TOOLS
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Any circuit-breaker finder worth its salt should be able to accurately match the circuit breakers on an electrical pa...
When it comes to making secure electrical connections on stranded wire, there’s no tool more valuable than a ratcheti...
Standard drill drivers can handle most hole-drilling tasks in wood, but they don’t do so well when used to drill hole...
Perhaps the least-liked phase of a woodworking project is sanding, but today's power sanders make quick work of what ...
All-purpose bench vises—the heavy cast-iron sort your grandfather might have had mounted on a bench in his garage—are...
When it comes to jobsite safety, a hard hat is one of the most important tools one can own. These devices sit suspend...
The Stanley 65-Piece Homeowner’s Tool Kit has that just-right lineup of tools for handling an assortment of odd jobs ...
Stick welding, also known as shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), is a useful skill to have in a DIY tool box, regardle...
DeWalt power tools are mainstays for both pros and DIYers, and the brand name has become synonymous with high quality...
If you associate the name "Bostitch" with office and home staplers, you're not alone. But the company also manufactur...
Anyone who's lost the key to a padlock and used a hacksaw to methodically saw through the steel shank has likely wish...
A dependable set of hand tools—including those for cutting, driving, gripping, and measuring—is essential for perform...
Starting a renovation is a big decision. It takes time, planning, money, and the proper tools. This article plans to ...
Especially important when it comes to car maintenance, a torque wrench tightens bolts to a specific torque level, ens...
Spring is nearly here, and it’s time to get your tools ready for this year’s gardening season. Before you start plant...
A handheld belt sander will rip through old paint or varnish in minutes. It can smooth flooring or decking at remarka...
Circular saws are among the last handheld power tools to go cordless, likely because they require immense power to su...
Pocket hole jigs make wood joinery faster and easier than traditional methods. Cabinetmakers pioneered the use of the...
With enough experience, most DIYers can learn to torque nuts and bolts appropriately without the risk of snapping the...
A power drill is a workhorse that’s essential to many DIY projects. While you probably already have the standard bits...
Power tools are, well, powerful. They have electric-, air-, or gas-powered motors that spin, slice, shoot, cut, smash...
“If the only tool you have is a hammer, it is tempting to treat everything as if it were a nail,” wrote Abraham Maslo...
Sooner or later, homesteaders and folks who regularly convert trees into usable (and valuable) lumber may wish to own...
Oscillating tools, sometimes called multi-tools because they accomplish a variety of tasks, are relatively new to the...
Investing in home improvement and emergency preparedness supplies is a priority for many Americans, but these items o...
DeWalt has long been a top contender in the power tool industry, producing high-quality tools for pros and DIYers, so...
Having a reliable set of tools in your workshop or on the job site is integral to the success of your project. When i...
Bob Vila readers were busy in 2022, tackling DIY projects and finding ways to make their life simpler and their home ...
Woodworking can challenge your DIY skills and encourage creativity. However, sticking to the most basic tools can be ...
When learning how to weld, it’s important to research the best welder for your needs. Another essential element of th...
Every year product experts at Bob Vila do thousands of hours of hands-on testing and online research. We carry out in...
We're just a few days out from Christmas, and the window is closing to find the perfect gifts for the DIYer in your l...
MIG vs. TIG welding is a debate that has been going on for decades. Both are types of arc welding commonly used by am...
Whether you want to build furniture, install new light fixtures, or simply hang holiday decorations on the walls, sta...
Black Friday and Cyber Monday came and went, but the deals on tools, appliances, and patio furniture are just getting...
Whether you need to upgrade some tools in your workshop or have some upcoming projects that require new gear, this li...
The Home Depot had packed its Cyber Weekend sales full with plenty of deals on power tools and gear for the workshop....
Cyber Monday 2022 is here, and the tool discounts continue to pour in. In past years, we've seen tools and outdoor eq...
Cyber Monday deals end in hours, so your time is running out to act on the biggest tool deals of the year. Chain home...
Cyber Monday deals are officially here. Sure, price drops have been rolling out all month long from Amazon, The Home ...
Like many retailers, The Home Depot adopted a "Black Friday month" approach to store sales this November and released...
Even after Black Friday sales officially ended yesterday, Amazon continues to have millions of deals across the site ...
In case you've missed it, Lowe's is still running massive Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales throughout the store an...
Editor’s Note: We've switched gears to scout Cyber Monday sales, so this post is no longer being updated. Check out o...
Black Friday has come and gone, but the savings are still here—and you can find them on much more than just TVs and t...
From home repair solutions and high-powered tools to big-ticket appliances and snow blowers, Lowe's is a great one-st...
Black Friday is only days away, but the deal announcements have already rolled in from all of the major retailers. Un...
Editor’s Note: We're now actively scouting Cyber Monday sales, so this post is no longer being updated. For the lates...
Editor’s Note: We’re now actively scouting Cyber Monday sales, so this post is no longer being updated. For the lates...
There is no need to wake up early or brave the crowds on Black Friday to save at The Home Depot. The retailer’s early...
Gone are the days of learning to use hand tools in shop class at school. The disappearance of this educational opport...
Unless you’re an experienced metalworker, welding is usually a little bit intimidating. High voltages, bright flashes...
There are plenty of deals to be found during Amazon’s Prime Early Access Sale, including some great steals from one o...
Amazon’s Prime Early Access Sale has finally arrived, and we’re seeing a lot of great deals for items like miter saws...
The Prime Early Access Sale is finally here, dropping deals on tools and supplies that DIYers and professionals love....
Palm nailers are light, compact, highly maneuverable, and easy to use. Just load a nail into the front, position it, ...
The second Prime Day of 2022 (AKA, "Prime Early Access Sale") is officially here! If you're looking for an early kick...
When a deal comes around that gives DIYers and professionals alike the opportunity to save, we get pretty excited. No...
One of the key accessories for a table saw is a sturdy fence. It is almost impossible to cut boards and sheet materia...
Welding clamps are commonly used to hold material in place while welding, to hold two or more pieces together during ...
Woodturning on a lathe is one of the most rewarding woodworking skills. Using a wood lathe requires significant patie...
Few tools strike as much intimidation into the hearts of beginner and advanced woodworkers alike as the common lathe....
Plastic welders can fix broken garden furniture, toys, kayaks, car bumpers, and a whole host of other items. In many ...
Labor Day is just days away now—Monday, September 5—and home improvement retailers are currently cutting prices on al...
As far as woodworking projects go, few are as satisfying as those turned on a lathe. But what is a lathe? A lathe is ...
Woodturning is a fascinating hobby and not quite like any other kind of woodworking. Even though it involves a machin...
Although tool boxes and rolling tool bags offer plenty of storage, tool belts allow greater mobility and provide quic...
A standard sheet of drywall (or Sheetrock) is 8 feet long by 4 feet wide and weighs about 50 pounds. Trying to hold t...
A good sandblaster can make many tough jobs—including restoring antique cars, returning concrete to like-new conditio...
Over time, dead grass clippings can accumulate between the green leafy blades of grass and the soil, creating a layer...
Step stools are handy for almost any task that involves reaching up high, from accessing the top cabinet in the kitch...
Whether it’s for an automotive enthusiast, an all-around DIY repair person, or a seasoned professional, a trusty mech...
Using a nail gun for fencing is faster and safer than using a hammer. Nails themselves needn’t be held with these too...
The Labor Day sales are in full force right now, with retailers offering exciting discounts on everything from furnit...
There’s a lot of excitement surrounding the purchase of a first home. There’s also plenty of projects—jobs to tackle ...
This month is a transitional one, one in which you’ll be winding down the garden but also making preparations for hun...
Harbor Freight—a tool retailer known for budget-friendly collections—has already announced more than 90 deals to shop...
