When gluing joints, a woodworker must protect against glue run-out, particularly if the piece is to be finished. There's few things in fine woodworking more unsightly, and frankly, frustrating, than a splotchy finish due to glue that squeezed out of a joint.

The problem is that glue, when it seeps from joints onto the exposed wood, will plug up the pores of the wood, preventing stain from being able to seep into the wood. There are a number of strategies for dealing with glue run-out, with varying degrees of success.

There is, however, a simple trick to preventing glue run-out from being a problem on certain joints, such as mortise and tenon joints. Learn this easy-to-employ trick for Dealing with Glue Run-Out.

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From humble beginnings in the 1920's, the company that Ray DeWalt started with one innovative idea has turned into one of the most famous nameplates in power tools. How did the DeWalt Industrial Tool Company get started, and what innovation (that is still available today under a different nameplate) gave him his start?

Learn the answers to those questions and more in this DeWalt Company Profile.

(c) 2009 Chris Baylor licensed to About.com, Inc.

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Here in the U.S. and around the world, many people get the week between Christmas and New Year's Day off. If you are so fortunate, why not spend some of that time building a woodworking project, perhaps one to take back to your workplace to begin the new year?

If that sounds appealing, check out the following sets of free woodworking plans:

Computer Monitor Riser
Knick Knack Shelf
Under-Window Bookcase Plans
Build an Oak Book Stand

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Router bits are available in a wide variety of sizes and shapes. To get the best results from your routing (and to use these router bits safely), your router's speed should be adjusted according to the size of the bit.

In Setting Your Router to the Proper Speed, discover the appropriate maximum RPM speed that your router should be set for various bit sizes. Once you've learned the appropriate speed levels for your bits, you'll be able to work safer and get much better results from your router. As a bonus, your bits will last longer, too.

(c) 2009 Chris Baylor licensed to About.com, Inc.

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