Woodworker's Journal - Blog

Felling a Tree the Old-Fashioned Way

Sandor Nagyszalanczy — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 14:00:49 +0000

I had a lot of fun working on a Portable Sawmills article for the forthcoming July/August issue of Woodworker’s Journal. To do the research (I didn’t really know anything about small sawmills), I visited a pair of local sawyers who demonstrated how their marvelous machines work: Just set a log on the mill’s bed, start [...]

Shop Cabinets, Production Style

Chris Marshall — Mon, 20 May 2013 13:00:38 +0000

Whoever first said that if you enjoy what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life, must have been a woodworker. Or maybe a magazine editor. In any case, it sure sums up how I feel about my job, which is equal parts of both vocations. I’m pretty sure a coal miner would [...]

Complicated But Cool

Joanna Takes — Fri, 10 May 2013 20:04:51 +0000

This may be the most complicated woodworking project we’ve ever seen — but man, is it cool. (Just make sure you’re standing back when some of those secret compartments open!) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKikHxKeodA&list=PL_N0bnprvOhApU2MSZv2NCTmKeU87nUx

May/June 2013 Issue Preview

Chris Marshall — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 12:05:59 +0000

Summertime is a chance to get out of the shop now and then, and the new June 2013 print issue of Woodworker’s Journal will give you several good reasons to get out and explore — whether it’s a new lumberyard or your back yard. Here’s a sneak peek at what you’ll find in the [...]

WJ Reader Ideas Needed: Raise the Bar (By Adding Some Wood!)

Joanna Takes — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 18:40:18 +0000

Among woodworkers, there are some projects that are “classics” — whether the woodworker in question has built them or just has them on a mental “someday” list. Sometimes, it seems as if nearly everyone has built, or wants to build, a guitar, a wooden boat … or a bar for the basement. If that woodworker [...]

Rethinking the Simple 2×4

Chris Marshall — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 13:00:26 +0000

Author uses unusually clear 2x4s to make outfeed table behind his table saw. Reflects on their worth as project wood.

Exercising Your Joints

Sandor Nagyszalanczy — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 17:00:39 +0000

I got an email from a friend this morning asking me what I thought about Festool’s Domino joinery system. I told him I thought it was an incredibly ingenious solution for rapidly cutting mortises and that the machine itself is a marvelous (albeit expensive) tool. When I reread his email before sending my reply, it [...]

Dreams of Springtime and Shop Improvement

Sandor Nagyszalanczy — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 17:45:21 +0000

When it comes to weather, we’ve had a true embarrassment of riches here in California this winter. Although the beginning of this year has been the driest in recent memory, it’s hard to argue with sunny days and shirtsleeve weather at a time when folks in other parts of the country are freezing and getting [...]

Veneer on Video

Rob Johnstone — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 16:00:27 +0000

Have you ever wondered how hardwood veneer is made? Yeah, me, too! One of my woodworking friends sent this link to me — and it does a really great job of showing the process. Even though I’ve been around the industry for a long time, and have even seen veneer being made firsthand, I thought [...]

Grizzly Adds New Tool Comparison Feature to Website

Chris Marshall — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 07:00:40 +0000

If 2013 is your year to buy a new stationary tool, and Grizzly is one of the companies you’re considering for that purchase, they’ve just added a slick new search feature that could make the process quite easy. It’s a machinery comparison chart widget that generates an instant side-by-side cross-reference for up to four Grizzly [...]

From Our Woodworking Colleagues

Rob Johnstone — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 20:51:06 +0000

Our colleagues at The Taunton Press recently sent out a message regarding the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, and we at the Woodworker’s Journal feel moved to pass it along to our readers. Click through to read more.

January/February 2013 Issue Preview

Matt Becker — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 17:42:14 +0000

The January/February 2013 issue of Woodworker’s Journal magazine contains plenty of content to keep you busy in the shop during winter months and beyond. Here’s a sneak peek at what you’ll find in the issue.

November/December 2012 Issue Preview

Matt Becker — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 21:32:16 +0000

As we head into this holiday season, the new December 2012 print issue offers four unique projects tailored for filling your gift list or for trimming the tree, along with much more.

Strange Projects We Have Made

Chris Marshall — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 15:21:03 +0000

One of the things I love about my wife Amy is that she shares my appreciation for beauty in what some might see as macabre. But it can lead to strange souvenirs that present opportunities for unusual projects. And here’s a good example for you. A couple of months ago, Amy took our daughters on [...]

