Oliver Safety Footwear traces its roots back to the mid-1800s, when James Oliver worked as a bootmaker. We tested their Oliver 45 Series work boots for several days and found them to be notably lightweight, with a shock-absorbing sole that delivers solid support for long shifts on your feet. The 45 Series is built from … Read more

Yankee Barn Homes is marking its 50th anniversary this month, and to celebrate we’re highlighting one of their standout designs: the Mad River Modern. This elegant prefab home showcases the company’s long history of timber-frame expertise, contemporary sensibility, and commitment to energy-efficient construction. Founded by Emil Hanslin in the late 1960s and operating from Grantham, … Read more

Milwaukee Tool continues to raise the bar with its TrueView LED lighting lineup. The latest offering, the Milwaukee 2130-20 TrueView LED light stand, blends portability, brightness, and battery-powered convenience into a compact package suited for contractors, hobbyists, and anyone needing dependable jobsite illumination. Key features of this light stand include a telescoping mast that extends … Read more

My sister Jackie and her friend Becky recently built an impressive cooler stand from reclaimed pallets and gifted it to our other sister. The result is a sturdy, attractive piece that combines practical function with handmade charm. I was struck by the craftsmanship and attention to detail. With a coat of paint in a favorite … Read more

Making a property feel brighter doesn’t require costly remodels or disruptive renovations. While large-scale additions or full rebuilds can solve the problem thoroughly, they aren’t easy or inexpensive. Far simpler approaches work with the existing structure to increase the amount of daylight entering through doors and windows and ensure the light that does enter is … Read more

After installing a quality set of off-road driving lights, you’ll quickly appreciate how much safer and more confident you feel on low-light roads. Enhanced visibility at dusk, dawn, and night makes a tangible difference, and interchangeable tinted lenses help cut glare and improve safety in dust, rain, or snowy conditions. When I was in high … Read more

The National Association of Home Builders recently published a report projecting several home design trends likely to be widespread by 2015. Environmentally friendly elements — such as low-emissivity (low-E) windows and engineered wood products — are expected to become more common. This aligns with the growing emphasis on energy efficiency and sustainable materials in residential … Read more

The John Deere logo and signature green and yellow are instantly recognizable symbols of American innovation and craftsmanship. Even if you don’t own a tractor, you can still show your appreciation for the brand: John Deere has partnered with established manufacturers to offer high-quality licensed gear, including work gloves produced with West Chester and safety … Read more

Craftsman has introduced a new lineup of outdoor power equipment that runs on an upgraded 40 Volt MAX lithium-ion battery. These tools are designed to deliver cordless convenience and professional-level performance for homeowners and property caretakers who want power without the hassle of gas. The initial set of 40 Volt tools and suggested retail prices … Read more

Have you explored our DIY City Guides? We’ve curated useful resources for makers, crafters, and DIY enthusiasts from coast to coast. Below are the cities we’ve covered so far: Seattle Portland Oakland / East Bay Los Angeles Tucson Chicago If your city isn’t listed and you’d like to contribute to a DIY City Guide, we’d … Read more