Spade bits are one of my favourite tools for boring large holes in wood, and they’re useful in ways that other bits aren’t. And though every hardware store in the civilized world sells spade bits, I find that few people…
Wood is a beautiful home feature, but it’s only as good as the finish that’s applied to it. And truth be told, a lot of people have trouble putting a simple, smooth, effective finish on interior wood. I know because…
In theory, I suppose it’s possible to live without tools in your life, but why would you want to? So many of today’s home maintenance and fix-up jobs are a snap to complete with just a few basics, and the…
Four key tool managing tips from the Steve Maxwell, “Canada’s Handiest Man”, to help you get the most from your power saws.
Do you want to gain the satisfaction of developing practical skills, saving money doing things yourself, and becoming more confident and creative with DIY and workshop projects? This has always been something that interested me from boyhood, and it’s still…
If you’re looking for portable electric power for camping, power tool use away from the grid, or for sensitive electronics, there’s a significant evolution in generator technology that you should know about. It has to do with advances in a…
In this week’s video episode learn how to measure & mark boards for accurate planing; use a hand plane to make lumber a specific thickness; make rough boards flat and smooth without a thickness planer
A while back a subscriber asked . . . Q: What’s the best way to fix rust holes in the cab of my pickup truck? I’m handy around the house, so I figure I can learn to do decent autobody…
Thickness planers are made to smoothen lumber, but they’re also unbeatable when it comes to making a bunch of wood strips of consistent size in the home workshop. Are you milling trim, moulding or pieces of solid wood edging? The…
A good tape measure is one of the first tools that any handy person should buy, precisely because it’s so useful for so many jobs. But there’s a big difference in the quality of different tape measures you can choose….
A garage can be a very useful space for your home, and the good thing is you can customize it to meet individual needs for storage, workshops, and hobbies. Adding more storage space and increasing the value of your house…
