TOOLS
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Beautiful yards and lush landscapes don’t happen by chance. They require frequent hands-on attention to keep the gras...
Owning isn't always the best option. Sometimes renting makes more sense, especially for very expensive or rarely used items. Check out these 10 things you might b...
If you’ve ever had to install shelving or hang a heavy mirror on a wall, you've probably already gone looking for wal...
Sanding certainly isn’t the most fun part of a furniture or room makeover. Still, it's a vital step in the prep work ...
It seems like everyone decides to start a home improvement project at the exact same time. And when the crowds descend on The Home Depot, a supply run can easily ...
Any Target shopper can relate: You go in for one thing, but wind up with a lot of other stuff that you discovered as you browsed (and hopefully still remember to ...
Whether it’s blocking your view, is diseased or damaged, or is taking up space you’d rather use for something else, f...
Is there any experience more satisfying than finding a good deal? With the cost of living on the increase, getting a good bargain is more important than ever. Whi...
Whether you’re repairing a roof, redoing your wood floors, or starting another major do-it-yourself project, chances ...
As any homeowner knows, no one can prepare you for the burden that comes from realizing that every creak, crack, scratch, and clog in your house is something that...
Manual reel lawn mowers may invoke nostalgia for the good old days before powerful riding versions arrived to wake th...
In order to stay healthy and look their best, trees need occasional pruning to remove broken branches and thin out de...
Lugging around a heavy toolbox gets old after a while, but you often need half a dozen tools just to complete even a simple do-it-yourself repair. Make it easier ...
Cracks, divots, holes, or rot can crop up on wooden surfaces due to ordinary wear-and-tear, accidents, and during do-...
Replacing a burned-out light bulb in your foyer, hanging a family portrait, cleaning the gutters—there are just some ...
It happens to all of us at some point or another. A shower drain backs up and refuses to empty out the tub, a sink fi...
Stopped-up drain? Overflowing toilet? For these and many more plumbing repairs, homeowners reach for the plunger—a tr...
Have you ever been tempted to buy one of those products you see advertised on TV infomercials? Sure, the spokesperson swears it does everything (and more!) but ca...
In any renovation project, you need the right tools to achieve success. That's obvious. But of all the many screwdriv...
Everyone knows the traditional handsaw, with its long, wide blade and sturdy handle. But not everyone knows there's m...
You can't get very far as a DIYer if you don't own any tools, and you can't finish (or even begin) any given project ...
If you’ve ever worked with wood, you’re likely familiar with instructions to sand all edges after cutting: before app...
Keeping kitchen knives sharp makes food prep faster, easier, and practically painless—it actually lessens the chance ...
It’s no surprise that everyone’s holiday wish list includes the latest tech, from big-ticket items to stocking stuffe...
Online shopping is the way of the world—but some online purchases still elicit hesitation: Just what can you expect when that package arrives at your door? Even i...
You’ve made your list, you’ve checked it twice, you’re heading out to The Home Depot to shop for everyone whether naughty or nice. Yes, The Home Depot. Your favor...
Are you dissatisfied with your home’s less-than-fabulous first impression but too strapped for time to do anything about it? Don’t worry! You don’t have to take o...
Buying hand tools can be a confusing—and at times a losing—proposition. When faced with aisles full of putty knives, hammers, utility knives, and other toolbox mu...
Amazon is loved for its great deals and quick shipping. Some prices from this virtual retailer, you just can't beat. Here's a roundup of the best household buys y...
In every house, hidden inside a desk, end table or kitchen is a junk drawer, that catchall for myriad odds and ends that just don't seem to belong anywhere else. ...
Caulking is one of the easiest and most affordable home fixes. By sealing off unwanted cracks in places like windows ...
Drywall taping has always been a notoriously messy, imprecise undertaking. In the past, no matter the size of the job...
The only thing you can expect in life is that the unexpected can and eventually will happen. So, it’s worth making sure that you and your household are prepared f...
Most of the year, you practically ignore the backyard, choosing instead to focus your repair and improvement efforts inside your home. Then, ironically enough, wh...
Everyone knows about the bulk toilet paper and large bottles of ketchup you can get from Sam’s Club. But a lot of people don’t realize that the popular chain offe...
If you’re like most people, you probably have a handful of utility knives stashed around the house <em>somewhere</em>—in junk drawers, garage cabinets, or tool bo...
Concrete holds a place of honor in both the professional construction and do-it-yourself worlds. When mixed correctly...
However elegant the outcome, hanging art, photos, or mementos on drywall can be a painstaking process. During the bal...
Anyone serious about woodworking or DIY eventually wants to add a table saw to their power tool arsenal. Named for th...
Homeowners rarely do their own plumbing, right? Wrong. Nowadays, intrepid do-it-yourselfers rely on their own skills ...
You’ve got your toolbox organized and know just what to grab when you’ve got a job to do. But wouldn’t it be great if your go-to hand tools had other uses that ma...
Whether you enjoy hosting cookouts or prefer quietly relaxing on your lounge chair, you probably think of your wood d...
If your lawn features a lot of “interruptions”—trees, shrubbery, pavers, and pathways—odds are that you struggle with...
It doesn’t matter what job I’m tackling. Whether I’m staining the deck, installing an appliance, or simply cleaning t...
Ask any seasoned carpenter or DIYer what tools take up the most room in his or her toolbox, and the answer is probabl...
The handiest people advocate keeping a pocket knife within reach (if not actually in a pocket) at all times. Its fold...
