Plywood is a great material for many projects, but its exposed edges can look unfinished. You might want to cover those edges to make your work look more polished. There are several ways to do this, even if you’re new …
Pallets have become popular for woodworking shop use for several reasons, not the least of which is you can often find them free of charge. Free is a good thing when you are looking for stock to use in the …
We’ve mentioned mineral spirits many times in articles here, but we’ve not discussed in any detail how to use them, what they can do, or why to use them. We thought we should correct this omission and talk a bit …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Even though the warp drives in Star Trek lore were merely make-believe and came from Ray Bradbury’s imagination, engineers and scientists today appear to be close to a warp drive engine. Imagine that. (pun intended) A warped sense of humor …
Amish woodcrafters are known for their quality furniture and their woodworking skills. They go to great lengths to create and produce well-made oak furniture that will last. Among those lengths is the sawmilling of their own lumber. Trees are felled, …
Snipe hunting is an old joke, a fool’s errand considered to be a practical joke. Those of our generation remember it, but you younger woodworkers may not. It’s been around for a long time, and the first suggestion of it …
Not every project for the home woodworker needs to be perfect or made using solid wood. A desk for the kid’s room, perhaps, or shelving for their stuffed animals or toys, might fit this bill. For these projects, plywood is …
When woodworking with plywood, having sharp, angular edges can pose safety risks and detract from a project’s finished look. Rounding over the edges is an easy woodworking technique to address both issues. This straightforward article will walk you through several …
Pallet projects are a popular DIY hobby for, among other reasons, the materials are often free or at least very low cost. It’s also cool to show your ingenuity in coming up with unique uses for pallet furniture, benches, coffee …
Not all wood stock will come to you flat, square and smooth. This is, of course, true of rough lumber purchased directly from a sawmill. But it’s also true of your neighborhood lumber yard. For serious woodworking, whether making furniture …
Among the many power tools in a home woodworking shop, beyond the table saw and chop saw, are jointers and planers. For the serious woodworker, one or both of these tools can be indispensable for woodworking projects. This article will …