No matter whether you’re a woodworking enthusiast or if DIY projects aren’t usually at the top of your to do list, you have to admit that building wooden toys for your kids beats watching TV all weekend. You can get your children involved as well, either helping you out or just watching.

Wooden toys never truly go out of style and many of these toys are educational as well as fun. Building something using a wooden toy plan can also be a teaching opportunity for parents and of course, it’s a fun project. Here are 5 great wooden toy ideas to build for your kids:

Swinging Horse Toy:

This is more fun (and more fun to make) than a rocking horse and can be used indoors or out. There are two ropes at the front of the toy and one at the back which can be secured to hooks screwed into the ceiling joists.

Dump Truck:

This is a safe, fun and durable toy with no pinch points in its moving parts, since all of the surfaces of the toy are smooth and rounded, so it’s suitable for children of any age. It’s easy to build too; the shapes and quantities of all the parts you’ll need are listed below and you can cut them from birch veneer plywood or solid wood stock. You can use screws to secure the connections, but all it really needs to hold it together is a couple of dowels.

Toboggan:

If your kids like sledding in the winter, then this is one you’ll definitely want to build. The runners of the toboggan are created by taking narrow wooden slats and steam bending them around a form, then fixing them to the cross pieces. Thread a rope through the crosspieces to serve as a hand hold as well as to help set the curve of the nose.

Some precision is called for here, since the runners double as the deck and seat of the toboggan. The runners should have a radius of between 3″ and 4″ and the curl should tighten a bit towards the end of the runner. You’ll do best here with 3/8″ thick maple or ash because of their flexibility. Finish the toboggan by sealing the top with marine glaze (since it needs to be waterproof). The bottom can be sealed with pine tar to seal the wood and act as a surface which can hold runner wax well.

Nutcracker:

This is a classic wooden toy which will take a little time and effort, but the end result is well worth it. There are a lot of different parts which need to be made for this project, most of which need to be lathed. Don’t panic though – the most important parts (head, arms, legs and torso) are made from just three blanks for relatively easy assembly.

Make sure to cut all of the parts for the arm from just one spindle turning to keep them the right size and to ensure that the elbow joints will fit well. After the big pieces are made and fit together, the remaining elements (nose, feet and hands) can be made to fit the nutcracker easily. Basswood is a good choice for most of the toy since it’s soft and easy to work with; for the jaw and crank, you’ll probably want to use something stronger like ash. For the wrists, birch dowels will be fine.

Puzzles:

Both fun and educational, wooden puzzles help kids to develop analytical thinking and problem solving skills; they’re also a great toy for the whole family to enjoy together. A handmade wooden puzzle is a great gift for any child and since they’re so durable, they often become family heirlooms as well as sometimes inspiring a lifelong love for and fascination with woodworking.

Peter Craft is a woodworker lover and has a website dedicate to woodworking projects and wooden toys. There you can find over then 16,000 Projects & Woodworking Plans with Step-by-Step Easy to Follow Instructions. With the right toy plans you can easily build your own woodworking projects with confidence. You can also browse our selection of woodworking videos.

There are special techniques that we use in the cabinet-fabricating industry for cutting Melamine board so that it does not chip. Without the correct blades or tools, chipping will occur. Melamine board is used for many different cabinet parts- including doors, shelves and drawers. Some shops use it for everything except the toe kick areas.

If you are cutting on a table saw, there are two options you have for cutting the board with minimal chipping. You will not be able to yield perfectly clean, chip-free surfaces on both sides of the board unless you have a double-bladed table saw. They generally cost over fifteen-thousand dollars. If you are just undertaking a “do it yourself” project, you may have a few small chips to contend with.

Sharp Blades The first method requires that you have a newly-sharpened saw blade in your machine. You’ll want to adjust your blade so that it only cuts through the top of the board about one-eighth to one- quarter of an inch. Practice on a few pieces of Melamine before working with the actual cabinet-making materials. Adjust the height of the blade until you are getting a clean cut on both sides of the board. You should push your material slowly through the cutter; the slower you cut, the fewer chips you will have.

Reverse-Rake Blade This is a special table saw cutter that is designed for making clean cuts on both sides of Melamine board. This is not a cheap item to add to your collection of tools. So if you are going to only use it once, you may consider doing something else.

