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Soil pH Test video

Soil PH Test

Handyguy Brian saw an interesting DIY Soil pH Test (pH is a measure of acidity) test described on Facebook. We try it out and also try a commercially available DIY Soil pH Test kit on this episode of The Handyguys Podcast. http://youtu.be/91Ig-mieOB8 Here is the graphic from Homesteading / Survivalism on Facebook. You can also just purchase a home soil pH est kit. [...]

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Led Bulbs

LED Bulb

LED bulbs are the next generation of “green” lighting technology. The Handyguys talk about how LED Bulbs compare to CFLs and whether they are really friendly to the environment. http://youtu.be/A83Jmmr-jUo What is an LED bulb? LED stands for Light Emitting Diode. LEDs have been around for a long time but only recently have become effective [...]

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How to Unclog a Toilet

Toilet Auger

In the latest episode The Handyguys discuss several ways to unclog a toilet. http://youtu.be/wp5pcwVXnAk Yes, you can use a typical plunger if you have a clogged toilet. It works most of the time. What do you do if the plunger fails? Don’t despair, try one of the other techniques discussed in this video. Plungers A [...]

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Hammer Drills: When to use them and why?

Rotary Hammer Drill

A Hammer drill, when equipped with a masonry bit, are designed for drilling into stone, concrete, brick or mortar. When a hammer drill operates it rotates like a normal drill as well as has a forward, hammering, type action. Watch or Listen to The Handyguys discuss when and why to use them. http://youtu.be/aDeRYwVXn4w Types of hammer drills You can buy [...]

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Toolbox Choices

Soft ToolBag toolbox choices

There are hundreds of toolbox choices on the market. The Handyguys discuss the big and small, soft and hard, tool specific or generic toolbox choices in this video. http://youtu.be/n5-h-ss56yk Toolbox Choices Small Portable toolboxes These types of toolboxes are very common when you only need to carry around a few small tools. The Handyguys like [...]

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Installing a faucet and water filter

Pfister faucet install

Installing a faucet and water filter doesn’t need to be hard, in this new video from The Handyguys we show you the basic steps to installing a faucet and water filter. http://youtu.be/EWj0K9RgMIc Installing a new kitchen Faucet In this video The Handyguys install the new Pfister Pasadena Kitchen faucet featuring: Install Tool included two-function spray-head integrated flexible [...]

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Preventing wood rot on door jambs and deck posts

Jamb just prior to wood rot

On this episode, Handyguy Paul brings two topics to the podcast pertaining preventing wood rot and to wood and ground contact. Preventing Wood Rot on Door Jambs Paul asks Handyguy Brian about the best way to deal with rotting door jambs and in particular the garage door jambs.  Brian discusses this problem in general as it relates to any [...]

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Handyguys Visit Spooky Abandoned Railroad Tunnel

In the lost tunnel

The Spooky Abandoned Railroad Tunnel The Handyguys took a day off to discover a long lost Railroad tunnel. The big reason that few people have found the tunnel is due to the rough terrain. Brian and Paul fight through the thickets and make it to the tunnel. We had a lot of fun on our [...]

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Wasp Killer

wasps-10

How to kill wasps around the home Our neighborhood has a lot of wasps. They build small nests and find their way into all the protective hideouts provided by vinyl siding, drip edges, gutters and flashing. I don’t usually pay a lot of attention to the wasps unless they are building a nest very close to people [...]

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Husqvarna’s North American R&D Facility in Charlotte, NC part 1

husqvarna_day2-3

The Handyguys Test Husqvarna Tools at their North American R&D facility.   We just got back from visiting Husqvarna and had an adventure playing with power tools and riding the rapids at the U.S. National Whitewater Center. We hacked away at trees (already dead), brush and grass with Husqvarna chain saws, mowers, trimmers and other [...]

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The True Value experience and Delta Faucets 2011

deltafaucet980t-dst-4

In this audio episode The Handyguys discuss the advantages of a local True Value store and the latest line of Delta faucets. Not Your Grandmother’s Faucet.  Handyguy Fan correspondent visits Delta Faucet Mike from “thediygeek” went on a media tour of Delta Faucet in Indianapolis, IN. He reports in on this episode of the Podcast. [...]

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Should You Build Your Own Drawers for a Custom Closet?

drawers

Custom Closet Drawers This is part of an ongoing series on building your own custom closet shelving. A custom closet does not require drawers. You can simply design adjustable shelving using plywood, mdf, melamine or wire shelving. If you want a closet with more functionality and a sophisticated look, you will either need to purchase [...]

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Got Voles? Voles in Lawn Can Cause Lawn Damage

vole_tunnel1

Voles in the Yard or Lawn? If your lawn looked like this after the winter thaw, you may have a vole problem. The Handyguys will discuss this pest on our next podcast. Voles are rodents that spend most of their time under ground. They venture from their tunnels under the cover of snow and do [...]

