Applying Finishes to Plywood-Based Items

finished, table, wood, boat

Perhaps no aspect of woodworking inspires as much trepidation as applying a finish to a completed project. The right finish will enhance the wood’s natural beauty and highlight your workmanship. Done correctly, it represents the crowning achievement of a job and can almost make a wooden object come alive. Done poorly, it highlights and magnifies … Read more

Is MDF a Significant Health Concern?

mdf, server cupboard, box, wooden

Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) is a plywood product which is commonly used as a substitute for plywood and particleboard, for new construction, home-improvement projects and furniture building. Its low cost, smooth finish and overall strength make it a popular material to use. Building code allows for the use of MDF as a replacement for plywood … Read more

Protect Plywood Corners

rabbit joint, glue, drawing

Forming corners in plywood when building cabinets or casework is not always as easy as it might seem. Plywood has many advantages and strengths but also some important weaknesses and forming corners and edges in any kind of cabinet or casework is where these strengths and weaknesses surface. There will be occasions when edges and … Read more

Cutting Plywood in a Straight Line

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How to Achieve Straight Cuts Achieving straight smooth cuts in plywood sheets will depend on the tools available. You will at least need a good quality handheld power saw and a straight guide. A good quality sharp blade will be an advantage. Modern professional hand power saws are made to run on specially designed saw … Read more

Categories DIY

How To Make a Dish Drainer

dish drainer, kitchen, kitchen sink, countertop

Wooden draining boards were a common sight in kitchens in the early part of the 20th century, when kitchens were built in place by carpenters, instead of being “installed” in modular form as they are now. These draining boards were made by hand. The process is very similar to that used to make a cutting … Read more

Categories DIY