Hot Construction & Repair How-Tos
How To: Build and install a cheap dumbwaiter in your home
Home improvement expert Danny Lipford shows how to build and install a cheap dumbwaiter in your home in this video tutorial.
How To: Remove a Shark Bite Fitting Without a Special Tool - Adjustable Wrench Trick
Here's a fast easy way to remove and disconnect your Shark Bite quick connect fitting, without a special tool to do it. We'll show you a awesome little trick using an adjustable wrench. This will work an all different size Shark Bite fittings.
How To: Tighten radiator valves
In this video you will learn how to tighten radiator valves using a spanner and water pump pliers. If you find that your radiator valves are leaking, follow these simple steps to remedy the situation: If you take a look at your lock shield valve, you may see signs that it has been leaking. Grip the valve with a pair of water pump pliers. This will prevent you from breaking the copper pipe. Tighten in a clockwise direction. Feel with your fingers to make sure there are no more leaks.
How To: Cut the perfect inside corner with a miter saw
This video, from Superior Building Supplies, demonstrates the proper technique for cutting the inside corners of crown molding. The presenter suggests downloading several diagrams from the Superior Building Supplies website. These diagrams show the correct position of the miter for several different cuts. When using a miter saw think of the fence as the ceiling and the table as the wall. Cuts for inside corners will always be made using 45 degree angles on your miter saw. Using these techniqu...
How To: Build an industrial size BBQ smoker from an old refrigerator
You can take an old, stainless steel refrigerator and turn it into a vertical smoker. Weld steel plates to make a fire box with a door and a removable ash tray, then reconstruct the frame to make yourself a new addition to your barbecue pit!
How To: Build a simple beam bridge
Stuck on one side of a river or ditch? If you are stranded with no other way to get to your destination you will need to build a bridge! Without many supplies, your best bet is a beam bridge which can be made with just a single piece of wood. This video will show you how to get from one place to another.
How To: Install a T-Mold Transition Between Laminate & Ceramic Tile
Installing a T Mold Transition Between Laminate and Ceramic Tile There are several different types of laminate transitions that you may need when installing laminate flooring. Each one is used specifically for where the laminate flooring ends, such as where the laminate stops at ceramic tile. Other transitions are used where the laminate ends at carpet, vinyl flooring, a threshold or a step down such as a sunken living room or stairs.
How To: Fit door handles to a door properly
This is a video tutorial in the Home & Garden category where you are going to learn how to fit door handles to a door properly. The first thing to do is to insert the spindle in the door and check if it is of correct length. Quite often it might be longer. So, cut it to the correct size with a hacksaw. Next fit the handle over the spindle and make sure it is straight. Take measurements to ensure this. Holding the handle in place with one hand, drill holes with an electric drill and insert the...
How To: Check out foundation cracks below your carpet
Danny Lipford shares some tips on foundation cracks. Watch this video tutorial to see how to check out foundation cracks below your carpet.
How To: Adjust the Alignment of Cabinet Doors
Poor alignment of cabinet doors will cause a kitchen to look run-down and may be embarrassing to the homeowner. Luckily, with a single screw driver and a little ambition, the door alignment can look brand new.
How to Build a Shed, Part 11: Installing Fascia Boards & Soffit Materials
The fascia boards and soffit material installation is very important. This is the finishing part of the shed. Henry shows you how to do this in great detail and get perfect results. In this video he shows you how to use his exclusive jig to make it easy to install long trim without any help!
How To: Install a window in a metal frame
A good way to install a window in a metal frame construction is to use some light gauge angle and screw it onto the sides of the window leaving a 10mm space for plaster. A flat head, self tapping screw is used to fix the window to the frame. Watch this video tutorial for a demonstration on how to install a window in a metal frame.
How to Build a Shed, Part 9: Building & Installing Gable Ladders (Rakes)
Using ladders (Rakes) to build your gable overhangs on the shed is one of the fastest and easiest ways to do this. Henry shows you how to layout, build and install the ladders on our shed.
