D.I.Y. CATEGORIES

McLendons.com, as a division of McLendon Hardware, Inc., recognizes that some do-it-yourself projects are more complex and difficult than others and may require greater knowledge and more experience than the reader of this material possesses.

With this is in mind, all information presented is intended to serve as a first step to assist with a project. We do not and will not take any responsibility for the particular results of the above referenced project, nor will we assume any liability for personal injury or damage that may result from the information presented.

We strongly suggest that professional help be consulted if the above project is beyond the comfort or experience level of the reader. As with any project, please also make sure all local building codes are followed and permits are obtained.

Blacksmithing - The Anvil

Forging is a classic skill that has found a place in the heart of many hobbyists and artists. The process requires a great deal of knowledge and skill, but the tools are relatively simple. Most iconic among these tools is the anvil.

Blacksmithing - The Forge

The forge is the primary tool of the blacksmith. Proper operation of a forge is a prerequisite for getting decent results on any smith's project. Building and maintaining a fire and basic forge operation are fundamental skills.

Build a Bellows

As charming as a fireplace is, getting a fire going can take a lot of huffing and puffing. Building your own bellows is the best way to save yourself from a bout of lightheadedness.

Chainsaw Buying Guide

A chainsaw is a handy tool for almost every homeowner. Knowing which chainsaw to buy, however, can be intimidating for anyone who has never tried it before. A few basic principles will help you choose.

Dressing Grinding Wheels

Bench grinders are among the more useful tools in a workshop. However, the wheels require regular maintenance to keep working efficiently and safely. Dressing a wheel requires one specialized tool and a little bit of patience.

Hammer Buying Guide

Hammers are broken down by type, weight and the materials used in their construction. Each characteristic has an impact on which job an individual hammer is best suited for.

Handsaw Buying Guide

Saws have been around for a very long time and have developed a high degree of specialization. Using the right saw for the project at hand will save a lot of effort and help you to produce a higher quality product.

How to Build a Brake Drum Forge

Considering that the entire idea behind blacksmithing is the creation of useful items out of otherwise worthless material, it is very much in the spirit of the craft to create the fundamental smithing tool from what essentially amounts to discarded junk.

Installing Wall Shelving

While there are many styles of shelving to choose from, a simple shelf can be made from a pair of brackets and wooden platform. The simple procedures detailed here are applicable to installing nearly all varieties of wall hanging shelves.

Knife Sharpening

People can spend hundreds of dollars on a set of fancy knives, but if they don't know how to properly maintain them, they may as well have saved their money. Luckily, knife sharpening is something that can be done at home. The equipment is specialized, but can be used on nearly every knife in the house.

Lawnmower Tune-Up

A well tuned lawnmower will save you a lot of frustration and forearm pain. This once a season operation is easy and inexpensive.

Lehr Eco Trimmer - A Natural Innovation in Weed Eating

Introducing the next generation of trimmer - Propane powered and portable, these new marvels combine the muscle of gasoline with the ease of an electric.

Make a Pop Can Stove

While everyone is familiar with recycling soda cans, it is hard to find many useful ways in which they can be reused. One of the most useful is the pop can stove, or backpacker's stove. Lightweight, free and alcohol fed, a pop can stove is a simple project out of which you can get some real use.

Make A Tubular Fireplace Grate

Open fireplaces are terribly inefficient. A great deal of the heat is wasted as it travels up the chimney. Fireplace inserts and other fireplace improvements are fairly expensive, though, raising the question of whether the improvement in performance is worth the cost. A tubular fireplace grate is an inexpensive alternative that will keep you warm while you mull it over.

Measuring with a Caliper

While a tape measurer or a ruler is sufficient for most uses, no common hand tool beats a caliper for accuracy. The skill comes in knowing how and when to use one.

Repairing a Hammer Handle

Wooden handled hammers are widely valued for their shock absorption capacity and affordable price. Many wood handled hammers have been handed down so many times that they can qualify as heirlooms. The problem, of course, is that the handles inevitably loosen in the head or splinter, rendering the dangerous or ineffective. Luckily, replacing a handle is a simple repair.

Silence a Squeaking Office Chair

A persistent squeak, creak or groan from an office chair can start to wear on the nerves. Fixing it for the short term is a cinch. Fixing it for the long term can get a little messy.

Using a Circuit Tester

A circuit tester is the most important tool in an electrician's toolbox. It will keep you safe and provide valuable information about the electric components you are servicing.

Using a Tap & Die

Cutting threads has, for many people, become an obsolete skill - or so they think until they need to have some cut. Being able to choose the size pitch of a screw or the placement of a hole can both open up a world of possibilities for original projects and, potentially, keep an otherwise useful piece of equipment out of the trash heap.

Wrench Buying Guide

Wrenches are the tools used to turn bolts and are well suited for areas with minimal clearance where a lot of torque is needed. There are, however, a number of different types, each with special applications.