Sanding alternatives Make a stand: Sanding small pieces with a portible sander is awkward, if not impossible. You can easily make a stand that is designed to hold a sander upside down so that vou can press a workpiece against it. To create the cut out for the sander, make a wire template that fits [...]
Join the professionals Some of the major power tool manufacturers sell two lines of tools: one that is for professional use and another for the do-it-yourselfer. Professional tools are usually, more powerful, heavier, and more costly. But they are also safer for an experienced do-it-yourselfer — and are usually worth the money, especially if they [...]
Choosing a saw For most ‘around-the-house’ jobs you can probably get away with owning just two handsaws: a hacksaw for metal and a general-purpose, or panel saw that will make cross-grain and ripping (with the grain) cuts in wood. For home improvement jobs that require cutting holes in plasterboard, choose a plasterboard saw. If you [...]
DIY sharpening On edge: Dull tools are dangerous and inefficient. Save time and money by learning how to sharpen the blades of simple hand tools like chisels, planes, knives, and shears. However, let a professional sharpen tools that have complex or contoured cutting edges, such as router and drill bits, handsaws, and circular saw blades. [...]
To restore the original bevel, or angle, of a tool, a flat stone or a honing rod (for long blades) will suffice. To remove a nick and to do rough grinding, you’ll need a bench grinder. To detect nicks — and to check your progress in restoring the edge — examine both sides of the [...]
Treat it right: By using a screwdriver for a job it was not designed for you risk damaging the tool and injuring yourself. Try not to use a as a crowbar, chisel, hole punch, scraper, or paint stirrer. If you must use a screwdriver for one of these tasks, choose an old one that’s already [...]
Having the right screwdriver in hand makes most jobs a lot easier, A basic screwdriver set includes four standard slot-tip and four cross-tip (Phillips) drivers in various shaft lengths and blade sizes. Larger sets are also available. There is a second type of cross-headed screw in common use, called a Pozidriv. This has small extra [...]
Types of hammers Most types of hammers come in a variety of head weights and handle lengths. Handles made of ash, hickory, tubular steel (with a rubber grip), or fibreglass absorb shock well, are comfortable to hold, and provide a good grip. The head should be cleanly forged (not cast) of quality steel. The face [...]
Staple gun operation Quick screen fix: A staple gun makes short work of small household repairs. For example, to repair a screen that has pulled out of its wood frame, staple the screen to the frame, folding a hem as you go. Doubling over the screen makes the fastening stronger and reduces the chance that [...]
Spanner techniques Pliers or wrench?: Always turn a nut with a wrench. Using pliers for this purpose will round the edges of the nut and make it even harder to remove later on. If necessary hold the bolt with pliers, but turn the nut with a wrench. Turn it right: When using an adjustable wrench, [...]
