Finishing chemistry has changed radically in recent years. The most significant advance has been the development water-based finishes in response to both the health risks posed by solvents and clean-air legislation that limits the percentage of V0Cs, or volatile organic compounds, in solvent-based finishes. Most of these regulations are primarily intended for furniture makers who [...]

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Wood is a hygroscopic material, absorbing and releasing moisture as the relative humidity of the surrounding air rises and falls. And as the moisture content of a piece of wood changes, so do its dimensions and weight. When wood is assembled into a piece of furniture, the changes can produce problems – some great, some [...]

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Every child deserves a desk of their very own to store and use their favorite coloring books, crayons, paints, paper — and their very own small library of books. Here’s a great project that uses just one 4′x 8′ sheet of plywood (we found that a 1/2″ thickness worked very well). Bill of Materials (finished [...]

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This barbecue table is perfect for the chef who likes to cook outdoor. It’s perfectly sized to hold trays and bottles and you can also hang your barbecue tools. Tools Needed: Circular Saw or Handsaw Tape Measure Screwdriver Straight Edge Hammer Drill Materials List: 36 2″ wood screws 10 linear feet of 5/4 x 6 [...]

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A Shop-made Pipe Steamer An economical and durable wood steamer like the one shown below can be fashioned from 2-by-4s and 4-inch-diameter ABS pipe and fittings, The device features support racks inside the pipe and a removable cap at each end for easy access. The steam source is a water can connected to the steamer [...]

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When my wife and I started house-hunting in the country we looked at new contemporary homes, new houses built in traditional styles, and old houses. Naturally, we considered things like layout, heating systems, and dependable plumbing. But we were still drawn to old houses. For me, there was the knowledge that an old house was [...]

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Every woodworker uses jigs regularly. Marking gauges, combination squares, the rip fence on a table saw, and router bits with ball-bearing pilots are all jigs that are taken for granted. And who hasn’t, at one time or another, made a simple thingamajig on the spur of the moment to help get a certain job done? [...]

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The shaving horse grips stock securely in place while it is shaped with draw knives and spokeshaves. Simple to build, the typical shaving horse features a bench, an inclined bridge, and a pivoting arm assembly. By stepping down on the assembly’s foot bar, you can lock your workpiece in position between the bridge and the [...]

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Since most workshops are set up in basements or garages, concrete floors are a common feature. Yet for anyone who has to spend much time standing on concrete or sweeping it clean, the material can prove both uncomfortable and inconvenient. The hard surface is particularly tough on tools that are dropped accidentally. Simply painting a [...]

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