Using Masking Tape (not recommended You can mark exactly where the blade will be cutting the cabinet Melamine board and then place a strip of masking tape over the area on the side of the board that would normally be chipping during the cut. This usually works fairy well. The biggest drawback to using any tape is that the stickiness can create difficulty when making your cuts. Be very careful if you decide to try this method- it is not very safe.

Other methods of making clean cuts on Melamine board include using table saws that have two blades and then cutting two boards at one time.

Special saws that have two blades are very expensive. Most mid-to-large sized kitchen and bathroom cabinet fabricators have these type saws. If you only need a few pieces of Melamine cut cleanly on both sides, you should consider going to a large cabinet shop in your area and having them cut the materials for you.

Cutting two Melamine boards at once will only give you one board that will not be chipped on both sides. One of the boards will chip on one side.

Depending upon the color of the material you are working with, you may be able to cover over the chips with some type of filler. We use white “Seam Fill” on all of our white Melamine boards that get small chips in them. This liquid material was designed for repairing seams in Formica plastic laminate. Seam Fill is an excellent choice for filling in chipped areas on Melamine.

There are several ways of hiding the chips too. If you are cutting shelves, you can place the chips either on the upwards or downwards sides so they cannot be seen. If you are building drawers out of the Melamine, you can make sure that you place the clean cut side on the inside of the drawers. If you are using the material for cupboard doors, you should try to get the cleanest cut as possible on both sides.

For more information on working with cabinets go here: Fix Cabinets. We have many videos and articles to help you with your cupboards. We also have a FREE eBook on kitchen and bathroom cabinet repair you can download from our website.

Are you planning to buy a new tarpaulin to replace your damage tarp? Haven’t you considered repairing it instead? Did you know that tarps can be repaired just like any other damage supplies you have at home? With the right tools and supplies, you can repair your damage tarp and use it over again. To learn how to repair your tarp, read the tips and suggestions mentioned below.

Almost all equipment and supplies are subject to damage and deterioration due to regular use and your tarps are not excluded. With the rising prices of commodities and the present economic crisis we have, it is not practical to buy new things every time it gets damage. If these things can be repaired then do so because money is hard to find these days.

Before things get worse, it is suggested to repair minor damage the soonest to prevent bigger and massive repairs. Remember that repairing small tears and small holes earlier can save you money in the long run. If you have tarps at home, it is a must to have a repair kit needed for emergency repairs such as:

• special glue HH 66 – A special type of glue which is easy to apply and dries up easily and easy to bond.
• duct tape – It is a special type of durable tape commonly used in HVAC pipes. It is sturdy and does not tear easily.
• vinyl fabrics – Small pieces of vinyl fabrics which can be used to patch holes and tears.
• Scissors – Used to cut the scraps of vinyl fabrics and duct tape.

These items can be purchased in any hardware near you. Some stores offer these items in one kit or pack, thus you should inquire from the sales clerks first if they sell tarp repair kit.

Tips in repairing worn or torn tarps:

• Before you start your task of repairing your tarp, you must clean about six inches around the area to be repaired using water and rag. Bear in mind that grease, residue, dirt and oil prevent the glue and duct tape from sticking to the material effectively.
• Make sure to completely dry the area before applying any glue or duct tape. If you prefer to use a vinyl fabric instead of duct tape, make sure to cut the fabric slightly bigger than the tear or hole you want to repair.
• Make sure to lay down the tarp flat on the ground before applying generous amount of special glue on the fabric and on the tarp. Press the two fabrics together for several minutes. If possible put heavy object on top of the fabric to prevent it from moving around.
• If possible place a piece of fabric on both sides of the hole or tear to be durable and sturdy. Before doing so, be sure to dry the first repair first before doing the second repair.

Now that you know these repair steps, you can avoid throwing away tarps with little damages.

Caroline Moon enjoys writing for Yuma’s Bargain Warehouse which sells Heavy Duty Tarps and Canopy Fitting as well as a host of additional products.

DIY is the activity we all feel we can do. There are tools out there which are integral for DIY to work. DIY is considered a hobby, but it is very important and can be quite an obsessive work. When it goes right there is a sense of satisfaction when it is done, but when it goes wrong it can be very frustrating. So, here are the top ten DIY tools, ranging from power tools, to garden tools, to make sure DIY always goes right. These are not listed in any order, but are simply a list of ten key DIY tools.

