Frequently Asked Questions about Widebelt Sanders
A general list of guidelines when using widebelt sanders - 1998

CNC Versus Traditional Machinery for a Start-Up Shop
Here's a long, detailed, and thoughtful discussion about the ideal equipment investment for starting a cabinet shop, focusing on whether to jump into CNC right from the get-go. October 18, 2011

- Wood species
Information on tree species and their uses. March 20, 2001

Equipment For New Cabinet Business
Equipment and other advice for a beginning businessman. August 26, 2004

Advice about Starting a Cabinet Business
Cabinetmakers deliver several truckloads of advice to a young person with some start-up cash and a lot of enthusiasm. October 25, 2006

Face-Frame Versus Frameless Cabinetry
Have we had that discussion yet on the relative merits of face-frame and frameless construction? August 15, 2006

Optimizing Materials Versus Speed when Cutting Parts on a Slider
Wasted time is pitted against wasted material. November 30, 2009

Line Boring and Dowel Assembly Tips
Here's a long discussion about choosing a line boring machine and about best techniques for doweling and cabinet assembly. April 12, 2011


Cabinetmaker's Responsibilities
Lively conversation about who should handle plumbing, electrical, etc. on kitchen/bath projects. December 9, 2004

Blind woodworker's story
A blind cabinetmaker tells the story of his education and career in woodworking. (From WOODWEB's Cabinetmaking Forum) January 21, 2003

Are Solid Wood Dovetailed Drawers Worth It?
Cabinetmakers discuss the cost and value of various drawer materials and construction methods. February 28, 2012

Small Shop Struggles
A one-employee cabinet shop owner gets wide-ranging practical advice on managing his fledgling business. The voice of experience, from pros who have been there. August 29, 2005

Switching from Office Work to the Cabinet Trade
A computer programmer asks whether he's crazy to want to work in a cabinet shop instead. A long, spirited debate ensues. April 9, 2008

Square Edges and Edgebanding
Woodweb's Cabinetmaking forum straightens out a shop owner who has been edgebanding after putting cabinets together. Along the way there's a detailed discussion of how to produce square edge cuts, even with basic equipment. March 3, 2009

Cabinet Businesses Overseas
Here's an in-depth discussion of what it's like to move your U.S. cabinet business to a developing country (where, yes, there are opportunities). August 29, 2011

Sawdust as fuel
Building a sawdust-fired boiler to heat kiln and shop. November 18, 2002

Cupping of a Solid Wood Countertop
Woodworkers troubleshoot a case of moisture-related movement in a kitchen countertop. April 14, 2010

Nested-Based Routers Versus Beam Saw and Point-to-Point
Two different technologies, same product — why pick one or the other? January 14, 2008

Choosing Sliding Table Saws and Panel Saws
Pros discuss the choices in panel saws and sliding table saws, and offer advice on modifying equipment for better performance. November 10, 2006

Setting Up Excalibur Slider
Tips and photos for accurate alignment. March 14, 2004

Coping With Burnout
Cabinetmakers discuss how to keep interest alive and productivity up while juggling multiple roles in a one-man cabinet business. March 12, 2009

More About Sanding
And some more about sanding. Then, a little more about sanding. Finally, just a little more about sanding. June 5, 2006

MDF versus particleboard
Strength and other qualities in relation to cabinet construction. (From WOODWEB's Cabinetmaking Forum) March 23, 2003

Choosing a Verical Panel Saw or Slider
A question about choosing a panel saw slips into familiar territory: would a slider be better? That all depends, of course; cabinetmakers here share experiences they've had with both. November 23, 2012

Flattening boards with a planer
Methods for planing warped wood flat. September 25, 2002

Woodshop Waste Percentage
How much wood do you waste in the construction of your product? June 21, 2004

Stickley Design
A question about Stickley style provokes answers starting with a discussion about rift-sawn and quartersawn oak, and ending with a wide-ranging ramble (or was that rumble?) about Gustav Stickley, the Arts and Crafts movement, history, and the philosophy of work and play. Some pictures of cabinets he ......

Melamine: Why?
If you think melamine is for cheap manufactured imported cabinets, think again. This discussion explores the varied character of melamine, including its appropriate use in some top-dollar projects. August 16, 2012

Compressed air delivery system
Appropriate piping for shop air distribution lines. January 15, 2003

Table Saw Blade Height Above Material
Here's a long, thoughtful discussion of the practical and safety aspects of setting blade height when working with a table saw. November 13, 2009

Cabinet Software and Photo-Realistic Rendering
This thread on a timeworn topic (choosing cabinet design software) has an extra feature: some examples of super-realistic rendering. January 13, 2009

Quirk Bead Cutters
An extended discussion on cutterheads for making quirk bead, plus equipment choices and setups for this custom decorative detail. March 3, 2009

Sliding Table Saws — Choices and Alternatives
A discussion about upgrading the panel cutting capabilities of a shop with limited floor space. July 28, 2012

Speeding Up CNC Router Production
Tips on operation, loading and unloading for efficiency. December 26, 2004

Small Chunks Sticking to the Edgebander Roller
Trying to get to the bottom of a performance issue with an edgebander: small particleboard core chunks sticking to the glue roller are starving parts of the joint for glue. November 15, 2010

Baby Steps toward More Efficient Sanding
A small shop owner considers stepping up to a drum sander or stroke sander, or just investing in more compressor capacity and some pneumatic hand sanders. October 27, 2011

Equipment and Curriculum for a Woodworking School
Woodworkers discuss the shop equipment, software, and focus appropriate for a serious secondary school program intended to train professional woodworkers. July 27, 2008

Choosing a Standard Method for Cabinet Construction
A supervisor helping a new cabinet company establish its standard production system gets feedback about the pros and cons of many different assembly methods, from a variety of perspectives. July 11, 2013

Drum Sander or Wide Belt Sander?
Another discussion comparing and contrasting widebelt sanders and drum sanders (widebelts win).October 3, 2011

Vacuum Veneered Drawer Faces
Vacuum laminating is ideally suited for creating curved surfaces. May 23, 2006

Installing Framed Cabinets
Save time with careful layout and the right tools. February 9, 2001

Organizing Tight Shop Space
A start-up cabinetmaker is working in cramped conditions. Other chime in with space-economizing ideas for workflow and storage. August 29, 2005

Woodworking 101: The Basics
and shows how it can affect various production operations. 1998.

Proper Size for a One-Man Shop
Bigger is better, woodworkers agree. April 6, 2007

How to Prevent Sanding Swirl Marks
There is more to power sanding than you might think. Here, pros discuss the fine points. December 26, 2006

What's the Best Tool for Cutting Panels?
A start-up shop owner asks whether he should purchase a sliding table saw, a vertical panel saw, or maybe even a beam saw. Experienced hands offer thoughtful opinions. July 6, 2005

Tools and Methods for Beaded Face Frames
Cutting the beads and the miter joinery could be a CNC deal, a table-saw and jig deal, or a hand chisel and shooting block deal. Here's the debate. April 15, 2011

Determining CNC feeds and speeds
Where to begin in a world with no standards. June 19, 2003

Learning About Edgebanders
Advice for a woodworker who is in the market for a very low-priced edgebander, and wants to educate himself about edgebanders and other machinery. March 13, 2014

Finishing in-house vs on-site
Is quality compromised when cabinets are finished on the job site? November 22, 2003

Getting Mahogany Flat
Very hard woods with alternating grain patterns sometimes develop waviness when sanded with wide-belt equipment. Here's an extensive discussion of the characteristics of Mahogany, and of ways to approach it using both hand tools and power equipment. November 12, 2005

Organizing Drills, Drivers, and Bits
Groping for a labeling method to keep track of different driver bits in different tools. August 31, 2009

Choosing a Sliding Table Saw
It's wiser to buy quality used equipment than a low-end brand new unit. May 27, 2006

Sliding Table Saw Safety
Here's an extensive set of tips and cautions for working safely with a sliding table saw. December 2, 2010

Shop-Built Custom Shapers
Advice on motor and pulley sizing for a dedicated-purpose shop-built shaper, plus a discussion of the alternatives to making a special-purpose tool. March 3, 2009

Parametric Drawings
Can parametric design simplify change orders? May 19, 2004

Stabilizing Details for a Mahogany Island Top
Concerned about wood movement, pros consider options including threaded rod reinforcement, sliding dovetails, or thin-sawing the wood. December 10, 2008

Drum Sander Options for a Small Shop
This thread wanders a little, but it sheds some light on the sander choices available for the owner of a one-man shop with space and budget limits. March 12, 2015

Shopping for a Used Edgebander
This discussion of comparison shopping for an edgebander has some detailed info from a maintenance and repair technician. May 30, 2011

Blade Choices for Table Saws
Thoughts on which saw blades work best for which materials, and some general info on saw blade characteristics and maintenance. December 27, 2010

Who cuts sink holes?
Is this the responsibility of the cabinetmaker or installer? December 17, 2003

Joinery Methods for Attaching Face Frames to Cabinets
A long discussion on various joinery methods for face frame fastening. June 16, 2010

Finger Versus Tablesaw
A cautionary tale of a seven-stitches encounter with a tablesaw blade sets off a discussion of accidents had and lessons learned. April 25, 2006

Going from handcrafted to CNC
Discussion of P2Ps, dedicated boring, edgebanders and other equipment, software and processes. August 29, 2001

Building with Pre-Finished Plywood
Pre-finished plywood can streamline the construction and finishing workflow. Here are some tips and stories. July 12, 2012

Set-ups for spraying cabinet doors
Methods for clean and efficient finishing. Includes photos.. October 9, 2002

When to use waterbornes
Applications where waterborne coatings will and won't work. May 22, 2002

Miter-Saw Kickback Injury Story
Miter-saw one, woodworker zero. Pain. Injury. January 19, 2011

Opaque Finish for a 1920's-Look Kitchen
Conversion varnish and high-quality latex enamel are the candidates. Here's a discussion. July 14, 2010

Edgebander or Small CNC?
A part-time garage-shop cabinetmaker gets advice on whether his next investment should be a CNC or an edgebander. Good thoughts on both sides in this long thread. October 11, 2007

Corner Chisel Fine Points
Tool choice, sharpening methods, and hand techniques for cleaning out mortise corners. November 13, 2009

A Sliding Table Saw in a Small Work Space
Here's another long discussion of the value of sliding table saws, and the practical aspects of fitting one into a small shop footprint. July 29, 2012

Curling of a Cutting Board Set in a Concrete Countertop
Woodworkers attempt to cure a problem created by placing wood in a moist situation on one side. No easy answers here. June 18, 2009

Using the Rip Fence as a Stop on a Sliding Table Saw
There are calibration and accuracy issues when using the rip fence as a work stop on a slider, but they are minor ones. November 20, 2008

Darkening existing finishes onsite
Setting up shop in the customer's home in order to modify a finish. October 9, 2002

Quality of Cherry Lumber
Cabinetmakers discuss cherry quality, grading standards, and the market. August 17, 2006

Stepping Up to 3-Millimeter Edgebanding
3mm edgebanding is a step up in quality, and it requires a serious equipment investment. November 8, 2008

What's your Favorite Machine?
Woodworkers chime in about the equipment they love. May 26, 2010

Sealing Plywood to Slow Down Formaldehyde Emissions
Here's an extended discussion of whether, and how, to seal plywood in order to reduce the emissions of formaldehyde (or whether to purchase a different type of plywood instead). December 27, 2010

Sanders
Basic descriptions of every type of sanding equipment commonly found in wood shops. November 13, 2008

Drum Sanders Versus Belt Sanders
Advice for a cabinetmaker on selecting some serious sanding equipment. November 30, 2009

Installation ... but we've never done it -- like that before!
Jon Elvrum discusses the biggest obstacle in learning to install frameless cabinets: Old habits. 1998.

Entry-Level Edgebanding
Here's a discussion of how to accomplish occasional and incidental edgebanding with decent quality, when you don't do enough of that kind of work to justify a big investment. August 19, 2013

Saws
Basic descriptions of sliding table saws, miter saws, re-saws, and related saw equipment used in wood shops. November 13, 2008

Relationships with Edgebanders
No two ways about it, edgebanders are temperamental. Here's an extended discussion on getting through the working day with your useful but finicky mechanical partner. December 7, 2007

Sink cutouts in post form tops
Woodworkers share their favorite methods. April 3, 2002

Unpainted MDF Filler Strips Near a Dishwasher
Is it safe to have a cut MDF edge located close to a dishwasher? Cabinetmakers talk about materials, water resistance, and the meaning of "quality." July 9, 2007

Ultimate Primer on 2 Head Wide Belt Sanders
Tips and advice on how to best utilize and achieve success using 2 head wide belt sanders. June 14, 2015

Doing the Front-End Math
Jon Elvrum provides a process for making the transition to the 32mm system.

Should I Joint and Plane My Own Face-Frame Stock?
It's work to get nice flush joints and consistent dimensions on cabinet face frames. Here's a discussion about whether to surface your own stock or buy pre-planed lumber. January 28, 2009

Designing entertainment centers
Important considerations when designing and building multimedia centers. August 25, 2003

Figuring Out Woodshop Power Requirements
Amps, volts, watts, horsepower, and all that jazz: here's an instructive thread on how to figure out if a building's power supply will support your plans for shop equipment. July 9, 2007

New Shop Layout
Efficient shop flow for increased profit. February 28, 2004

CNC Router Versus Vertical Panel Saw
Which to invest in? It all depends on the shop's needs and the business plan. January 8, 2007

Regular or dewaxed shellac?
is an appropriate primer coat. May 22, 2002

Shop-Built Beaded Face Frame Notching Machine
A Woodweb member displays the machine he invented and built to automate the notch cuts for beaded face-frame joinery. June 15, 2009

Choosing Compressed Air Line Piping Materials
Here's a long, detailed, and well-informed discussion about air supply pipe materials, sizing, and layout. January 19, 2011

Switching to Factory-Built Cabinets
A Gulf Coast cabinetmaker has had good luck with a line of factory cabinets. His story triggers a discussion of today's market realities and the pros and cons of adding factory-made cabs to your business model. November 10, 2006

Compressed-Air Piping for a Woodshop
Copper is considered the safe choice, but here is a discussion of some alternatives, and tips on a workable setup. April 21, 2007

Making Mitered Boxes with MDF
Here's a long discussion of how to get accurate, clean miter joints with MDF, time after time. September 26, 2009

Building a Stroke Sander
Craftsmen share tips about making and running this handy shop tool. October 2, 2005

Drawers and the Utilization of Space
Why slide-integrated drawer systems are less costly to produce and provide greater space efficiency than traditional drawer construction. 1998.

Cabinet Startup
A general contractor gets advice on getting started building his own cabinets. Some have done it on a shoestring. January 23, 2012

Why Does Plywood Warp?
An extended technical and practical discussion of dimensional instability in plywood panels. January 20, 2010

Stretchers Versus Full Tops
Stretchers at the top of cabinet carcases sometimes cause drawers to get stuck. Is it wiser to just build a full top onto the cabinet?July 5, 2011

Drawer Building Options
Materials choices, fastening methods and systems for drawer assembly. September 23, 2006

Cabinet Machining and Assembly Options in a CNC Shop
Accuracy and efficiency are the goals. How you get there can vary, depending on your machinery choices. December 7, 2008

Machinery Choices for Slab Door Production
A discussion of which machinery will best optimize productivity: a beam saw, a panel saw, or a CNC? May 15, 2014

Is There Any Future in Woodworking?
A young shop owner starts an informal survey of whether it's a field that's worth spending your life in. October 13, 2010

Tuning Up an Older Edgebander
A cabinetmaker gets help with an adhesion problem with an old-model Adwood edgebander. September 27, 2009

Cabinet Specs for Value and Durability
Cabinetmakers recommend material and hardware choices for a school project. April 14, 2010

Spray Shop Layout
Setting up an efficient spray-finishing area in an expanded shop. December 26, 2004

Dowel Joint Design, Strength, and Precision
A long discussion on tweaking dowel and hole size to get good alignment and a strong joint. January 19, 2011

The Most Important Skills to Learn
An apprentice woodworker asks what he should concentrate on for a career in the trade, and gets a full helping of good advice. October 2, 2005

Cost of Shop Power
Understanding (and minimizing) your shop's utility bill. July 5, 2006

Kitchen Advice for a Young Beginner
A youngster gets some advice and encouragement about getting into the kitchen cabinet business. April 20, 2008

Selling a Cabinet Shop as a Business
Does a successful cabinetmaking business have a market value above and beyond the value of machinery in the used market? Only in special cases. October 18, 2011

Sliding Table Saw and Panel Saw Choices
Cabinetmakers kick around the uses of sliders and panel saws, what makes a good one, and which to purchase if you can't have both. November 22, 2005

Cabinet Carcase Fastening Method Debate
Here's an enthusiastic slam-and-jam discussion of preferences concerning how to assemble cabinets. April 14, 2010

Re-Flattening a Warped Countertop
A beautiful wood countertop warped after it was finished on one side only, then stored for years. This discussion is about making it flat again by kerfing the underside and clamping the piece. September 16, 2008

Plunge Cut Circular Saw Versus Table Saw
For a part-time shop, can a high-quality circular saw and guide setup take the place of a table saw for panel cutting on small jobs? June 3, 2009

Sliding Table Saw Versus Vertical Panel Saw
Another take on a common topic: whether to buy a panel saw or a slider (or both). September 26, 2009

The Ultimate Primer on Single Head Wide Belt Sanding
With understanding of how successive grits function, you can improve the efficiency of your belt sanding and orbital sanding process while optimizing the quality of the results. November 12, 2014

Fine-Tuning for Accurate Cross-Cuts
starting with zeroing in your square itself. July 28, 2007

Problems with Chinese Plywood
Cabinetmakers report widespread quality and performance problems with hardwood plywood imported from China. May 22, 2007

Machining Face Frame Stock
A cabinetmaker gets advice on improving his process for planing and dimensioning face frame material — or whether to buy pre-milled stock instead. October 12, 2007

Line-Foot Estimating
Advice on efficiently coming up with ballpark numbers for a cabinet job proposal. August 8, 2008

Edgebander Glue in Small Lots (and Related Issues)
This thread starts with simple Q&A about getting particular glue colors in small-job quantities, but goes on to explore many aspects of edgebander setup and maintenance.February 17, 2012

Finding a Use for Scrap Sheet Goods
A cabinet maker asks, "What can I do with all those drops?" March 17, 2005

Expanding Table Saw Capacity
Woodworkers discuss choosing a second table saw, building on an outfeed table, using a "shoot board," and other ways to expand panel ripping and crosscutting capacity. August 3, 2009

Straight-Line Rip-Saw for a Small Shop?
Should a two-man cabinet shop acquire a straight-line rip-saw? The discussion balances cost against quality and productivity issues. March 13, 2014

Standardizing Cabinet Construction
Thoughts on how to formalize your cabinet-building methods for efficiency and consistent quality. October 13, 2008

New Shop Options — Steel Building or Pole Building?
Business owners discuss the costs and merits of engineered steel buildings and pole barns. September 4, 2005

Cabinet Refacing Basics
Solid tips on refacing cabinets. April 9, 2008

Choosing a Hand-Held Sander
Woodworkers discuss the options in electric and air-powered random orbital sanders. December 28, 2014

Setting Up a 32mm Stop System
Tips on the "Sticks" 32mm stop system from Metricks, and general advice on getting started with 32mm Euro cabinetry methods. August 31, 2009

What Do You Call That Space Behind the Hinge?
From aperture to void, woodworkers consider the appropriate term for a part of a cabinet that has no name. January 19, 2012

Widebelt Sander Adjustment and Scratch Patterns
A close look at widebelt sander head adjustment and its effect on the quality of the results. April 29, 2010

32mm Systems and Drawer Stretchers
A discussion of the fine points of positioning and installing drawers stretchers (or "spreaders") in a 32mm Euro cab system. July 15, 2011

Shop Heat Solutions
Ideas and suggestions for heating a woodworking shop. March 26, 2008

Flat Panel Cabinet Doors
Using solid wood or veneered MDF for panels. April 18, 2004

Ripping Hardwood on a Sliding Table Saw
Advice on ripping hardwood lumber on a sliding table saw, and other useful slider tricks. February 6, 2007

Tweaking a Woodmaster Sander
Advice on how to get acceptable sanding performance out of a small multi-purpose machine. January 19, 2011

Layer Names and Line Defaults
Organizing and simplifying layers in CAD. May 19, 2004

Cloth Versus Paper Sanding Belts
Cloth belts are washable and last longer, but may mark the wood more than paper belts. Here's a detailed look at all the pros and cons. January 12, 2015

Does Your Sanding Make Sense?
"Trouble starts when taking off more than a belt can handle, or taking off more than the scratch pattern of the previous head. These are the most common mistakes in sanding... It can be incredibly frustrating to see a company trapped in a prison of their own design because they really never und ......

