Surface Prep

Simple Pipe-Clamping Jig Flattens Rough Slabs

June 28, 2018

Here’s a simple way to flatten uneven stock using standard shop tools. It’s especially helpful for rough tree-trunk slabs that would otherwise be difficult to handle. It involves two 3⁄4-in.…
Holding Thin Stock for Planing

November 28, 2017

We've all been there. Hand planing a thin piece of wood—a workholding nightmare—you find that your planing stop is too tall. Even if it isn't, the second the blade engages…
Working With MDF

October 5, 2017

If you're painting a cabinet, medium-density fiberboard is hard to beat
Taming Tough Grain with a Bevel-Up Plane

September 11, 2017

See how Bob Van Dyke uses a 45º blade in his low-angle bevel-up planes to tame highly figured wood and to break hard edges without worrying about grain direction
Use sandpaper strips to target tiny areas

September 5, 2017

When you need to sand a small area without damaging the surface around it, strip-sanding is a great method. Cut a long strip of sandpaper and trap it between your…
Offcuts create a planing cradle for tapered legs

August 29, 2017

A while back I built a Shaker-style round stand but wasn’t sure how to plane accurate tapers on both sides of each leg. I found the answer in the curvy…
A textured hand-planed finish

August 28, 2017

Scrub planes can do more than just rough work
Box keeps sandpaper organized and at your fingertips

June 20, 2017

How often do you hunt through a drawer or box of sandpaper looking for a specific grit? This small tray will keep up to nine grits of folded sandpaper organized…
Ep 10 – Flat and Glass Smooth

December 13, 2016

In the conclusion to this video workshop, Mike adds a delicate chamfer and gets the tabletop ready for finish
Utility-knife blade makes a nimble scraper

December 2, 2016

By turning a burr on a standard disposable knife blade and adding a simple maple handle, you get an amazing detail scraper