Do It Yourself

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    MAKE Magazine

  • Mac mailbox

    20 Nov 2009 | 8:00 pm
    Mac mailbox from Te Atatu in Auckland... Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in Remake | Digg this!

  • LHC tweets its first circulating beam of 2009

    20 Nov 2009 | 6:45 pm
    LHC tweets its first circulating beam of 2009, good luck finding the Higgs gang. Photos here... Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in Science | Digg this!

  • Building a shop presence notification system

    20 Nov 2009 | 6:00 pm
    As a member of Hack Pittsburgh, our local hackerspace, one thing I've wanted to know if anyone else is there before I make the trek over. Well, so did Andy Leer and Marty McGuire, so they decided to build a shop presence notification system. They reasoned that they could measure the ambient light level to determine if someone was around, because people tend to turn on the lights when they show up. With this in mind, they hooked up a photocell to a donated iobridge module, and had a notification widget up on the website in record time. Excellent work! Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read…

  • Vacuum tube prototyping board

    20 Nov 2009 | 3:00 pm
    Bruce Heran made this prototyping board for his tube projects. He writes: This is a project that I made to take care of an ever increasing need to prototype vacuum tube (valve) circuits. As you can see from the photos, it really is a test "board." I do a lot of work with tubes and love to design and improve circuits. In the process I often use various CAD type programs to rough out the designs. I have frequently found that the models do not agree with the final build. Some are right on, but most are off enough to turn a good idea into a waste of time. Thus the need to quickly prototype…

  • Free LED Cookbook from TI

    20 Nov 2009 | 3:00 pm
    By way of Andrew Q Righter of HacDC comes word of this free PDF from Texas Instruments, a 41-page "cookbook" of circuit designs and application notes for TI's LED-related components. [Thanks, Andrew!] LED Reference Design Cookbook [PDF] Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in Electronics | Digg this!
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    AskTheBuilder.com

  • Custom Stairs

    20 Nov 2009 | 8:20 am
    Custom staircases can be made in a variety of styles - custom iron stairs, custom metal stairs or custom wood stairs - to name a few. When building your custom stairs, be sure they meet code and fit into your area.

  • Toilet Parts

    13 Nov 2009 | 10:15 am
    Replacing toilet parts is a job that most home owners can tackle. Flush toilet parts are readily available and most use similar replacement toilet parts.

  • Tub Faucets

    6 Nov 2009 | 8:53 am
    Selecting the right tub faucet is a major decision. There are antique tub faucets, roman tub faucets, claw foot tub faucets and more. But is the tub faucet the first item to select? Or is it the tub?

  • Soapstone Countertops

    30 Oct 2009 | 9:30 am
    A soapstone countertop looks great. However, soapstone kitchen countertops require a lot of care. Here are some of the soapstone countertops pros and cons.

  • Fireplace Accessories

    23 Oct 2009 | 9:08 am
    There are lots of wood burning fireplace accessories to pick for your fireplaces. Fireplace tools come in a variety of materials and finishes. Quality should be a major consideration when selecting the proper wood fireplace accessories.
 
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    How to of the Day

  • How to Fix a Snag in a Sweater

    20 Nov 2009 | 12:00 pm
    A pulled thread can ruin the look of your knitwear, but don't despair, help is at hand. Here are easy-to-follow instructions for rescuing the situation.

  • How to Hack Your Wii Remote Into a Windows Mouse

    20 Nov 2009 | 12:00 am
    The Wii Remote was designed exclusively for the Nintendo Wii. Using a bluetooth adapter with BlueSoleil software, however, you can connect your Wii Remote to a computer running Windows. A third party program called GlovePie allows the Wii Remote to input information to your computer. This article will show you how to set it all up.

  • How to Light a Road Flare

    19 Nov 2009 | 12:00 pm
    You have probably seen road flares in use. They are highly effective for warning approaching motorists of danger. You may even have some in the emergency kit in the back of your car. But have you ever lit one yourself? It's not hard, but like changing a tire, it's best if you practice and know what to expect before you need to use them.

  • How to Stop Comparing Yourself to Others

    19 Nov 2009 | 12:00 am
    Apples and oranges, and people, are so distinct that they don't compare.We are all different yet we have a tendency to compare ourselves to others. Why? Because the marketing business makes money, because others compare us to themselves or other people, because some people get a boost out of putting us down, and from all these experiences we start feeling not good enough. Comparing yourself to others is unhealthy and unnecessary. Here's how to stop.

  • How to Avoid Disempowering Your Workplace Team

    18 Nov 2009 | 12:00 pm
    Managing is a great position from which to enthuse and encourage people. Yet, this is a balancing exercise too; while seeking to encourage your team to greater heights, there are some pitfalls to avoid that can potentially disempower your team.
 
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    Old House Web Blog

  • Old House Blogging Contest Finalists to be Announced

    Lucy O'Neill
    20 Nov 2009 | 9:56 am
    A big thank you to all of the bloggers who entered our Old House Blogger Contest. We will be reading entries this weekend and selecting our five favorites. These finalists will move on the the second round of the competition.As noted in the contest rules, we’ll be judging entries on the following criteria:On Monday, November 23rd, we’ll announce the five finalists and you’ll have a chance to read and rate the entries and vote for your favorite. The winning blogger will win a $250 gift card to Lowe’s and an opportunity to become a paid contributor to the Old House…

  • Buying an Old House Now Might Really Help a Family

    Conrad
    19 Nov 2009 | 4:54 pm
    Old House for SaleIt seems like every time I read the financial news there is another article about looming foreclosures. The last several years the big issue was the subprime mortgages, and the damage they were causing. Much of this crisis appeared to be caused by greedy lenders making loans that they should not have been, to buyers who were purchasing houses that were beyond their means, and in some cases to buyers who should not have been purchasing a house of any type.I hate seeing anyone lose their home to foreclosure, although working in the home building business I saw many people…

  • Knob and Tube

    Mark Clement
    19 Nov 2009 | 2:40 am
    If you have an old house, you know this refers to the wiring that’s probably coursing current to your lights and plugs.The knobs are ceramic clips (ceramic–imagine the expense installing those today!) that secure and protect the fabric-jacketed wire parallel to the joist and/or serve as a pivot point to change the wire’s direction. The tubes are ceramic sleeves that protect the wire as they pass perpendicular through a joist or stud. Caption: Note the knob on the left, the two tubes in the foreground.The good news is that knob and tube is intrinsically safe because the hot…

  • Plaster–Repair What’s There?

    Mark Clement
    19 Nov 2009 | 2:33 am
    We face difficult questions repairing our vintage homes. Should we repair what’s there or replace with new materials and techniques?This question arises in various forms throughout any old house remodel (from molding to appliances to fenestration), I find it often first pops up when it comes to plaster.Generally, plaster performs better than drywall because it is more massive: Three coats of hand-applied material (brown coat, scratch coat, and finish coat) typically deliver rock-solid, sound-deadening walls and ceilings with a glass-smooth finish; emphasis on sometimes. And whether we…

  • Old Houses and the Holidays

    Conrad
    17 Nov 2009 | 4:51 pm
    Old House HolidaysThanksgiving is next week, and for me the Thanksgiving Parade in New York has always meant the start of the Holiday Season. I will soon see holiday lighting up in the small town I live in, the town’s decorations on the main road which passes through, and the individual homes decorated for the season. I confess I really enjoy it, and always have. There is something special about the season, regardless of your beliefs, and it always seems magnified when I drive down a street or road, and see old houses decorated for the holidays.Don’t get me wrong, I think the…
 
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    On The Level

  • You Can't Catch Me...

    20 Nov 2009 | 4:00 am
    ...I'm the Gingerbread Man! But everyone knows where the Gingerbread Man hides out. That's right: his Gingerbread House. Yes, folks, it's Gingerbread House-making Season. It's time to pre-heat those ovens, mix up some icing, and start building! Like any good new home construction project, the building of a Gingerbread house must start with a floor plan. Check out this guide to building an abode fit for Sweet Street. You'll find floor plans, building tips and construction ...

  • Dancing with the Stars in your Living Room

    18 Nov 2009 | 8:45 am
    Ever wonder what it would take to have your own dance floor? I created this "Dance Experience" in my daughter's room for just a few hundred dollars, including materials. Luckily we already had a hardwood floor and very solid walls. The ballet bar can hold me up and I weigh five times as much as my five year old so it should be pretty safe. If you have the room you can create a small or large home dance studio. I found this great reference online if you do not have suitable ...

  • Smart Outlets: Putting a Plug In for Energy Savings

    18 Nov 2009 | 4:00 am
    What do Smart Homes running off a Smart Energy Grid need to be complete? Why, Smart Plugs, of course! The energy conservationists at Zerofootprint are adding IQ points to each outlet in the home with their new carbon emission-reducing socket supplements, called "TalkingPlugs®." Designed to fit right on top of an existing outlet, each TalkingPlug® comes equipped with technology that enables control of a plugged-in appliance across a network as well as real-time measuring of energy ...

  • Star Trek DVD is OUT: Is your home prepared or OVER-prepared?

    17 Nov 2009 | 9:12 am
    We have blogged about Star Trek it in the past. Twice in fact. Once for a complete Star Trek remodel and then again when the Star Trek apartment sold in 2007. I am a fan of the series and I plan on buying the Star Trek DVD, but this Star Trek themed apartment was a bit over the top. You will not find my wife and I ever living in a Star Trek-themed abode, unless of course we are frozen until the 24th century. By then I'm sure everyone will be saying "Captain at the helm" when they sit ...

  • GreenBuild Blog 3: How LEED Certified Homes Impact Homeowners

    17 Nov 2009 | 8:48 am
    Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a green building certification program developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) to help identify and implement practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions. To qualify as LEED certified, homes must earn a minimum of 45 points in eight categories including: Innovative Design Process (ID), Location and Linkages (LL), Sustainable Sites (SS), Water Efficiency (WE), Energy ...
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    House in Progress

  • And Now for Something Completely Different

    27 Oct 2009 | 9:29 am
    As if we didn't have enough going on with the new back porch, new fence and the new basement stairwell, we have another project in the works: our basement. The basement has never been finished, so for the first time we actually have a clean slate to work with...albeit one that's always been packed with quite a bit of stuff: The good news is that this 'before' photo is from quite a while ago. In fact, the basement is now cleaned out. (That was the other big use for the dumpster we rented this summer.) We're guessing this is the first time that the basement has been this empty in it's 95 year…

  • Outdoor Craftsman Wall Sconce

    21 Oct 2009 | 7:18 pm

  • Back Porch Update

    16 Oct 2009 | 9:06 am
    Work is now under way in ernest on our new back porch. We gave our friend and contractor TK the design a few weeks ago and in the past week he's gotten started on the project. They've taken off the last remnants of the prior structure and put in new structural beams. They've also rebuilt the deck...we'd thought it might be salvageable but in the end it would have been more work to shim and correct it so we're just rebuilding it from scratch. Things are moving pretty quickly now, so we'll have more photos to share next week including work on the new basement stairwell.

  • Our DIY Drama (or Why Building a Porch to Relax on Can Be Very Stressful)

    11 Oct 2009 | 7:28 am
    Here's our submission for the DIY Drama contest currently running over at Houseblogs.net. We aren't technically eligible since we're also running the contest, but it gives us something to write about... ;-) Our latest (of many) lessons learned is also part of our latest project. (No surprise, I guess, since we seem to have one for every project.)It has to do with rebuilding our back porch. We want to maximize the usable space on our porch. That's why in our new design we're moving the stairway from within the footprint of the porch to now be straight out the front. That also means we need to…

  • Houseblogs.net Updates

    7 Oct 2009 | 10:04 pm
    Not only are we back to blogging again here at House in Progress, there's lots going on over at our site Houseblogs.net too. If you haven't been over there in the past month: - You can now follow Houseblogs.net on Facebook and follow Houseblogs.net on Twitter. - There's a new home page story on restoring old windows featuring houseblogger El Paso Foursquare. (A topic near and dear to our own hearts here at House in Progress). - We're running a 'DIY Drama' contest for housebloggers with $900 in prizes. Check those out while we pull together more updates on our own little houseblog to recap our…
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    Houseblogs.net - All Discussions in category Featured Story

  • "My First DIY" Contest

    Aaron
    10 Nov 2009 | 10:15 am
    Photograph by ayearineurope, used under a Creative Commons license.We're back with another contest!  This month we want to see all the different ways that housebloggers can complete the following sentence:"After I got the keys to my house, the first thing I changed was..."We want to hear all about that very first DIY project you completed, once you had the keys in your hand. Was it removing the shabby floral wallpaper you just couldn't stand?  Did you change the layout or purpose of a room?  How about new cabinets for the kitchen? Whatever the project, we want to hear about…

  • A Front Porch Revitalized

    Aaron
    24 Oct 2009 | 5:16 pm
    The front porch at houseblog Chezerbey gets a dramatic makeover.Houseblogs.net members Chezerbey have been at their West Seattle renovation for a good three years now.  They've got a wonderful recap of their improvements on their site.  Lauren and Kyle, both architects, have a done as nice a job in documenting their work on their blog as they have on their house.Their most recent project is the front porch, which is is an amazing transformation.Their blog entries go beyond the wonderful before and after photos to also share a lot of their thought process during the project.

