Workshop
Woodworking, metalworking and repairs all happen in workshops, and this is where you’ll find lots of inspiration and information
Review the entire Archive of Workshop Articles here, or do a more in-depth search to find what you’re looking for.
How to Polish Brass So It Looks Right (Not Overdone)
Brass is a great metal for hardware, but it does need to be polished to remain pretty. Factory-applied lacquer coatings…
Why Dowel Joints Are Great for Woodworking
Click to see what’s probably the world’s most impressive dowel joint jig.
BUILDING A BARREL SMOKER: Plans Download and Video Tour
Click below to watch a video tour of my plan for building a backyard meat smoker using a steel barrel…
TOOL BUYING ADVICE: In Praise of Pro-Grade Tools for Non-Pros
When I was 10 years old, my dad began renovating our kitchen. And that event has affected me to this…
EXTERIOR ADHESIVES: How to Choose the Right Outdoor Glue
Got an outdoor item to glue? Need an exterior adhesive? Check out this list of pros and cons for the…
INTERIORS: How to Hang Heavy Items on Drywall
Hollow wall anchors like these are among the strongest options for securing heavy objects to drywall. Metal wings expand and…
BRASS-PINNED WOODWORKING JOINT: A Step-by-Step How-To Guide
A brass pinned woodworking joint (sometimes called a brass pin joint or wood joint pinning technique) is a decorative and…
PHILOSOPHY: Busting DIY Home Improvement Excuses
Steve Maxwell, Canada’s Handiest Man, doesn’t accept excuses, and explains how simple it can be to work on DIY home…
WOODWORKING: “How Do I Get Quartersawn Lumber 2x6s?”
Question: “I bought plans to build a workbench and the instructions mentions making the top from quartersawn lumber to guard…
TOOLS: Three Up-and-Coming Cordless Options
Power tool technology is the same as every other kind of advancement in the world. New stuff is expensive and…
AUTOMOTIVE: Buff Out Scratches With a Woodworking Sander
Sometimes a simple and effective solution to an annoying problem is right under your nose, but you can’t see it…
DECKS, DOCKS & OUTDOOR PROJECTS: Take a Tour of Nuts & Bolts That Are Up To The Job
If you’re building a deck you should aim to make it last at least several decades. In fact, there’s no…
METALWORKING: How to Forge Steel in Your Garage
Forging metal is different than welding, and is not a mainstream hobby. That said, there are still thousands of people with…
WOODWORKING: Turn A Belt Sander Into a Simple, Effective Edge Sander
Sometimes a little creative thinking is all you need to make good things happen in the workshop, all without spending…
AUTOMOTIVE: Why It Makes Sense to Do Your Own Seasonal Tire Changes
Want to feel better about yourself and life? Try changing your own tires. I’ve found that this common seasonal chore…
WOODWORKING: Edge Gluing Perfect Solid Wood Panels Gap-Free
Gluing boards edge-to-edge to make wider pieces is an essential woodworking skill. Learn these three tips for getting this job…
mETALWORKING: See Exactly Why Auto-Darkening Helmets Work
Watch and learn why auto-darkening welding helmets have caught on, with both amateur and professional welders. They let you see…
WOODWORKING: Learn the Secrets of Tight Mitre Joints
If you’re a woodworker and you have trouble cutting precise mitre joints, then the 15 minute video tutorial above is…
WOODWORKING: How to Use a Jointer to Make Your Wood Projects Better
Jointers are woodworking machines designed to make pieces of wood straighter, truer and more refined. Some versions of jointers are…
WOODWORKING: Marking & Sawing for New Woodworkers
The video above comes from my online course Woodworking for Beginners. Click below to learn more and sign up.
TOOLS: Why A Reciprocating Saw Deserves a Place In Your World
Reciprocating saws (often called “recip” saws for short) may be the least appreciated mainstream power tool in the world. Invented…
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Woodworking, metalworking and repairs all happen in workshops, and this is where you’ll find lots of inspiration and information.