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concrete vibrator
This tool uses any 3/8" (chuck) drill and a length of rebar #3 or #4. Cut rebar to comfortable length allowing insertion to the full depth of the form or trench. Put a little wiggle in one...
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Painful skin cracks
Good response by dermatologist in Q&A of Feb/March 2012 issue as to question of painful skin cracks. But she omitted the best, easiest, quickest tip: a drop of Super-Glue on the crack takes pain...
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Protecting Birch Trim
With Birch window and door casing, I'm reluctant to use my pneumatic nailer because it's never 100% sure to get the heads below the surface and it's hard to fix things when that happens. So I'm using...
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The hole punch protection method
Here is an easy way to spackle or paint small areas with very little clean up, while protecting surrounding areas. All you need is painters/masking tape and a hole punch. Just rip a small piece of...
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Temporary No-pest Vent Cap
Before closing up our Idaho remodel for the season, I made a final walk-around to check for openings where pests might find their way in over the winter. I noticed an open plumbing air vent pipe...
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Install/Remove Eyescrews and Hooks
2 commentsI used to painfully install hooks and eyescrews with a screwdriver through the hole. Predrill an appropriate sized hole, and then mount a matching hook or open eye bolt onto your drill chuck. Hand...
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Miter saw multi-cut jig
Here is a quick jig that I used on my dads miter saw. I needed to cut some one by twos to 24 inches. Since the saw was just on saw horses and I wanted to make sure all the parts were equal. My dad...
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Dead level demo
When cutting out a new RO for a window installation, I wanted to be sure my cut at the bottom would produce a level sill. I happened to have my layout laser set up because I wanted the new window to...
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Saving Money On dump fees
4 commentsWhen I am installing gyproc I leave one side of a wall unfinished untill the very end. I do this so i can have a place to store all those scrap bits of gyproc that have been produced. You...
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Easy Toggle anchor clean up
1 commentWhen installing toggle anchors for towel bars, the last thing you want to do is lug around a vac. Instead, it carry a roll of 2" blue painters tape. Simply fold the tape back to the non sticky side...
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"Amazing Magnetic Vacuum"
I received as a gift from a supplier a magnetic wrist band to hold screws and what not. It just got in the way so it has been lying in the bottom of my tool tote. while vacuuming up drywall dust on a...
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Using a Zip Line for Quick Demo Removal - AKA "The Flying Bathtub"
7 commentsIn the process of remodeling a third floor bedroom/bath, we needed to find a way to quickly, safely, and efficiently remove all the demo materials. Guess what we came up with...
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e-z toilet bolt cutting
4 commentstoilet bolts hold down ,to the toilet flange,are cut with bolt cutters....instead of using a hacksaw
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Free FH backissues: #12 thru #71 and #118 thru #147
Thanks to all who called. The collection was picked-up this morning by a long time carpenter in nearby Royce City, TX, who also was the first to telephone.
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Free FH backissues: #12 thru #71 and #118 thru #147
See how it was done with square nails! (1983-1992 and 1998-2002)My parents collection, in fine shape. You pay shipping from Dallas (about 71lbs.). I can't trash themnbsp...
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Paint Brush - keeping it from drying until the next use
1 commentJust saw the Chuck Miller video on using a ziplock bag to put your wet paint brush in, but I think this trick is easier, less messy, cheaper, and more effective. Take a length of SaranCling...
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"RePurposing" a broken tape measure
I have too many broken tapes to be proud of. In this day of toss and turn, I used the clips from the old tape measure case and screw them to the usual "hand only" toolsnbspnbsp...
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Replacing a starter rope on a gas engine
This is a typical recoil starter assembly for asmall gas engine. I know most carpenters andcontractors own and rent many pieces ofequipment powered with gas engines, and Iknow that nearly all of you...
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Prevent fogging glasses when using dust mask
Anyone who wears glasses and has tried to use a dust mask while breathing hard in cold weather know it won’t be long before you can not see. Even if you buy the nicer dust mask with two...
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Drilling out a 1-1/2 inch deadbolt hole to a new 2-1/8 inch hole
10 commentsI recently had to install a new 21/8 deadbolt in an old 11/2 inch hole. I was going to cut a plug with my 11/2 inch saw but I realized it would be sloppy in the hole. Instead, I just...
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Awning Window Operators - Use the Door Spinner - Best Price for Good Paint
1 commentDear Chuck, This has a couple of tips on cheap construction. Today I finished my rear deck's 4' x 8' potting shed, and the "There's a Better Way" has to be given credit for more...
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Easier installation of crown molding
1 commentHi Chuck What a great feature you have !! When installing crown molding alone or with help, the challenge is getting the floppy molding correctly positioned and hitting all the studs and joists with...
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Screeding concrete steps
1 commentAs I prepared to pour concrete steps it occurred to me that it would be difficult to screed these steps because, for each step, there were only two form edges: the riser form and the right end at...
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Painting balusters before installation
2 commentsIf you need to paint multiple balusters prior to installation, here's a simple solution that worked for me. I drove nails through a small piece of plywood so the nails were showing when I...
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Garage Progress
We're making good progress on the garage shop at the project house. Drywall is hung, carriage doors are installed and the new front facade has been painted. read more
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