= 10 Simple tothe Pambets Best New Products ie Le, STEP-BY-STEP wh : it eat rit | Leaves with | ie | Yourself Transform Your Home with Eee) oye f04 a Easy Chimney ie Teel Save You $3,000 ».2 i bet CA Ty Rae WC Like a Pro NT Te Deere ater Rae 22 Il oe1 i LUFETIME WARRANTY Quality Tools at Ridiculously Low Prices —s How does Harbor Freight Toots sell duality tols at such rdiculo low prices? We buy direc from the ies who also supply the major brands and sell direct to you, I's just that simple! See fr yourself atone of ‘ur 400 Stores Nationwide and use this 20% Off Coupon on one of our 7,000 products, plus pick up a Free 6 Piece Screwdriver Set, a $4.99 value. We stock Shop Equipment, Hand Toots, ‘Tarps, Compressors, Air & Power Tools, Woodworking Tools, Welders, Too Boxes, Generators, and much more. Year Competitor's Low Price Guarantee + No Hassle Retum Policy! = 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed! Res Gener sear 36 LED SOLAR LIGHT Loo. sess ‘sauect < EO. PRICE $24.98 in vats ce {MN ‘ena ob wineonamsnsteese ees Soe olsen ereren Deetp area | mens ecme a mete mee reren (as aecae ee Siar mene er ee 4-1/2" ANGLE GRINDER] MOVER'S DOLLY a iImaster Mm ¢ rae mw $7998 gras Seaman tet cree fiat SeeatosseesTERRA ‘REG. PRICE $26.99, | LAE aie eese es COS Ces) ETT) | Order Online at HarhorFreight.com and We'll Ship Your Order FedEx.FEATURES 30 Raking leaves Rather be watching the game? Check out our Field Editors’ best tips for faster yard cleanup. Kitchen & bath products Ifyou have a remodel in mind, have we got the goods for you! 42 Organize your kitchen Love the kitchen or hate it, here are 10 tips to make your time there more efficient. 54 Perfect trim ‘We show you how to install elegant traditional trim— square cuts make it simple. 36 Felling a tree Our chain saw expert shows you how to make the tree fall safely away from your shed— and your head! How to buy a furnace Single-stage or two-stage? Mid- or high-efficiency? To get the right furnace, you've gotta do a little homework first. 3. Favorite sawhorses 5 guys. 5 needs. 5 designs. And a whole lot of bragging going on! DEPARTMENTS Stuff We Love Halt-price scaffolding, an under-the-seat toolbox and a quick fix for rotted posts. 4 Field Editor Tips 8 A plumbing shortcut, a better ‘way to fish wire, and an app to help you remember it all 241 Handy Hints® 96 Better ways to hide a house key, tape bumpy walls and dig postholes in sandy soil, Home Care + Repair Money-saving tips for maintaining your chimney, renting a trash bin and more Car + Garage Change your coolant yourself, find a vacuum leak, and what the heck is a “directional tire”? Pro Tips Installing your own cabinets? Here's how to save time and avoid costly mistakes. Wordless Workshop™ Make this clever screw organizer from leftover PVC— it couldn't be easier! Great Goofs® Man vs. mole, lessons in load-bearing walls, and a guy whose new white bathtub makes him see blueEVEN IF YOU DIDN’T DO ANYTHING WRONG, PEOPLE WILL BLAME YOU FOR HAVING BAD HAIR: © Research shows that men who are pigs get blamed for things more than men who aren't. But there is a very easy solution: Pert Plus. It’s shampoo plus conditioner. Keeps your hair clean = and smells good, too. In. Out. Done. You may still act like a pig, you just won't look like one. iPeecrrnierny Sign up for FREE e-mail newsletters Er Td 2D Ae nS LSC re Res read PEC are cd eee Oech came Sune SET ny ater Cun eric) De Cee dozens of ourbesthintsand © weekend upgrades, lawn care, Se Cd CEU LCi 4 CCTOSEH 2012 familyhandyman.comYou’ve spent months decorating your home. Fortunately, it only takes 15 minutes to see how much you could SAVE WITH GEICO. You've looked through every magazine. Decorators seek you out at dinner parties. You're on a first name basis with the staff of every furnishing place in town. It took forever, but you got everything you needed to make your home right for you. Fortunately it only takes 15 minutes to get your insurance right with GEICO. Get a free quote. GEICO. le geico.com 1-800-947-AUTO (2886) or call your local GEICO agent AUTO + HOME + RENTERS * MOTORCYCLE RV « BOAT « PWC ‘era eran pre i mt ee oD eal Ye in C0 pry np enw ee > oe ati pete tase ind rag fo GEC rae Nr Ve ED 8 ep awe Sree Tear ase Cea GO 20+ Se a oD codaiags Ta 202 ne ‘SanzesPruners akc Tips of the Month Steam: Stress Relief for You and Your Pocketbook. Challenging economic times have forced many consumers to drop certain “non-essential” such as a gym membership. While one may improvise by continuing a workout routine at home using weights, a Swiss ball and other assorted affordable equipment, there is Coe ee ue ea eee) wonderful reward for a hard workout, relieving tired muscles as warmth penetrates your body. A team shower may aso enhance breathing, crating an improved sense of wellness. a see men mre is Steam@Home system, a smaller, more affordable steam shower. At under $1,500, the sui Steam@Home system has three models designed for smaller Ee ror ee etl for exsting acrylic shower enclosures. Mr. Steam’s Steam @Home system has all of the components you need to get started, including a cool-to-the-touch AromaSteam steam head that can hold essential ols fo infusing such aromatherapies as eucalyptus ‘to open air passageways or lavender to calm and soothe after along day. The high-efficiency steam generator uses less than Cr koe ea ee ee Pe ek ee anos Ce tur Ree tc See eee te) Pere Shade Spells Comfort and Energy Savings How do you spell relief from scorching sunlight? S-H-A-D-E! Although you can get it from a nice tree, it can take a while for Ce re Ec mea td structure can costa pretty penny to buld. An effective alternative thatisboth affordable and attractive s shade fabric. Shade fabric is easy to install and can be used in a variety of horizontal and Pe ore nner enn ee tie ee eee ee gi Ce sa a eu ee ae ee traditionally used in commercial applications, have become an increasingly popular and attractive means of providing shade for space anywhere about the house. We recently Chee UR ee ee ee Te eee company. Coolaroo has set the standard for both form and function when it comes to shade fabric. Its made from tough, durable exterior grade materials to withstand extreme weather conditions. What makes it particularly appealing is its unique design, which consists of a combination of yarns patterned to allow cooling breezes to pass through while repelling heat and the harmful effects of UV rays. Step out of the sun and vist CoolarooUSA.com ta have a look atthe latest and greatest in all things shade and to eesti ‘Ask the Carey Brothers a home Improvement or remodeling question on thelrive rato broadcast every Saturday trom 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Call tol-tree ot 1-800-787-2474 to sk your question. Visi thelr website ct OntheHouse.com for recaps of the show & other helpful info. Download our app Uke us on Check out our videos on a ol You Follow us on Haiidyman ‘lin DIY Home improvement since 1951 vr Sela craey, ik Meno oe Spe chat ‘ie Scot dnt ery Mone Ramet, Aoi Aaron Symes ‘witht Stange dane aetna ‘omen heMeco ee HALF-PRICE SCAFFOLDING — Foramiser like me, low prices mean big thls. At first, the prices at ScaffoldMart’s Web site made it seem like a cheapskate's paradise. ‘Then my skepticism set in. At those prices, it had to be flimsy, right? Sol got my hands ona ScatfoldMart tower and compared it Side by side with some name-brand scaffolding that cost almost twice as ‘much. In terms of quality and conve~ lence, there wasn't a clear winner. ‘The SeaffoldMart frames did get bonus points for easy brace connec tors and a tough powder coat finish. ‘When it came to price, there \wasno comparison. A basic Weft ScaffoldMart tower package starts at about $500. Go to scaffoldmart.com, to choose a package, geta price and determine your shipping costs. Gary Wentz, Senior Eclitor Ifyou have a product, tool or material that you really love, Ce oe eae et cera ee eo ee er eer) Rata este ncn ee te al et area tamilyhandyman.cam ere 7UNDER-THE-SEAT TOOLBOX Do you have a mess of tools and supplies kicking around Under the backseat of your extended or crew-cab pickup? ‘Then you should check out the Du-Ha under-seat organizer (about $180 from duhabins.com; prices vary by truck model), Installation was a breeze—we lust sid it into place and, snapped the buckies around the seat brackets (soit wouldn't, .g0 anywhere ina crash). Then we loaded it with tools. We especially lked the padded slotted dividers for our 4-t. evel BUCKET HORSES Ifyou have a few S-gallon pails ‘and 2x4s lying around, you have sawhorses—as soon as you buy yourself some Handy Bucket Bullder lids. They snap right onto the buckets and have recesses to fit 2x4s, flat or standing upright. Configure four of them for a table or two for sawhorses, Or get creative to make just about any work plat- form. You can even double up the buckets tomake a work- bench that’s just the right height. Best ofall, you can stack the buckets when you'te done and hardly take up any garage eee space. Expect to pay about cent ones that plug into the $i2each Goto eee eerie handypalntpail, com to check them out and find oneot many retailers that carry them.Or lust search for Handy Bucket Builder" to find eo online sources. ee Travis Larson, =< ‘Senior Editor Du-Ha makes organizers to fit almost all extended and crew cabs. And you can pick a color to match your interior. The Units ship (for free) in just two business days. Rick Muscoplat, Contributing Eslitar Ree ear er Pennea E YOu S ee aCe ALLS UU TURES EN) URSA Ua Street tS eS — Think as tome 8 PNT UC ec cerCUM SOE ia nyt g = ee = tones, Polyshades® makes it easy to get beautiful results, every time. So get started, restarts ~ @AZtininZ’.§men er fa forte LoomTEA DEALER pen NORE BigGreenEgg.com LA ZG Unleash Your Backyard Gourmet! No other outdoor cooker can match the quality and versatility of a Big Green Egg. Grilling, Roasting, Baking or Smoking — it truly is ‘The Ultimate Cooking Experience!”A FIX FOR ROTTED FENCE POSTS Gina Marasco, ane of our readers, wrote us about a product she loves. “A recent windstorm broke one of my fence posts, which was already weakened by rot While surfing on the Net, Iran acrossa site called thefizafence.com and was pretty impressed with its '535 anchor method of supporting the existing post. | took the leap and ordered one. |recelved it the next day andhad itinstalled within 30 minutes. Pretty simple— you lust dig an 18-in.-deep hole and embed the anchor Ina bag's worth of cement. After it sets, you lag-screw the anchor to the post. | actually ordered one more for ‘when it happens again—all my wooden posts seem to rotat the bottom” MY FAVORITE CLAMPS JUST GOT BETTER I've had an older version of CH Hanson's giant locking C-clamps for more than 30 years, and I dearly love ther. Mostly 've used them for clamping cabinets together while screwing together the stiles. They're also handy for deep clamping where ordinary C-clamps won't reach. But |love the new “CH Hanson Automatic Locking C-Clamps With Swivel Pads" even more. ‘That's because you never have to adjust 2 screw for clamping width, Amazingly, they do it automatically The only adjustment is for pressure, Several sizes of the clamps are available from tooldiscaunter.com My ‘favorites the 19-in. (No. 18201) for $26. Travis Larson, Senior Editor MAKE YOUR OWN GRIBBAGE BOARD—IT’S EASY My grandmother loves to play cribbage. She doesn’t see as well as she Used to, however, and it's getting harder for her to grab those tiny ‘pegs. To make things easler for her, !made a jumbo-size board (about 27 in. ong) using Rockler's XL cribbage template, The kit comes with two 1/4-In. acrylic templates, one ‘Vé4-in.self-centering drll bitand two Indexing pins to hold the templates in place. The directions are simple, and the dilling part of the project took less than an hour. My cordless drill worked fine, but a drill press might perform even better. | also bought Rockier's deluxe pegs and used one of them to ream out each hole abit so they would stil fit after the poly finish was applied. Grandma is once again happily kicking my butt at cribbage. The kit costs $48, anda set of six1/4-In.-diameter deluxe pegs is $16. Buy them at rocklercom, Rockler also sells standard-size eribbage board drilling templates. Mark Petersen, Contributing Exltor familyhandyman.com OCTOBER 2012 14TOOL! HEW BLADES FROM AN OLD COMPANY -Marpleshas been making woodworking tools for more than 180 years. nin eecently added Marples to its list of quality tool brand names. The Inwin/Marples blades are made ina new, high-tech facil initaly. Si & GEA The blades come equipped with a least as many bells and whis- MARPLES tles as other high-end ones. To me, the only thing that really mat- tersis the qualty of the cut, so tieda quick and simple test. cut pa bunch of furiture-grade plywood on my table saw using a Marples blade and one other name-brand blade. They both cut well but the Marples blade performed noticeabiy better. Both blades created a razor edge onthe top of the wood, but the Marples blade caused less tear-outon the bottom side Less ~ tear-out is the hely gall of woodcutting Marples blades are covered with a heat-resistant, non- C stick coating tohelp them stay sharp longer. They can be resharpened when they eventually do get dull. The blades cost $40 to $70 each depending on size and spat cur tooth count. You can Buy omen aoe ‘themat Lowe's. Mark Petersen, Contributing Editor SMART " q EARPLUGS if & oe GORILLA GLUE GONE BAD? TRY THESE Ever reached for your bottle of polyurethane Goria Glue onty Job sites are noisy: Don't wait until you develop hearing loss to protect your hearing, ‘That means you, young guys! Regular ear- muffs work OK, but they can be hot and uncomfortable, and wearing them is a good way toliitate your mueroeo, | Coworkers wn regularly have to yell o get your attention todlseoert L- ur £P3 Sonic Defenders eamplugsblock noise above 85d but til ge allow yu ts hea loner convesatlon-level sounds. They come in has hardened in « pe previeriraieerst — Small medium and arge and are designed to be comfortable seer netstone i —S enough for all-day use. They Include a small stopper plug ifyou The fella t want to Block ovtall sounds Gorilla Glue got so ¥ 5 2 Thelmaybe elt when many requests that enewhidhas ap music cranked upon yD) the iob site rato. i Mo) Youcanget them a atamazoncom for $13. pair. Get more information at suretirecom ‘Mark Petersen, Contributing Editor they decided to sell a pack of smaller, project- size tubes of glue. A four-pack of 3-gramn tubes costs about $6 at Wal-Mart and hardware stores, Unopened, the tubes of Gorilla Give will last almost forever. Keep a tube handy, and you'll always be ready for an “Incredibly Strong” Gorilla Glue repat ett Gorton, Associate Editor 12 OCTOSER 2072 familyhandyman.comEVERY YEAR, OVER A MILLION FAMILIES SUFFER A SEPTIC SYSTEM FAILURE: RID-X® has a powerful dual action formula with enzymes that immediately start to break down waste, and time-release bacteria that work continuously to reduce tank buildup. So using RID-X® once a month can help prevent a disaster. Learn more at rid-x.comIELD E Millions of DIYers make up The Family Handyman community.