Spade bits are one of my favourites for boring large holes in wood, and they’re useful in ways that other bits aren’t. And though every hardware store in the civilized world sells spade bits, I find that few people appreciate […]
Continue ReadingTANKLESS WATER HEATERS: Video Tour of How They Work
Tankless water heaters do three things that tank-style heaters can’t. First, they’re small. They take up little space because they sit on the wall, not floor. Second, they deliver unlimited hot water. A tankless heater never runs cold. And third, […]
Continue ReadingTIME FOR A NEW ROOF?: Be Sure To Read This First
Steve Maxwell, Canada’s Handiest Man, lays out how to install a roof that’ll last 50 years with the right fiberglass shingles, ventilation, and underlay.
Continue ReadingELECTRIC INFLOOR HEATING: A Simple & Effective Retrofit Option
Want warm feet? Save money with reduced overall room temperature and still be comfortable with infloor heating systems. The new electric system Steve tours here is more reliable and a pretty smart control system. Watch and see.
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VIDEO FEATURE: Creating Fancy Sidewall Shingles
Watch Steve’s quick video on how to cut and install fancy cedar sidewall shingles as an artistic accent to any exterior siding installation.
Continue ReadingVIDEO Q&A SESSION: Watch a Replay of the Live Event
This past Monday I broadcast my first live video event. It was a question-and-answer session where I offered solutions to people with practical problems. Some of the question came in by email before the event, and others came in live […]
Continue ReadingSOLAR ENERGY Q&A: “Where Can I Learn More About Making Solar Energy a Reality In A Country Home I’m Planning?
Q: Where can I learn more about making solar energy a reality in a country home I’m planning? I need facts about the costs of various parts of the system, different suppliers and technologies, plus some sense of maintenance costs. […]
Continue ReadingVIDEO: How to Choose a Cordless Drill
Cordless drills are great, but it’s not always obvious how to buy one well. Watch Steve tell you everything you need to know on this video.
Continue ReadingCORDLESS ELECTRIC CHAINSAW?!: This Thing Really Works!
Earlier this week I got the chance to try the 18 volt cordless electric chainsaw you see here on some hard maple firewood logs. I know cordless tool battery technology has come a long way, but has it come far […]
Continue ReadingROOFTOP MOSS: Does It Damage My Roof?
A reader emailed me with this question . . . Q: Is moss on a house roof a serious problem? About 20% of the roof area of a house we’re looking to buy has moss, mostly near a large maple […]
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