I know how to do some projects in theory — sweating copper-pipe joints, for instance — that I’ve never needed to test my skill at until I moved into a new house with a missing toilet and sink. Replacing the valves for the sink’s hot and cold inlets went like a dream, but when I got to the third inlet valve, the one for the toilet, I had to try it about ten times before I got it to work correctly. I have no idea what I was doing wrong, but here’s my tip: if you can’t seem to get the joint right, try some solder paste, and use a bunch.

My toilet works now, and it doesn’t leak. It might be a sissy way out, but it cost less than $10 — and it let me turn the water on for good.

Photo posted on Flickr by tanais.

Solder Paste [Solder-It]
Toolmonger Photo Pool [Flickr]

A few years back a friend coined a term for my apartment balcony full of dead plants: the mortaretum. Why? I’m really and truly bad about remembering to water houseplants. So when I saw this project over on Instructables, I couldn’t help but share.

It’s a simple concept: Water wicks up from gap between two stacked storage containers via a few bits of string keeping the soil moist. You need only top off the gap every so often. Hell, even I can probably manage that.

Best of all, you only need a couple of Ikea storage containers (or if you’re not an Ikeaite, any containers that leave a suitable gap when stacked), some string, and a Swiss Army knife.

Self-Watering Mini-Garden [Instructables]

Want to learn the marimba but don’t have a spare $2k+ to buy the instrument? TM reader and Wisconsin music teacher Paul Okray managed to put five together for no more than $200. Granted, he did his homework finding a local jewelery box maker who cut him an incredible deal on the African padauk wood he used for the bars. But even without his contacts you should be able to turn out a playable instrument for under $250 with a little time and effort.

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I love the woodworking arts best when they’re applied to the creation of functional and comfortable furniture for the home.  In that vein, reader schnaars posted up a few badass pics of his latest creation — a small bookcase.

Tackling a project like this won’t net you critical acclaim from the woodworking elite — but it will result in a sturdy, good-looking addition to your home, and it’ll help you move some crap out of boxes and off the floor, which might actually be worth more in the end.

Schnaars has thoughtfully provided instructions over on Instructables for how to build the tidy book-holding box — definitely worth a look if you’re curious.

Toolmonger Photo Pool [Flickr]
Simple Book Shelf [Instructables]

As Toolmonger cyclists probably already know, a recumbent bicycle offers several advantages over the normal upright sort, but they’re generally rather pricey. We’ve recently posted on tube bending, mitering, and welding, and this project requires all those new tools you wish you had an excuse to pick up.

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You can rekey a lock quickly and simply, in an evening — it might qualify as a “One-Beer” project, if you’ve got just one lock to rekey. Change-A-Lock and other companies make kits that allow you to change the key for a lock. But if you want a key you already have to fit all your doors, you’ll probably have to either hire a locksmith or do the work yourself.

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When we’re building stuff in the Toolmonger shop, whether of wood or metal, we often consult plans, and not only to make the project easier — a lot of times the plans’ll spark other ideas.  Though the plan for this shop stool is simple enough, maybe it inspires you to modify the plan to make planter stands, or a bench support, or a workpiece glide for your table saw.  If you look at enough plans, you’ll notice that most projects start from a simple box shape; where you end up is limited only by your imagination.

Shop Stool Plan [Miller]

Depending on where you live, porch-swing weather may be upon you or closing in. If you don’t already have a porch swing, or if the old one needs to be retired, take a gander at the plans on Black & Decker’s site. Though it’s nothing fancy, it’ll satisfy the basic requirements: space for a butt or two, and something to hang the swing by.

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What do you do with an old copier? You scavenge metal rods from it and turn ‘em into sweet drawing pencils, of course! The ones pictured above were made by one Bradley Lewis for a co-worker. Check out his site (link below) for numerous photos of the process.

By the way, we stumbled across this on our friend Mister Jalopy’s new site project Dinosaurs and Robots. As usual, he brings an entertaining mix of art, DIY, and the unusual. Give it a look if you get a chance, and don’t forget to weigh in on his mystery tools!

