Swap out the holiday ham for perfectly cooked ribeye steaks this Christmas. Monument Grills recipe for perfect ribeye steaks with hot butter gives your table a new, bold and buttery bite that doubles as a beautiful centerpiece meal that challenges tradition. Yes, holiday cooking can be stressful and steaks for a crowd can be intimidating. But when prepared with one of Monument Grills newest grill models, such as the Denali 605Pro or the Mesa 415BZ, quality construction and tech features, like app-integration, eliminate the guesswork for a consistent cooking experience that allows anyone to know how to grill the perfect ribeye steak.

Monument Grills was founded by a group of friends in Atlanta who believed the best memories were created around the grill. This led to a mission to build the best gas grills that brought people together. This Monument Grills ribeye recipe is guaranteed to bring everyone together this holiday season and looking forward to the holidays yet to come.

How to Grill the Perfect Ribeye Steak

What makes a great steak? To us the most important elements are the seasoning, the sear, and achieving that perfect cook throughout. This Monument Grills recipe for perfect ribeye steaks with hot butter has it all.

The step-by-step instructions and full ingredient list with measurements can be found on the Monument Grills site.

Seasoning

This ribeye recipe gets its flavor from getting double seasoned. First the steak is seasoned all over with Monument Grills Texas Beef Rub and then placed directly on the grill for seared-in flavor.

Once off the grill the steak is topped with compound butter made from a blend of softened butter, fresh chopped garlic and parsley, Monument Grills Texas Hot Pepper Sauce, and Monument Grills Texas Beef Rub. Multiple layers of flavors coat the steak as the butter melts, resulting in a flavorful and succulent steak.

Sear

A hot grill is the key to a perfect sear. This recipe calls for a 600° F preheated grill, which is easy for the Mesa 415BZ and Denali 605Pro. These grills only need 10 minutes to hit 650-700° F and burn between 62,000-78,000 BTU’s. Both grills have dedicated side burners that are perfect for searing, but the Denali 605Pro has its own built-in ceramic infrared sear burner on the grill itself.

The porcelain enameled cast iron grates also provide an even heat throughout to provide a perfect even sear and provide a natural non-stick surface to prevent your perfect ribeye from sticking to the grill.

Perfect Temperature

There are a few different ways to guess the “done-ness” of your steak, but the only way to know without cutting your steak is to check the temperature. The Denali 605Pro comes with two meat probes, perfect for this recipe, that monitor your steaks’ temperature via the Monument Grills app. No more guessing. You’ll know when your steak is cooked to your preference.

Not sure what temperature you or Uncle Eddie likes his steak? Here’s a quick steak temperature chart:

• Rare = 120° F
• Medium Rare = 130° F
• Medium = 140° F
• Medium Well = 150° F
• Well Done = 160° F

To learn more about the Denali 605Pro and Mesa 415BZ read our TIA Article: Monument Grills – A Gift Idea for this Christmas Season.

MORE Christmas Dinner Ideas

Now that you know how to grill the perfect ribeye then you might be looking for other dishes to fill your table this Christmas. Monument Grills has over 100 grilling recipes that range from meat, to seafood, and veggies. You can find sweet and savory dishes from appetizers to desserts, so there’s something to grill for everyone at Christmas dinner this year.

The post How to Grill the Perfect Ribeye Steak for Christmas Dinner appeared first on Tools In Action - Power Tool Reviews.

In today’s world of fast media where millions of people are posting DIY videos online it can get confusing really fast about what the correct way to do something is, or just what a specific craft or skill is. This is extremely common with woodworking and carpentry. While its common for these two trades to overlap, they have distinct differences and it’s easier to find the right resources when you understand what those are. Today we are doing woodworking vs carpentry. We will define each, share how they are different, but also how and when the two overlap.

By the end of this article you should understand the differences between these two trades, which matches the skills you want to master, and the best way to grow in each industry.

Guide

• Woodworking
• Carpentry
• Woodworking VS Carpentry
• Final Thoughts

What is Woodworking?

The broad definition of woodworking is “making items from wood”. This definition covers everything from chairs, tables and cabinets to small wood carving pieces, decorative pieces and beyond. Basically, if you’ve ever made anything out of wood before, you’re a woodworker. This is not wrong, but this definition fails to mention the quality and craftsmanship that goes into woodworking.

Experienced woodworkers tend to work with high-quality woods, such as mahogany, walnut, maple, etc. Woodworking also tends to involve more custom and decorative pieces.

Woodworking vs Carpentry: is woodworking more creative?

At a glance, woodworking appears to be more focused on quality and creativity than carpentry. However, both trades share an emphasis on quality of materials and construction, and the creative aspect is more on the fine details. Carpentry can be very creative, but the creativity is applied differently. We’ll discuss that more soon.

Woodworking Tools

Woodworkers work with traditional hand and power tools such as hammers, screw drivers and power drills. But specific woodworking tools include:

• Chisels
• Moisture meter
• Wood clamps
• Wood planers
• Wood weathering kits
• Joint kits
• Rasps and steel filers
• Hand saws and specialty knives
• Rotary tool

Carpenters can and do use these tools as well. However, they are not the go-to tools for carpentry. Some woodworking tools are focused on structure and function like clamps and joint kits. Woodworking tools such as chisels, planers, and rotary tools help woodworkers achieve a desired shape or for detailing.

Woodworkers on YouTube

Woodworking skills vary and can have specific niches. You may have to do a little searching to find a reputable woodworker who teaches what you are looking for. But here are a few of our trusted woodworkers on YouTube:

• Paul Sellers
• WoodWorkers Guild of America
• Anika Gandhi

Each of these YouTube pages are a great way to learn woodworking skills, provide specific tutorials, review woodworking products, and are a great resource for woodworkers of all levels.

Back to Guide

What is Carpentry?

You can define carpentry as “the art and trade of a carpenter, which involves cutting, shaping, and joining wood to create objects or parts of buildings.”

Different words, but ultimately very similar to the definition of woodworking. This is why people often refer to the two trades interchangeably. Both trade workers build cabinets, tables, chairs, but carpenters are more known for the structures and building they create.

Carpenters often frame and build houses, decks, fences, pavilions and gazebos. All of these are larger than most of the common builds made by woodworkers, and emphasize structural integrity and function.

Yes, I know this sounds “less creative” than woodworking. However, carpenters have tons of opportunity to be creative and it can create better structures. Carpenters can apply a lot of creativity with how their builds work within a space, whether that is challenges with the terrain, creating enough storage, or creating better function and flow.

Woodworking VS Carpentry: are carpentry pieces more functional and have better structure?

Not exactly. Overall quality and function will always refer back to the craftsperson who built the item, whether they are a woodworker or a carpenter. But woodworking pieces should function exactly as they are intended. However, carpentry projects tend to carry more load, you want to build them to be resilient to force and the elements, and they often don’t require specialized care, like a custom mahogany table might.

Carpentry Tools

Here is a quick list of the most common carpentry tools:

• Hammer, nail gun
• Hand and power saws
• Levels
• Squares, rulers, and table measures

These are just some of the most common carpentry tools, which are all important for securing structure and stability. Again, a woodworker could have these tools, but these tools don’t define the woodworking trade.

Carpenters on YouTube

Here is a list of favorite carpenters and carpentry resources on YouTube:

• Training Hands Academy
• Ana White
• Sadie Mae

Back to Guide

Woodworking VS Carpentry: let’s review

In short, woodworking involves more fine detail work and often custom or one-of-a-kind pieces. Carpentry refers to more of building and repair of wooden structures, and sometimes other materials. These trades shares some of the same tools, but each trade has specific that they depend on more.

Can Woodworking and Carpentry Overlap?

Absolutely, and this is where some of the best creations happen!

Whether its one trade worker with both sets of skills, or two trade workers partnering together, customers can get the best of both worlds when woodworking and carpentry combine. Larger structures can be customized to have the personal touch that is more common with woodworking. A few examples of this are:

• Custom spindles on a staircase
• Decorative wood planks on a fence
• Engraved stair treads
• Custom cabinetry

These are just a few projects where the combination of woodworking and carpentry can come together to create something unique and new.

Back to Guide

Final Thoughts

It’s not woodworking VS carpentry, it’s woodworking AND carpentry. It is fairly common for workers from each trade to have skills in the other. Even if you don’t combine them, each are interesting and valuable trades that can be enjoyed as either a hobbyist or a professional.

Did you like this TIA article? Here are more articles related to woodworking and carpentry:

• SHOKARI: How to Make Wood Look Distressed in 4 Simple Steps
• 9 Female Woodworkers & Carpenters
• 5 Woodworking Kits on Amazon
• 8 Female DIY’ers Passing on the Hammer

The post Woodworking VS Carpentry: What’s the Difference? appeared first on Tools In Action - Power Tool Reviews.

Hey, Eric here. If you have been following us for awhile you may know that woodworking has been a hobby of mine for the past 30 years. I’m not a professional, but I enjoy the time spent in my garage creating woodworking pieces for family, friends, and even myself. However, I enjoy introducing others to this hobby and craft more, but woodworking can sound intimidating. To show you it’s not I found 5 woodworking kits on Amazon that are perfect for beginners.

These woodworking kits are great for a variety of ages and a great option for those ready to take their simple woodworking or even carpentry products to the next level.

Woodworking Kits

• SHOKARI Weathered Wood Woodworking Kit
• Modern Birdhouse Woodworking Kit
• Soapstone Bear & Wolf Wood Carving Kit
• Pocket Hole Jig Kit
• Professional Finger Joint Router Bit

SHOKARI Weathered Wood System Woodworking Kit

Whether you’ve just built your first birdhouse, or want to add a creative touch to custom cabinets, SHOKARI Weathered Wood System is the perfect kit for any level woodworker. It’s a 4-piece kit with a straightforward and easy to follow system created by professional cabinet makers. It allows you to add a sought after weathered wood texture to any project, no matter how young your wood is. The textured wood is also versatile and customizable whether you plan to keep it raw, stain it, seal it, paint it, or even burn it.

What’s great about SHOKARI is that if you’re a beginner you’ll learn how to incorporate new tools into your woodworking. If you’re experienced, you can still learn a new technique that isn’t super time-consuming.

• Online Tutorial: How to Turn New Wood into Old Wood
• Amazon Review: “I have wanted to try this for a long time. I typically use pine for all my projects because it is cheap and readily available. But, let’s face it, pine has a certain look that is missing something. These brushes do a great job giving the wood an authentic aged look. I say it’s like sanding the soft parts of the wood only. After using the brushes, I stained my piece with a dark gel stain. It now looks like an item you found in an old barn.”
• Price: On sale for $24.99 on Amazon.

