Matt Hagens 
Many of us have a miter saw in our woodworking shop. It’s easy to operate and can make quick cuts on our workpieces both at right angles and at miter angles. Whether a single bevel, double bevel, compound, or even …
We’ve all heard the expression, “Measure twice, cut once.” There is great wisdom in those words, and the advice should be followed. Beyond the carefulness of measuring twice, though, is the tool you use to make that measure. Having confidence …
I often get asked about the best methods for cutting thin strips of wood. While my go-to recommendation is always a table saw for its precision and safety, I understand that not everyone has access to one. In such cases, …
Chairs need to support people; tables need to support dinner, or computers and books, or vases filled with water and flowers; cabinets need to hold their content; and, doors need to support the weight of their woods. This is basic …
If you’ve been making picture frames, cabinet faces, or tables in your woodworking shop, then you likely know pocket holes and pocket hole joinery. Most woodworkers consider it the strongest of joints, even more, strong than mortise and tenon joints. …
We know Festool, and we like Festool very much. Its line of power tools are well crafted and highly specialized. Yes, they are expensive, but their quality is undoubted and very well respected in woodworking circles. We’ve written about them …
We all know what abrasives are and the role they play in our woodworking projects. Abrasives have been used for millennia, going back to our ancestors who used stones to shape and sharpen tools and weapons. We know that sandpaper …
Makita and Festool are renowned for their top-tier track saws (plunge saws), yet the question arises: can their tracks be used interchangeably? In this comprehensive analysis, we’ll examine the critical distinctions and compatibility aspects of tracks from both brands, Makita …
There are table saws, and there are table saws. Basic, or feature-rich, table saws are a necessary power tool in a home woodworking shop for both hobbyists and enthusiasts. The difference between those two, by the way, is the occasional …
Power tools are dangerous, and extreme caution is required when operating them. Even the smallest and simplest power tool can draw blood if you aren’t careful, and that is to be avoided. I remember so clearly Mr. Davis’s accident in …
We all know the words hard and soft, and we know what they mean, generally. When it comes to wood, though, it is not quite so intuitive as we might think. Those of us who work with wood know that …
Thinning paint is crucial for spray painting, ensuring that you achieve a smooth, professional-quality finish when using a paint sprayer. This process optimizes the paint’s performance, allowing for impeccable results every time. Whether you’re working with latex, oil-based paint, or …
Linseed oil, extracted from flax seeds, is a classic wood finish that enhances durability and appearance in woodworking projects. This article outlines the drying times for raw and boiled linseed oil: key considerations for any project. QUICK ANSWER: Raw linseed …
What sort of woodworking projects interest you? How well equipped is your woodworking shop? Are your projects simple and straightforward, or are they involved, advanced, and intricate? In past pieces we’ve written about saw inventory in the home woodworking shop. …
We all know what a right angle is, right? It’s the standard by which all woodworkers build anything. It’s 90 degrees, one corner of a box that has four of them. Cabinet doors fit and look well and even, windows …
When it comes to painting, there are plenty of choices: brush, natural brush, synthetic brush, pad brush, fingers, and sprayers. It’s the last one we want to discuss in this article, specifically the offerings of Fuji in a showdown between …
For those of us who like to do our own home renovation work, we easily and without doubt rip out carpet, replace floorboards with suitable plywood, and lay our own floating floors. We eagerly take down kitchen cabinet doors to …
Wooden tables are timeless pieces that add warmth and character to any home. However, they are vulnerable to heat marks that can tarnish their beauty. These marks are often the result of hot dishes, cups, or spills that seep into …