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First Step for Finishing

Find blemishes before they can ruin your projects.

Sanding & Finishing

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Finishing Room: Two-Tone Harvest Table

The painted base and natural, oak top for this project provides a sub…

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Applying a Tinted Wax

If you are looking for an easy way to amp up the look of your painted…

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Phil's Favorite Filler

When filling blemishes in my painted projects I like to reach for thi…

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Upgrade Your Shop Vac With A Cyclone Separator

A low-cost cyclone separator kit and this simple cart can turn a shop…

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THE SECRET TO BETTER STAINING

Stain is a great way to add color and accentuate the grain of a proje…

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Shop-Made Edge Sanding Block

Hardwood edging is a beautiful addition to the functionality of plywo…

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Tips for Staining Large Projects

Staining a large, complex project like this bookcase isn't always as …

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Shop-Built Drill Press Edge Sander

A full-size, dedicated edge sander is a nice luxury to have in your s…

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Handheld Sanding Belt

Sanding oddly shaped pieces can be a pain. Matching the contours can …

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Hassle-Free Finishing

I like to pre-finish my project parts for convenience and a better fi…

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MAKING A SCRAPER BLADE FOR WOODWORKING

A card scraper is one of my favorite hand tools, but there is a way t…

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APPLYING A WATER-BASED FINISH TO A TOOL CART

Phil shares some tips and tricks for creating a great-looking and dur…

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Sander Turntable

Here's a clever way to get the most out of your working surfaces in y…

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Bluing Hardware for an Aged Look

Dillon Baker, Design Editor, steps through the process for hot bluing…

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Upgrade Your Shop Vac With A Cyclone Separator

A low-cost cyclone separator kit and this simple cart can turn a shop…

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Makeshift Sanding Station

Sanding small parts can be a pain. They're hard to hold while also ma…

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Scary Sharp Tools on a Drill Press Powered Sharpe…

Your drill press might not be the first thing you think of when you w…

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Vacuum Stabilizing Wood

Things get interesting any time you combine woodworking and chemistry…

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Quick and Easy Finishing Station

With a scrap piece of pegboard and a handful of golf tees, you can qu…

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Shop-Built Drill Press Edge Sander

A full-size, dedicated edge sander is a nice luxury to have in your s…

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All About Wax

Wax is one of the oldest and easiest to use finishes. Woodworker and …

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Tougher Sanding Strips

Sometimes sanding strips are the easiest way to smooth out curved sur…

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Drum Sander Dust Shield

A drum sander in a drill press is about the best dust making tool in …

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Shop-Made Edge Sander

This shop-built edge sander makes quick work of tough sanding jobs. P…

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Thrifty Finishing Points

Raising a project off the bench top while applying a finish keeps the…

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Chamfer Guide

A disc sander makes quick work of creating a chamfer. What's challeng…

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Sanding Block

A hand sanding block is an essential tool for creating a surface that…

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Dust Hose Adapter

The dust port on my sander doesn't match the size of the hose on my s…

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Drill Press Sander

One challenge of working with small parts is fine-tuning the size saf…

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Turntable Sander

A combination disc/belt sander is a valuable shop workhorse. The prob…

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Clever Cove Sander

For a smooth surface on cove molding, you need a sanding block that m…

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Box Fan Tower

A run-of-the-mill box fan can help you stay cool in the shop or provi…

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Small Parts Sander

One of the difficult aspects of working with small parts is sanding t…

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Biscuit Painter Points

Supporting a workpiece is a critical part of achieving a smooth finis…

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Chisel Sander

A set of chisels is a must-have in any woodworking shop. While the sh…

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Finishing Standoffs

One hassle in applying finish to a project or assembly is waiting for…

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Recording Stains and Finishes

