In the Shop

Whether it’s a simple trick for holding a workpiece better, or a way to get a little more from your dust collector, we’ve gathered some of the best shop tips here.


How to Build Heavy-Duty Wooden Sawhorses

How to Build Heavy-Duty Wooden Sawhorses

Learn how to build heavy-duty trestle sawhorses from construction lumber using traditional joinery, then turn the pair into a versatile … Read More

How to Cut Perfect Hinge Mortises with an Adjustable Router Jig

How to Cut Perfect Hinge Mortises with an Adjustable Router Jig

Cutting clean, accurate hinge mortises doesn’t have to involve tedious measuring and chiseling. This adjustable hinge mortising jig uses the … Read More

5 Clever Woodworking Tips for Your Shop

5 Clever Woodworking Tips for Your Shop

Sometimes the simplest shop solutions are the most useful. These five clever woodworking tips cover everything from organizing plans and … Read More

3 Clever Woodworking Shop Tips for Glueups, Clamps & Storage

3 Clever Woodworking Shop Tips for Glueups, Clamps & Storage

These clever reader-submitted shop tips make everyday woodworking tasks a little easier. From simplifying panel glueups to keeping frequently used … Read More

Build 2 Easy Shop Projects: Clamp-On Router Table & Saw Till

Build 2 Easy Shop Projects: Clamp-On Router Table & Saw Till

Make your shop more organized and versatile with two easy-to-build projects: a space-saving clamp-on router table and a vintage-inspired saw … Read More

DIY Sawhorse Shelf for Tools & Shop Storage

DIY Sawhorse Shelf for Tools & Shop Storage

Put the unused space between your sawhorses to work. This simple removable shelf keeps pencils, tape measures, and small tools … Read More

Layman’s Marking Gauge

Layman’s Marking Gauge

If you need a marking gauge on the fly, or if you’re looking for an easy, shop-made option, there’s a … Read More

4 Woodworking Shop Tips: Sanding Discs, Band Saw Blades & Brush Cleaning

4 Woodworking Shop Tips: Sanding Discs, Band Saw Blades & Brush Cleaning

Make shop cleanup and maintenance easier with four clever tips for replacing adhesive sanding discs, soaking finish brushes, cleaning pitch … Read More

Ratchet Strap Koozie Corral: The Easiest Way to Keep Straps Organized

Ratchet Strap Koozie Corral: The Easiest Way to Keep Straps Organized

The best shop tips are often the simplest. See how an ordinary foam can koozie can keep ratchet straps—and even … Read More

Knock-Down Workbench Upgrade | Part 3: Shop-Made Accessories That Transform Your Bench

Knock-Down Workbench Upgrade | Part 3: Shop-Made Accessories That Transform Your Bench

After rebuilding and refreshing my knock-down workbench in Part 1 and adding aluminum T-track for expanded workholding in Part 2, … Read More

Lathe Workstation

Lathe Workstation

In my shop, an extra work surface is always a welcome addition. That’s no less true at the lathe, which … Read More

Upgrading a Knock-Down Workbench with T-Track | More Clamping Power & Shop Flexibility (Part 2)

Upgrading a Knock-Down Workbench with T-Track | More Clamping Power & Shop Flexibility (Part 2)

After giving my trusty knock-down workbench a complete makeover in Part 1, it’s time to push it a step further … Read More

Knock-Down Workbench Upgrade | Part 1: Restoring a ShopNotes Classic

Knock-Down Workbench Upgrade | Part 1: Restoring a ShopNotes Classic

A long-time knock-down workbench gets a much-needed refresh after years of shop use, moves, and hard work—cleaned up, repaired, and … Read More

3 Clever Woodworking Shop Tips for Sandpaper, Pegboard & Push Pads

3 Clever Woodworking Shop Tips for Sandpaper, Pegboard & Push Pads

A thrift-store organizer, a modified clothespin, and a grout float can all find a useful home in your workshop. Try … Read More

Build an Upgraded V-Block

Build an Upgraded V-Block

Round and octagonal parts present challenges for work-holding. One solution is a simple DIY V-block. -Phil Huber Urbandale, Iowa Read More