It’s Time to Make the Trades—and Tradesmen—Cool Again
Steve Maxwell, Canada’s Handiest Man, discusses the decline of people entering trade jobs in Canada.
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Why Restoring an Old House Is Nothing Like Building a New One
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…
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TOOLS: Watch This 18-Volt Cordless Chainsaw in Action
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…
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TOOLS: Three Up-and-Coming Cordless Options
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…
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LIFESTYLE: What Ever Happened to Personal Responsibility?
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…
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PHILOSOPHY: Masonry, Life & Choosing the Hard-But-Good Things
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…
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AI DIALOGUE: The Railway That Changed The World
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…
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OUTDOOR WOOD BOILER: Detailed Video Tour Of This Wood Heating Option
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.
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LIFESTYLE: Five Wise Reminders From the Amish
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.
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OUTDOOR LIVING: How to Use a Wood Splitter
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.
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RURAL LIVING: Let Me Show You Manitoulin Island Life
The first part of the 1980s left me feeling desperate. That’s what happened when, after four years of methodical searching, I was giving up hope of ever finding the kind of rural place I wanted to live in. I’d grown up…
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LIFE & HEALTH: Is Distilled Water Good To Drink? Here’s What I found
If you care about optimizing your health and energy level, you’ve probably come to realize that little lifestyle practices can sometimes deliver big health benefits over time. The energy level and pizzaz of a person in their 70s or 80s,…
