When I’m on a deck or porch site, the way I usually figure out that a scraggly bush needs to be limbed or removed isn’t by observation and planning. That’d be too smart. Only after it’s gouged my legs repeatedly, or I trip over the thing for the eighth time, do I get the idea and reach for a saw.
In this video for This Old House, Mark explains when to use smaller or more specific-use reciprocating saws. These often have unique features that may be…
The combination playground-memorial was designed by Theresa Coleman Clement as part of an Extreme Makeover: Home Edition project in October 2011 that also included building…
If you’re tempted to skip this article because you think safety is boring, consider that having a safety program might help you and your crew…
No matter how you slice it, installing effective, good-looking guardrails takes time. Cutting, plumbing, shimming, and fastening the numerous individual parts is not full-speed, turbo-charged…
TOOL KIT Light and Compact Framing Nailer By Mark Clement Stanley-Bostitch 800/556-6696 bostitch.com Street price: $250 As dependable as screws are for decking, about the…
Hey Mark— I have a steel railing I need to remove from my front stoop. Problem is that the posts are set in the concrete. My…
A toolbelt is a lot like a spouse: If you choose one in haste, odds are you’ll regret it. MyFixitUpLife Mark & Theresa created this…
May 20: Decked out! Mark & Theresa are talking decks on this week’s show. They’ll be sharing what you need to know to make sure…
Mark talks Reciprocating Saw Blades with Professional Deck Builder Magazine. When I’m on a deck or porch site, the way I usually figure out that…
I used Diablo’s DemoDemon Pruning Blade and my reciprocating saw to prune and cut down a small tree.
For porches – think beaded ceiling material and crown – a miter saw is a must. I use a DeWalt DW718. DeWalt nailed this tool:…
Confused by the alphabet soup of wood-treatment chemicals flooding the industry? Read on. In 2004, after dominating the market for more than 70 years, wood…
I remember when there were roughly a billion fewer choices of deck boards and railing systems. The first decks I worked on as a carpenter’s…
There’s a lot to consider when you set out to refurbish an old porch. They’re challenging, and not just because every porch is different.
I have specific criteria for work gloves. First, the gloves have to fit, meaning that when I’m wearing them, the answer to the following questions…
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[…] Old House contributor Mark Clement shares a few tricks and tips on how to utilize the shoe of the saw to its utmost potential. The shoe is often adjustable, which allows greater access to different […]