I’ve been there, just like every beginner woodworker – meticulously measuring and cutting, only to find my boards slightly too short. It’s a common frustration, but I’ve learned the key lies in understanding saw kerf. By accounting for the width …
I’ve come to rely on PVA glue as an essential tool in my workshop. This glue isn’t just about sticking pieces together; it’s key to the success of my projects, big or small. In this article, I’ll share why PVA …
We all think the “measure twice, cut once” axiom will always result in both an accurate cut and a straight cut. However, that will not be the case on our table saw if something is amiss. You’d think setting your …
Unless we are practicing the old style of woodworking that does not use mechanical connection methods of nails and screws, we’re going to be making holes in our wood. I marvel at the building methods of Japanese home construction that …
There is the notion that nothing ever lasts forever and that things change always, in time. Those thoughts crossed my mind as I was looking for a way to begin this piece. While J-B Weld is an excellent bonding agent, …
We all know in woodworking that there are many types of cuts – straight cuts, through cuts, non-through cuts, mitered cuts – and the power tool or tools we use to make these cuts depends on the type of cut. …
We’re used to cutting wood with both power tools and hand tools. After all, it’s a woodworking shop, and our projects involve working with wood. However, sometimes we incorporate a metal into our work. Perhaps it’s a piece of furniture, …
How to fix a too-big screw hole, you ask? Well, how many DIYers do you know? We’re pretty creative and industrious, and we’ve all come up with workarounds, shortcuts, fancy jigs, and such, and it’s likely many of us have …
Joining things together is an integral part of woodworking. All kinds of joinery techniques, creating a tabletop by gluing planks together, and more, are a part of the work we do in our shops. When it comes to glues and …
We woodworkers are accustomed to using wood glues on raw wood. Sometimes our woodworking project is assembling planks for a tabletop; sometimes, it’s in joinery work. But, it’s mostly with raw wood that, once the glue has dried and any …
It’s hard to sneak around when doors squeak when opened or closed. Sure, a little WD-40 can cure that, but parents would prefer that doors squeak so they can keep track of the time when kids get home on date …
It’s likely we all began working with wood glue when we were kids. Crafts time in school and woodworking time in shop class were all glue times for us. When we created our own woodworking shop, we continued to use …
We know what wooden dowels are, and we have all used them from time to time, either in making something or repairing something in our woodworking shop. You run to the local hardware store, where you will find wood dowels …
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 …
We’ve written of wood fillers in the past, and the most comprehensive piece published on these pages had to do with choosing the right wood filler for your project. It will answer many, if not most, of the questions you …
I’m not a crafty person…well, let me rephrase that: I am not a crafts person. I have friends that make crafts and sell them at craft fairs. It’s a sideline for them, and making the crafts is more important to …
We’ve measured and cut the wood for our project; glued, attached, and assembled the wood according to the project plans; and it’s now time to prepare the wood for our chosen finish. We all know this drill and the progression …
In younger days, the rule was not to be a square. In the woodworking shop, however, square is everything. There are few things worse than looking at a frame (mirror, painting, picture, window, door) or a tabletop or desk that …