QuickTips Index
How to Remove Table Saw Rust
Many woodworkers live in high-humidity areas, and cast-iron table saws don't mix well with humidity. Often, the saw's table will rust easily. How should one go about removing the rust and then preventing its return? Learn some steps to removing the rust and keeping your table saw rust-free.
Will a Stacked Dado Blade Fit on Your Table Saw?
Many small and medium table saws have relatively short arbors. This can be a problem when trying to use a stacked dado blade on one of these table saws, as the arbor isn't long enough to accommodate the dado blade and chippers. Learn how to cut dadoes and rabbets when your table saw or radial arm saw has a short arbor.
Turn Your Router Table or Drill Press Into a Spindle Sander
When needing to sand curved cuts from a jigsaw or a band saw, the best results come from an oscillating spindle sander. However, if you don't have a spindle sander, there are other options with other woodworking tools. In this article we show you how to use your router table as a spindle sander.
Straight Router Bits and Spiral Router Bits: Which are Better?
When a straight router cut, such as a dado or rabbet, needs to be made in a piece of stock, you have a few choices. You can use a straight router bit or a spiral-cutting router bit. Which one should you choose? In this article, we dissect the difference between these two similar woodworking tools and show the advantages of each.
How the SawStop Table Saw Blade Brake Works
Numerous studies have shown that table saws cause more devastating injuries than any other woodworking tool. To combat these injuries, SawStop developed technology that stops the blade within milliseconds when contact is made with the blade. How does the SawStop Table Saw blade brake work? Learn how this amazing technology can help prevent major hand and finger injuries.
1/4" vs. 1/2" Shank Router Bits - Which are Better?
Most router kits include two collets, to accommodate both 1/4" and 1/2" shank router bits. You can buy most router bits with either size shank, so which size is better, and why? Learn the differences between 1/4" and 1/2" shank router bits, and the affects each can have on your woodworking projects.
How to Install Router Bits Properly
In order to use router bits safely and properly, router bits need to be installed correctly in the collet of your router. Improperly installed router bits can break easily and can be quite dangerous. Learn how to install your router bits properly, to work safely and to get the best results on your woodworking projects.
Jigsaws and Sabre Saws: What is the Difference?
What is the difference between a jigsaw and a sabre saw? Is there a difference between a jigsaw and a sabre saw? Learn the common explanations of both tools, and when you should use a sabre saw as opposed to a jigsaw.
Work Safely with Your Compound Miter Saw
The compound miter saw is a favorite tool among woodworkers for its precision and versatility. It also can be a very dangerous tool if used improperly. Learn some habits that you should follow whenever using your miter saw, to help prevent injury from your woodworking tool.
Make and Use a Circular Saw Measuring Jig
There are times where you may find yourself without a table saw. However, if you have a circular saw and a straight-edge, you may be able to work almost as quickly and accurately as if you had a table saw. How? With a circular saw measuring jig. Learn how to make and use this simple but extremely effective woodworking tool accessory.
How to Drill Clean Holes
When drilling with a large hole saw or spade bit, the back side of the stock tends to tear when completing the hole. Learn two simple ways to solve this common problem, so you can avoid tear out in the large-diameter holes in your woodworking projects.
Replacing the Surface on a Radial Arm Saw
Radial-arm saws are designed so that the surface of the table top over which the saw travels can be replaced. What materials work best for a radial arm saw table, and how (and when) should the surface be replaced? Learn tips for replacing your radial arm saw's working surface and more in this quick woodworking tip.
Drill Press Mortising Attachment
A dedicated hollow-chisel mortiser is the perfect tool when your woodworking plans call for a number of mortises. In truth, if you have a drill press, you don't need a dedicated mortiser. You can add a mortising attachment to your drill press! Use this attachment to simplify cutting your mortise and tenon joints.
