Innholdsfortegnelse for March 2017 i Family Handyman

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.…

Afew years ago, I would have scoffed at the idea of a battery-powered chain saw that can rival its gaspowered cousin. But today, improvements in lithium-ion battery and motor technology allow production of batteries that can run everything from cordless trimmers to lawn mowers. So it’s only natural that chain saw makers, and even power tool manufacturers, have jumped on the bandwagon. WHAT WE DISCOVERED If you’re wondering how battery-powered chain saws compare with gas-powered versions, or whether this type of chain saw is right for you, we can help. For this review, we chose 10 chain saws ranging in price from about $177 to $540. We’ll show you what separates the most and least expensive saws, and walk you through features you should consider if you decide to buy…

ADJUST A STICKING PATIO SCREEN DOOR 5 MINUTE FIX Badly aligned rollers inside the bottom of a patio screen door will cause the door to bind or stick when opening or closing. This stresses the corners of the door, and if the corner joints become loose, the door will eventually fall apart. But you can adjust the door to glide smoothly with just a screwdriver. You’ll find two adjustment screws at the bottom of the door, one at each end, that raise or lower separate rollers. Adjust them as shown here. 1. Lower the door Turn the adjustment screw counterclockwise and lower the door until it rests on the track. Do the same at the other end of the door. 2.Then raise it Raise one roller until it lifts the…

Put on your thinking cap and take this month’s quiz to see just how smart you are when it comes to DIY. Here’s how it works: •There are easy, intermediate and really tough questions all mixed together. •There may be more than one correct answer! •Get the answers and your DIY rating on pp. 77 and 87. 1. True or False? It’s safe to put a 100-watt-equivalent compact fluorescent or LED bulb in a fixture rated for 60 watts. 2.What is this piece of hardware used for? A. Punching a hole in a plumbing pipe. B. Connecting a ground wire to a copper stake. C. Installing a crimping wire connector. D. Cracking a rusty nut. 3. Your car starter clicks but won’t start the car when you turn the key.…

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…

1. GARDEN TOOL HIDEAWAY A mailbox hidden behind shrubs near your garden provides a convenient home for tools. A small mailbox like this one costs less than $20 at hardware stores and home centers. King-size models cost about $35. — LYNN SAMPLES 2.GARAGE STORAGE Cardboard concrete-forming tubes are inexpensive ($10 at any home center) and provide a great place to store baseball bats, longhandled tools and rolls of just about anything. Rest the tubes on a piece of 2x4 to keep them high and dry. Secure each tube to a garage stud with a plumbing strap. — DAVID S. MALLINAK 3. PVC TOOL HOLDER Build this rack to store your tools on the wall. Use a jigsaw to cut a 1-1/4-in.-wide notch the length of a 2-in.-diameter PVC pipe. Cut…

Ryobi RY40511 The small battery provided far fewer cuts than other saws, but the cutting speed was as fast as that of much more expensive models. The variable speed trigger provided good control. This saw is a good choice if you don’t need to cut large quantities of wood at a time, and you don’t mind not having tool-free chain tensioning or a blade brake. EDITORS’ CHOICE 2017 BEST VALUE EGO CS1604 This EGO saw was a top performer. EGO claims that its unique battery design keeps the battery cooler during use and charging for a longer-lasting battery. The large battery is mounted transversely, creating a wide-bodied saw. If this isn’t an issue for you, then this saw should be on the top of your list. Our only criticism is…

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…

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…

If you’ve tested for radon and found you’ve got a problem, your next question is probably “Can I fix it myself?” This story will help you answer that question. And if you decide to go for it, we’ve got some great tips from professional installers to help you get it done. In most cases, pros charge about $1,500 to install a radon mitigation system, but you can do it yourself for only about $500 in materials. So if you’re fairly handy and have some carpentry, plumbing and electrical skills, you can install your own system in a weekend and save yourself a thousand bucks! WHAT IS RADON? Radon is an invisible, odorless radioactive gas that seeps out of the soil and into the atmosphere. It’s almost everywhere. In fact, you’re…

Prevent Fires and Cut Your Energy Bill! On any top 10 list of home fire causes, you’ll find “clothes dryer.” But it would be more accurate to categorize these disasters as “lint fires.” Lint buildup, plus the heating system inside a dryer, is a recipe for fire. One cause of lint buildup is neglect. A dryer and its vent need to be cleaned out regularly (experts recommend cleaning every year). Another cause of lint buildup is a bad vent. A good vent allows the dryer’s exhaust (and lint!) to flow outside easily. A bad vent traps lint. A bad vent also costs you time and money. By restricting airflow, it slows down drying, forces the dryer to work harder and drives up your energy bill. This article will help you…

10 Things to Know About Car Leasing Leasing can be a great way to get a new car or truck every two or three years and never have to worry about repair bills. The down payment and monthly payments are lower than buying, making leasing initially more affordable. In addition to the joy of driving a new car, the lower payments allow you to drive a car or truck you couldn’t otherwise afford. As long as you take care of the car and don’t drive more than 12,000 miles per year, you can walk away at the end of the lease and try a different make and model next time. Over the long run, leasing always costs more than buying. But if you follow the tips we list here, you…