Hand tools versus power tools: the great debate
Chad Martin, our Community Engagement Director, got a bit frustrated with me the other day.
Rob Brown
Rob is the editor at Canadian Woodworking & Home Improvement and a studio furniture maker.
Articles by Rob Brown
Plywood: the good, the bad and the ugly
I’m wrapping up a storage unit project for a client this week.
Another Valentine’s Day goes by
I’ve mentioned in previous columns how I make wooden hearts for my kids and wife for Valentine’s Day.
Jesse Toso
Vancouver, British Columbia wood artist Jesse Toso on sketching, sharp tools and his love of sanding.
Top 10 sanding tips
Sanding is the first step to obtaining a great finish. Learn tips on how to quickly and easily sand wood so your completed project looks and feels great.
Build a mirror frame
Simple half-lap joints create a classic, customizable design.
Make a medal rack
If someone you love has a medal collection they’re proud of, they’ll surely love this special display rack.
Winter brings woodworking headaches
It took me 25 minutes to cycle to the shop one day this week. Usually it takes me about seven minutes.
Getting started in power carving
In this video of his February 2025 webinar, Rob Brown provides a solid grounding in getting started with power carving.
Thank goodness for my selective memory
And just like that, the side table I’ve been working on for the past three weeks is done.
Almost there
Sadly, I'm still not quite done this little table. I still remember saying it will take "no time at all" to build, as I told my wife I was excited to start this project.
She likes it!
We left off last week with my mocked-up side table sitting beside our new chair in the living room, with me patiently waiting for my wife to get home.
Another case for making models
We need a small side table to go beside a new lounge chair we recently bought.
Installation from hell: the grand finale
Last week I left off after I had headed back to the shop to cut some kerfs into a badly warped plywood false front.
White lies haunt a woodworking editor
Sometimes woodworking magazine editors have to tell small white lies and do their best to predict the future in order to get weekly columns complete before their deadlines.
Christmas Projects
Christmas is now behind us, and we can finally relax. I think I prefer the few days right after Christmas as much as the few days before the big day.
Installations are the worst
In addition to being the editor of Canadian Woodworking & Home Improvement, I also build studio furniture and do custom work for clients.
Everyone loves a hand-made gift
Okay, don't panic, but it's finally our time as woodworkers to shine.
Do wood grain and figure inspire you?
You can generally divide woodworkers into two categories: one group is inspired by the grain of the wood and allows that to drive their designs; the other group designs first, then selects the wood to suit.
Bits and pieces
A few weeks ago, I shared close-up photos of 11 broken tools in my shop and asked readers to try to name those tools.
Ripping narrow strips on a table saw
Two weeks ago, I gave a webinar on workshop safety.
Ups and downs of spray finishing
Applying a finish to a project stirs up lots of emotions for woodworkers.
11 broken items
For this week's column, I thought I'd take a different approach.
