Bob Beacham
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Name: Bob Beacham
Title: Contributing Writer
Bob Beacham is an engineer by trade and has spent 35 years working on everything from auto parts to oil rigs. He is also an avid DIY enthusiast. Bob started writing for the Bob Vila team in 2020 and covers tools, outdoor equipment, and home improvement projects.
Expertise and Experience
Bob spent many years working as an engineer. This gave him the opportunity to travel around Europe and the U.S., working with component suppliers to Aston Martin, Audi, Rolls-Royce and Volkswagen. He also spent some time working on control systems for the aviation and petrochemical industries.
In his late 40s, Bob changed career paths. Since woodworking was one of his favorite hobbies, he decided to start his own woodshop. During this period, he remodeled an old rural farmhouse from the ground up with his wife—the first of two similar projects. As a result, he gained extensive experience with techniques and tools. The woodshop was hugely enjoyable, but not particularly lucrative. He supported his passion with consultancy work and began writing freelance articles about his experiences for several online publications. After 10 very enjoyable years, Bob closed the woodshop after relocating to his current home. The consultancy work and writing continues.
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There are several different types of fireplace inserts, but gas fireplaces are a favorite because they offer you a similar ambience to that of a real fire while being effortless to light....
Whether you have a traditional open fire, a wood-burning fireplace insert, or a wood stove, a set of fireplace tools (also called a companion set) is something of a necessity. They are im...
The main purpose of guttering is to channel rainwater away from the home and prevent it from damaging the foundation or seeping into the basement. During installation, rain gutter end cap...
Most saws are typically sold with a budget blade, regardless of the saw type. Even the best miter saw includes a basic woodcutting version—which is adequate for chopping through store-bou...
Refurbishing old furniture is a popular hobby, and for good reason. It’s amazing how a new coat of paint or a change of fabric can revitalize pieces that are past their prime, making them...
Whether you are creating a new patio or dressing up an existing one, these great ideas are both attractive and practical.
Put a brad nailer and a finish nailer side by side, and it might be difficult for novice DIYers to tell one from the other. There are subtle differences between the tools, however, that m...
From a young age, most children are taught to shy away from contact with hornets or wasps. Certainly, it’s wise advice for inquisitive kids. Nature gave these insects bright stripes for a...
Winterizing a lawn mower is often overlooked, and then people wonder why it won't start after sitting around all winter. That’s because a multitude of problems can begin while the machine...
In the workshop, a freestanding band saw makes quick work of cutting metal pipes, rebar, conduit, or angle iron, but when material that needs to be cut can't easily be transported to the ...