From circular saws to cordless drills, power tools simplify and speed up building and remodeling projects as well as general woodworking tasks. But when used inco...
Whether you want to build a rustic bench, install trim molding, or plumb a new sink, odds are that you’ll need to cut...
When disaster strikes, how prepared are you to handle the fallout? It pays to prep for all manner of calamity—from power outages and house fires to extreme weathe...
Removing old wallpaper, filling nail holes, and prying off hardened putty all rely on one simple and supremely handy ...
Whether doing fine woodworking or tackling a kitchen or bathroom remodel, chances are you’ll need to create some curv...
Whether you promptly take care of all household chores or (like the rest of us!) tend to let certain tasks slide, you probably dread particular duties that requir...
Though they’re not much to look at, screws hold a place of honor in the construction, hobby, and furniture-making ind...
If you’ve ever tried to remove a stuck nut with a pair of pliers in a pinch, you know how easy it is to scrape and da...
Everyone loves the charm of a historical home—but the houses of yesteryear have nothing on today's for ease and convenience. Advancements in home technology have ...
How much are you willing to pay to add an extra dose of utility, convenience, and luxury to your space? For those who can afford to splurge, the items on this lis...
You don't need to mortgage the house to be able to afford a car with the latest bells and whistles. Instead of splurging for a new set of wheels, build on what yo...
There's no denying that the conveniences found in a modern kitchen have made cooking much easier than it was for our forebears. Slow cookers, food processors, ele...
Few do-it-yourselfers would consider remodeling a room, building an addition, or addressing a plumbing or electrical ...
Do-it-yourselfers live by the rule of “the right tool for the job,” but just as important is maintaining those tools ...
Battery-operated, hand-held flashlights have been around since 1898 and have come a long way since. These household m...
When hanging heavy mirrors, bracing large furniture, wall-mounting a new television, or erecting shelving, you need t...
In theory, metal bolts—headed fasteners with external threads that fit into suitable non-tapered nuts—can be removed ...
While a toasty fire is a welcome addition to any chilly evening, wrestling with wet wood or crumpled-up newspapers to...
Fire extinguishers are like insurance: You have it in hopes of never needing it (and there’d better be at least one i...
In this modern age, it seems that as swiftly as new products are invented, they become outmoded, swept away by something newer, shinier, and (inevitably) more exp...
At some point in the never-ending list of do-it-yourself projects, nearly every handy homeowner encounters a stripped...
Whether you’re a timber worker or you’re just interested in cutting your own firewood, it’s vital to maintain a profe...
Planning a carpentry project? Quick, grab a speed square! Also known as a rafter square or triangle square, this simp...
There’s demolition, which totally trashes a room in preparation for remodeling, and then there’s deconstruction. The latter takes a kinder, gentler, smarter appro...
An essential at job sites, in workshops, and on garage shelves for more than 60 years, WD-40® Multi-Use Product has e...
Construction pros and savvy do-it-yourselfers who have purchased a Trim Puller for a demo job know how quickly, cleanly, and efficiently it removes and salvages t...
Plenty of DIYers find themselves eager to start a project only to come to a full stop when confronting rivets. The fa...
Start living your most convenient life ever, with the help of some of the most clever products available today. Read on for the full list of life-hacking buys.
Whether your yard is large or small, minimally landscaped or filled with flower beds, one of the easiest ways to keep...
Few things are as frustrating as trying to drive a screw into a tight corner or over your head, only to have it fall ...
Summer teases us with warm breezes and long days just perfect for relaxation and repose. But for many homeowners, too...
Removing trim is one of the peskiest aspects of a deconstruction job. Rotating through and manipulating various clunk...
Any homeowner knows that a trip through The Home Depot can be like sending an unsupervised kid into a candy shop: You may walk out with more than you bargained fo...
While your yard may take its fair share of work to maintain and manicure, it can actually be pretty easy to keep it f...
Whether you’re filling cracks along the kitchen sink or closing up gaps around a drafty window frame, you can count o...
When A Farm of Your Home's blogger Melissa Barrett first moved to Australian city of Perth, her backyard was a tiny d...
If you’ve ever finished drywall, you know that the sanding process releases lots of dust. Only moments after starting...
Walls take a beating. Overzealous furniture movers, rowdy kids, and constant doorknob bangs can leave dents, cracks, and holes that mar your walls' once-smooth su...
Construction adhesive: It's a do-it-yourselfer favorite, a labor- and time-saver that long ago earned pride of place in the workshop. The best part? As advanced t...
It's nothing new. The problem is familiar to anyone whose projects often involve WD-40® Multi-Use Product. In the cou...
With April’s showers behind us, we're looking forward to two things: the promise of May flowers soon budding and bloo...
Even with all the new hand and power tools on the market, nothing can replace the dependability of the simple putty knife for everyday DIY tasks. Until now, you h...
Cutting a hole through the glazed surface of ceramic tile can be tricky, as the glaze is slippery and ceramic is brea...
Backyard barbecues have taken on a new look in recent years. Innovative tools and technology are making the experience of prepping, grilling, and enjoying cookout...
We’re entering the season of DIY and “to-do”—and that means it's finally time to get to that list of around-the-house projects you’ve put off all winter. Whether ...
Imagine that you’ve just spent several hours—the better part of a weekend afternoon—painstakingly adhering ceiling ti...
April showers keep many DIYers indoors working on home maintenance projects large and small, from pepping up interior...
A screwdriver, a screw, and a willing surface to drive it into are familiar features of many home projects. But over-...
