Resource center & blog
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.
Equipping Your Woodworking Shop
Choosing the right tools for a woodworking shop takes time, space planning, and careful budgeting. This article highlights three Woodpeckers tools designed to help expand router, drill press, and slab-flattening capabilities in a well-equipped woodshop.
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.
DUAX Angle Drilling Table
Learn how the Woodpeckers DUAX Angle Drilling Table makes accurate angled drilling simple. In this video, Dillon Baker of Woodsmith Magazine explains the table's features, including its laser-engraved stainless steel protractor and versatile setup for drilling angled holes in square or round stock.
Insider Tips on the Slab Flattening Mill PRO
Live edge slabs continue to dominate contemporary furniture designs. Woodpeckers Slab Flattening Mill PRO helps make slabs flat and uniform in thickness, while Jeff Farris shares setup, use, tips, and tricks for getting more done in less time.
1281 Precision Woodworking Square
Accuracy in woodworking starts with accurate layout. Watch Phil Huber, Executive Editor of Woodsmith, explain what sets the Woodpeckers 1281 Precision Woodworking Square apart and why precision matters for every woodworking project.
Will RIP-FLIP Fit Your Old Table Saw & Fence?
Woodpeckers Rip-Flip now has a version that fits Biesemeyer fences and most copies of the Biesemeyer design. Jeff Farris shows how it installs and what adapters may be needed for different fence variations.
Woodpeckers DP-Pro Drill Press Table
The Woodpeckers DP-Pro Drill Press Table turns any drill press into a precision woodworking machine. Join Marc Hopkins, shop manager at Woodsmith, as he outlines some of the great features of the DP-Pro.