Getting a Square, Clean Edge on Face Frame Stock
Cabinetmakers discuss tolerances for face frame edges, and compare ways of prepping stock. April 6, 2007

Small Shop Case Construction
More back-and-forth on how to assemble cabinet carcases. April 6, 2007

Specialty Sawing Vocabulary
A newcomer asks for definitions of terms like "resawing," "ripsaw," and "chopsaw." December 30, 2005

Scribing in Difficult Situations
Techniques and tactics for problematic scribing. September 9, 2004

Roller Conveyors and Racks for Organizing and Moving Cabinet Parts
A discussion of how to organize part movement and batch operations in a medium-volume cabinet shop. July 15, 2011

Cutting Flutes in Pilasters
Advice on using a table saw or router to make fluted woodwork. January 13, 2009

Edgebanders: Glue Pot Versus Cartridge Versus Hot Air
Here's a detailed discussion of edgebander characteristics, for a shop owner who's trying to make a purchase decision. May 28, 2010

Choosing and Using a Pocket Hole Jig
Thoughts about what entry-level pocket-hole system to choose, and how to get the best use out of it. March 26, 2008

Dowel and Confirmat Combination for Cabinet Assembly?
Another discussion of using dowels for precise alignment, plus Confirmat screws for quick, no-clamp assembly. April 18, 2011

Building a Cabinetmaker's Workbench
Pros discuss the characteristics of a good shop workbench. July 21, 2006

Clamping Lock Miters
A discussion of the fine points of aligning, clamping, and gluing miter joints, with some commentary on whether lock miters are even worth the trouble. June 3, 2013

Compressor Noise
Thoughts on choosing a quieter air compressor, or muffling a noisy one. April 18, 2006

Beaded face frames on CNC
Developing the right CNC setup for beaded face frames. February 13, 2001

Whether to Mill Your Own Cabinet Mouldings
Is it practical for a cabinetmaker to mill his own mouldings? Shop owners say that depending on your situation, investing in a moulder might be worth it. July 29, 2007

Straight Line Ripping on Two Edges
Cabinetmakers discuss the difficulty, cost, benefits, and drawbacks of buying lumber that has been straight line ripped on two edges — or buying the equipment and doing it yourself. October 13, 2012

FOB defined
Origins and meanings of the term "freight on board." (Sawing and Drying Forum) March 23, 2003

Drum Sander Versus Wide Belt
Shop owners discuss the differences and share experiences. October 8, 2005

Whether to Rip Your Own Stock
Cabinet shops consider the pros and cons of setting up to gang-rip and surface stock, instead of ordering it that way from a supplier. February 12, 2009

Preventing Back Pain
Seasoned cabinetmakers discuss shoes, boots, floor mats, exercise, and other back-pain prevention strategies. November 30, 2009

Preventing Sweat Marks on Work
Thoughts on how to affordably air condition a wood shop in a hot climate, and advice on preventing sweat from discoloring wood or finishes. May 23, 2011

Shopping for a Widebelt Sander: One Head or Two?
Expert advice on good characteristics for a belt sander, with advice on effective sanding and some first-hand reports on a few models. April 19, 2015

Drawer Slide Choices for Pull-Out Shelving
Thoughts on whether to use high-end drawer slides to mount pull-out shelves, and on what the installation process would entail. February 26, 2007

Polyester vs. Acrylic Fabrication
Pros and cons, including quality and cost in solid surface choices. May 19, 2004

Finished Versus Unfinished Cabinet Installations
In some areas, cabinets are often delivered unfinished and sprayed on site, but in other markets that's practically unheard-of. Here, cabinetmakers discuss the pros and cons of both approaches. May 23, 2007

Driver Choices for Cabinet Assembly Confirmat Screws
Cabinetmakers discuss the options in cordless, corded, and air-powered drivers for cabinet assembly using Confirmat screws. June 17, 2012

Face Frames First?
Most small cabinet shops build face frames first, boxes second. Here, woodworkers explain their preferences. July 5, 2006

Feets Don't Fail Me Now
All day on on your feet on a concrete shop floor is an rX for full-body pain. In this thread from the Cabinetmaking forum, old hands with old feet tell where they stand on personal footwear. October 1, 2005

Touching Up the Burnt Ends of a Routed Flute
Here's advice on cleaning up the rounded end of a flute if the router leaves burn marks — and on scraper sharpening, and on how to avoid those burn marks to begin with. February 11, 2010

Stroke, drum and widebelt sanders
What sort of sander is most efficient for a small cabinet shop? July 24, 2001

Cabinet Back Construction Choices
Cabinet backs are important for attachment to the wall. What's the best detail? April 16, 2010

Miter Joinery in a Wood Countertop
In principle, a miter joint in wood is problematic because of moisture-related expansion and contraction. But some installers say that if the whole countertop is left free to move, the joint will be okay. January 25, 2013

Mobile Shop in a Trailer?
Cabinetmakers discuss the practicality of running a woodshop on wheels. June 28, 2007

DeWalt 3521 Radial Arm Saw
A collector and reseller of old American-made tools discusses a classic radial arm saw. March 26, 2013

Compressor Choices for Pneumatic Sanders
It takes a lot of air to power air sanders, but many shop owners consider the upgrade worthwhile. Here's extensive advice on compressor choice, with additional tips on setup and operation. September 8, 2007

Value of a Sliding Table Saw
Cabinetmakers discuss whether, and why, a sliding table saw is worth having around when other tools can do (sort of) the same thing.April 29, 2012

Forced-Air Shop Heat Versus Radiant Heating
A few thoughts on the effect different heating system types have on comfort for people, and conditions for wood or machinery. April 10, 2008

Whether to Rebuild an Edgebander
Here's a savvy discussion of the pros and cons of replacing a few important parts on an edgebander to keep it running for more years. June 15, 2014

Equipment Choices
A closet contractor shopping for an edgebander, boring machine, and panel saw considers his machinery options, new versus used equipment, and whether to lease or buy. November 11, 2005

Shopping for a Panel Saw
Advice on how to get your money's worth for a panel saw, and thoughts on choosing a slider or a track-guided circular saw instead. May 28, 2010

Joinery for a U-Shaped Wood Countertop
Given the natural tendency for wood to move, joinery for a complex wood countertop requires some careful thinking. December 1, 2010

Countersinking Confirmats in Melamine
Troubleshooting a problem with getting cabinet assembly screws driven flush. September 28, 2009

Joinery for Cabinet Drawer Boxes
What's the best joint for a drawer box, asks a shop owner who wants to supply drawers for the trade? Cabinetmakers share their thoughts on drawer joinery and on supplying the outsourcing market. November 22, 2005

Efficiently Ripping a Straight Edge on Rough Stock
A spirited discussion on jigs, equipment, and how investing in the right machinery can make you money. February 27, 2015

Delivery Truck Choices
How best to move cabinets: Truck or trailer? Purchase or lease? Or just hire a moving company? Shop owners kick the topic around. September 4, 2005

Sliding Table Attachment
Woodworkers report varying degrees of satisfaction with sliding table attachments for their tablesaws. One big factor may be how carefully you first set the equipment up. December 14, 2005

Troubleshooting Table-Saw Tearout
Blade sharpness is a bigger factor than you might think. May 10, 2005

Edgebander Options and Space Considerations
A closet contractor working in a small space considers an edgebander upgrade. September 7, 2006

Upper Cabinet Construction
Humorous but insightful thread on cabinet joinery. June 16, 2010

Eliminating Melamine Chip-Out
Suggestions for blade choice and equipment tweaks that will help reduce chip-out when cutting melamine on the table saw. May 6, 2010

A Tale of Two Grit Sequences
Sophisticated practical advice on the wise sequence of grit choices for a belt sander to optimize sanding effectiveness while removing final scratches and preventing burnishing defects. November 12, 2014

Troubleshooting Widebelt Sander Electric Eye and Belt Tracking
Widebelt sanders use an electric eye to control belt oscillation, and the system can malfunction in peculiar ways. October 19, 2014

Heating a Woodshop
Shop owners chime in on heating options and climate-control considerations. August 31, 2005

How to attach a drawer front
Fine-tuning the attachment of applied drawer fronts. September 25, 2002

Table Saw Blade Alignment
Advice on keeping a table saw blade parallel to the fence, and some general observations on accuracy and tolerances. October 25, 2006

Hanging Cabinet Doors
The efficiency of hanging doors before or during install. January 28, 2004

Router Table and Lift
Designs and ideas for a smoothly functioning router workstation. December 9, 2004

Comparing Sliding Table Saws
A discussion of the merits of competing brands of sliders. July 28, 2012

Depth Adjustment on a Pocket Hole Machine
A woodworker gets advice on setting the depth of plunge on an old model of the Kreg Foreman pocket hole machine.June 17, 2013

Small-Volume Edgebanding Setups
What's an economical but productive setup for edgebanding just the occasional shelf? February 8, 2008

Cabinetry for Farmhouse Sinks
Construction details for farmhouse sink cabinets have to include structural support for the heavy, bulky sink. September 15, 2011

Praise for Impact Drivers
It's official: installers and cabinetmakers love cordless impact drivers. July 3, 2006

Troubleshooting a Tablesaw Starter Switch
Dirt and wear can interfere with starter switch performance. Here's advice on cleaning and maintenance. February 19, 2013

Choosing a Phase Converter
Here's advice on choosing a phase converter to bump up two-phase power to supply three-phase motors, with some explanation of how those gizmos actually work. January 31, 2012

Drawer Construction
Choosing an efficient method over farming out the work. June 4, 2004

Dovetail Drawer Boxes: Make or Buy?
This thread about whether to make your own drawers includes some details about materials, joinery, equipment, and assembly methods. October 15, 2012

Stepping Up to a Cheap Airless Spraygun
Here's an interesting argument for using a $300 home-center airless spraygun setup for cabinet finishing. June 8, 2008

Replacing Insert Cutters on a Holz-Her Edgebander
The Woodweb community steps up with detailed instructions and drawings for an edgebander owner who has gotten himself in too deep with a maintenance issue.July 5, 2011

Sliding Table Saw Versus Conventional Cabinet Saw
Input for a shop class student on the academic comparison between a sliding table saw and a traditional table saw. April 18, 2011

Boosting Air Supply
You can step up to a beefier compressor, or you can tweak your setup by adding buffer air tanks and another small compressor to work in tandem with existing equipment. October 26, 2011

Saw Blade Diameter, RPMs, and Rim Speed
A technical discussion of the thinking required to calibrate tool speeds to blade sizes. September 26, 2009

Comparing Line Boring Machinery
Cabinetmakers discuss how to shop for a solid, reliable line boring machine and how to get the best use out of it. January 2, 2012

Setting Up and Using a Dual-Drum Sander
Some useful tips on drum-sander operation. January 11, 2007

Shop-Built Drying Racks
Cabinetmakers compare shop-rigged drying racks for freshly-finished parts. March 20, 2006

Biscuit Fit Problems
Swelling due to moisture, or narrowing of the slot due to cutter sharpening, are possible reasons why biscuits don't fit. November 13, 2009

Boring Machines
Casework assembly methods that rely on evenly-spaced 32-mm holes are most efficient when you have high-volume precision equipment to bore the holes. Here's a rundown on the options in machinery for that purpose. September 18, 2008

Frameless Cabinets: Sticking to the System
How important is the 32mm module to frameless cabinetry? And is there a place for solid wood components in frameless?March 27, 2012

Edge-Planing Boards for Width
Cabinetmakers discuss the fine points of sending boards through the planer on the narrow dimension. December 28, 2005

Shopping for a Used Hinge-Boring Machine
Here's detailed advice on what to inspect when considering a used hinge boring machine. August 15, 2011

Buying a Used Beamsaw
Input from users and maintenance techs on what to watch out for when buying a pre-owned beamsaw, and advice about teardown, transport, and re-assembly.July 29, 2011

Cabinet Side-to-Bottom Joint Design
A discussion of whether to let cabinet sides run past the bottom and top shelves, or sit above and below them. October 14, 2009

Taper Introduced by Edgebander Premill
A discussion of the milling accuracy and adjustment tolerances of an edgebander with premill heads. December 2, 2010

Whether to Finish the Undersides of Upper Cabinets
Cabinetmakers discuss whether cabinet undersides should be finished. November 30, 2009

Hidden Bookcase Door Hardware
What kind of hardware and construction will support a bookcase full of books as it swings like a door? October 2, 2006

Edgebander Glue Pot Troubleshooting and Maintenance
Getting into the nuts and bolts of an underperforming edgebander. April 10, 2012

Troubleshooting Poor Edgeband Adhesion
Temperature and priming could be the culprits when PVC edgebanding doesn't stick well. April 12, 2011

Moving and Unloading Machinery
Practical advice for getting a large, heavy, and expensive piece of industrial equipment off the truck and into place in the shop. October 12, 2007

Shopping for a Slider
Comparing and contrasting two makes of sliding table saw, with comments about the fine points of user-friendliness. February 2, 2011

Particleboard Versus MDF
Cabinetmakers discuss materials choices. September 3, 2011

Trouble with Pre-Glued Dowels
A cabinet failure with pre-glued dowels gets cabinetmakers talking about the method's pros and cons. May 10, 2005

Attaching Cabinet Backs for Strength
Will a quarter-inch cabinet back, stapled to the carcass, keep the rest of the cabinet attached to the wall? Cabinetmakers discuss. March 25, 2007

Troubleshooting a Cracked Beechwood Countertop
A good case example of the inevitable cracking that occurs when wood moisture-related movement is not allowed for — this time, in a counter of solid wood glued to plywood. February 11, 2010

WOODPRO - Species Selection Made Easy
A free complete working computer program (that can be downloaded at WOODWEB), allowing woodworkers to select the most suitable wood species for any particular application - 1997

CNC feed rates for melamine
Concerns on purchasing a CNC router and software for cutting melamine. August 12, 2001

Drawer Bottom Construction Material
Home-center cabs may use 1/8" plywood for drawer bottoms, but pros in this thread explain why they prefer 1/4" or 1/2" material. December 27, 2006

Good Size for a Start-Up Shop
Shop owners tell how much space they have — and whether it's enough or not. January 10, 2008

Finishing Wood Edges of Laminate Tops
Suppose you want to edge-band laminate tops before finishing the edgebanding? Here are some creative ideas for protecting the laminate top from overspray while finishing just the edge. May 22, 2007

Support and Span Limits for a Concrete Top
A discussion of table design involving issues of wood deflection and concrete span capability. June 15, 2009

Visual Wood Match in Door Construction
Wood has natural variations in appearance — you have to explain that to customers. September 30, 2010

Speeding Up Repetitive Pin Insertion
Ideas for making the placement of 600,000 grommets go a little bit faster (so it will end sooner). March 3, 2009

Tablesaw Lubricating Advice
Tips on lubricating a sticky mechanism for raising and lowering the blade on a cabinet shop table saw. April 18, 2010

Prefinished Versus Unfinished Plywood for Cabinets
For a moderate up-charge, pre-finished plywood saves a lot of labor and finishing materials cost. December 2, 2010

Controlling Woodshop Dust
Cabinetmakers discuss vacuum tool attachments, filters, fans, and whole-shop dust collection systems. February 9, 2006

Moisture and Wood Movement In Kiln-Dried Versus Air-Dried Lumber
In principle, wood's response to moisture changes is the same, no matter how the wood was dried. In practice, there may be a slight difference. July 23, 2014

Cabinet Installation: Preventing Problems
Careful preparation and knowledge of the site make cabinet installation much easier. February 9, 2001

Table-Saw Safety Accessories
How to keep a table saw safe, and why it matters. May 22, 2006

Quarter-Inch Plywood for Cabinet Backs
Cabinetmakers discuss whether it's wise to economize by using quarter-inch plywood and a stiffening strip for cabinet backs, rather than half-inch or three-quarter-inch material. July 5, 2006

Choosing Table Saw Blades
Thoughts on table saw blade selection for cutting plywood and for ripping hardwood. March 26, 2010

Drawer System Choices
Cabinetmakers consider the pros and cons of various manufactured drawer systems. September 27, 2008

Considering the Cross-Belt Option on a Wide-Belt Sander
A cabinetmaker shopping for a widebelt to sand veneer ponders whether he should get a machine that incorporates a cross-belt sanding step. March 26, 2009

Sliding Table Saws — New Versus Used
When the budget is tight, a used high-end slider can be a better value than a brand new low-end machine.November 15, 2011

Troubleshooting Melamine Chipping on a Panel Saw
Advice on blade selection, sharpening, and saw operation to avoid chipping out melamine when cutting with a panel saw.March 13, 2014

Using Prefinished Plywood
Cabinetmakers discuss why they use material that's finished on both sides, even where only one side will show. March 26, 2008

Finishing Before Assembling — Tips and Tricks
Cabinetmakers who assemble cabinets after finishing discuss their methods. July 31, 2009

Preventing Long-Span Book Shelves from Sagging
More discussion on a perennial problem: stiffening long shelves. December 27, 2008

Sizing a Phase Converter for the Load
Advice on matching the capacity of a rotary phase converter to the demands of the equipment it serves. May 28, 2010

Milling Face-Frame Stock
Fastidious cabinetmakers find that S4S stock comes with too many imperfections. Here, pros discuss their methods for machining lumber that's straight, square, flat, and true. January 10, 2006

Wide Belt Sanders and Phase Converters
Stepping up to a large widebelt and three-phase power brings a big boost in capacity and efficiency. January 1, 2012

Shopping for a Used Slider
Cabinetmakers discuss the desireable and undesirable attributes to consider in purchasing a previously owned sliding table saw on a budget. November 15, 2011

Free Span Limits of Cabinet Shelving
For wide cabinets with double doors and no center stile, how far is too far for the shelves to span? Here are suggestions for stiffening wide span shelving. March 27, 2012

Troubleshooting a New Slider
After getting a variety of advice on finding the source of trouble, a woodworker finds out his new sliding table saw had a bad motor from the factory. September 3, 2014

Fine-Tuning an Edgebander
Detailed advice on tweaking the edgebander so that edges don't require hand-trimming or sanding. November 30, 2009

Aligning a Sliding Table Saw Carriage
Another good discussion of ways to tune up a slider for accurate, precise cuts. February 28, 2012

Pressure-Sensitive Versus Iron-On Edgebanding
Which is the better economical choice for low-volume, occasional edgebanding needs? March 25, 2007

Count Your Fingers
A woodworker describes the accident that took off the ends of two of his fingers, and a discussion ensues about the lessons learned. November 10, 2006

Vacuum Clamping -- Save Time, Save Money!
March 19, 2002

Making Acrylic Cabinetry
Solid sheet acrylic and acrylic veneer are opening a new niche in cabinetmaking. Here is some background information and an extensive set of photo examples of finished work. November 29, 2014

Tape Measure Accuracy
Even before they get dropped on the shop floor, tape measures are unreliable. Calibrating your machinery instead might work better than relying on any tape. May 13, 2008

Face frame clamping options
Woodworkers discuss their clamping systems and share pictures of what works for them. July 24, 2001

Troubleshooting Glue Lines in MDF-to-Wood Joints
Cabinetmakers discuss how to achieve a seamless look in paint-grade cabinetry. February 27, 2015

"High End" Ready-to-Assemble Fasteners
Furnituremakers take a look at Lamello's new line of knockdown assembly connectors for cabinetry and furnishings. March 28, 2012

