he Home November/December 2022 • Vol 32 No 11

S
ORIGA’S
DI Y
INAL

MAGA
ZINE

Get your
DIY on!
MAKE A
CONCRETE TABLE
• Install drywalling
• 20 plumbing tools to own
• Easy car maintenance
• Install your own fibreglass pool

+plus
• Make a metal firewood holder
BUILD A BEDSIDE • Power tools – know your nail
CABINET gun
• What you need to know about
water harvesting
RSA: R44.50 (VAT incl)

• Make a PVC pipe lamp

R38.70 (Excl. tax)
Other Countries:

• Woodturning: Turn a ring box

The original South African DIY magazine

 made locally

Essentials for
any DIY project
Lifetime warranty on selected tools
Cable ties made locally
Johannesburg Durban
Tel: (011) 879 6600 Tel: (031) 569 9900
SIMPLIFIED BUYING! [email protected]
Cape Town Gqeberha www.HellermannTyton.co.za
www.shop.hellermanntyton.co.za

Tel: (021) 594 7100 Tel: (041) 408 2400 www.shop.hellermanntyton.co.za

 FROM THE WORKBENCH
The importance of planning
The following letter is from a professional
bricklayer, in response to his worker’s
compensation claim for injuries sustained www.homehandyman.co.za
on the job. It seems the insurer sought more
detailed information for their accident
investigation about how the bricklayer
sustained such substantial injuries. Enjoy!
2023
“I am writing in response to your request DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTION FORM
for additional information in Block 3 of the Subscription Fees:
accident report form. I put ‘poor planning’ as South Africa Digital
the cause of my accident. You asked for a fuller explanation and I trust the Back Copy: R29.90 each
following details will be sufficient. 6 months: R181.00
12 months: R359.00
I am a bricklayer by trade. On the day of the accident, I was working alone
Subscription fees are valid until 31 December 2022
on the roof of a new six-storey building. When I completed my work, I
found I had some bricks left over which, when weighed later were found to
be slightly in excess of 225kg. Rather than carry the bricks down by hand, I Subscriber’s details:
decided to lower them in a barrel by using a pulley, which was attached to
the side of the building on the sixth floor. I would like to receive a digital copy.

Securing the rope at ground level, I went up to the roof, swung the barrel out Start subscription with the .................................... issue?
and loaded the bricks into it. Then I went down and untied the rope, holding
it tightly to ensure a slow descent of the bricks. You will note in Block 11 of Name: .............................................................................
the accident report form that I weigh 61kg.
Email: .............................................................................
Due to my surprise at being jerked off the ground so suddenly, I lost my
presence of mind and forgot to let go of the rope. Needless to say, I proceeded Postal Address: ...............................................................
at a rapid rate up the side of the building. In the vicinity of the third floor,
........................................................................................
I met the barrel which was now proceeding downward at an equally
impressive speed. This explains the fractured skull, minor abrasions and the Postal Code: ............ Tel: ..............................................
broken collarbone, as listed in Section 3 of the accident report form.
Gift subscription from: ....................................................
Slowed only slightly, I continued my rapid ascent, not stopping until the
fingers of my right hand were two knuckles deep into the pulley. Fortunately, Tel: ............................ Email:..........................................
by this time I had regained my presence of mind and was able to hold
tightly to the rope, in spite of the excruciating pain I was now beginning to
experience. At approximately the same time, however, the barrel of bricks hit Direct Deposit / EFT Payments:
the ground and the bottom fell out of the barrel. Now devoid of the weight of EFT - (Electronic Fund Transfer) directly to our account:
the bricks, that barrel weighed approximately 20kg. I refer you again to my ABSA Bank
weight of 61kg. Branch Code: 632 005
As you might imagine, I began a rapid descent, down the side of the building. Cheque account: BB Print 404 881 8651
In the vicinity of the third floor, I met the barrel coming up. This accounts for
Reference: “THH + surname + initials”
the two fractured ankles, broken tooth and severe lacerations of my legs and (Example: THH-Lindeque, G)
lower body. Here my luck began to change slightly. The encounter with the
Fax/Email proof of payment plus this completed
barrel seemed to slow me enough to lessen my injuries when I fell into the
subscription form to 086 234 5052.
pile of bricks and fortunately only three vertebrae were cracked.
Please Note: There is an additional deposit fee of R65
I am sorry to report, however, as I lay there on the pile of bricks, in pain, if payment is made in CASH.
unable to move, I again lost my composure and presence of mind and let go
Contact us:
of the rope and I lay there watching the empty barrel begin its journey back
down onto me. This explains the two broken legs. I hope this answers your Email: [email protected]

inquiry as to my ‘poor planning’.” BB Print | PO Box 24938 | Gezina | 0031 | Fax: 086 234 5052

While this true tale is hilarious, it does have a lesson – keep your wits about
you. Whether you’re working on a construction site or in your workshop, be
sure to think things through before proceeding.
Gregg
THE HOME HANDYMAN | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022 1
 www.homehandyman.co.za

CONTENTS FEATURES
The Home Handyman is published bi-monthly
(6 issues per annum) by WJ Lindeque cc t/a BB Print 10 Swimming pools
(CK99/23366/23) Install your own fibreglass pool
Address: PO Box 24938 | Gezina | 0031 | RSA
Office: 065 849 3264
Fax: 086 234 5026 12 Woodworking
Email: [email protected] Create an elegant bench

Publisher Hannes Lindeque

Associate publisher Allan Swart: [email protected] 14 Woodturning
Turn a ring box
Editor Gregg Cocking - [email protected]
Technical consultant Denis Lock
16 Plumbing
ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES The 20 plumbing tools to have in your home
Wilma Lindeque 065 849 3264
Email: [email protected]
Ruth Schultz 083 583 5243 20 DIY project
Email: [email protected] Make a concrete table with wooden inlays

HOW TO SUBSCRIBE
Email: [email protected]
22 Automotive
Fax: 086 234 5052 Top tips and easy car checks
Online www.homehandyman.co.za

Layout & design [email protected]

26 Tools
Printing D & S Press Nail guns and their uses
Distribution On The Dot | 011 713 9322

About The Home Handyman magazine:

30 Woodworking
The Home Handyman magazine is a specialized D.I.Y. publication and caters for a well- Make a bedside cabinet for the kids
defined niche market since November 1993. The magazine equips its ever-growing
readership with relevant D.I.Y. information, knowledge and skills.
32 Metalworking
The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher Make a fire rack
or its agents. While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the contents of

36 Lighting
this magazine, neither the editor nor the publisher can be held responsible for any
omissions or errors. Images used are for illustration purposes and are not endorsed by
The Home Handyman. Every care has been taken to ensure that all the information and Make a PVC pipe lamp
projects presented in this publication are accurate, reliable and safe. It should be noted,
however, that the ideas for design and product use are presented as suggestions only!
The editor strongly advises that the reader check local by-laws and consult a qualified
professional before undertaking any project and cannot be held responsible for any loss,
40 Home offices
damage, injury or death resulting from any information contained here. How to set up a budget home office

Copyright: The Home Handyman, 1994. Copyright is expressly reserved and no part
of this magazine may be reproduced or transmitted, in part or whole, in any form or 42 Gardens
by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any Get your lawn summer ready
information storage or retrieval system without prior permission of the publisher. All
enquiries regarding editorial correspondence, manuscripts and photographs should be
directed to the editor. 44 Advice
5 reasons to use drywall in your home

46 Water harvesting
Everything you need to know about rainwater harvesting

48 Blinds and curtains

How to put up curtains and blinds

www.facebook.com/TheHomeHandymanmagazine
52 Young DIY’er
Make a kite from everyday household objects
@TheHomeHandymanmag

https://za.pinterest.com/homehandyman/

2 THE HOME HANDYMAN | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022

 14
REGULARS
4 Off the shelf
All the latest products for the DIY’er

6 Voice your views

Your chance to air an opinion

8 DIY matters
News, views and reviews from around the globe
20 36
51 Bright ideas
Readers share their innovative time-and-space saving DIY ideas

54 Ask our experts

Your DIY queries answered by our panel of experts

56 A woodworker’s diary
Denis Lock continues his discussion on the use of man-made
boards – applying edging

60 Woodworker’s corner 32
Sharing techniques, ideas and a love of wood

64 Tailpiece
What your handyman wants you to know Competitions & giveaways
6 Win a state-of-the-art power tool from Makita
51 Win a Tork Craft 20-volt cordless angle grinder
from Vermont Sales
54 Win a digital subscription to The Home Handyman

THE HOME HANDYMAN | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022 3

 OFF THE SHELF
Your guide to the latest products in the world of DIY

Range of recycled cutters

Four 100% recycled green models from the international cutter leaders
Olfa
The worldwide brand leader Olfa recently introduced their 100% recycled green range. This safety
cutter is an industry favorite, with a solid 17.3mm blade to open cartons and boxes while reducing
the chance of skin and body cuts. The handle and all plastic parts are made from recycled materials.
Its special design is for both right-and left-handed users and has an auto-retracting safety blade
feature.

The Olfa CTR SK7 Green is similar in function, however, comes with a 12mm blade in a slim handle specially designed to fit
smaller hands. The CTR L1 Green option is for heavy duty use with a large snap-off 18mm knife blade and locking wheel.
The L1 shape is Olfa’s most recognized and most loved cutting knife.

Joining this green range is the ES-1/green with blade Auto-Lock. This is a standard heavy-duty model with a pocket clip that
doubles as a blade snapper. The handle and all plastic parts are made from 100% recycled materials. It is designed with a solid
internal metal sheath for durability. When its life is over the steel and plastic can be separated to ensure recycling again.

Blade replacement is simple with Olfa replacement blades as no tools are required f in any of these models.
For more information, call 011-314-7711 or visit www.vermontsales.co.za

High gloss enamel

Introducing Plascon’s new water-based Super Universal Enamel
There are many good reasons to replace conventional oil-based enamels. The solvent they use
is turpentine, they give off a strong smell, are flammable, and the equipment is difficult to clean.
What’s worse, they can be harmful to those living or working in a just-painted surrounding –
causing headaches, nausea and skin irritation in susceptible individuals when there is insufficient
ventilation.

Another problem with oil-based paints is that they take much longer to dry and they tend to dry
to a much harder degree, meaning they can become dry and brittle in comparison to the superior
elasticity of a water-based product. Painted materials are then able to contract and expand as
they heat and cool; versus the often chalky breakdown of an inflexible oil-based paint.

This is versus Plascon Water-Based Super Universal Enamel’s incredible nine-year guarantee on both interior and exterior surfaces.
Plascon Water-Based Super Universal Enamel gives an incredible nine-year guarantee on both interior and exterior surfaces. It
provides a superior level of weather resistance and an ideal protective coating on gutters, doors, trims, walls and gates.

Because it is water-based, Plascon Water-Based Super Universal Enamel has the ability to resist UV rays, making it suitable for the
outside areas of a home or building, which are subject to a high degree of sunlight. The product will also retain sheen levels and
colour over many years. Plascon Water -Based Super Universal Gloss Enamel is available in six standard
colours and can also be tinted to the colour of your choice.

Plascon Water Based Super Universal Enamel is dry to the touch in as little as 30 minutes and boasts a superior scratch-resistant
feature in the mix. This is in addition to its other standout features i.e., being hardwearing, having a high-gloss finish, non-yellowing,
APEO free, low VOC, low odour, and that incredible guarantee.
For more information, visit www.plascon.com

4 THE HOME HANDYMAN | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022

Electrical insulation tape you See your
can trust
Electrical tape for professionals product
With HelaTape, HellermannTyton offers engineers, designers and
electricians a wide range of PVC- and rubber-based electrical tapes in this
that are ideal for insulating, attaching, bundling, sealing and marking
cables. Different sizes, colours and materials support
the professional use of the tapes in a wide variety of
space!
areas: whether as a fast help for repairing cables, as a
tool for sealing connection points, as a visual warning
for provisionally laid cables or as a clearly visible cable
marker – HellermannTyton electrical tapes have many
applications.
For more information, visit www.hellermanntyton.co.za

Sealer for untreated porous tiles and cement

A water-borne tile and cement sealer to protect unglazed, porous
substrates against water ingress, weathering, pollution and
general wear
Typical application (ensure all substrates are completely dry or cured before application):

Porous substrates such as:

• Natural Tiles
• Stone
• Brick (Not suitable for face-bricks)
• Cement
• Concrete
• Ornamental pavers

Features:
• Strong, durable surface finish
• Water-repellent
• Stain- and oil-resistant
• Easy to use and apply
• Easy to clean brushes and equipment with
water before they dry
www.homehandyman.co.za
• Environment-friendly, non-toxic
• Suitable for walking surfaces To advertise in
The Home Handyman’s
Note: (To tint) Only Woodoc colours can be Off the Shelf,
used with Woodoc 45. please contact Wilma
For more information, visit www.woodoc.com on 065 849 3264 or
e-mail:
[email protected]

THE HOME HANDYMAN | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022 5

 VOICE YOUR VIEWS
Do you have any thoughts or comments on DIY issues?

Share your Safety first with angle grinders WINNER

WIN
opinion As one of your regular readers I read Please be vigilant. A disc
the article about angle grinders in your that is past its expiry date can
Sept-Oct issue. cost you your life. Safety first!
I would just like to mention one safety Fanie Nothnagel, Welkom
factor which was not addressed in Ed replies: Very well said Fanie, and
the article. I have worked on the gold thank you for your input. While many
mines for about 25 years. During that people have and use a host of things
time there was an accident where an in their home that are past their expiry
www.homehandyman.co.za
artisan lost his life in the ICU (after dates, it really is a matter of playing
much suffering) as a result of a cutting with your life – as you described above
Send us your views, ideas and disc disintegrating while he was cutting – when it comes to expired angle
opinions and you could win a steel. The disintegrating parts of the grinder discs.
power tool from Makita. disc cut through his stomach and
intestines. He lost his life due to an
[email protected] infection.
or P.O. Box 24938, After the investigation into his death,
Gezina, 0031 it was found that the due date on the
disc had expired. A disc has an expiry
Please include your name,
date of two years of use. The date of
physical address and contact
manufacture is stamped in the middle
number (office hours) of the disc and a lot of people are not
aware of this.

WINNER
Fanie
Nothnagel
Wins a Makita MT M9204B
Random Orbit Sander

Prizes are not exchangeable

6 THE HOME HANDYMAN | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022

 Reader’s
projects

Re-using old badge holders

If you’re like me, you’ve got a pile of about the same www.homehandyman.co.za
spring clips rescued from trade show diameter, or Willing to share your latest
badges that you couldn’t bear to throw that can have project with our readers? Send
out because “they must be useful for a suitable hole a step-by-step write up of how
something.” punched through to make the project, along with
it. Might be a step-by-step photographs (at
It turns out that the plastic snap-straps on least 300kb) and a picture of
good way to hang
these are just the right size to snap around
a set of plans out
the finished product.
a pencil, giving you an easy way to clip
the pencil to your clipboard, or to a ruler,
of the way when Email projects and
not using them, if photographs to:
or to your shop apron, or to any other you punch a hole
fairly thin object. No more wondering
[email protected]
in a transparent
where you left that pencil, or losing it plastic folder… They aren’t designed to
WOODWORKING
Make a two-tier
wooden plant
stand

under other things.

Step
p 2: Block timber is used in creating the retainers. Using a
standard 1.8m length, measure 1.1m with a tape measure and at tthis

hold a lot of weight, but they do work

mark with a combination square draw a line along the width. Cut
along this line with the saw. This process needs to be repeated with
another 1.8m length creating a total of two equal lengths.
Using one of the 70cm remnant cut two 30cm lengths. Using a
standard 2.4m long plank, measure 1.2m with a tape measure and
at this mark with a combination square draw a line along the wiwidth. The initial design was created in BlocksCAD
Cut along this line with the saw to create two equal lengths. T
This
process needs to be repeated creating a total of four equal len
length
planks. 2

pretty well.
S p 3:
Step Using a standard 2.4m long plank. measure 33cm with

Of course these could also be used to

a tape measure. and at this mark draw a line along the width wi
with a
combination square. Cut along this line with the saw. Measure and
cut a second 33cm length.

Easy to make
Block timber is used in creating the retainers. Using a stand
standard 1.8m
length measure 1.1m with a tape measure and at this mark with a
combination square draw a line along the width. Cut along this line
Using a standard 2.4m long plank measure 1.2m
with the saw.. This process needs to be repeated with another 1.8m

AND
with a tape measure
length creating a total of two equal lengths of 1.1m.

