What is a portable band saw used for?
A portable band saw cuts metal pipe, conduit, strut, rod and angle cleanly, with few sparks. See what it cuts, how big it cuts, and which blade to fit.
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Types of nail guns and what each one is for
Eight nail gun types, the nails each one shoots and the jobs they fit, from framing and roofing to brad and pin. Plus air vs cordless and trigger safety.
Table saw vs miter saw vs chop saw: which one do you need?
A table saw rips boards and sheets. A miter saw crosscuts and cuts angles. A true chop saw cuts metal. Compare specs, safety and which to buy first.
Leaf blower flat vs round nozzle: which one should you use?
A flat nozzle blows faster air for wet, stuck leaves. A round nozzle moves more air for loose, dry leaves. See the numbers and when to swap nozzles.
Klein MM700 multimeter: specs, CAT ratings and who it suits
Klein MM700 specs from the manual: CAT IV 600V, True RMS, LoZ, 1000V, 10A. How it compares with the MM400, MM600 and Fluke 115/117, and safe use.
Is Ryobi a good brand? The facts, and who it suits
Is Ryobi good? See who makes Ryobi tools, where they're made, the warranty, the ONE+ battery promise, and when a pro brand is the better buy.
How to read and use a feeler gauge (and check its accuracy)
Each feeler gauge leaf is stamped with its thickness. Read the number, find the leaf that slides through with a light drag, and check the set's accuracy.
How to make a leaf blower more powerful (and what's a myth)
Most weak blowers have lost power, not lacked it. Clear the intake, swap the filter, mix fresh fuel and clean the spark screen. Skip the engine mods.
How to install quarter round without a nail gun
No nail gun? Hand-nail quarter round with finish nails and a nail set, or glue it with construction adhesive. Fasten it to the baseboard, not the floor.
How to cut plexiglass with a circular saw
Yes, a circular saw cuts plexiglass. Use a fine carbide triple-chip blade, clamp the sheet under a straightedge, leave the film on and feed steadily.
How to cut aluminum: sheet, tube, angle and bar
Cut aluminum with a non-ferrous carbide blade, a metal jigsaw blade, a fine hacksaw or snips. Pick the tool by shape, then clamp, wax and deburr.
How to cut a circle with a jigsaw (or a router)
Cut a round circle with a jigsaw: mark it, drill a start hole, use a circle guide and a narrow blade. Plus how to cut plexiglass circles without cracks.
How to cut 1/4-inch steel plate at home
Cut 1/4-inch steel plate with an angle grinder, a metal-cutting circular saw, a plasma cutter, a torch or a hacksaw. Which tool to pick and how to use it.
How much does a chainsaw weigh? Spec weights for 15 saws
Most chainsaws weigh 6 to 14 lb as listed, and 2 to 7 lb more with bar, chain, fuel or battery. Spec weights for 15 STIHL, Husqvarna, ECHO and EGO saws.
Does Gorilla Glue work on silicone?
Gorilla Glue won't make a lasting bond on cured silicone. Learn why, which glues do work on silicone, and how to fix a silicone part that came apart.
Corded vs cordless miter saw: which one should you buy?
Corded miter saws never run out of power. Cordless ones go anywhere. Compare runtime, weight, cost and cut capacity, and see which fits home use.
Coil vs stick framing nailer: which one should you buy?
Coil framing nailers can hold 200+ nails per load. Stick nailers hold fewer but come in more nail angles. Compare specs, nail types and safety.
Can you use mulching blades with side discharge?
Mulching blades will side-discharge, just less well than high-lift blades. See when it works, when to close the chute, and which blade to pick instead.
Can you use 2-stroke oil as chainsaw bar oil? What to use instead
2-stroke oil is made to mix with gas and burn, not to cling to a chain. What STIHL, Husqvarna and Echo say to use as bar oil, plus Ryobi and EGO tips.
Can a miter saw cut metal or aluminum?
Most wood miter saws can cut aluminum with a non-ferrous blade, but not steel. See which saws can cut mild steel and why an abrasive wheel is a no.
Brushed vs brushless tools: what you actually get for the money
Brushless tools have no carbon brushes, so they waste less battery and run cooler. Makers claim up to 50% more runtime. When it's worth paying more.
Best drill bit for porcelain tile: which type for which hole
The best drill bit for porcelain tile is a diamond bit, cooled with water or wax. See which bit fits which hole, and when a carbide tile bit is enough.
Best drill bit for hardened steel: cobalt or carbide?
Cobalt bits drill heat-treated steel like Grade 8 bolts. Fully hardened tool steel needs carbide in a drill press. How to tell which you have and drill it.
