Author name: Enthusiast

It’s such a proven and simple method for attaching a top to some framing: Buttons allow a solid timber top to move with the seasons, with no risk of splitting. And while it’s true some furniture is not exposed to the ravages of extreme moisture and could well survive with some skewed screws through the rails, it still makes sense to button. Who knows what fate might befit the piece […]

The post Buttoned Up…er, Down appeared first on Popular Woodworking Magazine.

After the hustle and bustle of the day, taking a few minutes out and having some quiet time can be welcome relief. Everyone had just left the workshop and I had a few short minutes before my expected arrival home for tea. There was just enough time to get to my bench  to fix the top on my table. It’s just a dry-fit; I’ll take it off when the finish […]

The post 5 Minutes’ Peace appeared first on Popular Woodworking Magazine.

In 1969, power tools arrived as part of my Christmas haul. Now, some might say that an 8-year-old should not be using a circular saw, jigsaw or power drill. Maybe – but times were different then. The Ideal Toy Company’s Powermite line of miniature power tools didn’t have enough power to do much damage (I tested the circular saw on my little brother), but it gave me hours of fun. The […]

The post Getting Started in Woodworking appeared first on Popular Woodworking Magazine.

Working wood is a labor of love for me. I admire the trees that provide this unique and ever-changing resource. I love the tools that allow us to shape lumber into objects of beauty and use. I revere the books that teach us how to make good use of the raw materials and tools. I am excited to learn about the history of furniture making and to see exciting developments […]

The post Baby Steps into Woodworking appeared first on Popular Woodworking Magazine.

Among the smoothing planes that Stanley Works made (which includes the Nos. 1 to 4), the company sold far more No. 4s than any other size, according to Stanley collectors. That was my rationale for buying a No. 4 many years ago. I still think it’s a good size for a handplane, with a 9-1/2”-long sole and 2”-wide iron, which allows you to use the iron in the No. 5 […]

The post Are You Suffering From Smoothing Plane Bloat? appeared first on Popular Woodworking Magazine.

Woodworking tool design progresses slowly. While it’s easy to state that today we have some of the best woodworking tools ever, the designs haven’t changed much. I mean, when a manufacturer takes advantage of modern metallurgy and manufacturing processes you can get some exceptionally high-quality tools – but that isn’t design change. Saws still have teeth shaped the same way, blades and backs of the same size and shape, and […]

The post New Tool Designs in Woodworking? appeared first on Popular Woodworking Magazine.