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…
All things – even good things – eventually come to an end. That said, the right attitude towards woodworking offers a unique chance to extend ourselves and creativity a little beyond the usual limits of life. That’s because building beautiful…
Brass is a great metal for hardware, but it does need to be polished to remain pretty. Factory-applied lacquer coatings keep brass looking good for longer, but the lacquer needs to be removed to allow polishing, as you’ll see from…
Click to see what’s probably the world’s most impressive dowel joint jig.
Click below to watch a video tour of my plan for building a backyard meat smoker using a steel barrel. Add some plumbing valves and a ready-made grate, and you’ll be enjoying great tasting meat, fish and even vegetables. Download…
When I was 10 years old, my dad began renovating our kitchen. And that event has affected me to this day. Dad was cutting some 3/4” plywood with a shiny, silver, bargain-basement circular saw that he bought through a mail-order…
Got an outdoor item to glue? Need an exterior adhesive? Check out this list of pros and cons for the different options.
Hollow wall anchors like these are among the strongest options for securing heavy objects to drywall. Metal wings expand and tighten against the inside face of the drywall after installation. Question: How do I anchor something heavy to drywall? I’d…
A brass pinned woodworking joint (sometimes called a brass pin joint or wood joint pinning technique) is a decorative and reinforcing method for joining wood that combines classic aesthetics with practical strength. There are many ways to join pieces of…
Steve Maxwell, Canada’s Handiest Man, doesn’t accept excuses, and explains how simple it can be to work on DIY home improvement projects.
Question: “I bought plans to build a workbench and the instructions mentions making the top from quartersawn lumber to guard against warping and cupping. I don’t know what quartersawing is. I plan to use 2x6s for the top, but how…