Buying Guides

Hand planes remain essential despite power tools. For fine fitting, edge work, and adjustments, nothing matches a sharp plane. Plane Types Common planes and their uses: Smoothing plane (#4): Final surface preparation Jack plane (#5): General purpose, flattening Jointer plane...

Straight Cuts Made Easy - But Which Way? Both tools make straight cuts in sheet materials and timber. Both have their place. But they're different beasts for different jobs. Let's work out which you need. What Each Tool Does Circular...

"You can never have too many clamps" is a workshop truism. Here's a guide to the clamps and vices that actually earn their keep. Clamp Types F-Clamps (Bar Clamps) The workhorse clamp. Adjustable jaw on a steel bar. Various sizes...

Different sanders do different things. Using the wrong one wastes time and produces poor results. Here's which sander to use when. Sander Types Random Orbital Sanders The all-rounder. The pad spins AND orbits randomly, preventing swirl marks. Best for: General...

Routers are among the most versatile woodworking tools. Edges, joints, grooves, decorative profiles - a router handles them all. Here's what you need to know to get started. Router Types Two main categories: Fixed base: Depth set before use, stable...

Need to cut wood but not sure which saw to buy? Circular saws and jigsaws are both essential power tools, but they excel at different things. Here's how to choose. Circular Saws: Straight Line Specialists A circular saw uses a...

You can never have too many clamps. They're essential for holding work securely while you work on it. Here's a guide to the main types. F-Clamps (Bar Clamps) The workshop workhorse: Quick to adjust and apply Various sizes from small...

Chisels are among the oldest tools still in daily use. Understanding different types and how to maintain them unlocks their full potential. Chisel Types Different chisels serve different purposes: Bevel-edge: Most versatile, access tight corners Firmer: Heavier, for general work...