Family Handyman May 2014

If you work or play in serious wet weather and mud, completely waterproof boots are the only choice. But in warmer weather, they can be torture—like walking in a swamp of your own sweat. The Original Muck Boot Company has come up with an improvement. Its “Chore Cool” boots have a moisture-wicking lining to help keep your feet dry. I wore them last spring, and the wicking lining helped, especially on days that started cold (the boots are insulated) but ended warm. Mostly, though, I love the regular features of Muck Boots: a soft top that doesn’t chafe your skin; aggressive Vibram soles; and stretchy, flexible insulation that keeps your feet warm without making you feel like you’re wearing buckets on your feet. Comfortable waterproof boots—what a concept! They have…

FROM OUR READERS handyhints@thefamilyhandyman.com Hook-and-ladder truck Here’s how to easily carry long items on a truck. Attach a pair of flip-up tool or bicycle brackets to 2x2 wood posts that fit inside your truck bed pockets. My brackets are attached with drywall screws, but they could be bolted on for added strength. Just make sure to set the height of the brackets so they don’t interfere with your side mirror. They install in seconds, store behind the seat in your truck cab, and allow you to carry long items like extension ladders, PVC, gutters and lumber. Stay within the weight limits of the brackets, and make sure your cargo is strapped tightly. I used to carry long items over the top of my bed cap, but I didn’t always have…

My wife recently complained about having no space for her garden tools. It’s true—our garage was overcrowded, and the yard shed was crammed full of stuff. The solution was a mini shed on the exterior wall of the garage just for her. Now my wife is happy to have a place for all her garden tools, and when she’s happy, I’m happy. I spent about $450, but you could save $100 if you used pressure-treated trim boards instead of cedar, and three-tab shingles instead of cedar shingles and felt paper. The project took me about 20 hours to build, a few hours at a time. I wanted to build as much of this project as I could in the comfort of my shop, so I made each section an individual…

Building this patio and retaining wall is a big job, but it’s not a complicated one. In fact, this is as simple as landscape construction gets. The circular patio is built from specially designed pavers that fit together like a simple puzzle. The surrounding wall is made from modular concrete blocks. You simply stack them—you won’t have to measure or cut a single block. You’ll never have to lift more than 60 lbs. at a time, but you’ll be handling literally tons of material. So you could probably skip your weight training while you’re building it! We’ll show you everything you need to know. Allow at least two long, sweaty weekends of labor, one for the patio and one for the wall. When you’re finished, you’ll have a gorgeous patio…

OK, Einstein, you think you’re one smart handyman? Take our DIY IQ test to find out! Here’s how it works: 1. There are easy, intermediate and really tough questions all mixed together. 2. There may be more than one correct answer. 3. You’ll find the answers on pp. 52–54. Good luck! 1. The actual width of a 2x12 is: A. 11-1/2 in. B. 11 in. C. 11-1/4 in. D. 12 in. 2. Your project calls for size “16d” nails. What does “d” stand for? A. Penny B. Diameter C. Decimeter D. Denarius 3. Which type of plastic pipe requires a primer before it can be cemented? A. PVC B. ABS C. Plastic conduit D. All of the above 4. Which type of “ell” is the elbow shown? A. Short sweep…

Pets, sewer gas, burnt food, smoke, skunks ... let’s face it, sometimes life stinks. Our sense of smell is a powerful one, which explains our powerful urge to get rid of bad ones when we encounter them. We rounded up some of the most putrid, foul, stench-laden scenarios to let you know which products battle them best. With these tips in hand, you may just come out smelling like a rose. Chlorinate a stinky drain Every few months, the water in our little-used basement sink trap starts to stink. The cause is a mystery, but the solution is simple: A half cup of bleach down the drain completely kills the odor … until the next time. Clean your car ducts Neutralize smoke and other smells in your car with an…