Family Handyman November 2013

editors@thefamilyhandyman.com Most 12-in. sliding miter saws will set you back $450 to $650. So when I saw this Chicago Electric model for $180, I wondered: What do you sacrifice for that unbelievably low price? The answer is: Surprisingly little. The Chicago bevels left or right 45 degrees; most of the expensive models tilt beyond 45 degrees. It crosscuts boards up to 12 in. wide; that’s an inch or two less than some models. The fence isn’t tall enough for wide crown molding, but I usually screw on a wood “auxiliary fence” for crown anyway. In terms of power and quality of cut, the Chicago’s performance is similar to that of other models I’ve used. Overall, the Chicago feels a little less beefy than expensive saws, so I suspect it will…

When Yamaha jumped into the pressure washer game, it didn’t just slap its logo on someone else’s machine—the company did a little research and made real improvements. For starters, the solid brass fittings are located at the front. It’s a lot easier to pull the washer around when you’re not stepping on the hoses. The solidly built wand has an adjustable secondary handle to reduce fatigue, and the swivel tip works great for hard-to-reach areas. Instead of replacing a nozzle tip to adjust the spray pattern, the 5-in-1 Nozzle lets you simply dial in the spray pattern you want. The Yamaha engine and CAT Pump deliver 3,000 psi and 2.8 gpm, and the flat-free tires will guarantee you’ll always be ready to roll. But of all the bragworthy features, the…

Ahandheld router is an amazingly versatile tool in its own right. But if you turn it upside down and mount it under a table, that same router is capable of a whole new set of tasks. I designed this router table to be solid, stable, easy to build and easy to use. The joinery is simplicity itself. Just butt joints and screws—no miters, no fuss. But don’t get me wrong. Simple doesn’t mean second-rate. This table will withstand years of hard use and offers most of the features found on high-end manufactured models. For tips on buying and using a router table, go to familyhandyman.com and search for “router table.” WHAT IT TAKES Time: One weekend Cost: $200 as shown Skill level: Intermediate Tools: Router and bits, drill, table saw,…

editors@thefamilyhandyman.com Your local home center probably carries at least a dozen kinds of lubricant. Ever wonder why so many? I did. So I interrogated the guys in white lab coats and learned this: A lube formulated for a specific job usually provides far better results and wear protection than a general-purpose product or a product designed for a different job. And a specialty product usually lasts much longer. So by using the right lube, you’ll lubricate less often, avoid frustrations, and save time and money. I’ll walk you through all the different specialty lubes and explain where to use each one. But don’t worry about memorizing it all: There’s a pullout chart on p. 33. Pin it up in your shop and you’ll be the neighborhood “go-to guy” for lube…

editors@thefamilyhandyman.com Back when I was a beginning carpenter, trim nailers were expensive and rare. Then, about 20 years ago, prices came down and I decided to give them a try. As expected, they made nailing faster and a lot easier on my arm. But as I learned to use them, they also made my work faster, easier and better in lots of ways I didn’t expect. In the following pages, I’ll show you some of the tricks and benefits that make trim nailers an essential part of my daily work. Use a block to push baseboard When baseboard—or the floor—isn’t straight, I force the trim down with a 2x4 block. The block gives me a broad surface to push against and lets me apply a lot more pressure. This trick…

We review popular models and pick our favorites If you’re in the market for a new router, you’re in luck. Selection, prices, features—and the routers themselves—are better than ever. But having a wider selection and variety of features also makes choosing a router more complicated than it used to be. And that’s the reason for this article. In the following pages, we’ll focus on “midsize” routers in the 1-1/2 to 2-1/4 hp range. Routers of this size are the do-anything utility players in most shops, powerful enough to spin the biggest bits but small enough for comfortable handling. It’s nice to have a bigger router mounted in a router table and a smaller “trim” router for light-duty work, but every woodworker needs the versatility of a midsize model. And if…