PL ANT STW
Step
p 4: 3

attach a spring clip to anything else of Joe Kesselman, by email

Using one of the 70cm lengths cut two 18cm lengths.
Block timber is used to create the vertical supports. Using on
one of the
for
I felt it was time 70cm remnants measure and cut a 49cm length. Take another 70cm
on the floor off the
of plant pots way to get them remnant measure and cut another 49cm length. These will form the
ith a number
and what better middle legs.
a little decluttering, stand.
a multi-tier wooden no
floor by building and screws; The front legs will be the remnants of the middle legs at 21cm.
and blocks), in
only wood (planks was created Using a standard 1.8m length measure 70cm with a tape measure
made using initial design
The stand is required. The
supports are and at this mark draw a line along the width with a combination
Tools and materials
build.
brackets or other to a physical square. Cut along this line with the saw. This process needs to be Draw a line along the width
planks: before committing
• Wooden decking – Quantity: 6 BlocksCAD repeated creating a total of two equal lengths. These will form the
(W) x 24mm (H)
2.4m (L) x 120mm
• Timber block: – Quantity: 5 Step-by- step guide
rear legs.
4
(W) x 47mm (T) 1.2m with Step
p 5:
1.8m (L) x 50mm long plank, measure
If the wood has not been pre-treated to protect it from
standard 2.4m width with a
Step 1: Usinganda at this mark draw a line along
screws: the
• Stainless steel (Brass as an alternative) the elements, rot or pests; now would be a good time to do this
– Quantity: 78 the saw to create
two
before assembly.. The ends are particularly prone to degradation.
4mm x 40mm a tape measure, this line with
• Combination
square square. Cut along I recommend soaking the ends in a bucket filled with a suitabl
suitable
combination
equal preservative, then leave overnight. Flip over and again soak
• Pencil equal lengths. a total of five
repeated creating horizontally at the rear. overnight.
• Tape measure needs to be set
or powered) This process planks will be e the rear legs.
• Drill (manual one of these to accommodat It’s also a good time to paint the sides with any runoff confin
confined Cut along this line with the saw to create two equal
length planks; two cut-outs
• 3mm drill bit Therefore, it
will require square. Cut to the bucket. Once all ends are treated leave to dry for the lengths
50cm x 50cm
or powered) plank mark a end
• Saw (manual corner of the at the opposite recommended period prior to applying other coatings and/or
At the rear back Repeat the process
• Screwdrivers
the square out
with the saw.
Using the remaining
in the rear corner. a tape 45cm and at this
1.2m from the
mark with a
assembly.
5
• Hammer of the plank
measure with along this line Step 6: Lower shelf assembly; take a 120cm plank and a 110cm

Making small measurements with big tools

• Clamps previous process, the width. Cut
a line along block. Align the long edge of the block with the long edge of a
square draw 45cm length.
and follow the
recommended combination cut a second plank. Centre the block on the plank to leave 50cm on either siside,
wear the Measure and
Know your tools and be sure to with the saw. mark the edge line of the block on both ends. Just in case it m
moves,
operational procedures
appropriate PPE. you have some reference marks.
Using clamps hold the block and the plank together. Orientate the
TOBER 2022 combination with the plank uppermost and the block facing you.
| SEPTEMBER/OC Using the remaining 1.2m for the lower side shelves
HANDYMAN
18 THE HOME

THE HOME HANDYMAN | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022 19

In one of my previous lives I worked as 150mm board, but when a high degree of
Our competitions –
an engineer installing weapons systems accuracy is paramount, use a 300mm or
foundations on Navy ships. This and other even a 450mm square.
the fine print
Prizes may not be exchanged for cash.
duties required very precise measuring Mark Messer, Cape Town The closing date is stipulated by the
techniques. I’ve seen many tips for competition box. If not stipulated,
marking accurate lines for cutting when it closes on the last day of the issue.
using a square, and there are many very For example: Jan/Feb edition. All
competitions close on the last day of
accurate squares available.
February. To enter simply e-mail your
What the users might not understand is answer to: editorial@homehandyman.
co.za and include your name, surname,
that the shorter the measuring tool, the
address and a day time contact telephone
easier it is to inadvertently introduce large number with your entry. Unless otherwise
angular errors. This can be demonstrated stipulated, competitions are lucky
by putting a coin under the end of a draws and the correct entry drawn on
1m straight edge, and under the end the closing date will be the winner.
The prize may differ from the picture
of a 150mm straight edge. The angle shown. By entering this competition
introduced is much larger on the shorter you agree to all rules and accept that
straight edge. the decision of the publisher is final and
that no correspondence thereto will be
So, my tip is: Use the largest square that entertained. This competition is open
you have that will conveniently fit your to all readers of The Home Handyman
measurement. Holding the short arm of a except employees of THH, BB Print and
employees who work for the company
square on the reference side, and marking that sponsors the prizes and their
with the long arm is how we all work. A immediate families. Prizes not claimed
150mm square will do to make a cut on a within 60 days will be forfeited.

THE HOME HANDYMAN | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022 7

DIY MATTERS News, views and reviews from around the globe

Kress announces plans to launch in the Southern African market

The Kress brand, with its deep-rooted heritage in German Kress will launch in South Africa in 2023. Kress is positioned to
engineering and design, is coming to South Africa with become a powerhouse in professional-grade outdoor equipment
commercial outdoor power equipment (OPE) for lawn care and power tools in partnership with leading equipment dealers
and landscape professionals. As a part of the well-established in Southern Africa.
Positec family of leading brands, Kress is introducing advances
For more information, email Greg de Villiers at
that will, for the first time, offer commercial OPE professionals
[email protected]
in Southern Africa the opportunity to transition away from
petrol-powered products, a transformation that will change the
OPE industry forever.

Don Gao, CEO of Positec Group, said, “For decades, Kress

has demonstrated its quality, durability and innovation in the
European markets. It is extremely exciting to bring this storied
brand to the Southern African professional landscaper, gardener,
and homeowner.” In addition, Kress will introduce the full range
of professional cordless power tools that will also certainly make
an impact on the power tool industry

Built upon a reputation for innovation and pushing the

boundaries in engineering and manufacturing excellence, Kress
is well-established throughout Europe as a top-tier, professional-
grade equipment manufacturer. As early as 1928, Kress
introduced to the European craftsmen clean, quiet, professional-
grade tools. Today, with the brand’s introduction to North
America, Kress’s proprietary technologies will now be available
to commercial landscapers in the US, Canada and Southern
Africa and will dramatically impact on the petrol-dependent
lawn care and electric power tool industry with their enormous
range of cordless power tools.

STIHL SA celebrates 25 years

Representatives from STIHL SA and the global STIHL Group STIHL develops, manufactures, and distributes outdoor power
recently celebrated over 25 years of the brand’s presence equipment for forestry, agriculture, landscaping, construction,
in South Africa. STIHL SA was the group’s first sales and and discerning consumers. Internationally, the STIHL Group’s
marketing subsidiary on the African continent, opened in sales network consists of forty-two sales and marketing
November 1996 by Hans Peter Stihl, a direct descendent of companies, approximately 120 importers and more than
the group’s founder Andreas Stihl. 55 000 independent, authorised dealers in over 160 countries.
STIHL has been the world’s best-selling chainsaw brand since
The 25th anniversary event was held at Birchwood Hotel in 1971.
Johannesburg and was attended by STIHL SA staff, STIHL
dealers, as well as STIHL international representatives, Norbert Hayden Hutton said in his address to the guests, “Whilst our
Pick (Executive Board Member for Sales and Marketing of the 25th anniversary maybe the excuse to celebrate, it is not the
STIHL Group) and Johannes Wetzel (Regional Sales Manager only thing that we celebrate. It has taken tremendous effort
for Africa and Asia). The 25th anniversary should have been from all of us to create what we all currently enjoy as part of
held in 2021, but the July unrest and COVID restrictions the STIHL South African family. To all our dealers and to my
necessitated the delay in celebrations. staff, I would like to personally thank you for the contributions

8 THE HOME HANDYMAN | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022

 Must-have toys for girls and boys this Christmass
This Christmas, get ahead of the game Chainsaw and also comes with gloves
and beat the dreaded queues by going and a helmet. Suitable for ages 3 and
online and choosing from Husqvarna’s up.
carefully curated toy gift list. Their range Recommended Retail Price: R550
of toys is designed to provide imaginative
play opportunities that are rich and varied 4. Toy Hedge Clipper: Plastic cutter
and encourage both indoor and outdoor that really moves and sounds just like
activity whilst reducing “screen time”. the real thing! Suitable for ages 3 and
Furthermore, their use mirrors mom up.
and dad’s garden, farm and carpentry Recommended Retail Price: R470
activities and will help to develop new
5. Toy Lawnmower: Has a realistic
life skills as your little ones watch and
engine sound and lights up. Suitable
imitate the real equipment in action.
for ages 2-5 years.
1. Toy Remote-Controlled
Recommended Retail Price: R890
Automower: Husqvarna’s remote-
controlled Automower toy is a high- 6. Toy Leaf Blower: Blows air and
quality product that is guaranteed to sounds just like the real thing! Suitable
bring hours of fun. The toy has LED for ages 3 and up.
lights that flash at start-up and is user- Recommended Retail Price: R490
friendly. Bring joy to indoor play.
7. Toy Weed Trimmer: Looks like a
Recommended Retail Price: R990 real Husqvarna 223L Trimmer! Makes
2. Toy Chainsaw: Looks like a real a trimmer sound and the trimmer line
Husqvarna 440 Chainsaw! Makes a has green LEDs that light up and spin
chainsaw sound and the plastic chain when the trigger is pulled. Suitable for
even moves. Suitable for ages 3 and ages 3 and up.
up. Recommended Retail Price: R570
Recommended Retail Price: R410 For more information, visit https://
3. Toy Chainsaw Kit: The kit includes a za-promo.husqvarna.com/collections/
toy model of the real Husqvarna 440 toys

that you have made to the success of STIHL in South Africa. I and with you, our dealers. And from across the seas, the
am extremely excited about what the future holds. During the STIHL family, executive board, and staff in the headquarters
unrest last July, when our premises were destroyed and our and factories, all stood ready to lend a hand and to support
stock looted, we stood together as a family. We relied on our us.”
strong relationships to maintain good cooperation internally For more information, visit www.stihl.co.za

THE HOME HANDYMAN | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022 9

SWIMMING POOLS

Find out how to install a

fibreglass swimming pool
at your home.

INSTALL YOUR OWN

FIBREGLASS POOL
D
epending on the size of the pool, you will need to backfill you will require. This will increase costs. Make sure
measure the area to be dug to 300mm larger than the that you are as close as possible to the position where the pool
pool that is to be installed. The bigger the hole the more is to be installed. Check the land for slope/gradient.

Digging the hole • Dig the hole depth to about 50mm deeper than the
Digging the hole is simple, however, the size and depth of the measurements you have obtained.
hole at this stage is critical. If it is at all possible the excavated • Consider the ground to be level, put four pegs into the
material needs to be moved off site quickly. This will give ground at the same distances you measured them to be
you a good clean building site. Less clutter means more apart at the pool shell. Be sure that the pegs are some
pleasant working conditions for you. Now you are probably 750mm further away from the proposed hole to be dug.
asking, “What about the depth?”. Each pool is different and
has unique characteristics.
• Use the actual pool shell to determine the exact
measurement details.
• Run two lines using a fish line (which is heavier than
fishing line) along the length of the pool on the outer edges
without moving onto the corners of the pool.
• Measure into the pool so that you can drop a
perpendicular line to the floor of the pool.
• Measure and record the distance to the floor and also the
distance from the side of the pool.
• Now do the same at the shallow end of the pool.

10 THE HOME HANDYMAN | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022

Fitting of the pool • As the water level rises place the sand into the hole so
The hole is dug, and all is ready to set your final levels that the water and sand come up together.
so that you can pull the screed on the floor of the pool. • As the water level is rising you will need to compact the
Establish the exact required finished level, keeping in mind sand in the cove so that it is firm. Be sure not to distort the
that it is difficult to get to an exact level because the pool shape of the pool, so be careful not to over compact the
can move during installation. The limit is 30mm out of level soil. (This leads to bulging). Under compaction will cause
over the pool. Determine the thickness of your surround to the pool to move out of shape and out of level.
be laid on the pool. This is important as provision for this is • Once the cove area all round the pool is set allow the
needed so that when the pool is completed, full of water and water level to rise some 15cm above the sand and backfill
concreted, the paving will need to be done and this should with this difference all the way up.
bring the pool completed to the level required. All this being • Check the pool wall for straightness and no bulges whilst
established, let’s set up the floor. back filling.
• Check the four pegs again to be sure that they are all level • While all this is taking place, you will have to fit the weir/
with each other. skimmer and the aim flow.
• Run the fishline from peg to peg from shallow end to deep • Use marine or underwater silicon to seal the weir and the
end. inlet pipe openings. Make sure all screws used in the pool
• Use the measurement of the pool inside the hole. In the are stainless steel.
same fashion you took the measurement from the shell out
the ground, establish those measurements inside the hole. Concreting the pool surround
• You should have four pegs on the floor of the hole set to • Tie the pool sides back with wire to pegs that you put in
the levels as measured before. the ground around the pool.
• The fishline again needs to be placed in the hole on the • Your backfill is now to about 100mm below the pool top
pegs so that it forms a rectangle. and the water is full to halfway up the weir.
• Place the backfill in the hole so that the fishline is just • The pipes are connected to the filter and pump.
above the backfill. Be sure to use a straight edge to get the • The pool should be level to within 30mm.
floor flat with the fishline.
• Your eye should tell you the pool looks good or not.
• Stand back, remeasure, double check all distances and • Place reinforcing rod about 6mm thick around the pool in
confirm again that all measurements are correct. (If you do two lines joining them together every 1.5m with a short
not you will need to remove the pool out the ground and piece across.
remeasure again anyway).
• Mix your concrete 3:2:1 and place the concrete pulling
your level so that there is a gentle slope away from the
Place the pool in the hole pool.

• Remove all the pegs in the hole and outside of the hole. Once this is done you can stand back and admire your work.
• Place the pool in the ground (a crane may be needed –
check with the company you buy your pool from).. Why buy a DIY fibreglass pool?
• Using the same transparent pipe that was used to level the • Quick installation
pegs at the outset. Use this pipe to level the pool. • Easy maintenance/easy to clean due to smooth polished finish
• Keep one end of the pipe in the deep end of the pool • High tensile strength of fibreglass accommodates most earth
do not move it, now level around the pool using 38mm movements
by 38mm battens or similar timber as chocks from the
• Warmer water – fibreglass insulates better
outside sand in the hole to the top of the pool flange.
• Less chemical usage due to smooth finish that is nonporous
• Once the pool is level and the floor checked that it is
firmly on the ground recheck and get into the pool and • Economical to install
feel with your feet, start to fill with water. • Availability of upgrades such as a VSD pump which could
• At the same time you should fill the backfill behind the save you up to 90% on energy consumption
pool mixing the backfill with cement ratio 10 barrows to • For more information, visit www.diypools.co.za
one cement.
Note: While a project of this nature can be completed successfully by
• This material will fall to behind the pool in the cove this yourself, the magazine, editor and publisher take no responsibility for
is where the pool floor bends to meet the pool wall. any damages which may occur by following these instructions

THE HOME HANDYMAN | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022 11

WOODWORKING

Simple lines, bold colours, and

easy construction make this
bench a perfect project.

EASY, ELEGANT BENCH

W
hether you use it in an
bottom rails. In the remaining four
entryway, in a hallway, or
rails, drill additional pocket holes
even put it to work for another
along one edge, as shown. These
Hardware and supplies purpose, it will add style and function
will be the seat rails.
• 52 x 32mm fine-thread Kreg that you’ll enjoy for years.
Pocket-Hole Screws Step 4: With a leg frame lying
• 12 x paint-grade Kreg Pocket-Hole Step-by-step guide flat on a work surface, position and
Plugs (optional) install the two bottom rails using
• 2 x 19 x 63 x 2400mm poplar
board
Step 1: Cut four Legs and two 32mm fine-thread Kreg Pocket-
side rails to length from 19 x 89mm Hole Screws. Then position the
• 2 x 19 x 89 x 2400mm poplar boards, as shown in the cutting seat rails, as shown. Make sure the
board pocket holes are oriented correctly
diagram. Set your Kreg Pocket-Hole
• 1 x 19 x 184 x 2400mm oak board for attaching the seat slats later.
Jig for 19mm-thick material, and
• Drill/driver then drill pocket holes in the ends of Then attach the seat rails using
• Kreg pocket-hole jig each side rail as shown. 32mm fine-thread Kreg Pocket-Hole
• Circular saw or mitre saw Screws.
Step 2: Position two Legs
• Clamps
against one side Rail, as shown, and Step 5: Now position the
• Square assembly you just made on top of
attach the legs using 32mm fine-
thread Kreg Pocket-Hole Screws to the second leg frame. Make sure
PARTS LIST create a leg frame. Repeat this to everything is aligned, and then
create the other leg frame. secure the assembly to the frame
4 x Seat Rail 19 x 63 x 387mm
using 32mm fine-thread Kreg Pocket-
2 x Bottom Rail 19 x 63 x 387mm Step 3: Cut four seat rails, as Hole Screws.
well as two bottom rails to length
4 x Leg 19 x 89 x 457mm
from a 19 x 63mm board, as shown Step 6: Cut one bottom
2 x Side Rail 19 x 89 x 1017mm in the cutting diagram. Drill pocket stretcher to length from a 19 x 63mm
1 x Stretcher 19 x 63 x 1087mm holes in both ends of each rail, and board, as shown in the cutting
2 x Seat Slat 19 x 184 x 1195mm then set two aside. These will be diagram. Then drill pocket holes in

12 THE HOME HANDYMAN | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022

 both ends of the bottom stretcher, as sand them flush. The holes in the seat slats, as we did. Once the paint/finish
shown. rails won’t show after the seat slats are has dried, you can position the seat
installed. slats, as shown, so that all the gaps are
Step 7: Set the bench base consistent (approximately 6mm wide).
assembly upright on your work surface. Step 8: Cut two seat slats to length Then attach the slats to the bench base
Now position the bottom stretcher so it from a 19 x 184mm board, as shown in using 32mm fine-thread Kreg Pocket-
is centered on the length of the bottom the cutting diagram. Hole Screws.
rails. Secure the stretcher using 32mm
fine-thread Kreg Pocket-Hole Screws. If Step 9: Before you install the seat Project copyrighted by Kreg Tool
Company. Used with Permission.
you want to hide the pocket holes in the slats, it’s a good time to paint or finish All rights reserved. For more
information, visit www.kregtool.com,
bottom stretcher and bottom rails, you the bench – especially if you plan and for more projects, visit
www.buildsomething.com
can glue in pocket-hole plugs, and then to paint the base and clear-finish the

1 2 3

4 5 6

7 8 9

10 11

1. Create the legs and side rail, 2. Assemble the side frames, 3. Make the bottom rails and seat rails, 4. Start bench assembly, 5. Add the other side frame,
6. Add support with a stretcher, 7. Install the stretcher, 8. Cut the seat slats, 9. Finish, then install the seat slats, 10. Cutting diagram, 11. Dimensions of the project

For a high res version of the drawings of this project, email [email protected]

THE HOME HANDYMAN | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022 13

WOODTURNING

Learn how to make a woodturned

engagement ring box.

