Woodworking How To & DIY
Improve the value of your home by discovering our woodworking step-by-step tips & ideas.
How to Draw an Ellipse with String
This Old House General Contractor Tom Silva shows host Kevin O’Connor an easy method for drawing accurate, smooth ellipses.
Build It | How to Make a Lathe Turned Bowl
Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva teaches host Kevin O’Connor the basics of using a lathe and then they turn a bowl together.
How to Refinish a Door
A pro's secrets for rejuvenating weather-beaten wood.
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 Install Drawer Slides
In this video, we show you how to easily install soft close drawers step by step.
3 Ways to Make Multiple Cuts with a Miter Saw
Watch House One editor Jenn Largesse demonstrate three easy ways to make multiple cuts using a miter saw.
How to Use a Hand Plane
This Old House general contractor Tom Silva demonstrates the proper way to use hand planes.
How to Strip Paint From Wood
Our start to finish guide will help you decide how to remove paint from wood.
How to Choose and Use Wood Filler
Looking for the best wood hole filler? We offer a variety of options for plugging holes and filling cracks, with This Old House general contractor Tom Silva.
How to Make a Half-Lap Joint
Mill your own half-lap joint quickly and easily using nothing more than a portable circular saw and a chisel.
How to Make Decorative Roof Brackets
Decorative cedar brackets are often found under an overhang like a balcony or a roof. Some brackets may be structural, but in this case, these ornamental brackets are simply decorative and are part of the home’s original features. Watch as This Old House Host Kevin O’Connor meets with Builder Charlie Silva in his shop while he makes brackets himself.
Choosing & Using Random Orbit Sanders
How do you use an orbital sander? What’s the difference between an orbital sander vs palm sander? Learn about the tool that takes the hassle out of sanding wood.
How to Frame a Partition Wall
This Old House general contractor Tom Silva's technique for erecting an interior dividing wall.
How to Build a Mobile Bicycle Rack (For Kids)
Need a place to store your children’s bicycles, without having to put holes or hooks into the wall? Watch this video and read our guide to building an easy DIY kids bike rack.
How to Build a Custom Built-in Shelving Unit
DIY Expert & House One editor Jenn Largesse shows how to build custom shelving units around an existing fireplace mantel for a custom, built-in look.
How to Build a Shoe Dresser
Learn how to build a shoe dresser with This Old House DIY Expert & House One Editor, Jenn Largesse.
How to Build a Wooden Clothes Rack
If you’re short on closet space, this DIY hanging clothes rack is the perfect solution. You can build your own clothes rack with a few basic tools—plus can be moved anywhere, and takes up very little space.
How to Build Floating Shelves
There are a lot of ways to hang a shelf, but the appeal of floating shelves is that there’s no hardware visible above or below the shelf. Watch this video and follow these steps for building your own DIY floating shelf.
Wainscoting Panels and Design Ideas
Ideas and inspiration to help you select, plan, and install wainscoting.
How to Tighten a Loose Newel Post
In this edition of DIY Smarts, Ask This Old House carpenter Nathan Gilbert travels to a Sears kit house in Richmond, Virginia to tighten an old, loose stair railing.
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 Build a Basic Garden Bench
House One’s Jenn Largesse demonstrates how to build a DIY bench for your garden.
How to Build a Dog Bowl Stand
Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva teaches a young Generation NEXT woodworker how to build a dog bowls stand using primarily power tools.
How to Build a Wood Beam Ceiling
Use these directions to add character to your home by installing wood beams to your ceiling.
How to Use a Band Saw
Learn the basics of how to properly use a band saw.
How to Make an End-Grain Cutting Board
Turn a piece of scrap wood into a useful butcher block.
How to Install Wainscoting
Layer stock lumber and moldings to produce this classic architectural element
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
How to Choose and Use Drill Bits
Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva explains the uses for different drill bits
Norm Abram’s Best Tricks of the Trade VII
You asked, Norm answered! Now, learn from the best
How to Patch a Chipped Wood Floor
Using only hand tools and a drill, Tom Silva makes minor floor damage disappear with a simple and effective dutchman repair technique
Easy Way to Extract a Stripped Screw
Too much torque can strip a fastener clean in seconds, but this fix is just as quick