Copyright (c) 2012 FineHomebuilding.com en-us Fine Homebuilding - "There's A Better Way Video Tips" blog entries http://www.finehomebuilding.com/blog/homebuilding-video-tips-with-chuck-miller Sat, 26 May 2012 13:26:02 -0500 Fine Homebuilding - "There's A Better Way Video Tips" blog entries http://www.finehomebuilding.com/assets/images/cs_logo_sm.jpg http://www.finehomebuilding.com/blog/homebuilding-video-tips-with-chuck-miller Tue, 24 Apr 2012 07:55:59 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/23183/how-to-make-a-woodworking-spring-clamp-out-of-pvc-drainpipe http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/23183/how-to-make-a-woodworking-spring-clamp-out-of-pvc-drainpipe Posted by cmiller
You can't buy a half dozen clamps for a buck—but you can make your own for less than that ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/23183/how-to-make-a-woodworking-spring-clamp-out-of-pvc-drainpipe Sun, 01 Apr 2012 01:00:00 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/22728/how-to-save-a-miscut-board-from-the-scrap-bin http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/22728/how-to-save-a-miscut-board-from-the-scrap-bin Posted by cmiller
"Measure twice, cut once" no longer applies once you learn this easy fix for a board that's been cut too short ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/22728/how-to-save-a-miscut-board-from-the-scrap-bin Wed, 14 Mar 2012 16:10:58 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/22248/how-to-clean-a-large-paint-roller http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/22248/how-to-clean-a-large-paint-roller Posted by cmiller
You'll feel like a kid again when you use this slick tip for cleaning the messiest of painting tools ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/22248/how-to-clean-a-large-paint-roller Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:00:00 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21871/how-to-make-a-reciprocating-saw-blade-guide-block http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21871/how-to-make-a-reciprocating-saw-blade-guide-block Posted by cmiller
This simple tip will help you cut studs more-accurately when making new rough openings in existing walls. ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21871/how-to-make-a-reciprocating-saw-blade-guide-block Fri, 06 Jan 2012 17:04:14 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21504/how-to-avoid-complicated-fractions-when-measuring-a-workpiece http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21504/how-to-avoid-complicated-fractions-when-measuring-a-workpiece Posted by cmiller
If you need to divide a piece of wood by some inconvenient fractional number like 11/64, you could do some complicated math in your head, but there's a better way. ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21504/how-to-avoid-complicated-fractions-when-measuring-a-workpiece Fri, 02 Dec 2011 09:43:00 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21020/how-to-drill-a-long-thin-hole-for-running-small-wires http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21020/how-to-drill-a-long-thin-hole-for-running-small-wires Posted by cmiller
Don't buy an expensive bit that you'll only use once. Make this custom drill bit for running wire for doorbells, thermostats, or other low-voltage equipment. ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21020/how-to-drill-a-long-thin-hole-for-running-small-wires Mon, 21 Nov 2011 00:19:58 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21049/how-to-stop-paint-from-bleeding-under-masking-tape http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21049/how-to-stop-paint-from-bleeding-under-masking-tape Posted by cmiller
If you need to keep a straight, clean line between a painted surface and a varnished surface, you could try free-handing it the way the great painters do, or you could put down some masking tape and... ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21049/how-to-stop-paint-from-bleeding-under-masking-tape Thu, 13 Oct 2011 15:23:30 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/20566/make-your-blowtorch-safe http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/20566/make-your-blowtorch-safe Posted by cmiller
Propane torches have tippy bases on one end and flames coming out the other. You could keep a fire extinguisher handy, but there's a better way. ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/20566/make-your-blowtorch-safe Fri, 23 Sep 2011 15:25:53 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/20447/prevent-pneumatic-nailer-blowouts-when-installing-trim http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/20447/prevent-pneumatic-nailer-blowouts-when-installing-trim Posted by cmiller
If you're hanging moldings and the nails keep blowing out the side of your trim stock, you could just swear a lot and keep your putty handy, but there's a better way. ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/20447/prevent-pneumatic-nailer-blowouts-when-installing-trim Wed, 24 Aug 2011 12:36:40 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/18299/how-to-stop-sawdust-from-binding-up-a-holesaw http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/18299/how-to-stop-sawdust-from-binding-up-a-holesaw Posted by cmiller