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SparkJump Modern Birdhouse Woodworking Kit for Kids

Every woodworking kit list needs a birdhouse. However, this birdhouse from SparkJump gives this classic project a modern spin. This is a great woodworking kit for kids if you’d like to introduce woodworking to someone younger. As seen in the picture, you don’t even need to use it as a birdhouse. It works as a creative way to display some plants or use as a dollhouse.

• Amazon Review: “I wanted to get open of these to do with my little brother when he comes to visit. As a beginner woodworker myself I was VERY impressed! When you open it the first thing you notice is the smell of the real cedar wood and it has all of the pieces you need, including the sandpaper and pretty good instructions. I highly recommend this kit and will be buying more for future kid guests to keep them busy with something other than tv.”
• Price: $39.99 on Amazon.

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STUDIOSTONE CREATIVE Soapstone Bear & Wolf Wood Carving Kit

When it comes to woodworking kits and advancing your skills a wood carving kit is a great way to work on those fine details and relief-style woodworking projects. Many wood carving kits can be overly playful and targeted towards kids. The wolf and bear wood carving projects are great for anyone working on their skills and make great totems to display your new skills.

• Amazon Review: “I got these mostly so my Dad has something of me to hold on as I battle terminal S4 rare type cancer. It was easy on the mind and didn’t flare up my neuropathy either. I would highly recommend this project. Make it your own with your own touch of art. Have fun, I sure did. Wolf next and I will be purchasing again. The experience is worth the price. I do suggest gloves, they get hot on wax time.”
• Price: $54 on Amazon.

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VEVOR Pocket Hole Jig Kit

This is for the woodworker ready to get serious. You’ve made your birdhouses and mastered small figurines. Now you want to merge woodworking with carpentry and build projects from scratch. This Pocket Hole Jig Kit will make sure your pieces hold together securely. This woodworking kit will help you tackle those larger projects that will wow others.

• Amazon Review: “This is my first pocket hole jig, so I didn’t know what to expect or even how to use it, all I knew is that I wanted one. I tried the Kregg 720 Pro, and it was too flimsy, so I returned it. Got this one, tried it for the first time just by following their instructions step by step, and what a great feeling it was when I completed my first pocket hole project. Very impressive. Well packed, everything needed in one convenient sturdy case, from the jig, to the drill bits, screws, clamp, extensions and manual block in case that you need to do a small project. Five stars!!!”
• Price: $59.99 on Amazon.

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XDENGP Professional Finger Joint Router Bit

Now that you’re practically a professional woodworker you’re ready to experiment with different kinds of joints and use power tools. The finger joint is a tried and true method for joining pieces together and this Finger Joint Router Bit is what the pros use. So shouldn’t you? This may not be a actual woodworking kit, but it’s the perfect addition to your existing woodworking kit.

• Amazon Review: “Needed a finger joint but to edge glue up some thinner wood to have more surface area. Other bits just like this cost over $140. I can’t tell the difference between this one and those more expensive ones.”
• Price: Both 1/2 in. and 1/4 in. bit available for $20.99 each on Amazon.

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Woodworking Project Ideas

We put together a few popular woodworking project ideas so you can start to build your skills.

• Birdhouse
• Picture Frame
• Chair or stool
• Decorative Sign
• Doghouse

Are we missing something? Let us know what woodworking projects to add to our list and tell us what your first woodworking project was.

The post 5 Woodworking Kits on Amazon appeared first on Tools In Action - Power Tool Reviews.

Do you want to know how to make wood look distressed but are unsure about the process or the amount of skill it requires? Don’t be. SHOKARI Weathered Wood System is a new four-piece woodworking kit that allows you to easily give new, fresh wood an aesthetic distressed look in minutes. We have been experimenting with this new product at TIA and what to share with you what we have learned.

So, keep reading if you’d like to learn more about SHOKARI Weathered Wood System and how to distress wood in minutes with four simple steps.

Guide

• About SHOKARI
• How to Use
• Value
• Project Ideas

What is SHOKARI Weathered Wood System?

As we mentioned, SHOKARI Weathered Wood System is a woodworking weathering and distressing kit that allows you to give new wood a rustic distressed finish. What we didn’t tell you is that this proprietary four-step process was designed by professional cabinet makers. This system was designed as a quick and effective way to add a unique look to everyday cabinets.

The results were so well received and the process was so simple that this kit was created to help more woodworkers, carpenters, and DIY’ers achieve this finish.

Kit Includes…

• 1 brass wire abrasive wheel
• 2 nylon abrasive wheels
• 1 sanding block

Users also need a power drill in order to use the kit. Also, the kit comes with three different abrasive wheels. Users won’t necessarily use each abrasive wheel every time. The two nylon abrasive wheels in particular give the user some control over the level of distressing for a custom finish.

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How to Make Wood Look Distressed in 4 Steps

But how does SHOKARI distress and weather wood? You can either watch the above video for a quick tutorial, or read through the four-step SHOKARI wood weather process…

1. Attach brass wire wheel to your power drill and use to create grooves in smooth wood by running the edge of wheel along the wood’s surface and back. Work in lines and then go back over the whole surface with the brass wire abrasive wheel.
2. Remove brass wire abrasive wheel and replace with step 2 nylon wheel (should be labeled with a number “2”). Repeat the step 1 process with the step 2 nylon wheel.
3. Remove step 2 nylon wheel and replace with step 3 nylon wheel. NOTE: Step 3 is NOT required and only necessary if you’d like to enhance the distressed wood surface with a softer nylon abrasive wheel.
4. Set aside your drill and pick up the sanding block. Go over the same wood surface with the sanding block. Use the block to take down the edges.

All done! It actually only takes users 3-4 steps to artfully distress wood with the SHOKARI kit. From here users have the choice to keep the wood raw, stain it, treat it, paint it, burn it, or apply any other finish.

*NOTE: The four-step process does not cover the precautionary steps and measures mentioned in the SHOKARI instruction manual.

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Is SHOKARI Weathered Wood System Worth the Price?

For $34.95 on Amazon you get a sanding block and three different abrasive wheels, plus the whole step-by-step process on how to make wood look distressed. Not only is this a great price, but if you’re a woodworker interested in selling your products, you could potentially make all of your money back and more by selling your unique weathered wood works. At only $34.95 the SHOKARI kit also makes a great gift for new woodworkers ready to advance their skills.

Back to Guide

SHOKARI Weathered Wood System Project Ideas

So what can you do with a SHOKARI Weathered Wood System woodworking kit? Honestly, the ideas are endless. If it can be made out of wood then it can be distressed. Here are just a few project ideas we have at TIA (keep an eye out for them).

• Distressed wood dresser
• Distressed wood shelves
• Distressed wood table or end tables
• Distressed wood chandelier
• Distressed wood picture frames
• Distressed wood paneling

Also, don’t forget, distressing wood is just one way to customize a project. Once the wood is distressed the new texture allows you to achieve a unique look for a variety of finishes. We personally like the results of lightly painting or burning the distressed exterior. But feel free to experiment with a few different methods.

Alright, now that you know how to make wood look distressed in minutes with the SHOKARI Weathered Wood System, would you give it a try? Let us know yes or no and what projects you have in mind.

More TIA Woodworking Projects

• How to Build Wood Wall Art

The post SHOKARI: How to Make Wood Look Distressed in 4 Simple Steps appeared first on Tools In Action - Power Tool Reviews.

Spring is here and so are the spring projects…along with the leftover paint and project scraps that go along with them. Before you just toss these items in the trash, pause and think about how to dispose of paint and other building materials safely. You may not think tossing these project scraps in the trash can be harmful, but the more you DIY the more your impact adds up. Plus, you can be hit with fines for improper disposal.

Let’s avoid the safety issues and fines, and instead learn how to dispose of paint and other construction materials. Plus, Earth Day is April 22; let this be your one change towards reducing your environmental impact in 2024.

How to Dispose of Paint

Paint and other liquids used for home projects and construction pose unique hazards and can be complicated to dispose of. Some items require special pickups or drop-offs, others can be thrown away but require some treatment first.

We broke down the most common methods for how to dispose of paint.

How to Recycle Leftover Paint

Recycling your paint is the #1 best thing you can do with leftover paint because it reduces carbon emissions and gets recycled back into a quality product. There are few paint recycling centers that offer this service.

Here are a few paint recycling centers and how to find a center near you.

• EarthPaint – a Midwest-based paint recycling organization with centers throughout Chicagoland and into Wisconsin.
• PaintCare – has drop-off locations in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and the District of Columbia.
• Check Local Paint Stores/Suppliers – ask who sold you the paint about recycling and disposal options. Some options are in-store or can be outsourced through the supplier.
• Google “Paint Recycling Near Me” – the most straightforward way to be matched up with local recycling centers. Some of these are non-profits, government organizations, or are built-in to your favorite hardware or specialty stores.

How to Dispose of Paint Through Waste Collection Services

Some paints, stains, and lacquers don’t have recycling options. They can still be safely disposed of through waste collection services. This is not your standard city garbage service. These companies specialize in disposing of hazardous waste.

Jump to the “Building Materials” disposal section to learn more.

How to Dispose of Paint in the Trash

While we do recommend recycling your leftover paint, small amounts of leftover standard house paint for interiors and exteriors can be thrown in your standard trashcan. However, there are steps you should take beforehand.

Dry-out Your House Paint

Dry out your house paint.

Yes, you can put the lid back on but those only hold so well and can result in a mess. Instead, remove the lid and leave your paint exposed to air so the paint can eventually dry-up and harden. It’s also best to leave the paint somewhere it won’t be disturbed and is away from animals and children.

The less paint you have the faster this process is. However, larger amounts of paint can take days, a week, or more to dry up.

How to Speed Up the Drying Process

There are only a couple ways to speed up the drying process for larger amounts of paint, such as a half-full 5-gallon bucket, and that is to 1) increase the airflow, or 2) decrease the amount or thickness of paint. Here are three ways to do that:

• Use a Fan: Keep a fan running wherever your paint is drying to increase the airflow. If it’s possible, direct the fan towards your paint.
• Continue Painting: Look for other ways to use up the paint you have left. This can include touching up doors, windows, or projects you have lying around. You’re just trying to decrease the amount of paint you have. Even small painting projects will help you towards this goal.
• Change containers: Paint will dry the slowest in the bucket. The top will harden but the paint underneath will require more time due to lack of air exposure. Find a wider container that has more surface exposure and you don’t mind covering in paint. The wider the container the quicker your paint will dry.

