Matt Hagens 
We recently wrote an article about painting cedar wood white. While we wonder why anyone would want to since cedar is a beautiful wood on its own, we had been asked, and so we answered. Everyone walks their own woodworking …
When we are making furniture in our woodworking shop, we think about a hard and durable wood that will be strong enough to support the weight (chairs and tables, for instance) and last a long time. But, not all woodworking …
We’ve written of wood fillers in the past, and the most comprehensive piece published on these pages had to do with choosing the right wood filler for your project. It will answer many, if not most, of the questions you …
When spring rolls around, and we begin thinking about outdoor projects – gardens, fences, wooden furniture, decks, patios, pergolas – we woodworkers have a variety of projects to choose from. The new wooden deck I built behind my house, surrounded …
The white picket fence was always a part of the American home ownership dream. It wasn’t meant to keep pesky animals out, animals that might feast on your flowers or lawn; it was meant to put a finishing touch on …
A lawyer friend of mine once told me most of his clients had as their first question, “Can I be sued?” He always answered yes, but told them the more important question was whether they could be sued successfully. That …
A while back, we wrote a piece about poplar wood and asked whether poplar is stronger than pine. We will not repeat our answer here, but we did provide some helpful information about poplar in the woodworking shop. That piece …
Ever wondered if you can mix oil-based polyurethane with water-based stain? You’re in the right place! I am going to dive into the nitty-gritty of combining these two finishes. Why does this matter? Because getting it right can transform your …
It may seem like such an obvious statement that you should only work with dry wood when making furniture. Yet, wood can feel dry to the touch while still being wet inside, and your sense of touch will be affected …
When we began our woodworking hobby, we assumed there was a generally accepted order in which our project was to be finished. If the wood was to be stained, we stained, and then we added a topcoat, whether polyurethane, varnish, …
Temperature change affects water greatly in both directions. We know that water expands as it gets heated and eventually becomes a vapor. As it cools, it contracts until it reaches 4 degrees C, its molecular density maximum, and then it …
Teak wood is a good choice for outdoor furniture, as you probably know. You might even have a piece or two of outdoor teak furniture yourself. It’s a durable wood, has a Janka rating of 1155, which ranks it harder …
There has been an unusual trend of late in the food e-zines I subscribe to and read each day, one that does not make a lot of sense to me. Perhaps you have read about or heard of butter boards. …
I’m not a crafty person…well, let me rephrase that: I am not a crafts person. I have friends who make crafts and sell them at craft fairs. It’s a sideline for them, and making the crafts is more important to …
When I was a coffee drinker, I remember using white vinegar to clean the coffee maker every couple of weeks. It worked well and was the only reason I bought it, as I do not consider it a good vinegar …
While we have moved away somewhat from default staining our woodworking projects, turning instead to wood oils or products like Rubio Monocoat, we still will occasionally use a wood stain as part of finishing the project. Stains come in a …
If you have ever visited Japan or watched videos of Japanese techniques in woodworking, chances are you have learned of the ancient ways of wood joinery and the building of houses without nails, screws, or other mechanical connecting elements. The …
We know the value of sleep and the value of a good night’s sleep. Being well-rested for a day of work or other activity can mean the difference between good work being done and falling asleep at your desk or …