Using Dyes to Stain Wood

Designer's Notebook

Eastlake Table

Designer Dennis Volz has a soft spot for less well-known furniture styles. So his latest project is an Eastlake table. Hear how he uses the forms of this style with a updated twist.

Shop Project

Box-Jointed Tool Tote

Part 1: Tool Tote Part 1

Whenever you have a job outside of the shop, you need a way to take and organize your tools. One solution is this double decker tote. Follow along as Logan Wittmer builds a version for himself.

Shop Tip

Mobile Workbench Solution

Adding mobile bases to shop tools and even your workbench makes your shop setup as versatile as possible. Workbench casters can do the job. But here's a way to make those handy wheels even easier to use.

Shop Project

Box-Jointed Tool Tote

Part 2: Tool Tote Part 2

In the second part of this series, Logan Wittmer wraps up the construction of the tool tote. He forms the uprights and the handle.

Shop Tip

Standard to Metric

Making the crossover from metric to standard dimensions can be a struggle. Here's one woodworker's solution to make quick approximations with just a piece of paper.

Designer's Notebook

Edge Sander

Creative director, Chris Fitch has a knack for making home-built tools. His latest project is a full-size edge sander. The trick is distilling the machine to its essentials and coming up with clever solutions for making it with simple techniques.

Woodworking Technique

Using a Scratch Stock

Adding custom details is one way to make your projects stand out. It doesn't have to require expensive or complicated tools to do. Designer Dennis Volz demonstrates out to use a traditional tool and some scrap steel to make decorative reeds for a table he recently designed.

Shop Tip

Folding a Band Saw Blade

New band saw blades come coiled in a compact package. It's handy for storage, but once you remove a blade from the saw, it isn't obvious how to get it folded again. Phil Huber shows one reliable method. It's all in the wrists.

Designer's Notebook

Campaign Chair

A chair is a tough project for any woodworker to tackle. Not only does it have to look good, it should be sturdy and as simple to build as possible. In this video, designer Dillon Baker explores a revival of a mid-century campaign chair and how he met its challenges.

Shop Tip

Band Saw Blade Rack

Coiled band saw blades don't take up much space. However, keeping them organized and easy to get to present some obstacles. Here's one clever way to get the job done.

Woodworking Technique

Sewing Leather

A campaign chair featured in Woodsmith magazine used leather for the upholstery. While it's something you can take to a professional, the techniques aren't that difficult to master. Logan Wittmer walks you through the basic saddle stitching steps.

Woodworking Technique

Coloring Mahogany

Using potassium dichromate to transform the look of wood is an old technique. The trouble is the chemical is hazardous and requires special handling. Vince Ancona shows how it was used to change the color of mahogany. The results speak for themselves. The question is would you use it?

Shop Tip

Sawhorse Corral

Woodsmithplans.com features a clever sawhorse plan that folds completely flat. This matching rack keeps them stored and ready for their next task.

Woodworking Technique

Using Dyes to Stain Wood

You may be familiar with coloring wood with stain that you can find at any hardware store or home center. But you have another choice that provides a more consistent final result — dyes. Designer Dennis Volz demonstrates how he uses concentrated dye solutions to create an aged look in mahogany.

Shop Tip

Remote Holder

Ceiling-mounted air cleaners do a great job of removing the fine particles of dust in your shop — when you remember to turn them on. Most now come with remotes make that even easier. Try this solution to keep your remote handy.

Working With Tools

Working with Squares

Building good projects starts with accurate and consistent layout. Phil Huber shares his personal set of squares starting with the basics. You'll also learn some tips for working with these squares accurately.

Mastering the Table Saw

Maintaining the Top

With as much use as a table saw gets, the top can start to show some wear and tear from spilled glue, stains, and even rust spots. Designer John Doyle had enough and gave the shop table saw a little TLC. See what he uses to make the saw look like new again.

Shop Tip

Vinegar Stain Cleanup

After working with some wood like white oak and walnut, your skin can end up with some black or dark purple stains. It comes from the tannin in wood reacting with your skin. The stains don't just wash off. Phil Huber shows that a common pantry ingredient can save the day.

Router Workshop

Rockler Box Joint Jig

Routing box joints produces clean crisp pins and slots. Logan Wittmer tries out two jigs from Rockler to show how the process works.

Shop Tip

Golf Tee Painter Points

With a scrap piece of pegboard and a handful of golf tees, you can quickly create a finishing platform for almost any size project.