Category Archives: Tool Primer

Techniques and Tips for Working in Cardboard

In spring ’24, I TA’d an Art & Design class at a local community college, where students designed sculptures from cardboard and paper tape. Planning, material selection, and tools are critical. Source wisely to avoid construction issues. Sharp blades, proper adhesives, and precise paint techniques enhance the final product.

Tool Primer: Understanding Common Glues for #Maker Project

Sooner or later during a Maker project, you have to stick it together.  You need glue.  Better yet, you need the right glue.   Some glues are formulated to work best porous materials such as paper, wood, or leather.  Some are made to work between two different substrates, say plastic and metals.  Some are madeContinue reading “Tool Primer: Understanding Common Glues for #Maker Project”

Home #Makerspace: A Young #Maker ‘s First Saw Kit

3 Saws and a Miter Box. A beginning woodworker needs enough equipment to make only two types of cuts; the cross cut and curve.   For cross cuts, I suggest a Japanese-style “pistol grip” carpenter’s saw for older makers, age 7 & up.  For very young makers, 4 to 7, I suggest the smaller flush-cut saw.   TheseContinue reading “Home #Makerspace: A Young #Maker ‘s First Saw Kit”

Tool Primer: Hand Saws for #Woodworking

Every #makerspace or #woodshop needs a hand saw or two, but which one do you need? Check out the different types of saws available in this week’s Tool Primer!

Every tool has a purpose. The Tool Primer Series explores common #makerspace and #woodworking tools. You can check out the entire series here.

Tool Primer: How to Select and Use a Router

The router can do an incredible number of tasks: cut grooves and dados, used with guides to make parts, do complex or simple joinery and create edge treatments for wood. The router can be mounted on a bench or table top or it can be manipulated by hand. The router is the single most versatile tool in the woodworker’s power tool box.

Tool Primer: How to Finish Your Project: Film Finishes

This is the third Tool Primer article on finishing your woodworking project.  You can find Part One:  Sanding here and Part Two: Penetrating Oils here. In this article I will discuss the film finishes available for woodworking projects at most local big-box hardware stores.  The first step is creating a clean, dust-free uniform surface byContinue reading “Tool Primer: How to Finish Your Project: Film Finishes”

Tool Primer: How to Finish your Project: Penetrating Oils

This is the second Tool Primer article on finishing your woodworking project.  You can find Part One:  Sanding here. In this article I will discuss the finishes available for woodworking projects at most local big-box hardware stores.  The first step is creating a clean, dust-free uniform surface by sanding all a parts to a highContinue reading “Tool Primer: How to Finish your Project: Penetrating Oils”