I used to subscribe to "Fine Homebuilding" magazine when that was the closest thing I could find to what I was primarily engaged in. (I'd had subscriptions to "Barely Adequate Homebuilding" and "Take the Money and Run Homebuilding" but those publications folded.) Anyway, one of my favorite features was a regular column called Tips and Techniques. I know we have tons of general tips on this site. How about sharing some of your favorite general activity tips? Nothing too specific like how to do a particular thing to a particular model of tractor; nothing too exotic like how to recalibrate a transit. Those things deserve answers, but let's wait until someone asks.Here are a few of mine: Anything that you'd use mineral spirits to get off your hands will come off with vegetable oil. It's easier on your skin, easier on your nose, and your wife's got some in the kitchen (or you've got some yourself if you're like me and like to cook.) If a painting job is interrupted or is going to continue the next day, you can wrap your brush in a plastic bag and put it in the freezer. This works with latex or oil paint. If you pick up a level you're not sure of, you don't have to find a level (or plumb) surface to test it. Hold it against any surface that looks approximately right and note where the bubble rests. Then turn the level 180 degrees (end for end horizontal, rolled for vertical) and check again. If the bubble is in the same place the level is all right (good enough for so so homebuilding, at least.) In remodeling, a Sawzall (reciprocating saw) with a wood cutting blade cut off to a maximum projection of 1/2" is a good way to cut openings in drywall without having to worry about hitting electrical cables stapled to the sides of studs. You could also do this with a circular saw with the blade set to that depth---if you do, please take pictures and post them on this site. In house remodeling and general carpentry, end nipper pliers are so useful that they deserve to be one of the eight to ten tools you carry in your tool belt. If you're nailing up plastic junction boxes and the location of one is where the framing won't let you hammer in the nails, put your crowbar against the nailhead and hit it as close to the wall as you can. This is usually faster than putting it in with sheetrock screws. If you're trying to soundproof a room with fiber soundboard under drywall, hanging the drywall with screws or nails defeats the purpose. Sound is transmitted through rigid fasteners. Countersink the nails or screws in the soundboard (caulk the holes if this is an important installation.) Put the drywall up with construction adhesive and screws. The next day remove the screws. Don't nail the trim all the way through to the framing when you're doing the finish work. (Okay, that one's pretty esoteric but I couldn't remember any more easy ones.) Stan
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