How to Set a Marking Gauge from a Finished Timber Edge
A marking gauge transfers a line from a finished timber edge to a fixed distance. It is more reliable than […]
Equipment
How to Check a Framing Square for Accuracy Before Site Layout
Why check a framing square before layout? A framing square that is out of true can turn a small measuring
Equipment
Best Carpenter’s Squares for Checking Long Timber Assemblies
What the square needs to do Checking a long timber assembly is different from squaring a small cabinet carcass. A
Equipment
Best Hand Planes for Fine Adjustments to Timber Stair Parts
Fine adjustments to stair parts rarely need a large jointer plane. They need control. A tread may need 1 mm
Equipment
Best Mortise Gauges for Setting Parallel Tenon Cheeks
A mortise gauge is useful when a tenon needs two parallel cheek lines, one on each side of its thickness.
Equipment
Marking Knife vs Pencil for Laying Out a Fine Shoulder Line
A fine shoulder line is where a joint starts to look clean—or where a small marking error becomes a visible
How to Measure and Mark a Timber Stair Newel for a Handrail
Before You Mark the Newel For a handrail that lands on top of a timber newel, the mark has to
How to Use a Plane Stop to Secure Stock During Hand Planing
What a Plane Stop Does A plane stop is a fixed block that holds a board against the bench while
How to Set Up a Hand Plane for Cross-Grain Trimming
Cross-grain trimming is where a hand plane removes end grain at the edge of a board, after a saw cut,
How to Use a Hand Plane to Remove a High Spot from a Timber Joint
A high spot in a timber joint is usually obvious after a dry fit: one corner rocks, a shoulder refuses