Launch! the Podcast

Save yourself money today and in the near future by becoming a DIY genius! Cort calls in from the blackout in San Diego. Karl talks about why you should have a proper work station and a comprehensive tool kit.

Step 1 of becoming a DIY-er is that you need to find the right environment like a garage or shed. Quite often the garage can accumulate junk, but if you organize it then you’ll find out how much space you have! Consider using the wall for added storage. It’s also important to have a covered area with electrical.

It is very handy to have a movable tool chest if you will be working indoors and outdoors. Modular storage systems are great on a budget sine you can start small, and add on to it. If you are going to the store to buy a common part, consider buying multiples so that you don’t have to go back.

Karl encourages listeners to donate to organizations helping out with the hurricane relief on the east coast. A tool that rarely makes it to the tool kit is a wood chisel. It’s inexpensive, and so handy! You’re more likely to cut yourself with a dull chisel than a sharp one. Cort;s favorite tool is for ethernet cables. This can come in handy if you don’t have many hard wired options around your house.

Do you have the materials to keep your home water tight is a hurricane came? It’s also important to have things like a rope ladder on the seconds floor, fire hydrants, etc. Let’s talk about plumbing. You should have a pipe cutter, a plumbing wrench, as well as misc fittings, flux, solder, and a torch. Fixing your own plumbing can save you huge money! Karl also talks about what electrical supplies you should have.

Karl gives his tip of the week. You should not be using teflon tape with paste because you’ll end up with a gap between the threads on your fitting. Just use the paste. Once it’s dries spray the area with water to see if there’s a leak. Another tip is to get a whole house water filter.

This week on DIY Live Presented by MONEY we are broadcasting live from the International Consumer Electronics Show where entertainment, technology, and business converge. First up, we're talking with Laura Jakosky of iRobot to fill us in on the amazing products that can clean your floors, pools, and gutters. Next, Joe Sains give us all the details on the new Bosch GSL2 lazar level. Next up, find out how House of Marley has created fashionable speakers and headphones that are all about being eco-friendly by asking one simple questions, 'What would Bob do?' Finally, find out about the new JASCO receptacle that allows you to incorporate USB charging in your wall plate without sacrificing an outlet.

This week on DIY Live Presented by MONEY we are broadcasting live from the International Consumer Electronics Show where entertainment, technology, and business converge. First up, we're talking with Laura Jakosky of iRobot to fill us in on the amazing products that can clean your floors, pools, and gutters while you kick back and relax! In this segment we will focus on the brand new Mirra which will keep you pool crystal clear all year round!

Have you ever had to deal with the pain of cleaning our your gutters? iRobot is all about doing jobs that are dull, dirty, and dangerous, and they have developed the Luge which will clean you gutters for you! Laura Jakosky tells us all about it.

What's so great about the new Bosch GSL2 lazar level? It's the world's first and only lazar which will show you the imperfections in your floor BEFORE you lay down a flooring surface. That could save you big money and time by avoiding repairs later on. Joe Sainz gives us all of the details.

You have probably heard the name Marley before. House of Marley has created fashionable speakers and headphones that are all about being eco-friendly by asking one simple questions, 'What would Bob do?' Rohan Marley fills us in on the how House of Marley is incorporating bluetooth tech and new Rewind, recycled fabric.

Recyclable materials are being utilized more than ever. At the front of the green movement is House of Marley which is pushing to create great speakers, headphones, bags, and more that are kind to the earth. Rohan Marley discusses the importance of having a great product which can delivers a message about charity, sustainability, and being eco-friendly.

JASCO has created a new receptacle that allows you to incorporate USB charging with an intelligent indicator that tells you the charging status of your device. It's convenient, and can be used instead of a standard wall plate without sacrificing outlets. Monica Grotzinger gives us the details. Then, Craig Morris fills us in on the LED, motion tracking, outdoor spotlight.

There are plenty of ways to save on energy, secure your home, or even make your television and home theater more user-friendly. In this podcast with hosts Karl Champley and Dr. Cort Stoskopf, you can learn how to do all of these things--and even install them yourself! Listen now to find out more with DIY Live.

Hosts Karl Champley and Dr. Cort Stoskopf are at the 2013 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Kevin Meagher from Lowe's stops in to tell us about a new brand called Iris that can help keep your home safe. You can do anything from control the thermostat to set the alarm while you're away from home. Find out more about Iris and why you need it in your home on this episode of DIY Live.