About the author

Todd Fratzel

I'm full time builder for a large construction company in New Hampshire. I run their design-build division that specializes in custom homes, commercial design-build projects and sub-divisions. I'm also a licensed civil and structural engineer with extensive experience in civil and structural design and home construction. My hope is that I can share my experience in the home construction, home improvement and home renovation profession with other builders and home owners. I'm also the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Tool Box Buzz. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, suggestions or you'd like to inquire about advertising on this site.

How To Fix A Scratch on Hardwood Floors

By Todd Fratzel on Flooring, Maintanence, Painting and Finishing

Today’s post is an answer from a reader about how to easily repair a scratch on hardwood floors. If you actually live in your home then theres no way to avoid scratching hardwood floors. My wife reminds me daily that we have to live in our house not sit back and admire it. So, kids,…

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Colonial Mantel with Slate Surround

By Todd Fratzel on Finish Carpentry

Colonial Style Mantel The first mantel that I ever built was a colonial style mantel with a slate surround and hearth. The photo shows the mantel and surround that I built in our first home. I really wish I kept photos of the fire place before this project so you could see the dramatic change.…

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Plan Your Future Basement Bathroom Before You Build

By Todd Fratzel on Basements, Bathrooms, Plumbing

If you’re getting ready to build a new home then you should be planning a future bathroom before you begin construction. Today more than ever people are building living space in their basements to increase the available living space and value of their home. Having a basement bathroom is a huge bonus for the functionality…

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Reverse Privacy Lock Sets to Child Proof

By Todd Fratzel on Doors

We have child proofed a couple of doors in our house by simply reversing the privacy lock sets. In particular we have used this method on the door leading to our basement stairs and the utility room in the basement. This is a really simple method to child proof doors without having bulky door knob…

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How To Use Swanson Speed Squares

By Todd Fratzel on Power Tools

Do you know how to use a Swanson Speed Square? I’m sure you’ve seen a speed square before, most every carpenter you run into has one hanging from their tool belt. Learning how to use a speed square is a very valuable carpentry skill. Most people use speed squares as a perpendicular cross-cutting guide for…

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Delta Table Saw Mobile Base

By Todd Fratzel on Power Tools, Product Reviews

If you own a table saw you should buy yourself a mobile base for it. I purchased a Delta Table Saw Mobile Base several years ago and I can’t imagine owning a table saw without it. There are numerous table saw mobile bases available on the market. Most of them are universal designs that allow…

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Radiant Tubing Into Concrete Slab Detail

By Todd Fratzel on Air Conditioning, Foundations

Radiant Slab Heat This post is an answer to a question a reader asked the other day. “How should I treat the radiant tubing into concrete slab detail?” It just so happens that I installed the radiant tubing in our new home so I’ve got a bit of experience with this detail. Installing radiant tubing…

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Furniture Style Bathroom Vanities

By Todd Fratzel on Bathrooms, Interior Decorating

One of the popular trends in bathrooms is using furniture style vanities. Using a piece of furniture as the vanity base can give your bathroom a unique and warm feel. You can use an existing piece of furniture or you can buy vanity pieces that look like they were furniture at one time. In the…

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