Welcome to The Splinter Report, where I gather the assorted interesting and amusing things I’ve seen in the woodworking world. This week we’re looking at Italian art circa 1300,  a Gibson guitar factory circa 1967, and a Makita compact blower circa 2025. Tool News Quick Bites Makita Releases New Compact Blower: This one slipped by me…

Family-run, from one generation to another. There’s been a changing of the guard at Grizzly Industrial. Shabir Balolia — son of company founder Shiraz Balolia — has been named president. For any other major manufacturer, this might be interesting but somewhat ordinary news.  Companies like DeWalt, Delta, Black & Decker change company leadership and even ownership all the time. But…

If you’ve followed our website for any time, you’re bound to know the name Yoav Liberman. Yoav has contributed to our website for over a decade and has published numerous books on various topics. With furniture having been displayed in high-end galleries across the US, it’s safe to say that Yoav’s designs are unique and…

Bur Oak and Craftsman design make this desk a classic look with a modern use. Project #2507 • Skill Level: Advanced • Time: 6 Days • Cost: $1000 It’s often times that woodworking projects come out of necessity. Take this desk for example. As I built my new shop (that doubles as Popular Woodworking’s shop),…

Make a habit of applying finish to end grain first. Why? It’s all about avoiding drip shadows.    Sounds creepy, doesn’t it? Here’s the deal: let’s say you’re finishing a top. You’re merrily brushing the first coat of finish back and forth on the top’s surface, and some finish happens to drip down an edge,…

All levels of finishing are burdened with myths, but the types of finishes used by amateurs and sold in home centers and woodworking stores suffer the most. Myths about polyurethane are a good example of the problem.

Tool: Easy-Squeeze Silicone Glue Bottle Shop Now  Manufacturer: Rockler MSRP: $8.99 Over the years, I’ve used many types of glue bottles in both my shop and classroom. Most of them follow the same basic design: a semi-rigid plastic cylinder, a cone-shaped nozzle, and that infamous red cap. These are the ones you find in bulk…

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 furniture building, specifically when cutting dovetails. But I doubt you’ll ever catch me with a Bridge City Tool Works VP-60,…

Rob Petrie chats with Dorian Bracht, author of the book Japanese Joinery, a self-proclaimed joinery fetishist, and furniture designer from Berlin. For more information on Dorian’s book: click here. Find all of the ShopNotes podcast episodes here.

Welcome to The Splinter Report, where I gather the assorted interesting and amusing things I’ve seen in the woodworking world. This week we’re looking at a shop class survivor, a new hack from Reddit, and the latest Dewalt drill. Tool News Quick Bites Dewalt Launches 20V Multi-Head Drill Driver: While I try to avoid naming favorite…

That little hand blower I talked about recently has become a constant companion. It hasn’t replaced my air compressor, though, because there are still two important things it does that the hand blower can’t. The first, obviously, is run pneumatic tools. Although to be honest, my cordless tools are rapidly taking over that job. The other is being…

When faced with the task of refinishing a large, heavy oak door, I wanted to complete the job as quickly as possible by being able to work on both faces of the door without having to wait for one side to dry. To solve the problem, I began by drilling a 1⁄2“-diameter hole in the…

This classic Moxon vise allows you to hold a wide board at a comfortable height. Project #2506 • Skill Level: Beginner • Time: 2 Days • Cost: $60 + Hardware On most workbenches, you have various options to hold your material. Where most benches fail is holding stock, particularly wide stock, for work on the…

Have you ever tried to use varnish from a skinned-over, half-used can? Even if you remove the skin carefully, lumps of dried finish get mixed in with the remaining varnish and eventually end up on your project. But don’t throw the stuff away—there’s an easy way to get clean varnish from a used can. Just…

The Adventure of the Pilgrim’s Chair. Sometime in the haze of the 1970s, Armand LaMontagne, a wood sculptor from Rhode Island, sought revenge against the museum world. He had been rebuffed by curators when he questioned the authenticity of some antique furniture, so he set out to vividly demonstrate their gullibility. Armand painstakingly built a…

Tool: Spider Mobile Base Shop Now  Manufacturer: Harvey Woodworking MSRP: $369-$569 Having the ability to move stuff around in a shop is key. This is especially true when it comes to a small shop. It is invaluable to move a tool into a workspace, set it up, and then store it when you’re done. The…

After all the hard work of shaping and sanding our wooden swords, we needed to give them a comfortable and secure handle. For this, we used a reliable method called “Common Wiping.” This technique allows us to wrap a cord around the handle so neatly that the beginning and end of the cord are completely…

Welcome to Episode 235 of the ShopNotes Podcast! We’re kicking things off with your comments and questions — or as we like to call it, “Questions & Response.” It’s all about shared ideas, not perfect answers. Design Dilemma: A listener sent us a photo of a gorgeous walnut board with some eye-catching figure. What would…

Welcome to The Splinter Report, where I gather the assorted interesting and amusing things I’ve seen in the woodworking world. This week we’re looking at furniture from David Lynch, a very odd chest, and a new workbench from Adam Savage. Tool News Quick Bites Bosch Announces a Whole Lot of Stuff: Not much woodworking-related tool news…

Lasers can be both woodworking and metalworking tools. I got my laser engraver/cutters primarily to work wood and consider them woodworking tools first and foremost. But woodwork is supported by metalwork all the time — nails, screws, hinges, handles, brackets, plates and all the other hardware needed for woodworking generally require separate tools and talents…

This beauty dates from 1939. The motor hangs off the back, like a contractor’s saw, but the trunnions are bolted to the body, like a cabinet saw. The body is all cast iron; I made the base below from MDF. The saw weighs a hefty 330 lbs., less the base. A heavy saw is just…

Behind a distinctive double-arched door are unknowns and secrets. While surfing the Internet for examples of spice boxes, I stumbled upon an antique box with a distinctive door. While I’m familiar with arched-door boxes, a double-arched door, at least to my knowledge, is something not often seen. Information beyond the basic dimensions of the original…

These traditional tools are woefully misunderstood by modern craftsmen. Here’s a primer. In the 1970s when I was the young, innocent and naive chairmaker at Strawbery Banke, a museum in Portsmouth, N.H., 50,000 tourists passed through my shop each summer. It never failed that when I was cutting out a chair seat with a bowsaw…

Tool: Tooley Park Big Compass Kit Shop Now  Manufacturer: Tooley Park MSRP: £150.00 ($201.50) A few issues ago, Popular Woodworking shared a set of scribers from a company in the UK called Tooley Park. Tooley Park recently released a new tool called their “Big Compass” tool. You can see this in the photo above. The big…

This traditional finish can be tricky to apply. Editor’s note: The staff at Popular Woodworking received the news of Bob Flexner’s passing in December 2024 with heavy hearts. Bob was renowned for his expertise in wood finishing, and his contributions have significantly transformed our approach to woodworking. His landmark book, “Understanding Wood Finishing”, has sold…

On this week’s episode of the ShopNotes Podcast, Phil, Logan, and John are talking about woodworking, a check-in on Logan’s church door project, a look into the future of tool making, and of course, some listener comments. Find all of the ShopNotes podcast episodes here.

Welcome to The Splinter Report, where I gather the assorted interesting and amusing things I’ve seen in the woodworking world. This week we’re looking at the antithesis of a normal YouTube Video, a garden cart from 1988, and trying to figure out what exactly constitutes a tool chest. Tool News Quick Bites Blue Spruce Toolworks…

This handy little tool is like an air compressor in your pocket. I love finding new tools, or even tools that have been around a while that I’ve just learned about. Not sure what I was actually looking for when I came across them online, but I was intrigued immediately. There’s a huge variety of…

Real ebony… or is it? ThermalWood Canada is offering specialty material to woodworkers all over the world, including an ebony alternative. One of my favorite woods to use is ebony. This dark wood turns beautifully, takes a polish, and holds crisp detail. Plus, no matter what you make, it always seems a little “extra” being…

Not too big, not too small. This chest is a handy size for a basic set of tools. Editor’s note: This article originally appeared in the June 2009 issue of Popular Woodworking Magazine. It’s the modern joiner’s dilemma. An old house over in the next county has missing mouldings on the mantel, a kicked-in panel…

Tool:Drill Press Protractor Shop Now  Manufacturer: Woodpeckers MSRP: $69.99 Over the last several years, I’ve started to become interested in machinist tools and practices. One of the things that fascinates me is the precision that is required in many machining operations. I’ve started to apply those principles to my woodworking, and have seen a noticeable…

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 (Sterling). I was fascinated by the complexity of it and for years wished I could cut them myself. When I finally cut…

Tool: Veritas Hacking Knife Shop Now  Manufacturer: Lee Valley MSRP: $95.00 Of all the tools in my shop, I probably use a knife the most. Oftentimes, it’s something as simple as cutting open a box or opening a bag of hardware. But, sometimes I need a knife with a little more oompf. The Hacking Knife,…

Another guard style that’s especially popular with students is the faceted guard. This design is easy to lay out using a small straightedge or a 6″ ruler. Once the front-view design is drawn, the student clamps the guard in a vise and makes one or more relief cuts. Then they begin removing the excess wood…

