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The reciprocating motion of a pole lathe makes it possible. My mind reels when trying to imagine what it would be like to be a woodworker in the era when the lathe was being developed. This was [...]

This well-machined workholding device is easy to assemble and is solid. Tool: Moxon Vise Kit Shop Now  Manufacturer: Lake Erie Toolworks MSRP: $209 Sure, you can make your own double [...]

The right hardware is as important as wood selection and finish. Editor’s note: This article originally appeared in the August 2016 issue of Popular Woodworking Not too long ago, I was [...]

Armed with a little trickery, you can make the block plane perform a wide variety of tasks. Hang around enough woodshops (or Internet discussion groups) with a block plane in your hand and you’ll [...]

Arm yourself with a good plan (or two) and your buying trip will be a success. I have a 10″-wide piece of 8/4 purpleheart sitting on my lumber rack. I bought it eight years ago when I [...]

  Tool: 4″ x 6″ Square Buy Now Manufacturer: Blue Spruce Toolworks MSRP: $135 One thing I always worry about with fixed-blade metal try squares (especially beautiful and [...]

Early modern records show guild regulations in London. Early 17th-century London tradesmen were protective about their work, carefully keeping an eye on any interlopers to their craft. A dispute [...]

I often need to find the center of a board for resawing (and other purposes). A quick way to do this is to use a cheap doweling jig and brad-point drill bit to mark the center, then set your [...]

Knowing which half to believe is why finishing seems so difficult. Many years ago I coined what I call my “half-right rule.” That is, half of what you read or hear about finishing is right; you [...]

Tool: Sink Bridge Manufacturer: Naniwa MSRP: $65 Editor’s note: This review first appeared in the August 2016 issue of Popular Woodworking. The stainless steel sink bridge from Naniwa is [...]

Can a portable, foot-powered lathe make a believer out of you? Wood turning on a spring pole lathe is all about reciprocation, all about back and forth. For example: Q: “Don’t you get tired of [...]

It won’t solve a tool addiction, but it’ll make finding tools easier. You’ve no doubt seen photos of the H.O. Studley tool cabinet – the Sistine Chapel of tool cabinets. And as far as I’m [...]