FOR THE LOVE

OF WOOD
First you want to turn down your make it a bit larger so it can get back
blank to the size you are seeking. to that nice snug ‘snap’ tight feel. It is
Then you want to turn the tenon on easy to make it way too thin though,
Tools and materials one end, and then sand the outside so be very careful, and if you would
• Wood lathe all the way up to 220 grit. Then like you can try using callipers as
• Wood blank for turning you want to separate the piece into well to get the perfect thickness.
• Wood gouges the two halves of the ring box, top
• Sandpaper (60 grit to 320 grit) and bottom. Take into account the Step 4: Clean up the outsides
• Foam amount of wood you are losing of the top and bottom
• Cloth (white or other colours of through the separation when Now flip the bottom and top so that
your preference) envisioning the final size of your box. you can clean the bottom and top by
• Scissors and sewing materials Be sure to carefully catch the piece shaving off the tenons. Its best to turn
• Engagement ring! that falls off. the bottom of the box relatively flat,
and the top of the box with a bit of

A
re you looking for a special ring Step 3: Hollow out the inside a curve. If you want you can add a
box for your loved one? Or is of the box finial to the box, and if so, make sure
your child or grandchild getting Start with the bottom piece that is still to flatten the centre top of the box.
married soon and a handmade ring box mounted on the chuck. Hollow it out
would be the perfect accompaniment to leaving a relatively thick wall. Then Step 5: Apply finish, stuff the
their special day? If so, then read on to remove it from the chuck and mount inside and plan the engagement
learn how to make your own. the other half which is the top of the Next you want to do one final
box. I used rubber holders to hold sanding, and then apply some Danish
the piece tight without damaging it. oil finish to everything.
Step-by-step guide Then for this one you want to rough
an inside ring that will slot into the Next, all you need is some foam
Step 1: Rough a blank piece of bottom piece. You want to be very that you can cut to size in a circle,
wood careful here to get a snug fit for the and then sew some light white cloth
I used a block of African redwood box. around the foam and fit it into the
for the ring box. Rough it down to bottom of the box. Then you use a
Cut it down ever so slightly and box cutter to cut a slit in the foam
whatever desired size you want for
check it against the bottom of the box and cloth where you can fit your ring
your box, big or small. I started with a
often. Once you are getting close, inside.
roughing gouge and then switched to
switch to sandpaper so that you don’t
a bowl gouge.
turn the lip of the top half too thin. If There you go! You have a ring box
Step 2: Turn a tenon and you do make it too thin, keep in mind and now you just need to plan the
separate the two halves that a couple layers of finishings will engagement!

14 THE HOME HANDYMAN | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022

PLUMBING

THE 20
PLUMBING
TOOLS TO HAVE IN
YOUR HOME

Every plumber or home handyman looking to

do some repairs has to be equipped with good
quality tools to do their job precisely and
efficiently.

G
ood plumbers know the value of their tools more than Now here is a short description of each tool:
anyone else. Their toolkit should include all the tools
necessary to do the most common plumbing jobs. The Basin wrench
last thing you want is to show up at a job site and realise you This wrench is a T-shaped type of tool which is used to work
don’t have the proper tools to do the job. on faucets. It has a clamp-like system on the bottom end to
allow the plumbers to get into narrow spaces and loosen or
We have put together a list of twenty of the best tools a tighten the nuts and bolts.
plumber’s toolbox should have. So here we go:
Pipe wrench
List of plumbing tools The pipe wrench is one of the largest wrenches in a plumber’s
toolbox. This heavy tool is used to loosen or tighten nuts
A good toolkit for a plumber comes with many varieties of
or fitting of any pipework. Sometimes, two pipe wrenches
tools. Here are the best tools for a plumber’s toolkit:
are used together to finish a pipe-related specific task. Pipe
Wrenches Teflon tape wrenches also come in various lengths.
Basin wrench Press fitting systems Faucet key
Pipe wrench Pliers Faucet key is one of the exotic wrenches out in the market and
Faucet key Safety equipment is rarely seen in any other plumbing tools list. These are small-
sized and X-shaped tools to close or open spigots and sillcocks.
Adjustable wrench Gloves
Adjustable wrench
Clearing clogs Goggles
These wrenches can easily loosen or tighten fittings and
Hand Auger Heat pads/shields
hexagonal nuts on any pipe. The wrench is available in many
Plungers sizes, but most plumbers prefer to have a six or 10-inch version
of it.
Snake Machine Other necessary tools
Pipework Pex pipe expander and fittings Hand auger
Tube and plastic pipe cutters Stubby screwdriver A hand auger is a device that lets plumbers drive a cable deep
down a drain to clear and break clogs by using this hand
Hacksaw Crimpers crank. This technology has evolved a lot since its invention.
Plumber’s torch Borescope Nowadays, it has more models with more capabilities.

16 THE HOME HANDYMAN | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022

Plungers Gloves
Most homeowners own plungers, but some plumbers need to Plumbers are usually exposed to a lot of things that no one
be ready with them too. Professional plumbers need to be ready wants to touch with their hands. There are different types of
with a heavy-duty flange and cup plunger that gives slightly heavy-duty gloves in the store that can help protect hands and
more suction than the average consumer plunger. help them grip on slippery items more effectively.
Snake machine Goggles
A snake machine is mostly a bigger and motorised version of As a plumber, you will face different issues, and you need to
the hand auger. When the toilet clogs are very deep and difficult closely examine soldering, leakage, and various things that can
to displace, a snake machine can help recover the situation. be harmful to the eyes. A good plumber will always have safety
goggles to protect their eyes at work.
Tube and plastic pipe cutters
Heat pads/shields
If you are a professional who mostly deals with copper or
plastic frequently, you already know that these things often need Since soldering is a regular part of plumbers day to day duty
to be replaced, removed, and resized. There is an arrangement and a heat shield is essential to protect yourself and the
of the handheld tube and plastic pipe cutter in the store, so homeowner. Complete your equipment bag with a heat shield
professional plumbers can pick which model will be the best for and pads to help protect the surrounding from heat/fire damage.
them. Also don’t forget a set of pex pipe expander and fittings.
Pex pipe expander and fittings
Hacksaw
Pex pipe is the latest invention of plumbings. It is strong and
When pipes, nuts, bolts, or screws don’t come out easily, use flexible that offers extraordinary benefits and reliability. A Pex
your hacksaw to get the job done. If the location is tight or expander is working as a drill that widens the mouth of a pipe
squeezy and you cannot enter your hacksaw in place, then take so you can install a metal fitting. Pex piping can keep its original
out the blade and use it to cut stubborn fittings. shape when the mouth closes on the fitting and makes a perfect
seal for water to go through.
Plumber’s torch
Stubby screwdriver
Many plumbers need heat to solder the seal of copper piping.
Plumber’s torches are small handheld tools that plumbers use to A stubby screwdriver is a must-have tool for all plumbers. That
apply heat in the exact areas, soldering and sealing new piping is because it is a job saver when plumbers require to lose or
for setup and replacements. tighten the screws in hard-to-reach areas that are sometimes
unreachable to a normal or electric screwdriver.
Teflon tape
Crimpers
Teflon tapes are a great choice to seal off any leaks of any joints.
Teflon tapes will not come off even in low or high temperatures. Crimpers are crucial in using PEX-related plumbing, but
plumbers can use them in other types of piping. Crimping is
Press fitting systems mainly joining different pieces of metals or other materials by
All press-fitting systems save plumbers money and time in the disfiguring both or one of them to clasp each other.
long run. These physically press a connection on a pipe to
Borescope
create a great seal between them.
Plumbers mostly consider borescope as a top-of-the-line
Pliers technology in plumbing professionals, but nowadays, the
Like wrenches, most of the plumbers use pliers in their everyday experts or veterans keep them in their toolkit. These small
work. These smaller tools are the best ones as you can lose or cameras are connected with a long and flexible cable used
tighten the bolts or nuts that will be too small for a wrench to to see the condition of sewer or drain lines to find out what is
grip. obstructing the line.

THE HOME HANDYMAN | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022 17

 DIY plumbing tips every homeowner should know
Major plumbing repairs are best left to professionals, and starting at the second thread from the end of the pipe. Keep
some plumbing problems require you to hire a licensed the tape snug and wrap it four to six times.
plumber to meet code requirements – but other projects, like
clearing a clogged sink, are easy to tackle when you have
some DIY plumbing tips under your belt. Using the right tools
and techniques to prevent leaks or other damage is the priority
so you don’t end up ankle-deep in water or with secondary
issues that need to be repaired.

1: Locate shutoff valves

Before you ever touch a pipe or plumbing fixture, locate all
of the plumbing shutoff valves in your home. The main water
valve where the water supply comes into the home has a
shutoff option that cuts the water to your entire house. This 3: Use compatible materials
valve can be indoors in your basement or at the lowest level Your plumbing pipes can be made from a variety of materials,
near the front of the house where the pipe comes inside. but they don’t all get along well. Using compatible materials
Your home might also have an outdoor shutoff valve on the when you’re replacing pipes or connections helps your
exterior wall of your home or in an underground box behind home’s plumbing system last longer. Pairing different
a lid. materials together can prematurely wear down the pipes
through galvanic corrosion. Ideally, you should use the same
Your home should also have shutoff valves at different
type of pipes when replacing a section of the plumbing
fixtures, like your toilets and sinks. These valves only shut off
system.
the water to that fixture, so you can still use the water in other
areas. If you’re working on a single item, you may be able to Stainless steel and copper pipes or fittings connected to
use the shutoff valve for that fixture. each other are an example of incompatible materials. These
dissimilar metals will create galvanic corrosion – meaning
Before beginning your plumbing projects, shut off the
that your materials can literally disintegrate. Certain types of
water at the appropriate location, making sure to test the
stainless steel can work with brass, but it’s best to avoid using
fixture to ensure you shut off the valve completely to avoid
the two materials since it can be difficult to know if the two
accidentally flooding your home.
will work well together.

However, there is one trick you can try if you simply must use
two dissimilar materials: Using dielectric couplings between
the materials can reduce the risk of galvanic corrosion if
they’re allowed under local plumbing codes. These special
fittings use rubber ring gaskets to interrupt the electricity
flow between the two metals, which is what causes the
accelerated corrosion.

Consider the metals for all plumbing components you’re

using, including your bolts, screws, hangers, and other parts,
2: Use plumbers’ tape when appropriate as they can also cause issues when used with pipes made
Using plumbers’ tape can help prevent and stop minor leaks from a dissimilar material.
at connections, but it’s not appropriate for every situation.
It’s best used on threaded connections without rubber seals
built in. It’s not meant for compression or other connection
types. When applied correctly, the pipe thread tape creates a
watertight seal and helps lubricate the connection, making it
easier to thread and disassemble the connection.

When applying the tape, wrap it in the opposite direction of

how you’ll turn the pipe when you connect the pieces. This
keeps the tape from balling up or unravelling. Wrap it snugly,

18 THE HOME HANDYMAN | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022

 TrapMate
P-trap, Sink Connector & Basin Adapter

Beginner DIY / Professional

Installer suitable

TrapMate Kit
T
40mm polypropylene P-trap
with 38mm sink connector
and 32mm basin adapter.
High-quality seals that don't
leak and nuts that won't
strip.

Channel drain system ideal for

swimming pool installations.
Channels are secured together
with a click-in system.
First of its kind in the plumbing
industry.
Available in 250mm & 1-meter
lengths or in a 3-meter Experienced DIY /
Professional Installer
"Quali-pack." recommended

Advanced DIY /
Professional Installer
required
ller
Ceiling
Cei
Cei
Ce Saver
A long-term, cost-saving
device that fits over the
vacuum breakers of a
Unique diamond- d
d-
traditional electric geyser
pattern grate
preventing flood damage
ensures that theree
1.5T within a home in the event
e
is no break in the
carrying of vacuum breaker failure.
grate pattern.
capacity Redirects water to the
outside of a home.

www.seaqual.co.za
AVAILABLE IN SELECT PLUMBING AND HARDWARE STORES NATIONWIDE

@SeaqualSA (044) 382 3484 [email protected]

CONCRETE
Make a concrete table
with wooden inlays.

CREATIVE CONCRETE
The wooden inserts, which should depending on the thickness and water
already have been sanded and oiled, retention of the table. It is important
are placed in the casing. These are also that the table is completely dry to
What you will need sealed with silicone on the edges which maintain its maximum strength.
• Wood scraps prevents the cement from leaking out.
• Steel inlay Finally, the table top is coated with a
• Release agent Apply the release agent everywhere sealer to protect it from unsightly stains.
• Pigment colour on the formwork, but do not apply
the release coat to the wood. Let the We used an old base from our previous
• 40kg concrete + gravel table for the concrete top to stand on;
silicone dry out and pull it off with your
• Silicone the table weighs 75kg and is therefore
finger to form a small bevel. The frame
• Concrete sealer not easy to transport, however, once it
is now ready.

I
has finally been placed, it is solid and
n our living room we had only a
normal, cheap coffee table and were Step 2: Mix the concrete with water secure.

looking for a new stable living room and gravel. Add the pigment powder to
table. make the concrete look darker. Fill the
mold halfway with concrete. Now insert
All tables made of concrete were too the grid for reinforcement.
expensive or were only 3D printed, so
we thought about building our own. The Fill the entire mold to the end. Smooth
instructions are kept as short as possible. it out. The top is the bottom, so it
does not matter if it is not completely
smooth; the smooth surface comes
Step-by-step guide through because of the mold. We
pressed our hands into the concrete to
Step 1: Make a box from wood give it a personal ‘signature’.
scraps (ours measured 90cm x 60cm
x 7cm). This is then sealed with Step 3: Let the table dry out
silicone on the sides. completely; this may take up to 14 days

20 THE HOME HANDYMAN | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022

1 2 3

Make a box and select wood for the

inlays Silicone all the edges Mix the concrete with water and gravel

4 5 6

Insert the grid for reinforcement Fill the entire mold to the end Smooth it out

7 8 9

Finally, the table top is coated with a

We left our ‘signature’ underneath the table Let the table dry out completely sealer to protect it from unsightly stains

THE HOME HANDYMAN | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022 21

VEHICLES

To help you avoid a breakdown,

particularly when you drive for the first
time after a lockdown, it’s important to
look after your car if it’s at home more
than usual. Here are some top tips and
advice, so your car is ready to go and
you can get moving when you need to.