How To: Clean and Maintain Your Tape Measure
Recently I was working outside forming a driveway in the rain. Working in and around the wet sand was not friendly on my tools, especially my tape measure. About halfway through the day my tape measure would need "encouragement" in order to retract to the closed postion. Not too much later, with force applied, it would remain standing out at 1ft. and the problem progressively got worse.
How To: Cut Perspex or acrylic sheet with a circular or jigsaw
Wondering how to cut Perspex (or acrylic glass) easily? When cutting Perspex at home, you're more or less limited to using circular saws and jigsaws. For cutting straight lines, the circular law works best; for curvy lines, you'll want to use your jigsaw. For more information, including step-by-step instructions on cutting your own acrylic sheet, watch this DIY home tutorial.
How To: Build a rolling tool cabinet
So many bench-top style tools are available today it's easy to accumulate several, including table saws, jointers, sanders, scroll saws, planers and others. With either purchased or shop-made individual stands, the tools can take up a lot of room. In this video tutorial, you'll learn to build a roll-around tool cabinet that can easily be rolled out for access to a variety of tools placed on top. It features a large bench top with locking rollers, and a huge storage cabinet beneath, which prov...
How To: Tie a string line
Are you trying to construct your dream house with your own two hands? Learn the tricks of the trade and watch this video tutorial on how to tie a string line.
How To: Bleed Trapped Air from Baseboard Heater
This video will show you how to bleed trapped air from a baseboard heater. If your baseboard heat is cold with the heat turned on, this might work for you.
How To: Make a Floating Shelf (Awesome Pallet Wood Project)
This rustic floating shelf project is one of the easiest pallet jobs that l have ever done. Floating shelves look great as there aren't any shelving brackets visible, which makes the whole look very streamlined. My floating bookshelf also has the added feature of movable bookends with a handmade wooden nut!
How to Build a Shed, Part 15: Installing Exterior Wood Trim
In this video Henry shows you how to finish all the exterior trim on the shed. This video includes lot of tips to make the finish carpentry in this video easy and accurate.
How To: Make & Install a Concrete Post
How to Concrete in a Post: Step 1:
How To: Install a piano hinge on a side door
A piano hinge is also called a continuous hinge, and is a popular hinge to use on side doors and other small doors. This tutorial shows you the proper method of installing a piano hinge on your current project. Besides the door and the hinge, you will also need some basic hardware: a drill and some screws, as well as a chisel to carve out an inset for the hinge to rest. Make sure you always measure carefully before cutting anything!
How To: Install a Sliding Glass Cabinet Door
Cabinets that open straight out and shut to close make so much ruckus, especially when you've got someone who's angry in the house. Sliding doors, meanwhile, are super chic, classy, and easily draw open and close without a fuss. Not to mention that most sliding cabinet doors are made of glass, which means you can show off your newest Wedgewood dinnerware set and Rosenthal cups.
How To: Install Laminate Flooring on Stairs
Installing Laminate Flooring on Stairs Laminate flooring can be installed on a flight of stairs, and this process can also be used when installing laminate on a floor and having to drop down a step to a sunken room.
How To: Remove a washing machine motor
Check out this tutorial for a step by step on how to remove a washing machine motor. This is especially important if you need to fix your machine. Although the Ultimate Handyman is demonstrating on a HotPoint machine, this fix can be applied to most models.
How To: Install a porcelain tile backsplash in your kitchen
This video tutorial outlines a number of quick and easy tips for installing a porcelain tile backsplash in your home kitchen, from checking the substrate (that is, the surface to be tiled) to the application of the tile itself. For a complete, step-by-step overview of the DIY process, watch this free video guide.
How To: Replace a shower drain cover
To replace your old rusty drain cover. First, some masking tape over drain cover, to prevent screws from falling into drain. Sweep debris away, as so not to clog up the hole. Remove old shower drain cover to measure, take it to the store, to get the exact size. It's best to take along the screw too, just in case there isn't a screw thats of the same length. Chip away debris from old drain cover, as to make new drain cover fit in easily. If you follow this video, you'll able to replace your ol...
