Projects

Smooth-Cutting Hole Saw I cut a lot of discs and large-diameter holes in my shop. I was puzzled for the longest time because I was getting vibration and smoke. It even happened with new hole [...]

I’m a decent handyman, but I have to admit, I haven’t done much woodworking in the past.  I’ve always had a considerable interest in it and know plenty of people who spend [...]

I came to work at Popular Woodworking Magazine in a roundabout way. I spent most of my adult life working with wood professionally, and along the way I read a lot of books and magazines. I was [...]

Router Scarfing Jig Boatbuilders often need to join boards end to end to make longer planks. Instead of a butt joint they make a long taper on each board and overlap the ends. This is called a [...]

As you gain experience with SketchUp there will come a day when the light bulb will go on and you will realize that you need a strategy for naming components, organizing and naming scenes and [...]

Dovetail Marking Jig This little jig greatly speeds the laying out and marking of dovetail pins. Make the jig so the thin piece is exactly the same size as the pin you plan to use. Then, mark a [...]

For a few years I’ve had the idea of following up my Beginner’s SketchUp and Intermediate SketchUp Webinar series with and Advanced SketchUp series. Exactly what an Advanced SketchUp [...]

Sawing Rack My shop is simply too small to cut full-size sheets of plywood on the tablesaw.After many a bitter battle using a circular saw to cut floppy sheet stock perched on sawhorses, I [...]

Successful Stripping You can do it safely and effectively. Here's how. By Michael Dresdner Let's face it; stripping wood is a drag.We approach it knowing it’s a difficult, messy [...]

Three Steps to Precise Cuts By Richard Tendick A trim router is a precision tool—if it’s tuned up correctly. Tuning corrects two common problems: an uneven cut and a sticky base. By [...]

How to Install Knife Hinges They’re a sure sign of good craftsmanship, but are almost invisible. By Brad Holden Small and discreet, knife hinges lend a tidy, refined look to your project. [...]

Chad’s Stepbox Learn how to make compound-angle dovetails building this handy stool and portable tool box. Chad Stanton For my job as a trim carpenter and furnituremaker, I’ve always needed [...]