Tools How To & DIY

Improve the value of your home by discovering our tools step-by-step tips & ideas.

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How to Remove a Stripped Allen Screw

Allen screws are secure, discrete, and provide plenty of grip—until they don’t. Once they strip, removing them can feel impossible. It helps to know a few tricks. These six tips will show you how to remove a stripped Allen screw with ease.
Close-up on an electrician fixing an electrical outlet and measuring the voltage using a multimeter

All About Multimeters: How To Use, Monitor, and Calibrate

A multimeter is a useful tool that can measure voltage for basic electrical work. Read our guide to learn how to use a multimeter as part of your next do-it-yourself project.
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Tools Buying Guide: Types, Tips, and FAQs (2024 Guide)

Every home needs a dedicated set of tools to fix issues or help build new items. Here is everything you need to know when buying tools.
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Cordless Finish Nailers: The Ultimate Guide

Ask This Old House carpenter Nathan Gilbert has the lowdown on choosing and using the right cordless finish nailer to best suit your needs.
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Safety Tips for Home DIY Projects

Doing it yourself should also mean doing it safely. But for folks without a lot of construction experience, knowing how to keep safe while still making progress on a home renovation or repair can be one of the most challenging aspects of the job. Keep these simple precautions in mind while tackling your own projects to increase the odds of staying safe and finishing the project.
an axe that has been recently sharpened

How To Sharpen an Axe

Cutting quickly and efficiently with an axe requires a sharp edge. Learn several methods to sharpen your axe with this step-by-step guide.
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How To Drill Through Glass Safely and Effectively

This step-by-step guide will teach you how to safely drill a hole in glass without chipping, cracking, or shattering it to pieces.
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How To Remove a Stripped Bolt

Whether it's broken, stripped, or rusted, our comprehensive guide will tell you how to remove that stubborn bolt.
A set of rivets in a wall to be removed.

3 Methods to Use for Removing Rivets in Your Home

Master rivet removal with three effective methods. Learn techniques for drilling, chiseling, and using specialized tools to remove rivets.
Second-hand tools in good condition.

Buying Guide for Secondhand Tools

Buying secondhand tools can save you money if you know where to look. Learn expert tips on buying used tools that make it worth the hunt.
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How to Cut Multiples with a Miter Saw

Watch House One editor Jenn Largesse demonstrate three easy ways to make multiple cuts using a miter saw.
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How to Make a DIY Circle Jig for a Router

A router and a simple DIY circle jig can make cutting perfect circles a piece of cake. Watch this video to learn how.
House One's Jenn Largesse gives a pneumatic nailer tutorial
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How To Use a Pneumatic Nailer

Are you interested in adding a pneumatic nailer to your toolbox? Here's everything you need to know about these handy tools.
House One's Jenn Largesse gives a drill tutorial
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How to Properly Use a Drill

A drill driver is one of the most widely used tools in DIY, so learning to use it properly is essential. Watch this video for a quick introduction and tips for using a drill by This Old House DIY Expert & House One Editor Jenn Largesse.
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How To Cut a Perfect Circle With a Router

Learn how to make your own Ryobi router circle jig from House One maker Jenn Largesse with our step-by-step guide.
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How to Remove Rust from Tools

Follow this step-by-step guide to get all of your tools from wrenches to power saws rust-free and keep them that way for years to come.
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How To Use a Mobile CNC Router and the Benefits of Doing so

Ask This Old House carpenter Nathan Gilbert shows how to set up a mobile CNC router and explains the benefits.
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How To Use a Band Saw

Band saws are great for a variety of wood- and metal-working projects. Follow this guide on how to purchase, install, and use one safely.
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How To Use a Hole Saw

This Old House general contractor Tom Silva explains the basics of using a hole saw to make efficient circular cuts.
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How To Use a Table Saw Safely and Effectively for Your Projects

Master your table saw with these safety tips and cutting techniques for precise, professional, and safe results every time.
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Exploring the Features of A High-End Compound Miter Saw (Festool Kapex KS 120)

Miter saws are an essential tool for most builders and craftsmen. In this episode of Tool School, Norm Abram and Brian Sedgeley demonstrate several useful features of the Kapex KS 120, including the mobile base, extensions, and micro adjustments for the miter, bevel, and depth.
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An Intro to the Domino Joining System (Festool Domino DF 500)

Woodworkers have used loose-tenon joinery for hundreds of years to make strong, accurate miters and other connections. But instead of cutting mortises by hand, the Domino System uses a unique rotating and oscillating bit. In this episode of Tool School, Festool’s Brian Sedgely and Norm Abram use the Domino DF 500 to align and cut mortises of different widths for fast and precise assembly
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A Track Saw Designed for Framing (Festool HK 55)

Builders need to make quick, accurate cross-cuts for framing and many other carpentry projects. In some ways, the Festool HK 55 Carpentry Saw is like a circular saw with a built-in speed square. In this episode of Tool School, expert Brian Sedgeley and builder Jeff Sweenor use the saw to cut the rafters for an 8-pitch roof
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A Jigsaw That’s As Precise as It Is Versatile (Festool Carvex)

Like many builders and woodworkers, Jeff Sweenor often uses a large band saw to make curved cuts. But in this episode of Tool School, Brian Sedgeley from Festool shows Jeff how to achieve the same level of precision with a portable Carvex jigsaw
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Exploring the Features of a High-End Track Saw (Festool TS 55 REQ)

Track saws are more popular than ever on jobsites and in workshops. In this episode of Tool School, Festool trainer Brian Sedgeley and Tom Silva demonstrate how to use several features of the TS 55 track saw to get accurate, splinter-free cuts
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Getting Started With a Chisel

Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva explains various types of chisels and techniques to help you get the job done right.
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A Comprehensive Guide to Choosing and Using a Jigsaw

This Old House general contractor Tom Silva shows the best uses for a jigsaw and how to choose the right one for the job.
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How to Choose a Circular Saw

Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva and host Kevin O’Connor discuss how to choose and use a circular saw.
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How to Do Electrical Projects with Two Tools

Scott Caron, master electrician for Ask This Old House, explains how two tools are all it takes to do many electrical projects
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Ask Kevin: How To Select the Right Power Tool Batteries

This Old House host Kevin O'Connor explains the different kinds of batteries and shares a few tips for getting the most out of your cordless tools.
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How to Choose and Use a Circular Saw

This Old House general contractor Tom Silva explains the basic parts, uses, and cuts, of cicular saws
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How to Maintain Small Engine Gas-Powered Yard Tools

This Old House contractor Roger Cook explains the basics of small engines and how to take care of your gas-powered yard equipment
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How to Use a Chainsaw Safely

This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook and chainsaw expert Tim Ard show you safe and efficient chainsaw cutting techniques