What are center finder woodworking tools? They are specialized jigs, gauges, or rulers designed to quickly and accurately locate the exact center of a piece of wood, whether it’s the face of a board, the end of a dowel, or the edge of a panel. Why are they important? They eliminate guesswork and measurement errors,…
A yariganna woodworking tool is a traditional Japanese spear-shaped plane used to create a unique, hand-scalloped texture on wood surfaces. It predates the more common block plane (kanna) and is operated with a pulling motion to shave the wood, leaving behind a distinctive, organic finish. Ever run your hand over a piece of furniture and…
Vernier calipers are a precision measuring instrument essential for woodworking tasks that demand high accuracy. They allow you to measure material thickness, inside dimensions of joints, and depths of holes or dados with far greater precision than a tape measure. For woodworkers, calipers are crucial for achieving tight-fitting joinery, setting router bit and saw blade…
What are dial calipers used for in woodworking? Dial calipers are precision measuring tools used to take highly accurate outside, inside, and depth measurements. Woodworkers use them to verify stock thickness, measure for tight-fitting joinery like mortise and tenons, and precisely set up machine tools like table saws and routers. Are dial calipers better than…
What are they? Electronic brakes on woodworking tools are a safety feature that uses DC electric current to rapidly stop the motor, blade, or bit within seconds of you releasing the power trigger. Why are they important? They dramatically increase workshop safety by minimizing the dangerous “coast-down” time of a spinning blade and improve workflow…
To store woodworking tools in an unheated garage, your primary goal is to fight moisture. Use a combination of rust-preventative coatings like paste wax or Boeshield T-9 on metal surfaces, and place VCI (Vapor Corrosion Inhibitor) emitters or silica gel desiccant packs inside enclosed tool chests. For power tools, the biggest risk is condensation and…
A shooting board is a shop-made jig used with a hand plane to trim the ends of boards with extreme precision. It guarantees perfectly square (90°) or mitered ends for flawless joinery. Its primary benefit is achieving repeatable accuracy and a glass-smooth finish on end grain, a task that is often difficult with power saws…
What are beam compass woodworking tools? A beam compass, also known as a trammel, is a layout tool used to draw or scribe large, precise circles and arcs that are too big for a standard drafting compass. It consists of a long beam (wood or metal) with two adjustable points, or “trammels,” that slide along…
What is an azebiki saw? An azebiki is a specialized Japanese pull saw designed to start cuts in the middle of a wood panel without needing a pilot hole. Its curved blade and dual-sided teeth (for ripping and crosscutting) allow for precise plunge cuts. What is it used for? The primary use of an azebiki…
What is a tenoning jig? A tenoning jig is a specialized woodworking tool that securely holds a workpiece vertically on a table saw, allowing you to safely and accurately cut the “cheeks” of a tenon for strong mortise and tenon joints. Why use one? It provides superior accuracy, perfect repeatability for multiple identical parts, and…