Is grain orientation during planing important? When planing, orienting the grain correctly is critical to achieving a smooth finish. Improper grain orientation can cause chips, tear-outs, and/or additional damage. In this article, we’ll discuss how to plane with the grain to avoid damage and how to identify the direction of grain in various common wood types. Each piece of wood …
The Wood on the Lathe Goes Round and Round: A Beginner’s Guide to Wood Turning
What is wood turning? Wood turning is the process of carving work from wood via a lathe. Spindle and faceplate work are the two main types of wood turning. Wood turners can make a variety of objects, from chair legs to wooden bowls. There’s no end to the possibilities with a wood turning lathe and a bit of creativity. If …
The Top 14 Carpentry Skills Woodworkers Should Know
What carpentry skills should woodworkers know? Beyond possessing basic woodworking knowledge, carpenters should know the most common tasks associated with their chosen profession. We’ve created a list of these skills below for you to reference. These skills will not only serve you as you look for a carpentry career but will help you excel in any position you obtain. This …
The Future of Woodworking
In the age of artificial intelligence, where does traditional woodworking fit in? Traditional woodworking will soon become a niche market. The future of this craft undeniably includes competition with technological advances. However, the desire and demand for hand-crafted products will sustain those craftsmen who embrace such a unique positioning and implement savvy marketing techniques. For that reason, successful woodworkers must …
A Guide To Intermediate Hand Planes: The Next 3 Hand Planes You Need For Woodworking
Not a Beginner, Not an Expert Whether you’re a woodworker with a bit of experience who’s gone “unplugged,” or someone who began woodworking only with hand tools you probably have at least one or two hand planes. And if that’s not the case, I don’t believe you and I’m very curious indeed as to how you’ve been getting on without …
What is a spokeshave and what is it used for?
Regardless of your skill level, if you have been in woodworking, you’ve probably heard of spokeshave even if you haven’t used one. Spokeshaves are used to smooth and flatten complex shapes in wood. Most commonly, spokeshave will be used for stuff like creating wheel spokes or even arrows. There are other uses of course that I haven’t listed here. Unlike …
Making a Small Brass Plane by Hand with Bowmaker Ken Altman
This year, I am finally learning and using my grandpa’s Stanley planes on my home refinishing projects. Seeing my newfound interest in planes, my wife put me in touch with a local master craftsman. Plane-making is not his business, but surprisingly integral to his traditional craft of making violin bows. Traditional Planing Still Used in Bow Making I am learning …
A Guide To Basic Hand Planes
The Basic Three Hand Planes You Need For Woodworking We’re Here For You: A Little Helpful Direction If you’re looking into woodworking with hand tools, the first thing you probably did was search for, well some hand tools. And maybe it was a little overwhelming. The community of hand tool woodworkers (or unplugged woodworkers if you prefer), is passionate and …
Woodworking and The Ancient World! A Look at The Exciting History of Woodworking in The Middle East
The Fertile Crescent At risk of sounding overly dramatic, I’m beginning this article with a brief look to the very dawn of civilization. The fertile crescent lay nestled between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, and in its rich soil the seeds for the future grandeur of the Middle East were planted. ancient Egypt, Lebanon, and Iran all emerged from the …
10 Woodworking Projects for High Schoolers
High Schoolers are at a special age where they are learning the skills necessary for entering into the world as adults. Woodworking can be a great way for them to express themselves while also learning a valuable skill that they’ll appreciate throughout their lives. It is also a great way for parents and teens to bond while engaging in a …
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