Ask the Builder: Crown Molding Installation

Crown Molding/Crown Moulding: Nothing puts the finishing touch on a room like crown molding. Our eyes are drawn to the sculpted lines that create an elegant look in even the most modest room. Now you can learn the tricks of installing crown molding. Master carpenter and nationally syndicated columnist Tim Carter shows you the ins and outs of completing a project that would make a pro jealous. This DVD includes step-by-step detailed instructions, tool lists, the option of choosing multiple camera angles and a special feature called Tim's Tips that will give you tricks of the trade from an expert with over 30 years of experience on the job site. This action-packed DVD is totally interactive and covers the following topics:

• Required Tools and Safety
• Positioning and Cutting Crown Molding in a power miter saw
• Inside Corners
• Outside Corners
• Ending Crown Molding on a Wall
• Crown Molding On Top of Cabinets
• Crown in 45 and 60 Degree Bay Windows
• Crown Molding in Stairwells
• Cathedral and Vaulted Ceilings
• Fancy Crown Molding Corners and Installtion Tips for Rounded Corners
• SECRET Nailing Tips!
• No Tedious Coping Required!

Available at Amazon.com.

Anchoring Wood to Concrete

Bob Schmidt shows you how to anchor wood wall plates to concrete during your basement remodeling renovation project.

Scotts 20-Inch Push Reel Mower

With soaring gas prices, what better way to save money this summer.

The Scott's classic reel mower is light, maneuverable, and economical. The business end of this push reel mower is solid, sharp, and everything a reel mower should be, with five heat-treated, knife-sharp steel blades that can be adjusted for nine grass heights with very easy wheel tabs. With its 10-inch wheels, radial tires, and 20-inch cutting width, this mower should enable you to cross whatever terrain and reach whatever hard-to-access rogue patches of grass you desire. There's no soft cushion on the handle, which is too bad, but otherwise, the Scotts Classic is a durable, well-constructed, simple device.

Available at Amazon.com.

Stonescaping Idea Book

The right kind of stone and how you incorporate it in your landscape and garden can make all the difference. Stone, a broad term that includes pavers, fieldstones, bricks, rocks and boulders, and stone veneer, can be used to create a distinct yet practical component to any yard. And with the variety of natural and manufactured stone products widely available today, incorporating stone in the landscape is no longer out of reach.

Stonescaping Idea Book showcases a wide range of inspiring and practical ideas for using stone in all types of landscape settings and for all budgets and regions of the country. Along with tried-and-true designs for inviting walkways and beautiful walls, new ways of using stone in gardens and patio spaces are also presented. You’ll discover ideas for creating graceful streams, waterfalls, or even simple fountains that will help transform your backyard into a private retreat. And you’ll find a wide range of outdoor living spaces that family and friends can enjoy for years to come. As the examples in the book demonstrate, there is a world of stone to explore; this book will help get you started on the right path.

Available at Amazon.com.

How to Build Walks, Walls & Patio Floors

With the newest edition of Sunset's bestselling Walks, Walls Patio Floors, homeowners learn a lot more than how to pour a perfect concrete slab (though they learn the best way to do that, too.) Following clear instructions and step-by-step photography, they learn how to plan, design, and build their own outdoor paradise.

Available at Amazon.com.