Innholdsfortegnelse for March 2016 i Family Handyman

• Buy batteries cheaper. Wait for a sale. Home centers and hardware stores typically put cordless electric tools and replacement batteries on sale for Father’s Day, Black Friday and Christmas. Sometimes the cheapest way to buy an additional battery is to buy a battery/tool combo on sale. • Store and charge the battery indoors. High heat (in your garage or car) and freezing temperatures dramatically reduce the life of the battery. And, charging the battery in high heat conditions or in direct sunlight also greatly reduces battery life and increases charging time. • Follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding charging. Some want you to store the battery on a powered charger when it’s not in use. Others specifically state that you must remove the battery from the charger as soon as…

editors@thefamilyhandyman.com Put on your thinking cap and take this month’s quiz to see just how smart you are when it comes to DIY. Here’s how it works: • There are easy, intermediate and really tough questions all mixed together. • There may be more than one correct answer! • The answers are on pp. 52–53. Get your DIY rating on p. 52. Good luck! 1. Changing your car’s coolant (antifreeze) according to the manufacturer’s recommended schedule is critically important because: A. Coolant loses its cooling ability as it ages. B. The anticorrosive and lubricating additives deteriorate. C. Old coolant doesn’t flow as easily, increasing the risk of overheating. D. It never needs to be changed. The two coolant chemicals used today, polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol, never break down. 2.…

editors@thefamilyhandyman.com Cordless yard tools have always been far more convenient than corded or gas models. But early models didn’t always deliver on performance. Some weren’t powerful enough to cut heavy growth, and many times the batteries ran out of power before the job was done. That’s changing. The latest generation of 40-, 58- and even 80-volt lithium batteries is more powerful and runs longer. The tools are more robust, too, so they can do the work of gas-powered tools. If you were disappointed by lower-voltage tools in the past, it may be time to consider today’s higher-voltage models. And even if you love your old 18-volt model (we know millions of you do!), read on to find out what more power could do for you. CAN THEY REPLACE GAS AND…

editors@thefamilyhandyman.com If you’re like most other motorcycle riders, you look forward to getting out on the road at the first sign of spring. So you dust off your bike, fill it with fresh gas and fire it up. But you should also take a hard look at your safety gear. The truth is, your gear not only wears out but also gets outdated in terms of safety. We talked to helmet, glove, boot and clothing gear manufacturers to get the scoop on the new gear as well as buying and usage advice. We won’t kid you—the new gear is expensive. But if you’re serious about being seen by other drivers and surviving a crash, the higher cost is worth it. HELMET SMARTS DOT, ECE, SNELL and SHARP certifications The more…

Cordless yard tools with voltage ratings of 40 or more are definitely powerful enough for most jobs. But there’s no getting around the fact that battery run-time is still the limiting factor. When you’re deciding whether a cordless electric yard tool could replace your gas or corded electric tool, consider two things: 1. How much run-time do you need? Time how long it takes you to do the job with your current machine. Then shop for a tool that has sufficient run-time. If you need more run-time, you can always buy a second battery ($140 to $210, depending on the voltage and brand). Or you can take a break and let the battery recharge (sometimes in as few as 30 minutes). 2. Does your yard get out of control? Be…

editors@thefamilyhandyman.com Gas-powered leaf blowers save a lot of time on fall cleanup. They’re great for small jobs too, like blowing debris off your driveway or out of your garage. However, choosing a gas leaf blower isn’t as easy as using one. You’ll find lots of makes and models and enough air movement specs to fill a spreadsheet. We corralled models from major brands and handed them out to our editors to test during peak leaf-blowing season. Based on our research and field use, we came up with some solid buying advice and our picks for Editors’ Choice awards. If you’re thinking about buying a leaf blower, this is your guide. IS A GAS MODEL FOR YOU? Each of the three types of leaf blowers has pros and cons: Corded electric…

editors@thefamilyhandyman.com The first thing you need to know Pressure vs. flow When a showerhead or faucet isn’t delivering enough water, everyone complains about low “pressure,” but pressure usually isn’t the problem. Water pressure is the force. “Flow,” on the other hand, is the more likely culprit in most homes. Improve water PRESSURE Check the pressure “Pressure” is the physical force exerted on water by a municipal pumping station or private well pump, measured in pounds per square inch (psi). Spend $10 at your local home center and get yourself a water pressure test gauge. You just screw it onto an outdoor hose bib and turn on the water. If your gauge reads 40 to 60 psi, you’ve got good pressure. Inspect your pressure-reducing valve If your pressure test reads lower…

editors@thefamilyhandyman.com The small air gaps around electrical boxes on exterior walls and ceilings leak more air than you might imagine. In fact, a mere 1/8-in. gap around just six ceiling boxes is the equivalent of cutting a 4-in. hole in your ceiling. Think of the amount of heat you’d lose! When you combine that with the leaks around all the electrical boxes in outside walls in your house, it’s no wonder your house feels drafty. Many homeowners install plain foam gaskets between the cover plate and the switches/receptacles. However, those gaskets don’t always seal well. Infrared thermograph images of those outlets will show cold air still entering (which means warm air escaping) the house. We’ll show you more effective methods that permanently seal those leaks. Sealing is easy to do…

editors@thefamilyhandyman.com Boat builders, surfboard makers and fabricators of all kinds use epoxy every day to form strong, waterproof, lightweight structures. And you can take advantage of this versatile group of products around the home, too. Epoxy for household use is available in liquid, gel and putty and in containers ranging from a mere half ounce to gallons. Unlike many other adhesives and fillers that require drying time, epoxies require two parts that, when mixed, begin a chemical reaction that causes the liquid or putty to harden. The amount of time you have to work with the epoxy before it sets up is determined by the chemistry of the hardener. For tiny jobs, you can choose one-minute epoxy, but in general, epoxy that takes longer to set also forms a stronger…

editors@thefamilyhandyman.com HANG LADDERS LOW Most people hang ladders high on the wall. But often, lower is better. It makes ladders easier to grab and, since ladders are skinny, leaves floor space open for parking cars, bikes or the mower. An air admittance valve can save time and money An air admittance valve (AAV) lets air into the waste system but not out of it, so it can take the place of a vent pipe running up through the roof. On remodeling projects, that can save the plumber a lot of work—and you a lot of money—if it’s allowed by your local code. AAVs aren’t allowed in some situations. Make mowing easier Flip-up downspout extensions won’t slow you down while mowing. You can lift them out of your path with your…

editors@thefamilyhandyman.com SLANTED POCKETS FOR EASY ACCESS Wearing a tool belt makes it hard to reach your pants pockets. And it’s a pain to undo your belt every time you need to grab your truck keys. Several years ago, I discovered that some of the pants and shorts I wore had slanted pockets, which allowed me to reach in under my pouch to get at my keys. Now I only buy pants with slanted pockets. I typically get either Carhartt or Duluth Trading brands, but there may be others as well. Josh Risberg, TFH Lead Carpenter Got something for us? If you’ve got a tip, a brag photo or a project you’d like to share with fellow pros, send it to us at editors@thefamilyhandyman.com. We’ll send you a $100 gift card…