Hot Tools & Equipment Posts
How To: Install an ignition coil on your 2-cycle lawn trimmer
If your ignition coil is out on your lawn trimmer, you will probably have to replace it. You can easily test the ignition with a spark tester before removing it to see if it is indeed your ignition coil. There are a number of things that can go wrong with the ignition, it can simply just not create a spark anymore or it can be acting up where you're lucky if you get it to start up when you need it to.
How To: Winterize your gas-powered tools & machines
Live in an area where you won't be needing your gas-powered tools for the winter? Such as your lawnmower, trimmer, and any other tools you need gas to operate. If you store them away for the winter and come back to use them during the spring time and realize your tools are acting funny, it may be because the gas you left in them has turned into a gel and has damaged the carburetor. You can do a number of things to protect your power tools from such a thing, you can dump all the gas out of the...
How To: Tune up a two cylinder engine on a power tool
The three parts you will need to successfully do a tune up on a two cycle engine are: an air filter, spark plug and a fuel filter. Follow the step by step process to complete the tune up your to mowers, trimmers, and other equipment so you can keep your engines running smoothly and get back to the yardwork.
How To: Remove and replace a drill press chuck
Like any machine, a drill press chuck is prone to wear and tear and with repetitive usage some parts can become unaligned. If you are going to remove a drill press chuck, keep in mind that also with any machine you work with, you'll want to clean off any gunk that accumulates so you have a properly working machine.
How To: Replace brushes on a DeWalt DW988 18v cordless drill
Replacing the brushes on a DeWalt DW988 18v cordless drill takes about 5 minutes to do, which could in turn add a longer life to your drill and keep more money in your pocket. Rather than having to replace a whole drill due to wear and tear, you can replace the parts on them easily, especially if you have a hard time parting with your tools.
How To: Use a multimeter as a battery tester
Thanks to How To Make Anything, you can learn how to make and do pretty much anything! In this video, learn how to use a multimeter as a battery tester for those days your battery tester is out to lunch!
How To: Free rusted parts
In this how-to video, you will learn how to remove rust from metal. This is useful if you have rust on bolts and it becomes hard to remove. You can squirt penetrating oil on the bolt in order to easily take it apart. All you have to do is spray it. Leave it for about 10 to 15 minutes. If you still have a hard time, you can use wrenches to do this. You will see that the liquid has penetrated all the way through the threads of the bolt. This is the best way to release any rusty parts. This vide...
How To: Use a holesaw
Looking for an easy way to cut out a large hole from a plank of wood or a sheet of plastic or metal? A holesaw (also styled hole saw) might be just the right tool for the job. For a complete overview of how to use a holesaw-type circular saw to carve holes into your materials, watch this free video handyman's how-to.
How To: Use hollow wall anchors
If you need to fix your plasterboard or drywall, you will probably need to use hollow wall anchors. In this tutorial, learn how to identify, buy and use hollow wall anchors with the Ultimate Handyman. Once you master this skill, you will be able to repair almost any wall easily. Hollow wall anchors are also very useful for hanging anything heavy on an otherwise weak wall. They attach to the back of the plasterboard with little legs so they are more secure than normal nails or screws.
How To: Use a power washer to clean your deck
Interested in renting a power washer to clean gunk from your deck or even have one on hand but want be sure you don't inadvertently damage your home? If so, this DIYer's guide is for you: with it, you'll learn how to use a power washer safely and effectively when cleaning a deck.
How To: Easily remove rust from chrome
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to remove rust from chrome. The materials required for this procedure are: a few sheets of regular tin foil, some water and an old t-shirt or rag. Begin by crumpling the tin foil into a ball and wet it with some water. Then scrub the rust on the chrome with the tin foil. Continue scrubbing until the rust is removed. Then use the rag to wipe the chrome clean. This video will benefit those viewers who have some rusted chrome and would like to learn how ...
