Innholdsfortegnelse for October/November 2024 i Family Handyman

Classic Multitool Gets an Upgrade The Leatherman Wave+ isn’t your average pocketknife. This 4 x 1-in. powerhouse—an updated version of the original Leatherman Wave—boasts 18 useful tools, from needle-nose pliers and spring-action scissors to a saw, a diamond-coated file and a can opener. The onehanded opening mechanism makes features like the pliers and knife quick to access, though others require two hands to open. Once you’ve accessed the tool you need, a locking mechanism springs into place to make sure it stays put. No matter how I used this tool—sawing small pieces of wood, screwing together furniture, bending and crimping wire—its parts didn’t budge. Notable upgrades to the Wave+ include ergonomic improvements like rounded edges and thumbholes in the retractable blades, as well as dual-purpose replaceable wire cutters. If blades…

1 CUT PLYWOOD TO SIZE Cut a 24 x 14-in. piece of ¾-in. plywood. (This will be your desktop). Use a table saw to make the cut (a circular saw will work if you don’t have a table saw). 2 MARK AND CUT THE APRON SIDES Cut a 1x3 to 14 in. to match the depth of the plywood top. Cut both sides, and glue and nail them flush with the top and edges of the plywood. 3 FASTEN THE BACK AND FRONT APRONS Mark and cut these parts the same way you did the sides. Hold the 1x3 flush to the corner and mark the other end. Glue and nail the front and back pieces so they overlap the sides. 4 ATTACH THE LEG HARDWARE Place the hardware in the…

Modern surround sound systems pack a big punch with small speakers. But to get the most out of them, you need to set them up correctly for your space. For a pro’s insight on home theater systems, I consulted Amanda Wildman, integrator, electrical apprentice and co-owner of the technology installation company TruMedia. Wildman, who also sits on the board of the Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association, maintains that home surround sound should create an incredible audiovisual experience that elevates your sense of reality as you watch your favorite films. Wildman encourages anyone in the market for new speakers to ask: What experience am I trying to create? What are my limitations? What are the best products that will play (or integrate) together? The answer to that last question isn’t…

Nearly everything in your bathroom can be improved by tech. Smart lighting, heated flooring and everything in between. There’s plenty of overlap too. A smart toilet offers improved functionality but also luxury and health benefits. Voice activation keeps surfaces clean and saves water. Here are the many facets of bathroom tech. Function The best smart tech makes life easier. It enhances the things you expect to work, day in and day out. We’re talking lights, toilets, faucets and thermostats. Bells and whistles are great, but practicality is job No. 1. Functional things to look for: sensors that turn things off when not in use, hands-free controls that cut down on germs, and automated scheduling to save energy. Even bathroom windows can be smart (and what’s more functional than a window?)…

Toilets and Bidets Hands-free, voice-activated toilets are a no-brainer. Approach the toilet and say “open lid.” When it’s time to flush, say “full flush or “half flush.” No touching the seat or the handle. Heated seats and voice-activated bidet functions put you in the lap of luxury. There’s no special plumbing involved, but you’ll need a nearby electrical receptacle. Showers Turning the shower handle in the morning greets you with a cold blast of water right when you least want it. Wouldn’t it be great to start the shower while you’re still snuggled in bed? Just ask! Some voice-activated smart showers even stop the flow once the water gets hot, saving you an expensive utility bill. Just climb out of bed and hop in. Listen to music, turn on the…

PORTABLE DeWalt DXV04T Portable Wet/Dry Vacuum $130 • Draw: 90 cfm This 4-gal. corded/cordless vac adeptly handles smaller jobs, using the same filter for wet and dry collection. Already invested in the DeWalt 20-volt system? You can buy the vac as a bare tool, or packaged with a battery but no charger. GREAT FOR WOODWORKERS Bosch 14-Gal. Wet/Dry Dust Extractor $699 • Draw: 150 cfm To see this vac really shine, connect the hose to the dust port of a power tool and plug the tool into the vac’s integrated outlet. Tool activation then kicks the Bosch on or off as needed. This model is also compatible with Bosch’s L-Boxx stackable storage units, allowing you to use the canister as a mobile workstation. BEST FOR WET/DRY USE Dustless HEPA Wet/Dry…