Do the clothes really make the man? Try taking a tip from turners and dress up for dust. Wear a jumpsuit and a face shield when you can’t collect sawdust at the source. This is the outfit turners wear when they’re making lots of chips. A jumpsuit is easy to brush off when you’re done…

Welcome to The Splinter Report, where I gather the assorted interesting and amusing things I’ve seen in the woodworking world. This week we’re looking at bad stock photography, nail guns, and building a chair from bulls%$t. Tool News Quick Bites Metabo HPT Release 5 New Nail Guns: It’s been a quiet week in the tool…

It’s pointless to complain how “they don’t make ’em like they used to.” I’ve pointed out that that’s not always true: They still make ’em, but it will cost you more. And unless you’re lucky, you’ll probably have to drive a bit to get whatever it is. But stuff that’s generally available close-by that won’t…

We’re interviewing makers from across the country. Today we’re featuring Mehedi van Hattum, a woodworker from New Mexico. How did you get started woodworking? Who were your mentors? My biggest inspiration and mentor in life is my father, who is a master woodworker/carpenter. I grew up apprenticing under him, learning his craft and working in…

  These furniture maker’s symbols are an international language. They have been used for generations because they’re easy to make and easy to understand. A board’s working face and edge are the surfaces that all measurements are taken from. This dates back to when boards where planed by hand. You couldn’t count on every side…

This fence is designed to be used at a drill press or router table, and features built-in dust collection for keeping your shop, and lungs, clean. Project #2505 • Skill Level: Beginner • Time: 2 Days • Cost: $20 If you ask me what my favorite tool in my shop is, I would have never…

Tool: Versa-Fence Face Upgrade Shop Now  Manufacturer: Woodpeckers MSRP: $169.99 I think it’s a safe bet that the table saw is at the heart of most shops. Today, Sawstop saws are the most popular due to their safety features. And they are indeed a great saw. The one item I always thought could use a…

I have a couple tools from which I frequently remove the dust collector hoses. I got tired of getting out my screwdriver and cranking out the adjustment bolt every time. After a bit of experimenting I came up with this quick-release solution that uses a wire hose clamp and a plastic spring clamp with removable…

Several years ago, when I stepped into the role of Editor-in-Chief at Popular Woodworking, I was immediately met with a flood of emails. About 85% of them had the same question: “Can you bring back the Woodworking in America conference?” We seriously considered it—tossed the idea around quite a bit—but then the pandemic hit, and…

On this week’s episode of the ShopNotes Podcast, Logan, Phil, and John, are talking about modifying tools, listener comments, shop-built office projects, worm holes in mahogany, and so much more! Find all of the ShopNotes podcast episodes here.

Welcome to The Splinter Report, where I gather the assorted interesting and amusing things I’ve seen in the woodworking world. This week we’re looking at cordless sanders, religious experiences, and a new web video series. Tool News Quick Bites Grizzly Releases Sliding Crosscut Attachment for Table Saw: Ever get jealous of those European table saws with…

Take the money and run. At least, until you’re caught. Every professional woodshop has heard horror stories about subpar work and unreliability of some shops. They give the good shops a bad name, making it difficult for even the best makers to gain customers’ trust. Then, there are some that allegedly break the law. Fortunately, they’re rare,…

This winged box is turned fast, and the end result will leave people asking how you did that. Project #2504 • Skill Level: Advanced • Time: 4 Hours • Cost: $20 Before beginning this project, I want to warn you that this woodturning project is not for the faint hearted. I would recommend that you…

Days for Dad 2025 is live! Make sure to enter daily.

It pains me to admit this, but I am a lousy woodworking dad. My oldest son (age 10) occasionally asks me to help him build something. 95% of the time, I’ve been in the shop all day, so the answer is, “Ask me tomorrow.” Over the last year or so, I have realized that maybe…

This week on the ShopNotes Podcast, Logan, John, and Phil take on listener comments, talk about roadside tool purchases, shop tours, catch up on the latest in our woodworking lives, and more… Find all of the ShopNotes podcast episodes here.

Last time, I talked about potential shapes for the handle and pommel. In this entry, we’ll shape the blade and introduce the first of several guard designs. If possible, shape the blade before gluing on the two parts of the guard—this makes it much easier to secure the workpiece in a vise. That said, it’s…

On this episode of the ShopNotes Podcast, Phil, Logan, and John break it all down… listener comments, maximum-strength Logan, a list all of the people we’ve upset, and maybe we’ll get to a little talk of woodworking too. Find all of the ShopNotes podcast episodes here.

Welcome to The Splinter Report, where I gather the assorted interesting and amusing things I’ve seen in the woodworking world. This week we’re looking at giant saws, Honda Civics, and highly engineered dust collection systems. Tool News Quick Bites Makita Launches the World’s Largest Cordless Circular Saw: The new saw isn’t as large as the…

All living things evolve, and so do woodshops. No matter where I’ve lived, I’ve changed my shop around — relocating cabinets or shelves, changing one work area to another, adding to the infrastructure, etc. All of my older shops were small, with the largest being a two-car garage, so the changes I made were generally to…

Professional-sized ladder golf sets are larger and more robust than the chintzy ones you usually find in yard game kits. This project is a great way to use some long skinny scrap pieces too.  I love playing ladder ball (ladder toss or ladder golf in some circles) but I got sick of my cheap store-bought…

Tool: OSHA-Compliant Dust Extractor Shop Now  Manufacturer: Hercules MSRP: $349.99 I continue to be impressed with the leaps and bounds that Harbor Freight has made in the power tool marketplace. The new 12-gallon OSHA-Compliant dust extractor from their Hercules brand is a great example. If it had been part of our dust extractor competition in…

Portable router tables are a great way to save space in your shop. We’re taking a look at the different options available and laying out the differences between them. Router tables are a mainstay in any serious shop, and sooner or later in your woodworking journey, you’ll need a way to mount a router in…

After my student finished forming the cross-lap joints (see part 1), I asked what kind of hilt they envisioned for their sword. Should the grip be tapered and rounded? Should it end with a ball-shaped pommel? Or should the pommel be carved directly from the sword’s wooden blank? If the student wants a round, ball-style…

In order to keep my bench clear for working, yet have the tools I need close at hand, I came up with this stowable mounting system. Each of my bench tools is mounted on a board with slotted guide bars that ride on dowels. When the tool is in use, the board locks in position…

Welcome to The Splinter Report, where I gather the assorted interesting and amusing things I’ve seen in the woodworking world. This week we’re looking at mahogany, the Pope’s coffin, and how 150 hours of work almost went down the drain. Tool News Quick Bites Blue Spruce Releases Leather Assembly Mallet: This looks like one of…

What could you do with see-through wood? Transparent wood isn’t a new thing. A German botanist developed a basic way to create it three decades ago.  It wasn’t very good and, honestly, not all that clear, but it proved the technology was possible. Ten years later, researchers in Sweden and at the University of Maryland built upon…

Here are the online extras for the June 2025 issue of Popular Woodworking Magazine. Interested in having the magazine delivered directly to your mailbox (physical or email) six times a year? Subscribe here. Moxon Vise Online Extras Download the PDF Craftman Desk Corbel Template Download the PDF Craftman Desk Sketchup File

By combining paint, metal leaf, and some chemical reactions, you can create interesting effects on a variety of surfaces. Creating a Patina finish can transform any object into a work of art. I have used these methods for over 3 decades with excellent results. My art pieces have sold for thousands of dollars and won…

This handsome hanging storage unit is a snap to build with screwed butt joints.

I cut dados for a tight fit. When I make them too tight, I use a jig that I call a Dado Tuner. The sole is 1⁄2” Baltic birch plywood, measuring 41⁄2“ x 12″; the open slot is 1″ x 6″; and the adjustable sanding fence is 3″ x 6″. The body and handle were…

A craftsman makes the argument that bevel-up planes are easier to tune for end grain and difficult woods. I can clearly remember my first experience with bench planes. I was in high school shop class and while I was leveling a joint with coarse sandpaper wrapped around a sanding block, the instructor stepped up and…

One of the most popular projects my students ask to build is a sword. Alongside boatmaking or crafting a gnome house, swordmaking has become one of the signature fourth-grade projects we do once the required curriculum is complete. I tailor each sword’s complexity to the student’s skill level. Most are based on the Roman form,…

In this week’s episode of the ShopNotes Podcast, Logan, Phil, and John are previewing Logan’s international travel and catching up on what’s happening at Woodsmith, ShopNotes, and Popular Woodworking Magazines. Find all of the ShopNotes podcast episodes here.

