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…

Insulation doesn’t feel like a thrilling home renovation topic for most people. But the fact is, you should be thrilled. Upgrading insulation can put money in your pocket, and who doesn’t like that? You’ll also be more comfortable at a given room temperature with added insulation and your home will have greater resale value especially as the world changes. Watch this video to see what I mean.

Sometimes a real challenge is just what people need. That’s why  Steve thinks kids need a little less stuff in their lives and a little more incentive to go out and make things happen with their own small home maintenance businesses….

Note to a Discouraged Homesteader

Back in my previous blog I talked about the reasons I see would-be homesteaders change their minds and give up on dreams of rural living. This often involves rejecting too much technology, but there are other reasons, too. Mistaken ideas…