Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
paint.
S?
MARCH 2oo4
alr
{
ttt'- -
Departments
8
$.'
18
24
Workshop Tips'"
Carryall shop vacuum caddy, a
sharpening club, cushions for clarnp jaws,
and the most versatile sawhorse design yet.
29
Using Tools'"
Spiral saw techniques: Make dryn'all
83
New Products'"
A no-clog leaf rake, an adjustable electrical
box, a talking carbon monoxide alarm, a
slip-jaw pipe wrench and more.
102
Handy Hints@
A rolling mop bucket, a mirror for gutter
inspections, and three tips for hanging
flagpoles, wheelbarrows and pictures.
105
WordlessWorkshop'"
Swir-rg-out bird feeder.
Some past issues are still available for 94.00 each. Photocopies of
articles are available for $3.00 each. Call 1115]l 246-4344from
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central, Monday through Friday, for availability and
ordering, or write to: Back lssues, The Family Handyman, P.O. Box
83695, Stillwater, MN 55083-0695. Or send us an e-mail at
F H
Gustomer information
Reader's Digest may share information about you with reputable
companies so they can offer you products and services of interest
to you. lf you don't want us to share this information, please write
to Reader's Digest Mailing List, Attn.: Circ. Dept., Reader's Digest
Road, Pleasantville, NY 10570. Please include a copy of your
address label.
.-)Dwall
li
)ReFalrs
by Mike J. Preble
ME?
knife.
WHO,
{
.oil''oo*, *e
\ \r:
1 '
I '.
ELECTBICAL
CABLE
rfu,
/'
BEHTND
- DRYWALL
4
ii'n-ir
.."1,
,:-
tt;.4.
4ljiJ:i"".T:"'
pound, drawing it
at least 6 in.
beyond the edge
of the first coat to
taper the edges of
TIP
When possible, leave a few inches of
drywall at corners so you wonl have to
spread taping compound onto adiacent
walls or ceilings and repaint them as
well!
backside of the dry'r,vall when fastening
them. Hold the boards carefully so the
screw points won t prick your fingers if
they pop out the backside. The drywall
screws
MASKING
tJcompound
lightly with
100-grit sandpaper
to remove ridges
and blend edges.
Prime and paint.
pound ($5
100-GRtT
SANDPAPER
filling cracks
and gaps before applying the joint tape.
For smoothest results, also pick up flexible
6- and 10-in. taping knives ($7 each).
Apply
each
a coat
1O
FAMtLy HANovMAN
2:Small
Holes
Drive a popped
nail below the
surface of the
repaint the walls. Nail pops are common and particularly irritating,
because you're likely to have more
than one. But drywall screws
sometimes pop up too, as a result of
damp framing that dries out and
shrinks during the first year or two in
new construction.
The first step of the fix is to drive
nails back down using a nail set
(enoto r ). If you have screws, dig the
drywall compound from their heads
with a utility knife and turn them in
tight with a screwdriver.
Then dimple the hole slightly concave with a hammer to indent any
raised edges. But take care not to
crush the drywall core. In addition,
4D Dtiu" drvwall
screws about
an
rounding wall.
l2
tD
J
with joint
compound,
swiping first
across the holes,
then down. Let
3:
Cracked Corners
gap
stops.
,l
I
it
and compound.
trick
Ad Direction
Photography
. BILL ZUEHLKE
r-1
2
Z
dft
fit,#
ffi
-j#
#
?
I
lzl
vnncs 2oo4
THE
4
-T
umbing a refrigerator
Pl
.,
DRttL 1/2"
HOLES
DRAINPIPES
REMOVED
FOR PHOTO
CLARITY
/"'",
/\
isifti
REGUTAR
TEE
"4
r:]t:l$
-!'TTEi:f :-:'::r
--r -r
tB
;._..
.: ;
: l
:l
{'
f
{/
floors or walls, check for air ducts, electrical wiring, plumbing or other possible impediments first.
Next, calculate how many feet of 1/4-in. O.D. flexible copper tubing you need. Figure 6 to 8 ft. of extra coiled tubing
behind the fridge so you can pull it out for cleaning and
service.
il'lol
of
,r!
,hr
for
tiny
has a
'fi
ri
.4
$
*
1:l
::l
iI:
SADDLE
VALVE
lJl
.$:1
ll: l
ii
1i,
;-il
11:i
.-H
')r
i
WATER SUPPLY
19
Ask Handyman
ing sharp turns that can kink tub-
SunSetter@ Motorized
in
In
now ln effect!
SunSefrerr
MOTORIZED
RFTMCIABIE AWNINGS
ext,
le0t
tax 781-321-8650
l-?l
01
IL),
tRIt video.
pleasesendmeyour /45G-rb\
info. and derails on rhe lzdaldr*iiuim
-
speclalsavlngs now ln
effect. VE54
Address
Zip
City
e-mail
or visit us at www.sunsetter.com
O
Prcduct5
2O
vnacu
zooa
Stop GFCI
tripping
Help. Our hair dryer
keeps tripping the GFCI
outlet in the bathroom. What
is causing this, and how can
end this frustration?
