Veneer bubbles, and I can't get it to stay down.Question: My veneer keeps on bubbling up after a day or two of drying. Is there something i am doing (or not doing) to cause this? I use paperback veneers and good quality professional spray adhesive 3M, and a 5 gallon pressure pot.Answer:Veneers can be quite tricky. First you have to consider the type of substrate you'll use, particle board is the most common. Make sure to sand the particle board with a block to remove any debris or other ob... Read Full Story

How to build an accurate, smooth functioning, cut-off box. What's it for?A cut-off box is good for many functions on the table saw. This sled will make your repetitive work seem less monotonous, while producing a quality cut the can be reproduced over and over again. While a cut-off box is designed for cross cuts, It also can produce tight mitres along with great looking joints. After all a table saw is our "go to" tool when it comes to accurate, repetitive cuts. I'll cover ... Read Full Story

How to charge for projects I build? Charging customers for custom work can be a very intimidating thing. Some people charge by the hour, some by materials, other charge in a totally different way. The important thing here is to make sure you get paid for your work. I found this to be a hard bridge to cross when it comes to hobby projects. All of us woodworkers want to make our work as beautiful as we can, which in turn sends the labor hours through the roof. To build something your going t... Read Full Story

Quick release feather board This article explains how to build and use this versatile feather board customized for your table saw. This was a project I read about a long time ago, and finally found a use for it. I took pictures along the way to demonstrate the construction, and ease of use. The feather board is adjustable from left to right and once set, hold tension on the board we are cutting, keeping our fingers away from the blade.Firstly, find some scrap materials around the shop. You’ll... Read Full Story

Dust collection in small shops, and tips for for bigger shops to minimize waste and maximize efficiency. Dust collection is a rather important aspect of the woodworking trade. Believe it or not, sanding dust is a very combustible substance. To add to that, it sure doesn't taste good, and breathing it is harder on your lungs than smoking cigarettes. For safety sake and your health, you should consider some type of collection in your small shops.Do you sand a lot, and find yourself waiting ... Read Full Story

We haven't done much this week on the blog, but we are working on videos and other jig making tutorials. There is a lot to be learned in the upcoming months. We added many more products to the store, and are continually adding more. Two new things to look for at the store are1- The simple screw finder. ( A program designed to make yor screw selection as simple as possible.)2- Free gifts with every order (You'll recieve a free gift with any order over $25.00)Don't forget to all you twi... Read Full Story

Measuring Board feetWhen it comes to buying solid lumber it’s a good idea to know how they are going to charge you. This way you have a good idea on what it will cost and there shouldn’t be any surprise when they give you your total.Simply put, break down all measurements into inches. Then multiply Length X Width X Height. Then divide by 144 (square inches in one board foot)Dimensions are strictly for rough sawn lumber. So a ¾” pland board is actually called a 1 by.Example - 1” x 8” x 10’ of ... Read Full Story

Climb RoutingTechniques and safety.(all pictures in this article are clickable)Climb routing is an alternate way of using your router. There are times in every woodworker’s life that he or she will encounter an instance of funny grain patterns. Most people approach this technique with a premature fear. But, there is nothing to fear when you are properly trained. Previous experience with a router is a must, and you do have precautions to watch for.On this particular piece you can see the grain... Read Full Story

Top 5 ways a cabinet shop can save money1: Have your employees work no more than 40 hr weeks.This can be arranged in a variety of ways. Some guys like to come in earlier than others so plan a happy medium. Make sure to keep the office running normal business hours, to take potential orders. Some places have even gone to 32- 36 hours to avoid layoffs.5 days 8 hrs,The normal, whatever you regular shop hours are.4 days 10 hrs.A little less likeable, but the employees like the three day weekend.9... Read Full Story

Understanding wood grain.(any picture is clickable for a full view)One of the most common mistakes people make in a woodshop is feeding the wood into the machine in the wrong direction. They don't understand the grain of the wood and often times find themselves chipping or gouging out grain when running a router, shaper, or planer. First of all wood grain is a form of natural organic growth. As we all know anything that grows, does so in a pattern. And natural patterns, if not followed, n... Read Full Story