Cordless mini chainsaws are becoming more common in the tool world, and they fill a useful gap between hand pruners and full-size chainsaws. In this short video I show how my DEWALT cordless pruning saw works and why it has…
In this week’s episode of LIFE@Bailey Line Road: Watch how Steve Maxwell chisels a pocket to hold a hand-forged hinge, see a trick for easily making a custom tool box, watch chickens help change motor oil, and go back to the summer for a lesson on when to rotate cattle pasture.
Drying your own wood for projects can take a long time or a short time. It all depends on how you do it. Read on for critical details learned over my 35+ years of woodworking. Drying lumber properly is one…
In this week’s video, learn how to properly bore big holes in thick steel; discover the best drill bit for steel (hint: it’s not a twist bit!); see the importance of using cutting oil; and learn how to mark metal properly for drilling
Can a 12 volt reciprocating saw really do a decent job in the real world? See this quick video tool tour and see why Steve likes this small but spunky tool. It may be small, but it’s pretty tough.
Epoxy garage floor coatings can create a durable, glossy surface, but many DIY epoxy floors fail within a few years. The most common problems are poor concrete preparation, moisture in the slab, and using thin epoxy paint instead of industrial…
Hand planes are one of the most useful tools in woodworking, but many people struggle to use them well. Learning how to use a hand plane properly allows you to flatten boards, smooth surfaces, and create precise edges without sandpaper…
If you’re planning to build a deck, dock, fence, gazebo, or any outdoor structure that uses screws, there’s one power tool that will make the job dramatically easier: an impact driver. Deck screws and structural screws are excellent fasteners for…
I should have known better, but the wall-to-wall vinyl carpeting on the floor of my 1990 F150 had been holding moisture against the metal for years. I ripped the stuff off when I discovered it, but not before a hole…
Most handsaws for cutting wood aren’t that good. The model in the video above is different. Watch this 12 minute tutorial to learn why this model is so good, and see it in action. Have you ever seen a handsaw…
In this week’s episode, watch . . . a simple and effective way to make your own construction wedges; a rant about the sorry state of manual common sense in the world; a tour of some old tools and a century-old metal name stamp
This video is part of a series about the 42×80-foot fabric structure I’m putting up at my place. It’s for equipment storage and mechanical repairs. Join me as I explore the many parts I have on the site now, ready…