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KnotHole
Building a Kitchen Island
After a decade of waiting, the author finally builds a custom white oak kitchen island tailored to his family's needs. Follow the complete build process of a custom white oak kitchen island. From milling lumber and cabinet joinery to drawer construction and finishing, see how Woodpeckers tools helped bring the project to life.
Beginner Tips For Working With Live Edge Slabs
Thank you to our friends at KJP Select Hardwoods for providing this article. In the world of woodworking, it seems that everyone has fallen head over heels for live edge slabs. You see these pieces of wood everywhere these days. From coffee tables to floating shelves, there are all sorts of ways to utilize live edge slabs in your home decor. As beautiful as this wood is, it poses unique challenges when you're working with it. If you're starting a project with live edge slabs for the first time, take note of these tips for beginners: Selecting A Live Edge Slab When you compare a live edge slab to a traditional piece of wood, the first thing you'll notice is that the edges aren't finished. Instead of perfectly right angles, they retain the original grooves and edges of the tree they came from. Qualities that had originally been seen as flaws are part of what makes a live edge slab so alluring, from its curvy edges to its unfinished surface. No two pieces are exactly the same; take a closer look, and you'll notice variations with the grain patterns, knots, burls, and corners of each piece of wood. If you want to make less work for yourself, you can purchase a slab that's pre-dried and pre-cut. We recommend sticking with kiln-dried slabs for indoor pieces of furniture. Preparing The Slab When you're filling voids, you have the choice between blending them with the rest of the slab or emphasizing them with a different color. Wondering how to apply EcoPoxy? This material is available in clear, metallic, or colored resins; it is low odor and long-lasting. Start by taping one side of the void to seal it shut. If you'd like, you can tape the edges of the void, too. Then, slowly pour your mixed EcoPoxy into the opening. Allow up to 72 hours for the EcoPoxy to dry completely. You can use a smoothing tool to level the epoxy so it's aligned with the surface of the wood. Leave The Bark Or Remove It? This choice is purely a stylistic one. Some prefer the smooth edges that result when you remove the bark, while others prefer the natural look and keep it on. However, if you leave the bark on, it may flake off over time. The edges of a table, which are bumped frequently, may be best without the bark. Maintaining and cleaning the bark can be tricky. If you decide to remove it, we suggest using a rounded chisel and gently peeling it off. Follow it up by sanding the edges for a smooth finish. How Much Should You Sand The Surface? Depending on how you plan to use the live edge slab, you might need a completely flat surface. Think about a dining room table—if the surface is uneven, you'll be knocking over glasses and plates when you sit down for a meal. It might be difficult to write on a desk that has a groovy surface. In these cases, you'll need to sand the surface until it's smooth and flat. Start with coarse sandpaper to remove more material, and finish off with an extra-fine one. But if you want to maintain the original character of the wood, you might hardly want to sand it at all. Raised edges and uneven grooves are part of what makes live edge slabs so unique. You'll need to consider what you plan to use the wood for to determine how much to sand it. Choosing The Right Finish After all the work you've put in, you want to make sure that your project lasts for years to come. A finish plays an important role in preserving your live edge slab. You have a few different options: Shellac A mix of shellac and lacquer gives your table a glossy finish, which looks stunning for a centerpiece table. Polyurethane This gives the wood a simple, clean coating that enhances its resistance to scratches and water damage. Wood oil Try one of these coatings to emphasize the natural grain of the wood. It gives the live edge slab a natural matte finish. Before applying any finish, make sure the wood is clean. Use a vacuum to remove any remaining sawdust. Even though you might be excited to put your new slab to use, be sure to wait several days for the finish to cure. Otherwise, you'll mark up all your hard work! You can create some truly stunning pieces with live edge slabs. Use them as barn doors, countertops, or coffee tables. They add rustic charm to any home. Keep these beginner tips in mind so your project gets off to the right start. Written by: Kayla Russell is part of the marketing team at KJP Select Hardwoods, your Canadian source for wood and woodworking products.
Multi-Router: Dovetails
Learn how to create perfect through dovetail joints with the Woodpeckers Multi-Router using the 1/2" and 3/4" Dovetail Template Sets. In this step-by-step video, Jay Mowder demonstrates how to quickly produce strong, gap-free dovetail joinery with precision and repeatability.
Multi-Router: Mortise and Tenons
Learn how to set up the Woodpeckers Multi-Router to create accurate mortise and tenon joinery. In this brief instructional video, Jay Mowder walks through the setup process step by step, making it easier to produce precise, repeatable joints for your woodworking projects.
Multi-Router: Box Joints
Create box joints fast and easy with the Multi-Router. Watch as Jay Mowder shows how to set up the Multi-Router with 1/4" and 3/8" box joint templates to create tight-fitting joinery in minutes.
Multi-Router: Circular Tenons
Learn how to create precise circular tenons with the Woodpeckers Multi-Router. This brief video tutorial demonstrates the process and highlights the accuracy and repeatability the Multi-Router brings to joinery.
A Cutting Board Handle Jig That Adjusts to Your Projects!
In this 6-minute video, Jay Mowder walks you through how to add handles to a cutting board using Woodpeckers Handle Jig Plus. You'll get to see the adjustability of the jig as well as how quick and easy it is to set everything up.
