Skill Building

Ebonizing Wood

September 19, 2018 By George Vondriska & filed under Skill Building.

The next time you’re working on a project that calls for a dark, opaque accent that looks like ebony, try ebonizing wood for the right look. It’s a fairly simple process, but works better on some woods than others. Ebonizing wood is not the same thing as simply coloring wood with ebony stain. When you…

Father’s Day Gift Ideas

May 15, 2018 By George Vondriska & filed under Blog, Buying Advice, Product Review, Skill Building.

Looking for the perfect gift for the woodworker in your life? With Father’s Day right around the corner, this is timely. But whatever the event, your favorite woodworker is certain to love these gift ideas.

Product Review: Portamate PM-1800 – Panel Carrier

February 28, 2018 By Bruce Kieffer & filed under Buying Advice, Product Review, Skill Building.

This is an ingenious and invaluable back-saving tool for a one-person shop. It works better and easier than I imagined. Being able to maneuver sheet goods around my shop, and then flip them from vertical to horizontal, and do that all myself with very little effort is HUGE. There are other heavy-duty plywood carts available for large shop use, but those are big and expensive. This one is compact, folds flat for easy out of the way storage, and it's a real steal at around $100!

Gluing Up Panels

February 25, 2018 By George Vondriska & filed under Gluing and Clamping, Skill Building.

Gluing up panels is a must-have skill in woodworking. From table tops to raised panels there are plenty of times you’ll need to glue boards edge to edge. When you do you want the panel flat, with rock solid glue joints. Here’s the recipe for making that happen in your shop. Rough cut to length. …

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…

7 Must-Have Router Bit Types

June 29, 2017 By George Vondriska & filed under Skill Building.

Select from these router bit types for your next project. A router is one of the most versatile tools you can have in your shop, and there are MANY different router bits available. Here’s a guide to the seven bits I find most useful, and what I typically use them for. 1/8″ Round Over Bit.…

Set Up Your Miter Saw for Perfect Cuts

May 19, 2017 By George Vondriska & filed under Shop Maintenance, Skill Building.

If you’ve got a miter saw in your shop you probably rely on it for perfectly square cuts, and maybe for cutting angles, too. Follow these simple set up tips to tune up your saw so it’s singing an accurate song. It’s important to know, conclusively, that when you’re shooting for a 90-degree cut you’re…

Electrolysis Rust Removal

May 2, 2017 By George Vondriska & filed under Shop Tips, Skill Building.

Ever get to an auction or flea market and stare lovingly, but in despair, at a hand plane that you’d love to own, but are going to pass on because it’s too rusty? There’s a solution for this problem. Electrolysis. It’s crazy cool, and easy to do. Here’s the overview; submerge the tool in a…

Product Review: ISOtunes Pro

April 25, 2017 By George Vondriska & filed under Buying Advice, Product Review, Skill Building, Woodworking Safety.

If you’re going to be around tools, you’ve GOT TO use hearing protection. If you don’t want to have to choose between music, phone calls, and hearing protection, you should have a look at ISOtunes Pro. Learn more about them with this product review. I have my share (or more) of electronic devices, and I…