& and anecdotes on these two pages and sprinkled throughout few thousand of them are particularly active DIYers who freely the magazine. Ifyou have DIY experiences to share, whether share their experiences with us—they are our Field Editors. you're an expert ora beginner, you too could become a Field Editors contribute tips, share their wisdom (and goofs!), _ Field Editor. Send us an e-mail at Iwant2beaFieldEditor answer questions, test products andin dozens of ways help us _@familyhandyman.com. We'd love to get to know you! create content for The Family Handyman. You'll see their advice The staff of The Family Handyman FEATURED FIELD EDITOR Dave Jones, Professional Engineer Cottage Grove, WI current project’ tar ow DlYer Getting ready to| put anew Lwas always very mechani- Make a sketch of your cee ak SOE EMSS, SEINE seemormtottaavee thotaun Buying Tips," p.73. 15 or 16, | was fixing til=1a°|-meraie rea 816) (oL N16) storage sheds and fences, -installing electri- cal outlets.....Forty years ~ “fater, ‘guess I'm still that guy.” 924 GCTOBER 2012 familyhandyman.cemfriends need not be afraid of dragons tonight. BOE RUC et) eR Me) Le LOCK No. 7,226 x 4 Dressing up is just one part ofa sleepover. Keeping dragons at bay is another. Fortunately, Kwikset® locks with SmartKey® re-key technology offer the highest level of residential security available and are virtually Lnpickable. Infact, ne could even say they/re the smartest locks on the black. Peace of mind comes standard with Kwikset. Visit Kwikset.com/Famity and you'll see why THE BEST SECURITY IS SMART SECURITY. SMARTIEY. Kwikset Cee ee oe eee eeTrim it Yourself The Family Handyman for iPad‘’is now available. 6 MONTHS FREE for current subscribers > Videos > Extra content > Slide shows‘Steven J. Gala, Geneva, OH Steveis working ona 1,200-sq.-ft. attached two- story garage addition with heatand A/C. Tc I'ma professional engineer who designs plumbing systems. After reading ‘Plumbing a Basement Bath” (July/Aug, "2,p. 48), thave a shortcut to pass along. Most municipalities (but not all, so check) allow engineered air admittance valves (Aas). You can use an AAV instead of running a vent up through the root er con- necting to an existing vent pipe. A HUGE time and labor saver. ‘The only downside is that an AAV needs to be located in free alr space, meaning you can't completely enclose it in a wall or joist space. But you can buya recessed box witha grille that makes it look tke @ heating vent, You can find AAVS. at some home centers and online retail ers, including oatev.com and studornet. Tom Dvorak Minneapolis, “Trying toruna fish tape through an insulated stud bay is a nightmare, The fish tape curls up and snags the insula~ tion, making it impossible to reach the hole you ve cut out for your new june- ton box. Inow use a 10-ft. stick of V/2sIn, PEX as my fish “tape” “The PEX is rigid enough that Ican Bill Skog La Grange, rm Billis working onprojects to reduce his, heating bills, ineluding installinga new sliding patio door, storm door and windows luse a free app called ColorNote for my Android phone. Anytime | need to remember something like spark plug sizes, belt sizes, men slons, furnace filter sizes, air filters, etc., enter itinto my phone. | also take pictures of a disassembly so that can put the item back together again without any leftover parts. This also helps when I'm shopping since |have all the info and pictures with me all the time. There are ‘similar free apps for iPhones. For more information about the ColorNote NatePad app for Android phones, visit theanciroidsoul.com, aa slide it between the insulation and the Tomisturing _cryall Once the BEX reaches the hole hisattcintoa tape my Rome toit and pull the PEX mancavetfor, _backto the starting pont ofthe opera himmsetfandhis tion. This also works great when you're An AAV lets ‘9-year-oldson. _ fishing wire above a ceiling and below a ir in bute (Doesthatalso _battofncatton between ott bays (10 mane ceee mateltaboy installa coling tenor light fixture. or caver?) cxample). ccTasER 2012 47Create a stunning bird & butterfly haven... All Year Round! iscover the first-ever bird & butterfly book from the editors of Birds & Blooms magazine... Gardening for Birds & Butterflies! You'll get hundreds of inspiring garden ideas, clever backyard projects and trusted bird-attracting tips that'll ‘save you time and money and bring more dazzling, birds and butterflies to your yard all year long. Explore this colorful, new book & delight in these unique features... = 989+ of our best tips for = 450+ vivid, full-color photos = North American field guides attracting birds & butterflies. of birds, butterflies & flowers. _for identifying over 100 birds ™ 120+ perfect plants for = 5 big chapters—winter, spring, 2nd butterflies! hosting gorgeous fliers all summer, fall and backyard = 192 glossy pages, in an year long. basics. 8-7/8" x 10" hard cover book! BONUS CONTENT: Garden plans never-before-published in Birds & Blooms.COOKBOOK, 3RD EDITION $20.94 $19.99 (tem #50082) : Discover 1,500 can't-miss recipes from families like yours. Includes, ‘2 FREE Taste of Home subscription offer, too! Hardcover S-ring binder, 606 pages, color photos. 9-1/2" x 10” | i FREE Find these specially selected Taste of Home cookbooks, plus kitchen helpers, SHIPPING home improvement books, gardening guides, and more. We picked them just : for you! Order now at sho) . Use coupon code 2072P. ‘TASTE OF HOME NEW ‘TASTE OF HOME ‘TASTE OF HOME CHURCH SUPPER COOKBOOK BAKING COOKBOOK CASSEROLES {$15.99 (tem #50510) $2095 $19.99 (Item 50264) $4599 $12.95 (Item #50290) Get 300+ recipes youcancountonfor | Features 780+ recipes for cookies, bars, ‘Treat your family to 340 comforting potlucks, parties and more. Softcover, | breads, holiday favorites and many more. casseroles, convenient mealsin-one and 256 pages, color photos. 7” x 9-1/8”. Hardcover 5-ring binder, 510 pages, color ‘more. Softcover, 256 pages, color photos. photos. 9-1/2"x 10” 8:/8"x 10-7/8". For faster Service) order at shoptasteothonme conAmerica’s Biggest Recipe Exchange Fortwo decades, real home cooks like you have shared their tried & true recipes with Taste of Home magazine. Now you can enjoy 1,485 BEST of the BEST dishes from the last 20 years all together in one gorgeous cookbook. Discover ahuge variety of family-favorite recipes for every meal, every occasion, every kind of cook. It’s our BIGGEST-EVER Cookbook—no kitchen should be without it! Claim your FREE PREVIEW & FREE GIFT today! © tasteofhome.com/bir Or call 1-800-316-9838 ‘Also available for purchase as an E-book or wherever books are soldHIDE A HOUSE KEY IN PLAIN SIGHT Burglars can easily find a house key hidden under a mat or over the door molding, but ‘they'll never think to look inside plastic conduit, Just glue 1/2-in, plastic conduit to a 1/2-in. LB fitting. Drive the conduit into the ground next to the house so it looks like the conduit enters there, You can leave out the bottom screw or just glue a screw in place to completely fool the crooks. Leave the top screw a little loose so the cover will swivel open easily. Pop the key inside and no one’s the wiser (except you—and all the thieves reading this tip). ‘Jake Blohm Ff a y XQ Cheap-and-easy foam brushes Tuse a lot of small foam brushes for projects in my shop. Instead of buying brushes, I make my own out of leftover James Knaub foam packing material and clothespins. cut the foam about 1/4 in. thick, and when I'm done with it, [just throw it away. o: TAPING BUMPY WALLS eting punters ape otk wel toa sem TB crnoceh wails a challenge, butt found a great ISON snes. Uses ons b's sects ie pet ele The ball lets you apply more pressure over @ larger area than fingers alone. I find that an older tennis ball has more give and works ww es better than a brand new one, ccToseR eo1e 24Easier door work Before removing a paras Preeeeey ererane underneath it at the eer tc’ Se et Se Cor ma - reinstalling the door esteem eet height right on the first try SIMPLE SLAT REPAIR Got a broken slat in your patio door vertical blinds? Here's a quick and easy way to fix it. Cover the broken area with two layers of packing tape. }) Use a hole punch to make a new hole for the clip. Clip the slat into place and move on to your next chore! ERC CLG eer SMARTPHONE SMARTS Talways keep my cell phone in my back pocket, and keeping it clean when, Maribeth Bole ering the garden is hard My phone was getting pretty grimy, but | didn’t want to buy an expensive phone cover, so [came up with this easy (and cheap!) solution Stick iin a zipper-top plastic bag. You can stil work all the J) buttons right through the plastic while keeping the phone itself clean and dry.Thanks for the love from the heart of your home. We're so excited that you rated us "Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Kitchen Cabinets” in J.D. Power and Associates’ most recent study. Maybe it’s because our quality is backed by a 25-year warranty. Maybe it's because of our easy ordering & delivery options. Or maybe, it's because it all comes at a great price. Start building your dream kitchen at www.planyourkitchen.com The Life Improvement Store”} r 46 MNENaeeeae e x fami : TIPS FOR MAINTAINING YOUR CHIMNEY Most homeowners never think about masonry chimney maintenance beyond | | 2 Wad the occasional fue cleaning (which we'll show you how to do in an upcoming issue). But ignoring your chimney can cost you big-time. A cracked chimney cxown or spalling bricks can easily cost $1,000 to repair, And, if left untreated, the damage can accelerate quickly, and cost you upward of $3,000. it doesn’t have to be that way. By What simply sealing the bricks and the crown you'll need: and adding a chimney cap, youl greatly ws Brushable extend your chimney’ life. The materials cost less than $300, and you can com ‘crown sealer, S60 = Chimney water plete all three procedures in just a few repellent, $35 hours. You'd pay a pro about $1,000 to do = Garden pump all three, so the savings is huge sprayer, $35 You'll have to climb up on your roof ww Stainless steel twice (once to measure the flue liner to cheney ap, order the correct chimney cap and once Seduce to perform the procedures). And, you ‘must be able to safely reach the chimney crown from your roof. If you can’t reach the chimney crown, have a very steep tape, paintbrush The cracks in this chimney crown have reached a critical point. If not Sealed soon, they desirey the eventually the chimney. 24 QCTORER 2012 familyhandyman.comreof pitch or aren’t comfortable working on your roof, call a pro. If you decide you can handle the heights, make sure you wear a safety hamess. Start at the chimney crown Masonry chimneys are capped with @ mortar “crown to prevent water from getting behind the bricks and alongside the fue, and into the house (ver time, normal expansion and contraction cycles can cause cracks to form, as shown on p24, Sealing the chimney crown with crown sealer, a flexible elastomeric coating, is the best Way to stop existing cracks from spreading and prevent new ones. ‘Choote a clear or overcast day for the project {no rain in the forecast for atleast four hours) Prepare the crown by cleaning it with astif poly or nylon brosh, Fill any lange eracks with patching cement or 209 percent silicone caulk ehey'l cure even efter you apply the crown sealer) ‘Next wrap duct tape all atound the crown about Ain, below the edge ofthe erown-to-brck seam, Pres the tape into the vertical brick joints, Then tape around each flue liner 1 in, above the crown Lay canvas (not plastic) tarps around the base of the chimney to protect the shingles from crown sealer drips. ‘ur chitnney repair expert applies crown sealer by hand so he can force ir nto cracks and get the fist coat done faster: Ifyou choose that method, fusteip on a disposable glove and apply the sealer {Photo 4), (One brand is ChimneyRX Brushable Crown Repair; $60 per gallon at saversystems.com.) Cover the entire crown and then smooth it with @ paintorush (Photo 2). Wait until the sealer dries tacky to the fouch, then apply a second coat with a brush, Clean up with water Seal the bricks (Once the crown sealer feels dry to the touch (20 to 60 minutes), remove the duct tape but leave the roof tarps in place, Then mask off any painted chimney flashings before applying the water repel- lent. Spray on the repellent (one brand is DEFY Masonry Chimney Water Repellent; $35 at saver- systems.com) with a low-pressure, garden pump sprayer (Photo 3), Finish it off with a chimney cap {A chimney cap keeps water and critters oUt of your fue and extends fue lif. Many codes require a mesh cap, so check before buying. Chimney expert Jim Smart recommends spending extra to get a stainless steel cap because ft will Ist much Jonger than the galvanized type. One source for stainless stee caps is efireplacestore.com, You'll need the outside dimensions of the flue liner to get the right size cap for your chimney. Then install ton the flue liner (Phat 4) APPLY THE FIRST COAT BY HAND Scoop up a handful tf the sealer and wipe it onto the crawn, Force the sealant into the ‘cracks and into the crawnto-brick seam, EVEN OUT THE FIRST coaT ‘Stroke the wat sealant with a brush ta level the high and low spots and create a smooth surface, SPRAY THE BRICK WITH WaTER REPELLENT Start at the bottom of the chimney and Spray the Brick unt the excess repellent Tung down about @ in. below the Spray ine. Work your way up to the top. Apply second coe wn fe minutes using the Same technigue INSTALL ‘THE CAP Set the cap over the flue liner and secure it with screws. Tighten tnt snug, but na more. Excessive pressure can track the clay liner.GET READY NOW FOR GAS EMERGENCIES Don’t ask how I know this, but trust me, sometimes projects involving gas lines don’t go as planned. When a gas project goes bad, that's not the time to be searching for the right tool to shut the gas off at the meter. And just for the record, screaming at your son to "go find a big pliers!" doesn't work well either. A much wiser strategy is to buy an emergency gas meter wrench shutoff tool and secure it to the meter as shown. Pick one up at a home center for about $12. SECURE THE WRENCH WITH WIRE Hang the wrench fram the gas meter supply pipe with a piece of stainiass steel wire. Then sacure the botzam portion. Twist the wire just 8 few times so itll release Quickly in an emergency, HEARD ON THE FORUM Forum member “veggiegardener” wants to install ceramic or porcelain tile over sheet viny| flooring but is getting conflicting, ‘opinions from contractors. Contractor No. 1 proposes securing the vinyl every 6 in. and then appiying the tlle over the vinyl with special adhesive. Contractor No. 2 wants to rip out the vinyl {and subfloor, put down /4-in, plywood and then apply the tle. Forums members’ feedback was all aver the map, so we con- tacted our tile expert, Dean Sorem, Here's Dean's feedback Installation over vinyls avalld method, provided the sub- floor and underlayment meet the required thickness (1-1/4 in.) they're installed properly and the proper vinyl-to-tile adhesive is sed. Before tiling the vinyl must be stripped of any floor fin- ishes, loose pieces cut away and the remainder, for good mea- ‘sure, scarified with a sanding dise. And the Vinyl (non-cushlon back) needs to be fully bonded, not perimeter-glued. However, since viny/ flooring is often installed over 1/4-in, lavan or chip ‘board, 'd rp it out and start fresh by laying down cementitious ‘backer board. I'd bond the backer board to the floor with thin-set and screws to isolate any movement, Then Id apply the new tlle to the backer board, ‘Contractor No. 2 mentions using anew 1/4-in. plywood underlayment after ripping out the subfloor. That's NOT an approved method. The bare minimum is 3/8-in. cabinet-grade plywood (like Baltic birch). 