Brass is a great metal for hardware, but it does need to be polished to remain pretty. Factory-applied lacquer coatings keep brass looking good for longer, but the lacquer needs to be removed to allow polishing, as you’ll see from…
Click to see what’s probably the world’s most impressive dowel joint jig.
Click below to watch a video tour of my plan for building a backyard meat smoker using a steel barrel. Add some plumbing valves and a ready-made grate, and you’ll be enjoying great tasting meat, fish and even vegetables. Download…
When I was 10 years old, my dad began renovating our kitchen. And that event has affected me to this day. Dad was cutting some 3/4” plywood with a shiny, silver, bargain-basement circular saw that he bought through a mail-order…
This Guide Helps You Avoid Expensive Regrets If you’ve worked on modern houses, you already know how much can be systematized.Materials are standardized. Methods are familiar. Surprises are limited. Older houses are different. Homes built before — and even shortly…
I’ve built houses from scratch from foundation to roof peak, and I’ve also managed and worked on a number of older home renovations and restorations. Because of that, I can say with confidence that these two types of projects are…
Your 90-minute advisory session for practical, house-specific guidance on your older home is now confirmed and paid in full. I’, looking forward to a focused, no-nonsense conversation that helps you make better decisions and avoid costly mistakes. Next step: Choose…
Got an outdoor item to glue? Need an exterior adhesive? Check out this list of pros and cons for the different options.
A couple of years ago, at a community dance, I found myself thinking simultaneously about the soil in our pasture fields and the condition of human relationships — and from that juxtaposition comes an analogy worth exploring: what farm fields…
Hollow wall anchors like these are among the strongest options for securing heavy objects to drywall. Metal wings expand and tighten against the inside face of the drywall after installation. Question: How do I anchor something heavy to drywall? I’d…
Outdoor painting projects are common, but not all paint jobs last equally long or look equally good. This article explains three essential outdoor painting details that help your paint job endure weather and wear — from surface preparation to technique…
Steve Maxwell, Canadas Handiest Man, takes a look at intelligent roofing products and techniques that have come about to help create smarter roofs.