Hot Home & Garden How-Tos

How To: Start a cozy fire with lava rocks soaked in oil

In this tutorial, we learn how to start a cozy fire with lava rocks soaked in oil. First, grab your lava rocks and place them in a tin can, then fill it up with oil. Now, throw some wood into your fireplace while these are soaking. Use an old pair of metal tongs to take the rocks out of the can, then place them in the fireplace as well. After this, throw a match in with the rocks and wood and then close the fireplace. Let the rocks burn for about 5 minutes the you can take them out and you wi...

How To: Fix a power drill grinding noise and chuck problem

Is your power drill making a funky high pitched noise when you try to use it? Or why your chuck on your drill doesn't spin? You first reaction may be to throw it on the ground in anger, but this could actually be simple fix. Sometimes, the gear switch can get stuck in-between gears, and can be fixed by simply moving the gear switch back and forth on your drill. Try that and see if it fixes your battery operated power drill.

How To: Refill a butane lighter

In this Home & Garden video tutorial you will learn how to refill a butane lighter. For this you will need any kind of butane lighter that has an opening for refill and any kind of butane refill can. Shake the butane can properly. Then remove the cap and you will see the nozzle. Now hold the lighter upside down and insert the nozzle in to the refill hole. Now press the can down and hold for about four seconds. Repeat this for three to four times. Then replace the cap on the can and try out yo...

How To: Contain your sheep with hurdles

This video tutorial is in the Home & Garden category which will show you how to contain your sheep with hurdles. For this project you will need thin and long wooden staffs. This can also be done with bamboo. Split the wooden staffs in half. Take a heavy piece of timber and make holes in it at regular intervals. Place the timber at the boundary of the area where you want to contain your sheep. Then drive one unsplit wooden staff through each hole in the timber so that the end of the staff gets...

How To: Repair the agitator on a washing machine

If you're having a problem with the agitator on your washing machine, this video should be able to help. Many people may not realize it, but the agitator on a washing machine, is supposed to go back and forth and not just one way. This can easily be fixed by removing the agitator and replacing a couple of pieces. Check out the tutorial above to see what you need to do in order to repair the agitator on a washing machine. Enjoy!

How To: Adjust the miter saw on a Bosch 4412 and 5412

A miter saw is a handy portable tool that almost every carpenter or handyman has available. It makes clean cuts to thin pieces of wood in various angles and makes quick cuts. So in this tutorial, you'll find out how to make adjustments to a Bosch 4412 and 5412 miter saw. Knowing how to adjust certain parts of the machine is important, because certain parts may need to be moved in order to get the right cut for the occasion. So good luck, be careful, and enjoy!

How To: Cut Trafficmaster Allure flooring with your hands

One of the distinguishing aspects of Trafficmaster Allure vinyl flooring is that it requires very little effort to cut the pieces to whatever length you need. All you do is score a line across the piece, then fold it in half! It snaps cleanly into two new pieces. This quick video features a man remodeling his office cutting a piece himself in only 26 seconds, using only a ruler and a knife to score the wood before he folds it.

How To: Make a lamb's tongue chamfer

If you are trying to create a lamb's tongue chamfer, then you must know that extra detail is important. Doing this can be hard and time consuming, but in the end it results in a beautiful looking piece. It's a detail that has been traditionally used throughout time and requires a steady hand. So check out this tutorial on how to make a lamb's tongue chamfer today. Enjoy! Make a lamb's tongue chamfer.

How To: Grow pineapple almost anywhere

In this tutorial, we learn how to grow pineapple almost anywhere. First, buy a pineapple and cut the top off of it. Let the top of this dry out for around a week. Now, pull off all the dried up dead stuff from the bottom of the pineapple head. You will now need a large pot with soil and you will dig a hole in it. In that hole, place your pineapple head inside of it and place dirt around it, but not covering the leaves of the top of the pineapple. Now, water your pineapple and let it grow. Alt...

How To: Check a washing machine pump for blockages

Ultimate Handyman demonstrates how to check a washing machine pump for blockages. First, disconnect the washing machine from the electricity source and remove the pump. The water sucks through the inlet and is pumped out of the outlet. Check to make sure that the pump doesn't have any open circuits by attaching the leads to the multimeter. Remove the screws to look inside the pump. Remove any debris that may be clogging the propellor. Make sure the O-ring around the edge creates the seal and ...

How To: Set the defrost timer on a True Freezer

True's Owner Maintenance Video Series shows us how to set the defrost time clock on a True freezer, and also how to cut the shipping band on the compressors of all larger freezers. The time clock is behind the grill at the base of the unit, behind a gray box. There are instructions in the inside of the lid for setting the time clock and for setting the defrost settings, and the video goes through the entire process, as well. Next, the man shows how to remove the shipping band protecting the c...

How To: Make a bicycle wheel windmill

In this video, you'll learn how to make your very own bicycle wheel windmill. This completely recyclable creation which can easily be made from that old bike that's just been rusty away. Put it to good use and make this great eco-friendly windmill. Step by step you'll learn exactly what to do to make this windmill spin.

How To: Salvage a clogged caulk tube

How do you salvage a clogged caulk tube? In this Quick Tips with Chuck Miller video, you will see there is an ingenious and simple way to salvage a clogged caulk tube. Take a utility knife and simply make a slice on the side of the caulk tube nozzle. Probably the entire length of the nozzle is clogged and you may not be able to clear it with a wire or nail. After slicing it, take a sharp tool and remove the clogged material from the nozzle and clean it up. Then wrap the nozzle with electrical...

