Woodworking

Exterior doors take a beating from season to season. Constant exposure to the elements really wears on the finish. At some point in the life of the door, it will be necessary to strip off the old...

A screw starter is a hand-held tool that has a small chuck at one end. The chuck opens, usually by twisting the handle slightly and the head of a screw can be inserted. Closing the chuck holds the...

Lumber grades have been established to differentiate between the qualities of wood produced when cutting timbers. Knots, flaws and defects determine which grade the wood will fall into and how the...

Hollow chisels are devices that can be used with a drill press or dedicated mortising machine to produce square-cornered mortises that eliminate the need to round over tenons.

Miter saws are pretty much beefed-up versions of circular saws with the cutting blade mounted and hinged for more precise control. Sometimes called chop saws, miter saws are great for cutting...

Small cracks, dents, nail holes and tiny knots all need to be filled for your wood projects. Normally, you would reach for an off-the-shelf commercial wood filler. However, ready-made fillers...

Woodturning has really come of age over the last couple of decades. Hobbyists turning wood in their basements to professional woodsmiths are earning full-time livings on wood lathes. Unlike the...

When screw or nail heads are undesirable for a woodworking project, use dowel joinery instead. Although available as plastic and metal pieces, wooden dowels are the most common dowels used to...

Power sanders are tools used to finish or smooth wood, plastic or metal surfaces. To determine whether you should use a drum sander or a belt sander on a project, you should consider the size of...

Buying the right router can be difficult. They come in all shapes and sizes, and the choices can make a woodworker's head spin. Since the router may be the most used of the power hand tools,...

A flush trim router bit is used to follow a pattern to produce copies. The flush trim bit will come in two sizes--1/4- and 1/2-inch shafts. It also comes in several lengths, depending on your...

When you compare wood working routers, there are several items that you need to consider. The first is how you are going to use the router. Are you going to mount it in a table? With this...

Here is an easy cutting of a homemade Christmas ornament on a scroll saw. They are easy to do. You may hang them on a tree or hang them around the house and even use them as a sun catcher.

Wood working is a common practice in many cultures around the world. The discipline is used for both hobby and necessity and is most often found in the form of figurines and furniture throughout...

Custom-made wood plaques can be a nice way to display a name or sign and can be made without too much time or effort. You can buy pre-cut plaques at craft stores or if you have the proper wood...

Quilt making is a longstanding tradition of making beautiful bedspreads and coverings out of throwaway fabric scraps and tattered clothing. Displaying heirloom-quality quilts upon their very own...

The table saw is the workhorse in any woodworking shop. With the proper accessories and adjustments it will cut straight every time. Typical table saws have a short table top and no support for...

Stencils are used to transfer images and letters onto surfaces with duplicating precision. They are useful for a variety of projects, including adding images to wood. You can create wooden plaques...

Router tabletops are almost a necessity if you use any of the large profile router bits that are available. If you currently do not use a router table, you will eventually need one. You can build...

The Boy Scouts of America Pinewood Derby has become a very competitive sport. The cars are becoming faster and the tricks used to get them there are really very interesting. Axles and wheels are...

Making homemade pens is one of the most enjoyable of all wood turning skills. Each homemade wooden pen is unique, taking on the personality of the pen turner who creates it. Mastering the art of...

Pen turning is an art, not just a wood turning technique. With just some basic skills a woodworker can began to enjoy pen turning and soon find it is one of the most enjoyable of all woodworking...

No matter what kind of woodworking project woodsmiths specialize in, a router is considered a must-have tool. The router may be the most versatile wood tool ever created, which is why most...

Jointers and planers perform the same basic function on two different surfaces of a board. Jointers are designed to give the woodworker a smooth, flat edge. Planers smooth the face surface of a...

This wooden catapult is powered by rubber bands, and is a fun and simple project to build. Whether it is used to storm a living room castle or in the office to launch candies over a cubicle wall,...

Whether stationary or portable, recipe book racks are a nice addition to any kitchen and a good beginner project for the novice woodworker. Magazines, books and free plans are available that have...

Listening to music is an enjoyable pastime for most people. Regardless of the type of music you listen to, keeping your collection organized is important. There is nothing more frustrating than...

Tung oil has been used for centuries as a finish for wood and for many other purposes.The Chinese used tung oil to waterproof masts and sails for their junks. The U.S. military used tung oil to...

A dovetail saw and a tenon saw are back saws that are used for making small cuts in furniture. The dovetail saw is used to make dovetail joints, while the tenon saw is used for making tenon and...

Oftentimes, when you're out camping, whether for sport, family recreation or with an event, a wooden camp chair can come in handy. Making them yourself doesn't have to be difficult. Use some...

Many modern pistol cases are nothing more than glorified metal suitcases with locks on them. While this might be practical, the aesthetics leave a lot to be desired. The good news is that making...

A band saw is one of the most useful tools in any wood shop. The narrow blade can be useful in cutting curves of retailed work, but can also be used for larger jobs. However, as with all tools,...

Wood working is a hobby with a large learning curve. The craft requires years of practice, and even with a lifetime of experience, you can always learn a new trick or two. Learning methods and...

Basketball has become a popular sport in many countries around the world. Although the rules remain the same from one nation to the next, you can use a variety of materials to play the game. DIY...

Making a piece of furniture yours by hand painting it adds character to your home. End tables are the perfect place to experiment because they are small, usually inexpensive and can be...

Exotic hardwoods offer a broad range of alluring beauty to woodworking. With their vibrant colors and unusual grain patterns, it's no wonder they are prized among woodworkers, wood turners, and...

Bosch is a leader in power tools. From woodworking to home building, they offer a large variety of powerful, high-quality tools to do the job right. Want to find some for yourself? Here is what...

Ladder bookshelves are useful decorating pieces because of their simplicity and functionality. Their uncomplicated structure creates an easy, do-it-yourself project that saves both time and money....

A jointer is a simple machine that, properly used, can make the difference between a good project and a great project. It consists of two flat beds separated by a cutting head and an adjustable...

Crafting out of balsa wood is a common beginner's level wood craft. Balsa wood is an extremely light wood which is sold either in sticks or sheets. One use for balsa wood sheets is the...

Woodworkers may ponder which to add to their shop first, a planer or a jointer. The answer is they really should have both. A jointer alone will not get boards to a consistent thickness. A planer...

Many children's and pet toys on the market come in bright attractive colors, but you are not always sure how safe those brilliant paints and stains are. If you want to provide wooden toys for your...

The screech owl is a year round resident in nearly every state across the country. They primarily inhabit woodlands, but are also commonly found in suburban and urban areas. Like many birds which...

While caring for exterior wood can be labor intensive and seem to take forever, proper care, restoration, and refinishing is important for the look and life of your home. Not only will the...

Wood cutting boards add warmth, beauty and function to kitchen decor. Proper sealing and maintenance are critical to the durability and safety of these popular kitchen tools, whether you use your...

Woodworking is an art form that has been in existence almost as long as man has. The range of techniques and tools available to the woodworker today makes it possible for a talented craftsman to...

Attaching parts with screws or bolts is an essential component in any place that parts need to be removable. In combination with double-headed bolts, threaded inserts are a great way to attach...

Woodworking produces simple and complex projects that are highly durable. With the sheer number of tools, projects and woods available, getting started can seem difficult, but a simple guide to...

Paste wax can be applied to wood for a number of different reasons. The wax can add a finish to wood that gives it the appearance of a fresh shine, all the time. Paste wax also protects wood from...

A tenon is a protrusion cut onto a length of wood. When matched up with a properly cut mortise or slot in another board, the mortise and tenon joint can be one of the strongest in woodworking.