Although drywall typically goes up quickly (and is one of the most exciting stages of a project), cutting it accurate...
Cricut machines, which let users design and precisely cut out images for projects, have exploded in popularity in rec...
Heat transfer vinyl (HTV) used to be relegated to commercial use, but with the increased popularity of at-home cuttin...
A belt sander is a relatively common power tool that is used to remove layers of wood, metal, plastic, or other targe...
When it comes to hauling gear, tools, and other items around, it really doesn’t get more convenient than a truck bed....
Designed to be rugged and used in demanding situations, tactical flashlights should be bright, durable, and dependabl...
In the past few decades, manufacturers have developed products to help people with impairments live active, varied li...
The sounds of grinding, vibrating, buzzing, and boring may be welcome signs of progress and accomplishment to DIYers,...
Recently, there’s been increased online interest in fractal wood burning, a process that uses electricity to burn pat...
A juicy steak might be the star of your next dinner, but even the most tender meat is too dense to cut with a standar...
Cabinet table saws, often just called cabinet saws, are the largest of the table saws, with huge power and tremendous...
Drones, technically known as unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), are capable of capturing aerial images and video footag...
In order to stay safe while you are welding, it’s necessary to have protection, such as welding pants, boots, and a w...
Car lifts are all about convenience. Whether they’re for gearheads who can’t stand the thought of anyone else touchin...
Buying rough lumber can save a lot of money and offers the opportunity to find and use interesting varieties. However...
It’s Tool Time… again!It’s been more than two decades since the television series “Home Improvement” left the airwav...
For a lot of folks, getting on or behind a lawn mower is a moment of zen. It’s a chance to clear their thoughts, get ...
Welding, like many construction tasks, can be very dangerous if you don’t take the proper precautions to stay safe wh...
Table saws are a versatile staple of DIY enthusiasts, home woodworkers, and jobsite contractors, capable of accuratel...
American-made tools seem to be harder and harder to find these days. With so many products being made overseas, you m...
There are certain situations in finish carpentry and woodworking where a big finish or brad nail just won’t do. These...
Whether you are moving to a new house, moving work gear from the truck to the garage, or moving boxes of paper from t...
DIYers and woodworkers (usually) love their tools. But, when two tools—like a plunge router and fixed-base router—app...
Sharpening a chainsaw once meant working on the chain’s individual teeth by hand. Today’s best chainsaw sharpeners ar...
Backpack vacuums are a great alternative to standard upright and stick vacuums. A more convenient choice for cleaning...
Even for DIYers with excellent eyesight, there are certain barriers through which they’ll never see. Whether it’s an ...
Originating in Japan, the hori hori knife is a multipurpose gardening tool used for digging, cutting, and weeding. A ...
Anyone who works with their hands knows that their clothes can take a beating. Construction, DIY projects, and trade ...
Sawing through metal by hand is hard work! A hacksaw can tackle occasional small jobs, but for larger pieces or if yo...
When it comes to gluing rubber to rubber or a variety of diverse substrates, the project’s success depends on selecti...
Construction can be brutal on the body. Beyond the heavy lifting and repetitive motions involved, time spent kneeling...
Felt is a thick and warm material made from matted or compressed fibers. These may be natural wool, synthetic fibers,...
Creative art-and-craft projects as well as utilitarian home repairs sometimes call for gluing cardboard to cardboard ...
Despite painstakingly perfect measurements and perfect cuts, there are times when wood just doesn’t cooperate. Whethe...
Whether you just purchased your first home or have lived in your house for years, having a few emergency plumbing too...
Although Echo offers several larger chainsaws for professionals, the bulk of its chainsaws are targeted toward homeow...
Old caulk has a way of stealing the show—and not in a good way. That dingy, cracked sealant can deter from the clean ...
Whether it’s for the convenience of a cord-free work space or because an off-grid grinding job is on the docket, cord...
Milwaukee is a name that always features prominently in independent reviews of leading drill manufacturers. The compa...
Miter saws are, by far, the most popular cutting tool for residential jobsite use, and they’re also a versatile tool ...
Regardless of the welding process being used, or the welder’s skill, a proper safety helmet must always be worn. No e...
If you think that air compressors are just tools for auto mechanics and house builders, think again. From inflating t...
While a shovel may be the first tool one reaches for to dig a hole, hard, rocky earth often renders the common spade ...
Heat-press machines allow users to transfer custom designs to accessories, including hats, shirts, mugs, throw pillow...
When a screw head becomes damaged, it can be very difficult to remove from the material in which it is situated. Some...
Ryobi, the featured brand of The Home Depot, differentiates itself from the pricier brand names in the power tool wor...
Husqvarna has been one of the top brands of chainsaws on the market for more than 60 years. While you can expect to f...
Miter saw vs. circular saw is a comparison that many DIYers consider while working on home renovation projects, becau...
While some industries are beginning to rebound from the Covid-19 pandemic, the home improvement trade continues to st...
It’s not unusual for miter and chop saws to get mixed up. The fact that miter saws are sometimes mistakenly called ch...
Whether you’re a keen DIYer or a pro, there’s little more frustrating than being unable to find the right tool when y...
Craftspeople tackling fine woodworking projects need their stock to be as flat, square, and consistent as possible. T...
Changing a drill bit is one of the first steps in a DIYer’s journey from green to great. But, for someone who isn’t q...
Outdoor activities in cold weather pose challenges for both safety and comfort. That’s why it’s imperative to wear op...
Welding can be used to fix auto bodywork, repair a gate, make an Art Deco chair, or create a garden sculpture. It can...
Nothing is as effective as a plate compactor when it comes to creating a solid foundation for hardscaping projects li...
When shopping for table saws for beginners, the primary focus must be safety. In many cases, this means not settling ...
DeWalt is one of the most well-respected power tool brands in the business, so it’s no wonder that the company makes ...
As one of the best-known and best-regarded names in power tools, DeWalt has a collection of drills that are highly re...
Impact drivers are the go-to tool when dealing with long screws and other large fasteners. An impact driver delivers ...
Chainsaws are handy for all sorts of jobs, from cutting firewood and landscaping to demolition and construction proje...
The TIG welder was first developed in the 1930s as a way to weld lightweight magnesium for the aircraft industry. The...
MIG (metal inert gas) welding, also known as gas metal arc welding (GMAW), is generally accepted as the easiest type ...
One of the most important DIY tools is the trusty power drill. Equipped with speed and torque, a power drill can bore...
An essential tool in the professional- and DIY-forestry worlds, the chainsaw is a powerhouse—when it's running well. ...
Antique and vintage—these two terms are commonly confused and often erroneously used interchangeably to refer general...
The yard is a great place for the kids and pets to run and play. It’s also nice to have the outdoor space for get-tog...
A rotary laser level is an invaluable tool for a variety of jobs where maintaining accuracy over a wide area or long-...
DIY projects big and small are often solitary tasks. Sometimes there’s nobody around to lend a hand and other times, ...
DIYers have a wide variety of cutting tools available to them, but few are as convenient and versatile as the circula...
Makita offers an impressive range of drills that are highly regarded for their competitive performance and excellent ...
A staple in workshops and on construction sites, circular saws are one of the more popular portable power tools, priz...
An all-purpose shovel will surely come in handy for all sorts of digging projects, but having the best trenching shov...
Whether you’re gutting a 1970s-style bathroom, converting the kitchen and living room into a space with an open floor...
Welding can produce temperatures upward of 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit, making it absolutely essential to have the righ...
Chainsaw chains are the part of the chainsaw blade that cuts through wood. Over time, the chain can stretch slightly ...
While it is a common tool in many DIY projects, some people still ask what is a reciprocating saw and what is a recip...
