Other Hobbies

The dark stains that form on a knife blade are simply oxidation (or rust). Still, those stains are a more stable, stubborn form of oxidation than orange rust. Because these stains are superficial,...

Pitting on a knife blade is caused by corrosion from rust and moisture. The only way to remove pitting completely is to grind down the blade metal until the surface is even. This is fine for most...

Rounding the back of a bandsaw blade provides many advantages. A rounded back permits tighter radius cuts, reduces blade vibration and repairs the mushrooming effect caused by blade pressure...

There are several things to look for if your bandsaw is not cutting accurately. When troubleshooting a saw with this problem, start with the blade. Check for any of the following conditions; once...

A bandsaw tire is a large piece of rubber that goes over the wheels. Tires are simply oversized rubber bands. The tires should be checked regularly. Old tires become worn, cracked or hardened. ...

The Jet bandsaw is a very versatile machine. However, if your bandsaw wheels are not in alignment, you will have a hard time keeping the blade from wandering in the cut. With proper alignment and...

If you own a band saw, you have probably cut yourself a time or two while replacing the blade. Replacing a band saw blade can be difficult and dangerous. However, with a little practice, some easy...

A table saw allows you to make straight, accurate cuts every time, as long as the tool is properly maintained. Lubricating the table saw makes it much easier to adjust.

Whittling on the front porch is as American as apple pie. Before television and the Internet, sitting on the veranda and shaping a piece of wood with a knife was one of the most popular pastimes....

The radial arm saw was the industry standard for many years for crosscutting and mitering applications. Few woodworking machines are as versatile as this saw in the number of operations it can...

A bandsaw can turn an old log into valuable lumber with the right set up. It can also mill thick stock into narrower boards for your projects, or it can turn that wonderful figured board into...

Changing the blade in a tablesaw is a basic task that needs to be done often. The tablesaw is versatile and has blades that are task oriented. A dull blade is a safety hazard. Being able to change...

Advanced ping pong players will change the rubber paddle surface when looking for better performance or a change in their shot-making. Replacing a single sheet of rubber can take about 10 to 15...

The radial-arm saw is designed with a replaceable wood table and rip fence. This is necessary since the saw blade will penetrate the table top on most cuts. After prolonged use, it will become...

The radial arm saw was the industry standard for many years for cross-cutting and mitering applications. It has been replaced in many shops and job sites with the smaller sliding compound miter...

Knives will all go dull after a certain period of time. Knowing how to sharpen knives is an important skill so that you can still use them in the kitchen efficiently. Cutting with dull knives...

Knife collecting is a hobby enjoyed by a wide range of individuals of differing ages. There are many different manufacturers of knives producing pocket folders as well as fixed-blade knives....

Pitch dense wood can leave your bandsaw blade with a thick and sticky residue. Over time, residue buildup can hinder the effectiveness of the blade. Keeping your bandsaw blade clean will improve...

Silver solder is often used to attach the hilt or guard to a knife or blade. Working with silver solder is much like working with rosin-core solder in an electrical circuit, but care must be taken...

Many deer antlers are too curved to be used as-is for knife handles, but you can straighten them so that they can accept the tang of a blade. Once you've straightened an antler, you can prepare...

Basic woodworking skills are necessary to the repertoire of any home handyman. Cutting wood into strips is a simple process that can be done easily with some basic power tools and the proper...

Cabinet scrapers are made from hard steel and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. A basic cabinet scraper has a 3-inch by 5-inch piece of hard steel with one edge rounded over to form a hook....

The Bowie knife is a uniquely American weapon. Designed and popularized during a period when gun duels were more common than knife fights, the Bowie became the default for anyone in need of an...

A plane is a device that is used to provide finishing work on wood products. A plane is designed so that it can remove small amounts of wood at a time to shave a board down to a slightly smaller...

The use of feather boards adds stability and safety to the use of table saw. The purpose of a feather board is to hold wood in position for cutting on a table saw, while giving the operator...

