For most wood workers, the next project begins with the plan and follows with the lumber merchant. Especially for the cabinet maker, a plan determines the board feet needed of specialized, cut and planed, air or kiln dried boards. Careful sorting determines the very finest to be purchased with the best grain for strength and [...]

This may sound strange to you but I can get sentimental over a piece of wood. As I look at a specific piece of wood and think about it, it can actually bring tears to my eyes. Its true.
I can almost hear your comments about what I just said. Youre thinking: Terry, [...]

While throwing wood at your face at 75 miles an hour and attacking it with sharp tools may not sound relaxing, it has proven so for thousands of people. Called wood turners, they have joined an age old profession, one recorded on the walls of the Egyptian pyramids and practiced through the ages. Yet for [...]

The turning of wood has an old history both in the realm of utilitarian work and in highly decorative art pieces. In ancient Egypt bowls were turned out for pharaoh and commoner. Later the kings of Europe would possess fancy ornamental lathes to turn out highly ornamental boxes and jars of great beauty.
Yet a [...]

Over a hundred years to grow a tree and only a few months to take it down and burn it. Certainly people need heat and in my Nova Scotian climate a wood fire is a beauty to behold on a snowy night with the wind whistling round the door. But so much of the wood [...]

Ever wondered how in gods green earth some of the furniture around us gets made? Ever wanted to be able to do it yourself? Do you love the look and feel of real wood furniture? Now is the time to learn how to make your own furniture with the proper wood working tools. A properly [...]

Wood turning tools are becoming more expensive all the time and wood turners are tool junkies. It seems that more and more tools are wanted all the time, even though most turners use only a handful. There is a proliferation of tools that all promise to make you a better turner or to transform you [...]

Recently I was giving a woodturning demonstration at our Provincial Exhibition in Truro, Nova Scotia. As I turned, over and over I was asked questions like: What kind of wood are you turning?
Ans: Dry maple. How are you getting those shavings? Those tools must be sharp, arent they?
Since I was treating most of the demonstration [...]

Woodworking: Know Your Wood
Wood is made of cellulose fibers, held together with a property called lignin, and is classified as hardwood or softwood, depending on the type of tree from which it comes. In addition, sapwood or new growth wood on a tree is still alive, while heartwood refers to the part of the [...]

1. Make two lists of Wood.
Each 500mm long
45mm wide
25mm thick.
The lists needs to be completely straight and even. Make sure they are witout twigs in the material. These lists of wood may become one of your most important tools in your workshop.
2. Position the lists
Lay the lists opposite of the direction of the wood [...]