Welcome to The Tool Scout’s woodworking and DIY crafts knowledge hub. We offer “wood-be” DIYers a plethora of expert tips & tricks, with some solid tool recommendations within this category!
Here, you’ll find specialist advice on how to use your woodworking tools effectively and efficiently, as well as recommendations on the best woodworking tools to use for various projects.
From beginner woodworking tips to advanced techniques, we’ve got you covered. Stay tuned for regular updates, and check out recommendations for working proficiently with lumber and the latest & greatest woodworking gear guides. Our woodworking and crafts resource cuts to the point.
Have you ever stood in awe of a wooden masterpiece and wondered, “Which essential woodworking tools were used to create this?” As a seasoned woodworker, inspired by legends like James Krenov, I’ve come to appreciate the indispensable role of certain tools in the craft. The chisel, handsaw, and mallet are more than just tools; they…
Ever found yourself meticulously staining a piece of wood, only to be left waiting, and waiting… and waiting some more for it to dry? I’ve been there, and I understand the anticipation. After all, woodworking is as much an art as it is a craft. So, how can you speed up the drying process without…
So, you’ve either taken the hands-on approach and chopped your own lumber for an upcoming woodworking project, ending up with a stack of fresh, green wood, or you’ve acquired wood that’s unexpectedly brimming with moisture. In either case, the wood is too damp for immediate use, and you’re racing against the clock to dry wood…
Ah, the art of drying wood! If you’ve ever dabbled in woodworking as a professional craftsman or novice woodworker, you know how crucial it is to master the art of wood drying. I’ve been down this road many times, and I can tell you it’s all about understanding the wood and using the right techniques….
Ever found yourself with a woodworking project in mind but realized your wood wasn’t dry enough? I’ve been there too. Drying wood is crucial for ensuring its longevity and sturdiness in any project. While there are several methods out there, one of the most efficient and accessible ways is using an oven. Yes, the same…
There’s a certain magic to the crackling sound of firewood, the warmth it exudes, and the ambiance it creates. But have you ever tried to light wet or green wood? It’s a lumberjack’s nightmare! Not only does it resist catching fire, but it also produces a lot of smoke and very little heat. I’ve been…
There’s a certain satisfaction in crafting with wood, feeling the grain beneath your fingers, and watching a piece come to life. But, like every craftsman, I’ve faced my share of sticky situations—literally. Glue, that essential yet pesky companion, can sometimes leave behind more than just memories on our cherished wooden pieces. Over the years, I’ve…
Woodworking has always been a passion of mine, a craft where precision meets creativity. But beyond the tools and techniques, there’s an unsung hero that holds it all together: wood glue. It’s the silent strength behind every joint, every connection. Over the years, I’ve delved deep into the world of adhesives, understanding their nuances and…
Drawing from my experience as a professional carpenter, assembling and installing bathrooms in homes, I’ve come to appreciate the crucial role that the right materials play in any project. When it comes to bathroom fixtures, the choice of wood can make a world of difference in both aesthetics and durability of your vanity and cabinets….
For sturdy bed frames, you can opt for wood like Douglas fir, mahogany, walnut, khaya, oakwood, poplar, padauk, pine, alder, and sapele. These can offer durability and support while also being practical and resistant to various forms of decay. You can then use these wood types to select a product. There are various kinds of…
In general, woods like white oak, walnut, cherry, brown maple, ash, elm, beech, sycamore mahogany and hickory are the best wood for table tops. Each of these have their specific features, pros and cons, which make them suitable for specific uses such as dining tables, coffee tables, farm tables, outdoor use, etc. The dining table…
Waterproofing wood furniture for the outdoors involves applying a sealant to keep the moisture and humidity out. Using sealants like polyurethane, natural oils or a combination of a stain and sealer are some good options for you to consider based on the kind of furniture and climate you have. In this post, you’ll learn how…
When choosing wood for your fence, do not forget to consider resistance to local weather and insects in terms of durability. The best wood for wooden fences includes cedar, redwood, cypress, Douglas fir, pine, ipe, balau, maple, composite wood and acacia. Choosing the best wood for a wooden fence is crucial for creating a long-lasting,…
Teak is the best wood for outdoor furniture as it’s naturally more resistant to rotting, decaying, warping, shrinking, insects, and pests than other varieties of wood. Varieties such as red cedar, white oak, African mahogany, and cypress are also good options. If you’re planning to either build or invest in wooden outdoor furniture, you’ve made…
In order to improve the appearance of any wooden surface, you have to choose the best paint. While wood tolerates most types of paint, you have to make a choice between the various types—acrylic, oil-based, water-based, latex and chalk paints. With proper preparation, you can effectively paint any wood. Types of Paints for Wood The…