When your tool shed or garage is organized, it can make tackling a new project so much easier. Rather than searching ...
The jobsite can be a danger zone, and various home improvement projects come with their share of injury risks as well...
Whether it’s for cutting framing lumber square and true, or cutting a perfect crown molding joint, a miter saw can be...
Most folks are familiar with the phrase, “the right tool for the right job. ” While there’s good reason for that adag...
Often, two power tools from the same manufacturer will have very similar specifications. The only clear difference ma...
Get more use out of your power drill with attachments that can clean, dig, mix, and more.
DIYers and pros love their tools, but they’re also keenly aware of this harsh reality: They don’t last forever. Wheth...
Q: My old knives have seen better days, and I’m ready to purchase a new kitchen knife set. However, I’m not sure how ...
Back in action after a 1-year hiatus, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) welcomed enthusiastic exhibito...
Investing in a stump grinder may not make sense for homeowners who just have a stump or two they need to remove after...
Power tools make life easier, but picking the right ones can be challenging. Dozens of brands offer thousands of diff...
Two industry leaders have developed a greener approach to power tools for sustainability-minded DIYers. Black+Decker ...
With these clever products on hand, DIYers can fix plumbing, carpentry, and a host of other household problems.
Electric fireplace inserts, popular electric room heaters, are not only energy-efficient and relatively easy to insta...
Whether a customer is a professional contractor or a homeowner getting ready to kick off their next project but don’t...
Knowing how to use a sewing machine opens the door to a whole new world of DIY projects. These tabletop machines are ...
Many see sewing as a fun hobby. For others, it is a way to reduce household expenses by making or repairing clothing ...
Before starting any new maintenance work or repairs on the vehicle, you will need to know the types of tools that are...
Many veteran and would-be carpenters dream of setting up the ideal space for their crafts. They may pine for a dedica...
Considering the abuse that most shop vacs see on a regular basis, they have a pretty tough life full of dirt, grime, ...
A version of this story originally appeared on The Drive. Bob Vila is partnering with The Drive to share syndicated a...
When a liquid mess occurs, such as a water main break, leak, or flood, there may be no more indispensable tool than a...
Unlike garden shears, which are similar to scissors in design, loppers are designed for use with both hands, which al...
Your Bad (or Misinformed) Habits are Killing Your Power Tool Batteries When asked which power tool brand someone sho...
Prices listed here are accurate as of the last update on 11/29/2021. Cyber Monday sales are on, and power tools are a...
A pressure washer is an indispensable tool for all kinds of cleaning tasks, both DIY and professional. Light-duty mod...
While most people build their tool collections over time by acquiring tools to complete particular projects, such a p...
Prices listed here are accurate as of the last update on 11/28/2021. DIYers, get excited: With Black Friday sales sti...
Prices listed here are accurate as of the last update on 11/28/21. The best Home Depot Black Friday deals are still g...
Looking for a gift they'll enjoy for years to come? Check out our gift guide to find the perfect multi-purpose accessory for that special someone. <i>This ...
Power tools that look like those made by well-respected brands may not always be what they seem, especially if there’...
Store-bought lumber is expensive and can vary in quality. If you have access to a supply of logs, milling your own ca...
Reciprocating saws and jigsaws are both popular tools capable of a multitude of DIY and professional tasks. While bot...
Table saws are a baseline necessity in many homes and professional workshops. Portable models are the go-to tool for ...
Unlike gift-buying for many hobbyists, shopping for stocking stuffers for a DIYer can be a lot of fun. There are so m...
Drilling holes in tile—to install towel rods in a bathroom renovation, say—can be tricky. There's always a risk the t...
Safety gear is required on job sites for a variety of professions, and DIYers are strongly advised to follow that lea...
Hammers, cordless drills, reciprocating saws, and the like are all essentials for serious home renovation projects, b...
Welding can be an absorbing hobby on its own, or it can be a useful skill for DIYers, vehicle restorers, home enginee...
During almost any renovation, repair, or building project, a laser level can be one of the most important tools a DIY...
Cheap tools are often the ones consumers overlook in favor of the sought-after high-end brands DIYers and pros alike ...
Electric scissors may be one of the lesser-known power tools, but for those who spend a lot of time crafting or sewin...
Circular saws typically include a standard blade for general-purpose work. Although these blades work well to crosscu...
There are several different types of fireplace inserts, but gas models are a favorite because they offer the ambience...
Whether you have a traditional open fire or a wood-burning fireplace insert, a set of fireplace tools (also called a ...
Perform your own home repairs and maintenance using these affordable, problem-solving products.
Many people can think of a few different types of axes, but if they are asked to expand on this list to include types...
Most saws are typically sold with a budget blade, regardless of the saw type. Even the best miter saw includes a basi...
Think Amazon Subscribe and Save is just for household items like toothpaste, baby wipes, and laundry pods? Think again. Keep your workshop stocked with auto shipm...
Renovating old furniture is a popular hobby, and for good reason. It’s amazing how a new coat of paint or a change of...
When it comes to tool storage, many DIYers may envision that red metal tool box that plumbers and handymen carried fr...
With origins in 1600s Sweden, Husqvarna has a long history of quality products. While they’re no longer known for rif...
I spent many years leaning on my tools to make a living. No, I don’t mean leaning against a shovel or workbench while...
New technology is great, as it can make life simpler, more convenient, and fast-track our daily lives. But there is s...
Put a brad nailer and a finish nailer side by side, and it might be difficult to tell one from the other. Plus, when ...
For a long time, angle grinders—tools typically used for cutting, sharpening, cleaning, and polishing metal—were used...
An air compressor is a valuable asset in any workshop. For jobs as varied as fixing a deflated tire to building a she...
In the workshop, a freestanding band saw makes quick work of cutting metal pipes, rebar, conduit, or angle iron, but ...
Consumers can choose from a wide variety of tactical-style flashlights that are designed to offer the same benefits a...
The world is full of lights, so it may seem unnecessary to have a flashlight until the power goes out, or you leave c...
Standard hammer drills are powerful tools that can drill through a variety of tough materials, but even the best can’...
Both keen DIY woodworkers and professionals have numerous different saws to choose from, but without a doubt the two ...
Q: I’m trying to complete yard work, and my leaf blower won’t start. How can I fix the problem without buying a brand...
DIYers and pros have been relying on rental tools to help them get jobs done for years. From earthmoving equipment to...
Electricians and plumbers sometimes favor a tool bag, but auto enthusiasts may find that a tool chest makes better se...
Building an extensive collection of tools takes time. Even DIYers with a few years and plenty of projects under their...
What makes a tool brand rank among the best tool brands? It’s not an easy question to answer. DIY users generally wan...
The idea that a DIYer could see what's within a wall cavity using a smartphone screen is the stuff of science fiction...
A wide range of projects around the home requires appropriate safety glasses to help ensure I’m protecting my eyes fr...
A glue gun is a household tool that is both easy to use and extremely versatile. A crafter’s best friend, it can be p...
Q: Help! My flashlight won’t light up. I’ve only had it for a few months, so age isn’t the issue. Why is my flashligh...
Staple guns are one of those long-standing, classic tools that all DIYers can use. They aid in reupholstering furnitu...
Q: I have some old wooden furniture that I’d like to restore. I was going to repair the damage with wood glue because...
If you don’t know how to move a shed, it might seem like an impossible task. But, with the right information and prep...
Pocket knives are everywhere. They come in an almost endless variety of shapes and sizes and are useful for cutting t...
It’s difficult to imagine the immense torque (twisting force) an air impact wrench can apply, but here’s an example. ...
If you’ve got gadgets, up-to-the-minute appliances, and other intelligent fixtures in your home, it may be time to br...
Large, extensive DIY tool kits need storage options that can match them. While some builders, fixers, and creators mi...
