Innholdsfortegnelse for April/May 2024 i Family Handyman

When I was growing up, the front porch was the place to be. It was somewhere to sit and chat with neighbors, read a book or just watch the world pass by. As I grew up and got my own apartments in Chicago, I still clamored for that front-row seat to the neighborhood and would regularly hunker down on a concrete step or stoop. This, of course, was not as comfortable as a porch swing, but it was just as eye-opening. These days, living in a 1920s home outside of the city, I’ve shifted my focus to the backyard. Quiet. Serene. Nothing but me and the birds and trees. It’s refreshing. Meditative, even. Of course, the backyard opens up plenty of opportunities to create livable spaces. It’s where you can…

Before I embarked on a family camping trip in Colorado, an outdoorsy friend clued me in to Thermacell products, which use a heat-activated repellent to establish a 15-to-20-ft. mosquito-free zone. The butane cartridge that powers the MR450—the model I tested—lasts about 12 hours, and each repellent pad provides about four hours of protection. The push-button ignition, while simple enough, took some fiddling: A faint sound was the only indication that the device was on. Fifteen minutes later, our campsite was buzz-free! The protective zone effectively covered our picnic table, stove, coolers and washing station, though when I left the campsite to use the restroom, mosquitoes quickly found me. A spatial repellent like the Thermacell is great for when you’re outside and mostly stationary (e.g., fishing or cutting wood) or if…

They say time is money, and the Keter Folding Work Table has saved me time in spades. The portable workstation—which comes fully assembled—can be unfolded, locked in place and ready to use in less than 30 seconds. You can use it as a miter saw stand, to secure boards for cutting or painting, or for whatever projects are on your to-do list. The table’s standout features are the guide rails integrated into the worktop and the set of two 12-in. ratcheting clamps that can be mounted vertically or horizontally to secure a workpiece. A lower shelf offers storage for tools or other supplies, such as a power strip. The heavy-duty plastic resin construction can handle up to 1,000 lbs., yet the table is still light enough to load onto a…

If you have pavers or bricks close together, you know how hard it can be to lift one of them without disturbing the entire herd. I came across this tool when I was fine-tuning a patio with tightly spaced pavers, and it really came in handy to adjust some flagstone following frost heaves. The tool is advertised online for radiator hose removal. But the narrow shank and 90-degree bend at the end makes it ideal for hooking under-neath a paver or stone without disturbing or displacing adjacent pieces. SHARE YOUR HANDY HINTS WITH US submissions@familyhandyman.com…

Deck paint restoration coatings, also known as deck resurfacers, are composed of a long-lasting tintable acrylic base material with UV inhibitors and added solids (aluminum oxide or sand). The solids provide texture and hold the product together, like aggregate in concrete. Some brands allow the wood to breathe yet repel water, while others form an impermeable barrier. Some work on vertical surfaces as well as the decking surface. Coverage ranges from 20 to 75 sq. ft. per gallon. All brands require rigorous surface preparation and application methods. The procedures vary by manufacturer—use our process as a starting point, and always read the product label! Choose a color carefully, because deck restoration coatings absorb a lot of heat and retain it longer than plain wood. If you pick a dark color…

If you already have a fire pit in your yard, chances are you’ve never thoroughly cleaned it. While you certainly aren’t alone, routine cleanings are an important safety measure. Tim Jankowski, president of Aladdin’s Cleaning and Restoration in Lapeer, Michigan, who is an expert in fire prevention, says dirty fire pits harbor flammable debris that can build up over time. He suggests cleaning yours in the spring and again in the fall. Before you start, make sure the fire has been out for at least a day. When it comes to cleaning products, Jankowski says, “dishwashing liquid is actually one of the best solvents” for tackling this job. For a brick or stone fire pit or fireplace, use a good strong bristle brush and follow up with a wet-dry vacuum…

While many common backyard plants will cause only mild digestive upset if your pet takes a bite, some, like sago palms and wisteria vines, can cause more serious side effects, particularly in puppies. If you’re working with a landscaper, be sure to raise any concerns in your initial consultation. You can also check aspca.org for a detailed list of toxic plants. Once you’ve narrowed down your options, line garden borders with grasses, ground covers and shrubs, which can withstand more abuse than delicate flowers and plants that have large, damage-prone leaves. If you do want to grow flowers or veggies, consider raised beds or containers. And when it comes time to fertilize or treat for pests, be sure to heed any package warnings and store the chemicals well out of…

