
H.R. Helm is an accomplished DIY craftsman. He has been DIY since childhood and is now a septuagenarian. He is experienced in wood and metal construction, having designed and built several houses and metal buildings. He built every permanent building on his current homestead and did all the plumbing and electrical work.
He has several years experience as a professional cabinet builder, and he is an accomplished auto repairman, having operated an auto repair business for many years. He currently has a home shop where he sharpens and rebuilds saws, repairs lawn mowers, mobility scooters, hydraulic jacks, and anything else that comes along. He also builds custom tools for metal working.
Invention prototypes are another of his many accomplishments. He owned and operated a manufacturing business building Compact Utility Vehicles for homeowner use. H.R. enjoys making jams and jellies during fruit season along with cooking meals. He is committed to outdoor cooking in a Bar-B-Q pit he welded together several years ago. He maintains fruit and nut trees along with helping his wife with a vegetable garden. He farmed commercial garden produce for several years. It helps to have over 50 years of farming and ranching experience.
Employment/Education Highlights
ASE Certified Master Auto Technician
Certified Welder
Cross country truck driver -- over dimensional freight
Design Engineer/Project Manager for injection molded plastic company
Bus Driver/Substitute Teacher
Inventor with two patents (weight training – anti-rollback for manual wheelchair)
BS in Industrial Technology
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How to Build a Wood Bench
A wooden bench is a great project for a beginning DIYer....
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Troubleshooting an Outdoor Faucet with Low Water Pressure
Insufficient water pressure can be caused by blockages or corrosion in pipework....
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How Often Should Clutch Fluid be Changed?
As needed to address problems, or about every two years....
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How to Troubleshoot a Malfunctioning Reverse Parking Sensor
If you suspect a problem, you may want to swap it out....
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What to Do if Your Windshield Washer Fluid Freezes
Frozen windshield wiper fluid is a common hassle....
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Troubleshooting an Outdoor Faucet with no Water Running
Check out these simple solutions to getting your outdoor faucet running properly again....
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Common Causes of Brake Noises While in Reverse
It's always important to know what's causing the mysterious sounds your car makes. Learn to dia...
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Coolant Light Turns On But Tank Is Full: Possible Causes
You may take excellent care of your car, keeping the radiator clean and the coolant tank filled...
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Car Air Conditioner Won't Take Freon
Check the compressor and pick up a recharging kit....
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How to Build Kinaras and Menorahs
Here's a brief tutorial and history on these candelabras....
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Exterior Painting Prep in 5 Steps
It's all in the prep....
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Attacking Winter Surface Damage to Your Home
7 steps to freshening up your home's exterior....
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The Nuts and Bolts: Connect Instantly With DIY Experts Via New App
Whip out your smart phone to video chat with DIY experts for fast, personalized answers....
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Garage Flooring Options
These six options will update your cement slab floor....
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Create a Steampunk Light Fixture
Creative, retro, sci-fi lighting for your living room, or your airship....
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How to Avoid Chiggers and Treat Chigger Bites
Learn how to keep these pests away or how to soothe the itch of their bites if you can't....
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Green Tips for Cooling Your House
Cool your home without turning on the AC....
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Storage Solutions for Small Kitchens
Maximize your kitchen space with 6 storage solutions....
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How to Calculate the Cost of Painting Your Home's Exterior
Gather your data and set your budget....
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Recycled Pallet Projects, Part 3: Outdoor Coffee Table
Build a coffee table perfect for your patio or rustic home decor....
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Choosing a Basic Color Palette
There's a science to choosing color for your home....
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Paint Your Trim and Freshen Your Interior Design
A new coat of paint always makes a room look fresh....
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How to Reupholster Kitchen Chairs
These nine steps will give your furniture a new look....
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How to Paint the Outside of Your House
Give a fresh look to your home's exterior....
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The Godfather of DIY: a Conversation with Bob Vila
We get some advice (and shoot the breeze) with the source of DIY....
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No Dig Gardens
No need for a shovel, or to stoop when you plant or harvest....
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You Did What With Shelf Liner ?
Machine-washable shelf liners are available....
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Women and the Aftermarket
Twenty years ago jobbers would hire swimsuit models as drivers, and send them out to deliver pa...
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Window Framing Materials and Options
Window framing is an important part of energy efficiency....
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Walk on the Wild Side: Taming Your Overgrown Landscape
There are many reasons why a garden grows out of control. Certain species seem to take over....
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Tubular Skylights - FAQs
They can bring light into small spaces....
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Tips and Products for Cleaning Hardwood Floors
Your hardwood floor will shine when you use the right care....
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The Scents of Potpourri
Potpourris scent the home with subtle fragrances....
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The Mexican Folklore of La Flor de Noche Buena: The Poinsettia
Every year around Christmas time, families get together....
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Stylish, Inexpensive Decorating Ideas
7 elements you can decorate for less....
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Seal Up the House for Winter
Read this article for advice on weather sealing your home....
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Road To Zero Emissions
Years of attempting to change driving and purchasing behavior have made regulators realize that...
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Building a Garage - Roof Framing
Ordering supplies and initial installation are on the list....
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Building a Garage 5 - Nailing and Positioning the Wall
Intro - Materials - Foundation - Laying Wall - Positioning/Framing - Roof Framing - Sheathing -...
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Building a Garage - Applying Felt and Asphalt Shingles
Intro - Materials - Foundation - Laying Wall - Positioning/Framing - Roof Framing - Sheathing -...
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Build A Stressed Copper Headboard
Copper is a striking look that reflects well in most decors....
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Boxwood Christmas Crafts
Deck the halls with an elegant, boxwood wreath, minitree, or kissing ball....
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Blending an Old Home with New Inovations
Upgrade and preserve at the same time....
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Beat the Grease: Removing Grease Stains from Clothing
Don't throw out that stained top yet! Try using these tips to salvage your clothing....
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Basic Types of Piping and Tubing
Get to know the different types of pipes and tubing....
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Bamboo Flooring 4 - Installation
Get the flooring you’ve always wanted and install it yourself using these instructions....
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Back to Nature Ready-Strip - Safer Paint and Varnish Remover
Click here to purchase Back to Nature Ready-Strip Paint and Varnish Remover....
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Attic/Roof Ventilation - Installing a Ridge Vent
Considering a ridge vent? Here's why they're useful and how to install one....
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Anchoring To Concrete and Masonry
It's not as "hard" as you might think....
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Aftermarket Goodies for Your Car
The driving experience in America today is as individualized and personal as owning a new home....