'd be more worried about his exper- tise than that of Contractor No.1 WEB LINKS THAT WORK Need parts for a sick ceiling fan? ceilingfans.com cares celng fan pars forall majortrands Aihether you need a switch wheel new blades slass loves youll ind there. Concrete guru Gotapartielartypuzaling concrete question? asker Sullvan ct concratenetwork.com/chris-sullivan/ask-the-expert. tm CABLE MANAGEMENT 101 I've seen lots of products for tidving up the mess of cables behind my TV, but these spiral wrapping bands (No. 7028; 30mm x1.5 meters; $3 at monoprice.com) are dirt cheap and drop-dead simple to use. The bands are available in black and gray and come Indifferent sizes. Just clamp and pull to encase the cablesina nice, tidy bundle.REPAIR A CABINET-HINGE SCREW HOLE Cabinets made from particleboard work great in utility and laundry rooms, and they're fairly inexpensive, But particle- board has a major weakness—it doesn’t hold screw threads very well. So if you swing the door open too fast, the force can rip the hinge screw right out of the cabinet wall. Don't ‘worry; the fix is easy and cheap. Here's how to patch things up. You'll need a bottle of wood glue, a 1/2-in. drill bit and a package of 1/2-in.-diameter hardwood plugs (about $2 at a home center). Start by removing the hinge screws on the cabinet and flipping the hinge out of your way. If the accident pulled out a large chunk of the particleboard, glue it back into place and let the glue set up before proceeding with the rest of the repair. Drill out the stripped screw hole to accept the plug. Next, fill the hole with wood glue and install the plug (Photo 4). Then drill a pilot hole (Phate 2) and install the new screw—you're all set @ POP IN THE PLUG Smear some glue onto the plug and embed it in the hole. Tap the plug with a hammer to fully seat it. Then ‘wipe up any glue ooze with a wet rag, . | . => DRILL A PILOT HOLE Mark the lacation for the new screw hole, Then drill a pilot hole with a bit that's smaller than the screws diameter, familyhandyman.cem OCTOBER e012 27 7 cS 2 8 RUE ds oa le AVAILABLE AT SEARS® AMO SEARS OMPURDY ’ delivers. Purdy brushes are the #1 Choice of professional painters * Crafted by hand to the highest standards * Proudly “signed” with a personal seal of approval by the brushmaker * Utiize only the finest raw materials Purdy PROFESSIONAL PAINTING TOOLS Purdy.com OS wip HYBRID WATER HEATERS Q ‘The ads for hybrid electric water heaters claim energy savings of almost percent. How can ahest pump ° witha mechanical compressor be more efficient than electric heating cols that @ are supposedly 100 percent efficient? A It’s more energy efficient j to move existing heat produced by natural gas or propane from the surround: ing area into the water inside the tank than to create heat. Ifyou have an electric water heater, it would be wise to check out the savings from a hybrid The GE Geospring Hybrid Water Heater is one choice. t uses the same electrical supply as your existing heater and requires only minor height changes to existing plumbing. And, prices on hybrid water heaters have dropped lately, making them an even better investment Go to dsireusa.orgto check for rebates and tax incentives in your area Dremel says no to water-cooling Inthe July/Aug. "12iesve (p. 24), we showed you how to remove grout witha Dremel Multi- Max oscillating tool anda water-cooling system. Dremel has since advised us that it doesn't recommend using that tool with a water-cooling system. The tool could take in water, damaging the tool and possibly creat ing a shock hazard. & SY DUMPSTER RENTAL TIPS ‘Trash bins, aka “Dumpsters,” aren't cheap. And there are plenty of ways to make mis takes with their rental and use. We pooled our experiences to bring you these six money-saving tips: = Search fora local hauler either on the Intemet orn the Yellow Pages. Most of the top Dumpster listings on Internet searches are actually just brokers who may charge about '$200 more. So scroll down until you find an actual local trash bin supplier. s Telling the hauler what you'll be putting in the bin may help you get the size you need, For example, the staff will know that you'll need a 15-yard bin to dispose of 20 squares, of shingles. 1 Negotiate a longer rental period up front if you know you'll need extra time. It's cheaper to extend the rental time than torent anew bin to finish the job. ‘= Get the bin properly placed. Figure out where you want the bin, allawing enough room for the swing door to open fully. Then mark your driveway so the driver knows. exactly where to place I if you won'tbe there when It arrives). Provide wood blocks to protect your driveway If they're not Included with the rental. 1 Don't let it become the neighborhood trash bin. Youll be ariazed at how many "g00d" neighbors will dump trash in It without your permission. So tell them you're rent- Ing a bin and ask ifthey want to share the cost. That way, they'll be on the lookout for onpaying "dumpers" too. 1 Cover it with a tarp if you won't be using It fora few days. That'll keep snow and rogue ‘dumpers out.The KIOTI (52410 subcompact. Pound for pound, one hard-working tractor. The rugged new KIOT 52410 subcompact tractor ives you the power todo more. Ths high-impact machinetumsona dime and delivers grat performance for any mowing, towing, aging or loading challenges youfac. You ge real ractorperformance’ina smaller package The 24 horsepower engine ‘and heavyweight construction offers more raw force and better traction than most subcompact. ‘tach a mower, loader ora backhoe, and this mult-asker becomes an all-purpose star Take a closer look tthis compact but mighty machine today. Visit KIO. om fr the dale near you. 24.5 HP Optimized Diesel Engine / 19.4 HP PTO / Mid & Rear PTO 4WD / Hydrostatic Transmission / Wet Disk Brakes / Foldable ROPS Rear Differential Lock / High Capacity 3-Point Hitch / Power Steeringes en ae ‘ yey q EALING ~ V/A LEAVES eS ele ee) ee by Gary Wentz SR re Cua Cy you were a kid. And you might figure that Se at ond Pea ae ancy Pe en ee a eT) Ce oa emo See ee eee ora Peet eae Orel 17a eed ne) td Paced Coed ere eee errs areas errs Pea ead Pore eerie Pee Td ceoSometimes circles just make sense. The GetAroundKnee System is designed to replace the knee's naturally circular motion. Other knee Seu ee ue ul uae oa eae RR oe De Un ee eR eel Org ace os See ee cetera with joint disease resulting from degenerative, rheumatoid, Be ee OU eee Cea eros ‘As with any surgery, knee replacement surgery has serious risks which include, but are not limited to, blood clots, stroke, heart attack, and death. Implant related risks which may lead to a revision include dislocation, loosening, fracture, nerve jamage, heterotopic bone formation (abnormal bone growth Peet a ere esas imbalance, osteolysis (localized progressive bone loss), and reaction to particle debris. So eee tad Cee tu okie) characteristics experienced with a normal healthy j GetAroundKnec” : stryker Se ed et ead is appropriate for you. Individual results vary and not all patients will return to the same activity level. The lifetime Ce ero recent s weight and activity level. Your doctor will help counsel you about strategies to potentially prolong the lifetime of the device, including avoiding high-impact activities, such as Se ake Cea ae astm Se ed egy Se run eg ogee) ee rece or rd Cte eee ee et deed peers neserat tl Shue Cece cat aie ae Ce ieee paaeire aa) cue Rte peed Ceca an Tea Sis megs Peer Ty about their favorite rakes. See acer Cee eno Case ee ceed Ce ee es Other Field Editors swear Ce eed peer ea erty Perera) fect Ses Peer cers i 5Sere Porn ne) ter tt Oe ee ee ag flakes that settle into the turf and Cee aT) De eer een ett td ae eed makes the grass happy. Peery eee yee sur) ») REU Bocas) y Reet ay “ apart, workson his vintage VW Ce eerie eur ee) Cee nc Ce era Seas preety ad Cera > ost > Eero aes Deena PCy barn wood from the family hs Pee ets aaeer Cray © 50 Profiles of Gorgeous, Nectar-Rich Flowers © Step-by-Step Container Plans © 10 BONUS Butterfly Plants © Answers to Most Common Questions © Perfect Plants for Drought, Shade and More BIRDS&BIGMS a Ps great app, try it today! ae z Download it now at 8: birdsandblooms.com/App ‘Availabe on the following formats: (Phone arpa are waders pln reper he US. andoshecountles. NOOK sx NOOK Coe area aero mes & Nei,ke 66 | DiS Les WO © 3 SSSt lpr wal ig 595 F THEY WoW'T La © 33 4,300 eye-opening tips for living smarter, =] healthier and happier. Get your copy today at Bie: i or wherever books are sold. _——— Lsieetelclacy DigestADVERTISEMENT The secret to weight loss from the source you trust. Release Fatin21 a Be FROMAMERICA'S MOST TF ISTED MAGAZINE P The =e 1et The Best Foods for Fast, Lasting Weight Loss Estorincietey New ork Tmerbesaehe oath oF Fhe As Editor-in-Chief at Reader’s Digest and a top weight loss expert, Liz Vaccariello cuts through the gimmicks and shares tips to lose weight and curb cravings. She calls them “Fat Releasers.” You'll call them “Amazing!” Bs Available at DigestDiet.com % or wherever books are sold.HOT NEV Thinking about a kitchen or bathroom remodel? These gorgeous, functional products will crank up your project from cool to HOT! PRODUCTS BY ELISA BERNICK ecitorsthefamilyhandymancom, HANDS-FREE FAUCET twas only a matter of time before those slick motion sensor faucets you've seen in airports, stores and restau- rants became avallable for the home market. Moen's new Arbor pull-down kitchen faucet with MotionSense has ‘hwo sensors that let you actl- vate the faucet without actu- ally touching it The sensor on the top of the faucet allows you to start and stop the flow witha wave of your hand, The sensor near the base starts the flow of water when you holda glass or not under the spout. You use the side handle to control the force and temperature of the water. You can also use it to start the flow. ‘The Arbor MotionSense faucet can be powered by six “AA” batteries or plugged Intoa GFC! outlet. The faucet kit comes with push-fit hose connectors and a control box and battery compartment that fiteasily under a stan- dard sink. Available at kitchen showrooms for $625, snot cheap, but tis very cool. Check it out at maen. com/motionsense.AMAZINGLY AFFORDABLE COUNTERTOPS oa ~— . I don't know how IKEA does it, But you'd be hard-pressed to find high-quality wood countertops available for less: Unless you milled them yourself, Available in beech, oak ‘and birch in various lengths, thicknesses and depths, these countertops are quality slabs of solid wood that, you can cut, sand and finish as you like. The Numerar beech countertop shawn (73-1/4 in. x25-5/8 in, x 1-1/2 In.) costs $129. (You could use one for an awesome workbench top, tool) Find out more at ikeacom, ae eS) Vinyl flooring is known for its ease of Installation, durability and reason- able price tag, But it often looks rather plain Jane, Armstrong's new ‘Alterna line of luxury vin tile Is frankly, beautiful. I's being pitched asanalternative ("Alterna," get it?) ‘te ceramic or stone flooring, and it ‘comesin a slew of slate-tike looks ‘with realistic variations in color and texture. You can even groutit to ‘enhance the effect. I's $4 to $6 per sq.ft, depending on the type, at many home centersand flooring retailers. Visit armstrong.com, “STONE” COUNTERTOPS AT HALF THE PRICE In an era of granite and stone countertops, can geod ole laminate really compete? New decorative edge and calor ‘options make ita serious contender for high-style kitchens. Formica’s IdealEdge ogee and bullnose edge profles, and Wilsonart's decorative beveled, cascade and cres- cent edge options, give laminate a sleek, new updated 00k. In addition to new edge options, Formica’s 180fx Collection and Wilsonart's HD laminate offer colors and finishes that mimic the dappled highlights of granite and stone. New laminate coatings are so realistic that you can mistake these countertops for the real deal With mid-range granite in the neighborhood of $65. per sat. and laminate options at $17 to $30 per sa. ft, laminate could be the perfect, or atleast a more afford able, option for your new countertop, Visit formica.com {and wilsonartHD.com to find a dealer in your area,CREATE A BATHROOM YOU'LL S WANT TO SPEND MORE TIME IN Fh With a few updates like a new vanity, tub, and toilet, you can make your dream bathroom a reality. Start with this American Classics® Palisades vanity. Next, choose your toilet, ike this new Delta’ Prelude. Add the finishing touches with the Delta Silverton Collection of faucets and hardware. Everything is available exclusively at The Home Depot? which means the Upgrade will also be easy on your wallet. That's the power of The Home Depot. homedenot.com/bath More saving. More doing:COOL (HOT!) WHITE FINISH Inthe appliance word, stain- less steel has been the sign of cool for decades. But Whirlpool is hoping its new | \ “White Ice" finish will make white hot again, White appliances add the Ilysion of space toa kitchen, but most white finishes have flat, dated look. The White Ice finish is actually metal, but the glossy white sheen has the richness of frosted lass. To find out more, search for“Ice Collection” at whirlpoolcom: | ‘You know haw the seam around your sink drain always collects gunkand makes the basin harder to clean? If you're considering a new stainless steel sink, check aut the Seamless Sink. This 16-gauge stainless steel sink doesn't ‘trap dirt because the basin s smoath all ‘the way to the drain ole, ItInstals easily ‘and includes matching stainless steel custom drain fitings and strainer baskets. The sink Is available in drop-in and Uunder-mount versions at prices compara- ble to those of other high-quality stainless sinks 8300 to $500 depending on the style. Find out more at seamlesssink.com, eS If you're remodeling a bathroom for yourself or an elderly