Consumers Digest

what are some other cool home improvements sites that show you how it's done step-by-step via video stream? i know http://www.bobvilla.com http://www.diynetwork.net http://www.thisoldhouse.com http://www.askthebuilder.com

Floating Walls? I live in SW Minnesota, and am planning to finish my basement. I have been researching this subject online, and have come across floating walls. The sites say that because of the large temperature changes, floating walls are necessary to prevent damage to walls or foundations when the concrete moves (due to the temp changes). I have asked numerous people in the area about floating walls, including someone who used to do carpentry. I included a link to one of the wesites I read below. Does anyone know if this is necessary, or common in SW Minnesota? Any experience with floating walls? http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/home_improvement/article/0,2037,DIY_13954_5024566,00.html The people I talked to had not heard of floating walls.

where can I get one of those plastic barrels for making my own rain barrel? You can buy a rain barrel online for about $100, but I want to make my own and even got instructions on diynetwork. But I can't seem to find one of those opaque barrels, and none of the home improvement stores carry them. What am I overlooking?

Does anyone know where to buy a layout template for kitchen cabinet knobs? I'm looking for a plastic template with holes to show where to drill the holes for cabinet knobs. DIYnetwork.com says they're available at home improvement stores, but I can't find them. Has anyone seen or used them? If anyone has an online link, I'd really appreciate it.

I need a Do-It-Yourself Site? I like being creative. I like working with my hands. I subscribe to Popular Science, and particularly like the Do-It-Yourself section. Unfortunately the things featured are often expensive or impractical. I've searched for a good DIY site, but haven't found one thats not lacking a certain something. They all seem generic or home-improvement oriented. I just want something fun to do while I'm at home for the summer, trying to stay out of trouble. Anyone know of a site with interesting little projects, electronics, or other home-built things that might keep me entertained? P.S. I've already found DIY.com and DIYNetwork.com