How to Dispose of Building Materials

Construction materials can vary from wood scraps to leftover insulation, the old or damaged building materials you are replacing, and beyond. You can’t always dispose of these materials in the same location, but we made a quick guide for disposing of different types of construction materials and where you can donate or dispose of them.

How to Recycle Building Materials

There are actually a variety of options for recycling building materials. Donors have the choice of donating to a specialty recycling center or donating to an organization that can reuse or sell the materials. Here is a quick list of these places.

• Earth911 – Nationwide recycling database that connects you to recycling options and eco-friendly disposal services near you.
• Habitat for Humanity – Accepts paint, power tools, and leftover building scraps. Some donations are resold
• The Salvation Army – Accepts power tools, hand tools, and garden tools.
• Goodwill – Accepts power tools, hand tools, and garden tools.
• Post “Free Pickup” – they say “one person’s trash is another person’s treasure.” Post your extra building materials on your local community pages and you may be surprised to see how fast someone comes to pick it up.

To learn more about Tool Donation, read our TIA article: 5 Places to Donate Tools for Tax Credit.

How to Dispose of Building Materials

Here a some great hazardous and non-hazardous waste removal companies. They are great at removing waste from large projects but also can do smaller one-off waste removal services.

• CleanEarth – Nationwide hazardous and non-hazardous waste removal company, including electronics, and provides services for nine different industries, including: chemical, construction, government, energy & utilities, manufacturing & industrial, and pharmaceuticals.
• Dimension – Nationwide waste removal service that also provides dumpster rentals and allows you to request a quote for large or unique waste removal jobs. Provides recycling options as well.

Where to Dispose of Different Building Materials

Some individual building materials are actually fairly easy to recycle, you just need to know where. Here are some common leftover building materials and common places you can recycle them.

• Batteries – Check your local Home Depot or hardware store.
• Light Bulbs – Check your local Home Depot or hardware store.
• Windows – Look for window recycling options, such as Pella Windows & Doors.
• Power Tools – Broken or damaged tools can be disposed of through recycling centers. Old tools that you are replacing can be donated to organizations, such as: Habitat for Humanity, The Salvation Army, Goodwill Enterprises and more. Check your local donation centers for tool donations.

The Impact of Proper Disposal

When it comes to trash many people think “what’s one can of paint?”, or “I’m just one person and it’s not that much trash.” But these small actions add up and lead to the poisoning of air, water, and soil and can have damaging consequences to our health and ecosystem.

As a DIY’er or skilled trade professional, the biggest thing you can do this Earth Day is learn how to dispose of paint and other building materials safely and STICK TO IT! Just like bad actions add up, so do positive actions.

Whether you choose to donate materials or dispose of them through waste centers, you are working towards a positive impact.

The post How to Dispose of Paint & Building Materials appeared first on Tools In Action - Power Tool Reviews.

Over the month of March we have been featuring various women in skilled trade professions and craft or artisan fields. For our last feature, we are highlighting the female DIY’ers who have taken over social media and the hashtag #WomenWhoBuild for showing off their impressive projects. However, it’s not what these women can do that makes them inspiring, it’s that they are teaching other women that they can do it too.

Let’s meet our female DIY’ers!

Female DIY’ers

Katie Scott | Camille Kurtz | Michelle McRae | Tay Nakamoto | Chelsea Smith | Stephanie Bloom | Shayna Alnwick | Emily Rayna | Christina Muscari

Katie Scott, Female DIY’er & Furniture Flipper

Styling your home is an exciting experience, but furniture prices can make it feel unattainable. However, DIY’ers like Katie Scott find a solution in upcycled furniture.

Katie Scott is a furniture flipper based in New Brunswick, Canada. She takes worn thrifted or discarded furniture, treats the issues, and then gives it a second life with a one-of-a-kind design. She also documents the entire process and shares it with her followers online so they can learn how to do it too.

You can follow Katie Scott on most social media platforms. You can also shop from her Amazon storefront, SALVAGED by k. Scott. There you can find all of her favorite products, including products grouped together according to project.

Where to Follow

• Social Media: Amazon Storefront, Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube.

Back to Guide

Camille Kurtz, Female DIY’er & Interior Decorator

We all dream of moving into the perfect house. But between the sticker shock, bidding wars, and low inventory, most of us just settle for what we can get. However, DIY’er Camille Kurtz believes you can transform any house into the perfect home.

Camille Kurtz likes to say it’s her vs her builder grade home and has been documenting her home renovation room-by-room. Her personal style includes bold colors and a mix of modern and classic elements that result in a high-end look while sticking to a budget. And she shares all these budget-friendly hacks in her step-by-step tutorials.

Where to Follow

• Social Media: Amazon Storefront, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube.

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Michelle McRae, DIY’er & Furniture Flipper

Furniture flipping, DIY home decor, and construction hacks are just a few of the things you’ll learn from Michelle McRae, and with a giant smile on her face the whole time too!

What sets Michelle “Shelly” McRae apart from other female DIY’ers on our list is that she actually has an Etsy store where she sells furniture flips nationwide. A lot of people who sell handcrafted products don’t believe they can so openly share the “how” of their process. However, understanding the work behind each product can help people better understand the work that goes into each piece.

McRae is most active on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

Where to Follow

• Social Media: Etsy, Amazon Storefront, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok.

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Tay Nakamoto, Female DIY’er & Interior Designer

Tay Nakamoto is known for her bright, bold, and whimsical interior designs and renter-friendly DIY’s. She often teams up with fellow interior designer and vintage reseller, Dani Klaric. The two have already traveled the world designing together. In fact, last year the pair headed “down under” and remodeled a client’s Australian apartment.

Nakamoto fell into interior design as a form of art therapy after a series of hospitalizations. Klaric’s love for color stems from growing up in Mexico. Together the pair creates bold maximalist designs that I believe Gen X and Gen Z will be known for.

Where to Follow

• Tay Nakamoto Social Media: TikTok, Instagram.
• Dani & Tay Podcast: Accidental Experts podcast.

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Chelsea Smith, Female DIY’er & Historical Interior Designer

Many of us have taken design inspiration from our favorite movies and TV shows. But is your favorite TV show a historical fantasy set in the 1700’s to early 1900’s Scotland, and did you redesign your whole home to look like it’s from that time period too?

Most of us aren’t so brazen, but none of us are female DIY’er Chelsea Smith.

Chelsea Smith’s favorite show is Outlander and she has been taking followers through the room-by-room Outlander-inspired transformation of her historical Massachusetts home built in 1759.

While many furniture flippers are starting wars over whether or not you should paint vintage wood furniture, Smith is preserving and celebrating these vintage pieces – scratches and all! In fact, Smith and her husband take measures to preserve a historically accurate appearance that hides modern upgrades. Some of these are simple creative hacks, like framing a TV, while others techniques are more technical. Such as creating housing to hide modern appliances and electrical.

In a world full of minimalist modern design, it is refreshing to see someone go so boldly in the opposite direction.

Have you ever taken design inspiration from your favorite TV show? If so, tell us about it in the comments!

Where to Follow

• Social Media: Amazon Storefront, Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok.

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Stephanie Bloom, Female DIY’er & Wallpaper Designer

We all want our homes to look like a million bucks, but most of us don’t have the million bucks to spend, or are limited by rental contracts. This next female DIY’er shows her followers how to achieve a high-end look on any budget in any living situation.

Stephanie Bloom loves to share budget and renter-friendly renovation tutorials and products. This includes testing out peel-and-stick tile in high-wear areas of the home so you don’t waste your money on cheap products. She also shares how simple products like wallpaper and contact paper can help you add a pop of personality to a space. She even partnered with WallBlush and created her own custom line of wallpaper.

In addition to her DIY and design tips, Bloom loves to keep it real with her followers. She often makes videos with her no make-up, her glasses on, and her hair thrown-up in a messy bun. She shares her projects in real time and stresses that she is just a normal mom figuring out too!

Bloom is most active on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Her wallpaper line is available through WallBlush.

Where to Follow

• Shop Wallpaper Line: WallBlush – The Stephanie Bloom Line.
• Social Media: Amazon Storefront, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube.

Back to Guide

Shayna Alnwick, Female DIY’er & Furniture Flipper

Furniture flipping is great, but it can be so technical, and not all of us have an eye for quality vintage pieces worth the flip. This next female DIY’er instead shows how to transform common furniture pieces from IKEA or budget pieces from Target and give them the high-end look of your dreams.

Shayna Alnwick has all the same gadgets as our other female DIY’ers. She will even refinish that vintage find from Goodwill. But she is more likely to show you how to elevate that IKEA dresser you bought five years ago, or turn pallets into an herb garden. She also does smaller decor how-to’s, such as “how to build a balloon arch”, or “make your own festive candles”.

Overall, Alnwick’s approach showcases that anyone and everyone is capable of design.

Where to Follow

• Social Media: Amazon Storefront, Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube.

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Emily Rayna, Female DIY’er & Interior Designer

If you like simple, clean, modern design then go away. This designer, who uses bright colors, groovy shapes and elements, and lots of out-of-the-box designs is not for you.

Emily Rayna was a design student working five jobs and set to graduate when the pandemic hit and derailed her career and graduation plans. This was a low point for her, but she decided to get creative and offered to renovate her parents’ home for as little money as possible. They let her, and she documented the process on TikTok, which showed off her unique designs and DIY skills. As a result, Rayna shot to stardom nearly overnight.

Since then, she’s been able to keep decorating, building, and inspiring others to take on their own bold designs. She also created her own line of peel-and-stick wallpaper, which is available through RoomMates.

Where to Follow

• Shop Wallpaper Line: RoomMates Emily Rayna Peel And Stick Wallpaper
• Social Media: Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat.

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Christina Muscari, Female DIY’er & Furniture Flipper

I’ll admit, at this point in the list I was wondering, “do we really need another female DIY’er?” and called it quits. But then I found Christina Muscari and her unique refinishing work that had to be shared.

The majority of the furniture flippers on this list teach you how to create a modern and high-end look typically through refinishing, painting, and interesting items you can add for detailing. Christina Muscari also shares these tricks of the trade but takes it a step further with truly unique detail and mural work. While many teach you how to use existing products like dowels to add dimension, Muscari teaches you how to make your own 3D decals. Also, as the business owner of Pretty Distressed, it makes sense that the majority of her flips don’t strive for a clean modern finish. Instead, she shows followers how to paint wash and other techniques that give even new pieces a vintage, rustic, and even ethereal look.

