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iOS 18 Tips, Tricks, How-Tos, News

How To: Start a STIHL chainsaw

In this video, we learn how to start a STIHL chainsaw. First, remember never to start your saw by drop or throw starting it. The safest ways to start are to start it on the ground or standing up. To start it on the ground, find a firm and flat area free of any obstacles. Always make sure there are no people in the immediate area. Now, press your foot into the handle and grasp the handle with your left hand and the starter handle with your right. To stand while starting a chainsaw, do the same...

How To: Start a great fire in a wood stove

In this video, we learn how to start a great fire in a wood stove. First, you will need premium kindling, gloves, and a small axe. Next, you will chop the wood into small pieces using the axe, making small splits. After you have a large pile of kindling together, store the pieces that you won't use in a waterproof container. Now, carefully stack your wood into your wood stove. Place the first two pieces going across, then the other pieces going front to back. Continue this pattern, then apply...

How To: Refinish wood floors with a drum sander

Hardwood floors in older homes can be hidden treasures. You may not realize it, but under the dark finish, scuffs and scratches is probably a beautiful hardwood floor just waiting to shine through. Sanding off the old finish gives you a chance to get down to the bare wood and erase many of the scratches and dents. Then you can choose a stain that is more to your liking, or just put a clearcoat on the floor for a pleasant, warm appearance.

How To: Use a jig saw

In this video presenter Dominic shows you how to use a Jig Saw correctly. Dominic suggests that if you are going to make a tight turn then you should use a skinnier blade in order to avoid banging up the wood or breaking the jig saw blade. He adds that you should be patient and try not to go too fast. With the jig saw you first have to drill a hole in the wood and then put the jig saw through as the blade is flexible and cannot be pushed through by itself. He suggests trimming off the first p...

How To: Create an electric tool belt

Tim Carter demonstrates the basic tools (pliers, screwdrivers, strippers) you need for residential electrical repairs, as well as a handy little tool-belt pouch that stores all of the tools. Video shows not only how to create your own electricians tool belt but also how to use each individual tool.

How To: Use a fixed base power router

In this power tool video series, learn how a fixed base power router works. Our expert will demonstrate how to properly use this woodworking tool, including general shop and tool safety tips, what you need to know before making a cut, installing and removing the bit, setting cut depth, and determining the direction of feed for the router.

How To: Organize your tool belt by adding extra compartments

In a tool shed there are two gentlemen discussing how handy a well organized tool shed or tool box is. One man starts to say that he has come up with a easy and in expensive way to keep hand tools organized. Find a old simple nail apron and draw some lines down the pouch. This lines will later turn into places to put tools so it is a good idea to think ahead about what tools you will end up using and adjust the size accordingly. Next, snitch up those lines that you have drawn. Finish up by pu...

How To: Be safe when welding

In this welding safety video series, learn from expert welder and welding teacher Malcolm MacDonald as he gives welding safety instructions, tips, and techniques on topics including: safety equipment (gloves, helmets); protecting yourself from fumes, fires, welding smoke, electric shocks; what not to do; welding on closed vessels; welding in wet conditions; handling gas cylinders; proper ventilation; tool safety; and tripping hazards.

How To: Reduce your refrigerator energy usage

This video shows several tips that will help you cut down the electricity usage of your refrigerator. Think about what you want from the fridge before opening the door, instead of standing there with the door open while deciding what you want. Set the temperature of your fridge only as cold as necessary, and allow 24 hours for any temperature changes to take effect. Keep exterior condensation switches off unless you need them. Make sure the door gasket is clean and in good condition. Clean it...

How To: Make your own charcoal

In this video, we learn how to make your own charcoal. First, you want to make a stack of wood you have laying around, anything you have from scraps. Now, push the wood into a small empty pant can until you cannot fit anymore. Then, place the top onto the can so no oxygen gets into the can. After this, load the cans into a large barrel that has large air holes in it, then wait for the wood to turn into charcoal! This is a process that does take a long time and when finished, the can is going ...

How To: Use a jigsaw with Lowe's

In this tutorial, we learn how to use a jigsaw. First, measure and mark the size of the circle you need to cut. You can use a compass or trace around a round object. Now, place your wood off of a table and clamp it into a place. Now, drill a starter hold inside the circle and put on your protective glasses. Now, place the saw in the starter hole and saw half way up, or to where you feel comfortable. After this, reposition yourself, then continue on. Make sure you don't force the saw, just let...

