Innholdsfortegnelse for October/November 2023 i Family Handyman

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…

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…

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…

Sash windows are beautiful features of many homes built in the early 20th century—even going back as far as the 17th century. When these old windows need TLC, is it possible to salvage them? Will they work as efficiently as new windows? Yes and yes, if you restore them properly. For an expert view, we spoke with Quaint Milwaukee Window Restoration in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They specialize in the historic preservation of windows, repairing everything from scratches to sash cord malfunctions. Owner Norbert Rodriguez says the most common issues are windows not opening properly, broken glass, windows painted or caulked shut, and broken sash cords. The good news? Most of the time the windows can be restored and don’t need to be replaced. Follow Rodriguez’s step-bystep instructions to do the most…

If the difference between cement and concrete escapes you, it could lead to a big mistake when you go to the building supply store. Both products come in bags, and there’s cement in each. But if you’re pouring a pad or building a foundation, pure cement isn’t what you’re looking for. Moreover, neither product is suitable for laying bricks or setting tiles; you need mortar for those. And if you’re surfacing a driveway, you need asphalt, which you might not even find in that store. In everyday language, it’s easy to confuse all of the lingo. Here’s the lowdown on four common building materials to help you understand the differences and make the right choices. WHAT IS CEMENT? In broad terms, cement is a type of glue or adhesive. But…

LOG ROLLING FOR TURKEYS One Thanksgiving morning, a heavy wind caused a big tree limb to break and hang just over my garage roof. I leaned a ladder against the garage and climbed up onto the roof with my trusty chainsaw in hand. Before I began cutting, I came up with a plan that would keep me safe. I would stand on the uphill side of the limb as I carefully cut it into smaller pieces. That way, if a log rolled down the roof, it wouldn’t take me with it. All went according to plan until a log fell onto the roof and rolled off the edge. Luckily, I was safely uphill and away from the runaway log. But my ladder was not. On the way down, the log…

“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!…

Driving through southeastern Wisconsin, you hit the heart of Milwaukee and its neighboring suburbs. These areas are speckled with charming older homes like the bungalow of the 1920s, the Tudor of the 1930s, and the minimal, traditional style from the 1940s and ’50s. It’s easy to see why a plumber like Jessie Cannizzaro, who specializes in older homes, would have a vibrant and flourishing business here. Though the Milwaukee-based expert hadn’t intended to pursue a career in the trades, plumbing was in her blood and her hands craved to be worked. As is the case with so many, it just took a bit of time to find her own path. INTRODUCTION TO THE WORLD OF PLUMBING When she talks about how she got started, Cannizzaro’s smile widens. “My dad.” Her…