Active Tools & Equipment Posts

How To: Tune up a riding lawnmower with Lowe's

Lowe's knows that riding lawnmowers are a big investment for your home and garden. This video shows the proper tools, and safety equipment needed to perform the maintenance needed. Lowe's explains how to replace the air filter on the mower, replacing and testing the spark plug, and how to lubricate the moving parts of the machine itself. The narrator also reminds viewers that when performing maintenance, to do so in a well-ventilated area. Following the steps in this video will make sure your...

How To: Change oil in a lawnmower with Lowe's

Lowe's home improvement expert, Mike Kraft provides a step-by-step method for changing the oil on a walk-behind lawn mower. From assembling the proper tools and supplies you will need to complete the task, through disconnecting the motor for safety, through the proper drainage technique and finally refilling the crank case this video gives complete instructions for any mower maintenance. Changing the oil on your mower will extend its life. Following the steps in this guide will provide you wi...

How To: Sharpen a jack knife or wood carving knife

This video shows you how to sharpen a jack knife or wood-carving knife using coarse, medium, and fine stones and cooking oil. Use the coarse stone, applying oil to the stone first then pushing the knife down on the stone in each direction, matching the bevel to the stone. Next is the medium stone. Add oil before continuing the sharpening process. Apply cooking oil to the fine stone and finish the sharpening process. Using a leather strop will remove any burrs and polish the knife.

How To: Make a glue bottle holder

Use whole saws or drill bits larger than the necks of the glue bottle and about a ten inch 2x4 piece of wood. Drill holes for the amount of bottles you want to have. You can add feet to your rack if the necks on the bottles are too long for the rack by gluing a couple of small wood blocks underneath on both ends.

How To: Build a craft table

In this video Ron Hazelton tells you how to build a craft table. By following each step carefully you will have a sturdy and proper table. Some of the things you will need are laminate, trim, nails, screws and stringers. Using these steps and creativity putting together a craft table is made easy.

How To: Waterproof the inside of a planter box

Back with another great how to tutorial for your home, Ron Hazelton, from Ron Hazelton's House Calls, and ronhazelton.com is here to bring us another great tip to save us time and money on our household projects. In this video Ron shows us a great way to waterproof the inside of your outdoor planters, which will protect them from water, provide a longer life-span, and help your plants to be healthier, in a quick and easy to understand manner.

How To: Polish out aluminum

In this DIY video tutorial, learn how to polish aluminum using greasless and greased abrasives. It is extremely important to have the right equipment and a well-made breathing respirator as this process can be very dangerous and toxic. The products and tools used in this video to polish a piece of sand blasted aluminum, can be found at www.englishcustompolish.com.

How To: Use a Rockwell reciprocating saw

Mark Donovan of Home Addition Plus goes over the key features and benefits of the Rockwell reciprocating saw with active vibration canceling technology. A reciprocating saw is a type of saw in which the cutting action is achieved with a push and pull reciprocating motion on the blade. A positive feature of the Rockwell is that there are no tools needed to replace the blade and it acts great with all materials including wood, metal, plastic, and/or aluminum.

How To: Buy a good extension ladder

When buying extension ladders, you have various options. There are metal ones, fiberglass ones and (increasingly rarely) wood ones. Each kind has its own plusses and minuses. In this video, Mark Donovan of HomeAdditionPlus.com talks you through what to look for when shopping for an extension ladder.

How To: Install a tool rack

A tool rack doesn't need to look great, it just needs to keep your tools organized. But having your tool rack look its best can really improve the whole look of your tool storage area. In this video tutorial, Mark Donovan of HomeAdditionPlus.com shows us how to install a level, good-looking tool rack.

How To: Buy jigsaws and jigsaw blades

A jigsaw is a powerful piece of equipment, and it can make your home repair projects go a lot faster. But what should you look for when buying a jigsaw? In this tutorial, Mark Donovan of HomeAdditionPlus.com explains what you should look for when you are going to purchase jigsaws and jigsaw blades.

How To: Use a Craftsman snowblower

If you live in a cold climate, a snowblower can really be a lifesaver during the winter months. But a snowblower is actually a pretty powerful piece of equipment, and using them incorrectly can be very dangerous. In this video tutorial, Tim Carter, of Ask the Builder, shows you how to safely use a Craftsman snowblower.

How To: Use a John Deere snowblower

If you have to deal with piles of snow outside every year, you've probably dreamed about owning a snowblower. But how do they work, and how do you know which one to buy? In this video tutorial, Ask the Builder host Tim Carter will show you how to use a John Deere snowblower, and he'll walk you through what features to look for when you're buying your own blower.

How To: Use a finishing sander

In this online video series, learn how to use a finishing sander and how to maintain it, from woodworking instructor Jon Olson. He will teach you the parts of a finishing sander, and general safety and electrical safety for using a finishing sander. Jon will demonstrate how to replace the sandpaper of your finishing sander, how to hold your finishing sander, how to use proper sanding technique with a finishing sander, how to sand edges of wood using a finishing sander, how to use the power sw...

How To: Make the pot that cannot spill

Ever worked on a painting project and had the paint spill everywhere? This quick and easy pot made from a plastic soda bottle and tape will not spill, even when it tips over. Learn how to make this pot that does not spill(for paint, glue, machine oil, etc.) by watching this video tutorial.

News: Copy a key with a Coke can

Attention cheapskates and locksmith apprentices, this key copying solution is stunningly simple. We've really mulled over this one. As you can read in the comments below, people struggle with executing this successfully. But it can and will work. You just have to modify your key to fit your needs.

How To: Keep clean with a homemade drill dust collector

Drilling is always a messy job. Some just drill and leave the dirt behind to clean up later. Some require someone to stand next to them with a vacuum cleaner, sucking up the dust as they drill. But to eradicate the extra manpower, and to clean up your mess as you drill, try something a little simpler... a mere piece of paper.

How To: Sharpen riding lawn mower blades

In this how to video series, learn how to sharpen the blades of a riding lawn mower from riding lawn mower mechanic Paul Popplewell. Paul will demonstrate how to remove the deck from a riding lawn mower, how to remove riding lawn mower blades, how to sharpen riding lawn mower blades, how to replace the blades on a riding lawn mower, how to check the belts on a riding lawn mower, and how to lubricate the deck of a riding lawn mower. Sharpen riding lawn mower blades - Part 1 of 7.