HOW TO READ A TAPE MEASURE WITHOUT LOOKING LIKE AN IDIOT
Believe it or not, the first question on some job interviews in industrial trades is, “Can you read a measuring tape?” That may sound silly to a lot of you old-timers, but you'd be surprised how many younger folks never make it past that first question because they have no idea what they're doing with this simple tool. So, in this post, I’m going to share with you how to teach a poor, ignorant kid in your life.
THE FORGOTTEN STORY BEHIND JAPANESE CHISELS
While Japanese chisels as woodworking implements have existed for centuries, it was the makers of the famed samurai swords that may have given us the chisels OF today. In this post, I'll share that forgotten story and help decode the fascinating technology that makes Japanese woodworking chisels so different from modern Western-style chisels. By the end, you'll have a whole new respect for this strange little tool with the dented backside.
WILL A CHEAP 2X6 PINE WORKBENCH LAST?
It’s been 8 years since I made this workbench in a two-part series on YouTube. In that time, this bench has seen a lot of use across three different workshops. Since it's made entirely from old construction lumber I thought some of you might be interested to see how it’s held up and if there’s anything I would change in its design.
CHOOSING A TABLE SAW
I’m often asked for advice on choosing the right table saw. It seems that a lot of new woodworkers looking for their first saw — and even experienced woodworkers looking to replace their existing saws — are making poor decisions when it comes to choosing the right type with the right features at the right price. As someone who has tried just about every kind of saw out there, I feel like I can help you make the right decision.
JOINTER VS PLANER VS SANDER - WHERE SHOULD YOU START?
When I first started woodworking, there was no way I could afford a jointer and a planer, let alone a drum sander. I knew that each of those machines would be useful, but since I had little experience with any of them, I had no idea which one to buy first, which to get next, or if I even needed all three of them at all…. Let’s take a few minutes to sort this out.