Muscari is busy! Lucky for you that means you can find her work and tips and tricks on her website, social media, or podcast “The Cypress Room”.

Where to Follow

• Website: PrettyDistressed.com
• Storefronts: Amazon, Walmart.
• Social Media: Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube.
• Podcast: The Cypress Room

Back to Guide

More Female DIY’ers You Should Know

Did we miss anyone who inspires you? Leave their name, website, or social media info in the comments and we will consider them for future posts.

Check out our previous female skilled trade pros and artisans you should know:

• 9 Female Woodworkers & Carpenters You Should Know
• Female Welders, Silversmiths & Jewelry Artists You Should Know

The post 8 Female DIY’ers Passing on the Hammer appeared first on Tools In Action - Power Tool Reviews.

Woodworking and carpentry have traditionally been male-dominated fields. Today we’re introducing you to nine female woodworkers and carpenters that have shaken-up the industry for the better. Learn how they got their starts, what they offer, and what you can learn from them.

Stay tuned for more articles on female skilled trade professionals this month!

Meet Our Female Woodworkers & Carpenters

Jen Woodhouse | Sadie Mae | Anika Gandhi | Alma Rose Villalobos | Claire Baldwin | April Wilkerson | Brittany Bailey | Ana White | Charlee Ostrander

Jen Woodhouse, Carpenter & Designer

From small closet glow-ups to building a backyard pavilion, Jen Woodhouse has done it all and everything in between.

Jen Woodhouse is a completely self-taught carpenter who developed her skills in 2010 when she was pregnant with her first child. At the time carpentry was a creative outlet, but 14 years later Jen and her projects have been featured in all your favorite DIY magazines and TV shows, and she’s a regular contributor for HGTV and The Home Depot.

You can find Jen Woodhouse on all major social media platforms, but you can find all of her free DIY plans on her blog, The House of Wood.

Where to Follow

• Website: JenWoodhouse.com
• Social Media: Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Twitter/X.

Back to Guide

Sadie Mae, Carpenter

Nearly a decade ago Sadie Mae picked up a hammer and never looked back.

At the time she took a much needed break from her corporate 9-to-5 life. With time on her hands but a limited budget she started tinkering with the furniture in her home to give it some Sadie-style. She started learning from her carpenter friends and soon she was documenting her own builds on her new blog, The Awesome Orange, and began making furniture for others.

Since then Sadie Mae has grown The Awesome Orange and was able leave the corporate world behind while helping other women achieve DIY freedom with her platform. This is why Sadie Mae is a female carpenter that you should know.

Sadie Mae provides free project video tutorials on YouTube and offers a mix of free and paid build plans on her website.

Where to Follow

• Website: TheAwesomeOrange.com
• Social Media: Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter/X.

Back to Guide

Anika Gandhi, Woodworker

Do you want to DIY your own furniture but are too overwhelmed to start? Then you need Anika Gandhi.

Anika Gandhi is a female engineer turned woodworker. With an “I can make that!” attitude and a no-jargon policy, she creates beginner-friendly woodworking plans on her blog Anika’s DIY Life that even I can understand. This is why Anika Gandhi is one of our female woodworkers that you should know. Her approach to DIY promotes that anyone and everyone is capable of building and bringing their own unique style to their homes.

You can follow Anika’s DIY Life on social media, or find her full collection of build plans, craft projects, home decor tips and more on her website.

Where to Follow

• Website: AnikasDIYLife.com
• Social Media: Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Twitter/X.

Back to Guide

Alma Rose Villalobos 

The start of Alma Rose Villalobos’s story may sound similar to the female woodworkers and carpenters on our list, but her unique products are what make her stand out.

Her story starts when she left her job at Apple to stay home with her son. This change in income made new furniture purchases more challenging, especially when Villalobos knew she could build it for cheaper, and that’s what she did.

Eventually, these home projects turned into client projects, and PinkSoul Studios was born. Why PinkSoul Studios? Alma Rose translates to “Pink Soul” in Spanish, and she wanted the business name to be open-ended so it could evolve with her.

This brings us back to what makes Alma Rose Villalobos different than our other female carpenters and woodworkers. She has a reputation as a CNC artist and for her custom push sticks and mallets. While PinkSoul Studios does produce traditional woodworking projects, these smaller pieces include fine decorative detail and a strong personalized feel for every client. Some of those clients include others on our list, such as April Wilkers and Sadie Mae.

PinkSoul Studios mostly builds client projects, but Villalobos also sells her build designs and products on her website.

Where to Follow

• Website: PinkSoulStudio.com
• Social Media: Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter/X.

Back to Guide

Claire Baldwin, Woodworker

Head down to Nashville and you will find Claire Baldwin’s custom woodwork and furniture in homes and businesses there and all across the state of Tennessee.

Claire Baldwin had no idea that a simple coffee table she made for her own apartment would eventually lead her to a woodshop and business of her own. Operating under the name Polish and Power Tools, Baldwin’s custom pieces often showcase a modern design mixed with rustic or industrial elements – a perfect combination for her Nashville location.

Baldwin is extremely active on social media and you can view her stunning portfolio on her website.

Where to Follow

• Website: PolishAndPowerTools.com
• Social Media: Facebook, Instagram.

Back to Guide

April Wilkerson 

April Wilkerson bought a house in 2013 that needed a little work. She had no idea the home projects she filmed would gain a global audience.

April Wilkerson is one of our female woodworkers that you should know, but she mostly (and humbly) refers to herself as a “maker”. Wilkerson doesn’t like to limit her abilities to one skill and explains the diversity of her tutorials. She is constantly moving and learning, and once she’s done learning she likes to share that knowledge with others. This is how she became one of YouTube’s most popular female woodworkers. Her projects are not just for adults either. Wilkerson has kid-friendly tutorials as well to inspire the next generation of makers.

Wilkerson shares all of her free DIY projects on her website and sells a wide variety of building templates, merch, and products.

Where to Follow

• Website: WilkerDos.com
• Social Media: Etsy, Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube.

Back to Guide

Brittany Bailey, General Contractor

Bailey grew up with parents who believed she and her sisters were just as capable at DIY as any boy. This gave her the confidence to take over a kitchen remodel gone wrong, and shake up an industry dominated by men.

Brittany Bailey created her blog, Pretty Handy Girl, where she documents her builds as projects as a licensed general contractor. She teaches readers how to do everything, from building projects, to installing electrical, and even vehicle maintenance. Her motto is “if someone can do it, then there is a 95% chance that I can do it too!” and she spreads that message to her readers and followers.

You can follow Brittany Bailey on social media or find all of her projects on her website.

Where to Follow

• Website: PrettyHandyGirl.com
• Social Media: Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Twitter/X.

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Ana White, Carpenter

In 2009 Ana White couldn’t find furniture or modern woodworking plans that she liked – so she created her own! Since then she has built everything from coffee tables to tiny homes.

Ana White’s ingenuity is why she’s one of our woodworkers you should know.

Ana White provides her woodworking plans on her website. Her website also has a spot where woodworkers around the world can “brag” and show off their own woodworking projects.

Where to Follow

• Website: Ana-White.com
• Social Media: Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Twitter/X.

Back to Guide

Charlee Ostrander

For many, moving around a lot is a pain. For Charlee Ostrander it’s an opportunity!

Charlee Ostrander first got into DIY when her family bought their first home in Hawaii. She has since changed homes multiple times as she has moved all around the U.S. For her, each move is a chance to advance her woodworking, carpentry, and design skills, and led to the creation of her blog, Build & Create Home.

Everywhere Ostrander goes her modern chic and modern designs go with! Her designs also tend to be functional and practical.

You can find all of Charlee Ostrander’s DIY plans and crafts projects on her website, and find her all of her favorite Amazon products.

Where to Follow

• Website: BuildAndCreateHome.com
• Social Media: Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Twitter/X.

Back to Guide

More Female Woodworkers & Carpenters You Should Know

Did we miss anyone that inspires you? Leave their name, website, or social media info in the comments and we will consider them for future posts.

Stay tuned for more female artisans you should know!

The post 9 Female Woodworkers & Carpenters You Should Know appeared first on Tools In Action - Power Tool Reviews.

Stud finders are great for locating studs, pipes, and wires when mounting a TV or identifying a load-bearing wall. The Walabot DIY 2M is your smart stud finder that sends a clear view of what is inside your walls to your smartphone, and at a great price for everyday consumers. Today we are going over the features of this smart stud finder, how to use it, and if it deserves a spot in your toolbox.

How Walabot DIY 2 M Works

Dan and I recorded a video walking you through how to use the Walabot DIY 2M, we went through its features, and compared it to the pro model called Walabot DIY 2.

Videos not your thing? Don’t worry. Keep reading for all you need to know about the Walabot DIY 2M.

Walabot DIY 2 M – How To Setup and Start

The Walabot DIY 2M works in two main parts. First, you have the wall scanner, which is a
separate device responsible for scanning the wall. The second part is the Walabot app,
available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, compatible with both Apple and Android devices. Once you have installed the app and signed in, it establishes a Wi-Fi connection between your phone and the device itself. No nearby Wi-Fi network is required; the connection is established directly between your phone and the 2M device.

The next step is calibration, which takes only a few seconds and ensures precise detection
results when using the Walabot DIY 2M. The scanner uses the app to send a view of the inside of your walls to your phone. This image, although not an x-ray, offers a visual representation of the radar readings. It enables you to distinguish between studs, pipes, as well as live and inactive wires. In essence, this tool is a miniature electromagnetic radar that connects to your phone and turns it into a smart stud finder.

Performance

• Provides a near live-view of the inside of your walls.
• It can detect objects that are up to four inches deep into the drywall.
• The Walabot DIY 2M can detect various materials including wood studs, metal studs, metal pipes, conduit, gas pipes, plastic and PVC water pipes, and both dead and live wires of all types.
• Wi-Fi connectivity allows the device and phone to work even when apart. This allows one person to scan while another person reads the results.
• Walabot DIY 2M operates off its own rechargeable battery.

Accessories

There are two ways to use the Walabot DIY 2M. You can hold the scanner in one hand and your phone in the other as you scan. Or, you can attach your phone to the scanner to create one device. Walabot has two accessories you can use to connect the device to your phone.

• Gel Pads: Sticky, washable, and reusable pad that connects your phone to the stud finder. Available as a three-pack or five-pack.
• Walattach: New magnetic rings kit that create a strong hold between your phone and Walabot DIY 2M. This Walabot video shows you how to install and use the Walattach.

