When you began woodworking, whether you’re a beginner or an accomplished artisan, did you expect that you’d use nails in your work? I didn’t. I looked at nails as something too [...]
Designing or purchasing a good workbench is one of the most vexing problems facing woodworkers. The correct combination of materials, overall dimensions and vises is the difference between a [...]
I purchased one of the first sets of Ray Iles mortising chisels that were available in this country in 2005 and they have been in my tool rack since that day, to the exclusion of all other [...]
I’m going to let you in on a little secret. I can’t sharpen chisels. For years I’ve fought this inadequacy. I’ve had many different sharpening stones and magic devices all [...]
I’ve spent the last couple weeks working out the details for several projects to improve our shop here at the magazine. It’s a nice space, but like many wood shops, quick fixes tend [...]
When you begin a woodworking project and start to move through it, you’ll often come to a number of pieces that need to be cut to the exact lengths. Drawer dividers and shelves are the best [...]
This English-style workbench (shown in Peter Nicholson’s “Mechanic’s Companion” (1831)) is uncommon today, but it is still a sound bench because it allows you to perform [...]
As I joined the staff at Popular Woodworking magazine, I was handed a stack of information gathered at the 2006 International Woodworking Machinery & Furniture Supply Fair (IWF). In the mix [...]
Once you get serious about sharpening, two things happen. Your edges get keener but you get more confused about the “grits” used in the process. A #1,000-grit waterstone isn’t [...]
We’ve spent a week or two in the blog discussing dovetails. Not wanting to pass up an opportunity to share a story (and not knowing when this chance may surface again), here’s my tale [...]