Do Edgebanders Provide Perfect Output?
Few, if any edgebanders will consistently produce panels that can pass your thumb's feel test — and none will without continual tending by a good operator. December 27, 2006

Quality Control for Veneered MDF Panels with Solid Wood Edgebanding
Here's a complicated discussion about whether veneered MDF panels require multiple plies of veneer, and whether or not they must be laid up oversized and then trimmed to fit. October 15, 2012

Trimming Cabinet Toekicks -- Whose Responsibility?
Should the finish toe kicks be fitted and installed by the cabinetmaker, or the finish carpenter. February 28, 2004

Planing on edge
Processing stock through planer to define parts' widths. January 3, 2003

Full Height Refrigerator Cabinet Construction
Ideas for building a full-height refrigerator cabinet and fitting it into the space provided. March 26, 2009

Square Drive Versus Phillips Head Screws
A discussion of screw characteristics and preferences, with some interesting history and background. June 17, 2009

Comparing sliding and vertical saws
Woodworkers voice their views on the virtues and liabilities of both sliding and vertical saws. November 15, 2000

Blade and Bit Resharpening
Most cabinetmakers agree that sending blades and bits out for resharpening is a practical and economical choice. March 25, 2007

Cutting a Sink Hole in a Four-Inch-Thick Wood Countertop
An architect's brainchild leaves a woodworker with a tricky job: cutting out a hole for an undermount sink in a 4-inch chunk of Walnut. August 3, 2009

Budget Alternatives to a Sliding Table Saw
If a slider's not in the budget, what are the alternatives? Cabinetmakers discuss table saw attachments, vertical panel saws, and track saw packages. April 6, 2011

Straightening Frameless Cabinet Sides
Dealing with bowed plywood that causes drawers to jam in a frameless cabinet. November 7, 2007

Outsourcing Cabinet Carcase Parts to CNC Shops
Here are some detailed thoughts on how to interface with a CNC-equipped shot to get custom cabinet parts made to order. April 20, 2008

Choosing a Moisture Meter
A well-informed discussion comparing the cost and characteristics of various pin and pinless moisture meters. October 11, 2012

Shop-Built Sliding Table Saw Sled Decisions
Advice on whether to build a shop-rigged table saw sled, buy a sliding table attachment, or step up to a professional-grade slider. January 19, 2011

Accurate Drawer Front Fitting and Fastening
Here's a collection of top-drawer ideas for fast and accurate attachment of drawer fronts to drawer boxes. March 28, 2010

Conversion varnish basics
The pros agree: conversion varnish is best for kitchen cabinets. April 20, 2001

Lighting the Sanding Table for Quality Control
Ideas for how to supply raking light on the workpiece to make sanding imperfections easily observable. June 28, 2007

Tenoners
Basic descriptions of various types of tenoning machinery and their capabilities. November 13, 2008

Lubricating a Sliding Table Saw
Views on how to stop a slider from squeaking. December 10, 2007

Troubleshooting the Air Tracking on a Widebelt Sander
A cabinetmaker gets help with the analog control mechanism on his widebelt sander. March 12, 2015

Templates for Cutting Round Corners
Woodworkers discuss how to make and use templates for cutting radius corners on countertops. December 6, 2006

Heating the Shop in a Cold Climate
A discussion of the choices for heating a large, poorly insulated shop, including radiant gas burners, wood-fired boilers, and more. March 22, 2013

Face-frame joinery techniques
Cabinetmakers discuss various techniques for joining cabinet face frames. October 31, 2000

Sliding Table Saw: Manual or Digital?
Cabinetmakers consider how to assess the productivity benefits of a digital or computer-controlled slider. November 15, 2010

Inside Corner Drawers
Pricing and practical considerations for drawers that fit the inside corner of a corner cabinet. February 11, 2010

Inset Drawer Stops
With inset face frame cabinets, making drawers stop just flush with the frame is tricky. Here are tips on hardware solutions and a "hillbilly rig." December 26, 2006

Determining Square for Machine Setup and Q.C.
Here's advice on shopping for reliable squares, checking for square on machines or cut parts, and setting up machinery to be true and square. April 6, 2011

Spot Checking for Drill Hole Placement
For high-volume production work, a simple gauge is the best way to check for consistent drilled hole location accuracy. July 13, 2010

What Thickness of Material for Cabinet Backs?
Cabinetmakers discuss whether they use 3/4-inch, 1/2-inch, or 1/4-inch plywood for cabinet backs, and the reasoning behind their preferences. July 11, 2013

Drawer Front Adjustment Issues
Drawers with a sub-front and applied face offer the chance to adjust fit on site or during assembly. But what about four-piece drawer boxes with no sub-front? April 29, 2011

Drawer-Box Joinery with Baltic Birch
A discussion of drawer-box construction connection methods. May 28, 2010

Table-Saw Power-Feeder Tips
Detailed advice on setting up and using a power feeder with a table saw. July 9, 2007

Blind Dado Joinery Versus Dowels or Confirmats
A cabinetmaker asks whether he should switch to blind dado construction to eliminate a boring and screwing step. April 24, 2014

Chipout Problems when Cutting Melamine
Badly sharpened blades, an out-of-tune beam saw, or maybe just too many sheets at once might be causing excess chipout on melamine cuts. July 6, 2006

More boxes, less time
Making the process more efficient, including discussion on toekicks and finishing. May 2, 2001

Entry-Level Edgebander Purchase
Advice on choosing an affordable but reliable and capable edgebander. March 5, 2008

Mounting a Digital Scale on a Sliding Tablesaw
Advice on the purchase, installation, and use of a digital scale on a sliding table saw. March 22, 2013

Panel Handling with a Vertical Panel Saw
Equipment and techniques for moving panels around in vertical saw cutting operations. July 5, 2006

Working with Recycled-Paper Countertop Material
Here's a detailed rundown of how to get good results with a popular "green" synthetic-stone countertop material. January 13, 2008

Stop! Don’t buy that wide belt sander!
A tale of caution regarding purchasing a wide belt sander. June 14, 2015

Router Overheating
Woodworkers discuss how hot router bits and collets should be expected to get during normal operation, and what might cause them to overheat. September 7, 2006

Drawer construction
High-quality, cost-effective methods of drawer construction, and tips on joinery. March 28, 2001

Using Lyptus
Here's a detailed thread on woodworker experiences using Lyptus wood. April 20, 2008

Hinge and Slider Hardware for Rollout Shelves in Frameless Cabinetry
It's a little tricky to install slide-out shelving so that the shelves clear the doors in a frameless cabinet. Here's a discussion. August 31, 2010

Measuring-Tape Accuracy
Finding an accurate tape measure is a challenge. Ensuring an accurate match between two different tapes is even more challenging. July 11, 2007

Lumber for Cabinetmaking: Air-Dried Versus Kiln-Dried
Cabinetmakers explain why they prefer kiln-dried, skip-planed stock for solid wood cabinetry. April 13, 2010

How to make a tenon
Accurately sized tenons without a tenoner. September 25, 2002

Must-Haves for Edgebanders
Which attributes and capabilities matter most when you're comparison-shopping for an edgebander? December 31, 2012

Powering a Slider with a Rotary Phase Converter
Assessing whether a phase converter has the capacity to power a piece of equipment, and avoiding damage to the electronic controls of the machine. March 27, 2012

Shopping for an Edgebander
Here's some detailed advice on how to choose the right edgebander for your volume and style of production. January 1, 2012

Compressor Issues with Air-Powered Sanders
Pneumatic sanders use a lot of air, and can strain the capacity of some compressors. January 19, 2012

Blind Dadoes Versus Dowel Joinery
A discussion of the efficiency and accuracy trade-offs involved in switching from blind-dado and screw construction to dowel joinery. August 8, 2008

Face Frame Dadoing
A frameless pro gets advice on fitting face frames to cabinets for the first time. January 19, 2011

Multi-Head Orbital Sanding Machines
An orbital sanding machine can speed up time-consuming final sanding work. March 2, 2006

Considering a Cabinetmaker/Builder Partnership
Could it work? Professionals take a hard look at the possibilities. July 24, 2005

Basswood Versus Poplar or Maple for Paint-Grade Face Frames
Cabinetmakers discuss the hardness of various wood species, and the way they take paint. December 7, 2008

Install Floors Before Cabinets, or After?
Cabinetmakers and installers discuss the sequence of the job. Which should you install first, the flooring or the cabinets? June 16, 2014

Cutting Tenons on a Shaper
Advice on making end tenons on a shaper. March 3, 2009

Sliding Table Saw Tips and Tricks
Sliding tables saws ease the work, but there's a knack to using them. In this thread experienced hands help a new slider owner learn a few dance steps. July 22, 2005

Drum Sander Tweaks and Modifications
Drum sander owners discuss ways to get good performance from the sandpaper rolls. April 27, 2006

Small parts on P2P
Using a spoilboard to solve problems of no suction with small parts. March 20, 2001

Euro-Style Hinges for Face-Frame Inset Doors
Cabinetmakers describe how they construct face-frame cabinet boxes to receive Euro hinges June 8, 2008

Stiffening Long-Span Bookshelves
Pros discuss ideas for limiting mid-span shelf deflection. June 18, 2005

Choosing and Setting Up Insert Cutters for a Shaper
A woodshop owner gets advice on how to make insert tooling work properly with his equipment. July 11, 2007

Shop Layout Tips and Techniques
Paper models make visualizing your shop floor easier, and good planning can really boost your workflow. May 10, 2005

Squaring up a Vertical Panel Saw
Here's advice on tweaking a second-hand vertical panel saw into square (with the proviso that a trained tech will do it faster and better).February 16, 2014

Adjusting Pocket Hole Machines for Different Material Thicknesses
Each machine has its own little tricks. January 21, 2007

Routers
Basic descriptions of various types of routers commonly found in wood shops, including CNC router equipment. November 13, 2008

Cracks in beaded face frames
How can the crack between the bead and the frame itself be avoided? July 24, 2002

Compressed Air Lines in a Shop
Advice on material choices and layout strategies for compressed-air supply lines in a woodshop. March 28, 2010

Hairline Cracks on Painted Cabinet Doors and Drawers
Natural wood movement will inevitably show up through a painted finish at wood joints. August 19, 2008

Clamp Cart
Shop-made carriers for clamps. December 26, 2004

Inverter Cooling and Ventilation
Inverter power supply electronics generates heat, and the units should be adequately cooled and ventilated for good performance and long life.October 26, 2011

Shapers: Single-Phase Versus Three-Phase
A discussion of what makes a three-phase shaper different from one with a single-phase motor, and whether the difference matters. January 23, 2012

Building with Prefinished Face Frames and Plywood
Cabinetmakers discuss the fine points of assembling cabinets using prefinished face frames and half-inch prefinished plywood. July 5, 2006

Table Saw, Slider, or Panel Saw?
Here's another detailed thread on an important topic: selecting and using panel-cutting equipment. July 5, 2006

Basic Edgebanding Methods
Simple, low-cost tips and tricks for small-volume edgebanding work. April 16, 2009

Mitering End Panels to Face Frames
Advice on machining and fastening the long joint where an end panel meets a face frame. July 25, 2010

Keeping the Frame Assembly Table Clean
How to prevent glue from building up on your cabinet assembly table. October 3, 2011

Cabinet Assembly Production Rate for a One-Man Shop
How long does it take to put a cabinet together? How many notes on a saxophone? But here are some thoughts and opinions. February 12, 2009

Old Air Compressors: Replace or Repair?
It could be well worth your while to keep that old unit running, rather than shop for a new one. May 14, 2006

Getting a Good Bond with HPL Edgebanding
Good priming and a warm working temperature are important for good adhesion when applying high pressure laminate edgebanding. May 12, 2013

Track Saws for Breaking Down Panels
A tracked circular saw is no substitute for a panel saw or sliding table saw, but it's a productive tool that's worth the investment. October 13, 2010

Gluing Up a Solid Oak Top From Narrow Strips
Advice on ripping, planing, sanding, gluing and clamping for a quality wood countertop. February 20, 2008

Usefulness of a 15-Inch Wide-Belt Sander
For a small shop, will a 15-inch unit do? Cabinetmakers consider the pros and cons. November 12, 2005

Shopping for a Shaper
Cabinetmakers give advice on how to select a good shaper for a decent price. September 21, 2005

Construction Hole Boring Accuracy Tips
Here's advice on how to get consistent, high-accuracy performance from a construction boring machine. October 3, 2011

Adapting to an Oversize Table Saw Arbor
Ideas for modifying blades to fit an oversize arbor, or vice versa. August 21, 2006

Solutions for Chipping Melamine
Melamine chips when you cut it, but the problem can be prevented — or at least minimized. November 10, 2006

Sawstop Stories
Cabinetmakers discuss the value of a Sawstop table saw, which trips and stops before cutting off your fingers. August 12, 2014

Plain Sliced Alder Plywood Characteristics
Cabinetmakers advise on what to expect from sliced-veneer Alder plywood. June 3, 2007

Humorous Tool Definitions
Do not read this while drinking, or your beverage may go up your nose and on your keyboard. December 28, 2006

Cabinet Drafting Programs
Comparing top cabinet-shop CAD applications. June 28, 2005

Exhaust Fan Size for Spray Booth
How much ventilation is needed? August 17, 2004

Crating and Shipping Tips
Advice on packing and shipping your fine work safely. August 23, 2006

Cabinet Back Plywood Thickness
Yet another discussion about whether to use half-inch or quarter-inch plywood for cabinet backs, and why. June 15, 2014

Mahogany Varieties for Countertops
A discussion of the practicality of mahogany for a countertop, and thoughts about similar alternatives. November 7, 2007

Using a Radial-Arm Saw to Cut Dadoes
A radial-arm saw is good for repetitive cross-cut dadoes, but dangerous for ripping. Here, woodworkers discuss equipment alternatives for efficient, accurate dadoing. November 10, 2006

Tips on Working with Walnut
A little advice for a cabinetmaker about to build a countertop using Walnut. October 11, 2012

Dowel Construction Advice
A cabinetmaker who has just invested in a horizontal boring machine gets help making the transition to dowel construction. August 22, 2013

Consistent curves
How to create a long, accurate curve. May 15, 2002

Base Cabinet Depths
Is it okay to build base cabs slightly under 24 inches deep, to optimize panel yield? May 28, 2010

Choosing a Joinery System for Knock-Down Cabinets
Cabinetmakers discuss alternative setups and systems for creating knockdown cabinet packages. September 23, 2013

Drum versus belt sander
Pros and cons of two approaches to surface sanding. October 9, 2002

Riving Knife Choices and Use
A discussion of the use of riving knives on the table saw, and of sources of aftermarket riving knives. March 22, 2013

Compressors and Random-Orbit Air Sanders
Pneumatic sanders are air hogs — you need a high-capacity compressor rated for continuous duty. July 16, 2008

Fine Points of Pin Nailers
Tips on avoiding jams and increasing counter-sink depth. October 26, 2005

Case construction practices
A look at various methods of case joinery for kitchen cabinets. September 6, 2000

Rotary Screw Compressors for Intermittent Use?
Rotary screw compressors are best for high volume continuous operation. What about situations with more stopping and starting?October 13, 2012

Radial-Arm Saw Cutting Technique
Radial arm saws have their place, some cabinetmakers say. Here, they discuss blade choice and cutting technique. November 25, 2005

Static charge on wood
Troubleshooting and resolving static problems on freshly planed boards. October 9, 2002

Cutting Clean Grooves
A discussion of ways to dado drawer parts to accept bottom panels, without chipping and other defects. April 15, 2009

Necessary Equipment for a Start-Up Cabinet Shop
Most respondents did not take the original poster seriously in this thread. But a few cabinetmakers did provide a list of basic equipment for a start-up shop.June 16, 2014

Clear Alder Versus European Beech
A cabinetmaker who finds that clear Alder looks good, but scratches too easily, discovers a satisfying alternative: European Beech. April 9, 2008

Slider, Panel Saw, or Festool?
"All three" is the easy answer; but here are some thoughts for the cabinetmaker who is forced to choose. April 29, 2012

The Advantages of Construction Boring and Dowel Assembly
January 29, 2010

Sliding-Table Shapers for End Tenoning
Cabinetmakers talk equipment for machining tenons. May 11, 2011

Beaded Face Frame Basics
Advice on how to add the "cheese cove" or "quirk bead" detail to beaded face frame cabinets. February 28, 2012

Working with Solid Ebony
Tips on how best to handle this scarce and costly wood. November 10, 2006

Wood Distressing Tips and Tricks
Making wood rough ain't easy. Here are some techniques that work. January 26, 2009

Template Routing -- with a Vacuum Clamp
March 19, 2002

Lumber Choices for a Chocolate Brown Finish
Finishers discuss what wood species to start with when a deep brown color is the ultimate goal. July 11, 2009

Gloves in Woodshops
The consensus view is, no gloves allowed when operating machinery. October 13, 2010

Ideal Humidity in a Wood Shop
Indoor humidity levels correspond with wood moisture content. Here's advice on humidity control. October 26, 2012

Cutting Dadoes on a Sliding Table Saw
Many sliders will accept a dado blade set. You'll have to consider the riving knife when using one for that purpose, though. August 17, 2006

Screw Versus Reciprocating Compressors
Shop owners share thoughts and experiences with different air compressor technologies. August 31, 2009

Pre-Glued Banding Versus a Glue-Pot Edgebander
Thoughts on the bond quality of pre-glued edgebanding, and tips on how to apply it. August 31, 2010

Rigging an Outboard Fence for a Shaper
A discussion of the best way to make a shop-built back fence for a shaper. July 11, 2013

Supporting Framework for a Built-In Concrete Countertop
Cabinetmakers share their structural intuition concerning a light built-in-place framework designed to support a concrete countertop.March 13, 2014

Dado processing
Methods and equipment for producing dados. October 30, 2003

Surfacing curly woods
The best machinery and tooling to handle the job. October 9, 2002

Indexing Blumotion Drawer Slides
Fine points of the alignment of a Blum drawer slide: Why are the screw holes not parallel with the drawer bottom? July 29, 2011

Compressor CFM and Pressure
An explanation of how airflow speed and pressure relate, and how this affects compressor sizing and distribution pipe system design. June 15, 2014

Start-Up Cabinet Shop Equipment Needs
What machinery does a start-up cabinetmaking business need? Small shop owners describe their setups. December 28, 2005

Bits for Boring Holes in Laminate
Cabinetmakers discuss choosing a bit to drill lock holes in laminate doors. July 31, 2009

Stiffening Long Cabinet Shelves
Pros discuss details for beefing up shelf edges. June 4, 2009

Power Draw Comparison, Rotary Screw Versus Two-Stage Air Compressors
Comparing the power needs and other aspects of rotary and piston air compressors. January 7, 2007

SawStop Setup
Tips on adjusting the SawStop cabinet saw's safety brake. May 15, 2011

Choosing an Air Line Material
Shop owners discuss the pros and cons of various metal and plastic tubing materials for compressed-air supply lines. March 20, 2006

Hand Methods for Trimming Edgebanding
Non-edgebander-owning cabinetmakers talk edgebanding tips and tricks. January 19, 2012

Kitchen Cabinets with Legs or Arched Aprons
Advice on building and leveling cabinet fronts with feet. July 25, 2010

Skilled Labor and Old-School Arc Drawing
The quickest path between two ideas is never a straight line, Einstein. January 2, 2012

Fine Points of Torsion Boxes
A torsion box is a clever way to create a strong, lightweight, flat surface for shelves or worktables. Here's some info on materials and assembly. September 23, 2006

Saving Caulking and Putty After Opening
Woodworkers share their secrets for keeping half-used tubes of caulk or cans of putty from drying out before they're used up. October 20, 2013

Case Clamp Workflow Setup
Tips on labor-saving arrangements for integrating a case clamp into your production setup. April 12, 2011

Rubberized Pressure Rollers for Edgebanders
Edgebander owners discuss custom roller tweaks for improving performance. December 7, 2008

Buying and Using a Stroke Sander
Advice on buying a used stroke sander, and tips on making and using sanding blocks for it. July 24, 2006

