Hot Tools & Equipment Posts

How To: Sharpen a dovetail saw

Furniture maker Chris Gochnour demonstrates how to revive a dull dovetail saw or turn a mediocre saw into a high-performance tool. In this video the Salt Lake City-based woodworker demonstrates his five-step sharpening process. Sharpen a dovetail saw.

How To: Use a torque wrench for a bicycle

Today's bikes are tough, but they're held together by fasteners that mustn't be stressed. Many components come with recommended torque settings. Breach these settings and you may void your warranty. It now makes sense to use torque wrenches. Torque is a measurement of torsion, a twisting force. A "torque wrench" has a spring-loaded indicator that gives a numerical readout of the amount of torque being applied through it.

How To: Use an electric stapler

In this video series, our expert will show you how to safely operate an electric stapler, how to identify its parts, and how to care for your electric stapler. Forget about trying to use an ordinary office stapler. Electric staplers supply all of the power, and as you'll see in these videos, they're easy to use!

How To: Use a corner sander

In this woodworking video series, our home improvement expert Jon Olsen tells you how to use the corner cat finish sander to smooth out the shop project you've been working on. He begins with an overview of workplace safety, covering work area safety as well as electrical and personal safety. Then he tells you how to identify individual parts and then how to selection the correct sanding pad for the job at hand. Don't know how to properly attach the dust bag?

How To: Maintain a drill press

In this video series, our expert Chris Ramirez will show you how to use and maintain a drill press. Chris will teach you how to power up the drill press, clean the drill press, and maintain it. He will also teach yo how to adjust the table height and angle, adjust depth and speed, and mount the material.

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.

How To: Use the self-centering mortise jig

The shop-built router jig detailed in this video uses an innovative system to position a workpiece square and centered when cutting matching mortises for loose mortise-and-tenon joinery. This jig relies on two vertically aligned, rotating circles with protruding metal bolts to align a workpiece, and a moveable fence to set the width of a mortise. After watching this video, you should easily be able to use this tool. Use the self-centering mortise jig.

How To: Fold a bandsaw blade

The best way to store a bandsaw blade is to fold it. Here is a simple technique that gets the job done quickly and safely. Wearing gloves if the blade is wider than 1 in. is strongly recommended. Fold a bandsaw blade.