How far back should I move the frog for a thicker iron?
I fitted a thick aftermarket iron to a Stanley No. 5. To make it fit, I have to move the frog so far back that a ridge at…
woodworking
Would dowels be enough for the center support on this couch table?
I’m making a C-shaped couch table with a center support connecting the back to the top and bottom. I’m considering dowels where it meets the back, but I’m…
What blade should I try on my DeWalt saw?
I’m ripping maple plywood and poplar on a compact DeWalt table saw, but cuts have been rough and the saw struggles even with 3/4-inch pine. The new blade…
Can I straighten this stand without taking it apart?
I’ve glued and screwed a soft-pine table stand together, but it isn’t square. Is there a way to correct it without pulling the joints apart?
Why is my thickness planer leaving rough cuts?
My thickness planer has started leaving lines and rough, uneven patches on the boards. What should I check first?
How do you get more consistent with cuts and joints?
I can finish projects, but square cuts, accurate measurements, and joinery still feel hit or miss. I also sometimes get slight misalignment where pieces of a wooden staff…
Is one screw at each end enough for this cabinet cleat?
I made a small, fairly heavy cabinet meant to hold two bottles and attached its cleat with one 1.5-inch screw at each end. The material is just under…
What should I start with for hand planes and chisels?
I’m new to woodworking and trying to choose a few useful chisels and hand planes without buying a whole collection. I’m also learning to sharpen. What’s a sensible…
Is my Skilsaw 3410 okay to learn on?
I have a Skilsaw 3410 and want to get more serious about woodworking. Is it a reasonable beginner saw, and what should I do about a broken bevel-lock…
How do you get a four-legged stool to stop rocking?
I’m making a couple of wooden stools and also have a larger chair to sort out. I don’t have a reliably level workbench, and trimming the feet over…
Is the Lie-Nielsen dovetail saw worth the upgrade?
I’m learning dovetails with a Japanese pull saw and considering a Lie-Nielsen. Is the upgrade worth the cost, or is this mostly a matter of preference and practice?
What tools should I start with for cabinets and shelves?
I’m in Europe and want to start making cabinets, bookcases, and shelves, beginning with a small melamine project before moving on to plywood. What tools would you prioritize…
Would maple work well for a coffee table?
I’m considering maple for a coffee table and would love to know what to expect. How does it hold up, and are there any catches with working or…
How would you trace this curved corner for a desk?
I need to make a desk for a room corner with a curved, slightly uneven wall. I’m not sure how to get the desktop shape right, or how…
Where do you find affordable maple and walnut for a cutting board?
I’m pricing maple and walnut for a checkered end-grain cutting board, and the lumber I’m finding seems to cost more than a finished board. Where do people look…
Is there a safe way to rip a 1-inch dowel on a table saw?
I need to split a roughly 3-foot, 1-inch dowel lengthwise. Is a table saw suitable, and what would be a safer way to do it?
How should I fix a gap in this mitered corner?
I’m making a console table from red oak plywood, and the 45-degree cuts don’t meet cleanly at the corner. There’s a visible gap, and I’m considering adding a…
What burnisher should I get for a card scraper?
I’m learning to use a card scraper and am unsure whether a basic round steel rod is enough or a dedicated burnisher is worth buying. When does a…
What’s the Right Speed for a 3” Hole Saw Bit on a Drill Press?
I've heard that larger drill bits should be used at slower speeds, but I'm curious if that applies to hole saw bits too, since they cut through less…
What's the Best Method for Cutting a Clean Hole in Plywood?
I'm trying to cut a "window" shape out of 3/4" baltic birch plywood, and both sides will be visible, so I need a clean finish on each side.…