Archives

Tapping a New Thread When you can’t find the right thumb screw for an old tool (see Part 1 here), your best option is to drill and tap a new hole to accommodate a modern fastener. In the case …

I collect all sorts of old tools. I figure that come the day when I need an unusual tool, I’ll have it, even if I only use it once. I’m still looking for the right opportunity to use my latest …

Tool: M12 FUEL Brushless 18-Gauge Compact Brad Nailer 2541-20 Shop Now  Manufacturer: Milwaukee MSRP: $249 (Bare Tool) I’ve been a slow converter to cordless power tools. However, with [...]

On this week’s episode of the ShopNotes Podcast, John, Logan, and Phil talk some listener questions and comments, plus more woodworking discussion from the Woodsmith, ShopNotes, and Popular [...]

When done carefully, mixing wood species in a single project piece can be beautiful. When I first started woodworking I loved mixing different woods together. The more contrast – and the starker [...]

Here’s a simple, invisible repair for an all too common mistake. Say you’re flush-trimming a board and, for whatever reason, your router’s bearing dips into a dent and makes an [...]

Jim Moon produced a faithful replica of this iconic cabinet, with a decorative touch or two of his own. In the world of historic furniture-making, Jim Moon casts a long shadow. He is not only a [...]

Tool: Fortistrut-Q Shop Now  Manufacturer: Fortis Clamp MSRP: $64.95 For years, the woodworking industry has relied on pipe clamps for large format glue ups. The idea behind this clamp is [...]

There’s not enough room in my garage shop for a tablesaw with a 52-in.-capacity rip fence. But no worries—I don’t need one! To make wide cuts, I simply install a shop-made extension that bridges [...]

My sharpening procedures involve a lot of buffing with compound. On one side of my buffer I’ve mounted a hard felt wheel, and on the other a paper wheel shaped to buff concave bevels. To prevent [...]

This weekend project lets you show off one dazzling board. True story. I first built a headboard like this years ago using only a miter saw, router, sander and a drill. My shop was just a [...]

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