Active Tools & Equipment Posts
How To: Take accurate measurements in your home projects
In this video we learn how to take accurate measurements in your home projects. First, you need to pick up the right tape measure for your project. Once you have picked out the right tape measure, you'll be able to use it for what you are trying to do. Now, learn how to read the numbers that are listed on the tape measure and find the precise measurement of your project. Make sure you take down all of the inches so you build everything correctly and don't have to go back and fix anything that...
How To: Use an electrical box extension
This is a video tutorial in the Home & Garden category where you are going to learn how to use an electrical box extension. Bob Schmidt shows how to use an electrical box extension during remodeling; when adding drywall, tile or wood over existing surfaces. For this you will need a PVC box extension which is designed to fit over the box that is already embedded in the wall. It extends out of the wall which will be covered by the layer of tile or drywall. Disconnect the power source to the plu...
How To: Maintain your tools for extended usage
In this tutorial, we learn how to maintain your tools for extended usage. First, get a good sturdy brush to clean off all the crusted on dirt from your tool. The dirt will promote rust and deteriorate your tools. Once it's cleaned, also make sure it's dried off from anything that is wet. Also set the tool on a flat surface or table to remove rust off of the tool. You can also sharpen the sides of the tools or shovels so you are pulling out any kinks and making it sharp and more useful. Once f...
How To: Prepare a wall for drilling
In this video we learn how to prepare a wall for drilling. First, check for pipes and cables in the wall using a digital detector. After this, it's a good idea to tape some masking tape with an envelope on the wall to catch and dust and debris that falls off while you are drilling. When you're finished drilling the hole, remove the envelope from the section you are on and continue on to the next part of the wall. It's just that easy to drill a hole in the wall once you know you won't be hitti...
How To: Shapen the blades on a hedge trimmer with a mill file or power grinder
Hedge trimmers are powerful pieces of yard equipment, but even their mighty blades go dull and stop cutting well. Watch this video to learn two different methods for sharpening hedge trimmer blades, one using a mill file and the other using a power grinder.
News: Fastest Lawnmower in the World Clocks in at 96 MPH
Lawnmower racing is a yankee sport, gosh darnit, so when British racer Don Wales stole the title for record speed (87.833 mph) back in May, former American champ Bobby Cleveland was challenged to win it back. And that he did.
How To: Use the Stanley utility knife
In this tutorial, we learn how to use the Stanley utility knife. This is a razor straight edge knife that has a very sharp point on it. The little slices in the bottom will help it go back into place and will help you sharpen it when it becomes dull. You can break off the points as well when they become dull so you have a brand new sharp one. The tool in the back has a storage area for another blade. To take this out, you just slide out the old one and insert the new one in the same exact way!
How To: Use a handheld router with Skil & Lowe's
In this tutorial, we learn how to use a handheld router with Skil & Lowe's. There are countless ways to use the router in all your project, but there is one that's the most popular. You have a lot of choices, like a round over, a chamfer, or an ogee. Regardless of which you choose, the technique is always the same. Begin with mounting the bit in the router, then use a wrench to tighten it and make it secure. After the bit is on, reinstall the base and you will be ready to use your machine. Us...
How To: Winterize your lawn edger & weed trimmer w/ basic fall maintenance from Lowe's
If you perform a lot of home lawn care, then don't neglect your lawn equipment during the winter months. It's important to keep your lawn edger and weed trimmer (or weed whacker) in shape to make sure your spring lawn maintenance runs smoothly. Lowe's has some great maintenance tips for you to perform to completely winterize your lawn tools.
How To: Winterize your lawn mower with basic fall maintenance and repairs from Lowe's
Winter's coming, and when it's over you'll be back to mowing your lawn in no time. To make sure your lawn mower is up for the job, Lowe's has some great maintenance tips for you to perform to completely winterize your mower.
How To: Identify hardened steel compared to mild steel
Hardened steel is very durable, but nearly impossible to work with at home. If you are trying to choose a piece of steel and can't tell if it's hardened or not, you're in luck, because this video contains a quick method for doing so. All you do is try to file an indentation in the steel with a file. If that doesn't make a mark, you've probably got hardened steel.
How To: Use a cordless drill and taper tap to cut a threaded hole in steel
Trapping a hole is the process by which you give them threads so that they can accommodate a screw, and doing it to a lot of holes quickly can be a major pain. Fortunately, you can actually do it with a cordless power drill much more quickly and easily than manually. This video will show you how to do it.
How To: Replace a broken belt on your vacuum cleaner
One of the most common problems that vacuum cleaners can have is the belt that drives their brush. They are actually pretty cheap and easy to fix yourself, and this video will show you everything you need to know to remove the old belt and install the new one quickly and easily.