TOP TIPS
AND EASY CAR CHECKS
Keep your battery healthy so don’t forget to switch everything off as you
leave the car. Most cars have a ‘lights on’
Battery problems are the number 1 cause
warning sound as you open the car door.
Here is a checklist, of breakdowns at any time of year, and
at a glance: particularly when vehicles aren’t being used It’s a good idea to have a pair of jump leads in
• Battery – To stop your very often, such as during a lockdown. your car, just in case, so you can recharge your
battery going flat and battery from another vehicle. Most car batteries
help it stay charged, Checking your battery health: have a guarantee of 3 to 5 years, so if yours is
start the engine Your car may have a built-in battery monitor, or getting a bit old and tired, you can replace it
outside your garage you can buy a manual monitor to check your with a new one before it lets you down.
and run it for 15 battery’s health. You can also keep your battery
minutes once a week. topped up with a battery maintainer, which is Check tyre condition as well as
• Brakes – While it’s also known as a trickle charger. pressure
running, move the car
a short distance back If your vehicle is equipped with stop/start, While a flat tyre might be more obvious after a
and forth a few times it may automatically switch the engine off quick visual check, other problems could need
to stop the brakes while you’re trying to charge the battery. If a closer look. We recommend you check your
from seizing. this happens, it means the Battery Monitoring tyres – including the spare – every two weeks.
• Tyres – Check your System has recognised the battery is fully Keep an eye out for cuts, uneven wear and that
tyre condition and charged, so you’re good to go. your tread is within legal limits.
pressure. Look out for
cuts or bulges and get Flat battery causes: Check the tyre pressure at the same time so
them inflated if they The most common cause of a flat battery is you don’t put yourself at risk when you do start
need it. leaving the lights after turning the engine off, driving again. The correct pressure should be

22 THE HOME HANDYMAN | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022

in your vehicle handbook or printed on a label either inside Don’t get a flat battery while you clean
one of the door shuts or on the inside of the fuel flap.
Mechanics are often called out to help vehicles with flat
batteries caused by drivers leaving the radio or interior
Using a tyre pressure monitoring system:
lights on. This can particularly happen when you clean
Tyre pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) are fitted to all cars
as you might leave a door o open..
built after 1 November 2014. If this system is fitted to your
car, you may find the warning light has come on if the vehicle To avoid this, don’t use the
has been parked up for a time. This isn’t unusual and doesn’t radio or leave the keys in
necessarily indicate a fault or a puncture. the ignition while cleaning
the car. Once you’ve
If the TPMS light is on and the tyres look okay, it may just
finished, drive the car a
need resetting. Instructions on how to do this will be in the
short distance if possible,
handbook. There’s usually a button somewhere inside the car
applying the brakes often to
with the same image as the TPMS warning light on it. Pressing
dry them and run the engine
and holding this button for a few seconds should reset the
for 15 minutes, or re-connec
re-connect
system.
the battery maintainer.
Using a tyre pressure gauge:
Look for signs of animal visitors
If you have one, you can use a tyre pressure gauge to carry out
a more accurate check. Car engine bays can be an attractive nesting area for small
rodents at any time of year so if you haven’t driven your car
Replacing a flat tyre: for a while, it’s worth having a look around to see if you’ve
If you do have a flat, you can safely change it yourself if you had any visitors.
know how to use the jack, and are able to lift and position the
spare tyre comfortably. Check under the bonnet:
Look under the bonnet for droppings, gnawed wiring or
Generally, you can follow these steps to keep your tyres in pipework and plastics, evidence of bedding or hauls of stored
good condition: food. Favourite nesting sites are air filter boxes, under fuse
• Increase your tyre pressure if you’ve got a heavy load (the boxes and battery trays and the area below the windscreen.
right levels are in your handbook). But any dry, concealed space could be a target.
• Replace your tyres when the tread gets low - worn tyres are
While you’re there, it’s also a good idea to clear out any build-
more likely to get a puncture.
up of leaves and debris that may have accumulated during this
• Drive around, not over, corners and kerbs. The sides of your period.
tyres are easy to damage.
• Get your alignment or ‘tracking’ checked to make sure your Check around the wheels:
vehicle drives in a straight line. Otherwise, the tyres wear It’s also worth checking the wheel arches, around the
unevenly and this can even affect the handling. suspension, for signs of life. If you do find anything, it’s
important to deal with it as rodents in particular can cause
thousands of pounds worth of damage, and have a particular
fondness for expensive wiring looms. If you’re not comfortable
or able to move the visitors on yourself, pest control firms are
generally still operating, but you may have longer to wait as
many are busy with essential decontamination work. If you
find animals in to difficult to access areas, you may need
assistance from your mechanic.

Check your Diesel Particulate Filter (if you have one)

If your vehicle is a diesel produced after 2007, you’ll have
a Diesel Particulate Filter (or DPF). The DPF captures soot
particles produced while the engine’s running and stores
them until it gets to a stage where it needs to burn them off
(regen). This regen process usually happens when the vehicle
Whether you want to do your own tire rotation at home, or is on a motorway or fast carriageway run, for about 15-25
just need to change a flat tire, it’s simpler than you think kilometres, and usually goes unnoticed by the driver.

THE HOME HANDYMAN | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022 23

 DPF warning light: the house, learning some car upkeep tricks may come in
During the lockdown when cars are not getting this kind of handy.
use, DPF’s will be starting to fill up, especially where cars are
getting 1 or 2 very short essential trips per week. When the Installing windshield wipers: Wiper blade hardware
DPF needs to regen but isn’t getting the opportunity, a DPF can minimally vary from car to the other, but they all have
warning light will illuminate. many things in common. It’s recommended to check your
owner’s manual if you have any doubts, but basically, the
In these circumstances it is acceptable to take the vehicle for process is:
an extended drive to give the DPF a chance to regen, which
• Lift up the blades, as if you were going to wipe the
will cause the warning light to switch off again.
windshield underneath, and examine how they are
Give electric vehicles just as much care attached to the metal arms.
• On most cars, you should be able to see a tab on the
Tyres, brakes, suspension and general electrical systems are all
underside of the wiper; push it and you should be able to
the same as a petrol or diesel vehicle. The only real difference
slide away the old blade.
is the high voltage system.
• Attach the new blades using the opposite mechanism of
Many plug-in vehicles automatically maintain the 12 volt removing the old ones, and be careful as not to bend the
battery when they are plugged in – your vehicle handbook metal arms or scratch the windshield.
will tell you if this is the case. If you haven’t got your vehicle • Check to see if they are now secure, put them back in rest
plugged in, it’s good practice to plug in periodically, at least mode, and go back inside the car to turn them on and see
once a month, to help maintain systems. if they are functioning as they should.

Changing the air filter: Changing your air filter at

5 DIY car maintenance and repairs home takes about ten minutes. On the other hand, taking it
So, when it comes to general maintenance, there are 6 key to a paid mechanic’s place might mean leaving it there for
areas to keep on top of: the day. The steps are simple:
• Fuel • Locate the filter under the hood of your car; it’s usually in
• Lights a black rectangular casing with metal clips on the side – if
• Oil you don’t see it as soon as you pop up the hood, refer to
your owner’s manual.
• Water
• Electrics • Open up the box, and examine how the air filter fits
inside it. Make a note of which way the filter faces.
• Rubber
• Remove the old one, and insert the new one exactly how
When it comes to remembering them, just think FLOWER. the old one was. Close the metal clips on the casing when
Some maintenance and repair tasks truly need you to pay you’re done.
professionals to do, but others may actually be extremely
simple in nature that you can perform them yourself. If you
are trying to save some cash or expand your skills to be able
to quickly and efficiently take care of small things around

Wiper blade hardware can minimally vary from car to the

Changing your air filter at home takes about ten minutes
other, but they all have many things in common

24 THE HOME HANDYMAN | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022

Replacing the seatbelt and seat belt retractors: need to get major areas of
Using a seatbelt while driving is a must, and they, too, rust permanently repaired,
become old and faulty and may malfunction. Believe it or until then, here’s a trick you
not, you can actually replace most seat belt and seat belt can perform at home. Buy
retractors at home using a screwdriver and, obviously, a some mechanics grease, take
new belt set. a glob and apply it to the rusted area. It will act as
an insulator and slow down the rusting process, giving
Changing a tire: Whether you want to do your own tire you time to decide how, when, and where you are going
rotation at home, or just need to change a flat tire, it’s to fix it.
simpler than you think.
One of the leading causes of rust forming on cars is a
• First of all, you need to remove all of the lug nuts by
lack of proper cleaning, or because they’re not cleaned
simply using a piece of wood as a pry bar to lift off your
on a regular basis. When you fail to wash your car, large
tire – then keep them next to you for later.
amounts of dirt will accumulate pretty much everywhere,
• If you don’t have a fulcrum, all you have to do is place but especially on the underside of the vehicle and around
some shims or a small block of wood under the board and the wheel arches.
it will act as one.
• Slide the tire outwards, set it aside, and slide the other one Performing some of the light car maintenance measures
in, and screw the lug nuts back in. yourself will not only save you time and money, but it will
also make you proud as you successfully wrap up a task.
Slow down rusting: Take good care of your trusty vehicle, and remember to
For those of us who live in areas where roads are always stay safe when you perform these procedures, as
salted over the winter, or near the coast, there’s no escape well as test every function of a replaced part before going
from the eventual will rust. Although you will eventually on the road.

10 DIY car repairs you

shouldn’t do yourself
You can save thousands of rand over
the life of your vehicle if you know
how to perform basic maintenance
tasks such as changing your oil or air
filter. However, some vehicle repair
jobs are too complicated for you to do
yourself and knowing when to seek
the help of professionals is invaluable.
Therefore, do not attempt:
1. Repairing or recharging an air
conditioner
2. Replacing a windshield
3. Mounting/balancing tires
4. Transmission repairs
5. Electrics
6. Cooling system
7. Suspension
8. Timing belt
9. Bodywork
10. Engine tune-ups/repairs

THE HOME HANDYMAN | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022 25

TOOLS

A nail gun or nailer is not actually a

gun… rather it is used but for driving
nails into wood. For safety, it must
make contact with the wood and then
the tip or muzzle is depressed and the
trigger pulled before a nail can be fired.

NAIL GUNS
AND THEIR USES
N
ail guns are very useful because they make your job as Some are used for framing, roofing, decking, siding, interior
a woodworker easier and increase your productivity. work and for exterior work. Some nailers drive long 90mm nails
You don’t have to stay under the sun all day swinging for joining large pieces of wood, while other drive shorter and
at nails with a hammer. You just have to load the nail gun thinner nails for joining thinner and more fragile materials like
magazine with nails, place the tip at the spot you want to nail, trim, sheathing and moldings.
compress it and pull the trigger.
Here are the nine different types you can use for your projects
The nail sinks into the wood in a split second, and you move and their applications.
on to another spot. You save your energy, you save time and
you increase productivity.
1. Framing Nail Guns
A framing nail gun is simply a tool for driving framing nails up
When you swing at a nail using a hammer, you might miss the to 90mm in length into wood or similar material. These are the
nail head and hit the workpiece instead, marring or damaging largest and most powerful nail guns you’ll likely find out there.
the surface. With a nail gun, you don’t swing and miss, you just
place the tip directly on the wood, and you can drive the nail As the name implies, they are used for connecting large
right at the spot you want it driven. So, there’s no accidental dimensional lumber pieces used for framing buildings. You can
marring of the workpiece if you handle it correctly. also use it for other woodworking projects that will require you
to nail large timber pieces such as building a deck, a fence or
There are different types of nail guns available today. They’re even building furniture pieces. There are different types you
usually differentiated from each other by the size and length of can choose from and they’re usually categorised according to
nails they fire and the type of application they’re used for. their source of power.

26 THE HOME HANDYMAN | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022

 might argue that you can still use a framing nailer for siding
installation, and that’s technically correct.

However, both nail guns are different because siding require

the use of smaller nails between 40mm to 65mm in length.
Whereas framing nails can be up to 90mm long or even more.
Siding nailers because of the smaller nail sizes and smaller
magazine are also lighter in comparison to framing nailers
which have a bigger magazine that carry longer nails.

This means you’ll experience less fatigue when if you’re using

the siding nailer for your project.

5. Roofing Nail Guns

As the name implies, roofing nail guns are used for driving
They include pneumatic or air-powered, fuel powered and roofing nails from 20mm to 45mm long. These are specially
battery powered or cordless framing nailers. designed for nailing different types and sizes of shingles, vinyl
material, insulation boards, fibre cement, waterproof tar paper
2. Brad Nailers
and are even used sometimes for siding.
Brad nailers are interior nailers used for trim installation and
cabinet making. They make use of fine 18 gauge nails which You can set nail depth easily and most usually come with
are very tiny and practically invisible once you’ve driven them an adjustable shingle guide to help you space shingles
into the wood. appropriately.

18 gauge nails are very hard to drive manually using a hammer. Instead of a straight magazine, they usually come with a coil
You can either bend the nail while hammering it, miss the nail magazine or canister to accommodate more nails, reducing the
and heat the workpiece, damaging it or you can even hit and amount of time you have to reload.
hurt your hand.
6. Pin Nailers
That’s why brad nailers are very important especially for home Pin nailers make use of 23 gauge nails. These nails are so tiny,
renovation projects where you have to install moldings and trim they look like pins, and they don’t have flat head like other
all over the house, while driving hundreds or even thousands of nails.
these tiny nails.
They’re often used for furniture and cabinet making, and also
The tiny brads however are so tiny that they’re not meant for for installing moldings and trim, especially if a thicker nail will
heavy crown moldings or trim, because they lack the strength it likely split the wood you’re working on. When driven into the
requires. It’s best for installing small trim and lighter moldings.
However, the tiny size makes them very easy to conceal
in small pieces of trim. Sometimes, you don’t even need to
conceal them further once they’re fully driven into the trim.
Having the brad nailer in hand however will simplify your
work, making it neater, easier and faster.

3. Finish Nailers
Because brad nails are so tiny, they lack enough holding power
to hold heavier trim and moldings. That’s why there’re finish
nailers. These make use of 15 and 16 gauge nails or wire which
are thicker and stronger than the 18 gauge brad nails.

They have more holding power and withdrawal resistance and

thus are better suited for installing larger trim and moldings.

The only disadvantage it has is that the finish nails leave a more
visible whole when they’re fully driven into the trim, and thus
require further attention to conceal the hole.

4. Siding Nailers
A siding nail gun is primarily used for siding installation. Some

THE HOME HANDYMAN | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022 27

 wood they pretty much disappear into it without leaving any You have to use a mallet to heat the drive head to insert a
mark or hole to fill with a wood putty. cleat in both manual and pneumatic variations.

You can also use a pin nailer to hold down glued wood pieces However, while you provide all the driving force when using
together for added holding power. Note that these pins are very a manual type, the pneumatic units provide additional force
tiny and don’t have enough holding strength or withdrawal through the connected compressed air to help drive the cleats
resistance, so you should only use them for light-weighing into the floor.
wooden pieces.
9. Staple Nail Gun
7. Palm Nail Guns Framing nails, brad nails and pins can’t hold down fragile
Unlike other nail guns with straight handles you can hold, palm materials like carpet, fabric, thin plywood, sheathing and so
nailers are kind of round and fit right into your palm. They’re on.
built this way so you can fit them into tight corners and nail
things where you can’t fit the other big bulky nailers. These materials are so thin and light that they’ll pull right off if
you use these type of fasteners. What you need to hold them
You also don’t get any type of magazine to hold the nails with securely is a staple gun that drives staples. They’re ideal for
this one. You just pick one nail and drive it with the palm use when the material is too fragile to withstand the force of
nailer, one at a time. other nail guns.

I think that’s the major drawback they have. Apart from that,
they’re very useful nail guns you need for driving nails where
other type of nailers can’t fit into the space.

8. Hardwood Flooring Nailer

The hardwood flooring nailer doesn’t really look like the usual
nail gun, but it is. It comes in two types, manual and pneumatic.

The nails used are known as cleats and don’t look like the
normal ones used for other wood fastening applications, and
they either have an ‘L’ head or a ‘T’ head.

When buying a flooring nailer, you make sure to check the type
of nail it uses, so you can buy the same type of nails or cleat to
go with it.

Unlike other nail guns that don’t require any manual action
on your part to insert nails, both the manual and pneumatic
flooring nailers require some form of force from you.

Power source
Each of the different types of nail guns are usually classified They’re not as popular as they used to be due to
by their power source. They’re classified into pneumatic or air advancement in battery powered cordless models, but they
powered, fuel powered, corded electric and cordless electric. favourite to many craftsmen, because they’re often lighter
compared to battery-only models.
Pneumatic nail guns are powered using compressed air from
an air compressor. You have to buy an air compressor, a hose You also have to replace the fuel cells inside periodically
and fittings to connect the tool to the compressor machine. depending on how often you use it, which will add to the
Air powered or pneumatic nail guns are often lighter in cost of owning the tool.
comparison to cordless models and often more powerful.
Their major drawback is that you have to drag an air hose Cordless or battery powered nail guns rely solely on battery
with you wherever you want to use them. power which spins either a brushed or brushless motor inside
the nailer, thereby producing the force that drives the nail into
Fuel powered nailers make use of a combination of a fuel the material.
cell and a battery for power, just like a miniature engine. The
sudden combustion and expansion of the fuel produces the These are very portable, but they’re quite heavy compared to
power that drives the fastener into the wood. pneumatic and fuel powered units.

28 THE HOME HANDYMAN | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022

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WOODWORKING

I’m father of one girl

and soon... two. Their
bedroom needed a
bedside cabinet, so I
decided to get hands
on it.

Step-by-step guide
Step 1: Split in pieces
I bought a big piece of wood and cut
it into pieces. After cutting it I marked
down a mark on the back side of
each piece. This way I would always
know which side I was working on.
As with most of my major projects,
I used wooden dowels to put it
together.

Step 2: Feet
To create the feet I used a beam, and
cut it in four pieces of 10cm. Them
I rounded the edges and the bottom.
To assemble it I drilled two holes in
each foot and on the bottom piece of
cabinet.

Step 3: Doors
This cabinet has two sliding doors.
So, I made the rails (bottom and top)
with the router. Then I cut the top and

BEDSIDE CABINET
bottom of the door, and left 1cm to fit
on the rails.

Step 4: Door texture

FOR KIDS I decided to add some texture. I
marked the lines and used a router
with a triangle tip.

Step 5: Assemble and finish

To finish it, sand it, sand it, sand it,
Tools and materials Hand tools Others
and then sand it again. Assemble
• Router • Ruler • Glue
all the pieces. For the cabinet back
• Drill machine • Pencil • Wood varnish (cherry colour) I used a 5mm panel with very small
• Circular saw • Square • Wood finisher (oil for furniture) nails. Then I applied the finish; I
• Orbital sander • Beeswax choose cherry varnish and I loved the
• Wood (I used pine) result.