10. Cordless Drill – The cordless drill can drill holes into almost any surface. What makes it all encompassing is its ability to double up as a screwdriver. Its speed setting means you can go at your own pace when using it and this can help with safety in terms of its weight being at the right level you want. These, like other power tools, are easy to use and have rechargeable batteries.

9. Hammer – The hammer is an integral DIY tool. It is used for furniture repairs, for hammering in nails where some may have come loose, or to make sure something is secure. A heavier hammer can contribute to dismantling and making holes in walls.

8. Petrol Chainsaw – is hand held and portable, powered by petrol, and like the petrol hedge trimmer, can work in any condition. They are most specifically used for trees and can free up space in your garden. This can come under power tools and garden tools.

7. The work bench – Manual work is carried out on these. These can cater to many DIY needs such as woodwork, metal work, gardening and multipurpose. They are sometimes known as workmates, especially by DIY enthusiasts.

6. Petrol Hedge Trimmer – Petrol hedge trimmers keep your garden in shape and preserve the quality of the hedge. Over the past few years they have become more popular, they are available for any day as with electric ones you have to bank on it being a dry day – petrol hedge trimmers can work in any condition.

5. Lawnmower – A great garden tool. There are different types – Cylinder lawnmowers are best for producing stripes on your lawn. Rotary lawnmowers are the cheaper tool and use a rotating blade to cut grass. Hover lawnmowers allow you to move backwards and forwards and control your own lawn cutting.

4. Laser levels – Creates laser beams to help put up pictures straight and straighten out anything you want, with high accuracy. These are mainly used for height adjustment. There are two main forms of laser level. The tripod can be used both inside and outside. This laser level can be adjusted for the users own satisfaction. Hand held lasers are easier to use. As it is digital it is quick and precise in terms of measurements.

3. Screws – They hold anything down. Screws range from board screws for wood, exterior screws for decking or use on fences, masonry screws which cut into bricks, concrete or hard surfaces, security screws, almost permanent for doors and locks and self-tapping screws used for joining pieces of metal. There are screws for any job.

2. Screwdriver – For screws to work a screwdriver is needed. Household repairs will require in line power screwdrivers. Drywall screwdrivers can operate at any speed. Cordless screwdrivers drive screws into walls and, mainly wooden, surfaces. This is also used by rechargeable batteries and gets the job done straight away.

1. Safety equipment – These includes anti dust masks, which prevent dust and debris getting into eyes. Ear protectors would also be needed when using particularly loud DIY equipment. Gloves are used when handling dangerous machinery and if carrying glass and metal they are needed as a precautionary measure. Goggles help protect eyes from dust particles and dangerous debris, moulded lenses offer extra protection. Safety boots with a steel toe cap can protect you dropping heavy objects on your foot.

These ten top DIY tools are all you need when working in the house or in the garden and you can also look around for these in form of cheap tools or special offers from DIY or hardware stores both online and in shops.

Lee H Phillips from Cambridgeshire writes exclusively for the DIY and home improvement industry. Lee often provides online reviews, news stories and articles on products such as, power tools, garden tools and garden equipment.

Lee H Phillips from Cambridgeshire writes exclusively for the DIY and home improvement industry. Lee often provides online reviews, news stories and articles on products such as, power tools, garden tools and garden equipment.

If you are building a shed that will remain in one place, holds heavy equipment and needs little in the way of maintenance then the best choice for a foundation is a concrete slab. A Concrete shed foundation is not easy to install, but is something you can do yourself. There are several steps you need to take to prepare the area before you actually start to pour the concrete.

Firstly select the location of your shed. Remember that a concrete foundation is permanent so you need to select the right place the first time. Also check out local building codes to make sure you know requirements have any required permits. After putting in a lot of time, money and effort you wouldn’t want to find you had to tear up the concrete because it didn’t meet the building code.

Before digging, mark out the area of the foundation. Make the dimensions a slightly larger than your shed to be certain that the shed will fit on the foundation. A concrete foundation is not laid on the surface of the ground. You need to remove grass and soil to a level of anything up to a foot, possibly more in areas where the ground regularly freezes (local building codes determine the depth of the slab). In the bottom of the foundation area put a layer of gravel filling about half the depth, making certain to compact and level it off.