A power rake and a dethatcher are sometimes referred to interchangeably as though they are the same machine, but thes...
When shopping for a new tool bag, the sheer volume of choices can be overwhelming. With bags full of pockets, zippers...
If you’re tackling woodworking projects using medium-density fiberboard (MDF), it doesn’t take long to realize the di...
A weak or underperforming battery can do strange things to a vehicle, a piece of equipment, or a device. But, simply ...
Few things can bring a building project or repair effort to a grinding halt like a stripped screw or bolt. This frust...
Keeping a smooth, glossy finish on your truck, boat, trailer, or car is important. Not only does that shine look grea...
Amazon is already known for its low prices, but the best deals of the year come on Prime Day, when the site drops pr...
If you’re confused about the difference between the terms “water-resistant” and “waterproof,” don’t worry, you’re in ...
Anytime a DIYer has to attach an object to a concrete or masonry surface, the amount of work increases considerably f...
With the correct blade, a reciprocating saw or saber saw (commonly known as a Sawzall) can make short work of cutting...
The broad versatility of jigsaws means you’ll find them just about everywhere, from home tool kits to construction si...
Dowel joints are more common than you might think. They’re used in all kinds of wood joinery, from cabinet frames to ...
Among the wide variety of measuring tools available, a combination square is perhaps the most versatile. It can not o...
Q: Is it OK to wear a titanium ring while showering or swimming? Does titanium rust?A: Titanium is an incredibly usef...
Reciprocating saws—power tools with long, thin blades that employ a back-and-forth motion to rip through material—hav...
Although particle board can be one of the more affordable materials to use for making furniture and even countertops,...
Furniture projects and repairs can be challenging. But, using abrasive sandpaper and rapid oscillation, sanders can g...
The finish nailer is arguably the most versatile of the many types of nail guns available. The nails they use provide...
Angle grinders are a versatile power tool with a rapidly rotating disc that cuts, grinds, polishes, sharpens, and cle...
Vehicle breakdowns happen. Whether it’s because someone left a light on or a random item punctured a tire, these mish...
For virtually every construction or craft project, including heavy-duty roofing and light upholstery work, there's a ...
Whether you plan to paint or stain your wood project, you’ll almost certainly need to sand it to smooth the wood grai...
Q: I can’t seem to figure out why my lawn mower won’t stay running. There’s plenty of gas and oil in it. Can it be re...
Driving a nail with one hammer stroke is almost a skill of the past—and for good reason. The best cordless framing na...
Although a back saw may not be considered an essential woodworking tool, it should by no means be viewed as a luxury ...
Floor jacks are excellent for raising a vehicle off the ground. They allow access for regular maintenance, repairs, a...
A wood router is an indispensable tool both in the workshop and on the job site. The tools are powerful yet easy to m...
The pilling starts, and suddenly, that perfect sweater looks perfect no more. Enter the fabric shaver, the rescuer ex...
While the design might seem simple, table saws are incredibly customizable. Pros and hobbyists can choose from an arr...
Hardwood floors lend an aura of classic elegance to a home, adding to its real estate value. However, the job of keep...
Q: My chainsaw won’t start, and I’m not sure what’s wrong with it. What’s the issue, and how can I fix it?A: A chains...
Bushcraft, also referred to as wilderness survival skills, requires an extensive amount of knowledge and talents. Amo...
Cordless hot glue guns provide a quick and convenient way to create adhesive bonds between surfaces such as paper, wo...
A car engine, wall studs, and other tight spaces simply aren’t accessible to most standard corded or cordless drills....
Carrying around a heavy tool box might’ve been a badge of honor in generations past, but it can take a toll on your b...
Oscillating tools are the multi-tool of saws, capable of performing diverse tasks ranging from cutting and grinding t...
The proper setup in your garage or workshop is key to quickly and efficiently completing projects. You need a sturdy ...
If you take woodworking seriously, a router can be one of the most valuable tools you can own. Routers offer the abil...
If you’re a hot rodder at heart or simply prefer not to pay for vehicle work that can be done yourself, having the ri...
Removing lug nuts from a rim or getting a frozen or rusted bolt to cooperate can be a frustrating and back-straining ...
Whether you’re repairing your own HVAC system or you’re a professional technician, an HVAC multimeter can be your ace...
Every home electrician’s tool belt should carry at least one pair of lineman pliers. Used by people in the electrical...
Stains, scuff marks, and dirt can make hard flooring look dull and dingy. When a mop and bucket won’t cut it, conside...
Waterproof tape is a large product category that includes several tape types with distinct designs and purposes, incl...
Like a rain jacket for your hands, the best waterproof gloves are essential accessories for those working—or playing—...
A utility knife is one of the handiest and most versatile tools to keep in a tool box. It can score drywall, slice ca...
Gas chainsaws have a reputation: they’re loud and sometimes hard to use. However, we've found that some of the best g...
Although square and triangular drives appeared around 40 years earlier, it was William G. Allen’s hex drive, introduc...
The best compact circular saws have balance, output, and ergonomics that match the work being performed, whether it's...
Stroll down the power tool aisle at the hardware store and you’ll see a variety of drills and drivers that look fairl...
Shopping for a power saw can be intimidating. Somebody who’s new to DIY projects might not have the experience to kno...
Making straight cuts with a circular saw, router, or jigsaw is a challenging task. While a cut with a few hitches in ...
It often seems there are pliers for every task, but few offer the versatility of the best slip joint pliers. They mak...
Many different types of fencing are available, and various methods are used for installation and maintenance. Post an...
Many homes rely on firewood as their primary source of heat, but converting wood logs into usable stacks on your fire...
Whether for cutting up downed trees for firewood, cleaning up after a bad storm, or doing some pruning around the yar...
Hammers have been an essential carpentry tool for centuries and are found in practically every household tool chest. ...
During the milling process, metal, wood, or plastic is fed through a rotating, multipoint cutter on a table that move...
With any project, it’s important to use the right saw. Otherwise, you can cause premature damage to the blade and wea...
Anytime a DIYer or industry professional needs to work up at heights, the usual tool for this purpose is a ladder. Ho...
The miter is perhaps the most common of woodworking joints. Simple miters can be cut by hand using a miter box. It’s ...
Completing a flooring project with your own skill and expertise is something to be proud of, but trying to tackle a l...
Where you’re a pro or a hobbyist, taking a woodworking project from good to great requires a bit of an edge—quite lit...
Bitter temps lead to cold hands and numb, painful fingers, but it doesn’t have to be that way. The best hand warmers ...
Welding has a reputation for demanding expensive equipment and a high level of skill and training. While historically...
While a handheld router allows you to do many things without other tools, it does have limitations. Routers are heavy...
Many people find that listening to music, mediations, podcasts, or other soothing sounds can help them drift off to s...
Wet snow can weigh as much as 21 pounds per square foot, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)....
Creating something with your hands, whether it’s woodworking, painting, renovating, or any other creative pursuit, ca...
Cutting a perfectly round hole in wood, plastic, metal, or even ceramic tile requires a specialized type of cutting t...
Any project around the home is easier to tackle with the proper tools to get the job done. When working on larger fab...
Tile offers an extensive range of style and design possibilities for your walls and floors. While it may seem that ti...
For homeowners considering a tile project or repair, the idea of working with this durable material might seem intimi...
Bench sanders are designed to sand down large surfaces quickly and easily, so you can finish a woodworking project fa...
Few tools can match the versatility of an air hammer. These handy tools are invaluable for auto work, enabling the us...
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, it’s normal to lose between 50 and 100 hairs per day. Most of that ...
The bow saw has been popular with woodworkers since Roman times. Early bow saws were made of wood, with a steel blade...
