Archives

An antique dealer’s secret formula for turning gunk into glow. I’ll bet you’ve got an old, tarnished plane sitting somewhere in your shop. Maybe it was your grandfather’s tool–one he...

This tool is a carver’s dream, but it had to be saved from history first.  There is an unfortunate reality that many woodworking techniques and tools have been lost to...

Tool: Veritas Low-Angle Jack Plane Shop Now Manufacturer: Veritas MSRP: $299 In the world of hand tool enthusiasts, there’s a devoted camp of woodworkers who live and die by their...

Master these skills and you can build anything. From chests to cupboards to cradles, frame and panel joinery opens a whole new world of possibilities.

This traditional plane is a fun way to cut grooves, and can be made in half of a day. The grooving plane is a hand tool that is faster than...

It’s easy to get a handle on which whacker to choose. If you’ve ever whacked a carving tool or pounded a joint using your palm or the side of your...

Tool: F-2 Titanium Hammer Shop Now  Manufacturer: Zen-Wu Toolworks MSRP: $159 It’s not often that a new tool company makes a significant impact in the woodworking market, and it’s even...

More than a century ago, Stanley introduced a new plane, and I’ve wanted one ever since. Well, no — I’m not that old — but it was still in production...

Once you understand the anatomy of a handplane, you’ll be well on your way to using it with success. [View the full-size exploded view of a handplane here] Handplanes are...

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.

  Most woodworking projects involve roughing, refining, and finishing steps, and using the right tool for each makes the work both precise and efficient. Too often we hear that hand...

A Rare Look Into A Chinese Tool Manufacturer. Recently, I received an invite for a rare opportunity — a chance to travel from the US to China to visit a...