Tips for a Perfect Finish
The difference between an average piece and a beautiful piece of woodwork is the finish. There are many different types of finishes to choose from. Learn tips for putting a beautiful final touch on your handiwork.
Choose the Right Sandpaper
The finish on a woodworking project is only as good as the sanding job that is done underneath the finish. Learn how to select the proper grit and type of sandpaper for finishing your woodworking projects.
The finish on a woodworking project is only as good as the sanding job that is done underneath the finish. Learn how to select the proper grit and type of sandpaper for finishing your woodworking projects.
Hand Sanding for a Perfect Final Touch
Power sanders are fine for most sanding tasks, but for an absolutely perfect finish, one should complete the sanding by hand. Learn tips and tricks to make this tedious task one you'll want to incorporate into every project.
Power sanders are fine for most sanding tasks, but for an absolutely perfect finish, one should complete the sanding by hand. Learn tips and tricks to make this tedious task one you'll want to incorporate into every project.
Painting Outdoor Projects
When building outdoor woodworking projects, the woodworker is presented with a problem: how to protect the project from the elements. There are ways to protect projects that are made from nearly any type of wood stock. Learn how to protect your projects from the elements, so you can get years of enjoyment from your woodworking plans.
When building outdoor woodworking projects, the woodworker is presented with a problem: how to protect the project from the elements. There are ways to protect projects that are made from nearly any type of wood stock. Learn how to protect your projects from the elements, so you can get years of enjoyment from your woodworking plans.
Applying a Gel Stain Finish
When you want to stain your fine woodworking projects, one option is to employ a gel stain. A gel stain will give you some control over the depth of the color that you add. Learn how to properly apply and work with gel stains.
When you want to stain your fine woodworking projects, one option is to employ a gel stain. A gel stain will give you some control over the depth of the color that you add. Learn how to properly apply and work with gel stains.
Lacquer Finishes - Strong, Durable & Beautiful Woodworking Finishes
Lacquer has been used for literally thousands of years to protect woodworking projects. Lacquer provides a hard, durable, clear finish that does a good job of protecting against water damage. Most modern lacquer finishes are designed to be applied either by spraying or by brush. Learn the advantages of using a lacquer finish to protect your woodworking projects.
Lacquer has been used for literally thousands of years to protect woodworking projects. Lacquer provides a hard, durable, clear finish that does a good job of protecting against water damage. Most modern lacquer finishes are designed to be applied either by spraying or by brush. Learn the advantages of using a lacquer finish to protect your woodworking projects.
Creating a Hand-Rubbed Lacquer Finish
Lacquer woodworking finishes have been used for hundreds of years because they are durable, clear and dry quickly. They also can be rubbed to an incredibly glossy finish. Learn tips for creating a mirror-like lacquer finish on your woodworking projects
Lacquer woodworking finishes have been used for hundreds of years because they are durable, clear and dry quickly. They also can be rubbed to an incredibly glossy finish. Learn tips for creating a mirror-like lacquer finish on your woodworking projects
How to Match Wood Fillers with Stained Wood
Filling nail holes on stained woodworking projects can be a source of frustration, particularly for beginning woodworkers. The difficulty is in getting the filler to match the color of the stained wood. Learn strategies for matching wood fillers with stain colors to get the best results from your woodworking plans.
Filling nail holes on stained woodworking projects can be a source of frustration, particularly for beginning woodworkers. The difficulty is in getting the filler to match the color of the stained wood. Learn strategies for matching wood fillers with stain colors to get the best results from your woodworking plans.
How to French Polish Your Woodworking Project
Back as far as the Victorian era, French Polishing has been a effective, although time-consuming method for finishing woodworking projects. While it is seldom used today, few finishes offer such a remarkably beautiful shine. Learn how to create a french polish finish, and put it to the test on your next furniture set of woodworking plans.
