Woodworking Posts

Spade bits get little respect among woodworkers. They are regarded as coarse tools that tear up the work surface – good for plumbers and rough carpentry at best. Once you understand how to use them, however, you might change your mind about them because they are inexpensive and can do tricks that few other bits can do. Before you rush out and buy a set from the home center, do […]

The post Why I Love Spade Bits appeared first on Popular Woodworking Magazine.

Should safety have its own “S” in 5S? Should it really be “6S?” The question always comes up as woodworkers learn to apply the principles of 5S to their shops. A growing community of woodworkers has been adapting the principles of 5S and Lean manufacturing to their shops. They are learning how to easily implement Sort, Set In Order, Sparkle, Standardize, and Sustain to make their shops feel more spacious, […]

The post 5S Principles and Woodshop Safety appeared first on Popular Woodworking Magazine.

As a new addition to the Popular Woodworking editorial team I occasionally find myself getting sidetracked by some of the cool projects in the books I’m working on. Take this wooden passive speaker from from A.J. Hamler’s forthcoming book Build It With Dad, for example. Fun projects like this often start me thinking how I should make one for everyone on my gift-giving list – and that inevitably leads to a few Google searches for tools […]

The post Wooden Passive Speaker: A Great, Easy-to-Make Gift appeared first on Popular Woodworking Magazine.

  I’ve finally put the last piece on the kitchen puzzle in place; the rehab project is now officially done. It was this small table in a curved corner. I wanted something that continued the countertop run from the right side of the stove, but was moveable and more open than another boring base cabinet. Plus, it’s where the cat food bowls go (notice JJ searching for a snack?), so […]

The post Domino Table – Fast & Easy appeared first on Popular Woodworking Magazine.

I wear clothing until it falls off my body or until my wife refuses to leave the house with me – whichever comes first. My favorite sweatshirt is one I bought my first day of college in 1986. It’s a U.S.-made Champion sweatshirt and has always served as a reminder that buying cheap clothes is false economy. Recently I’ve had to replace some of my work clothes because my Army surplus […]

The post Some Quality Shop Clothing appeared first on Popular Woodworking Magazine.

The float has arrived and is soon to be sharpened and used. In the meantime, and following on from the comment about the details of the plane, I’ll try and share some of the Mathieson magic. On that note: A very big thank you to anyone who has made the time to leave a comment on my posts. One of the things I enjoy most is discussion so please keep […]

The post Mathieson’s Stats appeared first on Popular Woodworking Magazine.