Tips & Techniques

If you have to dig in soil that clings to your shovel, especially during the rainy season, you know how frustrating it is to be scraping the dirt off the…

My local auto-parts store sells a 6-in. dia. metal dish that has become part of my carpentry-tool library. Its distinguishing feature is a magnetic base, thoughtfully coated with a nonmarring…

When I need to install a header for a new window or door in a bearing wall, I shore up the wall with a temporary row of angled 2x4s alongside…

I've experimented with various methods for storing my many router bits, and I've finally settled on the best system for me. I simply took a  mechanic's toolbox, with drawers of…

I've taped and tied a lot of electrical cords together to keep them from pulling apart during use. Problem is, tape is pretty inconvenient when I need to take the…

For maximum durability, I back-prime exterior components such as fascia boards with 100% acrylic primer. But what about the ends of these boards? If they too are primed and caulked…

I've seen a lot of different ways to make built-up headers on job sites here in Wyoming -- from the traditional to the bizarre. The traditional method is to sandwich…

The other day I drove past a building site and saw a backhoe being loaded onto a trailer. Two young, strong laborers who were in for a long day were…

I use a lot of pneumatic nailers for both finish and framing work, and I noticed that after a while, their handles were beginning to hurt the palm of my…

Normally, my vinyl-flooring installation jobs involve one or two rooms, and there are typically two or three door openings. I prefer that the vinyl tuck under the door jambs and…