How To Build A Hardwood Floor This Weekend
Work from left to right when laying the floor planks across the room, with the tongue edges facing out. To accommodate expansion and contraction, leave a 1/2-in. gap between the flooring and walls. Also, the planks in the last row must be at ... [... more]
Popular Mechanics |
Plumbing Basics: How To Sweat A Pipe Joint
The copper will get shiny as the flux melts. A moment later, the copper will dull as the flux sizzles and begins to smoke. This signals that it's time to apply solder. Now, move the flame away and touch lead-free plumbing solder to the joint. If ... [... more]
Popular Mechanics |
Home Clinic: Remove Caulk From Your Bathtub
Finally, apply a bead of tub-and-tile caulk that contains a fungicide such as DAP Kwik Seal Plus or Red Devil EZ Caulk Tub and Tile Sealant (6). Q: The caulk around my bathtub is peeling away in places, and it looks pretty ugly. How do I remove ... [... more]
Popular Mechanics |
How To Choose The Right Tape: Know Your Stuff
Duct Fiber-reinforced plastic (7.7 to 12.6 mils thick) with rubber or synthetic rubber adhesive The thin, inexpensive type is ideal for strapping, bundling, patching tarp, light-duty rope whipping. The professional, heavy-duty variety is ... [... more]
Popular Mechanics |
Home Clinic: How To Repaint A Wood Floor
If the floor paint does not contain lead, damp mop it with a floor cleaner, then let it dry. Scrape any loose paint and feather sand the scraped areas. Wipe up the sanding dust with a damp cloth. After the floor is properly prepared, use a ... [... more]
Popular Mechanics |
Make That Wood Floor A Showpiece
Before deciding on a plan, first determine the condition of the old finish. If the floor has discolored areas, or if the finish is chipped or peeling, the best approach is sanding and refinishing. This involves using a heavy-duty drum sander and ... [... more]
Popular Mechanics |
Skill Set: How To Snap A Fastener (With Video)
There are many tried-and-true tools for removing a damaged fastener, and we've all used them: the cold chisel hit with a ball-peen hammer, the cat's-paw, the claw hammer, the nail puller and the hacksaw. But sometimes even old favorites don't ... [... more]
Popular Mechanics |
How-To Central: Fix Your Leaky Faucet
A: Regardless of the faucet, begin the repair by turning off the shutoff valve on the supply line to the sink. This is located under the sink or in the basement. Next, close the sink drain to avoid losing small parts, then disassemble the faucet. ... [... more]
Popular Mechanics |
Tool Watch: Battery-Powered Sump Pump
To see an example, visit the Web site of the Little Giant Pump Co.. Its model SPBS-12 (about $350, not including the battery) is a good example of a compact backup pump that can be installed by a homeowner. To install the pump, cut the discharge ... [... more]
Popular Mechanics |
Master Tip: Planing Thin Wood Stock
Planing wood is a basic woodworking operation, yet many woodworkers are stumped by producing thin stock with a planer. Of the machine's two thickness capacities (maximum and minimum), the former rarely creates difficulties, while the latter often ... [... more]
Popular Mechanics |
Diy Water Heater Anode Swap: Homeowners Clinic
You can replace the anode, but it's not easy. Most tanks are located somewhere without enough headroom to easily remove the old rod or insert a new one. To begin the process, turn off the electricity (or gas) to the heater, shut its water supply, ... [... more]
Popular Mechanics |
Skill Set: Stripping Cable
Damage can occur in one of two ways. First, if you nick a conductor, that tiny notch forms a point of stress concentration and failure. Second, copper can be damaged by a process called work hardening. Bending copper back and forth, or clamping ... [... more]
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