Tips & Techniques

An alternative solution for when there isn't enough headroom for a standard landing.

I own a Victorian house that needed some exterior trim repaired. One detail that was in an especially sad state was the 12-in. wide fascia that runs under the roof…

I'm not ashamed to admit that from time to time, I make a mock-up of a project before I work with the finish material. Trying the piece first in an…

Setting a toilet single-handedly presents a tricky problem: If you don't accurately line up the closet bolts with the holes in the base of the toilet bowl, you can damage…

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…