I am excited that you have found my diy blog, out of so many home improvement sites. If you have already browsed through the pages of HowToSpecialist.com, you must have noticed that I like to write about various home improvement topics, starting with drywall repairs up to outdoor building plans. All my plans are illustrated with images and come with a list of the materials needed for the job. I like to take pride that my plans and tutorials are as detailed as they can get.
I try to come up with a new project every week, usually on Sunday, so make sure you come back regularly to check out my latest ideas. I mainly work with wood, but you shouldn’t be too surprised if you see some concrete or masonry projects, as well. I am on a continuous race for self improvement, so I like to experiment with new techniques and materials. I have many ideas for the future so stay tuned for more projects to come! I currently don’t have a workshop, so I am not able to post how-to tutorials every single week, but I try to make up for that by posting free plans. However, I am working on that and I hope to come up with good news soon!!
Who I am – My story
My name is Jack Sander and I am a diy enthusiast and woodworking addict. My other passions are traveling and classic literature. Have I told you how much I love Dostoevsky and Turgenev? I am also a self taught guitar player. And YES, that’s me in the photo, if you were wondering….
I have a master in business administration and I strongly believe that we are all born entrepreneurs, but we should just take a leap of faith and believe in our talents! UPDATE!! I have finally got my phd diploma in business administration, after successfully defending my thesis on 10 October 2016. But enough with bragging about my studies. Let’s go back to the core of what HowToSpecialist is really about.
I have always loved tools and sawdust, my inspiration being my grandfather whom I owe my passion for building things. When I was a kid and later on during high school, I spent my summer vacations working of various wood projects. I remember building a white picket fence for my grandmother and how proud I was, although it was far from perfect.
Other than building wood projects I learnt how to tile and how to do various drywall jobs. I picked up these skills from an uncle who is a home remodeler. I am not a professional but I know enough to do medium projects on my own without feeling it’s out of my league. I am self confident that I can design and build almost anything, so I have big plans for the future, including building that go kart I wished I had as a kid. I even bought the engine when I was 14, but that’s another story… Currently, I am saving money to build my house that will have a workshop, so I can finally have the right space for unleashing my creativity and build more things. Nothing great comes without sacrifice, so I really enjoy this journey, although sometimes I want time to go faster so I can have my workshop.
I set up this blog in 2011 and since then I documented hundreds of projects and plans. It all started with this pizza oven, that I built on my grandma’s countryside property. I saw a similar project in a magazine and I felt that I should make one, as well, and I invested all my college savings into materials. For no particular reason I documented the whole process with pictures and a few years later I decided to make a blog, so I can share my experience. I remember feeling so accomplished when I first fired the brick oven, as against all odds I got the job done. It “only” took me 3 months to build the outdoor kitchen… Haha… Some might say wasted time, I say invested time… That was the trigger that kept the ball rolling and rolling…
Is money what I am for?
This blog is sustained entirely by advertisement. One of my commitments is to keep all the plans and projects free, as the main goal is to help you save money. I like what I do and I am not trying to get rich through this site. That’s why the access to my plans is free 24/7 and you don’t have to subscribe to any suspicious newsletter for that.
I have stopped offering the free printing option on the blog, due to misuse of my plans. Some people downloaded my work just to resell illegally on other platforms. That is why, I had to take concrete action to stop that. However, I set the prices for the PDF files to an affordable level, so as many DIY-ers as possible can have access to them.
This blog makes enough to pay the rent (hosting) and to make some tool upgrades, so I have other projects that support my family and my hobbies. If you want to keep up with my work, I would appreciate if you join the blog feed and LIKE my page on Facebook and Google +. I also post frequently to Pinterest, Instagram and Youtube, so you should definitely take a look over my channels and follow me.
What are the values I believe in?
Safety
I consider that safety comes on the first place when dealing with construction projects, so that is why the methods I use in this site have been reviewed for safety. Nevertheless, if you decide to start a diy project, you do it on your own risk. Always use your common sense and be safe. Please read the safety page on the site before getting the job started. Please note, that I do not assume responsibility for any loss, damage or injury arising from the use of information on this website.
Respect
In order to become successful, working in an environment of mutual respect and free of discrimination is essential. I assure you that I act according to my values in any relation to all the associates.
