Replies

1. 
   GoldenWreckedAngle | Aug 15, 2003 07:51am | #1

   Fingers work great - just lick 'em and slick 'em. I've heard a rumor that the rasiused corner of a credit card is ideal for this too but I've never tried it.

   Kevin Halliburton

   "I believe that architecture is a pragmatic art. To become art it must be built on a foundation of necessity."  - I.M. Pei -

2. 
   JeffBuck | Aug 15, 2003 10:51am | #2

   A while back....I was at a real paint store .....and on the checkout counter they had a display for little "finger tip rubbers".....

   I bought one ..thinking it'd probably be a waste of money..but it was cheap ....so...

   Well .....the damn thing worked great!

   Had tons of caulking to get done that day ......tooled it like a champ. I was using some real flexible/non-paintable stuff ...so that might have helped....but I never had such an easy time caulking.....

   Of course ....I'd lost it by the next day ...... and my painter buddy who recommended the store said they sold out of that one display box with no plans to re-order ...as only pretend painters like me bought them ....

   Jeff

   Buck Construction   Pittsburgh,PA

    Fine Carpentery.....While U Waite                  

1. 
   AJinNZ | Aug 15, 2003 01:00pm | #3

   I do quite a lot of bathroom refits and use a lot of silicone sealant. I keep a box of non sterile latex gloves with me. They are cheap,easy and prevent bacteria/fungal spores from contaminating the sealant and turning it black later.

   Best thing, peel off the glove and no residue on my hands to get all over everything I touch. 

   Wood Hoon

2. 
   CAGIV | Aug 16, 2003 10:38am | #4

   Go to a walgreens or some such drug store, walk to the prescription window, find the most innocent looking person there and tell them you want midget condoms.

   It usually gets a real funny look.

   anyhoo,  I carry a bunch of them in my first aid kit, they are great for keeping a Band-Aid in place, or gauze wrapped tight in the event of a finger gash

   the food industry such as restaurants and the like use them a lot for cooks etc that cut there fingers to keep things "sterile"

   I found them because my roommate worked as a cook.

   Never thought to use them for caulk...

   wonder if they will be more or less expensive in a drugstore vs the paint store..Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark, Professionals built the Titanic.

1. 
   RichBeckman | Aug 17, 2003 12:40am | #5

   "the food industry such as restaurants and the like use them a lot for cooks etc that cut there fingers to keep things 'sterile'"

   They are called finger cots.

   Rich Beckman

   Another day, another tool.

1. 
   CAGIV | Aug 17, 2003 01:08am | #6

   Thanks.

   But walking up to the counter and asking for "midget condoms" is much more entertaining :)Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark, Professionals built the Titanic.

1. 
   andybuildz | Aug 17, 2003 02:27am | #7

   Neil.....would you mind having a friend photo the store clerk and you as you ask for mini condoms? Paleeeesssssse

   Be teenie tiny

                   a 

    

   In his first interview since the stroke, Ram Dass, 66, spoke with great difficulty about how his brush with death has changed his ideas about aging, and how the recent loss of two old friends, Timothy Leary and Allen Ginsberg, has convinced him that now, more than ever, is the time to ``Be Here Now.''

   http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM

2. 
   skids | Aug 17, 2003 07:52pm | #11

   in the same vein is the story about getting some sex toys and then going to yard sales. when no-one is looking you put the toy on one of the tables with other merchandise then wait for the fun to begin. after some one notices it you go up and haggle on the price. "how much was it used?" yes yes i know its juvenile, and should not be done around children but it is funny.

3. 
   CAGIV | Aug 17, 2003 08:16pm | #12

   Some friends in KC are having a garage sale in a few weeks, thanks for the idea...Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark, Professionals built the Titanic.

4. 
   andybuildz | Aug 18, 2003 11:47am | #17

   Geezzzz.....doesnt anyone finger things anymore?

   Be gettin' old

                 andy 

    

   In his first interview since the stroke, Ram Dass, 66, spoke with great difficulty about how his brush with death has changed his ideas about aging, and how the recent loss of two old friends, Timothy Leary and Allen Ginsberg, has convinced him that now, more than ever, is the time to ``Be Here Now.''

   http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM

3. 
   HandyWerks | Aug 17, 2003 08:59am | #8

   What I have found that works great for me are these red caps for caulk tubes that have a spade shaped protrusion on it. That protrusion works great for cleaning up the caulk. I have several of them and have used them a lot. Can't remeber the name of them. I get them at HD for <$3.

1. 
   KARLSTER | Aug 17, 2003 05:35pm | #9

   Gary,

   Its called a DAP CAP.  I think they are 99cents and I would triple my time spent caulking backsplash if I showed up to a job without one.  They are also great for caulking undermount sinks.  On the first pass I use the spade to force the caulking into any voids, the second pass I slide it on the other direction to squeegee/lift off excess caulking.  It is in removing all the excess caulk that I find it so useful. 

   Latex caulk I can do without one but I would hate to have to clean up silicone excess without it.

   I buy them five or ten at a time I find them so useful.  They do seem to wear out after a few uses.  The tip gets chewed up, bent, etc and if I clean them off with a solvent they get brittle and snap.

   Karl

1. 
   HandyWerks | Aug 17, 2003 06:38pm | #10

   Yeah, that's it.

   Where do you get them for so cheap?

   I guess I haven't used latex caulk unless that's for exterior applications? Where do you use latex caulk?

   Gary

1. 
   KARLSTER | Aug 17, 2003 10:12pm | #13

   I got them at home depot.  I misspoke a bit when I said latex caulk.  I should have said water clean up vinyl caulk like polyseamseal which I use for things like caulking the sink to countertop seal.  Kohler and Toto throw a tube in with their white enamel/porcelain sinks.

   I know I occasionally use latex caulk but can't think where at the moment.  My current favorite water clean up caulk is DAP Quickseal.

   Karl

   Karl

4. 
   CloudHidden | Aug 18, 2003 02:34am | #14

   Plastic spoons come in a variety of profiles, are cheap, keep your hands neat, clean easily, and are ready for lunch.

1. 
   HandyWerks | Aug 18, 2003 05:51am | #15

   Yeah, plastic spoons is another great idea.

1. 
   TrimButcher | Aug 18, 2003 06:33am | #16

   I find a Dripless caulk gun to be the best solution:

   http://www.dripless.com/main.html

    but for those who can't keep their fingers clean, especially with silicone or even polyurethane:

   View Image

   http://www.homaxproducts.com/catalog/caulkrite.html

   Regards,

   Tim Ruttan