If you’re confused by the wide array of options in the adhesives aisle at your local hardware store, you’re not alone...
Once reserved for engineers and electronic technicians, multimeters—sometimes called “multitesters”—have come down in...
Since the Bronze Age, belts have added functionality to our everyday uniform—from carrying soldiers' heavy swords to ...
Power sanders are incredibly useful—and incredibly expensive. The smallest versions, called detail sanders, allow you...
When the snow started to pile up on handyman Bill Bachand's roof, he did what any responsible homeowner would do: run...
Looking for a quick way to remove old layers of paint? Your best bet might be a heat gun—and it's easy enough to use ...
This holiday season, give the people on your list something they'll actually use. After all, some of the greatest gifts are practical. As you're writing up your s...
If you’re looking to create a really smooth finish on woodwork, your best bet is to use a random orbital sander—a pow...
Everyone has reached for the Krazy Glue at least once when fixing a broken object. Its sheer versatility makes this accidental invention one of the most ubiquitou...
If you’ve ever tried using nothing but a hacksaw to cut through PVC pipe, you know it can be challenging. Often, part...
No matter how you slice it, a dull knife just won’t cut it in the kitchen. Working with a blunt blade both slows dow...
Do-it-yourselfers rely on tools to get the job done. But for contractors, tools are much more than a means to an end—they are nothing short of a livelihood. Contr...
Stymied by a stripped screw, or a screw without a head? No worries! There’s a brilliant little tool that can help you...
Sure, there may be calm before the storm, but afterward, once the dark clouds have given way to sunshine, there's oft...
Cutting flooring or siding to fit around curved surfaces can be tricky, especially if you don’t have the right tool. ...
Has it been a while since your last home improvement project? If your do-it-yourself skills are a little rusty, chanc...
Instructables user deluges, a self-described amateur tinkerer, has nothing against custom screws—just the added cost ...
It's a safe bet that you consider your grill's bag of fuel a summer essential. Come the weekend, when you set the dus...
<p>Owning and maintaining a house can feel like a full time job—but it's certainly a rewarding one. DIY jobs like hanging drywall, painting the walls, or removing...
Your good old caulk gun is a user-friendly tool—until you need to use it in a tight spot (say, the back side of a toi...
If you need to securely fasten boards together—for framing or other heavy-duty applications—you might want to check o...
Buying your own home is quite a milestone, but there's a lot of work involved in maintaining it. Owning means you've got to become your own handyman—and fast. For...
It's a great feeling to have all of your tried-and-true tools in one handy toolbox, but that feeling can quickly be e...
What do you get the dad who has it all? This Father's Day, consider treating the man who taught you everything to something he will <em>truly</em> enjoy—whether i...
Now more than ever, homeowners are embracing wallpaper as a renovation-free method of transforming a room. Not least among its virtues is that, unlike some other ...
There may be no tool more basic than the humble hammer. But however straightforward it may be in design and utility, ...
Perhaps you swung the door open with a bit too much force. Or maybe the movers took a wrong turn with the dresser. W...
Quick-connect, push-fit plumbing has been taking a bite out of local plumbing trades, as homeowners discover the ease...
Few items in the toolbox can help you out more than a caulk gun. And one thing you may not know is that, even though ...
Used for cutting paper, cardboard, fabric, string, price tags, plastic packaging—that list goes on—those scissors in ...
Better than flowers, how about a gift that celebrates mom's passion and creativity? We asked some of our favorite crafty bloggers to help us make the right recomm...
Easy access to essential tools makes gardening more of a pleasure than a chore. And when these pieces are simple to store, you’re likely to take better care of th...
Rubber bands—those unassuming desk accessories—seem to multiply every time you turn around. If you’re like most people, you have a junk drawer and an office caddy...
When you want to join two pieces of metal, your first impulse may be to go for a rivet or even a soldering iron. But ...
This spring, you don't have to break your back when cleaning your home home from top to bottom. That's because a heap of amazing cleaning tools can help you do a ...
If you're a do-it-yourselfer and you're not familiar with oscillating tools, such as the type made famous by Dremel, ...
If your next do-it-yourself woodworking project involves making angled cuts, then get to know the miter box, as this ...
When it's time to tackle a few home improvement projects, it's hard to beat having a nicely stocked toolbox by your side. But small fixes around the house shouldn...
After a combined thirty years in the construction business, brothers Steve and Rick Spencer had grown tired of relyin...
Home maintenance is a constant reality for homeowners and renters alike, but it doesn’t have to be painful. If you keep the right products on hand, you can fix ju...
If you're in the dark about some of the latest advancements in flashlight technology, here's a quick summary. mp3 fil...
The measuring tape: It's a tool of unobjectionable simplicity, no more or less complicated than it needs to be—for so...
Provided you have the right tools, it's not difficult to drill through metal. But for the job to go smoothly and the ...
If you're planning to cut plywood, here are a few points to keep in mind. Cutting plywood usually creates a splintere...
It's the next best thing to X-ray vision. With a mini camera fitted to the end of a flexible, three-foot-long cable, ...
While winter does have its upsides—cozy fires, hot chocolate, snow days—for many of us, having to deal with all the snow is a battle of unpleasant proportions. He...
If you know someone who gets starry-eyed over T-squares and power drills, chances are that special someone already has a well-stocked workshop chock-full of tools...
Where do you keep your workshop? It's best to set it up in a place where noise, dust, and space aren't an issue. But there are other considerations to keep in min...
