All How-To Topics
Subscribe to RSS feed
There's a Better Way: Custom Drywall Taping Tool
2 commentsA custom drywall taping knife is cheap, easy to make, and produces excellent results
view details
There's a Better Way: Drawing an Ellipse-ish
12 commentsBuild a jig to draw a perfect ellipse with just two scraps of wood and a few nails
view details
Small-Scale Drywall Texturing
For quick texture touch-ups, grab a plastic bottle, some joint compound, and an air gun.
view details
There's a Better Way: Plywood Sheet-Metal Brake
Reader David Kalin of Kaneohe, Hawaii, submitted a simple method for bending steel, copper, or aluminum flashing on site. Charles Miller demonstrates and points out how the flashing can run as long as you've got friends to hold it.
view details
There's a Better Way: Cutting Rigid Insulation
1 commentTeamed up with a straightedge, a sharpened putty knife cuts through foam like butter
view details
There's a Better Way: Line-Level Storage
This quick video tip teaches you how to keep track of those little line levels.
view details
There's a Better Way: A Work Light for Cramped Conditions
Fine Homebuilding reader Peter J. Gootos of Grapevine, Texas, discovered a perfect alternative to drop lights for lighting tight cramped spaces: a rope light made from flexible clear PVC
view details
There's a Better Way: Prompt Power-Cord Polarity
Submitted by David White of Cupertino, California, and demonstrated by Charles Miller, this expert tip will save you time in aggravation in determining power-cord polarity in tight spaces or dark conditions.
view details
There's a Better way: A Big Table for a Portable Tablesaw
Fine Homebuilding's Kevin Ireton demonstrates a low-cost solution for making an outfeed table to use with your portable tablesaw.
view details
Better pencil sharpener
A utility knife will sharpen your pencil but when your stuck on a ladder there's a better way.
view details
Video Tip: Insulation T-lift
Rick Nelson of Alameda, California, created a handy tool to help with installing unfaced fiberglass insulation overhead.
view details
for the latest news, special features and updates.
Are you a Tipster?
We're on the hunt for great reader tips to demonstrate online and include in the magazine.
If you have a tip that you would like to share, visit our new Readers Quick Tips blog to post text, photos, and links to videos. Or, send us an email at: quicktips@taunton.com
About this Blog
Have your ever been frustrated building something and mumbled to yourself, "There's got to be a better way."
Well, thanks to the contributions of our great Tipsters, and the talent of Fine Homebuilding Special Issues editor, Chuck Miller, help has arrived.
Each week, Chuck demonstrates a tip sent in by readers like you or something he learned on a jobsite.
So enjoy, and don't forget to come back each week for a new tip.
From the Store
Other Fine Homebuilding Blogs
The Deans of Green Inside the Magazine Tool Hound The Daily Fix Chalk the Line
