A door that slowly swings shut on its own can often be stopped with a simple trick: Start by removing the pin from one of the hinges. Place the hinge on a hard surface, such as a concrete floor, and then strike it with a hammer hard enough to put a gentle bend in the pin. When you reinsert the pin into the hinge, the bend will cause the hinge to bind slightly, which is usually enough to stop the door from swinging shut on its own.

Have a nice weekend,

Wyatt Myers
Online Editor, Workbench

Installing crown molding can be complicated, especially when you have to cut pieces of molding where they meet in the corners. To make the job easier, you should check out “miter-less” crown molding. It uses blocks that fit into the corners. You just install the blocks and then cut the crown molding to fit in between.

You’ll find miter-less molding that’s made from solid wood. But if you plan to paint, consider synthetic molding, such as the one at right from Fypon (Fypon.com). Synthetics are very easy to cut. Plus they’re lightweight, so you can use adhesive to install them instead of nails.

Have a nice weekend,

Wyatt Myers
Online Editor, Workbench

As a home settles, the wood studs it’s built from sometimes shift around. One unfortunate result of this is “popped nailheads” — nails that actually push through the finished surface of the drywall and form bulges, as shown in the Photo.

Smooth Things Over — Popped nailheads are common, but they’re also easy to fix. Here’s how:

Step 1: Carve away the dried joint compound over the nailhead. Then set the nail, so it rests beneath the surface of the drywall.

Step 2: To prevent the nail from pushing through again, fasten the drywall by driving a screw a few inches from the nail.

Step 3: Fill both holes with joint compound.

Have a nice weekend,

Wyatt Myers
Online Editor, Workbench

To find out, check your owner’s manual, or simply look at the top of the fridge. If you find plastic plugs on the non-hinged side, then you can reverse the door. The process is pretty simple.

First, remove the top hinge, and then lift the upper door off its other hinge (Illustration above). Then remove the middle hinge, the lower door, and the bottom hinge. With the doors off, you can move the handles to the other side of each door. Now just remount the hinges and doors on the other side, starting at the bottom and working up.

Have a nice weekend,

Wyatt Myers
Online Editor, Workbench

As the name implies, this tape is sticky on both faces instead of just one. That makes it perfect for temporarily holding parts together as you make or assemble them (Photos below). For that use, the plastic type works fine. The woven type is more durable and works well when you need a more permanent bond. It’s also good for adhering pieces that have rougher surfaces that the thin tape just won’t grab.

Double-sided tape works great for temporarily holding parts, like these false drawer fronts, in place while you drill holes for mounting screws.		Need to make multiple parts the exact same shape? Use a hardboard template and secure it to each workpiece with double-sided tape.

Have a nice weekend,

Wyatt Myers
Online Editor, Workbench

Your best bet is to spend a little more and get a splitter/amplifier. You’ll find them at electronics retailers starting at about $25. With one of these, the output signals are amplified to prevent signal loss. Just plug the incoming cable into the input, and then plug in the outgoing cables. You will need to locate the amplifier near an electrical outlet, so you can power it.

By the way, if you use a cable modem, make sure you get a bi-directional amplifier. This type allows the signal to travel in and out, which is necessary for a modem to receive and send data.

Have a nice weekend,

Wyatt Myers
Online Editor, Workbench

Replacement garage doors are available in many different designs, so you can complement your home’s architectural style.

If you’ve decided to spruce up your garage, you’re in good company. The $1.25 billion U.S. garage and storage shed market is expected to grow 5% through 2009. Jeld-Wen, a major manufacturer of windows and doors, offers these tips:

Coordinate Styles — Architects advise unifying the design of your house and garage to improve curb appeal. Carriage House and Old World looks are especially hot for garage doors because they blend well with popular Craftsman and Mediterranean-style homes.

Go “Green” — When selecting garage doors, consider wood-composite versions. They feature facings and trim boards made of 100% recycled wood fiber. Composite doors are also energy-efficient and perform well even in extreme temperatures, resisting cracking, rotting, shrinking, and expanding.

Let There Be Light — Window inserts in garage doors allow natural light, which is important if you want to use your garage as living space, such as a workshop or play area. Natural light may also help reduce the need for lighting and electricity use, making windows an energy-conscious choice.

Clear the Clutter — Inside the garage, join the trend toward better organization. A garage can’t function as living space until all that clutter gets tamed. There are a number of effective garage storage systems available that can help provide you with additional living area.

Have a nice weekend,

Wyatt Myers
Online Editor, Workbench

Construction adhesive will hold just about anything, but sometimes it doesn’t form a strong bond right away. If you need to speed up the adhesion process, the folks at Liquid Nails suggest you try the “venting” method: After gluing the two items together, pull them apart for one minute, and then press them firmly together again. The bond should now be good and tight between them.

Have a nice weekend,

Wyatt Myers
Online Editor, Workbench

When you need to cut a hole in drywall, just crease the sides of an envelope to hold it open and then tape it beneath the opening to catch the dust. This prevents a lot of messy cleanup later on, especially over carpet.

Have a nice weekend,

Wyatt Myers
Online Editor, Workbench

If your toilet wobbles, the solution is easier than you might imagine. As you can see in the Illustration, the toilet sits on a flange that’s connected to the drain pipe. Bolts attached to the flange pass through the holes in the toilet base.

If the nuts are loose, tighten them by hand, and then use a small wrench to snug them about a quarter-turn beyond hand tight. Don’t overtighten the nuts, or you can crack the toilet base and create a bigger problem.

If tightening the nuts doesn’t stop the wobble, then pick up plastic toilet shims, which are available in the plumbing department. Slip a shim in under each side of the toilet, preferably near the back of the toilet, so they won’t show. Don’t force the shims under the toilet. Just push them under gently. Then retighten the mounting nuts. Once the toilet is secured, cut off any excess shim material using a utility knife.

Have a nice weekend,

Wyatt Myers
Online Editor, Workbench