It is said that wisdom is learning from the mistakes of others.

A couple of months ago, I posted a comment about Close Calls When Not Wearing Safety Gear, requesting reader responses. A number of you responded with some very interesting situations that could have been prevented (or at least made less dangerous) by wearing appropriate safety equipment.

Check out these interesting safety close calls and, if you have a similar story that you feel would benefit the community, please pass it along through the form at the bottom of the page. Perhaps a fellow woodworker can learn from your experience.

A reader asked the following question:

I purchased and set up a mortising attachment on my drill press, aside from that I noticed that when applying pressure to the DP handles to lower the chisel into the wood, even with new sharp chisel bits, it really seems difficult to press square holes into the wood [sort or hard wood]. Is this a common problem?

This topic became an interesting back-and-forth discussion in the About Woodworking User Forum. This is a place where anyone can ask woodworking questions and get answers from woodworkers around the world quickly. Best of all, it's absolutely free to create a username/password and join in the conversation.

Stop by the About Woodworking Forum and check out all of the conversations today!

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I recently was fortunate enough to visit and take a tour of the Ali Industries factory in Fairborn, Ohio, where they manufacture their line of Gator Finishing sandpaper and abrasive products. On this tour, I learned a great deal about how sandpaper is made, and frankly, it's a lot more than simply sprinkling some sand onto some glue-laden paper.

In this step-by-step article, learn How Sandpaper is Made. As a bonus, learn why certain type of sandpaper are better for certain applications, and more importantly, why those types of sandpaper are better.

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

After reading this review of the Craftsman 20-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Sabre Saw, a reader posted the following question on the bottom of the blog post:

What is the difference between a sabre saw and a jigsaw?

In Jigsaws and Sabre Saws, discover the origins of both of these saws and how they are different (as well as how they are similar).

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

Ali Industries, makers of the Gator Finishing System and the popular line of Zip Sanders, has been offering their lines of abrasives since 1961. In this profile of Ali Industries, learn how the company has evolved from a garage-based business into a company that offers abrasive products the world over for woodworking, construction, automotive uses and more.

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Woodworker Steven Spiro has partnered with cartoonist Dave Sanders to produce "Woodchuckles - For woodworkers and those who love us." It's a compilation of 100 cartoons with a woodworking theme.

Read more in this Woodworking Book Review of Woodchuckles woodworking cartoons.

2009 Chris Baylor licensed to About.com, Inc.

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Before beginning the finishing process of their a project, the woodworker needs to be sure that every possible bit of sawdust and grit left behind by sanding has been removed. While vacuums and tack cloths work well to get most of the sawdust, there is another final measure I like to employ before I begin staining, painting or applying an oil to my projects.

Learn this handy tip for removing even the finest sawdust from your woodworking projects before you begin to apply finish.

2009 Chris Baylor licensed to About.com, Inc.

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Corresponding with the new Dremel 4000 Rotary Tool and the Dremel Multi-Tool, Dremel has put together ten great home improvement ideas with Paul Ryan of DIY Network.

Additionally, Dremel is looking for more such ideas, and is willing to pay for them! Submit your favorite project idea using a Dremel tool (200 words or less) for a chance to win up to $2500.

To check out these 30 minute ideas, plus read about the contest, visit the Dremel 30 Minute Miracles site.

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As we get into early November, a lot of people begin to think ahead toward the "gift giving" season.

If you have a woodworker on your list this year, check out this list of Woodworking Gift Ideas. You'll even find a link from each of these ideas so you can check out some of the best prices on the web.

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

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For some reason, woodworkers as a group tend to detest math. So, what am I going to do? Show you how to use math to avoid getting ripped off at the lumberyard.

Many lumberyards like to simplify their board-feet measurements by rounding, but this seemingly innocuous practice can cost you a bundle. For that reason, whenever I buy hardwoods, I always double-check the board foot calculations and complain if my numbers don't match theirs. Frankly, if you know how to use even the most basic calculator it's so easy to do that I don't understand why anyone would be intimidated by the process.

In How to Calculate Board Feet, learn the simple formula to getting precise board foot calculations when buying hardwoods. Knowing this simple formula can literally save you hundreds of dollars a year (if not more) on your hardwood purchases.

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