The Myth of the Self-taught Craftsman
The best source for learning is right there on your bench. At a seminar I found myself saying that I mostly taught myself woodworking. It was an easy way to get the idea across that I did not go [...]
Dovetailed Dustpan
Forget plastic or metal pans – a wooden one looks nicer and works better. Some time during the last 25 years of prowling around workshops, museums and antique stores, I spotted a wooden dustpan. [...]
Precision Drill Press Table
For accurate drilling, build an engineered table. Did you know that most drill press tables are made for metalworking? Woodworkers need a better table: it should have a broad surface, an easily [...]
Machine-Screw Joints
To build the ultimate jig, use a tap. When I build a jig or fixture that needs to come apart, I don’t use wood screws, I use machine screws–and tap holes in the wood to receive them. It’s very [...]
Slow Drying Finish Solutions
Why stains and finishes sometimes dry slowly. A friend called with a problem. He had applied an ebony oil stain to oak and after the stain had dried for two days, the polyurethane he then brushed [...]
Upgrade Your Bandsaw Adjustment Screws
I own three bandsaws. Two are hand-me-downs from neighbors and the most recent arrival is a brand new Grizzly 17” that I bought. The Grizzly is a great machine but like many of its peers, most [...]
Use A Compass For Layout
A swing of an arc is the solution to many layout and construction problems. If you think a compass is only for drawing circles, think again. This simple and inexpensive device can divide almost [...]
Fish Eye & Silicone
The truth behind craters and ridges. If your finishing career has been limited to finishing projects you have made, you may never have experienced fish eye. But if you have done much refinishing, [...]
Shaker-Inspired Sewing Counter
As much as this piece is a homage to Shaker design, it is also quietly a love letter to both hand tools and shared shops. Project #2113 • Skill Level: Intermediate • Time: 10 • Days Cost: $500 [...]
Shaker Sewing Counter Online Extras
Related: Shaker-Inspired Sewing Counter Shaker Sewing Counter: Glue-Up Tips The glue-up for case pieces is ALWAYS a little nerve-wracking and though this particular Shaker-style Sewing cabinet [...]