Milwaukee Radio Giveaway

By Todd Fratzel on Giveaways

Win It Before You Can Buy It! Happy New Year everyone. The folks at Milwaukee want to kick off the new year with a cool giveaway. They are offering one of our readers a chance to win the new M18 Jobsite Radio/Charger before you can buy it in stores! Before I go into the details…

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How To Make a Tablesaw Crosscut Sled

By Todd Fratzel on Jigs

Precision Tablesaw Crosscut Sled A precision tablesaw crosscut sled is one of the best workshop jigs you can make for woodworking projects. I’ve been putting this project off for such a long time and finally it made it to my priority list. I’ve got a really fun chess board project coming up and this will…

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Custom Colonial Style Fireplace Mantel

By Todd Fratzel on Finish Carpentry, Interior Decorating

Custom Fireplace Mantel There’s something about a beautiful fireplace and mantel that really makes a home feel warm and inviting. A fireplace mantel can also be a beautiful prominent architectural feature. I’ve built a couple custom mantels over the years and the one featured in this article is my latest one in our new home.…

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How To Install A Wall Safe

By Todd Fratzel on Closets & Storage, Safety

Installing a Biometric Wall Safe Many home owners choose to buy safes for their home to protect valuable jewelry, documents and even guns. One of the more popular choices today are the biometric wall safes. Installing a safe in the wall provides extra security and takes up very little room. In addition, the cost of…

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Selecting TJI Floor Joist Sizes

By Todd Fratzel on Framing

Sizing Trus Joist TJI’s I’ve received dozens of emails asking me how you size TJI’s for a new home. Sizing Trus Joist brand TJI’s isn’t really that difficult once you understand the issues. Most people think that joists are sized based on minimum design loads. That is ultimately true, however, loading doesn’t usually govern the…

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Winter Window Condensation – Sweaty Windows

By Todd Fratzel on Air Conditioning, Windows

What Causes Window Condensation Each winter I’m asked repeatedly why new energy efficient windows have condensation on them. I’ve written several articles about window condensation, Winter Window Condensation Problems, Window Condensation – Part II, and More On Winter Window Condensation, but I thought it was worth reviewing the issues because it seems to be so…

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Work Clothes – Carhart Quick Duck® Jacket Review

By Todd Fratzel on Product Reviews

Men’s Quick Duck® Woodward Active Jac Over the years I’ve come to rely on several great brands for my work clothes. Carhart, Dickies and LLBean to name a few. One of my favorite brands for jackets has always been Carhart and when I got the chance to try their new Quick Duck® Woodward Active Jacket…

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Asbestos Siding – Remove It or Leave It Alone?

By Todd Fratzel on Siding & Trim

Should You Remove Asbestos Cement Siding? Here in New England there are thousands of homes with Asbestos Cement Siding. Not only can it be really ugly but many home owners fear the obvious health risks and financial liability that may be associated with it. Many homeowners often ask whether or not they should have it…

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