Tips & Tricks

Quick Tip Links

| General Shop | Bandsaw | Dados | General Shop Jigs |
| Jointer | Measuring & Layout | Planer | Router | Router Jigs |
| Table Saw | Table Saw Jigs | Woodturning |

• Cutting Accurate Bevels & Miters
  Tools, Preparation and Technique are Crucial
• Making and Using Splines
  Grain = Strength
• Check & Repair Your Framing Square
  How dimples can fix a misalignment
• Using A Flush Trim Saw
  The right tool & technique make it work (Includes video)
• Build & Use Clamping Cauls
  The easy way to flat panel glue ups!
• Drilling Adjustable Shelf Pin Holes
  Simple process - simple tools
• Building Tongue & Groove Doors
  Simple and versatile
• Building Arched Panel Doors
  It's not as tough as it looks.
• Squaring Stock
  It's all in the sequence
• Setting Up a Mortising Machine
  It's easy and saves money!
• Making a "Flat" on a Dowel
  The key is in the holding.
• Using Wood Glues
  It's a learned skill for most of us
• Building a French Cleat
  A simple and strong way to hang shop cabinets, and more.
• Reading Grain Orientation
  Proper feed direction is important
• Do You Use Push Sticks?
• Using Shop Projects for On-The-Job Training
  Gain valuable experience when outfitting your shop!
• Band Saw Blade Storage
     Simple enough I can do it!
• Plugging Countersunk Screw Holes
• Fitting the Ill-Fitting.
     Those little sticky note pads come in handy!
• Auto-Centering Scribes
     A nice little home-made tool that works great!
• Plugs On Demand
• Misaligned Biscuit Joints
• Mortise & Tenon Joints Made Easy
• Instruction Manuals
  Keep 'em handy for when you forgot what you need to remember!
• Combination Squares
• Stop Blocks
  Repetitive Accuracy the Easy Way
• The Lowly Rasp
  An old tool that deserves modern respect
• Corner Block/Brace

• Correcting Band Saw Blade Drift
  Two wrongs can make a right - or straight
• Resawing Basics
  A little patience and practice yield great results!
• Coiling a Bandsaw Blade (Video included)
  It's easy - once you see it!
• Bandsaw Circle Cutting Jig
  Simple to build, huge capacity!

• Setting Up & Using Stacked Dado Sets
  Common sense and records save time and wood
• Standardized Dados
  Simple tools, simple procedure, less headaches!
• How Do I Cut Dados?
  There isn't one answer.
• Making Stopped Dados
  One cut from perfection
• Auto-Width Dado Jig
  Never measure stock width again!
• Build and Use a Router Dado Jig
  

• Handle Jig
  A simple jig can save lots of frustration, and money.

• Setting Straight Jointer Knives
  We can do better than sticks
• Buy a Jointer or Planer First?
  Yes, there is an answer!
• Jointer Basics
  Making the best use of this age-old machine
• Hands Off Jointer Outfeed Tables!
  How NOT to adjust yourself out of the ballpark
• My Jointer Cuts Tapers!
  Of course it does, but it's not busted!
• Jointer Problems, Causes & Fixes
  Straightening the frustrations of a "simple" machine!
• Preparing Wood for the Jointer
  An extra cut can make the jointer faster and save wood!
  

• Buy a Jointer or Planer First?
  Yes, there is an answer!
• Controlling Planer Snipe
  A little support is all it takes
• Waxing Planer Tables
  This might be the fix for what you think is feed roller trouble!

• Jointing With A Router
  A workable compromise
• Routing Feet on Box Projects
  Sitting flat when the surface isn't
  
• Stuck Router Bits
  Often, they are not stuck at all!
• Up Cut vs. Down Cut Spiral Bits
  Choosing the right one
• Using a Router Plate Starting Pin
  Simple but effective safety device - includes video
• Controlling Plunge Router Depth
  Setting by example (with video)
• Router Bit Speeds
  Maximum is not always optimum!
• Installing a Router Lift or Plate
  Accuracy is easier than you thought!
• Setting Up Tongue & Groove Bits
  Adjustability makes it easy & precise
• Climb Cutting
  How to do what you shouldn't do in the first place.
• Using Glue Line Bits
  The REAL center is the key!
• Feed Direction
  A VERY easy-to-make mistake that can hurt you.
• Making Inlays with a Router
  They look tough, but are easier than you might think!
• Building Tongue & Groove Doors
  Simple and versatile
• Building Arched Panel Doors
  It's not as tough as it looks.
• Building Raised Panel Doors
  It's easier than you think.
• Rabbeting and "Adjustable" Bits
  A simple joint you will use forever
• Routing On the Edge
  A very simple jig makes a very hard task very easy!
• Easy Hinge Mortising
  A simple-to-make template assures perfect mortises
• Using Router Guide Bushings
  Simple devices that extend the routers capabilities.
• Tips for Using the Leigh D4 Dovetail Jig
  There aren't many, but they may be helpful!
• Setting Up Rail and Stile Router Bits
  Finally, the mystery is broken! (For me anyway)
• The Depth of Dovetails
  Getting proper fitting dovetails frustrating you? This might help.
• Tips - Porter Cable 693PK Router Set
  Help with sticking bits and router motor in the plunge base.

• Auto-Width Dado Jig
  Never measure stock width again!
• Build and Use a Router Dado Jig
  It's simple, and very effective!
• Easy Hinge Mortising
  A simple-to-make template assures perfect mortises

• Powermatic PM2000 Belt Slippage
  A simple fix for a stubborn bit of Internet hysteria
• Cutting Centered Grooves on the Table Saw
  Its fast, accurate and safe
• Table Saw Basics - Part 1 Setup & Alignment
  Preparing your saw correctly makes it safer and more efficient
• Zero Clearance Inserts & Factory Splitters
  Yes, they can live together!
• Blade Height & Kickback
  Cranking it up isn't the answer!
• Making Table Saw Trivets
• Cutting Opposing Tapers
• Installing a Zero Clearance Insert
  Do it right for safety and performance!
• Use a Combination Square to Set Blade Height
  It's fast, easy and accurate!
• Using a Table Saw Jointing Jig
• Contractor Saw Blade Alignment
• Squaring Your Miter Gauge
  A very simple, very accurate way to get square cuts.
• Using a Taper Jig
  A simple jig that produces great results
• Cutting Opposing Tapers
  Better than "almost" right!
• Using Gauge Blocks
  Simple, but safe!
• Cleaning Saw Blades
  Save money and extend the life of your blades.
• Caring for Your Cast Iron Table
• Using the Box Joint Jig
  It's simple! I can do it.
• Build a Dial Indicator Jig
  Low-buck way to precision
• Table Saw Alignment
  Use our shop-built dial indicator jig to check your saw.!
• Contractor's Table Saw Dust Collection
  A big improvement for about $20.
• Build a Sacrificial Fence
• Stabilize Your Rip Fence
• Squaring Your Radial Arm Saw Table

• Table Saw Miter Sled
  Accuracy made easy
• Table Saw Cross Cutting Sled
  A safe alternative
• Table Saw Jointing Jig
  You can have straight edges, too!
• Build a Taper Jig
  NewWoodworker.com Custom Plan Set available
• Build a Clamp-Free Gauge Block
  NewWoodworker.com Custom Plan Set available
• Rolling Shop Cabinet/Table Saw Extension
  One cabinet - two purposes
• Build a Dial Indicator Jig
  Keeping your table saw aligned is very important!
• Panel Raising Jig
  Use this simple jig to raise panels on the table saw.
• Box Joint Jig
  Ancient, Effective and Simple

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