Hot Tools & Equipment Posts
How To: Use laser levels for concrete forming
Watch this video from the Concrete Network to learn the proper function and use of the laser level or builder's leveling tools for forming a concrete slab.
How To: Remove the blade from your riding lawnmower
This video will help you learn how to remove the blade from your riding lawn mower deck. The method for taking blades off of a double or triple blade deck is similar to the method shown in this movie.
How To: Use a micro-fiber mop to apply floor wax
Watch this video from the Concrete Network learn how to use a Micro-Fiber mop tool to apply floor wax to concrete.
How To: Check your water meter
Water leaks weaste too much of our water. The amount of water you use is measured by a water meter. Your water meter is a great way to check if your property is leaking valuable water. For more, or to get started checking for leaks with your own water meter, watch this water-conscious video how-to. Check your water meter.
How To: Unlock a door from the inside with a screwdriver
Have a door in your house that is locked from the inside and your cannot get in. Grab a screw driver and watch this video to find out how to unlock a door inside your home. Unlock a door from the inside with a screwdriver.
How To: Use a power drill to unlock a lock
Some locks are easier to drill through than to try and pick, especially if you need to get through them in a hurry! You will need one large power drill and an assortment of drill bits to be able to use this method. First, drill a 1/8 inch pilot hole just above the keyhole. Then follow through with a 1/4 inch or larger drill. After just a minute or so of drilling, you should be able to get through the lock!
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 metal rods with bolt cutters
This is an instructional video featuring Doug Prime, founder of the Future Engineers Center at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Aviation snips are good for cutting small metal, but nail and steel rods require bolt cutters. Use safety glasses and clear the room as pieces could fly. Stand up as bolt cutters require strength and pressure.
How To: Install screw hooks into the ceiling
Screwing hooks into a ceiling can be a real pain. In this how to video, home improvement expert Danny Lipford gives you a great tip on screwing hooks into the ceiling. All you need is an electric drill to easily install screw hooks into your ceiling.
How To: Easily replace the pad on an orbital sander
If you, for some reason, damaged the pad on your orbital sander, it's not the end of the world. The pad can easily be replace by just locating and removing the screws on the sander. Once that's done you can easily screw a new one in without much of a fuss.
How To: Use a reverse drill bit
Tim Carter demonstrates how easy it is to remove damaged screws with a reverse drill bit. Quick-and-easy solution for a drilling problem.
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: Reset the combination on a Giant Surelock
This video is a short tutorial to assist in setting the combination for a Giant Surelock. In the event that a combination is compromised, it is important to change a lock to prevent from unwanted break-ins or theft. Watch this instructional video and learn how to reset the combination on an Giant Surelock.
How To: Grease the head on your trimmer
This is a step by step tutorial of how to grease the head on your garden trimmer or weed wacker.
How To: Make a spark and fire with a 9 volt battery and steel wool
If you're out in the wilderness at night and it's starting to get chilly, you sure as hell better know how to make yourself a campfire. But let's just say you forgot your matches and don't feel like rubbing two sticks of wood together hoping to create a spark.
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: 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: Pick a combination lock using a soda can
In this tutorial, we learn how to pick a combination lock using a soda can. To begin, have your lock next to you and an empty soda can and scissors. When your lock won't open, cut the soda can in the middle so you have a small square. After this, cut off strips, then measure the size of your pinkie on the foil. Next, cut the foil out so it's the exact size of your pinkie and then stick this piece of foil into the lock. Move the foil around until it comes undone and you will have the lock unlo...
How To: Remove and replace a chuck on a cordless drill
Most cordless drills are built very similar, so when it comes to repairs and maintenance… if you know one, you know them all. Especially when it comes to the drill chucks. When a drill chuck goes bad, there's no need to pay expensive repair costs… you just need to purchase the chuck and replace it yourself. See how simple and efficient it is to remove the chuck from your cordless power drill.
How To: Remove a DeWALT miter saw armature bearing
Removing a miter saw armature bearing on a DeWalt miter saw armature can be a bit tricky if because even if you have a bearing puller, you probably won't have enough space to get it in the armature to be able to get it out. You will get a great tip on how you can use a vise to hold down the armature so you can use both hands to work on getting that bearing out.
How To: Replace brushes on a DeWalt DW988 18v cordless drill
Replacing the brushes on a DeWalt DW988 18v cordless drill takes about 5 minutes to do, which could in turn add a longer life to your drill and keep more money in your pocket. Rather than having to replace a whole drill due to wear and tear, you can replace the parts on them easily, especially if you have a hard time parting with your tools.
How To: Make your Zippo like new
Put the life back in your Zippo lighter. Learn how to repair and restore your Zippo lighter with this how to video.
