Hot Tools & Equipment How-Tos
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.
HowTo: Remove a Stripped Screw With a Rubber Band
Apartment Therapy posts a simple household hack on removing a stripped screw without an extractor. For all our WonderHowTo Home & Garden DIYers, you never know when you might accidentally strip a screw clean. Here's how to remedy the problem.
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: Clean a 2 cycle engine carburetor from a Ryobi trimmer
If you own a Ryobi trimmer and wish to perform some regular maintenance work on it, you may want to check out this next video. In the tutorial, you find out how to clean a 2 cycle engine carburetor from the Ryobi trimmer using some simple pieces. It's not too difficult to do and can be really handy when you want to make sure your machine is working at optimal capability. So check out the video above, pay attention, be careful, and enjoy!
How To: Open a supra combination lock box
The supra combination lock box has been one of the most trusted door locks for the past forty years, and is commonly used by real estate agents for protecting their houses. Generally a supra combination lock operates with a four-digit password.
How To: Clean cut using a table saw, mitre saw or power saw
This short video tutorial Bob Schmidt will show you how to make clean cuts in wood. The blade rotation of any pretty much dictates the best way to run your material through. To get the cleanest cut possible remember these tips: Whenever you run wood through a Table saw, always make sure that your finished side is up. Do the exact opposite when you are using your Power saw. The finished side of your wood must be at the bottom. When you use a Mitre saw, make sure the finished side of the wood i...
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: 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 a disposable Bic cigarette lighter
Everyone knows how to refill a Zippo or butane lighter, but what about the Bic disposable lighters? Believe it or not, you can actually refill those, too! All you need is some lighter fluid and patience. Make sure that you do not accidentally crack the lighter while you refill it - you can prevent cracking by letting the fluid enter in short bursts and then letting the gas out. This will normalize the pressure inside the lighter and help prevent cracking and breaking (because no one wants lig...
How To: Get past a mortice lock with a drill
This lock can certainly be picked, but what if you don't know how, or you don't have anything on hand that can serve as a good lock pick? That's what this video is here for! It will show you how you can drill out the stump of a mortice lock, allowing you to get past the lock entirely. It is not a difficult procedure, and all you really need is a power drill with the appropriate bits, and maybe a template showing you where to drill.
How To: Repair your lawn mower's pull starter with silicone spray
You're trying to mow your lawn, but the engine on your pull-string push mower isn't turning over— why won't it power up? Well, if your lawn mower was stored outdoors for a large amount of time, chances are that the recoil has built up some corrosion or is simply sticking. This video will show you a very simple repair, where you only need to remove 2 or 3 screws to gain access to the mechanism, then grease with silicone spray.
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: Open a locked bedroom or bathroom door
Getting locked out of a bedroom or bathroom can be a real bummer. Fortunately, these locks are easy to "pick" and get yourself in. This how to shows you clearly what to do to get yourself back inside so you don't feel frustrated all day long. This excellent video takes you step by step through the process. This video talks about 2 different types of locks and the two different types of tools you'll need.
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: 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 floor sander to sand a deck
If you don't know what you're doing, sanding a deck can be many hours of back-breaking work. But in this video, Mark Donovan of HomeAdditionPlus.com demonstrates how to use a floor sander. By using a floor sander correctly, sanding a floor can be a much simpler process.
How To: Dial open a combination safe lock
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to dial open a combination safe lock. Begin by turning the lock 4 times to the left. Then turn the lock 3 times to the right. Now turn the lock 2 times to the left and finish by turning it one more time to the right. Users should hear and feel a click when they finish turning the lock. When locking the safe, turn the lock 4 or more times to the left. to ensure security. This video will benefit those viewers who have a safe lock and would like to learn...
How To: Pick a door lock using only a paper clip
In this video, we learn how to pick a door lock with a paper clip. First, make sure you have a door lock that has a pinhole on the outside. Now take your paperclip and open it up so it's straight and flat. Once you've done this, stick your paperclip into the pinhole and wait until you feel a small hole on the inside of the lock and twist the paperclip. Keep twisting the paperclip until the door becomes unlocked, you will hear and feel the lock opening. If the paperclip slips, just stick it ba...
How To: Pick the lock on a garage door
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to pick the lock of a garage door. It is not recommended for users to learn this technique to use to open other people's garage doors to break in someone's home or steal their possessions. The tools needed for this technique are a L-key and a diamond pick. Put the L-key at the bottom of the lock hold and fiddle around with the diamond pick on the top part of the hole. Do this until your able to rotate the lock. This video will benefit those viewers wh...
How To: Use hollow wall anchors
If you need to fix your plasterboard or drywall, you will probably need to use hollow wall anchors. In this tutorial, learn how to identify, buy and use hollow wall anchors with the Ultimate Handyman. Once you master this skill, you will be able to repair almost any wall easily. Hollow wall anchors are also very useful for hanging anything heavy on an otherwise weak wall. They attach to the back of the plasterboard with little legs so they are more secure than normal nails or screws.