J. Hadajo, via e-mail
I
Unfinished To Finished
In Half The Time
hair dryer or
worn-out
order a copy,
see
p.5.
It's also possible that the
hair
dryer-by itself-can
hair
more
power than a l5-amp circuit can
supply. The bathroom outlets in
homes
use
That's because
combines stain
one. Stain
as
Minwax@
Polyshades@
ff
and polyurethane
-r
in
enhance
wood
or
oMinw
vancs zooa 21
ffi
LIGHTWEIGHT HOSEs
1. TO 2-PLY
LIMITED WARRANTY
9s TO $1s
WEIGHS 4 TO 12 LBS.
&.
S+'
BRASS
HEXAGONAL
COUPLING
HEAVY-DUTY HOSES
5- TO 6-PLY
LIFETIME WARRANTY
$20 TO $4s
WEIGHS 1O TO 20 LBS.
worth it?
J. Sekora, via e-mail
There is something to be said for inexpensive hoses. If your hoses are seldom used, you may be satisfied with a basic vinyl hose that's lightweight,
making it easy to handle. But they are more prone to kinking ar.rd become
stiffer with time. Lightweight coiled hoses look nice and work well when new,
but they should be stored on trays so they stay tightly coiled, and some models
lose their recoil rather quickly.
Serious gardeners and lawn pros opt for high quality over low price. Hoses
that contain more rubber and tire cord reinforcement are stronger and more
durable, but they're heavier, making them harder to handle.
To buy a hose that will kink less, select a larger diameter (like 5/8 in.). Also
read the packaging to lind a 5- or 6-ply rubber or rubber/vinyl hose with cord
reinforcement that offers kink-resistant construction with a lifetime
warranty/guarantee. If you can't find it on the packaging, check the company's
Web site. In addition, look for a protective collar that extends 3 to 4 in. from the
coupling to prevent kinks. Other quality components include brass hose couplings and swivels (which should be hexagonal, not round, for attachment
a "drinking water sat-e" designation or bacteria inhibitor
inside if you plan to drink from the hose.
r
r
on the hose.
I
I
Mount
hanger or hose reel in a shaded place next to the spigot or purmobile hose reel caddy or cart.
Drain the hose after use and protect it from freezing.
Don't run hot water through the hose unless it is specilied to carry hot water.
Dont drive over it.
t-l
a hose
chase a
I
r
I
TRICIAN
22
Workshop
Ti ps
by Bruce Wiebe
All-aboard
shop vacuum
onging for a shop vacuum that won t tip over, stores the hose between
jobs, and carries extra nozzles and cleaning products right on board?
Here it is: a plyr,vood carryall made from scrap 1/2-ir.r. and 3/4-in.
plywood. The bucket spins 360 degrees in the frame like the turret on an
army tank. Use our dimensions as a guide and
FRAME IS 1/4" LARGER THAN
adjust them to lit your vaculurr.
SHOP VACUUM'S DIAMETER
BUCKET SPINS
360 DEGREES
WITHIN FRAME
!\1.
314"
.\
",i.
.,,
/J
_..
. ,,-t
t,.. -'
/
I."
PIECES
.
"i
. u, .,),
'
PLYWOOD
FOR THESE
thell2-it'r.sidesfor
'\.i
STORAGE
FOR
CLEANING
SUPPLIES
AND PAPER
TOWELS
'it,
,li
'r
ir
,,. #/
", rtl
i/
,fi
-'r^i#
t.!
.-*Fo
3/4" PLYWOOD
wtTH 1-7l8"
HOLES FOH
PVC PIPE
1/2" PLYWOOD
FOR THESE
PIECES
swtvELtNG
WHEELS
handles. Screw the frarne to a I l2-in. plp,vood floor, leaving extra space
u,I
2zl
1" DIAMETER
HOLE
Keyhole
bar clamp roost
FIT KEEPS
IN *
pLAcE
CLAMPS
ffi]
of
gripping tip.
larger than the pipe diameter, slide the pieces on the pipes and
screw the jaws to the plywood pieces with the sheet metal screws.
Now you won t be fumbling around with pieces of wood to stick
between the boards and clamps-theyie permanently in place.
Sharpening club
_(
l
I
tip
PREVENTS
DENTS
or
25
32" CROSSPIECE
Workshop
Trps
First, cut the 2x4s into
Hinged
sawhorses
MARCH
./
eight
.4
:i
'1_
u*
lun
out.
is quickly
heated, and
with its
heat
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Lifetime Wananty
no service calls
Safe
complete peace ol mind
Clean
no lumes enviro sale
U.L. Listed
Preassembled - ready to use
No furnaces - ducts - chimney
Portable (110V) or permanent (220V)
Whole House Heating or Single Room
Room by Room Control
adverlises lhe lrulh saved me 50% compared to my gas heat, I lound it hard to
believe until my power bill came. Thanks a
million !"