Welcome to The Splinter Report, where I gather the assorted interesting and amusing things I’ve seen in the woodworking world. This week we’re looking at a reader submission, NIOSH under fire, and an amazing joinery company out of the UK. Tool News Quick Bites Grizzly Announces Customer Appreciation and Tent Sale Event: On June 6th…

There’s new player in the loose tenon market. I’ve talked a couple times now about inexpensive jigs that turn a small router into a Festool Domino type tool. Available in a couple variations from different makers, the tools are innovative but not that easy or reliable to use. But you can’t keep a good idea down. A new entry into…

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. At first glance, you take it in as a whole: You see a curved top supported by thin, tapered…

I’ve acquired a bunch of routers over the years—enough so that I can afford to keep a few permanently mounted in these mini router tables. For lots of jobs, you don’t need a large table or a sophisticated fence; a small, flat surface and a board clamped to the top will do. The base’s overhang…

This small linen chest can be made in batches, and the lid presents some fun challenges during the process. Project #2502 • Skill Level: Intermediate • Time: 2 Days • Cost: $20 Inspiration for a project can come from anywhere. Take this linen chest for example. I was recently visiting a friend of mine at…

I well remember the day when I couldn’t get a mortise-and-tenon joint to come together no matter how hard I tightened the clamp. I had ignored a fundamental rule: Always make mortises 1/16“ to 1/8“ deeper than the tenons. There are two reasons for doing this. First, you don’t have to obsess about marking a…

Back in the late 1960’s, the folks at Record tools in Sheffield, England, redesigned their classic 044 plow plane (or plough plane, as they spelled it). It’s a tool used for making grooves by hand, and it’s hard to imagine why Record bothered to redesign it, with everything going electric back then. The 044 was…

All-Day No-Chafe Comfort: What pants should you be wearing in the workshop? Woodworking is not a pants-optional environment, and a good pair of pants is worth its weight in cotton in the workshop. Whether you’re working with rough lumber or putting the finishing touches on a finish, you need workwear that can handle dust, sharp…

John, Logan, and Phil are back together on this week’s episode of the ShopNotes Podcast! They’re catching up with the latest goings on at Woodsmith, Popular Woodworking, and more… Find all of the ShopNotes podcast episodes here.

Welcome to The Splinter Report, where I gather the assorted interesting and amusing things I’ve seen in the woodworking world. This week we’re looking at belt sander racing, the latest from Christopher Schwarz, and spirograph woodworking. Tool News Quick Bites DeWalt releases 20v 12″ Sliding Miter saw: Previously the only option for a battery-powered 12″…

With the right pricing formula, there’s always someone ready to buy your work. Pricing isn’t mysterious. Typically, it’s a factor of time and materials. The cost of materials is set by someone else, of course, but the value of your time is something only the maker can decide. Essentially, add the value of your time,…

I recently made a few softwood handles on the table saw using a method that streamlines a simple yet elegant design—handles that can handle a lot. These handles are thick, tactile, strong, and visually appealing. They’re great for pulling drawers or lifting boxes. In my case, I installed them on repurposed wine crates that I…

Make this sturdy circle cutting jig in a day, with readily available hardware, and you’ll be cutting perfect circles at the bandsaw. I delayed, stalled, and put off a circle cutting jig for the bandsaw. After all, I had a small trammel for cutting circles with a router, so I was not sure how much…

Book: Buchanan-Smith’s Axe Handbook Shop Now Authors: Peter Buchanan-Smith, Nick Zdon, Michael Getz, Ross McCammon Publisher: Abrams Books I’m a sucker for tools and good design, so Buchanan-Smith’s Axe Handbook was immediately added to my shopping cart when I found out about it. Simply put, it’s a book about axes, written by a person who…

Tool: Router Plane Shop Now  Manufacturer: Blue Spruce Toolworks MSRP: $269.99 One of the benefits of being in my position, is that I sometimes get to see tools that are in the works before they get released to the public. I’ve watched the development of the Blue Spruce Toolworks router plane for a while now,…

Welcome to The Splinter Report, where I gather the assorted interesting and amusing things I’ve seen in the woodworking world. This week we’re looking at toxic wood, the latest video from Workshop Companion, and giant wooden hammers. Tool News Quick Bites Milwaukee adds Packout Rolling Drawer Tool Box: For Packout fans this is a big deal….

When used as an undercoat or sealer, brushable epoxy greatly reduces expansion and contraction in wood. Coat all parts prior to assembly and make sure epoxy gets down into the fastener holes. If the wood absorbs a lot of the epoxy, sand the first coat after it cures and apply a second coat. Epoxy is…

Traditional construction techniques make this Limbert Style #357 bookcase a real gem. Project #2312 • Skill Level: Intermediate • Time: 4 Days • Cost: $500 Original Limbert case pieces are really something to behold. Black and white catalog pictures rarely do them justice, but if you get the chance to see one in person, you…

Tool: DiamondFinish Clear Shop Now  Manufacturer: KBS Coatings MSRP: $28+ It’s not often that a new type of finish is brought to the woodworking market. Recently, KBS Coatings, a company specializing in industrial coatings, started to make a push to bring their Diamond Clear finish to the home hobby woodworking market. I got in a…

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 shop. It can cut curves, joinery, rip parts to width. It’s my belief however, that the bandsaw’s most valuable and…

Last week, after posting three videos showing my gouge reformation and sharpening process, I decided to compile them into one unified tutorial. In the video, I explain the process and cover how to: Identify incorrect gouge edge geometry Tackle the ”horns” Sharpen the entire bevel Hone and strop the bevel In the drawing below (which…

On this week’s episode of the ShopNotes Podcast, Logan and Phil welcome special guest, Mike Pekovich for a gathering of magazine editors from around the US to discuss the state of woodworking. Find all of the ShopNotes podcast episodes here.

Welcome to The Splinter Report, where I gather the assorted interesting and amusing things I’ve seen in the woodworking world. This week we’re checking out some new tool announcements, the latest giveaway from Festool, and a unique material choice I spotted in the wild. Tool News Quick Bites Infinity Tools releases 0″ to 2″ Pocket…

Is there any doubt that magnets positively rule? I’ve never welded anything in my life, but found a great woodworking use for something familiar to metalworkers. And it’s no wonder I like them: They’re based on my favorite shop helpers, magnets. My dad (a professional welder in addition to being a woodworker) tipped me off to…

Perfection doesn’t exist. But you can come close. One of the first things any beginning woodworker must do is set up a workshop. Like so many other things a novice woodworker must do, the preparation of a workshop shapes the capabilities and enjoyment of the craft long after the novice has become an intermediate or…

Tool: Black 8″ Helical-Head Jointer JWJ-8HH-BLK Shop Now  Manufacturer: Jet MSRP: $2499.99 The company JPW (Jet, Powermatic, Wilton) has a long, rich history of offering quality, well-built power tools. (Note the side of my vintage Powermatic Planer in the photo above—circa early 1980’s, still running like the day it was new). Jet recently released a…

Contrasting woods highlight the elegant lines of this Gustav Stickley-designed classic. In days gone by, a chest similar to this would contain a bride’s dowry. The form goes back to Gothic times, but this is an adaptation of a Gustav Stickley piece from 1901. Admiring the lines of this piece, I was curious to see…

I’ve found that my new digital angle gauge is a great tool for setting an accurate angle on a miter gauge. To set the desired angle, first stand the miter gauge on its face on the rip fence’s rail or front of the saw table with the guide bar dangling below as shown. Zero out…

Tool: WorkTunes Connect + Solar Shop Now  Manufacturer: 3M MSRP: $169.99 Woodworkers all know the importance of PPE in the shop. Hearing protection has probably made the biggest advancements over the last several years. The addition of radios, Bluetooth, and connectivity into hearing protection has added a level of comfort in wearing them for hours…

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 furniture, carcases, drawers and jewelry boxes. They are all dovetailed together. I was only 27 years old when I came to this…

On this week’s episode of the ShopNotes Podcast, it’s addition by subtraction… just Phil and Logan discuss the weather, shop furniture and pet behavior, plus, they even get into a little talk about the world of Woodsmith and Popular Woodworking. Find all of the ShopNotes podcast episodes here.

Devon Campbell is designing and building world-class tools from his shop in Queensland. Sometimes, the universe has a way of connecting the dots, whether you’re looking for it to or not. Back before the last Handworks Tool Show in the Amana Colonies, I was browsing some of the Facebook groups, seeing who was attending. Someone,…

You want your projects to look good, so what’s better than a set of grooming tools? I’m a big fan of cheap, disposable tools. The kinds of things you don’t really have to take care of, or can just toss when you’re done with them, no cleanup needed. They cost almost nothing or come in packages…

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 gouges had longer corners than the middle flute, causing them to catch during carving. Here’s how I corrected the issue and gave them a proper edge. I…

While lounging at the pool one afternoon, I had an inspiration. I “borrowed” one of my kids’ floating pool noodles, cut it into sections and used the pieces as universal connectors for vacuum hoses and tool dust ports. (A noodle is only about three bucks, so I replaced it the next day). A noodle has…

This wall shelf is an elegant, simple way to showcase a special piece of woodworking —an Asa-no-ha Kumiko panel. Project #2218 • Skill Level: Intermediate • Time: 2 Days • Cost: $75 Inspiration can come from any number of places. Often, I find (furniture) pieces in antique stores, flea markets, and garage sales. I don’t…

Sam Maloof is a midcentury craftsman most famously known for his sculptural chairs. This is evident in the rounded corners, molded seats, and curved arms and backrests. His joinery also embodied this sculptural motif. I recently took a trip to Iowa to build a Maloof inspired sculpted rocker with my mentor, Tim Fuller. While I…

Here’s my first thoughts about that router jig that emulates a Festool Domino. Last month, I described some router jigs that enable trim routers to cut mortises like a Festool Domino. Like a lot of woodworkers, I’d love to have a real Domino, but can’t justify the cost (about $1,200), considering how infrequently I do loose tenons….