Chuck Miller shares a tip on how to evacuate sawdust from a holesaw without pulling the saw in and out of the cut. ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/18299/how-to-stop-sawdust-from-binding-up-a-holesaw Fri, 29 Jul 2011 15:54:45 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/17922/how-to-cut-tenons-for-deck-rails-with-a-tablesaw http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/17922/how-to-cut-tenons-for-deck-rails-with-a-tablesaw Posted by cmiller
A round tenon is a solid way to secure a baluster to a deck railing. Chuck Miller shows how to make a simple jig to cut your own in this episode of "There's a Better Way." ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/17922/how-to-cut-tenons-for-deck-rails-with-a-tablesaw Thu, 14 Jul 2011 23:14:45 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/18297/get-a-sharp-edge-on-knives-chisels-and-planes-with-a-homemade-strop http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/18297/get-a-sharp-edge-on-knives-chisels-and-planes-with-a-homemade-strop Posted by cmiller
Keep this simple tool in your nail pouch and you'll never have an excuse for working with a dull blade again. ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/18297/get-a-sharp-edge-on-knives-chisels-and-planes-with-a-homemade-strop Fri, 01 Jul 2011 13:02:58 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/17831/make-a-custom-hole-saw-to-remove-stripped-screws http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/17831/make-a-custom-hole-saw-to-remove-stripped-screws Posted by cmiller
Tired of scrapping good wood when a stripped screw won't budge? Chuck Miller shares a tip for using, of all things, an old golf club to painlessly pull stubborn screws. ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/17831/make-a-custom-hole-saw-to-remove-stripped-screws Fri, 17 Jun 2011 13:23:44 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/17722/plane-doors-more-easily-with-a-shopmade-jig http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/17722/plane-doors-more-easily-with-a-shopmade-jig Posted by cmiller
Scott Gibson shares a tip to keep doors and other big workpieces secure and level. ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/17722/plane-doors-more-easily-with-a-shopmade-jig Thu, 28 Apr 2011 09:55:44 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/16538/keep-your-truck-tailgate-clear-with-a-simple-gravel-shield http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/16538/keep-your-truck-tailgate-clear-with-a-simple-gravel-shield Posted by cmiller
Don't let the back of your pickup get jammed up with soil or stone dust. Chuck Miller shares a tip for making a movable cover to keep your tailgate free of debris. ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/16538/keep-your-truck-tailgate-clear-with-a-simple-gravel-shield Thu, 07 Apr 2011 15:47:10 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/16391/how-to-hang-drain-lines-so-they-stay-straight-and-secure http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/16391/how-to-hang-drain-lines-so-they-stay-straight-and-secure Posted by cmiller
Plumber Bruce Norman shares his secret to keeping PVC waste pipes right where he wants them. ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/16391/how-to-hang-drain-lines-so-they-stay-straight-and-secure Fri, 01 Apr 2011 00:05:00 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/16519/scrap-your-nail-set-and-make-your-hammer-work-harder http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/16519/scrap-your-nail-set-and-make-your-hammer-work-harder Posted by cmiller
Fine Homebuilding reader April Uno shares a new way to countersink nails with a single custom-made tool. ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/16519/scrap-your-nail-set-and-make-your-hammer-work-harder Thu, 24 Mar 2011 16:29:19 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/16371/roll-compound-on-drywall-seams-for-faster-easier-taping http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/16371/roll-compound-on-drywall-seams-for-faster-easier-taping Posted by cmiller
Add a little water, grab a paint roller, and speed up this tedious job. ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/16371/roll-compound-on-drywall-seams-for-faster-easier-taping Fri, 04 Mar 2011 07:20:32 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/14377/a-money-saving-tip-for-protecting-your-truck-bed http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/14377/a-money-saving-tip-for-protecting-your-truck-bed Posted by cmiller
Learn about a simple way to keep your truck bed clean without buying an expensive tarp. ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/14377/a-money-saving-tip-for-protecting-your-truck-bed Thu, 17 Feb 2011 12:53:25 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/15339/use-a-scrap-of-electrical-cable-to-make-a-flexible-flashlight-stand http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/15339/use-a-scrap-of-electrical-cable-to-make-a-flexible-flashlight-stand Posted by cmiller
Romex isn't just for electricity anymore! Make your own handy light snake with a few wraps of this easily-formable wire. ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/15339/use-a-scrap-of-electrical-cable-to-make-a-flexible-flashlight-stand