Approx, Areo
8'2000 wntts
Heot
250-300 so ft
22ll
llnll
Discount
Price
s249
I30-l80 so ft
s229
s20e
sr89
Thermostois
Quontiiv
s279
r69
Totol
Amount
ADDRESS
EXP, DATE
To
OHAT'E
heoter
&;
'i;dllf
SLOTTED
ANGLE IRON
-wr
i1-1.f,:.
.'l
_.
i ,.
.
New angle on
small tool storage
q*mffi
".""
]Rffi
\\
Find
ALL BOARDS
ARE2x4
WELL
SUPPORTED
cRoss_
M
El*
Photography
. DAVID FARR
. MIKE KRIVIT
Home
in
- II O- --l m
lmprovement
qF
t-
irine,'AuroraserLever
Projects a bright level line
. The tool you need to straighten:
Pictures Shelves
Wallpaper
Mirrors
Cabinets
llle
Simple to use
Hands free
Zicon
Corporation
studsgn:-o]l.l ,ro
i:ii:rr" ?iir
'i...:l.'1'
\y'"
rl-oraljt
F -Rishr
:i*illl#"*'il::fiffl"
O2004
--l
..''*r.J:,
@?
rrscanner- r,ro sL
.i
.o'to.
27
by Jeff Gorton
spiral
saw,
which is actually
wood and
;\
f'
Using Tools
within about
home centers, at
you're cutting
drpvall sup-
around. For
pliers and at
example, draw
online tool
a square
sellers.
doublewide
Expect to
boxes or a cir-
spend about
$60 for a
basic,
no-frills
object
(lnoto
Setup is simple
After you insert the bit into the collet, pull
it out until about l/8 in. of the smooth part
3(l
protruding
for
CENTER OF
ELECTBICAL
I
il
tl
BOX
\.t
.i
t
i
II
)
L
Cut around
recessed light
f:
qr-z
CENTER OF
RECESSED LIGHT
\
CUT COUNTER.
CLOCl(WlsE.
tJof
3l
.;.:i
,'| \
,,;
,,"
ir;.:
f,
t,
i't
*dEr.i#:.;.
3,''i;i-1%flx
--'l
-i-\i":5
'r;i:"{rltr,
t$
. lli
ij::,.ii:
'",.1
.;
.
Enii;
rii,":
'll'ir
I
."*.,,
at
' :.
il::.'lill"''+1r11i;:i
;1;;1t
garden atbor
You can cut perfect, old-style joints
with standard tools . . . and keep
35
Shopping for
treated lumber
. :1:
-W
-':t-;
for the other treated dimensional lumber you 11 need for this project. However, don t be disturbed by the'green"
color of the wood at this stage. A quality semi-transparent oil stain will give
you a nice, warm wood tone.
(enoto t)with
standard 7-1l4in.
'
the rear
assembly into the
diameter holes.
Screw temporary
supports to stakes
and then to the
assembly to plumb
it. Once the rear
assembly is level
and plumb, drop
the front assembly
into the holes and
screw it to the
back assembly
with temporary
2x2 horizontal supports top and bottom. Square the
legs by measuring
and making the
diagonals equal
between opposite
legs.
Shopping List
DESCRIPTION
OTY
11
36
MARCH
washers 16
l0d nails
2 lbs.
1-5/8" screws
2 lbs.
2 lbs.
Yis:nber
Figure
Arbor Assembly
lt
oerelr-O-
RAFTER
oerarlfi
RrDGev
STEEL ANGLE
AT EACH RAFTER
LM\-/
oernrrfl)
POSTBRACKET A?
/'a
., RAD.
48"
BETWEEN
POSTS
73-112"
FROM TOP
OF BEAM
'12"
r__l
DlA. x
16'DEEP
HOLE;
FILLWITH
CONCRETE
(rYP.)
SET POSTS
16" tNTO
GROUND
oererl f6)
seanv
37
$xer*#x? ax:h$r
Cutting List
KEY PCS. SIZE & DESCRIPTION
5-1 12" x 5-1 12" x 105-1 12"
treated posts
5-1 /2" x 5-1 12" x 42-1 12"
treated side lintels
Mix concrete and pour it into each hole around the post. Let the concrete
set for two days before continuing.
roof lattice
1-112"
x9-1/4" x 12"
seat braces
M1
M2
1"x2-11l16"x80"
vertical side lattice
1" x2-11116" x37"
horizontal side lattice
ii.-
Remove the braces, cut the side tintel tenons with your circular saw and
handsaw and lower each into the front and back post notches. Screw the
joints together with 3-in. deck screws.
'::..:i
s.". lt's easier to cut the notches in the front and back linir',,.j tels with a 1O-in. circular saw. You can rent one for
about $40 a day to make quick work of the post cutting.
