Design and Layout

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  How to Turn a Shop Stool: Turning and Assembling the Legs, Spindles, and Seat

  Use a lathe and some simple mortise and tenon joints to create a unique wood stool with a footrest and stretchers.

  
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  Ian Kirby Woodworking Design: Laying Out Casework and Cuboid Furniture

  Cuboids are often difficult to design in the shop because they can’t rely on unique shapes and still function, but there is still a way to give them some charm.

  
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  Ian Kirby Woodworking Design: Viewing Wood Projects in Photo Negative

  When considering form and spacing in projects, master woodworker Ian Kirby suggests that you consider the project as a photo negativ

  
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  Shaker Dresser Project

  A modernized version of an American classic, this maple Shaker-style dresser combines old world design with modern techniques.

  
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  Ian Kirby Woodworking Design: Utilizing Form and Space, Sketch-Ups and Mockups

  In the second part of his design series, master woodworkers Ian Kirby demonstrates how to design and plan out a project before getting started.

  
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  How to Pin Down a Metal Rule Securely on a Workpiece with Your Thumb

  Using a metal rule to make measurements and marks can sometimes be tricky if it slides even slightly out of position, a slight grip change can fix this, however.

  
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  Ian Kirby Woodworking Design: Understanding Form and Space in Woodworking

  Understanding the form a project will eventually take is as much about the space it doesn’t. In this lesson, Ian Kirby looks at the use of space in his plans.

  
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  How to Remove a Double Sided Tape Joint from a Template with Acetone

  Using double sided tape to hold your template to a workpiece works great, but doesn’t come off easily. This tip shows how to fix it quickly.

  
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  Ian Kirby Woodworking Design: Understanding Furniture Layout Proportions

  Understanding proper proportions is the key to making good furniture in your workshop, as master woodworker Ian Kirby demonstrates.

  
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  How to Use Red Ink to Make Scroll Saw Patterns Easier to See and Lay Out

  Black ink or pencil can put a strain on your eyes when trying to line up with metallic or black saw blades, a different color can ease that strain.

  
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  How Do You Cut Fluting or Reeds on a Lathe Jig with an Indexing Wheel

  Accurately cutting fluting and reeds on a lathe without indexing can be difficult, but even a paper indexing wheel and a shopmade jig can make these cuts easy.

  
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  How to Use Google SketchUp and CAD Programs to Make 3D Project Drawings

  Google SketchUp is a free computer drawing program that can help translate your 2D sketches into 3D diagrams with a few clicks of your mouse.

  
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  Ian Kirby Woodworking Design: Squaring Up Measurements with Tape Measure or Pinch Rods

  Measuring diagonals with your tape measure can sometimes be inaccurate, but some well cut scrap and a tactile fit may be the solution for squaring up diagonals.

  
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  How to Start Using Google SketchUp CAD Programs for Woodworking Design

  CAD Programs like Google SketchUp are helpful in laying out projects in the early design stage, these are tips for getting started and using the software.

  
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  How to Apply Plywood Veneer Edge Banding to Solid Wood with Masking Tape Hold-Downs

  There are a lot of different techniques for applying solid wood edging to plywood, but for quicker, easier application follow this workshop tested technique.

  
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  How to Apply Hot Melt Veneer Shelving Tape with a Hot Iron and J-Roller

  If you can’t use solid wood edging or want a different look, heat activated veneer tape can be a good option, and applying it is quite simple.

  
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  Ian Kirby Woodworking Design: Making Cuts and Joinery with Marking Tools

  Marking tools are an often forgotten but essential tool in your shop, pencils and knives make marking and planning cuts and joinery easier.

  
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  How to Use a Tape Measure and Bar Clamp to Measure without Calipers

  If you have a workpiece too large to measure with a calipers, you can take the measurement with a bar clamp and measure that gap accurately.

  
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  Woodworker thinks outside the box – the ICE box!

  Reader Ron Sommerville remodeled his antique farmhouse kitchen with wood panel overlays and classic icebox hardware on his modern refrigerator.

  
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  How to Square-Up Projects Using Corner-to-Corner Diagonal Measurements

  When woodworkers measure to square up small projects, they often measure out by diagonal instead of just using a square, Woodworker’s Journal editor Rob Johnstone explains why.