30 THE HOME HANDYMAN | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022

1 2 3 4

Cut your wood to size Dry fit Drill the dowel holes Insert the dowels

5 6 7 8

Drill holes in the feet for the

The piece I used for the feet Cut the feet to a size of 10cm Round off the edges dowels

9 10 11 12

This cabinet has two sliding I made the rails (bottom and
doors top) with the router An inside view Testing the doors

13 14 15 16

Scribe lines for the ‘texture’ Use a router for the lines Sand, sand and sand some more Apply the finish of your choice

THE HOME HANDYMAN | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022 31

METALWORKING

Make your own

METALWORK FIRE RACK
>> Dale Diver

M
y wife and I have been A note about buying steel. Find a real
For this little project, it took me
eyeballing a little firewood supplier and avoid the big box stores.
nearly as long to lug all the tools
out of the shop as it did to actually rack to go beside the fireplace. It’s so much cheaper it’s almost hard to
build the thing. Before, when I brought in an armload believe. It’s intimidating the first time, but
of logs, I just put them on the floor. The you’ll thank me in the end.
racks we’ve seen for sale at shops all
seem cheaply made and overpriced. I For the frame I cut four pieces of 25mm
recently purchased a little scroll bender tubing. 2 x 460mm and 2 x 200mm this
and thought it would be a good time to will give the final dimension of 460mm
Tools and equipment x 255mm. I clamped the pieces down to
try it out.
• Angle grinder with flap disc and the bench and used the grinder with the
cut-off wheel I had some specific dimensions to work flap disc to clean up the rust so I would
• Chop saw within, but you could make the frame have a good area for grounding and
• Disc sander whatever size fits your space. My frame’s welding the pieces together. My square
• Welder/welding mask finished dimensions are 460mm x stock has been in the weather for years
255mm and the scrolls are 355mm from so it’s rusty. If you get new stock, you’ll
• 90 degree vice/clamp
tip to tip. still need to grind it some to get to the
• Metalcraft MK2/2H
bare metal.
• Various clamps Don’t forget safety glasses, welding
gloves, hearing protection, and I have a nifty 90-degree clamp; it really
Materials used protective clothing if you have them; the helps line up the corners. Unfortunately,
• 25mm x 3mm square tubing I had sparks from the grinder can get hot. I also it wouldn’t fit inside the frame to get
lying around recommend (for safety) not taking off the the last two corners tacked. I ended up
• 19mm x 3mm flat bar guard on the angle grinder but mine is doing two L-shaped pieces and using
. long gone. the alignment magnet to get the last two
.
32
. THE HOME HANDYMAN | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022
 1

Gather your tools

2
corners. Also used a regular speedy clamp thing to hold the joint snug
together.

I tested out one piece before cutting the other three, so the pictures are a
little out of order. The scroll has a diameter of 50mm, and I wanted it to
be a total of 355mm tall, so I needed 255mm extra after the scrolls. The
scroll bender comes with a little cheat sheet for this, and I determined
that each scroll needed 178mm of steel. I cut a piece 610mm and it
turned out perfectly 355mm long at after bending.
For the frame I cut four pieces
Math is cool. I rounded the corners with the disc sander before scrolling
to get rid of any sharp edges and make it look a little more ‘finished’.
The scroll bender is neat and simple. This one will handle up to 3mm 3
stock. Just stick it in the slot and bend it around the spiral. Once I got all
four bent, it’s time to put it all together.

I figured out where I wanted the ‘legs’ to be and clamped them up and
tack welded them in. I set them back 82mm from the ends and they
protrude down 58mm. This just looked right to my eye.

Once I was sure I liked where everything was, I went back and added
some more welds. Just some more heavy tack welds will do the trick
here. No need to worry about perfect beads (and it’s been a while since
I welded much) I could have made the joints mitred or welded some I clamped the pieces down to the bench and used the
plate over the holes in the end. I bought a bunch of these 25mm square grinder with the flap disc to clean up the rust
plugs for a previous project, so I decide to use them. I was initially
going to paint it black like all fireplace accessories, but my wife had
other plans. I installed the plugs at this point because they’re going to be 4
painted with the rest of the rack. I failed to get a picture, but I finished
cleaning up the rust with the grinder and flap disc.

My wife wanted what she called a ‘bronzy’ colour. I found this

Rustoleum hammered look paint. I also like that it can be sprayed in any
direction and angle. This came in handy for getting paint coverage in
the scrolls. Close up of the paint shows a little texture just after one good
coat. That’s it... it’s done.

Now when the paint dries, I’ll put it in the house and get ready for the
winter fires. Hope you liked this little project and I hope it inspires some
to attempt something similar. I used a nifty 90 degree clamp to line up the corners

THE HOME HANDYMAN | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022 33

 5 6 7

I used an alignment magnet for the last

Tack the corners two corners Using a disc sander…

8 9 10

Stick your workpiece in the slot of the

I rounded the corners scroll bender Then bend around the spiral

11 12 13

The first one went well so it was time to I figured out where I wanted the ‘legs’ to be
do the rest All four done and clamped them up

14 15 16

I had some 25mm square plugs from a Finish cleaning up the rust with the grinder
Tack well all the legs previous project, so I decide to use them and flap disc

34 THE HOME HANDYMAN | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022

17 18 19

I installed the plugs at this point because

they’re going to be painted with the rest of Close up of the paint shows a little texture
the rack I found a ‘hammered look’ paint just after one good coat

Metalworking: What tools do you need to get started?

Metalworking can be a fun and All that extra speed means more friction mind.
rewarding hobby to get into where and a hotter blade, and at best you’re When it
you can learn many valuable skills. looking at a shower of sparks that’ll comes to
When you start on your adventure into wear your blade down in no time. price abrasive
abr
metalworking it can be overwhelming; cutting discs
d are
all the different tools available, and the What kind of saw you should buy the cheaper
cheap off
price tags attached to some of them can comes down to what material you want the two options, but they also
be intimidating. This list provides you to work with, and what you intend to don’t last near as long as a saw blade.
with a solid core to build-up your tool do with it. If you aren’t sure yet, then Metal cutting saw blades are more
collection from. we’d suggest a circular saw which is a durable and offer a much better cost
very versatile option. per cut over time. because of this and
Safety equipment: The most important in the long term you can end up saving
thing you’ll need to buy is some safety Remember; you can also look into
money by using them instead.
gear. Invest in a good pair of goggles. metal cutting bandsaws and fretsaws
Pick up some safety gloves to help too. These are fantastic if you are Welders: You won’t get far working
to protect your hands too. Make sure planning to do the more intricate with metal without you have a welder.
to get ones rated for the right kind of cutting. If you are just doing straight There are a few options here, but for a
work. For example, if you are welding, cuts in larger bits of metal, then the beginner, opt for an arc welder. There
then opt for welding gloves. They will metal cutting saw and angle grinder are plenty of entry-level ones to choose
be able to cope with the heat. are where you need to be setting your from available at a fair price. You will
sights. need some arc welding rods to go
with it too. This will help take your
metalworking hobby to the next level.

Saw blades or cutting discs: This

Metal-cutting saws: Now that you does tie into the previous tool, but we
aren’t a safety liability let’s look at feel it deserves its own section. You Chipping hammers: Finally,
actual tools starting with saws. Now will need to choose your saw blades or you are going to need a chipping
it’s important to make clear is that cutting discs based on the type of metal hammer. This goes hand-in-hand
hand-in-han
not all saws are created equal and a that you are cutting. with the welder. The purpose of the
woodworking saw is not ‘just as good’. chipping hammer is to remove
remo
Woodcutting saws spin their blades There are a lot of options to choose any residue leftover from the
t
much faster than a metal cutting saw. from here and a few things to keep in welding.

THE HOME HANDYMAN | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022 35

LIGHTING

Make a modern
PVC pipe lamp. What you will need
Pipe stuff
• 60cm of 16mm PVC water
pipe
• 3 x 16mm elbow fittings
• 2 x 16mm end caps
• 2 x 16mm metal pipe clamps
• 2 x 65mm long pipe supports
• PVC cement (glue)
• PVC pipe saw

Wood stand
• 120cm of a 45x45 wooden
post
• Multipurpose super glue (but
any wood glue will work)
• One 4.2 x 75mm wood screw
• Auger bit to make the hole
for the screw used on the
vertical piece of wood
• Oil stain
• Stain brush
• Random orbit sander
• Sandpaper: #320, #240

Electric stuff
• 4m lamp cord
• Needle nose pliers
• E26 screw in light socket

PIPING UP
• 2 threaded cable grips
• Super glue for threads
• Plug

>> Bryan Harper

P
glued all of the base lengths together
ipe lights! You either love them or hate Step-by-step guide followed by the vertical piece and
them. I had quite the collection of PVC finally the screw.
pipes and clamps leftover from other Step 1: The base
projects and I’m in that group of people who I had a 120cm wooden post leftover The glue I used is a one-part
loves pipe lights! from previous projects which I cut solventless, fast curing, highly
it into five lengths. The base is four durable super glue. It acts as contact
This article will explain how I made a PVC cement on plastic too.
lengths of 19.5cm and the vertical
pipe lamp with a faux metal finish. I already
piece holding the pipe lamp is
had everything I used for it in my workshop, 40cm. I had half of tube of super Step 2: Sanding and staining
so I didn’t need to buy anything. I found a glue leftover from a ceiling project I sanded the base using a random
German paint called Schuppenpanzer on I did last year and it doesn’t keep orbit sander starting with #240
my international travels; it’s a quick drying well, so I wanted to use it up. I sandpaper and finishing with #320.
film that can be sanded to an iron sheen. If used an augur bit to make a hole to I stained with a medium walnut oil
it’s unavailable in your area, try Rust-Oleum sink the 4.2 x 75mm wood screw. I stain.
specialty paints for plastic.

36 THE HOME HANDYMAN | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022

Step 3: Pipe supports gluing the pipes together as you 1
work.
I attached the pipes to the wood
using two 65mm pipe supports The second threaded cable grip is
and I used pliers to bend the ends installed like the first. Cable grips
to create a 90 degree angle. stop the lamp wire from yanking
out. If you drill the holes for the
Step 4: Cutting the PVC cable grips too big, don’t worry.
My only plan was to use as much There’s not enough room in the
of the stuff I had as I could. I had pipes to make a knot, so use a
three elbows and two end caps heavy-duty zip-tie on the cord as
and this is what I came up with. a stopper inside the PVC end caps.
What would you have created? I added the plug at the end of the
project.
Step 5: Wiring
I had the lamp cord, light socket, Step 6: First coat
cable grips and plug in the I attached the PVC pipe light to
workshop already, all leftover from the wood and then painted on the
other projects. first coat. This paint has a heavy
texture, so I was worried I wouldn’t
I started with drilling a hole in be able to fit the clamps on if I
both of the end caps to screw in The supplies I used
painted first. As you can see, I
the threaded cable grips. I started covered the clamps with painters’
by making a guide hole with a
regular bit for the stepped bit. I
tape and painted around them. 2
made the hole just big enough to Step 7: Second coat and
screw in the cable grips and added
sanding
a drop of super glue to the threads.
The cable grips have a screw on It took two coats of paint to build
cap and you’ll need needle nose up a nice heavy texture. This paint
pliers to tighten the cap inside can be sanded to an iron sheen, so
the PVC end cap on the end the I took #320 sandpaper and lightly
socket is installed. sanded the entire thing. Again, this
paint is awesome! After that, find a
Once the light socket is on, feed place to show off your lamp, turn
the lamp cord through the pipes, it on, and enjoy!
I had a 120cm wooden post which I cut it into
five lengths

Use a 4.2 x 75mm wood screw to attach the base

THE HOME HANDYMAN | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022 37

 4 5 6

I used an augur bit to make a hole first The post attached to the base Sand it all down

7 8 9

I attached the pipes to the wood using two I used pliers to bend the ends to create a
Then apply a stain 65mm pipe supports 90 degree angle.

10 11 12

Cut your PVC pipe to size The design I went for Drill a hole in both of the end caps

13 14 15

The cable grips have a screw on cap and

I made the hole just big enough to screw you’ll need needle nose pliers to tighten
in the cable grips and added a drop of the cap inside the PVC end cap on the Once the light socket is on, feed the
super glue to the threads end the socket is installed lamp cord through the pipes

38 THE HOME HANDYMAN | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022

16 17 18

Fit the pipes to the post How it was connected Paint the first coat

19 20 21

I covered the clamps with painters’ tape

and painted around them Sand the finish This is how the faux metal finish turned out

Working with PVC pipe

Pipe made of polyvinyl chloride, commonly called PVC, is You may want to lay a tarp or towel over your work surface
used in a variety of residential applications, from plumbing to minimize difficult clean-up in the event of drips. PVC pipe
systems to a host of cool craft projects (such as DIY racks, cement is a chemical solvent which can off-put harmful toxins,
organisers, and even furniture). Joining a pipe to a pipe fitting so be sure to work in a well-ventilated area.
requires specially formulated primer and cement – no ordinary
Don’t leave jagged edges: After you cut the PVC pipe, be
adhesive but a chemical solvent that melts the surface of the
sure to smooth any burrs off the edges of the cut surface with
PVC and then quickly re-hardens to fuse the pieces together.
coarse sandpaper or a utility knife. Left attached, burrs can
The result is an airtight, leak-proof bond similar to what you
both catch debris flowing through the pipes, causing clogs, or
get with welding metal.
compromise the effectiveness of the seal.
Don’t use the wrong type of cement: There are different
kinds of cements (and primers) on the market formulated for Do work fast: After you apply the primer, you only have
various types of plastic piping. Read labels carefully and be about 10 seconds before you need to apply the cement. After
sure to select cement made specifically for PVC. Be aware that that, you will immediately insert the pipe into the fitting.
one type of pipe cement you may see on the shelf is designed Proceed quickly when gluing PVC pipe; if the cement begins
for CPVC (chlorinated polyvinyl chloride) pipe, which is drying before you’re ready, reapply it.
similar in name but not an acceptable substitute. Do twist for a secure fit: Twist the pipe a quarter of the
Do a dry fit: Before gluing PVC pipe, lay out all the pieces way around as you push it into the fitting. This will allow the
of pipe and make sure that when they’re connected, they fit glue to spread, offering a tighter fit. Hold the pipe and fitting
together nicely and are cut to the correct length that you need. together firmly for at least 30 seconds; any less and the pipe
Then mark and number the connections if necessary so you could pop back out.
don’t glue the wrong ones together.
Do allow enough cure time: After holding the pipe in place
Don’t neglect safety warnings: PVC primer and cement are for 30 seconds, give it at least 20 minutes before handling it
messy to work with, and manufacturers recommend avoiding further so the cement can set properly. Refer to the product’s
eye and skin contact. Before getting started, break out the instructions for how long the glue needs to cure before you
safety goggles (ideally with side shields) and protective gloves. can use it for your project, usually within 24 hours.

THE HOME HANDYMAN | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022 39

HOME OFFICES

Be creative and frugal for

the best results.

HOW TO SET UP
A BUDGET HOME OFFICE
W
ith so many people working from home these days, a
Define your work office space
home office has become an essential space for many.
However, not everyone has a big budget for outfitting For the greatest efficiency in work, find a space that can
a home office, and few people can pay to have a professional be dedicated to a home office area. You can make use of
space planner design an efficient home office space. whatever space you have for a stylish and small home office,
whether it’s a large stair landing, a small closet, a spare room,
Whether you’re working at home full-time or using the home or an unused corner of the living room.
office sporadically, be sure to include adequate lighting, music,
and comfortable seating. Bring in plants and inspiring artwork. Create a floor plan
After all, you might be spending a lot of time in this new home
It might be tempting to just move pieces of furniture – even
office – it should be a comfortable space that you enjoy spend-
if it’s just a desk and a chair – around until the space works.
ing time in.
However, if you spend some time measuring your space,
It’s tempting to jump online and immediately start ordering creating a floor plan (small as it might be), measuring your
furniture and decor for a brand-new home office. However, you furniture, and thinking it through, the final result is much
should take a day or two to plan the office layout and design. more likely to be the best use of the space.

40 THE HOME HANDYMAN | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022

Determine what you can do yourself Clean off the pieces, sand them down, and paint all of the
items the same colour. It will look as though you bought
Before you start collecting quotes from professionals, figure
them to match. If you don’t want any hand-me-downs, keep
out what projects you can manage yourself. For example,
your eye open for furniture sales or check web sources.
inviting professional painters to paint your home office is a
luxury, but it’s not too hard to paint a small space yourself – Accaept used furniture
and it will save you a good chunk of change.
Visit professional offices to see if they are renovating. Quality
Use what you have hotels redecorate guest rooms every four or five years. Maybe
you could buy a used desk or chair there. Does your own
Think about whether you move furniture or accessories from
company have any extra furniture that’s not being used, since
one part of the house to your new home office. If you don’t
people are working at home?
have to buy some pieces, you’ll save a lot of money. Is there
a comfortable chair in the guest room? Do you have some Also, look for a used furniture store or a furniture rental store.
pictures tucked away in a closet that would be inspiring and They often have pieces they’re willing to sell. Be ready to do
decorative on the walls of your workspace? Look around to some fixing when you take the pieces home. Check to see
see what you can use in your new home office. if your community has a store that sells used office furniture
exclusively.
Construct DIY office furniture
Tip: When you go shopping for furniture, be sure to take
A desk is essential for a home office, but you don’t have to your measurements with you. It would be a shame to get a
shell out big bucks for a piece of heavy furniture. You can great price on a great desk, only to find that it doesn’t fit in
DIY a simple desk by placing two filing cabinets in your your space.
office space and laying a board across them. Sand the edges,
and paint it your favourite colour for an inexpensive desk Buy new adecor at bargain prices
with plenty of storage capacity.
Discount stores, home centres, furniture outlets, lighting
Think of other ways you can use inexpensive materials to showrooms, and home decorating centres offer an amazing
create shelves, filing systems, and in-and-out boxes. Use a assortment of items at deeply discounted prices. You might
decorative flowerpot to hold pencils and scissors. Buy several be surprised to find a beautiful desk at a great price next to
multi-level shoe shelves to put on top of the desk to hold a factory-second towels.
printer, some paper, or books.
Swap with fraiends
Shop around faor cheap bargains
Consider trading pieces of furniture with a friend. If you
You’d be amazed by what you can find at garage sales, have a dining table that doesn’t fit in your home, how
flea markets, second-hand shops, and charity stores – not about trading it for a desk that you need? Or do you have
to mention online options such as Facebook Marketplace children’s furniture that a neighbour can use in exchange for
and Gumtree. It seems that people are always getting rid of bookshelves? Consider swapping services for furniture, too.
bookshelves and desks, and you might find just what you Offer your decorating skills in exchange for a chair. Or make
need. Even if you have a small space, you can find a stylish some curtains for a neighbour who could build you a desk.
small desk to match it. Everyone has something of value that they can offer.

