Family Handyman Winter 2019

SIGN UP FOR MORE “STUFF WE LOVE” We’ve launched a new weekly newsletter featuring more of the tools, gadgets and gear we are living for right now! Sign up to get the scoop on all of our favorite products; go to fhmag.com/signup LEARN MORE. BUILD MORE. Take on the home projects you’ve been dreaming about! More than just your average how-to videos, our DIY University online courses offer professional guidance from a Handyman expert, who will answer your personal questions and provide step-by-step instructions—as if you’re in a real, live workshop! Choose what works best for you—in-depth premium courses or quick classes that are self-paced. Get all the tools and info you need to succeed. Learn more at DIYUniversity.com. Video Tutorial Turn your pile of scrap wood into a set of cool coasters. Go to…

A work light that shows true colors The Hybrid LED Color Range Work Light from Ryobi features variable color temperature, allowing you to adjust the light quality to your work space. It improves color perception—a big benefit for painting—and it reduces eye strain from working in bright white light. The ability to warm up the light as well as dim it can keep you working comfortably longer. The work light features 360-degree light head rotation and includes a tripod mount. It’s cordless, but it can also be plugged into an extension cord. This light is available at Home Depot for $80 without a battery. It’s part of Ryobi’s 18-volt ONE+ System, so you won’t need the battery if you’ve already invested in the system. POCKET SQUARE I keep three essentials in my shop apron: a…

Dog Food Scoop It’s true that the tops of plastic jugs make good funnels. But if you keep the cap on and angle the cut, they also make handy scoops for everything from potting soil to pet food. I used a half-gallon jug for this scoop. RAY DEAN DRYER-LINT FIRE STARTER To build a fire properly, you need to have tinder (easy-lighting material), kindling (finger-size sticks) and fuel (logs). We all have a ready supply of tinder: dryer lint. To make fire starters, I stuff empty toilet paper tubes with dryer lint. My lint “logs” light quickly and burn long enough to ignite the kindling. And I don’t have to resort to lighter fluid! RYAN FRANZA SANDPAPER TEARING BLADE Cutting sandpaper will dull scissors and utility knife blades in no time. Here’s a better technique: Fasten a…

Home centers carry more lumber species (both hardwood and softwood) than they used to, but the selection is still hit-or-miss. Stores even within the same company might stock more species than another, so you’ll need to check around. Traditional lumberyards or specialty hardwood stores carry the best lumber and far more options for thicknesses and species. But with these tips, you may find everything you need at a home center. What you’ll find at home centers (The prices listed are for an 8-ft. 1x6.) STANDARD PINE ($4) Eastern white pine is the most widely used wood for home construction. Knots and resin are common. Doesn’t take stain evenly. SELECT PINE ($10) Same as standard pine but completely knot free. Nice for paint or natural finish. CEDAR ($12) Western red cedar is lightweight and rot resistant, making it popular for…

Traditional hand-cut joinery requires skill and a great deal of practice to master. But are those fancy joints necessary? Nah. I still use mortise-and-tenons or dovetails when a project calls for it. But for most projects, I just need joinery that’s strong and simple. My go-to methods include pocket screws, dowels, biscuits and the Beadlock system. There’s no reason to have all of them in your arsenal. Most serious woodworkers choose one or two, become proficient and use them for virtually all joinery. These four methods are strong enough for typical joinery, and they’re all affordable. POCKET SCREWS You can get a basic pocket hole kit for about $30. You’ll need a supply of different lengths of special self-drilling washer-head screws (coarse threads for softwoods, fine threads for hardwoods). You likely already have a…

The only time our pots and pans were truly organized was when they were new in the box—since then, it’s been “every pan for itself.” Pots and pans are difficult to organize; if you stack them up, it’s a hassle getting to the bottom ones. If you spread them out, they take up tons of valuable cabinet space. This pot and pan pullout makes your pans easy to access and organize and—depending on your cook ware—may even give you a place to stash your lids. It only takes a couple of hours, a couple of boards and a couple of drawer slides. Note: This accessory is designed to support everyday pots and pans, not extremely heavy objects or kids doing pull-ups. 1. MEASURE THE CABINET Measure the depth of the cabinet from the…