Essential Techniques

Learn these techniques to improve your woodworking skills.


How to Restore a Vintage Wooden Dado Plane

How to Restore a Vintage Wooden Dado Plane

An old wooden dado plane may look like it's seen better days, but with a little woodworking and some careful … Read More

How to Paint Geometric Patterns on Wood with Painter's Tape

How to Paint Geometric Patterns on Wood with Painter's Tape

Turn a plain plywood panel into a striking decorative feature with painter's tape and a little paint. Learn how to … Read More

How to Bend Wood with Bent Lamination: A Step-by-Step Guide

How to Bend Wood with Bent Lamination: A Step-by-Step Guide

Create smooth, strong curves in wood with bent lamination. Learn how to prepare thin wood strips, build a bending form, … Read More

How to Create a Layered Paint Finish on Wood

How to Create a Layered Paint Finish on Wood

Give painted furniture more depth and character with a simple layered paint finish. Two thin coats of contrasting color, subtle … Read More

How to Make a Tambour Door | Step-by-Step Woodworking Guide

How to Make a Tambour Door | Step-by-Step Woodworking Guide

Learn how to make a smooth-sliding wooden tambour door from individual wood slats and canvas. We'll walk through shaping the … Read More

Build a Wooden Keepsake Box with a Drawer & Photo Lid

Build a Wooden Keepsake Box with a Drawer & Photo Lid

Turn a few special scraps into a handmade wooden keepsake box designed to hold treasured memories. A photo lid, built-in … Read More

Build a Retro-Style Woodworking Hutch with Sliding Doors

Build a Retro-Style Woodworking Hutch with Sliding Doors

Build a versatile storage hutch with a distinctive mid-century look. Plywood construction, sliding doors, drawers, bins, and straightforward dado-and-rabbet joinery … Read More

How to Work with Plastic Laminate: Cutting, Gluing & Trimming Tips

How to Work with Plastic Laminate: Cutting, Gluing & Trimming Tips

Plastic laminate is durable, easy to clean, and available in nearly endless colors and patterns. With a few basic tools … Read More

How to Make a Removable Felt Drawer Liner in 4 Steps

How to Make a Removable Felt Drawer Liner in 4 Steps

Give any drawer a finished look with this simple removable felt liner. A posterboard backer keeps the felt flat, while … Read More

Working with Sheet Goods: Plywood, MDF & Hardboard Tips

Working with Sheet Goods: Plywood, MDF & Hardboard Tips

Not all sheet goods are created equal. Learn the differences between plywood, MDF, and hardboard, along with shop-tested techniques for … Read More

Scott Grove's Essential Inlay Tools

Scott Grove's Essential Inlay Tools

You’d never know it from the final result, but eye-catching inlay work begins with a surprisingly ordinary set of tools. … Read More

How to Use a Router Inlay Kit for Perfect Wood Inlays

How to Use a Router Inlay Kit for Perfect Wood Inlays

Add beautiful decorative wood inlays to your woodworking projects with a plunge router and an inlay kit. Learn how to … Read More

Stacked Dado vs. Wobble Dado: Which Blade Is Better?

Stacked Dado vs. Wobble Dado: Which Blade Is Better?

Both stacked dado sets and wobble dado blades cut wide grooves on a table saw, but they work differently. Learn … Read More

Red Oak vs. White Oak: Choosing the Best Oak for Woodworking

Red Oak vs. White Oak: Choosing the Best Oak for Woodworking

Oak is one of the most popular hardwoods for furniture and cabinetmaking, but not all oak looks or works the … Read More

6 Techniques for Cutting Metal

6 Techniques for Cutting Metal

Metalwork in a woodworking shop need not be complicated or expensive. All you need are a set of tools, a … Read More