Make a set of handy templates to help you set up a compound miter saw for common crown molding cuts. (Note: These instructions are for molding with a 45⁰ spring angle.  Adjustments for a 38⁰ spring angle are given at the end.) You will need four templates: two for outside corners and two for inside corners. To make them, you…

Summer weather threats vary depending on where you live, but they all share one characteristic: they can happen anytime. Creating an emergency preparedness plan for your family helps keep everyone safe during a crisis and gets your household back to normal quickly after the storm passes. Learn the Risks and Prepare for all Situations The first step on the path…

Ladder golf is a popular and friendly backyard game that’s a hoot to play. You just toss two balls held together by a rope and try to get them to stay on the ladder. (More detailed rules are at the end.) Once you have the materials, you can make your own game in less than an hour! Materials: 1.) 26 sections of…

What is a Mortise and Tenon? The mortise-and-tenon joint has long been the “gold standard” in woodworking joinery because of its ease of construction and incredible strength. It consists of a tenon (also called a tongue) on one workpiece (such as a door rail) that fits into a hollowed-out mortise of a mating workpiece (such as a door stile). To…

You may be a craftsman with questions about the batteries you use every day. You know there are several voltage differences in cordless tools, but may not fully understand the details. Here is a discussion from DEWALT about battery basics. Consider the differences between types of batteries and what to look for when you’re buying new cordless tools. When finished,…

What’s the difference between a few edge-glued boards and an eye-grabbing tabletop? Usually it’s the decorative edge of the tabletop that sets it apart. Edges profiled with a router and any of hundreds of available bits transform common boards into beautiful, professional-looking, finished project parts. And they’re easy to make following these five simple guidelines. Guideline #1: Use the right…

An over-tightened or rusted nut or bolt that’s stuck can be one of those things that makes you realize you need to add a new tool to your kit. One of the best models for the job is a cordless impact wrench. This useful equipment has more torque than most drills and it can take care of a stuck nut…

FESTOOL® has been in the tool business for decades, and in that time, they’ve revolutionized the way tradesmen work. Use this guide to determine the best Festool tools for all your upcoming projects. Cordless and Power Tools Festool’s cordless drills are easily portable and can go wherever you need to work. Their true innovation comes from the FastFix™ chuck system….

Choose the best miter saw for you, then get clean, on-the-money results using these tips and techniques. Miter saws help you do much more than simply cutting boards to length. With one, you can make clean and accurate angle cuts past 45°, making them the perfect tool for cutting miters in everything from interior trim to picture frames to structural…

When it comes to the windows and doors of your home, they do more than just provide a gateway to the outside world. They improve the look of your home, provide light and air, and give you plenty of framed views from the inside out. However, through time and exposure to the elements, it’s not uncommon for the wood and…