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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APRIL 1, 2022 | FRIDAY
Chop Saw vs. Miter Saw: What’s the Difference Between These Cutting Tools? 

It’s not unusual for miter and chop saws to get mixed up. The fact that miter saws are sometimes mistakenly called chop saws doesn’t help. At a glance they have a lot in common. For examp...

MARCH 31, 2022 | THURSDAY
12 Porch Swing Plans for Building the Ultimate Outdoor Siesta Spot

A porch swing is a great place to relax on a balmy evening while sipping something cool and refreshing—what’s not to love? Even if you don’t have a porch, you can still create a similar v...

MARCH 31, 2022 | THURSDAY
How to Organize a Tool Box Like a Pro

Whether you’re a keen DIYer or a pro, there’s little more frustrating than being unable to find the right tool when you need it. Digging through a disorganized pile of wrenches, hammers, ...

MARCH 31, 2022 | THURSDAY
The Best Welders for Beginners of 2023

Welding can be used to fix auto bodywork, repair a gate, make an Art Deco chair, or create a garden sculpture. It can be a fascinating hobby or a full-time career. Skilled welders are alw...

MARCH 31, 2022 | THURSDAY
The Best Plate Compactors of 2023

Nothing is as effective as a plate compactor when it comes to creating a solid foundation for hardscaping projects like paths, patios, and driveways. These tools are invaluable for creati...

MARCH 25, 2022 | FRIDAY
The Best Milwaukee Impact Drivers of 2023

Impact drivers are the go-to tool when dealing with long screws and other large fasteners. An impact driver delivers extra rotational force to drive the fixing home for jobs in which a st...

MARCH 24, 2022 | THURSDAY
The Best TIG Welders of 2023

The TIG welder was first developed in the 1930s as a way to weld lightweight magnesium for the aircraft industry. These machines can produce very neat welds, particularly on thin metal sh...

MARCH 24, 2022 | THURSDAY
The Best MIG Welders of 2023

MIG (metal inert gas) welding, also known as gas metal arc welding (GMAW), is generally accepted as the easiest type of welding to learn. Yet with the right equipment, MIG welding can han...

MARCH 15, 2022 | TUESDAY
The Best Rotary Laser Levels of 2023

A rotary laser level is an invaluable tool for a variety of jobs where maintaining accuracy over a wide area or long distance matters. DIYers and pros use levels on plenty of slopes or gr...

MARCH 11, 2022 | FRIDAY
14 Invaluable Tools to Have on Hand When DIY-ing Alone 

DIY projects big and small are often solitary tasks. Sometimes there’s nobody around to lend a hand and other times, an inexperienced “helper” may end up getting in the way. For those tas...