Just as cellular technology freed the telephone, the advent of lithium-ion batteries forever altered the landscape of...
When it comes to using reciprocating saws, choosing the right blade can make your jobs a lot easier. Among the many r...
Tools were made to be used, even long after their heyday of tough DIY assignments has passed. Whether you've shelved your older tools for newer models or you've i...
Any woodworker is well-acquainted with the router's myriad uses. The tool comes in handy for many projects around the house, both functional and decorative. It's ...
Reciprocating saws—the ones with a motor and a thin, straight blade that juts back and forth—are one of the most usef...
There's a little MacGyver in all of us. And when it comes to DIY, who couldn't use another shortcut? Whether your toolbox is fully stocked or you're slowly acquir...
Even in today’s digital age, you still can’t quite design a dream home in just a matter of clicks. You can, however, use a number of online resources and a phone ...
Some folks swear by their wet saws for cutting tile, while others couldn’t bear to part with their trim router. But there's at least one power tool that any DIYer...
Whether you’re a veteran weekend warrior or a newcomer to home improvement, you’ll get nothing done without reliable tools you can wield with confidence. But rath...
Although circular saws are one of the most useful tools you can have in your toolbox, they can also be one of the mos...
In honor of the Fourth of July, we decided to recognize some popular made-in-America brands. From garage doors to blankets to exterior paints, these companies are...
We’d all like a little more time. Unfortunately, you can’t buy it. You can, however, save some time as you go about y...
One tool that should definitely be in any do-it-yourselfer’s toolbox is a good carpenter's square. A square helps you...
Chisels are sharp-edged metal tools used to cut stone, wood, or metal, and they have a spectacularly long lineage. In...
Whether you’re a rookie handyman or a seasoned do-it-yourselfer, you need a variety of basic tools for doing small jobs around the house. The full range of tools ...
Here's some important safety tips to remember when you're using a circular saw. Remove jewelry and loose clothing fi...
Make sure that when you're using a slotted screwdriver, you're not doing it the hard way. Here's how. Be sure you're...
Using a chalk line is a quick way to give yourself a straight line as a building guide. Here's how. Find the endpoint...
Pliers are a relatively modern invention, and it's hard to imagine what people did without them. There are a dozen o...
Clamps are immensely helpful (even essential) in performing certain tasks. But, which clamp—among the various hand-screw, bar, spring, strap, pipe and C-clamp—is...
For a saw that can handle the curves, look for a good saber saw. Sometimes called a jigsaw, it has a small blade th...
As any homeowner will attest, there is always something to fix at home. If it involves woodworking, you’ll want to equip your workshop with the right set of tool...
Don't wreck a good pair of scissors trying to cut metal. You need a good pair of tin snips. Tin snips look and work ...
A propane torch is portable, inexpensive, and just about indispensable for many household chores. A valve controls t...
When you're using a Phillips-head screwdriver, make sure that you're not doing it the hard way. Here's how. Be sure ...
For jobs that require a hammer with a little more heft than a claw hammer, try a ball-peen hammer, sometimes called ...
Professional builders use a plumb bob to make sure their walls are vertical. Here's how. Measure two inches away fro...
There are three kinds of adhesives that work best on wood. Polyvinyl resin glue, or white glue, works for china, pap...
When marking off several measurements of the same size, it's best to make yourself a guide. We call this a story pol...
A chisel is one of the most useful tools in the workshop, but it's important to know how to use it. For example, aft...
Checking your work for level and plumb is crucial. Here's how to select and use the right tool for the job. I recomm...
If you're stumped at what to buy the tool-lover in your life, never fear — Bob Vila's Holiday Gift Guides are here!
Because of the popularity of the Dremel rotary tool, most people perceive the Dremel brand as a bastion of the arts-a...
For a lot of jobs around the house, using a staple can be a lot faster and easier than banging tacks or nails. The m...
Sometimes it's simple tricks that make home improvement easier and safer. Tool belts are always a good idea, especia...
For tough jobs like removing rust or preparing surfaces for paint or varnish, there's nothing like steel wool. It's ...
When it’s finally time for old tools to retire, don’t ship them off to Florida. Give them a second career as a crafty DIY project.
This wooden-handled hammer may look strong enough to pull any nail but because the grain of the wood is actually wea...
Here's how to get professional results when using a caulking gun. Caulking guns aren't expensive, so don't skimp her...
Every gardener has a favorite tool. For some, it's a trusty old spade. For others, it's a pair of pruning shears that...
Big, clunky metal toolboxes are so 20th century. These days you can fit rulers, levels, manuals and even a whole squa...
Months in the making and brand new to the App Store, Bob Vila's Toolbox is your ultimate guide to the essentials of r...
Many small home improvement projects start with drilling a pilot hole. (That’s a small hole that prepares a material ...
Sanding disks are prefabricated disks of abrasive paper. They can be mounted on a variety of tools, including the rad...
Names like orbital sander, pad sander, and oscillating sheet sander are used to identify finishing sanders. You'll fi...
The belt sander always seems to be in a hurry. When fitted with a coarse paper, it will sand away dense layers of pai...
This is a tool for minimalists, for those who admire simplicity of form and function beyond all else. That's because ...
The compressor is a machine that compresses the gases in the air around us to pressures greater than that of the norm...
Mortise and tenon joints are the preferred style of joint for furniture and cabinetwork. It's strong, durable, and li...
Clamps, specifically hand-screw, bar, spring, strap, pipe, and C-clamps remain the basic tools on which any workshop ...