Tool:M18 FUEL 7-1/4″ Circular Saw 2834-21HD Shop Now  Manufacturer: Milwaukee MSRP: $449 (tool, 12ah battery and charger, framing blade, and bag) (Also available as 2834-20 bare tool) Don’t feel alarmed if you’re feeling a bit of deja vu; back in October I reviewed the new Milwaukee FUEL 6-1/2″ circular saw, and now that I have…

Over the last 40 to 50 years, Pfeil (Swiss Made) has become a highly respected brand in the woodworking community, widely recognized as the benchmark for premium-quality carving tools. This Swiss manufacturer produces beautiful and practical carving gouges, knives, and mallets—renowned for their exceptional steel quality and ergonomic comfort. In the United States, Woodcraft has…

I never expected to find thick, live-edge boards at my local Big Box store. While shopping for odds and ends, I did a double take as I walked past the lumber racks. In the board section was a selection of live-edge stock. All were 6/4 pine or fir, 6’ long, and available in 7″, 13″…

Make four variations of Federal inlay with heat and a few simple tools. While one revolution was winding down, another was gaining force. The Federal period, from about 1780 to 1820, saw both the rise of the nascent United States as well as a uniquely American interpretation of neoclassical design. This New World take on…

Building a throne for the common man. I’m sitting here listening to Fiona Richie’s “Thistle & Shamrock” radio show, thinking of an old friend, John Brown, from Ireland, and the ties between the Welsh and Irish cultures. I’ve been building Welsh stick chairs for ages, influenced by the ancient chairs in St. Faggon’s Castle and…

This week on the ShopNotes podcast, Phil, Logan, and John take listener comments and questions. Plus, a discussion of current projects and de-winterizing workshops. Find all of the ShopNotes podcast episodes here.

Use moulding, carving and other details to add visual layers. Have you ever gazed at a great painting and, for a brief moment, found yourself pulled into it? Almost like magic, a few well-crafted brush strokes can trigger memories like the haunting cries of a seagull or the briny smell of salt air. It flips…

Tapping a New Thread When you can’t find the right thumb screw for an old tool (see Part 1 here), your best option is to drill and tap a new hole to accommodate a modern fastener. In the case of our antique divider, I found an old thumb screw from a lampshade retaining ring that…

I collect all sorts of old tools. I figure that come the day when I need an unusual tool, I’ll have it, even if I only use it once. I’m still looking for the right opportunity to use my latest find, though. While walking through an outdoor flea market the other day, I was stopped…

Tool: M12 FUEL Brushless 18-Gauge Compact Brad Nailer 2541-20 Shop Now  Manufacturer: Milwaukee MSRP: $249 (Bare Tool) I’ve been a slow converter to cordless power tools. However, with today’s advancement in batteries, you can do a heck of a lot with a fairly small battery. And, there’s something to be said for not having to…

On this week’s episode of the ShopNotes Podcast, John, Logan, and Phil talk some listener questions and comments, plus more woodworking discussion from the Woodsmith, ShopNotes, and Popular Woodworking world. Find all of the ShopNotes podcast episodes here.

When done carefully, mixing wood species in a single project piece can be beautiful. When I first started woodworking I loved mixing different woods together. The more contrast – and the starker the contrast – the better I liked it. To me, at the time, mixing things seemed like the pinnacle of project design. But…

Here’s a simple, invisible repair for an all too common mistake. Say you’re flush-trimming a board and, for whatever reason, your router’s bearing dips into a dent and makes an unwanted divot. If you have a set of plug cutters, you’ll be back in business in no time. Just cut a face-grain plug that’s the…

Jim Moon produced a faithful replica of this iconic cabinet, with a decorative touch or two of his own. In the world of historic furniture-making, Jim Moon casts a long shadow. He is not only a highly respected furniture maker but also has the remarkable output of someone who works hard and fast. His entree…

Tool: Fortistrut-Q Shop Now  Manufacturer: Fortis Clamp MSRP: $64.95 For years, the woodworking industry has relied on pipe clamps for large format glue ups. The idea behind this clamp is that you purchase the clamp ends, and supply whatever length of pipe you need. A new company, Fortis Clamp, has taken this same idea and…

There’s not enough room in my garage shop for a tablesaw with a 52-in.-capacity rip fence. But no worries—I don’t need one! To make wide cuts, I simply install a shop-made extension that bridges my saw to the wall—and doubles its 30-in. rip capacity! I made my extension by framing a piece of 3/4-in. mdf…

My sharpening procedures involve a lot of buffing with compound. On one side of my buffer I’ve mounted a hard felt wheel, and on the other a paper wheel shaped to buff concave bevels. To prevent the buffing compound from flying all over the shop, I mounted my buffer in a simple plywood box that’s…

This weekend project lets you show off one dazzling board. True story. I first built a headboard like this years ago using only a miter saw, router, sander and a drill. My shop was just a driveway. The project really is that simple. For materials, all you’ll need is a huge board (this one is…

Find all of the ShopNotes podcast episodes here.

Tool: No. 444 am Shop Now  Manufacturer: Skunk Tool Works MSRP: $129 As a rule of thumb, if something doesn’t have multiple uses in my shop, I don’t generally keep it around. That even goes for hand tools. The new No. 444 dovetail marker from Skunk Tool Works is an adjustable dovetail marker that covers…

Not every woodworker needs a hardhat. In fact, very few need one at all unless mandated by an employer to meet OSHA requirements on a jobsite. Still, there are lots of occasions in the woodshop where you might bump your head. Working inside cabinets or built-ins, under any kind of bench or table, or even…

Tool: GREX AOS368 2-Inch 105-Degree Angle Random Orbital Sander Shop Now  Manufacturer: Grex MSRP: $122 Woodworkers all know the importance of sanding, and how tedious it can be. As a woodturner, we are all too familiar with that struggle as well. The tools we use for sanding are slightly different than for flat work however….

Adapted from a 19th-century example, this wall-hung shelf is perfect for displaying your treasures.

As a sawyer, I find my lumber stash sometimes gets out of hand. I saw a bunch of material and dry it, then end up with a ton of stock in my lumber rack. It works out great—I always have material available for projects, but I should put a little more effort into selling more…

I use dividers regularly in my work. They’re indispensable for spacing out and dividing lengths—whether laying out dovetails, bisecting a line by drawing intersecting arcs, or sketching circles and curves. At my school, we have a few old dividers, some over a century old, that are still functional. However, one was missing the retaining screw…

Over the years, I have often clamped stops on my drill-press fence to register hole locations in workpieces. Unfortunately, I always seemed to lose the stops. Flip stops always seemed like a good idea because they stay attached to the fence all the time so you won’t lose them. Plus, they flip up out of…

On this week’s episode of the ShopNotes Podcast, Phil, Logan, and John, discusss updates on recent projects, as well as take listener questions and comments. Find all of the ShopNotes podcast episodes here.

Make your bench indispensable. Editor’s note: This article originally appeared in the February 2004 issue of Popular Woodworking Magazine. Christopher Schwarz has published numerous articles on workbenches since then, and his thoughts have evolved on some of the topics discussed here. Still, this is a good guideline for anyone looking to upgrade the workbench in…

I’ve been a Festool Domino fan since they came out. The ingenious tool combines a biscuit joiner’s plunge action with an oscillating router to cut precise, repeatable mortises for loose tenons. With its easy setup and ability to create perfect mortises every time, it’s on many woodworkers’ wish lists. Starting at around $1,200, the tool…

This Charles Limbert table was sold as a fern stand, but it’s a great addition to any home. Project #2503 • Skill Level: Intermediate • Time: 3 Days • Cost: $250 At first glance, Arts & Crafts style furniture often looks simple to build. Afterall, there are no turned legs or intricate moldings to contend…

Thirst, not starvation, leads to weak glue joints. On my first day on the job as an apprentice cabinetmaker, my task was to glue together radiator panels for an office building. Two sticks of solid wood with tongues on one edge fit into grooves on the edges of veneered MDF panels. Eager to show that…

Tool: ALPHA HW615 Band Saw Buy Now Manufacturer: Harvey MSRP:$3,399 A band saw is an invaluable tool in the shop. In fact, I know several extraordinary woodworkers that don’t even own a table saw, favoring a band saw instead. After seeing a few of the Harvey band saws in person at the IWF show in Atlanta,…

On this week’s episode of the ShopNotes Podcast, John, Logan, and Phil are back talking about following your own advice, fixing furniture, listener comments, and more… Find all of the ShopNotes podcast episodes here.