Next you need to make a wooden form that will hold the concrete in place while it sets. Use plywood strips set on top of the gravel base, securing them in place with wooden stakes placed every couple of feet around the perimeter. The height of the plywood should be the same as the depth of the concrete you will pour, which is typically three to four inches. Make certain that the top is level, as you will use it as a guide when you level off the concrete. The area within the wooden form should be lined with a damp proof membrane. This prevents water from the underlying ground penetrating and damaging the finished concrete.

The concrete you use you can either make yourself or buy ready mixed. Concrete is a heavy material, a typical foundation weighing in at well over a ton! Mixing and laying it takes a lot of effort and work, if you are working alone or have any health problems you may be better off buying ready mixed concrete and having it delivered and poured for you. Before you start to mix your concrete or have it delivered, check your building codes again. Some require reinforcing steel mesh set within the concrete to provide additional strength.

Concrete should be poured quickly so it can be spread and leveled before it starts to dry. Once your wooden form is filled right to the top, rest a piece of plywood or lumber with a straight edge, across than the frame and move it forwards in a side to side motion, leveling off the concrete. Once you are happy that the surface is level and flat then cover the whole frame with polythene sheeting to keep the moisture in while the concrete cures, which will take around a week. Don’t be in a hurry to start building your shed, if you disturb the concrete before it is ready you will weaken it. Once the concrete is hardened, wash the surface using water and a stiff brush. You now have a sturdy, durable, low maintenance foundation on which to build your storage shed.

For more information on concrete cutting saws, concrete saw blades, and concrete grinders, visit: Concrete Cutting Saw or head on over to http://ConcreteCuttingSaw.net.

Boxing around Pipes

Difficulty Levels

• The work is simply regarding decoration requirements and does not contain anything very specialised

Listing of tools needed

• Tenon Saws
• Power Drill and attachments
• Plywood or perhaps MDF
• Various Hand Tools
• 12mm thick square batten
• Ruler / tape measure
• Pencil
• Screws
• Rawl plugs (a plastic plug inserted in a drilled hole ahead of the screw is driven in. Holds the screw firmly)

Approximate time for you to complete

• The task itself is uncomplicated however the more hours you spend considering the task, the more considerable the improvement on your dwelling.

Amount of Risk

• Medium – always take care when using your saw and, hammer and nails.

Why are we doing it

• When you have unsightly piping you wish to conceal, boxing-in is the perfect remedy. It is cheap as well as relatively simple to accomplish and it is used to improve the overall look of one’s rooms.

How you can undertake it (In Easy to follow steps)

1) Look at the size of the work

When you are coping with solitary pipe then a uncomplicated box work is the best solution. Take into consideration whether you need to include entry to valves or maybe stop taps etc. When you are constructing a bigger box i e to. to cover multiple pipes you simply must take more time so that you can plan the work.

2) Decide on your material

The material used for single pipe box work really should be sturdy enough to resist nailing ( cracking). Plywood or even MDF is ideal for this job.

3) Take the measurements

Very carefully measure the whole length of the box work needed. The height of the box work will be based upon the height of the pipe and the width will depend upon the actual diameter of the pipe plus the distance from the wall it runs along. Indicate these dimensions on to timber or plywood. When you are dealing with hot water pipes they should be insulated to avoid the heat escaping and you should really need to allow room for this.

4) Cut the wood to suit

Utilizing a tenon saw and a vice to firmly hold the actual wood in position to trim along the marked outlines.

5) Trim the batten and secure on the walls

Cut this 12mm thick rectangular batten to the length of the box work. Using the drill as well as screws secure this to the wall. The top panel of the box (the lid) is going to rest on this. Secure a further batten horizontally onto the underside of the lid. The side panel of the box is going to be screwed onto this.

6) Build the box work and secure to the batten

Utilizing best suited type of screws attach the panels to the edge of the actual battens. Should the screw actually to large it can spread the wood and leave the surface of the boxing uneven. The same strategy is used in vertical piping.

7) Corner pipes (three sided box work)

For you to box around pipes initially measure and secure 12mm thick rectangular battens to the walls on each side of the pipe. Next screw a piece of timber to each of the battens. This timber ought to protrude from the wall a few millimeters in excess of the actual pipe. Lastly fit a third panel between your timbers and screw into place.