38
:,
ffeK*#se fiay3}#r
fiil.
foin the front posts as a pair
Lift the front and back lintels onto the tops of the posts and push them
back until they're flush with the posts. You may need to persuade it a bit
with a hammer and a block of wood. Screw the lintels into place with 3-in.
screws angled in from the top.
hori-
with
a scrap 2x2.
Bring the
(efoto c)
vencH zoo+
39
bit
Cut and assemble the parts for the center beam and then center and
screw it to the front and back lintels.
(ehoto
: Screw the ridge support (G) to the center beam and then fasten the
ridge to the support with 3-in. deck screws.
13
in Photos
15.
'1
.'
Cut the rafters (J) as shown in Figure A using your jigsaw and circular
''- saw. Complete one, then use it as a pattern for the rest.
4O vnncH 2oo4
#ardss! arh*r
jr:
,.rli Measure down 4 in. from the top of the ridge support, make a horizontal mark with your square and align the
'1sp edges of the rafters with your mark. Screw the rafters to the support and then use Simpson A-23 angles on
the backside of the bird's-mouth notch to connect the rafter to the beam.
ri 'r'':,f
.l
';ii li... Clamp a temporary support 1 in. down from the top of the rafter to
:'r ''
guide the roof lattice board. Tap in nails every 7-114 in. to space the
boards. Nail into the edge of the rafters with 10d casing nails.
zl2
#{srs*K erh#y
around and examine the corners
and edges and sand them smooth
with 1O0-grit sandpaper.You may
have to wait a week or more to sand
if your treated wood is still moist
because it will just gum up your
paper. Once the project is dry to the
touch, find an oil stain that suits
your taste and brush it on. Have a
rag or two handy to catch the drips
and runs, and use dropcloths if
you're staining over a walkway. One
coat should be sufficient, and you'll
need to recoat your arbor in about
three years.
t-.1
WRIGHT ROEPKE
SHAWN NIELSEN and CRAIG
McNlTT, STUDIO CENTRAL
Project Design
. DAVID RADTKE
Rip 5/4x6 decking in half and round over the edge with a block
plane and sandpaper. Screw the vertical lattice to the side lintels
and the back of the seat. Finish the lattice by screwing the horizontal
lattice pieces to the inside face of the vertical pieces with 1-5l8 in. deck
screws.
zl4
&
.-.*l..,
*d"F
,6''
.l'd
&,
-':,'
,a'
fa
L/
straight-ahead follow-through.
zl8
Since you can't see what's under the sheet you're cutting,
check before you start to be sure the path of the blade is clear.
f;;'{ffi,
II
5(l
]
L
Q
I
or
($8 to $lO). To get the most from your miter saw invest in a 60- or 80-tooth carbide
blade ($40 to $80). Use the cheaper blade that came with your saw for general
vancu zoo+ 51
$lide
it into
wall,)
Johnson Hardware's
Pocket Door Frame.
Draw red
lines on the
bed and fence
of your saw to
indicate the
"no hands"
zone. Draw the
lines 7 in, from
10-in. blades
and 8 in. from
12-in. blades.
2;$::i'"
molding. Use
strong spring
clamps or
C-clamps.
Engineered Excellence
www. j ohnsonhardware.com
52
N4ARcH
.:
q.,
half without proper
support. To avoid it, make
sure the cutoff piece is free
to drop or move away from
the blade. This will eliminate
any chance of binding and
make all of your cuts safer.
will
saw.
I-.1
. BECKY PFLUGER
. BILL ZUEHLKE
Sight down the blade to align the cut. Let the blade
come to full speed before you start the cut.
{I
Q
t/
54
"Brl
&st
56
vnncg
With a little
imagination and a lot
of muscle, you can
build this walk in a
three-day weekend
by Jeff Tlmm
ordinary, all-purpose
sidewalk? If so, this project is
a great eye-catching solution. It's basically a
brick paver walkway set on a solid bed of
gravel and sand. It'll stay flat and smooth
even under heavy use, and unlike concrete,
vlncs
zooa
57
ffirfek &
ffitmme
Fath
Our project dresses up a space
along the side of the house from the
driveway to a service door. It also provides a firm, smooth surface for
rolling
,[
Paint a line 7 ft. 6 in. away from the house to mark the edge of the
sidewalk excavation.
job or enlist
whole enchilada.
2 ,tn 6 to 8 in. of soil from the sidewalk area. Then snap a chalk line on the
It- house to represent the top of the sidewalk. Excavate to a depth of 9 in.
below the chalk line with a slight slope away from the house. Caution: Call
the local utilities to locate any buried lines in the vicinity before digging.
Materials List
?
tJ
Otn around
utility lines carefully and lay them at the bottom of the exca-
vation when finished. Cut and reset irrigation lines according to system
directions.