How To: Preform a continuity on an electrical circuit using a multi-meter
The continuity test is one of the least well-known but useful functions on a multi-meter. It allow you to determine whether a fuse works by touching the contacts to it, which allows you to diagnose all sorts of electrical problems. This video will show you how continuity tests work and give you some examples of using them to find problems in household devices like a lawnmower.
How To: Measure the DC voltage of a circuit with a multimeter
Measuring the voltage of a piece of electrical equipment is a somewhat dangerous and complicated but necessary process if you want to do any sort of DIY electrical projects. This video will show you how to use a multi-meter to read the DC voltage of a power drill battery, with an emphasis on what you need to do to complete this process safely.
How To: Select the right disc for your angle grinder or cut-off tool
Angle grinders (or cut-off tools) are great for all sorts of major construction and repair projects. One of the reasons for this is that you can put all types of discs on them for different jobs. This video tell you all about the different types of discs and which ones you should use for different kinds of jobs.
How To: Cut a threaded metal rod or bar to get a nut onto it and make a custom bolt
Threaded metal rods and bars are useful to have around because they allow you to make custom length bolt and nut combos whenever you like. Cutting them to the right length in such a way that your nut will still fit on the bolt can be tricky, but this video will show you just how to do it with a hacksaw and other tools.
How To: Cut a bolt and save the threads
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to cut a bolt and save the threads. The materials required for this task are: a hacksaw, steel bristle brush, bolt cutters, wrench, oil and a filer. Begin by putting some oil onto the threads of the bolt. Then place the saw on the desired groove and cut across through the thread. Now brush it with the steel bristle brush to remove the debris. Finish by removing the excess metal with the filer and unscrew the bolt(s). This video will benefit those view...
How To: Use and operate a Bosch diamond core drill to put a hole in your wall
In this great video, you'll learn what tools you'll need, what settings you'll need to use for each section of the project, and he'll go through the entire process, step-by-step, with personal demonstrations with plenty of commentary to help anyone keep up.
How To: Operate a chainsaw and limb a tree
This quick video shows you the method for holding and operating a chain saw and also shows you how to correctly limb a tree, as well as what sort of cuts to use and what you should watch out for in the process.
How To: Use an adjustable hip square to frame a residential hip roof
If you're not a carpenter, you may be completely overwhelmed by the information in this video. They have a tough job. Just like electricians, there's a lot of math involved in carpentry, and one of the calculations laborers struggle with is constructing a hip roof. If you're not sure what a hip roof is, you should just stop right here… don't go any further…
How To: Use a digital multimeter
This is a tutorial for how to use a multimeter to take volt and amp measurements of a silicon solar cell and solar modules.
How To: Remove a stuck drill chuck
If you have a stuck keyless drill chuck and need help on to repair it, check out this next video tutorial. In it you'll find out what tools you'll need for taking out the drill chuck. It can be a difficult job if you lack the right tools and are not careful. So check out the video tutorial above and good luck!
How To: Start a great fire in a wood stove
In this video, we learn how to start a great fire in a wood stove. First, you will need premium kindling, gloves, and a small axe. Next, you will chop the wood into small pieces using the axe, making small splits. After you have a large pile of kindling together, store the pieces that you won't use in a waterproof container. Now, carefully stack your wood into your wood stove. Place the first two pieces going across, then the other pieces going front to back. Continue this pattern, then apply...
How To: Disassemble the Eames lounge chair
If you own an Eames lounge chair and wish to restore it, give it a nice polish, or just know how to take it apart, this tutorial is for you.
How To: Install a locked sprocket plate on a chainsaw
If you own a chainsaw and need to perform some routine maintenance work, this video should help. In the tutorial, you'll be finding out how to install a locked sprocket plate on a chainsaw. When trying to replace certain parts, things can get a bit tricky and what may have been easy to take off, will be much more difficult to put back on. So check out the tutorial above, pay attention, be safe, and good luck!
How To: Perform gas-powered string trimmer (weed wacker) maintenance with Lowe's
A string trimmer is a handy tool, but you have to maintain it if you want it to work its best. Learn how to do maintenance on both a 2-cycle and 4-cycle gas-powered trimmer. Lowe's home improvement expert, Mike Kraft, gives helpful tips for string trimmer maintenance. Learn how to replace string, change the oil, clean the trimmer filter and more that will help keep your string trimmer working like new.
How To: Use a power edger for a well-manicured landscape with Lowe's
A gas-powered edger will give your lawn a finished professional look with a well-manicured appearance, without taking a lot of time or effort. An edger helps cut away weeds and grass that grows over sidewalks, patios, driveways and curbs. Plus it can get nice sharp looking edges for garden beds, pathways and roads to give your lawn a professional look. Lowe's home improvement expert, Mike Kraft, gives helpful tips on how to use a power edger.
