The Hardware Aisle

Pick up this Dewalt Heavy-Duty Small Angle Grinder for just $65.21 (Reg. $111.32). Features patent Quick-Change Wheel Release, which allows you to disengage the wheel without a wrench. Ergonomic, removable side handle increases comfort with two positions and reduces vibration.

I've been building quite a few projects lately out of birch plywood, including bookcases, shelving units and tabletops. I like using birch ply because it's readily available, not-too expensive, and it accepts stain, varnish or paint beautifully. However, when building with plywood you must conceal any exposed edges with solid-wood strips or veneer. I typically use hardwood veneer edging on plywood parts that won't have to support an excessive amount of weight. More specifically I prefer using iron-on veneer tape. It's a bit more expensive than plain, dry-backed veneer, but it's well worth the additional cost.

Yep, its that time of year again. Today marks the start of the EPA-created Fix a Leak Week. Now with much of the Northeast dealing with flooding after this weekend and the rest of the country gearing up for their own spring rains, it can be hard to remember that water is a valuable resource. If you're having trouble with the concept, just dig out your latest water bill. And while you're at, check to see how much water you paid for. If you're a family of four who's going through more than 12,000 gallons a month in the winter, odds are you've got a leak or two in the house, according to the EPA. And you're not alone. Household leaks waste about 1 trillion gallons of water per year, which is enough to supply every home in the large, warm state of Texas with its annual water needs, says the EPA. Read on after the jump for tips on how to minimize the unnecessary drain on your wallet.

I don't know a single person who enjoys cleaning the bathroom. In fact, just about everyone I know puts off cleaning the bathroom until it absolutely has to happen (i.e. it just gets too gross and/or company's coming). So, when...

Align, clamp, and fasten at multiple angles from 45-degrees to 315-degrees with the Adjustable Clamp-It Assembly Tool ($9.99; Reg. $19.99). No need for custom clamping jigs.

You've got 'til Tuesday to cash in on 15% savings on over 450 tools at Northern Tool + Equipment. For a limited time, Northern Tool is also offering free shipping on all power tools.

This beautiful Adirondack-style rocking chair ($99.99; Reg. $129.99) features a deep, comfy seat and a beautiful teak finish. Buy now and save $30; it'll ship for just $2.95

Teragren Fine Bamboo Flooring has just introduced Portfolio, a brand-new line of prefinished floating floors that snap together without glue, nails, staples or any other fasteners, as shown below. The bamboo planks rest on a thin foam underlayment and aren't fastened down in any manner. That translates to fast, clean, no-fuss installation in hours, not days. The Portfolio collection comes in 10 designer colors, and features planks measuring 1/2 inch thick x 5 inch wide x 72 1/2 inch long. However, what I found most interesting is that the flooring is milled from strand bamboo, not laminated bamboo strips. The result is a fine-grain, rock-hard floor that's an astonishingly 154 percent harder than red oak. Floors in the Portfolio collection run about $9 per square foot.

Get this well-designed adjustable drawing and drafting table with black frame and dual wheel casters for just $89. You can get other tables for even less from the same vendor, but this one is loaded with handy storage features. For...

A while ago, we told you how you could plant your own veggies without a garden. These containers create ideal growing conditions and are great for patio gardeners and green thumbers working with a small space. You can get the...

Sometimes having a slightly skewed perspective is a good thing. Take, for example, the Skew Pattern Scrapers shown above. Unlike most paint scrapers and putty knives, these Japanese-made tools have rugged red-oak handles and thick, rigid steel blades that are ground to a slight angle, or skew. That simple improvement of skewing the blade makes these scrapers much more effective when working in square corners, narrow crevices, and other tight spaces. Skew Pattern Scrapers are available from Garrett Wade in two widths: 2 1/2 inch ($16.80) and 3 5/8 inch ($18.30). Or, buy both for $29.30. I realize that's a lot to pay for a hand scraper, especially if you're used to paying $4, but these are professional-quality tools that'll last a lifetime.

Save 55% on the Racor Ceiling-Mounted Bike Lift ($18.03; Reg. $40). Pulley system easily hoists bikes up to 50 pounds and features a secure locking system to free up valuable floor space and put overhead dead space to work. 2:05p...

Old house dwellers know all about sticking doors—and what a pain they are to fix. Isn't it great how a teeny, tiny door hinge adjustment—say, after installing new carpeting or your door starts to stick due to settling or moisture/...

Thisoldhouse.com is in the process of updating an outdated Plant Hardiness Zone Map. The Arbor Day Foundation's excellent website, arborday.org, is helping us along. Imagine our surprise when we realized that we had unlocked a veritable treasure trove of information...

If you're about to start any projects that are going to require lumber, like say a framing walls or a building a pull-down attic staircase, you might want to hold off a bit. A perfect storm of bad weather, new export agreements with Canada, demand and depleted inventories have conspired to drive up the prices 26 percent from just the start of this year. So framing lumber that averaged $251 per 1,000 boards in January is now going for around $317, or near what it was way back in July 2006, according to the National Association of Home Builders. But the good news, according to NAHB Senior Economist Bernard Markstein, is that the prices should come down within a few weeks as the inventories get built up again and (hopefully) Mother Nature gives it a rest with the cold and damp weather. When that happens and you do decide to start your next DIY project, be sure to check out this story for tips on picking out the best wood boards.

This innovative alternative to a standard P-trap features a self-cleaning design and integrated wiper that removes blockage. The PermaFLOW ($19.95; Reg. $39.95) eliminates the need for chemical drain cleaners, plungers, and expensive pipe repairs. Easy-install and allows for easy retrieval...

The other day I was flipping through the Rockler Woodworking catalog--one of my favorite sources for tools and hardware--and came across a new, and most-interesting product: Bench Cookies. A bench cookie is a hockey-puck-shaped plastic disk that has high-friction rubber adhered to its top and bottom surfaces. You get four cookies for $12 (about the same as Mrs. Field's white chocolate macadamias). When placed on a workbench, the sure-grip cookies allow you to sand or rout a board without using clamps. I know what you're thinking. I didn't believe it myself, until I conducted my own cookie test.

Get this glass-top rolling desk with a 4-tier multipurpose shelving unit for just $149.00. Features safety-tempered frosted glass, steel frame, and a handy keyboard tray. It's a beautiful set, but make sure you've got the glass cleaner at the ready!

For a limited time, get this lime/white 4-pc. appliance bundle for just $85 (Reg. $94). Includes cordless jug kettle ($23), 2-slice toaster ($22), 2-speed blender ($25), and 10-cup coffee maker ($24) with bonus accessories.

Get this durable and functional Brooks Cocktail Ottoman ($169.99), which features handy top and bottom solid surfaces for entertaining and/or storage. Flat rate $2.95 shipping on all orders.