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Hot Tools & Equipment Posts

How To: Collect dust and stay clean when drilling

Drilling is always a messy job. Some just drill and leave the mess 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: 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: Cut metal with aviation snips

This is an instructional video featuring Doug Prime, founder of the Future Engineers Center at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Aviation snips cut small metal like aluminum, but not big pieces like nails. Nails and large pieces of metal should be cut with bolt cutters. Use eye protection during all cutting of metal. This video shows the cutting of pipe straps.

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: Use a power washer to clean your deck

Interested in renting a power washer to clean gunk from your deck or even have one on hand but want be sure you don't inadvertently damage your home? If so, this DIYer's guide is for you: with it, you'll learn how to use a power washer safely and effectively when cleaning a deck.

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: Use hand planes

Hand planes are the epitome of fine woodworking. Extreme woodworkers use them, and serious collectors collect them. Planes come in a wide variety of sizes, styles and designs for specific woodworking purposes. Planes are available made entirely of metal, or made of wood with metal blades and parts. In fact, you can buy the blades and make your own planes, as the old-timers often did. Planes can range in price from about $25 for new, economical models to planes that cost several hundred dollar...

How To: Open a bedroom or bathroom door when you're locked out

Ahhh! You're locked out of your bedroom, or your bathroom! Well, watch this video and you won't be locked out for long. Fortunately, interior privacy locks are very simple to pick. There are essentially two kinds: one that requires a blade, or knife and the other which requires a long sharp "pin" like object to insert into the handle. Check out this video and never be locked out again! You'll need something like a flat head screw driver for locks with a "slot" in them, and something long and ...

How To: Restore and Sharpen Rusted Scissors

Leaving scissors wet or forgetting them outside can cause them to rust. Rusty scissors, if you can even open them, will leave brown marks on everything you attempt to cut through. Attempt is the truth—rust dulls the blades of the scissors making it virtually impossible to cut through any type of material, ranging from paper to fabric. But don't toss the scissors in the trash just yet. You can restore rusted scissors to a usable condition provided they are not completely covered and have rust ...

How To: Refill an extended reach camping Bic lighter

This video shows you how to take an extended reach Bic lighter (the kind you would use to light a camping stove, charcoal or something similar) and add more lighter fluid to extend it's life. As long as the spark is still good, you can refill your lighter, and this tutorial shows you how to take apart your extended reach lighter and replace the drained lighter. You will need a flathead screwdriver, and maybe a bit of glue to seal everything back up.

How To: Fix a slack recoil starter on your chainsaw

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to fix a slack recoil starter on a chainsaw. Begin by removing the bolts off of the side casing. If you leave the cord hanging out, it will make the saw much more difficult to start and can be caught onto things. To put more tension on the spring, wind the cord around the nylon spool and retract the cord. Make sure not to put too much tension in the spring or else the spring will break. This video will benefit hose viewers who have and use a chainsaw,...

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: Tighten & keep tight those loose bolts

Bob Schmidt teaches the secrets to tighten & keep tight those loose bolts in simple steps. First buy a removable blue thread locker and keep it ready to use. Check for any loose door locks or bolts in your house and remove its screw. Squeeze some thread locker out and apply it to the screw and stay away from carpets while squeezing it out. Let it set on the screw for about 5 minutes and fit the screw back. It can also be used in nuts and bolts and bath accessories.

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: 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: 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: Easily fix a sticking Karcher pressure washer

Using a pressure washer to clean the outside of your home or driveway, is great and easy to use. But what happens when it becomes stuck and there's hardly any pressure? Well you're about to find out. In this next tutorial, you'll see how to fix a sticking Karcher pressure washer easily. It can take you a couple of hours to complete or a matter of minutes. Good luck and enjoy!

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: Pick a lock easily with 2 paper clips

ZurplusFaction shows viewers how to pick a lock easily using 2 paper clips. First, you need to take your first paper clip and fold one end out. Fold it out again and straighten this out. Next, take the folded out in and fold in again so it forms boomerang shape with the paper clip. Now, take your pliers and squeeze this folded part together tightly. With a bigger paperclip, and use wire cutters to cut of a straight piece of the paper clip with a curve at the top. Now, you are ready to pick yo...

How To: Set the combination of an OnGuard lock

This video is a short tutorial to assist in setting the combination for an OnGuard Lock. 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 OnGuard lock.

How To: Remove and replace a drill press chuck

Like any machine, a drill press chuck is prone to wear and tear and with repetitive usage some parts can become unaligned. If you are going to remove a drill press chuck, keep in mind that also with any machine you work with, you'll want to clean off any gunk that accumulates so you have a properly working machine.

How To: Make your lawn tractor faster in three easy steps

In this tutorial, we learn how to make your lawn tractor faster. First, add an exhaust to your lawn tractor with a one inch pipe out the back. Make sure it's secured so it doesn't fall down onto the ground while you're driving the tractor. Also, add on a 51" belt instead of a 52" belt to make the tractor run faster. The last thing you can do to make your tractor faster is to place a spring and wire around the throttle to start the machine faster. This could make your tractor go up to at least...

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.