Tools and Tips
Mastering the Craft: Essential Woodworking Tools and Pro Tips for Precision and Perfection
Embark on your woodworking journey equipped with essential tools and expert tips. Whether you’re a seasoned craftsman or just starting, having the right tools at your disposal can make all the difference. From precision hand tools to power equipment, each instrument plays a vital role in bringing your woodworking visions to life. Combine these tools with time-tested tips on joinery, finishing, and design, and you’ll be well on your way to creating masterpieces.
How to Expertly Source Southern Yellow Pine: A Pro’s Guide
Looking for wood this beautiful? Learn how to source Southern Yellow Pine like a pro. Are you ready to tackle your next project with Southern Yellow Pine (SYP)? This versatile wood is a favorite among home DIYers and professional contractors…
How to Read a Lumber Stamp
The lumber industry goes through massive efforts to make sure what’s in the store or lumber yard meets your needs.
Six Miter Saw Tips
Tune-up accuracy, safety, and up your miter saw game. By Mark Clement The ownership of a miter saw is nice. Reading the instructions is a pretty good idea too. However, there’s more to it than the manual and just eyeballing your cuts. While a…
3 Tips for Setting Up Your Workshop
By WIR Contributor Mark Clement Get your workshop set-up set up when it’s cold outside It’s One Half Set Up, One Half Clean Up. The rest is work. I have a little saying that goes something like this: Looking for a tool isn’t working. It’s…
What is Galvanized Steel and Why is it Such a Big Deal?
Galvanized screws – Why do you need to care? The right screws equal long-lasting exterior wood projects. That’s why it’s important to know which screw makes the most sense for your particular project to keep it sturdy and secure long-term….
Woodworking Apps
Gee Whiz: SmartThumper App
Working with wood is a practice of trial and error and, depending on your project and needs, the type of wood and the stability of the particular pieces you are using can impact the entire project. All lumber, even the same grade, is not exactly…
The Nuts and Bolts of Screws
By Mark Clement We can make all the most perfect cuts ever building that swing set or pergola or arbor, but if we don’t have the right fastener holding it all together, well those cuts and closed joints will 100% wiggle open in short order. Or…
Making Sense of the Lumber Aisle
After you buy your first round of tools, the next thing you’ll be buying is the lumber. A little intimidated by the lumber aisle? Try these tricks.
4×4 When and Where
The 4×4 is a unique cut of wood. It’s at once versatile, strong, and is a nice size for a DIYer. 4x4s work in all kinds of places.
4 Must-Have Saws
Here are four must-have saws you should have on hand before you start cutting lumber for your next DIY project. Time to build something.
Your Project Deserves the Best: The Case for Southern Yellow Pine
You take your wood projects seriously. You’re a craftsman or craftswoman. You take your time, measure twice and cut once, and carefully design and execute your plan to achieve spectacular results. With all that care and preparation, the wood you…
Vegetable Gardening With Pressure Treated Lumber? Yes You Can!
Pressure-treated Southern Yellow Pine is a great choice for planters because it ensures your project will last for years. Best of all, it’s safe for growing food. See why.
Shop Class for Grown-Ups? It’s a Thing!
Be a Maker If you’re the kind of person who spends time cruising home improvement websites and daydreaming about building a deck, you’re probably itching to turn all those inspirational photos into reality. There’s nothing quite like a good DIY…
4 Kinds of Saws to Use with Southern Yellow Pine
Southern Yellow Pine is one of the strongest woods in North America And it presents challenges to amateur woodworkers. With the right tools and a little practice though, you can produce a beautiful gazebo or turn out a sturdy playset for the…
5 Simple Steps to Unlock the Joy of Home Improvement
by Mark Clement, WIR Contributor The How and Why of DIY Let’s find a new way to be happy. Food writer Michael Pollan says in his book Cooked that Americans spend more time watching TV shows about cooking food than actually cooking food. I have…
What does Ground Contact mean?
Depending on your project, you may need Ground Contact, Above Ground, or a combination of the two for optimal protection. See what building material is right for your structure.
Power Tools: Be Careful Out There, Folks
From circular saws to cordless drills, power tools simplify and speed up building and remodeling projects as well as general woodworking tasks. But when used incorrectly, these household helpers can injure, maim, and even kill. The best way to prevent a trip to the emergency room is to familiarize yourself with a power tool’s safe…
What to Ask a Deck Builder Before Hiring Them
When you are getting ready to hire a contractor to build your deck you should thoroughly research their building history, get at least three estimates, and always ask them questions. This will help make sure that you are being dealt with fairly and that you will hire a contractor that you will be comfortable with …
It’s Hip to Be Square: A Deck Measuring Technique
In the mid-1980s Huey Lewis and the News released their single Hip to Be Square and that’s very apropos in describing our next deck building step. By Robert Wyatt As I mentioned before, if your base or foundation is not level, plumb and square;…