Woodworking articles
Short articles on woodworking: how to read a pattern, how to choose materials and what the reference tables mean. Each one links to the tables, tools and patterns it mentions.
Avoiding tear-out
Why fibres lift and chip when planing, sawing, routing and sanding, and the changes of direction, tool and setup that leave a clean surface.
Updated 30 Sep 2026 · 5 minWoodworkingChoosing a joint
How the common woodworking joints compare in strength, difficulty and appearance, and which to use for boxes, frames, shelves and tables.
Updated 30 Sep 2026 · 4 minWoodworkingChoosing a wood finish
How oils, varnishes, shellac, waxes and paints differ in look, durability and effort, and how to match a finish to the piece.
Updated 30 Sep 2026 · 5 minWoodworkingChoosing a wood species for a project
How hardness, grain, movement and price separate the common woods, and which species suit shelves, tables, boxes and painted pieces.
Updated 30 Sep 2026 · 5 minWoodworkingScrews, nails and pocket holes
How to pick a fastener by gauge, length and head, and how to drill pilot holes so a joint closes without splitting.
Updated 30 Sep 2026 · 4 minWoodworkingWood movement and how to design for it
Why boards change width with the seasons, how much, and the joinery and fastening habits that let a panel move without splitting.
Updated 30 Sep 2026 · 5 minWoodworkingNominal vs actual lumber sizes
Why a 1x10 is really 3/4 by 9-1/4 inches, and how to plan a build with the sizes boards actually are.
Updated 29 Sep 2026 · 2 minWoodworkingPlanning a cut list
How to turn a parts list into boards to buy, allowing for the saw kerf and cutting the long parts first.
Updated 29 Sep 2026 · 2 minWoodworkingShelf span and sag
How far a shelf can run between supports before it bows, and what to do about a long span.
Updated 29 Sep 2026 · 2 min