ELECTRIC HAND PLANERS: TIPS AND TRICKS
James Hamilton James Hamilton

ELECTRIC HAND PLANERS: TIPS AND TRICKS

I often find myself surprised by the popularity of electric hand planers. Growing up, I only saw these tools used for specific tasks like installing doors or during rough home remodeling...

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UNLOCKING THE FULL POTENTIAL OF YOUR BANDSAW
James Hamilton James Hamilton

UNLOCKING THE FULL POTENTIAL OF YOUR BANDSAW

For years, I thought I had the bandsaw figured out. My method was straightforward: cut as close to the lines as possible and then rely on sanding to clean up the edges. It worked, but it was labor-intensive, generating a lot of dust and requiring significant effort. It wasn’t until I discovered a new technique for steering the blade that I realized I had been missing out on the bandsaw's true potential.

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UNDERSTANDING AIR-DRIED VS. KILN-DRIED LUMBER
James Hamilton James Hamilton

UNDERSTANDING AIR-DRIED VS. KILN-DRIED LUMBER

When it comes to woodworking, one of the most important decisions you'll make is choosing the right lumber for your project. But how dry does it really have to be? And can you trust lumber that you've cut and dried yourself?

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MANY WOODWORKERS USE THESE WRONG!
James Hamilton James Hamilton

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.

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AN ANCIENT WOOD FINISH FORMULA THAT CAN NOT BE MESSED UP!
James Hamilton James Hamilton

AN ANCIENT WOOD FINISH FORMULA THAT CAN NOT BE MESSED UP!

Wood finishing can be a very intimidating subject for a lot of woodworkers, and I am often asked if there is a simple, effective finish that can't be messed up, doesn't take a lot of time, doesn't cost as much as the wood itself, and which looks great to the eye and is pleasing to the touch.

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