If you are working with external wood, you should first apply stain to it, followed by a sealant. This will help ensure a combination of good appearance as well as weather protection. However, it is also possible to avoid staining completely and directly apply the sealant to the exterior wood. Since exterior wood is exposed…
Nailers of sizes 15 gauge, 16 gauge, and 18 gauge are suitable for most baseboards, although there can be differences in what you choose based on the thickness of the baseboard. The length of the nails that you use the nailers with should also be around 2 inches. Since nailers are power tools that will…
Framing is best done with 16d, 10d, 8d, or 6d nails. Sinker nails are preferred as they go through the wall more easily, have an epoxy coating to protect them from rust and corrosion, and are more efficient. If you’ve got a wall framing project on the cards, we’re here to tell you that you…
Some fun and simple beginner wood carving projects include wooden Minions, farmers, mini Hulk, Frankenstein, gnomes, Halloween witches, knights, Bigfoot, Iron Man, Spider-Man, Chipolino, angels, Groot, little men, little girls, grannies, Vikings, Thumbelina, Native American figures and home cooks. Whether you make a generic archetype or focus your craftwork on a particular character, making these…
Unlock the full potential of your pyrography skills with the perfect wood! Light and soft-grained varieties, like birch, poplar, beech, basswood, maple, aspen, walnut, and cherry, have been found to result in up to 30% less time spent burning, allowing you to focus on your art. Imagine the possibilities! Wood burning is a craft that’s…
If you want to create DIY crafts that you can sell and earn money, here are 26 inspiring wood burning ideas such as wood burned coasters, cutting boards, ornaments, serving trays, cake stands, jewelry boxes, wooden earrings, and more that are sure to set your creative spark ablaze and cash register ringing. Pyrography or wood…
Epoxy resin gives furniture, artwork, and other objects a clear, protective finish and creates sculptures, jewelry, and other 3D projects through casting. Currently, the best epoxy resin for wood is the ProMarine Self-Leveling Epoxy Resin. Factors such as consistency, durability, toxicity, drying time, and coverage impact the resin’s quality. If you’re looking for epoxy resin…
The best wood for desktops includes several options like cedar, pine, cherry, walnut, mahogany, birch, bamboo, maple, teak, red oak, rosewood, MDF, elm, tigerwood, reclaimed wood, and padauk. It would help if you accounted for factors like cost, grain, color, durability, and weight before making your choice. Each of these types of wood tends to…
Wood sealers are an additional shield against external natural elements. Depending on factors such as the project size, type of sealer, efficiency against ultraviolets rays and water exposure, and drying time, woodworkers can consider some excellent oil and water-based wood sealer brands such as Ready Seal, Minwax, and Star Brite. Many folks deem wood sealers…
Buckled wood floors occur when a part of your hardwood floor swells or contracts, resulting in a separation from the subfloor. This is typically due to water, humidity, insufficient acclimation, installation issues, and temperature variations. You can either repair or replace this kind of buckled section, although prevention is ideal. It is important for you…
Wood drawers can get stuck due to various reasons, such as the natural contraction/expansion of wood, humidity, excess friction, and so on. Using everyday objects like candles and soap for minor warps and grit paper and self-adhesive tape for more major cases, can help make wood drawers slide easier. If you have an old chest…
Wood stains are of many types, from food and alcohol stains to pet and water stains. Removing these is possible through different measures, ranging from home remedies like baking soda and mayonnaise to commercial oil-based stain removers. While social gatherings are great, they open up your precious wood furniture to a range of threats, from…
Are you a handyman or woodworking enthusiast that has a knack for developing superbly polished woodworking projects? If so, maybe you should consider implementing those creative woodworking ideas and put your exceptional skills to the test by starting your own woodworking business. That way, you can actually do what you enjoy and make some good money in the…
Liquid Nails are construction adhesives manufactured by a brand of the same name. These strong adhesives are used to join treated or stained wood as well as other non-porous objects. Wood glue, on the other hand, is specifically made for bonding two pieces of wood. Although Liquid Nails refer to the brand that produces and…
African blackwood is the modern world’s most expensive wood. A cubic meter can cost as much as $13,000, while a log can set you back by around $10,000. The price of smaller square boards starts at around $100 per foot. For millennia now, wood has been a staple of human civilization. The fact that it…
Consider rock maple, white oak, black walnut, larch wood, cherry, teak, padauk, purpleheart, mahogany, and beech if you want the best wood for cutting boards. Some factors can also help you make the best choice, some of which include the type of cutting board, toxicity, density, grain, durability, and cost. Given that you will be…
Wood putty is a flexible substance that you can apply to finished wood surfaces or furniture. Wood filler is a fast-drying substance that can work better for interior and unfinished wooden projects. The third kind of substance, called wax filler, can work for finished wood in a quick and nearly effortless manner. It can be…
