UPDATED 10Jan2020: If power tools were the kids you went to high school with, the Porter-Cable brand would be that ordinary, clean-cut person who quietly got great marks, saved thousands of dollars working a part-time job, and remained confident enough not […]
Continue ReadingBlog Archives
WIRE FEED WELDER: Why Wire-Feed Welders Are So Great
Affordable wire-feed MIG welders are now accessible enough for do-it-yourselfers to buy and use successfully. Check out this introductory article on MIG welders, see what they can do and learn why they’re so much easier to use than other welding processes. Lots of ordinary people are getting into welding these days.
Continue ReadingLOG SPLITTER EXTRAORDINAIRE: How to Make Firewood Faster with Speedy Inertia Splitter
Canadian economist Jeff Rubin has a book that everyone should read, especially if you cut your own firewood. It’s called Why Your World Is About to Get a Whole Lot Smaller. In it Rubin makes a well-supported case for the […]
Continue ReadingWhy Reciprocating Saws Are So Useful
UPDATED 9Aug2019: If you’ve got home renovations on your to-do list, then you should probably know more about reciprocating saws that you do. Professionals use them all the time for gutting old spaces, and you should too if you plan […]
Continue ReadingCHOOSING A TABLE SAW: Real-World Tips for Beginners
Steve Maxwell, Canada’s Handiest Man, examines three types of tablesaws and a new innovation thatll bring the power tool to the next level for DIYers.
Continue ReadingPOWER NAILERS: A Close Look at Their Progress
It’s hard to believe, but when Paslode invented the air nailer back in 1959, nothing much happened. Most professionals weren’t interested. It took 25 more years for air nailers to begin appearing on job sites in a big way, and […]
Continue ReadingINVISIBLE FASTENERS: Pin Nailer Best Kept Power Tool Secret
Steve Maxwell, Canada’s Handiest Man, talks about pin nailers, specialized woodworking power tools that are perfect for creating nearly invisible wood joints.
Continue ReadingHAND PLANES: Real Reasons to Like Them
In a world where power tools rule, hand planes still offer the chance to boost quality in a way you might not realize. No matter how good power tools get, there will always be jobs where a well-tuned hand plane […]
Continue ReadingWOODWORKING TRICK: How to Replace Jointer Blades So They Cut Great
Every good woodworker needs to be something of a mechanic. That’s because all woodworking machines need tender loving care from time to time. The jointer needs this more than most. Click below to watch a video I made a few […]
Continue ReadingSOFFIT & FASCIA: How-To Installation Your Own Aluminum Soffit & Fascia
Got some soffit and fascia to install on your home, garage or cottage? This article covers the basics for achieving an exceptionally good job, even as a non-professional
Continue Reading