Innholdsfortegnelse for August/September 2025 i Family Handyman

During our kitchen remodel, my wife was sensitive to the dust, so I installed plastic sheeting barriers and swept and vacuumed regularly. One day, I turned on the shop vac to suck up a big pile of debris. It was louder than normal, but I didn’t think much of it. I had it on for only a minute or so, but when I turned it off, I could barely see across the room! It looked as if a heavy fog had rolled in. Dumbfounded, I pulled the top motor assembly off and saw the cylindrical press-on filter had fallen off its base. So while I was vacuuming, it had totally spewed out all that dust, filling the room. It was a colossal mess, but I cleaned up as much as…

The latest we’ve heard, seen, tested and tried Add cozy lighting to outdoor gatherings with USB rechargeable lamps, such as these from the Kukà collection by Talenti. “You can move them around depending on where people are sitting, plus they have a glow that brings warmth to the space,” says landscape designer Chris Turner. “They help make outdoor areas feel more functional and intimate.”…

It’s time to give that old shed a makeover. Sure, sheds are a great place to store lawn equipment and tools—or all of your garage overflow—but they can be so much more with a little planning and ingenuity. If you’re ready to turn that eyesore into a backyard treasure, follow this advice. Make a Plan for the Space First things first: What do you want your shed to be? If you want to house a riding lawn mower, putting in a ramp and a big barn door makes sense. If it will be used to store boxes or furniture, you’ll need insulation and drywall to keep out pests and moisture. Looking to create a backyard yoga studio? Ventilation and lighting will be key. Inspect the Structure No matter what updates…

Comfort Comfort during long trimming sessions comes down to the tool’s weight, balance and design. If possible, test a few models in-store to find one that feels balanced and light enough for prolonged use. Gas trimmers are typically the heaviest, while cordless models vary in weight depending on battery size. Shaft design also matters. Curved shafts are often more ergonomic and easier to maneuver, especially for shorter users, but are usually found on lighterduty models. Straight shafts support more powerful motors, offer better reach under shrubs and fences, and often accept interchangeable attachments. Convenience The most convenient trimmer depends on your yard size and preferences. For large properties or tough brush, gas trimmers provide longer run times and more power, allowing for quick work with fewer stops. If you don’t…

My friend Bruce Leder and I (both retired lawyers) have a shared interest in woodworking. When I retired in 2023, I built a workshop in my small garage. Around the same time, Bruce’s daughter-in-law and my daughter were both expecting our first grandkids, so we decided to build identical changing tables. I designed the tables and chose exotic woods (including wenge, mahogany, zebra and bubinga) for the drawer fronts. We asked our woodworking mentor, master carpenter David Feeney, to guide us through the build, which we completed over several weekends. We started by assembling the frame with biscuit joinery, which David taught us how to do. Then we added glides for nine of the 10 drawers and built the drawers using dovetail joints (also taught by David, using a jig).…

My grandson loves this outdoor climbing wall that I built for him. I found the plans by Bill Bergmann on the Family Handyman website and followed them exactly. They were easy to understand and implement, and I was able to finish the project in just one weekend! Scan the QR code above to build your own climbing wall. Try Our Best DIY Hacks Get more than 200 quick and easy fixes to use in every room of your home in the latest edition of Handy Hints. Buy your own copy of this book now for $10 (shipping is free!) at familyhandyman.com/FH2507EP.…

1. Electric Pruning Shears Pruning shears, or snips, are ideal for cutting small branches, deadheading flowers and shaping bushes. Electric pruning shears make these repetitive cutting tasks much easier, reducing hand fatigue and speeding up the work. Many models can also double as loppers, handling branches up to 1½ in. thick with minimal effort. 2. Pruning Saw Also known as mini chainsaws, pruning saws are built for precision and small tree care tasks, typically handling branches under 4 in. in diameter. They’re ideal for making detailed cuts, removing deadwood or shaping trees. Faster and less strenuous than manual saws, pruning saws remain lightweight, compact and easy to control. 3. Chainsaw A chainsaw is the go-to tool for heavy-duty tree work, offering far more power and speed than manual tools. Use…

A Quick Fix for Smelly Shoes When my sneakers start to smell less than fresh, I make a simple deodorizer that takes care of the problem quickly. I sprinkle some baking soda in a coffee filter, add a couple of drops of essential oil, gather the edges and secure the pouch with a rubber band. Then I drop a pouch in each shoe and let them sit overnight. —Tiffany Fairchild Bathroom Storage Solution Rummaging through my messy bathroom drawers felt like searching for a needle in a haystack, so I repurposed a couple of kitchen utensil trays to get organized. Now I have one section for extra toothbrushes, and one for cotton balls, toothpaste, nail clippers—you name it. Everything is easy to see and grab when I need it. —Dominic…

The latest from our TV channel On each episode of Buyers Bootcamp, Scott McGillivray offers amateur investors an opportunity to partner with him to buy—and profit from—investment properties. McGillivray puts up his own money and brings his years of real estate experience and knowhow to each project. Together, he and his eager partners tackle full-scale home renovations. Here are a few pointers McGillivray offers on the show: Stay Flexible When a city pushed back on a plan for a 6-ft. fence because it created traffic blind spots on a busy corner, McGillivray and his partners cut the fence on an angle. Finding a solution to fence in the yard was critical to the value of the home. “I know that if we want to get top dollar, it’s got to…

Tool Weight Seasoned landscaping pro Brandon Barker of J. Barker Landscaping in Bedford, Ohio, says the best hedge trimmer is one you can comfortably hold and control. A manageable tool isn’t just safer—it also helps you work longer without tiring out. For a lightweight option, consider corded or batterypowered models. These light-to-medium-duty trimmers typically feature shorter blades and more plastic components, making them easier to handle. Gas-powered trimmers pack the most cutting power but tend to be heavier and harder to maneuver due to their metal parts and longer blades. Power Source With longer running times and impressive power, gas-powered trimmers are ideal for large properties or cutting back dense, woody shrubs. Vince Christofora Jr., owner of Woodstock Hardware in Woodstock, New York, recommends them for homeowners who trim often…

Advice from experts, tips from readers Between cars, bikes, tools, equipment and holiday decorations, the vast amount of stuff your garage can hold can feel endless. But as anyone who has ever had to squeeze out of their car to not topple over a box knows, without paring down and organizing, a garage can soon become a black hole. “Garages are tricky,” says Samantha Pregenzer, a Bay Area–based professional organizer. “They’re really nothing like a closet, for example, that also gets messy but holds just one type of thing, such as coats or bedding. Garages are used for so many things that you have to be particularly thoughtful before you make your first move to rearrange anything.” Pregenzer offers tips for anyone on a garage rescue mission, whether it’s a…

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