Deep in an undisclosed, carefully guarded third-world bunker, HomeFixated minions have been toiling away at a project so secret, only dozens of people knew it existed. Those that did know of this shadowy project were given only fragmented details, ensuring no single person could put together the intricate puzzle pieces. This top secret project had the potential to topple powerful governments and end human existence as we know it – but mostly it will just teach you cool stuff and make you laugh. So what is this ultra secret Home Fixated project? [Read more...]
HomeHacks.com and HomeFail.com Launch
Label Your Shop & Organize Your Life – Epson LW-400 Review
Several months ago we did a review of the Bosch L-Boxx 1A. We found it to be a very solid, versatile, transportable way to organize things around the shop. Unfortunately, once we put stuff in the L-Boxx, we had absolutely no clue which L-Boxx had what in it. In addition to the L-Boxx mystery, some of our tools were playing hard-to-get too. While a few of our more beloved tools are out in the open, free-range style, many are safely stored away in the fairly nondescript boxes they came in. Some manufacturers are kind enough to label the boxes, but most don’t. The result is a shop that makes finding the right tool more like an Easter egg hunt than a quick grab. We needed help, and the folks at Epson sent it to us in the form an LW-400 Label Maker to review. [Read more...]
Get Trigger Happy – How to Replace the Trigger Valve on your Bostitch Nail Gun
If you’re a framing carpenter, a hard-core DIYer who loves taking on big projects, or possibly a magician (more on that later), most likely you make use of a stick nailer for much of your framing work. Stick, or framing, nailers are a HUGE time (and arm) saver when you have a lot of 2x4s to bring together. I’ve had my Bostitch N79WW for about 12 years, and it’s launched many a nail, while not receiving much in the way of TLC beyond a few drops of oil in the air fitting before each day’s use. [Read more...]
The Multiple Personalities of Woodworking – Rockler’s Nordys Videos
Not too long ago, we mentioned the launch of our sponsor Rockler’s Nordy’s first annual Video Contest. Despite the newness of the Nordys, the content drew dozens of entries ranging from inspiring, to comedic, to slightly disturbing. Summarized by Rockler, “For over 50 years, Nordy Rockler has been inspiring A-List woodworkers across the globe. No matter how you work with wood, we are all inspired by the love of the craft. For the 1st Annual Nordys Video Contest, contestants were asked to demonstrate what inspires them to woodwork in approximately 2 minutes.” Rockler offered multiple prizes and broke them down into “Academy Choice” (a panel of high-powered Rockler judges) and “People’s Choice” (whoever could mobilize the most friends to vote for them on Rockler’s Facebook page). We have reviewed the submissions and are now adding a few honorary “HomeFixated’s Choice” awards of our own. [Read more...]
The Secret of Trim – 6 Essential Carpentry Tips and Tricks
I love working with wood. I don’t know if it’s my manstincts kicking in (*New Word Alert: Manstincts – Man and instincts put together), but cutting and shaping wood brings me to a primal state that often makes me raise my head and caveman grunt like Tim “The Tool Man” Taylor. Uh-Uh-Uh-UH-UH-UGGH! Let’s move on from that Tim Allen 90s catchphrase crap before that annoying grunting noise gets stuck in your head. Suffice it to say, I’m in love with woodworking and I really love to share my love with everyone. Ok, that came out wrong. I love to share my knowledge of woodworking with DIYer’s who want to beautify their own home with trim, baseboard and molding, but are too scared to try it because they’re afraid of screwing it up. If that describes you (or you want to pick up a trick or two), read on for tips to help you tackle any trim. [Read more...]
Drywall 101
Drywall, wall board, sheetrock, gypsum board, plaster board, Gyproc or Gib. It’s a building material that comes in many forms and has many names, but they all share virtually the same design that’s been in effect since 1888. Without it, most houses in the US would be nothing more than framing. It’s Drywall and you either love it or you hate it. Read on for everything you’ve ever wanted to know about drywall, and more! [Read more...]
5 Sweet DIY Valentine’s Day Gifts
Well, it’s almost time for that major obligatory holiday many of us end up celebrating, whether we like it or not; Valentine’s Day. I don’t mean to sound disconnected or disheartened but I just think if we were to celebrate the holiday a little truer to historical events, well, it would be a bit darker than chocolates and heart shaped antacids. With that said, here are five pretty awesome yet manageable DIY gifts you can still manage to do without spending half your paycheck and a full day waiting in line at the Hallmark Store. [Read more...]
Saving Green while Going Green
Going green with spray foam insulation
2013 CES – Six Insights into the Future and Photo Coverage Too Hot for Print
If you’ve never been to the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, let me paint a picture. Nearly two million square feet of show floor. More gadgets than a pre-SkyFall James Bond, and an equally Bond-like level of booth babes. As a married man and marginally respected journalist, the booth babes of course had ZERO influence on my reporting. Instead of being lured by sexist attempts to grab my attention, I steadfastly sought out everything that might be of interest to HomeFixated readers. What did I discover in my mad quest to cover every square inch of show floor? As mentioned in Monday’s Bosch CES coverage, our 60+ tweets and photos live from the show provide a great overview. By the way, if you like getting the latest and greatest product info and tool news, you should most definitely follow @HomeFixated on Twitter. Read on for six tech trends to keep a close eye on, and dozens of photos. Unsubstantiated rumors have suggested booth babe photos may be included, so if you’re offended by that kind of thing, or if your corporate overlords frown upon racy attire, you may want to peruse the photo section at home or just read the initial six trends. [Read more...]
My Top 3 Home New Year’s Resolutions – And Why They Should Be Yours Too
Well it’s getting to be that time again. No, not time to decompress from the holidays and drink yourself into oblivion under the guise of hanging with friends, or, worse yet, watching reruns of Friends by your lonesome. Instead, I mean it’s time to start making those inane New Year’s Resolutions. Mine are perennial: lose weight, read more, learn a language, do something with my life. Perhaps your resolutions are a bit brighter than mine. This year, instead of targeting resolutions that are near completely unobtainable for me, I decided that it would better if I sat down and thought about the things I’d like to change about the house and how I handle it. Here are my Top 3 Home Resolutions, and you might find they should be yours as well! [Read more...]
