Popular Woodworking has featured a list of books recommended by young woodworkers. The list includes selections from notable individuals in the woodworking community, such as Lee from leebuild.com and Laura Zahn from offthesaw.com. The book "Good Clean Fun" is also highlighted in the list. Key Takeaways: Popular Woodworking has featured a list of books recommended by young woodworkers. … [Read more...]
Woodworking Career Opportunities: Jobs, Career and Education
Woodworking is a craft that involves creating items from wood, such as furniture or cabinets, using various tools. There are several types of woodworkers including cabinet makers, furniture makers, wood machine operators, and woodcarvers. Cabinet makers build kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities, while furniture makers design and build furniture from scratch. Wood machine operators work with … [Read more...]
The Truth about Parallel Clamps and Why They’re Hard to Review
Parallel clamps, originally designed by Bessey in 1980, are a common tool for woodworking. A few key features of these clamps are often misunderstood or overlooked. Firstly, the heads of a parallel clamp do not need to be square. In fact, many are designed with a toe-in head, which helps the clamp achieve a parallel state under pressure. Secondly, all parallel clamp bars will deflect under … [Read more...]
Which Miter Saw for Woodworking
Choosing an appropriate miter saw is essential for successful woodworking projects. Miter saws allow for precise cuts at various angles and are indispensable for tasks such as framing, trim work, and furniture making. However, not all miter saws are the same, and selecting the wrong one can lead to wasted time and frustration. Understanding the different types of miter saws and their unique … [Read more...]
Cabinet/Card Scrapers
Cabinet scrapers are an essential tool for woodworkers due to their versatility, affordability, and ability to perform tasks that more expensive tools struggle with. Unlike planes and chisels, which require a polished, acute edge free of burr, scrapers are designed to have a tiny, well-defined burr that is used to cut wood. Cabinet scrapers come in various shapes and are often sold in sets of … [Read more...]
Tying Knots in Wood
The author shares his journey of learning woodworking through a relentless push to fail, and his objective was to tie a knot in a piece of wood. His first attempt was in 2016 when he selected straight-grained, air-dried ash, cut into square strips, and steamed them before bending them into a loop. Despite some failures, he managed to form a knot about 2 inches in diameter. In 2018, he attempted … [Read more...]
What Is Ripping in Woodworking
Ripping is a fundamental woodworking technique that involves cutting wood along its length, parallel to the grain. It is essential for creating pieces with desired dimensions, shape, and thickness. Ripping is important in various woodworking projects as it allows craftsmen to obtain specific sizes and shapes needed for constructing furniture pieces, cabinets, flooring, and more. It also helps in … [Read more...]
Risk to the User and Workpiece
The scroll saw, known for its slow cutting speed and relative safety compared to other power tools, is often used for delicate woodworking tasks. However, the tool still carries risks due to the close proximity of the user's hands to the blade and the high level of manual skill and focus required. Over-cutting or deviating from the cut line by even a small amount can result in failure of the … [Read more...]
Everything You Need to Know About Woodworking Tools
Woodworking involves a variety of tasks. A tool that is necessary for one woodworker may remain untouched in another woodworker's workshop. The wide range of tool options can be overwhelming for beginners. Regardless of the branch of woodworking one is interested in, there are fundamental abilities that apply to all. Cutting, drilling, shaping, fastening, measuring, and finishing are … [Read more...]
Beginner’s Woodworking: Skills And Tips You Need To Know
Many individuals avoid woodworking projects due to lack of experience or the misconception that they must invest a significant amount of money on tools. However, the truth is that possessing some fundamental woodworking skills can serve as a cost-effective alternative to expensive tools, allowing you to bring your long-desired project to life. Here is a breakdown of the essential … [Read more...]