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.
QUIET POWER HIGH IMPACT, LOW NOISE Impact drivers are one of the coolest tool inventions of the last few decades. They have enough torque to drive construction screws, but they don’t cam out heads the way conventional screw guns do. They’re a must-have tool for any DIYer. The downside? They’ve always been mind-numbingly loud! No more. Instead of a mechanical hammer-type system, several manufacturers now employ a new technology that uses oil to hydraulically drive screws. The 18-volt Makita shown (model XST01Z; about $200 without battery) is one example. Last week, I used it to drive about 25 8-in. construction screws into solid lumber with no problem, and it was so quiet that I forgot my hearing protection! If you don’t yet own an impact driver or want to upgrade…
Dusting mini blinds is a pain. It’s difficult to thoroughly wipe both sides of the slats without bending them in the process. A pair of kitchen tongs makes it a lot easier. First, cut a rag into two small pieces. Then use twist ties or rubber bands to secure the rags around the tongs. You can close the tongs around each slat and wipe away the dust. E. REGALDO C-CLAMP HANDLES Quart-size paint cans don’t have handles, but they’d be so much easier to use if they did. Here’s my solution: Attach a C-clamp to the can. It actually works better than a bail because it’s out of the way for dipping the brush, and it keeps the can from swinging. Your clamp will get paint on it, but cleaning…
1. CLEAN SIDING AND TRIM Dirty surfaces won’t hold paint. Remove dirt, mildew, cobwebs and anything else that isn’t meant to be there. Do the cleaning in stages. Start by applying a solution of bleach, water and a cleaner such as JOMAX (a bleach activator), using a garden sprayer. Next, remove weathered paint and dirt using a pressure washer. Be careful, as you can easily damage siding and trim with a pressure washer. If you don’t feel confident using a pressure washer, a siding cleaner and scrub brush will do the job. Thoroughly rinse to remove any cleaner residue and let the surfaces dry. 2. SCRAPE After the surfaces have dried completely, scrape off any remaining loose or flaking paint. Applying new paint over flaking paint will cause it to…
The best choice for a clear coating is often a specialized finish like pre-catalyzed lacquer—but that assumes you have a spray booth outfitted with high-end equipment. For most of us, polyurethane provides a combination of cost and durability that’s hard to beat. With wipe-on poly, you also get goof-proof simplicity, speed and convenience. Meet the team We tried four versions of wipe-on poly. In terms of results, we found only small differences and were happy with each. Most home centers carry various sheens, but only one brand. All these options, and more, are available online. Prices start at about $15 per quart. Set the stage Drips happen, so use resin paper, a drop cloth or newspaper to protect your worktable. If your project has legs, make standoffs for them to…
+ FAST. You can coat a project in less than half the time it takes to brush on a finish. + EASY. Unlike brushing, wiping on a flawless coat of poly doesn’t require skill or an expensive brush. + DUST TOLERANT. Because the coating is thin and dries fast, “nubs” caused by airborne dust are much less likely. That makes it great for on-site finishing. + NO CLEANUP. Just dispose of the cloth, container and gloves. No brush to clean! – EXPENSIVE. On average, wipe-on poly costs twice as much as brush-on poly. – SLOW BUILD. As a rule, it takes three coats of wipe-on to match the buildup that you get from one coat of brush-on poly. That said, the speed of wipe-on application often makes up for those…
if you have a ground-level deck or patio and would like a bit of privacy, consider building a living wall. It can shield you from the neighbors, surround you with flowers and provide fresh herbs just steps away from your kitchen or grill. The planter boxes are easy to build, and a drip irrigation system provides automatic watering all summer long—no worries about missing a day of watering or losing all your plants when you go on vacation. THE PERFECT PATIO PROJECT Every project has its benefits, but few projects bring as many bonuses as this one. Just consider all the features this wall can add to your deck or patio: ■ PRIVACY. This wall blocks the view and—covered with plants—even muffles noise a little. ■ SHADE. At 7 ft.…
