Tools Videos
These This Old House videos showcase all of our tools projects, how-tos, and designs.
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Celebrating 20 Years of What Is It?
This Old House landscape contractor Jenn Nawada stumps the guys with a contraption they’ve never seen before—even after celebrating 20 years of "What Is It?"
Tool Lab | How to Select and Use a Track Saw
Ask This Old House carpenter Nathan Gilbert explains everything we need to know about track saws—including their parts, how they work, and how to use one.
All About Hammers
This Old House general contractor Tom Silva shows host Kevin O’Connor everything someone would need to know about the different types of hammers and how to choose one for the job.
Tool Lab | Miter Saw Blades
Ask This Old House carpenter Nathan Gilbert discuses the main features of miter saw blades.
Tool Lab | Understanding Saw Blades
Carpenter Nathan Gilbert explains how table saw blades work and the different blade types used.
How to Set Up a First-Time Workshop
In this DIY Smarts, general contractor Tom Silva helps a young woodworker set up her first workshop.
How to Use a Drill | Tool Lab
Carpenter Nathan Gilbert explains everything you need to know about drill drivers, from their history to their modern features.
Celebrating Craftsmanship: The Principles of Sanding Wood
Ask This Old House general contractor, Tom Silva, explains why he loves sanding and what goes into a good sanding job.
What to Know About Sliding Compound-Miter Saws
This Old House editor Chris Ermides delivers the lowdown on choosing and using these versatile power players.
How to Make Straight Cuts with a Circular Saw
Cutting a straight line through plywood with a circular saw seems easy enough, but it rarely comes out as straight as it feels while you’re making the cut. To get better results, here’s three easy ways to create a guide for your saw.
How to Make a DIY Circle Jig for a Router
It can be very difficult to create a perfectly circular cut with a jigsaw. Luckily, there’s another easy way to cut a circle using a router and a simple DIY circle jig. Watch this video to learn how.
How to Use a Battery-Powered Pneumatic Nailer
Pneumatic Nailers used to require a compressor and hose, and came with a hefty price tag. Now, cordless options make them much more DIY-friendly.
How to Choose a Finish Nailer | This Old House: Live
With four nail gauge sizes to choose from, one size does not fit all carpentry and woodworking applications. Need to know how to pick the right finish nailer? Watch as This Old House editor Chris Ermides showcases the differences between the types of finish nailers.
How to Cut a Perfect Jig Circle
Ask This Old House host Kevin O’Connor works with House One maker Jenn Largesse to demonstrate an interesting technique on a trim router.
How to Use a Mobile CNC Router
Ask This Old House carpenter Nathan Gilbert demonstrates a mobile CNC routing machine.
How to Use a Hole Saw
Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva explains the basics of using a hole saw.
How to Sharpen a Pocket Knife
Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva demonstrates how to sharpen a knife
How to Use a Table Saw
Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva gives a general overview of a table saw and the best techniques to use it safely and effectively
Testing New Stud Finders
Ask This Old House home technology expert Ross Trethewey tests out a new smart stud finder
How to Choose and Use Pruners
Ask This Old House landscape designer Jenn Nawada shares some tips about pruners.
Comparing Masonry Jointers
Ask This Old House mason Mark McCullough explains the uses for different types of masonry jointers
How and When to Use a Japanese Pull Saw
Ask This Old House carpenter Nathan Gilbert explains when and how to use a Japanese pull saw
Marine Craftsmanship
Festool trainer Brian Sedgeley and world-renowned sailor and photographer Onne van der Wal create a navigation panel for a vintage sailboat
How to Choose and Use Air Compressors
Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva explains how air compressors work
How to Choose and Use Drill Bits
Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva explains the uses for different drill bits
How to Build Sawhorses with Scrap Lumber
Ask This Old House carpenter Nathan Gilbert demonstrates how to build sawhorses using leftover materials from the job site
Tool Recommendations for New Homeowners
Ask This Old House host Kevin O’Connor, general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and landscape designer Jenn Nawada discuss DIY Smarts around tools that make good gifts for new homeowners.
How to Choose and Use Sandpaper
Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva teaches the basics of sanding
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.
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
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
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
The Rotex Sander: Multiple Sanders in One (Festool Rotex RO 150)
Not all random orbit sanders are created equal. In this episode of Tool School, Festool expert Brian Sedgeley shows Tom Silva how the two different sanding modes and dust extraction capability of the Rotex RO 150 can achieve great results