Recent How-To Stories

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  Shoulder plane setup and use

  November 2, 2020

  Bob Van Dyke demonstrates how to properly use a shoulder plane: checking for square, honing the blade, inserting and adjusting the blade, and using the plane to adjust tenons, clean up rabbets, and refine moldings, among other tasks.

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  Video: Tune your tenons with a rabbet plane

  October 29, 2020

  While Mike Pekovich prefers a large shoulder plane to tune his joinery, he shows how the process can easily be done with a much more affordable vintage rabbet plane like the Stanley #78.

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  How to chainsaw a bowl blank from a tree

  October 26, 2020

  Mark Gardner's lathe-turned bowls begin with a green log and finesse with a chainsaw.

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  Add color and texture to a turned bowl

  October 19, 2020

  Mark Gardner demonstrates the steps involved in making one of his colorful bowls, from cutting a log to the initial rough turning and drying, to the final finishing touches with milk paint and gouge work for the texturing.

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  Threaded rod and epoxy: A versatile option for leg joinery

  October 14, 2020

  Tim Coleman adapted a technique used with wooden dowels for a cleaner way to join legs to benchtops or tabletops without the need for aprons.

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  Side-Rail Box Hinges: Looks, Performance, and Easy Installation

  October 2, 2020

  Clean, minimal look and built-in lid stops make the hinges a favorite of Craig Thibodeau.

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  How to cut stopped dadoes on the tablesaw

  October 1, 2020

  Mike Pekovich uses a crosscut sled and stopblocks to cut stopped dadoes safely.

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  Gilding 101: Finishing with real gold

  August 21, 2020

  Frame maker Barrie Bryant gives a glimpse into the gilding process and the tools and techniques he uses to create his beautiful gilded frames.

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  The decorative carvings of Kristina Madsen

  August 7, 2020

  Kristina Madsen gets her carving inspiration from textiles, nature, tradition, and some amazing and distinguished mentors. See the results and get an inside view of the process.

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  D.I.Y. precision router base for rotary tools

  August 6, 2020

  Ben Strano makes a rotary tool base perfect for detailed inlay work for less than $5.