Where to sell used power tools (and get a fair price)
Compare the best places to sell used power tools: local apps, eBay, pawn shops and more. See fees, speed and how to price, prep and ship batteries safely.
What size mower for 2 acres?
For 2 acres, get a riding mower or zero-turn with a 42 to 54 inch deck. See the deck width chart, estimated mowing times and when to go wider or narrower.
What will a 10,000-watt generator run?
A 10,000 W generator runs a fridge, sump pump, well pump, furnace fan and more at once. See the wattage chart, worked examples and the central AC limit.
What size inverter do you need to run a circular saw?
A 7-1/4-inch corded circular saw needs about 1,800 to 2,200 W continuous and 4,000 W surge. See the chart, the math and the 12 V battery draw.
What is drill rod? Grades, sizes and what it's used for
Drill rod is precision-ground tool steel bar, sold soft so you can machine it, then harden it. Grades, tolerances, uses and how it differs from tool steel.
What is the awl on a multi-tool for?
The awl on a multi-tool is a pointed spike for punching and widening holes. Many have an eye or thread loop for sewing. What it does and how to use it.
What is a trim saw and when would you use one?
A trim saw is a small 4-1/2 to 5-3/8 inch circular saw for light cuts in trim, plywood and sheet goods. See what it cuts, its limits and when to use one.
What is a panel saw?
A panel saw cuts big sheets of plywood, MDF or acrylic into parts. Learn how vertical and sliding-table panel saws work, plus the handsaw of the same name.
What is a nailer board? (Framing term explained)
A nailer board is a strip of lumber added only to give you something to nail into. Where nailers go for drywall, cabinets, crown, roof edges and turf.
What is a magnetic drill (and when a DIYer needs one)
A magnetic drill is a portable drill press with a magnet base that clamps to steel. How it works, annular cutters, the 3/8-inch rule and when to rent one.
What is a drill bushing?
A drill bushing is a hard steel sleeve in a jig that guides the bit to the exact spot and angle. The main types, how they work, and where DIYers meet them.
What is a buzz saw?
A buzz saw is a circular saw: a power saw with a round, toothed blade. Learn what people mean by it, what it's used for, and how it compares to other saws.
What is .625 on a tape measure?
.625 inches is 5/8 inch, or 15.875 mm. See exactly where 5/8 sits on a tape measure, how to count to it, and a chart of every 1/16 decimal.
What is a basin wrench, and how do you use one?
A basin wrench is a long-handled plumbing wrench with a pivoting, self-gripping jaw for faucet nuts behind a sink. How it works, how to use it, and fixes.
What happens if you drill into a gas pipe? What to do right now
Drilled into a gas pipe? Leave now. Don't touch switches, phones or the drill. Call 911 and the gas utility from outside. Signs and next steps.
What blade to cut up a hot tub (and how to do it safely)
Cut up an old hot tub with a reciprocating saw: long demolition blades for the frame and foam, abrasive blades for the fiberglass shell. Safety first.
Types of screwdrivers (PH, PZ, Torx, Robertson) and which bit fits
Slotted, Phillips, Pozidriv, square, Torx and hex: how to tell each screwdriver type apart, which size fits which screw, and the mix-ups that strip heads.
Screw won't go into the wall? Find the cause and fix it
A screw that stops, spins or won't bite is hitting something. Learn how to tell a stud, metal plate, masonry or a stripped hole apart, and fix each one.
Ryobi battery won't charge? Read the charger lights first
A Ryobi 18V battery that won't charge is usually too hot, too cold, drained or worn out. Read the charger lights, try the safe fixes, skip the myths.
Rotex vs random orbital sander: which one do you need?
A Rotex adds a gear-driven mode for fast stock removal and polishing. A random orbital sander is lighter for fine work. Specs, safety and who needs each.
Rear discharge mower: pros, cons and how it compares to side discharge
A rear discharge mower drops clippings behind the deck, not out the side. See where it beats side discharge, where it falls short, and the safety rules.
Power tool wattage chart: running and starting watts
Running, extra starting and total starting watts for circular saws, miter saws, table saws, drills, grinders and compressors, with a source for every row.
Hydraulic limb saws: what they are, who needs one, build vs buy
A hydraulic limb saw is a pole chainsaw or pruner run by oil from a tractor or bucket truck. See the types, the flow and pressure specs, and build vs buy.
How to use an analog multimeter (and read the needle right)
Zero the needle, pick the range, read the right scale and multiply. How to use an analog multimeter for volts, ohms and amps, and when not to.