The world of woodworking got along quite nicely, thank you very much, without the plate joiner. Yet making furniture ...
A convenient method of joining boards is a dowel joint. Especially useful when two or more boards are being joined (b...
For those woodworkers for whom a molded edge, a contoured decorative curve, is the difference between a proper job an...
The planer is a tool for woodworkers who require large quantities of planed stock and who elect to buy it rough cut. ...
The very name speaks to the nature of this tool. If you aspire to be a joiner, a person who specializes in fastening ...
As the saying goes, sharp tools are safer tools. So here are a couple of hints for keeping your cutting tools sharp. ...
I've never seen the guy so angry: His wife used a favorite chisel to open a paint can and my friend Dominick took it ...
The bench grinder is to the workshop as the trainer is to the team. It doesn't run out on the field when a tool goes ...
The controls vary from one drill press to the next, but there are a number of elements that remain largely the same....
The drill press is a fixed-in-place version of the simple hand drill with a worktable beneath. A hole at the center o...
There are always ongoing debates within a universe of people who are committed to their work. One such argument among...
This is a powerful cutting tool and must be used with proper respect and care. The Saw Table. Keep it clear of debris...
The jigsaw resembles the band saw in that the workpiece is presented to the blade atop a small table (nine inches by ...
Some cabinetmakers of distinction assert that the band saw is the single most important stationary tool in the worksh...
For many woodworkers, the single most important workshop tool is the table saw. Though it is most often referred to b...
In the thoroughly equipped workshop, there are more tools than you could shake a furring strip at. You know the works...
Chain saws—the forest primeval has seen few tools with such devastating utility, not to mention sheer volume. If a st...
A good handsaw, when properly treated, is a tool that can be passed with pride from one generation to the next. Essen...
Most tools seem to develop in families. There are resemblances from one generation to the next, and cousins are recog...
Files are easily taken for granted. They've been around for thousands of years, predating even the ancient Egyptian c...
The router has, in recent years, become something of a must in the cabinetmaker's and even the finish carpenter's wor...
A few key tools and considerations bear discussion. Tape Measure. When it comes to marking and measuring and laying ...
One of the most common wood joints is the rabbet. Consisting of a rectangular slot at the edge of one piece into whic...
For woodworkers with old-time tastes, using a molding plane is like drinking a vintage port. The planes are not for e...
Using woodworking planes whose cutters are out of adjustment is like driving a car in the wrong gear: You may be able...
Bench planes are a loosely linked category of flat-bottomed planes. The cutting irons are usually set at a forty-five...
Calipers and their near relations, the compass and dividers, have been in use at least since Roman times. While their...
These simple tools haven't changed much in generations (no doubt the old cliché about not fixing things that aren't b...
A miter box made of wood (usually beech) or plastic is an inexpensive way of making sure the finish cuts you make wit...
There are so many manufacturers, and so many kinds and types and models of virtually every tool, that the options may...
The rafter square is designed to take advantage of the geometric laws of the right triangle. For example, the right t...
This is truly a tool of a thousand uses. The thinness of its blade means it can be used for precise marking on cutoff...
A near relation of the try square, the bevel gauge also consists of a handle or stock with an attached tongue (or bla...
We all learned how to use a ruler in elementary school, if not before. Little did we know at that age how many variet...
Hanging drywall is often one of the first tasks taken on by the novice renovator. Plasterboard or Sheetrock, to call ...
For many people, electrical work is daunting, to be feared and avoided. If you feel that way, then you should remain ...
Plumbing makes possible the cleanliness we know today. Yet solving some kinds of plumbing problems involves sink trap...
The first nuts and bolts, which were put to use during the early years of the Renaissance, had square heads. The hexa...
To those who have used one, a story pole does indeed have a tale to tell. To the uninitiated, however, the story pole...
Pliers are used to grip, position, tighten, loosen, and cut certain metal elements. Learn about five types of pliers:...
Pry bars, crowbars, pinch bars, flat bars, and cat's-paws; those are the names of some of the sturdy steel tools that...
Today, the tape measure may be the carpenter's best friend, but in dozens of other trades, too, the tape measure can ...
Wood is a remarkable material. It's widely available, handsome, and immensely diverse. Many of its varieties can easi...
To the uninitiated, a screwdriver is a screwdriver is a screwdriver. The truth is, however, that’s simply wrong. Most...
Wooden MalletsMallets are hammers that are used to drive chisels, gouges, or to shape soft metals. Firmer chisels are...
Today, there are hammers of a dozen or more different designs manufactured for many kinds of tasks, which will be dis...
Quality planed stock can be bought from most lumberyards today, but wood that has been dressed on all four sides wasn...
I've lumped together, under a single heading, a family of tools that are used to perform many tasks. They resemble on...
Cold chisels aren't for cold weather; they're for cutting cold, hard metal. A cold chisel will cut any metal that is ...
Suppose you borrowed H. G. Well's time machine and traveled back into history a few centuries or even a millennium. S...
The glass cutter is a clever tool about the size of a pencil. Its handle, whether made of wood, metal, or plastic, a...
The electric drill is about as versatile as a tool can get. It drills holes of many kinds, of course, but it can sand...
A pocketknife is, simply, a knife with one or more blades that fold into its handle, of a size that will fit convenie...
Keyhole SawNot many years ago, I would see keyhole saws in use almost daily; now, for many carpenters, keyhole saws h...
A rule of thumb in the tool world is that the smaller the blade, the greater the variety of cuts. One tool that demon...
