Issue 289 – Feb/Mar 2020

Find online articles and videos on kitchens and baths, how to tile a shower, and more.

Cover the blade with packing tape to make cleanup super simple.

Adding a plywood bottom keeps floors safe from scratches when using a bucket as a tool caddy.

A piece of PVC pipe prevents documents and building plans from being damaged by water and tools.

When you have no tool belt, use a scrap of 12-ga. electrical wire.

Half of a lid from a plastic bucket stores multiple blades on the wall of your shop or work van.

A diamond-bit masonry blade creates a cleaner, easier cut than scoring with a knife.

An alternative method for laying out stairs without a framing square.

While they're both found on typical staircases, porches, and decks, guards and handrails have different purposes and code requirements.

Skilsaws new saw promises to cut all day on one battery charge, with more power than a corded version.

The PlyScaf storage rack puts sheathing where you need it on the job site.

New tool offerings include an angle grinder, an oscillating multitool, and a mobile workshop.

The iQ Power Tools tile saw cuts dry, with an integrated dust-collection system that also cools the blade.

Three low-profile models from Makita are the quietest heavy-duty compressors on the market.

DeWalt's Sub-Compact Series offers five powerful tool designs to fit in tight spaces.

The new Bosch X-Lock system allows you to change grinder accessories with just one click.

DeWalt's new cordless circular saw is designed for an easier reach across panel products.

The WorkSafe line of fall-protection equipment satisfies safety requirements and is easy to use on small jobs.

The SkatePlate moves without effort, prevents scratches to material, and fits almost any saw on the market.

Removing the mansard roof and exposing the original structure beneath brought new life to this waterfront home.

A number of cost-saving measures results in a well-organized farmhouse and separate guest dwelling built on a tight budget.

An exposed steel moment frame meets code requirements, allowing for a large open kitchen and dining-room space.

These breeze blocks by Villa Lagoon Tile are perfect for creating contemporary privacy screens and accent walls that let in plenty of air and light.

Pioneer Millworks offers a wide range of finishes in their line of Shou Sugi Ban–a Japanese method for charring wood siding to preserve it.

Boral TruExterior composite skirtboards blend right into the clapboards above and are impervious to water damage.

Hannoband creates a tight air-seal around windows, eliminating the need for spray foam or liquid sealant.

Interceramic's Black Forest line of rectified porcelain floor tile is moisture and scratch resistant, and looks just like hardwood.

The increasing number of power tools on the market make building easier, but learning how to work without them can make you a better builder.

This mason leverages traditional techniques to build sustainable, affordable brick homes that provide a solution to today's modern building challenges.