  • Welcome to the True Value DIY Blog Squad Homepage

    Aaron
    5 Oct 2009 | 3:18 pm
    True Value has teamed up with five bloggers to be a part of the DIY Blog Squad and share their own home improvement experiences and know-how.  Check back through the end of December for project ideas, advice and inspiration to help you tackle your own To Do list! <!--more-->You can read the newest entries from our DIY Blog Squad by clicking on the yellow box below, or find all their entries here.The members of the DIY Blog Squad are:Young House Love - We’re 25. Our house is 50. It’s old enough to be our parent, but we treat it like it’s our baby. Here you'll find our…

  • UPDATED: Our "DIY Drama" Contest

    Aaron
    4 Oct 2009 | 2:53 pm
    Spilled paint by Sam UL, used under a Creative Commons License.UPDATE: We have our winners!  Congratulations to A Sows Ear, Beach House in the Burbs and A Comedy of Errors as the three bloggers randomly selected from all entries.  As winners, each of them will receive a $300 AMEX gift card for use at their local True Value hardware store.  Special thanks to everyone that entered.More good news: everyone still has a chance to win $5,000 in the main DIY Drama contest being run by True Value over at www.StartRightStartHere.com.  Anyone can enter and all submissions…

  • Restoring Old Windows

    Aaron
    3 Oct 2009 | 7:40 am
    Houseblog El Paso Foursquare is restoring their wood windows.Thinking of restoring your wood windows?  The follks over at El Paso Foursquare are doing a nice job outlining their project step by step.<!--more-->Omar says in the first entry that the emphasis of his focus is more on the steps and timeline for their project, given that others have written up the really detailed how-to aspects of window restoration.  I can appreciate this, since a major part of any project is the time and timeline involved.  Having gone through this on our own bungalow in Chicago, it's…
 
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    Home Addition

  • Raking Leaves in New Hampshire

    TheBuilder
    18 Nov 2009 | 4:03 pm
    By Mark J. DonovanI spent the better part of today raking leaves up at my home on Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire. I had been told there were a lot of leaves in the yard, but I was still shocked at just how many were on the ground when I arrived upon the scene today. The entire lawn was completely covered in a dense layer of leaves.As I raked the leaves today, I came to the conclusion that due to all of the rain we had had this past spring and early summer there must have been an increase in leaf production on the trees this year, if not in the quantity of leaves at least in the size of…

  • Ceramic Tile Shower Maintenance

    TheBuilder
    17 Nov 2009 | 4:33 am
    A Properly Maintained Ceramic Tile Shower Can Keep Its Beauty IndefinitelyBy Mark J. DonovanInstalling a new ceramic tile shower can really make a master bathroom suite shine. However, regular ceramic tile shower maintenance is crucial for maintaining its beauty. If not properly maintained, a ceramic tile shower can quickly become laced with mold and mildew, showing up particularly on grout lines.Ceramic tile shower maintenance is fairly simple to do, although it does require some discipline. First and foremost, it is imperative to wipe down the ceramic tile shower walls and floor after each…

  • New Window Blinds Reduce Home Heating Bills

    TheBuilder
    10 Nov 2009 | 8:49 am
    By Mark DonovanThere is a new window blind on the market today that could potentially lower your home heating bills by as much as 35%, according to the manufacturer SolarChoice Heat.The window blind is a passive heating system that consists of a series of vertical vanes that are actually hollow. As the air is heated in the vanes, it rises out the top of them and draws cold air in from the bottom. In summary, these new window blinds take advantage of the sun’s energy by transferring the sun’s thermal energy to the home.See "Green Window Treatments That Reduce Home Heating Bills" to get a…

  • Going Throttles Up on HomeAdditionPlus.com

    TheBuilder
    1 Nov 2009 | 7:41 am
    Starting in November HomeAdditionPlus is Priority One By Mark J. DonovanWell after 5 years of running HomeAdditionPlus.com and HomeAddition.blogspot.com on a part-time basis, I have decided to go full throttle. Starting this month I will be dedicating all of my working days to these two websites in order to bring site visitors more helpful DIY home improvement information.I have been stunned by the rapid growth in site traffic to HomeAdditionPlus.com, particularly over the past couple of years. In addition I have been impressed with the amount and quality of questions coming in from site…

  • Installation of Motion Sensor Lights in Anticipation of Halloween

    TheBuilder
    28 Oct 2009 | 9:48 am
    My Home is now Protected and Secured from Midnight GoblinsBy Mark J. DonovanOver this past weekend I installed motion sensor lights on the exterior of my home. The old conventional lights had been looking a little drab and long in the tooth, so I thought in anticipation of Halloween this coming weekend, it was a good time to replace them.Motion sensor lights are great for providing additional security to your home. Though an exterior light cannot prevent an intruder from entering your house it can give them pause when the lights flash on. Typically that pause is long enough to make them think…
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    Home Improvement Blog

  • Weekend DIY projects

    Susan
    13 Nov 2009 | 11:00 am
    image from Sico Paints During these darkening days that more becoming more and more gray and chilly weekends make for more homebodies, it’s the perfect time to get started on perking up the home. Quick & budget Ideas to improve curb appeal: * Paint the front door - A high-gloss bold colour that complements the exterior material or coordinates with the garage door will instantly create a sense of new. Perhaps a perky new welcome mat would be a nice accessory. * Add potted plants around the entrance way. For a greater spruce up, tidy up the landscaping. If you haven’t done so…

  • Stay Warm This Winter

    Susan
    13 Nov 2009 | 7:19 am
    Winterizing your home should start with thinking about Safety First, and the best way to ensure the safety of your HVAC system is to get a heating tune-up to be sure its efficient operation throughout the cold season. After that’s accomplished, all you have to do is be sure you’re not wasting additional energy. You can reduce your heating costs further by doing a few simple things yourself that won’t cost a ton. One way to find out if you’re wasting energy is to do your own 5-step Energy Audit: 1.    Take a walk around the exterior of your house and check for cracks around windows…

  • Air sealing for Deep Energy Savings!

    Susan
    6 Nov 2009 | 7:01 am
    by Kert Heinecke Green building in its current manifestation is primarily hype. The market, quick to jump on the bandwagon, has focused primarily on tangible products that may draw envy from neighbors, but do little to actually preserve precious resources and reduce your energy bills. The real decision to go ‘green’ should start with the decision to minimize the home energy footprint. Growing consensus among building scientists suggest that the first major step to improving a homes energy efficiency is home air sealing, and it is feasible for all existing homes. When you add the current…

  • Want a Dream Bathroom?

    Susan
    30 Oct 2009 | 8:43 am
    image from www.BriarRenos.com Dreaming of a large, luxurious spa bathroom? Or are you an avid DIYer that wants gorgeous results while sticking to a strict budget? Here are some tips that can save you money if you decide to give the bathroom a makeover. 1. Go Green: Yes it’s the trendiest term this year, but it’s a frame of mind that if taken seriously and sensibly (instead of for militant show - you know who what type I’m talking about) it can also save you money. Try to keep your existing materials - that coat of no-VOC paint and finish may make the cheap but cheery…

  • Fall Home Maintenance Tips

    Susan
    26 Oct 2009 | 9:19 am
    by Tina Gleisner Keep the Water Out Today’s houses are built with a variety of materials. Vinyl siding won’t rot when exposed to water but many parts of a house are made from natural materials like wood. Wood becomes a food source for mold growth when the moisture level gets too high. Our homes are designed to direct water down and away from your home. Roof shingles overlap to keep water flowing down but when they age (crack, curl, etc) water can get under the shingles and the plywood sheathing can rot. Inspect and Repair Potential Water Leaks You will save time and money if you…
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    The Kitchen Designer

  • Kitchen Design Notes And Experiences

    Susan Serra, CKD
    8 Nov 2009 | 12:51 pm
    This post may sound self serving, and, well, it IS, and it is rare that I am quite this direct, but what I want to do is illustrate, specifically, why a client must continue to ask questions of his/her kitchen designer throughout the entire design process, even if you, the client, think it's a question not worth asking, or worse, assume that you instinctively know the answer! Here is the crux of this post: a client, now immersed in the world of kitchens, sometimes, mostly, or nearly always, believes that he/she knows the (sole, and "right") solutions to the issues in his/her kitchen project,…

  • Sears Appliances - Kenmore Too!

    Susan Serra, CKD
    5 Nov 2009 | 4:44 am
    Yesterday, just outside of Chicago, I attended a multi-brand appliance event, hosted by Sears. It was quite an eye opening experience, as Sears appliances, quite honestly, have not been on the radar in my business. Exactly why I needed to get with the program increase my awareness, so I welcomed this opportunity. First, my conclusions: Sears understands their appliance-purchasing customer and has responded with an on-target, modern, line-up of appliances as they completely rebrand the 60 year old Kenmore line. They also understand that it is beneficial to interact more closely with…

  • Kitchen Design Consulting - Long Island & Metro New York

    Susan Serra, CKD
    1 Nov 2009 | 11:32 am
    Finally! Just what Long Island and metro New York needs: in-person, unbiased, professional kitchen design consulting services. Although the emphasis on the page talks about kitchen design phone consultations, local in-person consultations are available as well. My local area is all of Long Island, New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, as fits, regionally, into the "metro New York" region. More information can be found in this post, introducing this service.  My Kitchen Design Consulting service can be helpful if you: are stuck on any one, or several, specific design issues would…

  • Kitchen Design Consulting

    Susan Serra, CKD
    1 Nov 2009 | 9:52 am
    I've been offering kitchen design consulting services informally and have not devoted a special page on my blog to this service until now.  I am very pleased to formally introduce the One Hour Phone Consultation! Call me about...well, anything related to your kitchen design project that is just not sitting right with you and for which you need a first OR a second opinion.  I am happy to provide this kitchen design consulting service which can be invaluable to those who otherwise are at a loss as to what decision to make, be it in regard to products, design issues, style issues, or…

  • Open Kitchen Floorplan Or Closed?

    Susan Serra, CKD
    28 Oct 2009 | 3:48 pm
    The results are in! Thank you for taking the survey! The topic of the kitchen floorplan survey was spur of the moment for me. I had just finished a marathon session designing my own kitchen (in a dreamlike state as it is at least a year or two off). Suddenly, grappling with issues and questions pertaining to a wide open (to the entire main floor) vs. a partially open floorplan, I thought it would be very interesting to hear what others thought...especially now. So, I put up a quick poll and noted it on Twitter. Now, we are in, what many think, is a different time, a kitchen "evolution". Many…
 
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    About.com Home Repair

  • Replacing a Furnace Thermocouple or Electronic Flame Sensor

    14 Nov 2009 | 4:33 am
    When the gas burner in your furnace does not turn on or your pilot light in an older furnace is out, you may find that the problem lies in a little device that controls the gas valve. In an older standing pilot furnace the device is called a thermocouple. In newer electronic furnaces it is called a flame sensor. However they both perform the same basic function, and that is to control gas flow. In the tutorial Replacing a Furnace Thermocouple or Electronic Flame Sensor I describe how to easily replace a furnace thermocouple in an older style standing pilot furnace or an electronic flame…

  • Get Your Home Cozy for the Coming Cold Weather

    7 Nov 2009 | 3:56 pm
    Is it really almost dark at 5:00 PM already?! I am always amazed at how fast the Fall season arrives. It's a beautiful season but it is the last window of opportunity to get your home ready for winter if you live in a colder climate. In the Tutorial Easy Home Winterizing I'll walk you through an easy to implement, comprehensive list of things to check. From plumbing systems to your roof, we'll walk through each system and hit the major things to check before winter comes so you can enjoy the snow and not worry about your home. So read on and let Fall, well, "fall in!" 'Cause you'll be ready!

