Steve Maxwell
Steve Maxwell lives on Manitoulin Island, Ontario and has worked remotely as technical editor of Canadian Home Workshop since 1990. He uses his experience as a cabinetmaker, carpenter and stonemason to prepare projects for the magazine, to write stories of his own, and to test and review products and tools in his workshop. Steve has a readership of about 2 million people across Canada and the US, and takes photos and creates videos to accompany his work.
When Steve’s not working with words, wood and stone, he likes to spend time gardening, cutting firewood, and showing his five kids how to make things.
Recent Articles and Blog Posts
Store of advice
Rob Clark, owner of cottage-country hardware stores in Bracebridge and Huntsville: “Cottage owners are mostly do-it-yourself people, so we’re often asked for technical advice on all kinds of subjects here at the stores.”...
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How to maintain a woodstove chimney
Schedule a chimney cleaning for spring, after the burning season, says long-time chimney sweep Dale Wallace of Providence Bay, Ont. Why? Sweeps aren’t as busy then as in fall, and you can repair deficiencies over the summer....
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6 types of clamps
Spreader clamps
An innovative design fast becoming a favourite among DIYers. Moderate pressure delivered with one-handed operation; padded jaws protect sensitive surfaces. Look for jaws that slide off and reverse to let you...
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Cottager-approved building materials
Looks like wood
Trex composite deck and dock materials are a fifty-fifty blend of recycled wood fibres and plastic that replace lumber in most outdoor applications and eliminate the need for finishing. Unlike most other brands,...
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Gifts for DIYers
Corrosion inhibitors
These plastic canisters and foam sheets, made by Cortec, give off harmless rust-preventing vapours to protect metal tools and valuables in a closed drawer or box. They’re especially useful in...
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Choosing glue
With glue, the moment you step outdoors, all the rules change. What normally works just fine inside doesn’t stand a chance against moisture, freezing temperatures, and UV rays outside.
The most useful and widely available...
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How to cut down a tree
Ever noticed how cottage ownership brings both sides of nature into sharper focus? Chipmunks are cute, until they nest in your attic. The smell of decomposing leaves on the forest floor is soul-enriching, until powder-post...
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