parent, check eur the Invsia Collection of ‘multifunctional grab bars. These stylish accessories hide in plain slght—they don't look at all tke conventional grab bars. They're disguised as elegant and useful commer shelves, towel bars, soap dishes and tollet roll holders. These gorgeous stainless steel handholds offer a discreet source of support—for a price. Available inpolished chrome, powder- coated white and brushed fin- Ishes, they cost $190 to $220. See themall at invisiacollection.com.DONTTELLHIM - Ue ac a ISNTNECESSARY J} EN Ale sie Pros do it right. ee ii) KILZ’ primer. Your home isthe biggest investment you'll ever make. So it deserves the best solutions for its toughest challenges. For covering stains or bold colors, pro painters understand that a separate coat of primer followed by a ‘quality topcoat provides the best results possible... and often at 2 lower ‘cost than two coats of paint. Pros know that starting with a precoat of KILZ® primer isthe secret to solid coverage and a durable finish. KILZ primer... the problem solver that your home deserves. You a | ‘7SIMPLE ORGANIZE | Dr helped Peru Caused) et Court retac) Ge eu eae Feedba ed) Su aoe ichehne he Be eC some wood scraps lying Se gee uC pemetrcs Se ee eer Ciena Poconos Per UC a aura ae Pee cet Ee Dette = CD Sa pee Gary Wentz coordElegance within reach. The Euro Valencia Collection features classic and contemporary ‘elements to achieve a beautiful balance. The hand-painted, {lazed hazelnut finish is uniquely characterized by classic framed mouldings and doors. This piece is one of a kind and will it ‘elegantly Into your bath, awakening a sense of classiness without being too traditional. You cannot go wrong with the distinctive Euro Valencia Collection. y “stpaul homedepot comjeuovatencia More saving. More doing:ptr i rices” Hardwood Floors BeeUriCat kh aera Highest Coit ti ag CN Coat Cae Ces Peas Biggest BY) Free Ch oy Ee aaa io Cee aca ig et a3 Pott faa ad cesta CoE DROP-DOWN TABLET TRAY This tray will keep your tablet computer off the countertop. Asit swings down, i also swings forward, so the tablet isn't hidden under the cabinet. ‘The mechanism Is simple; just make and position the arms exactly as shown here and it will work smoothly. cut the aluminum parts and rounded the cor- ners with a grinder. When closed, the trays held up by small cabinet door mag- nets. clipped the plastic ears off the magnets and glued the magnets into place ‘with epoxy. The linerin the tray isa foam placemat cut to fit. Don't worry, small ‘magnets won't harm your tablet it actually contains magnets, cenren bes 1-___5 Ww ==}. SS ~PERFECT PLACE FOR LIDS You can mount a drawer for pot lids under your pot shelf—or under any other cabinet shelf. Before you remove the shelf, put some pencil marks cenit to indicate the width of the cabinet opening at its narrowest point (usually at the hinges). Your drawer front and slides can’t extend beyond those marks (or you'll spend hours building a drawer that won't open). “Then remove the shelt.If it's made from particleboard, irecomend that you replace it with 3/4-in. plywood and transfer the marks to the new shelf. you can bulld a simple drawer box, the rest willbe easy. Syersnonter Ee HAN SHELF onawwen = Wanna see how EC Yor 4 lovol a Yor a) Ore aoe You got it with Lumber Liquidators’ ‘NEW FLOOR FINDER APP! It has exciting new features, including: ‘The Visualizer See how any floor looks in your room using your own photo. You can even remove furniture or crop around it for an authentic look. Room Designer Pick the room, pick the floor, or change the room color! It has everything you need to make your dream room real. Exclusive Deals Not only will you get access to big deals available to everyone, but we'll occasionally post special deals just for app users like you. Get your FREE FLOOR FINDER APP by scanning the QR Code below or download it from the App Store. Sasser a Eye SS a (Aop avatale for Phone and Pad only) ——_‘tp/go0.9VSZBDNDeep drawers often contain a umbled pile of interlocking utensits. My solution isa sliding tray that creates two shallower ‘spaces. Make it 1/8 in. narrower than the drawer box, about half the length and any DRAWER IN A DRAWER adjustable shelf supports, don’tretyon SOUR OOP measurements and arithmetic. Instead, position the tray inside the drawer box at least 1/8 in. lower than the cabinet open- ing and make a mark on the tray. My shelf ig depth you want (mine is 1-3/4 in. deep). When you position the holes forthe ‘supports fittightly into the holes, but yoursmay requirea little superglue. Nee suPpoRT shane 5 ELF-FEEDING CHIPPER FOR HOMEOWNE Just load a DR® RAPID-FEED™ CHIPPER, back, and and energy. Most branch ‘repped tothe | fed, instead of you havi hem. 5 with engines upto 18 HF. a made of forged sey Steal, mating except oral son vn eppiacapentioay r om e ‘Pram Hech vxcormourted WS trode aso mais S Call for a FREE DVD & Catalog tet 1-800-529-0113 www.DRchipper.com TURN A ROUGH DRIVEWAY INTO A SMOOTH RIDE... with the patented new DR® POWER GRADER! Featurin; Smtr RB S_yurtoning vice ‘Mths hldng reget 5000 srs ard ewers the ¢ BLAD scaring ech ‘rth patented geomet fin cendtions hoes, nsandwashouts wth sthand, Coren mata Call for a FREE DVD & Catalog :\Ws)') Fret 1-800-529-0113 = 4) www.di rader.com Reel es cr hed aN or Lawn Tractor .|R FOR UPRIGHT STORAGE I don't know why the pan or tray you need is always the one at the bottom of the pile. But Ido know the solution: Store large, flat stuff on edge rather than stacked up. That way, you can slide out whichever pan you need, Cut 3/4-in. ph 10d to match the depth of the cabinet, but make it at least an inch taller than the opening so eee on ] face rameasstown, il , Dill she support S holes that match the _—. existing holes inside S cabinet Final, cut = the old shelf tofit the anes e , FASTEN THE Pd DIVIDER iy WITH BRACKETS: "ew wo br to the cabinet floor ‘one ta the fat frame and one to the 6 PROSTATE PROBLEMS . a4 ARE NO LAUGHING MATTER. } oe RYTa CTI ACB alla oo ‘ : For almost 20 years, The Prostate Formula from MAF = Real Health Laboratories has been the leader in : i ff Dee ade 4 4 » , Prostate. FORMULA with Saw Palmetto Because a healthy prostate: Sete een ied + Can help avoid pain or discomfort when urinating” a So if you've been experiencing inconsistent flow, frequent urination or urges, then ‘STOP CLOWNING AROUND and start taking ‘control of your prostate health today. Pree areas os ba Healthy Prostate Function, Nenad nce e aD for coupons and special offers. Set ee premarin aan appetrnnt eLetter Ty Eeey zones Kinney ineijer BROLLOUT STORAGE PANEL Ifyou know how to mount a slab of plywood on drawer slides, you can take advantage of al the nifty shelves, hooks and holders sold at home centers. I's easy as long as you remember two critical things: First, make sure the drawer slides are parallel (see photo below). Second, make your cleats thick enough so i » the cabinet door hinges. —— EarERION py lly omarete | nig 103/4-In. plywood to make my cleats.) ‘To instal the panel in the cabinet, reassemble the slides. Hold the | whole assembly against thecabinet wall and | slide the panel out Z stowen omescens = through the cleats at the rear, then slide the panel out completely } and drive screwsat the front. MOUNT THE SLIDES They have ta be absolutely parallel for smooth operation, So place a plywood spacer bebween the drawer members a8 you screw them ta the panel. Screw the cabinet, members ta cleats, SPACER raWen bode ASS om BOARD ‘The slickest way to store a cutting board for Instant access Is shown at right. But that only ‘works for cutting boards less than 10-1/2 in. wide. For larger boards, mount a rack on a cabinet door. used a sheet of 1/4-in.-thick acrylic plastie, but plywood would also work. You can cut acrvlie with a table saw or circular saw as long as you cut slowly. Knock off the sharp edges with sandpa- peer. | also rounded the lower corners with a belt sander. For spacers, lused No, 14-8 crimp sleeves (inthe electrical aisle at home centers). Sut any type of tube or even blocks of wood would work. a y I al \\ Steveaa era Sc BOARD ‘The secret to this projects “rare earth’ magnets. The ones lused are just 5/32 in. in diame- ter and 1/8 in. tall. Browse cline to fing lots of shapes and sizes. Implant magnets at the comers of your cutting board and add more if needed, Make the metal plate under the cabinet larger than the cut- ting board so the board will be ‘easy to put away, Glue the sheet metal to plywood with spray adhesive. Drill holes near the comers and screw t to the underside of a cabinet. ‘ue-perwooo um” MAGNETIZE YOUR CUTTING BOARD Dri holes sized for the ‘magnets and drop in a dab of super glue. Insert the magnets with a nail head Siide the nail sideways to release the magnet. Put a spin on your space. gant. Efficient. Affo THE IRON SHOP For FREE catalog, ‘he dng Manufacture o Spal Sa Kia* call 1-800-523-7427 ext. FH Or visit. Proudly made in the U.S.A. Keeps Paint Out. Keeps Lines Sharp: FrogTape® is the only painter's tape treated with PaintBlock® Technology. PairtBlock forms a micro-barrier that seals the edges of the tape, preventing paint bleed. Visit FrogTape.com to see PaintBiock in action, ‘get painting tips and more! Hit &® econo eslaei shotenre -FROGTA (Gye-4827) ‘Keeps Paint Out. Keeps Lines Sharp: ‘ose tona LE 201280800BUILDING NOTES The costs for each project assume you have to buy all the materials, but ifyou have wood ‘scraps lying around, you can cut those costs drastically. BAI the wood projects shown here are finished with Minwax Wipe-On Poly (about $10 per pint at home centers), Unless otherwise noted, all the materials for these projects are avallable at home centers. Ii ifyou want to cover plywood ‘edges with ron-on edge band, find howto help at familyhandyman, ‘com (search for “edge band’). Several of these projects require Joining V2-In-thick wood parts. You ‘can do that witha brad nller, but it Thistrayisperfect MIATA HNOESY ye apap nt your aimis a smidgen off, oul blow for pens and paper ruwoos nail out the side ofthe part. Trim- mostly hidden by the / y Pal shanks won't split thin wood (as cabinet face frame vad = tong.as vou dill ilot holes), and ‘theirsmall heads are easy tohide screw onthe hinges i wie wit ler (or ignore). nasi i je Bete eres theunderide oft caret you the cabinet, ‘yer ve even mene ; ADD A Most cabinets come with only one or two shelves, leaving a lotof wasted space, So | added cone (and some- times two) shelves to most of my cabinets. allt takes is 3/4-in, plywood and a bag of shelf sup- ports. The sup- ports come in two dlameters, so take anexisting one to the store to make sure you get the right size.for bir floWergoyvers! 50 Flowers to Attract Hummingbirds & Butterflies Get the allnew app from Birds & Blooms that will holp you bring more enchanting hummingbirds and. beautiful butterflies to your backyard! 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Mention coupon code 2070P. tasteofhome SHOP SMART oe TASTE OF HOME ‘TASTE OF HOME SHOP SMART & EAT GREAT AROUND THE TABLE ‘SOUTHERN FAVORITES: {$15.99 (150509) $24.99 (#4205) $14.99 (#42100) Enjoy 400+ recipes that'll help you make the most of your food budget without sacrificing flavor. Cut your grocery bill, too! Softcover, 256 pages, color photos. Relive the special meats that brought families together. Reminisce readers share 185+ delightful dinner table ‘memories and family photos from the 1930s-1960s. Hardcover, 164 pages. Discover 200+ down-home recipes and tips featuring famous Southern favors, from juicy fried chicken to delectable desserts. Hardcover, 112 pages, color photos,much less likely to burst in cold climates. & = Z @Prexsupply.com FIND MORE WORK+SHOP TIPS AND INFORMATION IN THIS ISSUE oronline at ily ty Youcan size this knife rack to suit any cabinet door and any number of knives. To build it you ust needa table saw and ‘wood scraps. Run the scraps ‘across the saw on edge to cut kerfs, Adjust the blade height ‘to sult the width of the knife blades. You have to remove the saw's blade guard for ‘these cuts, so be extracare- ful. Also cuta thin strip toact as an end cap. Glue and clamp the kerfed scraps together and sand the knife rack until the joints are flush. ‘To mount it, use two 1-1/4-In, screws and finish washers.perfectly simple Classic feta alr Wat t(-1g than standard trim Make your house look like amillion bucks!Aes} window or door. SKILLLEVEL: Intermediate to advanced COST: $35 per window and $40 per door for pine trim. Oak or maple trim would cost about twice as much, TOOLS: A miter saw with at least a 40-tooth blade. A pneumatic trim nailer and compressor, and a table saw and router with a1/4-in, round- over bit if you want to. make a stool and fillet like the ones shown tal NVat= tals anata During his 20-plus years asa remodeling contractor, Jeff specialized in old-house ren- ovations. He installed classic ‘trim like this on hundreds of doors and windows. ‘This traditional trim style may look tike it requires old-school carpentry skills, but the truthis, it's ‘easier to install than contemporary trim. Modern trim—four pleces of casing that ‘picture frame" a door or window—requires wide miter cuts, which look sloppyif they're not perfect. Traditional trims. ‘more forgiving. While it also requires miter cuts, they're shorter and less visible. And the most promi- rent joints are assembled with simple squarecuts. you're nervous about installing the mitered ‘crown molding that tops off the trim, check out “Make Your Own Moldings” on p. 58 where we show you how to make. simple router-shaped ver- sion that doesn't require any miters. We'll walk you through the steps and give you sometips and. pointers for cutting and installing the moldings to create this classic trim style. Getting started The first step in any trim job is to prepare the Jambs for tim. f you're replacing tim, pry it off and remove the nails from the jamb, Then scrape cor sand the face of the jamb fo smooth out any paint or finish that's built up. Finally, mark the reveal on the jambs to show where the edge of the trim goes (Phato 1, inset). A combination square set to 1/4 in, works great for marking the reveals, But you can also use a compass to scribe the marks, or simply measure and mark the reveals. If possible, set up your miter saw in the room where you're installing the trim, Having the saw nearby will save you a ton of time. [like to rough- cut the casing and other moldings to length, allowing a few extra inches, and label them to make sure | have all the material | need and won't, accidentally cut the wrong piece. For tips on buying or making the moldings you'll need, see p.58. Mark, don't measure With the moldings and other parts cut ta rough length, and the reveals marked on the jambs, the fastest and most accurate method for marking the trim for cutting is to simply hold the molding in place and mark it (Photo 1). It's foolproof. You don't have to measure, do