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Img 9157 Spike Carlsen

Spike Carlsen

location-pin Stillwater, Minnesota

School: Gustavus Adolphus College

Expertise: product testing, carpentry, woodworking, renovating and remodeling

Spike Carlsen

  • 15 years of carpentry and remodeling experience
  • 15 years editor and Executive Editor; Family Handyman magazine
  • Authored seven books, including A Splintered History of Wood, Woodworking FAQ, The Backyard Homestead Book of Building Projects, A Walk Around the Block, and Ridiculously Simple Furniture Projects.
  • Appearances on NBC’s TODAY SHOW, Modern Marvels, HGTV, the CBS Early Show, and dozens of other radio and television programs.

Experience

Spike Carlsen has been writing about the world around us and how it works for the past 25 years. An editor with Family Handyman magazine and books for 15 years, he's also written for Men’s Health, The Wall Street Journal, Smithsonian, The Minneapolis Star Tribune, Mother Earth News, Fine Homebuilding and other magazines.
He’s the author of the award-winning A Splintered History of Wood, A Walk Around the Block, and five other books.
Before picking up a pen, h he swung a hammer for 15 years as a construction professional. In his free timememe, he enjoys biking, playing guitar, woodworking, and having adventures with his eight granddaughters.

Education

Gustavus Adolphus College

Family Handyman Editorial Policies

For more than seven decades, Family Handyman has been providing its audience with ideas, inspiration and step-by-step directions on how to maintain and enhance indoor and outdoor living spaces. In addition to having our own staff of experts, we hire individuals whose skills have been honed through years of experience in the building, plumbing and electrical trades, and as passionate homeowners who have translated DIY (do it yourself) skills into careers as respected creators.

Articles

Raise A Door Threshold To Reduce Drafts Fh05may 458 06 010 Ssedit Tout icon

Raise a Door Threshold To Reduce Drafts

Stop drafts coming under a door by raising the adjustable threshold. It only a minute to turn the four adjusting screws.
A person guides a long piece of wood through a table saw, cutting it precisely while working in a well-lit workshop surrounded by wood materials.

DIY Dictionary: Ripping a Board

ripping a board definition
A hand holds a crumpled yellow cloth, applying it to a smooth, light-colored wooden surface in a workshop setting.

DIY Dictionary: Tack Cloth

What's a tack cloth? A tack cloth or tack rag is a lint-free material—often gauze-like—impregnated with a tacky substance used to remove dust and dirt...