Matt Hagens 
Back in the 60s and early 70s, it was tie-dyed tee shirts and bell-bottom jeans, the uniform of the day. Rock music, Woodstock, the aroma of cannabis in the air, but don’t take the brown acid. Colorful, each tee was …
Ever wondered if you can actually screw into wood filler without turning your project into a DIY disaster? You’re not alone! In this article, I’m diving into the nitty-gritty of wood fillers – from the trusty epoxy to the versatile …
Navigating the world of power tools, a common question I often get is compatibility, especially when it comes to battery packs. Maybe you own some Hart and Black & Decker tools and battery packs – are they interchangeable? I understand …
We have an article about the must-have tools a beginner should plan to have in his woodworking shop. We wrote this article with the woodworking hobbyist and enthusiast in mind and not for the professional woodworker. We wouldn’t presume to …
I swore under my breath when I discovered the polycrylic finish I’d lovingly applied to my refinished furniture had dried into a sticky, uneven mess overnight. Before you resign yourself to the same sad fate, grab some coffee and let …
When deciding between an 18v and a 20v drill, particularly in popular brands like DeWALT, it’s important to understand their power and performance nuances. The primary difference between 18V and 20V drills lies in the voltage of their batteries, with …
The human body becomes acclimatized to the environment in which we spend most of our time. We often hear about blood “thickening” in colder climates, and we get used to the colder temperatures; we hear, too, about those in the …
In matters of science and cutting-edge experiments, especially dangerous cutting-edge stuff, ethicists tell us we should ask two questions: can we do this, and should we do this? Dangers can lurk in experiments, and we don’t want to test a …
In a previous article, we asked the question of whether something that was hard can also be soft. In this article, we ask in the reverse: can something that is soft also be hard? We’re talking wood here, and we …
Waterproofing plywood is essential for outdoor projects since moisture exposure causes swelling, warping, and rotting that compromises the wood’s structure and longevity. This article provides instructions on how to do it effectively to protect outdoor structures for years. Choosing the …
Deciphering Elm wood’s true nature: is it a hardwood or a softwood? This common question perplexes many woodworkers. Whether you’re selecting materials for a new project or deepening your woodworking knowledge, let’s explore Elm’s unique characteristics together, bridging the gap …
Polyurethane is a common choice for finishing wood flooring and furniture, providing a hard, clear coating that safeguards against moisture and scratches. However, polyurethane’s drawback is its strong odor during application and drying. This odor is primarily due to VOCs …
In my woodworking projects, I often find myself reaching for polyurethane, whether it’s oil-based or water-based. This choice always leads to a crucial question: How many coats are necessary for that perfect finish? Water-based polyurethane requires 3 to 4 coats, …
The cutting boards in our kitchen get a lot of work. That’s boards, plural. There’s one for poultry, another for red and white meats, and a third for vegetables. The one thing in common among the three, though, is the …
Green has become a popular color in the past decade for a number of reasons. The term “green” often refers to something that is environmentally friendly; green tea has risen in popularity, and Starbucks even offers a green tea chai …
If you’ve had trees removed from your yard, chances are some of that tree was run through a chipper. While one run through the chipper creates a coarse mulch, a second run will smooth it out more, and a third …
Any rumors about the Festool Domino’s patent expiring soon are patently false. Bad word game there, patent/patently, but if you did hear such a rumor, it would be, at the moment of this article, wrong. The degree to which it …
Cutterheads significantly impact woodworking tool performance. While straight cutterheads are standard, helical and spiral designs offer big improvements. Helical cutterheads minimize tear-out through a shearing cut action, excelling on hardwoods. Spiral cutterheads efficiently cut common woods but lack helical finesse …