Drilling through stone, brick, granite, and even marble is possible, but it takes a tough drill bit made of hard meta...
Siding helps protect the structure of your home, adds an extra layer of insulation that can lower your energy bill, a...
There’s no denying that swinging a sledgehammer is a ton of fun for many people, but beyond the amusement at hefting ...
After careful mowing, the lawn looks nearly perfect. Yet some grassy areas might require spot trimming or edging to a...
Shoes, like many common clothing items, can range widely in price, durability, and purpose, but when you find a pair ...
Those living in wooded areas with plenty of hardwoods have the luxury of free firewood if they have the right tool fo...
When you’re ready to unwind with a glass of wine after a long day, struggling with the cork is a real hassle. A well-...
The cordless drill may be one of the most versatile tools in any home or shop. Recent advances in battery technology ...
While ordinary drill bits are quite efficient, their cutting action can create ragged holes, particularly when workin...
There are lots of DIY-friendly projects that require a bit of concrete work. From building decks to erecting a new ma...
Magnetic screwdrivers create a connection between the tip of the screwdriver and the screw. This magnetic pull settle...
The best crimping tools can help a variety of wiring projects go smoothly. That's why we performed hours of hands-on ...
Though many people associate lock picks with nefarious intent, there are actually plenty of legitimate reasons for ha...
If your health care provider has ever pulled a tiny flashlight from the pocket of a lab coat to examine the pupils of...
If you're undertaking electrical projects around the home, there are certain tool box essentials to keep at the ready...
Grease guns are used in a variety of applications—from automotive garages to household tool maintenance—to quickly an...
Whenever you are working with your hands in the workshop or garage, it’s essential to keep in mind the possible reper...
If you’ve spent any length of time working on automobiles, you’ve likely come across the benefits an impact wrench of...
Rarely do we give a second thought to the way our cabinets and drawers open and close—that is, unless they squeak whe...
Few moments are more frustrating than reaching down to the bottom of a deep candle to light the wick only to wind up ...
While replacing or repairing a roof can save you hundreds in labor costs, attempting a complete roofing job with a ha...
It's rare for a farmer, DIYer, or camper to go without a small knife. A knife is essential for performing many everyd...
Whether you’re an electrician, mechanic, or DIYer, a quality pair of wire cutters can make an indispensable addition ...
Historically, the use of powerful spotlights often was limited to theatrical productions or for mounting atop the tal...
Wrecking bars, crowbars, and pry bars are often combined in the same category, but important differences exist. One o...
Achieving the proper tire pressure is a must for a safe and fun ride, just like a lock keeps your bike secure when le...
A paper cutter can cleanly cut paper, photographs, and other items more quickly and accurately than a pair of scissor...
Deck screws secure decking boards that make up the walking surface of a deck, porch, dock, or boardwalk. If you are c...
Available in several grades, each with at least 10. 5 percent chromium, stainless steel is popular because of its low...
You’ll recognize a wood screw by its flat-topped head, tapered base, pointed tip, and medium coarse threads. DIYers u...
A basic understanding of how to use simple hand tools like a screwdriver, hammer, or wrench is invaluable. Many paren...
Whether you’re a professional or a DIYer, there are times when you’ll want to pull a nail safely and efficiently from...
Retiling is one of those home projects that can make a significant impact relatively quickly. Whether laying a new ce...
The traditional steel measuring tape has been around since 1829, when James Chesterman patented it. These manual meas...
Standard wrenches are useful when tackling various jobs around the home and yard, but they’re less helpful for plumbi...
Every amateur renovator knows straight lines are grueling to draw. Thankfully, with the simple addition of a chalk li...
A coping saw is a handy tool for DIY woodworkers and professional carpenters alike. The standard coping saw employs a...
When you hang a piece of artwork, you should feel confident that it will stay put. The wrong hardware can set you up ...
No one wants to be running back and forth from project to tool bench to pick up a forgotten hammer. Nor does anyone w...
PEX piping is becoming more popular with DIYers and pros alike. Instead of using expensive copper piping, torches, an...
Henry Ford’s assembly line production method made personal ownership of automobiles a fact for millions of people. Al...
Laser distance measurers use a laser and an optical sensor to determine the distance between two surfaces to find the...
If you've ever stubbed a toe, stepped on a LEGO®, or bumped a shin making your way across a room in the dark, you kno...
A set of tin snips looks like a pair of heavy-duty scissors with thick, durable handles and short, strong blades that...
Though you may be like some gardeners who love to hoard gadgets, it is possible to achieve most gardening goals with ...
Whether you’re taking a roadtrip to the beach or a plane across the country for a business trip, the right travel gad...
There are a few classic tools that everyone needs, whether you are a DIYer or a professional repair technician. One o...
If you are interested in acquiring a new hands-on skill, you’d be hard-pressed to find something better than learning...
Fiskars has voluntarily recalled its popular pole saws (model numbers 9463, 9440, and 9441) because the telescoping p...
The right screwdriver makes a world of difference. Instead of damaging the fastener head or having the blade slip and...
Power tool manufacturers have made several advances in their routers in recent years, adding variable-speed dials, er...
Cordless ratchets allow users to work on their vehicles or homes without putting in the effort to operate a manual ra...
As Taylor Swift sang, “The devil’s in the details. ” You might not think a simple thing like tire pressure is crucial...
As a woodworker or DIYer, there are certain essential tools that, once you find them, help unlock your real potential...
From tucking away totes on top shelves in the closet to cutting in paint edges along the top of a wall, a step ladder...
A torque wrench is a specialized tool that is regularly used in automotive repair to ensure that the parts of the veh...
Thermal cameras can help detect potential issues in your home, such as a termite nest in the wall or a leak from a pi...
If you find yourself tired of lugging heavy, traditional ladders around, you may want to look into the best telescopi...
Having a set of dull kitchen knives isn’t just inconvenient; it can also be very dangerous. A good sharpening stone k...
Instead of throwing warped or uneven wood into the scrap bin, DIYers could benefit from equipping their workshop with...
Thanks to its compact folding design, a pocket knife allows the blade to be stored in the handle, and the tool itself...
Between gluing materials, building picture frames, assembling cabinetry, or doing other shop activities, having the r...
Whether for home improvement, hobby projects, or simply making minor repairs, there’s not much you can accomplish wit...
Breaking a ceramic household item is frustrating, but most can be repaired—so long as you have all the pieces and a h...
You’ll find many kinds of wrenches and sockets in millions of garages across the country. They are indispensable for ...
For DIYers looking to increase their craftsmanship during woodworking projects, dovetail jigs could be the answer. Th...
Any professional chef will tell you that a sharp knife is a safe knife—and that goes for your trusty pocket knife as ...
A wire stripper boosts productivity for professional electricians, budding apprentices, and DIYers, but with a variet...
Electricians have belts and shoulder harnesses that frequently have 10 or more pockets for optimal customization and ...
When setting out on a tile project, it’s as important to give as much consideration to the tile saw used as the tile ...
A sturdy band saw makes rip cuts like a table saw, crosscuts like a miter saw, and reduces the thickness of a board l...
Home improvement centers often dedicate an entire aisle to drill bits, which come in a plethora of types and sizes fo...
Whether shaving down a wood door that’s sticking or smoothing the surface of a wavy board, no tool works quite as wel...
A hand drill is controlled by the user’s hand and arm, so human error can create a hole that’s slightly off-center. A...
The best sergers machines offer a few key advantages over conventional sewing machines. They create stronger, more du...
Whether it’s for use as a stable work surface at a job site or to address a lack of room for a permanent shop, a port...
From tools and housewares to home decor and gardening gear, there are gifts for just about everyone on your list at The Home Depot.
Calipers have been around for centuries, standing the test of time as one of the most effective and accurate measurin...