How To: Pick a lock easily with 2 paper clips
ZurplusFaction shows viewers how to pick a lock easily using 2 paper clips. First, you need to take your first paper clip and fold one end out. Fold it out again and straighten this out. Next, take the folded out in and fold in again so it forms boomerang shape with the paper clip. Now, take your pliers and squeeze this folded part together tightly. With a bigger paperclip, and use wire cutters to cut of a straight piece of the paper clip with a curve at the top. Now, you are ready to pick yo...
How To: Purge, clean, and fill a butane lighter
In this tutorial, we learn how to maintain a butane lighter. There are a variety of butane lighters available, but basics for all of them are all the same. First, adjust the flame dial all the way down to negative. Then, purge the lighter using the back of a wooden match. You will hear a hissing noise as the butane and air escape. Do this until you can no longer hear the noise. You will now clean the lighter by holding a canister of air at a 45 degree angle 3 inches away, spray a few times an...
How To: properly mow your lawn and use different mowers
This video gives you several important do's and don'ts when it comes to mowing your lawn. It starts out by going through a couple different types of mowers, including a manual mower, which has blades on the bottom that are turned from the motion of pushing the mower. He then gives you a tip for how high to keep your grass. Make sure you only take off 1/3 of the length of the grass at a time or it will leave your grass very unhealthy. After you cut your grass, if you've only taken that third o...
How To: Reduce your refrigerator energy usage
This video shows several tips that will help you cut down the electricity usage of your refrigerator. Think about what you want from the fridge before opening the door, instead of standing there with the door open while deciding what you want. Set the temperature of your fridge only as cold as necessary, and allow 24 hours for any temperature changes to take effect. Keep exterior condensation switches off unless you need them. Make sure the door gasket is clean and in good condition. Clean it...
How To: Pick a door lock using only a paper clip
In this video, we learn how to pick a door lock with a paper clip. First, make sure you have a door lock that has a pinhole on the outside. Now take your paperclip and open it up so it's straight and flat. Once you've done this, stick your paperclip into the pinhole and wait until you feel a small hole on the inside of the lock and twist the paperclip. Keep twisting the paperclip until the door becomes unlocked, you will hear and feel the lock opening. If the paperclip slips, just stick it ba...
How To: Clean and sharpen garden tools
John White shows how to clean and sharpen your tools by using a file and WD40. He also advises to repair the wooden handles of your tools to prevent injury. Run the file along the back and sides of the shovel. Leave the front part smooth. Make sure you remove any mud to prevent corrosion. Use steel wool to achieve this as well as WD40. Use the file to sharpen the edges of your hoe and again clean with steel wool and WD40. The file is also useful for sharpening trimmers. Clean all the dried pl...
How To: Use a tile nibblers on ceramic tiles
This video demonstrates how to make small cuts on ceramic tile by using Tile Nibblers. The video starts with a quick overview of the tile nibbler tool. It looks like a pair of pliers that have been sharpened. The presenter stresses that a tile nibbler should be just that; nibble away at the tile. If you try to cut out bigger chunks it will result in cracking. Once you get the cut close to how you want it, the presenter uses a tile file to remove the remaining tile and smooth the edges. This v...
How To: Open a locked door with Barbara K
Have you ever been locked out of a room in your own home? Well Barbara K is going to show us exactly how to open a locked door in this video. This will let you get your bedroom door open when you have locked yourself out!
How To: Bend acrylics (like Plexiglas) with a hot air gun
Have you ever wanted to bend a small piece of acrylic? Well now you can with the help of a traditional hot air gun and this informative video. Make sure to wear safety glasses and gloves before trying this project. Clamp the acrylic to a work table, and proceed to turn the gun on and heat up the piece of acrylic, using a steady back-and-forth sweeping motion. As it heats up, you can use your fingers to gently bend the acrylic upward. Leave it at 90 degrees to cool down for a couple minutes, a...
How To: Use a jig saw
In this video presenter Dominic shows you how to use a Jig Saw correctly. Dominic suggests that if you are going to make a tight turn then you should use a skinnier blade in order to avoid banging up the wood or breaking the jig saw blade. He adds that you should be patient and try not to go too fast. With the jig saw you first have to drill a hole in the wood and then put the jig saw through as the blade is flexible and cannot be pushed through by itself. He suggests trimming off the first p...
