Phil 
Architecture, Building Materials, Featured, How To
Does your dark, tiny kitchen have you feeling a bit claustrophobic? Trying to keep track of other household members, but having trouble due to a pesky, inconveniently placed wall? Fear not! With a bit of …
Written by: Phil
I love our porch. In the summer, we spend a lot of evenings relaxing there with friends and appropriate beverages. Winter is a different story; we know the porch is still out there somewhere, under …
Written by: Phil
In my relentless quest to get to the top, I have accumulated a lot of ladders over the years. I own one 32’, two 24’, and a 20’ extension ladder, and one 8’ and three …
Written by: Phil
Appliances, Electrical, How To, Kitchen
What’s louder and greasier than a Texas rib joint on a Friday night? How about a 20-year-old stove vent! Your first clue that it’s time to replace your vent hood might be when your culinary …
Written by: Phil
Ever said to yourself, “Boy, I sure do love my sledgehammer!” No? That makes two of us. One thing that keeps most people from getting too fond of their sledgehammers is that generally, when you …
Written by: Phil
Building Materials, How To, Kitchen
Recently, while rectifying an excess of “character” in an older home, I was enlisted to install a tile backsplash. The homeowners had just had a beautiful new countertop installed. The old laminate countertop had a …
Written by: Phil
If you do any kind of trim work at all, you are undoubtedly aware of the kick-ass tool known as the finish nailer. If you’re a finish carpenter, you probably own at least a couple …
Written by: Phil
Ever had a hankering for a Neon Pink hammer? Me neither. Now make that fuchsia, on the other hand…nah, I’m not even sure what that color IS. But I’m guessing there are some women out …
Written by: Phil
DeWalt, How To, Rockler, Tools, Videos, Woodworking
Constantly getting lost while roaming around your sprawling country estate? Tired of having visitors mistake your potting shed for a potty shed? Or maybe you’re getting feeble-minded, like me, and just want to hang out …
Written by: Phil
So your kid’s bicycle tire is flat, your wife’s car is making that disturbing noise under the hood again, and you still haven’t untangled the extension cord from the last time you vacuumed out your …
Written by: Phil