Matt Hagens 
Just how many types of wood sanders are there to choose from? Have you ever wondered that as you develop your list of “must-have” tools for your woodworking shop? Virtually every woodworking project requires some sanding, whether by a power …
Face gluing is a woodworking technique used to create thicker lumber from thinner boards. It’s a process that requires attention to detail, as the strength of the glued joint is crucial for the structural integrity of the final piece. Selecting …
I clenched my teeth, recalling the table saw kickback that sent my beautiful oak cutting board careening wildly across the shop, leaving a gaping divot behind. Stick with me before you end up ducking behind machinery to dodge wayward wood …
Glues today are very strong, stronger, even than the wood they join. They are also effective adhesives with other materials too, but we’ll focus our attention on wood. Wood Glue Shear Strength Wood glue really does hold, and in most …
The new dining room table you just completed looks great with its rounded edges cut and sanded smooth. The new cabinet doors look wonderful and add an air of elegance to your kitchen with raised panel cathedral features. And just …
Ever wondered how long you should wait for wood glue to set? Or to remove your woodworking clamps? A lot depends on the glue you’re using. One common type is PVA (such as the brand Titebond), which you might know …
Every home shop woodworking enthusiast has their favorite power tool, which they consider indispensable in the shop. Perhaps it’s a miter saw, or maybe a table saw, or a planer. But, what do you do when your space or budget …
Sometimes the answers to questions are pretty obvious in the asking. This might be one of them: “What is the difference between red oak and white oak?” That obvious answer is in the color, of course. But it’s a bit …
We all know a table saw has a blade. Duh? The home woodworking enthusiast also knows the blade turns toward you as you push the wood through it for your cut. But just as that branch will close in on …
I’ve learned over the years that one of the most crucial steps in achieving a flawless wood finish on any woodworking project is thoroughly removing all dust from the wood after sanding. No matter how precise my cuts are or …
Two old sayings came to mind prior to writing this article: Stay with this piece for just a few moments, and you’ll see what we mean. What, you may ask, does either have to do with woodworking or, in particular, …
There’s an old story, often used by Daoist and Buddhist teachers, about an aging butcher in a small village. He knew his working days were coming to an end, and so he took in three apprentices to teach them butchery …
Not all wood stock will come to you flat, square and smooth. This is, of course, true of rough lumber purchased directly from a sawmill. But it’s also true of your neighborhood lumber yard. For serious woodworking, whether making furniture …
Among the many power tools in a home woodworking shop, beyond the table saw and chop saw, are jointers and planers. For the serious woodworker, one or both of these tools can be indispensable for woodworking projects. This article will …
Lumber is like meat. With meat, the fewer times a butcher needs to touch it with his knife, the cheaper it will be. But, you’ll have to touch it with your knife when you get it home: breaking down a …
From episodes of This Old House to shop classes in school, we saw, heard about, and employed biscuit joinery as part of our woodworking education on joining two pieces of wood together. It’s a quick and easy way to glue …
Proper sanding is a key step in almost all woodworking projects. While hand sanding is an option, it’s time-consuming (and not much fun). A more efficient choice is using a power sander, particularly a random orbital sander. As sandpaper wears …
Old school woodworkers were accustomed to simply wrapping a rectangular piece of sandpaper around a small block of wood to smooth down surfaces that could accommodate the block and then use their hands to hold the paper for the harder-to-reach …