Family Handyman February 2015

editors@thefamilyhandyman.com Every toolmaker makes a version of the 10-in. sliding miter saw. What makes Craftsman’s saw unique is its ingenious offset rail system. The sliding bars on most sliding miter saws take up a lot of room—in your shop and in your pickup. This saw takes up no more room than a conventional miter saw but has all the advantages of a slider. I used it to trim out an entire room, and it performed just as well as the $500 slider I have at home. The detents are firm, the levers and locks are convenient and intuitive, and the pivoting action is smooth as butter. Because it’s compact and lightweight, it doesn’t have the solid feel and heft of a $500 saw, but at $230, it’s less than half…

DIY WORK WEAR My new work jacket I wear my work jackets until they’re absolutely falling apart (about four years) because the more worn they get, the better they feel. I always look for a canvas shell, a fleece or quilted lining, and big pockets. I like a medium-weight jacket best so it will be comfortable in cool weather but can be worn with layers for way-cold weather. My wife just got me a replacement for my birthday, and it’s my favorite to date. It’s the Duluth Trading Co. Flannel-Lined Action Jacket, No. 32526. It’s made from the ultra-durable “Fire Hose” fabric and has all the other stuff I like too: attached hood (no zippers or snaps), under arms and shoulders designed for nonbinding movement, and best of all, the…

FROM OUR READERS handyhints@thefamilyhandyman.com ELEVATED DOG DISH I read in an article not long ago that some larger dogs have difficulty eating from dishes that are on the floor. To give my dog a break, I cut a plastic pail in half and then glued her dish to the bottom of it with adhesive caulk. She seems even more enthusiastic about eating than ever. Randy Roush STAIR GAUGE SUBSTITUTE Awhile back, I had to cut a stair skirt to trim the outer edge of my deck stairs, but I didn’t have the stair gauge buttons that I usually attach to my framing square to set the repeated angles. The binder clips from my briefcase did the job nicely! Rick Wilson Pet collar cord hanger A few weeks ago while I…

editors@thefamilyhandyman.com “The beauty of a super-simple project? You actually wind up building it!” Our house is done growing—no more additions, remodeling projects or storage sheds for this old girl. So when we need more storage space, we have to find it within the existing structure. I started snooping around and came up with five simple storage projects that can be carved out of—well—almost nothing. And every single one is inexpensive and buildable in an afternoon. It’s what I call “bonus storage space.” “We were out of garage floor space— so I tried looking up.” DOUBLE-DECKER GARAGE SHELF Floor space in most garages is hard to come by—so the best place to find storage space is overhead. This project has a 16-in. top shelf for big items, a 5-in. lower shelf…

editors@thefamilyhandyman.com As your parents or loved ones age, their homes may not age so well along with them. Older homes in particular can be challenging to navigate once decreased vision, mobility, strength and other effects of aging start to take a toll. Some home modifications, especially those designed to accommodate wheelchairs, can be expensive and complex. But many others are easy for most DIYers. Here are some simple ways to help keep parents and other loved ones living longer and more comfortably in their own homes. For more on preventing falls, see “Top Ten Tips,” p. 76. MEET THE EXPERT Louis Tenenbaum is a carpenter and former contractor. He is the founder of the Aging in Place Institute and one of the nation’s leading speakers and consultants on aging in…

editors@thefamilyhandyman.com ‘UN-SOLDER’ CONNECTIONS— BUT ONLY WHEN YOU HAVE TO The best way to disconnect a soldered pipe is to cut it. But sometimes you can’t—either because you can’t get a cutting tool into the space or because cutting would leave the pipe too short to make a new connection. The solution is to heat the joint and pull off the fitting as the solder melts. Have a wet rag handy and immediately wipe away the molten solder before it hardens. (Wear gloves to prevent burning your fingers!) Sometimes a quick wipe will leave the pipe ready for a new fitting. More likely, you’ll have to scour off some excess solder with sandpaper or emery cloth before you can slip on a new fitting. CHOOSE CAULK, NOT PUTTY Despite the name,…