Expertise
DIY & Remodeling, Gardening, Power Tools & Equipment
- Bob comes from a farming background and has been growing flowers and vegetables for as long as he can remember.
- Things always need fixing on a farm, where he developed a passion for DIY. He has completed extensive remodeling of two homes involving everything from framing and flooring to fitting kitchens and bathrooms.
- In his 40s, Bob decided on a career change and, for 11 years, ran a professional carpentry shop. In addition to contract work, he also designed and built custom furniture.
Experience
As an engineer, Bob worked on everything from auto parts to oil rigs. The carpentry business that followed was hugely enjoyable but not particularly lucrative, so he supported his passion with consultancy work. At that time, Bob also began sharing his experience by writing for several online publications. He has over 1,500 informative articles to his credit for leading names like Bob Vila, Field and Stream, Popular Science, Yahoo Life, and MSN. His articles have also been syndicated to the Chicago Tribune, Baltimore Sun, and other regional newspapers.
Education
Bob was schooled in the UK and took an apprenticeship at the age of 16. He also studied at Aylesbury College, in Buckinghamshire where he gained a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering.
House Digest uses a knowledgeable team of editors, writers, and experts to create all our content. We dive deep into the always-evolving conversations surrounding design and home trends, striving to deliver the most current and helpful tips, strengthened by expert takes and tutorials from our talented team.
As we cover many fields of expertise, we make it a priority to ensure every beat remains fresh and comprehensive. Additional information on our editorial process available here.
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Home Goods
By Bob Beacham 1 day ago
Motion-sensing spotlights may deter intruders, and these solar-powered lights can go almost anywhere without needing screws, wiring, or difficult installation.
By Bob Beacham 1 day ago
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Landscaping
By Bob Beacham 2 days ago
Healthy grass shouldn't cost a fortune. With patience and a little bit of muscle, this spike aerator from Home Depot can bring results for just under $30.
By Bob Beacham 2 days ago
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Home Improvement
By Bob Beacham 4 days ago
Versatile is a word that describes this kind of tool; you can use it for sanding, crafting, and even model-making. It's similar to a power drill in that way.
By Bob Beacham 4 days ago
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Shopping
By Bob Beacham 5 days ago
While a bench grinder can sharpen dull drill bits, it may be challenging for beginners. Luckily, this portable, budget-friendly alternative makes the job easy.
By Bob Beacham 5 days ago
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Landscaping
By Bob Beacham 6 days ago
This safe, easy-to-use handheld sharpening tool features a dedicated section for mower blades, but can also be used for axe heads, machete blades, and more.
By Bob Beacham 6 days ago
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Repairs
By Bob Beacham 4 days ago
The EIA reported in 2023 that in 2020, 38% of U.S. homes had a gas cooking appliance. If this includes you, you'll need to understand how a flame should behave.
By Bob Beacham 4 days ago
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Home Improvement Hacks
By Bob Beacham 6 days ago
With standard wrenches, stubborn nuts are sometimes simply a no-go. That won’t be a problem anymore with the help of this Lowe’s-exclusive power tool.
By Bob Beacham 6 days ago
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Repairs
By Bob Beacham 7 days ago
When you hear a noise from your garage door, you might be wondering how to fix it at home. This Lowe's product can help keep it running smoothly.
By Bob Beacham 7 days ago
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Shopping
By Bob Beacham 10 days ago
Chainsaws need sharpening just like any other blade, but instead of painstakingly using a file, you should just use this portable Amazon find.
By Bob Beacham 10 days ago
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Shopping
By Bob Beacham 10 days ago
Lawn mower decks can rust easily, and rust can be nasty business. Prevent the whole affair from the jump, without WD-40, with this spray.
By Bob Beacham 10 days ago
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Repairs
By Bob Beacham 10 days ago
Though it's used differently in the garden, this tool is just as handy today as it was for cowboys over 100 years ago. And some jobs are even quite similar.
By Bob Beacham 10 days ago
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Exterior Remodel
By Bob Beacham 10 days ago
There's always an exciting new DIY to try with concrete blocks, but this one you should probably leave online. Here are the many reasons it's no good.
By Bob Beacham 10 days ago
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Landscaping
By Bob Beacham 11 days ago
You can find this material in an American landmark, and it adds more character to retaining walls than cinder blocks due to its wide range of colors and shapes.
By Bob Beacham 11 days ago
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Outdoor
By Bob Beacham 11 days ago
On YouTube, a DIY fire pit had commenters gushing with praise. The video doesn't provide instructions, but it shows enough for a DIYer to be able to make it.
By Bob Beacham 11 days ago
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Shopping
By Bob Beacham 12 days ago
DeWalt is among the biggest names in the tool game, but it's not the only brand with excellent impact drivers. Consider these Home Depot options instead.
By Bob Beacham 12 days ago
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Landscaping
By Bob Beacham 16 days ago
Of all the many types of lawn aerators out there, they all fall into one of these two categories, and one has longer-lasting results than the other.
By Bob Beacham 16 days ago
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Repairs
By Bob Beacham 16 days ago
A mortising chisel has two parts: an auger-like center and a square-shaped chisel that fits around the outside. This Amazon product sharpens the square part.
By Bob Beacham 16 days ago
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Flowers
By Bob Beacham 16 days ago
This perennial blooms its flowers in midsummer and its display lasts through early fall. The showy flowers grow in umbels, or rounded, contained clusters.
By Bob Beacham 16 days ago
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Outdoor
By Bob Beacham 19 days ago
Furnishing a garden with a DIY project is every DIYer's dream, so here's how to make a bench out of an old door. All it takes is five cuts. Impressive, right?
By Bob Beacham 19 days ago
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Outdoor
By Bob Beacham 19 days ago
Building a garden bench may seem like a difficult task, but one creator made their own using only wood planks, simple tools, and a lot of inspiring imagination.
By Bob Beacham 19 days ago
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Home Goods
By Bob Beacham 19 days ago
A whetstone works wonders for your knives if you're expert at using it. If you're not, consider instead this under-$10 item you can find on Amazon.
By Bob Beacham 19 days ago
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Gardening Hacks
By Bob Beacham 20 days ago
For this DIY pond, the creator uses a form of biological filtration called anoxic filtration. This system requires no pump or power and is very low maintenance.
By Bob Beacham 20 days ago
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Landscaping
By Bob Beacham 20 days ago
This durable spade makes slicing through root-bound soil, edging lawns, and digging beds far easier than a standard shovel, and buyers are raving about it.
By Bob Beacham 20 days ago
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Home Improvement Hacks
By Bob Beacham 23 days ago
Many DIY projects take advantage of scrap wood. In this one, you can use them to create pavers that are of the exact color, size, and texture you need.
By Bob Beacham 23 days ago
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Shopping
By Bob Beacham 24 days ago
Looking to step up your drill bit collection? These titanium-coated ones from Harbor Freight combine quality, durability, and affordability.
By Bob Beacham 24 days ago
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Gardening Hacks
By Bob Beacham 24 days ago
Garden shears are an indispensable tool for the green-thumbed, but they need to be kept sharp to be useful. A portable tool lets you accomplish this and more.
By Bob Beacham 24 days ago
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Garden
By Bob Beacham 26 days ago
Controlling weeds in the garden is always a challenge. While there are some traditional methods for this, these can be environmentally unfriendly to use.
By Bob Beacham 26 days ago
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