Double Duty Peg-Blocks
I needed a way to lift pieces off the surface of my bench for finishing, so I made some 3/4″ x 2″ x 3″ blocks and inserted 1/4″ x 1-1/4″ dowels into them. [...]
Blacksmithing at a Glance
Blacksmithing is a hasty sport. Unlike woodworking, where you can step back and contemplate a cabinet’s lines or run your hands over a planed surface to check its smoothness, working with hot [...]
Lumber-Drying Clamps
I’ve dried my own lumber for years, but I always had a problem getting enough weight on top of the stack, to keep the upper boards from warping. Here’s a solution: Use clamps made from threaded [...]
Grain Raising
A better understanding of what causes grain raising will help you manage it. Our finishing expert Bob Flexner explains this phenomenon and how to deal with it.
4 Tips for Dovetailing by Hand
Cutting your own dovetails is a right of passage for many woodworkers. Many out there find it intimidating when they first start though. Here are a few techniques that will help you out (or help [...]
Hercules 12v Drill Review
Tool: 12v Cordless 3/8 Drill/Driver Shop Now Manufacturer: Hercules MSRP: $39.99 (bare tool) + $34.99 (charger) + $24.99 (battery) The Hercules 3/8 12v drill isn’t the flashiest, [...]
Flattening A Plane Sole, Part 3
In previous entries, I explained how to lap short-bodied planes using diamond stones and sandpaper rolls (click to read parts 1 and 2.). This entry is dedicated to lapping larger planes and [...]
Working Safely in the Shop
Safety is the #1 goal in woodworking. June is national safety month, so we’re covering some shop safety best practices. Learn about avoiding hazards while woodworking, as well as the [...]
Build a Canoe Paddle
A single length of framing lumber will help you hone your skills with a spokeshave, a drawknife and a block plane. It was a bright summer’s day in 1993 at historic Strawberry Banke in Portsmouth, [...]
Hoto 12v Drill Review
Tool: 12v Brushless Drill Shop Now Manufacturer: Hoto MSRP: $149.99 (Includes internal 2 ah battery, charging cable, 8 drill bits, and 10 screwdriver bits) I’m sure many of you [...]
The Magic of Iron & Fire
A chairmaker explains his fascination with the ancient art of blacksmithing and being able to make his own woodworking tools. It was April of 1986, and I’d just arrived at a craft show up a long [...]
3 Traditional Hand Tools Plus 1 Hand Skill
Tools solve problems in wood. Hand tools bought just to collect do not serve you well. But tools bought when you need them will serve many projects to come. Don’t hesitate to buy a good hand tool [...]