Articles Index
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.
Handy Fraction/Decimal/Metric Conversion Chart
In general, woodworkers are not particularly fond of having to calculate math. To make some of the math easier, 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 this handy conversion chart for use in your wood shop.
Does ACQ Pressure Treating Affect Moisture Readings?
Most wood moisture meters are designed to detect moisture content in wood using electric current, as 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 when using a moisture meter with ACQ lumber?
Forstner Bit Alignment Tip
When using a forstner bit with a hand power drill, often the bit has a tendency to walk, especially if the tip of the bit is worn. In this woodworking tool tip, learn how to keep forstner bits centered when using them in a hand-operated power drill.
How to Use a Featherboard
Featherboards, whether homemade or commercially-built, are designed to help hold stock securely against a fence when ripping or routing the board.
Creating a Hand-Rubbed Lacquer Finish
Lacquer finishes have been used by woodworkers for many years, as they are durable, clear and dry quickly and can be hand-rubbed to an amazingly glossy finish.
The Easy Way to Check for Square
Woodworkers need to be able to determine whether an assembly is square. This simple tip is based on Pythagorean's Theorem, and it works each and every time.
How Do Growth Rings Affect Wood Stock?
A tree's growth rings, when viewed in lumber, are referred to as grain. Knowing how the grain is constructed will help you know how wood behaves in projects.
Woodworking with Recycled Materials
Woodworking can be a costly hobby with all of the tools, accessories and materials. One of the ways to combat the rising cost of materials is to recycle wood.
How to Match Wood Fillers with Stained Wood
Filling nail or other holes on stained woodworking projects can be a source of frustration for woodworkers. Learn strategies for matching wood fillers with stain colors to get the best results from your woodworking plans.
Ideas for Removing Odors from Wood
Wood used for woodworking projects can take on certain odors from the environment. On occasion, these odors can become so embedded into the wood that the piece is no longer usable in its current state. Here are some ideas and methods for removing odors from wood.
Painting Outdoor Projects
When building outdoor woodworking projects, the woodworker is presented with a problem: how to protect the project from the elements. While there are certain types of wood that are more resistant to the elements than others, there are ways to protect projects that are made from nearly any type of material. Learn how to protect your plans from the elements, so you can get years of enjoyment from your woodworking plans.
How to Cut Curves in Thick Stock
When they need to make curved cuts in thick pieces of stock, most woodworkers head for their band saw. However, what should you do when a band saw isn't available, like when you're on a construction site? Learn which woodworking tools are the best choices (after the band saw) for making the curved cuts necessary to complete these woodworking projects.
Methods for Squaring-up Stock
What is the best method for squaring-up stock? Should you use a jointer or table saw? Maybe both? Learn methods for squaring stock and when to use each method in your woodworking projects.
Avoiding Drugs and Alcohol When Woodworking
One of the most obvious common sense woodworking rules is to never work when under the influence of any drugs or alcohol. Learn the importance of this rule and how it can help you to avoid potential injury from woodworking while under the influence.
Repairing a Damaged Shellac Finish
Shellac gives wood a nice shine, but it isn't the most water-resistant of finishes. Here are tips to repairing a shellac finish, to keep your woodworking projects looking like new for a long time.
How to Fix a Sticky Drawer
Wooden drawers can sometimes stick with the natural expansion and contraction of the wood based on seasonal moisture content. Learn how to keep your drawers sliding smoothly when expansion or contraction becomes a problem.
Remove Nails With Ease
When working with recycled wood, you'll often find nails and other fasteners left behind in the stock that must be removed. In this tip, learn a simple and easy way to remove these nails before you begin using the wood in your project.
Removing Sawdust Before You Apply Finish
Before you can begin staining or painting a woodworking project, you will want to remove all traces of sawdust from the wood so that it doesn't interfere with the finish. Here is a simple tip for removing final traces of sawdust before finishing.
Hanging Cabinets with French Cleat Wedge Brackets
One sturdy method for hanging a cabinet on a wall is to use a French Cleat. This type of wedge bracket can be easily made using a table saw and a long piece of dimensional lumber. When properly installed, a French Cleat wedge bracket will support a considerable amount of weight and hold your cabinet tight to the wall. Learn how to build and incorporate a French Cleat in your cabinet designs.
How to Calculate Board Feet
When buying hardwood lumber, you'll find that the wood is sold by the board foot. How can you easily calculate board feet, and why would you want to calculate board feet when the lumberyard has already done it for you? Learn how to calculate board feet the easy way.
Finding Square Using the 3-4-5 Rule
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 woodworking projects.
How to Fix a Stripped Screw Hole
One of the most problematic experiences when dealing with older wood furniture is when a screw hole becomes stripped and will no longer hold the fixture or accessory it was designed to hold. Learn how to fix a stripped screw hole using a few different simple methods for tackling this aggravating woodworking problem.
Shed Some Light on Your Work
When woodworking with power tools, you need enough light on the workpiece to see the work easily. Here is a simple, inexpensive way to add more light to your work, whether you're using a drill press, band saw, scroll saw or other woodworking tool.