math or remember any numbers, Install the window casings, stool and apron The order of trim installation for windows varies a little depending on whether you're working on old double-hung windows or newer-style windows. On older double-hung windows, the stool rests on the angled sill and butts into the lower sash (check outFigure A if you're not sure what a stool is). You have to natch, the new stool to fit, and nail it to the windowsill before you install the side casings. But on newer windows like the one shown here, the stool isn’t notched and doesn’t rest on the sill, so it's a little trickier to nail, An easy way to attach this type of stool is to install the side casings first, and then nail the stoal to them (Photo 2) ‘The stool should protrude past the casings by about an inch (Photo 2). To find the length of the stool, make a mark 1 in beyond the casing on both sides, Then hold the stool up and twansfer the marks, After the stool material is cut to length, round the edges and ends. Or if you want a little fancier stool, rout the edges with a more decorative bit. You can even buy a special stool-shaping bit, but you may have to order it With the side casings and stool in place, the next step is to install the apron under the stool. Start by cutting a 45-degree miter on each end. Mark for the long point of the miters by resting the apron on the stool and making marks where the outside edges of the casings intersect the apron material. snug the mitered apron against the bottom of the stool and nail it to the framing under the window. Then cut returns and glue them, in (Photos 3 and 4) MARK THE SIDE CASING Cut one end af the casing square, Line up the cut end with the pencil mark indicating the 1/4, reveal and mark the opposte end for eutung. Gut and instal both side casings, keeping them aligned with the reveal marks Figure A Window trim parts ‘Trim terminology can be confusing. Here's a labeled photo to show you the names of the parts we used. % +} =y cap icrovan crus A y i INSTALL THE STOOL Cut the stool so that it extends an inch past the casing ton bath ends. Then round the edges with a router ar by sanding. Nail the staal ta the side casingsSave hundreds—even more— on your energy bills this year. You've got better things to do with your money. It's free to get started! Most New Yorkers qual- Painlessly affordable. Pay for your energy ify for a free or reduced-cost comprehensive upgrades right on your utlty bil, with your home energy assessment, a top-to-bottom energy savings, through New York's new On-Bill look at where your home is wasting energy Recovery Loan. Plus, apply for a 10% cashback and costing you comfort, and a plan to turn it incentive on qualified upgrades. around. All part of Home Performance with ENERGY STAR®. What are you waiting for? Comfort, savings, and a chance to make a difference, all made easy. Schedule your home assessment: nyserda.ny.gov/home38 or 1-877-NY-SMART ENERGY STAR ES-HP-consgen-ad1-v1 m2 y Energy, Innovation. Solutions.Tips for choosing, buying and making your own pe Shopping for trim pee We found the wide casing and base blocks at the home center, along with the fancy casing We used as an apron. We had to go to the local lumberyard for the 2-1/4-in, crown, molding. If your local home center or lum: beryard doesn’t have what you want in stock, ask to see a molding book or chart that shows what styles are available to order. The Internet is also a good place to search for traditional moldings. Here are a BUILD A SIMPLE PUSH BLOCK TO ROUT ENDS Hold the board squara ta the fanca and pravant tearcut with a shap-made push block like this, fevr links to help you get started, ferchecom ‘mouldingandmiltwork.com boslevmouldinas.com rd Make your own moldings You don'thave to buy moldings, With alittle ingenuity and a few standard router bits, yout can make your own, Figure B shows an example ofa cap molding for a head casing that we made by stacking two pieces of 3/4 in, oak, Shaping the edges of wood strips with a router and stacking them to make bigger moldings is a great technique for making your own moldings. You can make moldings with a handheld router, but its a lot easier and faster to mount your router in a router table, The Ryobi router table shown here (about $100) works well, bt there are plenty of other options. For plans to make your own, go to familyhandyman.com and search for HOLD THE WOOD WITH FEATHERBOARDS *router table” When you're making maidings wath a router tabla, use featherboards to nlf he wong uphet tefrce and ata Set a eternorde o Sep The photo at right shows how to use featierboards for safer and more accurate routing. You can make your own feather- boards, or buy plastic ones like these for about $10 0 $20 each Router-shaped ‘The ends of the boards shown in Faure 8 cap molding are routed, This method eliminates the need for mitered returns, but it does expose end syeexz noun fain and means you have toeue te pores Suu . fblength before you shape them To ret the end of board, use a shop made push Dock : ike the one shou atthe top ofthe page Ik ayeesapeosnd serves two functions. First, it allows you to SED we ‘ sya" ROUNDOVER oT hold the board square to the fence. And second, the push block prevents splintering by providing a backer behind the board you're routing we SB CCTOSER 2012 familvnandyman.comPad CUT THE MITERED APRON RETURNS Set the miter saw to 45 degrees and cut a return fram, the apron molding. Use a sacrificial board to prevent the ‘small cutaff from fiying thraugh the gap in the fence. Set the ‘miter Saw to the apposite angle to cut the other return from the opposite end of the molding \ FINISH THE APRON Glue in the returns to complete the apron. Avoid nailing problems by lething the glue do the work. Just hald the Feturn in place for 80 seconds while the glue grabs, Photo 3 shows how I used a sacrificial piece of wood behind the apron material, Any flat scrap of wood will work. This sacri- ficial backer board prevents the skinny piece of molding you're cutting off from getting caught by the blade and flung through ‘the gap in the fence. Don’t attach the sacrificial board to the ‘saw. Just hold it in place along with the molding you're cutting ‘Then reposition it with each new cut so you're always making a fresh cut through the sacrificial board, Build the head casing assembly ‘The final step fr both the door and the window trim is build- ing and installing the head casing assembly. I's made up of ‘tue parts: the filet, a 1x6 and the cap molding Traditionally this cap molding was soli, but since a solid molding ths large is hard to come by, we substituted 2-1/4-in, crown molding. If you have a router and want to avoid using crown molding, check out Figure B on p, $8 for an attractive alternative. Start by setting the 1x6 on top ofthe side casings and marking {t at the outside edge of each casing, Cut the 1x6 to length. Then, ccut the fille /4 in. longer than the 1x6, Round over the edges and ends ofthe filet to make a bullnose shape using a router and 1/4- in round-over bit. Nal the fillet tothe bottom of the 1x6. Finish the head casing by wrapping the front and sides of the 1x6 with crown molding, Photos - 8 show how. Make a jig (Photo 6 and Figure 6) to hold the crown molding at the correct angle while you cut it, Remember to set the crown molding upside down in the jig. Mark and cut the short pieces of crown, ‘molding (Photos § and 6), Then cut a miter on one end of the Jong front piece and hold it in place on the 1x6 to mark the opposite end for the miter (Phota 7). Cut the second miter on the front piece. MARK THE CROWN MOLDING FOR THE END RETURN fod 2 pecs of crown muding against the 1x6 youl be using for the head casing and mark it for cuttingUtifully with western red cedar Wester Red Cedar has unique, natural performance characteristics that bring warmth, character and longevity to Interiors and outdoor ng projects around the world, Equally Important, Wester Red C iy.hos @ low environmental impact and carbon foot print when compared with other building materials, But let's face I its best feature Ss stunning beauty that is unmatched by any man made material Western Red Cedor offers enormous versatiiy In styles and applications Whether you choose to add warmth to an Interior, enhance curb ‘appeal or create that outdoor Ving space you always wanted, Western Red Cedar wil help furn your house into c home. ‘Assure yourself of quality Westem Red Cedar for your next project: insist (on Real Cedar from members of the Westem Red Cedar Lumber Association. Call us or vit the webatte fo find suppilers near you. 1.866.778.9096 [ul]f= BUILD A CROWN-MOLDING JIG (©2 Buid a simple jig to hold the crown molding at the correct angle while you cut it. Position the molding upside down and set the saw to 45 degrees. Avoid cutting all the: way through the jig MARK THE FRONT CROWN MOLDING A Cur, a miter on ane end of the front crown molding. Line Up the cut with one end of the head casing and mark the opposite end far cutting. Set the molding in your jig and cut the opposite miter. igure Crown molding cutting jig \ Lo nie omrsa * NS Seer (Wo METAL FASTENERS) This jig holds the crown molding at the correct angle in the miter saw, so its easy to make accurate miters every time. Glue two strips of scrap wood together at a right. angle, Then set the crown molding upside dawn in the jig and mark the position of the stop. Glue the stop to the bottom and youre ready to cut sore moldings. f=) ATTACH THE MOLDING To THE HEAD CASING Nail the crown molding to the 1x8. Then glue and nail in the end returns. Nail the filet to the bottom of the 1x6 to complete the head casing assembly,MORE WAYS TO GET THE JOB DONE PoP RCA Tra a UL eM rl PPE hae eu idCheck the fit by holding the short mitered ends in place against the front crown molding. If the miters are tight and everything fits, complete the head casing by nailing the crown molding to the 1X6 (Photo 8). Complete the window trim by nailing the head casing assembly to the framing above the ‘window (Photo 9). NS FINISH THE winDOW TRIM Eor the head cacing onthe sie casings, making sure the filet overhangs evenly on both ends. Then nail it to the wall framing, A DlYer’s Success Story Matt Timpany finished a hhuge empty room in his ‘basement intoahome theater, pool room, game room and full bath. For the crowning touch, he installed solid cherry doors, and then trimmed them in this traditional style with poplar stained to match. much months to finish. 64 QcCTOBER 2012 familyhandyman.com “My DIY interests cover pretty anything to do with vattsanoussel-tantoverwithisyeas MY NOUS. Srwoodwerkingexperence-Fortnisiaoo- | yyill tackle Saft basement remodel, he wena ite ousidehiscorvorsoneandasotacies — alMOst any the wing and plumbing which he did uc- ee Cessfulvescepttoroneplumbing mistake, — PPOJECL jUSt ‘ahi in Mats words ted to some‘raining . fost! Betweenhisediob andnscayiee, tO SE@ if thsprokcttook atttwoyeusandthres — | Gan do it.” Finishing up Mf you're installing painted moldings like ours, go to family- handyman.com and enter “paint trim" in the search box for tips on how to finish your moldings with a flawlees coat of paint. You can als find tips fr staining and ishing wood by entering “stain trim’ in the search bor or trim starts wit! e bottom ‘Trimming a door is just like trimming a window, except you start out with base blocks at the floor, as shown above, ‘The base blocks should be about 3/8 in, wider than the casings. Trim them if necessary. The height of the base blocks should be about 1 in. greater than the height of the baseboard you're planning to installPN =)7OU EVEF NSD CHILD'S Liney Rreoicleft surgery whichiitakeatax ‘Your sappont can provide fee weatment little as $250, can piv desperat i for poor children with clefts. ittle as can give desperate (s250Surgery. $125 Half surgery. O$50Medications. 18 children not just a new smil ae a Ming ti, but a new life. ae i: ae cone of the most ‘leptons ttt te Geddes productive char (Visa Master COAMEX discover Signature dollar for deed — in the world.” Oye iene 2 —The New York Times Smile Train, P.O. Box 96211, Washington, DC 20090-6211 7ini0n6) Donate online: www.smiletrain.org or call: 1-800-932-9541 ial Join our mobile community today! g Receive mobile updates about our programs, success stories and ways to help by texting OPTIN to 27722*. & Sr ‘Train The World One Smile At A Time Acanieg be US. Genet, waren gousitesct na c cere bring pepe the pest al ute cles rd rece ek force fp and plat. When Toc ad I taken ene mont bef corcepoon and ou abe ro oe the sk or neural tube defers by 80 1070 pct ese techie rece: preal ae. qt song ad in eng fn are nae nvr ue nr 1, Foods 16 nl ray re on uci sat, il Dok Pay can sh 1 i velo sea mooeed 1 kaal polars selsn a, Case a ak ne ee usin ni , re araton wut.) oi ans 01) erect recagae y' a dovaons i Sie ran a accu acatance wh 02 Sai Tan, *SMS subscription service. Up to to dmsg/mo Msg&Data Rates May Apply. Text STOP to 27722 to STOP. Full Terms: mGive.com/E Privacy Policy\ a ett] : editors@thefamilyhandyman.com ~ 7 a — FAHow to Outsmart es a Millionaire = Only the “Robin Hood of Watchmakers” can steal XP oa Nip the spotlight from a luxury legend for under $200! ‘wasnt looking for trouble. Isa ina café, sipping my espresso and enjoying the quiet. Then it got noisy. Mr. Bi rolled up in a roaring high-performance Iralian sports cat, dropping attitude like his $22,000 watch made ic okay for hhim to be rude. That's when T decided to roll up my sleeves / and teach him a lesson “Nice watch,” [ said, pointing to his and holding up mine. ‘He nodded like we belonged to the same club. We did, but he literally paid 100 times more for his membership. Bigshot bragged about his five-igure purchase, a huxury heavyweight from the titan of high-priced timepieces Told him that mine was the Stauer Corso, a 27-jewel ‘automatic classic now available for only $179. And just like dha, dhe man was ata loss for words. ‘Think of Stauer 2s the “Robin Hood of Watchmaker.” We believe everyone deserves a watch of uncompromising precision, impresive performance and the most elegant styling. You deserve ‘watch that can hold is own against the huxury classes for 2 frac- tion ofthe price. Youll fel the quality as soon as you put it on your ‘wrist, Ths ian experdy-crafied time machine... nota ery for attention. ‘Wear a mechanical masterpiece for only $1791 We surveyed our ‘customers. As intelligent, high net worth individuals, they have out- {grown the need to show off. They have nothing to prove; they already proved it. They want superb quality and astonishing value, And that's ‘exactly what we deliver. "The Stauer Corso is proof that the worth of a watch doesnt depend on the size ofits price tag. Our factory spent over $40 million on Swise-made machinery t0 insure the highest quality parts. Each timepiece takes six months and over 200 individual precision parts to create the complex asembly. Per through the exhi- bition back to sce the 27-jeweled automatic movement in action and youl understand why we ean only offer the Corso in a limited edition. “ed (Our specialty is vintage automatic movements. The Corso is driven by aslf- , vending design, spre by a 1923 patent, Your watch wil never need bates Order the Stauer Every second of power is generated by the movement of yous body. The black Corso and these dial features a trio of date complications including a graphic day/night display. ‘Stauer Flyboy ‘The Corso secures with a two-toned stainles steel bracelet and is water-resistant Optics” Sunglasses 103 ATMs. (@ $99 value) are ‘yours FREE! ‘Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. Test drive the Stauer Corse. 