Woodworking guides, tools and techniques for home shops

Build it yourself, one joint at a time.

Beginner-friendly guides to woodworking tools, joinery, finishes and shop projects, with safety front and center.

Latest guides

Projects

Beginner Woodworking Projects: Simple Builds That Teach Real Skills

Beginner woodworking project ideas that teach real skills, including a workbench, cutting board, bookshelf, planter box, step stool, shop storage and picture frames, with…
Tools

Cordless Drill vs. Impact Driver: Which Do Woodworkers Need?

Cordless drill vs. impact driver explained for woodworkers, covering how each works, chucks, clutches, torque, typical tasks, combo kits, battery platforms, bits and safe…
Finishing

How to Apply Polyurethane: A Step-by-Step Guide for a Smooth Finish

A step-by-step guide to applying polyurethane, covering oil-based vs. water-based types, sheen, surface prep, brushing and wiping, sanding between coats, drying, troubleshooting and safety.
Projects

Choosing Lumber for Beginners: Softwoods, Hardwoods, Plywood and Grades

A beginner’s guide to choosing lumber, covering softwoods and hardwoods, plywood and sheet goods, nominal vs. actual sizes, grades, moisture, defects to check and…
Joinery

How to Cut a Dado: Table Saw, Router and Hand Tool Methods

How to cut a dado joint for shelves and cabinets, explaining dadoes, grooves and rabbets and covering table saw, router and hand tool methods,…
Shop Setup

Dust Collection for Small Shops: Shop Vacuums, Collectors and Air Filtration

A practical guide to dust collection for small woodworking shops, covering why dust matters, shop vacuums, cyclone separators, dust collectors, air filtration, tool connections…