Matt Hagens 
I tapped my foot impatiently as I watched the polyurethane finish I’d excitedly brushed on last night still looking wet and messy on my upcycled console table. Did I really sand that beauty for what seemed like days, only for …
You’ve chosen your project with care, planned how to approach it, measured, cut, sanded, smoothed, stained, and applied a polyurethane finish. The piece looks great, and you’re happy with your work, but as the final coat dries and cures, you …
Minerals. We know we need them in our diet. Minerals are essential for good health. Among the minerals we need are calcium (for bone strength), potassium (for heart health), selenium (for prostate gland health), fluoride (teeth), iron, zinc, copper, and …
I remember shop class in junior high school and working the wood lathe was my favorite tool to use. We made a matching plate and bowl, including digging out the inner bowl and the concave part of the plate, smoothing …
Pocket hole joinery is a mainstay in woodworking due to its straightforward application and dependable strength. It’s a method that quickly and effectively joins two pieces of wood, suitable for various construction needs. This technique is especially useful for building …
The single most important thing in woodworking project success is an accurate measurement. “Measure twice, cut once” is more than just a cute saying in carpentry, and means a project is more than likely to turn out well for you. …
The expression “good things come to those who wait,” a synonym for the proverbial saying “Patience is a virtue,” certainly applies to kitchen cabinets. If your current or planned woodworking project is new cabinets, or even just new cabinet doors, …
Ever found yourself with a 7″ saw blade and a 7 1/4″ circular saw, wondering if they’re a match? It’s a common dilemma for many woodworking enthusiasts. Whether you’re dealing with a worn-out blade or simply have a spare 7″ …
Pocket hole joinery is a favored technique in furniture making, spanning from traditional to modern woodworking. The key to a successful project lies in choosing the right pocket screws. Choosing appropriately ensures a tight, secure fit, preventing issues like stripping, …
As a seasoned woodworker, I’ve learned that the true test of craftsmanship lies in the details. Miter cuts, for instance, are more than just angled cuts; they are a testament to precision and skill. In this article, I’ll share my …
Paneling has a wide variety of uses and comes in a wide variety of materials. If you have added wainscoting and a chair rail to your living room or den, you’ve likely used a paneling of some sort – perhaps …
Wood posts, whether they’re part of a fence, deck, or gate, are prone to developing cracks over time. These splits, often resulting from natural aging and environmental factors, can be both an eyesore and a structural concern. But there’s good …
The world of woodworking is filled with squares, and we don’t mean the woodworker, although some may be a bit square. Squares are indispensable tools in the home woodworking shop and all carpentry work, as well as at construction job …
Wood finishing is essential to bring out the true beauty of wood, ensuring it not only shines but also endures, and wood oils are popular solutions. Danish oil will harden through polymerization when exposed to oxygen, forming a protective solid …
How is plywood graded? Well, the answer is not how well the plywood did on the history exam. Yes, yes, we know, a bad joke. But the question actually has many, many layers (pun intended). There are grades of plywood, …
I winced as I noticed every single stroke and drip of polyurethane that I’d carefully applied to my DIY shelving using a rag. It looked like a first-grader’s art project rather than a polished finish! Before you kick over that …
Remember when you were in high school math class, and it came time to study geometry? Geometry? What for? How is that going to help me in life? Bisecting an angle? Jeepers! Well, here we are now, a few years …
Sanding small grooves in wood can be tricky – especially when sanding furniture. This guide lays out practical methods to help every woodworker sand correctly. The real challenge? Getting into those tight spots without harming the wood. Here, you’ll find …