Get Professional Results without the Professional

(ARA) - In the do-it-yourself television shows, the pros make it look so easy and for them, it is. They have a lot of big tools to do the work; they know which tools are right for the job and how to use them. This information is not privileged and you don't have to watch years of do-it-yourself shows to learn how.

Your local rental store carries the same tools the pros use. Rental stores also have professionals on staff to explain how to use them, videos you can watch for further education, and you can practice before you take it home so you do the job right -- without damage to yourself, your house or the tool.

To get your money's worth out of renting a specialty tool, there are a few things you should know to rent right.

First, choose the best tool for the job. Tell the rental shop what you want to accomplish rather than what tool you want to rent. You may discover they have a different tool that will do the job better and quicker. Trust the store to rent you the tool you need and not more tool than you can handle.

Trust them to provide correct information. At better rental stores, they will volunteer answers for questions you don't know enough to ask. "We're investigating," says Ward Redman, assistant manager of A to Z Rental Center in Minneapolis, Minn. "We ask all types of questions to try to figure out what you're doing. That way we can recommend the proper equipment so you get the fastest, most efficient way to do the job."

The information they can provide is invaluable -- so not only do you rent well-maintained equipment, but you rent it with the security of knowing you're doing it the best way possible. Once you decide on a tool, they'll teach you how to use it safely. "We really stress safety to the customer," says Redman. "If something doesn't seem right, call us. If we can't help you figure it out over the phone, we'll send someone over to help in person." Plus, they'll give instruction on project preparation before taking the tool home.

Here are some examples of tool possibilities you can use and knowledge you'll get at a rental store:

Paint Sprayer
Painting is one of the simplest, most inexpensive redecorating projects. You can make it even more simple and faster with a rented airless paint sprayer.

Be prepared and you'll get incredibly fast spray painting. Cover, mask and tape windows, furniture and floors, and thin and strain the paint through a nylon stocking or paint filter. "You're going to have to thin the paint to get it to go through the sprayer," explains Redman. "We'll give general directions on how to thin it, but you need to carefully read the manufacturer's instructions on how to thin their paint."

Get these steps done before driving to the rental yard to pick up the sprayer. You'll save yourself the expense of time when you have the tool and aren't using it. Keep the paint supply clean and don't let the paint dry out to keep the nozzle from clogging.

If the nozzle gets clogged, don't put your hand in front of the spray. An airless sprayer can severely damage flesh in seconds. The instructions will tell you how to unclog the nozzle. "And don't point the sprayer at anything you don't want to paint -- like the neighbor's car," he says.

Nail Gun
Use a nail gun to avoid the frustration and pain of hammering. Nail guns drive nails much faster and set the nails below the surface so the nails are ready for filling. A few tips for the first-time nail gun user: use manufacturer-specified nails to keep the gun from jamming. Keep the nails clean -- don't put nails into the gun that were just dropped into sawdust. Learn how to lubricate the head if you plan to use it for more than a day.

Power Auger
Another common do-it-yourself project is fence building. What can be a quick project becomes weeks-long if you have a lot of holes to dig. Rent a power auger to dig all the post holes for you, and your fence really can be a weekend job.

Two-person power augers are perfect for fence post holes. These machines drill holes for small-diameter uses and come with interchangeable 4-, 6- or 8-inch augers. "It's important to know what kind of soil you're digging in," Redman suggests. "If it's rocky, you might need a bigger machine."

Other tools available for rental include a skid steer, walk-behind trencher, drywall hoist, cement mixer and tile saw to name a few. Some of which you may think "I couldn't really operate one of those." But in reality, you can. The rental store staff will make it easy for you to learn how to use the right tools for your project. With the right tools you get professional results without the professional.

Renting is the smart way to get things done. For more information and locations of the local rental businesses nearest you, visit www.RentalHQ.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent