Matt Hagens 
I understand the importance of achieving the perfect finish on your projects. Applying polyurethane over stain can be a game-changer for both protection and aesthetics. Whether you’re working with water-based, oil-based, or gel stains, I will help you enhance the …
As a woodworking fanatic with perpetually stained hands, I’ve experimented with every type of wood under the sun. Red oak’s intricate grain has always tempted me, but I could never get the deeper stains to penetrate properly. After too many …
So many times on these pages, we have written “the right tool for the right job.” Expecting a tool to perform in ways it was not intended is a bad habit, as it can lead to injury or, at …
How to fix a too-big screw hole, you ask? Well, how many DIYers do you know? We’re pretty creative and industrious, and we’ve all come up with workarounds, shortcuts, fancy jigs, and such, and it’s likely many of us have …
In a previous article on these pages, we discussed the differences between Waterlox and Watco Danish oil. While there are differences between them, they are negligible on most of the important considerations, but the purpose of the article was to …
Venturing into the realm of luxury woodworking, you might wonder what makes certain woods command sky-high prices. I’ve encountered the allure of these rare woods firsthand. I’ll explore the world’s most expensive wood types used in furniture, from the striking …
Joining things together is an integral part of woodworking. All kinds of joinery techniques, creating a tabletop by gluing planks together, and more, are a part of the work we do in our shops. When it comes to glues and …
We know that wet wood should not be worked with until it becomes dry wood. Wet wood will eventually shrink as the moisture content leaves it, and any joints we’ve created with wet wood will lose their strength and stability. …
Stained your beautiful woodwork only to seal it with varnish and realize the color’s all wrong? I’ve made every mistake imaginable when it comes to wood stains and varnishes, and I’ll show you how to fix discolored varnish without starting …
We woodworkers are accustomed to using wood glues on raw wood. Sometimes our woodworking project is assembling planks for a tabletop; sometimes, it’s in joinery work. But, it’s mostly with raw wood that, once the glue has dried and any …
It’s hard to sneak around when doors squeak when opened or closed. Sure, a little WD-40 can cure that, but parents would prefer that doors squeak so they can keep track of the time when kids get home on date …
When I was young, horseshoes were one of our outdoor activities. I played horseshoes every weekend with the father and brothers of the girl I was dating in high school, and the games were very competitive. Key Points: Later, I …
For those of you who were fans of Seinfeld (I am one), perhaps you remember the episode when the four stars went to the shore, spending the weekend both swimming and sunbathing. Kramer stole lobsters while Jerry and George went …
My house is 130 years old, and the “cellar” is a dirt floor with original stone walls. I’m 6’1″, and have to stay low as there is only about 5 feet of space height. After tripping a breaker as I …
Have you ever used a piece of birch wood (solid wood) in a woodworking project? Or are you more familiar with birch plywood, whether all birch or with a birch top veneer? If you have used solid wood in a …
The finishing part of a woodworking project has many options, with staining and painting being the most obvious. It’s the choice of topcoat that has many more options, and one of the most common today is polyurethane. You’ve likely worked …
We like oak wood and use it occasionally in our woodworking projects. Oak wood is a popular choice for many different types of projects because of its strength, durability, and beauty. Here are some good uses for oak wood: Key …
Spar Urethane offers a formidable shield, safeguarding wood from moisture, sunlight, and fluctuating temperatures. Known for its robust composition, this wood finish combines resins and oils, fortified with UV blockers, to extend the life of your outdoor furniture and decks. …