Pro Model – Walabot DIY 2

For $20 more you can get the Walabot DIY 2. This professional model also includes a feature known as Expert mode, which provides raw radar detection. The main purpose of Expert mode is to double-check the readings obtained in Image mode. Essentially, the DIY 2 model functions as two devices: an Image mode stud finder and an Expert mode raw radar reading scanner. Additionally, Expert mode can be used to detect motion and locate animals that may have entered your wall. Therefore, the DIY 2 model effectively serves as a pest detection tool as well. Watch how Expert mode works in this Walabot video.

Value of Walabot DIY 2 M

The Walabot DIY 2M is available on its own for $169.95 or bundled with a protective case and charging cable for $214.95.

Yes, this is more than your $30 stud finder from the hardware store. But your $30 stud finder isn’t going to give you the confidence that the Walabot DIY 2M will. With this smart stud finder you are going to be confident every time you drill or break into a wall that you know what’s on the other side. You’re not going to break a pipe, you’re not going to electrocute yourself.

The Walabot DIY 2M is sort of in its own class. There aren’t really any wall scanners and stud finders out there that provide the image that Walabot does. There are some thermal scanners. They are not the same, but even if they were comparable the price on those start around $250.

Final Review

The Walabot DIY 2M upgrades the everyday stud finder into a smart device that is easy and
intuitive to use. It’s an exciting piece of technology at a reasonable price too. This device is also just fun to use.

So now we turn to you.

Would you give the Walabot DIY 2M a chance? If so, let us know in the comments what the first thing you plan to scan is.

The post Walabot DIY 2 M Visual Stud Finder Review appeared first on Tools In Action - Power Tool Reviews.

Welcome to 2024! This is the year you vowed to keep your garage and workshop more organized, right? Then you’re going to need a good storage system. Today we’re reviewing different types of wall storage for tools. With the right system, anyone can keep their garage or workspace clean. So, let’s check out different kinds of wall storage and find the one that works best for you and your space.

Tool Wall Storage Guide

• Benefits of Wall Storage
• Pegboard
• French Cleat
• Steel & Magnetic

Benefits of Wall Storage for Tools

Here are some of my favorite reasons why wall storage for tools works great in a garage or workshop:

• Makes use of walls which otherwise could be seen as wasted space.
• Floor space is usually for workspace and should be open. So there isn’t a lot of room for tools. The walls allow you to utilize vertical storage.
• Great visual storage system.
• Wall storage is generally customizable. This allows you to store even the weirdest shaped tools that don’t seem to fit anywhere. Tools can also be stored to be more accessible.
• Easy to DIY and can be done on any budget.

These are all my favorite reasons to use wall storage for tools. Did I miss anything? Leave a comment about why you use wall storage for tools and more.

Back to Guide

Types of Wall Storage for Tools

As we mentioned there are a variety of wall storage systems. Some may be more common than others and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. We are going over all of this so you can choose the best system for your garage or workshop.

Pegboard Wall Storage

A pegboard system may be the most common style of wall storage for tools. It’s likely this is because it’s a very affordable system that is easy to DIY. The materials for a pegboard wall can be found at most hardware and craft stores and some supermarkets.

Pros & Cons

• Pros: A pegboard system is affordable and easy to install and customize.
• Cons: Pegboard is lightweight and has a max carrying weight around 100 lbs. This max is lighter than some other options.

Pegboard Materials

We found standard pegboards along with hooks and accessories at The Home Depot, ACE Hardware, and Amazon. The standard style pegboards range from around $15-$40. Hooks and accessories (many available as kits) were anywhere from $9-$35.

A pegboard and your choice of hooks and accessories are all you need for a pegboard wall. Installing the wall is pretty simple as well. The only tools you need for that are a measuring tape, drill, screws, level, circular saw, stud finder, pencil, and eye and ear protection.

How to Hang a Pegboard

The Home Depot has a great video tutorial that walks you through all the steps of hanging a pegboard.

Back to Guide

French Cleat Wall Storage

Pegboards may be the most common type of wall storage, but French cleat shelves may be one of the oldest and most reliable storage systems. In fact, French cleats date back to the 1800s.

A French cleat is generally made from a piece of wood that has a 45-degree angle that points down and the flat top rests on the back of another piece of wood. The angle allows the cleat to sit securely into place and has fairly a strong hold. It also results in a clean look that hides screws and anchors.

Pros & Cons

• Pros: Strong carrying weight capacity, it looks nice, completely customizable, easy to rearrange, and can be made from scratch or with store-bought materials/systems.
• Cons: From scratch systems can be time consuming and require some construction skill (or you’ll gain some), can be expensive, and more labor intensive to put up or take down.

French Cleat Storage Wall Materials

As we mentioned, French cleat storage system kits are available. However, if you want to make your own, custom French cleat storage wall then you are going to need a lot of plywood, measuring tape, a level, circular or table saw, stud finder, pencil, drill, screws, and eye and ear protection.

The materials you need for a French cleat system are not much different than what you need for a pegboard system. However, if you’re going the custom route it’s just going to take a lot more time, precision, and skill. You can also use a lot of similar accessories, such as hooks and baskets.

How to Build & Install a French Cleat Storage Wall

The Family Handyman has a great step-by-step article on building a French cleat tool storage wall.

Back to Guide

Steel & Magnetic Wall Storage

[Special mention: TIA reviewed the Wall Control System back in 2019. We liked it then and still think it is a great pegboard/magnetic hybrid system. Pictured above, Wall Control 4 ft. Metal Pegboard Standard Tool Storage Kit with Black Toolboard and Black Accessories on Amazon for $133.51. You can use Wall Control Hooks and Accessories, as well as any magnetic hooks you like. There are even some hook-and-loop magnetic straps that offer even more storage and organizational options.]

All-magnetic storage walls are probably the newest wall storage system for tools, at least that we’ll talk about today. These systems are getting more popular because magnets are getting better. Magnets also allow you to not just use your wall, but any magnetic surface in your garage or workshop. This can include tables, toolboxes, work benches, and so on.

There are a few different systems out there. Metal magnetic pegboards have been around for a while. They add a little extra holding power to your traditional pegboard system. Steel wall mount or steel bar storage system are other options. With this style you have freeform magnets, hooks and accessories that you can place anywhere you want and are not limited to peg holes or fixed shelves.

Pros & Cons

• Pros: Strong carrying capacity, can offer a more secure magnetic hold, and can be used on any magnetic surface, easy to install and modify.
• Cons: Magnetic walls, hooks and accessories cost more, especially magnets strong enough to hold tools. Also, unless you have an auto-release magnetic they can be difficult to adjust.

Magnetic Storage Wall Materials

A magnetic pegboard or steel wall mount, plus magnetic hooks and accessories is all you need for the actual board.

For installation you need drill, screws, level, stud finder, and pencil. Some magnetic steel bars only require the adhesive they come with, but I recommend something stronger for tool storage. But all-in-all you actually need less supplies than the other storage walls.

How to Install a Magnetic Storage Wall for Tools

Gator Magnetics has a tutorial on how to install steel wall mounts. This process is actually pretty similar to magnetic pegboards and other magnetic wall systems.

Back to Guide

Wrap-up

So pegboard, French cleat, and magnets are the most popular styles of storage walls for tools. Which one do you like the most or think you are going to try in your space? Better yet, share your setup with us! Show us what interesting items you’ve managed to store with your wall storage system.

Did you like this article on organization? Stay tuned for more articles this month to help you stay organized in 2024.

The post Different Types of Wall Storage for Tools appeared first on Tools In Action - Power Tool Reviews.

Is it your year to host Christmas and you have no idea where everyone is going sit for dinner? Fortunately, one of our staffers is a holiday party master and she is sharing her ridiculously easy hack for turning a 6 ft. or 8 ft. folding table into a 10 seat dining table, and you only need TWO more items to do it and at a very low cost.

The great thing about this hack is that most people already have a 6 or 8 ft. folding banquet table…or your neighbor does, or your sister, or someone you know. Even if you don’t own a folding table or know anyone who can lend you one, they are readily available to buy from popular stores and retailers, such as Walmart, The Home Depot, and Amazon. The two other items for this hack are also incredibly affordable. You also can convert your 10-seat dining table back into a standard folding table when you’re done.

For today’s TIA DIY we are taking you through the step-by-step process of turning a 6 or 8 ft. folding table into a 10-seat dining table that has plenty of room for place settings, food, and decor.

TIA DIY Guide

• Supplies
• How To
• Q & A
• Resizing Your Table
• 6 ft. VS 8 ft. Folding Table
• Poster Puddy VS Mounting Tape

Supplies for 10 Seat Dining Table Hack

This hack only requires three key items.

1. 6 or 8 ft. Folding Banquet Table
2. Poster Putty or Mounting Tape
3. 5/8 in. thick or more 4 ft. x 8 ft. sheet of plywood

These are the only items required to complete the DIY. However, you may want to take the extra steps of sanding your table down and painting it. These steps smooth out your plywood so that your tablecloth doesn’t snag, no splintered edges poke through, or you can forego a tablecloth altogether. Sanding and painting or staining are also good steps to take if you want to use this hack again in the future.

We’ve included supplies and links for these optional, additional steps along with some of our decor items.

Optional Supplies

• 120 to 220 Grit Sandpaper
• Wood Stain (darker is recommended for plywood)
• Measuring Tape

Table Decor 

Christmas Dining Table Decor

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• 90 in. x 156 in. Tablecloth
• 2-pack Rechargeable Table Lamps (we ordered two)
• Champagne Table Runner
• Winter Pine Garland
• White LED Table Top Christmas Tree
• Flameless Christmas Candle Holders Set

How to Make a 10-Seat Dining Table

Now that you have all your supplies it’s time to turn your folding table into a 10-seat dining table. We’ve divided this into three parts: Sanding & Staining, Converting, and Decorating. Parts one and three are optional, feel free to jump to part two for the hack.

Part 1: Sanding & Staining

Step 1: Take your sandpaper and sand down all the sides of your plywood until smooth or at least any rough edges. Once done, wipe down to remove the loose sediment.

Step 2: Apply your wood stain as directed on the packaging. Allow it to dry, and then repeat until you’ve achieved the desired effect.

Note: I recommend staining your wood at least a week in advance so the stain has more than enough time to set.

Part 2: Converting

Step 1: Bring your supplies to where you plan to set up your tables. Since this isn’t a permanent conversion you don’t want to set up your table and then move it to where you plan to use it.

Step 2: Set up your folding table in the location you plan to use it. Make sure to account for the size of the plywood when positioning it, especially if you are using multiple tables.

