What Does the “d” in Nail Sizes Mean?
If you’ve ever looked at a box of nails and wondered what “16d” or “8d” means, you’re not alone. The “d” size label shows up in nearly every hardware store and building plan, but it’s not always clear what it …
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6 Reasons You’ll Never Put Your Wooden Cutting Board in the Dishwasher Again (#4 is Nasty!)
If you’ve been tossing your wooden cutting board into the dishwasher along with your plates and cups, you need to stop immediately. While it might seem like the easiest way to get your board clean, you’re actually destroying it. Here’s …
Why Does Wood Glue Fail or Not Hold?
Nothing is more frustrating than watching a joint I thought was solid come apart. Weak glue bonds can leave gaps, cause pieces to shift, or even ruin an entire project. Over the years, I’ve learned that most wood glue failures …
17 Halloween Woodworking Ideas to Spook Up Your Home This Fall
Halloween’s the perfect excuse to mix woodworking with a little creative mischief. Most of these use basic materials and tools you probably already have stashed somewhere in the shop. The ideas range from outdoor stuff like spooky door hangers and …
How to Stop Burn Marks on the Table Saw
When I first saw scorch marks and smelled burning wood on my cuts, I knew something was wrong. Table saw burning happens when friction builds up between the blade and the wood. The main culprits are usually dull or dirty …
13 Dangerous Table Saw Habits to Break Now
The table saw is often considered the heart of the woodworking shop. It’s incredibly powerful and precise – but also one of the most dangerous tools. Every year, more than 60,000 injuries are linked to table saws, including lacerations, amputations, …
How to Prevent Tear-Out on Your Table Saw
Nothing ruins a woodworking project faster than tear-out. Those rough, splintered edges can turn what should be a clean cut into a frustrating setback, often requiring extra sanding or even scrapping the piece. The key to preventing tear-out is supporting …
10 Common Mistakes When Using Wood Glue (And How to Fix Them)
I’ll be the first to admit it—I’ve made just about every mistake possible when using wood glue. From slathering on way too much, to pulling clamps off too early, to wondering why my joints weren’t holding, I’ve learned the hard …
9 Common Workshop Dust Collection Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)
I’ve made just about every dust collection mistake you can think of. Over the years of setting up my shop, I tried to save money where I shouldn’t have, trusted airflow numbers that weren’t realistic, and built ductwork that looked …
Throw Out Your Thin-Rip Jig. Do THIS Instead
This method was developed and shared by Jodee from Inspire Woodcraft. It’s a practical approach to thin-rip cuts that avoids the usual frustrations of jigs and fence adjustments. Instead of relying on traditional thin-rip jigs, Jodee shows how a simple …
11 Easy Ways to Maximize Space in Your Small Workshop
Working in a small workshop can be challenging, but there are many ways to make the most out of the space you have. With a bit of creativity and planning, your small workshop can feel much larger and more efficient. …
9 Common Mistakes New Woodworkers Make: Avoiding Beginner Blunders
Woodworking can be an incredibly rewarding hobby, offering a blend of creativity and technical skill. However, those new to the craft often encounter a range of common mistakes that can lead to frustration and wasted materials. Whether it’s from an …
16 Places to Get Free Wood for Your Next Woodworking Project
Wood isn’t cheap these days, and that can make woodworking feel out of reach. But here’s the thing — you don’t always have to buy it. Some of my best projects started with wood I found for free. From construction …
15 Everyday Household Items That Double as Shop Tools
Some of the handiest tools in my shop didn’t come from the hardware store — they came from around the house. From kitchen drawers to bathroom cabinets, everyday items can solve woodworking problems in clever ways. These simple stand-ins save …
How Much Weight Can A 2×4 Hold? Vertical & Horizontal Load Capacity & Strength
The 2×4 is a foundational element in construction, framing everything from desks to homes. Its significance grew in the late 1940s with the transition to 2x4s, measuring 1.5” x 3.5”, the current US standard. QUICK ANSWER: Framing with 2x4s typically …
How to Cut Perfect 45 Degree Angles For Picture Frame Corners
Two old sayings came to mind prior to writing this article: Stay with this piece for just a few moments, and you’ll see what we mean. What, you may ask, does either have to do with woodworking or, in particular, …
15 Old-School Woodworking Tricks That Stand the Test of Time
Some of the best woodworking tricks I’ve learned didn’t come from books or YouTube — they came from watching my grandfather and dad work around their shops. These were the little habits and clever fixes they used without thinking, but …
10 Woodworking Projects Everyone’s Grandpa Built (But Nobody Makes Anymore)
Your grandpa’s workshop didn’t have a laser level or Bluetooth miter saw. It had a coffee can full of screws, a band saw that could kill a man, and the faint smell of pipe tobacco baked into every corner. And …