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A DIY custom closet – Build Your Own Custom Closet

melamine

Custom Handyman Closet There are many custom closet companies eager to install a quick and easy (if not expensive) closet system for storing all of your belongings. I decided to save some money by building a closet using the modern marvel called melamine. This is the same material that most custom closet manufacturers use and it [...]

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Tiny Houses discussed

Tiny house's can save you money

In this audio episode of The Handyguys Podcast tiny houses are discussed as well as the announcement of office hours on Facebook. Tiny Houses Handy guy Brian read an article about small houses which prompted the discussion. The original article is here.  The article talks about how the market for tiny houses is thriving due [...]

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Repair, cleaning and refinishing old hardwood floors

These floors are a candidate for rejuvenation, not complete refinishing

In this audio episode The Handyguys address a listener question about how to rejuvenate the hardwood floors in his new old house. The question from Jeremy: Hi guys, just found your podcast and I love it. working through the archives right now. I’m planning to refinish the original hardwood floors in the 1950s ranch house [...]

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Troubleshooting Ice Maker Not Making Ice And Lawn Aeration

Ice

In this audio episode of The Handyguys Podcast we start by discussing a question about ice makers not making ice and then get into some recent projects in our “What are ya doing lately” segment. Ice maker machine not making ice We received this question from a fan named Mary Do you have any recommendations [...]

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How To Care For Granite

Sealed Versus Unsealed Granite

In this audio episode of The Handyguys Podcast The Handyguys discuss granite care and granite counter-top maintenance Granite Care The Handyguys discuss: Granite generally requires re-sealing every 1-3 yrs. Check with your installer to see what they recommend. Topical vs Penetrating granite sealers (stripping/re-sealing/permanent/etc). Granite should only be washed with dishwasher soap/water. No harsh cleansers. [...]

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Hurricane Preparedness

Hurricane Earl from the ISS

In this audio podcast we comment on the most common tips for hurricane preparedness, add a few of our own, and then interview a Handyguys Podcast fan and hurricane veteran. For complete preparedness tips please check out these resources: www.nhc.noaa.gov www.fema.gov www.ready.gov wikipedia.org   // Here are some tips The Handyguys discuss: Check gutters and [...]

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Labor Day Lawn Care Do’s and Don’ts

Mowing tips

Our friends over at John Deere sent us some great lawn care information that we wanted to share with everyone before Labor Day. There is no audio or video with this post. A survey with Harris Interactive found out that 79% of homeowners and renters in the U.S. are planning to mow their lawns …

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Tween Painting Party And Foamy Faucet Trouble

pre-teen painting

In this audio episode of The Handyguys Podcast we discuss if giving a pre-teen free rein on painting her room with her friends is a good idea, we then discuss a vexing issue with Paul’s kitchen sink faucet. Pre-teen Painting She is 12, she wanted her room painted. She wanted to DIY. It was her [...]

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Upgrading Door Security And A DIY Flowchart

Door Devil Anti-Kick and Door Frame Repair Kit

In this audio podcast The Handyguys discuss how to upgrade the entry doors in your house, with a Door Devil™, for increased security and then discuss a flowchart for determining if DIY projects are right for you. Door Security The Handyguys have discussed home security in the past but it usually involves systems that alert [...]

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John Deere LA115 Lawn Tractor Controls Overview Video

John Deere Controls

In this video we give or viewers a brief overview of the controls of the LA115 lawn tractor from John Deere. Controls Overview This video is a follow-up to our audio show Episode #118 – Controls, Maintenance and Cutting Techniques of a John Deere LA115 Lawn Tractor. Many of the controls are identical to other [...]

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Installing A Co Detector

True Value Blog Squad and The Handyguys

In this audio episode of The Handyguys Podcast we introduce our participation on the 2010 True Value DIY Blog Squad and then discuss Carbon Monoxide detectors. True Value DIY Blog Squad First up – The Handyguys Brian and Paul would like to announce we have again been selected for the True Value DIY Blog Squad. We [...]

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Making a Sandwich

Making a Sandwich

Making a Sandwich? Handyguy Paul decided to play a trick on Brian and demonstrate how a true handyguy prepares his lunch!

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Controls, Maintenance And Cutting Techniques Of A John Deere La115 Lawn Tractor

Controls of the John Deere LA115

The Handyguys discuss the controls and maintenance of a John Deere LA115 lawn tractor in this audio only podcast. When Handyguy Paul first received his LA115, he sat on the seat, stared at the controls and realized he better read the manual. It is not as simple as turning the ignition and mowing the lawn. [...]

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