Hard Work
I really think that hard work can enhance the character. Consequently, I am on a continuous process of trying to push my limits, as to be more reliable, having more initiative, or pursuing new skills. I also consider that passion and hard work are interdependent and all I do is based on my beliefs. I have my moments when I am so caught up in the game, that all I wish and dream about is to outwork everyone. I still strive to find a work – personal life balance and hopefully, some day, I will master it.
What is the mission of HowToSpecialist.com?
This site is one of the best things that have ever happened to me, as it is a simple way to share my ideas and vision with my readers. Every time I press the PUBLISH button and send a new project into your homes, I feel extremely blessed and humble for having this opportunity. With the unprecedented evolution of technology, it has become much easier for me to share my core values with persons separated from me by distance.
My main goal is to help and to become the vector which motivates individuals to continually improve their homes. I launched HowToSpecialist.com having in mind the needs of a large mass of heterogeneous individuals who seeks ways, ideas and inspiration to make their home a cozier and more dear place to live in. I will work hard and try my best to fulfill your need to be informed and up to date will latest trends, methods and projects on home improvement.
What is my vision?
At HowToSpecialist.com my vision is to help you create a better home for your family, while saving money and having the satisfaction of building something from scratch, all by yourself. Consequently, the site offers a wide range of articles covering the home improvement field, starting with tips and general information, up to step-by-step detailed guides, in which I show the needed methods and techniques. All the projects are print-friendly so you can follow the instructions at the construction site. In addition, the projects feature images submitted by readers with their completed builds. My focus is less on my personal life and more on the actual projects.
I love to answer to your questions and to receive a constant feedback from my readers. Therefore, I really encourage everyone to send me pictures with your projects and to share your diy experience with the rest of the community. Also, I am looking forward to seeing your project suggestions. You can contact me anytime at admin@howtospecialist.com I will not able to fulfill all the requests, as I am the only person behind this blog, but if I can, I will help.
My other online projects!
If you are here, you could take a look over the key features of my site. I also contribute with plans and projects at MyOutdoorPlans.com, one of the largest collections of woodworking projects for outdoor. For lots of drywall projects, make sure you check out HowToFixAHoleInDrywall. Lots of garden projects on GardenPlansFree.com
Yours sincerely,
Very nice introduction Jack & thank you for your sincere generosity of giving up your plans to those like myself, who has been away from woodworking since high school but has had the strong desire since a work disability injury forced me into early retirement to find some passion to fight my depression.
Again, thanks, looking forward to building things from your plans.
Brian
Thank you for the nice words. Woodworking is a great hobby as it gives you the feeling of accomplishment with each project you complete. Looking forward to seeing your projects, Brian!
Just found your site. Very inspirational and motivating. I can relate to your love of building things. Thanks for your generosity in serving others by sharing your knowledge and encouragement. I am compelled to leave you with this free gift from Jesus, John 3:16, of eternal life. You should check it out. Again thanks for your generosity
Dave
Thank you for the nice words.
Hy jack I have weird shed that I want to build. It is 18’long x 7′ on one side and 22′-8″ on the other side and 23′-10 3/8″ on the diagonal,I need to make some plans for it can you help?
Hi there. I don’t make plans for custom dimensions. I have too many requests so I try to design plans that will help as many people as possible.
Thanks for sharing Jack. I am a novice woodworker. Took shop in junior high and finally at a time and place in life where I can do this. It’s very relaxing. I look forward to doing some of your plans.
Thank you for stopping by, Lamac. I agree, woodworking is very relaxing and rewarding. Looking forward to seeing your projects!
Jack Sander,
aloud me to introduce myself, my name Jesse and I enjoy reading and Googling things that interest me.
I was raised on a farm in Georgia and got the privilege of watching my PA (father) and grandpa, grandma grow food and raise farm animals. I always was the one (of (9) children to sick around the older people I learned a lot. Then went into the United States Marines then went off to fight the enemy over in a foreign land ( Kuwait, Afghanistan,Iran,..etc You name it I probably been there. anyway now disabled and (trying to take care of my family, now a days I find myself searching things on google and other sites. Today (while searching pinterest I come upon your site I was very impressed with the values you have and go by. I just want to say in a negative world of people it’s nice to find positive people that are doing and giving to others. Your site has giving me hope and ideas Thanks jesse H
Thanks you for stopping by, Jesse and for sharing a little of your life story. Thanks for the nice words and I hope you can find something useful on my site. Looking forward to seeing your projects!