Making Cool Stuff with Metal Components
This thread started out with a question about finding T-nuts for rigging up an adjustable cabinet pull-out shelf slide. But it goes on to consider all sorts of things you can rig up in the shop using off-the-shelf metal parts. February 13, 2009

Watts, Volts, Amps, and Step-Up Transformers for the Shop
Here's a discussion of using power transformers to supply machines that need higher voltage. July 31, 2009

Troubleshooting Chip-Out with Melamine
Blade characteristics and plunge depth are factors to consider. February 18, 2011

Wood Edge Detail for a Laminate Countertop
Laminate trimming, edge attachment, and rounding-over technique for a wood edge on a laminate counter or table top. January 24, 2006

Disposing of Cabinetmaking Waste
Once your volume gets high, disposing of waste (and reducing it) becomes a priority. Here's a discussion. August 19, 2013

Mitering the Corner Joints of an MDF Box
Advice on gluing and clamping a sharp, clean miter joint when building boxes with MDF. April 24, 2014

Drum Sander Ripple Marks
Ripple or chatter marks on boards run through a drum sander may not be a maintenance issue, but just the nature of the equipment. April 30, 2009

Buying a Widebelt Sander
Advice on getting good value for the dollar when purchasing a widebelt on a budget. December 19, 2009

Torsion Box Details
A conversation about ideas for a torsion-box flat work surface for the shop. August 31, 2010

Materials for Outdoor Kitchen Cabinets
Cabinetmakers discuss Starboard, Extira, and sawn Cypress for outdoor cabinetry. June 28, 2013

Switching to metric
A discussion of the 32mm system and its attendant need to convert to metric measure. February 13, 2001

Clamp Retrofits for Sliding Table Saws
Here's a discussion of site-built clamp setups for the slider, with some instructive photos. June 17, 2009

Machinery for a Small New Shop
Advice on basic machinery choices for a small shop. March 16, 2015

Using Up Waste Off-Cuts with Cutlist
The Cutlist optimizing software lets you organize the process of saving and using and scrap drops. Here's how one cabinetmaker takes advantage of that capability. June 3, 2013

Making Interlocking Shelves
Constructing sets of shelves with fitted parts. October 20, 2004

Replacing Sliding Saw Subrollers
Tips on an often-overlooked maintenance task. June 5, 2006

Sliding Table Saw Tips
Sliders are a little different for those used to working on a standard table saw. January 24, 2005

Bent Lamination Springback
Advice on limiting springback in a laminated piece with a fairly gentle bend. July 13, 2010

Hinge Drilling and Pressing Machine Options
A cabinetmaker gets advice on his choices when shopping for a second-hand Blum Minipress machine. August 27, 2013

Pre-Mill Capability on an Edgebander
Advice on how to take best advantage of the pre-mill function on a new edgebander. May 23, 2007

Dressing a Wide-Belt Sander Drum
Here's a quick, full explanation of how to re-dress a worn drum on a wide-belt sander. January 18, 2012

Construction Boring Machines and Confirmat Screws
Tips on how to bore, countersink, and align cabinet parts for assembling with Confirmat screws. July 21, 2006

Setting Up for Beaded Face-Frame Joinery
A discussion of practical machinery and jig options for haunch cuts on beaded face frames. August 31, 2010

Ripping Stock Straight
Shop machinery and techniques for ripping straight stock with glue-joint quality edges. April 16, 2010

Face Frame Cabinet Construction Sequence
Another discussion of fastening, alignment, and order of assembly operations with face-frame cabinets. February 12, 2009

Choosing a Widebelt Sander
A discussion of widebelt sander capabilities, the function of the platen, and more. November 6, 2007

Drill Press Stops that Register Off the Face of the Workpiece
Here's a shop-rigged solution for drilling to a pre-set depth in any panel, regardless of panel thickness. August 30, 2010

Plywood Inconsistencies
Advice on shopping for cabinet-grade plywood with a consistent thickness. October 13, 2010

Dado Tooling for a Sliding Table Saw
Advice on choosing and setting up dado blades for a sliding table saw. January 9, 2015

Drawers, from scratch to systems
Materials and methods forum participants are employing in their quest for the perfect drawer. February 14, 2001

Checking a Steel Square for Squareness
The simple method explained, with some additional discussion. April 24, 2014

Setting Up for Lock-Miter Joints
Setting up machines for efficient production using lock-miter joinery. March 27, 2012

Extension Table Advice
Tips on setting up and using an Aigner adjustable extension table with multiple machines. April 2, 2015

Edgebander Glue Level and Maintenance
A cabinetmaker who has acquired a used edgebander asks about how best to care for the glue pot. August 16, 2012

Setting Up a Boring Machine to Make Shorter Pockets
Tips on using shims to tweak the configuration of pocket holes produced by a boring machine. November 29, 2014

Construction Boring Patterns
Is there a way to set up a construction borer so it can drill dowel holes for both upper and lower cabs, without a lot of changing of bits? April 18, 2011

Millwork Touch-up and Repair
A visitor seeks advice on how to get training in the fine art of fixing faults. February 26, 2005

Cutoff Switch for Microwave Power Receptacle
A cabinetmaker wants suggestions for a safety switch for an unconventional microwave cabinet, but instead he receives warnings about the wisdom of the whole idea. June 16, 2014

Decorative Epoxy Inlay Tips
Advice on choosing a pourable or flowable material for decorative inlay work. March 13, 2014

Where to Mount Drawer Slides
Cabinetmakers discuss whether to position drawer slides so that the slide itself halts the drawer travel, or to install bumpers instead. August 14, 2007

Troubleshooting Magnetic Switches on Equipment
A cabinetmaker complains that a piece of equipment keeps shutting down for no reason. "Off" switches can be finicky, explain those who have had similar problems. March 1, 2006

Edgebander Guillotine Retraction Issues
A detailed troubleshooting report about solving problems with the guillotine device on a Holz-Her edgebander, with good info on sources for parts and support. June 22, 2012

Cabinetmaking Forum -- 32mm: Imperial Versus Metric
Frameless cab systems use metric measurement. Your crew will make the transition with ease, but you'll still need to talk feet and inches to most customers. August 29, 2006

Termite Infestation — Is Imported Plywood to Blame?
Termites need a source of water to survive, so they are unlikely to arrive in plywood shipped from overseas. August 19, 2013

Edge Lipping Planer Choices
Here's a closer look at the high-quality tools available for flush trimming shelf edges and similar components. March 22, 2013

What Equipment is Needed to Switch to Face-Frame Construction?
A cabinetmaker who usually builds frameless asks about the tools he'll need to add face-frame cabs to his product mix. February 26, 2007

Widebelts, Drum Sanders, and the Budget
Widebelts are generally preferred among cabinetmakers, but there are votes (with reasons) for double drum sanders and stroke sanders. January 12, 2012

Box Truck Versus Box Trailer
Cabinetmakers discuss the best vehicle for delivering cabinets to the job. August 29, 2014

Edgebanding with Veneer
A cabinetmaker gets advice on applying quartersawn cherry veneer as edgebanding. January 26, 2008

Pivoting Bookcase Show and Tell
Photos and video of a unique project: a bookcase that pivots to hide a client's master bedroom. June 15, 2014

Vertical Panel Saw Score and Cut Accuracy
Advice on adjustments to keep the score cut and the through cut aligned on an older vertical panel saw. October 13, 2012

Shelf Stiffening Methods
A discussion of shelf spans, shelf materials, and reinforcing methods to prevent sagging. April 10, 2008

Compressor to Power an Air Sander
Air sanders do a great job, but they use major air. Here's how some cabinetmakers provide for that. March 26, 2008

Hinge Choices for Face Frame Cabinets with Full Overlay Doors
A cabinetmaker seeks advice on a simple and versatile hinge system for full overlay doors on face-frame cabinets. December 27, 2008

Pros and Cons of Used Edgebanders
It might cost more to get a used edgebander up and running than to purchase it. But even at that, the results could be well worth it. October 19, 2014

Overheating Table Saw
Is it the belts? The pulleys? The motor? Pros help troubleshoot a too-hot saw. November 12, 2005

Hook and Loop Versus Peel and Stick Sanding Pads
Cabinetmakers discuss sandpaper preferences. April 16, 2010

Line Boring Jigs
Ideas for quick line boring without a line boring machine (and arguments for gettting the machine). June 8, 2008

Straight Lining Rough Lumber
Efficient methods for creating an edge. December 9, 2004

Sanding Tool Choices: Pneumatic Versus Electric
Woodworkers discuss the merits and drawbacks of various finish sander options. April 14, 2010

Resetting the Sliders on a Sliding Table Saw
A detailed description of the process for fixing a sliding table saw slider mechanism that has gone out of adjustment. January 3, 2014

Shopping for a Tracksaw
Craftsmen discuss their choices in tracksaws. November 14, 2014

Starting Large Motors with Alternative Power Sources
Woodworkers consider the problem of starting up big equipment in a solar-powered and wind-powered cabinet shop. November 30, 2009

Buying a Used Edgebander
There's more to running a glue-pot edgebander than plugging it in and turning it on — so be cautious when buying used equipment. December 30, 2005

Shopping for a Sliding Table Saw
Cabinetmakers recommend top-grade equipment with large-panel cutting capacity. February 13, 2009

Safety and climb cutting
Safety issues involved in climb cutting with a shaper. January 21, 2003

Joint Tape "Shadows" -- at Veneer Seams
Why does the area from which tape was removed accept stain differently? March 14, 2004

Portable Power Planer for Shop Use?
Cabinetmakers tend to be dissatisfied with the performance of small hand-held power planers. For cabinet work you need real shop machinery. February 20, 2008

Attaching Drawer Fronts to Dovetail Drawers in Frameless Cabinets
Thoughts on a tricky drawer assembly problem. November 23, 2012

Whether to Reverse Planer Blades
Short answer: Don't do it. Long answer: Take a look at spiral cutterheads or a widebelt sander. July 10, 2009

Line Boring Equipment on a Budget
Is there anything short of a line-boring machine that will serve the purpose as an intermediate upgrade?May 15, 2012

Considering Bifocals
As we age, some of us need bifocals for good close-up and distance vision. In this thread, cabinetmakers who've switched to bifocals discuss the fine points of different types. September 21, 2005

Touch/Push Latches and Spring-Activated Hinges
Pairing latches and hinges for a situation where the customer wants hidden hardware and positive latching action on the door. May 15, 2011

Orbital Sander Tips
Cabinetmakers give advice on avoiding swirl marks. July 22, 2005

Whether to Keep the Slider
Does a sliding table saw earn its keep when there's also a CNC in the shop?February 1, 2011

Fine-Tuning a Dowel Boring Machine
Setup tips for accurate boring and assembly. September 7, 2006

Pneumatic Versus Electric Brad Nailers
Pros compare notes on air-powered and electric brad nailers. December 14, 2005

Box Lid Alignment Issues
Problems with jewelry box tolerances may be related to moisture in finishes. December 27, 2008

Is It Necessary to File Edgebanding by Hand?
Most shops still have to do some hand work, even if they're equipped with an expensive edgebander. February 17, 2014

Heavy-Duty Miter-Saw Choices
Shop owners describe their experiences with industrial-grade cutoff saws and miter saws. July 29, 2011

Tooth Marks from an Upcut Saw
A cabinetmaker troubleshoots a cut quality issue with an upcut saw. April 2, 2015

Household Chemicals and Hardware Corrosion
Household chemicals, pool chlorine, and other common substances can tear up brass or chrome fixtures. Here's an example. June 15, 2009

Pneumatic Motor Freeze-Up
Air-powered motors need regular oiling, or they stop working. October 11, 2007

Production Capacity of a One-Man Shop
Can one man working alone knock out two custom kitchens a month — and run the business too? It's debatable. January 13, 2008

Vomit-Like Odor of Bacterially Infected Wood
When cabinets or wood smell like vomit, a likely culprit is bacterial infections in the trees the wood was made from. Unfortunately, there is no known fix. April 20, 2008

End Panel for a Dishwasher in a Frameless Cabinet Run
When the dishwasher falls at the end of a run of frameless cabinets, what's a good end panel detail? Here are several suggestions. June 17, 2010

Corner Cabinet Joinery
Here are several suggestions for ways to build 22.5-degree corners for a face frame for an inside corner cabinet.. March 27, 2012

Biscuit joining vs. tie-bolts
Is it possible to join post-form tops and shop-built substrate with biscuits? June 24, 2001

P2P Origin Placement
Best postitioning for running gables on a point-to-point router. March 14, 2004

Using Beech to Build Cabinets
It's a beautiful wood, but is American Beech too unstable for cabinets? Not necessarily, say those who've tried it. August 21, 2006

Solid Wood Countertops
Advice on allowing for movement with solid wood countertops. October 13, 2010

Stepping Up Shop Voltage
More powerful machinery may need higher-voltage power. There's more than one way to obtain that. August 22, 2007

Lift Truck for a Small Shop
Contractors discuss ways to get heavy materials up to and down from an upper-floor loft in the shop. July 11, 2013

Drawer Slides and Stock Thickness
Can drawer slides standardized for use with half-inch material work if you build your drawers from 3/4-inch stock?June 16, 2014

Proper Dimensions for Frameless Base Cabinets
A discussion of the standard depth for frameless cabinets. July 21, 2006

Sanding face frames properly
The proper tools and techniques to avoid rounding edges. October 30, 2002

Wide Belt Sander Choices
More advice on selecting a widebelt sander. April 27, 2011

Trimming Edgebanding on a Curved Edge
Good suggestions for clean, efficient trimming of edgebanding applied to a flat surface with a curved perimeter. June 21, 2012

Sander Skittering and Vacuum Suction
Reported control problems with some sanders may be solvable by adjusting dust collection vacuum settings. July 16, 2008

Upgrading Sliding Table Saw Fences and Stops
Woodworkers discuss ways to build advanced table saw fences or adapt standard parts from other saws. December 31, 2013

Cleaning Glue Off Melamine After Edge-Banding
"Hot" solvents can dull melamine or leave a combined glue-and-thinner residue behind. Here are some suggested solutions. February 26, 2007

Hand-Drilling Jigs for Confirmat Screws or Dowels
If you're doing more than an occasional piece, an entry-level low-end line boring setup beats any hand method, even with a jig. November 27, 2012

Removing Moisture from Air Lines
Tips on getting good moisture removal from shop air lines using a filter/dryer. June 15, 2014

Troubleshooting a Slippery Widebelt Feed Belt
Here's how to dress a slippery feedbelt on a new widebelt sander. July 13, 2010

Finish Before or After Hinge Insertion?
Press-in hinges raise the question of whether to spray cabinets before or after installing the hinges. November 6, 2007

Should a Cabinetmaker Take Up Finishing?
A cabinetmaker considers bringing finish operations in house, and get advice both pro and con. May 11, 2006

Edgebanders
General description of edgebanding equipment. November 11, 2008

Reducing Ding and Dent Damage During Material Handling
Tips for smart setup and careful material handling that can help you avoid costly labor for filling and sanding damaged surfaces. April 12, 2011

Twin Tablesaw Setups
Two cabinetmakers describe (with pictures) how they set up left-tilt and right-tilt Delta Unisaws shoulder to shoulder in the shop, for versatile cutting ability in a tight footprint. July 12, 2012

Characteristics of Lyptus Wood
Cabinetmakers discuss the properties of this lesser-known but increasingly popular wood species. February 28, 2006

Getting Tight Joints with a Corner Stapler
Corner staplers make fast work of frame assembly. For joints that are tight on the front face, elevate the pieces on blocks and clamp carefully. April 20, 2008

Efficient Face-Frame Shop Process
Thoughts on making face-frame beaded inset-door cabinets efficiently, relying mainly on a CNC router. October 27, 2008

Production Gains from a Horizontal Boring Machine
Properly put to work, a boring machine make better use of your skilled labor, keep your shop cleaner, and help with build quality of your cabinetry. August 16, 2012

Countersinks and Self-Sinking Screws
Countersink bit and self-countersinking screw recommendations. April 9, 2008

Strong face frame assembly
Methods for attaching face frames to cabinets. September 25, 2002

Squaring a Sliding Table Saw
Advice on how to adjust the fence on a slider to restore its ability to make accurate, precise cuts. January 13, 2015

Shop-Built Sliding Table Saw Jig
A cabinetmaker displays his low-cost self-built alternative to a sliding table saw. February 2, 2011

Limitations of a Hot-Air Edgebander
Thick edgebanding does not tend to work well with a hot-air edgebander because of the limited glue quantities on the pre-glued banding. July 11, 2007

Troubleshooting Glue Spillage on an Edgebander
When the glue starts to spill or spatter, and banding isn't getting fully glued on, it's time for a little careful cleaning. March 20, 2014

Tools that Have Gone the Distance
Interesting thread about old tools that just keep on going. June 16, 2010

Hinge Swing: 170 or 125 degrees?
More swing may mean more adjustment and stability problems. August 29, 2005

Index Pin Accuracy on Line Boring Machines
Index pin setups let you extend the line of holes you bore, but there is debate about how accurate they allow you to be. October 2, 2007

Protecting Cabinets from Shipping Damage
Cabinets often suffer damage if shipped by truck or rail. Here's advice on packaging for protection. October 12, 2012

Troubleshooting Puck-Light Dimmers
Cabinetmakers consider what might be making low-voltage lighting dimmers malfunction. May 7, 2007

Troubleshooting an Out-of-Whack Jointer
Woodworkers discuss what could make a jointer create taper on boards. January 10, 2006

Tumble Sanding for Toy Parts
Advice on how to cobble together a tumbling drum arrangement to sand small wooden items. March 12, 2015

Over-Arm Router Tips
General advice on ways to use an over-arm router. November 21, 2006

Glue-Pot Issues, Maintenance, and Edgebander Performance
In this case, slow heating and glue burning were caused by blown heating elements. But there are other things to be aware of that can help or harm an edgebander glue pot's performance and longevity. June 17, 2012

Halogen lighting: Passing the temperature test
How high-heat halogen lighting is tested for safety, to ensure it is appropriate for various applications. - 1998

Rolling Carts for the Shop
Descriptions and photos of shop-built carts on wheels or casters, used for moving cabinets or materials around the shop. October 28, 2014

Should I Make My Own Crown Moulding?
Is it worth investing in a moulder for the convenience of making your own crown moulding sometimes? April 20, 2008

Minimizing melamine chip-out
Why do specialty melamine blades cut chip-free for so short a time? July 3, 2001

PVC Banding Inside Round Cutouts?
Advice on how to apply edgebanding to the inside of cutouts in door panels. August 19, 2013

Halving Dowels
Techniques and jigs for sawing round dowels in half lengthwise. July 9, 2009

Setting Up a Dovetail Machine
Tips on the tricky parts of dialing in an OMEC dovetail machine. October 15, 2010

Sharpening Machine for Brad Point Bits
Insight into getting set up to sharpen your own carbide brad point bits. November 15, 2011

Truing-up rough wood
Planers will not remove the bow from rough stock; jointing is required before boards can be properly thicknessed. February 13, 2001

Which software?
Ideas on reasonably priced, comprehensive computer applications for cabinetmakers. February 13, 2001

Effective Shop Lighting
Let's get some light in here so we can see what we're doing. February 8, 2008

Building a Clamping Table
A woodworker considers the idea of making his own pneumatic clamping table. October 19, 2013

Plywood Holiday Ruins a Cabinet
A cabinetmaker's cautionary tale of how a cabinet was ruined when his router dropped into a void in a piece of plywood leads to a few comments about materials and tools. June 15, 2014

Straight Edge Options
Jointer bed too short to handle that long piece? Here's a grab bag of jigs, rigs, and tricks for making long straight edges. July 21, 2005

Remotely Located Air Compressors
Cabinetmakers and finishers discuss how to locate their compressors in an outbuilding or basement. February 9, 2006

Shop Air and Electrical in the Floor
Should dust collection ducting and electrical wiring be placed in a slab floor? January 8, 2010

Construction Boring Machines: Top Versus Bottom
Considering the pros and cons of boring from the top or the bottom. November 15, 2011

Throat Plate Tweak for Laser-Guided Sliding Table Saw
Advice on a shop-rigged throat plate for a sliding table saw to augment the laser guide, and tips on zeroing in the laser for accuracy. June 18, 2010

Vanity Height — Preference or Rule?
Thirty inches high is traditional for bath vanities, but many customers may prefer something taller. March 5, 2007

Choosing a Power Feeder
Advice on matching power-feeder horsepower to the intended use. July 27, 2008

Knotty Alder Bar
Is the softness of Knotty Alder a problem in a bar situation where the wood could encounter some abuse? July 28, 2012

In Praise of Old-School Bench Vises
Some simple but clever old iron that still works after many decades. Gotta love it.December 2, 2011

Bracing solid surface
When using solid surface materials, what sort of "bridgework" is needed for support? June 24, 2001

Birch for Cabinets
Yellow Birch (but not other Birch varieties) is widely used in cabinets. Here are some thoughts on its pros and cons.March 22, 2013

Alternatives to Cumaru for Cabinet Work
A client want cabinets made with Cumaru, a Brazilian hardwood. But the cabinetmaker is looking for a more practical species to substitute. Here are a few ideas. December 31, 2012

Undermount Slide Installation Jigs
Ways to speed up and standardize the layout and attachment of undermount drawer slides. February 11, 2010

Beech as an Alternative to Maple
Cabinetmakers discuss Beech pricing, workability, and finishing characteristics. June 8, 2008

Troubleshooting Edgebander Cutting Issues
Keeping the knife well sharpened and lubricated helps. So does keeping the air lines and filters clear. September 16, 2013

Tooling up for Euro-style cabinets
When considering a switch to the 32mm system, there are two choices: Get your feet wet, or dive right in. 1998.