The circular saw was invented in England at the turn of the nineteenth century, though there is considerable disagree...
One reason for the fascination of antique tools is their visual appeal. For many people, the bow saw has just such a...
Like the word handsaw, the name backsaw is something of a catchall term. In general, a backsaw is a handsaw with a br...
Every time I pick up a carpenter's square, it feels familiar. This is one of the practical, substantial tools that al...
I know you've heard it before, but it's true: sharp tools are safer tools. The chisel is a perfect case in point. A d...
When I see a pair of giant snips, I think of Laurel and Hardy. Snips do look a lot like scissors, but they tend to be...
Every time you use a power saw, you put your very own flesh and blood at risk. I've worked with more contractors than...
Your table saw can perform a remarkable number of tasks. There’s probably enough to fill a website, especially when a...
At first, I felt a bit foolish explaining how to use a hammer. Most of us have seen children banging away with toy ma...
The difference between a Japanese saw and an American saw is more than just the place of origin. Japanese saws have d...
I've admired this deceptively simple tool since I first saw my father use it decades ago. It is used to mark straight...
1. Less is more: While having the 628-piece tool set is an impressive thing to tell all of your home-improvement bu...
Whether you’re a rookie handyman or a seasoned do-it-yourselfer, a range of basic tools is essential to doing the sma...
In making or repairing small rectangular objects, a square is invaluable in helping ensure the joints are tight and t...
The practice of plane surveying (determining the position of buildings, boundaries, and topographical features as if ...
For on-site work, a portable table saw is more practical than larger, heavier table saws. It rips and crosscuts; it m...
What Is a Plumb Bob?The plumb bob or plumb line employs the law of gravity to establish what is “plumb” (that is, wha...
Coping is a process by which one piece with an irregular surface is fitted to another. In practice, most of us encoun...
One of the crowning achievements of many do-it-yourselfers is to purchase a stationary bench power tool. Unless you'r...
When you are cutting wood, one of the first decisions to make is what type of circular saw blade will give you the re...
Pneumatic nailers, known as nail guns, have changed the way builders work, and are as common on the job site nowadays...
Paint a house, fix a fender, build a deck, shingle a roof, pump air into your car's tires — you can do it all with th...
Whether starting a workshop from scratch or enhancing an existing one, few woodworkers will come up with the same wor...
When you first start tackling home projects, it's no problem to hit the hardware store for one of those sandpaper mul...
Equip the recent graduate in your life with the tools necessary for life in the real world—and we don't mean that metaphorically!
If you have stubborn nails that pop out of your floorboards, or you need a way to get a finishing nail flush against ...
If your file folders are bursting at the seams with to-do lists, contractor quotes, spec sheets and inspirational cli...
When you have to tighten a nut, bolt, or other standard fastener, you need a wrench. But what kind?Listen to BOB VILA...
Do you want to make sure that shelf you’re putting up is really on the level? Then you need. . . well, a level. Level...
While renters don't need to worry things like the furnace or lawn, they are not safe from all maintenance woes. Here are ten tools to keep your digs in good shape.
A power drill does more than just drill holes. With different attachments, it also drives screws, turns a sander, or ...
I can barely think of a home improvement job that doesn’t require a tape measure! Whether you’re framing a new room o...
A plumb bob is an amazingly simple tool, basically just a pointed weight on a string. But whether you’re putting up a...
Not every homeowner needs a workshop full of professional tools, but there are a few basics you should have if you pl...
Are your project plans hidden in piles of folders, each overflowing with clips, notes, and paint chips? You can save ...
Now is the perfect moment to plan your 2013 projects. Be more precise with your time and resources using this raft of...
Reviving rusty metal tools or furniture is a great indoor winter project, and there are three ways to remove rust. Li...
If you’re exposed to it long enough, any noise level above eighty-five decibels—like what you’d hear on a busy city s...
Augmented reality (AR)—the ability to overlay digital information over what you see through a lens—is expanding into ...
Save your eyes and shed a little light on the job you’re doing with the right flashlight. Listen to BOB VILA ON FLASH...
Cordless power tools, and now lithium-ion batteries, have revolutionized the home improvement world. But anyone who’s...
If those holiday gift cards are burning a hole in your pocket, a good circular saw is something you really shouldn't ...
Most home improvement projects require at least some moving around from place to place with tools, and that can get t...
Tool sets are popular gifts, but none is more useful for the home and garage handyperson than a really good ratchet s...
Good sanding can make or break a woodworking project, so every do-it-yourselfer should have a power sander in the wor...
No workshop should be without levels in various lengths, but for lines longer than 3' or 4', traditional bubble level...
If there's a leftie on your gift list this season, they might appreciate a tool or two that's meant for them. Listen ...
H. B. Fuller Construction Products, maker of TEC-brand tile installation tools, and Lowe’s have created a shopping-li...
Whether you're looking for a stocking stuffer or a gift to slip under the tree, our top tool picks will help you shop for the tool-loving handyman or woman in you...
Why You'll Love It: With pouches, pockets, bays and elastic bands, the Husky tool tote provides easy-to-carry storage...
Why You'll Love It: Innovation hasn't exactly shaken up the world of groove joint pliers over the last few decades. B...
Why You'll Love It: The lightweight M12 Heated Jacket provides heavy-duty warmth and comfort for up to six ...
Why You'll Love It: The DeWalt 12v MAX Pivot Reciprocating Saw is the cordless little brother to the bigger, mor...