Go for comfort, not trends

Pinterest may be buzzing with home setting up or revamping a home office: • What distracts you most from work?
office trends, and just looking at some • What’s the least comfortable thing We know you’ve heard this before, but
of them is enough to get our creative about your current office/home office it’s worth repeating: you’ll be sitting
juices flowing. That said, the first step space? before your laptop a lot, make sure you
to a perfect home office is personal • What does your ideal office feel get yourself a comfortable, ergonomic
comfort. For some people, that’s a like? What kind of space fuels your office chair, even if you have to go
formal desk, for others, a plush chair. productivity? shopping for that one. As someone
For some, it’s perfect minimalism and
• Do you have to be alone or around who’s used everything from dining
bright sunlight, for others, a cosy study
people to focus best? room chairs to pillows to prop up
with lamplight.
• Do you work best in silence or with myself during hours of work, trust me:
A few things to ask yourself before background sounds? your back will thank you.

THE HOME HANDYMAN | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022 41

GARDENS

Find out how the experts mow and

care for their lawns. Rolux CEO Stuart
Williams shares his tips on how to get
your lawn summer ready.

GET YOUR LAWN

SUMMER READY
Y
ou’ve seen the lush lawns on the glossy pages of garden increases the water holding capacity of the soil. Ensure the job
magazines, and perhaps you feel this perfection is is done right with a Spike Roller.
unattainable, but with the right advice and the best
equipment, you can make these dream lawns a reality in your Step 1: Aerate your lawn using your spike roller. Tip: If your
garden too. ground is firm, water generously before using your spike roller
to ensure proper aeration.
With summer on our doorstep, now is the time to get out into
the sunshine and embark on a summer lawn care regime. This 3. Dress for success
is what the experts are doing to ensure a carpet of green this Apply lawn dressing: This is a mixture of garden soil and a
summer: soil enricher, such as compost. Usually applied in spring and
early summer, it improves the quality of your soil, levels out
1. Chuck out the old, bring in the new uneven bits and stimulates the grass to produce new shoots.
Scarify: Using a strong, but affordable rake, remove old, dead Depending on your lawn type, the general recommendation is
grass to make way for new growth. Getting rid of this dead a 1.5cm layer of lawn dressing. Note that buffalo grass, LM and
matter allows water, air and nutrients to get through to the all cool season lawns do not tolerate lawn dressing.
roots. This can be done on kikuyu and cynodon lawns, which
Step 1: Place small heaps of dressing on your lawn, and more
have runners, but not evergreen, shade-loving lawns.
in any small depressions.
Step 1: Loosen dead grass with your rake or scarifier. Tip:
Step 2: Spread the dressing evenly over your lawn, creating
renting a scarifier is often the most efficient and most affordable
a level surface. You can use a smooth roller if your lawn if
solution!
very uneven, but don’t overdo it so you don’t compact the soil
Step 2: Cut your lawn using the lowest height setting of your underneath.
lawnmower.
Step 3: Remove the clippings using a rake and add to your 4. Keep it fed
compost heap. Fertilise: Lawns love to eat and drink – and require a good
dose of TLC to look their best. A good general fertiliser for
2. Breathe life into your lawn all lawn types is 5:1:5 (36). Apply this fertiliser during the
Aerate: Aeration allows air to get to the grass roots, which aids growing season at a rate of 60g per square metre at least once
in drainage, making available all the minerals and nutrients every three months. Alternatively, use a specialised fertiliser
needed for lush growth. It also reduces soil compression and for established lawns available at your local garden centre.

42 THE HOME HANDYMAN | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022

Repeat this process every four weeks throughout the season, or too short can damage and weaken your grass and decrease its
alternate with a high nitrogen fertiliser like LAN. Importantly, drought resistance. Adjust your mower blades so that you don’t
you must water after fertilising to avoid burning your lawn. take off more than a third of the grass length – especially for the
first cut in spring or early summer. Regularly cutting your grass
5. Make the cut helps thicken up your lawn and keep weeds at bay, so keep
Mow: One of the best ways to get the best out of your lawn mowing! As a general rule, keep kikuyu at a height of 4-6cm,
is by mowing it – properly! We tend to cut our lawns short, finer grasses such as cynodont at 3-4cm and shade lawns at a
increasing the time between mowings. However, cutting it height of 6-7cm.

How to prepare your gardening tools for spring If you have the right filing and sharpening tools on hand,
you can easily sharpen a chainsaw chain. When you don’t
Keeping track of your tools is one of the best ways to stay on top
have enough time or the right tools, a professional service
of your garden. Sharp, well-maintained tools will allow you to
will get it back to normal in no time.
work faster and more safely when the weather warms, without
worrying about machinery stalling, seizing or becoming blunt.
Replace the blades on your mower
By preparing your garden tools for spring, you can begin Well-maintained lawns require sharp, clean blades. If lawn
hedge trimming, lawn mowing, leaf blowing, and pruning mower blades are blunt, dull, or damaged, they pull grass
with ease. Plus, regular tool maintenance improves tool out at the roots, splitting and damaging the blades of grass
performance, reliability, and longevity – allowing you to instead of creating a clean cut.
maximise your time outdoor.
Mower blades can generally be sharpened every few
Maintaining your gardening tools regularly months as needed. If a blade is damaged or bent, it should
Maintaining your garden tools before spring arrives will save be replaced before mowing. Maintenance of lawn mowers
you hours on last-minute repairs, accessory changes, and is crucial to the performance and efficiency of professional
struggling with underperforming tools during the busy season. landscapers and greenspace businesses.
We’ve all been there, and it’s frustrating.
Oil change and fuel mixtures
It is important to remember that cold temperatures and
Over the winter, oil and fuel in garden tools may become
moisture-rich air can damage our tools, especially if they
contaminated with sediment and rust, resulting in poor
have been out of commission over the winter. However,
performance and a greater risk of engine damage. Before
preparing garden tools for spring doesn’t take much effort.
storing their fuel tanks for the winter, seasoned gardeners
may empty their fuel tanks as a preventive measure. Should
General maintenance
this not be the case, it is possible to simply empty the tank
Performing general maintenance on your garden tools and refill as necessary.
involves cleaning them of dirt, grime and debris. It is also
the appropriate time to check for cracks, wear and tear, and
Organising the garden tool storage
damage to your tools before using them.
You shouldn’t keep all of your garden tools and accessories
• Clean the chassis with a damp cloth.
in a cardboard box in the corner of your garage for many
• Look for signs of rust and corrosion on blades, knives, and reasons. It’s a good idea to remove all garden tools and
chains. accessories. Before storing them, clean them up and give
• Check that all screws and bolts are tight and that the them some TLC. This is in an area that is free of moisture,
external wires are secure. direct sunlight, and extreme temperatures.
• Make sure the air filters are clean or replaced as necessary.
Storage boxes and cases allow garden tools to be preserved
• Make sure chains, blades, and knives are properly oiled and for a long time. In addition, drawers can be used to store
lubricated. spare chains, filing kits, and other accessories. You can
hang lighter tools from hooks or shelves. To elevate larger,
Changing or sharpening chains heavier tools, such as lawn mowers, they can be stacked on
Regular chainsaw maintenance includes sharpening, bricks.
changing, and upgrading chains. By offering a range of bars
and chains, as well as filing equipment and original parts, Organising your tools will save you hours of time searching
Husqvarna chainsaw accessories ensure you spend less time for what you need. Furthermore, over the course of the
and effort on everyday cutting and pruning tasks. year, they are much easier to maintain, clean, and store.

THE HOME HANDYMAN | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022 43

WALLING

South African homeowners

have seemingly long held
the belief that quality
building and improvement
in residential properties can
only be achieved using brick
and mortar.

5 REASONS
TO USE DRYWALL IN YOUR HOME
D
rywall as a preferred material for First off, one needs to reiterate what studs and floor and ceiling tracks, set in
domestic use has largely been drywall is. The drywall itself consists place to form the foundation of the wall.
neglected over the years. The of a gypsum core board encased in, The joints between boards are plastered
purpose of this article is to point out the and firmly bonded to, special recycled with a joining compound similar to
advantages of using drywall at one’s paper liners. These boards are fixed to Rhinolite, finished to give it a similar
home, and to give 5 reasons to do so. galvanised steel frames consisting of wall look to brick and plastered wall.

Here are 5 reasons why you should consider using drywall above brick wall in renovation
projects at your home:
1. Versatility 3. Cost effectiveness paints it, it will take about 5 to 6 days
Drywalls can be used in curved, The material cost of drywalls is almost to complete. A drywall with the same
suspended, arched, and other shaped similar to that of using brick and mortar. measurements will take only 1 and a
designs according to the specific However, because of the speed with half days.
requirements of the clients. They can which drywalls are installed, labour
5. Convenience
also be tiled, painted or plastered. costs when compared to brick building
may be substantially lower, which Drywalling is a clean process when
2. Durability makes drywalling a highly cost-effective compared to brick and mortar
Drywalls are extremely durable when building method. construction. There is no need for
used in the correct locations (indoors) strong foundations, there is no cement
and also come in soundproof, fireproof 4. Time mixing on site, and installation is
and waterproof formats. If constructed One of the biggest advantages of virtually dust-free. Moreover, the
correctly, one can fix weighted objects using drywall in domestic projects is walls are very easy to remove, making
such as mirrors, framed pictures and the little time it takes to install when them ideal for temporary structures
even TV monitors to drywalls, making compared to brick walls. For example, in domestic environments where the
them just as practical as a solid brick if one constructs a single brick wall of future usage of a specific space is
wall. 2.6m high and 4m long, plasters and unsure.

44 THE HOME HANDYMAN | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022

Once you have decided to use drywall and partitioning in
your home, you will probably find a number of uses around How to patch a small hole in drywall
the house for it. Drywalling is definitely becoming more and Oops! Notice a small hole in your drywall? That’s
more popular in South Africa. Consult a professional drywall frustrating, but it’s certainly not the end of the world and
contractor to advise you on the specifics of your own home. can be repaired fairly easily. Accidents happen. Check out
how easy it by following these 4 simple steps.
About drywall
Drywall, also known as plasterboard is made of gypsum Step 1: Tools
mixed with water and spread between two large sheets of After you’ve identified the problem area or areas, you’ll
paper. Drywall is used for the construction of interior walls need to gather some tools and materials:
and ceilings. Plasterboard is installed by lifting the pieces
• Drywall patch compound
and attaching them to wall studs. Drywall is available in
• Taping knife
two thicknesses; 9.5mm and 12.5mm. The front side of the
• Utility knife
drywall is usually white, so you can paint it over. Drywall can
be noise and humidity resistant. • Level
• Sander
DRYWALL PROS: • Optional: Hammer
• Drywall can be painted over Step 2: Prep
• It doesn’t require sanding
After you’ve gathered your materials and tools, you’ll need
• Drywall is more stable than plaster to prepare the area. Use your utility knife to cut the areas
• The surface is easier to repair closely surrounding the hole. This will help to give you a
• Drywall is fire-resistant consistent, even area to work from. Remove any excess
• Provides sound and temperature insulation drywall that may be hanging around the hole by snapping
• Variety of sizes and types to choose from it out and removing it. You may also need the back of a
• Less expensive to install hammer for this if the knife isn’t cutting it. Do your best to
• You can hang shelving and frames on drywall create as even as a surface as possible.

DRYWALL CONS: Step 3: Application

Now that the problem area is prepared, it’s time to start
• Installation process is more complicated. You’ll need to
applying the patch. If the hole is bigger than a couple
measure the space and cut enough pieces to cover the
of inches, you’ll need to replace the drywall with an
walls and install them on the wall studs
actual replacement piece of drywall rather than a patch
• Creates a mess during the installation
with a solution. Mix up the drywall patch compound by
• Drywall is heavy, so you’ll need a partner to help you with
following the instructions on the container. Be sure to
the installation
follow the directions closely when doing this. After the
• Drywall is not as flexible as plaster so it can be difficult to mixture is properly combined, use the taping knife to
bend it to achieve the desired result apply the compound in an upward motion until the hole is
• Lower durability than plaster completely covered.
• If not installed correctly, the joints between the sheets are
visible Step 4: Finish
• Drywall is not water and moisture resistant, so it can’t be Let the compound dry completely, at least overnight. Apply
installed in bathrooms a second layer and let that dry overnight as well. The next
day, sand down the area and use your level to make sure
it’s completely level with the rest of the wall, and you’re
done. You can repaint the area, or you can even consider
using the opportunity to
repaint the entire wall.

Remember, if your hole is

bigger than about 10cm,
you’ll need something
sturdier than a patch such
as a replacement drywall
secured with wood beams.

THE HOME HANDYMAN | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022 45

ADVICE

Rainwater harvesting
is fast-becoming an
alternative method of
using water and living
more sustainably. What is
involved in this system?

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

ABOUT RAINWATER HARVESTING
R
ainwater harvesting is described as a method of collecting method of using water and living more sustainably for people
rainwater for later use, as opposed to letting it run off living in urban areas. Other names for rainwater harvesting
into the drainage and sewer systems. It’s commonly used include rainwater collection, rainwater catchment, roof water
in rural areas and on farms but is fast-becoming an alternative collection, and rooftop water collection.

Rainwater harvesting in South Africa • It provides relatively clean and safe water which is
immediately usable
In South Africa, rainwater is typically collected from the roofs
of buildings. It is then stored in tanks for later use. On a larger • It promotes sustainable living as it benefits the environment
scale, dams are considered excellent structures for collecting • It helps with saving water
groundwater runoff and they provide underground storage for • It puts you in direct control of your water supply
water.
• It reduces stormwater runoff, helping increase the durability
Sophisticated rainwater systems can be connected to existing of roads
structures, allowing rainwater to be used directly from the • Due to its lack of chlorine, it’s healthier for plants
collection tank.
• It can help with preventing soil erosion
What can rainwater be used for? • It can reduce the incidences of water pooling in your yard
Rainwater can be used for: after heavy rain, providing a cost-effective solution to your
drainage issues
• Agriculture
• You can use your rainwater harvesting system as an add-on
• Commercial purposes
or back-up to your municipal water system. Should your area
• Residential purposes such as toilet flushing, washing clothing, experience a water cut, you won’t be adversely affected
bathing, showering, watering the garden, etc.
• Rainwater harvest systems are easily customisable and be
The benefits of rainwater harvesting fitted into existing structures to amplify their effectiveness
There are many benefits associated with harvesting rainwater. The disadvantages of rainwater harvesting
These include:
• Rainfall can be quite unpredictable, especially in many parts
• Harvesting rainwater is free, which can help you save money of South Africa that often experience frequent periods of
on your monthly water bill drought

46 THE HOME HANDYMAN | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022

• A lack of maintenance can make your rainwater system or tank attract many
pests Top things to consider before
• Rainwater systems can often overflow, particularly during rainy seasons harvesting rainwater
• Roofs can be prone to bird and rat droppings, as well as chemicals 1. Your tank size
• The initial installation fee is quite high Your tank size will depend on the purpose
you’re using your rainwater harvesting system
The different parts of a rainwater harvesting system for. Someone who’s using it to irrigate large
There are four different components that make up a rainwater harvesting pieces of land will need a bigger tank than
system, namely: the rainwater harvesting catchment system, the transportation some who’s using it for household use.
system, the first flush system, and the filter system.
2. The size of your property
The rainwater harvesting catchment system is the surface where the rainwater Your tank size should also fit the size of
falls before it is redirected. An example is a rooftop, where rainwater falls your property. It’s not advisable to install an
prior to it being rerouted into gutters and transportation systems. The larger the industrial-sized tank in a residential area. It’s
catchment area, the more water will be collected. also key to keep aesthetics in mind. Consider
what type of tank will look good in your
The transportation system refers to the downpipes and drains that move water garden.
from the roof. It is recommended that you use pipes that are UV resistant, such
as PVC and ISI HDPE pipes. They should be installed with a wire mesh to help 3. The location of your tank
filter any dirt in the water that may have come from the roof. Consider where you’ll place your tank. A
tank on the roof isn’t recommended, as it can
The first flush is considered a vital aspect of a rainwater harvesting system destroy the integrity of your roof, considering
because it plays a significant role in the cleanliness of the water. It helps divert the fact that 1000 litres of water weighs 1
the very first amount of rainwater away from the harvesting system to prevent tonne.
dirt and debris from collecting in the tank. It will also make maintaining the
system much easier as it reduces the need for cleaning, increasing the system’s 4. Your roof size
overall durability. If your roof size or catchment area is too small,
it may not work well for rainwater harvesting.
The filter system removes unwanted particles and contaminants to ensure that The smaller the roof, the less water can be
the water is safe for use. Metal particles, organic debris, and chemicals are collected.
some of the contaminants removed by the filtration system.
5. The amount of water you’ll need
How much pressure will be applied to the
rainwater harvesting system? Bear in mind that
if you require a lot of water, your system might
not be able to meet your requirements. Added
to that, you may harvest more water than
you’re able to use. Consider what you’ll do in
such a scenario.

