Home What's New Tip of the Day Weekly Project Monthly E-Newsletter Q & A Features Radio Show About the Bros. About Rebecca Cole Contests & Promotions Our Partners Forum Mailing Lists Contact Us Affiliate Toolbox Buy our Books!

Friday, July 25, 2008 Tip of the Day Categories » Tools Tip of the Day Articles: Tools Title Read Listen "Let's Cut a Rug, Sam..." Looking for an all-around tool...that's versatile, flexible and essential? A (Versatile) Snappy Invention Thomas Hancock invented a stretchy, springy cord he first used for elastic waistbands in clothing. A Measuring Device Is at Hand! Thumbs up on this trick! Answer: Heat Gun! Question: Want to remove old paint, vinyl baseboards, stuck bolts and more? Assembling (The Day After) Drill-wise and time-wise... squeeze every ounce... when kids are waiting... and speed counts ! Ax Facts How to keep your ax well-sharpened. Back-of-the-Door Workshop Need a workshop? But you have neither a garage nor a basement? Just "hang one." Basic Home Tool Kit Put together a basic home tool kit, and you'll be prepared to fix a lot of things yourself, instead of having to call a repairman. Battery Charge Timer Avoid destructive charge times with a helpful watchful eye. Beam Me Up, Scotty! This little clip-on LED light is a great idea for spaces that are dark and tight. Beam Me Up, Scotty! "Star Trek" sheds light on soup-can technology. Bits On Board Want to carry drill bits with your cordless drill? Here's the ticket -- all aboard! Buying A Power Nailer Choose the right type and size for handy women and men. Caulking tube hang-ups How to put 'em in order and prevent drying out with a hang-up sorter. Chains -- The Weakest Link Chains that break? No problem... here's how to fix 'em quick as a wink! Choosing a Hand Saw Choosing the right saw is only half the battle. Choosing a Hand Saw Choosing and using the right saw is the sign of a pro or a homeowner in the know. Circular Saw Guides How to cut "straight and true"... when a "wandering" saw blade is buggin' you! Circular Saws Got a Christmas gift certificate? Why not tool on down to a home center. Cleaning blades and bits Cutting tools a mess? Clean 'em with a surprise product you?d never guess? Coffee Cans -- Everything but Coffee Yes you CAN! Compass Stud-finder Just a magnetic compass along a wall until the needle swings in. This indicates that there’s a nail (and a stud) below. Convert Your Drill to Use a Keyless Chuck If you've had an electric drill for a long time, it probably has a key operated chuck -- and chances are the key is missing. Cordless Drill Holster How to fix a tiresome flaw with a simple answer for a quicker draw! Cordless Drill Torque What's torque? Clue: it governs a drill's "twist"-power for your work... Cordless Power Tools How much power do you need? Pick a cordless tool that's right for you. Cushioned tool pegs New tools for Christmas? Hang 'em on screws with slip-on cushioned protectors. Cutting the Power Cord Which are better -- cordless power saws or corded plug-ins? Damaged Screw Removal Tool news you can use to easily remove damaged screws! Doing the Jig How to make a "quickie" jig for drilling -- not Irish folk dancing! Drilling Overhead? This simple drill-bit trick stops dust "fall-out." Duck Tape or Duct Tape? When the army needed a strong waterproof tape, Johnson & Johnson created onet -- and because it was waterproof, everyone called it ?duck? tape -- as in water off a duck's back. Earth-friendly Batteries A new breed of battery called "nickel metal hydride" is earth- and environment-friendly. Electric Drill Keyless Chuck A keyless chuck-replacement kit is the answer to your electric drill's lost key-operated chuck. Electric-drill Basic Training Select a high-quality drill to avoid worn-out arms, smoking bits and shoddy workmanship. Extra-strength Screwdriving Mission possible! Fix Rusty Gardening Tools All tools, including those used for gardening, are safer when they are sharp. Fixing a Hammer A replacement handle will cost about one-third of the price of a new hammer. Fixing Your Hammer A replacement handle costs about a third the price of a new hammer, and replacing a handle is easy. Flat-free Tires How to keep hand truck, wheelbarrow and lawnmower tires from going flat. Frozen Nuts and Bolts Load on penetrating oil. It works its way in through rust and gunk to lubricate the threads of frozen bolts. Garden Tool Rust Sharp tools are safer and easier to use. Gasket Plugs and Switches A quick-and-satisfying home improvement. Give Your Tools Some Light! Use a rubberband to attach a tiny flashlight to the side of the screwdriver or extension shaft of your socket wrench. Good Tools are Easy to Find No need to be complaining about tools. Grinder safety How to properly use a grinder. Hacksaw blade protector Save your blades from abuse?