Woodsmith

When I was a kid, one of my favorite toys was a set of blocks at my grandmother’s house. They were the old-school kind: a letter on one face, number on another, grooves milled into the top and bottom, and a couple images to round it out. I think it’s

Cutting odd-shaped parts always poses an interesting challenge. The band saw is certainly the safest place to get the job done, but it’s far from perfect. That said, this V-jig will certainly help when it comes to long workpieces. The jig cradles the

Finishing techniques seem to fall into one of two poles: “quick & easy” and everything else. Allow me to present a mid-level technique: a crackled paint finish that’s worth some extra time and effort. It’s the technique used on the door panels of the

When it comes to making crosscuts, there tends to be two types in my shop. First, the rough cut, initially trimming a piece down to a workable size. For efficiency’s sake, the saw above is my choice here. The second type of cut is a precise one. When

Keeping your shop clean and tidy takes time away from the fun stuff — like making messes while shaving, chopping, or sawing away at your current project. We’ll take a look at three products that help you stay clean, tidy, and orderly while you’re wor

Part of the joy of turning is how quickly you can go from a block of wood to a completed project. Small projects on the lathe are ideal for gifts, too. Once you get the hang of one, it’s pretty easy to make multiples. Think of these tree ornaments as

It all started around 1929 when Frank Mason and his son George, the owners of Mason Manufacturing Company, were approached by Barker Brothers furniture store to create a new line of furniture under the name “Monterey,” that would harmonize with all t

Nothing brings people together quite like a good game. It’s a wonderful way to spend an afternoon — and an evening too, depending on the game in question. However, where to host the game is always an issue. Should we clear off the dining table, or al

I don’t think there’s a more sparse definition of “default settings” than what you get when you unpack the box containing your new drill press. Once assembled, the chunky cast iron table stares blankly at you as if to say: “What — I’m a drill press,