HOW TO MAKE HARDWOOD EDGE BANDING LOOK GOOD
Learn how to make your own hardwood edge banding for a perfect match and long-lasting durability. Tips for prep, glue-up, trimming, and tear-out-free results.
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.
HOW TO RIP CUT WITH A BAND SAW
Learn why ripping on a band saw can be safer and smarter than using a table saw. Get pro tips on blades, setup, and cutting technique for clean results.
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.
A SIMPLE TRICK FOR MAKING ARCS EASIER
Learn how to make and use bow arcs for woodworking. These simple tools, crafted from hardwood and string, allow you to trace symmetrical and asymmetrical curves effortlessly, improving accuracy and efficiency in your projects.
DON’T THROW THAT UGLY WOOD OUT!
With clever techniques like book-matching, veneering, and using plywood backers, even flawed or sapwood-heavy lumber can be transformed into stunning furniture panels. This article shows practical tips for making the most of every board, creating balanced and eye-catching designs from pieces many woodworkers might discard.
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.
WHY SHARP ISN’T ALWAYS BEST - DULL CHISELS
While sharp chisels are essential for most woodworking tasks, a deliberately blunt chisel can be a surprisingly useful tool for controlled paring and shaping, especially across the grain or on end grain. This article explains how to create a crisp blunt edge, when to use it, and the advantages it offers over ultra-sharp tools in specific scenarios.
HOW LOCK MITERS CAN MAKE PROJECTS CHEAPER AND BETTER
Learn how to build thick, solid-looking furniture legs from thinner stock using lock-miter joints. This guide covers grain control, safer cutting techniques, and precise assembly for professional-quality results.
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.
READ THIS BEFORE USING OIL-BASED POLY FINISHES!
Today, I want to talk about oil-based polyurethane. It’s a very durable finish that’s well-suited for both indoor and some outdoor projects. It’s not difficult to apply, but I think my method will give you the best results.
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.
SAND LIKE A PRO
Sanding can make or break your project, as much as the joinery or the finish. And there’s a lot to learn if you want to get the best results. This post will cover everything you need to know—from what grits to use, to improving your technique—along with a few things that other videos and articles neglect to tell you. Stick with me until the end—you’re definitely going to learn something new!
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.
HOW TO READ A TAPE MEASURE WITHOUT LOOKING LIKE AN IDIOT
Believe it or not, the first question on some job interviews in industrial trades is, “Can you read a measuring tape?” That may sound silly to a lot of you old-timers, but you'd be surprised how many younger folks never make it past that first question because they have no idea what they're doing with this simple tool. So, in this post, I’m going to share with you how to teach a poor, ignorant kid in your life.
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…
HOW TO BEND 3/4” PLYWOOD
In this post, I’ll share the lessons we learned along the way, including how to bend plywood, edge band around a curve, and a few other skills you might want to apply to a future project of your own.
THE TRUTH ABOUT HOLLOW GRINDS: DO THEY REALLY WEAKEN YOUR EDGE?
Millions of people sharpen their tools by grinding them on a round wheel. This isn't a new idea; grinding wheels have been used for centuries. However, as often happens on the internet, it has become trendy to overanalyze and pick apart long-held beliefs, claiming that everyone has been doing it wrong. I’ve heard many people argue that an edge sharpened on a grinding wheel will become brittle or dull more quickly than one sharpened on a flat stone.
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.