All How-To Topics
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How to Make Spray-Can Caps Easier to Remove and Replace
5 commentsTame that reluctant lid on your paint rattle can with a simple modification.
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Make an Easy-to-Carry Paint Pail Out of a Milk Jug
1 commentDon't get hand cramps from lugging around that metal paint can—recycle a plastic jug into an ergonomic painting container.
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Laser-Guided Sonic Stop Makes Measuring Miter-Saw Cuts a Breeze
7 commentsThis cutting-edge technology will boost the efficiency of any home-building project
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Don't Let Drywall Compound Derail Your Electrical Rough-In
9 commentsChuck Miller shares a simple tip for keeping the screw holes clear and accessible on electrical boxes
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How to Keep Paint off a Carpet When Painting Baseboard
2 commentsYou could try to peel that carpet back as you brush along the edge of the molding and hope you don't get any paint on it, but there's a better way.
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Make a Drying Rack out of Wood Scraps and Staples
6 commentsIf you're finishing pieces of woodwork with paint or varnish, you could just lean them up against the wall and hope that they don't drip, but there's a better way.
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How to Remove a Router Bit Without Busting Your Knuckles
4 commentsThe safest way to loosen a router collet is as simple as changing the direction of your wrenches
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How to Make a Simple Shop-Built Edge Clamp
2 commentsDon't blow all your money on expensive bar clamps. Use a homemade tool made from scraps to glue on edge band and other long, thin pieces of wood.
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Use a Common Job-Site Tool as a Quick Rip Guide
2 commentsIf you need to make a quick rip on a piece of lumber, you could hunt around for your tablesaw, but there's a better way.
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Stop Drafts With a Homemade Door Sweep
4 commentsYou don't need fancy, store-bought thresholds to block the air leaking under your old doors. Make your own sweep out of materials you already have lying around the shop.
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How to Build a Door Buck With Scrap Materials
1 commentIf you need to work on a door while it's on edge, you could look around for a third hand, but there's a better way
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Accurately Cut Miter Angles Without Using Measuring Tools
1 commentIf you need to measure an angle that's other than 90 degrees, you could hunt around for your protractor, but there's a better way
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A Faster Way to Install Eye Screws
7 commentsIf you've got a bunch of eye screws to install, you could do it the old-fashioned way with the blade of a screwdriver, but there's a better way
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How to Remove a Circular-Saw-Blade Knockout Easily
1 commentGrab a few common items from around the shop to make this job a snap
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How to Keep Things Clean When Caulking Trim
11 commentsDon't wipe your hands on your clothes or a messy rag when caulking crown moldings, casings, and baseboards. Use this handy tip instead
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How to Use a Drill and Screws to Remove a Plug from a Hole Saw
1 commentAvoid busting your knuckles on your next hole-boring project with this clever video tip
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How to Make a Custom Dust Collector for Your Router
If you've got a router job coming up, you could just let the chips fly and vacuum them up later, but there's a better way.
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How to Apply a Weathered Finish to New Wood Siding
2 commentsDon't wait for siding repairs to blend in naturally; Chuck Miller has found a great way to make unfinished wood weather quickly
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How to Make a Mess-Free Varnish Filter out of Cheesecloth
6 commentsIf you need to filter an old can of varnish for a small touch up job, you could pour the whole thing through a filter and make a mess... But, there's a better way.
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How To Make a Woodworking Spring Clamp out of PVC Drainpipe
8 commentsYou can't buy a half dozen clamps for a buck—but you can make your own for less than that
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How to Paint Fiber-Cement Siding
Painter Jim Lacey shares some tips for caulking and painting fiber-cement siding. read more
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.
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