Step 3: Take your Poster Putty or Mounting Tape and apply it to the top corners of your folding table and a few spots in the center. Not sure which one you should use? Check out our Poster Putty VS Mounting Tape section to help you decide.

Step 4: This part is easier with two people, but lift the plywood over the banquet table so that the length of each runs parallel. Center both the length and the width of plywood on the table. If you are doing this alone, gently lay the plywood down, but do not press on it. If you have someone helping you, have them keep the plywood slightly raised.

Check Table Alignment

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Step 5: Grab your measuring tape if you have it. Double-check the placement of the table.

If using a 6 ft. folding table and an uncut sheet of plywood, then the distance from the edge of your folding table to the edge of your plywood should measure 9 inches on the sides, and 12 inches on each end. Adjust as needed. Then you can press your plywood down onto the poster putty or mounting tape for secure placement.

Congrats! That is all you need to do to convert your folding table into a 10-seat dining table. From here you can decorate and use your table as you see fit.

Part 3: Decorating

This part is as much optional as it is personal. However, you are going to enjoy your table a lot more if you take this step. We included links to our Christmas table decorations above. However, maybe you are using your table to celebrate a different holiday or event.

Here are our notes on decorating your table for different holidays and events throughout the year.

• Tablecloth: You need a 90 in. x 156 in. tablecloth for a 4 ft. x 8 ft. tabletop. The tablecloth should rest just shy of an inch above the floor.
• Table runner:  You need at least a 8 ft. table runner to span the whole length of the table. A table runner that’s 10 ft. or longer can drape down the edges.
• Centerpieces: If you plan on placing serving platters on the tables then your decorating is done. However, if the tables are just for dining then you can go an extra step with centerpieces. You can keep it simple with a single centerpiece or use a few pieces. Whichever you choose, our recommendation is to keep it low profile and easily contained to the center of the table. This way guests can still easily see and chat with one another, and nothing is encroaching on their space.

Before & After

Table Before & After

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As you can see, the 6 ft. folding banquet table went from barely seating eight people to seating 10, plus more room between settings and space for either decorations or food. You could even possibly seat up to 12 people if you were to seat them on the ends.

Common Questions

Like what you see but have some questions? Well we got answers to the most common questions about this 10-seat dining table hack. If you don’t see your question below then ask us in the comments and we will get back to you.

How to Space Your Tables

Not sure you have enough space for a 10 seat dining table, or are you trying to figure out how many tables you can fit in a space?

Here are some standard guidelines to help you determine if you have enough space for your table.

Wall Space

It is recommended that there is at least 36 in. of space around your table so that people can easily get in and out.

Chair Space

It is recommended to allow 18 in. out from the table for chairs. If the chairs back up to another set of chairs then you should add another 6-12 in. so guests can get in and out without disturbing guests at the other table.

How to Resize Your Table

Is a 4 ft. x 8 ft. sheet of plywood just too big? Fortunately, you could have the plywood trimmed down at the hardware store before you leave.

Our 10 seat dining table creates 48 in. wide table. For a narrower table cut it down to a 36 in. or 30 in. width so that a standard tablecloth fits correctly.

Note: For a narrower table it may be more comfortable to seat four people along the length and one person on each end to seat 10 people.

6 ft. VS 8 ft. Table

This hack works with either a six or eight foot table and you should just go with whatever you have access to. However, if you are buying a table or renting then there are small advantages to each.

6 ft. Table Pros & Cons

A six ft. folding table will provide guests with more foot room and they will be less likely to kick the bars beneath the table if they are seated on the ends. However, you may experience slight bowing of the plywood. We experienced this initially, but it went away once we dressed the table. You could also fix this by creating some height with the poster putty on the corners.

8 ft. Table Pros & Cons

An eight ft. folding table will offer more stability and you shouldn’t experience any bowing. You could even go with a thinner plywood. The main drawback to an eight ft. table is a little less foot room.

Poster Putty VS Mounting Tape

Both of these products work great. Our TIA employee prefers mounting tape. However, as we mentioned the poster putty could be used to correct bowing by piling it higher to reverse the dip of the board.

In the end this will come down to personal preference or what you had access to.

Wrap-up

So that’s how you can turn a six or eight foot folding table into a 10-seat dining table. Not only will everyone have a place to sit, but you can invite even more people! If you do this hack, come back and share with us how it went.

Did you like this article? Check out our other TIA Holiday DIY & How-to articles:

• How to Make a Charcuterie Board
• How to Smoke a Turkey with a Pellet Grill

The post Easy Folding Table Hack for a 10 Seat Dining Table for Your Christmas Party appeared first on Tools In Action - Power Tool Reviews.

Look at who showed up at the TIA workshop. It’s Toolz, our Elf on the Shelf, or Elf on the workbench in our case! He must have heard us talking about him. He’s here to share his own special DIY Elf on the Shelf activities to do over winter break.

We are all parents here. Some of us have grown children, some have wee ones. And almost all of us have done, or are still doing “Elf on the Shelf”.

So when Toolz showed up in our work shop were were sure happy to see him. This year he wants our help getting as many kids as possible into woodworking and crafts – two things he loves!

If your kiddos are going to be home for a few weeks and you’re looking for some fun things for them to do; Toolz to the rescue! He has some great projects for your kids, and with a bonus. His ideas are projects your kids can proudly give as gifts for the holidays.

Here’s some Elf on the Shelf ideas for you.

Elf on The Shelf Activities Guide

• Tools & Supplies
• Elf on the Shelf Activities
• Recruit Your Own Elf
• More TIA Craft Projects

Not only are we giving you Elf on the Shelf ideas (you’re welcome), we’ve included links to all the props we used. And here’s the big bonus, these will keep your kids busy while they are home on break from school (you’re welcome, again).

Elf on the Shelf Tools from Toolz

“I brought you some tools so you can make this birdhouse for Grandma for Christmas. I’m sure she’ll love it because you made it. Working with tools can be dangerous, but I know you’ll be careful.” ~Toolz

REXBETI 10-Piece Real Hand Tools Kids Tool Set with Tool Bag

These are not play tools. This kit is made with tools for kids 8 and up. It comes with a hammer, a wrench, two screwdrivers, pliers, scissors, tape measure, two rulers, safety glasses, and a tool bag to put it all in. Don’t think of these as play tools. These are just slightly shrunken-down versions of their parent’s tools and are great for introducing kids to construction projects.

• Amazon Review: “I bought this for my son and he loves it. The tools are small for little hands but they work great and are actual tools. Would also make a good tool kit to just have in the house.”
• Where to Buy: Amazon

Paint Smock

“These projects could get a bit messy. Make sure to wear your paint smock, and try not to get any paint on mom’s furniture.” ~Toolz

Available in two sizes for kids ages 5-14.

• Amazon Review: “Perfect for my 4year old granddaughter who loves to paint. Very colorful and protective as well. And she loves it!”
• Where to Buy: Amazon

Back to Elf on the Shelf Activity Guide

Elf on the Shelf Activities

Toolz shared with us his list of Elf on the Shelf activities. However, he had a little trouble with the computer, so we went and found some activity sets to make gathering your supplies a little easier.

Build a Birdhouse

Maybe Grandma would like something else constructed by her favorite grandchild? Or maybe you’ll see a kit or two that you know your kid will want to construct and keep. You could grab one or two for them to work on over their school break, and perhaps Santa could bring a few more if you see your kids is a budding carpenter.

To build from scratch, check out our TIA article How to Build a Birdhouse. Prefer to have the materials sent to your house? We like this birdhouse kit on Amazon.

• Amazon Review: “We just made these with our boys (8 and 11). They only needed a little bit of help and quite enjoyed it. Can’t wait to see if we get some birds some time after we hang them in our trees. If not, they are a beautiful decorative item for our yard anyway!”
• Where to Buy: Amazon, or
• Build from Scratch: TIA article How to Build a Birdhouse.
• More Options: More birdhouse kits on Amazon.

Hand-Painted Custom Ornaments 

Toolz heard that Mom, Grandma, and Auntie all need some new ornaments for their trees. Let your kids gift them ornaments with their own festive flare!

There are tons of great ornament kits on Amazon, but this one is our favorite ornament painting kit.

• Amazon Review: “I hate writing this review. This is a quality craft kit—the wood ornaments are beautiful. Laser cut and sanded very smooth, makes painting on them an absolute joy.”
• Where to Buy: Most ornament kits range from around $8-25 on Amazon.

More Kids DIY Activities

Toolz really enjoyed the TIA article Home Improvement & Craft Tools for Kids & Adults. That gift guide has more projects he’d love to help the kids with.

Back to Elf on the Shelf Activity Guide

Elf on the Shelf Accessories

Toolz is positively flattered that you enjoyed all his tools and accessories. Lucky you, he told us where he got everything and even how to send one of his own elf friends to hang out on your shelf!

Recruit Your Own Elf

• Amazon Review: “This little guy has a lot of spunk. He never stays in the same place, and we find our things moved around a lot. He doesn’t steal anything, so he isn’t malicious. Of course, he sits perfectly still when we are looking at him, but after dark is when he seems to be the most active. We’re hoping he gets a job so he can start paying his share of the bills, as we now go through milk and cookies like never before. Other than that, he’s pretty cool.”
• Where to Buy: Toolz and his friends charge a one-time fee around $9-25 to continually add a little festive spirit to your home year after year.

Elf on the Shelf Props & Accessories

Elf on The Shelf Activity Props & Accessories

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• Tool Set & Toolbox: Amazon
• Paint Palette: Amazon
• Mini Birdhouse: Amazon

Back to Elf on the Shelf Activity Guide

More TIA Craft Projects

Did you enjoy this Elf on the Shelf activity? Toolz may be out of ideas but TIA certainly is not! Check out some of our previous DIY articles.

• How to Make a Charcuterie Board
• How to Make a Cutting Board
• Hanging Planter with Chalkboard Tutorial

The post Meet Toolz! He’s Here to Share Elf on the Shelf Activities for Winter Break! appeared first on Tools In Action - Power Tool Reviews.

Are you a guest at Thanksgiving this year and not sure what you should bring? Well we have a great DIY gift your host will love and incorporate it into an appetizer. Today we are showing you how to make a charcuterie board from scratch. And by “make” we mean both how to construct this custom DIY piece and how to plate the meats, cheeses, and more for a statement-making appetizer.

This charcuterie board tutorial is beginner-friendly and requires minimal tools, some you might even have on hand. We also included a few other variations that we experimented with.

Guide

• Supplies
• Step 1: Wood Prep
• How to Make a Charcuterie Board
• Other Styles
• How to Assemble

Charcuterie Board DIY Supplies

This is everything we used to make three different charcuterie boards.

