Building Materials & Supplies

Removing a stripped screw requires a few simple tools to drill out the head of the screw and create a makeshift screwdriver for extraction. Take care of annoying stripped screws in furniture or...

Replacing an axe handle requires tapping the new handle into the blade and applying small wooden or metal wedges to hold the axe together. Fix a broken axe after chipping out remains of the old...

Building rafters requires knowing the length and pitch of the roof and cutting the rafters to just the right length, from the outside of the wall to the roof ridge. Layout rafters of the right...

Calculating laminate flooring, whether floating or nailed down, is a matter of measuring the room and finding the square footage. Add 5 percent or 10 percent to the total square footage to account...

Installing cedar shingles uses similar tools and methods whether you're installing to a roof or walls. Nail down cedar shingles in neat rows using galvanized or stainless steel nails without...

Changing a blown fuse in a home requires locating the right fuse, which would be purplish and damaged, and replacing it with a new fuse of the same amperage. Fix a blown fuse after finding the...

Buying the right doorknob begins with deciding what the doorknob is for and whether it needs locks and safety features. Choose a doorknob style that fits the house and is made from the right...

Buying insulation for do-it-yourself construction entails choosing a fiberglass insulation or foil-faced insulation for walls and a rigid insulation for floors. Measure for insulation and cut the...

Replacing a damaged lamp socket involves taking each piece of the lamp apart and checking for damage or wear that could be causing the lamp not to work properly. Fix a damaged light socket by...

Installing copper tubing flare fittings on flexible copper tubes requires a flare tubing set that features the exact size of tubing. Secure flare fittings onto copper tubing after carefully...

Replacing a blown fuse requires locating the right fuse, which would be purplish and damaged, and replacing it with a new fuse of the same amperage. Fix a blown fuse after finding the fuse box and...

Fixing a lamp involves taking each piece of the lamp apart and checking for damage or wear that could be causing the lamp not to work properly. Put together a broken lamp after replacing any...

Changing a doorknob entails unscrewing the old knob and replacing its existing parts with the new doorknob, which would be available at any hardware or home improvement store. Fix a doorknob with...

Chiseling a mortise follows drilling holes to the proper depth and requires carefully chiseling out straight sides and square corners. Drill and chisel a mortise by using a chisel just smaller...

Safety rules for scrolls saws are similar to concerns with other small, fast-moving saws. Use a scroll saw safely by plugging the saw in only when it is "off" and by staying aware of the blade to...

Choosing a wood varnish is simple when you know where the wood is, and varnishes for outdoor wood protect different aspects of the wood than varnishes for indoor floors or furniture. Buy beautiful...

Using pop rivet guns can save time joining aluminum and constructing siding or shelters from aluminum sheet metal. Operate a pop rivet gun after drilling the right size hole for the rivet and...

Using a scroll saw to make narrow cuts requires matching the saw blade to the angle of the curve, with tighter curves requiring smaller blades. Operate a scroll saw safely and use earphones when...

Tips for using a drill press include matching the speed of the drill to the bit being used and the material being drilled. Use oil when drilling metal, change speeds for different drill bits and...

Using a spade bit in a drill is a good way to drill large holes quickly, but drilling too far can ruin a clean piece of wood. Use spade bits on your power drill safely and without damaging...

Using a router involves deciding on the right bit for the job and riding the router down a length of wood to carve an edge or over a surface for a design. Ride a router safely, keeping hair and...

This is the first of series of articles I will be writing on how to get free stuff. I will tell you how to find what you are looking for, how to ask for it, possible steps involved in getting it,...

A trend in new housing is going "green." With all the concern for the environment, suppliers of building materials now make much of their product eco-friendly. As more and more of these materials...