This holiday season, make life a little easier for the ones you love by giving them practical items that will get plenty of use all year round.
With a backpack leaf blower, yard cleanup can be a snap. Backpack blowers make quick work of removing fallen leaves, ...
Whether you’re searing the perfect crust on a rump roast or brazing a copper pipe fitting in a bathroom remodel, a bu...
Believe it or not, scissors are one of the most important tools in your home. Although scissors can be used to cut a ...
Hand tools are the mainstay of any well-equipped workshop. Choosing the right ones will go a long way toward helping ...
Whether you’re installing flooring, siding, tile, or some other material, you may eventually run into a door frame, s...
Whether you're using several small tools for automotive work or need to move larger power tools from one spot to anot...
When temperatures drop, working outdoors can become downright uncomfortable if you don’t have a way to stay warm. We’...
Avoid these dangerous errors when using a ladder, and you can safely complete your home maintenance projects without any surprise trips to the emergency room.
Holiday shopping will look very different this year: instead of lining up overnight and packing the stores, shoppers ...
A wood lathe is a power tool for your workshop or garage that rotates a piece of wood around a horizontal axis so you...
Whether you’re working on a car, installing a doorknob, or driving a screw by hand into a piece of dense wood, the be...
There was a time when neighbors could tell a crew was framing a house by the sound of metal-on-metal-on-wood, since h...
Digging into tough, compacted soil can be challenging work. Over time, fallen rain, heavy snow, and footsteps from pe...
An airbrush is a specialized tool that uses pressurized air to spray paint, ink, dye, or other liquid mediums. It’s e...
Many household and DIY projects require bladed tools or machines, whether it’s mowing the lawn or chiseling some wood...
A jointer is a woodworking machine that smooths and flattens the face and edge of stock lumber to make it perfectly s...
If you’re looking to express yourself creatively in a new way—to add an extra touch to your projects or perhaps to st...
Sewing machines are great for hemming pants and curtains and making other minor alterations. With a good machine, you...
Walk the aisles of a home improvement store and it seems that every project requires power tools—compound miter saws,...
Dual fuel generators are one of those household investments that is easy to put off. But once you have one, you may w...
Most drivers have looked down at their dashboard and noticed a warning light indicating a tire with low pressure. If ...
When it comes to popular power tools, the oscillating tool is the new kid on the block. It features a small blade tha...
Benchtop planers—box-shaped power tools that reduce board thickness while smoothing the surface—top many a woodcrafte...
There are few things more frustrating than struggling with stubborn nuts and bolts that don’t want to budge. A handhe...
You only have two hands—which can be a challenge with certain projects, such as when you still need to hold an item a...
Work pants, designed to take more wear and tear than other trousers, must be tough enough to withstand the constant b...
Also known as a “recip saw,” a “saber saw,” and a “Sawzall,” the hand-held reciprocating saw is the tool of choice fo...
Anyone who sews knows that a quality pair of scissors will ensure the precision shaping of fabric pieces. Crafters an...
When it comes to woodworking, it can be frustrating to hold two pieces of wood together at a 90-degree angle to join ...
Tool backpacks have become must-have gear for on-the-go DIYers and industry professionals because of their flexibilit...
Despite the advancements in cordless drill battery technology, the best ones aren’t powerful enough to do the job. Dr...
A torque wrench is a specialized tool prominent in the automotive repair industry that addresses various parts of a c...
Advancements in battery technology have paved the way for a whole new crop of powerful cordless circular saws, some o...
While a good table saw makes large jobs easier and more accurate when it comes to cutting wood, a good blade is a thi...
When fishing, a heavy thump on the end of your line and the sound of the wire pulling from your reel is a moment to c...
Pneumatic tools that run by a portable air compressor can be a huge help and time-saver on a range of projects and at...
A magnetic drill press, also known as a magnetic drill or mag drill, is a tool designed for drilling into metal. A st...
Whether it's to cut that padlock with the missing key from the backyard shed or to trim metal chain links for fencing...
More than just challenging, wood joinery requires a degree of expertise that practically rises to the level of art fo...
Professional lumberjacks, landscapers, and arborists—as well as ambitious DIYers—turn to chainsaws for a variety of w...
Airless paint sprayers are a significant step up from paint brushes or rollers. They use a mechanical pump that produ...
Drilling through concrete, bricks, and stone requires additional force from a drill, and even the most powerful corde...
Rubber mallets are excellent additions to many toolboxes. They give you the ability to adequately address specific ta...
If you have ever grabbed a stray roll of packing tape and used it to secure a box or container that holds dishes, clo...
There aren’t many materials strong enough to put holes in hardened steel. For that kind of strength, the only answer ...
Metal hand tools with either a straight or beveled edge, chisels have been around for thousands of years, standing th...
The wrench is an essential hand tool required for just about anything that involves working with nuts and bolts, incl...
Whittling is similar to wood carving in that they both form wood into a new, creative shape. However, wood carving us...
Whether working on a bicycle, replacing kitchen outlets, putting batteries in a child's remote control car, or comple...
For beginners and seasoned veterans in the garage alike, one tool that frequently comes in handy is the torque wrench...
Taps cut threads into a piece of metal or wood with a hole for fastening with threaded bolts. Dies cut threads onto t...
The smell of freshly turned earth, the weight of a sturdy shovel, and the view of healthy bedding plants just waiting...
Tool belts carry the essential items for a project while you’re working, and tool boxes transport more than just the ...
If you’ve ever struggled to find your keys or fumbled with them in a lock, then you likely understand the importance ...
A carpenter pencil may just look like an odd-shaped regular pencil, but it’s so much more than that. These precision ...
Needle-nose pliers have long, pointy jaws for reaching into narrow or tight spots, such as the backs of electrical ou...
If you spend time operating power tools and machinery, you’re undoubtedly making a racket in the process. While most ...
Drill bits aren't cheap, but they do seem to dull quickly. Whether you're drilling through dense hardwood or hardened...
Some DIY activities can send irritating particles or vapors into the air. Having to work around airborne particulates...
If your hands feel like blocks of ice when you shovel snow, ski or enjoy other outdoor sports, have an arthritic flar...
A quality socket wrench set is essential for a wide variety of auto and home repairs. It’s one of the most important ...
Carabiners are light- to heavy-duty clips designed to hold anything from a set of keys up to the full weight of a cli...
Handy homeowners and do-it-yourselfers who have spent any time on improvement projects have encountered situations wh...
When you find yourself in need of some new power tools, consider buying an entire corded or cordless tool combo kit t...
Work doesn't stop just because the temperature drops, but getting jobs done in the cold can be downright painful with...
A standard household hammer—weighing an average of 12 to 15 ounces—is indispensable for simple tasks like tapping a n...
Brad nailers helped spur the DIY movement by making quality trim projects achievable for DIYers and pros alike. These...
Fixing electronics—such as a television, computer board, or even a drone—can be intimidating. But a reliable solderin...
Q: When shopping for the right tool for the job, I see so many choices. Cordless drill, hammer drill, and impact driv...
Between struggling with arm loads of grocery bags to lifting heavy luggage, hauling things up the stairs can take a l...
For ripping sheet goods or cutting long lengths of lumber to width, a track saw can often be easier to work with than...
Socket wrenches allow you to tighten and loosen fasteners with a speed and ease that isn’t possible with a traditiona...
In almost any home renovation, achieving the best results requires some type of level. Whether you’re trying to hang ...
When a DIY project requires some precision drill work, only the best benchtop drill press will do. These handy tools ...
Moisture meters can test the moisture content of many different materials, including drywall, paneling, and wood stud...
For DIY projects that call for a lot of manual screwdriving in places too tight for a trusty drill, an electric screw...
