Woodworking Videos

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

S22 E22: Tom Silva and Kevin O'Connor build a bat house
Play

Filed under:

Build It | Bat House

Host Kevin O’Connor meets with general contractor Tom Silva and landscape contractor Jenn Nawada to talk about bats and how beneficial they are. Then Tom and Kevin build a bat house.
S22 E13: Tom Silva at his lathe
Play

Tom Silva: A Lathe Guy

General contractor Tom Silva tells us about one of his favorite pastimes: woodturning on a lathe.
S22 E1: Tom Silva and Kevin O'Connor build a double-hexagon raised garden bed
Play

How to Build a Hexagon Herb Planter

General contractor Tom Silva shows host Kevin O’Connor how to build a double-hexagon raised garden bed for herbs.
Easy DIY, Mobile Kitchen Island, Jenn Largesse, TOH, Fall 2023, Furniture, Indoors, Kitchen, Kitchen Island, Table
Play

How to Build a Mobile Kitchen Island

This Old House DIY expert and House One editor Jenn Largesse shows how to build a rolling kitchen cart with a butcher-block top.
S21 E26, Nathan Gilbert works with a portable sawmill
Play

How to Clear a Fallen Tree with a Portable Sawmill

Carpenter Nathan Gilbert’s Christmas tree farm suffered some damage from a fallen red oak. Rather than get rid of it, he’s going to turn it into usable slabs of wood for his projects.
S21 E26, Tom Silva and Nathan Gilbert build a wooden bar top
Play

Build It | Bar Top

General contractor Tom Silva and carpenter Nathan Gilbert work together to build a bar top out of a slab of live-edge red oak from Nathan’s Christmas tree farm.
S21 E22, Tom Silva and Kevin O'Connor build 2 cornhole boards
Play

Build It | Cornhole

General contractor Tom Silva shows host Kevin O’Connor how to build a DIY cornhole board to meet regulation standards.
Kevin O'Connor and Tom Silva holding a finished bath tray
Play

Build It | Bathtub Tray

This Old House general contractor Tom Silva and host Kevin O’Connor build a bathtub tray complete with a cup holder for maximum relaxation.
Kevin and Tommy Stand in front of a little free library
Play

How to Build a Little Free Library

Host Kevin O’Connor and general contractor Tom Silva visit a local school. The pair enlist the help of Tom’s daughter, Kate, to build a Little Free Library.
web_04_WS_Build_It_Demilune_Table_ASKTOH_BuildIt_3LeggedTable_02092022AT_0133
Play

Build It | Demilune Table

General contractor Tom Silva and host Kevin O’Connor walk us through the process of building a demilune table.
2035_crown02
Play

How to Install Crown Molding Around Corners

General contractor Tom Silva shows host Kevin O’Connor a tip for installing crown molding around awkward wall angles.
ASK_Studio_02022022MR_0675_2400x1350
Play

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.
9781C184_1D89_4681_AE36_ED8B96D32F41_2400x1365
Play

Build Your Own Baseball Bat Display Case

General contractor Tom Silva shows us how to turn a basic home-built box into a baseball bat display case worthy of any commemorative or championship bat.
ASKTOH_BuildIt_MilkStool_01042022AT_1643
Play

How to Build a Milk Stool

General contractor Tom Silva shows how to take reclaimed lumber and turn it into a charming milk stool for children or decor.
Web_0222_WS_Build_It_Beehive_ASKTOH_BuildIt_Beehive_12102021AT_1293
Play

Build It | How to Build a Beehive

In this Build It video, This Old House general contractor Tom Silva and host Kevin O’Connor craft a bee-friendly backyard feature from basic building materials.
AskTOH_BuildIt_BoxJointJigAndTray_11092021_1275
Play

Build It | How to Build a Box Joint Jig

General contractor Tom Silva and Kevin O’Connor build a basic serving tray as a means for illustrating the box joint—a commonly used method for joining corners for drawers, boxes, trays, and the like.
HouseOne_WallPlanter_SF
Play

