Dan Shapiro's Blog

Well, I’m a bit behind on Safety Month, but since every month should be Safety Month in the workshop, I’m going to share my favorite safety device to date: The Grip-Tite magnetic feather board. This little gem is the invention of Jerry Jaksha, a hobbyist woodworker like you and me who was willing to go…

When you get lots of lumber, you’ll sometimes find small areas with really cool figure. I usually cut these out and play with them–split them in half and glue them back together to make bookmatched box tops, for example. Someday I’ll get my bandsaw set up to resaw them properly, but in the meantime, you…

The good news is that Milwaukee are introducing a new line of 28 volt lithium-ion battery powered cordless tools. The bad news is that stalwart Milwaukee is now another TTI brand.

You can slap this finish on in a night. It’s tough, scratch-resistant, alcohol and water resistant, and it goes on great over trouble woods like cocobolo. And you can get almost everything you need from the Jolly Orange Giant for under $20. Here’s how it works.

Woodshop News was kind enough to run an article on Nothing Severed Yet in its January issue.

Who knew that you could darken walnut sapwood with vinegar?

Normally, Marples Blue Chip chisels are four-for-$30. Costco has the 6 chisel set WITH a mallet for $29.97.

Kevin is a woodworker in San Jose, CA. Here are some of his favorite tools.

It aint’ just me any more! I’m bringing on some guest writers to give you more and varied opinions. Some of them might even know what they’re talking about. I may or may not edit, introduce, censor, mock, defer to, or disagree with them.

I’m always amazed at how many woodworkers don’t know about calipers. These little metal instruments of hyperaccurate joyous delight are an absolute staple for machinists; they wouldn’t be caught dead without one. Yet many woodworkers don’t have one and wouldn’t know what to do with it if they did.