Best DIY Channels

John Plant's channel is one of the most extraordinary things on YouTube. Based in Far North Queensland, Australia, he builds shelters, tools and kilns from scratch using absolutely no modern materials — no metal, no plastic, nothing bought. Every hut, every tile and every tool is made from what he finds in the bush. The channel has over 1.2 billion total views across just 96 videos, which tells you everything about its quality. Silent, meditative and genuinely jaw-dropping to watch.

The channel is mesmerising but almost entirely watch-only — building from nothing with no commentary teaches principles and patience rather than skills you can apply to a modern project. Uploads are infrequent (each build takes a long time), and the deliberate lack of explanation means you absorb the wonder more than any transferable how-to.

This Old House is the godfather of home improvement media — the TV series launched in 1979 and the YouTube channel carries that same trusted, expert-led quality. With over 2,300 videos covering plumbing, electrical, carpentry, landscaping and full renovations, it is the most comprehensive free resource for homeowners on YouTube. The team includes licensed tradespeople who actually know what they are doing, which separates it from the vast majority of DIY channels. Whether you are fixing a leaking tap or renovating a Victorian terraced house, This Old House has a video for it.

The sheer size of the back catalogue makes it easy to get lost, and content ranges from quick fixes to full professional renovations that assume trade-level skill or licensing. Some jobs shown by licensed tradespeople aren’t safe or legal for a homeowner to attempt alone, so it’s important to know where DIY ends and a professional is required.

Bob Clagett's channel is built on a simple idea: make the things you want to have. With over 3.4 million subscribers and 333 million views, I Like To Make Stuff covers woodworking, metalworking, electronics, 3D printing and prop making — often combining them in the same project. His secret door bookcase has 14 million views alone, and his wooden katana series introduced an entirely new audience to the joy of making things from scratch. Bob's approachable style makes even complex projects feel achievable. One of the broadest and most genuinely inspiring maker channels on YouTube.

The channel’s great breadth — woodworking, metal, electronics, 3D printing — is a strength but means it lacks the depth of a specialist channel in any one area. Many projects also assume access to a well-equipped workshop and tools that beginners won’t have, so some builds are harder to follow along with than they first appear.

Glen Lundy's DIY Creators channel focuses on furniture building, home improvement and concrete projects — the kind of practical, beautiful work that makes your home look like you hired a designer but cost you a weekend and a few hundred dollars. His platform bed with floating nightstands has nearly 10 million views, and his concrete tutorials have built a devoted following among people who want to make their homes genuinely unique. Clear instructions, excellent production and projects that scale from beginner to intermediate make this one of the most useful building channels on the platform.

Projects often rely on specific tools, materials or a reasonable workspace, so the ‘beginner-friendly’ label still assumes some setup and budget. The focus on furniture, concrete and home pieces is relatively narrow, and the most impressive builds can be more involved than a true first-timer should start with.

Steve Ramsey created Woodworking for Mere Mortals specifically for people who do not have a professional workshop, expensive tools or years of experience — and it shows in everything he does. With over 790 videos and 336 million views, his channel proves that great woodworking is possible on a tight budget in a small garage. Steve's warm, self-deprecating humour and honest approach to mistakes make his channel feel less like a tutorial and more like watching a friend who happens to be very good at this. The ideal starting point for anyone who has ever thought about picking up a saw.

By design the channel stays at the beginner-to-intermediate end, so experienced woodworkers will find it light on advanced joinery and technique. The deliberately accessible, budget-tool approach is its whole appeal, but it means it’s a starting point you’ll likely outgrow rather than a long-term deep resource.

Scott Wadsworth is a third-generation builder and craftsman who has spent decades in construction, blacksmithing and masonry. His channel stands apart because he teaches the deep fundamentals — not just how to do something, but why it is done that way and what the generations before us understood about materials and structure. His series on concrete, masonry, framing and tool use are among the most genuinely educational construction videos on YouTube. For anyone who wants to understand building at a level beyond the average DIY tutorial, Essential Craftsman is indispensable.

The emphasis on fundamentals and the ‘why’ makes for genuinely educational but sometimes slow, talk-heavy videos that won’t suit anyone after a quick, specific how-to. The construction-trade focus — concrete, masonry, framing — is also less directly relevant to small indoor craft or furniture projects.

Laura Kampf is a self-employed artist, designer and maker based in Cologne, Germany, whose builds sit at the intersection of craft and art. She turns scrap metal, old wood and discarded materials into objects that look like they belong in a design museum — beer bikes, drill-powered boats, custom furniture and experimental contraptions that nobody else would think to make. Her filming style is clean and cinematic, and her creative energy is completely infectious. For anyone bored of purely functional DIY content who wants to see what is actually possible when craft meets imagination, Laura Kampf is essential viewing.

The work is inspiring but design-led and often one-of-a-kind, so videos are more about creative possibility than replicable instructions — you won’t usually get step-by-step plans to follow. Builds frequently use metalworking and fabrication tools that many home makers don’t own, putting them out of reach for casual DIY.

April Wilkerson started woodworking with no formal training and documented every step of teaching herself — which is exactly why her channel resonates so strongly with beginners. Based in Texas, she tackles everything from furniture and sheds to fences, decks and barns, often using reclaimed materials and always emphasising safety and practicality. Her honest approach to mistakes and problem-solving makes her one of the most relatable builders on YouTube. April also represents female craftsmanship in a space that has historically been overwhelmingly male-dominated, which has built her a loyal and diverse audience.

The self-taught, learn-as-you-go approach is relatable but means techniques are occasionally her own solutions rather than established best practice, so it’s worth cross-checking critical steps. Many projects are large outdoor or workshop builds that assume space, tools and time beyond what a casual beginner has available.

Brad Rodriguez started Fix This Build That after years of DIY projects around his own home, and the channel reflects exactly that — practical, well-explained tutorials for real projects that real homeowners actually need to do. From installing vinyl plank flooring to building workbenches and outdoor furniture, Brad covers the full range of home improvement and carpentry with a clarity and enthusiasm that makes even intimidating tasks feel manageable. With over 1.27 million subscribers, it has become one of the most trusted general DIY destinations on YouTube.

The channel sticks to practical, homeowner-level projects, so it lacks the depth a dedicated woodworking or trades specialist offers — advanced makers will find it basic. As with most project channels, some builds assume tools and a workspace that newcomers may need to acquire before following along.