  • Review: Energizer Swivel Head LED Flashlight

    2 Nov 2009 | 6:02 am
    This LED Hard Case Swivel Head flashlight by Energizer is part of the Hard Case® Professional® series and is a must have for your toolbox. It's also available in Headlight (head mounted) and small Inspection Light versions. This swivel head version is reviewed by me in Review: Energizer Hard Case Swivel Head LED Flashlight. The flashlight operates on 2-AA batteries and is only 7 inches long but produces a very impressive bright white light surpassing many conventional flashlights. Also gone is the wimpy blue LED light that plagued early LED's. The Energizer unit uses new LED technology and…

  • Do You Have a Psycho Shower Head?

    31 Oct 2009 | 12:05 pm
    It's Halloween and one of my favorite horror movies is Hitchcock's Psycho. The shower scene with Janet Leigh (as Marion Crane) is the iconic scene from the classic 1960 film. But you know, as a Home Repair Guide, I have to say the Bates Motel provided pretty nice shower heads for their guests, although they weren't low flow heads. Of course Marion never noticed since she was dealing with other issues in the shower. In the tutorial Replacing a Shower Head, I'll show you how easy it is for you to upgrade to something nicer than what Marion Crane used and definitely make your shower experience a…

  • Is Your Furnace Electronic Ignition Out Cold?

    23 Oct 2009 | 9:53 am
    Furnace ignition problems and solutions vary according to the type of furnace ignition system you have. Not all furnace pilot light ignition problems relate to a standing pilot in your furnace as I describe in How to Light a Gas Furnace Pilot. Most all modern furnaces use an electronic ignition system having either an intermittent pilot or hot surface ignition. Modern electronic ignition systems are more reliable than the standing pilot systems of old, but just as your new car has an electronic brain, so do some of these furnaces. And that means you're somewhat limited as to what can be done…
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    About.com Landscaping

  • Winterizing Sprinkler Systems

    18 Nov 2009 | 11:32 pm
    If you rely on a garden hose to water your lawn, you understand what a nuisance hoses can be. I'm continually annoyed, in my own yard, by the fact that the plumbing for the garden hose is on one side of the driveway, while the lawn is on the other. This means, of course, that the hose must run across my driveway in order for me to water my lawn. The driveway is a small one, with barely enough room for the two cars that call it home. Inevitably, it seems, there's a car in the way when I want to reposition the hose. Sometimes, the hose even winds up pinned under a tire. November is the one time…

  • Leaf Raking or Leaf Blowing?

    16 Nov 2009 | 10:55 pm
    Do you have all the leaves removed off your lawn yet? If not, don't be ashamed: you have a sympathetic ear here with this procrastinator! But if you do, while your leaf-removal work is still fresh in your mind, it's a good time for you to share your leaf-removal method with the rest of us. I admit to harboring some skepticism about leaf blowers. What gets them off on the wrong foot with me is the noise that they emit. While bothering with the task of leaf removal, I take great consolation in being able to enjoy a peaceful fall day, and the blare of an engine definitely detracts from that.

  • Spring Bulbs That Deer Won't Eat

    14 Nov 2009 | 10:20 pm
    Marie Iannotti grew tired of losing spring bulbs to pests. "So now I toss a handful of gravel into the planting holes to deter the voles, keep the tulips in sheltered pots and focus on deer resistant varieties," writes About.com's Gardening Guide. The spring bulbs that deer won't eat include: daffodils alliums snowdrops Scilla siberica grape hyacinth crocus Deer may not like crocus, but squirrels love them! Spreading blood meal around the planting bed will help deter the pests (and green up the grass considerably, if you're planting these spring bulbs in a lawn area), but a surer…

  • Beech Trees

    12 Nov 2009 | 9:28 pm
    What do you think of when you hear mention of beech trees? For some of you, their famous beechnuts may come to mind. Others may recall a beech tree from their childhood filled with such engravings as "Bill + Mary 1967," the smooth, light-colored bark of beech trees being a prime target for sylvan graffiti mongers. But neither of those two things come to mind for me, first and foremost, when I think about beech trees. What I love about them is the way they extend the fall foliage season. Like oak trees, beech trees retain their leaves for a much longer time than do most trees here in New…

  • 10 Tree Care Tips

    10 Nov 2009 | 9:42 pm
    "Think of tree care as an investment," states Steve Nix. About.com's Forestry Guide lists the following as some of the dividends you'll earn on your tree care investment: Increasing property values Beautifying your surroundings Purifying your air Saving energy by providing cooling shade from summer's heat and protection from winter's wind But what tree care tips does Steve cover to help you achieve these goals? He recommends taking his Tree Wellness Quiz first. Along with good old common sense, the quiz will help you assess your basic tree care needs. At that point, you can dip into Steve's…
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    About.com Pool & Patio

  • Decorating This Weekend? Are You Using LED Holiday Lights?

    20 Nov 2009 | 7:46 am
    I have a confession to make. I just packed up my Halloween decorations that I left up a bit longer than usual because I love looking at them. And, with barely a few days in between, I'm getting ready to put up my outdoor Christmas decorations. I've been "cleaning up" my front yard and walkway with a vengeance, as the native California plants and ornamental grasses I planted a few years ago have gotten a bit wild (some were 8 feet high) since spring. Since I had the H1N1 flu in October -- when I should have tamed those native grasses -- I'm having to play catch-up real fast. One thing I plan…

  • Wordless Wednesday: Where Are They Now?

    17 Nov 2009 | 8:27 pm
    In late September, this group of turkeys seemed to be their typical quirky selves, going for an afternoon stroll after a swim at Turkey Lurkey's ranch. Wonder why we haven't seen them around the pool lately? Photo by Lisa Hallett Taylor Wordless Wednesday: Where Are They Now? originally appeared on About.com Pool & Patio on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 at 04:27:56.Permalink | Comment | Email this

  • 'Green' & Sustainable Swimming Pools Open in Australia

    14 Nov 2009 | 3:23 pm
    The Australian city of Toowoomba last week reopened its public swimming pools, just in time for summer. Yes, it's remarkable to imagine that people are experiencing late-spring weather way down under in the southern hemisphere. But what's really remarkable is that the government provided the Toowoomba Regional Council with $2.6 million to improve the environmental sustainability of its nine public swimming pools. The Toowoomba Sustainable Pools Project is part of the government's Economic Stimulus Plan. Among the sustainable improvements: rainwater capture, storage and re-use equipment…

  • Wordless Wednesday: The Savannah Bird Girl and Her Little Friend

    10 Nov 2009 | 8:09 pm
    The most famous of the four original "Bird Girl" statues stood over a family plot at a Savannah cemetery since the 1930s. When the statue was featured on the cover of John Berendt's bestselling novel, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, it became so popular that it had to be moved to a nearby museum for safekeeping. I found this Bird Girl reproduction watching over the other outdoor ornaments and statuary at a garden shop in San Juan Capistrano. Not sure you want the Savannah Bird Girl taking up room in your yard? You can opt for the Mini-Me version of the Bird Girl, which will keep…

  • Children's Swing Sets Recalled Due to Fall Hazard

    9 Nov 2009 | 9:54 pm
    That attractive and much-used wooden swing set in your backyard may be a hazard to anyone who plays on it. You might want to take a closer look to find the manufacturer's name on the set. And if that name is Adventure Playsets of Amarillo, Texas, you're advised by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Health Canada and Adventure Playsets to return part of the set. There's a fall hazard involved with the swing set that has led to 16 hospital-treated injuries involving children under age 8. There are approximately 10 different models being recalled. Find out if yours is on the list.
 
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    ToolCrib.com Blog

  • Roundup: a Veteran’s Day Smile, New Mobile Workbench Idea, John Fry’s Tilde Table + MORE!

    toolcrib
    11 Nov 2009 | 8:06 am
    Wood Working News and Notes discovers great woodworking articles from around the web! Here are the “best of the best” for this week, including a solemn but funny Veteran’s Day post, an awesome wheel-in-the-leg solution to a mobile workbench, an astounding build notes and pics collection by John Fry, and Popular Woodworking’s runners up for Best Tools of 2009! Enjoy! The Dogs of War A solemn but humorous appreciation of Veterans Day… “A few years back there were two kids in my shop class acting up during the minute of silence at 11 o’clock on…

  • Stanley and Black & Decker Merge to Form Your New Power Tool Overlord

    toolcrib
    10 Nov 2009 | 12:06 pm
    Power tool news hit the Wall Street Journal recently when Stanley agreed to buy Black and Decker. Stanley’s “paying” Black & Decker by giving their shareholders 1.275 Stanley shares for each Black and Decker share they currently own. I’m not sure if this means you can trade your Black and Decker tools for 1.275 Stanley tools… I will have to get back to you on that one. image via GadgetGrid.com This article is an overview of all the most interesting Stanley/Black and Decker tidbits I could find from around the web… In order of how interesting I think…

  • 16 Baby Furniture Plans: Free Cradle Plans, Free Crib Plans and More!

    toolcrib
    10 Nov 2009 | 8:27 am
    My baby boy turns 2 weeks old this Friday (stealth gloat) :) I dedicate this free-plan collection to all the new woodworking parents and grandparents (hi Dad!) out there who want to make a lasting contribution to their family “environment.” As Gustav Stickley said (according to Chris Schwarz) “Gustav Stickley wrote about the influence of the home environment on children. His argument was that the things we surround ourselves with have an influence on our character, and on the values of our kids.” Here’s what you’ll find below: ==> Free Cradle Plans ==> Free…

  • 46 Router Jig Plans: Router Dado Jigs, Mortise Jigs, Circle Cutting Jigs and MORE

    toolcrib
    24 Oct 2009 | 3:36 pm
    Routers remain one of the most versatile power tools in the shop, and yours just got 46 times more versatile with this massive collection of free router jig plans! From dado jigs, mortise jigs, tenon jigs on down to sleds that turn your router into a planer, this collection of free router jigs puts your router into overdrive! Here’s what you’ll find below: >> 13 Router Dado Jig Plans >> 6 Router Mortise Jig Plans >> 7 Router Circle Cutting Jig Plans >> 2 Router Tenon Jig Plans >> 3 Router Fluting Jig Plans >> 9 General and or Eclectic Router Jig Plans >> 5 Router Jig Videos >> 61…

  • 6 Bonus Forum Finds from KnotScott: New Frued Blade, Adding Rip Capacity, Avanti Blades, MORE!

    toolcrib
    23 Oct 2009 | 3:05 pm
    I got an exciting email from KnotScott the other day with some updates and some BONUS forum finds! He took some time off from working on his fireplace to send us some FORUM FINDS! Thank you Scott! 1) Freud Premier P410 Fusion Blade: “It’s different than most 40T general purpose blades, and does some things better, but there’s also a price to pay to get that performance.” 2) Adding rip capacity to a table saw: “There are several recent threads on TS rip capacity. I’ve read comments about “shifting” or “moving” the rails to the right…
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    GreenWerks

  • World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms

    Chris Campbell
    26 Oct 2009 | 12:48 pm
    What started as a London secretary’s pining for the English countryside has now turned into an international movement for green-minded people who volunteer on organic farms around the world. World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF), a volunteer exchange program founded in 1971 by Sue Coppard, is bringing volunteers to over 40 countries, something that [...]

  • Gabriel Environmental Annual Open House

    Chris Campbell
    21 Aug 2009 | 12:21 am
    Gabriel is the Chicago expert for environmentally responsible testing and clean up of contaminated sites. They have an annual open house that is usually quite a blast and I thought I would share this invite with you. You’re cordially invited… You are invited to join Gabriel as we break out the grill for our Last Bash [...]

  • Green Hero of Chicago-Jessa Brinkmeyer: Making Chicago Stylish and Sustainable

    Liz Thullen
    10 Jul 2009 | 8:57 am
    Many people look to incorporate their environmental responsibilities into their daily lives yet don’t know how. However, what if showing your green pride was as easy as simply picking out your outfit in the morning. Jessa Brinkmeyer, owner of the stylish eco-friendly boutique, Pivot, shows Chicagoans that by dressing with the environment in mind [...]

