painting tools

Essential Painting Tools


About the author: Abdullah Riaz is a writer, who alongside content writing, also takes part in fiction writing. He has already been published in a book as one of the winners of a fiction writing contest. In addition to writing, he also has experience with all sorts of research, particularly in IT-related fields. He has always been a fan of writing and learning about new topics. Outside writing, you’ll find him spending time with his dog, Terry.


by Abdullah Riaz

Paintwork is essential for every space, whether it be your office, school, home or outdoor decking. It is in your best interest that they look fresh and maintained. Before you begin painting your walls, you need to be equipped with the right tools required for the job. Having every tool sorted and planned will save you a trip to the store in the middle of painting when you realize you might have forgotten something. A good plan of all essential tools will also save you from overspending on equipment that may not be necessary.

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How to Easily Organize Long Handled Tools


If you’re like me and most everyone else in the world who has been sheltering in place, you are probably obsessed with cleaning and organizing everything. My husband and I laugh about how clean our home is going to be a month from now. We have also started planning our garden which means we really need to organize the contents of our garage next, especially the garden tools and brooms that have been sitting in the corner for months now.

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how to use a paint roller extension pole

10 Tips for Painting with a Mr. LongArm 3-Section Extension Pole


About the author: Mark Kirby is a homeowner who shared these helpful tips he learned while painting with a Mr. LongArm 3-section extension pole. Thanks for sharing these Mark!


How to Use a Paint Roller Extension Pole

by Mark Kirby

TIP #1 –

Do not over load the paint roller and always make sure the paint is evenly distributed on the roller. Less paint makes the pole less top heavy and makes the roller easier to control at long extensions. Lighter paint loading of rollers give better painting results and fewer runs and drips. Just be sure to avoid dry rolling which can cause an uneven paint job.

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Interior Design Tips

7 Practical Tips for Breathing a New Life into Old Homes


About the author: Mike Johnston is a home improvement blogger and DIY enthusiast from Sydney. He is a regular writer at Smooth Decorator and contributor on several interior design, lifestyle, real estate and eco-friendly blogs. Mike’s goal is to create and share meaningful interior design tips that help and inspire people.


By Mike Johnston

People often tend to look at home renovation like a holy grail of all DIY projects. The prize you will get at the end of the journey is awesome, but the trouble you need to go through along the way makes the whole thing seem pointless. Here’s the good news, Sir Galahad – this quest is only as complicated as you want it to be and your good old home can get a breath of new life even with the slightest of efforts if you know where to put it. Here are a couple of interior design tips to help in your quest.

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great inventions

Optimizing Human Performance for 60 Years and Counting


About the author: Leigh Newman is Director of Facilities and Real Property at Mr. LongArm, Inc., Co-owner and Board of Directors Member


by Leigh Newman

Great Inventions Always Start with a Problem

Sixty years ago, R.D. Newman, was out on a sales call in Wichita KS. While walking inside he saw the store owner and an employee trying to tape a paint roller to a heavy piece of steel conduit. As the legend goes, the store owner retorted, after a friendly ribbing by R.D., “If you can make something better, Newman, I’ll buy it!”. The wheels of invention began to turn.  A few months after returning home and with the help of his wife Mimi, R.D. had designed and invented the very first telescopic extension pole!

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Window Maintenance

How-to Maintain Windows and Keep Costs Low


About the author: The following is a blog by Jenny Holt, a freelance writer and mother of two. She loves nothing more than getting away from it all and taking her Labrador, Bruce, for long walks.


by Jenny Holt

Windows are an important part of a home’s structure, they provide ventilation, insulate spaces and improve aesthetic appearance. They also need regular maintenance so they continue to make your home look good, but are also safe and secure.

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The Urban Farmers using a fruit pole picker to harvest fruit

On Reinventing the Wheel


About the author: Mr. LongArm is proud to partner with The Urban Farmers, an all volunteer nonprofit whose mission is to help bring nutritious fresh produce to those less fortunate. The following is a blog from the groups co-founder, Siamack Sioshansi.


by Siamack Sioshansi

The tool that we use every day is readily available from any major hardware store. It comes with metal, fiberglass or wood handles at reasonable prices. This is the story of why we reinvented the fruit pole picker, and like all good stories it has a surprising and heartwarming ending.

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why you should clean solar panels

The Importance of Keeping Photovoltaic Cells Clean


About the author: The following is a guest blog by Mary Sauer and Modernize.com. If you are looking for remodeling projects to increase the value of your home, the folks at Modernize have some great ideas. Check them out!


by Mary Sauer

When you make an investment as large as installing solar panels on your home, taking the necessary steps to maintain and care for that investment is crucial.

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2014 National Hardware Show

2014 National Hardware Show Wrap-up


About the author: Maureen Newman is VP of Diversified Markets at Mr. LongArm, Inc., Co-owner and Board of Directors Member


by Maureen Newman

The 2014 National Hardware Show was a 3 day event and marked the 69th year that manufacturers and resellers of products were brought together under one roof. Well, actually 2 roofs and an outdoor parking lot. Held at the Las Vegas Convention Center, the line-up of exhibitors ranged from Home Improvement categories (like the painting tools MLA manufactures) to Lawn & Garden/Outdoor Living products (such as the hanging Wicker Chair that Linda Fore purchased after show hours then had to figure out how to haul back to KCMO).

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