Innholdsfortegnelse for July/August 2024 i Family Handyman

1 CUT THE PARTS To cut identical parts without measuring each one, screw a stop block to a 1×4 base. Position the base and clamp it in place. Use a miter saw to cut the top supports at 45½ degrees. That way, they’ll join tightly at the visible outside corners. Sand the parts before assembly. 2 SCREW AND GLUE THE SHELF SUPPORTS TO THE LEGS The shelf supports and legs must meet at 90 degrees. You can position them with a square, but if you’re building more than one table, you can speed up the job by making an assembly jig. This jig is made from 1×4s screwed to plywood. 3 ATTACH THE TOP SUPPORTS Screw the top supports to the legs. Be sure to countersink the screw heads so the…

Low spots? Weed invasion? Loose areas? Here’s what to do when your paver project has seen better days. Seal the deal Sealants keep paver patios and walkways protected against rain, snow, salt and de-icing chemicals. Top off paver joints with sand yearly to keep them locked in tight. Keep them clean Periodically sweep away leaves, sticks and acorns so they don’t break down your pavers or become tripping hazards. Yearly washing with a gentle cleaner, such as dish soap or vinegar, and a deck brush can keep moss and mildew from piling up. Replace cracked pavers Pop out a single paver with a flat screwdriver, then tamp a new one into place with a rubber mallet. You may need to scoop out a little paver sand, or remove more than…

Best Pro Tips • Fix-It Focus • Handy Hints Advice from experts, tips from readers Summer brings backyard barbecues, lazy days by the pool and warm evenings with family and friends. But without the beauty and shade of a canopy of trees, summer’s activities can be unbearable. Family Handyman talked with tree expert Spencer Campbell, manager of the Plant Care Clinic at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois, to help you get your trees in tip-top shape for the season. Tree care basics “It’s important to take care of trees because they provide so much to us,” Campbell says. Trees enliven outdoor spaces, provide habitat for wildlife, reduce heating and cooling costs and increase property values. Tree maintenance can be species-and climate-dependent, but these “evergreen” tasks keep trees healthy and…

When Brad Allred set out to create his garage workshop, there was one stipulation: “My wife said we still had to fit two cars in it.” A challenge? Yes. Impossible? No, as proved by Allred’s creative use of every corner and wall. He created wooden storage units to fit tools of all shapes and sizes. To avoid circuit breaker issues, he installed 120V circuits to run multiple tools at a time. Most importantly, he made many elements of the shop mobile to wheel out of hiding when needed. Here are a few main takeaways from the project. Wall Hangers “A new, improved version of pegboard made of steel allows me to organize and access my tools. Any wall organizational system is a way to maximize space.” Smaller Tools “Items I…

GET INSPIRED Vacation Destination: Your Patio Summer might have you dreaming of traveling, but you can get that fresh-new-place feeling right at home. Take a cue from these immersive environments that thoughtfully use botanicals, furniture and lighting to set a scene. Whether you use your patio as a private haven or entertaining oasis, it will feel like a getaway.…

When Samantha Pynn decided it was time to look for a new condo, she strolled around her downtown Toronto neighborhood, eyeing up real estate. When she found “the one,” it wasn’t the unit that drew her in. It was the garden. “When I saw hydrangea and dogwood blooms, I knew it was for me,” she says. Her new 1,200-square-foot condo in a 1950s art deco building reflects the luxe-on-abudget style she advocates as co-host of the show Save My Reno, which originated on HGTV Canada and now streams on the At Home with Family Handyman channel. With neutral and timeless furniture, cabinetry and paint, she expresses herself through an ever-changing array of colorful botanical and decorative elements. “I’m really accessory driven,” she asserts. “I’ll swap in new throw pillows, blankets…