CABINET DOOR CUTTING BOARD STORAGE Cutting boards are often too long or too clunky to fit on shelves or in cabinets, so where are you supposed to store them? I nearly squealed with joy when I found this hack. Essentially, you are mounting a cutting board rack on a cabinet door. Use a sheet of ¼-in.-thick acrylic plastic; plywood would also work. Cut the acrylic with a table saw or circular saw (be sure to cut slowly). Knock off the sharp edges with sandpaper and round the lower corners with a belt sander. Affix the acrylic to the cabinet door with four screws and finish washers; No. 14-8 crimp sleeves (sold in the electrical aisle at home centers) make good spacers, but any type of tube or even blocks of…

GOT A DIY QUESTION? Finding the answers is easy at familyhandyman.com. Click on the three bars at the top left of the page and then search your topic to get expert step-by-step help with your projects. GOT A HANDY HINT OR TIP FOR US? To share your idea with us, submit a copy of your original contribution, including photos and/or sketches, by email to: submissions@familyhandyman.com Or mail to: Family Handyman, 1610 N. 2nd St., Suite 102, Milwaukee, WI 53212 Please include your name, mailing address and email address if you have one, and indicate to which department you are submitting. We reserve the right to publish your submission in any appropriate department, or elsewhere. Contributions will not be acknowledged or returned. RIGHTS By submitting material to us, you grant Home…

If you need a quick and versatile storage solution, look no further than Gator Magnetics. We tested out several of Gator Magnetics’ storage hooks and found them to be incredibly convenient for hanging tools, decorations, materials and more. The hooks can hold a surprising amount of weight (Gator’s Mega models hold up to 45 lbs.), and you can easily attach the hooks wherever they would come in handy—on a toolbox, metal shed, work truck, or even the side of your washing machine. The hooks require no drilling or installing of permanent fixtures, so they can easily be moved around to rearrange a space. These little powerhouses are both functional and stylish, providing a clutter-free alternative to traditional storage methods. Check them out at gatormagnetics.com.…

Lining up the drill bit to any marked item to be drilled in partial shade sometimes requires a flashlight to eliminate the shadows. I bought a “selfie” light with a flexible arm that fit right around the drill press chuck so I could position it to fully illuminate the drill bit and work area. You can attach the light multiple ways, but I used zip ties to hold it snuggled right around the drill press chuck. The light ring now travels up and down with the drill chuck effortlessly.…

1 CUT PROBLEM DECK BOARD FREE Using a jigsaw, cut the bad section of board free from the joists at both ends. Mark and cut alongside the joist using a Speed square as a guide. When determining where to cut out the board, keep these guidelines in mind: • Splices should be offset by at least one joist space.• New boards should be supported by three joists or cleats.• If possible, stagger splices over four or more rows of boards.• Mark the replacement boards before cutting—weaving the splices can be a puzzle. 2 PULL NAILS, REMOVE BOARD AND FASTEN CLEATS Remove any nails still holding down the board by driving a cat’s paw into the wood under each nail head and pulling back on the handle. If the nail head…

1 TIGHTEN LOOSE BOLTS From beneath the deck, tighten any loose bolts. If the post doesn’t have any bolts, add them. 2 REPLACE STUCK CARRIAGE BOLTS WITH HEX HEADS A carriage bolt that spins in place when you try to tighten it needs to be replaced. To do so, first spin two nuts on the end of the bolt, then tighten them together using two wrenches. Grab the stuck nut with one wrench and the nut nearest the end with the other. Then work the rusted nut loose. A shot of penetrating oil can help get it to move. Remove the old carriage bolt and replace it with a hex-head bolt of the same diameter. Now you can turn the nut and hold the bolt still to tighten the post.…

Whether it’s breakfast as the sun rises or dessert under a blanket of stars, there’s nothing like dining on your patio. Don't have a table to hold the potluck dishes, or chairs to place around the fire pit? Skip the store, save money and satisfy your appetite for a quick and easy DIY with these simple step-by-step projects. Having woodworking skills certainly helps, but these builds are easy enough for even a beginning builder to hammer out in one weekend. WHAT IT TAKES TIME 1 day COST $60-$90 each SKILL LEVEL Beginner TOOLS REQUIRED Basic hand tools, clamps, drill/driver, level, socket wrench, jigsaw or handsaw, miter saw, table saw or circular saw WHAT IT TAKES TIME 1 day COST $500 SKILL LEVEL Beginner TOOLS REQUIRED Basic hand tools, drill/driver, drill…

