Ep 10. Wood shop, wireless switch

In Ask This Old House season 15 episode 10, titled "Wood Shop, Wireless Switch," the team members are in for a treat. First up is Richard Trethewey, who visits the Boston-based North Bennet Street School, which is known for its master craftsmanship and traditional techniques. Richard meets the faculty and students and goes on a tour of the school's impressive woodshop.

While there, Richard learns about the historic building's unique HVAC system, which uses solar energy to heat and cool the space. He also gets a lesson on proper dust extraction techniques and how they relate to a woodshop's overall safety. After that, Richard checks in with the school's resident shop teacher, Steve Brown, who demonstrates how to craft a beautiful handmade jewelry box. Steve takes Richard through the step-by-step process of designing, cutting, sanding, and shaping the wood before adding handcrafted hinges and a small lock. The attention to detail is evident in the final product, which Richard admires before saying his goodbyes.

Meanwhile, Tom Silva is on a job site in Dorchester, Massachusetts. The homeowners recently purchased a smart home switch that allows them to control their lights and appliances from an app on their phone. The problem is, they have a number of older light switches throughout the house that aren't compatible with the new smart switch. Tom's task is to replace these old switches with new wireless ones that will work seamlessly with the smart switch.

Tom begins by showing homeowners Rachel and Kevin how to properly shut off power to the electrical lines. He then removes the old switch and replaces it with a new wireless switch, using a special tool that ensures the wires are properly lined up inside the electrical box. After successfully connecting the switch, Tom shows Rachel and Kevin how to sync it with the smart home app so they can start controlling their lights with ease.

Finally, Roger Cook is in Milton, Massachusetts helping a homeowner with his backyard landscaping. The homeowner wants a new fire pit area and a place where he can grill without it interfering with the seating area. Roger comes up with a plan to build a circular patio around the existing fire pit, and add a new grilling station off to the side.

Roger starts by outlining the circular patio area and removing the sod. He then uses a compactor to level and pack down the area before laying a base of crushed stone. After that, Roger begins laying the patio pavers, carefully ensuring that the pattern is symmetrical and the pavers are evenly spaced. The entire process takes a few hours, and by the end, the homeowner is thrilled with the results. The new backyard layout provides ample space for grilling, seating, and relaxing, making it the perfect spot for entertaining guests in the warmer months.

Overall, Ask This Old House season 15 episode 10 is a great example of the talented and knowledgeable experts the show has to offer. From Richard's exploration of one of the oldest trade schools in the country to Tom's practical advice on smart home devices and Roger's masterful backyard landscaping skills, viewers are sure to learn something new and be inspired to tackle their own home improvement projects.