When it comes to home improvement, you need information you can trust. Inside each issue of The Family Handyman, you’ll find see-and-solve expert repair techniques, a variety of projects for every room and step-by-step, do-it-yourself photos.
editors@thefamilyhandyman.com A SAWHORSE AND THEN SOME The Centipede is a multi-legged, portable support base that folds out in seconds and is as versatile as it is funky looking. It can function as a workbench, tool stand, table base, or as a pair of good old-fashioned sawhorses. It’s not only perfect for construction but also handy on a camping trip, tailgating or anywhere you need a stable platform. The two sizes both come with quick clamps to cinch down sheet goods, and X-cups designed to hold 2x4s. The 2 x 4-ft. model can support 1,500 lbs. and costs $80. The 4 x 8-ft. version costs $160 and can handle 3,000 lbs.! They’re available at Lowe’s. VACUUMPOWERED ROTARY TOOL The folks at Dremel figured, if you’re going to connect a vacuum to…
handyhints@thefamilyhandyman.com CARGO HOOK Packing and unpacking my truck with the tonneau cover in place got a whole lot easier when I put a utility hook on the end of a broom handle. Now I just push things in with the handle and retrieve them with the hook. Mel Gibbons Disposer lift To replace a garbage disposer, I used the scissor jack from the trunk of my car. That not only saved me some heavy lifting but also allowed me to precisely adjust the height of the disposer. Scissor jacks can help out with other heavy lifting too. I used one to position a heavy shower door. Mike McCleish Better bit holder Toothbrush holders make great, inexpensive holders for drill and driver bits. You can find them at discount stores and…
editors@thefamilyhandyman.com As a professional tool nut, I’ve tried every system under the sun to sharpen chisels. The very best methods require hundreds of dollars in equipment and materials, but you can get great results for about $40 using just sandpaper and glass. A chisel that’s in good shape and only in need of a new edge can be sharpened in less than five minutes. But if your chisel is really dinged up, this method would be way too slow, so we’ll also show you how to speed up the process by prepping your chisel with a bench grinder. PART 1: BASIC SHARPENING Getting started The first thing you’ll need is a piece of 1/4-in.-thick glass. The exact size isn’t important. A glass shelf, which you can buy at a home…
editors@thefamilyhandyman.com When you’re shopping for an air compressor, the first thing you’ll notice is that they’re plastered with specifications: 2 hp, 3 gallon, 2.8 cfm, 130 psi, 73 dB.… But don’t let all those specs confuse you. We’ll tell you what they mean, what matters and what doesn’t, and help you choose a compressor to suit your needs. We tried the most widely available compressors on the market— more than 20 models—and selected eight that we thought were the best choices for DIYers. We focused on small to midsize models because they were affordable ($60 to $260) and portable, as well as powerful enough to handle the most common DIY projects. THEY’RE NOT FOR ‘HIGH-DEMAND’ TOOLS None of the compressors we tested are good partners for air-hungry tools like pneumatic…
Editors’ Choice: Best Lightweight SENCO NO. PC1010 Light, quiet and loved by pros This is an upgraded model based on the PC1010, which is a favorite among trim carpenters. The gauges are shrouded, but other parts are exposed. $155 • 0.7 cfm • 21 lbs. • 68 dB • 1-gal. tank • 135 max psi PORTER-CABLE NO. C2004 Smaller, quieter and lighter It looks a lot like its sister, the C2002, and carries the same cfm rating—but it’s better in terms of weight, size and noise. $180 • 2.6 cfm • 29 lbs. • 75.5 dB • 4-gal. tank • 165 psi • Cord wrap • Ball valve drain • 2 outlets CRAFTSMAN NO. 16574 Easy to store This model can be stored upright or flat; either way, its gauges…
editors@thefamilyhandyman.com Storing a miter saw can be tough. Most people don’t have the space to leave it set up with long support tables. Storing it under the workbench is a pain: You gotta dig it out, set it on sawhorses and then figure out how to prop up stuff while you’re cutting. A high-end manufactured stand is great—but probably costs as much as your miter saw. So what are you going to do? Build this simple miter saw cabinet! 5 FANTASTIC FEATURES █ The support wings, when extended, give you 7 ft. of working room. When closed, the cabinet takes up only 33 in. █ The casters in back allow you to easily move the cabinet, while the legs in front keep it rock-solid when you’re using the saw. █…
