How to Build an Abrasive Saw Cutoff Attachment

Build a metal cutting abrasive saw using little more than angle iron, a sheet of plywood, and an abrasive cutoff disc. It's a hinge device that is tailored to bolt to your circular saw frame.

If you already have a saw and some angle iron, you can build a powerful new tool for just a few dollars. Like any power saw, an abrasive cutoff saw can be dangerous, but the author's model has been used successfully without incident for quite some time now. Low cost, detailed plans with drawings, dimensions, how-to and photos. Get a copy. 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 booklet 15 pages.

No. 1500 ... $4.95

Build a Mower-Style Line Trimmer
by Ken Dixon

It trims, mows and bushhogs. Replaces both your push mower and your string trimmer. Made with a used 3 1/2 HP Briggs & Stratton engine on a wooden deck. Comparable to commercial $600 models. Dimensioned drawings and step-by-step how-to. Self-published. 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 booklet 18 pages

No. 1455 ... $7.95

Whirlpool Spa for Your Deck
by Kenneth Dixon

Build a low cost 7-1/2 ft square whirlpool spa from commonly available materials for as little as $600. A small, quality booklet loaded with how-to on framing the deck, tub, and installing the plumbing. Check local building codes before building. No heater. 5-1/2 x 8-1/2 booklet 20 pages

No. 6136 ... $7.95

Wood Fired Water Heater
by Ken Dixon

If you have built or plan to build Ken's whirlpool spa, you can build this heater from common materials. It's much like a barbecue grill, but instead of cooking wild boar, you're heating the water. If your mother-in-law is sitting in the spa, you can raise the water temperature high enough to probably cook her, although that's not its real purpose.

You build the heater from concrete block, concrete, angle iron, threaded rods, and other hardware store materials. You can take a spa freshly filled with cold water to 85* in about six hours, and in the process get rid of all those rotting pallets lying all over your front lawn. (The neighbors might even drop their pending law suite against you!)

Interesting project. Potential fire hazard. As with all these projects, it would be wise to check local building codes before starting. A proven project. 5-1/2 x 8-1/2 booklet 12 pages

No. 6161 ... $5.95

Spiral Stairs for Decks, etc.
by Kenneth Dixon

Complete plans and details for building a low cost outdoor spiral staircase. Based on a standard 4x4 center post. The prototype is 105" high, 60" diameter. Uses common deck materials. Always check building codes. Self-published. 5-1/2 x 8-1/2 booklet 19 pages

No. 6133 ... $5.95

Barrel Style Compost Tumbler
by Ken Dixon

A natural smart way to dispose of organic kitchen waste is to compost it rather than bury it in a landfill. All you do is throw scraps on the existing pile. The problem is that you need to use a shovel or pitch fork to turn the pile frequently to allow air in and keep heat build up down to a safe level.

You can bypass that problem by throwing lawn clippings, sauerkraut (I'm not quite sure about the pickled pigs' feet), and stale bread into this homemade tumbler. You end up with a compost pile that's easier to handle and breaks down into usable compost much faster because of the tumbling action.

The unit is built from a common 24"x36" plastic barrel and common hardware store components. It's a simple project you can build inexpensively. Unfortunately it won't compost unwanted in-laws, your dirty underwear, or your worn out snow tires. But it WILL make great compost. Get started! 5-1/2 x 8-1/2 booklet 12 pages

No. 6162 ... $5.95

Retractable Deck Awning
by Ken Dixon

"Complete plans and details for building a low cost retractable deck awning."

Another simple, proven project from Ken Dixon. You can build an awning to provide shade for your deck, your sawmill, or maybe for that gigantic wood fired cooking pot you use out back to cook up 20 gallons of 'possum chili at a time. The awning is built from common pvc pipe and a tarp. He'll show you how he did it. Save yourself some time experimenting and certainly some money. 5-1/2 x 8-1/2 booklet 12 pages

No. 6160 ... $5.95

Low-Cost Double Carport Plans
by Ken Dixon

Dixon will show you how to build a low-cost shelter consisting of a sturdy frame covered with a tarpaulin. It will provide a surprising degree of shelter for your car. Shelter drying firewood OR shelter your foundry furnace OR shelter your steam engine. Think of the possibilities! OR, I think you get the idea.Estimated cost looks like about $200 (1993 prices), and as much as $500 if you want to completely frame it out and put on a shingle roof. You get a well-done booklet with complete plans and how-to from someone who has done it. A great low-cost shelter for a craftsman. Think about it. 5-1/2 x 8-1/2 booklet 13 pages

No. 5007... $4.95

Under Deck Roofing
by Ken Dixon

If you have a deck attached to the second level of your house, you can use the space under the deck effectively if you roof the underside of the deck. But there's a trick to it. And the ol' master carpenter himself, no, not that Norm Abrams guy, I mean Ken Dixon, will show you how he did it in this simple, but straight-to-the-point booklet.

"It is a problem that many homeowners have. They have a high deck with plenty of room under it. What a great place for storage, a work shop, a playhouse, etc. Many, many uses for the room but one looming problem. Your deck leaks like sieve. Anything you store under it will eventually get wet. It is a problem that I had for years. My first solution was to string a blue tarp under the deck with ropes. It worked fine for a while but it is just not a long term solution..."

Let Ken show you what he did. A two by six can cost you more than the booklet. 5-1/2 x 8-1/2 booklet 12 pages

No. 6176 ... $5.95