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Category: Bob Vila Radio


Bob Vila Radio: Tool Tip – Sandpaper

Despite its name, sandpaper isn’t made of sand, and often doesn’t even involve paper.

sandpaper

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Bob Vila Radio: Tin Ceilings

Tin ceilings were very popular in the mid-1800s and early 1900s. These mass-produced ceilings, stamped with decorative patterns, were lightweight, hardy, and fire-resistant. They offered an inexpensive alterative to the elaborate plasterwork and woodwork popular during the victorian era.

tin-ceilings

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Bob Vila Radio: Hiding Trash Cans

Nothing kills a home’s curb appeal faster than a couple of trash cans and recycling bins parked in the driveway, or littering the front yard. Keeping them out of sight can stop your home from looking… well, trashy.

trash-cans

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Bob Vila Radio: Power Drill

A power drill does more than just drill holes. With different attachments, it also drives screws, turns a sander, or even mixes paint. Here are a few tips to help you choose a model with convenient new features.

power-drill

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Bob Vila Radio: Fire Drill

You’ve got the smoke alarms and the carbon-dioxide detectors, and you change their batteries regularly. But does your family know what to do when an alarm sounds? If not, it’s time for a family fire drill.

Fire Drill

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Bob Vila Radio: Interior Lockset

Replacing an interior lockset is a pretty simple job. If you’re thinking about upgrading your doors with new doorknobs or levers, here’s what you need to know.

interior-lockset

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Bob Vila Radio: Tape Measure

I can barely think of a home improvement job that doesn’t require a tape measure! Whether you’re framing a new room or just hanging a few pictures, a tape measure is a must.

tape-measure

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Bob Vila Radio: Chain Saws

Chain saws aren’t just for lumberjacks anymore. These powerful tools now come in a range of sizes, with lightweight ones well-suited for smaller jobs and heavy-duty models built for taking down large trees. But even a small chain saw is a powerful tool that needs to be handled carefully.

chain-saw

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Bob Vila Radio: Plumb Bob

A plumb bob is an amazingly simple tool, basically just a pointed weight on a string. But whether you’re putting up a new wall, hanging a door, or wallpapering a room, this little tool can be a mighty big help.

plumb-bob

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Bob Vila Radio: How to Replace a Shower Head

Replacing your shower head is a simple fix that can spruce up the look of your bathroom, save water, and even add a little massage action to your daily shower.

How-to-Replace-a-Shower-Head

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