Skills

Master your craft and perfect your skills with these professional tips, techniques and industry insights.

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    How Much Does It Cost To Hire an Electrician vs. DIY?

    You need some electrical work done, but you can't decide whether to DIY or hire an electrician. Here are a...


    Easy Woodcarving Project: How To Carve a Wooden Duck

    If you're looking for a beginner wood carving project, a duck is a great place to start. Follow these steps...


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    How To Grade a Yard for Proper Drainage

    The land around every house should be graded to protect the foundation from water damage. Here's how to grade a...


    What Is Grout? What To Know

    Grout rarely gets the attention it deserves when its time to plan a tiling project, but it's more important than...


    Can I Trim Bare Trees in the Winter?

    Many people are surprised to learn winter is a good time to prune bare trees — weather permitting, of course.


    How To Drain a Pool

    If you live in a cold climate, you may need to partially drain your pool in the winter. Here's how...


    What Is German Smear?

    If you're ready to revamp your plain brick house or fireplace but don't want to spend a lot of money,...


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    A Guide To Pipe Fittings and How To Use Them

    If you're doing a plumbing installation or repair, you'll need to buy pipe and pipe fittings. Here's some help figuring...

    Should You Still Be Painting Your Bathroom White?

    White bathrooms are all the rage on Pinterest, but did you know they could actually distort your reflection? Here's why.


    How to Make a DIY Napkin Holder

    Make your own napkin holder out of leftover wood.


    Everything You Need to Know About Dovetail Joints

    Dovetail joints are beautiful, distinctive and strong. Here's a primer on how they work and how to incorporate them into...


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    The Eleven Percent: Meet Becca Haggard, Roofing Contractor

    A reader told us about a fantastic roofer who's "changing the entire landscape" in Kentucky. Learn how @AGirlOnTheRoof got into...



    9 Types of Clamps and What They’re Used For

    You need clamps to hold something temporarily or permanently in place. Here are some of the most useful kinds of...


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    Fix Stuck Wooden Drawer Slides with These Easy Hacks

    Avoid sticky wooden drawers with these simple fixes.


    Woodturning Basics: Tips for Beginners

    Here are 10 tips for beginners who want to get off on the right foot with woodturning.


    The 7 Best Safety Glasses of 2022

    Keep your eyes protected and your vision clear with these picks for best safety glasses on the market.

    The Basics of Woodturning

    Learning these basics will help you embrace the allure of woodturning — uncovering astonishing beauty in a chunk of wood.


    The Basics of Wood Carving: What You Need To Know

    A life-long wood carver shares tips for getting started in this rewarding hobby. A pocket knife and a piece of...


    7 Basic Wood Inlay Patterns To Know About

    Wood inlays don't need complexity to be beautiful. Here are some great inlay patterns perfect for beginners.


    How to Bend Wood with Steam

    A new woodworking skill, right around the bend!


    Everything You Need To Know About Woodcarving Tools

    For novice woodcarvers, investing in the right woodcarving tools makes those first projects more enjoyable. Here are seven tools to...


    How to Forge a Knife From an Old Railroad Spike

    Forge something new from something old.

    How to Build a Sliding Door Tambour Cabinet

    Here's how to make a simple, elegant cabinet with an easy sliding door.


    Here’s Why Mowing Leaves Is Better Than Raking Them

    Mulching leaves is better for your yard, your back and your budget


    Everything You Need To Know About Lathes

    Want to spin perfect cylinders or bowls? No tool beats the lathe!


    Best Hand Planers of 2022

    Hand planes are considered obsolete by some. I disagree. Every woodshop should have these...


    How to Hand Carve a Wooden Spoon

    Here’s the scoop — this is fun and easy!


    Beginner’s Guide To Wood Inlay

    Wood inlays are beautiful details that can give any project an extra level of elegance and sophistication.