Every woodworker has made at least a few birdhouses, but probably nothing like these. When you think of a birdhouse, you think of a square wooden box with a hole in the front. Birds don’t ask for much more. People, on the other hand, sometimes like things a bit fancier in their birdhouses. And if…

Many of us are familiar with the technique of using a razor blade to scrape away drips from varnish and other film finishes. It’s a great way to level defects, especially if you use a brand-new razor. To keep the corners from digging in, you can bow a thin single-edge razor just as you would…

Earlier this week I had the opportunity to visit the Festool USA headquarters in Lebanon, Indiana to partake in Festool’s 100th anniversary birthday bash. The red carpet was rolled out for trade professionals, social media influencers, and journalists to tour the HQ, try out the newest tools, and get a sneak peek into what’s coming…

Finishing it all up. Part 1 • Part 2 • Part 3 • Part 4 • Part 5 • Part 6 • Part 7 • Part 8 After many hours of meticulous work (see previous entries), I was finally approaching the completion of the Megillah boxes. With the hinges basins created, my next focus was…

Wooden wing nuts are so much easier on your hands than metal ones. Plus, it’s a great way to use up shop scraps and leftover hex nuts while avoiding a trip to the hardware store. Start with a strip of wood that’s about 3/4″ thick, at least 1/8″ wider than the hex nuts, and long…

Linseed paint will change the way you approach painting a project, but this wonderful finish takes a different approach than modern paints. The world of finishes is a complex one. When I find a finish I like, I tend to stick with it. For the last several years, I’ve relied pretty heavily on both acrylic…

If you can build it yourself, why would you want to buy it? I’ve always gotten “in a mood” whenever my wife would buy something online – whether wooden, or not – that I could have built cheaper, faster and, in some cases, better since it would be custom-made just for her needs. This time,…

I find my stock band saw table too small to support many workpieces, so I outfitted it with a larger, auxiliary table. However, I wanted to be able to remove it quickly when I needed to utilize my saw’s maximum cutting height. The solution was easy. I simply cut a plywood table to the desired…

An angular front and glass doors lend visual interest to this classic Krenov design. Through the early stages of my woodworking, when I was sweating away evenings in a Mississippi basement trying to learn the craft using a $99 table saw and an $18 block plane, I devoured the books of James Krenov. They represented…

Turning tools come in many shapes. Here’s how to keep those shapes sharp. Many years ago, I was cooking with a friend who was home visiting his parents during a college break. He struggled with a dull knife until he finally threw it down on the cutting board in disgust and declared, “There’s a $2,000…

The key to good rip cuts is a good rip fence. The Biesemeyer table saw fence is so much a part of the modern shop that the name is almost an adjective: Even if your saw’s fence is designed by the maker of your saw, it’s probably a “Biesemeyer-style” fence. It’s a fantastic, trustworthy fence,…

Keeping warm: What jackets should you be wearing in the workshop? Every year as the days get shorter and the temps get lower, woodworkers emerge from pseudo-hibernation to go into their shops and build throughout the long winter months. There are a lucky few of you who have fully insulated, heated shops, but the vast…

Tool: Scriber Buy Now Manufacturer: Tooley Park MSRP: £28 20% discount on the scribers this week (ends Sat 8th Feb) with the code TPF1 at checkout! There are often times, where there’s simply no substitute for the right tool. A good scriber is one of those tools. Whether its leveling chair legs, scribing a cabinet, or…

Installing the hinges. Part 1 • Part 2 • Part 3 • Part 4 • Part 5 • Part 6 • Part 7 • Part 8 Most of the time, when building furniture or boxes, I opt for high-quality extruded brass butt hinges, such as those made by Brusso. These hinges are superbly machined from…

Accidental musing on craftsmanship and building things to last. On a cold rainy day in December 2014, I was returning home from running errands in my Washington, D.C., neighborhood. Diane Rehm was discussing Russia on NPR. I was thinking about the leftover pizza I was going to eat for lunch before heading into the shop….

Tool: Robin Wood Axe Buy Now Manufacturer: Wood Tools MSRP: £69 (about $85) As a bowl carver, I am frequently asked about recommendations for beginner sets of tools. Though the Robin Wood Axe is always on that list, it’s not just a beginner’s axe. Weighing in at 1 pound, 9 ounces, it is a midweight carving…

Practice some mass-assembly techniques to create this elegant stand. Project #2501 • Skill Level: Intermediate • Time: 2 Days • Cost: $35 You know how it goes, you spot a need that you can fill with a woodworking project. In this case, I needed a place to put my headphones, as well as a tray…

I’ve been getting into laser engraving and cutting in a big (and small) way. I continue to be impressed by what today’s laser engravers/cutters can do. Chief among them is the huge range of projects they can handle with almost no restrictions on the size of the finished projects themselves. In most cases, you need…

To create a planing stop on my workbench, I decided to go the simple route. I installed and countersunk a short row of #12 brass flathead screws near the edge of the bench, spacing them an inch or so apart. I can adjust them just slightly above the surface of the benchtop for planing even…

Joinery machines are much more than one-trick ponies. Here’s an intro, and why you should consider adding one in your shop. There are several machines that come up as “shop necessities”. Table saws, jointers, planers, and band saws are the most common ones. In my opinion, there’s a new class of machine that needs to…

Woodworking is sweet when everything fits right. Here are 10 ways to ensure your mortise-and-tenon, dado, dovetail, and edge joints close up tightly. 1. Cauls distribute pressure It’s not easy to get enough squeeze in the middle of a big box to force home dado or biscuit joints. Big cauls are the answer. A caul…

On this week’s episode of the ShopNotes Podcast, it’s John, Logan, and Phil discussing bandsaw options, surprising tools that make you a better woodworker, and checking in on listener comments and feedback. Find all of the ShopNotes podcast episodes here.

Designing and making the lid cut. Part 1 • Part 2 • Part 3 • Part 4 • Part 5 • Part 6 • Part 7 • Part 8 Any box designed to house a specific collection item must be meticulously tailored to the item’s dimensions, ensuring proper protection during storage and convenient access for…

I’ve combined the working parts of two quick-action clamps to make a good tool even better. A two-headed clamp allows me to quickly make an adjustable-height table for my drill press or an outfeed table for my tablesaw. It also works great for holding cabinet parts in place for assembly. To make a two-headed clamp,…

As everyone knows, nails are made of metal… except when they aren’t. I enjoy learning about new woodworking technologies, especially when they change my conception of something really basic. For example, what’s more basic than a nail? Whether cut or formed from wire, they’re just thin metal sticks that bridge two workpieces to join and…

Perfect box joints of any size every time. I got tired of making a new box joint jig each time I wanted to change the width of the joint fingers. My latest jig allows cutting fingers of any size, up to 3/4-in.-wide. The jig slides in both miter slots, so it cuts precisely, and it’s…

On this episode of the ShopNotes Podcast, Logan, Phil, and John talk about design details, an update to the jointer saga, and current projects in the magazine. Find all of the ShopNotes podcast episodes here.  

This laminated material comes from Germany, and is made of hundreds of layers of European beech. As woodworkers, we have an affinity for hardwood. Cherry, walnut, maple, poplar and oak. Those species are what built America, and they hold a special place in our hearts. However, there’s a time and a place where it makes…

When gluing plastic laminate to a substrate, lots of folks use sticks or dowels to support the laminate. Supports allow you to perfectly position the laminate, since it can’t be shifted once it contacts the glue. I use old mini-blinds, curved side down. Mini-blinds are easy to pull out and easy to clean. -J.A.Wilson

At every party, the kitchen ends up being the center of activity. So, adding a kitchen island to help focus that activity only makes sense. In this video from our archives, we show you how to make this I Can Do That! island. Sized to fit nearly every home, it features seating for two and…

Tool: Gen II 18V One+ HP Compact Brushless Drill/Driver (PSBDD02K2) Buy Now Manufacturer: Ryobi MSRP: $139 (includes drill, two 1.5AH batteries, & charger) I have to confess this review is coming from a fairly biased space—the first generation ONE+ HP Compact Drill is probably my favorite drill I’ve ever owned. It was lightweight, powerful, perfectly balanced,…

This traditional, lightweight stool is an excellent first step toward chairmaking. One highlight of a visit to historic Old Salem in North Carolina is the beautiful Moravian furniture and woodwork in the village’s buildings. My favorite piece in the town is a small stool that shows up in many of the buildings. It’s a tough…

When I clean my HVLP spray gun, this shop-made container captures the liquid solvent and fumes. When the gun is clean, I simply pour the waste into a storage container for disposal. Drill a 3-in. hole in the back of a paint thinner jug. Cut a 3-in. circle from an activated carbon filter pad (available…

As subscribers to our magazine, you see a part of what we do every day—you’re holding it in your hands. What you don’t see is all of the behind-the-scenes stuff. We operate in two month cycles; we send an issue to the printer (and you) every two months. Between being in the shop, sitting at…

Which is more mythical – a unicorn or a DeWalt band saw? I’ve been asked over the years why some tool manufacturers don’t make certain tools. Mostly, tool companies restrict their offerings to one of two categories: handheld/portable or stationary. There is some overlap, such as jobsite table saws and “portable” planers that are too…

Wrapping the Brass Strip Around Part 1 • Part 2 • Part 3 • Part 4 • Part 5 • Part 6 • Part 7 • Part 8 After annealing and straightening the brass and dadoing the sides of the box to accommodate the metal strips (discussed in detail in Part 4), it was time…

Adding a bit of texture and colour to a square platter is a great way to dress up a simple design. Project #2419 • Skill Level: Intermediate • Time: 1 Day • Cost: $40 Sometimes, it takes experimentation to come up with something fun and unique. Take this platter for example. A bit of power…

