EASY ROUTER TABLE FINGER/BOX JOINTS
PROJECTS, JOINERY James Hamilton PROJECTS, JOINERY James Hamilton

EASY ROUTER TABLE FINGER/BOX JOINTS

With a few scraps of wood, a straight router bit, and a simple indexing pin, you can turn a compact router table into a surprisingly accurate finger joint machine. This easy DIY jig makes strong, clean box joints for drawers, boxes, and cabinets—without buying an expensive dado set or specialty jig.

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MAKE BIG PROJECTS WITHOUT THE OVERWHELM
PROJECTS James Hamilton PROJECTS James Hamilton

MAKE BIG PROJECTS WITHOUT THE OVERWHELM

Big woodworking projects don’t have to be overwhelming—designing for efficiency turns chaos into a smooth, repeatable process. By standardizing parts and batching joinery, you can build an entire room of furniture faster, with fewer mistakes and dramatically fewer machine setups.

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BONDO IS A LIFESAVER FOR WOODWORKERS!
TIPS, PROJECTS James Hamilton TIPS, PROJECTS James Hamilton

BONDO IS A LIFESAVER FOR WOODWORKERS!

Body filler isn’t just for hiding dents in old cars—it’s a versatile, affordable tool that belongs in every woodshop. From smoothing painted projects to repairing templates and jigs, this underrated material can save the day when nothing else will do.

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VENEERING BASICS FOR THE WEEKEND WOODWORKER
PROJECTS James Hamilton PROJECTS James Hamilton

VENEERING BASICS FOR THE WEEKEND WOODWORKER

Veneering isn’t just for pros—it’s an approachable, game-changing technique that can elevate even small woodworking projects. From contact cement to vacuum pressing, this guide breaks down three practical methods to help you achieve clean, stable, professional-looking panels.

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HOW TO SAFELY AGE HINGES AND HARDWARE
PROJECTS James Hamilton PROJECTS James Hamilton

HOW TO SAFELY AGE HINGES AND HARDWARE

Cheap hardware-store hinges can look and function like premium hardware with a few simple fixes and aging techniques. This guide shows how to tighten loose barrels and apply three different patina methods—from natural aging to fast chemical finishes—for a custom, vintage look.

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WHEN A KNIFE IS BETTER THAN A PENCIL
PROJECTS James Hamilton PROJECTS James Hamilton

WHEN A KNIFE IS BETTER THAN A PENCIL

Choosing the right marking tool can make a huge difference in woodworking accuracy and efficiency. This article explains when to use pencils, mechanical pencils, marking knives, and marking gauges, with practical tips for selecting the proper tool for rough layout, precise joinery, and everything in between.

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HOW TO BEND 3/4” PLYWOOD
PROJECTS James Hamilton PROJECTS James Hamilton

HOW TO BEND 3/4” PLYWOOD

Learn how to kerf-bend plywood to create strong, smooth arches for cabinetry and built-ins. This guide covers kerf spacing, grain orientation, bending forms, glue-ups, smoothing techniques, and expert tips for achieving clean, professional curved woodwork.

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WILL A CHEAP 2X6 PINE WORKBENCH LAST?
PROJECTS James Hamilton PROJECTS James Hamilton

WILL A CHEAP 2X6 PINE WORKBENCH LAST?

Eight years later, a recycled-construction-lumber workbench is still rock solid thanks to clever layered joinery and bone-dry salvaged wood. While a few vise placements and design choices could be improved, the bench has proven that you don’t need expensive hardwoods to build a durable, high-quality workbench.

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FRENCH CLEATS - ARE THEY WORTH THE HYPE?
PROJECTS James Hamilton PROJECTS James Hamilton

FRENCH CLEATS - ARE THEY WORTH THE HYPE?

These days french cleats have become pretty popular among various YouTubers and in the overall maker movement. But mostly in the context of cleat walls. This is a big thing online. Folks put rows of wood strips all over their walls and make all sorts of handy tool holders that may be hung and arranged wherever they like.

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THE BEST ROUTER TRICK I KNOW - MAKING PICTURE FRAMES WITH REGULAR ROUTER BITS
PROJECTS, ROUTERS James Hamilton PROJECTS, ROUTERS James Hamilton

THE BEST ROUTER TRICK I KNOW - MAKING PICTURE FRAMES WITH REGULAR ROUTER BITS

Router bits aren't cheap. I think that's why a lot of folks just use the same one or two profiles on every project. Those are simply the bits in their set, and they don't have the budget to buy a fancy, complex profile bit just to make one project. But early on in my woodworking career I learned a skill that saved me a lot of money…

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