• Drill/driver
• Large wood slices with bark, 4-pack
• Cutting Board Oil
• Natural fiber paintbrush
• Painter’s Pyramid stands
• Black hairpin legs, 4-pack

Supplies for Additional Styles

• Wood furniture legs, 4-pack
• Clear rubber bumpers, 20-pieces
• Aluminum alloy turntable bearing

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Step 1: Wood Prep

The first thing you need to do in this charcuterie board DIY is treat the wood. This process is really simple, but needs to be done at least two days before you intend to use your charcuterie board. We also recommend you apply the tung oil in a ventilated area and it is best to apply tung oil in a warm and sunny environment (which does not exist for us Midwesterners in November).

To do this…

How to Prep Wood

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1. Pour about a quarter cup of tung oil into a container
2. Set out three Painter’s Pyramid stands and place your wood slice on top. Adjust as needed to stabilize the wood slice.
3. Dip your brush in the tung oil and apply it evenly across your wood slice. You want to apply enough for the tung oil to be absorbed into the wood, but not so much that it drips. Once coated, flip it over and coat the other side.
4. Once both sides are coated, apply a coat to the edge of the wood slice. Rotate the wood slice to easily coat the wood.
5. Once coated, clean up your supplies, and set the wood to cure in a dry place for at least two days, or follow the directions on your tung oil. Once cured the board should no longer smell “nutty” and should be dry to the touch.

Once your board is cured you are ready to move on to the next step.

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How to Make a Charcuterie Board with Hairpin Legs

This first style uses the hairpin legs. The hardest part about making this charcuterie board is placing the legs because the wood slice is a little irregular and not a perfect circle. For this style we also only used three of legs. Our process went as follows…

How to Make a Charcuterie Board

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1. Lay your wood slice on a flat surface and take out three hairpin legs.
2. You will notice that the base of the hairpin legs meet to make a 90-degree angle. Place the hairpins on the wood slice so the point of the base faces the center and then place the opposite ends of the base just inside the perimeter of the wood slice. Adjust the hairpins as needed so that they are equal distance from each other. You can double check your spacing with a measuring tape. The bottom of our legs measured eight inches apart.
3. Take a pen or pencil and trace the corner of the base and mark the openings for the screws.
4. Start with your first hairpin leg and double-check its alignment with the marks you made. Grab your drill/driver (we used a Milwaukee M18 1/4 in. Hex Impact Driver) to drive in the screws that came with the hairpin legs. This is a soft wood and we found that it did not require pre-drilled holes. However, feel free to add that step in if you prefer. You can also screw down the point of each base first, or complete each leg before moving on to the next. Whichever is your preference.
5. Repeat step four for the two remaining legs.
6. Take the rubber grips from your leg kit and attach them to the part of your hairpin legs that rests on the ground.
7. Flip it over and you are good to go!

Note: We pre-drilled the holes on the center points of each base with a DeWALT 20V 1/2 in. Drill/Drive (model# DCD800) but found the wood was so soft that this step was unnecessary.

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Other Charcuterie Board Styles

Other Styles of Charcuterie Boards

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Our wood slice was a four pack. So we took this as an opportunity to construct different styles. Check them out and comment if you want us to share the step-by-step process for each one.

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How to Assembly Your Charcuterie Board

Now for the best part…assembling your charcuterie board. Honestly, there is no wrong way to do this, but we do have a few tips.

1. Pick three meats and cheeses: For meat prosciutto, salami, and soppressata (fancy pepperoni) are staples. For cheese, I like to do one sliced, one spread, and one wedge. The wedge is almost always brie. I avoid blue cheese because it’s messy, not everyone likes it, and it’s very pungent.
2. Get a vehicle: Meat and cheese are great on their own, but adding something to carry these items can make your charcuterie board less messy and more pleasant to eat, adds another way for guests to customize their snacks, and can provide some crunch. Crackers are great for this. I usually grab a variety pack, but things like pretzels and cheese crisps are other great options.
3. Create paths: “Paths” create visual interest and help highlight the variety of your charcuterie board. The easiest way to do this is to alternate between light and dark colors. Your paths can move in straight lines or curved. With smaller boards I recommend keeping paths straight, small and simple. Medium to large sized boards have more room to weave throughout the board.
4. Add something sweet: Meat, cheese, and crackers give you savory, umami, and sometimes spicy flavors, plus soft, chewy and crunchy textures. Add something sweet and/or tart to hit the full spectrum of flavors and textures. Fruit, honey, raisins/craisins, and chocolate/dessert spreads are great suggestions.
5. Fill the gaps: You’re bound to have gaps in your board. Sometimes this is just how things lay out, sometimes you’re trying to prevent wet and dry items from touching and it creates a gap. Fill these spaces with nuts, fruits, skewers, or items like brie or spreads that don’t really work as paths. Think of these spaces as “pit stops” along your charcuterie board with more unique pops of flavor and texture.
6. Ideas for allergies and specialty diets: Sometimes you have an outlier guest who follows a special diet due to beliefs or allergies, such as gluten-free or vegan. I suggest putting these items on their own board with signage about their specialty designation (ex: “gluten-free”, “kosher”, “vegan”/”vegetarian”, etc.). Veggies and hummus are great substitutions for most people on specialty diets, along with dips and sauces made for those diets.
7. Don’t overthink it: I know Pinterest can make you question your charcuterie board skills, but you don’t need to buy hundreds of items and spend hours decorating your board. In fact, no one is going to know if you buy a pre-made charcuterie kit and put it on your own board. Or, at least I won’t tell anyone.

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Leftover Thoughts

We were so impressed with how quickly we were able to make this statement-making charcuterie board. This was a super simple DIY that makes a great gift OR item for your own home. Give it a try and tell us how it went for you.

If you liked what we suggested for an appetizer just wait for what we suggest as your Thanksgiving entree…

The post How to Make a Charcuterie Board for Thanksgiving appeared first on Tools In Action - Power Tool Reviews.

There are three types of homeowners: their lawn is their pride and joy, lawn care is not their priority, or they don’t know how to take care of their lawns (yet). Lucky for you we created a quick guide on how to get a green lawn with just six simple steps.

Read on so your yard is no longer the neighborhood eyesore.

Green Lawn Guide

• Remove Weeds
• Sharpen Lawn Mower Blades
• Set Your Lawn Mower Blade Height
• Fix Soil pH
• Bag Grass Clippings
• Keep Grass Hydrated
• Fall Lawn Maintenance
• Lawn Cutting Myths

How to Get a Green Lawn Guide

These six simple steps will teach you how to get a green lawn without tons of effort or money. In fact, most of these steps cost nothing at all and will get you that green lawn in no time.

Remove Weeds

Removing weeds is the best place to start for lawn maintenance because weeds are unsightly, they can deprive grass of its nutrients, and weeds can shield grass from sunlight and prevent growth.

When it comes to removing weeds the most popular methods are to use conventional weed killer sprays and treatments, pull out/remove weeds and roots, or natural weed-killing remedies such as pouring boiling water onto weeds.

We talk more about this in fall lawn maintenance, but once weeds are removed you can assess your lawn’s soil and address lawn patches.

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Sharpen Your Lawn Mower Blades

I know what you’re thinking and – yes! You can sharpen your lawn mower blades. In fact, you need to! And if your lawn mower blades are dull it may be the #1 thing stopping you from having a green lawn.

There are two main reasons why you need to sharpen your lawn mower blades:

1. Grass cut with dull blades can require two or more passes with the lawn mower.
2. Dull blades break grass instead of cutting it, which can cause grass to brown. So not only is your grass cut poorly, it’s an ugly color too.

Don’t know how to sharpen your lawn mower blades? Check out this Universal Lawn Mower blade sharpener.

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Set the Correct Lawn Mower Blade Height

If you want to know how to get a green lawn all season long then you need to know which height to set your lawn mower blades to. 

In the spring and fall set your lawn mower height to one inch. Grass tends to grow the fastest in spring so keeping your grass short will allow you to go longer between each time you mow. Grass grows slower when temperatures drop in the fall, and leaves fall; keeping the grass short allows your mower to cut and mulch the leaves together.

In the summer set your mower height to two inches minimum. When summer temperatures consistently reach over 85°F grass can get stressed and need to be cut more frequently to prevent it from turning brown. 

Yes, you need to cut your grass more often at a taller height, but that’s what’s best for it in the summer season.

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Fix Your Soil’s pH

Your soil’s pH refers to the amount of water soluble chemicals and nutrients in your lawn. A soil pH analysis can tell you exactly how to get a green lawn by telling you if your soil is more acidic or alkaline.

How to Test Soil pH

• A lab-ordered or at-home soil pH test kit.
• Plant hydrangeas – the color of this plant’s petals changes based on soil pH. While hydrangeas can’t tell you what nutrients your soil needs, the color can alert you of changes in soil (but if you murder anyone don’t bury a dead body under your hydrangeas).

How to Fix Soil pH

• Add lime to increase soil pH.
• Add elemental sulfur to lower soil pH.

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Bag Grass Clippings

You have learned how to get a green lawn with the above five simple steps. Now clean up your grass clippings so you don’t ruin all your hard work!

There is some back and forth about bagging or leaving your grass clippings. The argument for leaving your grass clippings is that grass breaks down and becomes a natural fertilizer. However, it takes time for grass clippings to decompose.

I encourage people to bag their clippings because clippings block the sun from reaching the grass, they don’t quickly decompose, and it doesn’t look or feel good. I actually spend less time in my yard if my shoes or feet are getting covered in grass clippings.

If natural fertilizer is important to you then I recommend composting your grass clippings.

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Keep Grass Hydrated

This is a no-brainer. Grass is a plant and it’s a pretty thirsty one too. Depending on where you live your regular rainfall may be enough. However, droughts are common in the summer or you may live in a dryer climate. If so, you’ll need to regularly water your grass to keep it green. 

If you live in a dryer climate I suggest you choose a drought-resistant grass or ground cover.

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Keep Grass Green with Fall Lawn Maintenance

You’ve learned how to create a green lawn during spring and summer. Now you need to learn how to set yourself up for a green lawn next season. 

These are our favorite year-end lawn maintenance steps for the fall.

1. Rake Fall Leaves – grass can suffocate and die if trapped under fall leaves, especially if left over winter. 
2. Fertilize Your Lawn – Fall is the best time to fertilize your lawn and the best time to do it is about six weeks before the first frost.
3. Repair Patches & Thin Lawns – Fall is a great time to overseed thin areas of grass and address bare patches, particularly in cool-season areas like Chicagoland. The temperature is ideal for germinating and setting you up for optimal spring growth.