A router is a powered cutting tool that uses different bits to cut various grooves, angles, and shapes into wood. The...
In any home, you eventually have to change the light bulbs, hang art, and keep the gutters clean. The right ladder me...
Miter saws are designed for making simple, accurate, quick cuts in trim, lumber, and some other materials. But use on...
An air compressor pulls air from the surrounding environment and jams it into its storage tank. It stores the air und...
Whether it’s rounding off the edge of a shelf board or creating a mortise in the center of a piece of hardwood, woodw...
Whether one owns or rents, a home repair tool kit is essential for inevitable fixes and projects around the house, fr...
A basic tool kit with the DIY essentials—a hammer, screwdriver, and measuring tape—can see you through any number of ...
The best electric chainsaws allow for a quick and easy cutting unlike their gas-powered counterparts. With electric c...
Few gardeners are blessed with the loose, loamy soil plants love. For those who must break through heavy clay soil or...
The best lawn sweepers quickly and efficiently gather leaves, grass clippings, and even pine needles, giving your yar...
You’ll be surprised at what you can make, fix, and restore with a little hot glue. Save money and time with these helpful DIY ideas!
A heat gun is one of the best-kept secrets in an avid DIYer’s toolbox. These handy tools resemble hair dryers by pull...
Angle grinders are versatile power tools that can handle a variety of projects, such as cutting iron pipe to replace ...
Spring clamps are a great solution for when you need a "helping hand" on a woodworking or home improvement project. T...
Those who do any sort of plumbing repairs already know how difficult it can be to remove twist-on connectors that hav...
Knives are among the most essential tools for gardening, DIY projects, food prep, and more. And the sharper they are,...
As an electric saw with a vertically plunging blade, the jigsaw tends to be underappreciated. True, it’s not as power...
Taking on a home improvement project is exciting, but removing grout—the dense material that fills gaps and seals joi...
The hacksaw is a time-tested hand tool for cutting through metal materials such as pipes, studs, and rebar. The best ...
Don’t get it twisted: Anyone who may be doing repairs around the house or on their car needs a ratchet—a wrench with ...
Those who prefer making quick cuts with a power saw might overlook miter boxes, but these tools still hold a place in...
If your projects require intricate cuts for projects like jewelry boxes, wood signs, or birdhouses, a go-to carpentry...
Homeowners rarely step foot on their own roofs. When roofing issues come up, most homeowners just hire out the job to...
You don’t have to carry an entire bag of tools around with you—not if you have a hammer multitool. These compact tool...
The best staple gun could be just what you need for jobs where a nail gun would be overkill. Staples can penetrate an...
The safety of your home and its occupants should not be taken lightly. A security system is often the first line of d...
Whether you’re installing crown molding or cutting complex angles for a parquet tabletop, a quality angle finder enab...
A dish-drying rack simplifies your kitchen clean-up routine by giving you a place to set clean dishes and utensils to...
If you're updating hardwood floors or refinishing a piece of furniture, for the best results, you need to remove the ...
Almost any home DIY project is made easier by having a clean, flat surface to work on. If this surface sits at the pe...
A versatile glue gun comes in handy for creating everything from kid-friendly crafts and decorative seasonal items to...
Keeping a garden and landscape in top shape requires care and maintenance, including regular pruning. Whether you nee...
There tends to be a bit of mystery surrounding plaster walls. As a less popular material today, the act of plastering...
The finishing touches on a woodworking project can transform decent work into stunning craftsmanship. Using just the ...
Drywall—comprised of compressed gypsum (a soft sulfite mineral)—creates wonderfully smooth walls. Yet insert a nail o...
Whether your green thumb involves caring for houseplants or young seedlings that prefer not to be drowned by a blast ...
The words "versatile" and "tool" are combined so often these days that it's hard to tell if it's the truth or just a ...
Using your thumb to direct the flow on an open-ended garden hose is hardly an effective way to water plants. A good h...
Table saws top the wish lists of both DIYers and seasoned woodworkers. These powerful saws cut more accurately than c...
Today’s miter saws are a significant improvement over the manual miter boxes of the 1960s. For anyone who does any ty...
You’ve no doubt heard the carpentry proverb “Measure twice, cut once” and may even have made it a mantra for your own...
Many common DIY projects around the home, and in professional trades as well, require the use of safety glasses. Whet...
When the weather is great and the cookout is calling, the last thing you may want to worry about is whether your gril...
Stuff happens—and so, alas, do stuffed-up toilets. Excessive amounts of toilet paper, waste, hygiene products, and ev...
With cleaning an ever-pressing priority for us all, how can we better protect ourselves from germs, pollen, dander, d...
A typical yard rake is a sturdy, long-handled tool with a triangular fan-shaped head that’s split into multiple tines...
One of the most relied-upon household cleaning tools is also one of the simplest. The first brooms were nothing more ...
These household items and gadgets offer practicality without sticker shock.
Though herbicides control weeds, these chemicals can pose serious health risks to humans and wildlife. Manual weeding...
Basic as they are, screwdrivers are not a one-size-fits-all tool, nor does one type of screwdriver fit all situations...
Whether your yard is large or small, minimally landscaped or filled with flower beds, one of the easiest ways to tame...
A length of insulated wire with a plug at one end and a socket at the other, an extension cord comes in handy to conn...
In theory, metal bolts—headed fasteners with external threads that fit into suitable non-tapered nuts—can be removed ...
Laser levels provide accuracy, consistency, and convenience. The best self-leveling laser level can make all the diff...
A hammer drill is a multipurpose tool that bores holes, drives screws, and drills into stone, brick, metal, and other...
Cracks, divots, holes, or rot can crop up on wooden surfaces due to ordinary wear and tear, accidents, and during DIY...
If you plan to tackle jobs involving larger or longer screws and fixings—like those used for decking or framing up a ...
Removing frost and ice from a windshield or driveway is a straightforward task. Just grab an ice scraper and get to w...
If you’ve heard the expression “like water off a duck’s back,” you may be surprised to learn that it was the original...
A handy tube of super glue can quickly turn complicated home repairs into quick fixes—if you have the right product....
In order to stay healthy and look their best, trees need occasional pruning to remove broken branches and to thin out...
Have a beautiful yard and garden without having to break a sweat. Add these garden tools to your arsenal for easy gardening.
One of the first rules of woodworking is to sand in the direction of the wood grain to avoid creating cross-grain mar...
Handheld pruning shears are great for nipping off narrow stems and branches up to ½-inch in diameter, but for pruning...
There comes a point when collecting a complete DIY set of tools starts causing storage issues. A tool box might do th...
One of the simplest ways to save money and protect the environment is to buy reusable products—and batteries are one ...
Whether you're repairing a roof, redoing wood floors, or starting any other type of major do-it-yourself project, cha...
Invaluable in the workshop or on the job site, a good set of sawhorses gets construction, woodworking, and DIY projec...
Removing snow from your driveway the old-fashioned way might not be fun, but it’s a good-for-the-earth way to clean u...
A good pair of work gloves can help DIYers get tough jobs done without suffering through painful reminders of the day...
Whether you’re looking to add shiplap, install trim, or tackle one of the hundreds of other carpentry projects, a nai...
The “measure twice, cut once” adage is the key to success in all kinds of craft and construction projects. Following ...
A twist on the tried-and-true Swiss Army knife, the aptly named multi-tool offers a number of DIY-friendly functions ...
From testing batteries to determining the amount of voltage in an electrical circuit, the multimeter is a standard di...
Potato peels down the kitchen sink. Loose hair swirling through the tub drain. The little plastic soldier your toddle...
When one is assembling a tool kit for home improvement, maintenance, and construction projects, one of the first item...
Getting rid of household dust—those pesky fine particles composed of plant pollen, human and animal dander, environme...
