Off-grid power technology is getting better quickly in surprising ways, and this means it’s never been easier to enjoy running water and electric power for lighting and small cooking jobs in cabins and lakeside cottages that can’t connect to utility…
Steve Maxwell, Canada’s Handiest Man, discusses the decline of people entering trade jobs in Canada.
I’ve built houses from scratch from foundation to roof peak, and I’ve also managed and worked on a number of older home renovations and restorations. Because of that, I can say with confidence that these two types of projects are…
Back in 2018 I got the chance to try Milwaukee’s then-new 18 volt cordless electric chainsaw. You can see me cutting some hard maple firewood logs using this saw in the video below. I know cordless tool battery technology has…
Power tool technology is the same as every other kind of advancement in the world. New stuff is expensive and exclusive at first, then it gets cheaper and more widely available over time. So what kind of new and interesting…
The world is faster, more demanding, less free and more competitive than it used to be, and I find that staying sane in the 21st century requires mental and lifestyle strategies to match. Then there are personal issues which are…
A roll of plastic pipe I ordered years ago arrived in a carton that makes me concerned. A stern, 15-word warning of the sort I’m seeing more and more often is the reason why. It highlights a creeping menace that’s…
In the late 1980s I faced a choice, and it was like many of the big choices we all face in life. Do I do the harder thing that I know is best, or do I choose the easier way…
Discover how a 25-mile stretch of railway in northern England—the Stockton & Darlington Railway—marked a turning point in human history. First opened on September 27, 1825, it carried the world’s first steam locomotive and quietly set in motion changes that…
Steve Maxwell, Canada’s Handiest Man, takes us on a video tour of his outdoor wood boiler, explains why he chose it and demonstrates their efficiency.
Do you find the simple, community-based ways of the Amish interesting? I always have. In this article, I talk about my new Amish neighbors on Manitoulin Island and some of the valuable lessons they’re teaching me.
Watch this detailed video tutorial to learn the basics of using a wood splitter safely and productively. I think you’ll find this useful, especially if you want to build your personal self reliance and reduce your heating bills.