In woodworking, there are some givens that we expect and plan for as the project nears completion and the pieces are assembled. Our nails, brads, and screws are handy, as are the drill and hammer. The piece comes together well, …
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 …
Uneven wood cuts prevent a clean, level, and square assembly in our woodworking projects. We know these are all essential to a stable, strong, and secure finished project, whether a desk, a chair, a table, shelving, cabinets, picture, window and …
When speaking with a lawyer friend one day, he was telling me one of the most common questions he was asked had to do with getting sued. Someone would ask him if he could be sued; he would invariably say …
In matters of science and cutting-edge experiments, especially dangerous cutting-edge stuff, ethicists tell us we should ask two questions: can we do this, and should we do this? Dangers can lurk in experiments, and we don’t want to test a …
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 …
Those of us who are proficient in the kitchen know that it’s important to put lids and covers on tightly to prevent food from going bad in some way. Sometimes that bad can be a film forming on the top; …
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 …
When was the last time you noticed one of your door hinges? They’re something we never pay attention to unless they start squeaking or stop working because a screw came loose. The former is easy to fix – a little …
We have a project coming up in the spring that we have begun planning, for now, in mid-November. It’s a moon gate for entry into the meditation garden under construction out back. Moon gates are circular openings in a garden …
Every woodworker knows the significance of having the right tool for the job. But when it comes to circular saws, do you need the close-quarter control of a regular model or the powerful cutting power of a rear-handle saw? In …
How many times have we said to ourselves how nice it would be to have a third hand? If only, we say, and how much easier it would be on some of the tasks we perform in our woodworking shop. …
In my experience with woodworking, one of the key challenges I often face is dealing with cracks and knots in wood. These imperfections can affect both the look and strength of any wood project. I’ve found that polyurethane is effective …
His name was Callachan. The “ch” distinguished it from the Irish version, and he was proud of his Scottish heritage. He was the fastest trim carpenter within a hundred miles. “Custom Cal, the Contractor’s Pal” was his business slogan, and …
There’s something about firing up the table saw in our woodworking shop, the speed at which the spinning blade reaches those 3000 – 4000 RPMs, the ease with which it cuts through the wood. Great power, and multiple capabilities, whether …
Remember trying to fit square blocks into round holes as kids? In woodworking, sometimes we actually need square holes. But why? Our drills make round holes just fine, and things like screws and nails are round too. One big reason …
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 …