Pattern Routing Basics on a Firepit Chair
Pattern routing simplifies the use of complex shapes in furniture construction. Create the pattern once and then make as many parts as you need, all of them identical. In this 13-minute video, Jeff Farris will explain some details about the bits used in pattern routing and show you how to build a nifty Firepit Chair using patterns. Both digital files for CNC and full-scale PDF files for the chair parts are available for free download! Project Resources ➜ Download Free Firepit Chair Plans Download File Notes The PDF files that have “8.5x11…” in the file name are made to print in a normal laser or inkjet home printer. Print them out and tape them together aligning the targets. The PDF file ending in “Full-Size Print” is set up for printing on a plotter, which a local print shop or library may have available. The PDF titled “Woodpeckers Firepit Chair High Seat_Drawing_061325.pdf” is a single sheet with dimensions to help you plan and build your chairs. For the CNC owners, there are DXF and SVG files of the two legs and the top slat. Featured Tools: Ultra-Shear® Carbide Head Compression Pattern & Mortising Bits Ultra-Shear® Carbide Tipped Roundover Bits Woodpeckers® Paolini® Pocket Rule SS SpecTape® Woodpeckers® Router Tables Woodpeckers® StabilMAX® RT+ Router Table System Woodpeckers® StealthStop® Woodpeckers® DP-PRO Drill Press Table Semble® HD F-Style Clamps Woodpeckers® 1281 Precision Woodworking Square
How to Make an End Grain and Edge Grain Cutting Boards.
In this 13-minute video, Jay Mowder walks you through the process of making both an end grain and an edge grain cutting board using two of our 15-piece Wood Cutting Board Strip Kits. For the edge grain board, he uses our Large Two-Piece Cutting Board Template to create a unique shape, add handles, and a juice groove. Jay also demonstrates the two-step glue-up process for making an end grain cutting board and shows how to flatten it using our Rout-N-Plane Bench Top Board Mill. To complete both boards, he explores various router bits that can be used with our StabilMaxRT Router Table, adding the perfect finishing touches to make his cutting board truly one of a kind. The final step to any cutting board project is to add finish, and for that Jay uses a homemade mixture of mineral oil and beeswax. If you’d like to make some for yourself, follow the recipe card below! Jay’s Cutting Board Wax Finish Ingredients: 1/2 gallon of mineral oil (4 - 16oz bottles) 1lb bag of yellow beeswax pellets Make It: First cover your work surface with old plywood to protect your work surface. Pour the mineral oil into the crock pot then add the beeswax. Turn the crock pot to the highest setting. Stir periodically. The wax should fully melt in about 30 minutes. Transfer the melted wax mixture into container(s). Shallow containers or tins with a lid work best. Use caution this is very hot. It is useful to use a turkey baster or a measuring cup to transfer the mixture to avoid spilling. Let it cool and solidify. Use It: Apply a liberal amount of the Cutting Board Wax Finish to all surfaces of the board. Allow it to sit 20-30 minutes. Use a clean cotton cloth to buff. Apply 1-2 coats and your board is ready to use. To revitalize used cutting boards, add a thin coat of the wax then buff after a few hours. Store It: Store containers covered in a cool dry location. Note: Do not wash your cutting board in the dishwasher. Hand wash only with soap & water. Woodpeckers is Your One-Stop Shop for Everything Cutting Boards: Wood Cutting Board Strip Kits Cutting Board Templates Cutting Board Kits Xpander Clamp System StabilMaxRT Router Table System StabilMax Trim Router Base SpecTape® Pressure Sensitive Double-Faced Tape SteadyCurve Band Saw Template Guide
How to build a Memorial Flag Display Case
In this 11-minute video, Jay Mowder walks you through the process of building a handcrafted memorial flag display case—using precision tools from Woodpeckers to ensure clean, accurate results from start to finish. From milling Sapele boards to dialing in joinery with the Woodpeckers Joinery Sled, AutoScale Miter Sled, Setup Blocks, and CSP Clamping Squares, each step showcases how the right tools make all the difference. I used the Ultra-Shear 1/8" Flat Top Grooving Saw Blade to cut clean, precise rabbets for both the glass and the back panel. To give the case a refined look, I added crisp chamfers using the EZ Edge Corner Plane before finishing it off with polyurethane. Whether you're honoring a loved one or looking to sharpen your woodworking skills, this project is both meaningful and rewarding. Download the FREE PLANS and check out all the Woodpeckers tools featured in this build—thanks for watching RedTOOL Woodshop! Project Resources ➜ Download the FREE Woodworking Plans (PDF) Featured Tools: Joinery Sled w/Rack-It 36" Versa-Fence-Face Upgrade For Sawstop PCS AutoScale Miter Sled Sliding Bevel Gauge and Bevel Block Ultra-Shear 10 x 40 Flat Top Groover Saw Blade, 1/8” Kerf, 5/8" Arbor 3D Setup Blocks Clamping Square Plus EZ Edge Corner Plane
Making a Sunshine Table
In this 4-part Deep Dive series we'll show you how to make round outdoor tables with radial wedges around a central hub.
Every Woodworker NEEDS a Mallet!
In this 11-minute video, Jay Mowder walks through how to build a mallet step by step. He uses more than a dozen Woodpeckers tools throughout the build, giving woodworkers a practical project and a closer look at tools they may want to add to the shop.