Honing in on Proportions

Small changes can make a big design difference – and help train your eye. How do you dial in the proportions on a furniture design? I used to pose that...

Using Grain Pattern to Choose Lumber

The end grain holds the secret to what stock to use where. The single-most important factor in the appearance of any woodworking project is the selection of the material. This...

How to Use Spokeshaves

Learn how to choose and use these versatile shaping tools. As a Windsor chairmaker and spokeshave maker, I use a spokeshave more than any other tool. I have three: two...

Drawers Date Furniture

Quick inspections reveal much about a piece’s age and possible origin. A while back, my wife and I were visiting friends who wanted to show us their collection of antique...

Easy Shaker Carry Box

Notched and nailed joints add visual interest to this simple project. This form is typically called a Shaker silverware tray – but it comes in handy for ferrying all sorts...

Bow-front Entry Table

Learning to work with veneers and curves enables you to design and build almost anything. This bow-front entry table serves as a good introduction to both – without costing a...