Tool: 18V Brushless Colt Palm Router Kit (GKF18V-25PL14) Buy Now Manufacturer: Bosch MSRP: $399 (includes router, fixed base, plunge base, L-Boxx, 4ah 18v battery, charger, misc dust attachments) There is probably not a name more synonymous with compact routers than the Bosch Colt. For twenty years now, Bosch has been releasing compact routers under that moniker,…

Learn to set up and wield one of the most useful (and inexpensive) handplanes. Also check out: A primer on adjusting wooden planes. Kevin Drake, a furniture maker who trained under James Krenov, stood before his wonky-topped workbench one day many years ago and hesitated. His urge was to start flattening the benchtop by planing across…

Tool: Ultra-Shear Flat-top Blade Buy Now Manufacturer: Woodpeckers MSRP: $149+ Several issues back, I introduced our readers to a new lineup of blades from Woodpeckers. Their Ultra-Shear blades are some of the best I’ve ever used. A few recent additions to the lineup are worthy of taking note of.  If you take a look at the…

This traditional joint ensures the only cup on your tabletop will have coffee in it. The breadboard end is a traditional device for preventing a broad panel such as a tabletop from cupping. It is a narrow strip of wood that runs across the end of the main panel. Obviously, it must be attached in…

If you do a lot of spray painting and finishing, but don’t have room for a permanent finishing bench, give this turntable a spin. It’s surprisingly sturdy and because it rotates, you can get to all sides of your project while standing in one spot. It’s lightweight, so it can easily be taken outside. When…

Origin, the hand-held CNC from Shaper Tools, makes creating inlays effortless. Self admittedly, I’m becoming a grumpy old man. I know what I am comfortable with, and it’s fairly hard for me to break out of that sense of comfort. But, with that said, I always try and have an open mind when it comes…

  Faced with cutting hundreds of plugs for a big project, I came up with this idea: I cut the plugs a little deeper than needed. Then I ran strips of masking tape down the faces of the plugs. When I cut them free on the bandsaw they stayed stuck to the tape instead of…

Turn your miter saw into a precision cutting tool by building this storage-packed miter saw station. Project #2420 • Skill Level: Intermediate • Time: 3 Days • Cost: $600 Over the years, I’ve found two opposing mindsets when it comes to miter saws. One group believes that, while miter saws are okay for trimming a…

Tool: 12″ Dual Bevel Sliding Miter Saw C3612DRAQ4 Buy Now Manufacturer: Metabo HPT MSRP: $629 In my shop I have fairly high standards for a miter saw. It must be a dual bevel compound of course. And zero clearance is a must. I also like something that can be plugged in or run off battery power….

Here are the online extras for the February 2025 issue of Popular Woodworking Magazine. Interested in having the magazine delivered directly to your mailbox (physical or email) six times a year? Subscribe here. Download: Headphone lamination curve bending template (svg file) Download: Headphone stand base template (svg file) Download: Fern Stand Inlay templates Download: Norwegian…

Installing the metal band. Part 1 • Part 2 • Part 3 • Part 4 • Part 5 • Part 6 • Part 7 • Part 8 In the previous chapter of the Megillah Boxes series, I shared the process of creating long-grain to long-grain mitered boxes and delved into my gluing and clamping techniques….

Pocket holes make a seemingly complicated project simple.

Christmas is behind us, and the year is nearly over. Let’s look back at our top 10 most popular articles of the past year, that you guys kept going back to time and time again. 10. You Own a Table Saw?! 9. Woodworking in America: Eden Klinger 8. The Best Oak Money Can’t Buy: Turn…

In 2005, I loaned my French workbench to a friend to use in his booth at a woodworking show. As I rolled the 350-pound behemoth onto the show’s floor, I heard a couple wolf whistles (really?), then one of the show’s vendors stopped me. “How much for the bench,” he asked. I didn’t know what…

Unlock your creativity with this humble tool. How comfortable would you be giving up your tape measure? If that puts you in a cold sweat, I can relate. Time was when I worked only from prints, taking careful measurements to make accurate parts. I thought design was for the talented few – those folks blessed…

Assembling the Boxes Part 1 • Part 2 • Part 3 • Part 4 • Part 5 • Part 6 • Part 7 • Part 8 With all the components of the three boxes completed and their joints fitted, I staged the assembly using wide rubber bands to check alignment and fit. Once satisfied, I…

On this week’s episode of the ShopNotes Podcast, John, Phil, and Logan are discussing toolbox lessons, going over some listener and viewer comments, and checking in on some end of the year fun. Find all of the ShopNotes podcast episodes here.

Bye-Bye Birds-Eye An Army buddy from northern Michigan stopped when he came upon a truck that had overturned and scattered its load of lumber. The trucker, who was unhurt, told my friend to take all the boards he wanted, because the load would be considered a total loss. While loading his pickup, my friend realized…

You asked we answered: What type of shirt should you be wearing in the workshop? While it might be a bit of a stretch to say a shirt is an absolute necessity in the shop, would you really want to woodwork without one? Realistically, your base layer makes a big difference in your overall comfort…

Work clothes for men are easy to find. For women? Not so much. Heavy-duty work clothes for men have been around for probably the last century. You can wear any heavy clothing while working, of course, but garments designed specifically for work are made differently. Thicker or double layers at stress points like knees and…

Old chisels can be brought back to life using these simple steps. If ever there was a type of used hand tool that was a good candidate for restoration, it’s a chisel. Lots of good deals on old chisels can be found at flea markets, garage sales and auctions. And while many old tools –…

From the Archives: You don’t have to own a lathe to make replacement handles that will feel like an extension of your hand. A few months ago I had to face the unpleasant truth about my chisels. Given to me years ago by my father, my trusty old set of Marples bevel-edge chisels had run…

Cut completed boxes from a simple glue-up. If your shop is like mine, every horizontal surface collects stuff—the necessary minutiae of woodworking. It’s all good stuff, to be sure, but it can also create a real mess. Small drawers or storage boxes are the answer, but making them individually is a pain, because each box…

It’s the ShopNotes Podcast, everybody! Phil, Logan, and John have a post-Thanksgiving update along with a discussion on strategies for picking up a project where you left off. Find all of the ShopNotes podcast episodes here.

This versatile approach is easily adapted to other styles and uses. Project #1916 • Skill Level: Advanced • Time: 2 Days • Cost: $300 It’s deeply satisfying to sit in a chair that you’ve created in your own shop—and watch others do the same. Building chairs is also a great way to learn new skills…

Tool: EZ-Wings Miter Saw Station Buy Now Manufacturer: Red House Tools MSRP: $409.99+ A miter saw is a great tool to have in the shop and for home projects as well. The down fall of most miter saws, even when they’re paired with a miter saw stand, is that they lack sufficient support for making accurate,…

Tool: TGA10-SET-135 Special Edition Clamp Set Buy Now Manufacturer: Bessey MSRP: $69.95 Are you still shopping for the woodworker on your holiday list? I’d recommend you check out our full woodworking gift guide, but I have a late entry that showed up on my radar I wanted to highlight. Bessey recently released a special edition clamp…

A Disposable Brush And A Few Rags Build An Awesome Finish. Finishing is a challenging aspect of woodworking. There are many finishing materials and methods of application; within a single piece there may be several conditions requiring different approaches. It is one thing to get a nice finish on a small flat sample board but…

A cost-effective and efficient way to take green boards to usable lumber. The solar drying kiln is the most cost-effective way for the craftsman to get quality boards for woodworking from green lumber. Today there are many band saw operators cutting boards from trees that grow in abundance in much of America. The solar kiln…

Everyone can use some creative storage solutions in their shop, which is why we dug through the American Woodworker archives for some classic storage tips. Portable Hose Reel Instead of mounting my compressor’s hose reel to the wall, I mounted it to a board. This way I can take the reel wherever I’m working and…

The best way to get kids interested in woodworking? Help them build something. Ask a kid what they want to do when they grow up and you’ll get a hundred answers. Chances are good that “woodworker” isn’t one of them. Not surprising, what with educational attention moving away from vocations, to technology and other careers….

Where the rubber meets the road: What shoes should you be wearing in the workshop? A good argument could be made that shoes are the most important part of your workwear ensemble. A good piece of footwear will not only protect your feet and provide all-day comfort, but the benefits will go all the way…

On this week’s episode of the ShopNotes Podcast, Phil and Logan, discuss what’s going on at Woodsmith, ShopNotes, and PopWood, as well as take some listener questions. Find all of the ShopNotes podcast episodes here.

