Hot Tools & Equipment How-Tos

How To: Easily fix a sticking Karcher pressure washer

Using a pressure washer to clean the outside of your home or driveway, is great and easy to use. But what happens when it becomes stuck and there's hardly any pressure? Well you're about to find out. In this next tutorial, you'll see how to fix a sticking Karcher pressure washer easily. It can take you a couple of hours to complete or a matter of minutes. Good luck and enjoy!

How To: Adjust the miter saw on a Bosch 4412 and 5412

A miter saw is a handy portable tool that almost every carpenter or handyman has available. It makes clean cuts to thin pieces of wood in various angles and makes quick cuts. So in this tutorial, you'll find out how to make adjustments to a Bosch 4412 and 5412 miter saw. Knowing how to adjust certain parts of the machine is important, because certain parts may need to be moved in order to get the right cut for the occasion. So good luck, be careful, and enjoy!

How To: Remove router bearings on a Bosch 1611 and 1615

Knowing how to use a tool and how it works, is important for any handyman or contractor. This is important, because if anything happens, they'll be able to diagnose what the problem is and find a quick solution for fixing it. In this tutorial, you'll find out how to remove the bearings to a Bosch 1611 and 1615 router in case you need to. It's a tough project that requires you know how to remove certain parts and then know how to put it back together again. So good luck and enjoy!

How To: Replace a trimmer line

Trimmers, or as some people call them weed-whackers, need one important piece for it to work properly: the trimming line, of course. This helps cut off pieces of unwanted grass or weeds with just one single swipe and is easy to replace. In this tutorial, you'll find out how to replace trimmer line in three different devices easily. So sit back, pay attention, and good luck!

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: 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: Dial open a combination safe lock

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to dial open a combination safe lock. Begin by turning the lock 4 times to the left. Then turn the lock 3 times to the right. Now turn the lock 2 times to the left and finish by turning it one more time to the right. Users should hear and feel a click when they finish turning the lock. When locking the safe, turn the lock 4 or more times to the left. to ensure security. This video will benefit those viewers who have a safe lock and would like to learn...

How To: Pick a door lock

Arthur Cavallin demonstrates how to pick a door lock. To pick a lock, you will need to push up the pins and align them so that the mechanism will open. You will need a tension wrench which you can make with an alan key. You will also need a lock pick which you can make out of a hacksaw blade. Use the tension wrench to apply pressure to the front pin. Then, use the lock pick to push up the back pins. You can also use a quick raking technique to push the pins in. Insert the tension wrench into ...

How To: Pick a padlock and understand how it works

When picking a padlock, the only part you need to worry about is the part where the key goes into the lock. The locking mechanism has pins attached to springs. The key pins are on the bottom and the driver pins are on the top. The key turns when the pins of different heights are separated, flush and aligned. Stick a tension wrench into the keyway and put pressure on it. Take a pick to push the rest of the pins up until they are flush with the shear line. Stick the tension wrench into the bott...

How To: Prevent black marks when using a rubber mallet

A rubber mallet is a great tool for avoiding damage to your woodworking. But often a rubber mallet can leave black marks on your wood and you have to sand it off. This tutorial from home improvement expert Danny Lipford gives you some great tips on how to prevent black marks from a rubber mallet. Danny also shows a great way to make a rubber mallet out of a regular hammer.

How To: Texture walls with a hopper

If you have a tremendous amount of dry wall to finish and don't want to spend an enormous amount of time sanding, use a hopper to create a mild texture. This Home & Garden how to video demonstrates the proper operation and use of the hopper for adding texture to walls. Remodeling a home doesn't have to be such a daunting task with the right tools and equipment.

How To: Use a secret nail gun

The secret nail gun is used to nail timber floor boards to floor joists or on top of a sub floor construction. It shoots nails on a 45 degree angle through the tongue of the floor which is covered by the next board. No nail holes are required to be filled by the floor polisher. Watch this video tutorial for a demonstration on how to use a secret nail gun.

