Make a Strop for Sharpening
For the ultimate edge, use a leather strop. I have a special set of chisels that I only use for paring. To do a good job, they have to be wicked sharp—and stay that way. My secret weapon isn’t a [...]
Digitize Your Miter Gauge
Here’s a hi-tech way to set your tablesaw’s miter gauge to within 1/10 of 1° of any angle. It really works well for cutting picture-frame miters. The key is to use a digital angle gauge. I bought [...]
Porter-Cable 6-Amp Power Planer
Tool: 6-Amp Power Planer Shop Now Manufacturer: Porter-Cable MSRP: $69.98 Say you’ve got a huge, uneven roughsawn board. It would make a fantastic top for a coffee table, but how are you [...]
Set ‘Em Up, Knock ‘Em Down
Tool: Sawhorse Supports Shop Now Manufacturer: Rockler MSRP: $17.99 An extra work surface is always handy in the shop. We’ve all thrown a large piece of plywood down on a couple of [...]
Fast-Track to Flat Stones
Tool: Dia-Flat Shop Now Manufacturer: DMT MSRP: $220 Flat stones are essential to good sharpening. The Dia-Flat from Diamond Machining Technology (DMT) is certified flat to within [...]
Pizza Paddle
Handle homemade pizza like a pro. Wednesday is homemade pizza night at our house. Everybody likes something different, so we each make our own personal size pizza. My favorite is hot Italian [...]
Dream Dado Set for Contractors Saws
Tool: Dadonator Jr. – 6″ Stacked Dado Saw Blade Set Buy Now Manufacturer: Infinity Tools MSRP: $209.90 Every woodworker deserves a good dado set, but if you own a portable saw or [...]
Right-Handed Tape Measure
Tool: R1 Tape Measure [Buy Now] Manufacturer: M-Power MSRP: $15.90 Have you ever noticed that the numbers on a tape measure read upside down? Think about it. If you’re right-handed, like me, you [...]
Wiggle-Free Guide Bars
Tool: ZEROPLAY Miter Bars [Buy Now] Manufacturer: Microjig MSRP: $35.95 A crosscut sled is one of the handiest jigs you can build for your tablesaw, but making the runners is fussy work. They [...]
How to Install Knife Hinges
They’re a sure sign of good craftsmanship, but are almost invisible. Small and discreet, knife hinges lend a tidy, refined look to your project. They’re ideal for a small cabinet if you want the [...]
Simple Saw Safety
Tool: MJ Splitter SteelPRO [Buy Now] Manufacturer: Microjig MSRP: $39.95 Every tablesaw used to come with a splitter—a tall, thin piece of steel positioned behind the blade. By holding the kerf [...]
A Better Handsaw
Tool: Universal Handsaw [Buy Now] Manufacturer: Irwin MSRP: $18.99 You’re at the lumberyard, trying to fit a 10-ft. cherry board into your hatchback. It’s OK to cut it in two, but with what? [...]
