Home, DIY & Practical Skills Videos Hacker News Recommends
Home, DIY & practical skills videos on HackerTube: the talks, lectures and explainers Hacker News commenters keep sharing, covering home repair, plumbing, electrical wiring, tiny houses, gardening, tools, how-to guides, cleaning, bicycle repair, survival and outdoors skills.
50 videos · ranked by HN recommendations · showing 1–48
Most recommended home, DIY & practical skills videos
The ones HN returns to most often when a thread turns to this topic.
explainer#56Detergent packs are kinda wishy-washy (Dishwashers Explained)
Technology Connections
“I highly recommend you watch this video by Technology connections[1], I too used to think I had to rinse my dishes before putting them in the machine.”
15 HN recommenders · 2021–2025
demo#241Building a realistic artificial sun (for dark winter days)
DIY Perks
“The result is quite stunning. I've never seen anything like it.”
9 HN recommenders · 2020–2025
explainer#274I messed up. You're using too much detergent.
Technology Connections
“the two Technology Connection videos on dishwashers are must watch”
10 HN recommenders · 2021–2025
explainer#806Your dishwasher is better than you think (tips, tricks, and how they work)
Technology Connections
“I’ve sent dozens of people the Technology Connections video on this topic to rave reviews”
6 HN recommenders · 2024–2026
demo#995Best fan placement to move air through the house
Matthias random stuff
“Matthias Wandel made a great video showing how it's better to place the fan a meter or two away from the window to get more air flow”
4 HN recommenders · 2021–2025
tutorial#1055Making Infrared Cooling Paint From Grocery Store Items (w/Novel CaCO₃ Microsphere Synthesis)
NightHawkInLight
“Here is a frankly incredible video of how you could make such a paint”
5 HN recommenders · 2023–2026
talk#1065Why Air Quality Matters
David Heinemeier Hansson
“Fascinating talk, worth watching.”
3 HN recommenders · 2018–2024
demo#1078Primitive Technology: Tiled Roof Hut
Primitive Technology
“His videos are a great watch”
3 HN recommenders · 2015–2018
tutorial#1137Build a Do-It-Yourself Air Purifier for About $40
Michigan Medicine
“Here's a video from the University of Michigan showing just how effective these cheap DIY air filters can be”
5 HN recommenders · 2012–2022
explainer#1151Humidifiers: Simpler is better?
Technology Connections
“Technology connections covers quite a bit of ground on various types of humidifiers and their up/downsides”
5 HN recommenders · 2021–2026
documentary#1162Surviving in the Siberian Wilderness for 70 Years (Full Length)
VICE
“I highly recommend it for anyone interested.”
4 HN recommenders · 2014–2023
tutorial#1178How to tie your shoes | Terry Moore
TED
“You are probably tying a granny knot instead of a square knot.”
4 HN recommenders · 2015–2026
demo#1214Mosquito trap DIY 8,000 mosquito kill reduce ZIKA DENGUE MALARIA MaxxAir Fan CO2
GREENPOWERSCIENCE
“attach a screen (or net) to a high powered fan and catch/kill insane amount of mosquitoes.”
4 HN recommenders · 2018–2025
explainer#1271Perhaps the weakest link in the US electrical system
Technology Connections
“here's a 25 minute mini-documentary of the US electrical system's history and problems”
4 HN recommenders · 2021–2025
documentary#1337Nebraska retiree uses earths's heat to grow oranges in snow
Kirsten Dirksen
“Really interesting story/concept and I'm hoping to replicate on a small scale”
4 HN recommenders · 2019–2026
explainer#1380The US electrical system is not 120V
Technology Connections
“There's a lot of misconceptions about US electricity. This video does a nice job at pointing out the good and the bad.”
4 HN recommenders · 2021–2026
tutorial#1413How To Sharpen A Knife In About 5 Minutes With ONE Stone | EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW FAST! 2023
OUTDOORS55
“he's pragmatic, approachable, and scientific, and now I actually understand how to sharpen a knife and why it works.”
3 HN recommenders · 2025–2026
talk#1477How to use one paper towel | Joe Smith | TEDxConcordiaUPortland
TEDx Talks
“I actually improved my hand drying technique after the TEDx on it”
3 HN recommenders · 2016–2025
tutorial#1532Turning Smashed TVs into Realistic Artificial Daylight
DIY Perks
“The result is quite stunning. I've never seen anything like it.”
3 HN recommenders · 2019–2025
demo#1633LED Experiments: Making Holiday Lights Less Garish
Technology Connections
“we can't talk about LED christmas lights without linking to this video by tech connections”
3 HN recommenders · 2021–2024
documentary#1665How We Bought Our Abandoned House in Japan | Process, Costs, Risks, Finance, How to Find One
Tokyo Llama
“this video goes through the costs of buying an abandoned house in Japan”
3 HN recommenders · 2020–2024
demo#1686Primitive Technology: Cord drill and Pump drill
Primitive Technology
“If you're interested in seeing someone make these take a look at this Primitive Technology video”
3 HN recommenders · 2016–2018
tutorial#1786EC's Big Announcement
Essential Craftsman
“If you're looking to build a home, do yourself a favor and watch Essential Craftsman's Spec House series”
4 HN recommenders · 2018–2022
documentary#1857New Earthships capture more energy, water & food at lower cost
Kirsten Dirksen
“this fun video about a net zero desert house”
3 HN recommenders · 2020–2026
explainer#1904Bed Bugs- What You've Been Told is Totally False
Mark Rober
“mark rober did a good entertaining video on this”
3 HN recommenders · 2023–2025
documentary#2022The Secret Life of Machines - Vacuum Cleaners 1/2
Buddy Runyan
“These overviews give you just enough knowledge to start debugging a broken household machine.”
3 HN recommenders · 2017–2020
talk#2097GSMT - Dan Holohan, Author: "The Lost Art of Steam Heating"
The General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen
“When you see something that's old and it's been there for a long time and it's working, don't laugh at it.”
3 HN recommenders · 2018–2021
tutorial#2247(405) Choosing a High Security Lock
Bill Johnson
“Here's an amusing overview of available padlocks, starting with crap Master Locks and moving upward.”
3 HN recommenders · 2016–2017
documentary#2535Extreme transformer home in Hong Kong: Gary Chang's 24 rooms in 1
Kirsten Dirksen
“I can't recommend Kirsten Dirksen's channel enough to people interested in architecture, energy efficiency, tiny homes”
2 HN recommenders · 2019–2024
documentary#2548Earth-cooled, shipping container underground CA home for 30K
Kirsten Dirksen
“I can't recommend Kirsten Dirksen's channel enough to people interested in architecture, energy efficiency, tiny homes”
2 HN recommenders · 2018–2021
documentary#2784This Swiss Builder uses NO INSULATION...
Matt Risinger
“where Matt Risinger is visiting a Swiss factory where they use wooden (berch?) nails and dowel pins in stead of glue.”
2 HN recommenders · 2019–2020
demo#2806Cody's Algae Panel
Cody'sLab
“Cody'sLab has a few videos about growing his own algae for consumption which are pretty interesting”
2 HN recommenders · 2022–2023
explainer#2957Why Britain Uses Separate Hot and Cold Taps
Tom Scott
“Short video by Tom Scott on the subject for those interested.”
2 HN recommenders · 2015–2025
documentary#2959Oldest US mall blends old/modern with 225-sq-ft micro-lofts
Kirsten Dirksen
“Here's a detailed examination of one mall that converted to apartments”
2 HN recommenders · 2017–2022
demo#3059Copper vs Pex vs SharkBite - Freeze Testing
Matt Risinger
“did a freeze comparison between copper, pex, and sharkbite fittings some time back. It was pretty interesting.”
2 HN recommenders · 2018–2022
documentary#3097Underground dome house of the family who led geese to fly home
Kirsten Dirksen
“That entire place is mind-bending.”
2 HN recommenders · 2023–2026
demo#3140Primitive Technology: Forge Blower
Primitive Technology
“part of a series by this guy who is out recreating technology literally from dirt”
2 HN recommenders · 2016–2018
demo#3207New vs Old Room Fire Final UL
jarhead96
“Not many more words needed. Just watch”
2 HN recommenders · 2017–2021
tutorial#3222How to Make a DIY Air Filter | Ask This Old House
This Old House
“This Old House has a really good breakdown on filtration and air volume and have a pretty clever DIY box fan approach using multiple filters.”
2 HN recommenders · 2021–2022
explainer#3230How to design an actually good toaster with lessons from the 1940's
Technology Connections
“This one about Sunbeam toasters from 50+ years ago is particularly great”
2 HN recommenders · 2022–2024
tutorial#3287Table Saw Safety: My Accident and How to Avoid Your Own
MrFixItDIY
“Pretty good "mea culpa" video here from a guy that cut his hand up”
2 HN recommenders · 2018–2020
explainer#3292What is a rocket mass heater?
paul wheaton
“Here's a quick 3 minute video that explains the concept”
2 HN recommenders · 2018–2022
explainer#3422The Car-Replacement Bicycle (the bakfiets)
Not Just Bikes
“I had my mind blown about Dutch-style cargo ebikes”
3 HN recommenders · 2022–2026
explainer#3463Awnings: a simple cooling tech we apparently forgot about
Technology Connections
“Technology Connections just did a video on awnings.”
2 HN recommenders · 2024–2025
demo#3570Primitive Technology: Stone Axe (celt)
Primitive Technology
“This entire channel is fascinating and strives to be very “authentic” about doing everything without turning off the camera and cheating.”
1 HN recommenders · 2019–2023
explainer#3930A simple water heater is more clever than it seems
Technology Connections
“Technology Connections did a good video about them recently.”
1 HN recommenders · 2023–2025
demo#4008Fire test: wooden house vs. ordinary house
Paulius Milčius
“This video makes the difference very clear”
1 HN recommenders · 2019–2021
tutorial#4150Passive House - Fresh Air System Install & Costs (Zehnder)
Matt Risinger
“Matt Risinger explains how and why he put an ERV in his house in this episode of The Build Show”
1 HN recommenders · 2020–2022
Channels HN cites most for home, DIY & practical skills
Each channel page lists every video of theirs that HN recommends.
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