Here's a quick way to keep track of the stain and finish you use on a…

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Eye Bolt Paint Stirrer

One overlooked key to applying a good-looking finish is making sure t…

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Chamfer Sander

Easing the edge of a workpiece not only helps it look better, but it …

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Quick & Easy Sanding Pad

Making cove molding at the table saw leaves small ridges that need to…

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Liquid Eraser

Layout lines are essential for accurate work. But once the task is co…

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Painting Hardware

Low-cost steel hardware is certainly practical. But its looks are a l…

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Drill Press Buffing Wheel

Creating a glass-smooth finish on curved objects isn't easy to do by …

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Glue Cup and Brush Keeper

Keeping your work area organized goes a long way toward making projec…

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PVC Finishing Supports

Simple and quick to make, these finishing supports are made from scra…

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Roller Bars for Finishing

Whether you're working on large, bulky projects or finishing a small …

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Shop-Made Detail Sander

A large sanding block is a must for preparing surfaces. On joinery an…

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Workshop Reminders

Here's an easy way to remember your place and save time.

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Sanding Block Upgrade

A simple add-on helps you keep crisp edges while sanding.

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Project Finishing Center

Inexpensive hardware creates a handy turntable.

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More Life for Brushes

Simple tips for taking care of your brushes.

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Outdoor Finish Options

Three good choices for protecting your deck and patio furniture.

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Saw Horse Upgrade

Build this adjustable easel for easy finishing.

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Handy Finishing Tips

Get a grip on finishing small pieces.

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Don's Favorite Finish

Learn this technique for a super-smooth finish.

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Using Dyes for Better Color

Learn how to apply dye to your project.

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Create a Custom Stain Color

A simple approach for a unique look.

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Secrets for Smooth Surfaces

Tips and tricks for scraping and sanding.

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First Step for Finishing

Find blemishes before they can ruin your projects.

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Check Out One of Our Favorite Tools

It's our secret weapon for smooth surfaces

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Benchtop Finishing Station

This low-cost platform saves time

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Low-Cost Finishing Platform

Simple supports raise your project

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Fast Fix for Gaps and Blemishes

Learn a shop secret for better-looking projects

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Top Tip for Long-Lasting Brushes

Keep your brushes working great for years to come

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Perfect Finish for Small Projects

Here's an easy-to-apply, fast-drying finish for gift projects

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Fast Fix for Finish Flaws

An Easy Way to Touch Up Blemishes

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Quick & Easy Finishing Technique

A Hybrid Approach Looks Great and Saves Time

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Best Workbench Finish

Learn our Favorite Finish for Hard-Working Surfaces

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High-End Look for Less

Learn One of Our Finishing Secrets for Low-Cost Lumber

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Creating Smooth Surfaces

Simple Solutions for Flawless Paninted Projects

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Tight-Fitting Box Joints

Quick & Easy Way to Fix Small Gaps

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Spray Can Accessory

A low-cost accessory gives you more control

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Mat Holder

Turn your workbench into a sanding station

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Small Shop Spray System

Learn how to spray any finish

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Removing Saw Marks Using a Drum Sander in the Dri…

Great technique for sanding multiple pieces to the same thickness.

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Steaming Dents Out of Wood

Here's an easy technique for steaming dents out of wood.

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Quick Tip Saves Time When Finishing

Simple stand holds the project off the table so you can apply finish …

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Sanding the Corner of a Mitered Frame

A custom sanding block with solves this tricky sanding problem.

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Hassle-Free Thin Strips

This unique push block makes cuts safe, easy, accurate.

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Dust-Free Routing

This easy-to-make hood captures dust right at the source.

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Cordless Tool Station

Keep your tool chargers close at hand with this rack.

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Maintaining a Cast Iron Table Saw Top

My table saw sees a lot of use, and the cast iron top can start to sh…

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Simple Miter Saw Holddown

The miter saw is great for cutting down larger pieces of wood, but it…

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Building a Wall-Mounted Utility Shelf

This shelf isn't meant to hold every tool you own. But it's perfect f…