'There's a Better Way - Fine Homebuilding Reader Quick Tips' Contest

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"Amazing Magnetic Vacuum"

EGHMS, member | March 15th, 2011

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"

BillyD, member | February 10th, 20118 comments

In 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

chuckstir, member | November 9th, 20106 comments

toilet 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

backissues, member | November 1st, 2010

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

backissues, member | October 30th, 2010

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

SharperTool, member | October 25th, 20101 comment

Just 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

PEBuilder, member | October 14th, 2010

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

carpenterbooks, member | October 11th, 2010

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

wadamsw, member | September 19th, 2010

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

simven, member | August 1st, 201011 comments

I 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

fredbishop, member | July 5th, 20101 comment

Dear 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

ABcanuck, member | July 5th, 20102 comments

Hi 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

todj57, member | July 5th, 20101 comment

As 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

REWC, member | May 26th, 20102 comments

If 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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almost free concrete anchor

carpintonta, member | May 17th, 20101 comment

I learned this quick, often free and easy anchor from and old cabinet installer and used it to fur out a block wall in my kitchen in order to run new electrical, and block for cabinet...

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Great Reuse of Spent Fein Tool Blades

Nailor, member | May 7th, 2010

As a remodeler nearly all of our work is in homes that have lath and plaster walls and the biggest challenge is making new openings in old lath and plaster walls. Unlike sheetrock, plaster...

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The best Nail / Screw Holders you can get for practically free.

Kevin_D, member | February 26th, 20103 comments

After reading the Screw Pick Up Tip, I figured I'd help you eliminate those pesky cheap cardboard containers that always seem to rip (at the worst time) leaving you to pick up 1000 screws or nailsI...

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Flashing Windows in Walls with Exterior XPS Insulating Sheathing

roryread, member | February 5th, 20102 comments

The exterior insulation adds thermal efficiency. Perhaps even more important, in our marine climate, our code (Portland, OR) then allows us to omit the interior vapor barrier, and we can build...

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Quik and consistant Reveals

DougDM, member | February 3rd, 20102 comments

A simple to make guide for marking you're reveals. Start with a 3" x 4" x 3/4" or 5/4" hardwood block, route or dado a 1/8" x 1/8" rabbit around the perimeter of one side of the block, on the other...

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Drywall Screw Pickup Tip

Dadzor, member | January 28th, 20102 comments

Ever spill a mess of drywall screws and prick your fingers picking up the sharp little suckers? Well, There's a Better Way...

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Snapping multiple chalk lines

ChikWeid, member | January 10th, 20101 comment

If you have to snap a lot of lines (screwing down sub-floor, etc.) and you're working with a partner; just thread the metal ring at the end of your chalkline through the ring on the end of hisher...

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Veneer iron for inside radius curves

needham_mike, member | January 10th, 2010

Find out which simple ladies bathroom accessory comes in handy for applying iron-on veneer to the curved edge of plywood.

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An alternative to a ladder

grateful.ed, editor at large | December 17th, 20093 comments

I love to work on our house. I don’t even mind working on the roof, but I have to admit, I really don’t like ladders very much. So before I started the dormer project to improve our...

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Building a Block wall using Joint Spacers

webwillie, member | December 11th, 2009

A simple device designed for the Handyman, Homeowner and Do-it-yourselfer to Lay Block and Brick like a PRO! I found them on their website: www.BlockandBrickSpacer.com

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