(more from storage -- than from use)? Hammer, Slammer, Whammer Some assembly required? Use (and don't abuse) the right tool for the right job! Hammers and Hotdogs Hammer heads have two types of faces -- smooth and corrugated. Hand(y) Drill / Works Magic When you're working in very tight spaces or in a when you're in a hurry, old-fashioned push drills often are the tool of choice. Handy Dandy Toothbrushes Among other things, old toothbrushes are useful for cleaning grout lines in ceramic tile. Handyperson Update Picking out gifts for mothers and daughters, wives, nieces and grandmothers just got a whole lot easier! Head Lights With beams like these in your plans... you'll light up a life and free up those hands! Hi-tech toolbox Tools have come a long way since the Stone Age - now they're very "Space Age." High-tech Foam Rubber When it’s time to replace your computer's mouse pad, don’t throw the old one away. High-tech Tape Measure You'll be deighted at how today's new rulers measure up. Higher-tech wheelbarrows There's a new breed rolling out'that's everything a wheelbarrow should be? Hole saw smarts / re-drilling Need a larger hole for a new lockset in a door? For bigger and new drill with two. Holiday Hammering Complete projects better by using the right hammer for the job. Hot Father's Day Gift Ideas Time to go toolin' around. Hot Tip for Glue Hot-melt glue guns (and glue sticks) aren't just for craft projects anymore! In the Mood for a Power Tool? Sometimes trial and error is fine, but tool info is better found online. Interior Design Tools Picture this! Keep Cutting Tools Sharp and Therefore Safe Sharp people know to use sharp tools. Keyless Chuck For Your Drill When and how to chuck your chuck and get a keyless chuck replacement kit. Knife-sharpening Tips Use a whetstone, with a lttle water, as an abrasive surface for sharpening your carving knives. Labor Day - Nailed Hammer tips. Ladders and Safety Discard rickety ladders pronto! Laser Or Sonic Distance Meter? Two types to consider?and a range in price (some smaller ? some bigger!) Laser Tools / What's New? With today's hot new laser tools, anyone can say, "Beam me up, Scotty!" Magnetic Back Gloves How to "get a grip"...and keep parts, tools and fasteners "close at hand!" Make Do / Get-Me-By Tools Improvise some basics with stand-in stuff and inside-info "pro" tricks! Meanwhile, Back at the Wrench Most knuckle scrapes are caused by the nut on your end of the wrench. Measuring and marking cuts How to measure and mark like a pro…so everything fits where it’s supposed to go… Measuring With Everyday Stuff One dollar plus one quarter equals 7 inches! Mini (5-in-1) workshop No room for a home workshop? Now you can have one? Miter-helper for Martha Are cutting precisely mitered corners driving you crazy? My Friend, Flipper Spatulas -- they’re not just for cooking anymore. My kingdom for a (saw)horse Need an extra sawhorse? More workbench surface? How to "iron" out the problem. Nail gun injuries How and why accidents happen and what to do so it doesn't happen to you. Nail Holder Hammer Tips Hammer the nail you're aiming for, not the one on your finger. Nailing Tips: Avoid Split Ends Pointed nails act like small wedges and, when driven, often split wood along the grain. Nails vs. Screw Guns Nails are not the best of fasteners. New 007 Tools of the Trade If you want to handle problems as the pros do, start by peeking into their toolboxes. Oh Say, Can You C-Clamp? Making a quick spring c-clamp. One-Switch Shop Trick Learn how a single click can get things up and running super-quick! Palletmania Pallets: They're stacked, racked, loaded and hauled from floor to ceiling and wall to wall. Pencil Tip A flat pencil will never roll away from you during a project! Pinch An Inch (Ruler-Wise) Trouble with accurate tape measurements?especially in that very first inch? Plastic Razor Blades A new kind of scraper (and "feel") in many ways beats blades of steel! Plenty of Room at the Top When you climb a ladder...where is the very top? Hmmmmm...? Pop (Rivet) Culture A great little item... just got better... it's "pop rivets" that are threaded ! Power Tool Trends Women are having a big impact on tools. Power Tools "All aboard" New drills without a cord now have more handy goodies on board! Pressure Washers: To Buy or Not to Buy Pressure washers are great for all kinds of stuff around the house. PVC Bungee cord holder Store bungee cords right and remove the one you want without a fight. Q: Shopping Daze? A: Tools! When gifts are "bad" – sparks fly! They can with "good" gifts too (learn why)! Quick draw screw bits Keep extra screw bits aboard?even if your drill is old and has a cord? Rollaway tools? Say: ?Nuts!? How to make 'em stay put with just half a fastener set. Rust Busters How to keep tools and parts rust-free, lookin' new...and shiny as new! Rusty Gardening Tools Here's how to get rusty garden tools out of the Stone Age and into petunias, roses, basil and sage. Sandpaper "True Grit" Numbers on the back of a sheet of sandpaper tell how big the abrasive particles on the other side are. Sandpaper Downsizing How to downsize sandpaper so that it's a handier sander and scraper. Sandpaper Terminology Sandpaper, technically known as "coated abrasives," has confusing but important numbers printed on its back. Sandpaper: File It A 'smooth' trick for storing and filing sandpaper by true grit. Sawhorse Make-do Use your trusty ladder as sawhorse and save the day, Tom-Mix style. Sawhorse Round-up A well-thought-out sawhorse can make tasks easier! Screwdriver Imperative Today's a sale day. Why not tool on over and pick up a simple screwdriver set with an assortment of tip styles and sizes at a super-friendly price? Screwdriver Imperative Today's a sale day. Why not tool on over and pick up a simple screwdriver set with an assortment of tip styles and sizes at a super-friendly price? Screwdrivers 101 Never hit your friend with a hammer! Screwdrivers 101 A good grip on a screwdriver provides maximum drive-power; get one that’s tough and made of forged steel. Selecting an Electric Drill Get a good drill; take care of it and it will take care of you. Sharp Saws = Good Saws How to keep your saw blade sharp...and tell when teeth are way too dull. Sharp Tools Are Safe Tools Tools, especially power tools, are not toys. Sharpening Knives Follow these steps and you're sure to be a pro when carving this year's Thanksgiving turkey. Shedding Some Light on Drilling For great results, try our drill. Shop Vacuum Savvy The wet/dry shop vac is the handyman's choice. Shoveling a White Christmas Shoveling snow is tough work -- as strenuous as prolonged running at 9 miles an hour. Single-handed Pliers A simple "conversion plan" lets you use pliers with just one hand! Soft "C" Clamps How to soften your C-clamp grip without having things slip. Soft Touch Are your tools a little rough? Consider those with a "softer" touch! Squares and levels How to check these tools…to be sure they’re doin’ what they’re supposed to do… Stand-up Cordless Drill How to make your cordless drill stay put with a do-it-yourself big foot. Starting Y2K on the Level On the level -- some are off. Straw Poll on Straws Drinking straws are versatile. Strengthen Nail Strength The smoother the boards fit, the better the nails hold. Struck Tool Maintenance Struck tools need special care. Stud Trek: The Next Generation Tools that find studs go "beep," now they also center and go deep! Super-duper Vacuum Cleaners Super-duper Vacuum Cleaners might be worth the cost! Sure-shot applicators Why struggle with bottles and tubes when there's a medical product you can use. Swiss Army Knife They do anything...and everything...and today there are many combinations. Talking Tape Measures How never to feel like a dummy again. Tape Measure Maintenance Accurate measuring is the most important part of any project. Tape Measure Tip Tip Tab-hook ends on tape measures are designed to slide back and forth -- just a little bit! The Old Nail-in-the-Drill Trick Good tricks are appreciated in the shop. The Scoop on Screwdrivers With today's screwdrivers, no more bent shanks, broken handles, injured wrists and stripped heads. Think You Know Power Tools? Better learn about power tool 'trigger locks' (to avoid the "school of hard knocks.") Thoughts for your Penny To always get the best price, buy nails in bulk instead of those expensive little packages. Tick-tock Trailblazing To find due south, point the hour hand of your watch toward the sun. Tight Spot Screwdriver How to maneuver in a tight spot with things you probably already have. Tool Belts And Holders How to prevent the ups and downs of home improvement and repair. Tool deja vu (all over again) Having extra tools is smart and right now's a great time to start! Tool Recycling How to put old tools to work building homes for those in need! Tool Safety Some tool habits are good and some are very, very bad... know which are which. Tool Time? Think Quality Be wary of tools that are "new and improved." The manufacture probably just found a new way to "improve" his bottom line. Tools -- The Perfect Gift If you've got a new homeowner or renter to buy for, tools will be a welcome gift. Tools for Women Looking for that special gift for the ladies in your life? Think tools! (No, really!) Here's more... Tools: Buy, Borrow or Rent? To buy or not to buy. Toothbrush Recycling What to do with your old toothbrush once it's polished its last fa