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I's not ajob for the careless, the reck- less or the faint-of-heart. ‘There are some commonsense precautions you should take and techniques you should employ to ‘make tree felling as safe as possible. We'll share those with you. We'll also tell you how to analyze the situation so you'll know when it's best to call ina pro. Aside froma chain saw, a stiff dose of common sense and abit of courage, you'll need a few things to properly fella tree. They include safety gear (see “The Right Stuff," at right) and two plastic felling, wedges to keep your saw from getting pinched in cuts onlarger trees, You can find everything you'll need at any outdoor power equipment store that carries chain saws. Don't bother looking for these items at home centers. THE RIGHT STUFF Safety isn’t a throwaway word ‘when it comes to felling trees ‘and running chain saws. You ‘must take it seriously. There are a few absolutely essential safety gear tems you need to ‘wear for any chain saw work Loggers helmet ($60): The helmet protects you from fall- ing branches, a major cause of logging injuries. Earmutfs and a face screen protect your ears and eyes. Safety glasses keep the dust out—you don't want ‘something in your eve in the: middle of dropping a 4-ft diameter cottonwood, Kevlar chaps ($75): Kevlar fibers will stop a chain instantly should you happen to drop the bbar against your leg. It's the best logging safety device developed in the past 30 years, andit's rare (and foolish) pro ‘who doesn't wear them, Felling wedges ($15): These wedges, willprevent your saw from getting, pinched during a cut. Estimate the felling zone “Trees are tallerthan you think and reach farther onthe ground than you'd expect (maybe all the way to your shed). You can estimate where a tee wil fellby using the“ax handle trick Hold an axhandle at a's enath, close cone eve, and back away from or move toward te tee untl the top ofthe ak is even withthe treetop and the bottom even with the base. Your feet should be about where the treetoo wil rest afte falling. le'slust an est- mate, though so allow extra room f there's something it might fall on! Even when you're sure which way the tree is going to fall, you're stil not ready to fell Cut away any brush around the trunk and clear twa escape routes on the ‘non-falling” side of the tree. They shouldbe about 45 degrees away from each other in opposite directions, The last thing you want sto trip while walking away froma falling reeAnatomy of a proper notch The rule of thumbs to make the depth ofthe notch one- fthofthe tree trunk’ dame- ter. The goal isto make the anglesas shown nthe da- stam (or as closeas you can), The felling cut should meet thepointof the notch. When the tee stats to fall the hinge wilhelp guide the tee total inthe ested ection. e up the tree Start by studying the crown of thee. Look or dead branches that are broken but attached or actualy broken off and supported other branches Don't even thnk bout euting down the tee Yourself you see any danger Upstals. Youre bound to inocka branchtoose and have fll on you Nextlookat the lean and the branch loading fits obvi ousy earing mone dection orheaviy loaded with branches oncne se, that's the way ts goin ofall, Forget the mth that ao cansropa tree ontop ofan tmoty beer can titer fect staight and eventy \oaded—maybehel get close But fs oaded or leaning. he wor'thave a chance are there any buldngs, fences, powerlines or other things you care eboutn the feling one? so sip the folingandcall pr. PLAN THE NOTCH You're going to be cutting a notch on the “fall” side of the trunk, Sight along the handle and adjust the saw until it’s pointing toward your fall direc- tion, The spot where the bar touches the bark will be the center of the notch. Before cut- ting, lay out the notch by mark- ing with chalk or by scoring the bark with the chain saw. Make the notch at a comfortable ‘working height. (You can always shorten the stump later) CUT THE NOTCH ‘Make the top cut first and then the bottom, When you're making the bottom cut, adjust your hand to control the throttle with your thumb. If you meet the top notch perfectly, the wedge will drop out of the notch, But most likely you'll have to extend the cuts from either the top or the bottom so the wedge can drop free.Raciantec has taken heating eficioncy to the next level by eliminating the the most expentive heat Reee Decrees comenichon expensive to purchase and instal ‘water based systems your = energy consumption due to rare ier Sprang emp Rian underfloor -- complicated technology Seine permits do-it yourself installation — re. energy efficent, 95% plus ~ comfotaba for Domestic H ‘appliance in = healthful than forced ot air TEs PO BOX 1111, LYNDONV The Cyclone Rake does a job that would take a whole landscape crew, cr days of hard work any other way. It hitches to nearly any riding mower ‘or ZTR. With its own engine powered vacuum-mulcher and huge hauling capacity, you can clear the heaviest leaf cover with sitting-down ease. Backed by a full year risk free return policy and a 3-year warranty, it’s the homeowner's answer to easy fall cleanup! Ids up flat, just 8 inches thick. Iteven hangs on the wall! TOOO-COTAZES forvisiticy.clone Raketcony) fora special discount on any Cyclone Rake model (expires 2282012) ©Woodlend Power Products, Inc., 72 Acton St, West Haven, CT 06516 7, i USE WEDGES ON BIG TREES I you havea tee that’ more than 18 in. in diameter, go ahead and make your notch cut and begin the felling cut Stop cutting a8 soon as you've penetrated far enough to pound ‘wedges behind the bat. Leave the bat in the cUt with the saw running, but Tock the chain brake and tap in the wedges. Then finish the cut. Wedges will keep the saw from getting pinched in the cut if the tree leans back. TREE-DROPPING WIsboM m Never cut ona breezy day. 1 Youll have an easier time cutting Upatallen tree ityou doit when the leaves are missing. '§ Grab the chain saw handle with an encircting thumb on your righthand land never release it curing a cut, 1m Stay away fromhollowed-out trees, especially they're big, They are extremely unpredictable and danger- ous tofell, 1m Gas up the saw before beginning a ‘cut. Never un out of gas halfway ‘through a cut. m Once you start working, don’t stop Until the tree Is down. You don't want the tre to fall while you're taking a break, 70 actoBER 2012MAKE THE FELLING CUT Score a line connecting the apex of the notch on both sides for a cutting guide. The back cut should be parallel and even with the apex of the notch. Then make the felling cut. The instant the tree begins leaning, pull the saw free, set the chain brake and walk away along one of your escape routes, keeping an eye on the tree so you can react if it doesn’t fall the way you planned, Never take your eye off a falling tree, A LOOKOUT MIGHT SAVE YOUR LIFE You'll be a lot safer if you have a trusted assistant standing a few feet behind you ‘watching the top of the tree for falling branches and letting you know when the ‘tee starts to fall. Have your assistant tap you on the shoulder with a stick to alert you when it’s time to vacate the area. If i's early in the cut and you get the tap, leave the saw and walk away immediately. That means a branch is falling. Near the end of the cut, a tap means the tree is beginning its descent. familyhandyman.cam. QCTOBER eO12 74Peter emia) L i | ew furnaces are more complex thanever We asked experienced TFH Field Editors— Pr ee eee aes ei eco ee ky Cee eee ae ee ne eae HVAC contractor is key to buying the right fur- _nace—for their top tips, warnings, lessons Deere ures etsy ee Reece ui eid ees eee Geet eee eeeTop tins from an HVAC pro Dp ef) 22V5 10865 1s 2 35-year liconsed professional engineer and a TFH Field Editor. He is the Engineering &. Design Manager at Temperature Systems Inc. in Madison, WI, and has been involved in the design and construction F A of hundreds of HVAC projects across the United States, ranging from lake cabins to large research facilites, 1 Don't go with the lowest bidder ‘Service calls are twice as likely tobe related to poor installation as to defective equipment. The uy withthe lowest bi often makes the biggest mistakes” Contractor markup makes a difference “The heating contractor actually pays about $300 to $500 more for a 95 percent furnace than he does for a 90 percent furnace. So, if that added cost Is passed through with little markup, you might be able to cost-justfy It Ifthe contractor marks up the price a whole bunch, then youhave no chance of making a paybackin your lifetime.” i Have a pro install a new thermostat Furnaces and thermostats, jst lie cars, have gotten increasingly computerized, and they can agitsome pretty serious Knowhow to get them to Work Heh Hi High vs. very high efficiencies Flghe efficiency meanshighercornlesty and ke ta keep the machinery as simple as poss bia. ere cor htt ote eee beeen alg ot er eat ec ae i an eee new ECM fan motors I Get a proposal, not a bid Go vt zona who prove tal wr tar cfaeel th tes ect whit a cre fi del aoc Le eta wellas the cost of any plumbing venting changes or electrical work required" I Buy a reputable brand Stick with the major brands or one of thelr subsidies. Ifyou don't recognize the brand, don't trust what the contractor says about it. De your own checking online before you bu.” You may need a smaller furnace ‘Older furnaces were usually oversized so that the house was always warm enough. But new higher efficiency furnaces ean have a lower Bturating and still put out the same amount of heat. Forexample, anew 94 percent efficient furnace that i reted at 80,000 Btu puts out as much heat as an old75 percent efficient 100,000 Btu furnace. I New law may affect your choice Beginning in May 2013, new U.S. Department of Energy rule requires newly installed residential gas furnaces in30 northern states to be rated at east 90 percent AFUE (annual fuel uilzation efficiency). That means your new furnace will vent directly through the wall instead of Uupyour chimney or stack. Check witha local HVAC professional for more information or visit anoliance-standards.ors/oroduct/furnaces. 7a) HVAC system piceteinet etait anne ne een eet eee Sener et tic ta Printer net tre peer ener ers ern) familyhandyman.cam OCTOSER 2012 73MID-EFFICIENCY COST: $1,500 to $2,500 installed (no A/C) AFUE: 80 to 89 percent. ‘SAVINGS: 15 to 20 percent of current heating costs (when replacing a 65 percent efficient unit). VENTING: Into a masonry or metal chimney (existing chimney might require upgrading). HIGH-EFFICIENCY COST: $3,000 to $5,000 installed (no A/C) AFUE: 90 to 97 percent. ‘SAVINGS: 25 to 30 percent of currentheating casts (when replacing a 65 percent efficient uit). VENTING: Directly through a wall to the eutside through plastle PVC pine, known as “condensing units” because they recover extra heat from com~ bbustion gases by extracting water from them, HIGHEST EFFICIENCIES MAKE SENSE WHE! 1m You live in a cold climate (may be required by law—see p. 73) 1m You will be staying in your house for 10 years or more. 1 Local energy costs are high. m You're replacing an inefficient heating system. Im The contractor markup Is low (see Top Tips from an HVAC Pro” on p.73), tm You can take advantage of local, state and utility ebates and incentives. Federal tax credits on high-efficlency furnaces were not renewed for 2012, But state, local and utlity rebates may stil be avallable in many areas. Visit dsireusa.ore for more information. 1m The payback calculation is reasonable, Visit vaurmonevpage.com/ energy/turnace'php to run a payback calculation. OR TWO-STAGE FURNACE? SINGLE-STAGE A traditional single-stage furiaceruns the burner at fullblast and shuts off unt heat is called for. it casts $500 less than a two-stage fumace, but the trade-off istower energy efficiency, hot and cold spots, and inconsistent tarmperatures. TWO-STAGE ‘A two-stage furnace has a high and a low burner setting. It normally runs on low unless fulllastis needed. Itcosts $500 more than a single-stage unit, but it delivers consistent heat, which means fewer drafts and temper- ature swings, and is quiet and energy efficient. STANDARD TWO-SPEED A STANDARD TWO-SPEED BLOWER (aka “multi” speed) with aPSC MOTOR hhas one blower speed for heating and one for cooling. I's $600 cheaper than a variable-speed blower and is less complex, which means lower future repair costs. But t's noisier than a variable-speed blower and uses more electricity, VARIABLE-SPEED A VARIABLE-SPEED BLOWER uses an ECM MOTOR, which runs on DC ‘power and continually adjusts its speed to your home's needs. It uses afrac- tion of the electricity of most standard motors ands quiet and comfortable. It costs $600 more than a standard blower and is amore complex system, ‘which potentially means more expensive repairs,“TV Ears saved our marriage!” —Darlene and Jack B., CA Doctor Recommended TV Ears has helped over a million people with hearing loss hear the television clearly without turning up the volume! With TV Ears wireless technology, you set your own headset volume and tone, while family members set the television volume to a pleasant level or mute the volume altogether, Imagine watching television with your family again and hearing every word clearly... as thousands of our customers have said, “TV Ears has changed our lives!” TV Ears Patented ‘Technology includes a self-molding foam car tip for comfort and cleanliness, 120 decibels of unparalleled ‘volume, and our proprietary Voice Clarifying Circuitry” which increases word discrimination so that television dialog is clear and understandable. Get the technology that has proven to help the most demanding customers. That's why TV Ears has earned the trust of audiologists nationwide as well as world renowned doctors. From George Dennis, founder of TV Ears, Inc. “Driven by my personal understanding of the ‘impact that hearing loss has on a family, I set out to create a product to relieve one of the most Weighs only 1.6.02. WED CROW a ee “Now my husband can have the volume as loud as he needs ‘and I can have the TV at my hearing level. “TV Ears” are so comfortable that Jack forgets he has them on! He can once again hear and understand the dialog." Darlene & Jack B., CA Risk Free Trial, TV Ears 3.0 comes witha 30-day risk ffee tial. Ifyou're not completely satisfied, return it for a frustrating aspects of hearing loss. watching Eco-friendly Seen ieee television, Put on TV Ears and enjoy television rechargeable battery ‘once again. It’s now also completely made in eliminates high cost of TV Ears 3.0. $129.95 America!” disposable batteries #1 Dr, Recommended TV Headset. “My wife and have used TV Ears almost daily for the past five years and find them an invaluable help in our enjoyment of television—we would not be without them. As a retired otologist, I heartily recommend ‘TV Bars to people with normal hearing as well as those with hearing loss?” —Robert Forbes, M.D., California PM UU mited Warranty >» 5YearL » Over 1 Million Satisfied Users ring-aids > A+ Better Business Bureau Rating » Works with all brands and models of TVs Adjust Headset Volume and Tone I Special Offer.....ssssees $79.95 + 58h For fastest service, call toll-free between 6am_ and 6pm PST Monday through Friday. Please mention promotion code 33848 to receive this offer. 