How To

This section is about tips and techniques on various woodworking and DIY issues. I have learnt much from the blogs written by woodworkers around the world and I want to pass on something of that to the readers of this blog. There is no end to learning and the more I learn, the better my woodworking gets.


How to Cut Accurately
There is no one way to achieve accuracy; one has to constantly work at it. Perhaps practice and experience makes working more accurate. Today, my work is far more accurate than it was a few years ago although, as I mentioned, I am far from perfect. Inaccuracies can arise due to various reasons including inaccurate cutting or measuring tools, incorrect marking or measuring, wood movement and so on. [18 September 2017]

Inaccurate Measuring Tools can wreak havoc

How to Cut Tenons Accurately
I finally figured out how to cut tenons accurately. After more than a couple of years trying, I might add! And thanks entirely to master craftsman and teacher Paul Sellers (paulsellers.com). Cutting mortises with a relatively sharp chisel was something I had picked up a while ago. Hand cut mortises are quick, easy and accurate. I found I had more control cutting them by hand than with a router that could deviate ever so slightly and ruin the mortise. [7 August 2017]

Paul Sellers show the best way to cut tenons by hand

Cutting Thin Strips
There is often a need to cut relatively thin strips of wood, perhaps a quarter of an inch wide or even less. Thin strips are mainly used for decorative purposes such as for borders, inlays, cock beading and so on.[26 July 2015]

Back to Dovetails
I won't get into how to hand cut dovetails because they are a number of great teachers on the web including Paul Sellers, Franz Klaus and John Bullar. Watch their videos to get a hang of how it is done; I learnt it from them. What I will talk about is the difficulties I faced in learning how to cut dovetails. [30 June 2015]

Drawbore Pegs
Although modern adhesives ensure that the mortise and tenon joint will be strong and long lasting, it is always better to further reinforce the joint with the use of drawbore pegs. This ensures a tight and super strong fit that will endure seasons and years of usage without the slightest stress.[19 April 2015]

Adding Banding
Ornamental bandings are quite pretty and come in many patterns. They are less than 1/32nd inch thick but need to be inlaid.[8 August 2014]

Easy Way to Cut Shapes
In woodworking although most parts are straight, rectangular pieces of wood, there are times when cutting curved shapes are required, such as in curved backsplashes and bases. [18 July 2014]

How To - Four Clamping Devices
When I first started woodworking, one of the most frustrating problems was how to secure the work piece. Today, I find that only four devices are enough for virtually all clamping needs. These are: the vice, bench dogs, F-clamps and holdfasts. [26 December 2013]

The Measure of Things
23/11/2013
"Measure twice, cut once", is an oft repeated adage that I have tended to acknowledge but not always practice. And sure enough, most of my mistakes have been due to poor or inaccurate measurement. Every time I bungle I curse myself and promise to measure twice if not thrice but every once in a while neglect to double check and end up with yet another cockup. So take the old adage seriously no matter how clichéd it might sound.

Workbench Alternative
20/07/2013
The workbench with a wood vice and holes for bench dogs and stops is something of a necessity for a woodworker. I came upon a workbench alternative after weeks of experimenting and having completed it recently, found it good for most tasks. The idea is very simple: instead of building a permanent workbench, why not build a portable light duty bench substitute?

Getting Started in Woodworking
22/06/2013
Where to start is the first question all newcomers to woodworking invariably ask. And it’s a fair question. For, the first steps in any endeavour are the most difficult. How does a complete beginner go about it?

Fun with Box Joints
25/02/2013
Box joints are nothing but alternate slots cut on the edges of two pieces of wood so that they fit tightly together. I suppose they were originally designed to make strong boxes but I like their looks and am of the opinion they can be used in a variety of situations.

   
Learning Mortise and Tenon Joints
14/02/2013
Sooner or later every woodworker must learn how to make mortise and tenon joints. These joints are required for a variety of situations, especially in many kinds of framework. Most shutters, doors and windows are made using this joint.

Plywood Practice
21/01/2013
I found that I had a large number of irregular pieces of plywood stacked all over the place and felt it would not be a bad idea to use up the pieces to build quick and easy shelves, racks and so on. Apart from using up the plywood, this would give me much needed practice with plywood.

Working with Plywood
09/11/2012
The notion that furniture made out of plywood is inferior or cheap is not correct. A lot of beautifully crafted furniture has been made from plywood particularly those cladded with wonderful, exotic veneers. Plywood furniture made properly can be extremely strong and very long lasting.

Five Simple Woodworking Aids from Scrap
26/09/2012
At one time I would throw all the scrap pieces of wood left over from projects. In winter these scrap pieces would go into the barbecue fire along with charcoal. Later I began to realise that there was no such thing as scrap – that most pieces could be put to good use.

Drilling: Countersink and Counterbore
08/09/2012
The screw is a much better and stronger fastener for joining two pieces of wood as compared to a nail or glue. The helical threads of the wood screw grip wood better and compress the two pieces to be joined tightly.
   
Planing Wood
26/08/2012
I first ripped the raw planks to five inch wide strips, then glued two together to form ten inch wide planks. The pieces seem to have stabilized and I have tried my best to flatten them with my 18 inch long jointer plane. After flattening them the best I could, I used my smaller smoothing jack plane to further level out the surfaces. 

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