Defining Quarter-Sawn and Rift-Sawn
There are both formal and informal definitions for "quarter-sawn" lumber. Here, cabinetmakers and the Wood Doctor discuss the fine points. July 5, 2006

Phase Converters for a Small Shop
Downsizing from a big-iron shop to a basement-based setup. Is it worth holding on to some three-phase machinery and installing a phase converter? April 27, 2011

Portable Plunge Cut Saw System
Does this system make sense for use both in the shop and on the job? May 10, 2005

Phase Converters and Machinery Electronic Controls
A discussion of using phase converters to power shop machinery that has complicated or sensitive onboard electronic circuitry. March 22, 2013

Troubleshooting SawStop False Trips
Saw Stop blade brakes rarely activate without reason. But in this case ... February 17, 2012

Thick Butcher Blocks
A discussion of construction methods and wood movement issues for a six-inch-thick butcher block top. April 11, 2008

"Light" and "dark" veneer bands
Avoiding the "striped" look in veneered ply. November 18, 2002

Remote Control Through Closed Doors
There are several solutions to the problem of controlling equipment in an entertainment center when the doors are shut. December 27, 2006

Working with Jatoba ("Brazilian Cherry")
This tropical hardwood is dense, heavy, and beautiful, but prone to movement and hard on tools. Yellow pieces will probably change to match the rest. May 11, 2011

Matching stain to existing work
Techniques for matching the finish of new work to that of the existing cabinets in a cherry kitchen. November 7, 2000

Clamping Octagon Joints
Taping the joints and folding them together works the best. November 26, 2006

Using Spreadsheets to Standardize Cabinet Part Specification
You can make an Excel spreadsheet to automate and standardize your process of specifying cabinet part dimensions. August 5, 2010

Changing from Undermount to Side-Mounted Drawer Glides
Swapping out the hardware is simple enough, but the strength of attachment of the drawer bottoms could be a concern. November 29, 2014

Detailing File Drawers for Hanging Folders
Hardware choices and woodworking methods to equip file drawers to hold hanging folders. May 13, 2013

Door Clearances for Cabinets by the Fridge
Advice on a door swing clearance problem next to a refrigerator. February 13, 2009

Troubleshooting Belt Loading when Sanding White Pine
What makes sander belts gum up, and how can you get them clean? Shop operators share experiences and ideas. June 28, 2005

Dovetails for Front Only?
How about if we dovetail just the front joints of a drawer box, and just staple the back? Cabinetmakers kick the suggestion around. July 9, 2007

Applying Glue or Water to Dowel Holes
Focusing in on a small step with dowel construction: preparing the dowel hole. August 21, 2012

Cleaning a Rusty Table Saw
Tips for getting rust off a table saw surface. April 30, 2009

Ripping cabinet-grade plywood -- with a circular saw
Tips and accessories for getting decent cuts with a hand-held power saw. September 26, 2000

Re-Configuring Existing Cabinets
Five out of five doctors agree: tearing out and reassembling existing cabinets is just not worth it. September 23, 2006

Single Phase Wide-Belt Sanders
Single-phase wide-belts top out at about 10 horsepower. Most woodworkers seem to prefer the beefier models that run on 3-phase power. September 7, 2006

Installing refrigerator end panels
The search for better methods. April 3, 2002

Cyanoacrylate adhesive
How does this glue work for gap filling? (From WOODWEB's Finishing Forum) March 23, 2003

Stripes in Fir Plywood
A cabinetmaker's finisher notices a strange defect in some Fir plywood, probably caused by grain compression that happened at the plywood mill. October 13, 2012

Vacuum Panel Lifter
Here's some basic info on vacuum panel lifters — how they work, setup, and use. April 21, 2011

Tuning Up a Low End Widebelt
Advice on a few tweaks to get the best performance out of an inexpensive light-duty widebelt sander. April 12, 2013

Troubleshooting Drawer Slide Noise
A little too tight or too loose, and the slides will make noise. December 10, 2007

Red Elm for Kitchen Cabinet Doors
Woodworkers discuss the appearance and workability of Red Elm for kitchen cabinetry. August 11, 2009

What's the Best Pencil for Woodworkers
A few jocular comments notwithstanding, this is a serious question for the professional woodworker. December 28, 2014

Pocket Screw Machine Slow Operation
Maintenance and cleaning tips that may restore a multi-head pneumatic pocket screw machine to its former quickness. August 15, 2011

Locating Radiant Tubing Within a Slab
How do you find those tubes so you won't puncture them when you're anchoring down equipment? March 26, 2008

Desireable Features in a Line Boring Machine
A cabinetmaker gets advice on shopping for a line-boring machine that wil productively meet his needs. June 16, 2014

Doweling Machine Choice: CNC or Not?
When is it worth having CNC capability in doweling operations? December 2, 2011

Troubleshooting Warped Cabinet Doors
but how do you prevent it? Craftsmen provide some answers. June 12, 2005

Sanding Disk Preferences
Woodworkers discuss abrasive and backing characteristics that make various brands of sanding disk useful in particular applications. March 12, 2015

Tapered Stop Flutes
The search for a simple, efficient method. December 26, 2004

Hinge-Boring Bit Choices
Cabinetmakers discuss how to set up for boring Euro hinge holes in hard materials. August 31, 2010

Line Boring Bit Recommendation
Debating the advantages of brad-point and V-point bits for production boring. January 12, 2012

Cubby Construction Methods
Advice on joinery methods and veneer application for storage cube shelving. July 15, 2014

Shaper Bits in a Router?
Just don't do it. It's not worth it. April 21, 2011

Optimal feed rates for CNC machining
What are the best feed rates for CNC work? October 31, 2000

Table Extension Ideas
Folding and sliding table extensions for machinery that sometimes requires support for a long workpiece. March 26, 2010

Is a Motorized Sliding Table Saw Fence Worth It?
Cabinetmakers describe the benefits of upgrading the fence on a slider. June 15, 2009

Casters for Heavy Machinery
Advice on using heavy-duty casters or a pallet jack to make large equipment movable around the shop. December 17, 2014

Patching damaged veneer
Repairing damaged veneer on the top of a chest of drawers. June 14, 2000

Troubleshooting Burnt Glue in the Edgebander
Glue selection, heating element performance, and temperature settings all come up for discussion when an edgebander seems to have a burnt glue problem. December 27, 2010

Face frame alignment
Getting good alignment with mortise and tenon joinery in face frames. December 6, 2000

Troubleshooting Melamine Chip-Out Around Bore Holes
Drill bit type and drilling speed control can reduce chipout on two-sided melamine panels, and there are also touch-up solutions for minor chipping problems. February 26, 2007

Entry Level Line Boring Equipment
Cabinetmakers explain the advantages of buying a used piece of serious machinery, rather than buy a less-capable machine new. January 13, 2009

CNC Bits for Cutting HPL Laminate
High Pressure Laminate is rough on tooling. Here's advice for choosing a bit that might last a little longer. November 27, 2012

Production ideas for box columns
Joint selection and assembly tips for box-type columns. September 26, 2000

Ultra-Light MDF for Cabinetmaking
Cabinetmakers are succeeding with ultra-light MDF. Here's more info. February 19, 2013

Specialty Scribing Tools
Cabinetmakers and installers consider the value of specialized jigs for scribing cabinets to fit tight spaces.September 25, 2014

Lighting and Orientation for Sanding Easels
A shop owner works on his sanding table concept. February 19, 2011

Polishing Granite
This thread covers a helpful topic: polishing scratches out of granite tops. June 18, 2010

Casters for an Island Cabinet
Here's a look at how to equip an island with casters, while providing for it to be held fixed when necessary. August 12, 2014

Keeping Plywood Flat
Pros discuss causes, cures, and prevention of warping in plywood. July 9, 2005

Hot Air Edgebander Choices
A cabinetmaker gets advice on selecting the right edgebander. July 11, 2007

Purchasing a Boring Machine
A dedicated boring machine is a huge productivity booster that will quickly repay its purchase price. August 29, 2006

Buying a Sliding Table Saw
A second-hand, high-quality slider is a good investment. Here are tips on tuning it up and getting the best out of it. February 16, 2012

Building Up a Two-Inch Trestle Table-Top Edge
Advice on how to fake a two-inch slab thickness by building up the edge of a table top. May 6, 2010

Troubleshooting Sandpaper Scratch Marks
Sandpaper choices and sander settings both play a role in swirl marks created by small wood slivers that stick to the sandpaper. May 27, 2014

Methods for radius layout
Alternatives to using a trammel for laying out an arc. September 19, 2001

Peel and Stick Edgebanding
Occasional users discuss the pros and cons of peel-and-stick edgebanding. June 23, 2014

Unloading and Handling Panels
Techniques and equipment for getting sheet goods off the truck and into the shop. August 15, 2006

Sensor Color Sensitivity Problem with Edgebander
Infrared lights and sensors in some edgebanders need to be calibrated to the color of the edgebanding, or they won't trigger when they're supposed to. December 8, 2010

Buying an Edgebander: New Versus Used
Edgebanders are finicky, but some people have done well buying used machines. February 16, 2012

Sawblades 101
Select the right blade for the job with this quick rundown of blade characteristics. January 7, 2007

Glue Pot Rebuild: Buy or Do in Shop?
When an edgebander glue pot fails, you can spend money on a replacement, or spend your own time and aggravation rebuilding it yourself. September 26, 2009

Tuning an Edgebander
Advice on dialing in the variables of an edgebander's operation, one step at a time. October 19, 2014

Murphy Bed Hardware Comparisons
A comparison of various types of Murphy bed hardware, with sources of supply. March 28, 2015

Should a Widebelt Sander Have a Platen?
Some thoughts on what a widebelt sander's platen contributes to performance. June 16, 2014

Soft-Starting a Compressor
A properly located buffer tank in the air line can keep a compressor from stalling or tripping the breaker on start-up. June 13, 2011

Applying Laminate with an Edgebander
Yes, you can apply high-pressure laminate to panel edges using an edgebander. Here are tips on trimming and adhesives. February 16, 2012

208-Volt to 240-volt Machinery Conversion
Woodshop owner moves from a shop with 240-volt power to a shop with 208-volt power, and has to figure out how to adapt some older machinery to the new situation. March 3, 2009

Slides for Very Wide Drawers
Hardware is available for a five-foot-wide drawer, but it's a little stiff in operation. June 17, 2012

Chip-free cutting of composite panels
Consider these factors when striving for chip-free cuts in composite panels. February 13, 2001

Drum Sander Sandpaper Choices
Simple tips on finding and attaching sandpaper for your drum sander. March 25, 2008

Rip and Crosscut Saw Blades
A brief discussion of saw blade types and quality considerations. October 26, 2005

Powder Post Beetles in Plywood
Amazingly, the bugs are not killed by plywood manufacturing methods, and can lurk inside plywood for years. October 27, 2011

Getting Started with a 32mm System
Advice on learning about True 32, KISS 2, and Blum methods for standardizing Euro frameless cabinet construction around a 32mm module.October 20, 2013

Condensate Drain Problems
Ideas for keeping your air tank dry during operation. December 7, 2008

Overhanging Granite Countertop
You should consult the granite supplier, but here are some support methods that have worked in the past. July 29, 2012

Glass Shelf Span?
Advice on glass thickness for a wide shelf span. February 17, 2012

Packing Cabinets and Tops for Delivery
Advice on packing and shipping for a large shipment of cabinetry. November 29, 2014

Wiring a Fan Motor
Advice on figuring out whether a motor, purchased second hand, is correctly wired. August 16, 2012

Sizing the Air Compressor for a Small Shop
Horsepower and tank size aren't the best measures of whether a compressor can keep up with the work you're giving it. Here's a closer look at the specs that matter. January 25, 2013

Alternatives to Automotive Epoxy for Wood Filling
Woodworkers discuss hard, sandable wood-filling compounds. March 25, 2007

Paint Finish on Melamine
Will paint adhere to melamine? With scuff sanding, yes, say people who have tried it. July 22, 2005

Downdraft Tables Versus Vacuum-Equipped Sanders
Some woodworkers swear by downdraft tables, others swear by sanders coupled to vacuum dust collectors. May 22, 2006

Dowel Joinery Glue Application Techniques
The standard method is to place a metered amount of glue into the hole, then insert the dowel. November 23, 2012

Evaluating Lipping Planers
Woodworkers discuss the good and bad points of various lipping planers. February 28, 2006

Placing an Outlet on an Island Cabinet
Tips on code issues and esthetic concerns for the required electrical outlet on an island cabinet. February 26, 2007

Pre-Finished Plywood and Wood Edgebanding
Advice on assembly and finishing of a cabinet made with prefinished plywood interiors and solid wood edgebanding. October 13, 2012

RTA Fittings for Fat Shelves
Suggestions for "ready-to-assemble" hardware suitable for thick shelving material in a built-in project. March 13, 2014

Drum Sander Tips and Tricks
Advice on how to get good performance from a drum sander. October 13, 2008

Miter Saw Blade Cut Creep
Saw blades pulling on the work can pull cut angles slightly out of whack. Here, craftsmen suggest solutions for accurate cutting. March 20, 2006

Shadow Lines On Cabinet Door Backs
Faint dark lines on the inside face of cabinet doors right at shelf locations are typically caused by deposits of dust. March 12, 2009

Is a Drum Sander Worth $400?
Even if the drum sander is cheap, some people would say to stick with random orbit sanding. May 15, 2012

Custom Veneering for Sequence-Matched Cabinet Doors
When the veneer-matching requirements get extreme, it's time to outsource to a specialty shop. November 19, 2008

Troubleshooting an Edgebander Pre-Heat Fence
The pre-heating fence on an edgebander is a seldom-used accessory. It may be repairable with off-the-shelf components. January 2, 2012

Notching Drawer Backs for Slides
Advice on accomplishing a drawer construction detail. October 20, 2013

Residential ADA Cabinets
Here's some invaluable first-hand advice: a paraplegic woodworker describes the accessible designs that work in his own kitchen. September 3, 2011

Shop-Made Fence Stops for a Line Boring Machine
Here's a look at a shop-rigged adjustable stop system for a Ritter R-46, with brass bolts for fine adjustment. April 29, 2012

Edgebanding with No Edgebander
Alternative ways to apply edgebanding to small runs of laminate doors when you have no edgebander. September 23, 2006

Xenon Versus Halogen Cabinet Lighting
Comparing the cost, performance, and availability of halogen and xenon lights for cabinets and display casesJanuary 9, 2008

Whether to Use a Refrigerated Air Dryer
Wise woodworkers use air dryers to protect their air-powered equipment from atmospheric humidity. Here's more discussion. June 17, 2013

Sourcing Cabinet Box Parts
What are the options for a company that only wants to assemble parts, not cut them? August 29, 2005

Pricing for Cabinet Refacing
Pros discuss how to price cabinet refacing work. November 11, 2005

Mobile Machinery and Power Cords
Shop owners exchange ideas for putting tools on wheels and feeding power from overhead. August 8, 2005

Inconspicuous Drawer Front Mounting Methods
Advice on a tricky attachment problem: hiding the fasteners for a drawer front when the geometry leaves you few easy options. November 15, 2011

Box Fixture Ideas for Kitchen Fluorescent Lights
An example with photo and description of a custom wood ceiling fixture for 4-foot fluorescent tube lighting. May 6, 2010

Solid Aluminum Edgebanding?
Information about aluminum edgebanding. March 26, 2010

Gang Rips Saws and Glue-Ready Edges
A gang ripsaw or straight-line ripsaw should yield a glue-joint ready edge, but only with proper blade sharpening and maintenance. January 12, 2012

Matching the Stain on Manufactured Cabinets
Large suppliers can supply you with the same stain they used on pieces you purchase. December 30, 2005

Northern Versus Southern Red Oak
The characteristics of Oak vary from North to South. Here's more. April 15, 2013

Vocabulary for Frameless Cabinet Parts
"What do you call that thing?" The terminology used to describe the various structural elements of a frameless cabinet appears to vary widely throughout the industry. June 16, 2014

Humidity and Warping in the Shop
The key is to get the wood at the right moisture content and keep it there. October 26, 2012

New Way to Fabricate Laminate Counter Edges
One craftsman's suggestion for a new way to create the edge detail for a laminate countertop. October 27, 2009

Widebelt Sander Belt Tracking
Advice on how to get your belt running straight. January 20, 2010

Grinding a Warped Cast-Iron Table Saw Top Flat
It's not unusual for machinery tables to get deformed out of their proper flat shape, but the problem is correctable. March 25, 2007

Bit Choices for Miter-Folding Cuts
Advice on tooling for miter-fold joint fabrication. April 29, 2011

Pocket Hole Joinery with Melamine Cabinets
A cabinetmaker tries pocket screws for assembling melamine cabinet carcases, and discovers that it doesn't work. July 21, 2006

Baltic Birch Plywood Dovetail Tearout Problems
Dry veneers on plywood are brittle and tear out easily. These tips may improve your results, though. February 20, 2008

Making Table Saw Blade Parallel to Miter Slot
Contractor's table saws are not as adjustable as a shop cabinet saw. November 27, 2007

De-Glazing a Widebelt Conveyor
The standard method is to sand the conveyor with the wide belt, but you can just use a random orbital hand sander instead. October 15, 2012

Poplar for Paint-Grade Cabinet Doors?
It works well for paint-grade trim, but woodworkers say poplar creates stability issues when used for casework. March 20, 2006

3/4-Inch Material for Cabinet Construction — Pros and Cons
After a switch to CNC production, a shop-floor mechanic looks for advice on moving to 3/4-inch material as a standard. October 25, 2006

Repairing Broken Abrasive Belts
Sanding belts have a shelf life, and once the joint tape fails, it's not easy to fix. February 16, 2012

Troubleshooting Split-Fence Accuracy
A split fence on the shaper allows for quick setup, but it takes time to learn how to set the fences accurately. August 29, 2006

Evaluating a Used Sliding Table Saw
A cabinetmaker gets advice on what kind of wear and tear to look for on a used slider. March 1, 2006

Corrosion-Resistant Hardware for Beach Houses
Cabinetmakers discuss the risk of salt air, and suggest product choices for a salt-air environment. August 19, 2013

Powder Post Beetle Worries
Will powderpost beetles found in a piece of furniture spread elsewhere in the house? April 21, 2011

Aftermarket Dust Collection for a Sliding Table Saw
Product suggestions and a look at a shop-rigged example of a dust collection saw blade shroud for a slider. April 15, 2013

Miter Cutting Precision
How to boost the accuracy of miter cuts for doors, without spending too much on equipment. July 28, 2012