Why You'll Love It: The Hyperlock clamp delivers 1 ton of clamping force, while its Universal Accessory system let's ...
Why You'll Love It: Levels don't carry many bells and whistles, but they are important tools for every project, ...
Why You'll Love It: The Ridgid 18v Compact Drill Driver and Impact Driver delivers outstanding performance,...
Why You'll Love It: This cordless grinder combines a 9,000 rpm motor, convenient paddle-switch, and tool-less accesso...
Why You'll Love It: The ChannelLock 13 'N 1 combines the efficiency of a ratcheting screwdriver with the versati...
Why You'll Love It: The Maxxeon Workstar 220 Pocket Floodlight is a super-slim flashlight that puts ou...
Why You'll Love It: Save room in your tool belt with 6-in-1 pliers from Milwaukee Tools, which can cut and strip wire...
Why You'll Love It: This Craftsman 154-Piece Mechanic's Tool Set comes with every socket, wrench, or b...
Why You'll Love It: The Ryobi Tek4 Mulitmeter is a versatile diagnostic tool that can measure voltage, curr...
In carpentry, the first key to a good joint is proper clamping. The clamp is responsible for pulling together the pie...
As time-saving tools go, it's hard to beat the pneumatic nailer; aka the nail gun. But before you run out to get one ...
You don't have to undertake too many do-it-yourself woodworking projects to understand that a table saw is a must-hav...
Tablets are designed to be functional as well as beautifull, so why not display your iPad as if it were an art work, ...
To get the job done right, you need stick-to-it-iveness. Here’s how to choose the right glue for your next woodworkin...
When you lose power, as many people have recently in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, the lights going out isn't the...
Don't wreck a good pair of scissors trying to cut metal; you need a good pair of tin snips. Listen to BOB VILA ON TIN...
It's a ‘staple’ in every tool and craft kit, it can save you lots of time banging tacks or nails, and it can get into...
The tool we think of as pliers only evolved from “tongs” fairly recently, but it’s hard to imagine life without a var...
Let’s say you love Asian home design. There are plenty of places you could turn for design inspiration. But Houzz. co...
Someone once asked me to describe feng shui. I said it was like believing your meal tasted bad, because the food was ...
Tech is great, but a lot of times tech can’t cut it, especially mobile technology. Thus, a fool and his smartphone ar...
Coming from a Navy family as I do, I take pride in my ability to neatly loop and stow anything rope-like, including e...
There are many reasons you might be working on a project house without running water, but there are fewer reasons to ...
Social media doesn’t have to be an inactive activity. DIY. org is a good example of social media that works best when...
How much would a serious upgrade to your iPhone 4's operating time be worth to you? If your project house is without ...
It's a ritual that dates back to cave times—DIYers showing off their proud achievements. 'Before and after' shots are...
It was 99 degrees last night in Chicago and everyone, everyone, was wondering when the power grid would succumb to th...
Working on a job site through a scorching, dusty summer day requires pacing and hydration, and now, perhaps for the f...
Besides "righty tighty, lefty loosey," there's one DIY phrase that nearly anyone can recite: Measure twice, cut once....
For a saw that’s great on the curves, no workshop is complete without a good saber saw. CM_BVILANOTES-4 Tool Tip- Sab...
A century ago, knife-maker Wenger (of Swiss Army Knife fame) started a debate that only got louder in 1983 when Tim L...
It’s been in every tool belt since the 16th century. The claw hammer is a must-have for driving and removing nails an...
Don’t make the mistake of thinking that a tool belt is just for pros! Even if you’re just doing quick jobs around the...
Did you know the right drill bit can make or break the job?LISTENListen to BOB VILA ON DRILL DRIVERS, or read text be...
With all the great power saws available today, the lowly handsaw has kind of faded into the background. But there are...
When it comes to screwdrivers, make sure you're using the right one for the job. LISTENListen to BOB VILA ON SCREWDRI...
Bob Vila Radio is a newly launched daily radio spot carried on more than 60 stations around the country (and growing)...
PreparationPreparation is the most important ingredient for making clean, accurate, safe cuts. To properly prepare fo...
To determine whether a carpenter's square is true, all you need is a straight line. Sound too simple? First you lay t...
Brushless motor technology has been around for a while, but only within the last couple years have power tool manufac...
Use a floor sander effectively in order to complete your hardwood refinishing project more quickly and easily.
Unless you plan to sand many floors in your lifetime, the best choice for do-it-yourself floor refinishing is the ran...
This is not dedicated to the woodworkers, the gear hounds or the power tool junkies. This isn't for the contractors, ...
The number of tool apps on the market leaves smartphone-equipped DIYers with few excuses for putting off projects. Si...
I love wood. Maybe it’s the way the surface glows when sunlight suffuses the grain, lighting up any room with golden ...
The thickness planer is not the most versatile tool in your arsenal. In fact, it really only does one thing: it plane...
The multi-plane is truly the muscle-driven equivalent of the router. Its handle is of wood, but that's where its rese...
Tool Maintenance. Whatever your storage arrangements, keep your tools clean. After use, remove any sap or resins from...
There's nothing hard about wearing safety goggles or earplugs or a respirator when they are needed. The cost for such...
Spade bits, it seems, are always encountering nails, at least in the kinds of rough drilling chores that renovation w...
When I consider the assortment of power tools that I've purchased, collected and inherited over time, I am amazed tha...
Power drivers are, for practical purposes, redesigned and re-engineered electric drills. Drills and drivers look much...
