Hand Tools

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  • Testing a Miter Gauge for a Square Cut

    The table saw is a key participant in many woodworking projects, therefore it is critical to ensure that the saw is performing at its best, and adjusted for perfect accuracy. A well-tuned table saw is capable of producing crisp, square cuts, and helping you to produce projects that come together as nicely as you had… Read more »

  • Making a Micro Bevel on Your Woodworking Chisels

    The cornerstone of hand tool woodworking is the chisel. Whether you are chopping dovetails, paring to a line on end grain, or shearing off a bead of excess glue, one thing is for certain, you will want that bad boy to have a hair-splitting wicked sharp edge on it. The concept for how to sharpen… Read more »

  • Working With Pallet Wood

    Working with pallet wood is all the rage these days. It makes sense. Pallet wood is typically free, and can yield some great looking material. Couple that with the fact that you’re recycling (or upcycling) and it’s a win-win. The problem? Getting the pallets apart. We’ll help you out with that. Tough as Nails Think… Read more »

  • cabiole legs

    Making Cabriole Legs

    If you think cabriole legs are out of reach, think again. The graceful S-curve and pad foot of these iconic eighteenth century furniture legs may look hard to make, but you’ll be surprised how simple they can be with a few hand tools and a little hand-eye coordination. This plan provides you with the templates… Read more »

  • How to use a Block Plane

    Trimming Dovetails: Block Plane

    Everyone loves the look of dovetail joinery, so it makes sense to fine tune your ability to create this great joint. There are a number of important steps involved in creating the joint in your woodworking projects, but one that is commonly not given enough attention is the process of making the joint flush. After… Read more »

  • My Introduction to Wooden Boats

    For the past four summers I have made the trip from my Upper Michigan summer home out east to take classes at the famous WoodenBoat (not a spelling error) School in Brooklin, Maine, which is just a stone’s throw south of Acadia National Park on the Atlantic coast. I’ve been a woodworker all my life… Read more »

  • Woodworking Tips - How to Avoid Damaging Wood when Hand Nailing

    Hand Nailing with No Hammer Kisses

    Most of us might use pneumatic nailers, but every once in a while you’ve got to hand nail something. The danger with this is the possibility of hitting your project, instead of the nail. And hammer kisses aren’t all that attractive. Here’s a dirt simple, dirt cheap way to make certain that you won’t mar… Read more »

  • How to Use a Handsaw to Make Accurate Crosscuts

    Using a Handsaw for an Accurate Crosscut

    Crosscutting dead straight with a hand saw can be challenging, even for seasoned hand tool users. It takes a lot of muscle memory to do this accurately and correctly, unless you know a trick or two. No complex jigs, no steep learning curve. This video will have you hand cutting dead straight lines in no… Read more »

  • Pull Saw Vs. Push Saw

    Pull Saw vs. Push Saw

    If you’ve looked closely at handsaws you’ve probalby noticed a difference in teeth. Some point toward the handle, some point away. This means that some cut on the pull stroke, some on the push stroke. We’re talking about Japanese saws versus Western saws. They both cut wood, but they each do it very differently. One… Read more »

  • Standard & Low Angle Block Plane Overview

    Standard and Low Angle Block Planes

    Looking for buying advice on hand planes? This is for you, helping you determine if a standard angle or low angle block plane is best for you and your projects. Which is easier to push through the material? Which provides less chance of tear out? Which is best for cutting parallel to the grain? Across… Read more »