Woodworking made easy
Indestructible and inexpensive, my aluminum square has earned its keep by doing basic layout work and guiding the edge of my circular saw when making square cuts in framing lumber. But I recently discovered a new use that has been keeping this tool a lot busier. Thanks to the open interior and the flange along […]
Arbortech Ball Gouge Angle grinders are great for quickly removing wood or metal, but the process typically involves a cloud of sawdust or sparks, and the results are often fairly rough. Arbortech’s newest grinder accessory provides a new way to carve quickly and cleanly. The Ball Gouge makes fast work of hollowing out spoons, small […]
A particular quote from Winston Churchill begins “Solitary trees, if they grow at all, grow big and strong…” He could easily have found his inspiration in bubinga trees. These trees often grow alone, or in small copses. They can reach towering heights of 150′ or more with 3-6′ diameter trunks. Often the first branches are […]
Frequently Asked Questions Q: What is included in the price of the DBB Morticer? A: Every DBB Morticer Kit comes in a heavy duty case, the jig of your choice, self centring or adjustable stops, drive shaft, three wood cutters and an instruction manual. Q: Are there any additional and special accessories for the DBB […]
Use this simple 4-step strategy to turn an old plane into a super shaver. I’ve lost count of the number of planes that I’ve brought back from the brink, but if I added up the tools that I’ve bought, plus the orphans that have been left in boxes outside my door, the number would hit […]
The Japanese call it shou sugi ban. It translates to “burned cypress plank,” and is a traditional approach to treating home siding in Japan. Charring the surface of the wood creates a beautiful black finish that protects not only against rot, but also insects, who evidently hate the taste. It may seem counterintuitive, but this […]
I love my wheeled marking gauge but, like any other cutting tool, it needs occasional sharpening to work effectively. The darned wheel is so small, though, that it can be hard to hone. After abrading my fingertips, I discovered that a standard wooden pencil with eraser works great to scrub the wheel on my honing […]
If a router is the most accessorized tool in the shop, a router table would have to be its best accessory. In last issue’s “Router Table Basics” story, Joe Hurst-Wajszczuk showed how to set up and use a router table to perform an array of essential functions. Here, I’ll take things up a few notches, […]
Make a Cheese Slicer A great little project that is also a thoughtful gift. We have sourced hardware to make your own cheese slicer. The board can be made from one of our cutting board kits, bamboo, polymer cutting board material or just an assortment of glued-up scraps. Kit includes hardware, handle and wire needed […]
One tough middleweight contender WoodRiver Chisel Mallet When it comes to chopping with a chisel, you might think that a mallet is a mallet is a mallet. But it ain’t necessarily so. I own mallets of various sizes and shapes, and I definitely reach for particular ones, depending on the job at hand. After introducing […]
Q An upcoming job requires ripping a lot of bevels on the table saw, a process I’ve always found challenging. What’s the best approach to the operation? —Marty Kinwood, Phoenix, Arizona A Senior editor Paul Anthony replies: It’s true that ripping bevels can feel a bit dicey at times, but there are things you can do to […]
