Techniques

The major effort involved in building a piece of furniture is problem solving and establishing a sequence for the work. After that, it’s almost all cutting to a line and repairing the [...]

This morning I decided to repair the vintage Chinese stool that we knocked apart earlier this year. Senior Editor Robert W. “Bob” Lang is building a couple reproductions for the [...]

For me, there is something that is far more interesting than the purported uses of “the nib” of a handsaw. And that is: The origin of the term “jack plane.” In my book [...]

12 Techniques for Successful Gluing By Tom Caspar Do a dry fit Clamp your pieces without glue to make sure the joints come together tightly. This step also serves as a test for your choice of [...]

Secret drawers and hidden compartments are as much fun to create as they are to discover. Learn the history of some common hiding places as well as how to construct such secrets as the Quaker [...]

Garden Bench Graceful, comfortable and built to last by Luke Hartle It dawned on me the other day that every single project I’ve made resides in my house. Since I spend a lot of time in my back [...]

An alternate shape minimizes dig-ins. by Alan Lacer Years ago, an old professional spindle turner showed me a different way to sharpen a skew. When I tried it, I was sold. This modified grind is [...]

        This jig makes it easy to set the bit for routing flutes or dadoes. I simply drop the appropriate depth gauge into the channel, set my router on top and lower the bit [...]

Do it by hand, just like you turn.   by Alan Lacer           How do you make a velvety smooth bowl with evenly thick walls and crisp details? Well, it’s not done by [...]

      I never thought about the risks of using finish from an old, previously opened can until I had to entirely strip a project because the ancient varnish I used didn’t dry [...]

  This is the final step, installing decorative cove moldings under the top shelves.          A thin bead of glue is enough and will prevent glue squeeze out. I [...]

I never got to meet James Krenov, and so last week I hesitated to write anything about his death. But as I drove home on Friday afternoon I forgot to turn on the stereo in my car, and my …