How To: Remove an acrylic scratch

To remove the scratch in acrylic you need to first use Silicon Carbide water proof paper of 600CW grade. Turn over the paper and rub the scratched area of acrylic in a circular motion. You will see the scratch disappears after few minutes. Thereafter use the Silicon Carbide water proof paper of 1200CW grade which is more fine. Again rub over the scratched area in circular motion. Then wipe off the area and you can see after some time of rubbing the scratch is completely disappeared. But it le...

How To: Make a humane mouse trap from a paper towel tube

How to Make Anything demonstrates how to make a humane mouse trap from a paper towel tube. If you have a pesky mouse that you would like to catch alive, make a tube mouse trap in a few easy steps. First, put something delicious in the end of the tube. Then, balance the tube on the edge of the counter top. Below the tube, place a mouse catching receptacle like a trash can. The mouse will crawl into the tube to get the treat, tip the tube off the counter and be caught in the trash can. You can ...

How To: Unclutter your CD & DVD collection

With the CDs and DVDs you want to do less purging and more organizing. A good way to unclutter your DVDs is to dedicate a bookshelf to your collection. Put the adult movies on top and alphabetize them so that they are up away from the kids reach. Put the movies for the family and kids down lower so that they can get to their movies and watch them. For the CDs a binder will hold a lot of them and allow you to get rid of all the hard plastic cases. You can put hundreds in just one binder. A gre...

How To: Install a dimmer and/or replace a light switch

This clip shows you how to replace a regular toggle switch with a dimmer switch on a light. It is easier than you think according to the presenter. There is a box with a green ground wire and two black wires. In dimmer switches, it doesn't matter which way you connect the two black wires; they are interchangeable. Turn the power off. Then unscrew the switch once you have opened the plate. Then you simply connect the two wires to the two wires on the dimmer switch. The presenter shows you exac...

How To: Tighten radiator valves

In this video you will learn how to tighten radiator valves using a spanner and water pump pliers. If you find that your radiator valves are leaking, follow these simple steps to remedy the situation: If you take a look at your lock shield valve, you may see signs that it has been leaking. Grip the valve with a pair of water pump pliers. This will prevent you from breaking the copper pipe. Tighten in a clockwise direction. Feel with your fingers to make sure there are no more leaks.

How To: Identify & remove clearweed

Clearweed is a member of the nettle family and it comes up all over the country. The easiest way to identify the plant is by the little white flowers that grow along its stem. There really isn't anything wrong with the plant but it is a weed that covers up other stuff in the garden. An interesting point about it is that it pollinates by the wind. So when the wind blows the seeds of the plant are blown about. You will typically find it growing in clusters because it is blown by the wind. Four ...

How To: Sink nails, fill in holes & sand with Lowe's

This video describes how to improve one's skill when performing home based projects with wood which is a useful skill if one wants to build a table, chair or even a box. In this video one will learn how to sink a nail, cover the hole and leave a sanded finish. For example it is important to drive all nails 1/8 an inch into the surface of the wood so the filler can cover the hole properly and avoid leaving sharp edges or uneven surfaces. Overall this video is simple, easy to follow and useful ...

How To: Install under cabinet fluorescent lighting

It can be very difficult to see underneath wall cabinets. The cabinets and your body can cause a lot of shadows and make it very hard to see. Getting light under the cabinets is very easy. The answer is to install thin profile fluorescent lights that are made to go under the cabinets. Remove the diffuser and bulb from the lamp and you will expose the screw holes. Put the lamp up under the cabinet in the location that you want them to hang. You want to install them as far forward as possible. ...

How To: Hang heavy objects using toggle bolts

Ron Hazelton shows the most secure way to hang heavy mirrors or art on plaster walls using toggle bolts. Attach a sturdy hanging wire to the piece if necessary. Draw a level line on the wall where the top of the piece will go. Stretch the hanging wire taut and measure the distance between the wire and the top of the frame. A two-bolt system will keep the piece level. Drill two holes this distance below the wall line. Using masking tape prevents the plaster from chipping. Fold the toggle wings...

How To: Cement stones around your pond

To cement the stones around your pond, start by mixing up half of an 80 pound bag of Quick Crete. Pour the 40 pounds of concrete into a metal container, add water and mix it together. Add just enough water so that it is not too runny. Put down a base of cement around the pond where you will lay the stones. Lay the stones in the cement, then put some cement in between the stones, and smooth it out.

How To: Grow wheatgrass

Looking to grow your own wheatgrass? Wheatgrass is equated with health benefits and contains provide chlorophyll, amino acids, minerals, vitamins, and enzymes. Growing your own wheatgrass is easy and fun – even if you don't have a green thumb!

How To: Do a knockdown repair

No, despite how it sounds, a knockdown repair doesn't involve repairing things that have been knocked down. A knockdown in this case refers to a knockdown wall texture. In this simple video tutorial, you'll learn how to repair a knockdown texture that's been damaged.

How To: Replace the HEPA filter on a Dyson DC07 vacuum cleaner

Watch to learn how to replace the HEPA filter on a Dyson DC07 vacuum. This Dyson spare parts video we show how to remove and replace the Dyson DC07 Pre Motor Filter and Dyson DC07 HEPA Post Motor Filter. This vacuum maintenance video also outlines the Dyson airflow path as well as removal and replacement of the Pre Filter Housing, Post Filter Lid and Filter Seals. Prevent loss of suction and motor cut out by changing the filters on your Dyson.