Crafting the tops and bottoms of the boxes. Part 1 • Part 2 • Part 3 • Part 4 • Part 5 • Part 6 • Part 7 • Part 8 After milling and beveling (mitering) the long edges of the boxes’ sides, I turned my attention to the tops and bases. I crafted these…

For a quick and simple bench stop, I mounted a sliding bolt taken from an old door to the end of my workbench. In the locked position, the bolt stays put, and in the unlocked position it’s completely out of the way. -Darryl Thomas

You might drive by one every day, tucked away from the main road. I drove right by it for years, never suspecting there was a time capsule of American furniture right under my nose. The Spring Hill Historic Home is tucked away out of sight up a long tree-lined gravel road in Massillon, Ohio. The…

How do you open it? Just push the bottom drawer. If you’ve ever been to a woodworking trade show, you’ve probably seen me demonstrating on the bandsaw. I’ve been doing it for, oh, 35 years now–a long run. A few years back, I introduced a box whose drawers pop out with the push of a…

Tool: 18V ONE+ HP Compact Brushless Barrel Grip Jig Saw (PSBJS01B) Buy Now Manufacturer: Ryobi MSRP: $139 A jigsaw is a great tool for all sorts of quick cuts in the shop. With that in mind, the ONE+ HP Compact Brushless Barrel Grip Jig Saw is just the right size to make it a go-to choice. …

The biggest benefit: less sanding. Big Slice, Big Blade When you’re cutting the back off a big box, your best bet is to use a 1/2″ 4 TPI (Teeth Per Inch) hook-tooth blade, and guide the cut with a fence. This blade is the widest that most 14″ bandsaws can handle. Its extra width helps…

With one board, you can put together this side table that packs in a bunch of great woodworking techniques. Project #2418 • Skill Level: Intermediate • Time: 3 Days • Cost: $250 I enjoy a good scrap wood project as much as the next woodworker but you can only make so many cutting boards. Surprisingly,…

I needed a 1/4″ zero-clearance throat plate for cutting dados the other day, but my throat plate only had a 3/4″ slot in it. I didn’t want to interrupt my project to make or buy a new throat plate, so I turned the old one 180° and cut a new slot in it. Why hadn’t…

Can Lithium-ion batteries really catch fire? A friend of mine proved it beyond a doubt. I’ve never liked the idea of knock-off, counterfeit or no-name tool batteries. Inexpensive, but underpowered and just not as efficient as originals, knock-off batteries can be downright dangerous according to the Power Tool Institute. Literally bursting into flames or even exploding…

Be sure to enter daily to win great woodworking prizes: enter here.

This unique project was built for a specific purpose, but it’s the perfect learning opportunity for anyone building a box. Part 1 • Part 2 • Part 3 • Part 4 • Part 5 • Part 6 • Part 7 • Part 8 Boxes come in countless shapes and forms. Most are crafted and used…

Handmade gifts are one of the most personal ways to say that you love someone. No matter what their interest, you’re sure to find something they’ll enjoy on this list. Most of these gifts can be made in a single weekend, so you have time to make multiple before the holidays hit. Are you shopping…

It’s surprisingly simple to make your own Stickley-style pulls. The simple lines and honest joinery of the Arts & Crafts period have always appealed to me. The fumed quartersawn white oak and the warm patina of the copper hardware add a wonderful effect to the overall design. But I have never been satisfied with the…

I’ve bandsawn hundreds of puzzle pieces using very small blades. I gave up on the steel guide blocks that came with my saw because when those little blades come in contact with the blocks, they’d dull right away. And, when I wanted to back out of a cut, the blade would pop out of the…

On this week’s episode of the ShopNotes Podcast, Phil, Logan, and John, talk about shop heat, woodworking rituals and more…. This episode of the ShopNotes podcast is brought to you by Grizzly Industrial. Purveyors of fine woodworking machinery since 1983, buy direct & save at https://www.Grizzly.com Find all of the ShopNotes podcast episodes here.

Welcome to the 2024 edition of the Popular Woodworking gift guide! This year the gift guide is bigger and better than ever, packed with great gift ideas for tools, accessories, and clothing for the woodworker in your life. Know your price point? Jump right in below, or keep scrolling if you’re just browsing for ideas….

I love mysteries that involve really old wood. There’s an old farm in Mannheim, Pa., that – like so many farms today – saw its last farming days years ago. The homesteads have been converted to B&Bs, while the old 1893 barn was cleared out, renovated, and is now used as a rental hall for…

Being a first-time lathe buyer is a daunting task. How big of lathe do you really need? How powerful should it be? What features should you be looking at? Thankfully Logan is here to take some of the mystery out of the process and help you choose which lathe is perfect for your needs.

Build a tool chest that’s worthy of your tools. Customize it to fit exactly the tools you want. Project #2115 • Skill Level: Intermediate • Time: 4 days • Cost: $250 I have a confession. I like nice tools. There’s something about boutique tool makers that I love. I’m guessing it’s the combination of high-quality…

I make a lot of drawers in my shop and got tired of fiddling with squares and pinch rods to square up the boxes during assembly. I decided to build a squaring frame to make the job go much quicker. It’s really nothing more than an accurate 90° corner against which I can press the…

After a woodworking course, this student has tools, a chest – and friends. In spring 2016 I took my first woodworking course, an “Introduction to Hand Tool Woodworking.” The class promised to teach students to fix up some tools and build a tool chest – but I learned more than that. Mike Siemsen, of “The…

Basic steps for beautiful joints. Dovetails. They get put on a pedestal as a sign of quality. And while not every project or furniture style warrants them, I enjoy sitting down, listening to an audiobook, and cutting them by hand. Once you break down dovetails into a series of basic steps, I think you’ll find…

After detailing the design approach and layout in my last entry, I moved on to building the actual components for my garage post-shelf system. This phase involved crafting and installing brackets that would not only securely clamp onto the steel columns but also support a functional, sturdy shelving solution. To begin making the 2×4 brackets,…

By hand or power? With a spring joint or not? One of the most important joints in woodworking is the edge joint. Without it, our projects would look like they had been built from narrow popsicle sticks. The joint bewilders many amateur woodworkers – perhaps because there are so many ways to go about it….

Like any table saw rip fence, mine needs occasional realignment to the blade. Because my miter gauge slots are aligned parallel to the blade, I just set my fence parallel to the right-hand slot. However, instead of mounting a dial indicator on a miter gauge to check the fence alignment, I made a gauge board…

From the Archives: Dale Nish, one of the principal architects of the turning revival, shares some turning techniques. Birdhouse Christmas ornaments have become very popular the last few years, and they are excellent gifts for family and friends. Back in 1993, I saw a birdhouse ornament made by Ray Huskey from Gatlinburg, Tenn. I was…

We’re interviewing makers from across the country. Today we’re featuring Barry Dima, a woodworker from North Dakota. How did you get started woodworking? Who were your mentors? My dad was Norm Abrams devotee and my mom’s dad was a jack of all trades, so tools and wood were always in the air for me growing…

Tool:Mini-LIGNO DX/C Shop Now  Manufacturer: Lignomat MSRP: $199 (standard meter without add-ons) One of the hardest things for me to explain as a woodworking instructor is the importance of knowing the moisture content of the wood you’re working with. As soon as you start working with rough-sawn material, or drying your own lumber, a quality…

On this week’s episode of the ShopNotes Podcast, Phil, Logan, and John are discussing meat organization, Swedish stoves, and maybe a little woodworking too. Thank you to our show sponsor Epilog Laser, quickly and easily customize your projects for added beauty and value. Learn more at: EpilogLaser.com Find all of the ShopNotes podcast episodes here.

It feels so odd, to be sitting here working on the December issue of PW, because it’s the middle of August and in the mid-90’s. But, alas, that’s how far ahead the magazine world runs. As you’re reading this, I’m guessing it’s October or November, with the holiday season looming. The years that I’ve put…

Micro fiber cloth picks up tiny dust particles as well as, if not better than, a tack cloth. Unlike a tack cloth, micro fiber cloths are washable and reusable. Rockler sells Norton’s micro fiber finishing cloth for $15, but any micro fiber cloth will work, as long as it has hemmed edges. -Kevin Southwick

Like many home woodshops in North America, mine is set up in a two-car garage. Similar to other suburban homes, our garage has two steel columns in the middle, supporting the bedrooms above. These load-bearing round steel posts, common in ranch-style and many other one-family houses, are often found in garages, basements, and unfinished spaces….

What do you look for when buying a tool? I’m guessing the same that I do (along with thousands of other woodworkers). At the top of the list are excellent performance at a fair price, reliable and available accessories, a track record of manufacturer build quality, and suitability to your working needs. Also important are…

Is it the saw or where the saw lives that increases your accuracy? There are two types of miter saws. The first can be a mainstay in the woodshop, dependably making accurate crosscuts day in and day out. Or it can be a cantankerous helper, needing constant attention and delivering inconsistent results. The difference usually…

There’s no single surface in my shop that’s the ideal height for every job. With my adjustable-height sawhorses, I can quickly set up an outfeed table, drawing table, or assembly table at different heightsas the need arises. My sawhorses are the folding, galvanized-metal kind, but any type will do. Cut 2×4’s to fit on the…

Am I protecting myself or holding myself back? There are several woodworking mediums I have yet to dip my toe into. Some, like turning, are because I’m sure I wouldn’t want to do anything else if I dared to add a lathe to my shop. Others are more reflective of my inability to maintain a…

On this week’s episode of the ShopNotes Podcast, Phil, John, and Dillon are talking about making projects on-site, preparing for a tv shows, and designing around plywood. Thank you to our show sponsor, Grizzly Industrial, purveyors of fine woodworking machinery since 1983. Buy direct and save at www.Grizzly.com Find all of the ShopNotes podcast episodes…