6. Consider adding drainage to your tank

Including drainage in your rainwater harvesting
system can assist with preventing overflow.

7. The total cost of the system from

installation to maintenance
Factor in the cost of installing the system,
including the labour required, as well as
the maintenance costs. It’s better to be well
prepared for the financial responsibility than to
be surprised down the line.
Using the information above, you can install an
effective rainwater harvesting system for your
There are four different components that make up a rainwater harvesting home for a more sustainable and cost-effective
system, namely: the rainwater harvesting catchment system, the way of life.
transportation system, the first flush system, and the filter system

THE HOME HANDYMAN | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022 47

ADVICE

Refresh your room with

new curtains or a blind.

HOW TO PUT UP
CURTAINS AND BLINDS
C
urtains and blinds block out light as well as giving you Safety first
more privacy. But they can also be a distinctive design Before you drill into a wall, always check for pipes and cables
feature - introducing colour, pattern and texture into with an electronic detector. Never drill directly above or below
any room in your home. Also, curtain tracks and poles come a light fitting or power socket.
in loads of different designs to suit every style of interior. But
if you’re going for ready-made curtains, it’s a good idea to Looped blind cords are a potential hazard to babies and small
choose them before you buy your track or pole, as you might children, so fit a safety device to hold the cord taut or out
find they’re designed to be hung from a particular type of of reach like a cleat, P-clip or chain break connector. Avoid
fitting. There are a few ways to hang your curtains or blinds placing a cot, bed, playpen or highchair within reach of a cord,
depending on the type, so we’ll talk you through each type or positioning any furniture near a window that a child could
below. climb to reach a cord.

How to fit a roller blind Step 2: Unroll the blind and mark the width on the
cardboard roller tube. Cut through the tube with a hacksaw
Roller blinds come in lots of colours, designs and sizes. You’ll
– using an off-cut of wood to protect the surface below if you
need to decide if you want your blind to fit inside or across
need to.
the top of the window recess and measure up before you go
shopping. If your blind is going inside the recess, remember Step 3: Measure and mark the width on the reverse of the
that you’ll need a little space either side, so it works blind with a pencil. Use a straightedge to draw a faint cutting
smoothly. Many blinds can be cut to size but do check that line along the length of the blind and carefully cut along this
the manufacturer recommends this. line with a pair of sharp scissors.

Step 1: Measure the width of the recess - remembering Step 4: Fit the blank plate in one end, and the plug with the
to leave enough space either side for the blind (check the chain in the other end. Push these in by pressing against a
manufacturer’s instructions on how much to leave). Make hard surface or tapping gently with a hammer.
sure you check for hidden pipes or cables, too. Then mark Step 5: Use a bradawl to make your starting holes and then
the positions of the brackets in the upper corners, using a drill into the window frame. After that, fix the brackets with
spirit level to make sure they’re level. the screws supplied. If you’re fitting your blind to a uPVC

48 THE HOME HANDYMAN | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022

 How to put up a curtain track fixing position for the first 25mm out
from the vertical edge of the recess and
To let in plenty of light, curtains need
50mm up. Repeat this at the other end
to run past the window. To make sure
and then mark the remaining bracket
yours do, you’ll probably need to
fit your track to the wall above the positions at equal intervals – measuring
window recess – although you can also 50mm up from the top of the window
fit it within the recess. recess each time. Use a long spirit level
to make sure your marks are level.
If you’re hanging your curtains over a Step 2: Check there are no hidden
bay window, use flexible curtain track.
pipes or cables, then drill the fixing
The screws that come with a curtain
holes and put in the wall plugs the
track may not be long enough to fix
correct size for your screws. Screw
the track securely, particularly if your
the brackets into position. The bracket
plaster is old and slightly crumbly.
latches that the track fits into should
If this is the case, you can either use
face forward.
longer screws and wall plugs, or screw
into sound ceiling timber. Step 3: To fit the end stops, slip one
over each end of the track and tighten
Step 1: Start by measuring the length
the remaining screws.
of track you need to hang your
curtains. If you have a wide window Step 4: Place the track into the slot in
or thick curtains, the track will need one of the end brackets and push into
to extend further than if your material the bracket latch until you hear a click.
is lightweight. Cut your track using Then clip the track into each bracket in
a fine-tooth hacksaw, then mark the the same way.

window frame, you’ll need to use

self-tapping screws.
Step 6: Slot the blind into the
two brackets and test that it works
properly.

How to put up a curtain pole then check they’re level with a long
spirit level.
Curtain poles come in metal, wood
or plastic, and can make your curtain Step 2: After you’ve made sure there
fittings more of a decorative feature are no hidden pipes or cables, drill at
than standard curtain track. The the marked positions with a masonry
curtains hang from metal eyelets, rings bit. Insert some wall plugs and screw
or loops of fabric. You can adjust the the brackets into place.
length of some curtain poles, while Step 3: Assemble the pole (cutting
you can cut others to fit using a fine- or adjusting the length as necessary),
tooth hacksaw. If you want to hang then slide it through the brackets.
very heavy curtains or your plaster Leave one curtain ring on the outside
isn’t completely sound, you might of each bracket, with the remaining
need to use longer screws than the rings between them.
ones you get with the pole.
Step 1: The end brackets for your
curtain pole should be at least 50mm
from either end of the recess. Mark the
positions for the two end brackets and

THE HOME HANDYMAN | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022 49

WINDOWS

Can one aspect of a home really make

a big difference when it comes to all
the important matters: comfort, green
living and cost savings? It can if you’re
considering a different kind of window.

uPVC WINDOWS –
WHY YOU NEED THEM
FOR YOUR HOME
U
PVC is short for ‘Unplasticised Polyvinyl Chloride’.
• Low maintenance: A uPVC window or door frame is
You may be familiar with PVC, but uPVC is a version
very easy to maintain. Apart from an occasional wipe
of this substance providing more resistance. Because it
down, you’ll do nothing else and they will still look new
doesn’t warp – in part thanks to a steel core – many prefer this
and sleek. No more sanding down wood, varnishing it or
to traditional building materials such as wood. Over time, uPVC
repainting a frame every few years. Apart from saving you
has become popular for both window and door frames.
time, this is yet another way a uPVC window saves you
money.
Benefits of uPVC windows
It’s easy to see why uPVC windows became so popular,
often even preferred to aluminium. The advantages include:
Replacement and new projects
• Offering security: Strong uPVC can help you create a You’ve already seen that it’s worth considering uPVC for
secure barrier against intruders. a new home, since it’s better than other options. But just
because your building already has wood or other types of
• Durability: When we say uPVC windows are long
window frames you don’t have to miss out on all the uPVC
lasting, that’s almost an understatement. These structures
advantages.
are designed to last as much as 40 years, and you can
expect a 10-year guarantee on most of them. It’s worth adding uPVC windows to an existing structure.
• Energy efficiency: Because you have the option of You can instantly enjoy more comfort and the benefit of
double glazing, you can now spend less on heating or lower power costs, which will quickly help you cover the
cooling your home. The two layers help insulate rooms, installation costs.
so heat won’t transfer easily between the inside and
outside. With energy efficient windows, it means less use Another reason to consider this upgrade to your home is the
of air conditioning units and therefore a lower electricity resale value of your building. For homes, low maintenance
bill. features are always excellent selling points. These windows
also look new and stylish even years after installation, so it
• Barrier against noise: Thanks to double glazing you
will help you leave an excellent first impression on potential
can also worry less about the noise outside disturbing the
buyers.
peace inside your home. With quality workmanship, the
windows seal well, further preventing noise from entering. For more information, visit www.vanacht.co.za

50 THE HOME HANDYMAN | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022

 BRIGHT IDEAS
Readers share their time-saving, space-saving Keep your
or innovative ideas blades sharp
Dull tools such as chisels, blades,
planes, scrapers and gouges don’t
WINNER
A winning welding idea cut cleanly. They tear at the wood
fibres resulting in a fuzzy, uneven,
When it comes to I have used the same of copper and how I use unprofessional look. Tools that have
welding two pieces piece of copper flat bar it. Note that I chamfered been chipped or nicked require
of metal together, which I simply clamp one side of the pointed grinding. A bench grinder, wet grinder,
especially if the material on the underside and end to fit flush on the or even a belt sander can be used.
is pretty thin, e.g., 3mm commence welding. inside radius of the
Avoid letting your tool get too hot
angle of flat bar, there The welding will not angle iron. Also, if
when using a bench grinder or belt
is often the chance of adhere to the copper you want to close a
sander to prevent it from losing
burning through and at all. The only thing hole that is incorrectly
temper. Dipping it in a pan of cool
having blobs of slag and that will happen is the drilled, place the copper
water every few seconds will help.
metal on the underside. copper will discolour. underneath and weld.
After grinding, proceed to honing
For the last 20+ years, Shown is my trusty piece Craig Sharp, Springs
using either a flat wet stone or oil
stone. A wet stone is preferred when
doing fine woodworking.
The final step is polishing using a
fine wet stone, a stropping wheel or
leather. Tools with sharper blades
make woodworking easier, more
efficient, and safer.
Geoff Twerski, by email

A rubbish bin router table base

If your workshop is anything also serves as the chip and dust the rubbish bin with screw
like mine, then space is at a collector for the tool. eyes tied to the can’s handles,
premium. One easy way I’ve To make your own, place a and that’s all there is to it. The
discovered to save space is to sandbag in the bottom of the rubbish bin keeps the router
use a metal rubbish bin can as bin to keep it stable. Also, table at a comfortable work
my router table base. It saves drill a hole in the rubbish bin level, and it collects chips
space by combining the trash for the router’s cord. Then while you work.
can and router table, and it secure the router tabletop to Bill Myers, by email

SHARE
YOUR
WIN!
IDEAS Tork Craft 20-volt cordless Angle Grinder
This new of Tork Craft cordless grinder AG 115B -TC20110 has the latest in technology with powerful
brushless motors, interchangeable Li-ion batteries, fast chargers with Arctic Cool functionality. Includes a
Blow Mould Case for storage, charger, and battery

Send your bright ideas to:

[email protected] with ‘Bright Ideas’ in the subject line or PO Box 24938, Gezina, 0031
Please include your name, physical address and a contact number (office hours). You may also include a photograph
(300kb) of your bright idea (where applicable).

Please note: Winners’ prizes may take up to six weeks for delivery and are sent by the prize sponsor. Prizes are not exchangeable.
exchangea VALUED AT R2 300

Congratulations to Craig Sharp who wins a Tork Craft 20-volt cordless Angle Grinder.

THE HOME HANDYMAN | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022 51

YOUNG DIY’er

T
This is a simple o make this project you will need
project to do string, two sticks, scissors and
with the kids. All ribbon. For the kite itself you will
FAMJIELCYT you need are two need a plastic rubbish bag (we’ve made a
PRO sticks, a bag, string black one before, but feel that the white
looks better, and less like a rubbish bag!)
and scissors and
you have a kite!
Step-by-step guide
Step 1: Tie the frame
Take the two sticks – they can be
garden stakes, dowels, straight twigs,
simple skewers taped together – and
tie them together with a piece of
string. The cross stick should be tied
about one third of the way along the
main stick.

Step 2: Tying the frame knot

Wrap the string around the back of
the main stick and cross the string
across the front of the cross stick.
Then wrap the ends of the string back
around the back of the main stick and
make a single knot. Then wrap each
end of the string around either side of
the front of the cross stick and back
again around the back of the main
stick. (Does this sound complicated
or is it just me? It’s really not that
complicated). Then make a double
knot. Done!

Step 3: Cut the sail and tie to

the frame
Cut the rubbish bag to fit the frame of
the kite. Tie the ends of the sail to the
wood frame. No need to use glue or
tape, just keep the knots tight!

Step 4: Attach the flying string

First, tie a piece of string from one side
of the cross stick to the other, leaving
slack to form a triangle as shown in
the photo. Then, tie the end of a big
ball of string to the bottom portion of
the main stick, loop under the slack
cross string and tie a simple knot at
the intersection of the two strings (so it
forms a triangular pyramid shape).

FLYING HIGH Step 5: Make a ribbon balance

Tie ribbons to the end of the kite in

52 THE HOME HANDYMAN | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022

 order to help balance it. You can even attach a small weight, was no wind… so it only got about 30cm off the ground. But
like a washer, if the ribbons don’t seem hefty enough for your if you can get a nice field and some gusts going, you’ll be in
kite. business. The best way to launch the kite is to have friend hold
it while you back up slowly into the wind. Have your friend
Step 6: The hardest step - find wind and fly let the kite go and let the string out. Alternatively, you can just
The day I made this kite and had my camera with me, there hold it and run wildly into the wind! Either way works.

1 2

Gather your materials Tie the frame

3 4

Tying the frame knot Cut the sail and tie to the frame

5 6 7

Attach the flying string Make a ribbon balance Then wait for the wind!

THE HOME HANDYMAN | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022 53

 ASK OUR EXPERTS
Our panel of experts answer your questions on DIY problems

Creating black patina on oak WINNER

Recently, I had some colour matching a nearly identical problem, I dredged of excess glue you squeezed out?) A
problems with some beat-up old some obscure woodworking lore back good bit of the black patina in your
oak flooring that I was making into into the cobweb-infested frontal lobes lumber likely comes from the tannin
a small cabinet. My girlfriend really of my brain. The key here is that your in the boards reacting over time. So
liked the look and texture of the flooring is made from oak and oak has instead of slapping your forehead, slap
recycled product, but when I cut into a very large amount of tannin in its some of the solution on your exposed
the material and exposed the interior fibres. oak edges and watch it turn black. I
think you will be impressed.
wood, it didn’t have the black patina The trick I remembered is that if
of the surface of the wood. I think the you soak iron-based metal (nails or,
colour would be hard to match with better yet, some steel wool) in white
pigment-based oil stain. This problem vinegar, you create a solution that,
is a bit of a head-slapper. if it is applied to wood that has a lot
of tannin, will turn the wood black.
George Johnstone, by email
(Remember those nasty black marks
Ed replies: Quit slapping your head and that your pipe clamps made on oak
get into the kitchen. When faced with when they were soaking in the puddles

Concrete posts on concrete slab for new fence

I am wanting to install a fence with bottom of the slot for the boards and Ed replies: If you are installing a fence
concrete posts and concrete gravel panels to slide in. I thought maybe a up to about 1m you could get away with
boards. The first post starts on the wooden post there but read you can’t fitting a 100 x 100mm boltdown met
have a wooden post with concrete post; fit a 100 x 100mm wood post and
concrete slab of the driveway and I
fit two 25 x 25mm pieces on the fence
am wondering if it is possible to install gravel boards. How would I go about
side to form a 50mm channel for the
a concrete slotted end post on top of installing the first panel? boards and fence panel. Any higher than
concrete? If so, how do you go about Thanks in advance for any advice! 1m, break a hole through the concrete
and fit a concrete end post.
it? I’m thinking a shoe would block the Chris Tang, Bryanston

he Home
A digital subscription to The Home Handyman magazine
September/Octob
er 2022 • Vol 32
No 09

WIN Receive The Home Handyman magazine free for a year! DIY
MAG
SA’S
ORIG

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INAL

DIY ideas
Send us your DIY queries and you could be a winner! MAKE AN
OUTDOOR CHAIR
for your:
Send your queries to:
• Bathroom
• Deck
• Roof and mor
e
+plus
The Home Handyman DIY Queries: [email protected] or P.O. Box 24938, Gezina, 0031 METAL AND
WOOD
BAR STOOL
• How to choose
grinder an angle
(VAT incl)

• Convert your
garage into a
tax)
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workshop
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• Make a mosaic

Please include your name, email address and contact number (office hours)
frame
• Build a ‘hutch
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’s origin al maga
zine for the
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orker

Please note: Queries will only be answered in the magazine. Prizes are not exchangeable.

Our winning query comes from George Johnstone who wins a digital subscription to The Home Handyman magazine for a year.

54 THE HOME HANDYMAN | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022

 Mixing an oil and wax finish?
Is there a perfect mix for an oil and The ‘secret formula’ is yours. Beeswax your oil of choice. How much? You’ll
beeswax finish? (and many other waxes) melts in need to experiment a little until you
John Marshall, Nelspruit solvents like mineral spirits, naptha, get the blend you like best. There isn’t
turpentine, etc. Don’t use things like a technical limit that I know of. If you
A professional woodworker replies:
lacquer thinner or acetone. want a more buffable mix, I’d start out
Oil/wax finishes are quite popular and
with more wax and less oil. If you want
easy to make up. They are not ‘durable’ Coincidentally, these same solvents the deep penetration of the oil with a
as far as protective qualities go, but that melt waxes also blend with drying little buffing wax on top, then use more
they are very attractive in addition to oil finishes like linseed, tung, etc. So, oil and less wax.
being quick and easy. Nothing has a my suggestion is that you first melt a
better “hand” or feel than a wax/oil So, there you go – no answer but
lump of beeswax in some thinner or
finish, with the exception of a fine, true more confusion. Everybody has their
naptha – which dries faster.
French polish – which also uses wax own ‘secret’ version of this long-time
and oil. Great for ornaments and things Once the wax has softened into a jelly- favourite blend. It is now your turn to
that aren’t that ‘utilitarian’. like mass, then cut or mix that into make up yours. They all work.

Adjusting multiple hinges?

