Page 2 - How To Guides

This juice groove router jig makes the process of routing the cutting board juice grooves easy, accurate and adjustable. 

Rockler offers both Aluminum and Phenolic router plates that fit nearly every router on the market. Read on for more information about choosing a guide for your router table.

Take a look at some of the most common screws you will need for either interior or exterior woodworking applications.

Woodworking branding irons are a popular tool among woodworkers and crafters looking to add a personalized, professional touch to their creations. These tools work by heating a metal stamp with a custom design, often featuring a logo, name, or unique symbol, and pressing it onto wood to create a lasting, burn-mark impression. Typically, branding irons can be heated either electrically or by using an open flame, and they come in various sizes and styles to suit different projects. Electric branding irons offer a consistent temperature and are quick to use, making them ideal for high-precision work and repeatable branding. Flame-heated options, on the other hand, give the user flexibility, as they can be heated with a simple propane torch or over a fire.Whether you’re a hobbyist or a professional, using a branding iron is straightforward and creates a rustic, handmade aesthetic that resonates with customers. It's an effective way to mark wood products, from furniture and cabinetry to small items like coasters or cutting boards. With the rise of handmade and artisan goods, branding irons allow creators to add that final touch, leaving a memorable, branded mark on each piece.How To Use A Branding IronThe process of branding wood is simple, but it does take a little bit of practice. To use a branding iron, you’ll first heat it until it reaches the proper temperature (this will vary depending on the wood type and iron style). Once hot, you press the branding iron firmly onto the wood surface for a few seconds, allowing the heat to burn the image into the wood. Then, remove the branding iron carefully and inspect your work. If done correctly, you’ll be left with a clean, even mark that will stand the test of time.Tips for Using Woodworking Branding Irons- Wait for branding iron to heat up completely before branding.- Lightly dampen branding location on project with water.- Try to locate brand over same species of wood. Different wood species can burn at different rates.- Hold brand in place for 3-5 seconds. Harder wood species often require longer burn times.- Make test brands on scraps of same wood species to determine optimal length of burn time.- Use an alignment jigto ensures a straight, square brand, every time.

Here are some common finishes with simple guides to their appearance, durability and application.

Lumber is not always flat and ready to use. Sometimes woodworkers must flatten a board before using it to build a project. There are several ways to flatten a board. One of the most efficient ways to flatten a board is by using a powered thickness planer, such as the DeWalt DW735x Planer. This planer makes it easy to mill lumber flat. It features a three knife cutter-head that delivers 30% longer knife life and makes knife changes faster and easier. A fan-assisted chip ejection system vacuums chips off of the cutter-head and exhausts them out of the machine keeping your workspace clean.Learn more about this planer's features and a couple tips that will help you get the most out of your planer.

Our 3-in-1 Cabinet Scraper Sharpening Tool is the only tool on the market to combine a file, 2500-grit diamond hone and hardened steel burnishing rod into one tool to cover the entire process of sharpening a card scraper. It simplifies the multi-step process of restoring a sharp edge to card scrapers and cabinet scrapers. Thanks to the angle guides on the sides, it promises a uniform burr for incredibly thin shavings. The parts of the sharpener are numbered with the sequential steps needed for a sharp edge: file, hone, draw the burr and turn the burr.

A hand plane is a versatile and inexpensive woodworking tool. It has a sharp blade that flattens, shapes and smooths wood boards. Hand planes are used by woodworkers, carpenters, cabinet makers and DIYers. There are many types of hand plane variations, each serving their own function and purpose. Like any cutting tool, a hand plane performs best when sharp. This video was produced for its free video library by The Center for Furniture Craftsmanship in Rockport, Maine. The Center is a nonprofit, international woodworking school dedicated to providing the best possible education in wood craftsmanship and design.

Cribbage is a fun card game. It's easy to make a cribbage board with the Rockler Cribbage Board Drilling Templates . The acrylic cribbage templates let you drill hundreds of

Woodworking's not much fun when the space you're working in feels more like an oven than a shop. Luckily, there are many ways to make a shop cooler and more comfortable.

A lid stay is often one of those things that you realize you need once your project is almost done. Don't let it be an afterthought, though.