Recent How-To Stories

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  Handplaning with precision

  December 22, 2020

  Bob Van Dyke uses his smoothing plane for more than just smoothing.

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  Selecting lumber for an invisible glued-up panel

  December 18, 2020

  In this master class episode, Tom McLaughlin demonstrates how he selects lumber and mills it to prepare for an almost invisible slip-matched panel joint.

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  Bending wood with hot water

  December 18, 2020

  Russ Filbeck doesn't use a steambox when bending wood for his ladderback chairs. Instead he uses a copper tray made by noted Shaker box maker John Wilson.

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  All about Sealers

  December 17, 2020

  Understand the purpose of sealers, which ones to use, and when to use them.

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  Power-Tool Flattening

  December 17, 2020

  Use your shop sanders to help take the tedium out of the process of sanding.

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  Flattening by Hand

  December 17, 2020

  Hand-sanding, planing, and scraping can be better than power sanding for certain applications.

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  Fire and Disposal Safety

  December 17, 2020

  To avoid finishing-related fires, follow these guidelines for the proper disposal of finishing wastes and materials.

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  Holding and Moving Work

  December 17, 2020

  Use these shop helpers as aids to trouble-free finishing.

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  Brushing Basics

  December 17, 2020

  Condition the bristles of the brush and then follow these foolproof tips to flow on a perfect finish.

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  The Basics of Applying Finishes

  December 17, 2020

  These general guidelines pertain to the application of nearly all finishes.