From Oak Trees … to Lumber … to Projects

Herb Brodie — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 17:00:32 +0000

Herb Brodie builds woodworking projects from oak trees downed on his property: trees to lumber. Click through to read more...

Bullets and Black Walnut

Rob Johnstone — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 17:15:45 +0000

As I was preparing the stock for a walnut table recently, I noticed a couple of voids in the wood. Thinking it was insect damage, I continued to plane the stock to thickness. Then I noticed that the bug holes were shiny.

For Rockler, Innovation Still Trumps Imitation

Chris Marshall — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 14:54:42 +0000

We all know that old adage about imitation being the sincerest form of flattery. But it's a notion that's always struck me as a hollow compliment at best. Click through to read more...

September/October 2012 Issue Preview

Matt Becker — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 14:44:09 +0000

If you're looking for a sensible, yet challenging piece of furniture to build this fall, our September/October 2012 issue has you covered. Click through to learn more about it.

Special Blog Coverage: IWF Woodworking Show

Joanna Takes — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 01:30:27 +0000

One international extravaganza may have ended earlier this month, but the International Woodworking Fair is going strong in Atlanta. And you know, of course, who brings you the gold medal quality woodworking news: the Woodworker’s Journal team is on the ground, sending dispatches on new tools, industry news and more. You can watch the tools [...]

Ryobi Wins Table Saw Safety Litigation

Joanna Takes — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 19:00:57 +0000

A Chicago jury decided earlier this month in favor of table saw manufacturer Ryobi Tools against a plaintiff who claimed he was injured by a defective saw. Click through to read more...

Woodworking for Comics Fans

Matt Hocking — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 14:00:00 +0000

When most people hear about San Diego Comic-Con, their thoughts immediately go to the halcyon days of buying Superman and Spider-Man’s latest adventures for a quarter at the corner store. And while there’s still a piece of that history alive on the floor of the San Diego Convention Center, Comic-Con has expanded far past that.

Kiwi Window Trim…It Really is a Small World

Chris Marshall — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 06:00:22 +0000

This spring I moved into a new shop, and I’m finally getting around to doing the finish carpentry to wrap up the interior work. I decided to save some money and run the base molding, door and window trim myself. Every now and again, I really like this sort of trim work, and the contractor’s [...]

Wood on the Lathe

Rob Johnstone — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 14:00:13 +0000

I am an expert woodworker … I just am. I have a natural talent for the craft. On the other hand, I do woodturning for fun. While I do give it my best to come up with a great woodturning project, I have not let this one area of woodworking migrate from a release to a regimen — I want it to be my shop fun time. Click through to read more...

New Breed of Poly Gains a New Fan: Me

Chris Marshall — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 06:00:34 +0000

Chris Marshall's mind is changing on polyurethane, and is happy to explain why.

The Rapidly Rising Cost of Steel

Ernie Conover — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 15:15:02 +0000

I remember the halcyon days when M2 high speed steel (HSS) turning tools hit the market. No longer did we have to worry about burning at the grinder, and HSS tools held an edge forever -- compared to plain carbon steel, anyway.

July/August 2012 Issue Preview

Matt Becker — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 20:54:01 +0000

Summer may bring dog days & busy vacation schedules, but it's still a great time for woodworking. Here's a sneak peek at the July/August 2012 issue. Click through for a video...

Historic Collection of Woodworking Projects Now Available

Matt Becker — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 14:00:10 +0000

Here at Woodworker's Journal, we've dug deep in our archives to bring you our largest collection of projects, articles, tips, techniques and wood science to date.

SKILSaw Celebrates 75th Anniversary

Joanna Takes — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 14:30:23 +0000

For many woodworkers, the entire purpose of a garage is to house their tools. Any vehicles are an incidental. For some, however, the bikes are just as important as the woodworking -- and we're not talking about the kind they ride on the Tour de France.

Cherry End Table

Matt Becker — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 20:00:30 +0000

This end table showcases shaping skills on the legs and top, along with a forward-thinking finishing choice.

New Shop, Full Circle

Chris Marshall — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 06:00:56 +0000

Over the past few weeks, I've been busy painting, installing garage door openers and running base molding in my new garage/shop.