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: Use a random orbit sander

In this series of instructional videos, expert Jon Olson demonstrates how to use a random orbit sander, including tips on how to create bevels, replace discs and brushes, empty the dust bag and general cleaning, care and basic maintenance of the tool. He also covers tool safety, including electrical safety, personal safety, such as wearing protective eye gear, tips for sanding paint and the importance of keeping your woodworking work space clean. Watch this free online tutorial and you'll att...

How To: Repair a damaged garden hose using a coupling sleeve

This video is a tutorial on how to repair a damaged garden hose using a coupling sleeve. Coupling sleeves are available at home improvement stores. First, you being by identifying the location of the lead in your hose. Hold it in a bucket of hot water for a few minutes to make the hose pliable. Second, use scissors to cut the hose right in half on the location of the hole. Put the sleeve clamps over both ends of the garden hose. The man says that the hardest part now is to insert the tube int...

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 belt sander

In this do-it-yourself video series, learn how to use a belt sander. This power tool allows you to complete large woodworking projects in minutes instead of hours, saving you the back-breaking effort of smoothing out large areas of rough wood by hand. Our expert will give you easy-to-follow shop safety tips, as well as how to care for and maintain your sander, how to operate the trigger system, and what types of wood to use.

How To: Use a post hole digger as a measuring stick

Here is a simple technical to measure hole you dug with a post hole digger. Take measuring tape. Place it with the post hole digger from bottom to the end of the post hole digger. Mark each foot division on the post hole digger with a marker. So now you can measure depth of the hole you dug with post hole digger without the need of a measuring tape. If you want to dig 2 feet deep down the earth and you could not find a measuring tape to measure, but markings on the digger will help you to mea...

How To: Cut tenons on a table saw using two different tools

A table saw is a powerful tool that can be found in any carpenter shop. It helps make cuts so much simpler than using other power tools. But despite it being so easy to use, it also can be very dangerous for those who have no idea how to use it. So when using a table saw, be careful and wear the correct type of clothing. In this tutorial, you'll be finding out how to use a table saw to make easy tenon cuts. Check it out and enjoy! Cut tenons on a table saw using two different tools.

How To: Use a high limb chainsaw

In this how-to video series, learn how to use a high limb chainsaw from building and landscaping expert Matthew Christian. Matthew will teach about using high limb chainsaws with tips such as high limb chainsaw safety tips, how to oil the chain on a chainsaw, and how to store a high limb chainsaw.

How To: Winterize your gas-powered tools & machines

Live in an area where you won't be needing your gas-powered tools for the winter? Such as your lawnmower, trimmer, and any other tools you need gas to operate. If you store them away for the winter and come back to use them during the spring time and realize your tools are acting funny, it may be because the gas you left in them has turned into a gel and has damaged the carburetor. You can do a number of things to protect your power tools from such a thing, you can dump all the gas out of the...

How To: properly mow your lawn and use different mowers

This video gives you several important do's and don'ts when it comes to mowing your lawn. It starts out by going through a couple different types of mowers, including a manual mower, which has blades on the bottom that are turned from the motion of pushing the mower. He then gives you a tip for how high to keep your grass. Make sure you only take off 1/3 of the length of the grass at a time or it will leave your grass very unhealthy. After you cut your grass, if you've only taken that third o...

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: 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: Choose the right adhesive for a repair job

Depending on the job at hand, you're going to want to choose the right drill glue. There are different adhesives that will work better with metal, wood, glass, ceramic tile, or anything else you might need to bond, and that have different techniques for using. Watch this video home improvement tutorial and learn how to pick the right glue for the repair job at hand.

How To: Use wallpaper tools

The wallpaper tools you use can make the difference between a first class job and a disaster. Tim Carter shows the basic wallpaper tools he uses to hang wallpaper--a tape measure, razor knife, several metal knife blades, levels, a smoothing brush or plastic smoothing tool and a large sponge. With the right wallpaper tools, you'll have no problem getting the results you want.

How To: Make storage for paint rollers from a Pringles can

Washing at your paint rollers at the end of every day can be a real pain. If you plan on painting again the next day, cleaning your rollers can seem pointless. In this how to video a professional painter shows Danny Lipford a great trick for storing your paint rollers over night so they don't dry out. All you need is a Pringles chip can to keep your paint rollers moist overnight.