Hot Home & Garden How-Tos

How To: Create an electric tool belt

Tim Carter demonstrates the basic tools (pliers, screwdrivers, strippers) you need for residential electrical repairs, as well as a handy little tool-belt pouch that stores all of the tools. Video shows not only how to create your own electricians tool belt but also how to use each individual tool.

How To: Use a pop rivet tool

Tim Carter demonstrates how a pop rivet tool works to connect two pieces of thin metal. Some projects, such as working on your aluminum gutters, will require you to connect two pieces of thin metal. An effective method is the use of a pop rivet gun. Most pop rivet tools come with an assortment of pop rivets and some 1/8" drill bits.

How To: Make biodiesel

Learn how to make biodiesel. Maurice Vanegas is an executive for a private charter company. The biodiesel made is used in a fleet of transit buses, executive buses, and diesel trucks. The biodiesel comes from virgin soybean oil and used vegetable oil. Since July 2006, the company has produced in excess of 20,000 gallons.

How To: Apply wood stain

Tim Carter demonstrates how to stain wood to get the color you want. Watching these video tips allows you to be able to apply wood stain to match almost any color. If you get the right color stain and apply it properly, your new piece of wood will match color-wise and allow the grain of the wood to show through.

How To: Wiring a light fixture

Tim Carter demonstrates how to wire a light fixture or ceiling light. This is a great video to learn how to wire up a light quickly and safely. As a precaution, don’t touch any bare copper wire except for the ground wire. Most new light fixtures come with insulation to keep the heat from the bulb from cooking the wires. Be sure to install this insulation. Mount the fixture to the mounting bracket. Add the decorative shade and you are ready to go. Turn the power back on and your light fixture ...

How To: Seal black iron pipe joints

Teflon tape or pipe dope can be used to create a seal on black iron pipe. Tim Carter of AsktheBuilder.com demonstrates how to do the job right and shares some helpful tips. This black iron pipe is used to transport natural gas to your furnace, water heater and stove. This pipe has threaded fittings at the connection point which need to be sealed with pipe dope or Teflon tape. Teflon tape should be wrapped onto the male end of the pipe in a clockwise direction. Pipe dope has the consistency of...

How To: Replace your measuring tape with sonic measuring

Replace your measuring tape with this new product. Tim Carter of AsktheBuilder.com demonstrates how a new sonic measuring device makes any job easier. Almost all home improvement jobs will involve measuring. You can use a tape measure which will give you 10-30 feet or a tape rule which will extend up to 100 feet. Using a tape measure may require a second person to hold the tape. You can now use a sonic measure, also called a digital tape measure, which you can do by yourself. Just aim from on...

How To: Install non-woven wallpaper

Non-woven wallpaper is easy to install and it's reusable. Tim Carter of AsktheBuilder.com explains how this cool wallpaper is different because it doesn't expand when the adhesive contacts the paper backing. These new non-woven wallpapers are huge time savers because there is no need to pre-paste a sheet of paper and book it while you work on another piece.