It’s an experience familiar to anyone who has stood in the power tool aisle wondering whether to purchase a screw gun or just a drill. They look almost the same at first glance. Both spin bits. Both drive screws. Both claim to…
If you have ever found yourself inside a hardware store staring at hammers and mallets, you are not alone. At first glance, they appear similar. Both have a handle. Both are meant to hit things. But the wrong one can mess…
I tried turning a bowl a few years ago without any accessories other than a faceplate and screws. Halfway through the job, the blank came off, hurtled across the workshop and crashed into the wall. Fortunately, I wasn’t hurt — but I was…
Mallets: Last month, I watched a friend struggle to put together flat-pack furniture with an ordinary hammer. Each blow was leaving marks in the wood,parts shifted out of place, and frustration kept growing. I handed him my rubber mallet and suggested, “Try these…
If you’ve ever put the final touches on a wooden project like flooring or cabinetry and found yourself disappointed with sticky feeling surfaces, harsh chemical odors or long wait times for everything to dry, switch over to polymerized linseed oil as…
A few years ago, I decided to paint the ceiling of my living room for something to do on one quiet weekend. Everything was ready — drop cloths on the floor, brushes in hand and full confidence. My dog then bounded…
When I made my first project from freshly cut wood, I felt proud. The joints were tight, everything looked straight and smooth. But some months in, things began to go wrong. Boards twisted, gapes were formed and the project was starting to fall…
A small repair can turn into a big headache if you use the wrong product. Many people think spackle and wood filler are the same because they both fill holes and cracks. They look similar in the container, spread with…
Sapele wood and Red Balau are two highly sought-after tropical hardwoods celebrated for their strength, gorgeous appearance, and lifespan. Both are used for building furniture and other home and outdoor projects. Sapele has a rich, mahogany-like appearance and beautiful finish, while Red Balau…
Construction adhesive is one of those building materials that most people don’t fully appreciate until they use it for the first time. It looks like thick glue in a tube at first. But once you press two materials together, you quickly…
