Learn Where the Fittings Are If you’re operating equipment commercially (even if that’s just a weekend lawn route), it is in your best interest to learn where all the fittings are on your machine(s) and to make sure they’re properly lubed. It’s minutes and pennies pro-action now versus a dollars, days, and downtime reaction later. Once you locate all the fittings (called Zerk or Amelite) you’ll need to know how to load a grease gun then operate it safely and effectively....

Shown: 56-inch red oak newel posts, 10½-inch decorative whitewood corbels, and poplar interior stairpart railing; Lowe’s. Paint: Valspar’s Deep Earth. Build a Trestle Table Dining tables are typically 28 to 32 inches high. Make yours lower (or higher) by cutting more (or less) off the ends of the newel posts. Cut List Newel posts: 2 @ 27¼ to 31¼ inches, depending on desired tabletop height ¾-inch birch-veneer plywood tabletop: 1 @ 36 by 72 inches ¾-inch birch-veneer plywood leg plates: 2 @ 12 by 12 inches Handrail stretcher: 1, cut to distance between the legs ¾-inch quarter-round trim: 2 @ 36 inches, mitered (from short point to short point) ¾-inch quarter-round trim: 2 @ 72 inches, mitered (from short point to short point) ⅝-inch dowels: 2 @ 2 inches 1x2s: 12 @ 8 inches 1x4s: 2 @ 30 inches, beveled (from short point to short point) 1x4s: 2 @ 66 inches, beveled (from short point to short point) 2x4s: 2 @ 30 inches Download the diagram and cut list to build a trestle table....

Can You Paint Over Cabinets Without Sanding? Skipping the sanding step is OK if you’re making a change from one newly painted surface to another, or painting raw, unvarnished wood cabinets. If your cabinets are damaged or have peeling paint or really shiny surfaces, either from the material or a shiny coating, you’ll probably need to lightly sand ­to help the new paint bond better. But if the doors are smooth (not slick) to the touch, you can likely skip the sanding step, as long as you do a few bits of prep first!...

How Often Should You Replace Your Roof Shingles? Any damage or signs of wear call for immediate action to keep water from seeping under the shingles and rotting the wood sheathing beneath. Ignoring a problem—even what appears to be a small one—will accelerate the need to reroof and can add hundreds of dollars to the cost of a new roof. If your roof is more than 20 years old and most of the shingles are damaged or badly worn, it’s time to replace it....

You could call a professional and spend a couple hundred dollars for the repair, in addition to the replacement parts. Or you could do it yourself. If you decide to go that route, you’ll first need to know that there are two types of garage door springs—extension and torsion. Types of Garage Door Springs Extension springs Extension springs are located just above the door tracks that parallel the ceiling, perpendicular to the doors....

The other tools for this project, including the hand valve, pipe wrenches, and a spud wrench can be purchased from a plumbing supply store. Tools

Steps: Tools

Tools

How Long Does it Take to Sealcoat a Driveway? Sealing a driveway should be no more than a weekend affair—with dry weather and temperatures above 50 degrees required. Steps for Sealcoating a Driveway Park in the street before starting this job, because you’ll have to wait a period of time while the sealant sets up, whether that’s an hour for foot traffic on a quick-dry or up to 48-hours with two coat system....

Not long ago, a table saw or a conventional circular saw was the only option for ripping large sheet goods, making a long bevel cut on a thick piece of oak, or cutting a straight edge on the rough-sawn stock. Introduced by Festool in 1980, the track saw has since become a go-to tool for carpenters and woodworkers for these tasks and more. How to Build a Homemade Track Saw Consisting of a plunge-style saw with a shrouded blade that’s guided by a companion track, a track saw can make rip cuts, crosscuts, and bevel cuts with the accuracy of a table saw....

Carpet Stretching Tools The two main tools are the aptly named power stretcher and the knee kicker. Both have flat, aluminum heads that are fitted with rows of adjustable steel teeth, angled forward so they can better bite into the carpet. Knee Kicker A knee kicker is about 20 inches long, with a square toothy head on one end and an equally-sized knee pad at the opposite end. Power Stretcher...

Rows of thickly planted shrubs can be a handsome way to define borders and boundary lines, keep children and pets in (or out), and give birds shelter and even food. But like all shrubs, hedges need regular watering, feeding, and pruning to look their best. Though folks may forget to give roots a good drink in hot weather or to fertilize in early spring with a good 10-10-10 formula, the last area is where most of us really lose it....

Steps for Using a Compost Bin

How Much Does it Cost to Install a Kitchen Sink? Between $50 to $300 depending on the size and type of the sink. How Easy Is It to Install a Kitchen Sink? The trickiest part of installing a new sink and faucet is connecting the sink’s drain—the pieces between the sink’s tailpiece and the waste line. Always start at the sink tailpiece and work down. This is where a swivel P-trap with a trap adapter earns its keep....

To celebrate the launch of Season 2 of This Old House’s Clearstory podcast, one lucky winner will receive a Roku Streambar (a $129 value). Submissions close on June 6, 2021 at 11:59PM EST. Scroll down to enter and listen to the first episode of Season 2! New episodes drop every Thursday. From This Old House, Clearstory is a window that sheds light on the surprising stories behind our homes. Host Kevin O’Connor digs into the systems, structures, and materials in our homes from unexpected angles....

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As winter winds down and spring starts to appear, you’ll want to take care of a few simple projects to prepare your home for the warmer months ahead. From cutting back roses to cleaning your AC condenser, read our simple tips below. Cut back roses Roses should be pruned in early spring, while still dormant, to encourage blooming, improve air circulation to prevent disease, and control size. Time this task to when the forsythia blooms, making 45-degree cuts with sharp, clean bypass pruners or loppers ¼ inch above outward-facing buds....

“As the top-rated home improvement programs in America, ‘This Old House’ has the broad appeal that is perfectly suited to support The Roku Channel’s ad-supported growth strategy,” said Rob Holmes, VP of Programming, Roku. “’This Old House created the television home improvement genre and is beloved by millions of fans. We are thrilled to welcome this incredible team, and we could not be more excited to help grow the brand for an entire new generation of home improvement enthusiasts....