58
vlncH
r
r
r
Brick pavers
Flagstone
Flat fieldstone
Paver edging
r
r
Stabilization fabric
Two lo-ft, and one 5-ft. x f-in. (outside
diameter) steel pipes
Figure
/l t^, fabric over the excavation, spread 2 to 3 in. of gravel and rake it
'? smooth. Dampen the gravel, then pass over the area at least four times
with a plate compactor. Repeat with
a second 2-
Path Details
<-114"
ts
Frir-osror,re
"\
FLAG'T'NE
trH|fl,-*a**\r-=
3-518" x7-718" x
59
Spreaa a final loose layer of gravel about 1 in. thick. Set a 1O-ft. x 1-in.
outside diameter steel pipe in the gravel and level it2-3t4 in. below the
chalk line.
f,
rJ
Path layout
Lay out and dig the walk 6 to 8 in.
wider than the actual size (enoto r ).
How to move
heavy flagstones
to the first near the outer edge and level it
ft
tl/ about 1 in. below the first pipe, using a straight 2x4 and a 4-ft. level with
a3l4-in. scrap block under one end.
S"t
r
r
r
7 putt a 2x4 along
f th" pipes to flatten the loose gravel
and fill in low spots.
Remove the pipes
and fill in the
troughs with gravel.
Then compact.
6(l
of
sand on the
and set the
flagstone 3 in. above the gravel
layer. Adjust the corners, adding and
removing sand as needed.
Q
rJ
it
in a pro.
61
nest 1-in. pipes on the compacted gravel, using a short pipe in areas
enclosed by stone. Check the slope as in Photo 6, then add sand.
Screed the sand off with your 2x4.
{{
I I
n"-oue the pipes, fill the troughs with sand and smooth with a
'lI4I trowel.
Also smooth the areas around the stones with your trowel.
A well-built walk
relies on a firm base
will settle
garage
62
vancH 2oo4
Your honds.
lomilyts cornforl.
ffirRck
($ I .50
It'll
so
iandscape fabric.
2- to 3-
Rodiont Heot.
www. rod
io
nlcompq ny.com
hand tamper.
Use
Prices
trick
is to focus on
making the
places
XypexChemical Corporation Tel:604-273-5265 Fax 604-270-0451 Toll Free:800-961-4477
Email: info@xypex.com Website: www.xypexhd-1 50.com
64 vnnct
zooa
your chalk line as a height guideline and maintain your slope for
Use
drainage.
fit together.
,A
If
t"
f-:t.
IIfl f,1-,
width.
glasses when
RIGHT
ANGLE
stone-usually
in the wrong
spotl Try to keep
the joints no
wider than
).-112
#*
.1, \a
Sn"p a chalk line in the sand 6-1/2 brick lengths (about 50-1/2 in.l
away from the house. Set a brick at a starting point along the chalk
line. Then establish a right angle using the "3,4,5 triangle" method.
{Q
Itl
in.
When placing
the fieldstone,
set a
grouping in
?;{..
:j-:.:.1
stone later.
:*l
,,,.
'*
.ffi,
gravel layer. Then dump a wheelbarrow of sand between the pipes, spread
ll /l
ltfl
+s
S""p a perpendicular line, then snap a parallel line half a brick length
(about 4 in.) away from the first to get the offset for adjacent rows.
@
"F*'
;;!s
': '';::
Ihi
15 fn:"
starting from
the perpendi-
setting every
row a half
brick.
the2x4.
Don't compact or walk on the sand
want it smooth fol setting
the brick. However, you can step on
layer. You
ttnncg zoo+ 65
(enoto re).
brick delivered
as close
to
{ft
It[J
Set full bricks at the outer edge of the walk to form a "soldier" row.
Leave bricks out that need to be cut and cut them later.
Cutting brick
The best way to cut brick is with a wet
saw
with
flJ
II
of
(ehoto 19).We
a 112-in. deep groove in the underside of the brick with an angle
{ lfi[ Score
liJ grinder. Then set the brick on scrap carpet, position the brick chisel in
the cut and rap it with the hammer to break it, leaving a rough edge.
66
vnncu
fiqrints
amd E*Frints.
19n':.::'
along the edge
of the sidewalk
down to the
gravel with the
edge of a trowel.
Fasten paver
edging along the
perimeter of the
walk with spikes
driven every
12
in.
REPRINTS
ENHAl{GE:
Company Brochures
a
Sales Collateral
Material
a
Presentation
Handouts
.E-Prints
can be purchased in
either pdf or html format.
FOR MORE
lltF0RMAT|0]{
GONTAGT:
Bob Villiams
,^Tie
(-V
perimeter.
rvrlRct
zoo+
DR
CHI,
RISK-FREE for
We're so sure you'll love it,
we're willing to let you use our
Professional Power
DR@
MADE
for 6 months to
IN USA
of.
your propefty,
I'tEW!
noad-lowable 16 HP
V-Twin Model shown
Please
CHIP BRANCHES up to
nail
lor complete
4-112" thick!
