
Tools & Techniques
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I often see small boxes with near invisible joints and would love to know how to make them. I have an excellent mitre saw, a great table saw, and a wonderful planer, among other tools. My parts seem perfect -- squared and sanded and smoothed -- yet I still end up with gaps in my mitres.Read now
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Handcut Dovetails - Five Steps
Hand cut dovetails can be intimidating, but if you follow a couple of basic steps and pay attention to detail, they are one of the most satisfying joints to accomplish.Read now -
5 Top Tips for Hand Sanding
Hand sanding; often a task which is extremely unpopular with woodworkers of every level, as if power sanding wasnāt arduous enough right? Some may ask why do we even need to hand sand when there are so many varieties of power sander to get the job done?Read now -
Hide Glue - Part #3: Liquid Hide Glue - Look Ma, No Cooking!
For woodworkers that don't want to cook up their own glue, but do want the convenience and remarkable attributes of real hide glue for their projects, your prayers have been answered!
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Hide Glue - Part #2: Working with Hide Glue Granules
Working with traditional animal glue is an extremely simple operation. Don't overthink the process and you will be fine!
For daily use in my workshop, I rely on a cheap thermostatically controlled baby bottle warmer from Clicks and a glass jar which fits inside allowing a small space around the jar for the water.
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Hide Glue - Part #1: The How, Why & What!
Why would you choose to use a glue that has stood the test of time over some 8000 years? I am convinced that hide glue still remains completely relevant today for marqueters, cabinetmakers and luthiers alike...Read now -
Crown Cryogenically Treated Woodturning Tools
Although my test is by no means scientific, I have turned all eight legs with this chisel without re-honing or sharpening and it is still cutting crisply!Ā
I am extremely happy with the results and I will shortly invest in a Crown Cryogenically Treated Spindle Gouge and Roughing Gouge as well.
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Hand Tools #6: Japanese Woodworking Tools - Part 4: Chisels
Read nowIt's hot here in Swellendam, really hot...39Āŗ! My maple trees are happy and in full foliage, their exquisite colours defy description and in my limited spare time I am creating three grandfather clocks for clients. This article will be the...
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Hand Tools #6 - Japanese Woodworking Tools - Part 3: Saws & Sawing
The Japanese Pull Style Saw orĀ Nokogiri, has in the past twenty to thirty years become an accepted and extremely popular hand tool in Western Woodworking.
Generally, novices find it much easier to learn to cut cleanly, straight and quickly with Japanese saws than Western Saws.