Hi Jack!! Just wanted to say hello and thanks for helping me turn my visions for our farm into reality :) I manage an agritourism farm (from pumpkins to Christmas trees, haunted attractions, live music and everything in between, we do it all) and we’re constantly expanding (think Disney World in farm version). We’re starting your tetter totter project today and I’m so pumped to see the end result. We’ll be attaching saddles to each end so fingers crossed it comes out great. It’s awesome that you share your plans with everyone and your detail with your builds is SO MUCH appreciated. Keep on keeping on and thank you again for giving us these ideas with perfect instructions to go with them. You’re awesome!!
Thank you for the nice words. It means a lot to me. I hope you will build awesome things and I can’t wait to see them!
Hello to you to one awesome person from Montenegro.I found your work searching for some ideas for to be informed how things are or can be done .All kind of things made or built in wood.It is in my gensfrom my father and my younger sun is very succesful in it.So who knows maybe we will be strongly devoted in being creative and friendly with wood.As far as now it is happines.Thank you so much for all.Being so great person saying sll this above to sll of us.Stay happy and healthy.Once mote best regards from Franovic family grom Montenegro seaside.
Thank you for the nice words and for sharing your story and your love for diy projects. I’m looking forward to seeing your projects.
Great !
God blessed you a lot
Thank you for the nice words. Looking forward to seeing your projects.
I got in to woodworking after my mom past away and I love it and do a lot of them by pictures NO plans and been looking for more things to make you can check out some of my woodworking in Facebook @ Chris Woodworking
Thank you for sharing your story. Woodworking is awesome!
Thanks Jack
Jack i appreciate the free offer of you ideas and woodworking plans. I finished drywall for 20+_years but a ladder accident forced me to give it up. And I really lived my job did mostly new homes. But anyways i am living in disability and started messing with wood projects and am glad I came across your site. And again I really appreciate you sharing your info.thanks a million
I’m glad that you find woodworking a pleasant activity. I hope my plans keep you busy :)
Jack Sanders,
It truly was a pleasure to read your introductory as well as your accomplishments.
Extremely impressive!
Of course having a Family is equally wonderful to learn from.
Me, a 62 year old man wanting to build a lean to and attach it to my home.
12×16 with 3 sliding doors with 2 windows and 1 door on one of the 16’ sides
The other 16’ side to be against the existing home.
A simple space to play my 2 sets of Alesis Drums 9 pieces with Kong Global addition Wave Drum. Also a place to play my Vibes and Piano.
Where can I find plans as I described. 12×20 is also on my mind for a larger space.
Sir,
It’s been great to stumble onto your site.
Thank you. After reading so much about you I feel as though we know each other.
Happy New Year!
From New Smyrna Beach 🏝 Fla 😎
Best Regards,
Rod Hall
Hi Jack,
Great website, full of information. I love the details you provided in each job. Easy to read and understand. I am a DIY leaner in wood working and I enjoy it fully. Your story to help others and provide information for free is truly appreciable. Great job!
Regards
Siva – Toronto, Canada
I dont see info on outdoor archway? I saw it on youtube and would like more info.
If you saw it on youtube, there is a link in the description to the plans on the blog.
Hi Jack,
i am planning to build my garden shed and i have found this page. Its a perfect project and the quality is super high from my point of view. I will definitely buy some plan but i have to think which one would be the best for my needs.
Anyway, have you already think about green roof ? I am thinking about that -to make it on the roof of my garden shed. Unfortunately, till now i have not found some really good DIY for the green roof in the internet. If you know about some website, could you send me that into reply ? Or the best would be to create some plan for such a roof.
Thank you,
Best Regards !
Martin
Jack, thanks for your blog and your helpful plans etc.
Reading about you was inspirational and brightened my day! It’s so encouraging to learn of people like you! Keep up the good work, and all the best in your endeavors!
–Andy