Woodworking Plans & Projects

Over the past few years, tool manufacturers have been busy reinventing the common steel tape rule. Now brimming with innovations in case design, tape readability and special-purpose features, this once-stagnant segment of the tool market is finding a new life.

We'll cut to the chase here because new, innovative tools speak for themselves. And they were speaking loud and clear at the International Woodworking Fair in Atlanta, GA.

Tighten your tool belt without feeling the pinch. The next time you're shopping, check out the latest budget-wise offerings from Black & Decker, Craftsman, Ryobi and Skil.

There’s more than one way to build a drawer box. One of my favorite methods is to use rabbet-and-dado joints for the front, back and sides. This joint may not be as elaborate or attractive as a dovetail, but it is functional and much faster to construct.

Making your own picture frames is much less expensive than buying them at a frame shop. You can make custom moldings and assemble them in your shop. Making frames can also be a great way to use up workshop scraps.

Hundreds of millions of homes around the globe are built and furnished with bamboo. So it shouldn’t be surprising to learn that the humble bamboo plant has much more to offer Western homeowners and woodworkers than tiki torches and fishin’ poles.

Routers have come a long way since the days when they were little more than a basic electric motor in a base. Today’s tools boast features such as electronic speed control, easy bit changing and soft-start motors.

Whether you are a serious DIYer or an aspiring woodworker, a table saw is an indispensable tool.

Here's what to look for when human-powered tools will do the job.

Build a dog crate that you won't want to hide.