Working with leather requires specific tools that will make the job go much easier. It will probably take some practice to become proficient with these tools. Each of the tools is responsible for...

The Blade 400 is an excellent craft for both new and experienced model remote-control helicopter enthusiasts. Beginners will get a solidly constructed heli that has many parts compatible with...

The Blade CX2 is an excellent beginning-to-intermediate radio-controlled hobby helicopter that allows its user to perform tricks and techniques beyond that offered by toy models. Flying the Blade...

The Blade 400 model radio controlled helicopter is an enthusiast's craft, designed for intermediate to advanced operators. It is a powerful electric propelled helicopter with long rotors and is...

Rebar is the metal used to reinforce concrete. Rebar is, as it’s name implies, reinforcement bar stock. Rebar is great for forging for a number of reasons; chiefly, it is inexpensive, easy to...

Styrofoam is a very versatile material, used in many hobby applications ranging from remote-control airplanes to home remodeling. There are many different ways to cut and shape foam material. One...

Mostly used for cosplay purposes, wooden scythes are good fun and fairly inexpensive to make. It does take some time and careful work, and it can be a little dangerous working with the machinery.

Woodworking was more than a hobby for the early settlers of the New World--learning to work with wood was necessary because they had to make a large percentage of the tools, furniture, and...

One of the most powerful hand-held tools available, a concrete saw is used to cut through solid concrete, brick, stone and asphalt by means of an extra-sharp spinning blade. Because it is so...

Sword canes may look like typical walking canes, but they're actually secret weapons. From small daggers to full length swords, the sword cane uses the cane's handle for the hilt, and hides the...

A butterfly knife is a folding knife with two handles that swing freely from the base of the blade. It is constructed of three main pieces: the two handles and the blade. When closed, the blade is...

If you are a traditional archer or interested in making your own archery equipment, one item you may be concerned about making is the broadhead or arrowhead. Once you have made your own bow and...

Whether power or not, the planer, or plane, is a valuable tool to have in your woodworking shop. With it, you can create smooth edges with less effort than by using sandpaper. The hand planer...

The scroll saw is used to cut wood with a freehand style. This means that the wood can be moved around to follow a pattern or drawing on the wood. It resembles carving without having to whittle...

The Naruto anime showcases numerous different weapons used by its ninja characters. If you're gearing up for a Halloween party or cosplay show as a Naruto character, you can create makeshift...

If you don't have a pencil sharpener, you can make one. There are two ways to do it, but keep in mind that most hand-held pencil sharpeners cost less than a dollar. These alternatives will work in...

For juggling three balls, throwing behind the back is done by releasing the ball around the shoulder blade. Throw behind the back for juggling three balls with tips from a juggling enthusiast in...

Locking freezers have treasures of food and are a convenient location to store things, but if the key is lost or you bought it without one, you need to be able to get in without destroying the...

A dull knife not only doesn't cut effectively, but it can also be dangerous. A dull knife can really hurt you if it slips, so follow these steps to sharpen your knifes and keep them in the best...

Your hand almost touches the shoulder blade when juggling three balls behind the back. Learn how to juggle behind the back from a juggling specialist in this free entertainment series.

Learning how to pick a lock is an interesting project and a good way of illustrating how locks work to children. With that being said, it's also a good way to get in trouble. Check with your local...

A lather duplicator makes it possible to create the same projects on your lathe. You can produce identical furniture legs and upgrade to professional furniture or turn out a set of banister dowels...

When you own knives, you will have to sharpen them at some point. To avoid accidents from trying to use a dull blade, it's vital to maintain the knife's sharp edge so that it cuts easily....

A knife sheath not only protects you from being injured (that’s obvious), but also keeps the knife protected! A well made sheath will ensure the cutting edge stays sharp, the blade will not get...

More so than the draw, proper sheathing of a sword is the difference between being functional and looking foolish either presently or in the future. This guide was developed in the worse case...