To get access to valves and stop taps

If you wish to access the valves or stop taps slip a washer (a soft metal ring to fit the shaft of the screw) onto the screw before you place the actual screw into the hole. This will make it easier to undo the screw when you need gain access to the valves or stop taps.

9) Cover the box work using tools

Finally, to make the box work far more appealing you may think about covering them with tiles maybe wallpaper or if it is a low horizontal pipe you could consider extending carpeting to cover the box.

The UKs fastest growing online retailer specialising in Power Tools, Hand Tools and Automotive Tools.

Attic is a very useful place to store all the outdated or unwanted luggage and items. If you don’t have a fold-down attic ladder, things must be difficult for you to drag the ladder from the garage or backyard each time you want to work in attic area. At times you need something or you want to place something up there. In that case an easy way is to install a fold down attic ladder. Here are some directions given to install attic ladder on your own.

Required items

- Wood – Pencil – 16d common nails – 1×4-inch cleats – 1×4-inch studs – 2 1/2-inch screws – 4-inch lag screws – Vacuum – Electric screwdriver or power drill – Ladder – Metal joist hangers – Molding – Paint – Paintbrush – Reciprocating saw – Shims – Utility knife – Measuring tape – Carpenter’s level

Directions

1. Take a measuring tape and measure the area on the cross beam (joists) of the attic where you want to install the ladder. Mark those places with pencil. Using the reciprocating saw, remove the front part of the joist where the ladder would be installed.

2. Using utility knife cut the ceiling trim. Make it clear with saw.

3. Cut a head guard of 2×8 inch from a wood. This will fit as frame in staircase. Use 16d nails and hammer to fix both head and the joist together. Later fasten it to the ceiling beam.

4. Take a 2-1/2 inch screws and a power screwdriver or drill, tighten the metal joist hangers on left and right sides of the framed opening. This will support ladder to hang. They should be tight enough to avoid any damage. 5. Vacuum the opening to clear all the dust from the area after cleaning it with the reciprocating saw.

6. Now take the pencil and mark the area on the opening ladder will fix on the frame. Take 1×4 inch cleats and screw them in to the marked areas on the 2-1/2 inch screws with power drill or electric screwdriver.

7. Take a closed staircase and try to fit it on the cleats (temporary) carefully. You need to center it on the frame by striking shims into the frame. Make sure that the staircase is straight in. you can take help from carpenter’s level.

8. Ask you partner to stand down. Pull down the stairs and ask your partner to hold the stairs firmly. You still on ladder, drill holes on top of the staircase and into the joists. Take 4 inch lag screws and put them in the holes. Take power drill or electric screwdriver to fasten the screws. Remove the temporary cleats. Calculate the length and angle of the ladder that it requires to meet the floor.

9. To give your ladder a firm grip on the ground, use saw to trim the ends of the ladder to a right angle. This will provide your ladder a good firm grip with ground.

10. Cover the opening with casing and paint the case and the panels to give it a better look. You fold down attic ladder is installed.

 You might also be interested in knowing about Patch up Pitched Roof and also Fix a Flat Roof.

good HVAC tool set is an essential part of any HVAC contractors business, but even people who just want to fix their own home HVAC unit will find a lot of benefits with owning your own HVAC tool set. Of course, there are many types of tool sets on the market today, and they will contain various tools made from various types of metal. To find the HVAC tool set right for you, you should investigate the reputation of the tool maker as well as the metal being used to create your HVAC tool sets.

While there are many tools that are included with most HVAC tool sets, there are a few tools that are necessary for working with your HVAC unit. Below are a few examples of necessary tools as suggested by various HVAC certification boards.

1. Sockets Every tool kit should come with some form of sockets, and this is even truer for HVAC tool sets. These sockets should be in both metric and SAE sizes. Usually, you should have both the standard depth as well as deep sets.

2. Screwdrivers There are so many types of screwdrivers you will definitely find that you have your choice of sizes. I suggest various sizes ranging from tiny to extra large in both flathead and normal screwdrivers styles.

3. Thermometers There is probably no better tool than a thermometer for your HVAC tool set.

4. Voltage Tester This is an essential part of any HVAC tool set as well as any other type of tool kit. A good voltage tester is well worth the cost.

