Tools Videos

These This Old House videos showcase all of our tools projects, how-tos, and designs.

S22 E20: Mauro Henrique shows Tom Silva a 17-in-1 painter's tool
Play

Filed under:

Tool Talk: The Casts’ New Tool Favorites

Host Kevin O’Connor meets most of the crew back at the shop to talk about their new favorite tools that they’ve recently discovered.
S22 E2: Tom Silva teaches Kevin O'Connor about the various types of levels
Play

How To Choose the Right Level for the Job

General contractor Tom Silva shows host Kevin O’Connor everything he needs to know about choosing the right level for the task at hand.
S21 E25, Tom Silva demonstrates table saw safety features for Kevin O'Connor
Play

Simple Guide to Table Saw Safety

General contractor Tom Silva shows host Kevin O’Connor the features and techniques required to stay safe when using a table saw.
6DD67FA2_564E_4A16_92B5_ED4E362A8E4A_2400x1350
Play

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?"
ToolLab_02112022BOC_1782jpg
Play

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.
ASK_2028_hammers03
Play

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.
ToolLab_10152021BOC_0092_1920x1080
Play

Tool Lab | Miter Saw Blades

Ask This Old House carpenter Nathan Gilbert discuses the main features of miter saw blades.
ToolLab_09102021BOC_1254_2400x1350
Play

Tool Lab | Understanding Saw Blades

Carpenter Nathan Gilbert explains how table saw blades work and the different blade types used.
ASK_2010_FirstWorkshop_SF_Stills_Export01
Play

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.
ToolLab_09102021BOC_0581
Play

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.
sanding2_1917_SF
Play

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.
tool_lab_video_still

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_a_Guide_for_a_Circular_Saw_by_House_One___IMAGE
Play

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.
DIY_Router_Circle_Jig_by_House_One_Step_7
Play

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.
Screen_Shot_2020_05_29_at_11.19.56_AM
Play

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.
Screen_Shot_2020_05_28_at_1.51.55_PM
Play

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.
cut_circles
Play

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.
cnc_router
Play

How to Use a Mobile CNC Router

Ask This Old House carpenter Nathan Gilbert demonstrates a mobile CNC routing machine.
hole_saw
Play

How to Use a Hole Saw

Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva explains the basics of using a hole saw.
clean1725_knife
Play

How to Sharpen a Pocket Knife

Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva demonstrates how to sharpen a knife
clean1723_tablesaw
Play

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
clean1723_studfinder
Play

Testing New Stud Finders

Ask This Old House home technology expert Ross Trethewey tests out a new smart stud finder
XCoBEtPz_1721_pruners
Play

How to Choose and Use Pruners

Ask This Old House landscape designer Jenn Nawada shares some tips about pruners.
jointer_1920
Play

Comparing Masonry Jointers

Ask This Old House mason Mark McCullough explains the uses for different types of masonry jointers
japanesesaw_1920
Play

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_festool
Play

Marine Craftsmanship

Festool trainer Brian Sedgeley and world-renowned sailor and photographer Onne van der Wal create a navigation panel for a vintage sailboat
air_compressor
Play

How to Choose and Use Air Compressors

Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva explains how air compressors work
drill_bits
Play

How to Choose and Use Drill Bits

Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva explains the uses for different drill bits
sawhorse
Play

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
tools
Play

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.
sandpaper
Play

How to Choose and Use Sandpaper

Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva teaches the basics of sanding
kapex_1
Play

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.
df500_3
Play

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