Chainsaw sharpening is one of those skills that separates pleasant cutting from frustration. A sharp chain pulls itself into the wood, throws real chips and makes the saw feel powerful. A dull chain makes smoke, dust, heat and hard work….
How can I stop my tools from rusting in their toolbox? Read on for Steve’s advice.
Question: I’m planning to buy one of the benchtop jointers you recommended in your kitchen and bathroom cabinetmaking course, but can you also recommend a benchtop wood planer?Is this a good piece of equipment to add to a very basic…
Read about Steve’s experiences using a simple, new method for staining and sealing wood.
If you don’t have a workbench somewhere around your home, you should change that. You’ll never find a simpler, more economical source of mental health and household well-being. Having a proper place to fix and make things is so helpful….
If you’ve ever had to drill into a vehicle frame or other heavy steel with a hand-held drill, you’ll want to see this trick in action. This might be because you’re adding a trailer hitch or some other accessory, or…
Until a few years ago, fuel-powered generators were the only way to create substantial amounts of electrical power for household backup during a blackout, or for power needs beyond reach of an electrical outlet. All this is changing with something…
Have you ever wanted to weld? It’s a powerful home workshop skill and MIG welding is the simplest of all welding processes to learn. I weld all the time here in my home shop and I can’t begin to count…
To be a successful woodworker, you also need to be something of a mechanic. I’m reminded of this every time I install a new set of blades in the thickness planer that’s served me well since 2003. That’s it above….
Watch how fast this Irwin handsaw can cut through construction lumber and learn one cool trick for making square cuts without using a carpenters square or even a pencil!
Finding the right place to buy professional tools in Canada isn’t as straightforward as it sounds. Walk into a big-box store and you’ll find consumer-grade stock with limited depth. Search online and you get a mix of marketplaces, grey-market sellers,…
Steve Maxwell, “Canada’s Handiest Man”, shows how DIY homeowners can get the most from water based wood finishing products.