Dean: Hey, I’m Dean.

Derek: And I’m Derek and we’re from DIY Networks.

Dean: And we’re going to show you the proper hand tools—

Derek: With one motorized exception.

Dean: Right, for prepping the base of any kind of pavement.

Derek: Now base is anything from pressure run, the gravel pack, any type of recycled concrete material for the underlayment of patios, walkways and driveways.

Dean: Now, the first tools you’re going to use are your wheelbarrow and your shovel. Now when you buy a wheelbarrow, don’t get those cheap ones that are always on sale. They’re going to last you a year and you’re going to throw them away. But a heavy duty wheelbarrow, and I like the ones with the one wheel. I also don’t like the two-wheel wheelbarrows. I just don’t get those things.

Derek: He doesn’t get them.

Dean: I don’t. If you’re on a smooth surface, you’re fine. Once you have bumps—

Derek: It’s kind of embarrassing.

When it comes to the shovel, go with the spade shovel, something that’s sharp. A short spade shovel and a long spade shovel, you’re going to use them to fill the wheelbarrow and move the material, also to spread some of the material out.

Dean: So you have all these little piles in your work area. Now, you’re going to get your metal rake and you’re going to rake those piles to a rough grade. You’re going to use your metal rake or you could use—

Derek: A big hoe. Now, make sure the hoe has holes in hit because that way, you can use it to spread material or to mix concrete later on.

Dean: I believe it’s called the perforated hoe.

Derek: It is perforated but I like the word hoe.

Dean: Okay, so after everything, the rough grade spread, the next step is you want to pull out the big momma of all the rakes.

Derek: The landscape rake.

Dean: Light aluminum, it will cost you about $60.00 but it’s a good investment because it will last forever.

Derek: Absolutely, and this landscape rake has a wide front, so you’re going to use it to do a final grade, do large areas, it’s absolutely a gorgeous tool.

Dean: You know what, a landscape is opposite of us. It has a wide front and we have wide backs.

Derek: That’s true, but I’d rather not talk about that right now.

Dean: After you have your rough grade done, you want to grab your hand tamping tool. That’s a great product to use in tight spaces and for little jobs.

Derek: But you can use the motorized tool I spoke about earlier. That’s the gas tamper and that will grade and tamp the larger areas.

Dean: Now Derek, if you were to rent that, how much would that cost?

Derek: Hmm, let me think hard about that, $75.00 a day.

Dean: Now, if you follow these steps, you will be able to do your job with the right tools, that will last you forever. You’re not just going to use these for one job. You’re going to have it in the house to do many jobs.

Derek: And you know what, tool are like shoes. People judge you by your shoes. Buy good shoes, buy good tools.