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.

Fein Universal Cutting Blades

By Todd Fratzel on Power Tools

Fein Multimaster Tool Blades Recently I wrote about the Fein Multimaster tool which has become an extremely popular multi-purpose tool for any workshop. Well if you already own this great tool then you may be in the market to buy additional cutting blades for it. You can find a great selection and great prices on…

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Garage Organization Project

By Todd Fratzel on Closets & Storage, Garages

Garage Organization Our new home is almost 3 years old and I’ve severely neglected the garage since we moved in. I have lots of projects planned and ideas so I finally decided this weekend that I needed to get the garage cleaned out and organized before I start anything else. One of the problems that…

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Recommended Home Improvement and Construction Tools

By Todd Fratzel on Power Tools

Every day readers ask me to recommend home improvement and construction tools. So I’ve decided to start a list of the tools that I use and recommend. Over time I’ll continue adding tools in different categories so you should be able to find a recommendation or two for most any tool you’re looking for advice…

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Get Your Central Air Conditioning Ready

By Todd Fratzel on Air Conditioning

Central Air Conditioning With summer finally here I thought it might be important to remind folks of a few things to consider before you start up your central air conditioning for the summer. Central air conditioning needs to have some basic yearly maintenance to keep things running properly and effeciently. Each year you should: Replace…

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Bessey BTB30 30-Piece Bar Clamp Set

By Todd Fratzel on Hand Tools

Bessey Clamps My wife says I’m addicted to clamps. She may be onto something because I’m a firm believer that no work shop will ever have too many clamps. Having said that if you’re a serious DIY or wood shop type of person then you know that Bessey makes some of the best clamps on…

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Planting Phlox Above Rock Walls

By Todd Fratzel on Gardening

Phlox Flowers Phlox flowers are a great perennial choice in rock gardens and above rock walls. Year after year this low growing perennial comes back larger and larger until it creates a large carpet of flowers. Phlox works very well in rock gardens or planted just above a rock wall so the flowers can droop…

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Mold Growing On North Facing Deck

By Todd Fratzel on Decks & Porches

Deck Mold Growth Our new home has maintenance free siding, trim, windows and doors. However, we decided to “splurge” a bit on the decks so we installed beautiful Cambara decking (Cambara or Erbina uncinatum is a beautiful hardwood with straight clear grains similar to mahogany). In fact we installed the Cambara on the farmers porch…

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Metal Studs – DensGlass Sheathing – Foam Board

By Todd Fratzel on Framing, Insulation

Exterior Metal Stud Walls I recently wrote an article, How To Install DensGlass Exterior Sheathing On Metal Studs, which detailed the use of DensGlass Sheathing on exterior metal stud walls behind a brick veneer. Now we are installing a layer of 2-inch thick Dow Foam Board over the DensGlass sheathing prior to installing the brick…

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