This old tape measure follows me around everywhere. My father gave it to me, and it does the trick. Sure, it’s a ...
When using a marking tool, whether it is a pencil, an awl or something else, surgeon-like precision is the goal and ...
Traditionally the larger metal squares, like the rafter square, were thought of as carpenter's tools. In contrast, sm...
Sometimes called a "magic square," angle square, or protractor square, this tool functions as a square but is shaped ...
All right, let's say you're raising a stud wall of eight or nine feet and the longest level you have on hand is two f...
This tool is essentially an adjustable hand square, with a couple of clever advantages. It consists of a rigid steel ...
I traveled to Milwaukee, WI, a couple weeks ago to visit the headquarters of the Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation ...
Drilling isn't difficult and, at least in comparison to sawing, it isn't particularly dangerous. Still, skilled drill...
We are excited to introduce a new addition to the Bob Vila toolbox—a Trivia Quiz. Produced by Triviasnaks, the quiz...
How to Make a CrosscutCrosscuts are cuts that go against the wood grain. Once you've properly measured and marked you...
According to the old nursery rhyme, there once was a crooked man who, along with his crooked cat and a crooked mouse,...
The house is insulated for sound control to provide a quiet environment for baby. The installation of the insulation is demonstrated along with the necessary safe...
Bob watches the ongoing installation of the roof deck, which is being built woth a sustainable tropical hardwood decking called Ipe.
John Wellborn (from Wellborn Cabinets) and carpenter Paul Anderson join Bob for the kitchen cabinet installation.
Bob takes the first of many visits to the Winterthur Garden and Museum in Delaware's Brandywine Valley.
Paul Anderson attaches pre-finished crown molding around the kitchen cabinets in the modern Colonial project house.
Decorator Leslie Curtis joins Bob in the modern Colonial project house parlor to discuss the room's wall treatments.
Artisan Ken Forcier are applying the second "layer" of the stencil he's using to decorate in the parlor of the modern Colonial.
Interior designer Leslie Curtis shows off another of her decorating ideas in the dining room.
Bob meets lead carpenter Connor McKenna from Thorough Construction, who is working with the original floor joists in preparation for the hardwood floors.
Thorough Construction's lead carpenter Connor McKenna applies panel adhesive to the tops of the new, sistered joists before laying four-by-eight sheets of Georgia...
In a progress report, Ted Riley shows Bob the pre-primed red cedar siding , the heavy-duty metal Bilco bulkhead installation, and the Quechee home's standing seam...
Bob visits with carpenter Mark Fortunati, who is building a traditional-looking staircase in the foyer.
Bob meets up with Tim Woods (of the Internet Home Alliance) in the basement of the Quechee home to hear about the progress made integrating the connected home tec...
Bob checks email from his truck using GM OnStar's Virtual Advisor functionality. He then meets with Tim Woods (from the Internet Home Alliance) to check out the P...
Bob goes up to the attic of the Victorian project house, where an ODL tubular skylight is being installed. Also, Bob looks back at the installation of windows on ...
Bob observes as general contractor Charlie Tomaszewski finishes up the picture framing for the mahogany deck.
Bob visits Todd Allen's cabinet shop, where he helps to mill and assemble the cabinets for the loft conversion project.
Carpenter Bob Ryley helps install a new porch railing and new screen doors. An underground sprinkler system is also installed.
Contractors put in the brick walkway. Forester Moulding and Lumber replicates the porch railings and balusters. Also, new security and sprinkler systems are insta...
Bob and contractor Ed Weller meet to demolish a block wall in order to open up the room for remodeling.
Bob confers with carpenter Cortney Lofton, as he lays the redwood decking for the back porch.
Bob and homeowner Gavin repair and refinish a 75-year-old oak floor. Because the new patch floor panels have a different thickness from the original, a belt sande...
Bob joins carpenter Bob Ryley, who is putting sidewall shingles onto the exterior of the new addition.
Bob joins contractor Bob Ryley, who is installing a Velux skylight on a curb mount. Ryley describes the screws and mounting hardware used, and Bob demonstrates th...
Bob and contractor Bob Ryley review the building plans and the progress made on the post-and-beam garage. Framing continues, and Bob discusses the various joints ...
Bob joins contractor Bob Ryley and the tree removal specialist to discuss clearing the site. Special tips on chainsaw use and safety are provided.
In the kitchen, where the white pine cabinets have been installed, Bob Ryley demonstrates how to adjust a European door hinge before he finishes putting in a plat...
Contractor Bob Ryley explains the process of installing the new clapboards. Using galvanized nails, the boards are added in a staggered pattern for better visual ...
Bob discusses the process of building the farmer's porch with contractor Larry Landers. The natural crowning of wood is discussed, as are methods for ensuring a l...
Bob helps contractor Bob Ryley hand-craft a medicine cabinet using a radial arm saw, Dado blade, router, screws, and carpenter's glue.
Bob joins plastering contractor Bob Fragakis, who will install blueboard, then apply a skim coat of plaster over it. Fragakis explains the tools and materials use...
Contractor Larry Landers installs V-groove pine on the ceiling of the new front porch and demonstrates how to stagger and miter boards for an attractive, old-fash...
Flooring contractor Leo Boudreau shows Bob how to recycle hardwood flooring. First, the floor must be salvaged. A pry bar is used to lift and remove the wood, pie...
Bob checks out the handmade tiles and selected plumbing fixtures in the remodeled bath. When general contractor Tim Berky drills into the tile, he stresses the im...