After sharing tips on leveling the table saw wings and aligning the blade with the miter gauge slots, I’m concluding this series with calibration advice on setting the 90-degree and 45-degree tilt limits. These stops ensure your cuts match the intended angle precisely. While you could check with a square each time, setting the limits…

Hand tools complement and complete work begun with power equipment. Most folks I talk with in the woodworking hobby seem to follow a similar path. They start out by emulating what they see on television, which is of course, power tools. Eventually, whether through magazines, web sites, forums or local clubs, they hear other woodworkers…

Ever make something for one purpose, then find a new use for it later? Back in 2018, I did a doll cradle project with 1/2″ oak that I’d milled. The scrap oak wasn’t big enough for anything on my to-do list, so I squirreled it away. Then, in 2021, I wrote an article on clamping…

We’re interviewing makers from across the country. Today we’re featuring Sylvie Rosenthal, an artist and designer from Wisconsin. How did you get started woodworking? Who were your mentors? Woodworking found me pretty early in life. When I was five, I started hammering nails into pieces of wood with my grandfather when he would visit. Soon…

Occasionally I need to drill a hole into the end of a rail or other workpiece using the drill press. I’ve found that a metal shelf bracket makes a handy support, keeping the workpiece square to the table and in line with the drill bit. I simply clamp the bracket to the drill press table,…

The difference is more than just pushing or pulling. It’s been over 20 years since the Western handsaw, a tool that cuts on the push stroke and was the pride of the English-speaking world, was surpassed as the tool most woodworkers reached for when they need a handsaw. It has been replaced by the Japanese…

On this week’s episode John, Logan, and Phil are recapping Woodworking in America, and discussing what we have going here are the magazine and tv show, as well as any personal projects. Find all of the ShopNotes podcast episodes here.

This live-edge coffee table is just the beginning of what you can build with a $20 doweling jig. Project #2302 • Skill Level: Beginner • Time: 4 Days • Cost: $400 This walnut coffee table is featured in my latest book, “Build More Stuff with Wood,” (see all the places you can purchase it here)…

What is a CNC? Why might I want one & How does it work? Over the last decade, CNC machines have become a common topic in woodworking. Most know that they cut things out, but that’s the extent of their knowledge. If you had a stronger understanding of what CNCs are, how they can be…

Get a period look with big box materials. The inspiration for this small hanging set of shelves is a late 18th- to early 19th-century (circa 1775-1825) English dovetailed version in oak with a dark finish. I wanted to replicate the look as much as possible using the I Can Do That tool set and big-box…

We all have to begin somewhere, and this is actually the most difficult time. Years ago I remember teaching a class about finishing that included one student who said he had never used a stain or finish, and to make matters worse, he had never even painted anything. This was a two-day class in which…

A few tools can go a long way. When you get started in woodworking there are many paths to follow, forks in the road, dead-ends and shortcuts. It’s a journey that our forebears would make with the help of a living, breathing guide: a master, a grandfather, a shop teacher. Sadly, the guides are fewer…

Discover a bit about clean, accurate boring. There are many tools in modern woodworking you can use to bore holes: powered drills (both corded and cordless), drill presses, hand-powered eggbeater drills, braces and more. Drill presses are the powered method of choice when accuracy is important. Battery-operated drills are convenient and fast. Corded drills are…

A bevel is a bevel… except when it’s a miter, unless it’s a chamfer. Confused yet? You’re not alone. To the uninitiated, woodworking can be a tough nut to crack. Even the most basic of projects assume a certain level of prior knowledge. In order to create any of the projects on this website, you…

Tools and techniques for general metalwork in the shop. While the woodshop may be where I’m most comfortable, I’ve been fascinated by metalwork for some time. I’m always watching for tips and tricks I can steal for my own use, and as such I’ve become attached to a few methods of working with metal in…

Basic woodworking tools are different from beginner woodworking tools. For one thing, I don’t like to use the word “beginner” unless I am using it accurately. It’s not a very useful label, in my opinion, because it implies that there are clear-cut and hierarchical steps in your growth as a woodworker. Who wants to return…

Do you feel that? The chill in the air? It’s the sign that peak woodworking season is upon us (especially for those of us without climate-controlled workshops). This year the first 60-degree day triggered near-compulsive response in me to go to the garage and put tool to wood. It’s a good feeling. But it feels…

“So this is what they used to look like. Wow!” That’s what I told all my friends after spending hours completely disassembling, cleaning and polishing a Porter-Cable Model 507 Extra Heavy-Duty circular saw, made in 1956. I went to all this extra trouble because I thought this particular saw was something special. It had what…

I’ve always had bad luck with really small drill bits–if I don’t break them, I lose them. I’ve stopped buying new ones, and now clip the heads off finish nails and use the nails as bits. Smooth nails–not galvanized- work best. To improve it’s cutting, file or grind the end of the nail to a…

In my previous post, I shared two useful tips to streamline the assembly of a SawStop cabinet saw. In this installment, I’ll focus on aligning the tabletop and the miter gauge slots with the saw blade. After setting up the wings and rails, I turned my attention to checking the parallelism between the blade’s surface…

Routers — love them or hate them, there are an overwhelming amount of options available. Here’s the breakdown on how this midsized lot performs. A router is a fundamental woodworking tool and sooner or later, you’ll want to equip your shop with one or more of these high RPM workhorses. Spinning nearly 10x faster than…

I like to use carpenter’s pencils until they’re worn down to stubs. Stubs aren’t very handy, though–they’re hard to dig out of a pocket. To solve this problem, I gathered up all the stubs lying around the shop and cut scarf joints on them with a handsaw. I trued up the joints with a disc…

Building for the love of wood. A visit to the Design in Wood exhibition, the annual show sponsored by the San Diego Fine Woodworkers Association, inspired me to enter this chest of drawers, which I built for my daughter Christina. I got lucky on the day I found the beautiful walnut boards that I used…

My tablesaw’s top often does double duty as an assembly table. It’s a guaranteed-flat surface. When I glue or screw together a project, it won’t come out twisted. Sometimes I use the saw’s fence as a clamp to hold parts in place for fastening. The “fixed” end of the clamp is a stick that fits…

I bought this old 18” bandsaw for a song from a used machinery dealer over 30 years ago. “It came from a local high school,” he said. “I heard that it was purchased by the school back in the 1930s with funds from the WPA—one of those Depression-era back-to-work programs.” This bandsaw needed a lot…

A simple approach to this classic finishing technique. Finishing options abound in the woodworking world, however with Arts & Crafts style pieces, you need to get the finish right to complete the feel of the piece. This isn’t a project made from birch plywood, where an opaque finish might suffice. There are several finishing schedules I’m…

A little over a year ago, several boxes arrived in our garage, containing the parts for what would become the most expensive piece of equipment I’ve ever invested in: the SawStop 3HP Professional Stationary Cabinet Saw. In this and the following blog entries, I’ll share some tips on setting up this saw, which, in my…

A system as elegant as the joint itself. Compound-angle dovetails are some of the most beguiling joints in all woodworking. But, as John Lennon once suggested, they can be as difficult to make as “fixing a hole in the ocean.” Well, maybe not that hard—but it all begins with figuring out  those odd angles. I’ve…

Not only living beings retain a soul; some objects do as well. The word “Pantheism” is defined as “the religious belief or philosophical doctrine, which identifies the universe with God.” And, “The doctrine that God is not a personality, but that all laws, forces and manifestations, etc. of the universe are God.” God is everything…

On this week’s episode of the ShopNotes Podcast, John, Logan, and Phil are talking about finishing techniques, plus an update on the latest at Woodsmith Magazine and the Woodsmith Shop TV Show. Sign up for Woodworking in America right here. Use coupon code Guild50 for a discount. Find all of the ShopNotes podcast episodes here.

With its quartersawn oak, and Arts & Crafts finish, this desk is sure to serve generations to come. Project #2417 • Skill Level: Intermediate • Time: 5 Days • Cost: $450 The best thing about being a woodworker is the ability to make custom furniture for a particular spot in the home. Need a desk…

A box like this one is the perfect way to polish your hand tool skills and play with new techniques. Project #2314 • Skill Level: Beginner • Time: 1 Day • Cost: $35 Looking for a good wedding gift for family or friends? How about a wedding box such as this one I designed for…

A Sharpening Handbook: What Every Woodworker Needs to Know About Sharpening If there’s one thing to be said about woodworkers, it’s that we’re old school and prefer to pick up a book (or a magazine). With that in mind, I’m thankful for the community of master woodworkers that put forth a great effort to put…

I love the convenience of mobile bases, but I hate it when they wobble on the floor even when they’re locked down. I got my chock block idea at the airport where the ground crews use something similar for parked aircraft. My chock block locks the fixed casters on my mobile bases so they don’t…

Locking Miter Joint for Legs You need a special router bit to tackle the locking miter joint, but it’s useful for many projects. The basic idea is to mill one board flat on the router table and the adjacent board held vertically against the fence. This creates a perfect joint with one bit and one…

This traditional glue takes a little bit of preparation and planning, but is still a valuable asset in today’s shop. “Ought a turn you to glue.” It was a saying that I heard my great-grandfather tell his mules as he was out working. Roy was a muleskinner — a mule trainer. That phrase was one…