These are just our top three fall lawn care tips. Tell us in the comments what lawn care steps you take each fall.

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3 Lawn Care Myths

Not everything your neighbor says is true. Here are popular lawn care myths that will NOT help you get a green lawn.

Myth #1: “Cutting your lawn in the same direction every time will create divots.”

Not if you have a push mower.

While it won’t hurt to change up the direction you mow your lawn each time, there is no benefit to it aside from you discovering your personal preference.

Myth #2: “The best grass fertilizer is…”

I know, we just mentioned the importance of fertilizer in our steps for how to get a green lawn – and fertilizer is important! But no one brand is the best fertilizer because soil quality varies, even between neighbors.

For example: My house is a newer construction compared to my neighbor’s home. My yard could have more clay and a different composition all-around because of when and how my yard was dug up before construction. 

Assess your soil before picking a fertilizer. Here are three quick things you can do:

1. Visual Soil Analysis – dig up a 20 cm hole and visually inspect your soil. If you’re not sure what to look for you can learn more from Science Learning Hub.
2. Test Your Soil – at-home soil test kits are available on Amazon.
3. Test Your Soil’s pH – at-home soil pH test kits are available on Amazon.

Myth #3: “Weed killer is the best way to treat your lawn.”

Chemical and synthetic weed killers may kill unsightly plants and weeds, but they don’t address what’s causing these weeds to grow. Without addressing the why, weeds will return.

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Your Tips for Creating a Green Lawn

These are just the steps we swear by for how to get a green lawn year-round. Dan and I are also from the Midwest and we primarily know what works best here. Leave a comment with the tips you swear by for maintaining a green lawn.

The post TIA Guide: How to Get a Green Lawn this Spring appeared first on Tools In Action - Power Tool Reviews.

The Dremel Rotary Tool is one of the most popular tools for DIY’ers. From woodworking to jewelry making, to even simple repairs and customizations, a Dremel Rotary Tool can be used for a variety of applications — including saving money by DIY’ing your own gutter guard. This DIY Gutter Guard and installation is just one tutorial provided on the Dremel site, YouTube, and Dremel Community network.

Dremel partnered with Chip Wade for this DIY Gutter Guard & Installation tutorial. We have provided a breakdown of the steps and the tools and items needed for this DIY.

Guide

• Dremel Rotary Tool
• DIY Gutter Guard Tutorial
• More Dremel DIYs

Dremel Rotary Tool

Dremel has been in business since 1932 and has become such a trusted name that the brand name “Dremel” has become synonymous with “rotary tool”. This simple tool has become a favorite among professionals and homeowners. Despite this success, the company has always focused on improving its products to continue to bring customers the best rotary tool on the market, along with other Dremel products.

• Model Name: Dremel 3000 1/24 in. Rotary Tool Kit
• Features: 25-piece kits comes with a variety of rotary tool attachments and a storage case. 120 volts of power with that can do 5,000-35,000 RPM.
• Where to Buy: $64.99 on Amazon.

DIY Gutter Guard & Installation with Chip Wade

Dremel partnered with HGTV’s Chip Wade for this easy Gutter Guard DIY & Installation video.

PROJECT NOTE: We recommend cleaning your gutters prior to installing a gutter guard.

Tools & Equipment

• Dremel Rotary Tool 3000 model
• EZ456 EZ Lock Cut-Off Wheel
• EZ402 Mandrel
• Wire mesh
• Tape measure
• Pencil

Step-by-Step Tutorial

1. Measure length of gutter.
2. Measure gutter guard to corresponding length and mark where cut is needed.
3. Insert EZ402 Mandrel into rotary tool and attach the EZ456 EZ Lock Cut-Off Wheel.
4. Follow line while making the cut.
5. Snap gutter guard onto gutter. Be sure gutters are clear of debris before attaching.

More Dremel DIYs

Want to try your hand at more Dremel DIY tutorials? Check out the Dremel Project page or Dremel Community.

The post How to DIY & Install a Gutter Guard with Dremel appeared first on Tools In Action - Power Tool Reviews.

Most DIY’ers live for “demo day”, the day they get to bust through ugly walls and rip out outdated fixtures to make way for a brand new kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, or any home oasis – but having the wrong demo tools can dampen the experience. So, we put together our list of 8 demo tools you need for any home demo project.

Below is a quick list of demo tools for reference, but feel free to click on any tool to read up on it or get our recommendations.

Demo Tools

• Sledgehammer
• Reciprocating Saw
• Power Drill/Screwdriver
• Crow Bar
• Wrecking Bar
• Hammer
• Wire Cutters
• Jackhammer

“What are demo tools?”

If you’re new to DIY you might want to know what sets demo tools apart from your everyday hand and power tools. The main difference is that traditional hand and power tools are meant to put things together and demo tools are designed to take things out or break them up.

Demo tools help you break down walls, cut through studs, remove old wiring or plumbing, etc.

Sledgehammer

The demo tool every DIY’er is excited about, the sledgehammer! You will likely use a sledgehammer a lot if you need to take down walls to create an “open concept” layout, or if you need to install new wires or plumbing.

Sledgehammers are fairly affordable and you can be used in multiple projects. I recommend buying one of these.

• Recommended Tool: Husky 10 lbs. Fiberglass Sledgehammer from THD, or Ymachray 10 lb Sledgehammer from Amazon.
• TIA Review: TIA Sledgehammer Reviews

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Reciprocating Saw

A reciprocating saw, or “sawzall” as it’s commonly referred to, is great for cutting through drywall, drywall studs, cutting out old plumbing, and so on. It’s not a precision tool. Instead it’s a powerful cutting tool that assists with demolition.

A reciprocating saw is another great tool to invest in, especially if you have a few demo or renovation projects lined up. These tools get beat-up so you can go with a more affordable or even a corded option. But we really like the Milwaukee Sawzall for its power and durability.

• Recommended Tool: Milwaukee M18 FUEL Gen. 2 SAWZALL (The Home Depot, Amazon)
• TIA Review: TIA Reciprocating Saw Reviews

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Power Drill or Screwdriver

So far you have seen demo tools to smash and cut without abandon. But every so often you do have to pause and take things down or apart thoughtfully, and that is where a power drill or screwdriver comes in. Plus, taking fixtures like cabinets out allows you to donate or renovate them, as opposed to smashing them. But you’ll also need a drill or screwdriver to uninstall light fixtures, remove outlet covers, and such.

A power drill is the best option. The process will go the fastest and a power drill should be a staple in your toolbox. You should choose a drill from whatever battery platform you’re already using. 

However, if you just need something simple and small for your demo job, I recommend the SKIL 4V Rechargeable Screwdriver. It’s compact and USB-C rechargeable. You can literally keep it in your pocket instead of carrying around a drill, battery and charger.

• Recommended Tool: SKIL Twist 2.0 Rechargeable 4V Screwdriver
• TIA Review: SKIL Upgrades it 20V Battery & Rechargeable Screwdriver

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Crowbar

What do demo jobs and 1950’s gangers have in common? They both love crowbars! A crowbar is great for breaking something up, use it for leverage, chiseling, or just giving something a good “whack”. 

A gooseneck crowbar is the most popular type. Crowbars are great when you don’t need precision. However, I also want to mention a pry bar is also helpful when you need to be more delicate, such as if you plan to reuse the trim from your project.

• Recommended Crow Bar: Edward Tools Gooseneck Crowbar
• Recommended Pry Bar: Edward Tools Wonder Bar Utility Pry Bar (for delicate applications)

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Wrecking Bar

A wrecking bar is like a straight crowbar. If you have tile you need to remove, this is the tool. Again, it’s a straight metal bar, longer than a crowbar, and has a defined chiseled point. Gooseneck crowbar/wrecking bars are quite common as well.

• Recommended Tool: Monkey King Bar 36” Gooseneck Wrecking Bar

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Hammer

Not every smash requires the brute force of a sledgehammer. A hammer is more versatile and fairly lightweight. It makes a great demo tool for getting a quick inside look in wall. Plus the claw end can pull out stray nails that may be in the way.

You don’t have to be picky when selecting a hammer. I do prefer a name-brand hammer, such as CRAFTSMAN.

• Recommended Tool: CRAFTSMAN 16” Fiberglass Hammer
• TIA Review: TIA Hammer Reviews

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Wire Cutters

Removing old wires is a common task in a demo job, so wire cutters are an essential amongst your demo tools.

When it comes to electrical, there is no other brand to recommend other than Klein Tools. The tools are made for electricians and are made with safeguards to prevent shock – however, no tool trumps procedure. So, brush up on your electrical safety before you start cutting wires.

• Recommended Tool: Klein Tools Wire Cutter & Stripper Kit
• TIA Review: TIA Wire Cutter Reviews & News

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Rotary Hammer Drill or Jackhammer

Okay, not every home project requires a jackhammer. But the big tools are always fun to bust out. A jackhammer or “concrete breaker” is essential anytime you need to break up concrete, such as installing a basement bathroom or breaking up any old patio.

Often, jackhammers are a single-use specialty demo tool and I recommend you rent one from your local hardware store, such as The Home Depot Tool Rental.

However, for those looking to buy a jackhammer, Hilti is the best when it comes to concrete. So, I have to recommend the Hilti TE 3000-AVR HEAVY-DUTY ELECTRIC JACKHAMMER if you’re considering getting into the demolition business.

• Recommended Tool: Hilti TE 3000-AVR HEAVY-DUTY ELECTRIC JACKHAMMER

A jackhammer may be just plain overkill; a hammer drill or rotary hammer drill (The Difference Between a Hammer Drill and Rotary Hammer Drill) may be all you need. Over the years Tools In Action has reviewed several rotary hammer drills. We don’t have a clear favorite, but suggest you consider a few things before you purchase one. Prices vary greatly, as well as overall power, and their power source (battery vs. corded). We suggest you go to your local The Home Depot or Ace Hardware and talk to a sales assistant and get their recommendation based on your project and overall needs. You may not even need to purchase one as renting may be an option. And if you feel confident you know just what you need, Amazon has an almost endless selection of hammer drills.

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Your #1 Demo Tools

We have shown you ours now you show us yours! What are your favorite demo tools or products? Let us know in the comments along with your preferred brands. We’d also love to hear about the home or yard renovations that came out of your demo projects.

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The post 8 Demo Tools You Need for Any Home Demo Project appeared first on Tools In Action - Power Tool Reviews.