Power Tool Woodworking Archives | WoodWorkers Guild of America

Do I Really Need an Impact Driver?

December 27, 2017 By Paul Mayer & filed under Buying Advice, More Portable Power Tools, Portable Power Tools, Tool Education.

Impact Driver vs Drill I’m going to spoil the ending. Yes you do need an impact driver, right away. Stop reading. Go to store. Buy an impact driver. Thank me later. If you feel the need to understand why, read on. Impact drivers are creating a lot of buzz on the internet these days, and…

Workaround: Cut Biscuit Grooves with a Router

September 6, 2017 By Bruce Kieffer & filed under Joinery, Portable Power Tools, Router, Skill Building.

So you need to cut a few biscuit grooves but don’t own a biscuit (plate) joiner — No problem, cutting the grooves with your router and a slot-cutter bit is easy. So I’ll bet you’re wondering if it’s so easy then why even own a biscuit joiner? Well there are pros and cons: Pros: Great…

Router Woodworking Basics: How to Use a Router

August 26, 2017 By George Vondriska & filed under Portable Power Tools, Router, Skill Building.

Want to use a router, but don’t know where to start? Learn how to use a router with these router woodworking techniques and tips. Boy, I use routers a lot. They can do so much. From adding a profile to an edge to cutting dovetail joints, a router is an incredibly versatile machine. But if…

The Difference Between a Jointer and Planer

January 19, 2017 By Bruce Kieffer & filed under Buying Advice, Jointer, Stationary Power Tools, Tool Education.

Beginning woodworkers all ask this basic question; what is the difference between a jointer and a planer? The answer is simple, a lot! And is there such a thing as a jointer planer. No! Each machine does a completely different surfacing operation. A jointer flattens a face or straightens and squares an edge, and a…

How to Construct a Bandsaw Box

January 2, 2017 By George Vondriska & filed under Band Saw, More Woodworking Projects, Plans and Projects, Skill Building, Stationary Power Tools, Woodworking Projects.

Bandsaw boxes are easy to make, but you need to follow a few rules of the road. It’s very important that you use the right blade, and that you make the cuts in the correct sequence. This story lays out the bandsaw project for you, start to finish. Click on the images to enlarge them…

Table Saw Safety: Guards and Splitters

March 10, 2015 By Bruce Kieffer & filed under Stationary Power Tools, Stationary Power Tools Safety, Table Saw, Woodworking Safety.

Table saw safety is critical for every woodworker. Bruce Kieffer's table saw safety article explores options for aftermarket and shop-made table saw guards and splitters. Be safe and saw often!

Shop Accident Statistics and Woodworking Safety

March 9, 2015 By Andrew M & filed under Band Saw, Jointer, Miter Saw, Portable Power Tools, Portable Power Tools Safety, Power Tool Woodworking, Stationary Power Tools, Stationary Power Tools Safety, Table Saw, Woodworking Safety.

Every year, hospitals see injuries caused by woodworking tools in the emergency room. This includes professionals and hobbyists, students and homeowners. The types of injuries vary, as there are more ways to make mistakes in a woodshop than there are ways to plan ahead for them – precisely why they’re called accidents! In 2011, the…

Jointing on the Table Saw

October 23, 2014 By George Vondriska & filed under Joinery, Skill Building, Stationary Power Tools, Table Saw.

There are plenty of times when you need your boards to have a smooth, straight edge. No jointer? No sweat. With the help of a simple shop-made jig you can be jointing on the table saw. Even if you own a jointer, jointing on the tables saw is a handy technique to know about. If…

Pattern Cutting on a Table Saw

January 13, 2014 By George Vondriska & filed under Skill Building, Stationary Power Tools, Table Saw.

Pattern cutting on a table saw is an easy and fast way to produce lots of identical parts. I’ve used this technique to make parts for everything from bird houses to Adirondack chairs. Get started by making the fence. Make the pattern fence using a vertical piece that is 1-3/4” wide and a horizontal piece…

Custom Cut Butterfly Joints

December 2, 2013 By Seth Keller & filed under Portable Power Tools, Router, Skill Building.

Handmade Graduated Butterflies Are Stunning The butterflies or ‘dutchmen’ embedded in this desktop are custom sized and cut on a bandsaw. Butterflies stabilize the crack and also provide a focal point on top of the desk to highlight your woodworking skills. When making butterfly joints, I tend to avoid templates available at woodworking stores. In…