Use Wall Space Make your walls functional by mounting a corkboard, whiteboard, chalkboard or magnetic surface to the whole wall. Use this to pin current projects, inspiration, calendars, to-do lists, memos and more! Put Paperwork in a Pot Lid Holder Borrow from the kitchen! Use a kitchen pot lid stand to organize your desktop’s most current paperwork. A simple wooden dowel–style holder can easily be painted to match your decor. Put a Tag on It Label bins, drawers and containers with gift tags for an attractive yet functional way to stay organized. After-Christmas sales are a great time to get gift tags cheap, or you can find inexpensive yard sale tags year-round. Use Shoeboxes for Storage To make sure you’ve got room for everything, try this easy closet storage hack:…

Making a terrarium is about as close as you can get to a Zen DIY project. Once you have gathered the proper materials and squared away your plant selections, it’s as simple as layering it all together and watching your mini-ecosystem thrive. Here, I’ll walk you through my foolproof process and cover all the required elements for good filtration, healthy soil, strong root growth, and resistance against fungus and disease. 1 CHOOSE A PROPER CONTAINER Choose a lidded container that will capture moisture and hold enough soil and drainage layers to support the growth of your plants. NOTE: Due to the high moisture level, a closed-lid terrarium has a higher risk for root rot, fungus and disease, so drainage is extremely important. 2 SELECT YOUR PLANTS Choose plants that will thrive…

If you can install tile, you can install in-floor radiant heat. The best time to do it is when you’re remodeling, because you’ll be putting in a new floor. You’ll also need a dedicated GFCI-protected electrical circuit, so if you’re not comfortable installing that yourself, call a licensed electrician. Some thermostats have integrated GFCI, but others don’t. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions, as well as all local and national electrical codes. 1 FIND ELECTRICAL POWER Verify your power source. Some mats require 120V, others 240V. Bring an electrical circuit to your bathroom from the electrical panel, and install an electrical box and conduit for the power and thermostat connections. Do not make any connections at the main panel. 2 TEST THE MAT FOR CONTINUITY Check the resistance of…

AFFORDABLE AND VERSATILE PurSteam 10-in-1 Steam Mop $80 • Tank capacity: 380 ml Low price doesn’t mean low quality when it comes to this multipurpose mop from PurSteam. The highlight is the built-in hand-held cleaner that can be paired with myriad included attachments, such as a steamer jet (great for steaming clothes!), window squeegee and scraper tool, as well as an angled nozzle for hard-to-reach places. The handle folds down for easy storage too. SELF-CLEANING Tineco iFloor 3 Breeze $280 • Tank capacity: 600 ml Reach even the grimiest corners of your kitchen or bathroom with this cordless steam mop from Tineco. The roller brush sucks up both wet and dry messes on hard floors, leaving a streak-free finish, and the self-cleaning function ensures the mop is ready to use…

Wash and wax your car regularly to prevent rust. “And really, waxing it twice a year is all that’s needed,” expert David Bennett says. He recommends putting a coat on before winter and right after to remove salt, sand and chemicals. “Get all of that crud off, so it’s not just sitting on there.” “Same thing with bugs,” Bennett says. “As they splatter against your paint, if they’re there too long, the acidity level inside the bug can eat through the clear coat.” Bugs clogging your grille can restrict airflow across your radiator too. If you notice lots of bugs on your windshield, they’re probably in the grille, so that’s a great time to go through a car wash.…

1. Industrial Lamp Made of metal, with a wood base, this lamp is the workhorse any office needs. It’s made for E26 standard light bulbs, with a curvy twist: They hang Edisonstyle. Create a more glowy atmosphere for Zoom calls or just enjoy it for the pop of color it adds to your desk. Bonus: It has a rotary switch for ease. $25, walmart.com 2. Colorful Pens Jotting down notes (or doodling) is more fun when you think beyond the average ballpoint pen. Erin Condren’s Gemtones Gel Pens are perfect color-coding companions for your planners, notebooks and journals. With waterbased gel ink, they give you clean, precise lines and a smooth, easy writing experience. $19/6-pack, amazon.com 3. Laptop Case If you’ve got MacBook scratches that can’t be removed with…

Whether you need to repair walls in your rental or simply want to stay on top of those dings that add up over time, you don’t have to call a pro to tackle common wall repairs. All you need is a toolbox and a little know-how. Q: about the size of a doorknob? What’s a good fix for a hole that’s There are all kinds of ways to patch mid-size holes. But the quickest and easiest is to use a stick-on mesh patch. They’re available in a few different sizes at paint stores, hardware stores and home centers. To use the patch, just clean the wall surface and sand it to give the surface a little “tooth.” Then stick the patch over the hole and cover it with two or…