  • Green Hero of Chicago- Joe Silver: Supplying for the Green Demand

    Liz Thullen
    3 Jul 2009 | 4:30 am
    Having grown up in a construction supply family, it was an easy decision for Joe Silver to take on the family business. However, Joe chose not only to uphold the business but more importantly he chose to modify his product to be more applicable to the times—the more environmentally responsible times. Joe Silver [...]

  • Start of Construction for Hutchinson Residence

    Chris Campbell
    3 Jul 2009 | 4:19 am
    We got some great feedback on the recent pictures we posted of the Oak Park project. I stopped out last week at the Hutchinson Residence where we are doing an entire home rehab. Our project manager Mark and site manager Santana has been doing a great job keeping this 8 week project on schedule. You [...]
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    Home Construction Improvement

  • Delta Stacked Dado Set Winner

    Todd
    20 Nov 2009 | 4:40 pm
    Delta Stacked Dado Set Giveaway Winner There was some serious interest in the Delta Stacked Dado Set Giveaway that we ran this month and now is the time to announce the winner. There were 172... This is a brief summary of the article. For the full article please visit Home Construction Improvement.

  • Top Home Improvement Gifts For 2009

    Todd
    20 Nov 2009 | 3:00 am
    Top 5 Home Improvement Gifts The busiest shopping day of the year (black Friday) is only one week away so we thought it would be helpful to create a top ten list of home improvement gifts... This is a brief summary of the article. For the full article please visit Home Construction Improvement.

  • Dremel 4000 Review

    Todd
    19 Nov 2009 | 3:00 am
    Dremel 4000 Rotary Tool The Dremel rotary tool has been around for years and become one of the most popular DIY tools that we know of. We were very excited when Dremel asked us to review... This is a brief summary of the article. For the full article please visit Home Construction Improvement.

  • Blocked Proper Vents Causing Ice Dams

    Todd
    18 Nov 2009 | 3:00 am
    With winter quickly approaching I thought it was time to discuss one of the problems that causes ice dams. Ice dams cause significant amounts of damage each year and most of them can be avoided... This is a brief summary of the article. For the full article please visit Home Construction Improvement.

  • American Standard Speed Connect Drain – Product Review

    Todd
    16 Nov 2009 | 5:36 pm
    Speed Connect Drain by American Standard Recently we had the pleasure of installing an American Standard lavatory faucet equipped with the all new Speed Connect Drain. Anyone that’s installed a... This is a brief summary of the article. For the full article please visit Home Construction Improvement.
 
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    Rambling Renovators

  • Phone Book, look!

    Wanderluster
    18 Nov 2009 | 6:15 pm
    My name is Wanderluster and I am addicted to my iPhone. There, I've said it. As a new mom, I wonder how I've managed to live without one for so long. Sure, its great for holding a million photos and videos of Chloe, but its even more awesome for storing my To Do lists (pregnancy brain lasts well after pregnancy, I'll tell you!), tracking all of our doctors appointments, playdates, and baby classes, and keeping me preoccupied when those breastfeeding sessions run a little long. And while I've come across some apps meant for little ones (like baby flash cards), I've never really been keen on…

  • Etsy Shopping

    Wanderluster
    16 Nov 2009 | 1:57 pm
    Have you started your Christmas shopping? I haven't. But after spying these pretty things on etsy, I may just have to put some things in my cart. Teacher Holiday Greeting by simplesongdesignsPalest pink ring by sweetminiGirl's Christmas dress by HolyCrapClothingPink Lemonade Headband by ummashinCounting Fish set by Heartfelt3Brown silk headband by BeSomethingNewLiterary Journey by almondtreeframes Kids chunky cowl by knittles

  • Pecha Kucha

    Wanderluster
    15 Nov 2009 | 5:37 pm
    It's that time of year again when HandyMan and I put together a Pecha Kucha Night. What's a Pecha Kucha you ask? It's a high-energy presentation format. Think of it like the Twitter of presentations - each presenter shows a slideshow of 20 images, each slide shown for 20 seconds. Oh, and its tons of fun for the audience to watch (especially when a presenter looks over their shoulder and realizes they're talking way too long and are 6 slides behind!).As we did last year, we are organizing the Pecha Kucha for Trade Day at the Interior Design Show, Canada's largest contemporary design event. IDS…

  • Sarah says...

    Wanderluster
    8 Nov 2009 | 6:24 pm
    This cute pic has nothing to do with today's post :)Lucky me, I had the chance to hear Sarah Richardson speak live and in person yesterday. And I got a free Tassimo at the event, so I was doubly lucky! Sarah was as down to earth, fun and engaging as she is on her shows. During the talk, Sarah mentioned her thoughts on design which I wanted to share with you all:Sarah thinks more traditional kitchens (of which she is a huge fan) are making a comeback. Think stained kitchen cabinetry with rich woods like crotch mahogany and panelled doors.Consider getting kitchen cabinet doors professionally…

  • A Modernist Jewel Uncovered

    Wanderluster
    5 Nov 2009 | 3:25 pm
    I really shouldn't be writing this post. Not that it isn't post-worthy - it is - but if anyone should be talking about this house:...its HandyMan. This is the house that started it all. This is the house in which HandyMan grew up. Its the house his parents bought in 1969 and which Mama HandyLuster lived in until we sold it this past June. Its a house filled with memories and experiences, good and bad, as all well-loved homes are. See that iron gate, the large dial sculpture, the fence? HandyMan built them. And he painted the exterior and laid the walkway too. Here's the interior courtyard and…
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    DIY DIVA

  • What’s in YOUR Toolbox?

    kitliz
    17 Nov 2009 | 1:44 am
    Does anyone actually carry a tool box anymore? Usually my tools are at either one house or the other, but recently I’ve been running simultaneous projects at both houses, which mean the necessities have to travel with me. Always in my soft-covered toolbag? Makita 18v Lithium Ion Cordless Drill Irwin drill bits Dewalt screwdriver bits A good 25′ tape (with numbers on both sides) Husky folding utility knife (I had to buy MysteryMan one so he’d stop stealing mine. Same with the drill, actually.) Miscellaneous screw drivers Pencils A Sharpie marker I also like to refer to this…

  • Big Plans & A Little Trim

    kitliz
    16 Nov 2009 | 1:00 am
    With a weekend alone, I had big plans for my tools which included fencing, drywall, trim, winning the lottery, and retiring early. Apparently I was a little too ambitious with the list. (Me? Never.) Also, the curse of what we’ll call the “bank tube incident” followed me through the weekend and it was just one. thing. after. the. next. slowing me down. The One Thing That Got Done This… Became this… (In theory at least. The first image is actually of the window I didn’t finish because I ran out of primer and then the heavens opened up and dumped 20 gallons of…

  • Sometimes, it’s all you can do…

    kitliz
    13 Nov 2009 | 8:21 pm
    The end of the year is notoriously busy at work. Brain-pulverizingly busy. One of the side effects of this is that I spend all of my rapidly-diminishing minutes of free time digging fence post holes, and the other side effect is… well.. The Chuckle There are days at work when I can take the time at lunch to stroll down the street to my family’s cafe, or better yet, eat some fresh corn from the garden up at the Memorial House, and then there are days when I’m hard pressed to find 15 seconds to, god-forbid, inhale a powerbar before the universe implodes from the learning…

  • Win Something Wednesday (from Charles & Hudson)

    kitliz
    11 Nov 2009 | 7:34 am
    Last week I was browsing around over on Charles & Hudson and found a digital thermostat giveaway, and since I assume we’re going to need a thermostat for the Memorial house (four years from now when the addition is on) so I posted posted a little comment, and hey! My lucky day… I won. So one item down, 47,832 to go until Memorial is done. I thought the rest of you might want to win something as well, because really… what else is there to do on a Wednesday. This week they’re giving away these: From the Charles & Hudson giveaway page: Our Giveaway this week, the…

  • Sunday Night Fence Edition

    kitliz
    9 Nov 2009 | 3:14 am
    The fact that temps were in the sixties and– gasp! — seventies this weekend  (In Michigan. In November.) almost made up for the fact that with daylight savings time, it’s officially pitch black at 6 PM. This is The Blackout Zone, where zero outdoor projects will get done during the week until, oh, April. But Mother Nature threw us a bone with almost twenty perfect hours to spend working outside this weekend, and I took advantage of every single one. Screw the Aliens The current post hole tally looks a little something like this: MysteryMan: 2 3 Me: 1 11 Yeah. (I kind of…
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    I'm an Organizing Junkie

  • Organizing a Fun & Simple Fondue Party

    Laura
    20 Nov 2009 | 10:32 am
    Last week I hosted a Ladies Fondue Party.  It was informal, simple and fun, fun, fun. Nothing says simple like inviting guests over to dinner and asking them to cook their own food….my kind of entertaining! :) My friend Sandy over at Reluctant Entertainer has been such an inspiration to me over the last couple of years.  [...]

  • Kraft Foods Gift Basket Giveaway

    Laura
    19 Nov 2009 | 8:24 am
    Any other basket lovers out there?  How about food lovers?  The giveaway going on over at my review site includes both! GO HERE TO ENTER Social Bookmarking

  • Holiday help and other great posts

    Laura
    18 Nov 2009 | 9:56 am
    It’s time for me to get link happy again with some excellent posts I’ve read over the past couple of weeks.  And while a few of them offer some excellent holiday help I’d like to also just pause for a quick moment to offer you a different bit of holiday encouragement as we lead into [...]

  • Teaching Kids Responsibility

    Laura
    16 Nov 2009 | 7:21 pm
    I’ve talked in the past about how important I think it is to teach kids responsibility through regular household duties.  Two specific posts of mine are: Responsibility Chore Charts We are not our children’s slaves Today I’m welcoming guest poster, Katie from Kitchen Stewardship who is contributing to this discussion with a great idea for encouraging responsibility and [...]

  • MPM ~ Nov 16th + Thanksgiving Table Decor

    Laura
    15 Nov 2009 | 7:59 pm
    Hello everyone!  I’ve got a fabulous new banner to bring in this Thanksgiving holiday season with for those living in the US.  As you know here in Canada we celebrated Thanksgiving last month but I wanted to honor all my friends on the other side of the border.  How this banner came to be has [...]
 
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    This Old House: How-To And Repair

  • How to Winterize Shrubs

    31 Dec 1969 | 4:00 pm
    Heavy snow and other cold-weather hazards can wreak havoc on yard plantings. Here's how to help your hedges make it to spring damage-free

  • 60-Minute Fixes

    18 Nov 2009 | 9:25 am
    The guests are arriving any day now, but the to-do list is endless. Here are 5 simple repairs you can finish off in less than an hour, before the house starts to fill up

  • How to Replace a Kitchen Sink

    16 Nov 2009 | 9:05 am
    Installing a new kitchen sink with This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey

  • How to Repair a Baluster

    13 Nov 2009 | 9:10 am
    In this how-to video, This Old House general contractor Tom Silva mends a busted baluster

  • How to Prune and Train Roses

    13 Nov 2009 | 9:10 am
    In this how-to video, This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook enhances the look and life of a rose bush
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    Handyguys Podcast

  • Episode #90 – Leaf blowers, rakes and a question about leaky showers

    The Handyguys
    19 Nov 2009 | 1:58 pm
    Leaf blowers, rakes and a question about leaky showers The Handyguys discuss the contest to giveaway a great toolkit, some possible problems with a leaky shower valve and weather a rake or a leaf blower is the correct tool for collecting leaves. To enter the contest you just need to leave a comment on Episode 87 and let us know what you think a valid use of duct tape is. We will announce a winner during our first show in December. We will take Thanksgiving off so this show is the last show we will discuss the contest. Our next show will come out on December 3rd. Leaky Shower Valves Don't…

  • Episode #89 – Fall Checklist

    The Handyguys
    13 Nov 2009 | 3:42 pm
    How do you get your house ready for the Winter Season? Win this toolkit. Click on the picture to learn how! Hint: valid use of duct tape wins! Join the Handyguys in a not-so-methodical checklist for the winter season.  This is not your every day handyman (or not so handyperson) checklist.  We have some extras you may not see on other lists. Listen to the podcast as we discuss these items. True Value had all the supplies we needed to get our houses in order. As the days get shorter and darker, it is a good time to check all of your outdoor lights.  Make sure they work. Paul was able to…

