In an age where powered tools are taking over, it might come as a surprise to find the humble hand plane still in high demand. However, one look at the sheer power of traditional Japanese carpentry and the precision of a well-maintained kanna (Japanese plane) is all it takes to prove why this simple tool … Read more
It never fails. You’ve just finished a new project or sanded down an old piece of furniture to restore it and everybody you talk to tells you to use something else as the finish. The problem is, all finishes are NOT created equal, and what works best on one project might prove a disaster for … Read more
With all the stories about gun safety that we’ve been seeing on the news lately, it made me remember one very interesting project a friend/client of mine decided to take on. Steve and his wife just purchased their new dream home in North Carolina which had a massive basement. He was big on gun collecting … Read more
Back in the day, garage doors were simple panels of wood that lifted up and slid into the ceiling. By comparison, a modern garage door types is a complicated device, relying on several subsystems to properly function. Some of these sub-assembly systems control the door’s movement, while others are safety features that ensure the door … Read more
Pole saws can be a little more difficult to use and control than a normal saw due to their handle length. That’s not to say it’s hard to master one of these tools, once you get the hang of it. There are three major uses for a pole saw: Brush Clearing – The process of … Read more
There are a lot of underappreciated tools out there, from Japanese hand saws to random orbit sanders. However, one of the most versatile tools out there you’ve likely overlooked is the angle grinder. There are probably over 100 different angle grinder uses but below we list the 12 most common tasks that are in this … Read more
One of those important life lessons we always wish someone taught us before starting a DIY project is how to properly paint a room. You will either be painting over a new wall or a previous paint job, and both of these will require a good primer to get the most out of your paint. … Read more
You’ve probably owned a shop vacuum at some point, own one now, or heard plenty of recommendations to buy one, but few people know how to use a shop vacuum to its fullest potential. A shop vacuum (or wet/dry vacuum) is commonly referred to as a “Shop Vac” which is actually one brand of shop … Read more
Winter can be rough on your pipes, and one good frost can be all it takes to freeze the lines heading into or away from your house. This can lead to reduced flow or even a costly burst pipe. Thankfully, once you know how to thaw frozen pipes underground, this worst-case winter scenario becomes much … Read more
Properly mounting a bench vise isn’t difficult, but it can have a lasting effect on the efficiency of your vise. A stationary vise can often be placed in the middle of a table, but those with a swivel base (such as the ones we recommend) are best placed on the corner to get the most … Read more
