Justin Fink

Anything but typical, this handsome outbuilding can be built by one person in about a week

These sleek drains open shower-design possibilities, but at a cost

How accurate is accurate enough? It all depends on the bubble vial and frame construction.

The options in penetrating exterior finishes may seem confusing, but there are some clues to help you choose

Learn what the differences are between brushed and brushless electric motors

Clean, fast cuts shouldn't cost a fortune 

Wood, resin, aluminum, or magnesium?

Decoding the APA Stamp

You designed it and we built it, with the help of some great accessories

Festool claims to have reinvented the portable planer market. See what the Tool Hound thinks.

Porter-Cable enters a category that has long been dominated by Kreg, but is their new jig an improvement?

Newer models can play MP3s, charge batteries, and power accessories, but only the best radios survived our cruel trials

For ABS, PVC, and CPVC

It’s now the law for professional contractors, but working lead-safe should be a priority for everyone

What's the most dangerous tool that you work with? If your first thought is a power tool—probably a tablesaw—then the answer might surprise you.

The best way to deal with water is to let it drain away or dry out, and a gap of less than an inch behind the siding ensures both

What's the Difference: Learn how and when to use these tablesaw safety aids

Three testers, three sets of tools, one common task: Evaluate the flagship drill from each major too brand.

An easy way to turn on the faucet when your hands are soiled

Smart hoses prevent flood damage

Give your cabinets a makeover with stylish glass

New adjustable speed setting on Makita's BTD144 cordless impact driver offers better control when driving screws

Can this diminutive circular saw really replace the standard 7-1/4-in. variety on the jobsite? The Tool Hound investigates.

You can upgrade insulation without gutting your walls, but not until you know what’s in there now

Our review of Festool's 14.4-volt drill-driver model T15+3 reveals the torque and battery life of an 18-volt tool

New to the American table saw market, these safety accessories deliver a much-needed safety upgrade to prevent against kickback 

We take a closer at Makita's 10-in. sliding compound miter saw to see how well it stands up to the rigors of the job site.

Band-Aid Tough-Strips stand up to a full day of hands-on work

Learn the differences between materials and three easy fixes that can make a damaged hose as good as new  

The right one should fit your tools, your budget, your work, and even the weather outside

FastCap's new pocket chisel features a two-part handle that folds around the blade, keeping it sharp

Available in headers, beams, and posts, iLevel makes Wolmanized PSLs that resist rot and insects

The new Bosch jigsaw blade makes a cleaner cut than other stamped-metal blades

A new testing method measures the sustained torque of a tool with 95% accuracy

CertainTeed's DryRight insulation features R-values ranging from R-13 to R-19 and keeps wall cavities dry and mold-free

Finish carpenter Kit Camp revisits the "best overall" in the 12-in miter-saw category

3-Ply poly Chimney Balloon keeps hot air where it should be 

When all else fails, an unlikely tool gets the job done

Marathon water heater by Water Heater Innovations, Inc.

Glass knobs and pulls by Sietto

Laser measures do the math for you. Can your tape measure do that?

Festool's new Kapex KS120 SCM delivers on features, precision

Figure 9 rope tightener

Acrylic-block door inserts can be retrofitted into existing doors

Zip System wall and roof sheathing

SharkBite push fittings

Soyguard

Headcote deck screws

X-Lite aluminum air compressor (EX8016)

Justin Fink reviews David Owen's latest book

Five tradesmen weigh in on where to put solid blocking for stair skirts, grab-bar anchors, and everything else the code leaves out

Designer ceramic tiles embrace subtle differences in appearance from batch to batch

Tundra fire extinguisher operates like a common aerosol can

Integrated with posts, railings, and stair risers, a new generation of exterior-light fixtures provides a wide range of deck-lighting options

Dust-off chalk

Try one of these simple and inexpensive job-site solutions for securing your work on a bench top, keeping your tools sharp, and creating extension worksurfaces for your power tools

A combination square will get you the precision you need

Valve-grinding compound can save the day after you obliterate a screw-head

Use a file to extend the life of worn-down drywall-screw bits

Low on materials and high on utility, this door buck can be made with ease

If your pencil keeps falling out of your shirt pocket, there's a solution that is as simple as they come

In just a minute, you can solve a problem that has been bothering you for years

Irritated with your immaculate paintjob suffering at the hands of a stray bit of tape? All you need is some wax.

Searching for underground pipes doesn't have to be expensive, all you need is a couple of cheap materials

How you can capitalize on an age-old technique used to clean debris

You can go to the hardware store and buy a sanding block, but better yet, you can make your own with materials you already have

This method makes sure you'll be safe on your ladder, and it only takes a second

Say goodbye to inaccurate scribe lines

You may think using the claw of your hammer to separate two studs is the best method, but this tip proves that it's not

Give your hands a break and support heavy paint cans from the bottom with this technique

It may sound deceiving, but this tip will leave your compass out of the equation completely

Store cords neatly and transport them easily

If your electrician is right handed, this video may be of help to you.

Keeping your power source protected and visible is paramount, and this tip gives you a simple way to do it

Never prick your fingertips with nails again, thanks to a magnet

The Mosaic Masonry System is designed for any builder or do-it-yourselfer installation

Instant Pendant Light converts recessed light fixtures into pendant lights

Adjustable pin wrench

The Evo System, an aluminum frame-and-track setup that hangs on a series of rails

Quick Curve Plates

Quick align hinge shims

It's better-looking and more affordable than ever

A list of links to view products and see specs

This new generation of batteries will make your current cordless tools seem overweight and underpowered

How much time, trouble, and money does it take to install deck planks? It all depends on the fasteners you use.

Festool's new Kapex KS120 SCM delivers on features, precision

Cover all of your framing with housewrap, but watch this video before you cut through to install your windows.

Install housewrap right if you want your walls to last. Watch this video and learn how to get your corners tight.

Learn how to seal building paper seams for water-tight exterior walls.

Remodeler and Fine Homebuilding editor Justin Fink shows us a straightforward way to measure and mark your plates before framing a wall.

New models are hitting the market at a feverish pace. Is the market saturated or is this a boon for home builders looking for the latest whizbang features?

According to the Tool Hound, better chuck, battery, and handle designs make this new cordless drill tops in comfort and convenience.

With no gas cartridge to change, and no mechanical flywheel to wait for, this fast and portable trim gun is well worth its premium price.

Clean & Safe Pro

This new rasp takes up less space, works harder, and multitasks, so why wouldn't you replace that old cheese grater in your toolbox?