1-866-611-9941 www.tvearsproducts.com \\ Difficulty hearing on the phone? Ask if you qualify for a Hamilton Captioned Amplified ‘Telephone. Tv: HEARS ‘TV Ears isa trademark of1V Ears Inc.© 2012TV Ears Inc Allights Reserved Ee and make it your home pi10" HYBRID TABLE SAW 10" SHP 220V WITH RIVING KNIFE CABINET TABLE SAW | WITH LONG RAILS ‘& RIVING KNIFE G0715P ony °795° __ co691 ony * | CONTRACTOR STYLE SAW 8" X 72" JOINTER 3 HP | WITH RIVING KNIFE W/MOBILE BASE | 60732 on GO656P ont 15" 3 HP 220V PLANER > THE ULTIMATE | 14" BANDSAW | (= A GoassP onty °105¢ GO555 0 a 17" 2 HP 12" BABY DRUM SANDER) ©. BANDSAW A om o Alt A) bt eee Incentives can repair bills slash the price ImanHVACrepakman, My gas company gavemea Mostfumaceinstalles| $100 rebate. the manstac~ preferthatyoubuy the ter gave mea $500 rebate mosteffcientfurace and the cy gave me afve- andclaimtwilsave year terete loanto Yyourmoney. Wnetthey make the upgrade. | ended up on'tellyoulsthat the Saving a bundle parts torepalritare Thomas Gzarwinsk bout thee times as Tom|ust wrapped upa expensive andin the half-bath remodel (taking long unyou'e not theroom down tothe sevingenthine You can studs and the subfloor bua furneceratedat and acing 95 percent and stil stay ew wie away trom thehigh dows, doors, repairbilsofa970r98 ‘vanity sink percent tolle etc). Leo Schmit Consider buying through a home center Wie got quotes froma few local contractors bout went witha home center instead. The home centerhited 2 reputable local company but backed the work, and even gave us a smal cliscount for opening a credit card and charg- ing the work on it Stove Markman Steve's next project is. display case for the large wood sailing ship models he builds. 76 QCTOBER 2012 tamilyhandyman.com.Use an experienced pro Stick with reputable furnace contractors who have been in business fora long time. Chances are they're still in business because they do quality work, and they' still ‘be around if you have problems down the line ‘Our HVAC company went out of busi- ness two years after they installed our unit. fwehave aproblem withit, there ‘could be a big headache down the tine! Bruce Fox Bruce just finished remodeling his den from the studs up. Don’t assume the contractor knows everything Most contractors talked to don recommend variable-speed blowers because they don't really understand them du into manufacturer documentation anda few contactors messase boards onthe internet and read until understood them, tguess thats what DI isall about Tom Berg ‘Tom has taken on HVAC asa hobby and/has reduced his utility costs by 25 to 30 percent by ‘sealing ductwork andreplacing his own fr- nace, thermostat and other HVAC equipment. Put details in writing Conte that your contractor willerove your oa fumace ‘without adtonal charges ‘ett Montgomery Jetf'srecent projects include installing flooring and cabinets nis chiéren's home schooling classroom. Know the true cost of the furnace I got quotes from $2,800 (furnace and ductwork) to $12,000. Do your (own research on the Internet and find out how much you can pur- chase the unit for enline so you can separate the unit from the labor. avid Youngblood Davidis currently building a dock for his pond. ectosEeR ea1e 77 @ ROCKLER Custom shutters made easy! Save hundreds of dollars on custom shutters by building them yourself! The Rockler Shutter Jig and online Design Wizard make it super easy! Plug in your window dimensions and get a custom plan with bill of materials. Get started today at Rockler.com/shutters. Place your order at Rockler.com by entering promotion code 432 at checkout or call 1-800-279-4441. Free sipping offer annot be apple to previous orders combined with ‘ther prometionndodingProeaons Eating oer Not vals cor Reta Stores rnaepensent Reel Special shipping hares may apy for tres, ntenotiona Alaka Hawai and hennoverze tens peLAr] Re Ure hae ieee oe) Se CCRC RU a ee RUC Wee Red ee Ce a different sawhorses: three from our editors here at The Family Dee RE eRe ees ADJUSTABLE 3 [moray Peres ang te N = * » A — eS Balen EASY TO BUILDi ; i MARK’S FAVORITE ‘ve probably built 50 of these. It’s a simple design, strong and super easy to build.” FEATURES: INEXPENSIVE, EAGY TO BUILD, SUPER STRONG cost: $12 EACH TIME: 10°70 15 MINUTES. EACH (USING A PNEUMATIC. NAIL GUN) A QUICK-AND-DIRTY eee SAWHORSE THAT’S ROCK-SOLID Framing carpenters usually build ‘these horses when they show up ata job site. They leave them behing for the other subcontrac~ tors to use, then build new ones at their next job. I's not unusual for thenew homeowner to inherit a palrand hold on to them for years. Go get two 12-ft. 2x45 and one 10-tt. 2x4, Using 16d nails or 3-in. Zz screws, assemble the three boards Mark Petersen isa that make up the -beam, Attach Contributing Editor at the legs, using a framing square to ‘The Family Handyman. square the legs to the beam, Attach the rails last. You're done, so get to work. familyhandyman.com OCTOBER 2012 79* No purchaseor survey completion necessary to win. Opento US. residents age 18 and over. Sweenstakesends on 2/31/12. \old where prohibited. For entry detalis and ffl es, vst www thpowerhouse.com/tulesKEN’S FAVORITE “| still have the first pair of these lest CO mT akc LO tei] [oy Ue am etd Pee TiC at -lamL | gec Le AEM} Cl at ae Sot your circular saw to cut at a 13-degree bevel, and cut the legs ta length ata 13-degree angle Mark each piece as you cut it FEATURES: INEXPENSIVE, ELEGANT, LIGHT, STACKABLE, STRONG cost: 512 EACH ‘TIME: ONE HOUR EACH Set each sawhorse upright ‘and set something heavy on it 0 all the legs are sitting nice and flat. Attach the gussets with four 1-5/8in. screws. A TRUE CLASSIC THAT WILL LAST A LIFETIME—OR MORE Here's a design that's been around for a hundred years—maybe longer. I’ low, 50 you can use your knee ‘tohold down your work. The compound miters make this one a litte trickier to build than the others, but ‘you take one component ata time and label them as you go, In a couple of hours you'lLhave a pair of saw- Ken Colller is. horses that your own grandkids will be proud to replicate someday. Editor inChiet at ‘We simplified this one alttie bit. On the version Ken made, the legs are mortised into the edge of 2 The Family Handyman, _non-tanered top board. To make this horse, youneed one B-ft.2x6 and two B-ft. 1x65. ‘TOP: Cut the top tolength firs, then taper the edges on a table or circular saw. All the angles on this horse are 13 degrees. (If you're the superstitious sort, cut your angles at 12:99 degrees.) LEGS: It helps to cut the legs close to thelr actual size beforehand so you can hold them up and visualize the direction of the cut and the orientation of the bevel. After cutting the legs to size, reset your circular saw to 90 degrees and taper the legs. Mark the taper line 3-1/2 n. over, fon the bottom of the leg up ta the bottom of the gusset. Lay the top board upside down ona flat surface and attach each leg with three 2-In. screws. GUSSETS: Trim the top and bottom edges of the gusset boards with parallel 13-degree angles. Mark one gusset Using the sawhorse and copy the other three from that template. familyhandyman.som STORER 2012 81ADVERTISEMENT -DOIT YOURSELF AND SAVE. Save 49% when you subscribe online today! Save hundreds of dollars in home repairs by doing them yourself! It's easy with The Family Handyman magazine by your side. Each issue gives you 100s of expert solutions for every DIYer—beginners and pros— plus easy-to-follow directions, detailed photos and valuable expert advice to help you get the job done right...and under budget! Subscribe today or give a gift at familyhandyman.com/SaveBig — Haridyman Hts 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 ‘ia T0Shutesock comWe Fein an aes whichis known fo ver cod wer. Ou f= ‘yis at 700 square fet in ara, Wn wa bean to tiize the {stant we were are hw ever the eat ws ft een: ‘ening room ares, We ordered eecond anda duit whlch ‘ow warms the entire ne. och or ures we ae eving ‘var $250 month an had he lowest exponso fr healing we Nave ever exprinced hae. | woul neally recommend your ‘roduc to anybey whe iarsted Ia le, ve heat {ere and also iret i s2vogo et uly epenses. Donn Cyt, Ty MT et ie Pog EdenPURE Enclosed you wild printouts ot ur lc bil and gas/eat- Inglenoing is for 2007-208, Our gas carpany, AmerGas, ‘ated that more money was sved than would show up beens the cat ging op. Me would tun the gas o ay team ing and tur t own 0 degrees We woul use fe EdenPURE® ents ram he nan they provid eh wait and az et. ranked #1 Save $192 - biggest savings ever naan co coat Never be cold again ow yo of igure crags Streeter rae id tien Toon eco siftnnes Cosrine chow gating re fica ipeoony anit Neston Terie tn Non Cute, Oba. 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Cain,ea i JEB’S FAVORITE Sar aren ieee ice ata \and it’s a great place to store Prtole) FM te Meet isle oe lid Vurs ground while doing a proj A FOLDING HORSE WITH A BUILT-IN SHELF Jeb, 2 Feld Editor from Faport, NY. isa chiro practorby trade. When hesnotbusy adjusting spines, youcan find him assembling wine racks forhis trends and family (probably using, his favorite sawhorses) 84 acToBER eo18 Some horseshave a shelf and some fold up, but Jeb's design combines both features, And he's right—these horses. are fun to build. Tornakea pal. youlineed.a 4x 4-ft sheet (of 3/4-In. plywood, one B-ft, 246, one B-ft. 2x4, two 12+ 2eésandelght hinges. LEGS: After cutting the top 2x6 to length, cut both sides of, each leg ata 15-degree angle. Make sure the angles are par- allel Fasten hinges tothe ends of two of the legs then attach those legs by fastening the hinges tothe top piece. ‘Attach the other two legs with 3-in. screws. ‘SHELF: Cut the 2x4 that supports one side ofthe shett Marka line 8 in. up from the bottom of the leg line up the bottom of the 2x4 with that ine, and attach it with two 3-in, ‘screws on each side. Cut the shelf to size and notch the two corners using a jgsaw. Fasten the hinges tothe shelf, then Use two T1/8-n. blocks of wood to ternporariy hold the ‘shelfin place while you fasten the hinged side ofthe shelf to the legs. Cut a23-3/4-in, x -1/2-in.strp of plywood to over- lap the 2x4 shett brace. Attach it with wood glue and 1-1 in. screws. You may have to trim ta bit before fastening, Cut two blocks of wood ta temporarily hold the shelf in place while you fasten the hinged side of the shelf to the legs. FEATURES: FOLDABLE, INCLUDES A SHELF, FUN TO BUILD COST: S40 EACH ‘TIME: ONE HOUR EACH (SKILL LEVEL: BEGINNER TD INTERMEDIATE are sre | i} — t C SYSANECa oT eR ae another kind of sawhorse. These are strong and Ce eRe cn eu mek od Each ean ad Buh tock coke a AS PICTURED: fy) 20 1 Budget Rolling Tower SPACE-SAVING SAWHORSES [= Scaffoldiiaxt nt to avoidHORSES LOADED WITH FEATURES We asked our Field Editors to pick thelr favorite horse, and the most popular by far was the FatMax. The top has notches, making ita great place to hold sacrificial 24s when FEATURES: FOLDABLE, INCLUDES A SHELF ADUUSTABLE LEGS cost: 837 EACH you're cutting up plywood and other sheet goods, Each legis adjustable, which is pretty handy when you're working on uneven ground. They have a built-in shelf and fold up rela tively flat, making them perfect for storing on the wall, ‘Steve Yaegeris.a Fleld Editor who halls from Eagan, MN. QcToBER 20712 87 ZAR* wood stain can turn even the most mismatched hand-me-downs into things of beauty. Use ZAR on wood, plasticand metal surfaces to turn his and hers..nto yours. Todownload a ZAR interior Wood Finishing Project Guide or to find a dealer near you visit www zar.com or call 1-800-272-3235. ny ceMNase E nal : r CHANGE YOUR YOURSELF In the old days (the ‘90s and earlier), changing your vehicle's coolant was simple. ‘Then cars got more complex and biYers got intimidated by the precise filing and "air bleeding” procedures requited to eliminate engine ar pockets. Alt takes to get back in the game is a one-time $83 investment in an alt-powered refilling tool. Then you can change your coolant yourselfin about an hour. You'll save about $50 on your very first coolant change, and about $100 on leach one after that. This procedure works for any cooling system that'snot contami- nated with rust or oll. ll show you how to ccheck yours and then how to change the coolant. HERE'S WHAT YOU'LL NEED: = New coolant (2 gallons; about $40) 1 Air powered refl tool ($83) = Alrcompressor '§ Hose removal tool ($4 from auto parts, store or online) 1» Shop manual to locate block drain plugs = Drainpan 1 Absorbent paper towels = Wrenches and screwarivers i i i i Start by checking the condition of your cool- ant when the engine Is cool, Remove the radl- ator or coolant reservorr capand examine the coolant color it looks rusty (don't confuse ‘orange coolant with rust), has crud or ol floating on the top, orlooks lke chocolate ‘milk call tquits and take t toa pro. You have [problems that this procedure won't solve.Weather TechFloor”’ The Easy to Install Floor Tile aT) ‘TwoShot’ Process De ee eee Ae ary eee a www.TechFloor.com AUTOMOTIVE DTU PRODUCTS LIMITED en EC CRYST I ert ry earedSAVING WAT By replacing your faucet aerator 1.5 GPM Save up to $200 Y= per year when you install a NEOPERL® 1.5 gpm aerator Available in three different streams: LL LE ha ial a aE wea Laminar Spray REMOVE THE LOWER HOSE Sip the pointed end of the removal tool all the way into the end of the hose. Then pull t around the radiator neck to break the hose loose. Then pull it off quickly and immediately direct the coolant into the drain pan. wel VACUUM-FILL THE COOLING SYSTEM Jam the fil tube into the coolant bottle. Then open the valve and let the vacuum suck fresh coolant into the system. Repeat the procedure unt the system is fullIf the coolant looks clean, start the job by Jacking up the vehicle and supporting It with jack