The Historic District

I agree with all the others-- if you don't get the name, they don't get your permission. I had a problem a couple of years ago with my neighbor's contractor (they didn't need my permission and didn't notify me at all). They sprayed lead paint chips all over an area my kids play on daily. My neighbor...

The law of threes: whatever length of time you estimate a project to take, that the actual length of time needed to complete it will be that time multiplied by 3. Make that "lawS of threes." I think that applies to the cost and the number of trips to the hardware as well. If I plan on $10...

Cadrad is correct- ⋅  laundry bleach , aka chlorine bleach, aka sodium hypochlorite= remove aniline dyes and ink stains from wood ⋅  wood bleach , aka oxalic acid= remove water stains and age darkening ⋅  hydrogen peroxide (30% concentration, not dime store concentratio...

Mostly on topic-- You don't seem to be alone in your overall quest, but the costs cited in this recent WSJ article are what has always scared me away from attempting the idea: " Looking for a New Old House? Americans fed up with over-sized, over-designed McMansions are finding saner shelter in ...

A one day rental of one of these can melt a LOT of snow necessary to find the keys and costs considerably less than a locksmith. Not a perfect option, but has been workable.

After working around the house on Christmas decorations, I am adding needle nose pliers to my list of 'cant live without'.

My three foot level has been really handy lately too....but I have made due without that using a tube as a water level- I guess the 3ft level doesn't make my list.

Don M wrote:How about a band saw or a jointer or planer?

I've been looking at planers but I think that might be a little too heavy ($$) for Santa this year.

I should have stated, for me right now, I seem to really get my money's worth out of (1) Vise grip pliers (a set of three different sizes), (2) quality paint brushes, and (3) my compound sliding miter saw- bought slightly used on CL.

I know there was a thread on the old forum about this but what tools, gadgets, supplies, can't you live without?

With the holidays coming, it always helps to have a few things in mind, just in case someone asks what I want.

We still have the original one pipe steam system in our 1925 house, using a 1977 boiler. It is not energy efficient but as a system it works very well. All of my previous houses had gas forced air so that is my only reference line. Our steam heat is very comfortable and we greatly prefer it over the...