  • Episode #88 – Furnace Filters

    The Handyguys
    5 Nov 2009 | 1:58 pm
    Furnace filters are a critical component of your heating and cooling system. Make sure they are changed regularly. We discuss the myriad of choices in furnace filters in this podcast. The Handyguys group filters into three different categories, good, better and best. Whats best for one person may not be the best for another. The standard filters are good for most people. They permit the furnace to operate as it was designed. When selecting a filter you would typically replace with one equal in size and type to the filter already install on your furnace. This may be a a non-pleated fiber type…

  • Episode #87 – Top 10 Essential Tools, Duct tape and a Contest

    The Handyguys
    29 Oct 2009 | 2:15 pm
    In this show The Handyguys discuss their top 10 starter tools and announce a contest to win this toolkit! Win this tool kit! What is included in a first time home buyers tool kit? Screwdrivers of course!  But what else? The Handyguys went shopping at True Value to assemble a quality starter set of essential tools for the typical home owner. Our Kit Includes: The Handyguys will take your questions via the phone at (818) 804-TOOL. Leave an email address if you want an immediate and direct response. Tool Bag Carpenter’s Pencil Speed Square, Orange Pliers Set Screwdriver Set Pry Bar…

  • Episode #86 – DIY Drama, Old Tractors and New Counters

    The Handyguys
    22 Oct 2009 | 1:58 pm
    DIY Drama, Old Tractors and New Counters You need to listen to the podcast to hear Paul's story about what happened to his nice laptop. Does this picture give you a clue? Click on the pic to see it bigger. We start off by talking about the True Value DIY Drama contest. You can win $5000 if your story is chosen as a winner. Brian and Paul have both had some drama but Paul most recently. You MUST listen to Paul tell his drama story in the podcast. It was a very expensive story. What are you working on lately? Brian and Paul both discuss what recent projects they have been working on. First…
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    One Project Closer

  • Lamp Fixtures Cause Bad Odor

    Ethan
    20 Nov 2009 | 3:00 am
    Some time after Jocie and I moved into our house, we started to notice a bad odor in the unfinished part of our basement. The smell is difficult to describe, but it reminded me of bad fish. If you look around online, it’s obvious that a lot of people are frustrated by house smells. This post will show you an easy place to check (and hopefully how to resolve the odor). House Odors A lot of people have odors and bad smells in their house. Here are some of the more popular causes that I explored. Pet odors Retained cooking odors Mildew from rain or leak Dead animal I spent some serious…

  • How to Build a Wood Pot Rack

    Fred
    19 Nov 2009 | 2:30 am
    In our prior house, we had an awkward nook in the corner of our small 10′ x 10′ rectangular kitchen —  a 2′ x 3.5′ space that was completely empty. The area was in the corner opposite the cabinets (which were laid out in an ‘L’ shape on the other two walls). It was screaming for some type of storage… base and wall cabinets perhaps. But we didn’t have the money to install new cabinets and a countertop, and we were skeptical of our ability to match or compliment the existing layout.  So I looked for other options. And then one day landed…

  • Seal Your Home website

    Ethan
    18 Nov 2009 | 3:00 am
    A good resource I’ve come across is called Seal Your Home. This site was created by DAP to help educate consumers about weatherizing- improving the energy efficiency of a building’s envelope. Reducing the flow of cold air into your home is an important part of weatherization and this site helps you identify air leaks and also how to fix them. Seal Your Home is a simple website, packed with information. This post will walk you through the site and what you can learn. Seal Your Home Review Home The Home Page provides a brief introduction to the site and it’s focus on energy…

  • How Much of a House Do You Own After 5, 10, or 20 Years?

    Fred
    17 Nov 2009 | 9:00 am
    I’m playing with the Excel mortgage calculator I wrote about this morning. I’ve always heard that with a 30 year mortgage, you don’t own that much of your home after 15 years of steady payments… You’d think after shelling out half of all the payments, you’d own at least close to half of the home. But the reality is, unless the house is appreciating, it isn’t even close. Take a look at these numbers I ran on the model this morning. 30 Year Mortgage (Any Amount) Here’s how much you own…. after 5 Years: 5.86% after 10 Years: 14.18% after 15…

  • Loan Amortization and Payment Calculator for Excel (2007 & 97-2003)

    Fred
    17 Nov 2009 | 2:30 am
    I was playing with amortization schedules in Excel 2007 and created this nifty (and pretty simple) tool for calculating home loan amortization schedules for up to a 40 year loan… I figured it might come in handy for others, so I cleaned it up. You can download it below. You enter: purchase price closing cost % down payment term of loan in years annual loan interest rate annual property tax rate annual homeowner’s insurance And it gives you: monthly payment principal balance after each monthly payment total interest over the life of the loan and more… Download Links Loan…
 
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    Renovate Australia

  • Build a Cheap and Easy Wooden Garage Workbench

    Bill Hutchison
    13 Nov 2009 | 10:44 pm
    I reckon that every man’s garage needs a decent workbench. It’s the hub of a man’s world out there, whether it’s being used on the latest project, propping up the man during a good chin wag, or holding the man’s beer, a proper garage is simply not complete without a workbench. Since I didn’t have a workbench yet I was considering buying one from the hardware store or picking up a second hand on-line. Buying a New Workbench The cheapest new workbench that I could find was about $70 for an all wood basic workbench kit. The workbench came ready to assemble with the plans, hardware…

  • House Removals – Guest Post

    Bill Hutchison
    14 Oct 2009 | 11:00 pm
    Our house was relocated to the current site in about the 1930’s, probably from Charters Towers about 150km West of Townsville. Also the house that we owned and renovated before this one was sold as a removal home by the developer who purchased it from us. House removals has been a fascinating process for me, especially coming from Canada where it is definitely not as common as it is here. I’ve been talking lately with a house removalist about some of the questions that people have had on the site about house removals. He’s been active on the site answering peoples questions in…

  • Make An Inexpensive Kid’s Cardboard Kitchen

    Bill Hutchison
    6 Sep 2009 | 9:34 am
    I’ve written before about wanting to build a kid’s kitchen from an old entertainment system. I haven’t gotten around to doing that, but I did make a small kitchen out of some Cardboard Boxes that my daughter Jessica loved… I can’t remember where I got the boxes from, but they were probably from the local hardware store. I got two that were the same size and in pretty good condition. I primed the boxes with a 3 in 1 primer / sealer / undercoat that I had left over from when I undercoated the house. The boxes were taped together using normal clear packing tape, which the paint…

  • House Available for Removal in Sydney

    Bill Hutchison
    5 Sep 2009 | 9:40 am
    I got this e-mail from someone in Sydney … Allan Zhong wrote: I have a fibrate house in Sydney that we want moved away. I’m wondering, do you want it? I am guessing that they meant a “fibro” house for removal in Sydney. I have no need or want for the house, but I thought that I would put it out there in case there is someone else out there who might want it. If you do then just put a comment below and I can put you in touch with Allan so that you can discuss the removal of the house.

  • Choosing Master Bedroom Lighting

    Bill Hutchison
    23 Jul 2009 | 1:46 am
    When we were choosing the lighting for our master bedroom we had a lot to consider. There are two types of lighting that you need to consider when choosing your lighting options. They are: Work / Task Lighting Ambient Lighting Work / Task Lighting Typically your work / task lighting can be found in one, two or possibly three locations in the master bedroom. We have task lighting in only one location, but it would probably be nice to have it in the other two as well. The main locations for task / work lighting in a bedroom, in order of prominence, are: Bedside Tables Dresser Mirror Closet We…
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    Home Improvement Blog

  • A Tom Silva original

    17 Nov 2009 | 11:53 am
    Remember the three-season porch with jalousie glass we demolished to produce way for the new, two-story addition? Well, it actually sat a little bit below the level of the rest of the house and below the grade of the rest of the property. We wanted the new addition to sit on the same level as the… Storage bedrooms home improvement source home improvement lighting home improvement coupon diy network tv home improvement website home improvement reviews home improvement nc hgtv This Old House

  • Are You Up To The Great Gift Challenge?

    admin
    16 Nov 2009 | 6:29 am
    I know I am! Charles & Hudson is honored to be selected by Martha Stewart Living and eBay to participate in their Great Gift Challenge Sweepstakes which launches nowadays. By entering the Challenge anyone has a chance to win a $1000 eBay gift certificate. To help kick off the Challenge Mar… diy home improvement product Electrical home improvement tool best home improvements lighting diy products diy bathroom home green home improvements Home Repairs

  • Tips to Childproof Your Home

    admin
    16 Nov 2009 | 1:13 am
    Childproofing your home may seem like a no-brainer, but it can be the most critical step you take to keep your child safe during the urgent early formative years. The basic concept of childproofing is to prepare certain that your child can’t leave the home and can’t get into any rooms that ha… do it yourself online diy shed Electrical home improvement guide green home improvements home improvement tool diy help build your own greenhouse do it yourself projects home improvement work Home Repairs

  • Energizer tough Case Swivel Light Giveaway

    admin
    16 Nov 2009 | 12:15 am
    We’re a fan of the Headlight tough Case Energizer light and that 4 LED swivel light light promises to be just as useful. As with the rest of the Hard Case line, that light is extremely durable and shock resistant. The compact size and attached clip allow you to place that on your belt or in y… home improvement return heating diy life diy gardening atlantic home improvement diy store home repairs free home improvements diy garden home improvement portal Home Repairs

  • 7 Tips to DIY Carpet Pulling

    admin
    13 Nov 2009 | 1:35 pm
    Pulling carpet yourself can save a few bucks and here are 7 tips to compose the process go smoothly. 1. Pulling up carpet is a labor-intensive activity, so while you can do it by yourself, it’s a lot easier, and a lot less heavy, whether you bring in at least one other person to help out. … diy sites diy electrical home improvement expert home improvement network air conditioning do it yourself online diy plumbing landscape diy street Home Repairs
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    HowStuffWorks Daily Feed

  • 5 International Holiday Meals

    20 Nov 2009 | 10:00 am
    We often associate holidays with food. But which food depends on where you live. What do people eat in Japan, Germany and other countries during the holidays?

  • How Facebook Works

    20 Nov 2009 | 10:00 am
    According to the New Oxford American Dictionary, "unfriend" -- the act of removing someone as a friend on a social networking site like Facebook -- is the word of the year. What else has Facebook brought to people's lives?

  • Travel the World: Famous Landmarks

    20 Nov 2009 | 10:00 am
    What's a famous landmark? A destination that gets a lot of attention. Whether it's a natural world wonder or the site of a historic event, millions of people each year travel from all over the world to visit these interesting places.

  • Today's Video - Destroyed in Seconds: Million Dollar Wreck

    20 Nov 2009 | 10:00 am
    Slick conditions stop these supercars in their tracks. Watch this video from Discovery Channel's "Destroyed in Seconds."

  • 5 Tips for Planning a Move

    20 Nov 2009 | 10:00 am
    Whatever the reason for your move, getting everything you own from one home to another can be difficult to orchestrate. So rather than just play it by ear, it's a good idea to make a solid plan well in advance of your move.
 
