These insights are by Norman Pirollo of WoodSkills.
With decades of experience as a furniture maker, educator, and designer, Norman presents a thoughtful list of woodworking do’s and don’ts to help woodworkers improve both their results and mindset.
These 14 principles aren’t just about technique—they’re a guide to building smarter, staying motivated, and enjoying woodworking for the long haul.
Watch the full video and subscribe to Norman’s channel:
Start with the Fundamentals
Norman stresses the importance of mastering basic skills before attempting advanced joinery or complex projects.
Understanding wood grain, making accurate cuts, and preparing stock properly lays the groundwork for more advanced builds later on.
Too many beginners rush past this stage. But patience with the fundamentals pays off in every project that follows.
Choose Tools Carefully
Having fewer high-quality tools is better than owning many that don’t perform well. Norman encourages woodworkers to prioritize accuracy and safety when building their tool collection.
Upgrades should be based on real needs—not just excitement over new gear.
A sharp chisel and a tuned-up hand plane often do more than a whole rack of unused gadgets.
Practice Patience
A rushed project usually ends in frustration. Norman points out that woodworking rewards those who take their time—measuring twice, making dry fits, and thinking through each step.
Slowing down allows you to spot potential mistakes and enjoy the process more fully.
Learn from Your Mistakes
Every woodworker makes errors, but it’s how you respond that matters. Norman views mistakes as valuable lessons and encourages adapting rather than starting over.
Whether salvaging material or redesigning on the fly, the ability to pivot and keep going builds confidence over time.
Prepare Your Wood Correctly
A successful project starts with properly milled lumber.
Norman advises flattening, jointing, and dimensioning all boards before assembly to avoid misalignment and structural issues.
Rushing this part of the process often leads to headaches later—like gaps in joints or uneven surfaces.
Keep Your Workspace Clean
A tidy shop is a safer and more productive one. Tools should have dedicated places, and the work area should be free of clutter.
According to Norman, this kind of organization improves focus and makes it easier to maintain momentum throughout a project.
Match Joinery to the Project
No one joint fits every situation. Norman emphasizes understanding the strengths of different joints and using what best fits the job.
From dovetails to pocket screws, the right technique adds both durability and design appeal.
Plan for Wood Movement
Wood expands and contracts with changes in humidity, and failing to account for this can lead to warping, cracking, or failed joints.
Norman recommends building flexibility into designs, especially for wide panels or tightly fitted assemblies.
Even experienced woodworkers run into issues here—knowing how to prevent them is what sets a project apart.
Learn from Others
There’s no need to reinvent the wheel. Norman encourages joining woodworking communities, taking courses, and learning from books and videos.
His own experience teaching woodworking has shown that structured learning helps reduce frustration and shorten the learning curve.
Always Have a Plan
Even if you’re building something simple, a clear plan will save time and material. Norman suggests sketching out steps or working from full project drawings before cutting any wood.
A plan helps you stay organized and troubleshoot problems before they happen.
Maintain Your Tools
Dull tools are not only frustrating—they’re dangerous.
Norman advises regular sharpening, calibration, and cleaning to ensure tools perform at their best.
This habit doesn’t take long but pays off in smoother cuts, cleaner joints, and safer working conditions.
Use Safety Gear and Common Sense
Norman’s advice here is simple: don’t skip the goggles, hearing protection, or dust mask. Safe habits make woodworking more enjoyable and sustainable over time.
It’s also important to know how each machine operates and to stay alert while working. A clear mind and the right gear go a long way.
Keep Learning
Even after decades in the shop, Norman still explores new methods and techniques.
He recommends always pushing yourself a little—whether through a new type of joint, a more difficult wood, or a different finishing method.
Woodworking is a craft that evolves with you. That curiosity keeps it fun.
Enjoy the Process
Above all, Norman reminds woodworkers to enjoy what they’re doing. Celebrating progress—no matter how small—makes the time in the shop more meaningful.
It’s not always about the final product. The real reward comes from the hours spent creating something with your hands.
Closing Thoughts
Norman Pirollo’s woodworking do’s and don’ts serve as both practical instruction and mindset guidance. They apply whether you’re building your first cutting board or your fiftieth piece of furniture.
His advice highlights the value of patience, planning, and continuous improvement.
These aren’t hard rules—they’re the habits of someone who has spent a lifetime learning the craft.
Watch the full video and subscribe to Norman’s channel:
Matt’s Take
These are my personal thoughts and tips based on my own experience in the shop. This section is not written, reviewed, or endorsed by the original creator of this project.
Norman’s list really captures the balance between technical skill and mindset that makes woodworking rewarding over the long term. The point about tool quality versus quantity resonates deeply — I see a lot of folks get caught up in collecting gear instead of mastering what they already have. A well-tuned plane that you understand completely will serve you better than three mediocre ones sitting unused.
The wood preparation advice is spot-on and often where I see projects go sideways early on. Taking the time to properly mill your stock isn’t glamorous, but it’s the foundation everything else builds on. Those extra minutes with the jointer and planer save hours of frustration during assembly when everything actually fits together cleanly.
What I appreciate most about Norman’s approach is how he frames mistakes as learning opportunities rather than failures. That mindset shift is huge for keeping the joy in woodworking. We all mess up cuts, misread measurements, or discover design flaws mid-build. The woodworkers who stick with it are the ones who see those moments as part of the process, not reasons to quit.
His emphasis on planning ahead is something that becomes more valuable with every project. Even a simple sketch or cut list prevents that sinking feeling when you realize you’ve used your best board for the wrong piece. Good planning lets you focus on the craft instead of constantly problem-solving your way out of preventable issues.