How To: Lay bricks with joint spacers
Using joints spacers to lay bricks makes things a lot easier and perfect. You'll get that perfect 3/8" mortar joint every time. Watch this video tutorial to learn how to lay bricks with joint spacers.
How To: Install a towel bar on a bathroom wall or hollow door
This two part how to video series demonstrates how to install a towel rod or towel rack (remember click on chapter two for the hollow door video instructions). In the first video, your instructor takes you through all the necessary steps of installing a towel bar: measuring, screwing, and assembling. The second video demonstrates how to hang a towel rod on a hollow door. Hollow doors require an extra step when hanging a towel bar. You need a few more tools, but the end result is a towel bar t...
How To: Fix a stuck drawer
Every house has a drawer somewhere in it that gets stuck, requiring you to struggle, yank, or shove to get it open and closed. In this quick how-to video clip, professional do-it-yourself-er Ron Hazelton shows you the best ways to overcome sticky drawer syndrome. There are three ways to help keep those drawers running smoothly. Watch this video home improvement tutorial and learn how to fix a stuck drawer.
How To: Install a post-form countertop
There are many different types of countertops, but of all those available, post-form countertops are probably the quickest and easiest to install. Post-form countertops consist of a laminate surface that is glued to a particleboard base. Typically, the base is shaped so that there is a curved front edge and an integrated backsplash with either squared off or 45-degree angle ends available.
How To: Install a recycling chute in your kitchen
Finding room in the kitchen to store the various bins needed for recycling can take up a lot of valuable cabinet space. Here Danny comes up with an innovative solution to the problem by installing chutes made from standard 4” dryer vent pipe that send cans and plastic bottles to bins located on a lower floor of the home.
How To: Build a retaining wall with an inside radius curve
This video tutorial shows you how build a retaining wall system with an inside radius curve. This video is a must-watch for everyone in the construction business.
How To: Mix Up Base Coat for Plastering
This video tutorial demonstrates how to mix a base coat for plastering. When mixing up a batch of base coat, use a bit of vegetable oil in the plaster gauge/mixing pot to help keep it clean.
How To: Repair asphalt for good
Tim Carter, of Ask the Builder, demonstrates a really easy way to patch a bad spot of asphalt road, sidewalk, or driveway on your home property. Your blacktop will thank you!
How To: Stop a Toilet from Running
This video will show you how to stop a toilet from constantly running and what to look for. There are many different reasons why a toilet may keep running, we'll take the toilet tank cover off and show you what to look for inside and what might break or go wrong.
How To: Lay Wall Tiles
G'day Knuckleheads. In this Owner Builder Series Episode we're up to doing the wall tiling in the bathrooms. Justin gives out some very handy tips on how to lay wall tiles in the bathroom. Check it out and let me know what you think.
How To: Grout Wall and Floor Tiles
G'day Knuckleheads and welcome to Episode 35! With the wall and floor tiling completed it's time to grout the tiles. In this episode Justin takes us through the tips and tricks of applying the wall and floor grout. Grouting really finishes the job off and is a job that any DIY'er can do by themselves. Check it out and let me know what you think :-)
How To: Install a Timber Floor
G'day Knuckleheads. In this Owner Builder Episode we look at laying the timber floor. You'll see in this video the team showing you how to lay a timber / wooden floor. The timber or wood l used for the floor was a species of timber called Blackbutt. It's a solid 19mm x 130mm board which is very hardy and should stand up to a fair bit of abuse…which it will get at my place :-) Timber floors really give a warmth to your property and are well worth the effort.
How To: Replace the Sash Lock on a Window
Learn how to replace the sash lock on window. This repair will help fix a drafty window, or may even help to fix or prevent a window from rattling or shaking in the wind.