Veneering the Curve
The ‘flat-board-first’ method enables you to veneer a curved part with any pattern you want. Boldness with balance—that’s how I see the front apron of a classic Federal card table. I love the way [...]
Hold Everything (With Almost Nothing)
You can hold anything on your workbench with just pegs, wedges & notches – no fancy vises required. It’s difficult for most woodworkers to imagine a workbench without screw-driven vises. But [...]
Devilishly Clever ‘Doe’s Foot’
These notched sticks simplify your workholding at the bench. Workbenches didn’t always have vises. In fact, for most of human history, workbenches around the world were nothing more than a [...]
Chainsaw Carving For Beginners
Chainsaw Carving is a unique art form that tends to fascinate viewers and carvers alike. People often ask, “How did you start chainsaw carving?” And I’m eager to share a bit of my carving [...]
Resawing by Hand
Strength, patience and a sharp saw turn scraps into treasure. The hardwoods I use are almost always riven or split from a log. When I need thinner pieces than usual, I split them again. But there [...]
Metal Base Coffee Table
Add a new dimension to your work with a few basic skills and an inexpensive machine. Woodworkers are joining the welding renaissance that’s happening among makers. Understanding the fundamentals [...]
10 Rules For Workbenches
This workbench form is uncommon today, but it is still a sound bench because it allows you to perform all of the critical workbench operations with relative ease. Benches are a triumph of [...]
Elliptical Routing Jig
One jig opens up a whole world of useful shapes If you’ve ever wanted to venture beyond the world of squares and circles, consider incorporating elliptical shapes into your next design. Cutting [...]
Shedding Light on Compound Angles
Affordable line lasers and a simple setup make for perfect angled drilling. I’m a 21st-century Windsor chairmaker. I build chairs using mostly hand tools: froes, drawknives, spokeshaves, [...]
What’s The Best Glue for Furniture?
Why liquid hide glue should be your first choice as an adhesive. Since the beginnings of civilization up until World War II, most pieces of furniture were assembled using animal-based glues. That [...]
Nails for Woodworking
This much-maligned fastener has a place in the finest furniture. Here’s why. Among furniture makers, the reputation of the simple nail is somewhere south of expired glue and tacos made from [...]
Shop-made Bandings
Learn to make your own and you’ll never have to compromise your design. Bandings and stringing are a dramatic and exciting way to dress up your period furniture. I see them as a way to highlight [...]