FBEE DETAILS!
1-888-394-0033
spike.
. Ilew .
Convenient
OD SPTITTER!
The
and CLEAN
Or use leftover sand from the setting bed, if it's dry. Another option
|ND00RS
weather
your own garage, shed,
or basement!
all-purpose sand.
Art Direction
Photography
look.
fu
TOLL.FREE
CENTRAL
. TREVOR JOHNSTON
unncs zooa
is so QUIET
you can even use it
in any season or
in the comfort of
WOOD SPLITTER
it at a comfortable working
height on a workbench..,rolls
smoothly like an airline suitcase...
fits easily in your ca/s trunk!
DP
bricks together.
A tight, solid brick and stone
walk doesnt require any
maintenance except a simple cleaning with a garden hose once or
Easy-to-Use
ETEGTRIG.POWERE
is to buy bags of
zlP
www.drchipper.com
lllustration
State
69
1-ggg394-0033
5r
$l
nooress
ilciu
C0UNTRY H0ME PR0DUCTS@, Dept. 47379X
Meigs Road, P0. Box 25, Vergennes, W 05491
-zip-
4waysto
speaker wire
by Mac Wentz
Speakers placed around a room sound great, but all that wire can be an eyesore, an
annoyance when you vacuum, even a tripping hazard. You may be able to keep low-voltage
wires out of sight and out of your path simply by running them under rugs and behind
furniture. If not, here are some solutions for hiding speaker wire-or just about any other
type of low-voltage wiring lfor phones, thermostats, doorbells, low-voltage lighting, etc.f .
often have an
of
7(l
t)"'
w$Mj'-"
with
junction boxes. Then run the wire right into them and
connect the wire to a faceplate with built-in speaker
jacks. Flat wire (called Taperwire) is available at
www. 2 I stcenturygoods. com (866 - 99 9 - 8422). Sixteen
feet of the Gekko FIatWire shown here costs $18.
ft
side of the room to avoid it. A ruler or paint stir stick makes a
. BILL ZUEHLKE
7t
1il
-.
i
I
'
.
72
':..."
*4',!4
;n,tanCil
.'
zooi ruE
rnrurl
H,4NbyMAN
Wood close
to the ground
3
i?
!.'
I
the
::
|]
f
sO.GRIT
SANDPAPER
\
ii
l4
ii
n
4
is
ii
ir
I'
t';
i"
:
l\
,.n
l'i
.+!
il1,
60 or 80
li'
iis
lD
Z
i
,
Scrape away allthe paint within 16 in. of the concrete. Scrapers with replaceable carbide blades
work best. Also dig any old caulk out of joints.
'lI
-h
-'\}q
1/4" PLYWOOD
4F{=
Undercut the trim to create a gap between the
wood and concrete. Use a scrap of 1/4-in. plywood for a saw guide.
Q
tJ
vnacg :ooa 73
1ll
'?
F,
rJ
4.#
ft
l/
The label on the repellent will teil you how long to wair
before applying a primer. Many repellents require an oilbased primer, so be sure to read the label. Then apply rwo
74
MARCH
]f
CAUTION:
lf your home was built before 1979, the
paint might contain lead. which is
extremely hazardous to children age 6
and younger. Call your local public
health department for information on
how to check for lead and handle lead
paint safely. For a free booklet on dealing with lead paint, contact the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency: (8001
424-5323; www.epa. gov/ lead.
trim
"mill
(enoto r).
Ifyou have
a few
{I
Dig nails out of bad boards by driving a cat's paw under the nailhead
and pulling. Then nudge the board above outward with a pry bar.
NARROW BANDS
orr-lrswooo
foot.
ts-
wlDE BANDS
oF IATEWOOD
. . '
A board with tight, straight grain holds paint well. Wide bands of
darker "latewood" lead to peeling. Regardless of grain, look out
for "mill glaze," a wood surface that looks glossy and paint won't
stick to.
pulling nails without damaging surrounding boards. A cat's paw ($5 at home centers
and hardware stores) is the best tool for
digging out nails if damage to the surrounding wood doesn't matter (Photo 1).
76
To get at the nails in the board above, shove a flat pry bar up under
it
GLAZED
SURFACE
\-{
)
6
t{F,
.j
Ni
f,t#'
ifr^
4
prime the backside and the ends (Pnoto +). Also prime the
ends of adjoining boards. This step pays off by slowing the
moisture penetration that can lead to peeling at the joints. If
the new siding is redwood or cedar, buy a speciai "stainblocking" primer. Both of these woods contain natural chemicals (tannins) that can bleed through paint, causing brownish stains. A stain-blocking primer will seal in the tannins.
Nail the new board into place with 8d galvanized nails. Use
a nail set to countersink the nailheads slightly below the
f,
rJttre
ttaacu zooq 77
looks
siding-
Scrape and sand to remove all paint from the area that's peeled. Keep a
nail set handy so you can reset any protruding nails.
