Our Free live webinars are specifically geared to novice woodworkers and DIY. They provide practical woodworking and home improvement information and advice.
To view our list of upcoming Free webinars click here.
To view our list of member-only webinars click here.
Start woodworking with only 3 tools (sponsored by Craftsman).
Behind the Bench webinars are an exclusive free benefit for Canadian Woodworking members.
If you are not a member and would like to participate in future webinars join now.
To view our list of upcoming webinars click here.
Finishing Touch: Film finishes
Finishing Touch: Waterborne finishes
Shellac
Finishing Touch: Shellac – a no-fuss finish
Shellac mixing chart
Shellac: The best finish ever?
French polishing
How to apply a beautiful shellac finish (video)
Hardwax oil
General finishing
Finishing Touch: Introduction to wood finishing
Why apply a finish (video)
General Finishing Tips (video)
Brushes for applying a finish
Finishing products
WoodEssence.com (Shellac flakes)
Woodchuckers.com (Seal Lac and Royal Lac pre-mixed shellac)
Osmo.ca (HWO) source: LeeValley.com
Rubio Monocoat (HWO) source: WoodShedLumber.com
General articles
Routing Basics – Part 1
Routing Basics – Part 2: The Router
Top 10 tips for using a router – Part 1
Top 10 ways to amp up your router game – Part 2
Mid-sized routers
Know your tools: Fixed base routers
Know your tools: Trim routers
Router bits
Routing Basics – Part 3: Straight Bits
Routing Basics – Part 4: Edge Profiling Bits
Routing Basics – Part 5: Joinery Bits
Routing Basics – Part 6: Specialty Bits
Router jigs
3 simple (yet essential) shop-made router jigs
Template Routing
Dustless routing is at hand!
Routing Bits, Jigs and Accessories
Posters
Router Bits – Profile/Edge Treatment
Router Bits – Specialty
Router Bits – Straight
Videos
Types of routers
Six essential router tips
Two shop made router jigs
Introduction to router bits
Router bit types – specialty bits
Router bit types – standard bits
Router table split fence
Our free live webinars provide you with practical woodworking information and advice. The series is hosted by Lara Finley, with over 20 years of woodworking and home improvement experience. Her company, Her Rough Hands Inc, designs and builds fine furniture, custom built-ins, and personalized home decor for clients.
Looking to take your woodworking to another level? Join studio furniture maker and Canadian Woodworking magazine editor Rob Brown for tips and techniques to make you a better woodworker.
Wood pores and wood grain refer to different aspects of wood’s structure and appearance.
Wood pores (also known as vessels) are remnants of a tree’s vascular system—the small channels that transport water and nutrients from the roots to the leaves. They are most noticeable on the end of boards as small, round, or elongated openings. Pores can be readily visible on hardwoods. Softwoods do not have pores. The size, distribution, and arrangement of pores affect the texture and workability of wood. Woods with larger pores (open-pored woods) may require filling if a smooth finish is desired.
Wood grain (also called wood figure or grain pattern) refers to the pattern and direction of the fibers in wood and is a significant factor in the aesthetic appeal of wood. It’s what gives wood its distinctive character. Wood grain is influenced by the growth rings, the arrangement of the wood cells, and how the wood is cut. The grain pattern in wood can be straight, wavy, or interlocked, and can vary widely, even within the same wood species. Grain direction also influences the strength and stability of the wood, with some grains being more prone to splitting or warping. Different ways of sawing lumber—such as quarter-sawn, rift-sawn, and plain-sawn—can reveal different grain patterns.
A drill bit is an accessory used in a hand drill, cordless drill/driver, or drill press for creating holes. There are specific bits for wood, plastic, metal, glass and composite materials like concrete. They’re available in a wide variety of sizes (for specific diameter holes) and lengths. Bits can be made from high-speed steel (HSS), carbide, cobalt, or titanium-coated metals. Most bits can be resharpened on bench grinders or using drill bit sharpeners. Woodworkers commonly use twist bits, Forstner bits, brad point bits, tapered bits, spade bits, and auger bits.
A driver bit (also called a screw bit) is used to fasten screws, as well as nuts and bolts. Screws are available with different head styles, including slotted (also known as flathead), Phillips, Robertson (or square), Hex, and Torx. Driver bits are available in configurations that match these screw head styles and are available in different lengths. To withstand the torque applied during driving, driver bits are typically made of hardened steel. They are usually used in bit holders.
