Matt Hagens 
I’ve done my best to create the ultimate guide to sourcing wood for free or without breaking the bank. The cost of new lumber can quickly add up, making woodworking expensive! But what if I told you that there are …
As a woodworker, I have always appreciated doors. They are the first thing visitors see when entering a room or a house, and as the old saying goes, you never get a second chance to make a first impression. Some …
Don’t be like me. I don’t know about you, but I often find myself surrounded by piles of scrap wood in my shop. I have a small basement shop, so I need to be very diligent with the scrap wood …
I often get asked about the challenge of removing pen ink from wood. It’s a common issue that can mar the beauty of wooden surfaces. Learn effective and safe methods to remove ink stains from wood, ensuring your woodwork maintains …
Did you know that a simple error in pocket hole joinery can compromise the entire integrity of your woodworking project? I will show you how to avoid and identify the most common pocket hole mistakes, ensuring your projects are visually …
Woodworking is a craft that combines skill, creativity, and the right tools. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been shaping wood for years, the tools you use can significantly impact the quality and enjoyment of your work. Recognizing that …
I’ve been making cutting boards for a while, but recently I found myself getting bored with the same old designs. I wanted to make a few as gifts for friends, but I didn’t want them all to look alike—or feel …
Stunning, Cool, Incredible, Great, Unique, and Awesome are just some of the adjectives used to describe the wood projects below! The wood projects showcased below are nothing short of extraordinary! Each piece is a testament to the boundless creativity and …
I’ve been there, just like every beginner woodworker – meticulously measuring and cutting, only to find my boards slightly too short. It’s a common frustration, but I’ve learned the key lies in understanding saw kerf. By accounting for the width …
I’ve come to rely on PVA glue as an essential tool in my workshop. This glue isn’t just about sticking pieces together; it’s key to the success of my projects, big or small. In this article, I’ll share why PVA …
Removing wood stain from your skin is not just a matter of cleanliness; it’s also about safety. Some stains contain chemicals that can irritate or damage your skin if left on for too long. That’s why it’s crucial to know …
I don’t know much about electricity, plugs, circuit breakers, and such, except that electricity can kill you if you don’t know what you’re doing and touch the wrong thing. I did once dare to replace a copper lantern outside my …
What Is Polyurethane? Polyurethane is a versatile polymer material that is made by reacting a polyol with an isocyanate. The resulting product is a strong, durable material that can be used in a wide variety of applications. Polyurethanes are known …
I scratched my head, looking at the drunken zig-zag cuts. After meticulously jointing, planing, and measuring the wood, what had caused them to go so wonky?! Before you sweep your crooked scraps off the table in defeat, let me show …
In woodworking, patience is as important as precision, especially when it comes to finishes like polyurethane. QUICK ANSWER: For water-based polyurethane, the wait time is generally 2-4 hours, while for oil-based, it’s 8-24 hours. Environmental factors like humidity and ventilation …
Unless we are practicing the old style of woodworking that does not use mechanical connection methods of nails and screws, we’re going to be making holes in our wood. I marvel at the building methods of Japanese home construction that …
There is the notion that nothing ever lasts forever and that things change always, in time. Those thoughts crossed my mind as I was looking for a way to begin this piece. While J-B Weld is an excellent bonding agent, …
We all know in woodworking that there are many types of cuts – straight cuts, through cuts, non-through cuts, mitered cuts – and the power tool or tools we use to make these cuts depends on the type of cut. …