When it comes to home improvement, you need information you can trust. Inside each issue of The Family Handyman, you’ll find see-and-solve expert repair techniques, a variety of projects for every room and step-by-step, do-it-yourself photos.
editors@thefamilyhandyman.com Not that long ago, battery-powered outdoor equipment was a promising idea, but not all that practical. But battery technology has improved, and the power of modern lithium-ion batteries has grown substantially. First there was 18 volts, then 36 volts, then 40, 56 and now even 80 volts from a single battery! When you combine these honkin’ big batteries with new motor technologies, you get tools that compete favorably with their gas-engine cousins. Chain saws powerful enough to cut 18-in. logs all morning. Mowers you can use for huge yards. Trimmers that will run longer than you can. And boy, do we love the benefits. Reliable push-button starting, quieter operation and no messing with gas (or worse, mixing gas and oil!). You’ll find most of the major manufacturers making these…
handyhints@thefamilyhandyman.com HIGH AND DRY We keep our wet boots in a boot tray by the door. The boots used to sit in water all day and never really got dry. Then we decided to elevate them from the tray using some old cookie cooling racks. Now they’re dry when we put them on, and the water evaporates from the tray more quickly. Robert Henikman Small-parts solution We buy chewing gum in these nifty reusable plastic containers. The tops open completely and they have a smaller opening that works great for dispensing small hardware items. We just glue one of the parts to the top so we can quickly identify the contents. Jerry Bullock Emergency mixing paddle I needed to mix up some joint compound but couldn’t find my mixing paddle.…
editors@thefamilyhandyman.com What makes this shed so hard working? Well, for starters it has a pair of large sliding doors—you can open just one for normal use, or both if you need to move large items in or out. Inside the shed are three walls that are uninterrupted by windows, allowing plenty of space for shelves or hanging storage. Ventilation is taken care of by screens placed between the top and bottom ends of the rafters. And the row of high windows over the doors provides plenty of light. There’s even a covered outdoor storage area on the back of the shed that’s ideal for firewood, wheelbarrows and other bulky stuff. The construction couldn’t be easier. There are no fancy rafter cuts to make. And the siding is simply 4 x…
editors@thefamilyhandyman.com WHAT IT TAKES TIME: About 4 hours COST: $80 TOOLS: Screwdriver, wire stripper/cutter, jab saw, hacksaw, drill, 1-in. spade bit SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate Not that long ago, the average kitchen counter was home to a toaster, coffeemaker and maybe a blender, but things have changed. We now have juicers, bread makers, TVs, gourmet pizza ovens, computers and charging stations for a halfdozen mobile gadgets. It’s not surprising that it’s getting harder to find an available outlet to plug in all that stuff. Extension cords and power strips are unsightly and can be dangerous. The only real solution is to add more outlets. 1 CUT OUT THE EXISTING BOX Cut off the nails on the existing box. Wedge a screwdriver between the stud and the box to make room for…
editors@thefamilyhandyman.com The creaking sound you hear each time you sit on that old kitchen chair is not a good sign. It has loose joints, and every time you sit on it, you’re wearing down and further loosening them. Someday it’s going to fall apart. One of these tips will save that chair—and many other pieces of your favorite furniture, too! But keep in mind that these are fast, easy, practical fixes. They are not the best repairs for treasured heirlooms or valuable antiques. You don’t need a workshop to make these repairs—a few simple tools and a sturdy table will do. And you don’t need any special skills. If you know the most basic stuff—how to cut plywood and drive screws—you can do it! ADD BRACES Chair braces are an…
Are they right for you? A Wi-Fi thermostat connects to your home’s wireless Internet service and lets you remotely check and change the temperature in your home from an app on your smartphone or tablet. When Wi-Fi thermostats first came out, the buyers were mainly snowbirds who wanted an alert if their furnace conked out while they were down south. That’s not the case anymore. In fact, Wi-Fi thermostats are quickly becoming standard equipment for new homes. If you’re considering upgrading your thermostat to a high-tech Wi-Fi version, here’s what you need to know. 6 reasons you might want to get a Wi-Fi thermostat Travel If you live in a cold climate and travel, you should definitely get a Wi-Fi thermostat to keep tabs on your furnace when you’re away.…
