After building a quick-and-dirty test platform--a crossarm bolted to a steel L-bracket--we used three fasteners at a time to attach our contraption to the 38-in. drywall. We timed how long it took to ...

Fasten wood backing wherever drywall ends have no support within four inches. Note: Make sure to check corners and ceiling/wall joints. Measure from the end of the ceiling to the middle of a joist and ...

These picks will hold anything from picture frames to heavy shelves Because drywall is not very strong on its own, it can’t support much more than a few pounds on a regular nail or screw without ...

It doesn't take an earthquake to bring a gallery of family photos, a collection of heirloom dishes or a mirror crashing to the ground. Often damage to such objects results from the wrong type or ...

Have you ever wondered why a nail works so well in wood? It’s not the nail that’s doing all the work–it’s the wood. Because wood is resilient, it grips the nail, not the other way around. The trouble ...

Last weekend I was installing some 2 x 4 blocking for a bathroom cabinet, and I really struggled to drive the screws into the lumber. In fact, whenever I use drywall screws to build stuff, they break ...

Q. I’m building a new home. Because of the booming economy and shortage of great help, I might be forced to hang and finish the drywall myself. I’ve done a few repairs here and there and wonder if ...

Dear James: There are lots of nail pops on our drywall joints. When we have our new room addition drywalled, what should be done differently to avoid this? — Mandee L. Dear Mandee: Even after you try ...

Q: My husband and I live in a 45-year-old brick ranch home. The house was built with electric ceiling heat, but we added propane forced-air heat in 1996. We kept the electric ceiling heat intact, but ...