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.
I’ve spent a lot of time in older homes. They are quirky and sometimes have an old smell to them, along with a few creaks and night-time thunks. But there is something about the character and charm of an old home that we still admire. I think it’s the stories that old homes can tell that give them that charm. If you look closely, you can see the economic ups and downs it’s endured, the advancements in technology and materials that it has experienced, and all the people with different visions, skills and attention who have made it their home. When you start remodeling an older home, it’s like reading a book. Each page turned can bring a new adventure, maybe some drama and always a sense of pride. In…
Are you a construction pro? We want to know more about what you do! At familyhandyman.com, we’ve launched a series called “A Day in the Life of a Pro.” We’re looking to speak with construction professionals about how they got to where they are, what an average day in their life looks like, and any fun or memorable stories from projects. Have you worked on an unusual job? Do you know someone you think would be a great person to feature? To submit your story, use the code below. SCAN THIS CODE TELL US ABOUT YOUR FAVORITE CONSTRUCTION PRO, ESPECIALLY IF IT’S YOU! facebook.com/thefamilyhandyman pinterest.com/family_handyman youtube.com/thefamilyhandyman instagram.com/familyhandyman tiktok.com/@familyhandyman HELP FOR YOUR T0-DO LIST! In The Best of Family Handyman 2023, you’ll find 600-plus home improvement ideas for every level of…
“Good Morning Family Handyman Team, My name is Erin Anderson and my dad, Dan Anderson, has been a lifetime follower and fan of Family Handyman! So much so that our family has saved EVERY copy of the magazine since 1988. My dad has used Family Handyman’s tips and tricks throughout the years, starting with building my childhood play set and all the way to the construction of our family cabin up on Rainy Lake in Minnesota. I wanted to show our support (and maybe earn a spot in the next issue of the magazine—as he is a huge fan and this would mean the most!).” Thanks for sharing your dad’s enthusiams with us!…
PORTABLE, VERSATILE VISE I’ve had my Rockwell JawHorse long enough, probably a good 10 years, that it’s now a different color than the new ones. It’s one of the most useful tools in the shed. The JawHorse folds up into a compact size (no tools required) that fits in the corner of my small garage. Owing to its size, it’s very portable, albeit a bit heavy, weighing in at 43 lbs. But that weight is also what makes it work so well. As with a vise attached to a workbench, being solid and stationary is exactly what you want. The JawHorse’s heft and wide tripod base give it very solid footing for holding large workpieces, even on non-flat surfaces. As for the vise part, urethane contact pads and a ratcheting…
MESS - FREE PAINT CAN If you use the edge of a paint can to wipe excess paint from your brush, paint will collect in the groove, dry and prevent the lid from making an airtight seal. Instead, try this clever trick: Open the gallon of paint and stir the paint. Then stretch a rubber band across the top of the can and secure it underneath. Use the rubber band to neatly wipe off excess paint. STEPHANIE RUPPERT CAULKING - TUBE SCOOP An empty caulking tube cut in half at a 45-degree angle makes a handy scoop with a comfortable handle. It’s exactly the right size for cleaning gutters. JIM FELDNER SCRATCH-FREE FAUCET INSTALL To keep plier jaws from scratching a chrome or brass faucet, wrap them with duct tape or…
If you have hardwood floors that are showing their age, you don’t need to hire a pro to refinish them. As long as you are comfortable handling machines and can work carefully and patiently, you can tackle the job yourself. Be forewarned, however: It’s a very dusty undertaking! The floor we’re working on by way of example is called a pegged hardwood floor. Each board has one or two pegs, depending on its width, on both ends. In the traditional installation, these pegs were driven and glued into the joists below. You’ll see in this step-bystep that this job is just as much about careful decision making as it is about doing the actual job. WHAT IT TAKES TOOLS (SOME YOU MAY RENT) Floor drum sander, pry bar, floor edging…
