Articles Index
Compact Power for Drilling & Driving
Cordless impact drivers have taken a prominent place among cordless woodworking tools, mainly because they pack a considerable amount of power into drilling and driving tasks without transferring the impact to the user. While some might consider an impact driver to be more of a construction tool than a fine woodworking tool, there are plenty of uses for one around the woodshop. Learn how to put the power of an impact driver to use on your woodworking projects.
Biscuit Joints - Tips for Better Biscuit Joints
When gluing boards together to make a table top, few joinery methods are as effective as the biscuit joint. This joint entails cutting a small slot in two corresponding faces, then inserting a small piece of wood called a biscuit into the slots with a little bit of glue. The biscuits then hold the joint together after the glue dries. In this article, learn tips for making strong and even biscuit joints.
How to Use SPF Lumber in Fine Woodworking Projects
Most of the dimensional softwoods sold at home centers and lumberyards today consists of a variety of spruce, pine and fir species (referred to as SPF lumber). These softwoods are great for construction purposes, but can SPF lumber be used for fine woodworking projects? Learn the answers in this woodworking article.
How to Use Pressure-Treated Lumber in Woodworking Projects
Pressure-treated lumber is typically dimensional lumber that has been treated with a solution to help the wood be more weather-resistant. For many years, pressure-treating used a process called wolmanizing, but in recent years, this formula has been replaced with a copper-based formulation, which has made it less toxic but more susceptible to corrosion. Learn how to use pressure treated lumber in your woodworking projects in this article.
Applying Polyurethane for a Durable, Beautiful Finish
When finishing a woodworking piece, a good way to protect the wood is by applying polyurethane. While available in both oil-based and water-based polyurethane versions, by applying polyurethane, you're giving your piece a durable, easy to apply finish that provides protection to your piece. Learn methods for applying polyurethane properly to ensure a smooth, beautiful polyurethane finish to your woodworking projects.
Reciprocating Saws
Reciprocating saws are powerful handheld tools that have a blade that cuts with a back-and-forth motion much like a jigsaw. Reciprocating saws are commonly used in remodeling projects, primarily due to their usefulness in cutting through wood, metal, plastic, PVC and more. The tool is perfect for cutting openings for windows and doors in an existing wall. In this article, learn the features you should look for when purchasing a reciprocating tool, as well as tips on how to use one safely.
Dealing with Uneven Shrinkage or Swelling of Woods
Every experienced woodworker has experienced issues with uneven shrinking or swelling of wood stock at one time or another. When wood stock dries unevenly, it tends to warp, cup, bow, twist, kink, crook and check. Understanding what may happen to your stock when it swells or shrinks is essential to building a quality woodworking project.
Maintaining and Caring for Your Air Compressor
If you use air-powered pneumatic woodworking tools in your woodshop, you need a quality air compressor to power those tools. Because most air compressors need almost no day-to-day maintenance, they are easy to take for granted. However, there are some parts of the compressor you should keep your eye on to make sure your pneumatic woodworking tools have a proper supply of air when you need.
Sliding Dovetail Joints
When considering the design of a woodworking project, there are a variety of woodworking joints to consider. One of the most versatile woodworking joints is the sliding dovetail joint. It is strong, has numerous practical uses, and can be made a few different ways with a variety of woodworking tools. Learn the uses and methods for building a sliding dovetail joint.
Dovetail Joinery - Half Blind Dovetails
Of all woodworking joinery, the dovetail joint is known for strength and beauty. There are times when a half blind dovetail joint is the best choice for the connection. Learn when to use and how to build a quality half blind dovetail joint.
Woodworking Safety Glasses
Perhaps the most important safety rule of woodworking is to always wear safety glasses, no matter what task you're performing in the workshop. Your eyesight is too important to work without them. Learn what you should look for when buying a quality pair of safety glasses.
Using Wood Screws in Your Woodworking Projects
Wood screws are probably the most commonly-used mechanical fasteners used in woodworking, and for good reason. They are strong, hold well, plus they are versatile and easy to use, particularly with a cordless drill and a screw bit. Learn the different types of wood screws and how to properly use them in your woodworking projects.