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    the How-To Geek

  • Week in Geek: The 10 Best Stupid Geek Tricks Edition

    The Geek
    20 Nov 2009 | 10:01 pm
    There’s nothing quite as fun as a simple geek trick to show off your awesome skills to those around you. We’ve rounded up the ten best out of all the stupid geek tricks we’ve covered over the years. There’s no point in writing more, let’s just get right to it… Watch Movies in Your Linux Terminal WindowThe height of pointless geekery is trying to watch movies in your terminal prompt. Windows 7 Easter Egg Shows the XP Alt-Tab PromptWeird, the old-style XP dialog still shows up, if you know how to do it. Pointless, but interesting. Secret Items on the Windows…

  • Friday Fun: Boombot

    Mysticgeek
    20 Nov 2009 | 5:00 am
    Another week slaving for “the man” and you now get your two days of freedom. Not necessarily only two days, because as you have noticed here, we support wasting any time working at the office on Friday playing a fun flash game. BoomBot Boombot is a simple game of using explosives to get your robot to the next level. The game starts out simply, but there are more than 50 levels to play. Use the size of your bombs to get the bot over different obstacles. It starts out easy and progresses to harder challenges. You have to use larger bombs for the harder challengers. You will also…

  • Windows SteadyState Returns Your PC to Normal

    Mysticgeek
    20 Nov 2009 | 2:00 am
    If you have a shared access computer, it can be aggravating when other users make a bunch of changes to the settings. Today we take a look at SteadyState for Windows Vista and XP which lets you return the computer to the original state after a user session. Windows SteadyState Not only does SteadyState return the PC back to its original state, but you can set it up to restrict what the user can access. You can lock down virtually every aspect of the computer from programs to websites and more. Of course you’ll need to be the administrator, and the first thing to do is install current…

  • Minimize Firefox to the System Tray the Easy Way

    Asian Angel
    19 Nov 2009 | 11:00 pm
    Does the idea of being able to minimize Firefox to the System Tray instead of the Taskbar sound appealing? If so, then see just how easy it is to set up with the MinimizeToTray Revived extension. Note: The MinimizeToTray Revived extension works with Firefox (3.0 – 3.5.*), Thunderbird (3.0.*), Flock (2.0), and Songbird (0.7 – 1.2.*). Methods of Minimizing Once you have the extension installed you have three ways to minimize Firefox to the “System Tray”. The first is using the “File Menu” and selecting the “Minimize to tray” command. The second is by using the “F9…

  • Stupid Geek Tricks: Find the Secret Messages in Web Site Headers

    The Geek
    19 Nov 2009 | 5:00 am
    Today’s stupid geek trick takes us to the unseen technical world beneath the surface of your favorite websites, and shows us how real geeks hide secret messages in the HTTP protocol headers. We’re talking Serious geek cred here. What Are You Talking About? The thing you probably don’t realize is that behind the scenes, your web browser sends a request to the web server using the HTTP protocol, which is nothing more than a pre-defined set of commands in text format so the browser and web server can communicate. …but that’s really boring. Which is why the geeks…
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    shelterrific

  • blogwatch: where we were clicking this week

    Mary T
    20 Nov 2009 | 6:50 am
    Lovely Vale Design at The Bedlam of Beefy. Yum, yum, yum — ReadyMade Tweets. The year without a Santa letter? an Eggo shortage? The complete National Geographic online. Seriously. Every single magazine. At Velocity’s Twitter). Want to be a adobo nachos in just seven minutes, at Danielle Cooks. Check out the Christmas decorating ideas at Canadian House & Home. (And no, it’s not too early…) A couple weeks old, but no less interesting — Dos Family, with photos of a home that is equal parts stylish and lived in. Enjoy.

  • just in time for new moon: just bitten cupcakes

    Mary T
    20 Nov 2009 | 6:04 am
    There are those of you who will think less of me for this confession, I’m sure. Those of you who are judgmental and naive to the appeal will roll your eyes and suck your teeth. I’m not afraid. Go ahead, look down your noses at me if you must, but I am obsessed with the Twilight series. I attended a Twilight viewing party with my fellow Twi-hards to prepare for today’s New Moon premiere (Squeal!) and I brought these delicious, cherry-filled cupcakes with me! The recipe is after the jump. (Just for the record, I’m Team Edward.) — Katie D. Click for vampire cupcakes! Just Bitten…

  • post off: how annoying is the “man cave”?

    Mary T
    20 Nov 2009 | 5:45 am
    In a “Oval Man Cave,” and then a few days later in the The New York Times

  • sales that make us happy

    Angela M.
    20 Nov 2009 | 5:00 am
    West Elm, up to 60% off. We love: this Sheepskin Pouf. Was $350, now $300. Get free shipping on orders of $100 or more at Marimekko tins we liked so much last year — they go fast. Horchow is having a allmodern.com, November 27 through December 13. Save 5% on Progress Lighting at :USE bathroom and lighting products at EveryFaucet.com. Enter code USE10. Shop

  • woodpeckers knocking on your house? there’s hope

    Mary T
    19 Nov 2009 | 6:45 am
    With woodpeckers looking for a warm place to spend the winter, now is when they’re most likely to damage homes — the yearly cost is in the millions. Our neighborhood is heavily wooded, so most of the houses have had some damage. Luckily, our trim remains intact, despite the fact that we do hear the occasional tapping. Although there are “Scare Eye” balloons, we’re either lucky or George, the red-headed woodpecker figurine we hung up years ago, is working. (George was a gift made by a local crafter. I haven’t been able to find another, but there are wire-mesh…
 
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    Danny Lipford

  • Video Blogging!

    Danny Lipford
    20 Nov 2009 | 1:20 pm
    This is the first of my video blogs, where I’ll be giving you a peek at what goes on behind the scenes here at Today’s Homeowner and on my Homefront radio show. Today I’m in our workshop where we shoot a lot of the segments for the show. It’s a real working shop that’s used by the carpenters in my construction company and for projects on the show. We keep a lot of tools and supplies on hand, including the first jigsaw I ever bought when I was in the 3rd grade for $11.31! Check back soon for more of my video blogs.

  • How to Plant Balled and Burlapped Trees and Shrubs

    Julie Day
    20 Nov 2009 | 12:08 pm
    One of the best ways to landscape a yard quickly is by planting balled and burlapped (B&B) trees and shrubs. Balled and burlapped plants are usually larger than container-grown plants and can give an instant finished appearance. Other than their size and weight, they’re easy to plant, here’s how. Balled and burlapped plants are actually transplants. Balled and burlapped trees and shrubs are grown in the ground while container-grown plants are grown in pots. When large enough, field-grown plants are carefully dug up and the root balls wrapped in burlap to hold the roots and soil…

  • Homebuyers Federal Tax Credit Extended and Expanded

    Danny Lipford
    20 Nov 2009 | 10:26 am
    If you’re considering buying a home, now is the time! The $8,000 federal tax credit for new homebuyers—which was to expire November 30, 2009—has been extended through April 30, 2010. In addition, it’s been expanded to include a $6,500 tax credit for existing homeowners who buy a home as well. Homebuyers Tax Credit for New Homeowners To qualify for the $8,000 new homebuyer tax credit: You can’t have owned a home in the past three years. The house you purchase must cost $800,000 or less and serve as your primary residence. The purchase must be made between January 1, 2009 and April…

  • How to Improve Indoor Air Quality with Houseplants

    Danny Lipford
    20 Nov 2009 | 5:00 am
    Houseplants can filter toxins and pollutants in stale indoor air and replace carbon dioxide with oxygen. Even though almost any plant can do this, some plants are better than others, especially when it comes to having them in your home. Philodendrons and spider plants are the best for removing formaldehyde, while daisies and chrysanthemums filter out benzene. But make sure you talk with an expert before purchasing any plants to determine whether or not they pose a danger to children or pets, and if the plant prefers the sun or the shade. A good rule of thumb is to have one houseplant for…

  • Advantages of an Automatic Standby Generator

    Jodi Marks
    20 Nov 2009 | 5:00 am
    More and more people today are concerned about emergency power. A portable generator can only backup appliances plugged directly into the generator while a Generac automatic standby generator powers entire circuits and everything on them. For example, if you choose to back up the family room, the generator will power the TV, stereo, lamps, ceiling fans, and lights. Select the kitchen, and you will be able to use the stove, refrigerator, microwave, overhead lights, and all the outlets. A standby generator constantly monitors the utility so when the power goes out, the generator starts itself,…
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    thl

  • 19 Nov 2009 | 6:23 am

    thl
    19 Nov 2009 | 6:23 am
    providing a selection of work boots and military boots from major manufacturers.

  • 19 Nov 2009 | 6:21 am

    thl
    19 Nov 2009 | 6:21 am
    providing a full line of winter sportswear including Patagonia jackets, The North Face clothing, and girls Denali fleece.
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    moop :: handmade

  • Have a great weekend

    20 Nov 2009 | 6:59 am
    I just want to wish you all a happy and productive weekend - we have been working on getting new things in the shop so you can order them in time for the holidays. I have been editing the photos for the Letter Bag in rosewood with the adjustable strap...it will be in the shop before the weekend is over. We are also adding a new color to The Messenger Line....it's so nice! Jeremy particularly likes this one. He feels it is the most gender neutral color yet...so, boys and girls, if you've been looking for a color that is just so...it's almost here!p.s. my t-shirt is from Timber! one of my…

  • A little nudge

    17 Nov 2009 | 4:31 am
    As a little bit of encouragement to place your holiday orders early, I'm going to point you in the direction of the lovely Liana and her Mixed Plate Holiday Gift Guide. If you click here or here, you'll find a special offer from us.

  • Falling Water

    16 Nov 2009 | 6:14 am
    We had some friends in town from Massachusetts this past weekend and we spent Saturday at Falling Water. Aside from The Guggenheim, this was my first time visiting any Frank Lloyd Wright buildings. It was just the experience I needed to break my mind from the chaos of the last few months. I loved the house, the interior design, the art, the furniture, the woods, the falls, the moss covered grounds, the interior gardens, the thought that went into every step...I loved everything about it. Parker especially loved it. She told us she wants to live there. What can you say, she has good taste.Much…

  • Moop + Craft = Monday Smiles

    9 Nov 2009 | 2:19 pm
    click here for a special something that is sure to make you smile...;)

  • The Moth: Stories Told

    6 Nov 2009 | 7:38 am
    I like to listen to things while I work. Lately it has been mostly the news from NPR. I guess because it's what I'm supposed to be listening to...because it's important to know what goes on in the world outside of Moop studios. But, I often tire of listening to the news or simply can't listen or just don't want to. My youngest brother is a Marine. Two weeks ago he deployed to Afghanistan. Soooo, right now I particularly don't like to listen to the news. In my search for something else to listen to, I discovered The Moth: Stories Told. It's a great form of escapism. Here are two of my…
 
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    HowToWeb.com

  • Electrobite, a Trilobite-shaped DIY vehicle

    14 Nov 2009 | 6:00 pm
    Boing Boing says this unusual trilobite-shaped DIY vehicle was created by "Oilpunk" enthusiasts Kyrsten Mate and Jon Sarriugarte, with help from Amy Jenkins and Tansy Brooks. A prehistoric bug isn't really the first thing you think of when you think of personal transport but it seems to work fine. Take a look: Permalink | Recent Headlines | News Feeds

  • Impressive iPhone Costumes

    4 Nov 2009 | 11:00 am
    There have been plenty of lame iPod costumes made out of cardboard. Reko Rivera and John Savio went the extra mile and made impressive iPhone costumes that have 42" displays that actually work. Take a look: Permalink | Recent Headlines | News Feeds

  • Hard Drive Storage Gets Super Cheap in 2020

    25 Oct 2009 | 4:00 pm
    Physorg.com has an interesting article about what technology will follow hard drives. The article cites a study that has hard drive storage costing as little as $40 for a 14 TB drive in 2020. According to a new study, if HDDs continue to progress at their current pace, then in 2020 a two-disk, 2.5-inch disk drive will be capable of storing more than 14 TB and will cost about $40 (today, a typical 500 GB hard drive costs about $100). Although flash memories have also become popular - with advantages such as lower power consumption, faster read access time, and better mechanical reliability…

  • Green Ecofont Uses Less Ink

    22 Oct 2009 | 1:00 pm
    Ecofont is a free font designed to be more eco-friendly. The font has holes in it so that less ink will be used when the font is printed. CNET reports that Ecofont claims to use 20% less ink than regular fonts. They also say it is basically "Arial with holes." The font is available for Windows, Mac OSX and Linux systems. Permalink | Recent Headlines | News Feeds

  • Pace of Domain Registrations Slows

    10 Oct 2009 | 1:00 pm
    Internet News reports that Verisign reported that the number of registered domains climbed to 184 million in the second quarter of 2009. 9 million new domains were registered in the second quarter - this was a 15% plunge from the second quarter in 2008. VeriSign (NASDAQ: VRSN) said in its report that, "around nine million new domain names were registered across all of the TLDs in the second quarter of 2009." Still, that figure represents a 15 percent decline from the second quarter of 2008. "The overall base of domain names grew by 9 percent year-over-year and 1 percent quarter-over-quarter,"…
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    Home Improvement Blog

