It’s funny what sticks with you from childhood. One of my earliest woodworking memories is of my grandfather using a jack knife to carve Roman numerals into the edges of wooden window sashes and their matching storm windows at the…
Want your chainsaw to last a long, long time? Watch my video tutorial above, along with my 30+ year-old chainsaw that still starts and runs like new, even after cutting hundreds of cords of wood. Little things make a big…
If you’re interested in saving tons of money building great kitchen cabinets, built-ins or a bathroom vanity, all while working in your garage or basement, then I’ve got some specific things to show you. In fact, I’ve already started showing people how to build cabinets like the ones you see here.
Coloured wood finishing oils are beautiful and repairable, and that’s why they work exceptionally well on surfaces that get regular wear. When the surface is looking a little tired, just clean it well and apply more oil. This is much…
Question: How can I build a home foundation on bedrock? I really like the idea and simplicity of cutting foam concrete forms to follow the bedrock, but my building inspector is unfamiliar with this and wants some engineered drawings. Answer:…
When it comes to anchoring things to masonry, the process is not as simple as working with wood or drywall. Most homes require anchoring to masonry at some point, and there are three popular methods for making this happen: Understanding…
If you’re interested in reducing the cost of owning a vehicle, then learning to do basic paint repairs and autobody work in your driveway can help you keep your wheels looking respectable at minimal cost. I’ve found that well-engineered vehicles…
It’s not often that homeowners get something for nothing, but in a sense that’s the case with the latest models of air source heat pumps. In fact, they deliver two somethings for nothing, one for winter and one for summer….
Every so often a new kind of power tool begins to become mainstream, but it can take a while for homeowners to discover the advantages. Something generically called a pole saw is a case in point. I’ve used several kinds…
The construction industry includes many operational challenges, including budget overruns, gaps in communication, delays in project timelines, and safety issues. These problems can slow down progress and raise costs, making it hard for businesses to succeed. Construction management software (CMS)…
Do you have outdoor work or recreation planned for this summer? I’ve got some information about portable generators that you’ll want to read. At the end of this article you’ll also be able to enter a contest to win your…
Back a few years ago, I wrote a newspaper column about how logical reasoning was never going to end the growing shortage of skilled trade workers in North America. We’ve been hearing logical warnings about the lack of skilled tradespeople…