Solid Wood Lumber

by Scott Grove

Custom furniture maker Scott Grove explains how he flattens burl veneer sheets and patches imperfections with a veneer punch or a hand-made template. He also details ...

by Jeff Jewitt

Black walnut has a lot going for it: It cuts and sands well, accepts stains without blotching, and often has attractive figure. But it can be frustrating to finish, ...

by Matthew Gardner

Lumber salvaged from sand pits and peat bogs is more than 40,000 years old

by Dan Faia

When it comes to applying veneer, many woodworkers lean toward higher-tech procedures such as veneer presses, vacuum bags, and clamps and cauls. Yet with a relatively ...

by Jon Arno

How can a beginning woodworker go wrong choosing to work with cherry? Learning the whims and ways of this wood is one of woodworkings great challenges, and it bestows ...

by Jeff Jewitt

If you want your finish to enrich the colors of that bland mahogany, try this recipe. To understand how to finish mahogany, one must know its history. In this article, ...

by Teri Masaschi

There are few woods that yield as contrasting appearances as bird’s-eye maple. Teri Masaschi, a professional finisher, shares three ways to finish this exquisitely ...

by Jon Arno

One mystery with ipé is how a single wood can vary so much in color from sample to sample. It ranges from olive-drab to lustrous chocolate brown. The answer is ...

by Cliff Scott

Finding entire logs to saw up isn’t always a realistic option for most woodworkers. Fortunately, there are ways to find boards from the same tree at your local ...

by Timothy Coleman

Shop-sawn veneer offers the stability of commercial veneer and a measure of flexibility that is missing from its commercial cousin. The bandsaw is the essential ...

by Jon Arno

Jon Arno extols the virtues of sweetgum, which he calls a chameleon in terms of density, texture, appearance, and working characteristics. He explains its long ...

by Jon Arno

While Basswood is not strong, durable, or beautiful, it remains an often used material in woodworking. Why? It’s perfectly suited for intricate carvings and detailed ...

by Jeff Jewitt

Curly maple is difficult because of its density and alternating grain. In this article, master finisher Jeff Jewitt explains how to finish this wood, using an armoire ...

by Jon Arno

Jon Arno explains how to tap beech’s enticing qualities while avoiding its shortcomings. He details its best uses, such as turning stock, glue blocks, tool handles, ...

by Jeff Jewitt

Blotching is a nagging problem all woodworkers have if they try to stain cherry. Professional finisher Jeff Jewitt shares a compelling story of his own mistakes ...