How To: Repair a damaged garden hose using a coupling sleeve
This video is a tutorial on how to repair a damaged garden hose using a coupling sleeve. Coupling sleeves are available at home improvement stores. First, you being by identifying the location of the lead in your hose. Hold it in a bucket of hot water for a few minutes to make the hose pliable. Second, use scissors to cut the hose right in half on the location of the hole. Put the sleeve clamps over both ends of the garden hose. The man says that the hardest part now is to insert the tube int...
How To: Use a chop saw the right way
In this video tutorial, viewers will learn how to use a chop saw. A chop saw is a power tool which is typically used to cut hard materials. This saw can cut pieces at different angles. When cutting any material, make sure it is pushed tight against the fence. Hold the material tight in this position and make sure it is correctly leveled. When using this machine, be sure to wear safety glasses or a face guard. Avoid cutting small pieces of material and go at a slow pace. This video tutorial wi...
How To: Make your own dry wall tape dispenser
This video shows how to make your own dry wall dispenser. Trying to put the tape between two seams is difficult because you need both hands. This
How To: Organize your tool belt by adding extra compartments
In a tool shed there are two gentlemen discussing how handy a well organized tool shed or tool box is. One man starts to say that he has come up with a easy and in expensive way to keep hand tools organized. Find a old simple nail apron and draw some lines down the pouch. This lines will later turn into places to put tools so it is a good idea to think ahead about what tools you will end up using and adjust the size accordingly. Next, snitch up those lines that you have drawn. Finish up by pu...
How To: Wear a tool belt to provide easy tool access
Danny Lipford demonstrates how to wear a tool belt to provide easy access to your tools. A tool belt is handy because you can keep your materials like nails and screws, in addition to tools, right at your fingertips. A nail apron is lightweight but can slide down because it has thin strings. To solve this problem, loop the nail apron strings around your belt loop. When you put the string around the hammer holder, loop it around a second time to securely keep the hammer in place. A tool belt t...
How To: Use a post hole digger as a measuring stick
Here is a simple technical to measure hole you dug with a post hole digger. Take measuring tape. Place it with the post hole digger from bottom to the end of the post hole digger. Mark each foot division on the post hole digger with a marker. So now you can measure depth of the hole you dug with post hole digger without the need of a measuring tape. If you want to dig 2 feet deep down the earth and you could not find a measuring tape to measure, but markings on the digger will help you to mea...
How To: Make a wet dry vacuum more mobile
Most often when cleaning, using your wet dry vacuum cleaner, you tend to pull at the hose while towing it around. This invariably leads to the hose being pulled off very often. In this video, Joe demonstrates how you can overcome this problem and thereby make your ‘Wet Dry Vacuum’ more mobile. Sealing the hose pipe to the cleaner with a duct tape doesn’t help much, especially when you need to put the cleaner back for storage. So Joe shows an innovative and effective way out. He drills a hole ...
How To: Convert a sponge mop into a sanding pole
In this video Danny Lip ford is showing how you can convert an old sponge mop into an inexpensive pole sander for your household purposes. For this, take an old sponge mop and remove the sponge from it by loosening the screws. Then cover the rectangular sponge fully with the sheet of sand paper. Now screw back the sponge with sand paper to the head of the mop. You can do your sanding in the wall very easily now. If you were to use just a sheet of sandpaper and sand the wall, it would take a l...
How To: Make an old paint can easier to open
In this video it is demonstrated that how to easily open an old paint can. It is harder to open lid of old paint can because when you open and close lid there is some paint which remains at the top of can and it act as a glue and the lid sticks on it. You can get rid of it by using old grocery bag or two layer of plastic. Just cover the top of the can with this plastic and close it with the lid and now with the help of wood block and hammer, make the lid tight. Using this process you can easi...
