Wood projects which are stained should almost always have a clear finish applied over the stain. About the only exception to this is when exterior oil-based stains are applied to rough cedar siding. The oil in the stains itself is enough of a protect for the wood then, as the cedar is highly resistant to … Read more
Pine is the most common wood used by the home woodworker, partially due to its ready availability and partially due to its low cost. Many new woodworkers, who don’t have a lot of experience working with hardwoods, think that they are harder to work with than pine, so avoid them. But pine has its own … Read more
The number of new homes being built with basements is declining; at the same time, there is a surge in interest in finishing basements in existing homes. That may initially sound contradictory without looking at the reasons for each change. First, as the cost of building a new home rises, those seeking to develop one are looking … Read more
Quality joinery is the defining mark of the experienced woodworker. We start learning joinery with the first project we make, putting two pieces of wood together, and spend the rest of our woodworking career improving upon that. There are so many different types of joints to make, many of which require some actual practice to … Read more
For someone who wants to get started in doing something with wood, but doesn’t have the space or money to set up a full woodworking workshop, whittling and carving are great options. While neither accommodate making furniture or teach the necessary techniques, they do provide the opportunity to learn about wood and make some beautiful, … Read more