Pocket screws. Dovetail jigs. Laser cutters. CNC machines. What do these things have in common? These are a few of the things considered “cheating” by a lot of woodworkers. Before I jump in, I want to remind you that anyone can get started in this hobby without a lot of money or space using […]
If you are just getting into woodworking, a miter saw is one of the most useful tools you can own. I consider it so handy, that the first few projects in my Weekend Woodworker course are built without a table saw, using just the miter saw. In fact, if you’ve never built anything before, and […]
Whenever I use a pocket hole jig I get a few comments asking why I need the jig at all. Can’t you just drive screws in at an angle? Yes, you most certainly can, but to get strong joints, the answer is a bit more involved. Why use pocket hole joinery? First, it’s helpful to […]
For all beginning woodworkers, I only recommend a single sander, the random orbit sander. It’s so useful that I consider it an essential woodworking tool. But there are some other fairly affordable sanders that can make your time in the shop even more enjoyable and efficient. Disc/Strip Sander This first sander is actually 2 […]
In this video, I’ll show you step-by-step how to make a pair of space-saving, folding sawhorses. Start by cutting the legs from 2x4s. TIP: Make sure to get kiln-dried (KD) and take your time to find the straightest boards you can. Set your circular saw to cut a 22.5-degree bevel for the leg cuts. Use […]
Whether you are a long time user of the Kreg Pocket Hole Jig or brand new to building projects with pocket screws, here are 5 tips that will help you get more out of your K4 or K5 jig. Secret Bit Storage If you have a K5 jig, you already have these two side supports […]
How often do you buy a product and the only instructions on it are to ‘shake well’? Spray paint is one of those products. Some brands do give a little more detail by saying ‘shake for 1-2 minutes’? Definitely helpful. But, do you really need to shake the can that long? And what is the […]
I’ve made a number of stools over the years but I like this one because it is both easy to build and super strong. If you’ve never made lap joints, this is a great first project to practice them on! I started by gluing up some boards on their edges to make a panel for […]
Hey if you haven’t done so yet, join the thousands of people who have already built my Basic Mobile Workbench! Download free plans and watch a bonus video of the first steps! Stacking Sawhorses. You just need seven 2×4’s. There are about one million different ways to make a sawhorse. I’ve designed and built […]
It can be very frustrating to be working on a project, enjoying an afternoon in the shop, only to find that you’ve run out of something and have to make a special trip to the hardware store. So I’ve assembled this list of 5 shop essentials you don’t want to be without. Things you don’t […]
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