Take an educational tour of container gardening in pots and hanging baskets as Steve Maxwell and his wife Mary do it on Manitoulin Island. Click here to see.
Continue ReadingHow to Finish a Wooden Table Top
In this week’s video episode learn how to remove an existing tabletop finishing with a belt sander; avoid one popular type of sander when you’re smoothening a table top; choose and apply a repairable oil finish that’s excellent for tables; and see how oil brings out rich wood grain like nothing else can
Continue ReadingPOWER PREPAREDNESS: Why The Electricity Grid Could Go Down for a Long, Long Time (and what you can do about it)
UPDATED 31Jul2020 Our world has become entirely dependent on centrally supplied electricity, and this has brought a lot of good to humanity. That said, there’s good reason to believe that the reliability of this electrical supply isn’t as solid as […]
Continue ReadingTHE REAL REASON CRAFTSMANSHIP MATTERS
Craftsmanship is the extent to which a person aims towards excellence, especially in any venture involving hands-on workmanship. It’s a product of skill, knowledge, experience and effort. And while craftsmanship pays off for the people in your life who enjoy […]
Continue Reading Learn More from Bailey Line Road
Q&A OF THE WEEK: Is There An Easy Way to Fix Worn Wooden Floors?
UPDATED 31Jul2020 + video below Q: Is there some easy way to fix worn oak floors in our house? We’d like to do the work ourselves, ideally without renting a big floor sander. A: Too many people assume that worn […]
Continue ReadingSHARPENING A CHAINSAW VIDEO TUTORIAL: See Electric Sharpener in Action
UPDATED 23Jul2020: Sharpening a chainsaw properly can take more time and more skill than meets the eye. Electric chainsaw sharpeners make this job much, much easier, but you still have to know how to use the machine. Click below for […]
Continue ReadingHow to Stay Sane During Home Renovations
Steve Maxwell, Canada’s Handiest Man, outlines his philosophy for home builds and renovation projects.
Continue ReadingHELPLESSNESS, HUMILITY & A SWIMMING RAFT (Plus Project Plans!)
UPDATED 23Jul2020: I’ve only felt deeply and undeniably helpless once in my life, but it taught me a valuable lesson. Perhaps it will help you, too. A family of otters had something to do with the whole thing. It happened […]
Continue ReadingBRICK VENEER: A Great Homebuilding Option
UPDATED 23Jul2020 + video below: Masonry wasn’t my favourite homebuilding material when I got involved in building and renovation back in the mid-1980s, but 30 years of dealing with reality has changed my mind. Brick veneer, in particular, offers the […]
Continue ReadingHow to Dry Herbs
It’s herb harvest time on Manitoulin Island! Watch how homestead wife Mary harvests, bundles and dries this year’s herb bounty.
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