Workshop Tools & Materials

Discover a guide to the tools & materials involved with your workshop.

Nathan Gilbert setting up a Dewalt shop vac

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Tool Lab | Shop Vacuums

This Old House master carpenter Nathan Gilbert shares his favorite tips for choosing and using shop vacuums.
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5 Best Welding Tables (2024 Guide)

Welding without a proper table can be unsafe and difficult. In this review, the This Old House Reviews Team researched the best welding tables on Amazon.
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The 5 Best Wet Vacs (2024 Review)

Wet shop vacuums are an effective machine for cleaning spilled liquids or washing hardwood floors. In this review, the This Old House Reviews Team researched the five best wet vacs on Amazon to help you find the product that’s right for you. The products included in this article are available at various retail stores, local home centers, and online retailers like Amazon.
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Best Work Boots (2023 Guide)

If you’re looking for a new pair of work boots to provide you with comfort and support while you knock out your next DIY project, we’re here to help. In this review, we evaluate the best work boots for a range of budgets and purposes.
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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.
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Best Work Gloves of 2024 (Tested and Ranked)

We tested and reviewed five of today's best work gloves to help you protect your hands from scratches, blisters, punctures, and more.
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Should You Buy or DIY Sawhorses?

Before you make up your mind, have a look at this guide that will help you decide which route is best for your needs.
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Safety Gear Recommendations for DIYers

Most safety gear won’t cost you an arm and a leg, however, a hazardous work environment might. Keeping your body protected must always be your first priority, so it’s imperative that you invest in equipment that ensures that you’re kept safe from potential harm.
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10 Uses for Magnets

Improve home heating, give your water heater a longer life and eight other uses for magnets
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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
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How to Safely Dispose of Oily Rags

Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva discusses the proper disposal techniques for oily rags to prevent spontaneous combustion.
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How to Select and Use Hearing Protection

Ask This Old House host Kevin O’Connor discusses the importance of hearing protection when working around power tools
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How to Quickly Divide Any Length in Half—Without Math

This Old House general contractor Tom Silva shows how to quickly divide any length in half—without using math.
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How to Label a Metal Toolbox with Chalkboard Paint

This DIY toolbox label project is for Father’s Day—or any other day you want to help the handy person in your life get organized.