Techniques

Make intricate patterns of silver and ebony using a Dremel. Ebony and silver—black and white—are a stunning combination. The architects Charles and Henry Greene, masters of Arts & Crafts [...]

We’ve pulled together some router tips that will help you move beyond the roundover and make the most of this versatile tool.

Understanding the Why is just as important as the How. Hand tools are a pleasure to use — if they’re sharp. Once you have a sharp tool in your hands, you’ll begin to realize why some [...]

Mortise and tenon joints are the best way to go. For a new look in cabinet doors, try mitering the corners. This simple design, as elegant as a picture frame, can dramatically change the [...]

These simple tools are essential for dimensioning lumber by hand or machine.  It’s hard to believe that something as simple as a pair of parallel pieces of stock can be a highly precise tool for [...]

Cutting rabbets by hand can quickly and easily be done with vintage and modern planes alike. Both just take a little know-how. I would consider a rabbet joint an essential woodworking joint to [...]

Improve your router techniques with these four simple, shop-made router jigs that are easy to use and just as easy to build. I’m a power-tool woodworker. Sure I use hand tools for some parts of [...]

This joint adds strength and beauty to any corner. And it’s easier to cut than you might suspect. I first saw this joint illustrated in “The Encyclopedia of Furniture Making,” by Ernest Joyce [...]

A mark of true craftsmanship, bandings are much more than just decoration. Stop for a moment and take a good look at a piece of furniture that you admire—say, a card table from the Federal era. [...]

Set your bandsaw up for accurate resawing by following these simple setup tips. A bandsaw is a versatile tool. In fact, I know many woodworkers that use a bandsaw as their primary saw in their [...]

Stop measuring and simply learn how to saw straight. The dovetail is an ancient joint widely used in cathedrals, barns and Egyptian furniture. It is the right joint for many items including fine [...]

No one can match Pfeil’s sharpening quality—Pfeil gouges arrive perfectly honed with ideal edge geometry. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the case with the Chinese knockoffs I tested. Both straight [...]