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: Pick a padlock and understand how it works
When picking a padlock, the only part you need to worry about is the part where the key goes into the lock. The locking mechanism has pins attached to springs. The key pins are on the bottom and the driver pins are on the top. The key turns when the pins of different heights are separated, flush and aligned. Stick a tension wrench into the keyway and put pressure on it. Take a pick to push the rest of the pins up until they are flush with the shear line. Stick the tension wrench into the bott...
How To: Replace the line on a STIHL trimmer Head
In this video, we learn how to replace the line on a STIHL trimmer head. First, remove the spool from the head by stopping the engine and cutting attachment first. Then, grasp the body and insert your thumb into the tab on the head, then rotate around and press on the second tab. After this, press down on the spool and release it from the housing. Now, remove the star nut to remove the head completely. Now, you can replace it with a new one. After this, replace the parts that you took out and...
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: Use and take care of a portable band saw
Using a band saw can be really helpful when you have to cut certain metals nice and neatly. Unlike regular band saws, this tutorial covers how to use and take care of one that is portable. This is especially helpful for this hard to reach areas or projects where it's difficult to remove the metal. So check out this helpful tutorial to find out how to use, take care of, and understand a portable band saw. Enjoy!
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: Change the oil on a riding lawn mower
It is very important to change the oil on your lawn mower just as important as changing the oil in your car. The oil liberates, cools and cleans the engine. It is best to check your manufacturers information to know how often to change the oil. To change the oil you will need the following: a wrench, gloves, a drop cloth, a socket wrench, oil container, a brush, a new oil filter, an oil filter wrench and fresh oil.
How To: Remove an armature bearing using a vise
If you don't have a bearing puller available and need to remove an armature bearing, you're in luck! You can actually use a cheap vise available at any hardware store remove an armature bearing if you don't have the bearing puller or if there is not enough space between the bearing and the armature.
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: Use a pump sprayer for concrete coloring
Pump sprayers are used to apply stains & sealers to decorative concrete surfaces. Watch this video from the Concrete Network to get various tips & techniques on selecting the right sprayer for each type of job.
How To: Remove a trimmer clutch from most line/string trimmers
If you need to fix or replace the clutch on your trimmer, you will be able to follow along step by step at the best way to take the trimmer apart so you can get to the clutch. There is a tip provided for removing those tricky clutch drum screws as sometimes you cannot get some parts out as easily as they look.
How To: Keep a portable generator quiet by building an enclosure
Having a portable gas-operated or diesel-operated generator available for your home can be very helpful, but can also be very noisy. If you want to quiet a loud electric generator, take a look at this video to soften that sound on a budget. With a little wood and a few other materials, you can build a fan-cooled 'doghouse' to keep a generator quiet.
How To: Cut hardened steel with an angle grinder
Hardened steel is a very useful material, but working with it is tough because it is nearly impossible to cut with simple tools. What you really need is an angle grinder, and this video will show you how to use one of the powerful power tools to cut a hardened steel ring.
How To: Adjust the miter and bevel angle on a miter saw
In this DIY guide from the folks at eReplacementParts, we learn how to adjust the miter and bevel angle on a miter saw using an adjustable square. For step-by-step instructions, and to learn how to adjust the miter angle and a bevel angle on a miter saw yourself, take a look.
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: Purge, clean, and fill a butane lighter
In this tutorial, we learn how to maintain a butane lighter. There are a variety of butane lighters available, but basics for all of them are all the same. First, adjust the flame dial all the way down to negative. Then, purge the lighter using the back of a wooden match. You will hear a hissing noise as the butane and air escape. Do this until you can no longer hear the noise. You will now clean the lighter by holding a canister of air at a 45 degree angle 3 inches away, spray a few times an...
How To: Avoid stripping gears on a Rain Bird sprinkler head
Avoid stripping the gears in your Rain Bird 5000 Series Rotor Sprinkler Heads by never turning the turret against the turn. Sean Stefan from Sprinkler Daddy explains in this video tutorial that if you start turning from the left fixed edge to the right, never go back to the left until you've gone all the way to the right. If you don't follow these guidelines, you run the risk of stripping the gears in your Rain Bird 5000 Series sprinkler heads. Then what are you going to water your lawn with....
How To: Fix a power drill grinding noise and chuck problem
Is your power drill making a funky high pitched noise when you try to use it? Or why your chuck on your drill doesn't spin? You first reaction may be to throw it on the ground in anger, but this could actually be simple fix. Sometimes, the gear switch can get stuck in-between gears, and can be fixed by simply moving the gear switch back and forth on your drill. Try that and see if it fixes your battery operated power drill.
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