The Roubo Workbench
An 18th-century French workbench is quite possibly the most perfect design ever put to paper. In the 18th century it was common for the workrooms and living areas of a home to share the same [...]
Tallow Tales & the Black Handplanes of Britain
Puzzling lubrication. Editor’s note: This article originally appeared in the August 2010 issue of Popular Woodworking Magazine I ran out of mutton tallow this morning! I searched my tool [...]
Kerf Jigs for Perfect Cuts
Making long, perfectly straight cuts with handheld power saws, such as jigsaws and circular saws, can be a real challenge. They aren’t difficult when a straightedge is used as a guide, but [...]
New Names for Old Tools
Just keep saying ‘micron.’ Woodworkers who use hand tools to lay the quality touch on their work know what can be accomplished with these wonderful inventions. Along with skill, [...]
Makita’s Sander is Built for Comfort
Tool: BO5041 Random-orbit Sander Manufacturer: Makita MSRP: $89.00 If you’re tired of sanding for extended periods with your palm stretched across the top of a random-orbit sander, and your [...]
Designing by Foot, Hand & Eye
Empirical, not Imperial, is the measure of the pre-industrial maker. In this article I’m going to show how I design a simple piece of furniture whilst immersed in the mindset of the [...]
Mitered Half-lap Joinery
With a router, straight bit and plywood scrap, turn a weak joint into a superhero of strength. One of the strongest joints in woodworking is a properly fit mortise-and-tenon and the opposite in [...]
Step Stool
Whether stepping or sitting, this multi-purpose stool is sure to give your youngster a boost. You may not remember when you looked up at the sink, or when you climbed up to the potty – but if [...]
Magobei’s Dining Table: Part 1
All these years, my assistant, Laure Olender, has not only been working with me doing woodwork, she also takes photographs (including those in this article), edits my articles and assists me at [...]
Old Plane Birdhouse
Yet, inspiration works in weird ways. While visiting Maine in February I saw an enormous birdhouse that looked like a jointer plane hanging outside Liberty Tool, an ironmonger. I just had to have [...]
Tool Test: A New Way to Inlay