stands. Next, place a large drain pan under the radiator. Loosen the lower radiator hose clamp with pliers (spring type clamp) or screwdriver (worm-drive clamp) and remove the hose (Photo 1). If the hose won't budge, use a hose removal tool (one choice is Tool Ald No. SGTI3860, ‘$8 at amazon.com) to breakit loose (Photo 4). Let the radiator and water pump drain completely. Then reattach the lower radia~ torhose and clamp, Next, locate and remove the block drain plugs (they're ina different spot on every engine, so refer to a epair manual for the Most DiYers buy coolant at the auto parts store because the label says it's “universal, ‘meaning Itworksin all cars. The ‘carmakers disagree. Over the past several years, they've issued service bulletins warming that “universal” coolants are often incompatible with the newer metal alloysand gaskets and seals used in their vehicles, location of yours). Reinstall the blockdrin | Theearmskers aren't saying plugs and move on to the refiling step. thatlust to increase sales of Refill with fresh coolant ee oon Insert the alr tool (we used the UVIEW aoe ele re ‘550500 AlrLft!l Economy Cooling System Cue rae erence Refiler; $83 at amazon.com) into the radia~ contents torneck or evertlow bottle. Connect the eee esterase aa you won't see the damage fora ‘exhaust hose and compressedair line and route the open end ofthe toot's exhaust hose into an empty gallon jug or pal. Then open the valve and let the vacuumrise until the needle reaches the edge of thered zone on the gauge. Then fill with coolant (Photo 2), “The vacuum sucks out ary ar pockets asit refills the system, When it's full justreinstall the radiator or overflow tank caps, remove the jack stands, and go fora spin, few years. But when youd, itt costyoua bundle, Sched the ‘manufacturer's wamings and buy coolantright from the dealer. It'll cost about $6 more per gallon (most vehicles only ‘need 2 gallons), but the peace cof mind is worth. SELF-SELECTING KEY Ihave too many keys that look alike. So drilled a second hole in my house key. That way, Ithangs at an angle and stands out {rom the others. No more fumbling in the dark to find the right key! familyhandyman.cam, OCTOBER 2O12 94 Stop Wasting Your Money Throwing Away Disposable Air Filters Make Your Move® toa K&N Reusable Air Filter that you only have to buy once. K&N Air Filters are also designed to increase horsepower. They are made from layers of woven cotton instead of paper, which allows your car to breathe easier - and you can take that tothe bank. KNFILTERS.COM/FHM 800-437-1304 Ext. 2040 FACTORY REPLACEMENT MILLION MILE AIR FILTERS 5 ae camnan gnomeey Wasien AND Ieela L DOI REALLY NEED TO REBUILD TIRE PRESSURE SENSORS? i cbse Ibought new tires, and the tire store nur wants to charge me $9 each to rebuild the tire pressure sensors. Do they really Wear out to the point of needing a —_ rebuild? Oris thisa scam? casKer It's legit. No shop wants to risk damaging four $100 tte pressure sen= while changing your tires. So the technician unscrews each one from the wheel and lets it crop inside the wheel before dismounting the old tre. (Once the sensor's gasket is disturbed, it can't be reused. To guarantee a leak- {ree seal on the reinstall, the shop uses a new gasket, washer and retaining nut. ‘Then a special torque wrench is used to tighten the nut. So you're paying for the pparts and labor. THE BEST STRATEGIES FOR BUYING TIRES Buying online can save money, But there are some downsides to consider. First, shipping can take up to a week. Next, you'll have to make sure an adult is home to sign for the tires (the driver won't leave them without a signature or with a kid). Then you'll have to pack the tires into your vehicle and pay a local shop to ‘mount them, So here's an online shopping tip: Try to find an Internet seller that has arrange ments with a local shop near you, That way the shop will accept the shipment and mount the tites for a set fee. If you don't want the hassle of buying tires online or you need them right away, shop at a local tire store. I prefer tire stores over warehouse clubs because the sales clerks know more about tires, Tell the salesperson your top priorities and your budget. Next, pick out two or three tires that match your criteria. Then ask the salesclerk to quote you “out-the-door” prices for each selection (cost of tires plus all taxes, lifetime mounting and balancing, tire pressure sensor rebuilding charges, and tire disposal costs). Most salespeople include the cost of the road hazard war ranty in the out-the-door price. If you don't want the warranty, say so up front. For more on this topic, search for "buying tires” at familyhandyman com.Gal THE ENGINE POG eh ice rear ee ee kos or ‘vacuum leak can cause a rough idle, high rpm, poor gas mile ‘age and even trigger a check-engine light. Pros find leaks by filing the engine with smoke and teoking for wisps oft. But you can search for leaks on your own with an ordinary spray bottle using this technique. RICK’S TOOL PIC Busting nuts with a nut splitter I don't use a nut soliter very often. But when I run intoa situation where Icar't reach abolt head to preventit from tuning, a nut splitter can sometimes save the day. just slip the tool over the nut and center the chisel end (of the nut splitter) on a nut flat. hand-tighten the chisel before cranking on it with a ratchet and socket. | continue turn- Ing the ratchet until hear a loud “crack” and the hard work is done. Of course, Ithen have torun to the store to buya new nut. But least | can complete the repair without having toresort to nuclear weaponry. Buy anut splitter at any auto parts store or at an online tool seller (one example is the TEKTON 7580 Nut Splitter Set; $13 at amazon.com), _ a familyhandyman.cam, OCTOSER 2072 93 Small Shop PORSCHE OLE VNC DT a Ct ES (...even orbital sanders!) (ae ree Rapid Pulse eg or eed your filter in ee CU aT ec) mess! ere Tall. Perfect mt ao Portable ~ 110 volts. Mua ee Meets EPA RAP requirements CE mene ua ae) unis Untra-high efficiency cyclonic separation -99% before the fier - reduces filter clogging. Retrofits to any vacuum. Portable with casters. 5 to 30 gal. bins. Kit-cylone/(2)5 gl. bckats/ hose rd leasare Qneida’ ee ir Systems ES — Made in the USA. 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See what you're doing with an illuminated inspection mirror (General Toot 80560 lescoping Lighted Inspection Mirror; $11 at toolup, com). Two bright LEDs project onto the work area so you ‘can see tin the mirror. Or, find a lost part in dark places with a lighted pickup tool (General Tools 70396 24-Inch Long Lighted Mechanical Pickup; $13 at amazon.com) Expand Put in your own your engine | power door locks knowledge ifyour vehicle dent come with power door Gotoarimatedengines. | locks, put'emin| Orretroft your nonworking com. Thenclickonone of | factory door locks fora fraction of the price Zldiferentengine types | the dealer charges. Geta complete four-door toseeanarimationot | _kltforless than $50 a slckcarcom/power- how they work doot-lockckitasp. 94 acroseR2013 DODGE RAM PICKUP Ident have enough space to cover all the new features on the 2013 Dodge Ram Pickup, so 'm going to cover just the cool- est ones, starting with the optional air suspension system. Most Divers hate hoisting thelr heavy weekend projects into the truck bed. Well, just click your remote key fob and the Dodge Ram automatically lowers Itself 2 In. to make the loading pro- cess a bit easier on your back. And the lower height makes it easier to hon into the cab. Then slap itn gear and the system automatically self-levels to com ppensate for heavy bed and traller loads. (Once you're on the open road, the alrride system takes over again, automatically lowering and raising the ride to reduce ‘aerodynamic drag and improve mileage. The all-newbase model, 3.6-Iter engine has al the power Divers need, At 305 hp, it's 42 percent more powerful and 20 per- cent more fuel efficient than the previous 37liter engine. The 2013 Dodge Ram includes the Uconnect media center. It connects you ‘with the Intemet, runs and updates apps, provides Wi-Fiinside the vehicle, and even lets you operate some truck features remotely rom your smartphone. 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Mention coupon code 2075P when ordering.MARK UP THE WALL FIRST Bet ee ee eee oan ed (Pee eeue Cee ee fee eee ea Perea ateetcd oo eee Peete ens Cea aka eens roe es peered ars Cee Pose Label the location of Cea) appliances on the etek ns erected ee es first cabinet to Paes ad Cer] is | La u wall = REMOVE THE DOORS AND DRAWERS Removing shelves, doors and drawers makes instal- lation easier and prevents damage. Mark the loca- tion of the doors on painter's tape, and makea pencil ‘mark at the top of the hinges so you have agood starting point when you reinstall them. Remember that many upper cabinets have no designated top or bottom. They can be hung either direction depending, ‘on which way you want the doors to swing. So decide that before you mark the hinges. DR® LEAF and LAWN VACUUM DR® LEAF and Dedeapectyand es ene! 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Hold a level across the wall, and sidea shim up from base cabinets. Rest the Uppers on a ledger board—i'l ensure a nice, the bottom (go in rom the top when you're doing the top straight alignment and eliminate the frustration of holding the cabl- side) untiit's snug, Then pin or tape it into place. nets in place while screwing them to the wall -, Need Plumbing, Heating or AC Pehl! Shop wiee with us and you'll have to decide where to spend all that extra time. ea Cc PexSupply.com W/eoupon RELAXFHM on 11/30/12) 888.757.4774 wdela 3 DIY Training fora DIY Career. Repair, rebuild, restore..you have the dive and talent to get things done YOURSELFI With self paced, online training from Penn Foster, you'llleam the skills you need to turn your DIY abiltes into cash! ‘With Regionally and Nationally ‘Accredited Penn Foster: + Graduate DEBT FREE with our monthly payment plans and 0% financing. * Complete your program on your schedule, + Expert faculty is available. ‘To start today or to request free information Call 1.800.572.1685 ext. 7206 Or vist Online enter ID# APISOZT (0, mail the coupon today. 1? wom) OO ome we Sse aes eased No cignor. Choe ONE ry, sens sao ac ee anes Ferien Me Bouse: oan Eine OF ee ie gu Ealtoene hewmen aaa iemmmees Heer NANCE & BUSINESS. 79 Dassen ceiion i ee 3 Simone 3 one ai om we cues = me tat, Ue ae Ta CLAMP, DRILL AND FASTEN When connecting two cabinets to each other, line up the face frames and clamp them together. Both cabinets should be fastened to the wall at this point, but you may have to loosen one cabinet or the other to get the frames to line up perfectly. Jerome prefers hand-screw clamps because they don't flex, and less flex means tighter grip. Predrill a \V8zin. hole before screwing them together with a 2-1/2-In, screw. Choose the less Noticeable cabinet of the two for drilling and placing the screw head USE A BLOCK OF WOOD me FOR SCRIBING fa Find the largest distance between the outside of the cabinet and the wall. Take that measurement and ‘make a pencit mark on your filler strip (measure over right to leftin this case). Clamp the filler onto the cabinet flush with the inside of the vertical ail. Measure over from the wall to your pencil mark, land makea scribing block that size. Use your block to trace a pencil line down the filler strip. Masking tape on the filler strip helps the pencil line show up better and protects the finish from the saw table.MARK THE STUD LOCATIONS ON UPPER CABINETS Jerome prefers to predril the ‘screw holes from the inside of ‘the cabinet so the dill bit ] meas ‘doesn't “blow out” the wood ia} ‘on the inside where It can be seen.Do this by marking the stud locations on the inside of ‘the cabinet and driling plot holes. Start by finding the dis- ‘tance from the wall or adja- ‘cent cabinet to the center of ‘the next stud, For 1/2-in.-thick cabinet walls, subtract 7/8 in. ‘from that measurement, and ‘measure over that distance ‘from the inside of the cabinet. Make a pencil mark on both ‘the top and the bottom nailing ‘trip. The outside of the cabi- net walls are not flush with the rest of the cabinet; that 7/8 in. represents the thickness of the ‘cabinet wall and the distance ‘the walls are recessed. {ithe ~ USE GOOD SCREWS Jerome prefers GRK's Ré self-coun- tersinking screw, which he calls ‘the Cadillac of screws." You'll pay accordingly, but why scrimp on screws when you're spending thou- sands of dollars on cabinets? Whatever you do, don't use drywall screws—theyl ust snap off and you'llend up with an extra hole. Leam more about the R4 screwsat QcToBER eo12 104Seg fewer PARTS better RESULTS SPEND LESS! FASTEN THE BACK, THEN SHIM Line up the base cab- Inets with the level line on the wall Fasten the back of the cabinets to that line. Once the backs of the cabinets are level, use shims to level the sides, Take your time on this, step—nobody likes to have eggs roll off a slanted countertop. USE 2X2S TO SECURE CABINETS TO THE FLOOR Cabinets that make up Islands and peninsulas need to be secured to the floor Join the island cabi- nets and set them in place. Trace an outline of the cabinets on the floor. ‘Screw 212s tothe floor V2 n.on the inside of the Binet account forthe thickness of the cabinets. ‘Anchor the island cabinets 4, tothe 2x25 with screws. —_ a If needed, place flooring Lg nasekacrt blocks under the 2325 (see p.103) 902 GcTORER 2012 familyhandyman.comRAISE THE CABINETS FOR FLOORING If the kitchen flooring is going to be hardwood or tile, and you're installing it after the cabinets, you'll have to raise the ‘cabinets off the floor or the dishwasher won't fit under the countertop. Use blocks i} torepresent the finished floor height, vi and add those distances to the guideline Vea for the base cabinet tops. Hold i the blocks back abit from the front so the flooring can tuck underneath. 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The ground was, rising and bulging and occasionally sending up ae an errant spray of water where no sprinkler head was located | Upon closer investigation, 1 found that even if I hadn't speared any varmints, 1 done a nice job of perforating the under- ground water lines. ‘ip iis st ce ca gat as Kent Stover OH -THAT’S WHAT THAT WALL IS FOR ur frst house was a two-story frame home. The ‘2-ft hallway leading to the dining room seemed to serve no purpose, so we decided to remove the wall and expand the size of the living room by almost 4 ft After assuring my wife that I could finish the project over a long weekend, I started demoing the lath-and-plaster wall. By bedtime, I had the wall down and most of the debris bagged and stacked. I climbed the stairs to our bedroom, which was directly above the living room, and ‘went to sleep. ‘The following morning I awoke to a bowl-shaped bedroom floor! 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