Photos by Rob Brown, Bill Perry and Blake Hanson

1. 12 Ways to Add Texture with Tools You Already Have

This article has been viewed more than any other on our website. Run, don’t walk, to your computer to learn what the excitement is about. You likely have most of these tools in your workshop already. All you need to do is put them to work and you’ll be able to add some texture to highlight your next project.

2. Tung Oil: Debunking the Myths

Finishing seems to have some ‘black magic’ associated with it, and Tung oil is one of the most misunderstood types of finishes. Learn the truth about a wonderful finish so you can use it properly on your next piece of furniture.

3. Which HVLP Spray Finishing System is Right For You?

Wiping a finish on is hard enough, but spraying it on? That’s impossible! Learn the basics about which HVLP spray system is best for you, then go on to read about spray technique, and you’ll be wondering why you didn’t purchase an HVLP sprayer years ago.

4. 12 Tools to Start Building Fine Furniture

Sure, you need more than 12 tools to build furniture, but these carefully selected items will lead you down the path to heirloom-quality furniture.

5. Hands-On Learning: Woodworking Classes in Canada

There are many ways to learn the craft of woodworking, but none quite as focused as taking a woodworking class, or enrolling in a woodworking school. Here’s a list of Canadian woodworking schools, with some details about the types of courses they offer.

6. Table Tops and Wood Movement

One of the rules every woodworker must learn (hopefully the easy way) is that wood moves. How to engineer a table top of any size that will not only hold together for years, but will not destroy the base it’s fastened to, is covered clearly in this article.

7. Dust Collection for the Home Shop

Dust is hazardous to our health if breathed in regularly. It also causes woodworkers to lose their tools if it’s not cleaned up regularly. Learn how to purchase, set up and use a dust collection system for your own small shop.

8. The Ins and Outs of Drawer Slides

Building and installing drawers are a big part of furniture-making. For a drawer to look and function properly, drawer slides must be selected and installed with care. Learn about the different types of slides right here.

9. How to Build Solid Wood Countertops

Laminate counters are fine, but a solid wood countertop is simply stunning. Details about how to go about making, installing, finishing and caring for solid wood countertops are included.

10. Restoring Hand Planes

We all have at least one old plane that is too rough to provide good results with, yet has too much potential to throw away. Learn how to restore a hand plane, and breath life into an old hand plane.