How to Fix Paint Drips
Paint drips are among the most frustrating problems one can encounter when finishing a woodworking project. Paint drips are typically caused by applying to much paint. However, if you do end up with a dreaded paint drip, there are steps you can take to eliminate the problem. Learn some tips for fixing paint drips on your woodworking projects.
Tips for Building Custom Woodworking Jigs
For many woodworking tasks, the safest and easiest way to precisely complete the task is with a woodworking jig. For instance, in a lot of cases where an unusual cut may be required, you may be best served by designing and building a custom jig. Learn some tips for building custom jigs, so you can work accurately and safely in the wood shop.
What Size Screws Do You Need For Your Project?
When designing a woodworking project, how do you determine what size and length screws should be used to join pieces of wood? A lot depends on how the parts will be affixed. In other words, screwing into end grain is far different than inserting a screw across the grain. How do you know what size and length to use? Learn the answers in this article.
Spring Clamps for Woodworking
A woodworker can never have enough clamps. It doesn't matter whether they're bar clamps, pipe clamps, quick clamps or spring clamps, at one point or another, you'll likely wish you had more clamps. Even though it's one of the cheapest clamps to purchase, the basic spring clamp is invaluable in the wood shop. Learn a number of uses for spring clamps, and why you should have dozens in your shop.
How to Close an Open Mitered Corner
When working with mitered corners, the two mitered pieces don't always match up perfectly, even when the angles are cut correctly. This defect can be caused by numerous issues, such as twisted or slightly warped stock. In this woodworking tip, learn an easy method for closing open mitered corners.
Handy Fraction/Decimal/Metric Conversion Chart
In general, woodworkers hate math. Because we hate math, I've posted a handy fraction to decimal to metric conversion chart. This chart shows common fractional dimensions in 1/64th increments along side the decimal (in inches) and metric (in millimeters) equivalents. Print up this handy conversion chart for use in your wood shop.
Hanging Cabinets with Wedge Brackets
One sturdy method for hanging a cabinet on a wall is to use a wedge bracket. This type of bracket can be easily made using a table saw and a long piece of dimensional lumber. When properly installed, a wedge bracket will support a considerable amount of weight and hold your cabinet tight to the wall. Learn how to build and incorporate a wedge bracket in your cabinet designs.
Should You Pull or Push Your Radial-Arm Saw?
When cutting with any circular-motion saw, such as a table saw or circular saw, the motion of the stock or saw is against the circular motion of the blade. However, with a radial-arm saw, one could conceivably cut by pushing against the blade, or pulling with the motion of the blade. Which way is correct? Learn the proper, and safe method for cross-cutting with your radial-arm saw.
Does ACQ Pressure Treating Affect Moisture Readings?
Most wood moisture meters detect moisture content in wood using electric current, and the level of conductance determines the amount of moisture in the stock. However, when testing ACQ-style pressure treated wood, the level of conductance will be much higher than with untreated stock, because of the amount of copper in the treating solution. How should one work around this problem?
Forstner Bit Alignment Tip
When using a forstner bit with a hand power drill to cut large diameter holes, the bit may have a tendency to walk, particularly if the tip of the forstner bit is a somewhat worn. In this woodworking tool tip, we show you a way to keep forstner bits centered properly when using them in a hand-operated power drill.
Woodworking Jigs: Panel Cutting and Ripping Jigs
Woodworking Jigs are very handy for making somewhat difficult tasks easier as well as consistently repeatable. Most woodworking jigs are or can be homemade. In this article, we describe two such homemade woodworking jigs, one cross-cut and panel cutting jig and another for ripping stock up to four feet in length, using only a circular saw. Learn how to make these simple and effective woodworking jigs.
How to Use a Featherboard
Featherboards of all shapes and sizes can be used to help hold stock against a fence when ripping or routing the board. While some featherboards are homemade, they are used just like commercial featherboards. Learn how to use a featherboard to help you safely cut your boards on your table saw, radial-arm saw or router table.