via Rockler With cabinet-making, it’s often what you don’t see that signals a quality piece. That’s certainly true for knife hinges. These hardworking components nearly disappear from view, allowing the cabinet itself to be the center of attention. But a cabinet needs to function well, too, and that’s where these hinges shine. Here’s the scoop on what you need to know so you can use these specialty hinges on your next project....
People in the 1800s would have scratched their heads if someone asked, “What is a medicine cabinet?” In those days, people visited physicians who stored medication, elixirs and herbs in their apothecary cabinets and mixed them as needed. It was only when medicines began to be mass-produced in the early 20th century that everyone needed their own apothecary cabinet at home. That became known as the medicine cabinet. Every modern bathroom needs a little extra storage space, so a medicine cabinet has become a standard bathroom fixture....
If you have a cat, we don’t need to tell you felines like to sleep. A lot. According to the National Sleep Foundation, the average cat spends 15 hours a day in dreamland, with some snoozing for up to 20 hours. So it makes sense that providing a cozy place for your cat to curl up for a nap would be a priority. But does your cat need a bed of its own?...
The Family Handyman DIY expert, Spike Carlsen, will show you how to cut construction grade plywood and finish grade plywood with a circular saw. Select the Right Blade There are plywood specific blades, but we like a traditional, sharp, 24-tooth carbide blade. If you don’t have one in your saw, change it out with one of these. With this blade you can successfully make all of the cuts you need....
When Alex Mazhukhin purchased a fixer-upper first home in 2015, he understood he was taking the first steps into the world of DIY. But did he know his desire to upgrade his family’s home would eventually lead him to starring in a streaming series centered around his building and DIY prowess? Not exactly. “It’s incredibly humbling,” says Mazhukhin. “Knowing that this DIY journey all started with having to get creative when it comes to making a comfortable home for starting our family....
The totally chemical- and battery-free device offers a genius way to stop the itching that comes along with even the most irritated bug bites. Why did we choose the Bug Bite Thing as the best deal? This problem-solving gadget is ideal for when even the best natural bug repellents don’t seem to work. The single-handed suction tool effectively extracts insect saliva and venom from under the skin to alleviate the itching, stinging and swelling in just seconds....
If you’re about to knock down a wall in your kitchen, add a skylight to your home office or tackle the huge branch pile from the recent storm, the Hart 20v brushless reciprocating saw is the tool you need. After recently testing it, we judged it Family Handyman Approved. What is the Hart 20v Brushless Reciprocating Saw? Because of its shape, power and ease of use, a reciprocating saw is a must-have tool for demolition and disassembly....
GregorBister/Getty Images According to a recent survey conducted by Construction Executive magazine, about 70 percent of contractors believe that the construction industry will still be feeling the effects of COVID-19 well into 2021. Ten percent believe the industry may never again reach pre-coronavirus levels of activity. The pandemic has not impacted every sector of the construction industry equally. Single-family residential construction has seen sustained growth in recent months while other sectors, including multifamily residential and office construction, have struggled to bounce back....
Most people don’t keep a set of mechanic’s tools in their trunk. So when your car won’t start and you get stranded with a dead engine, you feel pretty helpless. But don’t give up right away if your car will not start. We’ve compiled a list of tricks you can try when your car won’t start, and none of them require tools. They’re arranged by symptom, and you’ve got nothing to lose by trying them if the car cranks but won’t start....
stefanphotozemun/Shutterstock Check Your Chimney or Risk a Fire Creosote buildup causes chimney fires. You should have your chimney professionally inspected or cleaned after every 70 fires. If you burn wet wood (which you shouldn’t), have it inspected or cleaned every 50 fires. Creosote buildup may not look dangerous but it ignites at 451 degrees F, the low end for a fireplace. And once it starts burning, it expands like foam sealant....
On a windy day, there’s no telling how far weed seeds can travel. Weeds are likely to be more prevalent if they’re traveling a shorter distance — say, between your yard and your neighbor’s. But even if your neighbor’s yard is pristine, you may yet find weeds on your side to deal with. Defend against airborne invaders with these strategies. Edging Some weeds spread through their root system. An underground barrier of steel, plastic or composite edging sold at big box stores can help deter this migration....
