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POWER TOOLS: Cordless Miter Saws Get Good

In the final analysis, do-it-yourself success comes down to tools, and one particular kind of tool makes building projects more fun and more productive than most others. If you’re thinking of tooling up to build your DIY skills, you’d be […]

FINISHING YOUR BASEMENT: The Real Way to Prevent Musty Air & Dangerous Mold in Your Rec Room

There’s a finished basement I know that’s both typical and dangerous. It’s in a small town recreational building near where I live in rural Canada, and this basement hosts a number of different groups and functions year round. Other than […]

OUTDOOR PROJECTS: Real-World Tricks for Working With Post & Beams

There are tricks that make a big difference to the success of outdoor projects, and that’s what you’ll get here. You’ll find them useful for almost every project involving big, exterior wood. Decks, docks, gazebos, swing sets, mailbox posts and […]

CLASSIC BRICK: How to Design for Beauty

Over the last five years I’ve been trying to understand a kind of beauty I see from time to time. It has to do with old brick buildings and I think I have it figured out. The most impressive brick buildings […]

NEW ROOF: Understanding Your Top 3 Options

Considering a new roof for your house this spring? Steve Maxwell, Canada’s Handiest Man, gives a quick overview of three interesting roofing options.

ARCHITECT: How to Choose One for Your Project

UPDATED 22MAY2017 Q: How should my husband and I choose an architect? We’ve bought five acres of waterfront property that’s blessed with interesting topography. We envision a small, green home, perhaps using water reclamation technology and solar energy, incorporating local […]

CLASSIC BRICK: Discover Beautiful Design Details from the Past

Classic brick designs offer some of the most interesting and enduring architectural details you’ll find anywhere. But brick alone isn’t necessarily all that interesting. For stunning visual results, the colour, texture, style and arrangement of brick needs to be used in creative […]

VIDEO EPISODE#25: LIFE @ Bailey Line Road

*BIRDS OF PREY: See where a pair of ospreys choose to nest.
*WATER WELL: Watch the birth of a great source of pure water.
*WOODWORKING: Learn how to scribe wood for nice, tight fit.
*GREAT TOOLS: See three great ones from this 2009 video.

TOOLS: Diablo Tracking Point Saw Blade Means Better Building

UPDATED 6MAY2017: If you’re gearing up for deck building, constructing a dock, picnic table, gazebo or verandah this season, you should know how much hand-held circular saws have improved. The best cordless models these days are every bit as effective as […]

VIDEO EPISODE#24: LIFE @ Bailey Line Road

*COTTAGE LIFE: The easiest way ever to prime a water pump.
*MOLD CONTROL: Kill mold safely, forever and without bleach.
*TOOLS: See why impact drivers are the kings of screw driving.
*BUILDING: Learn to use a garden hose as a building level.