Interesting Woodwork is Wherever You Find It

Sandor Nagyszalanczy — Tue, 22 May 2012 21:37:42 +0000

On a recent visit to Northern Italy, I found myself strolling along the narrow lanes of Venice, surrounded by flocks of international tourists.

Tree Planting Goal Met

Joanna Takes — Fri, 18 May 2012 15:30:22 +0000

You may remember that, about a month ago, Chris Marshall brought you news of Rockler's goal to support the planting of 20,000 hardwood trees leading up to Earth Day.

Hough’s American Woods

Matt Becker — Mon, 14 May 2012 17:00:05 +0000

During a recent visit to the library at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, the librarian was kind enough to show me their collection of Hough's American Woods.

Worn, with Pride

Michael Dresdner — Tue, 08 May 2012 14:00:35 +0000

One of the most popular finishes these days is the so-called “shabby chic,” a modern term for what we used to call antique finish.

To Italy for Saw Blades!

Rob Johnstone — Fri, 04 May 2012 19:18:04 +0000

In the last two days, your intrepid editor has traveled to Venice, Italy and then up to Udine, Italy, to learn about Irwin's newest entry into the circular saw blade market.

Memories of George

Sandor Nagyszalanczy — Tue, 01 May 2012 15:41:34 +0000

Sandor Nagyszalanczy looks at the valuable lessons of master wood finisher George Frank.

Shop outlets: listening to those outside voices

Chris Marshall — Tue, 01 May 2012 13:54:13 +0000

It’s been a long winter of construction at my home, but we’re finally nearly done adding a new garage/workshop to the property. As you can probably guess, I can’t wait to get the lights on and the machines moved in!

Designing a Multipurpose Shelf Unit

Sandor Nagyszalanczy — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 15:34:27 +0000

Every once in a while, everyone has a project that comes along that we difficulty saying no to. Sandor Nagyszalanczy recounts one such project he took on recently.

Table Saw Legislation Moves to State Level

Joanna Takes — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 14:30:01 +0000

A while back, we brought you news of proposed federal rulemaking that would influence table saws. This week, a committee in the California legislature approved a similar bill at the state level.

Your April Rockler Purchases Will Help Plant Trees

Chris Marshall — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 06:00:27 +0000

Here's a cool thing Rockler Woodworking and Hardware is doing for Earth Day this year, but if you haven't made a Rockler purchase lately, you might not be aware of it.

May/June 2012 Issue Preview

Matt Becker — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 15:16:02 +0000

Field Editor Chris Marshall takes you on a quick tour of summertime projects and tool news in our May/June 2012 print issue of Woodworker's Journal Magazine.

Who’s a fan of LEDs on tools? I sure am.

Chris Marshall — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 16:43:32 +0000

Whatever the reason, I'm appreciating tools with built-in worklights now more than ever.

Three-Wood Desk & Chair

Matt Becker — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 20:56:24 +0000

This reader's project skillfully combines three different species without sacrificing the pieces' cohesive looks

Stain Without Pain

Michael Dresdner — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 19:09:33 +0000

In a previous post, I promised I'd revisit the topic of staining and offer a few tips on how to stain without making wood look muddy, fake, or painted.

Sharpening my Tools

Sandor Nagyszalanczy — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 18:38:34 +0000

I’ve never been particularly adept at sharpening my edge tools (chisels, plane irons, etc.). It’s not that I couldn’t get them sharp enough to work, it’s just that I’ve always experienced inconsistent results.

Arts & Crafts End Tables

Matt Becker — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 13:00:38 +0000

Some nice stock selection for the tops and eye-catching drawer joinery help make these tables stand out in any setting.

Magic in a Can

Michael Dresdner — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 06:00:15 +0000

What should I use on my wood furniture? It’s a question I frequently get just after someone hears an ad promoting some spray polish that “works like magic.”

Are You Planning a Woodworking Vacation? Fill Us In!

Chris Marshall — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 07:00:01 +0000

Where will you spend your vacation time this summer? Do your travel plans include something related to woodworking or woodworking education?

March/April 2012 Issue Preview

Matt Becker — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 07:27:56 +0000

Rob Johnstone gives you a sneak peek at the March/April 2012 issue, which you'll find on newsstands soon.

If at First …

Rob Johnstone — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 23:11:25 +0000

How can we be sure our projects whose primary feature must be functionality are all we want them to be? It is a short answer, really: we build prototypes.