Latest Articles

Teri Masaschi writes that the fantastic array of finishing products on the market is what makes learning finishing somewhat complicated.  To help the would-be finisher learn to control the outcome of his or her projects, Teri shares her experiences over 37 years of  “falling into every pitfall and learning how to back out of them” in her book Foolproof Wood Finishing. 

The Kreg Foreman DB210 is the absolute top of the line way to make pocket holes. When you have to do a lot of pocket holes and repeatability is key, this is the tool you want.

This miter gauge from JessEm comes factory set and has all the bells and whistles you want. 

Sunday, August 9, is National Book Lovers Day. Reading and books are important parts of most people’s lives, especially in the current Coronavirus pandemic that calls for avoiding crowds and staying close to home. In observance of this event in 2020, we are revisiting a still relevant 2017 Woodcraft Magazine article by Joe Hurst-Wajszczuk about Best Books for Woodworkers. 

Nothing says “I care” like a gift you make with your hands – from your heart. Woodcraft has an extensive selection of kits, plans and how-to videos and blogs to help the serious gift-giver create a present to remember. And, for the folks who don’t need a kit, Woodcraft offers all the tools, materials and supplies to create a gift “from scratch.”

“For me, woodwork has always been motivated far more by relationships than by finished projects. I’ve found the best way to get to know people deeply is by joining them doing something they truly love,” Anne Briggs, also known as Anne of All Trades, explains. Learn more about Anne, her path to award-winning blogger and woodworker, and her “just say yes” philosophy in this Woodworking Adventures blog.  

Disabilities do not define the individual. JCDC Woodworks in Ravenswood, West Virginia, demonstrates this daily by providing meaningful employment and learning opportunities—through woodworking—to individuals with intellectual, physical and emotional needs. Live edge tables and other household furnishings are carefully crafted one at a time, maintaining the natural edges and wood grain textures found in the Appalachian Mountains. Sales of these pieces help sustain the services offered.

This attractive napkin holder with its leaves at opposing angles will add pizzazz to any table. The chamfered leaves appear to float just above the surface, adding a subtle shadow line to the gently curved feet. The straightforward construction makes this a fun project to work on with a youngster or to batch-build for holiday gifts.

This maple side table has three chief features: a single, wide drawer, an open base with a large three-piece shelf, and subtle detailing to tie everything together. I stole the overall form and proportions from a functional but somewhat poorly constructed table that sat in my kitchen for some time.

I’ve been making mirrors with attached shelves for years. Recently, I started adding small objects to those shelves, including stone cairns, turned vases, and carved birds such as the one you see here. Adding these little “extras” has made the mirrors sell better, and they’re more fun to build.