis Renewable Energy Green Blog
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Aesthetically Pleasing Wrought Iron Baluster Preparation

Aligning the Do-Dads on the spindles takes a few steps to get the wrought iron that is irregularly shaped with no real measure point and uneven bar stock lengths to all line up correctly.

Here are the steps I use to get  the aesthetically pleasing look

of the Balusters on the Landings on the Custom Stair Project.

Time and Labor saving tips by Scotty used in 
Building these Custom Modern Stairs.  I snapped
 a few photos to help you build your own custom
 stairs and for an example of how the construction 
tip was used in the example. 

Contract Labor Project

Custom Modern Stairs is part of a Green Build Renovation Project located in Downtown StLouis Missouri

Step 1	Stock 35 inch Wrought Iron Baluster with twists fits perfectly in this handrail that is 37 inches off the floor.
Step   2		Using 37 1/2 inch Wrought Iron Baluster with Do-Dads   Align the Balusters Parallel to each other in groups of 4 or 5 (length of the speed square). Center the Do-Dads  in the flat portion of the middle of the Stock 35 inch Wrought Iron Baluster step 1
Step  3		I strongly suggest to make a prototype (and Don't Forget to Tag It (I used  Duck Tape).   Be sure to test fit this first baluster in various spots. All the Balusters with the Do-Dads will use this baluster as the guide.  Make sure this 1st baluster is 100% right.
Step  4		This is a critical step that must be done correctly.  Remember all those Do-Dads may not be all the same size.  And their irregular shape does not provide a spot for centering (easily) use the wire wrap as the guide to align the Do-Dads.(see close up picture in step 3) The wraps next to the Do-Dads are what the eye sees when out of alignment.
Step  5		With the Do-Dads all aligned. You can now mark the overall height or the bottom of the balusters with speed square.  From the Prototype in Step 3. See the thin red lines (guide cuts)  and also notice that all the  baluster bar lengths are different. TIP: If you tried to install these without making all the balusters the same length or not aligning the Do-Dads  with its neighbors difficult and increase the difficulty factor in the overall installation.
Step  6		We are now working on the opposite end of the balusters and marking the top of the balusters.   Be sure to make an extra mark so that you can tell the top from the bottom of the balusters. Balusters were delivered in groups of 10 wrapped in plastic.
Step  7		Now that the Balusters are marked to proper height and Do-Dads are centered in the Stock Bars you are now ready to cut them to proper length. I set the Balusters in a Jig Set Up to hold the balusters in place when cutting them with a Portable Metal Band Saw with metal blade (Milwaukee). (Remember we are doing hundreds and thousands of balusters in this project.   It is cost effective to use a bandsaw over the black abrasive cutoff blades that wear out fast)
		Prior to getting the wrought iron Balusters ready; I installed a Handrail using a Laser for the guide.

Thank You for stopping by-Share and Comment below. If additional information in needed or you have a question let me know. Together we can make a difference and create a future that will benefit everyone. Build a Green StLouis Green Building Tips and Resources via: Scotty- St Louis Renewable Energy Green Blog