As one of the most expensive and energy-hungry aspects of your home, the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system requires careful installation, maintenance and control to operate at peak efficiency. Common HVAC mistakes that cause inefficiencies can happen during installation, maintenance and through incorrect operation. Make sure these mistakes don’t cripple your system, costing you money and shortening your system’s life span. HVAC Mistake: Improperly Sized Air Conditioner An air conditioner too large or too small for your home represents one of the most important HVAC mistakes to avoid, according to Eric Weiss, technical trainer for Trane Residential....
Hammer upgrades Side puller In the old days, the best way to get the most leverage when pulling a stubborn nail was to wedge the nail between the claws and pull the hammer sideways. Now most manufacturers have at least a few models with a built-in side puller. The first ones to hit the market were kind of clunky, but now many are hardly noticeable. Hammer accessories Magnet nail holder Magnetic nail holders are a great way to start nails that can’t be reached with two hands, or for when you only have one hand available because the other is holding on to a ladder or scaffolding....
Congratulations! You’ve purchased a home, making you the proud owner of a piece of real estate and piles of paperwork to go with it. From the beginning of your house search to closing day, your home-buying journey created a breadcrumb-trail of forms, letters, reports, agreements, contracts and other documents. And this growing stockpile of paperwork doesn’t taper off once you get the keys. Home ownership means an endless stream of everything from new appliance operating manuals to permits for future renovation work, all of which need to be securely stored so you can always find what you’re looking for, easily and without stress....
Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection (GFCI) It’s rather remarkable when you stop to think about it; 2018 was the 50th anniversary of GFCI protection in the National Electrical Code (NEC). At first, GFCI was rather a niche technology only required for swimming pools. Then it expanded to outdoor and bathroom receptacle outlets and has continued to see increased usage over the decades. Today, GFCI protection can be found in many of the places where we live, work, and play....
gornostay/Shutterstock It’s every homeowner’s dream to have a healthy lawn, and cleaning the lawn after mowing feels like second nature. You grab that brown paper bag, some sturdy work gloves, and clean up all of the clippings on the lawn. Sure a few here and there won’t hurt, but if you leave too much, it could cause some serious thatch problems in the soil. Right? Actually, that’s false! According to a few scientists who have studied turf grass and agronomy, it seems that grass clippings won’t affect (or create) thatch like you previously believed....
Unless you live in a zone with year-round warm weather, bringing your lemon trees indoors for the winter is essential for their survival. And it’s no hassle at all. Indoor lemon trees are easy to care for, bring a welcome touch of green to your winter, give off a sweet, fragrant aroma, and — best of all — bear fruit! We asked experts to share their tips for how to grow a healthy lemon tree inside your home....
Keeping your kids’ closets organized can be a constant battle, especially if you don’t have a lot of closet space to work with. Here are some pro tips for cleaning out a small closet for kids, and then reorganizing it to maximize every square inch. Purge Outgrown Clothes and Toys The first step to organizing a kids’ closet, especially a small one, is to get rid of everything they’ve outgrown. Empty the closet, and then assess what should go....
Family Handyman Polish Glass Scratches Away with Brasso In high school I had this friend who used to polish out his watch crystal scratches with Brasso brass polish. Turns out it makes a perfect glass scratch filler. Fast-forward 20 years. I installed a $1,800 patio door for a customer. The homeowner called me up the next day complaining about a 3-in. scratch right in the middle of the glass. Faced with replacing an expensive door panel, I was scrambling for alternatives when I recalled my friend and his obsession with his flawless watch face....
Most Annoying Pests All pests are annoying, no matter where you live. But according to Google Trends, there are some pests that can be peskier, more prevalent or harder to get rid of than others, depending on where you live. Looking at online search data for five of the most common household pests, geography determines which ones draw the most attention. To see what people are searching for state by state, we put five pests into a Google Trends report: Spiders, ants, mice, cockroaches and bed bugs....