Working with Red Birch
Red Birch is the heartwood of Yellow Birch. Here are tips on how it behaves. August 15, 2006

Supporting an Elevated Countertop
Tips for supporting a cantilevered counter on one side of an island. March 3, 2009

Infra-Red Tube Heaters
Shop owners say gas-fired infrared overhead heaters work well, with good heat, quick recovery, and no worries about over-drying stored lumber. February 13, 2009

Stationary Biscuit Joiners
Advice on modifying or adapting biscuit joining equipment for use as a stationary machine. November 10, 2006

Cutting a Circle on the Table Saw
With the right jig, it's quick and slick. March 17, 2005

Fridge Panel Dimensions
Refrigerator panel dimensions provided in the manufacturer's manual should be checked against the actual appliance measurements, because sometimes things change. February 17, 2012

Pocket Hole Machine Maintenance
Slow operation and a gravely, rough, grinding sound could be caused by junk in the gears. July 28, 2012

Working with Lyptus
Cabinetmakers share experiences working with the tropical hardwood Lyptus. July 22, 2005

Sawing Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is hard to cut. Specialty blades can handle it, but it may be best to have a metal shop handle the task. February 6, 2007

Setting Up a Power Feeder
A cabinetmaker gets advice on adjusting a power feeder he bought second-hand with no manual. November 13, 2009

Refacing Vinyl-Wrapped Cabinet Face Frames
A contractor gets advice on quick, effective ways to tackle a tricky refacing detail. December 28, 2005

Eliminating Cross Grain Scratches
Tips on detecting and preventing cross-grain scratches created during sanding. October 25, 2006

Shopping for a Phase Converter
Woodshop owners offer opinions on phase converter choices in the market. February 1, 2015

Pneumatic Clamps for Sliding Table Saws
Info on aftermarket and shop-built pneumatic setups for clamping material to a sliding table saw. March 26, 2009

Setting Up a New Slider
Nine out of nine doctors agree: have the supplier's tech set up your brand new sliding table saw for you. Do not do it yourself. January 23, 2014

Dowel Equipment
Basic info on dowel-making and dowel-inserting machinery. November 11, 2008

Procedures for shop-floor medical emergencies
What to do when a serious accident occurs in the shop. September 26, 2000

Drawer Box Tolerances with Undermount Slides
A discussion of drawer dimensions, material thickness, and slide specifications. December 7, 2008

Cleaning Edgebander Glue Spreader
Fine points of getting the gunk out of your edgebander's glue spreader. March 26, 2010

Boring Machine Cycle Time
They're quick. November 15, 2011

Cutting veneered panels and melamines -- without a scoring blade
Avoiding chipping problems when cutting veneered panels and melamines. January 3, 2001

Baltic Birch Plywood Dimensions and Waste
Thoughts on how to get value out of a 5-foot by 5-foot plywood panel. June 16, 2010

Radius Corners on HPL Counters
Applying laminate strip without pull-away problems. May 19, 2004

Blotchy glue marks after finishing
How to prevent glue stains from ruining finishes. October 2, 2001

Working with Hickory
Hard, dense, and splintery, Hickory does not take finish well either. You might want to consider Butternut as an alternative. November 15, 2011

Recreating the Look of Rough-Sawn Lumber
Finding or creating rough-sawn lumber for rustic cabinetry. August 31, 2009

Rebuilding Existing Cabinets
Bottom line: it's not worth modifying existing cabinets when you can build new ones more easily. September 7, 2006

Five-Piece Drawer Front Attachment Tips
Methods for attaching drawer fronts that are secure and allow adjustment. February 11, 2010

Removing the Glue Pot from an Edgebander
Photos and description of getting a gunked-up old glue pot loose from a Brandt KD 54 edgebander. December 2, 2011

Face Frame Edges and Cabinet Ends
Cabinetmakers discuss the detail where a face frame edge meets the exposed end of a cabinet. November 6, 2007

Sanding Face Frame Joints Flush
Advice on finish sanding methods and joinery for face frames. February 21, 2011

Powder-Post Beetles in Cabinetry
Where could those pesky critters be coming from? June 5, 2007

Island Cabinet Clearance
Thirty-six inches is minimum, and forty-two is better. November 11, 2005

Pocket-screwed face frames
A time-saving method for frame assembly compared to dowels. 1998.

Whether to Finish Hidden Cabinet Ends
Cabinetmakers discuss whether to finish the ends of cabinets that abut slide-in appliances. April 9, 2008

Using a Skid-Steer as a Forklift
Considering whether a skid-steer could load and unload cabinetmaking materials in addition to doing other useful work. December 27, 2010

Cleaning an Edgebander Glue-Pot
Cleaning the gluepot is a hassle, so it's wise to take steps to minimize fouling. September 8, 2007

Widebelt Sander Kickback
Cabinetmakers discuss why a widebelt sander kicked some boards out against the feeder belt. October 11, 2012

Snipe with a Wide-Belt Sander
Troubleshooting a wide-belt sander performance problem: it's making a "dip" in the piece. October 2, 2007

Clamp Rack Size Considerations
Advice on choosing and using a clamp rack. December 11, 2012

Rotary Screw Compressors Pros and Cons
Pros and cons of this advanced compressor technology. January 2, 2014

Troubleshooting a Wide Belt Sander Oscillation Problem
Info on dealing with electric eye issues and sander belt tracking. June 12, 2014

Matching Sun-Darkened Cherry
Color-matching new work with old is tricky when the wood is Cherry, because of the way Cherry darkens when exposed to light. May 24, 2006

Matching Old Cabinets: Is This Cherry or Maple?
Actually, the pros think it might be Alder ... or Red Birch. June 28, 2013

Shelf Life of Widebelt Sanding Belts
How long are widebelt sanding belts supposed to last? Here's a closer look at why a belt might fail early. June 16, 2014

Upgrading a Compressor Pump
Is it worth the time and expense to upgrade the capacity of an existing compressor? Probably not. March 26, 2013

Woodshop Heating Options
More thoughts on the many ways to heat a woodshop. August 31, 2005

Rolling A-Frames for Moving Plywood
Ideas for a low-cost shop-built plywood-handling rack on wheels. July 10, 2007

Outdoor Kitchen Advice
Here's a laundry list of issues to address if you build an outdoor kitchen. October 13, 2012

Compressed Air Line Piping Material
A discussion of copper, black iron, and PEX/aluminum air line tubing. March 28, 2015

Waxing Equipment Surfaces
Using butcher's wax to make wood move easily across machine tables. April 18, 2004

Dealing with Planer Tear-Out
Craftsmen discuss tooling and operator techniques for minimizing tear-out from planing lumber. November 12, 2005

Joinery and Assembly for Cabinet Miters
Using tape and glue to hold and secure long miter joints. December 2, 2011

Beam Saw Versus Sliding Table Saw
Which to buy, slider or beam saw? Versatility, productivity, and ease of maintenance are issues to consider. August 24, 2008

Panel Saw/Slider Comparison
Cabinetmakers compare the advantages of vertical panel saws and sliding table saws, with special reference to ripping. November 11, 2005

Warping and cracking in glued-up pine
To find clues for cracked and warped pine panels, a measure of moisture content is needed before the splitting occurs. 1998.

Solid Surface Popularity
Some cabinetmakers say stone and laminate are edging solid surfacing out. November 12, 2005

Wood Countertop with a Drop-In Cooktop
Cabinetmakers consider the risks of putting a cooktop in a wood countertop, and discuss the best finish for that situation. August 19, 2013

Shop-Rigged Task Lighting
Ideas for task lighting that is there when you need it, out of the way when you don't. August 21, 2006

1/2-Inch Drawer Bottoms
Cabinetmakers discuss construction details of wide drawers with half-inch bottoms, dovetail boxes and undermount slides. October 2, 2007

What's the Easiest Wood to Work ?
Woodworkers rate wood species on machinability, looks, and stainability. December 14, 2005

Flat-Profile Crown Moulding
Some might call it a "Shaker" or "Mission" detail. Here are some examples and discussion of crown moulding with simple, flat faces. June 3, 2013

Mounting a Table-Saw Power Feeder
Ideas for attaching a power feeder to a table saw. October 2, 2007

Clean Cuts in MDF
Saw marks on cut edges could be a problem of fence alignment. Here's some advice on getting straight, clean cuts. October 9, 2006

Powered Fence Pushers for Sliding Table Saws
Woodworkers speak highly of automated fence setups on sliders. September 26, 2009

Substitutes for Mahogany
Either lyptus wood or luan (also called "meranti") may be an acceptable lower-cost alternative to mahogany in cabinets. March 12, 2006

Dowels Versus Pocket Boring for Cabinet Assembly
A cabinetmaker considers assembly options in light of his planned CNC purchase. September 25, 2014

Cleaning Silicone from Frames
Tips on removing silicone used to set glass in a wood cabinet door, when changing the glass. March 25, 2007

Dowel Hole Layout for CNC Boring
A CNC gives you flexibility in dowel-hole spacing. So what do you choose? March 9, 2008

Side-Mount Soft-Close Ball Bearing Drawer Slides
Side-mounted soft-closing drawer slides have a spotty reputation. January 23, 2014

Breaking Quarter-Inch Shank Router Bits Using a Dovetail Jig
If your jig won't accept half-inch-shank bits, you may break a lot of bits working with plywood. March 10, 2008

Cutting and Trimming Aluminum and Plastic
Advice on bits and blades that work will with aluminum laminate and plastic resin material. October 2, 2007

Upcut Saws for Precision Work
Upcut saws can be used for items like door parts, but you need a good one. March 12, 2015

Drawer Slide Adjustment for Flush Inset Cabinets
The math and the hardware positioning and adjustment can get tricky when you're using tandem slides with inset face frame construction. July 6, 2011

Standardizing Side Mount Drawer Slide Placement
If you want to make time, make a simple rule and stick with it. March 26, 2010

Drawer Slide Adjustment
Some drawer slides are designed to leave the drawer just a hair proud of the face when closed. November 10, 2006

Soundproofing a Shop
Tips on wall construction to keep noise from leaking out of your shop. February 12, 2009

Troubleshooting an Edgebander Glue Application Problem
Problem: no glue on the first bit of edgebanding through the station. Solution: adjust the glue roller.June 16, 2014

Hinge-Boring Machine Compatibility
A discussion of retrofitting hinge-boring equipment to handle different companies' hinge screw patterns. July 21, 2006

Production laminating -- is hot or cold press faster?
A laminator looks for time-saving pressing techniques. June 14, 2000

Doubling Up Compressors or Fans
When you link two fans or compressors together, what's the effect on pressure and airflow? January 18, 2007

Patching Scratches in Pre-Finished Plywood
Thoughts on scratch repair, cutting, gluing, and prices for pre-finished plywood. March 1, 2006

One-Speed Versus Variable-Speed Random Orbit Sander
A discussion of random-orbit sander characteristics. October 25, 2006

Fix for Mis-Placed System Holes
There are ways to patch mis-located screw holes. But it's smarter to back off and start over (you can still re-use the scrap). April 21, 2011

Machinery setup: Squaring up your saw
How to make sure your saw is cutting square. February 12, 2001

Flush Joining Plywood to Hardwood Edge to Edge
Woodworkers suggest ways to make a plywood-to-hardwood edge joint smooth and flush. June 18, 2009

Shop Voltage Limits for Edgebanders
Accurately controlled AC voltage supplied to the machine is important for regulating the 24-volt DC output of the edgebander's internal transformer. October 15, 2009

Machining and Stability Characteristics of Birch
A few facts and some hands-on impressions of Birch as a cabinetmaking material, compared to other similar woods. July 8, 2014

Flip Stop Choices
Advice on shopping for aftermarket stops. May 31, 2014

Attaching Drawer Fronts to Blum Tandembox
Tips on drawer front assembly with Blum Tandembox. October 13, 2012

Wood Countertop Construction and Care
Advice on building and maintaining butcher-block countertops. June 28, 2007

Line Boring Attachment, or Dedicated Machine?
A separate machine for line boring makes more practical sense than buying an attachment for another machine. April 20, 2008

Compressors, Vacuum Pumps, Air Dryers, Air Makeup
Thumbnail descriptions of various kinds of equipment that move air. September 20, 2008

Cordless Drill/Driver Choices
Cabinetmakers talk about the cordless tools they like. October 26, 2011

Ipe For Cabinet Construction
Ipe's coloration, oiliness, irritating dust, and density are disadvantages when it comes to building cabinets. October 27, 2009

Roughing Up a Wide-Belt Feed Mat
Tips on how to roughen the surface of the feed mat on a 2-head widebelt sander to keep parts from slipping as they're fed in. February 12, 2010

What Brush Sanders Can and Cannot Do
Brush sanders are useful, but like any tool they have certain limitations. March 9, 2008

Sanding an Inside Profile
Cabinetmakers don't report much luck with machine sanding to remove cutter burns. July 11, 2007

Edgebander Knife Not Traveling Full Stroke
Tips on keeping your edgebander tuned so the knife cuts all the way through the tape when it's supposed to. April 4, 2011

Termite-Resistant Cabinet Materials
Advice on termite-resistant wood, composites, or synthetic materials for use in tropical locations. August 31, 2010

Do I Need the Scoring Blade for a Vertical Panel Saw?
Many users get along fine without a scoring blade. February 11, 2010

Pneumatic Random Orbit Sanders and Dust
Advice on dust collection efficiency with air-powered random-orbit sanders. March 26, 2010

Troubleshooting Flickering Power Supply
Poor quality power might be a site maintenance issue. April 2, 2013

Attaching Drawer Fronts for Full-Overlay Cabinets
A cabinetmaker seeks advice on attaching drawer fronts. February 27, 2015

Bench over Baseboard Heater
Thoughts about the advisability of building an enclosed bench over an existing baseboard heater. June 15, 2009

Giving Away or Using Up Scrap Wood
Ideas for making use of small hardwood or plywood scrap and off-cuts. March 25, 2007

Whether to Glue Pocket-Screwed Face Frame Joints
Most cabinetmakers use glue for joint stability even when the joint is secured with pocket screws. October 15, 2012

MDF and Shaper Cutter Life
How much wear and tear does MDF cause for knife edges? August 31, 2010

Edge Bander Trimmer Adjustments
How to adjust an edge bander. November 20, 2008

Inserts for Custom Wood Range Hoods
Advice on choosing the necessary manufactured liner for a wooden range vent hood. January 19, 2012

Bandsaw Tire Refurbishing Cost
New tires for an old bandsaw ain't cheap. May 13, 2005

Sliding Table Saw Tolerances
How perfect a cut should you expect? Pros share thoughts. September 20, 2005

Biscuit Joiner Comparisons
Besides the quality and price issues, not all biscuit joiners work the same way. Here's a closer look. April 9, 2008

Carbide Versus HSS Tooling
Basic info on the differences between carbide and high speed steel cutterhead knives. August 15, 2011

Bamboo Door Flatness
A discussion of the stability and flatness tolerances of bamboo plywood material for cabinet doors. August 31, 2009

Maintenance for a Martin T-71 Slider
A longtime Martin owner advises a new buyer of a vintage 1985 slider how to care for the machine. January 14, 2013

U.S. and Canadian Cabinetmaking Standards
A brief discussion of AWI standards and Canada's AWMAC standards. July 21, 2006

MDF or Solid Wood for a Face Frame
MDF is nice for paint-grade door panels, but not so suitable for face frames. October 15, 2009

Speaker Cloth Choices for Entertainment Centers
Good speaker cloth has better acoustic properties than regular cloth. April 4, 2011

Copper Countertop Tips
Copper is tricky to work with. Here are a few thoughts on using it for countertops. April 17, 2009

Small-Shop Sliding Saws
A short-stroke sliding table saw or a panel saw might help solve this cabinetmaker's space problem. May 10, 2005

Removing Veneer from Backer
A cabinetmaker wants to pull the backer off of some backed veneer. Others provide advice. August 29, 2006

Going metric: Pros and cons
Pros and cons of converting to metric measurement in your shop. February 28, 2001

Tips for Paint Grade Doors
Advice on door materials, spackle, and paint techniques for paint-grade work. February 27, 2013

Choosing a Slider Blade
Advice on blade choices for a sliding table saw. March 27, 2012

Re-Roughening Power Feeder Tires
Aftermarket replacement tires give the best grip. But here are tips for sanding old tires to improve their surface friction. December 27, 2008

Electric Motor Starting Problems
When the motor sits and hums instead of starting, the problem could be in a switch or in the starting capacitor. March 3, 2009

Particleboard Warping in Cold Weather
Dry shop air can cause some materials to dry out and warp. August 12, 2014

Layout Dilemma: Lazy Susans Versus Blind Corners
Cabinetmakers puzzle over the question of fitting a sink and storage into a tight space. April 18, 2011

Fastening Wood Edging to MDF
Advice on fastening 3/4" by 3/4" solid wood to the edge of an MDF panel. Is anything besides glue required? August 29, 2006

Keeping solid doors flat
Techniques for preventing warpage of solid wood cabinet doors. June 14, 2000

Drawer Front and Door Suppliers
Cabinetmaker gets suggestions on economical sources for drawer fronts and cabinet doors. June 17, 2005

Part Labeling Tips
Advice on how to label cabinet parts for assembly on a very large production order. April 30, 2009

Bamboo for Cabinets
Cabinetmakers discuss their experiences with bamboo-based materials. December 14, 2009

Edgebander Adjustments for an Even Glue Line
Maintenance tips that can help keep the edgebander from creating excessive glue build-up at the bottom of panel edges. August 14, 2007

Panel Router Versus Slider for Dadoing
Cabinetmakers discuss the choice of equipment for routine dado work in panels. February 1, 2015

Is Walnut Toxic?
Walnut knowledge overcomes Walnut fear in this informative and humorous discussion. June 8, 2008

Exterior Cabinetry Materials Choices
Cabinetmakers suggest woods, synthetic materials, and finishes for cabinets exposed to the elements under cover. February 21, 2011

Breaking router bits
Why are bits breaking while cutting exterior-grade MDF? November 26, 2001

Attaching Slides to Drawer Boxes
Tips on efficient, accurate, and consistent ways to position slides on drawer boxes. February 26, 2007

Dealing with Oversize Edge Banding
If your edgebanding is a little wider than the thickness of your panel stock, you have several options. October 26, 2012

De-Greasing Drawer Slides
Cabinetmakers ponder how to get the packing gunk off new drawer slides before it gets grimy and causes binding. October 12, 2007

Wood-Core MDF Panels
A quick look at the pros and cons of panels with plywood cores and MDF skins. April 22, 2014

Corner Cabinet Tips and Ideas
Suggestions for a cabinetmaker getting into building his first corner sink base. January 13, 2009

Built-in Washer/Dryer Issues
Advice on building a washer/dryer cabinet into a kitchen layout. December 14, 2009

Joints in Solid Wood Edgebanding
How to detail the intersection where one piece of rounded-over solid wood edgebanding butts into another. March 28, 2015

Line-boring for adjustable shelves
The full range of options for getting shelf holes in place is reviewed. 1998.

