Choosing Your Wood
Lumber can be grouped into two broad categories – softwoods and hardwoods. Technically speaking, the hardness of wood is based on botanical distinction. Hardwoods are those species that come from leaf-bearing trees that produce flowers, fruits, or nuts. Common North American hardwood lumber includes maple, oak, ash, walnut, cherry, beech, birch, and poplar. There are […]
Be Conscious Of What You Breath
Breathing sawdust is not healthy as it can be allergenic, toxic and carcinogenic. Sawdust derived from some imported woods, such as teak, is particularly harmful and is known to cause skin rashes and respiratory problems. Some studies have shown that woodworkers have a high rate of nasal cancers. Because even a small amount of sawdust […]
Safety In The Workshop
Any discussion of woodworking machinery should begin with shop safety. And of course, hand tools require safety precautions as well. Woodworking machines are made to cut, chop, abrade, slice, drill and shave materials that are considerably harder then human skin. When used carelessly, machines are dangerous and when used properly, machines can be a tremendous […]
Woodworking – The Basic Skills
Woodworking encompasses a great number of diverse activities, including turning, woodcarving, marquetry, cabinetmaking, and joinery. However, every great craftsman or craftswoman has at some time mastered the fundamentals of measuring and marking, dimensioning, assembling, and finishing – considered the basics of woodworking skills that are the core of any woodworking calling. The ability to think […]