Bench Cleanup
When my bench’s tool tray fills up with sawdust and hardware, I’ve found that the easiest way to clean it is to use a vacuum. To keep the hardware from going into the vacuum, I cover [...]
Tool Chest Odyssey
I purchased this classic tool chest at a yard sale in Maine, while on vacation. The case had only two drawers remaining, and no handle. The seller said he had every intention of restoring it, but [...]
Red Oak – Northern
Scientific Name: Quercus rubra Other Common Names: Northern Red Oak Growing Regions: Canada and the United States. Size Characteristics: Grows to 70 feet tall, with a trunk up to 39 inches in [...]
Brush a Tabletop
Get Great Results without Rubbing Out Maybe I’m crazy, but I like to brush polyurethane. I’ve built more than 50 dining room tables, and I’ve brush-finished every one, using a simple system that [...]
Crafting Magic: Making a Drawer Box
One of magic’s oldest box tricks. Magic boxes… Secret compartments… Items that do more than meets the eye… There is such a mystique surrounding these pieces. The world of magic [...]
Whittling Basics, Part 4
Rounding the Tree Part 1: Introduction • Part 2: Push and Peel Knife Maneuvers • Part 3: Parting and Pulling Techniques • Part 5: Sculpting the Branches • Part 6: Attach to The Base In our [...]
Ridgid 18v Brushless Jigsaw Review
Tool: 18V Brushless Jig Saw R86344 Shop Now Manufacturer: Ridgid MSRP: $179 (bare tool) A thought occurred to me the other day — is the jigsaw the most versatile power tool? It can [...]
ShopNotes Podcast Episode 167 — I Only Bought 3 Things! (and One of Them I Already Owned)
On this episode of the ShopNotes Podcast, it’s John, Logan, and Phil with a Handworks recap with chairs, walnuts, and allergies galore. Check out the show notes page for photos and links: [...]
Wax Paper Lubrication
An old-timer showed me this trick years ago and I’ve used it ever since. Plain old waxed paper is great for lubricating my tools’ cast iron tables and miter gauge bars. Whenever I start to feel [...]
Advanced Chisel Techniques
When you know what you’re doing, chisels can be wonderfully helpful tools. If all you want to do with your chisels is adjust machine-cut joints or slice glue drips, any technique or tool will [...]
Establishing Depth Reference
Establishing Depth Reference A recent project required making a series of small wooden panels with shallow concave faces. For efficiency and accuracy, I decided to make a series of preliminary [...]