How To: Put together the perfect home tool kit
A great way to save money and be more independent is to do your own repairs. Having a well-rounded tool kit is the best way to be prepared for those unexpected problems. A good base kit will last for many years and is a sound investment.
How To: Tighten & keep tight those loose bolts
Bob Schmidt teaches the secrets to tighten & keep tight those loose bolts in simple steps. First buy a removable blue thread locker and keep it ready to use. Check for any loose door locks or bolts in your house and remove its screw. Squeeze some thread locker out and apply it to the screw and stay away from carpets while squeezing it out. Let it set on the screw for about 5 minutes and fit the screw back. It can also be used in nuts and bolts and bath accessories.
How To: Use an extension ladder safely
This video shows you how to safely use an extension ladder. To put the ladder up put the bottom against the wall and walk it hand by hand until the top is against the ladder. Then grab the bottom and pull it out. To make sure the ladder is at the correct angle and stand with your toes against the base of the ladder and stretch your arms out straight. You should be able to grasp a rod. If you can't reach it you should readjust it. Avoid over reaching to the sides.
How To: Sand mold
Sanding molding can be pretty challenging with all the curves and details. First for sanding curves try wrapping your sandpaper around a piece of dowel rod. Choose the proper sized dowel for the size of the curve that you have to sand. The larger the curve the larger the piece of dowel that you will need. To get into hard to reach crevices try folding the sandpaper several times and then use the edge of the sandpaper to sand down in the tight crevices.
How To: Replace or sharpen lawnmower blades with Lowe's
Do you want to know what's the secret to a great looking lawn ? Then you have to watch this video in which Lowe's home improvement expert Mike Kraft explains how to sharpen or replace a Lawn Mower blade. Mike will share with you all the tips and the secrets of this simple and yet crucial operation. From the tools required to the safety measures, everything will be explained to you in this video with all the steps actually executed and filmed right in front of you.
How To: Wrap cable for easy unraveling
This video shows you how to wrap cables for later easy unraveling. Place one of the ends of the cables in one hand. With the other hand make a loop out of the cord and place it into the first hand. Make a second loop and turn it 180 degrees before placing it in the first hand. Make another loop and place it into the first hand. Make another loop and turn it 180 degrees and place it in the first hand. Keep repeating this process to the end of the cord. Eventually the cord will form itself to t...
How To: Replace or sharpen riding lawnmower blades with Lowe's
Back again with another great instructional video, Mike Kraft, a Lowe's home improvement expert, demonstrates how to properly sharpen or replace the lawnmower blades on a riding lawnmower. Mike provides tips on inspecting your worn lawnmower blades to determine whether or not your blades need to be replaced, or merely sharpened. This video will give you an idea of the tools you will need to complete this project, as well as the steps involved in both removing and re-installing the lawnmower d...
How To: Use a circular saw and miter box with Lowe's
Lowe's teaches how to Use a Circular Saw and a Miter Box. You'll need to learn how to use a circular saw for this approach Learn how to guide the blade to make smooth cuts in your wood. You will also learn how to use a miter box to cut small wood pieces easily. Once you have mastered your wood cutting techniques you'll be able to put together some crafts at your home. This video help you to simplify projects around the home.
How To: Make rip cuts without a table saw
Ron Hazelton shows how to rip cut a very long piece of wood using a circular saw instead of a table saw. First, place sawhorses approximately every 4 feet under the wood. Choose the correct blade for the wood. Affix the circular saw with an edge guide. Set the blade depth so that the blade barely goes past the wood. Put scrap pieces of lumber on the sawhorses under the wood. Then the long rip cut can be a zip.
How To: Use a miter saw with Skil & Lowe's
This informational and instructional video is brought to us by Lowe's, a leader in the `do-it-yourself' retail business. In this video, Bill shows you how to properly set and use a Skill miter saw. There are four basic cuts you can do with a miter saw: the cross cut, miter cut, bevel cut, and the compound cut. Experienced and beginner home project do-it-yourself enthusiasts will appreciate the techniques and teachings that Bill provides you within this easy to understand and follow how-to video.