FIGURE-8 TABLE TOP BRACKETS THE RIGHT WAY
Learn how to correctly install figure-8 fasteners for table tops, prevent cracking from wood movement, and explore reliable alternatives like Z-clips and wooden brackets.
IS THIS DOWEL JOINT A GAME CHANGER?
Is the viral pinned dowel joint genius or gimmick? Learn the truth about its strength, looks, and whether it’s worth using beyond social media clickbait.
FAST AND EASY DRAWERS: THE HALF-HALF-HALF METHOD
Build strong, precise drawers fast with the half-half-half method. One table saw setup cuts all joints—no dovetails or complex setups needed.
WAS NORM ABRAM WRONG ABOUT BISCUIT JOINTERS?
The biscuit joiner may not add brute strength like a Domino or dowels, but it’s a game-changer for fast, frustration-free glue-ups. If you find a good one at a yard sale, grab it—you’ll thank yourself during your next big panel or cabinet project.
BUTT JOINT VS MITER JOINT: WHICH SHOULD YOU USE?
Learn how to choose and execute miter and butt joints for large wood panels like countertops and desktops. Discover tips for handling wood movement, alignment, and fastening to create seamless, durable corner joints.
HOW A LITTLE WEDGE MAKES THE STRONGEST JOINT EVER!
The wedged mortise and tenon is one of the strongest mechanical joints in woodworking, combining resistance to shear and tensile forces with a visually striking design. This article walks through every step—from cutting the mortise and shaping the wedges to fitting and gluing the tenon—offering practical tips to avoid common mistakes and achieve a perfect joint.
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.
LOOSE-TENON JOINERY WITHOUT A FESTOOL DOMINO
Loose tenons simplify traditional mortise and tenon joinery, allowing faster, more repeatable joints without sacrificing strength. This article walks you through creating a custom mortise jig, cutting precise mortises with a router, and sizing loose tenons for a flawless fit.
HOW TO STOP WOOD PANELS FROM WARPING
If there’s one thing that’s popular in the woodworking world these days, it’s a good old-fashioned myth-busting video. Some of them are complete nonsense, of course. But this myth? It’s real: flat panels—such as table tops and cabinet tops—will warp uncontrollably if you don’t cut them into narrow pieces, flip every other board to alternate the grain direction, and then glue them back together.
THE HISTORY OF WOOD SCREWS
For thousands of years, nails were the only metal fasteners used to attach things together. In a previous article, we discussed how nail technology evolved over time—and why old-fashioned cut nails may actually work better than modern wire nails. In this article, you will learn the fascinating history of screw technology—and why screws aren’t always the best choice.
JOINERY LESSONS FROM THE DOUBLE BRIDLE JOINT
The double bridle joint is a great way to practice precise, repeatable joinery on the table saw, and it teaches you how to sneak up on a perfect fit instead of relying solely on pencil lines. With a simple tenon jig and the right blade, you can create a strong, attractive joint that’s customizable and clean.
A CLEVER WAY TO MAKE BOXES, CABINETS, AND DRAWERS
The locking rabbet joint with a hidden groove creates drawers and boxes that are self-aligning, strong, and almost as durable as dovetails—without complicated setups. Using just a router and a few clever fence adjustments, you can make professional-quality cabinetry quickly and easily.
WORLD’S STRONGEST CORNER JOINT!
I love interesting joinery. The right joint can be incredibly strong, but it can also be beautiful in and of itself. I think this joint is a perfect example. I call it the Triple-Castle Joint. If I were a gamer, I might call it the Tri-Force Joint. I have no idea who first came up with it, but I love the complexity—at least the perceived complexity. While this joint looks like a puzzle of mortises and tenons that would be frustratingly difficult to cut, it’s actually made from…
WILL A CHEAP 2X6 PINE WORKBENCH LAST?
It’s been 8 years since I made this workbench in a two-part series on YouTube. In that time, this bench has seen a lot of use across three different workshops. Since it's made entirely from old construction lumber I thought some of you might be interested to see how it’s held up and if there’s anything I would change in its design.
THE CLEVER 10-SECOND WOODWORKING TRICK I USE TO IMPRESS PEOPLE
Learn an easy and reliable technique to make precise end, cross, and angled lap joints for your woodworking projects. Using a shim and stop block method ensures a perfect fit every time, whether on a table saw or router table.
INDESTRUCTIBLE: I have NEVER seen a box made like this before
This box features a one-of-a-kind “impossible dovetail joint” that cannot be assembled or disassembled conventionally, inspired by centuries-old German log cabin joinery. Its creation required careful planning, compound-angle cutting, and meticulous assembly, making it both a technical challenge and a unique conversation piece.
MANY WOODWORKERS USE THESE WRONG!
Do not let the fru-fru woodworking purists tell you that you can’t use biscuits, dowels, or pocket screws and still call yourself a woodworker. A good housebuilder doesn’t insist every wall be built from cut stone because not every wall needs to absorb a cannonball. The goal is to build something that is beautiful, functional, and durable. Those are the standards good woodworkers are measured by. How you achieve those standards is a personal decision.