How To: Use a rototiller to break up soil for a garden or new lawn with Lowe's
If you need to break up soil for a garden or a new lawn, a rototiller is the tool that will make the job a lot easier. This video from Lowe's will provide you with some key tips to using a rototiller successfully. Mike Kraft shows the best way to use your tiller. Learn what settings you should use for tilling, how you should prepare for tilling soil and garden safety tips.
How To: Use a string trimmer (weed wacker) for professional looking edges with Lowe's
There are many tools that homeowners can use to help with the curb appeal of their own and landscape. One of those tools is a weed wacker or string trimmer. This device enables the user to get rid of weeds instantly and makes lines and edges look clean and finished. So in this tutorial, you'll be finding out how to use one in your yard today. So good luck, be careful, and enjoy!
How To: Fix a slack chainsaw recoil starter
In this video, we learn how to fix a slack chainsaw recoil starter. All you need is to wind up the recoil string so the tension can be put back on. First, remove the bolts out (there will be around four of them). Next, lift the side casing off and find the nylon spool with the cable cord wrapped around it. There will be a clock spring around that. Now, wind it up with a screwdriver while holding the spool of the corn and winding up the spoon a couple of times. When you reach the correct tensi...
How To: Make your own charcoal
In this video, we learn how to make your own charcoal. First, you want to make a stack of wood you have laying around, anything you have from scraps. Now, push the wood into a small empty pant can until you cannot fit anymore. Then, place the top onto the can so no oxygen gets into the can. After this, load the cans into a large barrel that has large air holes in it, then wait for the wood to turn into charcoal! This is a process that does take a long time and when finished, the can is going ...
How To: Install a foot throttle on your lawn tractor
In this tutorial, we learn how to install a foot throttle on your lawn tractor. First, weld the petal onto the base and create your own holder for the rod so it stays in position. You will have to bolt it down so it stays in place and doesn't move. On the other side, put a holder on it so the rod stays in place and doesn't move. There should be a bolt on it so it doesn't move and a clamp that is welded onto the end of it. The, string a thin metal wire to connect onto the end and bolt it onto ...
How To: Use a jigsaw with Lowe's
In this tutorial, we learn how to use a jigsaw. First, measure and mark the size of the circle you need to cut. You can use a compass or trace around a round object. Now, place your wood off of a table and clamp it into a place. Now, drill a starter hold inside the circle and put on your protective glasses. Now, place the saw in the starter hole and saw half way up, or to where you feel comfortable. After this, reposition yourself, then continue on. Make sure you don't force the saw, just let...
How To: Screw drywall to studs with a drywall screwgun
Bob Schmidt teaches us how to screw drywall to studs with a drywall screw gun. A countersink bit is a great option to help you screw drywall studs in. This will fit in a variable speed drill for setting counters and drywall. Use a DeWalt screw gun, which is specifically made to install drywall. It has a clutch driven head with different adjustments on the head for different screws. The gun should be inexpensive and doesn't have a very large motor, so it's perfect for a homeowner. If you just ...
How To: Make a butter knife out of sycamore wood
In this tutorial, we learn how to make a butter knife out of sycamore wood. First, you will take a log then you would split it in half. After this, cleave off a flap off of this. Next, take a knife to flatten it out. Take the width down so it isn't thick anymore. Use a knife to sharpen out the knife so it will be sharp enough to cut into something. Mark the shape so it is in an arrow shape, then make the end of it into a handle shape so you can hold it. When finished, you will have a homemade...
How To: Make your own extension cord caddy out of a bucket
In this tutorial, we learn how to make an extension cord caddy out of a bucket. First, you will need an old bucket that you aren't using for anything else. Then, drill a 1" hole into the bucket on the bottom with a drill. Then, feed your extension cord through the hole in the bottom and place your extension cord in the bucket for transport. You can also place tools you need into the bucket. This is a lot more convenient than having to run around to pick up different tools. This is also a grea...
How To: Use a stud finder to locate your wall studs
In this tutorial, we learn how to use a stud finder to locate your wall studs. First, you will use your stud finder tool and place it against a wall. It will go off when it has found the edge of a stud. Place the finder against the wall then slowly move it until the red light on the top beeps. Move it around to make sure you know exactly where the stud would be located. The finder will go off wherever the edges of the studs are to help you pinpoint exactly where the stud is. You could get wro...
How To: Sharpen scissors with aluminum foil
Dull scissors are annoying to work with. Watch this video tutorial for a demonstration on how to sharpen your scissors using a piece of aluminum foil.
How To: Install dual exhaust on your tractor
In this tutorial, we learn how to install dual exhaust on your tractor! First, find the exhaust strip on the tractor, then detach the muffler and slip the regular pipe into the muffler. After this, get a 3/4" pipe and slip it up into the other pipe and well around it. It should come to the bottom of the tractor. Next, take a bushing and connect it to the elbow pipe. Connect a short pipe and connector to this, then connect a long straight pipe that goes into the dead center of the bottom of th...