Getting Started in Woodworking

Getting started in woodworking can seem like a daunting task. From the expense of buying tools to determining the different types of wood, there is so much to learn that even the old-timers are still learning. However, learning woodworking isn't difficult. If you master the basics by following beginner woodworking tips, the rest will fall into...

There are a few simple safety rules that every woodworker should always follow. Make safety a habit, and you'll be much less likely to encounter a problem when woodworking.

Woodworking machines are precise power tools that are typically far too large and heavy to be portable, which means that they're rarely found on a job site. Instead, these woodworking machines are confined to the wood shop. Fortunately, they're so useful that you'll be quite willing to build your fine woodworking projects in your wood shop and...

Getting started in woodworking doesn't have to be expensive. With just a few well-selected power tools, a beginning woodworker can complete a quite a number of woodworking projects and develop their skill level at the same time. In this list, find the seven power tools that are the most useful and practical for any beginning woodworker getting...

What are the essential hand tools every woodworker needs? We list the Top 10 woodworking tools you'll need for nearly every project.

When buying hardwoods, you'll find that the wood is sold by the board foot. How can you easily calculate board feet? Why would you want to calculate board feet when the lumberyard has already done it for you? One reason would be to make sure that you're getting an accurate price on each board you buy. Learn how to calculate board feet the easy way.

When you visit your local lumber yard or home center to pick up the lumber for your next woodworking project, do you know how to find the pieces of stock that will be best for your project? Learn how to spot warp, cups, bows, twists, crooks, checks, splits and more.

While every shop should have an assortment of woodworking tools, there are a number of wood shop accessories that are just as useful. Some of these accessories are tools that aren't necessarily "woodworking tools" but a few of the rest are items that can be built in the shop. Here is our Top 10 list of Wood Shop Accessories.

A biscuit joint consists of a number of biscuits inserted into matching slots in two corresponding boards. One common question is, "how far or close together should these biscuits be placed?" In this tip, learn the best type of biscuit to choose, plus how they should be spaced in the woodworking joint.

Featherboards are designed to help hold stock securely against a fence when ripping or routing the board. While featherboards can be homemade, there are a variety of commercial featherboards available. Learn how to use a featherboard to help you safely cut boards on your table saw, radial-arm saw or router table.

Woodworkers regularly need to be able to determine whether an assembly or an item is square. While this woodworking tip seems like a basic and logical method for determining square, it is actually based on Pythagorean's Theorem, and it works each and every time. Learn this simple but very effective woodworking tip, and put it to use in your...

One of the simplest ways to finding square is to use the 3-4-5 rule, no matter whether you're creating a small project or are building a house. The 3-4-5 rule is based on the Pythagorean Theorem, but you don't need a calculator or need to do any complicated math to employ the rule. Learn how to put this easy rule into practice in your...

When designing the layout of your woodworking shop, pay special attention to lighting. A well-lit shop should have consistent illumination on all work surfaces so you can use your woodworking tools from any angle without casting shadows.