For a bonfire with benefits, look to the Solo Stove. This popular portable fire pit doesn’t produce smoke, which makes it great for a backyard gathering. Follow these tips to wow your guests and make your night a flame-crackling success. CHOOSE A SPOT Put your fire by your garden for a romantic evening, or place it on the patio when hosting a party. Remember: It’s portable! Interior designer Stephanie Fitch suggests keeping the Solo Stove in your everyday flow; if the pit is on your patio, close to doors, or visible from a window, you’ll be more likely to use it. KEEP YOUR DISTANCE Be sure to check city codes to see how far away a wood-burning stove needs to be from your house. Avoid areas with low ceilings or…

Whether you have a tiny apartment or an enormous house, finding a spot for everything can be a challenge. And purchasing all the premade solutions you can find at a store can be overwhelming—and costly. The good news is that there are lots of little hacks you can do with leftover materials you might already have at your house. Have some PVC? Let’s make curling iron holsters. Old closet rod? Create handy clothing storage in your laundry room. These simple solutions and easy builds will help you minimize clutter and make what you need more accessible.…

The Helinox Chair One is an ultra lightweight seating option perfect for tailgating, camping or even packing with you on a hike. Coming in at 2.1 lbs. and sitting just 10 in. off the ground, it breaks down effortlessly, fitting into a compact pouch. Setup is also quick, thanks to a single internal bungee cord that self-assembles the poles. Once the frame is set, simply slip the ripstop polyester seat cover over the frame and take a seat. Remarkably sturdy despite its size, the chair can hold up to 320 lbs., and I haven’t had any issues with the aluminum frame bending or warping. However, as a taller woman, I do wish the back came up a little higher. If you are taller than average or simply prefer more support,…

I do a lot of finish-sanding freehand, without a sandpaper block, so I can smooth edges and get into nooks and crannies. But the finer grits are usually bonded to thin paper. For me, the paper is too thin and tears long before the grit wears out. So I apply duct tape to the back of the sandpaper. The sandpaper is still flexible enough to sand a tight radius and it’s far more durable. You can use this super-strong sandpaper like a shoeshine rag.…

These coatings are thick enough to fill all cracks, knotholes and splinters in your deck. They provide a new textured surface that can last more than a decade without additional applications. And, as icing on the cake, you can do the prep work in one day, then apply the coating over a two-day period the following weekend. 1 MAKE SMALL REPAIRS Break off any large splinters. Then reset any protruding nail heads, or remove them and secure the boards with deck screws instead. Be sure you have replaced any bad boards with new decking (follow the process outlined on pg. 15). As you tighten any screws that have backed out, they may break off. If this happens, pull out and replace the old screws. 2 PREPARE THE DECK FOR PAINTING…

Simple cuts and a no-hassle glue-and-screw assembly technique make this swing a great first-time woodworking project. We designed the swing with a unique suspension system made from ½-in. galvanized steel pipe slipped through the swing frame to act as a cradle and eliminate stress on wood joints. We then fastened eye bolts through the steel pipe and covered the pipe ends with soft rubber caps to prevent scrapes. Welded steel chain supports the swing assembly, securely fastened to solid framing in the porch roof. FIGURE A PARTS DETAIL OVERALL DIMENSIONS: 39"T X 51⅝"W X 29½"D 1 CUT SLATS Using a table saw, make eight 1×3s by ripping four 1×6 boards to 211/16 in. Cut the boards to length for the seat (N) and back slats (J). Mark a diagonal taper…

Using the correct firewood for your fire pit will make the experience more enjoyable for the person maintaining the fire as well as those sitting around it. Choose a wood that’s easy to ignite and burns as cleanly as possible. This often comes down to the wood’s density and moisture levels. In general, hardwoods are denser than softwoods, and they dry more easily. That means they will create a low-maintenance, steady fire that lasts for hours. Softwood is easier to light and usually more affordable, but it will burn quickly, so you’ll need to buy more wood and tend to it more often. THE BEST TYPES OF WOOD TO BURN IN YOUR FIRE PIT Bradley Hite, owner of Nashville Firewood, and other experts recommend the following wood types for their…