Have you ever thought of living in the country? Finding the right property isn’t all that easy. Read Steve Maxwell’s experiences finding his homesteading property and see for yourself what it’s like.
If you’re building a deck you should aim to make it last at least several decades. In fact, there’s no reason a deck should not last 50 years with the right design, and long deck life comes down to fastener…
Want to feel better about yourself and life? Try changing your own tires. I’ve found that this common seasonal chore for people living in places that get winter brings all these benefits and more. After falling out of favour for…
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.
Watch the video below for tips and tricks on using your pressure washer, including some uses you’ve probably never seen before. More details in the article below. In my experience there are three standard tasks where a pressure washer can’t…
I’ve been doing some wood chipping lately with a tractor-mounted implement from Woodland Mills that I really like. I bought it in 2019. See this chipper in action in the video above.
Steve Maxwell, Canada’s Handiest Man, examines water wells and discusses pumps as well as the trickle system.
Many people in the world long for a life in the country, lived on their own terms, close to nature, honest and hands-on. This is more true today than ever, I suspect. A few of these adventurous people take this feeling…
In September 1990, I saw something that made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. It happened on the shore of a small, inland lake (3/4 of a mile long) on Manitoulin Island, Ontario, Canada. It was…
Recently, the people at Mobil 1 asked if I’d be interested in partnering with them to make a how-to video on DIY motor oil changes. Naturally, I said “yes”, both because I’m a big believer in doing this work yourself,…
Question: Can I use an impact driver to tighten and loosen bolts? I just bought a new DEWALT 20-volt impact driver for driving screws, but I see that it’s made to handle 1/4” hex screw driver bits for deck screws,…
In 1986 I was living in a 7′ x 9′ tent on my newly-purchased, very rural Manitoulin Island property. With no buildings on the place yet, it felt like moving into a fancy hotel when I built a 10′ x…