Choose the Right Sandpaper
The finish on a woodworking project is only as good as the sanding job that is done underneath the finish. The first step to proper sanding is to choose the right grades of sandpaper for the job. Learn how to select the proper sandpaper for finishing your woodworking projects.
Woodworking Joints: How to Cut a Dado
The dado is one of the most commonly-used woodworking joints, and is particularly well-suited for building cabinets. A dado is nothing more than a rectangular-shaped groove cut into one piece of wood that will securely hold another piece of wood. Learn how to cut a dado and when to use dadoes in your woodworking projects.
Understanding Wood Sizes
When you visit your home center or woodworking supply house, you'll notice that stock comes in varying wood sizes using terms that may not make sense to the beginning woodworker. Learn how to find the exact wood sizes of stock you need to complete your project.
Plywood Grades
There are many different plywood grades and types of plywood, from marine plywood to exterior plywood, A-A to CDX, and the type or grade you choose to use will be dependent on how the plywood in the project will be used. Learn where and when to use the different plywood grades and types of plywood.
Identifying Plywood Sizes
Buying plywood (and other sheet goods) at the lumberyard can be a bit confusing, particularly because the actual sizes as measured with a tape measure don't actually match the common name for the product. In this article, learn how plywood sizes are sold and how to discover what plywood sizes or products are best for your woodworking projects.
Drill Press - Drill Precision Holes
A drill press is the woodworking tool of choice for drilling precise holes, but the drill press can be used for so much more. There are floor-standing and table-top drill presses, some that can be used to create square mortises, some that have laser pointers and on-board lighting and more. Learn the features that are the most useful when choosing a drill press in this article.
Drill Bits for Smooth, Flat-Bottomed Holes in Wood
Forstner drill bits are perfect for fine woodworking. They produce smooth, flat-bottomed holes perfect for fitting dowels into the holes. Available in a variety of sizes, Forstner bits typically are sold in sets. They are best suited for use in a drill press or a lathe, as they're a bit too difficult to use in a hand-operated drill. In this article, learn all about how to use Forstner bits in your woodworking projects.
Woodworking with Oak - Getting the Best Results When Woodworking with Oak
Although there are numerous varieties of the species, one of the most revered types of wood used in woodworking is oak. Building woodworking projects out of oak can be very rewarding. It can also be very frustrating. There are a number of considerations one should remember when woodworking with oak. Learn some steps for getting the best results out of your oak woodworking projects.
How to Apply a Lacquer Finish
Lacquer has been used for literally thousands of years to protect woodworking projects. A lacquer finish provides a hard, durable, clear finish that does a good job of protecting against water damage. A modern lacquer finish is designed to be applied either by spraying or by brush. Learn the advantages of using a lacquer finish to protect your woodworking projects.
Determining the Table Saw Features You Need - and Those Features You Don't Need
Do you know how to buy a table saw? What features should you make sure the table saw has before you buy it? Are there features that you may not need, and can save money by avoiding those features? Learn the ins and outs of buying a table saw in this woodworking tool buying tip.
Mitered Butt Joints - A Cleaner Butt Joint
The mitered butt joint is often the most appropriate choice for square joints, much more so than a standard butt joint, because the end grain of the two pieces of stock are hidden. This is especially useful on picture frames or joining moldings. In this article on woodworking joinery, learn how to make a clean mitered butt joint.
Compound Miter Saws - Precise Angled Cuts Made Easy
A compound miter saw can make precision angled crosscuts remarkably easy. There are some features that you should look for when purchasing a single-bevel or double-bevel compound miter saw. Learn some thoughts on buying a compound miter saw in this woodworking tip.
Basic Joinery - Half Lap Joints
Half lap joints an easy joint to make with a table saw or a radial-arm saw. You're simply removing half of the material from two different boards so that, when placed together, the two boards appear to take up the space of one board. This type of joint can be secured with glue and mechanical fasteners, and is great for furniture frames. learn the secrets to make great half lap joints in this woodworking tip.