  • The New Eberhard Extra-fort Edition Vitree Watch

    muyang
    20 Nov 2009 | 9:25 pm
    Eberhard is a Rolex Watch company which has the history of more than 100 years .It is also a Swiss manufacturer .Eberhard has brought, several times, the word innovation in the field of chronography. If there are two words which can be the best to describe this company ,then accuracy and performance are sure the right two .The combination of black used in the case of the strap, case and dial and red when it comes to the hands offers an air of ''complicated simplicity'' that just makes it irresistible.  As transparency seems to be the latest trend, Eberhard has managed with the Extra-fort…

  • Tips On Getting A Watch As A Gift

    muyang
    20 Nov 2009 | 9:25 pm
    Present a Watch to your loved one. REplica WAtches are meant to know the current time. It has also become a fashion accessory in today's world. There are all kinds of Watches for you to choose from. Take your time and get a rolex watch as gift that not only beautiful but also practical within your targets.InstructionsStep1Consider your options: gold, white gold, silver, platinum, stainless steel, leather bands, etc. Each has its own style and makes its own statement. Take the time to choose the one most fitting for the recipient. Step2Select a basic breitling watch style. General watch types…

  • How To Use Running Watches

    muyang
    20 Nov 2009 | 9:25 pm
    With such a wide variety of MOVADO Watches on the market, runners have an overwhelming number of choices. Selecting the right brand, type and features can definitely be a difficult. There are many new runners quite clear that they a watch specifically designed for runners is necessary but they don't know which features they actually need on a watch. Also, they know little about the number of options available to them. Under the circumstances, runner will tend to purchase a running watch that exceed the runner's needs or can not satisfy their requirements. Don't worry any more, the article…

  • How to Find a Maid Service

    ruzzel01
    20 Nov 2009 | 11:28 am
    Here are six steps from Gilbert maid services that will help you decide! 1. Decide and then write down what house cleaning you want done in your home by the house cleaning service you will eventually hire. Write down which rooms you want cleaned, what items or furniture you want cleaned, like laundry, floors, carpets, ceilings, dishes. You can do things like change the linens on the bed...etc... There is a big difference between commercial cleaning and maid services make sure you know what you want. Also, make sure if you need deep cleaning you let them know, move in and move out cleaning…

  • Tips For Hiring a Move in House Cleaning

    ruzzel01
    20 Nov 2009 | 10:43 am
    When you move in into your new house, the first thought that comes to mind is will it be clean or do I have to slog on to for hours to clean it? No more worries at all. Gone are the days when we move to new house getting it pre cleaned was a tedious task. Now you can hire one of the agencies that provide move in house cleaning services. They have the team of maids, janitors, moving helpers and other cleaning helpers, who are well versed with their task. Well, when we move to a new house, all of us some dreams about it and want to make it a palace. But what if the day has arrived and the house…
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    Popular Science - DIY

  • Great Gifts For Electronics Geeks For Less Than $20

    Mike Haney
    18 Nov 2009 | 12:54 pm
    Fill your favorite nerd's stocking with Make's holiday gift guide Make magazine has just put up its $20 and under holiday gift guide, chock full of starter electronics kits like a barebones Arduino and tools for your favorite tinkerer. Or if you're the only one who solders in your circle, pick up a few kits now and give away the finished product. I've built a number of kits from Make and they're a great way to learn and hone your DIY electronics skills, with super-clear instructions. After the jump, I add my five additions to their list, with an eye toward encouraging the young hijinks-prone…

  • Gallery: Confessions of an Electronics Junk Collector

    Vin Marshall
    18 Nov 2009 | 7:40 am
    Some of it I really do plan to use. Some of it I can't even identify. Hi. My name is Vin and I'm an addict. I can't stop buying electronic junk. I know it's only filling up bins in my shop and taking money I could be pouring into more productive hobbies, like drinking and shooting guns. But what if the completion of some future project, some really crucial bit of hijinks, hinges entirely on my having a switch designed to discharge massive capacitors? Then what, huh? Am I supposed to just assume my local Radio Shack will have my back? Not likely. I was doing better, I really was, and then I…

  • Guess This Part Revealed: The Tank Bung

    Vin Marshall
    18 Nov 2009 | 4:22 am
    Fun with pressure vessels This is a weld-on tank bung; a means of attaching pipe threads to a vessel. It is intended to be welded onto the wall of a tank or pressure vessel, providing solid pipe threads in a material typically too thin to be tapped for pipe threads. On some occasions I've used them for that purpose. On others, I've found that they make a great component in pneumatic cannons. More on this obscure part after the jump. There are several ways to put NPT (National Pipe Thread, which is a tapered, sealing thread used in plumbing; it is the US standard for pipe threads) in a drum,…

  • Guess This Part, Win a Tool

    Vin Marshall
    16 Nov 2009 | 1:30 pm
    Since we inaugurated Guess This Tool, you've all proven way too hard to stump, so for this week's contest, we're mixing it up a bit and giving you a mystery part rather than a tool. Again, the first to tell us in the comments what it is we're looking at here with the highest level of precision will win a Stanley FatMax 24-inch Level. Good luck! UPDATE: It seems as if our use of the word "part" was misleading here. Think part as in "part used in the making of stuff" as opposed to part as in "part of a machine." Also, in reference to @GTO's comment, the hole in the center and the threads go all…

  • Amazing Aerial Photos from a Homemade Gas-Powered Paraglider

    Paul Adams
    13 Nov 2009 | 12:17 pm
    National Geographic has published a beautiful gallery of aerial photos of the Sahara, shot by George Steinmetz. Steinmetz shoots his pictures while soaring above the Earth on a gasoline-powered paraglider he built himself. The motorized flyer packs into a compact package that can fit easily into an SUV or an airline's luggage compartment, and reassemble quickly. The ten-liter gas tank keeps Steinmetz aloft for 2 to 3 hours. Visit Georgesteinmetz.com for more remarkable photography and details about the man and his craft. [National Geographic, via The Awl]
 
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    cardgirldiy.com

  • November Letterpress Sale!!!

    nessa
    2 Nov 2009 | 11:30 pm
    Blue skies, bright colored trees and a chill in the air….there’s not much in life I love more than a crisp fall day (and letterpressed cards). It puts me in a great mood.  A giving mood.  So please receive. MY OFFER TO YOU: 20% off all custom letterpress orders placed in November (think personalized stationery for holiday gifts, save the dates, and invitations of course!). 10% off all custom letterpress orders if you begin the design process in November (this is for those of you who would like a discount, but aren’t quite ready to get the order in). Just drop me a line, or…

  • It’s a wrap.

    nessa
    21 Oct 2009 | 12:49 am
    “Wedding Season” has pretty much come to a close, so…I am excited to finally have a moment to share with you the amazing weddings for which I have had the privilege of producing invitations and stationery. My first to share, and definitely a favorite, is the wedding of Adrienne and Jake.  Adrienne used vintage buttons throughout the wedding…starting with the invitations.  I had the pleasure of sewing each button onto the invitation folders.  Definitely worth the effort.  They turned out so great. Adrienne wore every hat available in wedding-planner-land.  She…

  • A Poster Child

    nessa
    22 Sep 2009 | 11:46 pm
    Literally.  My son is going to be a poster child…for the Oregon Ducks. I am so excited about this poster giveaway from LargeFormatPosters.com.  Not only are they offering to give away a poster to one of my fabulous readers, but I get one too!  And I know exactly what I’m going to use it for.  A lifesize poster of my three year old son in his “Go Ducks” gear playing his best game of lacrosse on the Oregon field.  I’ll hang it in his room for many years of brainwashing. So here’s the deal.  Comment here explaining how you will use the poster print (if…

  • Wedding Superheroes

    nessa
    19 May 2009 | 11:02 am
    A group of five fabulous wedding and event planners (I can vouch for them - they really are fabulous) from the San Francisco Bay Area have decided to band together to learn as much as they can about their industry from one another and their experiences.  They have coined themselves “The Fab 5,” and they share the “Tales of the Fab 5″ on their blog….inevitably, the stories will be good. They have met with many local vendors that maybe only one of the planners had experience with, which allows the rest of the group to learn more about this recommended vendor. …

  • Music to My…..Eyes

    nessa
    8 May 2009 | 10:36 am
    The best wedding favor I have received is a CD created by the bride & groom of their favorite love songs.  Of course, it helps a little that I absolutely adore this couple and think of them every time I play the CD! They had the cutest label stuck onto the disc….but I also know that they spent houuuurrsss of their time on these lovely labels. So I was excited to find these gorgeous CD Labels by My Own Labels (a favorite site of mine).  They have tons of different designs & colors to choose from, and you can order hang tags, water bottle labels, wine labels…you name…
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    THAT PainterLady.com

  • You Can Turn A Door Into An Iron Gate

    THAT Painter Lady
    9 Nov 2009 | 3:00 pm
    This was a fun project.  The door is outside and leads to an exterior laundry room. The entire patio area was painted to look like a garden room. (I’ll share more of this mural later) The door was a plain white 3 panel door. We purchased 3 square decorative frames and one metal decorative ironwork scroll. The frames came with the metal scrolls already inserted. The door was painted with a green/black frame (we measured the metal frames first to see where to paint in the outside frame color. I patted on some yellow and brown watered down paint over the green to make it look weathered.

  • 10 Cheap And Easy Holiday Bathroom Decorating Ideas

    THAT Painter Lady
    4 Nov 2009 | 4:44 pm
    Here we go again… It’s time to talk about the Holiday’s. Holiday Decorating is pretty stressful for me… I don’t want to do over the top decorating any more. But… I also don’t want to look like a Scrooge. I do like to give my guest bathroom a bit of a sprucing up as well as decorate. Start by removing the clutter from your bathroom. Clear off the counter tops and purge your medicine cabinets. Invest in  Expandable Cosmetic Drawer Organizer and cupboards. When you have more storage space, you’re less likely to clutter counter tops with everything…

  • Easy Idea For Faux Barn Wood Finish

    THAT Painter Lady
    8 Oct 2009 | 12:44 pm
    Kelly gave me a faux painting call for help: Hi Debra! I have an outdated kitchen. It has real wood paneling but it has turned dark with age and it is a northern room to begin with. Along with the oak baseboards and window trim it is just too dark! It is an old country farmhouse with three red barns on the property. My idea is to paint the paneling to look like weathered red barn siding. I have been searching for tips. One idea is to paint a gray base then somehow put the red on top? I am unsure how to create the look. I do have a limited experience with faux paint techniques. Any help would…

  • Create Dimensional Palm Trees On A Wall

    THAT Painter Lady
    5 Sep 2009 | 12:50 pm
    Living in an area of the country where snow is only seen in pictures… I don’t know exactly what (or when) a three season porch is used for. When I saw the pictures of this porch I was blown away and a bit jealous. Barbara has added a light tropical touch to a room that could be very “log cabin” in theme. But… she has a problem. I have a three season porch that I have decorated in a tropical theme complete with lighted palm trees! I took a carpet roll, split it in two and covered two of the support beams in between the windows. Originally, I painted them to look…

  • The Difference Between Home Staging and Home Decorating

    THAT Painter Lady
    10 Jul 2009 | 4:58 pm
    Home staging television shows are the “rage”. In fact a new one was just released on TLC (The Learning Channel) called “Stager Invasion”. I remember selling my first home over 20 years ago. I purchased a book about how to help your house sell. The book taught me about neutral colors, de – personalization, de-cluttering and having plenty of lights on in the house. These rules have not changed. I sold this house in a down economy… and we were lucky that we broke even and didn’t have to “pay” someone to buy our house. The work we did…
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    The Best of DIY

  • Thanksgiving Placemats

    admin
    19 Nov 2009 | 7:04 pm
    I remember making Thanksgiving placemats every year when I was in elementary school. One placemat had the hand print on it where you turn your fingers into the turkey’s feathers. Well this apple placemat is easy enough for a kid to do, but it looks so stylish! Instead of an apple you could make one with a bunch of fruits and veggies, a cornocopia or a turkey. Check out Book Hour Craft Projects blog for the full tutorial.

  • [me] and goji DIY Cereal

    admin
    19 Nov 2009 | 6:48 pm
    Make your own custom granola mix or cereal, name it and have it sent to you all packaged. Check out [me] and goji to make your very own creation. You can pay $5 to get a picture put on the label. But, I think it would be cool to create your own label design and paste it on there. These could make great holiday gifts. Hmmm…I feel like having some shredded wheat with raisins and cranberries, with a little bit of ground cinnamon.

