Matt Hagens 
I hate shaving. Fortunately, I do not need to be clean-shaven every day, especially if I am working in the shop or the garden. Still, even shaving 3 days a week is an annoyance. But, when I do shave, I …
Cypress is valued for a number of reasons by woodworkers, carpenters, and home DIY enthusiasts for a number of reasons. The trees are slow-growing and can be somewhat expensive because it takes time to accumulate a meaningful amount of cypress …
Woodworkers tend to be pretty free in expressing frustration or anger with their power tools. The things that get said to them are NSFW, to be sure. Forums among woodworkers are filled with complaints and venting just as much as …
I now tend more to oil finishes for our woodworking projects; there is something to be said for a high-gloss finish. It adds a wonderful air of elegance to wood and adds depth and quality to its appearance. QUICK ANSWER: …
A day doesn’t go by that I don’t use a wooden cutting board in my kitchen. All of my cutting boards are wooden, although I’ve used hard plastic cutting boards in the past. Two are of bamboo, and one is …
I’ve made my fair share of wooden coasters over the years—usually as a way to use up scrap wood from bigger projects. At first, I didn’t put much thought into the finish… until I started seeing water rings and dull, …
Wood’s natural patterns are beautiful, and our goal is to make them stand out. This article will show you how to highlight wood grain (make it pop) using simple, effective techniques. Each technique is easy to follow and can make …
Having worked with both Southern Yellow Pine and Douglas Fir, I’ve learned a lot about what makes each of these woods unique from a woodworking perspective. In this article, I will share my experiences with these two types of wood. …
We woodworkers make all sorts of things to work within our shop, from jigs to fences, to all sorts of workarounds and such, and it is always satisfying to do that for ourselves. We always have scrap pieces of this …
We like wood oil finishes, and have moved in their direction for our finish of choice and away from some of the other popular finishes like polyurethane, shellac, and varnish. We like wiping the oil on and in, and we …
Curious about staining caulk and how it can elevate your DIY projects? You’ve found the right article! I’ll explore whether you can stain caulk and share some straightforward tips for achieving beautifully stained caulking. Understanding this can make a huge …
I gnashed my teeth looking at the polycrylic finish on my restored midcentury dresser – it had yellowed the gorgeous wood I uncovered after endless sanding! Before you set fire to your workshop in defeat, I’ll explain if using polyurethane …
The DEWALT DCN660 finish nailer has become a staple in the toolkits of both professional carpenters and woodworkers. Renowned for its reliability and precision, this cordless nail gun streamlines the finishing process, making it a go-to for a variety of …
We’ve moved away from wood stains, both water-based and oil-based stains, for our woodworking projects and graduated to drying oils. We love the look and the feel, and we enjoy the cloth rub to apply it to the wood. There’s …
Linseed oil is a staple in woodworking, enhancing wood’s natural beauty and durability. Yet, its use comes with a significant fire hazard if the oil-soaked rags are not disposed of properly. These rags can spontaneously combust, posing a serious risk …
When applying lacquer to wood, the number of coats required varies based on the wood type, application method, and the working environment. Typically, you should anticipate applying at least 3 to 5 coats for brush applications and 6 to 9 …
Even we woodworking hobbyists want our projects to have a professional look when we’re done. We want the corners to be square; we want the tables to be level; we want the finish to be even and blotch-free; and we …
We were discussing finishes the other day with a friend, a fellow woodworking hobbyist, and in particular, our current preferences. We talked about stains and topcoats and such, finish products we’ve both used in the past, and we found we’d …