Essential Techniques

Learn these techniques to improve your woodworking skills.


Breadboard Ends Considered

Breadboard Ends Considered

Breadboard ends perform a decorative role as well as a functional one. Including the detail in a project falls along … Read More

Classic Crosscuts with a Miter Saw

Classic Crosscuts with a Miter Saw

Miter boxes like this Stanley No. 346 function a little differently than most you’ll see today, commercial or shop-made. Read More

5 Essential Squares For a Woodworker

5 Essential Squares For a Woodworker

All of these squares have surprising versatility in the shop, and yet none of them does exactly the same thing. … Read More

Make a Simple Epoxy Inlay

Make a Simple Epoxy Inlay

Traditional wood inlays are a great way to dress up a project. Using colored epoxy takes a lot less time … Read More

Techniques For Elevating Plywood

Techniques For Elevating Plywood

We have a clear penchant for using plywood — more specifically, Baltic birch plywood. It has strength, durability, and stability … Read More

Variable Angle Drill Press Jig

Variable Angle Drill Press Jig

How to drill angled holes on a drill press without having to reset it, using a drill press jig. Read More

Tool Kit for Surface Prep

Tool Kit for Surface Prep

The tool kit I recommend includes a mix of abrasive (sanding) tools and edge (cutting) tools. The criteria these tools … Read More

Plywood Edging Made Easy

Plywood Edging Made Easy

Plywood is a great material; the only drawback, though, is the exposed edging. The remedy to this is hardwood or … Read More

5 Tips For A Safer Woodshop

5 Tips For A Safer Woodshop

Working safely is often viewed as a bother, but not so if you plan accordingly. Here is a list of … Read More

Mighty Miters At The Table Saw

Mighty Miters At The Table Saw

When it comes to miters, I've observed a solution to tame some of the unruliness of this vital joinery technique. … Read More

A Lesson in Boxmaking

A Lesson in Boxmaking

On these pages, I gathered a number of my boxes. Not a one is perfect, but in considering these, I’ll … Read More

Smoothing A Frame

Smoothing A Frame

Sometimes a little sanding is all it takes to level a joint. But in many cases, there’s a better way. … Read More

Review: MicroJig's CNC Workholding Kit

Review: MicroJig's CNC Workholding Kit

The CNC Workholding Kit is from MicroJig’s MatchFit line of products. In past Great Gears, we’ve looked at a few … Read More

Tips For Producing Identical Parts

Tips For Producing Identical Parts

The key to accurate results is consistency and organization. But you don’t need a huge shop to stay organized. Here … Read More

Using Hollow-Chisel Mortisers

Using Hollow-Chisel Mortisers

When you’re faced with the task of cutting a large number of mortises, then you need a method that’s fast, … Read More