How to use a torque wrench (and how it works)
Set the handle, pull slowly at a right angle, stop at the click. How click, beam and digital torque wrenches work, plus storage and calibration rules.
How to test for voltage with a multimeter, safely
Check for voltage the safe way: a CAT-rated meter, a non-contact tester first and the NFPA 70E live-dead-live check. Outlets, cords and dead circuits.
How to use a paint sprayer without drips, spits or tails
Strain the paint, pick the right tip or thin it, hold the gun square and overlap each pass by half. Airless and HVLP steps, plus the safety rules.
How to sharpen a titanium-coated knife (without wrecking the coating)
A titanium-coated knife is steel under a very thin coat, so you sharpen it like steel. Use a stone or hand sharpener at 15 to 20 degrees; spare the flats.
How to sharpen a diamond blade (dress it, don't grind it)
A diamond blade that stops cutting is usually glazed, not worn out. Dress it with a few cuts in a soft abrasive. Steps for tile saws, grinders and more.
How to remove tile from a concrete floor (and the thin-set under it)
Chisel tile off a slab with a rotary hammer, then grind the thin-set flat for the new floor. Plus the asbestos check and silica dust rules to follow first.
How to remove the nozzle from a Sun Joe pressure washer
Pull back the brass collar, and the tip pops out. Here is how to change a Sun Joe nozzle safely, free a stuck one, and pick the right tip for the job.
How to remove a spanner nut without the spanner wrench
Lost the pin wrench? Loosen a grinder flange nut, faucet nut or slotted ring nut with pliers, a strap wrench or a basin wrench. No hammer and screwdriver.
How to remove a snap ring without pliers
No snap ring pliers? Use needle-nose pliers, two small screwdrivers or a pick, matched to the ring type. Here's which method fits which ring, done safely.
How to remove a broken drill bit from metal, wood or concrete
Snapped a drill bit in the hole? Grip it if it sticks out. If it broke flush, grind it out, drill around it or move over. Fixes for metal, wood, concrete.
How to read AC gauges (and the EPA rule you need to know)
Blue reads the low side, red the high side, and the colored rings convert pressure to refrigerant temperature. How to read them, and the EPA 608/609 rules.
How to organize a toolbox so you can find every tool
Empty it, sort by job, give every tool one home, and keep heavy tools low. A simple toolbox system for hand boxes, rolling chests and stack-up kits.
How to make a hole in resin without a drill
Mold the hole in with a resin hole maker, twist it with a pin vise, or poke it while the resin is rubbery. Which way fits your piece, and how to stay safe.
How to install DeWalt trimmer line (QuickLoad head, step by step)
Pull the battery, cut 0.080-in line, thread it through the eyelets and twist the cap. How to restring a DeWalt QuickLoad head, from DeWalt's own manual.
How to drill a 4-inch hole in a concrete foundation wall
A 4-inch hole through a foundation needs a wet diamond core bit on a core drill. For block or brick, a carbide core bit works. Steps, checks and safety.
How to cut tile without a wet saw (4 methods, ranked)
Cut tile without a wet saw: score and snap for straight cuts, nippers for curves, an angle grinder for thick porcelain, an oscillating tool for notches.
How to cut laminate flooring without a saw
No saw? Cut laminate planks with a laminate cutter, a utility knife or an oscillating tool. Which method fits each cut, plus gaps, door jambs and pipes.
How to drain and clean an air compressor tank safely
Cleaning a compressor tank means draining the water out, not washing it. How to drain it, rust warning signs, safety valve checks and when to replace it.
How to build a hot saw: parts, rules and safety
A hot saw is a racing chainsaw built around a big one-cylinder engine. See the parts, the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS rules, the real risks and safer ways to start.
How often should a generator be serviced? Schedules by type
Check the oil before each use, change it after break-in, then every 100 hours or yearly. Real Honda, Champion and Generac schedules, portable and standby.
How many cells are in a 12-volt battery?
A 12-volt car or mower battery has 6 cells of about 2.1 volts each. Lithium 12V batteries use 4 or 3 cells. How to tell, and how to spot a dead cell.
Cen-Tech digital multimeter guide: settings, specs and safe limits
How to use Harbor Freight's Cen-Tech multimeters, from its own manuals: dial settings, fuses, CAT ratings and when a budget meter stays off mains power.
Can you use a chainsaw in the rain?
STIHL and Husqvarna say to put off chainsaw work in heavy rain, and battery saws shouldn't get rained on. When light rain is OK, and how to cut safely.
Can you cut drywall with a circular saw? You can, but you shouldn't
A circular saw cuts drywall but fills the room with gypsum dust. See when it makes sense, how to do it safely, and the faster score-and-snap method.