MDF for Painted Projects?
Medium density fiberboard (MDF) has some advantages over wood for paint-grade cabinetry. This discussion looks at when to use MDF and also at fastening and related issues. April 6, 2011

Torch-Cutting a Granite Countertop
It's possible to trim the edge of a granite slab by applying heat from a propane torch. February 8, 2008

Calculating Remaining Edgebanding
Formula to determine how much is left on the roll, with a nod to Archimedes. March 14, 2004

Distressing wood
Creating a well-worn look on newly built furniture. February 6, 2002

Making Beaded Panels
Equipment and techniques to cut beads in solid wood panels. April 18, 2006

Floor Underlayment Particle Board for Cabinetry?
Particleboard comes in different grades; floor underlayment is softer and less dense than cabinet-grade material. April 18, 2011

Should Edgebanding Need to be Filed by Hand?
Do edgebanded laminate parts require hand sanding, filing, or other touch-up for quality? January 19, 2011

Solid Wood Strips in the Edgebander
Running heavy solid wood edgebanding involves some tricky steps, and can be slow. July 28, 2012

Tag-Teaming Your Air Compressors
Woodworkers discuss various ways to tie two air compressors together to operate in tandem. January 27, 2008

MDF and Tooling
MDF dulls tooling quickly, so craftsmen tend to keep a set of cutterheads dedicated to MDF. March 28, 2015

Bearing Capacity of Shelf Pins
Informal testing indicates that they are strong. July 11, 2013

Shop-Built Cam Clamps
A cabinetmaker shows off his aluminum and maple cam clamps, and explains how they work. August 8, 2005

Concrete Countertop Cement Choices
Advice on materials choices and some tips on technique for a first-time concrete countertop job. June 12, 2014

Foreign Material in Sheet Stock
People have found nuts, bolts, wrenches, nail sets, and sheet rock knives embedded in sheets of MDF or plywood. September 3, 2011

Pre-Glued Dowel Advice
Pre-glued dowels seem to hold well if holes are precisely drilled, but don't save a lot of time except in an automated setup. January 2, 2012

Repairing a Wide Belt Platen
If damaged, the graphite and felt pad on a wide-belt sander can be repaired with generic materials. March 27, 2012

Line Boring with Through Bits
A discussion of bit choice for a line boring block. Can you do all your boring with through bits? June 16, 2014

Pros and Cons of Evaporative Coolers
"Swamp coolers" only work in dry climates, during the dry season. December 27, 2008

Aspen Wood for Cabinets
It's soft, it's fuzzy, and it takes finish unevenly. Hmm... August 29, 2006

Understanding "Blind Dado" Cabinet Construction
These illustrations and explanations help to visualize how blind dado details work to hold cabinets together. July 29, 2007

Edgebanding "White Out" Problem
Dark edgebanding sometimes turns white at ends where it passes through the cutters. Applying heat will restore the color — but what's a fast way to do it? April 4, 2011

Contour Trimming 3mm Edgebanding
Advice on rounding over and trimming plastic edgebanding without melting the material. August 31, 2010

Wide Belt Sander User Tips
Use the wide-belt sander's drum for stock removal, and the platen for finer-grit finish sanding. July 21, 2006

Cleaning Dusty Drawer Slides
How to clean out and re-lubricate a batch of dusty old door slides from the back of the shop. June 22, 2010

Small Trucks and Plywood
The search for an economical rig that will haul a few full sheets occasionally. January 22, 2006

Dressing the Rollers on a Wide-Belt Sander
Tips on getting the sander drum true again by running it over flat sandpaper. July 29, 2011

Countertop Bolt Systems
Cabinetmakers compare experiences with different undercounter bolt and clamp systems for securing countertop joints. April 29, 2011

Breaking Sharp Edges on Melamine Shelving
Suggested techniques for softening the knife-like edges of melamine shelves. December 21, 2010

Roller Stands for Sheet Goods
Shop owners discuss various kinds of roller stands, rolling tables, and stationary outfeed tables for handling sheet goods. December 28, 2005

Sanding Stile and Rail Profiles
Tips for choosing and using sanding wheels, or making a precise sanding block. April 30, 2009

Frameless Box Tolerances: Decks Versus Gables
Is it worth cutting tops and decks just a hair shy, so as to avoid revealing end wood in case of inaccuracy? March 13, 2014

Production sanding for humidors
There's no 'silver bullet' when it comes to the detail sanding that fine work demands, be it in a one-off or production environment. 1998.

Getting Value from a Vintage Hinge-Boring Machine
The purchaser of an outmoded MeplaMat 3000 boring machine gets advice on how to use it in modern work. September 25, 2014

Copper-Clad Table Top
Ideas for wrapping and fastening copper sheeting over a plywood table top. January 7, 2010

Building a Curved Reception Desk
A quick run-down on creating curved cabinetry. September 26, 2009

Inside Corner Drawer Construction
Here are a few photos of inside corner drawers, with some advice on how to build them. January 9, 2015

Pull-Out Trash Can Drawers
Turn a drawer upside down, stick a trash can through the bottom, and screw a cabinet door to the front — presto! January 26, 2009

Sanding Drawers After Construction
Ideas for sanding distinctive hardwood drawer boxes after building them, without distorting the corners. November 26, 2008

Waxing Machine Tops
Keep it simple. March 25, 2007

Repairing Scratched Melamine
No repair is perfect, but here are some pretty good options for a surface gouge in a melamine cabinet interior. September 23, 2006

Shared Power Switch for Tool and Vacuum
Quick tips on linking tool and shop-vacuum power supplies so that the vacuum starts when the tool starts. April 24, 2013

Goat Skin Cabinets?
Yes, goat skin parchment is used to veneer cabinets. Here's how it works. May 13, 2005

Building Cabinets with Lyptus
Cabinetmakers discuss the machining qualities and other characteristics of Lyptus (Eucalyptus) wood, and its suitability for cabinet construction. April 6, 2007

Air Line Tubing Systems
Shop owners discuss various tubing and connection systems for supply lines to air-powered tools. March 22, 2013

Finishing Cabinet Interiors
Depending on the use, cabinetmakers may match the exterior stain color, or go with melamine or a light wood and clear finish. October 1, 2005

Angle Jig for a Vertical Panel Saw
For simple 45-degree rips, a jig is cheap and easy to make. August 8, 2006

Power Feeder Wheels for Slippery Material
Stock feeder wheels may not be grippy enough to grab onto prefinished plywood or other low-friction material. January 25, 2013

Side Mount Soft Close Drawer Slides: Any Good?
Side mount soft close drawer slides have a less-than-stellar reputation. June 13, 2011

Fabricating a Seamless Tambour Door
Advice on veneer layup and cutting for making a seamless (or "invisible") tambour door. December 7, 2008

Troubleshooting Wide-Belt Sander Tracking Issues
Some wide-belt sander sanding belts don't reflect light properly to the automatic tracking sensor. Here's a fix. May 15, 2014

Widebelt Sander Drum Dressing
Advice on returning a damaged wide-belt sander drum to uniform smoothness. May 15, 2014

Machine Setup for Lock Miters
Lock miter setup requires a lot of fiddling, so a permanent dedicated machine can be most efficient. April 6, 2011

Handheld Edgebanders
A few quick thoughts on whether a handheld edgebander is a worthwhile tool for a serious shop. April 19, 2015

Jigless routing of MDF panels
Finding a low-cost method for making raised-panel doors out of MDF. January 3, 2001

Tuning Up a Sticky Pocket Hole Cutter
Cleaning and lube advice for a pocket hole cutter that's getting creaky. April 6, 2011

Managing Edgebander Outfeed in a Small Shop
Ideas for a simple automated setup to catch parts before they fall off the end of the edgebander, without tying up a worker's time. December 31, 2012

Gloves for Saw Operators
Woodworkers suggest some tough, skin-tight, high-friction gloves for use around power equipment. April 21, 2011

Thinner for Wood Filler
Advice on storing, reconstituting, or thinning solvent-based wood fillers. August 8, 2008

PUR adhesives
A Q&A on PUR hot melt formulations and their proper use. December 6, 2000

Moving Machinery
Cabinetmakers suggest ways to roll heavy machinery around in a small shop. October 1, 2005

Sliding Table Saw Slider Elevation
Why the slider is positioned slightly above the main table, and how to compensate when using the machine to rip hardwood. February 26, 2007

Troubleshooting Blade Chip-Out with Melamine
Advice on checking the blade for imperfections and the saw setup for inaccuracies. December 28, 2014

Ironing Plywood
A cabinetmaker has success straightening out bowed plywood with a hot iron. December 28, 2005

Calibrating an Edgebander
For best results, use a straight-edge off the "glue shoe" to set the gap for the glue roller. September 8, 2007

Overcoming sander swirl marks
Why does a random orbit sander leave swirl marks and scratches? January 24, 2001

Troubleshooting the End Trimmer on an Edgebander
Tips for adjusting an edgebander for accurate trimming of the banding material. February 17, 2014

Blade Choice for a Compound Miter Saw
A thin-kerf blade with a negative rake is the recommendation. October 15, 2009

Line Boring Accuracy
Troubleshooting a 2 millimeter discrepancy when boring long panels in the 32mm system. February 26, 2007

Edgebanding for Two-Piece Countertops
How do you apply edgebanding so that the joint between two countertop parts isn't banded? May 26, 2011

Isolating Air Lines from Compressor Vibration
To prevent vibration and noise, install a short section of suitable flexible tubing between the compressor and the copper air lines.January 3, 2012

Loose Biscuit Problem
When biscuits fit too loosely to align pieces accurately, the cutter may be the problem. June 15, 2009

Notching Cabinet Backs for Hanger Rails
Here's advice on routing out cabs for hanger systems, and a picture of a handy shaper jig. September 7, 2006

Making Cabinets with Hickory
Tips on machining and finishing this heavy, hard wood species. May 22, 2006

Working with Zebra Wood
Zebra wood is splintery, twisty, smelly, and irritating — but beautiful, woodworkers say. January 25, 2013

Edgebanding with Aluminum Laminate
Aluminum does not spark, but even the thin edgebanding will wear out tools faster than wood or plastic banding. October 20, 2013

MDF for Detailed Concrete Formwork
Advice on building forms using MDF. September 3, 2011

Optimal Bit Size for Template Routing
Advice on bits for routing holes in cabinets. August 31, 2009

Pony Clamp Pads Staining Work
Watch out: an oil-based residue in the rubber pads on a clamp can mark your work. May 28, 2010

Hard Versus Soft Maple
Quick basic info on hard and soft Maple. September 27, 2009

Radiant Tube Heater Tips
Info on radiant gas tube heating systems. January 24, 2006

Safety Air Switch Logic for Clamps
Advice on sources for pneumatic clamps that require two-handed actuation for safety. August 30, 2010

Line Boring Bit Sharpening
Careful sharpening will renew the bits and preserve bored-hole accuracy. October 11, 2007

Tapered Rollers on an Edgebander
Users and service techs differ on the usefulness of tapered pressure rollers on an edgebander. October 19, 2014

Edgebander Choice: Hot Air Versus Glue Pot
A second-hand glue pot edgebander at a good price could be the better value. July 29, 2012

Dovetailing plywood
Successfully dovetailing baltic birch plywood. March 20, 2001

Shelf Supports and Uplift
An unusual shelf setup needs restraint against tipping. What's the solution? Some shelf support pins provide a way for holding the shelf down. July 29, 2007

Poplar Is a Hardwood, but Is It Hard?
As a deciduous tree, Poplar is classified as a hardwood. Here's some hard info about just how hard it is (or isn't).November 15, 2011

Working with Silver Maple
Like Red Maple, it's a type of Soft Maple. Machines easily, but with a tendency to fuzz. August 29, 2006

Shimming and Fastening for End Panels
Looking for a fast and accurate way to attach end panels flush to the face frame. May 15, 2012

Metal Hanger Rail for Closets
Searching for easy installation hardware for closet-mounted cabinets. June 16, 2010

Clamp Wear and Tear
A discussion of how and why bar clamps wear out, and what to do about it. February 17, 2006

When to Change Blades and Cutters
Tips on how to tell when a blade is getting dull. October 26, 2005

LED Under-Cabinet Lighting Ideas
This thread about LED kitchen lighting includes a look at a nifty custom solution. March 12, 2015

Sliding Table Saw Hold-Down Options
Advice on shopping for after-market air clamps or similar clamping systems for a sliding table saw.

Should You Run a Compressor in Unconditioned Space?
Compressors may suffer if operated in winter cold or summer heat. February 19, 2013

Cutting Small Moulding
Advice on ways to get clean, accurate miter cuts on 3/8" moulding pieces. November 13, 2009

Replacing a Planer Cable with an Auto Speedometer Cable
It turns out that the cable driving a readout on an old planer is replaceable with an automobile part. March 13, 2014

Hose Size and Air Flow for Sanders
How much do hose diameters and fittings affect air sander performance? March 3, 2009

Mitering Rubber T Moulding
Sharp corners are harder to detail than radius corners when applying T moulding. December 28, 2014

Interruptions During Glue-Up
When you notice a problem you need to fix, is it okay to take apart a piece you are in the middle of assembling, clean it up, and then glue it together later? October 15, 2012

Visible Edgebander Glue Line Problem
How to avoid or fix an unsightly glue line on edgebanded panels. October 11, 2007

Cutting Aluminum in the Shop
Tips and cautions for cutting aluminum accent strips with woodworking equipment. March 26, 2009

Hinge Hole Repair in Melamine
Pros suggest ways to patch a blown-out hinge mortise. September 22, 2005

Cleaning Melamine Blades
Solvent cleaning will give you a little more mileage between blade re-sharpenings. March 9, 2008

Contour Edgebanders — Enough for a Small Shop?
A contour edgebander is okay for occasional work, but too slow for full production banding lots of straight edges in a busy shop. October 3, 2011

Gas Fired Radiant Tube Heat for the Shop
Shop owners give these gas tube radiant heaters high marks for convenience, safety, and heating effectiveness. January 10, 2006

Caster Hardware for a Mobile Kitchen Island
Heavy-duty industrial casters are recommended, but nylon slides may also work. November 22, 2005

Best Saw Blade for Melamine?
Woodworkers recommend tablesaw blades for cutting melamine. June 16, 2010

Compressor Burnout
A post about a smoking air compressor kicks of a discussion of quality characteristics of compressors, and whether they can be repaired. March 16, 2015

Selling Wide-Belt Sander Time on the Side
A wide-belt sander can help pay its way with occasional odd jobs for other woodworkers. May 13, 2005

Easing MDF Edges
Sanding techniques and tool options for gently rounding over the edges of MDF door and drawer faces. July 5, 2006

One-Horsepower Versus One-Half-Horsepower Power Feeders
What can a half-horsepower power feeder accomplish? August 3, 2009

Troubleshooting Melamine Panel Joints
Melamine cabinet parts aren't fitting tight. Is it the panel cuts, or the assembly technique? June 12, 2005

Hardwood Plywood Grades
Here's a concise explanation of hardwood plywood grades and what they mean. March 26, 2009

Edgebanding a Round Table
Here's a list of steps for applying edgebanding to a round laminate tabletop. April 8, 2013

Protecting Stacked Sheet Goods from Warping Under Infra-Red Heat
In a cold shop heated by radiant infra-red heaters, you need to cover your materials so they won't get overheated on one side. May 28, 2008

Dowel case joinery guidelines
Basics on doweling for case construciton. April 25, 2001

Troubleshooting Widebelt Sander Tracking Problems
You have to keep the tracking sensor clean. May 6, 2014

Outsourcing Kitchen Finishing
Thoughts on whether and how to farm out cabinet finishing. March 1, 2006

Dressing Power Feeder Tires
Old power feeder rollers that have gotten too glazed to grip can be restored to softness by cleaning, sanding, or re-covering. October 27, 2011

MDF for Cabinets in an Oceanfront House
Thoughts about cabinetry for a salt-air environment. May 5, 2011

Solid Wood Face Frame to Plywood Joint
Tips for detailing a plywood-to-solid-wood joint. December 14, 2005

Door Hinges, Door Dimensions, and Sagging Concerns
A cabinetmaker worries about whether a set of doors mounted on concealed hinges will sag over time. January 9, 2015

Power Feeder on a Table Saw
Advice on setting up a power feeder to handle wide and narrow rips with a table saw. June 23, 2006

Epoxy and Sawdust for Filling Checks
Advice on blending epoxy to fix cracks. January 19, 2011

Upgrade Charge for 3mm Edgebanding
3-millimeter edgebanding is a little more expensive, so maybe you should charge a little more. June 15, 2014

Protection on the Assembly Table
Suggestions for soft surface coverings for the assembly table to protect delicate cabinet surfaces during assembly. December 9, 2013

Removing Saw-Table Rust
More tips on rust removal for tool beds. September 8, 2007

Thickness Adjustment for a Widebelt Sander
Here's how to calibrate the panel thickness readout on an SCM Sandya widebelt. July 29, 2012

MDF vs. veneer-core plywood
Comparing MDF and particleboard to veneer-core plywood for cabinet manufacturing. 1998.

Edgebander Feed Track Control Issue
Troubleshooting a sensor trip on an edgebander that's stopping the feed track. December 14, 2009

Troubleshooting an Edgebanding Gap
What could account for edgebanding joints that aren't tight? Pros suggest problems to check for. January 24, 2006

Loosening Frozen Nuts
June 17, 2012

Choosing Dado and Groover Blades
The voice of experience on different cutter brands. June 18, 2005

Using MDF-Core Plywood
Cabinetmakers discuss their experiences with MDF-core plywood panels. March 26, 2009

Cleaning Up Edgebanded Corners
Options for trimming overhanging edgebanding ends flush. October 12, 2007

Figuring Angles: Degrees Versus Minutes
A little help with confusing geometry notation — how to convert "minutes" of angle to decimals. April 14, 2010

Centering the Belts on an SCM Sandya 3S
Keeping sanding belts on track requires knowing about a particular set screw and fitting. June 15, 2014

Problem with ball catches
Are ball catches appropriate for use on kitchen cabinets? March 20, 2001

Repairing a sequenced MDF door
reverse the terminal warp of a sequenced MDF/cherry door. 1998.

Power Feed Slipping with Melamine
Melamine is so slick, you may need to tweak the power feed, or even buy better wheels. July 27, 2008

Sharpening Schedule for Scoring Blades
If you cut a lot of melamine, how often does the scoring blade need to be sharpened? January 19, 2012

Loading Heavy Machinery Into a Trailer
Advice on how to get a massive woodshop machine loaded into a trailer for storage. June 15, 2009

Butt Joint Assembly Technique
How to hold cabinet pieces in place while assembling with butt joints. October 14, 2009

Edgebander Buffing Wheels
Advice on maintaining and using the buffing wheels on an older edgebander. January 25, 2013

Learning the trade
How to approach a woodworking firm about becoming an apprentice. November 7, 2000

Curing 32mm hole alignment problems
Improving results achieved with a single-hole line borer. January 24, 2001

Cabinets in Front of Windows, with Glass Doors
It may sound strange, but it can work out well. May 28, 2010

Filler for Countertop Knotholes
Advice on a filler material for knotholes that's compatible with a Tung oil finish. May 12, 2013

Lightweight MDF for Desks or Tables
With MDF, weight is related to strength and durability. November 10, 2006

Slippery Surfaces for Sliding Drawers
Advice on making wood-to-wood drawer-slide contact surfaces slick. October 27, 2009

Uses for an Overhead Router
Overhead routers are an old technology, but they have their uses. June 5, 2006

Dovetailers, Louver Equipment and Drawer Manufacturing
Basic info on dovetailing machinery. November 11, 2008

Platen Hardness and Wide-Belt Sander Performance
Different platens combined with different belt grits can help you fine-tune your sanding results. August 8, 2008

Sliding table saw basics
General information for first-time users of 'sliders.' 1998.

