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Accidental musing on craftsmanship and building things to last. On a cold rainy day in December 2014, I was returning home from running errands in my Washington, D.C., neighborhood. Diane Rehm [...]

Tool: Robin Wood Axe Buy Now Manufacturer: Wood Tools MSRP: £69 (about $85) As a bowl carver, I am frequently asked about recommendations for beginner sets of tools. Though the Robin Wood [...]

Practice some mass-assembly techniques to create this elegant stand. Project #2501 • Skill Level: Intermediate • Time: 2 Days • Cost: $35 You know how it goes, you spot a need that you can fill [...]

I’ve been getting into laser engraving and cutting in a big (and small) way. I continue to be impressed by what today’s laser engravers/cutters can do. Chief among them is the huge range of [...]

To create a planing stop on my workbench, I decided to go the simple route. I installed and countersunk a short row of #12 brass flathead screws near the edge of the bench, spacing them an inch [...]

Joinery machines are much more than one-trick ponies. Here’s an intro, and why you should consider adding one in your shop. There are several machines that come up as “shop necessities”. Table [...]

Woodworking is sweet when everything fits right. Here are 10 ways to ensure your mortise-and-tenon, dado, dovetail, and edge joints close up tightly. 1. Cauls distribute pressure It’s not easy to [...]

On this week’s episode of the ShopNotes Podcast, it’s John, Logan, and Phil discussing bandsaw options, surprising tools that make you a better woodworker, and checking in on listener comments [...]

Designing and making the lid cut. Part 1 • Part 2 • Part 3 • Part 4 • Part 5 • Part 6 • Part 7 Any box designed to house a specific collection item must be meticulously tailored to …

I’ve combined the working parts of two quick-action clamps to make a good tool even better. A two-headed clamp allows me to quickly make an adjustable-height table for my drill press or an [...]

As everyone knows, nails are made of metal… except when they aren’t. I enjoy learning about new woodworking technologies, especially when they change my conception of something really basic. For [...]

Perfect box joints of any size every time. I got tired of making a new box joint jig each time I wanted to change the width of the joint fingers. My latest jig allows cutting fingers of any size, [...]