Expert Advice on Home Improvement

Sawmill owner, Roy Hyde, recycles fallen trees into lumber for custom woodworking projects. This environmentally friendly process keeps valuable timber out of the landfill while providing unusual species of wood in sizes not often found at the local lumber yard. Watch this video.

When installing arched door units, extend the plywood sheathing over the rough opening. Position the door unit against the wall, mark the opening around it, and cut the curved opening to size using a sabre saw. Watch this video.

Finishing is one of the most important steps in woodworking, and it all starts with a smooth surface. In this video Danny explains the different types and grits of sandpaper that are available and shares some tips on how to sand hard-to-reach areas. Watch this video.

One way to repair a hole in drywall without enlarging it to the adjoining joists is by using what is known as a “hot patch.” Start by cutting a piece of drywall several inches larger than the hole, then remove the excess wallboard while leaving the paper intact, and attach the patch to the hole with joint compound. Watch the video to see how it’s done. Watch this video.

There are a number of ways to join wood frames together—from dowels and metal fasteners to pocket screws and wood plates—but nothing is stronger than mortise and tenon joints. The JessEm Zip Slot Mortise Mill from Woodcraft uses a standard electric drill to take the drudgery and imprecision out of cutting mortise and tenon joints. Watch this video.

A laundry room often becomes cluttered and contains wasted space. To better utilize it, shelves and storage units can be made from sheets of medium density fiberboard while a storage unit holds multiple laundry baskets. Watch the video to find out more. Watch this video.

Installing a new bathroom vanity isn’t that difficult, although it does involve a combination of some basic plumbing and carpentry skills for everything to come together. Watch this video to find out what you need to know. Watch this video.

When trimming a hollow core door, take off less than an inch off each side to avoid cutting into the void beyond the frame. Score the cut line with a utility knife to prevent splintering, then trim the door using a circular saw and guide board. Watch the video to see how it’s done. Watch this video.

Pressure treated lumber is wood, like pine or fir, that has been injected with a preservative in order to make it last longer on outdoor projects like fencing or decks. But when cutting thick pieces of wood, such as fence posts, the preservative may not have soaked all the way to the center of the lumber. Watch this video to see how to use preservative to treat the end grain of lumber. Watch this video.

When renovating a room, the first step is to remove the existing molding. If you are careful, you can take it off without damage for reuse later. Watch this video to find out how. Watch this video.