How To: Use a shovel properly

Even if you are using a shovel improperly, you'll still wind up with a hole. You'll probably also wind up with a sore back. Learn how to use a shovel the proper way. You'll need to select the Real Player or Quicktime link to actually start the video. Use a shovel properly.

How To: Start a Briggs and Stratton Power Generator After 3 Years

My Briggs and Stratton power generator wasn't used for 3 years. Trying to start it again, lead to some problems. The video will show you the true story and the solution. The first problem was, that it lost some fuel - the fuel pipe was broken. In good hope I tried again to start it, but it stopped within seconds. A check of the spark plug to find a very dirty one. After cleaning the spark plug, the engine ran, but only for a few seconds. It lost a lot of fuel and stopped again. The fuel was c...

How To: Magnetize a Screwdriver

Oftentimes, when using a screwdriver it can be hard to keep the screw connected to the screwdriver. In this article, we show a trick on how you can magnetize your screwdriver so the screw will hold onto your screwdriver. Get a heavy duty magnet.

How To: Inject Your Drill Press Table Crank with Steroids

First, I would like to explain that among my family members, I am considered somewhat of an oddball. Mostly because of some of the mods that I have performed on a few of my woodworking tools. After I show you what I did to my drill press, you may be inclined to agree. When I first hatch an idea in my little pea brain, the first thing I take into consideration is whether or not this mod is irreversible and will destroy my tool. In the case of my drill press, I determined that it was safe to pr...

How To: Open a locked bedroom or bathroom door

Getting locked out of a bedroom or bathroom can be a real bummer. Fortunately, these locks are easy to "pick" and get yourself in. This how to shows you clearly what to do to get yourself back inside so you don't feel frustrated all day long. This excellent video takes you step by step through the process. This video talks about 2 different types of locks and the two different types of tools you'll need.

How To: Change the oil and spark plugs on an MTV snowblower

It's still pretty snowy out there, thanks to winter's desperate need for attention. But thankfully you've ditched the snow shovel and got yourself a snowblower to help you remove all that blizzard snow from your sidewalks. Unfortunately, like all snowblowers, you'll eventually have to perform an oil change. But no worries, if you have an MTV snowblower, then this video will help you change both the oil and the spark plug in your engine. Plus, see how to gap your spark plug. This also is handy...

How To: Avoid stripping gears on a Rain Bird sprinkler head

Avoid stripping the gears in your Rain Bird 5000 Series Rotor Sprinkler Heads by never turning the turret against the turn. Sean Stefan from Sprinkler Daddy explains in this video tutorial that if you start turning from the left fixed edge to the right, never go back to the left until you've gone all the way to the right. If you don't follow these guidelines, you run the risk of stripping the gears in your Rain Bird 5000 Series sprinkler heads. Then what are you going to water your lawn with....

How To: Attach automatic sprinkler valves

Check out this video tutorial to see how to attach automatic sprinkler valves. These tips on installing your own automatic sprinkler valves from Sprinkler Daddy will help your lawn turn into luxurious green grass, preventing any further landscaping needs. A little bit of water is all it takes.

How To: Install a drip irrigation watering system

Check out this landscaping video tutorial to see how to install a drip irrigation watering system. You'll need this if you want to keep your garden looking great. You will have to poke a hole in the pipe for every shrub. Then, you'll need to install a coupler. This drip irrigation installation is explained in simple English by Sprinkler Daddy's Sean Stefan.

How To: Better install automatic sprinkler systems

Sprinkler Daddy's Sean Stefan explains automatic sprinkler systems in a nutshell. You'll see how to better install automatic sprinkler systems with a little sprinkler knowledge. It's a lot easier to envision yourself installing your own underground sprinkler system if you know basically what's involved. So, to make your landscaping needs less in the future, and your grass beautiful and greener than ever before, just watch this educational piece.