With many of today's tools running on powerful, long-lasting batteries, DIYers aren't limited by the length of a cord...
Vinyl often trumps siding types like wood, aluminum, or fiber cement for its low maintenance and affordable attractiv...
It will probably happen to all of us at one point or another. A shower drain backs up during a shower, water refuses ...
Battery-operated, handheld flashlights have been around since 1898 and have come a long way since then. These househo...
Enjoying the warm of a wood-burning fireplace is priceless to many, but buying firewood can be expensive. It can run ...
Caulking guns are designed for one thing: to deliver a continuous bead of caulk in order to seal joints between two s...
Nothing slows you down like a clogged sink, shower, tub, or toilet. Your first step should always be to plunge the dr...
Quiet in operation, simple to maintain, and largely affordable, reel lawn mowers can be smart options for yard mainte...
If you spend a good amount of time gardening or landscaping, a dependable and capable wheelbarrow can help lessen you...
If you’ve ever had to install shelving or hang picture frames, you’ve more than likely had to find out where the stud...
Applying a high-quality, long-lasting grout sealer is one of the best ways to protect tile installations from water, ...
Hardwood flooring gets acclaim for its natural beauty, but it requires varying degrees of attention to maintain its g...
Every homeowner should have a tool kit, and every tool kit should have the essentials. Don’t start the New Year without having these tools and supplies at the ready.
With its unique grain patterns and natural tones, thick and thin wood earns praise for being a beautiful building mat...
The more fix-it projects tackled, the more crowded a tool box becomes. Be that as it may, there's no rival or replace...
Though sometimes called a box cutter, the term “utility knife” is much more apt for this multipurpose hand tool. A go...
Stop for a moment and consider the number of appliances in the home that run on gas. These days, many stoves, furnac...
Make sure you’ve got some of these tried and true tools to help you combat the ice and snow Old Man Winter dishes out this season.
Grow your workshop (and your skill set) with these 15 handy power tools, accessories, and more. This content is paid advertising created in partnership with ...
Power saws have changed the woodworking industry, giving DIYers the muscle they need to create large projects in a sh...
Don't let tangled cords get in the way of your home projects. These innovative tools help you get the job done all while running on battery power.
Behind every beautiful, bountiful garden is a great deal of dirty work. Fortunately, a pair of rugged, reliable glove...
The unsung heroes of construction and carpentry, nails and screws are used to hold together everything from wooden ho...
They are cheap and easy to install, and they camouflage a host of flaws, but popcorn ceilings are also dated and tend...
When intact, your garden hose is a trusty tool for hydrating your lawn, rinsing debris from your deck, and just about...
Every homeowner knows the importance of having a good toolbox stocked with all the basics—screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches, and the like. But there are a few, more ...
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...
Nothing refreshes a room and improves its ambience quite like a new coat of paint. If you’re like most DIYers, you ha...
As one of the largest retailers in the United States, there’s not much that Walmart doesn’t offer. From the fun to the functional, the budget-friendly store has y...
We’re always looking for new ways to organize every room in the house, but storage systems and fancy containers take up a lot of space and can get pretty pricey. ...
Maintaining a manicured yard requires effort, patience, and the right tools. If you’re responsible for the landscaping chores at your house then you should alread...
After a long day of work and running errands the last thing anyone wants to think about is having to cook dinner. While some home chefs have the foresight to plan...
Head to the home improvement store, and you'll find a dozen or more different hammer designs manufactured by the usua...
Every homeowner encounters a bit of drilling sooner or later in their list of projects—whether that's installing curt...
“Do” is the fun part of “do it yourself. ” Time spent searching for the right hand tools, tape, and fasteners—especia...
Looking for the latest and greatest products to simplify or improve your life? Then head over to Kickstarter, the self-proclaimed world’s largest funding platform...
A cutting board acts at any given moment as a chopping block, food preparation surface, or serving station—sometimes ...
If you’ve ever worked with wood, you’re likely familiar with instructions to sand all edges after cutting, before app...
Q: I know it’s a good idea to pre-drill before nailing or screwing two pieces of wood together, but I can’t seem to g...
Whether it's water rising dangerously high in a toilet bowl or a child’s pronouncement that the bathtub water just wo...
Make short work of the pesky projects you’ve been putting off with the help of some of the coolest, pro-approved tools on the market. This content has been ...
Professional drywall taping crews make it look so easy: They move quickly, slather compound on every joint and nail h...
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, bulky, or rarely used items.
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...
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 ...
Stopped-up drain? Overflowing toilet? For these and many more plumbing repairs, homeowners reach for the plunger—a tr...
Some products you see on late-night commercials are actually quite marvelous. Discover some of our favorite organizing, cleaning, and problem-solving tools that r...
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...
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...
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 somewhere</em>—in junk drawers, garage cabinets, or tool boxes....
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...
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 their toolbox, and the answer is probably “sc...
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...
This content has been brought to you by Hyde Tools. Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila. com. Removing old wa...
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 may not be much to look at, screws hold a place of honor in the construction, hobby, and furniture-making...
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...
Vehicles are expressions of their owners' interests and priorities. Outfit your auto with the best car accessories for convenience, style, and fun.
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 ...
When hanging heavy mirrors, bracing large furniture, wall-mounting a new television, or erecting shelving, you need t...
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...
Like any other tool in your arsenal, a chainsaw must be properly and consistently maintained in order to perform effe...
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.
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...
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...
This post has been brought to you by Hyde Tools. Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila. com. If you’ve ever fin...
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...
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...
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 ...
In a range of applications, from picture frames to tabletops, plexiglass (also known as acrylic) serves as a cost-eff...
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.
The first snowfall of the season can be beautiful, but it won't be long before it buries your driveway and walkway. Having the right snow blower at the ready will...
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 ...
Like sunscreen and insect repellent, charcoal is a summer staple you don't want to be without. Come the weekend, when...
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 ru...
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 truly</em> enjoy—whether its a...
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, ...
This post has been brought to you by Hyde Tools. Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila. com. Perhaps you swung ...
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, ...
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...
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...
When you’re shopping for tools, household products, and home fixtures, consider buying quality goods that are made right here in America.
The best-laid DIY project plans can hit a snag if a stripped screw turns up. Though stripped screws can certainly slo...
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...
You already have a claw hammer and a screwdriver set—now what? Here are the tools you need to buy next if you want to up your DIY game.
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 one of those essential tools that most every DIYer and professional has in their tool arsenal. Used to gri...
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...
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...
Cutting through stone, brick, or metal? These tools can help. Continue ahead to understand the main types of chisels ...
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...
This tool has ancient origins. Evidence suggests that Egyptian architects used plumb bob-like tools to establish vert...
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...
Sanding is often the unsung step of any project with wood. It can take a long time, and the results are subtle: Sandi...
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.
It’s hard to say that a workshop is actually a workshop if there isn’t at least a small workbench somewhere within th...
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 hours. Eve...
Why You'll Love It: The DeWalt 12v MAX Pivot Reciprocating Saw is the cordless little brother to the bigger, more-pow...
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, from ...
Why You'll Love It: The Ridgid 18v Compact Drill Driver and Impact Driver delivers outstanding performance, solid bat...
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 versatility ...
Why You'll Love It: The Maxxeon Workstar 220 Pocket Floodlight is a super-slim flashlight that puts out an incredible...
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 bit you might ne...
Why You'll Love It: The Ryobi Tek4 Mulitmeter is a versatile diagnostic tool that can measure voltage, current, resis...
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)...
Every time you use a power saw, you put your very own flesh and blood at risk. I've worked with more contractors than...
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...
Power drivers are, for practical purposes, redesigned and re-engineered electric drills. Drills and drivers look much...
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 ...
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...