Drawing Pencils From Steel Copier Rods [NonEntity Artwork] [via]

A reader sent us a link to this Unclutterer post about Pottery Barn’s solution for kids that need a little help reaching the sink. While I’m not sure that I’d shell out for the Pottery Barn version, this looks like a first-class idea for a home project — especially if you’ve been thinking about updating that vanity cabinet anyway.

(Thanks, Jet!)

Pottery Barn’s Hide-Away Step Stool [Unclutterer]

Looking for some holiday project inspiration? Check out TM reader and photo pool member Schnaars’ home-made piano bench. From Flickr comments: “A few months ago, we inherited a piano. Unfortunately, it dodn’t come with a bench. Last weekend, I finally finished it.”

It looks great –a nice match for the piano. And congrats on making the piano usable for you and your family. My family had one when I was a kid, and it was a great influence on me.

For taking the time to share — and because we love that he took the time to build a nice, matching wood bench for his family — we’ll send Schnaars a pair of work gloves.

Toolmonger’s Photo Pool [Flickr]

You’re probably thinking, “I’m a Toolmonger. You don’t need to tell me how to hang a picture.” You’re probably right, but I can offer two great counter arguments: first, I’d bet a quarter you’ve got some pictures laying around the house somewhere waiting to hang. Hang them today. Get it done.

And second, there’s more to hanging pictures properly than most people suspect. So if you’re interested, you can check out the how-to from Tutorials.com linked below. From using the right wire to applying spacers — and choosing a pleasing layout on the wall — it’ll help you get the results you desire.

(Thanks, one2c900d, for the great cc-licensed photo.)

Learn To Hang A Picture [Tutorials.com]

Every kid knows that the best toy is one made lovingly by a parent. Why not spend some of your shop time this weekend making a special toy for your kids? Check out the link below for some excellent instructions on how to make your very own kaleidoscope.

According to the author, the kaleidoscope was invented in 1816 by Sir David Brewster. If Sir David can build one two centuries ago, you — with all your high-tech tools and know-how — can probably throw one together today, right?

(Thanks, fdecomite, for the great cc-licensed photo.)

Weekend Project: Kaleidoscope Making [Queens University Math@Home]

Home theaters can be as simple as hooking up a few components or as complex as building a new addition on the house. But one thing’s a given: if you’re still watching a tiny screen and listening through two speakers, you’re missing out. HomeTime.com offers a pretty basic introduction to the technology options out there, and if you add a little creative Toolmongering to the information they provide, you can pretty easily upgrade your football-watching and movie-renting experience without too much pain.

And don’t forget to check out the Toolmonger photo pool for some great pictures of reader’s projects along these lines. There’s a great set in there of a plasma TV install — look ma, no wires!

DIY Home Theater [HomeTime.com]

Getting off your ass doesn’t mean you have to build something. If you’re still too work-week weary to pick up a hammer, just do a little research to find your local mill and hop in the truck for a visit. Though most people have no idea they exist anymore, mills are a great direct source for trim, moulding, and rare lumber. For example, we recently discoved a mill near the Toolmonger offices that sells mesquite. Great stuff!

(Thanks, Egan Snow, for the great cc-licensed photo.)

There’s nothing wrong with ripping out the whole bathroom and re-designing it. But if you’re on a lesser budget — of both time and cash — the folks over at NewHomeOwnerGuide.com assembled a handy set of tips on how to personalize and fix-up your bathroom for under $100. Besides the scratch, they say you’ll need “a basic knowledge of painting, wallpapering, and light woodworking.”

(Thanks, daxiang stef, for the great cc-licensed photo.)

No problem, right?

Bathroom Makeover [NewHomeOwnerGuide.com]

Why buy one of those crappy plastic McForts when you could easily build an awesome playhouse for your kids on your own? This article over on FamilyFun.com offers some ideas on how to build a simple and inexpensive playhouse in an afternoon, but you certainly don’t have to limit yourself to their ideas. If you’ve got the whole weekend to work on it, why not build ‘em a fully-enclosed building complete with furniture and bookcases?

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