The Fine Woodworking magazine is one of the finest resources on woodworking which can help anyone who is interested in woodworking. There are many aspects of this craft that any woodworker should be well versed with, to be able to take up woodworking professionally. The Fine Woodworking site features a number of informative articles, how-to videos, articles on practical woodworking tips and techniques, etc., that could prove really beneficial. In this article, we will list 10 articles including how-to videos, from their site that we consider a must read for any beginner in woodworking.
Here are 9 of my favorite How-To`s from Fine Woodworking:
- Guide to Woodworking Safety (http://www.finewoodworking.com/pages/Woodworking-Safety.asp)
The first thing that one needs to focus on while working with wood is – safety. Woodworking machines are meant to cut, chop, shave, abrade and slice wood, and if they are used carelessly they can cause fatal injuries to the person using it. Whether you are using hand tools or power tools, properly adhering to the safety norms is an absolute must. That is why this table saw safety video on Fine Woodworking tops our list. Table saw is one of the most used equipment in any woodworking shop and hence, one must be aware of the safety precautions that one must take while using it. This video has all the information that one will need to use it safely.
Woodworking safety tutorial from “Fine Woodworking”.
- Against the Grain Game (http://www.finewoodworking.com/games/against-the-grain-one.asp)
The direction of the grain in the wood matters a lot in processing the wood. This pictorial article on Fine Woodworking nails it in making any novice woodworker understand about the basics of grains in wood. This article will educate you and help you from committing your worst safety mistakes and from using terrible techniques in woodworking.
- 12 Tips for Router Table Safety (http://www.finewoodworking.com/workshop/article/12-tips-for-router-table-safety.aspx)
This is another great article on the Fine Woodworking site that we consider an absolute must for any beginner. Although, you may think that router bits are small and probably not a source of hazard. But, it is not true – they deserve every bit of your attention. You can enjoy using your power tools without any problems if you just adhere to the 12 safety guidelines that are listed in the article.
Great article about router table safety from the Fine Woodworking” magazine.
- All About Milling Lumber (http://www.finewoodworking.com/how-to/article/all-about-milling-lumber.aspx)
The foundation of a good woodworking project is laid when you select a good quality lumber for your work. Ideally, you should always be choosing a square and straight stock. That will make the task of joinery and assembly much simpler and the whole process smoother. In this article from Fine Woodworking, you will know all the essential qualities that you should look out for in your lumber – why a badly twisted board is a bad choice to pick up, whether to choose a ‘flat sawn’ or ‘quarter sawn’, how to let the wood acclimate in your shop, etc. It also shares the essential FEE system tip when working on a board. You cannot jump start woodworking without knowing the basic of judging a lumber and this article will help you with exactly that.
- All About Hand Tool Skills (http://www.finewoodworking.com/how-to/article/all-about-hand-tool-skills.aspx)
Today, you will find that there are woodworking power tools for almost every task in woodworking. However, the hand tools have their own exclusive space that cannot be encroached by power tools. Hence, any woodworker should be well versed in the use of all the basic types of hand tools used in woodworking right from handsaws, planes, chisels, measuring and marking tools, etc., and how to know when you should be using a hand tool or a power tool. This article from the Fine Woodworking dwells on the importance of the basic hand tools. It does need some practice and patience to master using them. But, once you know how to use them, you can add a touch of quality and personality to your work.
- Using Power Tools (http://www.finewoodworking.com/how-to/article/all-about-power-tool-skills.aspx)
The advent of power tools has changed the field of woodworking for the better. It has increased the speed, accuracy and efficiency of the craft. This article from Fine Woodworking covers the basic of the best practices a woodworker should follow to derive the best of it. Today, one can accomplish just about any task using a power tool. However, it is important to know when one should stick to hand tools and when one should resort to power tools.
- All About Dovetail Joints (http://www.finewoodworking.com/how-to/article/all-about-dovetail-joints.aspx)
One of the strongest joints in woodworking is the dovetail joint. However, there are some basics that you should be aware of like is the grains of the two wood pieces running in the same direction, should be use hand tools or power tools to make it, etc. This article on Dovetail joints in the Fine Woodworking site covers all your need to know about them – right from its anatomy, how to make it and the things you need to keep in mind while making it.
- Assembly and Glue Up (http://www.finewoodworking.com/how-to/article/all-about-assembly-and-glue-up.aspx)
One of the critical phases in any woodworking project is the assembly and glue step. When done right, it ensures the quality and integrity of a finished woodwork. The assembly and glue article on the Fine Woodworking site educates one about all the factors that must be taken into account at this stage.
- All about adhesives (http://www.finewoodworking.com/how-to/article/all-about-adhesives.aspx)
Choosing the right adhesive in woodworking is very important to prolong the life of your finished wood product. While modern glues are known to provide a good strength – there are certain specifics about them that one should be aware of like how much time they need to set, how moisture resistant they are, what is their curing time, etc. This article in the Fine Woodworking site will answer all your queries about the adhesives used in woodworking.
Once you go through all the articles and post we have listed here and have understood them, you will find that you will be better equipped with the knowledge to sail into the world of woodworking. The Fine Woodworking magazine indeed does a great job in imparting woodworking knowledge to people who have interest in this craft.
