This wood coat rack project is about a half step up on the challenge meter from screwing a hook into the wall. Think of it as my gift to all of you curled into a fetal ball, popping meds like breath mints joyfully anticipating the advent of summer vacation. All the kids will be home, whining about the heat, letting you know just how much you suck for not providing them with an Olympic sized swimming pool and generally, bored to tears before the last, dud firework fizzles to a slow and pathetic death a mere 16 inches from wherever you set it off. Occupy their time and regain their respect with a project they can take part in. [Read more...]
How to Build a Ridiculously Easy Rustic Wood Coat Rack That Your Wife Will Refuse to Allow Anywhere but the Garage
Astroturf Lawns – A Whole Different Ballgame for Artificial Grass
Astroturf 2.0. Image Source: Synlawn.ca
When my husband and I were recently shopping around for a house, we came across a beautiful old place that had a great cottage feel. The home had a lot of upgrades but still kept a lot of its original charm – and I was smitten. And then the real estate agent showing the place said something I would have never expected to hear: The backyard lawn was actually Astroturf, or more generically, artificial grass. [Read more...]
Smart Tree Planting – How To Plant a Tree Without Killing It
Illustration: ThisOldHouse.com
Planting trees has always been a bane on my existence. I have a hard enough time remembering to feed my kid and he cries when he’s hungry. The needs of a tree are so much harder to discern. However, necessity and the fact that I got tired of throwing money in the ground have caused me to be a better arbornoer harbinger arbitrator, uh, tree-grower-person. I have planted eight trees in my life with only three surviving the year, and these are things that typically grow on their own. Although that kind of success rate would land me the three spot on the Twins, or really any team this year, in the planting world I think they’d call it genocide, or maybe “arboricide.” Luckily, the guys at This Old House have an excellent article outlining eight really simple steps, with great pointers to avoid leafy green carnage. [Read more...]
How to Change the Distribution Box on Your Septic Tank – And Why You Shouldn’t
This is where it all begins
As I gaze out my front window at all the pretty daffodils, in anticipation of summer, I can’t help but remember some high points from last summer. Unfortunately, it is but one, low memory, (and all its accompanying imagery), imprinted on my brain: that infamous day when I casually remarked to my husband, “Something smells funky.” [Read more...]
Self Centering Jigs Make Doweling A Doable Job
Doweling pieces of wood together makes one of the strongest joints in woodworking. Drilling these holes by hand can leave the dowels off center and/or crooked at the same time. If you’re an “all natural” kind of guy, or you’re lucky enough to have that client who insists that no levels or squares are to be used in his project, then drill away. For most of us, we’re not so lucky and this method won’t fly. We need a hole that is centered on our stock and perpendicular to the face we are drilling. Not unlike Prince William and Catherine, these two pieces of wood need to marry to each other to form that long lasting bond we all need and crave. Since our budget may not be in the same stratosphere as Billy and Katie, what do we do? [Read more...]
Staedtler 771 Mechanical Pencil – The Carpenter Pencil Dilemma Solved?
When it comes to carpentry, I like to think that I’m laser accurate. Think is definitely the operative word there. It’s really more of a delusion. That’s why when it comes to marking wood for a cut, I’ve always been dissatisfied with the traditional carpenter’s pencil. How can I expect to make an accurate cut when my pencil line meanders and is seemingly an inch wide? Thankfully, our intrepid friends over at Tool-Rank.com and ToolGuyd.com may have turned us on to a great alternative to the carpenter’s pencil, the Staedtler 771 Mechnical Pencil. [Read more...]
The Whizz Paint Roller – Do Not Google the Whizzinator
If you were wondering about the whizzinator; is a fake male… woo hoo… that is filled with clean…. wee wee… so that some people can pass certain tests without showing that they partook in using any… wacky backy… [Read more...]
Bosch New Tools GLT2011 – Helicopter Tool Drops, Beer Tap Prototyping and More
I just returned from a couple days of media-event-fun sponsored/hosted by Bosch at their HQ in Mount Prospect Illinois. Several new products were announced and the media had a chance to go hands-on with many Bosch (and competitor) tools. The GLT (Global Leadership Tour) was action-packed, with several highlights that will likely pique the interest of any fan of Bosch tools, or those that might just be Bosch-curious. [Read more...]
Douglas Tools Super Hammers – I think I’m in love!
If any of you have read my profile my favorite tool is my framing hammer. I’ve made a lot of beautiful music with it and it just feels right in my hand. But looking at the Douglas Hammer I can hear Eric Carmen singing ‘Hungry Eyes’ and my mouth begins to drool. Where do I begin with this piece of art? [Read more...]
How to Maintain Butcher Blocks and Cutting Boards – Give them the Viagra Treatment
All of us who enjoy working with wood have made cutting boards or butcher blocks that we’ve glued up from scraps. We couldn’t throw those great pieces away after a project was finished. Of course not! We woodworkers are the original green dudes. “Don’t throw it away! I can make something with that!” [Read more...]