Yes, it is possible to paint pressure-treated wood; however, if you want to achieve a good and long-lasting finish, you must ensure that the wood is dry, determine the moisture content in the wood and use the right primer and paint. What Are Pressure Treated Woods and How to Use Them? Pressure-treated woods are essentially…
Finger joints are those in which the ends of the surfaces to be joined together are cut and shaped in a manner that allows them to lock together in a straight or perpendicular way. Glue joints can refer to any shape joined or glued together in mechanical and adhesive ways. There are several differences between…
The best choice depends on many factors, like the type of wood and where it is. Oil-based wood stains work well for exterior areas, while water-based products are good for interiors. When it comes to furniture, it’s good to go with water-based stains, while cabinets can use either. What Is White Wood Stain and Why…
Rubberwood is a form of hardwood obtained from the rubber tree, with some of its pros being its sustainability, durability, affordability, fire resistance, and craftsmanship. Its disadvantages include its warping and shrinking tendencies, toxicity, perishability, and non-waterproof nature. In recent years, the usage of rubberwood has grown in popularity due to its sustainability and durability,…
Woodworking is an invaluable skill. It gives you the ability to create furniture and repair wooden objects around the home. However, before you make a complete dining room set or guesthouse, you should make sure you have a firm grasp of beginner woodworking skills. We’ve brainstormed a variety of DIY projects for beginners that you…
Hardwood floors in any home can take a beating; between moving furniture, general wear and tear, and regular cleaning, your hardwood floors could probably do with a touch-up. I had to restore my hardwood floors because they had lost their pristine stylish look and looked dull and unappealing. But I had no idea how to…
If woodworking is your hobby and you have already done a few projects, you might be wondering if there is any way to make money from it. You may also want to see if there is a way to turn your hobby into a full-time job. On the one hand, if you’re just getting into…
A wood router is one of the first (affordable) power tools that every woodworker buys, besides a table saw, a drill press, a compound miter saw, and a joiner. Electric wood routers work by spinning sharp-edged bits of a specific material at very high speeds and are much more powerful and useful than old, hand…
If you’re into woodworking and you’ve done the rounds online attempting to find the best woodworking plans to help refine and master your craft, you’ve likely come across Teds Woodworking. Teds collection of woodworking “plans” has certainly gained a lot of traction in terms of popularity in recent times, and at first glance at Teds…
Something you might be dreaming of doing is starting your own woodworking business and make a good six-figure income from home. Yes, being able to run and own your own business is a dream that oh so many people have out there. Now, if you are lucky enough to be talented with something like woodworking,…
Have you ever wanted to design and build something incredibly unique and cool out of wood? Well, you’re not alone. Woodworking is a hugely popular pastime in the United States, with over a million professional woodworkers running businesses within the industry. Oh, and that’s not to mention the other millions of eager individuals like you and me who are…
Here’s a fact about woodworking: All glues are not the same. The glue you use for one project won’t be the same stuff that you find in your arts and craft cabinet at home. It’s essential to have a type of wood glue that can handle any job easily and effectively. That’s why you need…
You know those kitchen cabinets or that retro piece of furniture has great potential somewhere under those multiple layers of paint. If only you could find a way to uncover the true beauty of the wood surface that lays beneath a layer of nasty-looking paint? Well keep reading, and we’ll tell you everything you need…
Firewood storage racks are a must-have if you value order in your own home. If you want to make sure that your dried wood stays that way, keep it in the right place and the correct environment. A firewood rack makes it easy to keep your yard, garage or outdoor kitchen neat and organized. It…
Have you been wanting to add wooden shelving to your home decor so you could arrange certain items in an even more attractive design fashion? Do you have books and objects stacked around your house, waiting for a more permanent home? Building your own wood shelves is an excellent idea to save money and maximize…
If you have wooden furniture in your home, chances are there’ll come a time when you need to fill in a large hole or crack in the wood. Perhaps someone dropped something heavy on the dining table. Perhaps a knot in your shed’s timber came loose. Perhaps your kid found a sharp object and a…
What is a woodworking bench? Although it looks like a table, it is definitely not a table or something that you put random things on. It is a tool that holds your woodworking projects. It is built to hold various mechanisms, such as bench dogs, planning stops, board jacks, and so on. It has to…
A wood router is a tool used to hollow an area of hard materials and create perfect patterns. While it is also used for cutting fine, fancy edges, a wood router can be used for various other things and can be very exciting to work with. The first wood routers were hand-powered tools. However, as…
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