Kids Making Christmas Presents

Rather than spend our hard-earned money, I thought this year some Christmas gifts would be best made by hand. My kids’ hands, more accurately. Nothing says “Merry Christmas” like a gift made by a child.

My nine-year-old son is super keen on making stuff, but my 11-year-old daughter typically prefers to pat me on the back rather than get her hands dirty.

Sourcing Quality Lumber

Head to your local home improvement or building-supply store and you'll likely find dimensional softwood lumber more suited for construction and renovation than cabinetry or furniture. Lumber yards are generally a better choice because they specialize in lumber. You'll find a somewhat wider selection of lumber, including some domestic hardwoods, typically at better prices.

For a wider selection of domestic and exotic hardwood lumber, including live edge or flitch cut lumber, cabinet grade plywoods and veneers, you'll want to visit a specialty lumber dealer.

Shaper Origin: Shaping the future of routing technology

Shaper Origin is a hybrid CNC/hand-held router. Its size, shape and weight are similar to a hefty 3-1/4 HP plunge router, so it has a familiar feel in the hand.

However, it has some extras you won’t see on a regular hand-held router. For one thing, Origin has a screen mounted to the top. Origin is powered by a 1HP motor with a 1/4" collet. The motor can be moved in a limited range of motion by the onboard computer. There is about 1" of movement in the motor.

Virtual Wood Club Nights

Join the Wood Show Team weekly for Club Nights, starting January 19, 20, 21, 2021. Talented woodworkers will be speaking nightly at 7:30 PM EST about all things woodworking. Nights are themed to Carving Tuesday, Workshop Wednesday, and Turning Thursday. Attend LIVE workshops to learn new skills and network.

Get Your Tickets Now

Build a Tall Vise

Raising a small- to medium-sized workpiece that you're working on will allow you to see it more clearly, and will ease the stress on your back. This tall vise gives you lots of options when dealing with the finer points of sawing and paring. Studio furniture maker Steven Der-Garabedian shows you how easy it is to make this ultra-convenient workshop accessory.

Economical Plywood for Projects to be Painted

Sponsored: With a smooth sanded, flat and consistent surface, Canadian-made FSC-certified PureBond Aspen Plywood is suitable for woodworking projects that will be painted – from cabinetry to closets, shelving, entertainment centres, tables, shelves, headboards, wall panels and furniture.

Mission-style end table with three-dimensional design

Maker: Christopher Sebzda, Mississauga, ON

After 11 different plan drafts, Christopher made this table out of red oak with a top of black walnut, ash and red oak. The three-dimensional design is composed of solids rather than veneers. It stands 21” tall and the top dimensions are 14” wide x 21” long."

Share Your Woodworking Photos

Send us photos of a project you are making or have made, or a photo of your workshop. We'll post it in ShopNEWS and may also print it in our magazine. Whether you’re a novice or professional woodworker, we’d love to see your furniture and home improvement projects.