78
4D T""r off
anv
cracked or'rot-
the
overlap.
siding or you'll risk dulling the saw teeth and damaging the
metal flashing behind the siding. Instead, stop your cut l/8
paint off your flashing and shingles with dr-rct tape-masking tape may not stick to them very well.
11
f
rJ
Seat
several passes
with
caleful-it's
Groundl'p. 73: paintable water repellent followed by primer and two coats of paint on the faces
8(! vancg
Art
recti0f
Photography
Water repellents
help paint last
-even
r
so
.4-SPEEDS, P0WER-REVERSE! up
to 17 HP, electric-starting!
HXli,iS
-ggg-394-0033
YES! Please send me your FREE Catalog and Video about the
new DRo FIELD and BRUSH MoWER, including models, powered attachments, and lactory direct savings now in effect.
Name
FH
e
_-
Address
State
City
ZIP-
p
@
www.drfieldbrush.com
IUew
RDLESS
Electric Mower!
Buyer's Guide
of hard to start,
gasolinepowered lawn
mowers!
www.penofin.com
WOODLIFE CLASSIC CLEAR WOOD
PRESERVATIVE:
81
'for
FREE details of th,i
NEUTON'' CORDLES.S
ElectricMower!
394-0033
il^.r;"g
tr.*.
l-vnsl
ww.wolman.com
vnRcx zoo+
FREE
(800) 556-7737.
Adclress
tCitl'
I
Srare
ZIP
Einail
H"
Ll-e-tl-tr-gf -Y'5'i:tI9iTl':Ygil':l'ii.t'-T1'q1--.i
@tAY
f.r-
Touoh
ra ke"
or
tough
raking
f you have to rake,
why not use one that
works? Leaf rakes all
tend to have the same
two problems: The tines
are too wimpy to dig out
wet or stubborn debris
from the grass, and leaves
get clogged between them.
The Clog Free Rake from
Ames True Temper has a
closed sawtooth design
.*
q#|fr
t1*-
"*e'
",t'..r:
.*" 4^
-*E rs.
ffi.-;
about $1O.
.t--
,-: l'7;*"'
{e.
'qQr
-
.4
ity'l:;
"t
BEEFY
,
TEIETH
i%.'t'l
I
oiceiruc
*{
t"'r'
\,
o'q,*
%*
"''*'**hq*
/">-
f-%
,/r
a"
CLOG-PROOF
TtNEs
.t
rl
r'
' Fw
J6:ts
vLncH zooq 83
New Products
Adjustable electrical boxes
il
ll
tl
You know how it goes. Add tile or paneiing to a wall, and the
electrical boxes are set back too far. (According to electrical
code, the box face must be flush
bracket clips it to the stud and holds it there while you screw
or nail it to the wood. After the wall is linished, you just turn
the adjusting screw to move the box in or out until it's perfectly flush with the linished surface. It's really a good idea
on walls you plan to tile, panel or face with a cabinet. But at
about $2.50 for a single box and $3.50 for a doubie, they cost
much more than standard boxes. So use them judiciouslyl
built-in steel
Stowage
with
twist
www.griptwist.com
84
KYARD
New Products
'-Rsc-Roou'
BEADY.TO.ASSEMBTE KIT
'
'
$H
QWIK@
llB PATIll
'No
OllWNI.llAll
GATATIIG
AND PBIGES:
wruw.sunporch.com
P0.
(VVeb
Westport,CT0688l-0368
Code: FHA)
A talking smoke/
CO alarm
NI14
$unPorchd
Our30tDYGar
your units'
you can pick up any remote control in the house to shut off false
alarms and even to check the battery. That eliminates the temptation to remove the battery and
possibly not reinstall it (60 percent
of fire fatalities occur in homes
86
(8OO) 323-9OO5.
l,rnRcH zooa
New Products
Wide-angle peephole
Conventional peepholes all have the same two pesky problems. First, whoever
is on the guest side of the door can usually tell when you're checking them out
because your head creates a telltale shadow. That's bad if you re trying to avoid
answering the door by feigning an empty house. Second, the narrow field of
view makes it easy for unwanted guests to step aside to avoid detection. The
SafetyVue, however, has a unique prism that has a 132-degree field of view so
you can see a wide panorama outside your door. Those prisms project that
wide-angle view onto a screen that's a couple of inches wide. That means you
can see who's on the other side of the door from several feet away while you stay
undetectable. Special tools? Yes, you'll need a2-ll8 in. hole saw. If you're
replacing a peephole, place the hole saw's pilot drill about l/2 in. above or
below the existing hole to make the job easier. Order directly from the
company for about $40, plus five bucks for shipping.
