Key Takeaways What is beauty, exactly? It is one of the most important things in life, yet one of the hardest to define. Most people know beauty when they see it, hear it, or feel its presence, but putting it…
Home improvement matters for reasons that go beyond repairs, upgrades, and property value. At its best, it helps turn the shell of a house into a place where people feel safe, comfortable, and deeply at home. That is the real…
Learn whether drywall should be installed vertically or horizontally in a basement, why horizontal hanging is usually better, and how to improve soundproofing and moisture resistance. Key Takeaways Should drywall be installed vertically or horizontally in a basement? In most…
Key Takeaways Can a MIG welder work from a regular 110 volt outlet? If your shop only has standard household power, the good news is yes. In my experience a 110 volt MIG welder can handle many light welding jobs…
Have you ever been on a workshop date? Let Steve tell you about the workshop dates that he and his wife Mary do, and what they’ve made together on their last one.
In this video, Steve Maxwell, Canada’s Handiest Man, talks about three very useful families of router bit profiles for woodworking.
Learning to dry wood is one of the most important woodworking skills. Success depends on understanding what’s going on when wood dries, and how to make it happen reliably. Every woodworker needs to know this if they want to avoid disappointment.
Unventilated attics can work well when built properly, especially when spray foam or insulated panels are used to prevent air movement and condensation. I’ve built a number over the years, and my writing office is under the roof you see…
Summer is the season you’re most likely to refinish outdoor trim, door frames, window sashes and finickity woodwork of all kinds, and detail sanders are tools I’ve come to rely on for this kind of work. Also called multitools these days because they can also cut and grind, detail sanders are not for stripping back large expanses of bare wood.
Read the good news story of a young family who’s lifelong winter illness went away with the push of one button.
Pressure-treated wood is the most common and economical lumber for decks, fences, pergolas, and many other outdoor projects. It lasts far longer than untreated wood, but it is not rot-proof. If pressure-treated wood stays wet long enough, it can still…
If you want to make an attic truly useful, access matters. That’s often the biggest challenge. A full staircase takes up more room than many homes can spare, but a typical pull-down attic ladder is awkward, steep, and not something…