Stable Straightedge

I made several stable straightedges by laminating strips of poplar and Philippine mahogany. I use them as winding sticks: the mix of dark and light woods shows up any problems.

Woodworking 101
Setting up your workshop & getting started in woodworking
This is the best of our Forums plus some great ideas sent specially for this section! You find a diverse and thoughtful group of opinions and guidelines for getting started in woodworking.

To get started click on one of the subject pages to the left. In some cases, we’ve added links or clarified terms, but essentially these are the suggestions from real woodworkers based on their real-life experience. If you don't see a topic that meets your needs, do a search in the Forums.

Absolute basics: Getting Started Floor plans and shop layout #1 shop tool: your table saw Essential tools: Overall workshop needs Bandsaws, jigsaws & scrollsaws Biscuit cutters Clamps and gluing Jointers Planer Jointer vs. planer Routers Shop jigs Miscellaneous tools

Common questions: What about a Shopsmith? Using traditional hand tools? Best glue? Tool sources? Wiring and lighting? Dust control? Storage? Shop maintenance & safety? And finally a few... Words of wisdom

Designing Your Own

23rd in a series of articles by Barb Siddiqui

One of the first hurdles a new woodworker must get past is the fear of messing up a project, and one of the best ways to tackle that apprehension is to simply “think outside the box”. Most beginners decide to start with something simple (but may not know which projects have simple joinery) and then set out on a search for preprinted plans to make such- and-such. In doing so, a beginner has set herself up for...

Click here for the complete article.

Click on the links below to see the previous articles by Barb Siddiqui.

First Item of Business: Holding The Work
Storage Helpers To End The Clutter
Learning to Plan Ahead
Saber Saw Jig
Using Woodworking Machinery
Sheet Goods Rack
Circular Saw Straight Edge
Wood Toxicity
Finishing Aids
Screwing It
Woodworking Without A 'Shop'
Hand Sanding Tips
Bench Chisels
A Small Shop Cabinet
Using The Drill Press
Spline Joinery
Zero Clearance Inserts
Grain Matching
Making and Using Push Sticks
Starter Tool Kit – In A Hurry
Cutting Out Circles
Efficient Glue-Ups