Woodworking

Coffee tables are a convenient place to place a snack, while sitting on the sofa, but they do limit floor space while entertaining. A coffee table with folding legs is great for relaxing evenings...

Season your firewood several months before you will need it. Generally, you will need six months to one year. Fresh or "green" wood's cells contain 50 percent or more water. Seasoning wood simply...

With a little bit of woodworking knowledge, you can craft a authentic sounding train whistle out of wood that is a lot of fun for kids and adults alike. The 4-tone wood train whistle, a little...

Wooden signs are like bumper stickers for your home. On them, you can express beliefs, make jokes or mention the importance of your family all with the rustic feel of crafted wood. They can be...

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...

Perhaps the most important accessory in any home, shop or garage is the shelf. Shelves help keep our knickknacks and tools organized. They also complement a home's decor. For beginning...

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...

Veneer, a very thin cut of quality wood, glued to plywood can help make a nice looking finished piece for a low cost. Plywood, which is actually constructed of thin sheets (plies) glued together,...

Woodcarving is a hobby that many wood craftsman have turned into a profitable side line. Wooden crafts make great gifts as well. Wood is an ideal material for crafting everything from the simple...

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...

Simply moving tools in a building does not make for a good workshop. A good workshop is a place where a woodworker can work efficiently, safely and with minimum fatigue. In a good workshop, light...

An Amish magic marble towel holder is simply a marble sandwiched in between two pieces of wood. The marble glides in a groove to hold or release the towel, depending whether you pull up or down on...

Girls of any age find miniature treasure boxes enchanting and irresistible. Making your own treasure box allows you to customize it to your daughter's tastes using her favorite colors and...

Bridges are complex structures that are marvels of science and engineering. They have forces to counteract, including standing up under their own weight. The Truss bridge design is a common bridge...

Balsa wood is a unique material used in modeling and physics-based competitions. It has surprisingly high strength, compared to its light weight and low cost. This makes it ideal for school...

Wood cutouts can be used as hanging ornaments, decorations on a shelf, coasters, hot plates or bookends. There are many patterns for cutouts made of wood for various occasions, or you can create...

Balsa is known as a cheap, light and fairly strong material, considering its weight and size. It's used to build model airplanes, towers and bridges. It's also often used in weight-bearing...

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...

Balsa wood is a unique material, as it's light and cheap but also fairly strong for its weight and size. It's used in a number of crafting projects, model-building and competitions for making...

You can carve bowls from logs using the dugout method if you do not want to use a lathe or spend hours carving with hand tools. The dugout method has been used for centuries and has seen a...

More and more people are working in home offices because of high office building rental rates. Working at a home office solves problems with babysitters and ensures that someone is home when the...

Dowel joints are common in both antique and modern furniture. A dowel joint will attach two pieces of wood together without leaving behind screw marks, nails or holes that need to be filled. These...

Signs can be an important advertising element for any business. Signs can also welcome visitors to your home. Rustic, old-fashioned signs can be particularly appealing and offer a warm welcome to...

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...

The best black wood finish you can have is a natural finish on a project made of ebony. Since ebony is very expensive and quite difficult to machine, the next best solution is a process called...

Whether you are new to woodworking or an old pro interested in designing specialty projects or basic home repairs, woodworking can be very rewarding. Having the basic tools is one thing, but you...

The ability to cut miters on your tablesaw can significantly improve the saw's versatility. Done correctly, it is safe and a straightforward technique. Using this technique with your tablesaw you...

Patterns are used in a variety of arts and crafts. They act as a template for creating shapes out of materials such as fabric or clay. Each material requires a pattern made from a different...

Have a blast making signs---literally---by learning this craft to create one-of-a-kind nostalgic-looking creations. Once an art that required time and physical effort to carve out words and images...

A band saw is a power tool designed to cut wood with a long, ribbon-shaped blade that is most ideally suited for cutting straight lines. While a band saw is not the most intuitive choice for...

Woodcarving pictures are a labor of love. The cost of materials and availability of desirable wood in wide enough pieces is prohibitive unless you have access to a woodlot. It is possible to cut...

Cedar is a strong, fragrant wood that can be carved with a carving shave, a sharp wood knife, chisel and saws. White cedar doesn't crack or shrink in water, making it a favorite medium for carving...

Exterior signs serve as decorations that can display the name (usually surname) of the residents of the home upon which they hang. These are often found on cottages, which can become even cozier...

When we own a home it is our castle; we live, laugh, cry and entertain in our home. One of the more popular features to any house is the deck. This is where many funny stories are shared during a...

Wooden signs are extremely popular as interior and exterior decorations, and they make innovative gifts. Numerous types of wooden signs are available in stores, but you can easily make them at...

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...

Making a tobacco pipe can enhance the experience of smoking. Designing, building and using a pipe of your own is the cheapest way to avoid spending a large amount of money on a pipe. Making your...

A fancy walking staff lets all of your fellow hikers know that you take hiking and fashion seriously. By making your own staff, you can add personal touches that identify it as uniquely yours. You...

Crafting walking sticks is an old art. Many artisans choose sticks with natural curves that are not intended for actual use beyond decoration. These walking sticks are pleasing to look at, but...

Cutting into a nice piece of cedar is a joyous experience for a woodworker. The smell that is released, the color, texture and softness of this wood make it fun and easy to work with. It is all of...

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...

Help Ted E. Bear escape from being underfoot. Don't just keep on picking him up and sticking him somewhere. Build him an attractive park bench to sit on with materials available at your local...

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,...

Cedar is a versatile wood with a deep amber color. Because cedar is weather-resistant, it's a great option for many outdoor projects. Cedar has a unique smell, which sets it apart from many...

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...

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...