  • Snowman Kit

    admin
    11 Nov 2009 | 4:15 pm
    Looking for a diy gift to give this holiday season? Make a Snowman Kit this year! This is such a cute idea, and would make a great gift for someone who lives up in the snowy states unlike me! I can’t get over what a cool idea this is, all you need are some buttons, a scarf, top hat, black rocks, and a fake carrot. Package it all together with a note attached saying “Just add snow!” Check out Make it Do for an official tutorial.

  • Origami Koi

    admin
    1 Nov 2009 | 7:54 am
    Check out Mabona Origami’s stop motion video to learn how to make origami Koi and make your own koi pond. Also, check out Mabona Origami’s website to see more amazing and beautiful origami creations.

  • My Own Creation: Halloween Wreath

    admin
    1 Nov 2009 | 7:03 am
    I hope everyone had a happy Halloween! I made my own last minute Halloween Wreath after seeing A Forest Frolic’s wreath. Michael’s had run out of most of their Halloween section so I had very little to choose from, luckily I found a little plush vampire and witch to put on my wreath, with spiderweb ribbon and black roses. This project probably only took me 1hr to complete. I can’t wait to put it up again next year!
 
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    The Moxie Mom Blog

  • Integrating WordPress & Social Media

    Wendy Merritt
    16 Nov 2009 | 8:41 am
    DFW Social Media Marketing Once a month in the Dallas/Fort Worth area there is a Meetup that shares an interest in learning or sharing practical applications of social in your business. The DFW Social Media Marketing – Education & Networking is an awesome way for experienced or newbies to keep in the know with social media. The November Meetup was by Tony Cecala, Ph.D. on Integrating WordPress & Social Media. Dr. Cecala did an awesome job explaining the “why” behind social media for your business and then specifically how you can integrate several different…

  • Daily Quotes for Microsoft Outlook

    Wendy Merritt
    6 Nov 2009 | 4:52 pm
    Would you like to get Daily Quotes for your Microsoft Outlook? Like many of you I have switched from a paper planner to a digital planner. My phone syncs with Microsoft Outlook. My iPod Touch syncs with Microsoft Outlook. My PDA syncs with Microsoft Outlook. My PC displays Microsoft Outlook. My Google Calendar syncs with Microsoft Outlook. I digress. The one thing I really miss is the great quotes that were on my paper calendar. Daily I was greeted with some wonderfully movtivating quote. I miss those. I could gather all the quotes, create a database, check the database, map the database with…

  • The Poor Bride

    Wendy Merritt
    5 Nov 2009 | 6:38 pm
    If you live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area you, no doubt, have heard of  The Poor Bride from Waxahachie, Texas. She has been on local radio, in the newspapers and has appeared as a guest on local news channels. At first I was really in her corner…then I visited her website. I’m sure my opinion is not going to sit well with people…and that’s okay…it’s my opinion. Jamie and Jackie are young. They want to get married. They want a big-ish wedding. They have had hard times and are financially unable to afford the wedding of their dreams. They have a really…

  • Reduce Desktop Clutter with Fences

    Wendy Merritt
    26 Oct 2009 | 4:19 pm
    I frequently update my Windows PC desktop with a new photo so I can relive my precious memories or enjoy something special to me. Since I take the time to do this I like to keep a clean Windows desktop. I like a desktop that is not all cluttered with icons and shortcuts. I used to just put all my program icons in the taskbar but here is a simple, easy to install program that can help you accomplish this task: Fences. Fences is for Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7. You can get this as a freeware from www.download.com if you want to test it on your PC. Fences creates flexible little boxes on…

  • My Lashes to Riches Entry

    Wendy Merritt
    23 Oct 2009 | 8:02 pm
    When was the last time you relived something from your childhood? When I was a kid we used to have these “family times” (at the time I thought they were really dorky…but in hindsight they were actually pretty cool). One of my favorite things we did was to paint faces on our chins, put a doll dress over your head, hang your head over the edge of a bed or sofa and turn that chin into some crazy type of character. We would laugh so hard! By far my favorite was my dad’s Ahhh Huhhh Pierre the Street Licker’…LOL It just cracks me up saying er um typing it! What…
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    YouTube: How-To

  • Howto Install Ubuntu: Karmic Koala 9.10

    NixiePixel
    14 Nov 2009 | 12:46 am
    Howto Install Ubuntu: Karmic Koala 9.10 This quick tutorial will help you do a clean install of the latest release of Ubuntu. If you have Windows currently installed, it WILL NOT be deleted if you follow the instructions in this video. nixiepixel.com (perfect for dual booting and saving Win data) Ubuntu 9.10 features a redesigned, faster boot and login experience, a revamped audio framework, and improved 3G broadband connectivity. Get Started and Download it Here! www.ubuntu.com From: NixiePixel Views: 6743 208 ratings Time: 04:20 More in Science & Technology

  • Compiz Cube Tutorial: Howto Ubuntu Linux

    NixiePixel
    22 Jun 2009 | 3:36 pm
    Compiz Cube Tutorial: Howto Ubuntu Linux Let's setup the desktop cube in Compiz Fusion, this quick video guide will help you learn! From CCSM under Desktop click to enable Desktop Cube... For the total text description, check out www.linuxhaxor.net From: NixiePixel Views: 35053 140 ratings Time: 04:00 More in Science & Technology

  • Compiz Fusion Tutorial - Howto Increase Desktop Functionality with Ubuntu

    NixiePixel
    15 Jun 2009 | 11:48 am
    Compiz Fusion Tutorial - Howto Increase Desktop Functionality with Ubuntu Last week I showed you how to turn on some neat desktop animations using Compiz Fusion (formally beryl) - you can watch last week's tutorial here: www.linuxhaxor.net Today I will show you some of the useful productivity enhancements that Compiz has to offer, such as multiple desktops (workspaces), moving windows between desktops, expo (preview and choose from all your desktops), resizeable window previews, and scale (display and choose from all your open windows at once). I even throw in ... From: NixiePixel Views:…

  • Howto Rip a DVD - Easy and Free with Linux

    NixiePixel
    2 Jun 2009 | 2:39 am
    Howto Rip a DVD - Easy and Free with Linux So, you have a nice shiny DVD with your favorite movie, and your dog chews it to pieces. If only you had ripped that movie to a file that you could burn to a new DVD, or play on your favorite media player. In this video tutorial I show those of you outside of the United States*** how to do this in Linux. www.linuxhaxor.net First we need to install several libraries, including libdvdcss2 (for help installing this see my previous video here). Then we install a DVD ripper (I chose Thoggen ... From: NixiePixel Views: 18760 70 ratings Time: 02:53 More in…

  • Converting Videos Howto - FFMPEG

    NixiePixel
    18 May 2009 | 8:17 pm
    Converting Videos Howto - FFMPEG This video tutorial will explain how to losslessly convert any video file format, including quicktime .mov, flash .flv files, open source .ogv, .mp4, .wmv, .asf and more. I show you how to install ffmpeg, check the formats and codecs available to you, convert a file to a new format (windows media and .asf in this example) without any loss in quality during the decoding and encoding process, and create and run a script file that will enable you to run a batch conversion on any number of files ... From: NixiePixel Views: 21143 104 ratings Time: 03:14 More in…
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    Bosch Factory Reconditioned Tools Store

  • Power Tool: Safety Around Your Home

    factory reconditioned
    16 Nov 2009 | 12:26 am
    You may feel confident using power tools around your home, but safety should still be a primary concern. Even experienced people can have serious accidents, so you should never skip even the most minor of safety precautions. By consistently following certain rules you can prevent many potential hazards that could harm you or your family.The steps that should be followed are:1. Read the

  • Dewalt Nail Gun Review - Model D51256K

    factory reconditioned
    9 Nov 2009 | 6:39 pm
    Dewalt Nail Gun OverviewFor some nail guns are a must and for others they are great when you need one, but other times they just take up shelf space. If either of these cases pertain to your circumstances, you might want to take a look at the Dewalt Nail gun model D51256K. All in all this is a great nailer. Over the years we have been used to using Paslode, but this Dewalt actually surprised us.

  • Bring A Revolution To Your Home By Having Cordless Drills Around

    factory reconditioned
    3 Nov 2009 | 1:17 am
    With the arrival of some extremely light weight, potent and rechargeable batteries, a radical change has been brought to the way we usually perform our repairing works at home. Even many utility tool-makers have availed the maximum by this surge of batteries and launched the utility tools like cordless drills. Cordless drills bring a sense of convenience along as they lack cords, thus eliminate

  • Chain Saw Safety - Four Mistakes You Should Avoid

    factory reconditioned
    3 Nov 2009 | 12:50 am
    Anyone who picks up a chainsaw needs to be familiar with how to properly use the chain saw. However, many accidents and injuries each year occur because operators fail to understand the safe use of this powerful tool.Here are four common mistakes that you should avoid in order to efficiently and safely use your chain saw.Mistake No. 1: Not Realizing The Blade Is DullIt is not that difficult to

  • Tips For Choosing Cordless Tools

    factory reconditioned
    3 Nov 2009 | 12:25 am
    There are plenty of different types of cordless tools on the market today. To ensure you make a wise purchase you want to take the time to review a couple of things about them. What types of projects do you plan to complete with the cordless tools? You can often get a cordless tool that is quite versatile. This is a better deal that buying one for a particular project. That is unless you plan to
 
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    Home Improvement Tools

  • Black & Decker ReadyWrench Review

    hometools
    20 Nov 2009 | 8:26 am
    Black & Decker MSW100 ReadyWrench Review Now you can have 16 of the most popular sockets all on this one ReadyWrench handtool. Thanks to the easy to use Black & Decker MSW100 ReadyWrench you do not have to waste time searching for dropped, and missing sockets when you are working on home improvement jobs or diy, do-it-yourself projects around your home. With the ReadyWrench you do not have to carry around a big box of socket sets, or stop what you were working on to search through the traditional socket set box, and then change the socket size. Because the Black & Decker MSW100…

  • Rockwell Sonicrafter Review

    hometools
    1 Nov 2009 | 7:15 pm
    Rockwell RK5102K Sonicrafter Deluxe 72-Piece Tool Kit Review If you are looking for a great multipurpose tool or a gift for someone special? Then you will want to take a look at the versatile Rockwell Sonicrafter. This new tool is great for cutting, sawing, sanding, scraping, grinding, polishing, and removes grout. One key feature that I really like is the Rockwell Sonicrafter tool doesn’t use a rotating or reciprocating blade that can cause the tool to move like other traditional tools. The Rockwell RK5102K Sonicrafter Deluxe operates with microsonic technology to create oscillation motion…

  • Home Improvement Tools

    hometools
    17 Oct 2009 | 3:30 am
    Home improvement tools can often help you save time, and money with diy, do-it-yourself projects, and construction repairs on your home. When considering today’s real estate market, and the current economic turbulance, some home owners are now becoming increasingly interested in the unique opportunity to buy home improvement tools that can help start, and finish the diy, do-it-yourself projects around their homes. If your overall goal is to save some money on your next home improvement project, then you might want to consider investing in the right home improvement tools, and…

  • Diy Dewalt Cordless Screwdriver

    hometools
    14 Oct 2009 | 1:25 am
    DEWALT DW920K-2 Heavy Duty Cordless Screwdriver Details Now you can work smarter, and not harder on your next diy, do-it-yourself home improvement project. Thanks to the DEWALT Cordless Screwdriver. The high-performance DEWALT DW920K-2 cordless screwdriver is lightweight, and durable. Allowing you to work much faster now, since you can drill in those often difficult to handle screws with the touch of a button. This versatile, and compact cordless screwdriver is a great choice to help tackle your next BIG or small home improvement, construction, and woodworking project. The DEWALT DW920K-2…

  • Wallpaper Remove, and Cleaner

    hometools
    30 Sep 2009 | 6:11 am
    The Wagner Steamer, and Cleaner Review Removes Wallpaper up to 20% Faster. The Wagner steamer, and cleaner uses the 1,500-watt pressurized steam system to clean various surfaces, and also removes wallpaper off walls at the touch of a button. Are you ready to tackle your next diy, do-it-yourself wallpaper remove project? The Wagner 905 Steamer is a powerful wallpaper remover, and the pressurized hot steam removes wallpaper up to 20% faster. Quickly Clean, and Sanitize Your Home. The Wagner 905 Power Steamer is very efficient, and great at removing wallpaper. It’s also a versatile, and…
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