It's time to trade in my wobbly craft table for a real workbench! This easy DIY workbench design costs only about $100 …AND can be built with just one cutting tool! It's perfect for beginners that are looking for that first woodworking project and the end result is something you'll get a lot of use from and you can customize in the future.
Although many people do it, it's never been okay to dispose of hazardous waste by dumping it in the gutter or on the ground. Get caught doing it by the wrong people (as in police officers or health officials) and you're in for a very nasty and costly surprise. The penalty can range in places from a simple fine of a few hundred dollars, up to fines of several thousand dollars and jail time. From what I've seen, the closer you get to either a drinking water supply, like a well or reservoir, or to the ocean, the stiffer the penalties become. Oil & Oil…
It's easy for your workbench to get cluttered with miscellaneous bits like nails, screws, electrical connectors and fasteners but these inexpensive pull-out muffin trays are the perfect solution to keeping them out-of-sight yet right at your fingertips. The Family Handyman advises using heavy gauge muffin tins that won't bend when full. Attach them to the underside of your work surface using a machine head screw (as the pivot point) with fender washers above and below the tin and two nuts against each other on the underneath so the assembly won't loosen. Now load up the bins and admire that pivoting action! Hardware Bins Made from…
The last thing on your mind after a long and exhausting install or repair is tool care. In an effort to salvage whatever time is left of the day, you quickly gather your dirty tools and toss them into the toolbox or hang them back up on your wall rack. Tools can last a lifetime if you take care of them but unfortunately basements and garages are places that are more likely to contain moisture than the rest of your house, magnifying your tools' susceptibility to rust - and once rust forms on a tool, it will keep corroding faster and faster. Although moisture and…
I'm always finding new uses for my rotary tool every time I get new attachments. Because of this, it's one of the most versatile tools in my toolbox able to cut, carve, engrave, sand, grind, clean and polish. But certain attachments like a plunge router can run over $20. For DIYers like manuelmasc at Instructables who just needed to make one cut or find themselves in a bind, you can make your own using the bottom half of a plastic jar. A peanut butter container works quite well and you can use the outer ring of the lid to reinforce your cutting edge. You'll also…
The reciprocating saw was the first "official" tool I got when I started building things. After using it for years, I'm sharing my tips and tricks for beginners on how to use it along with the blades that work best for each material. Although the reciprocating is mainly known as a demolition tool, it can do so much more - from reclaiming wood and trimming branches - it's one of the most versatile tools you could have for DIY projects.
Who needs a size chart? The bigger the pipe the more the powaaahhh, right? Well, up to a certain point. So if you're getting ready to install a new system that's as wide as a Brontosaurus' tail, you may want to hold up a sec. The best size for your application depends on both engine output and displacement. As a general rule the higher each of these components, the larger the pipes should be. Larger diameter pipes reduce backpressure by allowing more exhaust gas to exit so your engine can breathe more efficiently, giving you more output and better fuel economy. But there comes a…
No matter how hard you try, little hardware pieces always seem to end up in a junk drawer or open box where you prick your hand anytime you have to sift through it just to find the right size washer or nut. Here's a storage idea that re-purposes those plastic jars you tend to collect in the trash while also putting to work that useless space under your last shelf. Screw the lids under a shelf, load up your jars with whatever small bits you need storing and twist the jar onto its lid. The jars will hang from their own caps, screwed into the…
Like most car enthusiasts, you'll want to add some modern comforts to your classic or muscle car - and that means an alternator upgrade to power them all. In the early days, there wasn't much need for high-amp alternators because the only accessory they really had to deal with was an additional pair of speakers in the back. But after the 1980s, accessories became more popular as fog lights, sound systems, electrical fans, air suspensions, sophisticated alarms, cameras and more slammed the market. With many older alternators, the 14-16 gauge wiring alone can't handle more than the 45-60 amps factory alternators were putting out -…
The greatest thing about peg boards is that they allow you to organize your tools on the wall rather than in toolboxes which eat up valuable floor space - but that's also what makes them not so great. This DIY rolling peg board cart lets you bring your otherwise stationary tool collection with you so you have what you need right next to your car or any other project you're working on - no more walking back and forth to search for tools! Commercially available peg board carts run a few hundred smackers so Brad Justinen decided to build his own not only to save…