You’re probably not a professional wood finisher, but protecting wood by spraying polyurethane is something that comes up now and then with home maintenance, and more often if you do woodworking. Simplicity, reliability and effectiveness are why I like something called […]
Continue ReadingHAND PLANES: Real Reasons to Like Them
In a world where power tools rule, hand planes still offer the chance to boost quality in a way you might not realize. No matter how good power tools get, there will always be jobs where a well-tuned hand plane […]
Continue ReadingMETAL DRILLING MADE EASY: See How a Car Jack Helps Big-Time
If you ever have to drill holes in the underside of a vehicle, you know how hard it is to get the job done with only a hand drill. But what else can you use under there? The video below […]
Continue ReadingWOODWORKING TRICK: How to Replace Jointer Blades So They Cut Great
Every good woodworker needs to be something of a mechanic. That’s because all woodworking machines need tender loving care from time to time. The jointer needs this more than most. Click below to watch a video I made a few […]
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QUALITY & MORALITY: Build Unto Others As You Would Have Them Build for You
If you do anything at all creative with your hands, you need to understand an idea I call “the challenge of a thousand decisions”. From moment to creative moment we’re all faced with decisions – many of them small – […]
Continue ReadingQuartersawn Wood Lumber: Why Woodworkers Should Be Looking At The Ends of Boards
UPDATED 26Sep2018: I’ve noticed that most woodworkers start assessing a board by looking at its face. But if this is where your investigations end, you’re missing out on insights that can lead to a lot of creative control and better […]
Continue ReadingRAISED PANELS, HAND-PLANED: Make Solid Wood Panels Without a Router
Woodworking machines are great, but there’s more of a place for hand tools than many people think. Click below to watch how I refine the bevel on the edge of raised door panels using a sharp hand plane. The results […]
Continue ReadingSPADE BITS: A Simple & Undervalued Woodworking Tool
Spade bits are one of my favourites for boring large holes in wood, and they’re useful in ways that other bits aren’t. And though every hardware store in the civilized world sells spade bits, I find that few people appreciate […]
Continue ReadingWOODWORKING: 4 Most Important Air-Drying Tips for Your Next Project
Learning to dry wood is one of the most important woodworking skills. Success depends on understanding what’s going on when wood dries, and how to make it happen reliably. Every woodworker needs to know this if they want to avoid disappointment.
Continue ReadingDETAIL SANDERS: Tips for Using This Key Tool for Outdoor Wood Refinishing
Summer is the season you’re most likely to refinish outdoor trim, door frames, window sashes and finickity woodwork of all kinds, and detail sanders are tools I’ve come to rely on for this kind of work. Also called multitools these days because they can also cut and grind, detail sanders are not for stripping back large expanses of bare wood.
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