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.
The renovation of our postage-stamp-size backyard had been on the list for—well, let’s just say a few years. The fence was barely standing and in constant need of repair, and the deck I built in 1998 when we moved in was overdue for replacement. In November 2019 my wife and daughter came home from the local humane society with a rescue puppy, a wonderful little pit bull mix named Lula. At the top of the list of talents for terrier breeds is hole digging. So, her top-notch talents moved our backyard renovation to the top of our to-do list. Tackling those projects, I got to try out equipment, materials and techniques I hadn’t used before. First on the list was Ryobi’s battery-powered hole auger for the fence posts, which proved…
A FRESH TAKE Gardening season is underway, even here in the Midwest where we’re still keeping our snow shovels handy just in case. If you’re in the market for new ideas for what to grow in your backyard or on your deck or patio, hop over to familyhandyman.com. We have a lot blooming there! “15 Native Plants to Add to Your Yard” outlines all the benefits of adding native species to your yard. You can not only boost biodiversity and support wildlife but also enjoy plants that have adapted to local weather extremes and are easier to maintain. You’ll find plant recommendations for your region; shown here is orange butterfly milkweed, one recommended for the Southeast. There’s so much more—spring flowers, weed identification, tips for choosing lilies, even a guide…
PORTABLE FIRE PIT The Blue Sky Ridge is a 15-lb. portable steel fire pit. It stands about 16 in. tall and 12½ in. wide with an 11½-in. wide burn chamber. It’s a dual-fuel device, so it can burn standard firewood, wood pellets or a mixture of both. The low-sheen, solid black design is modern and sleek. The Blue Sky Ridge sets up and breaks down in seconds. With pellets and some firewood, you’ll have a raging fire in minutes. The Blue Sky website says the Ridge can handle fires up to 1,900 degrees. If you build a strong fire, you’ll be able to feel the heat a couple of yards away. Smokeless fire pits work by pulling outside air into the bottom of the burn chamber. The heated air…
Ranger Ready Repellent uses picaridin as its active ingredient. Picaridin is a safer yet equally effective alternative to the neurotoxin DEET. Picaridin can be safely applied directly to the skin and is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for adults (including pregnant women) and children at least 1-year old. A single application of Ranger Ready with 20% picaridin has been proven effective against a long list of pests—including mosquitoes, ticks, biting flies, chiggers, gnats and sand flies—for up to 12 hours. Another tick in the pro column: Picaridin is not a plasticizer like DEET, so it won’t break down elastic, leather, rubber, plastic, paint or vinyl on your clothing or outdoor gear. I tested it on a recent camping trip. The mosquitoes were horrendous. I was completely…
I have been a fan of 23-gauge nailers since I got my first one over a decade ago. These ultra thin headless nails are just right for holding light trim or edging in place while the glue dries. They're inconspicuous and easily hidden without filler, even on unpainted surfaces. The Craftsman Cordless 23-Gauge Pin Nailer drives pins from ⅝ in. to 1⅜ in. long. It features a powerful 20-volt brushless motor and toolfree jam release. This nailer also has bright LED lights and a nonmarring tip. It comes with a few hundred 1-in. nails, a battery, a charger and an optional belt hook. Weighing less than 5 lbs., the nailer is comfortable to use. To test battery life, I shot nails into ½-in. MDF for well over an hour before…
I thought I was diligent about applying sunscreen, but after a dermatologist visit, I’ve learned I don’t reapply nearly as much as I should. So I started buying some UV-protective clothing. This Dickies Temp-iQ Cooling Performance Long Sleeve Sun Shirt is made of 60% polyester and 40% cotton. It features a built-up raglan neckline paired with UPF 40+ sun protection. The advanced Temp-iQ intelligent cooling fabric effectively controls your core body temperature while wicking away moisture, keeping you cool and dry. It features a comfortable hood and anchor thumbholes to provide extra coverage for your head and hands. The shirt comes in five colors, with sizes from small to 4XL. After doing some research, I learned that the UV protection wears down over time. Though one of these shirts won’t have…