Gas Grills TAILGATING FAVORITE Weber Q 1200 Gas Grill $259 • Grilling Area: 189 sq. in. If you need a grill for tailgating or camping, Weber’s versatile Q 1200 has you covered. Carry it to your cooking spot or buy a rolling stand that lifts it to waist level while you cook. Fuel the grill with a small disposable liquid-propane cylinder (sold separately) or use an adapter hose to attach a standard 20-lb. canister. PREMIUM FEATURES Napoleon Prestige 500 RSIB $1,499 • Grilling Area: 500 sq. in. (plus 260-sq.-in. warming rack and 140-sq.-in. side burner) This backyard monster will rival the oven in your gourmet kitchen. The knobs glow blue or red so you can tell if they’re on, even in the dark, and there are tons of other features…

“If trees could talk, we’d be in trouble,” Campbell says. “If they could get up and move, we’d be in real trouble.” Monitor your trees once a season for signs of stress, including immature leaves and leaves that turn brown and decay too early; falling branches and branches that cross each other; split or cracked trunks; oozing sap; and discolored bark. Anything that’s outside of the norm for your tree should alert you to potential problems. “You don’t need a horticultural degree to identify these things,” Campbell says. “You just have to be familiar with your tree.”…

Keep Wrenches Organized Tired of searching for the right size or style of wrench in the middle of your project? Try this to keep things organized. First, in order based on their size, thread the wrenches onto an eye bolt. Then attach a wing nut to secure the wrenches in place. —Frank Wright A Sneaky Way to Clean Sandpaper You can clean sandpaper on your power sander quickly, getting it back to nearly new condition, with a simple old sneaker. Start up your power sander and dust collection system, making sure to wear hearing and eye protection. Then, slowly press the rubber sole of an old sneaker along the sandpaper. —Tim Harper Secure Small Parts with a Clamp Bar To safely drill small parts, you need a way to hold…

Now Trending • Gear Up • Mini Makeovers The latest we’ve heard, seen, tested and tried They say the kitchen is the heart of the home. So why not spread the love outside? Much like fire pits, large-scale alfresco ovens are gathering places in their own right. To create flow with your landscape and up the cozy factor, use natural materials in your build. Wood-fired pizza night, anyone?…

1. Double-duty insulated cooler For mimosa bars or taco bars, this is a go-to. Displayed beverages can be grabbed without digging through ice. Condiment trays keep their chill to take the heat off the food. REVO Dubler Cooler, $160; revocoolers.com 2. Fade-resistant portable umbrella These sturdy canopies block UV rays, while resisting fading, dirt and mildew. Choose from 40-plus colors and patterns. Round Outdoor Market Umbrella, $450; frontgate.com 3. Lantern speaker Bring music and light to any corner of the party. Small but mighty, this has hi-fi surround sound and Bluetooth tech. Uma Sound Lantern, $600; cantoni.com 4. Eco-friendy napkins Skip the paper towel waste and try these reusable cloth napkins—what a perfect way to add a little color to the fun! UNpaper Towels, $38 for a 12-pack; marleysmonsters.com 5.…

These real-life examples from Pynn’s condo look freshly clipped from the garden. To pull together a nice bouquet of your own, each of her tips comes down to this: Don’t overthink things! • Don’t mix … match Group like-minded flowers—all one type of bloom or color—together in one vessel for a mod look. • Skip the vase Pitchers are a great go-to because the tops are wide enough to allow the flowers to splay but not fall over. • Play with shades Try going tonal with various shades of one color. For example, use a darker plum color and then lighter lilac and lavender. • Make a solid choice Opaque vessels keep focus on the flowers, not ratty stems. • Widen your natural scope If you are not a fan…

In plank grilling, food is placed on a wooden board set over indirect heat on a grill, infusing the dish with a deep, wood-smoked flavor. Here’s what to look for in precut planks at the store: • Material: Cedar, hickory and maple are all common plank materials. Think of your favorite proteins, such as hickory-smoked salmon or applewood-smoked bacon. Which flavors do you gravitate toward? If you’re unsure, invest in a variety pack.• Dimensions: You’ll need a larger plank for a full side of salmon than for one fillet. Make sure the plank is large enough to fully contain your food. A plank that’s at least ½ in. thick will withstand a grill’s heat without warping or scorching too quickly.• Safety: Choose planks labeled for food use (avoid treated lumber).…

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