The Core Hand Tools

For the cost of one large piece of machinery, you can set up a complete shop with hand tools. Here's what you need to get started.

Is Water-based Finish Lacquer?

The two products – both useful – are quite different. Dating back at least 100 years, the term “lacquer” has referred to a non-crosslinking finish that thins with lacquer thinner....

Roubo Hollows & Rounds

Make these French moulding planes that are essential for every hand-tool kit. Hollows and rounds are making a strong comeback in the hand tool woodworking world. However, many woodworkers are...

Custom Push Pads

This handle design is a safety improvement over commercial versions. Let’s face it: Many of us all too often see safety as…well, just plain boring. We always seem to be...

‘Melencolia’ Try Square

This nearly lost layout tool is surprisingly accurate and useful. A surprising number of woodworking tools and furniture forms have been lost to time. Some for the better (the motorized...

Guerrilla Guide to Spray Finishing

It’s fast, forgiving and affordable – and you don’t need a spray booth. The hardest part about learning to spray finishes is becoming convinced that you can learn to spray...

Arts & Crafts Occasional Table

Conquer some fun joinery challenges with this geometric Baillie Scott build. As soon as I saw Mackay Hugh Baillie Scott’s 1901 occasional table on display at the Museum of Modern...