Finishing Small Parts

When spraying finish on small parts, how do you keep them from sticking? Here's a quick trick using aluminum foil.

How to Use a Scratch Stock

This ancient, but highly useful, tool technique can help you add fine custom details quickly and inexpensively.

In this video, Ralph demonstrates how to use a scratch stock. If you don't own a scratch stock - don't worry! We also have a video that walks you through how to make a scratch stock in your shop.

Simplified Hole Pattern Drilling

Drilling a pattern of holes (an array) accurately does not have to be complicated. This video shows you how to do it on your drill press using a few blocks of scrap.

Ripping Small Moldings Safely

Safely and cleanly ripping small moldings requires thoughtful set up and the right tools. I show you how to configure the GRR-RIPPER GR-200 to efficiently cut a 3/8 by 1/4 inch molding I needed for a recent project.

GRR-RIPPER GR 200 Double Pack

Make a Crosscut Clamp for Your Miter Gage

Crosscutting small parts at the table saw doesn't have to be a risk to your fingers. In this video, Ralph shows you how to use Rockler's Auto Lock Clamps to create a clamp to hold small parts safely.

Auto-Lock T-Track Clamp

Prebending Parts for Easy Laminating

We've shown you how to laminate thin strips into bent-wood parts, but these thin strips are liable to crack in tight bends. You can bend the stack BEFORE gluing to greatly improve your results.

Shop-Made Geometric Inlay Banding

In a previous video, we showed you how to make cross band mahogany inlay banding. Now you can learn to make a more complex geometric design using common shop tools. The field is made of walnut and maple, but any starkly contrasting woods will work. The outer face veneers are inexpensive dyed veneers from Constantine's.

Making Crossband Inlay

Crossband inlay is a staple of furniture decoration. You can buy it premade, but it's simple and easy to make your own to fit the exact size and style you need.

Coping Inside Corners When Running Trim

Getting clean, professional looking joints on inside corners with base, chair and crown moldings does not require exotic tools or jigs. With a simple coping saw and a bit of practice, you can get great results every time.

Simple Shop Chalk Boards

Having chalk boards around the shop has turned out to be surprisingly useful. I can read, notes, cutlists and the like from across the room. I made these by spraying the center panels of my shop's cabinet doors.

Chalk Board Spray Paint
Chalk Board Paint, Brush on

Lamination Bending Part 3: Using a Vacuum Press

Previously I showed you how to form bent parts from thin laminations using a two-sided form and a single-sided form, relying on clamps to hold the shape. In this video, I show you how to form your stock using a vacuum press. Vacuum pressing has the advantage of applying even pressure across the entire part eliminating voids and pressure points. 

Roarockit Thin Air Press (as seen in the video)

Lamination Bending Part 2: Single Form Clamping

Part 2 of 3, we show you how to laminate bent wood parts on a form as well as the easiest and fastest way to edge the finished part and mill it to width.

Lamination Bending Series Part 1: Double Form Clamping

Clamping thin strips between forms can create bent wood pieces with tight radii and reversing curves.

Add Stringing to Your Woodworking Projects

Stringing is like pinstriping on cars. It adds a level of elegance to projects and draws attention to focal points of your work. See how you can add this technique to your woodworking with simple tools and materials.

Veneer Saw

Beading Tool

Make a Floor Vent with a Glue Joint Bit

An exercise in reexamining what you can do with bits you may already own, we use a standard glue joint bit as if it were a stile and rail door making set to build a custom wood floor vent.

Glue Joint Bit

Make a Miter Slide for Your Table Saw

I use a table saw sanding/set up disk for making perfect miters for inlays and delicate moldings. This video shows you how a small simple angle slide can make these cuts fast and accurate.

Sanding/Set Up Disk Set

Simple Steam Bending

Steam Bending does not have to be intimidating! Learn the basics with these simple pieces and you'll be able to move on to more involved projects.

Rockler Steam Bending Kit

Using a Multi Side (Bird Mouth) Bit

This versatile bit forms quick and easy locking joints for making hollow cylinders. Follow along as I show you what it can do!

Buy the Bit

Travel Mug Turning Kit (what we're making in the video)

Kerf Bending Wooden Stock

Cutting a series of kerfs in the back of a board allows you to form it around curves. Watch the video and learn this easy technique for bending solid stock and plywood.

Cutting Plastics on the Table Saw

With the proper set up, blade and technique, most plastics can be effectively and cleanly cut on your table saw. Learn some of the tricks I have learned through years of plastic work.