Workbench eTips

Seasonal Window Seal

admin — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 16:00:37 +0000

When it comes time to seal your windows against the cold weather, you don’t have to rely on those shrink-fit plastic insulator kits. There is a product that’s simpler to use and very effective at stopping air leaks around a window sash. It’s called removable or peelable caulk. The brand found most commonly is Seal ‘n’ Peel from Dap (Dap.com).

As you can see in the Photo, above, this caulk is applied using a standard caulking gun. But it’s clear and hardly noticeable, so you can apply it between the sash and around the window perimeters without making an unsightly mess.

What’s really different, though, can be seen in the Photo above. Come spring, you can just pull on the Seal ‘n’ Peel caulk to remove it. It comes out cleanly without pulling up the paint or stain or leaving any residue.

Have a nice weekend,

Wyatt Myers
Online Editor, Workbench

Instant Shelf Mockup

admin — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 16:00:06 +0000

Before you build shelving, one easy way you can see what you’ll end up with is to mock up the layout with cardboard and paint cans. This will give you a sense of the shelves’ sizes and the spacing you’ll need between shelves.

Have a nice weekend,

Wyatt Myers
Online Editor, Workbench

Super-Simple Wire Chase

admin — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 16:00:31 +0000

Running wire from one story of your home to the next doesn’t require fancy electrician tools. You can take a 10-ft. length of ½" PVC pipe, insert and tap wire inside it, and push it up through a hole drilled in the wall base plate. The PVC is flexible enough to bend when needed, but rigid enough to work its way through the wall’s interior to the desired destination. Once the wire is in place, have one person hold onto it while a helper removes the PVC pipe.

Have a nice weekend,

Wyatt Myers
Online Editor, Workbench

The Great Debate: Cleaning Air Ducts

admin — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 16:00:26 +0000

Indoor air pollution is a growing concern for homeowners, especially those who suffer from allergies. There’s much debate about whether dirty air ducts have a significant impact on the amount of dust in homes, and if cleaning the ducts can help prevent health problems. According to the EPA, a small amount of dust in the ducts is normal. Dust may also collect on return registers and isn’t necessarily a sign of badly contaminated ducts.

The EPA recommends that you clean air ducts only on an as-needed basis rather than routinely. Be wary of providers who recommend regular cleanings as part of your system’s maintenance, or those who make broad claims about the health benefits their service provides.

You may want to look into duct cleaning, however, if you can see mold growth inside the ducts. Keep in mind that cleaning might not get to the root of the problem. You must first determine what is causing the mold and correct it, or the mold will most likely return. Other potential reasons for duct cleaning include large amounts of dust coming from supply registers or vermin infestation.

Some companies will even offer to sanitize your HVAC system with chemicals. Make sure you’re fully informed before agreeing to the use of chemicals during the cleaning process. Visit the EPA’s Web site (EPA.gov/iaq/pubs/airduct.html) for more information about the process.

If you would like to have your ducts cleaned, ensure that the service provider is qualified. The National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA.com) member search can help you locate a professional in your area. Before you hire a company, compare estimates and services from different providers in your area.

Have a nice weekend,

Wyatt Myers
Online Editor, Workbench

Easy Case Assembly

admin — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 16:00:18 +0000

When installing shelves in a case, it’s easy to drill pilot holes in the wrong place and miss the shelf completely. That’s why you might want to consider creating this U-shaped jig. One arm bears on the shelf from inside, so it indicates where to drill pilot holes on the outside of the case.

Have a nice weekend,

Wyatt Myers
Online Editor, Workbench

Mobile Extension Ladder

admin — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 16:00:29 +0000

Extension ladders can be heavy and awkward to move around. But you can make things easier by adding a pair of wheels to yours. These wheels, which came off an old fertilizer spreader, pass through one of the open rungs of the ladder. They just need to be mounted so they don’t contact the ground when the ladder is lifted into place.

Have a nice weekend,

Wyatt Myers
Online Editor, Workbench

Revamp a Lamp for 3-Way Bulbs

admin — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 16:00:34 +0000

If you ever want to convert a standard table lamp to work with 3-way light bulbs, the process if fairly straightforward. Start by examining the bulb socket in your existing lamp to determine if it’s made of metal or plastic. Most are metal with a gold or silver finish.

Then you can pick up a new socket of the same type at any hardware store or home center. Just be sure it’s marked “three way” or “three position.”

To replace a common metal socket, first unplug the lamp. Then pop the socket apart by squeezing it and pulling it off the base. This will expose the wires. If the wires are screwed to the socket, simply unscrew them. If the wires are inserted into holes in the socket instead, you’ll have to cut the wires, and then strip about ½" of insulation off the ends.

Now just wire in the new socket, as shown at left. One of the wires on the lamp cord will either have a stripe or texture. Connect that to the gold screw. Attach the other wire to the silver screw. Then just push the new socket into the socket base on the lamp, and you’re set for three-way lighting.

Have a nice weekend,

Wyatt Myers
Online Editor, Workbench

No-Guess Picture Positioning

admin — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 16:00:53 +0000

Tired of guessing at the location when installing picture hangers on the wall? You can use a thumbtack and a piece of masking tape to end the guesswork. By positioning the frame and pushing the tack into the wall, you get a precise hole for mounting a hanger.

Have a nice weekend,

Wyatt Myers
Online Editor, Workbench

Special Hinge Simplifies Cabinetry

admin — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 16:00:56 +0000

Most hinges have two flaps that lie flat against one another when the hinge is closed. So if you mount the hinge flush with the door and the cabinet, you’ll end up with a rather large gap in between.

That’s why hinges are often set into recesses called mortises. These get cut into the door and the frame to match the size of the hinge flaps. That way, part of each flap is “buried” when the hinge gets mounted, so the gap between the door and frame is smaller.

Thankfully, there’s a type of hinge that doesn’t require a mortise. In fact, it’s known as a no-mortise hinge. As you can see in the Photo above, a no-mortise hinge has one small flap that fits into an opening in the other, larger flap. That means there’s one flap thickness when the door is closed, which produces just the right amount of gap between the door and the cabinet.

Have a nice weekend,

Wyatt Myers
Online Editor, Workbench

DIY Math Made Easy

admin — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 16:00:59 +0000

If you ever need to lay out a deck or another outdoor project, there’s an easy way to make sure it’s square using string and a tape measure. The technique is called the 3-4-5 method of measuring, and it’s an easy way to make sure you accurately position deck posts so that the deck will be square and the joists will be perpendicular to the house wall.

The 3-4-5 method is really just a simple way to form a right triangle using basic math and the Pythagorean theorem. You just need a tape measure, some mason’s line, and a few stakes. The Illustration below shows how it works for locating your deck posts.

When laying out deck posts, you need to establish layout lines that are perpendicular to the wall of your house. The easiest way to do that is to measure and lay out a simple right triangle. Then use stakes and string to mark where the posts will go.

Of course, your deck will probably be more than 4-ft. deep, but you can easily double (6-8-10) or triple (9-12-15) the distances, or use fractions of the formula for a more accurate measurement at a further distance from the house wall.

Have a nice weekend,

Wyatt Myers
Online Editor, Workbench