It is very easy to adjust a door with two in’ with the others. Using more than two will swing freely. Vertical clearance
35mm concealed hinges, but how do hinges on one door has some reason is irrelevant in this use. Get the top
you get more to work together? In my other than to make the door work. Two and bottom hinges set right for your
case, five. are enough to do that. So, one possibility clearance needs, then fill in the others to
is aesthetic. More hinges have a ‘look’ keep the hinge line straight.
Lyle Pelissier, by email
that might be desirable. Hidden hinges
Ed replies: It is a very good question. kind of cancel out that argument, though.
The way I would approach it would be So why? One other very good reason to
to install the top and bottom hinges, use multiple hinges on one door is to
leaving the middle three loose. Once help keep the hinge line straight. This is
the door is aligned, gently secure the a very valid reason. The important factor
remaining hinges in place. here is to get the hinge pin points exactly
Set the top and bottom hinges, then ‘fill in line with each other to assure the door

External wall replastering

We have two exterior walls in our flat have the space to lose and so would like Ed replies: There is no definitive answer
that are non-cavity. We are on a second to refinish it instead. to your question. Solid walls are
and third floor and have never had intended to be breathable both inwards
If we chip the wall first and then
damp issues previously. and outwards and certainly not to be
apply a sand and cement layer with a combined with heating which presumably
We have recently been doing renovation waterproof add mix in it, is that likely to you have in one form or another.
works and found that these two walls be okay? If so, would I use something You say the outside is plastered but is
had plaster and cement so flaky that we like a Sika waterproofer? this permeable? If it’s painted are you
have removed it. We now have bare
sure there are no defects which would
brick. The outside of the building has Someone may come and do this for us
allow water ingress? Are the walls in an
plaster over the brick. I am now in a but I want to sanity check the method. exposed location and not exposed to
worry cycle of what to do now. Really desperate for advice, so thank direct sunlight to dry them out? If yes,
you. damp is very likely to move to the inside
I want to avoid battening and adding
Brendon Earle, by email surface.
thermal insulation as we really don’t

THE HOME HANDYMAN | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022 55

A WOODWORKER’S DIARY

Denis Lock continues his

discussion on the use of
man-made boards.

APPLYING EDGING TO
MAN-MADE BOARDS
>> Denis Lock

I
n my last article I showed you a number of examples of Before discussing trimming with a router, I want to cover gluing
projects made from man-made boards. Most of them had and clamping. Before gluing the edging, I examine the slope
solid wood edging applied to the exposed edges. I have used of the grain of each piece and decide which face to glue to
edging varying from 1mm (Photo 1) to 45mm wide (Photo 2). the material being edged. I do this so that I rout with the grain
Photo 1 is a cabinet door made from 16mm chipboard faced and avoid tear-out. Photo 3 shows the right orientation: the
with red oak veneer. The raw edges were edged with 1mm grain must slope upward from left to right when looking at the
thick red oak. Note also the 15mm by 10mm applied red oak face which is glued to the board being edged. Clamping thin
moulding. An offcut of veneered chipboard has been turned strips requires special attention. The rule is; the thinner the
into an attractive cabinet door. Photo 2 is a small table I made strips, the wider the clamping caul. Photo 4 shows the use of
for a bedsitter. The top is also made from 16mm chipboard a 50mm wide clamping caul. The pressure of the clamp head
faced with red oak veneer. The raw chipboard edges are hidden spreads out in a 90o cone as shown in Photo 4. This results in
and strengthened by 45mm x 25mm solid red oak. The edging the clamping pressure being spread along the full length of the
also increases the apparent thickness of the top from 16mm thin edging. In fact, with the 50 mm caul used two sash clamps
to 25mm: another design and construction plus. Note that the would have been sufficient. You can see the overlap (approxi-
edging as shown in Photo 2 cannot be applied to a solid wood mately 1mm) of the edging in Photo 4. To assist in achieving a
top. See my article ‘The panel of doom’ in the August 2018 consistent overlap on both faces I use some 1mm plastic shims
issue of this magazine. (see photo 5). These raise the board being edged by 1mm (see
photo 5 insert). When clamping I push the edging down firmly
For most projects I use a 6mm thick solid wood edging. Why between the plastic shims.
6mm? This is the thinnest I can prepare on my thicknesser with-
out having to use a special sled. For some jobs I will rip 8mm The easiest way to trim the 1mm overlap is to use a router
wide strips from a board of the desired species and thickness table, an auxiliary fence and a flush-trim router bit. A flush-
them to 6mm. I also save the thin offcuts that inevitably result trim bit is a straight bit with a bearing mounted at the bottom
when ripping boards to width. I save and reuse these narrow (see insert in photo 6). I do a lot of edge trimming, so I made a
offcuts that you would throw away. I learnt a long time ago that special auxiliary fence from 16mm MDF. Note the cut-out for
it is almost impossible to line up and glue edging cut to the ex- the flush trim bit. The auxiliary fence is raised from the router
act thickness of the board that it is intended for. I cut the edging table (shown by the arrow in Photo 6) by the thickness of the
2mm oversize (for example 18mm for 16mm boards and trim it edging (plus a millimetre or two) being trimmed. This leaves a
after the glue is cured. How do I do the trimming? You guessed gap under which the excess on the edge can slide before it is
correctly – with a router! Today’s face veneers are very thin. trimmed. The slotted holes in the auxiliary fence allow the gap
The use of a block plane or orbital sander poses the very real to be adjusted for different thickness edging. Set the height of
danger of damaging the veneer. the bit so that the cutting edge extends a millimetre or so above

56 THE HOME HANDYMAN | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022

1 2

An edged table top

An edged cabinet door

the edging. As the workpiece will be held in a vertical position while cutting
it is important that the auxiliary fence is at right angles to the router tabletop.
Photo 7 shows this being checked: making tape is used to shim and adjust
if necessary. Once the auxiliary fence is at right angles a 150mm steel rule
is used to adjust the fence so that it is exactly in line with the bearing as
shown in the insert in Photo 7. Photo 8 shows the trimming cut being made: Grain direction
a normal right to left cut. The workpiece, however, is in a vertical position.
A partial cut is shown in Photo 9. There is no tear out because we took the
trouble to ensure the grain was sloping the right way (Photo 3). A light touch
4
with sandpaper is all that is needed to get a really professional result. If you
are not going to do a lot of edge trimming a simpler auxiliary fence attached
to your router table fence with double-sided tape (Photo 10) is adequate.

If you don’t have a router table, the same result can be achieved with a
hand-held router. The immediate problem is how do you balance a router
on a 16mm wide edge? You don’t even try: you balance it on two edges
separated by some 75mm as shown in Photo 11. This is a simple set up: a
length of 75mm x 75mm and four C-clamps. Two pieces the same size (both
needing trimming in this case) are clamped in a vertical position as shown. If
only one piece needs trimming, then use a piece of scrap to provide the sec- Clamping – cones of pressure
ond edge. The two edges provide more than adequate support for the router
as you can see in photo 11. It is important that both pieces are of the same
height. If they are not, then the router base won’t be at 90° to the face of the 5
boards. Check with a try square and lift one of the boards if necessary. Once
again, the bit is set so that the cutting edge is a fraction beyond the edging.
Rout all four edges (Photo 12) in one motion. Start by routing edge A (Photo
12) by moving the router away from you. Then rout edge B by moving the
router back towards you. Switch direction again (move the router away from
you) to trim edge C. Finally pull the router back to you to rout edge D.

This approach works well with boards up to a certain size. It is unwieldy to

stand large boards on edge. Sometimes they are also too large to handle on a
router table. In the cases we need to take the router to the work which is ly-
ing flat on a bench. The router base attachment shown in Photo 13 guides a
router to trim edging on boards lying flat on a bench. The router is fitted with Shims to line up edging

THE HOME HANDYMAN | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022 57

 6 a straight bit that has a bottom cutter insert (for plunge cutting). An example
of such a bit is Pro-Tech part number KP114033. Photo 14 shows the trim-
ming of an edge with this attachment. The router is moved from left to right.
Photo 15 shows a partial cut. If you compare Photo 15 with Photo 9 you will
see that the cut pattern is different. Edges trimmed with this attachment are
not as demanding on the grain direction as the two methods covered earlier
in this article. Details of this attachment were published in my article in the
February 2007 issue of The Home Handyman. If you would like a copy of
the plans for this attachment, email me at the address given at the end of this
article.

When I edge a shelf made from man-made board, I take the opportunity to
Auxiliary trimming fence stiffen (increase its load carrying capacity) the shelf as well. This is done as
shown in Photo 16. Typically, the shelf stiffening pieces are 19mm thick.

7 This gives the shelf an apparent thickness of 25mm. Using the approaches
given in this article it is quick and easy to construct quality shelving from
man-made boards.

10

Is it square?

A simpler auxiliary fence

11
The trimming operation

Partial cut Jig for hand-held trimming

58 THE HOME HANDYMAN | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022

12 13

Trimming by hand Edge trimming attachment (ETA)

14 15

ETA in use ETA partial cut

16

Edging and stiffening shelves

ABOUT DENIS:
Denis Lock runs a woodworking school and shop. He can be contacted at [email protected] or 082-267-5948.
Visit his website at www.routingwithdenis.co.za

THE HOME HANDYMAN | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022 59

 WOODWORKER’S CORNER
Sharing techniques, ideas and a love of wood

How to layout a woodworking workshop

A woodworking layout is a crucial aspect of your workshop. It Must-have appliances in your workshop
entails the pattern as to which your work benches, assembly When you create you workshop layout, there are essential
table, storage, machines, and tools are positioned in relation appliances that you need to fit into your design. These products
to one another. Your workshop must have a strategic and are vital to your comfort, and the success of your business.
practical layout so your wood products are crafted seamlessly.
A good workshop layout means that you will save a lot of time High velocity wall fan: The temperature of the workshop is
in handling your materials. This makes your job a lot faster to often overlooked, and wood builders end up suffering while
finish. And so you must learn how to layout a workshop that working during the summer. Make sure to include a high
results in high efficiency and production rate. velocity wall fan in your layout, so you can work comfortably
during the warm season. Plus, your wall fan can help dry the
Creating your layout wood finish quicker.
Regardless of where you plan to setup your workshop, you
need the perfect layout for your workshop. Remember that Heater: A heater definitely deserves a spot in your shop layout.
the layout is greatly influenced by the wood products you are You simply cannot stop working just because your workshop is
planning to make, so decide on your focus products. too cold to work in. Include a heater in your workshop design
so you can keep warm in cold weather while you work.
Working triangles
Water dispenser: Hydration is crucial in your line of work.
Working triangles is a strategic layout for a workshop. It offers
While you work, you get sweaty and sometimes you forget to
an excellent flow of traffic in your workshop while you work.
eat properly. But you need to drink plenty of water to replenish
The working triangles consist of three mobile sections that
your body fluids. So, in your layout, make space for a water
allow you to move along seamlessly until your wood project is
dispenser.
finished.
Small refrigerator: It is very common with passionate wood
The three bases for the working triangles are:
builders to forego food. When you are so immersed with your
• Storage area for your materials and tools
craft, you do not feel hunger until someone reminds you to eat,
• Workbench
or you take a break. It is important to store cold beverages and
• Finishing space
food inside your shop, so create a space for a small refrigerator
The three working stations are vital parts of the workshop. Keep in your layout. You can store snacks and a drink to enjoy when
the wood storage in one wall, the workbench in the centre of you remember to take a break.
the workshop, and the finishing zone on the nearby wall. This
positioning allows you to access everything you need easily,
without the need to go around the workshop to locate your
tools or transport your wood.

Fitting the pieces

Remember to leave enough space for your tools, machineries,
and furniture to breathe, and more importantly, give adequate
space for you to move around the shop without bumping into a
table or bench.

Storage planning
In your layout, make the wood storage big. Over the years, you
will require lots of wood, so better build a storage now that can
accommodate your future needs.

60 THE HOME HANDYMAN | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022

 How to apply wood finish without runs or drips
Once you have prepared and stained wood, the final step is to bubbling or other issues with the finish. If there is some
apply finish to protect the timber. While the preparation stage bubbling, simply use the tip of the brush to smooth out the
gets the material ready and the stain brings out wood’s natural bubbles and allow the finish to do the rest.
beauty, applying a clear finish ensures the wood is protected
and its beauty should actually be enhanced. Don’t go back over your work
If you have ‘perfectionist’ tendencies, this next bit of advice
Runs and drips are a frustrating side effect of adding too much may be hard to follow! Resist the urge to continually brush
finish to your brush and can really spoil the aesthetics of the back and forth. Once you have spread the finish over the
wood. You’ll doubtless read plenty of material about removing wood, leave it alone! If you go back over previously applied
them but the best method is preventing them from occurring in parts of the wood you’ll create too many brush strokes and it
the first place! will be more difficult for the finish to level out.

Use a glass jar Remove excess finish

The first step is to pour the finish into a glass container; a If, at any point, you find that there is too much finish on the
mason jar is ideal for this purpose. It is far too easy to overload wood’s surface or your brush, simply rub your brush on a rag
your brush when taking the finish directly from its container. to drain the excess. This should dry out the brush enough to
In contrast, a jar with a lipped edge is perfect because you spread the extra finish to areas where it is needed.
can drain the brush before applying the finish. Dip the brush
in about 1/3 of the way as you only want the bristles to be We have to emphasise this point again; at no point during the
covered. When applying wood finish, remember that you’re process should you begin at the edge. This makes drips more
laying it on the surface as opposed to forcing it! likely and they can be a real pain to remove.

Stay away from the edge Make sure you see the light!
A lot of people make the mistake of beginning from the edge; Always look to apply the wood finish under reflective light
don’t do it! This significantly increases the chances of drips as it creates a glare on the surface which helps you see if
occurring. Remember, your brush leaves a deposit the second there are runs or if you’ve missed a spot. You’ll be shocked at
it touches the surface of the wood. Begin away from the edge how much you miss if you rely on ambient light only! If you
and brush the deposit towards it. spot runs before the finish dries, you can drain the excess off
your brush and use the tips of the bristles to make the surface
Use careful and delicate strokes and brush up and down in a smooth.
smooth motion. Always ensure the largest amount of finish is
located towards the centre of the wood as you can then brush There will be occasions when drips and runs will creep up on
the excess towards the edges. you but if you’re careful, patient and follow the above tips,
you’ll increase your chances of applying the perfect finish to
If you’re careful (and a little fortunate), you won’t experience your wood.

THE HOME HANDYMAN | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022 61

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THE HOME HANDYMAN | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022 63

TAILPIECE

A professional
handyman
explains how to
find the most
trustworthy
handyman for the
job, the household
things you can
fix yourself, and
your handyman’s
biggest pet peeve.

10 Things a handyman won’t tell you

No one can do it all do something before I do a job (YouTube may reduce my rate on a big job if you
If your handyman says he can “do it is the best!). A good handyman stays up can haul materials for me or if you are
all,” that’s a red flag. I’ve seen a guy to date on new products and trends and willing to clean up the work mess at the
who advertises on his truck that he is always open to learning something. end of each day.
mows grass, paints, does renovations,
Inspect your house It’s a red flag if we ask to be paid
and builds houses. That’s not the guy
you want to hire. Actually, a sure sign Houses don’t take care of themselves. in cash
that you can trust me is if I tell you I’m It’s on you to inspect yours at least once
If a handyman asks to be paid in cash,
not the best person to do a particular job a year: Do you need to caulk around he probably doesn’t have a business
and give you the name of someone else. your windows and doors? Do you bank account, or he might not be
have any rotted wood? Are any roof claiming all his income on his taxes. If I
Try it yourself first tiles loose? It’s a lot less expensive to don’t have the integrity to pay my taxes,
Before you call me about your clogged hire me to address those things than to do you think I’ll have the integrity to do
sink or shower drain, try a plunger or a replace them after years of neglected good work when you’re not looking?
drain-cleaning tool. Neither requires you maintenance.
to take anything apart, and both often do We’ll charge you for extra jobs
the trick in just a minute or two.
Tell your friends about us Sure, I would be happy to fix your sticky
If I’m any good, I really don’t need to door or tighten that faucet now that
Let us use your bathroom advertise, because I get plenty of work I’m here. But don’t act surprised when
Offering me water or some cookies is through word of mouth. When I started I charge you for it. We make a big part
great, but if you really want to show me my business, I put a magnet on my truck of our living from those “while you’re
hospitality, let me know that it’s okay for with my phone number. After about six here” jobs.
me to use your bathroom. It’s always a months, I had to take it off because I
pain to have to jump into my truck and was getting too many calls. Control your pets
drive somewhere to answer nature’s Please do something with the dog. And
call. Ask if you can help out I don’t mean lock him in the bedroom,
On a budget? Ask if there is any way where he’ll bark all day while you’re
We’re always learning you can help out in exchange for a gone. See if someone can keep him for
Sometimes I still have to look up how to lower price. Even if you’re not handy, I the day.

64 THE HOME HANDYMAN | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022

 ARTIFICIAL GRASS
Artificial grass is a top contender for home
improvements due to its low maintenance and high-
quality finishes, making it the best choice product
when considering how to improve your home.
Whether for home or commercial applications,
artificial grass can suit your requirements and budget.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF ARTIFICIAL GRASS?

• It saves water
• It’s easy to maintain
• Artificial grass can be environmentally friendly
• Durable – lasts up to 20 years
• Long term investment

25mm Augusta 25mm Cruz 30mm Pet Grass 40mm Soccer

Duo Rye

13mm Multisport 30mm Autumn 30mm Spring 35mm Supreme

Email: [email protected] | Tel: 065 849 3264