Tricks of the Trade – Woodworking Blogs

Ripping Thin Pieces

AW153, Jigs and Fixtures, Shaker Boxes, Techniques, Tricks of the Trade, Woodworking Posts, Workshop Tips / Enthusiast

While making Shaker boxes, I built a jig to accurately rip 1/16″ thick strips without getting my hands too close to the blade. In fact, I can leave the guard…
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Super Sandpaper

April 2026 #288, Sanding, Sandpaper, Tricks of the Trade, Woodworking Posts / Enthusiast

Whenever I was sanding by hand, the sandpaper would roll or slide in my hands, eventually tearing and turning into small, useless scraps. I tried folding it every which way…
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No Slip Clamp Guides

Clamping, Clamps, June 2020 #253, Router, Techniques, Tricks of the Trade, Woodworking Posts / Enthusiast

Guide clamps make it easy to position a straightedge for sawing or routing, because they clamp to both ends of a workpiece. I made my own, using a 5“ wide…
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Universal Slide Jig

AW138, Ingenious Jigs, Jigs and Fixtures, June 2020 #253, Slider, Techniques, Tricks of the Trade, Woodworking Posts, Workshop Tips / Enthusiast

I’ve tried all kinds of jigs for installing drawer slides, none to my satisfaction. My jig holds the drawer slides right where I want while I install them. You can…
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Insert a Spindle or Rung

February 2026 #287, Furniture Repair, Tricks of the Trade, Woodworking Posts / Enthusiast

A broken spindle or chair rung can be removed well enough. But how do you get the repaired or new part back in without major disassembly? The answer is a…
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Golf Tee Finishing Stands

AW151, Golf, Techniques, Tricks of the Trade, Woodworking Posts, Workshop Tips / Enthusiast

When I’m finishing a project, I support it on small stands. They raise the project off the bench so I can get at its lower edges. I’ve seen stands like…
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