Basic and beginner woodworking concepts to help you understand the basics when getting started.
You’ve probably heard or read about various types of wood screw heads and drivers. But don’t let all these terms confuse you. If you can remember the following 6 common screw types, and 5 driver types, that should cover most of what you’ll ever need in woodworking. And it can also help to understand the difference in clearance holes, pilot holes, countersinking and counterboring, plus … Read More
You’ve probably come across this large, brown, ugly sheet material at home stores before. But what is MDF? Does it have any real practical uses in a wood shop or for building furniture? How do you finish it? How strong is it? What kind of joinery should be used with it? I’ve been using MDF for various projects in my wood shop for some time … Read More
Hide glue gets its name from the fact that it comes from animal hides, bones, hooves… (I’ll stop there). It’s a very archaic glue that’s been around as long as woodworking has. But even still, today’s hide glue creates just as good of a bond as PVA wood glues. Read more about PVA wood glue here. Traditional hide glue is pliable when it’s heated up, and … Read More
A good PVA glue is a woodworkers best friend. It’s cheap, easy to apply, easy to clean up, and creates a bond stronger than the wood itself, which is really all you could ask for, right? Well apparently there are a few more things to consider when choosing the right wood glue for your next project. Keep reading to learn all about what PVA wood … Read More
Is dust collection really that important? Well, for small-shop woodworking, yes it is. While the most important reason may be that we need to take care of our lungs, the reason I actually care most about is finish work. In a small wood shop, your work area is also where you apply your finishes. And for me, that’s usually polyurethane. Polyurethane + Dust = 2 … Read More
Do you enjoy working with plywood as much as I do? It really does have a ton of applications, and can be used for all kinds of projects. But mostly, I just love how it’s really heavy… And it’s so awkward to carry too! Was that sarcasm you’re wondering? Yes. Yes it was. Although very useful, plywood is heavy, and that part sucks. While you … Read More
So you’re interested in beginning woodworking? Awesome! You’re probably wondering where to begin. How should you break into this incredibly fun and rewarding hobby? Well, you need to find out what kind of projects really inspire you. When beginning woodworking, most people draw inspiration just from seeing what’s possible from other woodworkers’ projects. Plus, the fact that some of these projects are really basic, especially … Read More
Plywood grades can be confusing and don’t make a lot of sense to anyone not used to working with plywood. But once you get it figured out, you’ll be ready to take on your next project with confidence. I love working with plywood. You can use it for anything from shop jigs, to shelving, to cabinets, book cases, work benches, and the list goes on. … Read More
A dado is a square or rectangular slot cut from one end of a board to the other, and technically it goes across the grain, while the slot is called a groove if it goes with the grain. However, many times this is still referred to as a dado. A stopped dado is when the slot doesn’t extend to the end of the board. This … Read More
I absolutely love my woodworking hobby, and today I’m going to share with you all my best advice to get into woodworking for beginners. I’ve tried various types of projects, from painted plywood furniture, to scroll saw toys, outdoor concrete-topped tables, to indoor wall-décor and furniture. I absolutely love having the freedom to try new ideas and fun projects. Not to mention, almost everything I’ve … Read More
So I was in my shop about to do a glue-up on my desk project, and I thought to myself, what is the best glue for wood? So I did some digging, and I wanted to share what I learned here. Of the several different types of wood glues available, I find that regular PVA yellow glue meets most of my needs, although I’m starting … Read More
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