Canada dishes out some of the most extreme climate conditions on the planet, and whether or not you actually live in Canada, the true north strong and free offers a challenging standard to meet. Where I live we experience a…
It’s not as easy as it looks turning an area of lawn into a successful garden. The tough and tenacious nature of grass is the main reason why. Listen in as I explain what I told a friend who asked…
If you ever go to Europe, be sure to knock on some interior walls. Every one that I’ve checked out has been solid masonry – no hollow sounding, noise transmitting frame walls. They use so much more masonry across the Atlantic than…
Q: How should I build the first small building on my 15 acre country property? I don’t have a lot of experience, but I’m thinking of completing a stackwall and timber frame structure measuring 16×24 feet this summer, then something…
Steve Maxwell, Canada’s Handiest Man, gives four of his top tips for outdoor woodworking projects.
Struggling to make your tools sharp? Let me fix that for you. Sharpening chisels, planes, knives, carving gouges and other edge tools can be fast and simple. It all comes down to how you do it.
There’s nothing quite like fresh eggs from your own hens, and this backyard chicken coop lets you make that happen. I created this modular design to be comfortable, cozy, easy to clean and suitable for regions that get both too cold and too hot during…
See how Steve and friends raise boutique beef on Manitoulin Island for people who want more than just ordinary food.
Steve shares his thoughts and experiences living at the end of a dead end rural road during a harsh Canadian winter.
Did you ever have trouble with zoning bylaws when you built the tiny house you’ve written about? I want to follow your plans, but the 550 square foot floor size is smaller than the 800 square foot minimum I hear about where I live. What should I do? Read on for Steve’s advice to this reader.
Listen as Steve Maxwell talks about the problems with conventional basement finishing, and how you can finish your basement in a way that will avoid mold, mildew, and poor indoor air quality.
BRUSHLESS DRILL TOUR A reader named Vern asked about what type of cordless tools he might need for a remote island worksite without power. Vern is hoping to bring a bunch of charged batteries to avoid the need for a…