5. Electricians Knife This is a great addition to any tool kit, but essential for a good HVAC tool set.

6. Hex Keys You will find that a good set of hex keys will be a benefit to your HVAC tool set.

7. Ratchets and Wrenches Another great part of any tool kit. These will be a welcomed addition to your HVAC tool set.

8. Inspection Mirror A good HVAC tool set will need at least one of these. You will be able to inspect many parts of your HVAC for leaks and other such things.

9. Plumbers Wrench Almost everyone will agree that even a home tool kit needs a good plumbers wrench. These are usually one of the more expensive parts of your HVAC tool set.

10. Gauge Set This is a great addition to your HVAC tool set. You will find that this is a great way to test the entire HVAC system.

Alphonso has been working in the home remodeling industry for last 5 years. Take advantage of his experience and written material on HVAC at his website at http://www.improve-home.com

Weed trimmers, more commonly referred to as weed whackers, are a good tool to use for the quick trimming of grass or weeds in areas that are hard to get to with a lawnmower, such as around mature trees, around rocks, and along fences.

There are three different types on the market. If there is a large area that needs to be tended to, the best tool for the job is gas-powered. They are generally the most durable and powerful. As a result, they are heavier and louder than other models, and require an exact mixture of gas and oil.

For people tending to very small areas, there is a corded electric weed trimmer. While an extension cord must be used, this eliminates mixing gas and oil and battery charging. Finally, for average-sized lawns, a cordless electric weed whacker can be used. They are rechargeable, and running times vary. These are all things a person should take into consideration before purchasing.

It is important to clean weed whackers at least once a season, probably before storing it away. Make sure the power is off, the gas tank is empty, and the spark plug wire is disconnected. Use a brush with a mixture of dish liquid and water to clean the exterior. The air filter should be replaced about every 90 days, based on usage and wear and tear.

Depending on the usage and level of dirt that accumulates, the spark plugs need to be checked about every 3-4 months. This is simple. Empty the gas tank and remove the spark plug. If it is brown, pour 1/4 ounce of engine oil in the cylinder and pull the starter cord a couple of time to evenly distribute the oil. If the spark plug is black, then it will need to be replaced.

Do not run this tool to aggressively around houses, fences, or living trees and shrubs. The plastic filament “blades” turn so fast that they appear invisible and can remove paint, cut into dried wood, and kill trees and shrubs. Some people even prefer to use this tool instead of a lawnmower because they can control the exact height of the grass and it can be trimmed down to ground level easily.

Always wear safety goggles when operating the weed whacking tool. This protects the eyes of the operator from flying debris. Also make sure that there are no people or animals in the vicinity that are going to possibly be injured by the flying debris. It is usually a good idea to also wear pants to protect the legs of the operator.

Author is a freelance writer. For more information on weed trimmers please visit http://www.echo-usa.com/

An air compressor is a highly useful appliance to have available for operating power equipment.

They are simpler than plenty of other options you may contemplate.

You will need to think about what resources will you be utilizing and how much energy will be needed to operate them.

Some gear, like nail guns, don’t need a large volume compressor. Others such as drills or sanders do have to have higher volume mainly because they need steady air flow.

Set a budget for your order. The price of these devices may differ greatly from brand to brand. Getting a used compressor is a way to make your cash stretch further.

The style of the pump is yet another thing to be considered. The most typical are direct drive and belt drive. Direct drive pumps will last up to 500 hours. These take up much less room in your workshop. An additional advantage of these is that no oil changes are required. These are excellent for do-it-yourself and even professional use.

Think about the power with the compressor. Contemplate the horsepower and pounds per square inch ( PSI ) pressure. Take a look at your tools before purchasing the compressor. The tank size is another significant concern. They are available in sizes from 2 to a hundred gallons. Often go a little larger than you suspect that you will require. Shop around when buying air compressor devices. Do a comparison of models and look over recommendations on the net. Evaluate the machines and why people love every one of them. Comparable devices can differ by a lot.

Consider a renovated machine so long as the machines have been completely checked. Quite a few of those have had little use and are in just about brand new condition. Search for a product with a single year guarantee to be sure you are obtaining a superior air compressor. Often the expenses are noticeably less on the web than in some stores.

Now, you can find more on Garage Air Compressor options from the Air Compressor Savings support site.