Matt Hagens 
We know polyurethane, and we like polyurethane. We use it as a finish for our woodworking projects often. We have a bit of experience, then, in washing our brushes after using polyurethane, as well as cleaning up after its use. …
We know we repeat ourselves, but water is the enemy of wood. To this, we want to add another: the sun’s UV rays are also the enemy of wood. Each will lead to the deterioration of wood fiber, weaken the …
If you get hit in the head with a piece of wood, you’re probably going to think it’s pretty hard. The bump will last for a while, too. But, just how hard was the piece of wood that you got …
As I eagerly cracked open the can of Rust-Oleum I’d grabbed to paint a wooden side table, doubts started flooding my mind. Would this industrial metal paint actually adhere properly and look decent on wood? Hold on before you slap …
Sande plywood, known for its durability and uniform appearance, is a standout material in woodworking. It’s especially valued for its moisture resistance, making it ideal for various construction and furniture projects. This article explores sande plywood’s properties, uses, and advantages …
We’re not sure how many times we’ve written these words: water is the enemy of wood, but it is germane to today’s piece on warped cabinet doors, whether kitchen or bathroom. The kitchen sink, the dishwasher, the bathroom sink, the …
How tall are you? At 6’1”, I’m neither tall nor short, just sort of 6’1”, with somewhat long arms (35” shirt sleeve length) and an fairly erect stance – age hasn’t quite caught up with me yet. In preparing to …
Wondering if linseed oil darkens wood? What will it do to your project? What about boiled linseed oil? Does it behave differently than raw? Let’s explore those questions and more, giving you a clear picture of using linseed oil as …
Take a guess how much polyurethane is produced every year. Go ahead, guess. Here’s a hint: it’s a commodity product, meaning it is produced in huge quantities each year. If you guessed 25M metric tons every year, you are either …
How well do you cope in your woodworking shop? That question doesn’t have to do with your mood or your ability to handle the stress of woodworking (that’s a joke), but rather how you make cope cuts. There really is …
Everyone seems to have their own opinion about the best type of paint for their wood piece of furniture. Whether the project is new and a raw wood surface awaits the paint, or the piece to be painted is a …
The shop vac can be an indispensable tool for woodworkers. At the heart of a shop vac’s performance lies its horsepower (HP), a key indicator of its suction power and overall capability. Understanding the horsepower of a shop vac is …
His name was Callachan. The “ch” distinguished it from the Irish version, and he was proud of his Scottish heritage. He was the fastest trim carpenter within a hundred miles. “Custom Cal, the Contractor’s Pal” was his business slogan, and …
We like oil finishes for our woodworking projects. There is something about the hand finish of rubbing oil onto the wood that is so satisfying, establishing that connection with the wood and the hard work that has gone into the …
Weight plays a part in woodworking, notwithstanding the fact we tend to think of woodworking as being length and width as we reach for our measuring tape or combination square on a workpiece. This is especially true of plywood in …
The dictionary will tell you that torsion refers to a twisting. This article has nothing to do with torsion as twisting, but it is about some real woodworking that you might not be aware of yet. Think hollow-core doors, workbench …
The best estimate available for the percentage of people who are left-handed is 10%. It’s difficult to measure this with any great accuracy because the variance in preferences and skills from task to task is great and because left-handed people …
There’s something about firing up the table saw in our woodworking shop, the speed at which the spinning blade reaches those 3000 – 4000 RPMs, the ease with which it cuts through the wood. Whether ripping or cross-cutting, great power …