Build a DIY Wood Plank Wall Planter

For this House One project, editor and DIY expert Jenn Largesse demonstrates how to make a wall-hung planter using vinyl plank flooring and a piece of plywood. Watch the video and read the tutorial for the complete project details.
woodjoints_2014_SF
Play

Everything to Know About Wood Joints

General contractor Tom Silva teaches host Kevin O’Connor about the different wood joints, including their strengths and weaknesses.
wood_rot_2013_SF
Play

How to Identify and Repair Rotting Wood

General contractor Tom Silva takes host Kevin O’Connor through the causes of wood rot, how to avoid it, and what to do when it occurs.
ASK_09302021SC_94B4E0BD0CF5_2011
Play

Build It | Christmas Ornaments

Host Kevin O’Connor meets general contractor Tom Silva in the workshop playing with his new favorite toy—the lathe. Tom demonstrates how he uses it to turn custom wooden holiday ornaments perfect for the tree or give as a festive gift.
ASK_2010_Workbench_SF_Poster_Frame01
Play

How to Build a Workbench

General contractor Tom Silva teams up with an aspiring woodworker to build a workbench specifically designed for kids.
ASK_2010_BuildItBirdhouse_SF_Poster_Frame01
Play

Build It | Birdhouse

General contractor Tom Silva helps a pair of woodworking siblings build a DIY birdhouse in their new workshop.
0421_WS_Easy_DIY_Firewood_Bench_7C6A4546_B
Play

How to Build a Firewood Storage Bench

House One editor and DIY expert Jenn Largesse shares how to build a sturdy cedar seat that keeps firewood close.
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.
ice_rink_2004_SF
Play

How to Build a Backyard Ice Rink

In this video, Ask This Old House landscape contractor Jenn Nawada and carpenter Nathan Gilbert help a homeowner build a backyard ice rink for her kids that they can use year after year.
0421_WS_Built_Id_3D_Cutting_Board_Buildit_06292021AT__1176
Play

Build It | 3D Cube Cutting Board

Using hardwoods of strikingly different colors, This Old House contractor Tom Silva and host Kevin O’ Connor team up to create a cutting board with an eye-catching 3D effect. See how to make one yourself with the instructions below.
flag_case_1926_SF
Play

How to Build a Flag Display Case

Ask This Old House carpenter, Nathan Gilbert, shows the office he renovated during the quarantine and works on the finishing touch—a display case to store the U.S. flag that was presented to him at his grandfather’s funeral.
rolling_pin_1923_SF
Play

Build It | French Rolling Pin

Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva and host Kevin O’Connor, turn a French-style rolling pin with an ornate detail in the center using a lathe.
Build_It_Cooler_BuildIt_12182020AT__1592_tout
Play

Build It | Cooler Bench

Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva and host Kevin O’Connor build an outdoor bench that doubles as a cooler using cedar and copper.
Laptop_Tray_by_House_One___Finish_Photo__1_
Play

How to Make a Folding Laptop Table

Need a comfy place to work from your couch? DIY Expert & House One editor Jenn Largesse shows you how to build a custom laptop table that easily stores away when not in use.
0121_WS_Build_It_BuildIt_10222020AT_1364_tout
Play

Build It | Modern Platform Bench

This Old House general contractor Tom Silva and Kevin O’Connor use strips of hardwood decking to create a slatted bench inspired by an iconic mid-century furniture design. Get the full plans and instructions to build your own George Nelson-inspired modern slatted bench.
BuildIt_09242020DL_0693_tout
Play

Build It | Adirondack Chair

Tom Silva and Kevin O’Connor build a classic Adirondack chair. Tom demonstrates how to build an Adirondack chair by using a template and a project plan.
mantel_1909_SF
Play

How to Turn a Reclaimed Beam into a Fireplace Mantel

Ask This Old House carpenter, Nathan Gilbert helps a homeowner turn a reclaimed mantel into a fireplace mantel.