Hagler Enterprises, (8()l) 364-5230. www.safety-vue.com
SILVER
BLACK
l-1
Art Direction
''.+
88
Classic Handy
Hints
Single-arm
faucet tune-up
A drippy single-arm, ball-
saw
out the rod to the pipe's inner size. Clamp the wood in a vise and
cut through both the pipe and the wood.
91
nder-bed
0rawers
U
I
Big-sheet stabilizer
Keeping a 4 x 8-ft. sheet of plywood stationary while cutting can be a
makes a sturdy work base that can also be used as a portable workbench.
be close at hand. Just screw sections of 4-in. dia. PVC pipe under
93
Classic
Handy Hints
Screw gripper
Try this simple way to get a screw started in a hard-to-reach
place. Poke the screw through a piece of masking tape
with the
sticky side of the tape toward the head. Place the tip of the
screwdriver in the slot, then fold the tape up onto the shaft.
Once you start the screw, pull the screwdriver loose and
remove the tape.
the
flllachine
\
per-fast
floor squeegee
Su
@+ffi
J(rn4neewow
Prolesstonet
a piece
J(ceenonnta_rfrFonr
grtp
LUSntOned
9p_
t'l(pznpenmnnnncr
Drives 6 Different Size
Staples+lllails
Stay-f resh
PowEn
t'l(rnnonotnnnr
14 Amps of Surge Power
t'lfannooesrcn
New Eryonomic
...|t's what
Styting
yOu've cometo
non Arrcwt
Jptu
wood putty
Whenever you buy wood putty or
spackling compound, you'11 seldom
use it all at once. To make sure the
product is sealed completely when
Eil E.U,A.
Xeeplng AnerlcoStrong
Available at home centers, lumheryards, and fine hardware stores wherever professional tools are sold!
Arow
Fastener Co,, lnc., 271 Mayh ll Street, 5add e Brook, New le6ey 07663
Canada: iardel Distributo15, lnc,, 6505 Metropo itan Blvd. East, Montrea, Quebec H1P 1X9
Arrow Fastener (U.K) Ltd,, Unit 5 ZK Park, 23 Commer<e Way Croydon CRo 425, Surrey United Kingdom
@2002 arow Failenerco, n(
94
rr.,rnncs zooa
Classic
Match maker
Extend your reach and avoid
singed fingers when lighting the
Smooching
drywall
Instead of measuring and marking
for an electrical box cutout on drywall, coat the edges of the box with
Too-tight
ceiling panels
The panels in a suspended ceiling
often fit tight in the rails, so every
Hose caddy
Here's an easy way to store
vencs
zoo+
95
it
Handy Hints
Classic
Handy Hints
HOSE
clarups
Dishwasher
basket touch-up
When the plastic coating on dishwasher baskets wears away, the
dishes
No-mess
fireplace cleaning
Next time you clean out your fireplace, contain the mess by dampen-
Magnet bagger
Pick up spilled washers, nuts or
nails using a bar magnet in a sandwich bag. The spilled items will
stick to the magnet through the
plastic. Then turn the bag inside
out and pour the items back ir.rto
j_1
their container.
Art Direction
96
vnncH
zooa
s#a
r';,tffi
.
rtui
tr..:"
'r_r':::
l:r
\q
'
*#
.",-,=a*::
iil,1';"",,1,'^ll'"illllil!;,
,\
F*
;:T,Y:;i:,'""#'
but tiPs
calrses an
Richard Bowling
1O2
it-raise
your banner!
David Soisson
Wheelbarrow rack
Hang your wheelbarrow on the garage wall to free up floor space. Center a2-ft. lx4 across trvo studs,2 ft.
above the floor. Thck it into place, then drive 3-in. screws through metal mending plates and the lx4, into
the studs. Leave about 3/4 in. of the plate sticking above the 1x4 to catch the rim. Rest the wheelbarrow on
the lx4 as shown, and mark the studs I in. above the wheelbarrow bucket. Drill pilot holes and screw ceiling hooks into the studs. TWist the hooks so they catch on the wheelbarrow lip and hold it in place.
Bryan Turnbo
tl
m,qncs zooa
103
Wordless Workshop
Swing-out Bird Feeder
by Roy Doty
Our thanks go to Allen Deming, Grand Lodge. Ml, for this idea.
for any ideas published. so send in those sketches and notes!
Submit your idea to Wordless, The Family Handyman,29l5 Commers Drive, Suite 700, Eagan, MN 55121.
Only ideas we purchase can be acknowledged. Original contributions become our property upon acceptance and payment.
Ulfe'll pay $t OO
Great Go
Insu lation
inf lation
My husband and I bought
a big bundle of insulation to
insulate our shop. The huge
bundle was actually five bundles wrapped together. I could
barely lift it into the truck, so we
decided to cut the bundle and
load the individual bundles one
at a time onto the truck bed. As
rl4*
in
Damian Katt
Steve Burgess
L. DAVID RADTKE
. LISA PAHL KNECHT
I|Iustration . STEVE BJORKMAN
Editor
Art Directlon
1(17