Back as far as the Victorian era, French Polishing has been a effective, although time-consuming method for finishing woodworking projects. While it is seldom used today, few finishes offer such a remarkably beautiful shine. Learn how to create a french polish finish, and put it to the test on your next furniture set of woodworking plans.
Shellac Finishes - Getting a Beautiful Woodworking Finish with Shellac
Shellac has been a finish of choice for woodworkers since the early 1800's. Shellac is actually derived from a secretion from an insect, which, when processed and mixed with alcohol, makes an amazing finish for woodworking projects. Learn the history of shellac and how to properly apply and refinish with shellac.
Shellac has been a finish of choice for woodworkers since the early 1800's. Shellac is actually derived from a secretion from an insect, which, when processed and mixed with alcohol, makes an amazing finish for woodworking projects. Learn the history of shellac and how to properly apply and refinish with shellac.
Removing Sawdust Before You Finish
Before you can begin staining or painting your woodworking project, you need to remove all traces of sawdust from the wood. While tack cloths and shop vacuums do a pretty fair job of removing sawdust, there is another trick you might employ, which we cover in this woodworking tip.
Before you can begin staining or painting your woodworking project, you need to remove all traces of sawdust from the wood. While tack cloths and shop vacuums do a pretty fair job of removing sawdust, there is another trick you might employ, which we cover in this woodworking tip.
Turn Your Router Table or Drill Press Into a Spindle Sander
When needing to sand curved cuts from a jigsaw or a band saw, the best results come from an oscillating spindle sander. However, if you don't have a spindle sander, there are other options with other woodworking tools. In this article we show you how to use your router table as a spindle sander.
When needing to sand curved cuts from a jigsaw or a band saw, the best results come from an oscillating spindle sander. However, if you don't have a spindle sander, there are other options with other woodworking tools. In this article we show you how to use your router table as a spindle sander.
Repairing a Damaged Shellac Finish
Shellac makes a terrific woodworking finish, but it isn't the most water-resistant finish. Fortunately, shellac finishes are easy to repair if you understand the steps involved. Learn how to repair a shellac finish, to keep your woodworking projects looking like new for a long time.
Shellac makes a terrific woodworking finish, but it isn't the most water-resistant finish. Fortunately, shellac finishes are easy to repair if you understand the steps involved. Learn how to repair a shellac finish, to keep your woodworking projects looking like new for a long time.
When to Use a Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner
When working with soft, porous woods such as pine, fir, birch and maple, stains often are absorbed unevenly. This can leave a streaky, inconsistent finish. To help combat this problem, apply a pre-stain wood conditioner. Learn how this one extra step will yield much better results in your stained woodworking projects.
When working with soft, porous woods such as pine, fir, birch and maple, stains often are absorbed unevenly. This can leave a streaky, inconsistent finish. To help combat this problem, apply a pre-stain wood conditioner. Learn how this one extra step will yield much better results in your stained woodworking projects.
Tips for Staining Furniture
Whether staining a recently built project or refinishing an existing piece, here are a number of terrific tips on getting the stain results you want.
Whether staining a recently built project or refinishing an existing piece, here are a number of terrific tips on getting the stain results you want.
All About Paint
Do you have questions about what type of paint to buy for your particular project? Do you need latex or oil-based? Satin finish or semi-gloss? Find the answers in this in-depth look at paint.
Do you have questions about what type of paint to buy for your particular project? Do you need latex or oil-based? Satin finish or semi-gloss? Find the answers in this in-depth look at paint.
Wood Finishing Tips
Learn different wood finishing tips, from veneering and refinishing to step-by-step guidelines for removing water rings from a table top.
Learn different wood finishing tips, from veneering and refinishing to step-by-step guidelines for removing water rings from a table top.
How to Make Your Own Oil Stains
If you're having trouble finding the right color for your staining job, perhaps you'd have better luck mixing your own stain. This article shows just how truly easy it is.
If you're having trouble finding the right color for your staining job, perhaps you'd have better luck mixing your own stain. This article shows just how truly easy it is.