Brown Sugar Hard as a Rock Check the brown sugar in your kitchen cabinet regularly to see if it's hard. To keep it soft, place several apple slices in the container and put the lid on tight. The next day it will be softer.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sharpening

Any serious do-it-yourselfer will have various tools that need to be kept sharp to perform properly and safely. Chisels and plane irons are in this category. You can always take your tools out for sharpening; although this service isn't expensive, there is the down time waiting for the tool. Investing in a sharpening stone will quickly pay for itself.

Here are the basics: oil stones (both natural and synthetic), water stones and diamond stones. Natural stones generally stay flat longer than synthetic. Water stones generally cut faster than natural stones. Diamond stones cut fast and stay flat and can be used for carbide tips. Diamond stones cost the most but may be the best value in the long run.

- Stephen Corwin

-- Anonymous, August 16, 2001