How to Use a Marking Gauge to Lay Out a Housing Joint
What a housing joint is A housing joint, also called a dado, is a straight-sided...
Equipment
Best Combination Squares for Checking Timber Thickness and Depth
A combination square is useful for more than marking a 90-degree line. Its ruler can...
Metric vs Imperial Folding Rules for Mixed-Unit Site Work
Mixed-unit site work is common: plans may be in millimetres, existing construction may be in...
Dividers vs Compass for Transferring Curved Timber Profiles
Dividers and compasses can both transfer the shape of a curved timber profile, but they...
Best Sliding Bevels for Setting Out Timber Roof Components
A sliding bevel is a simple tool, but on a roof it has to do...
How to Measure a Recessed Opening with a Folding Rule
Tools and setup A folding rule can measure a recessed opening accurately, but the jointed...
How to Mark a Consistent Shoulder on a Timber Rail
What the shoulder does A shoulder is the line where a rail’s full-depth section meets...
Try Square vs Framing Square for Checking a Door Frame
A try square and a framing square can both help you check a door frame,...
Best Marking Knives for Accurate Layout on Hardwoods
A marking knife earns its place when a pencil line is too broad or a...
How to Use a Mortise Gauge to Mark a Centered Slot
A mortise gauge marks two parallel lines for the sides of a mortise. Set correctly,...