Is Acacia Wood Strong?

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Matt Hagens

You know the importance of choosing the right material for your projects as a woodworker. You’re likely wondering, “Is Acacia wood strong enough for my next project?” I’ve spent years working with various woods and understand the dilemma of selecting …

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Is Pine a Strong Wood?

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Matt Hagens

We’ve written of hard and soft woods in the past, and each has its best uses in a woodworking shop.  Don’t conflate hard and soft as strong and weak, though.  When used in the right projects, all woods have strengths …

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Table Saw Kickback Prevention Tips

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Matt Hagens

I clenched my teeth, recalling the table saw kickback that sent my beautiful oak cutting board careening wildly across the shop, leaving a gaping divot behind. Stick with me before you end up ducking behind machinery to dodge wayward wood …

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How Strong Is Wood Glue?

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Matt Hagens

Glues today are very strong, stronger, even than the wood they join. They are also effective adhesives with other materials too, but we’ll focus our attention on wood. Wood Glue Shear Strength Wood glue really does hold, and in most …

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How Long Does Wood Glue Take To Dry?

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Matt Hagens

Ever wondered how long you should wait for wood glue to set? Or to remove your woodworking clamps? A lot depends on the glue you’re using. One common type is PVA (such as the brand Titebond), which you might know …

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Do I Need a Miter Saw If I Have a Table Saw?

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Matt Hagens

Every home shop woodworking enthusiast has their favorite power tool, which they consider indispensable in the shop.  Perhaps it’s a miter saw, or maybe a table saw, or a planer.  But, what do you do when your space or budget …

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How to Tell Red Oak From White Oak Lumber

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Matt Hagens

Sometimes the answers to questions are pretty obvious in the asking.  This might be one of them:  “What is the difference between red oak and white oak?” That obvious answer is in the color, of course.  But it’s a bit …

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What is a Riving Knife on a Table Saw?

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Matt Hagens

We all know a table saw has a blade.  Duh?  The home woodworking enthusiast also knows the blade turns toward you as you push the wood through it for your cut. But just as that branch will close in on …

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How to Remove Dust From Wood After Sanding

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Matt Hagens

I’ve learned over the years that one of the most crucial steps in achieving a flawless wood finish on any woodworking project is thoroughly removing all dust from the wood after sanding. No matter how precise my cuts are or …

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How to Sharpen Hand Planer Blades

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Matt Hagens

There’s an old story, often used by Daoist and Buddhist teachers, about an aging butcher in a small village.  He knew his working days were coming to an end, and so he took in three apprentices to teach them butchery …

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How to Flatten Wood Without a Planer

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Matt Hagens

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 …

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Jointer Vs. Planer: What Is The Difference?

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Matt Hagens

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 …

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