Recent How-To Stories

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  How To Sharpen A Chip-Carving Knife

  November 20, 2019

  The chip-carving knife, though simple in the extreme, employs some special geometry that makes it a versatile tool for removing faceted chips of varying shapes and sizes.

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  French Polishing: The First Polish – Part 3

  November 19, 2019

  In the last part of the first polish, John continues filling the open pores of the wood with shellac, pumice, and good old fashioned elbow grease

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  French Polishing: The First Polish – Part 2

  November 19, 2019

  In part two of the first polish, John continues filling the open pores of the wood with shellac, pumice, and good old fashioned elbow grease

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  French Polishing: The First Polish – Part 1

  November 19, 2019

  John Coffey starts the first polish where he fills the open pores of the wood with shellac, pumice, and good old fashioned elbow grease

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  Turn Your Logs into Lumber

  November 14, 2019

  Jason Stephens has been having trees milled for more than a decade. In this article, he shares what to look for, how to dry the boards, and how to avoid pitfalls when having lumber milled.

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  What is French Polishing

  November 12, 2019

  In a great introduction to shellac for any woodworker, John Coffey discusses different types of shellac, how to mix it, and how to apply it to create a long-lasting, beautiful French polish finish.

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  Make a Long Tool Rest for Your Lathe

  November 6, 2019

  If you plan to turn chair or table legs, Tim Manney’s shopmade long tool rest allows you to make fluid, full-body motions that yield consistent, smooth, flowing turnings.

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  Resawing Veneer on a Sawmill

  November 4, 2019

  Michael Fortune demonstrates one of his favorite outdoor activities, using his sawmill to resaw wide veneers.

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  Foolproof Surface Prep

  November 4, 2019

  Working systematically, Bob Van Dyke demonstrates how to remove mill marks and tearout with a scraper, break sharp edges and corners with a block plane, and sand to an even finish with sandpaper.

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  Learn a fast, reliable way to sharpen a card scraper

  October 28, 2019

  Bob Van Dyke demonstrates his process for sharpening a card scraper, including how to create smooth and square edges and faces, and how to draw out and form a burr to create the cutting edge.