How To: Decode a combination lock
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to decode a combination lock. Users will need a feeler gauge strip with a modified tip. Begin by sliding the feeler gauge strip in between the wheel and body of the lock. Then start rotating the wheel. When the wheel has resistance, notch the wheel in the right place. Then rotate the wheel counter clockwise three clicks. Do the same for the rest of the numbers on the lock. This video will benefit those viewers who have a combination lock, and would li...
How To: Remove and replace a Delta chuck on a drill press
A drill press is a wonderful power tool for any craftsman's garage, but just because it's wonderful doesn't mean it doesn't need a little maintenance or repair every now and then. The drill chuck goes through a lot, and eventually, it will need to be replaced, or at least cleaned. This video will show you how to remove a Delta chuck from your drill press with ease, and shows you where to go from there.
How To: Use a rototiller to level soil
Rototillers are the perfect tool for leveling and fixing your back yard. This Home & Garden how to-video demonstrates the proper operation and use of the rototiller for leveling yards. Installing sprinklers and mulching beds will be a much easier task once your learn how to operate a rototill.
How To: Level sand
Yes, it is possible to level sand. Watch this video to learn how to do it. Slide your level across the surface of the sand. Level sand.
How To: Use a multimeter as a battery tester
Thanks to How To Make Anything, you can learn how to make and do pretty much anything! In this video, learn how to use a multimeter as a battery tester for those days your battery tester is out to lunch!
How To: Use a tile file to shape a tile
This how-to video explains how to use a tile file to remove a sharp edge from a piece of tile. To being you just need to buy a tile file (or a couple if you plan to use it a lot). A tile file would be used if a piece of tile has a sharp edge that you cannot hide in a corner or cover with another piece. To use the tile file simple rub the tile file against the tile like you would a piece of sandpaper on wood. Rub the tile file back and forth until the sharp edge has been smoothed out and then ...
How To: Copy a key with a Coke can
This is a how-to video explaining how to copy a key with a can of cola. All you need is an aluminum soda or beer can. To make it come out better, add a additional side to the one piece. This technique works well when you don't have time to get a new key cut. Watch this video tutorial and learn how to duplicate a key with a Coke can.
How To: Replace the float valve in a toilet tank
If your system keeps filling up and won't shut off, you will probably need to switch out your toilet's float valve. Make sure to turn off the water before making any plumbing repairs! Watch this video home improvememnt tutorial and learn how to replace the float valve in a toilet tank.
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: Replace the broken power cord on your vacuum cleaner
The vacuum cleaner is the most elaborate piece of cleaning equipment many people have, and they should last a long time. Their power cords, however, are generally not very durable. If yours have gotten worn out or actually broken, it's not too challenging to replace it yourself. This video will show you exactly how to do it on a Hoover WindTunnel vacuum.
How To: Keep Your Tool Box Organized with Foam Floor Mats
In this episode of Mechanical Mashups, Dave will show you how to keep your tools organized by cutting tool shaped spaces out of foam floor mats. Never let a wrench or hammer slip out of place again with this genius way of organizing your garage.
How To: Construct a cutting torch
What, you need to cut some styrophor or some steel? Well, you're in luck. This will show you how to make a cutting torch to do just that.
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: Use a plate compactor for pouring concrete
Watch this video fromt the Concrete Network to learn proper function and use of the vibratory plate compactor tool for preparing the concrete subgrade before placing the concrete. This is done to provide a stable foundation for the new slab as well as provide drainage.
How To: Change the blade on a Festool Kapex Compound Miter Saw
Every miter saw needs a new blade every now and then, and the Festool Kapex Miter Saw is no difference. Actually, the only difference is how easy it is to replace a miter saw blade on the Kapex, one of the most advanced sliding compound miter saws available today.
How To: Adjust the spray distance of a sprinkler spray head
Sprinkler Daddy's Sean Stefan demonstrates how to make minor adjustments to spray distances on your sprinkler spray heads.
How To: Charge the battery on a lawn tractor
Just like a car, a lawn tractor contains a battery that is used to help make the vehicle start and move. without it, you would have a very expensive mower that is pretty difficult to move. So if your battery were to ever die, you may need to replace it, or easily charge it up.
How To: Bend acrylics (like Plexiglas) with a hot air gun
Have you ever wanted to bend a small piece of acrylic? Well now you can with the help of a traditional hot air gun and this informative video. Make sure to wear safety glasses and gloves before trying this project. Clamp the acrylic to a work table, and proceed to turn the gun on and heat up the piece of acrylic, using a steady back-and-forth sweeping motion. As it heats up, you can use your fingers to gently bend the acrylic upward. Leave it at 90 degrees to cool down for a couple minutes, a...