Tools
Choose the right tools for your next do-it-yourself (DIY) project with expert reviews, buying guides, and step-by-step instructions.
5 Tool Storage Ideas of 2024
Without a way to store your tools, they will clutter your garage’s floors, counters, and worktops. To learn more about how to keep your workspace organized, read our review on the best tool storage ideas below.
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.
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.
Tool Lab | Basic Electrical Tools
Master electrician Heath Eastman walks us through his favorite electrical hand tools that all DIYers should own.
Cordless Drills and Drivers Buying Guide
Tool Lab editor Chris Ermides explains how to choose and use cordless drills and drivers.
All About Hammers
Everything you need to know about the different types of hammers and how to choose one for your next home improvement project.
Best Laser Levels of 2025 (Tested and Ranked)
Laser levels shoot a beam of light across a wall to help you hang items. Check out our guide on the best laser levels that we tested.
5 Best Safety Glasses (2024 Guide)
Safety glasses guard your eyes from debris, foreign objects, and noxious fumes. Our guide looks at some of today's best safety glasses.
Understanding Battery Voltages | Tool Lab
In this Tool Lab video, master electrician Heath Eastman explains everything we’ve wanted to know about today’s power tool batteries.
What To Know About Miter Saw Blades and How to Choose Them
Learn all about miter saw blade types, components, and more in this guide to choose the best blade for your next DIY project.
All About Saw Blades | Tool Lab
Learn all about different saw blade types, components, and characteristics in this guide to choose the right blade for your next DIY project.
How To Set Up a First-Time Workshop
Looking to set up a small workshop? Watch as This Old House general contractor Tom Silva helps a young woodworker set up her first workshop.
10 Items to Keep in Your Tool Belt
This Old House editor Chris Ermides shares some finds he’s come to rely on in his tool belt.
How To Use a Drill | Tool Lab
Does your next DIY project require a drill and some pilot holes? Here's everything you need to know about how to use a drill.
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.
Best Shop Vacs
The best shop vacs are the CRAFTSMAN 20-Gallon Shop Vac, Armor All Shop Vac, DEWALT Portable Shop Vac, and the Vacmaster 5-Gallon.
The 4 Best Chainsaws (2024 Review)
In this review, the This Old House Team researched the five best chainsaws to help you find the product that’s right for you and your home.
9 Problem-Solving Home Improvement Products to Try
Check out these cool home upgrades and problem-solving product picks.
A Quick Guide to Cordless Compact Routers
This Old House editor and host of our Tool Lab video series, Chris Ermides, introduces the latest in routers and provides pointers on how to use them.
10 Smart Tools for Your Next DIY Project
A new crop of warm-weather problem-solvers for your home.
Expert Review of the DeWalt Cordless Cable Stapler
This Old House electrician Heath Eastman and Tool Lab editor Chris Ermides take a close look at the pros and cons of this unique tool.
How To Add a Clamp Rack to a Mobile Workbench
In the final part of this series, DIY expert Jenn Largesse shows how to add a clamp rack to a mobile workbench.
Adding a Tool Organizer to a Mobile Workbench
In part two of this mobile workbench series, House One Editor and DIY Expert Jenn Largesse shows how to add tool storage to the base.
An Easy Guide to Airless Paint Sprayers
This Old House editor Chris Ermides, host of our Tool Lab video series, looks at a new generation of painting tools.
Milwaukee Cordless Brad Nailer: A Powerful and Versatile Tool
Milwaukee's second-gen cordless brad nailer is better than its predecessor, making it one of the best cordless finish nailers on the market.
All About the Lie-Nielsen No. 102 Low-Angle Block Plane
The No. 102 low-angle block plane has a permanent place in Tom Silva’s tool belt. Here’s why.
Celebrating Craftsmanship: The Principles of Sanding Wood
Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva shares why he loves sanding and what goes into a good sanding job.
5 Hand Tools Worth Having in Your Workshop
Having the right hand tools readily accessible for a project can improve your efficiency and the end result. Here’s a look at five not-so-common hand tools to have on hand.
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.
Bosch Compact Cordless Router Review
The Bosch GKF12V-25N 12V router packs a lot of punch in a small, well-balanced footprint. See our Tool Lab review to learn more about its features, specs, and performance.
How To Load and Use a Grease Gun for Projects in Your Home
Read our guide to learn how to properly load and use a grease gun to keep your tools and machinery running smoothly for longer.
Metabo HPT: A Powerful, Versatile Compact Miter Saw
The Metabo HPT 7-¼" Dual Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw boasts impressive features and runtime, but it didn’t get all high marks in our testing. Read our in-depth review on the Metabo HPT Miter Saw to see how its features, specs, and pricing stack up.
