Family Handyman March 2014

editors@thefamilyhandyman.com PRESSURE-WASHER PARADISE I’ve owned two gas-powered pressure washers. The motor in the first one blew after year two. The second one had a crummy, too-short hose without quick disconnects. Both were loud with hard little wheels and other design flaws that made them tough to move around the compound. But worst of all, with either one, you never knew when it would decide to blow high-pressure water or an ordinary stream. It was always hit or miss. For my third “investment,” I got a Ryobi 3,100-psi pressure washer for $400. I added the crankcase oil to the 2.5-hp Honda engine, filled it with fuel and hooked up the hose—and it started on the first pull. It purrs like a kitten, until you pull the wand trigger. Then the engine…

FROM OUR READERS handyhints@thefamilyhandyman.com Clear leaf bags for storage I had a few clear leaf bags left over from fall, so I decided to put them to good use. Because they’re large, I can cover lawn chairs, cushions, space heaters, fans and other items to keep them dust-free in the rafters or on shelving in the garage. The best part is that I can easily find items at a glance because the bags are transparent—a feature my old black garbage bags lacked! Frank Normoyle Digital can labels My stain and wood finish cans get messy with drips and become difficult to read. When I want to use them again, I often can’t read the contents and instructions. I now shoot a digital photo of the labels with my smartphone. I…

When you’re fertilizing your lawn, mistakes are easy to make. I know, because I’ve been in the grass business for a very long time. And I can tell you that professional turf managers and homeowners tend to make the same four mistakes when they feed their grass. Read along, avoid these blunders and you’ll be thrilled with your lawn and get the most for your buck. MEET THE PRO Joe Churchill has worked in the professional turf industry for more than 30 years. He is a branch manager for Reinders, a major turf supply and equipment distributor in the Midwest. BLUNDER #1 FAILURE TO TEST THE SOIL When I’m asked to help bring a homeowner’s lawn back to life, the first thing I do is to make sure they have…

Wavy walls, crooked studs, uneven floors and out-of-square corners are the norm in most houses, and they all add to the challenge of getting your moldings to fit just right. To help you out, we’ve collected problem-solving tips from three veteran carpenters with a wide range of trim carpentry experience. Jeff Gorton editors@thefamilyhandyman.com The TIPS issue! TIGHTEN UP OPEN MITERS Uneven walls or misaligned jambs make it hard to get tight-fitting miters. If your miter has a consistent gap at the front, there’s a good chance that putting a slight back bevel on both moldings will fix the problem. If you own a compound miter saw, you could tilt the saw about a half-degree, but that requires fussy adjustments. The quickest and easiest way to cut a slight back bevel…

The Family Handyman has been dishing out table saw wisdom for more than 50 years. The saws themselves have improved dramatically over that time, but even the best modern saw can benefit from some old-fashioned ingenuity. So we selected some of our favorite tips from the past few decades to help you get more from your saw, whether it’s an antique or the latest model. FAST, FLAWLESS PLYWOOD EDGING If you’ve ever covered plywood edges with solid wood, you know how hard it is to position the edging flush with the plywood surface. Next time, try this: Start with edging that’s about 1/8 in. wider than the thickness of the plywood. That way, you can attach the edging fast, without worrying about a flush fit. To trim off the excess…

When disaster strikes your home, you can text a friend, call a plumber or dial 911. But until help arrives, you’re the one on the scene, the only one who can act fast. And what you do can make the difference between minor damage and destruction. As usual, it all comes down to preparation and know-how. This article provides the know-how; the prep work is quick and inexpensive. So read on—the payoff could be huge! First aid for roof damage Minor roof damage can lead to major water damage inside your home. But if you keep a few simple materials on hand, you can seal most roof injuries in just a few minutes. A section of flashing is the perfect patch for smaller holes—often caused by blown-down tree branches (Photo…