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.
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK Want even more? Follow us on Facebook to see exclusive videos, behind-thescenes photos and the latest tips and projects. Go to facebook.com/ TheFamilyHandyman and click “like.” DO YOU PIN? All of our best spring and summer projects, including our reader-favorite Grill Gazebo, are pinned on our boards. To start following the action, go to pinterest.com/family_handyman EVEN MORE AT FAMILYHANDYMAN.COM You’ll find projects and how-to content, great videos and handy tips. See our favorite hints at tfhmag.com/favhints.…
Like many an old house, this old magazine has undergone several remodels over the years. You’re looking at the latest retooling right now. If you liked the old version, don’t worry—we’ve packed the following pages with the same useful, expert advice we’ve been delivering since 1951. I’d be interested in your reactions—good or bad. Shoot me a note at feedback@ familyhandyman.com. — GARY WENTZ, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF p.s. MY FAVORITE DIY TOOL! As an editor at The Family Handyman, I’m supposed to know everything about houses. But here’s a confession: Before I launch into any project, I search our website. It contains far more expertise than my brain can hold. You should give it a try too. Go to familyhandyman.com and search on any DIY topic. You’ll get tips and advice from…
WORTH THE SPLURGE An outdoor light that can save the day One night last year I was wandering around my yard in the dark and seriously wrecked my shin by walking into a retaining wall. That prompted me to replace the wimpy 60-watt outdoor light fixture with the Eaton All-Pro Revolve LED Triple Head Security Light. I absolutely love this thing! It’s motion activated, and the three LED bulbs blast my driveway with 2,400 lumens of brilliant white light. It’s so bright that I can unload cars or cook burgers on the grill, almost as if I were working in daylight. It mounts on the eave and the lights are independently adjustable, so you can light up whatever you wish. The only downside is that now my neighbors can see…
SHARE YOUR HANDY HINT WITH US! submissions@ familyhandyman.com LADDER-BARROW he older I get, the heavier my extension ladder gets. Instead of lugging it around, I just strap it to my wheelbarrow! A rubber mat on the front lip of the wheelbarrow and a ratcheting cargo strap around the handles keep it from sliding as I wheel the ladder around the yard. — KEN APACKI SAW BLADE BINDER RECIPROCATING I used to keep all my reciprocating saw blades inside my saw’s case, but they were a mess and it was hard to find just the right one. So I found a binder ring at an office supply store to keep the blades together. — ANDREW WOLF HOOP TRASH BAG Putting stuff in a trash bag can be tough when the wind…
Tips for Buying a Walk-Behind Lawn Mower Whether you’re buying your first mower or replacing an old one, navigating the maze of models and features can be daunting. Here are some tips to help you narrow your choices. 1.DON’T FORGET ELECTRIC MOWERS If you don’t have a huge lawn, a battery-powered mower may be perfect. Cordless mowers are quieter, require less maintenance, and of course, run without gas or oil. But best of all, you’ll never have to start a gas engine—you just push a button or lever and you’re mowing. As lithium-ion battery technology has improved, most manufacturers have included cordless mowers in their lineup, so you’ll have plenty of choices. Many of these mowers can cut an average suburban yard (about one-fifth of an acre) on a single…
Avoid Framing Mistakes Minor framing mistakes can lead to wavy walls and squeaky floors. More serious mistakes can leave a house vulnerable to high winds, heavy snow loads and earthquakes. We wanted to know which mistakes were the most common and how to avoid them. So who better to talk to than a building inspector? He shared his experiences, his insight and a few horror stories. We walked away with some great tips on how to build a rock-solid house, build it code compliant and build it right the first time. MEET THE EXPERT Don Sivigny saw a few framing mistakes and code violations in the 13 years he spent as a construction manager and general contractor, and the 21 years he worked as a building Inspector. Today Don is…