Pantry Pullout Details
A couple of photo examples of tall, narrow pullout pantry shelf units, and some thoughts on materials and hardware. May 26, 2011

Making Wood Drawer Slides Slippery
Suggestions for making wood drawers slide smoothly without creating dust. May 11, 2011

Mixing Maple and Poplar
Maple and Poplar have similar characteristics, and can be combined in a paint-grade project. April 2, 2013

Edgebander Lubrication Schedule
Edgebanders need frequent cleaning and greasing. December 7, 2008

12-Inch Versus 14-Inch Table-Saw Blade Performance
Twelve-inch blades seem to cut straighter and smoother. September 8, 2007

Edgebanding on a Curve
Hand-application tips and machinery recommendations for applying edgebanding to a curved edge. September 15, 2011

Cleaning Wide-Belt Sander Belts
Tips for getting the gum and dust out of a wide-belt sander belt. April 14, 2010

Air Hose Quick-Connect Durability
A tip on taking the strain off air-hose connections. April 13, 2010

Rebuilding or Servicing an Edgebander Gluepot
Advice on glue pot maintenance and service. June 16, 2014

Glue Choices for Sizing
Use a soft, easy-to-sand inexpensive white glue to mix glue sizing. May 28, 2010

45-Degree Frameless Door Hinge Problem
A cabinetmaker gets input on making a five-knuckle hinge work with frameless cabs that meet at 45 degrees. December 27, 2010

Circle Jigs for Routers
Ideas and photos for router setups for cutting circles of various sizes. August 31, 2010

Drawer Slide Screws
Finding screws that won't scrape on the slides during operation is a bit tricky. February 19, 2011

Infrared Controls and Speaker Cloth
Will an IR remote control device work through speaker cloth? March 1, 2006

Routing a Curved Edge on Thick Butcher Block
To profile 2.5-inch-thick butcher block, you need to use a template and cut from both sides. September 27, 2008

Shopping for a 4mm-Kerf Saw Blade
Suggestions for tooling to cut a 4mm slot for spline joinery. January 12, 2012

Hardware for Spice-Rack Pull-Outs
Slide choices for spice racks. March 26, 2008

Air Compressors in Cold Locations
Whether to bring your compressor inside the heated shop space, or not. June 15, 2014

Making Your Own Solid Wood Edgebanding
In a pinch, making your own edgebanding is no big deal. Here's how to do it. April 20, 2008

High Quality File Drawer Rails
Sources and ideas for hefty file rails. October 3, 2011

Sources for Panel Handling Carts
Several companies make competing hand carts for moving and lifting panels in the shop. December 2, 2010

Uses for a Wide Jointer
What good is a 24-inch jointer? December 14, 2009

Bead Board Panels: Make or Buy?
Bead-board paneling is not that hard to get, but you can also make your own. October 2, 2007

Power Feeder Wheels Too Slick
Addressing a slippery-wheel situation on a power feeder. July 29, 2012

Confirmat screw spacing
Spacing guidelines for Confirmat screws in the assembly of particleboard cases. January 16, 2001

Calibrating a Contractor's Table Saw
Loosen three nuts and nudge it (hint: replace the washers with better ones). March 14, 2006

Packing Cabinets to Ship Overseas
A quick rundown on wrapping, loading, and securing cabinets for container shipping. February 26, 2007

Air-Powered Sander Connectors Wearing Out
How to protect airline couplings on random-orbital sanders from premature failure. January 14, 2013

Cross-Grain Plywood
If you want plywood grain running up and down instead of side to side, carefully cutting and seaming the piece will usually fool the eye. July 9, 2007

Tiger Stop Stretched Belt
The belts on an automated stop system may stretch in service over time and require replacing to maintain accuracy. January 9, 2015

Cutting Ceramic Whiteboard Material Without Chipping
How to cut ceramic board without chipping out. January 7, 2010

Lipping Planer Operator Technique
A cabinetmaker gets advice on handling a lipping planer with the right touch, so it won't tear up his panels. June 21, 2012

Fat Shelf Concepts
Construction ideas for thick torsion-box shelves. January 24, 2006

Investing in an RF gluer
Is it worth it? Pros share opinions. May 10, 2005

Touch-Up Marker Choices
Advice on marker selection for touching up bare wood exposed by raised panel seasonal shrinkage. July 26, 2010

Steam bending wood
Information resources on how to steam bend wood. January 24, 2001

Jig for beaded faceframes
Photographs of a shop-built jig. June 4, 2003

Slide-Mounting a Heavy Pull-Out TV
Hardware suggestions for a difficult entertainment center problem. May 12, 2008

Sanding Inspection Lighting Ideas
Quick thoughts on lamp choices and construction for a shop-rigged inspection light at the sanding table. July 15, 2011

Efficient Production of Drawer Parts
An idea for speeding up the drawer blank cutting process. September 8, 2007

Pocket Hole Bit Breakage
Hold-down pressure and belt tightness adjustments can stop bits from snapping while drilling pocket holes. June 2, 2009

Pulling Out Dings and Dents
Tips for fixing the damage when the plumber, electrician or some other trade dents a new cabinet. October 22, 2005

Replacing an Old Frequency Generator Converter with a Solid State Inverter
Advice on replacing a failed component in an older edgebander with more modern and advanced equipment. January 1, 2012

Troubleshooting Edgebander Adhesion Problems
In this case, it appears that the adhesive is too cold. June 30, 2014

Locking Drawer Slides for Cabinets on a Boat
Suggestions for drawer hardware to keep drawers fixed in position on a boat in a rough sea. July 29, 2012

Cleaning Wide Sander Belts
Tips for de-gumming sanding belts. August 8, 2005

Miscellaneous Machinery
Descriptions of various machinery types that fall outside the main categories. November 12, 2008

Removing an Edgebander Glue Pot
Quick advice on getting the glue pot off an old SCMI edgebander for cleaning and repair. October 12, 2012

Friction Between Wood and Jointer
Waxing helps wood slide more easily, but the outfeed table may also need adjusting. February 6, 2007

Sixty-Inch Versus Seventy-Five-Inch Widebelt Sander Belts
Longer belts stay cooler and last longer than shorter belts, as you would expect. October 19, 2014

Belt Sander Burning Cabinet Door Edges
How to not burn the end grain when sanding door edges on a wide-belt sander. September 23, 2006

Eliminating Orbital Sander Sanding Swirls
Swirl marks from an orbital sander are mostly about technique, not tool choice. July 29, 2012

Air Supply Needs of Line Boring Equipment
Pneumatic cylinders on a line boring machine don't need a whole lot of air. January 23, 2012

Storing Cabinets in a Shipping Container
Moisture and rust might be concerns when you use a shipping container for temporary overflow storage. November 5, 2013

"M" particleboard grades
The difference between grades of particleboard is explained. June 14, 2000

Where to Mount a Power Feeder
Convenient adjustment and smooth operation are considerations when you mount a power feeder on a table saw or shaper. January 26, 2008

Choosing a table saw
Selecting a table saw and fence system for a small shop. January 3, 2001

Glue Pot Cleaning Tips
Thoughts on the messy business of cleaning out an edgebander glue pot.July 28, 2012

Wood Movement and Strap Hinges
Quick tips on mounting large hinges to solid wood in a way that won't restrict the freedom of the wood to expand or contract in response to ambient conditions. July 11, 2013

"Crying" Spanish cedar veneer
Cleaning up and fabricating "crying" Spanish cedar veneer. June 14, 2000

Fraction Conversion Chart
This measurement conversion chart shows inch system fractions and decimals with their metric system equivalents. January 3, 2007

Kitchen island height
What is the standard height for a kitchen island countertop? June 24, 2001

Drawer Slide Installation Excel Spreadsheets
Handy spreadsheets supply installation specs for several types of cabinet drawer slides. January 7, 2007

AutoCAD Drawings, Step by Step
Efficient development of shop drawings. April 18, 2004

Adjustment Problems and Customer Care
An extended discussion of how to handle a customer who repeatedly calls about minor drawer alignment issues on custom cabinetry. December 6, 2008

Advice for a Young Woodworker Starting Out
Feedback from the old-timers for an ambitious youngster. September 17, 2014

Affordable Sanding Options for the One-Man Shop
In yet another take on a frequent forum topic, shop owners compare the pros and cons of drum sanders, wide-belt sanders, and stroke sanders.March 13, 2014

A Curved Mahogany Bar Top
This discussion of a curved bar top job gets into wood choices, joinery, templating, fabricating, and more. February 13, 2009

Accurate Placement of Finished End Panels
Cabinetmakers describe tips and tricks for keeping end panels properly registered while fastening with pocket screws. June 8, 2008

Achieving functional kitchen design
When it comes to the kitchens you build, should you design them yourself or hire an expert? December 6, 2000

Advantages of Two-Piece Hinges
Cabinetmakers and suppliers compare the relative advantages of various cabinet door hinge types. August 19, 2013

Adjusting the Glue Line on an Edgebander
A thorough description of how to systematically adjust an edgebander glue line. June 7, 2011

Affordable Edge Banding System?
If you can't justify the dollars for a top-end edgebander, what are your other practical options? January 26, 2008

Are Tracksaws Under-Powered?
A tracksaw is handy when you need one, but it's no straight-line rip saw. February 27, 2015

Arched raised panel doors
Using jigs to make arched raised panel doors. September 25, 2002

Advances in Edgebander Technology
Woodworkers describe good results from applying the adjustability and programmable features of the newest generation of edgebanders. January 23, 2014

Attaching Drawer Fronts Efficiently
Quick and simple methods for quality production. April 2, 2004

Air Versus Electric Random Orbital Sanders
Air-powered sanders are sweet, but they call for a big compressor — and there are electric sanders that do a nice job. July 5, 2006

Applying Solid Wood Edges to Plywood Shelves
What the most efficient way to put a solid wood edge on a plywood shelf? July 27, 2008

Applied Versus Captured Drawer Bottoms
Cabinetmakers discuss the strength, appearance, speed of construction, and perceived value of different drawer-bottom attachment methods. May 12, 2008

Assembly table
A cabinetmaker shares a photo and description of his shop's assembly table. October 30, 2002

Alternatives to painted interiors
Woodworkers offer alternatives to painted cabinet interiors. September 6, 2000

Assessing a Used Edgebander
Advice on checking a previously owned edgebander for typical wear and tear issues, and some complaints about the inconsistent thickness of edgebanding these days. August 19, 2013

Avoiding router tear-out
Eliminating tear-out when routing the edges of stiles. February 13, 2001

Air Supply Chiller Choices
Thoughts on choosing a refrigerated air supply drying setup for the shop. February 20, 2011

A Corner Cabinet for a 50-inch Television
Cabinetmakers share experience with building a TV cabinet into a room corner. January 1, 2012

A Humidity-Controlled Display Case
A cabinetmaker gets advice on appropriate details for a climate-controlled display case for musical instruments. October 8, 2005

Air Piping Sizing and Material Choice
Wider diameters offer less resistance and more storage buffering. Pex is also an option to consider. April 20, 2008

Advice for Working with Hickory
Use extra-sharp, hard tools and expect to see some waste anyhow. September 3, 2011

Applying a Bead to an Arched Face Frame
Several suggestions for machining a bead into an arched piece, plus the simple way: make it separately and then attach it. October 27, 2011

Appearance Considerations with Sapele
Sapele wood darkens over time (as do Cherry and Mahogany), and its compatibility with the look of other woods is a matter of personal preference. April 11, 2008

Assembling Cabinets with Pre-Glued Dowels
Here are some tips and cautions on using pre-glued dowels in hand assembly of cabinets. February 18, 2011

Adhesives for Cabinet Re-Facing
What's a suitable adhesive for attaching a new plywood end panel to an existing cabinet? September 22, 2005

Air Dryer Power Consumption
Refrigerating dryers for pneumatic equipment air lines consume power when they're running. Cycling models can save electricity. March 9, 2008

Are Sub-Bases Needed with Granite Tops and Undermount Sinks?
You can clamp the sink directly to the granite. But some installers do use a plywood sub-top. February 2, 2011

Attaching Cloth to Speaker Cabinets
Craftsmen share techniques. August 29, 2005

Accurate Panel Rips
Tips for obtaining clean, accurate results when ripping panels to width. October 13, 2005

Attaching Pulls to Shaker-Style Flat Drawer Fronts
A cabinetmaker gets advice on securely fastening drawer pulls to 1/4-inch plywood drawer front material. April 19, 2015

Aspen for Drawers
Would Aspen be good wood to use for drawer boxes? Here's the thinking. October 1, 2005

Attaching crown moulding
Methods of attaching crown moulding to frameless cabinets. March 28, 2001

Adjustable-Height Work Tables
Advice on work tables that allow the user to choose between standing and sitting. November 14, 2014

Alternatives to dado cabinet construction
John Elvrum offers a practical approach to identifying viable, mechanical alternatives to traditional dado joinery of cabinet boxes. 1998.

Air Dryer Basics
Elementary tips on keeping your compressed air lines dry. September 27, 2009

Applying putty for the long haul
How to fill holes in cherry and keep the colors matched over time. February 13, 2001

Adjusting the Platen on a Wide-Belt Sander
Tips on calibrating the platen for a wide-belt sander. July 12, 2008

Deposits and Payment Schedules for Cabinet Jobs
Here's an extensive debate on the reasons for requiring payment from customers in advance of starting work or delivering a product. December 7, 2008

Face frame versus frameless
December 28, 2002

Financial Success in Woodworking
Philosophies and turning points on the path to $100K a year. January 6, 2005

Fine Points of Linear-Foot Pricing
Linear-foot estimating can play a role in sales and bidding, but it's only a starting point. Here's an extended discussion. August 31, 2010

Pricing Cabinet Installation Work
Pros discuss their differing approaches to charging for kitchen and bath cabinet installation work. January 24, 2005

Melamine Carcasses
Can melamine interiors be considered high end? April 18, 2004

Marketing and Selling Outsourced Cabinets
Here's an insightful discussion of the practical aspects of outsourcing cabinet parts for the small shop, in light of customer perceptions of the value of the end product. November 23, 2008

Career change: Computers to cabinets
Issues that could affect the success of a newly purchased woodworking business. July 29, 2003

Frameless carcass construction
A detailed discussion of the quality of frameless cabinets. July 24, 2001

Does it Pay to Own an Edgebander?
A good edgebander can really boost your productivity, but how much machine you need depends on how much volume you're doing. October 9, 2006

Work-Station Shop Organization Systems
Thoughts on a shop setup that involves moving the workpiece from station to station, rather than moving pieces and tools onto and off of a single work bench.May 23, 2011

Bidding Wars Heat Up
In a tough economy, price undercutting can get extreme. Here, a cabinetmaker's anecdote sets off a long discussion of price competition and reality. August 11, 2009

Pricing Example: a Simple Cabinet
A simple pair of free-standing cabinets, with a long discussion on pricing, bidding, and relating to a competitive market. July 5, 2006

Crown Moulding Expansion/Contraction Problem
Who or what is responsible for gaps appearing at joints after installation? June 4, 2004

Setting Shop Temperature
A long discussion about how warm (or cool) to keep a shop, whether to turn the heat down at night and over the weekend, and the effect on costs, productivity, and quality of different practices. December 24, 2012

Methods of 32 mm system layout
Different interpretations on the 32mm system. (Cabinetmaking Forum) March 23, 2003

Confirmat screw assembly
Troubleshooting problems with Confirmat screws. June 24, 2002

Backyard Shop Ideas
Here's lots of advice for a first-time shop builder from cabinetmakers who have been there and done that (with a side discussion about relating to the neighbors). January 28, 2009

Customer Deposits and Payment Schedules
A heartfelt and sometimes heated discussion about setting payment terms, including initial deposits, for a cabinet job. February 27, 2013

Case construction methods
Discussion of the strongest, most efficient methods of joinery. July 29, 2003

Working With Leg Levelers
Revising an installation process to include leg levelers. October 20, 2004

Kitchen Cabinet Pricing Comparison
Cabinet shops compare price estimates on a basic kitchen job, and discuss the factors that influence their prices. June 5, 2006

Bidding Wars on a Nice Built-In
Another lost-bid case study: Custom cabinetmakers discuss pricing and negotiating strategies for a custom Cherry entertainment center job. August 11, 2009

Confirmat screws -- getting started
A discussion on drilling holes for confirmat screws dives deeper into screw and dowel construction. July 3, 2001

Humidity, Temperature, Wood Moisture Content, and Wood Movement
Basic technical information and an extended discussion of the way wood expands and contracts in response to changes in temperature and humidity. November 13, 2009

Streamlining High-Volume Cabinet Production
Well-organized cabinetmakers share their secrets for labor time efficiency. April 26, 2006

Photographing Kitchens Professionally
Recommendations on creating high-quality shots of your work. April 2, 2004

Shop Power Choice: Single Phase or Three Phase?
Shop owners discuss the relative pros and cons of three-phase and single-phase power supplies. February 6, 2010

NC lacquer for kitchen cabinets
Why shouldn't this old standby be used? March 23, 2003

Which Fine Details Do Customers Care About?
A thoughtful discussion about whether labor expended on small details is wasted, or worthwhile. December 27, 2010

Who Are You? Thumbnail Biographies of Forum Members
Ever wonder who you're interacting with on WOODWEB? In this thread, forum posters give a brief history of their lives in the woodworking trade. June 16, 2014

Chip-free dovetailing in plywood
Building dovetailed plywood drawers without chipping; European and American approaches. April 24, 2002

Gluing face frame joints
Is the added glue necessary? August 13, 2002

Pricing Kitchen Cabinets
Price by the foot, or by the box? Cabinetmakers discuss the pros and cons of different estimating and pricing methods. May 20, 2006

Cabinet Shop Growing Pains
A cabinet shop owner gets advice on expanding his production volume while integrating some complex new software into his workflow. July 12, 2008

Taking Measurements on Site — Tape Measure or Laser Device?
The new generation of laser measuring tools can improve accuracy and save time. Here, cabinetmakers describe why they made the switch and how they use the new tools. November 22, 2005

Selling Factory-Made and Custom Cabinet Lines
When you offer both your own custom-made cabinetry and a less expensive line of factory cabs, pricing and selling strategies become complicated. Here's a long and thoughtful discussion. January 19, 2011

Nested Base Versus Beam Saw and PTP
A closet system fabricator and installer describes his journey through various shop equipment situations. May 26, 2014

Solar Power for a Wood Shop?
Solar panels or a windmill can supplement your shop's electric usage, but you're not going to run big iron on it without the grid doing most of the work.. June 4, 2012

Shop lighting
Best bulbs for brightness and efficiency. February 12, 2003

Tooling Up for a High-School Wood-Shop Program
Cabinetmakers advise a high school shop teacher on how to equip a new shop class program. July 11, 2007

Methods for Pricing Cabinet Work
After years of estimating cabinet costs box by box in detail, you may have enough data to start taking short-cuts. October 2, 2007

Outsource, or Build it Yourself?
Shop owners discuss the pros and cons of outsourcing doors and drawers. August 29, 2005

Eliminating Wood Problems -- An Industry Review: 10 Ways of Eliminating Wood Problems
Gene Wengert explains why eliminating wood problems begins and ends with monitoring and controlling the moisture content (MC) in wood -March 18, 2000

Saving Time by Reorganizing Work on Sub-Assemblies
Analyzing a "bucket brigade" approach to cabinet parts and quantifying the time efficiency improvement. April 10, 2009

Speeding up the Work with a Value Stream Map
Drawing a map to visualize the steps in the production process helps cabinet shops streamline their processes and focus on productive activities instead of on moving parts around. October 2, 2007

Cabinet construction joinery
Different joinery and construction methods. November 24, 2002

Recessed or flush cabinet backs
Which method cabinetmakers find preferable, plus materials and methods used. December 17, 2003

Pricing a Bathroom Cabinet Job
Pros share estimating tips and pricing strategies. June 22, 2005

Kitchen Pricing for Newbies
So this guy's trying to figure out how much to charge for building a kitchen for a relative. Naturally, it's all relative. But beginners could begin to grasp the basics of pricing from this discussion. June 8, 2008

Shifting to a Lower-Priced Cabinet Market Segment
A cabinetmaker gets feedback on the idea of targeting smaller and less expensive jobs. November 29, 2014

Does Outsourcing Cabinet Parts Make Sense for a Small Shop?
Cabinetmakers discuss the pros and cons of having parts cut by another shop. January 26, 2008

Comparing Assembly Methods for Euro Cab Construction
Starting with a question about entry-level cabinet assembly, and bypassing a digression about business qualifications, this thread digs deep into the relative advantages of different assembly methods and process systems for a production cabinet shop. April 27, 2011

Kitchen Corner Cabinets
Creative solutions for this awkward space. February 10, 2004

Communication Between Cabinet Shops About Outsourced Work
A busy cabinetmaker who needs to send work to another shop for cutting on CNC equipment wishes the other shop would meet him halfway on the transfer of information. A debate ensues. January 31, 2012

Responsibility for a Too-Dark Finish
A cabinetmaker is being asked to hold the bag for the poor work done by a painter who the customer hired. In this thread, professionals suggest ways to handle the problem. November 11, 2005

Chordal's Letters Considered by Today's Shop Men
A discussion of a century-old book about shop craft, "Chordal's Letters" by James Waring See, available today as an on-line archive. February 6, 2010

Metric Versus Imperial
Point oh six of one, half a dozen percent of the other ... February 13, 2013

Mistake-Proofing Cabinet Jobs
Deep thoughts on office, shop, and job-site standard operating procedures that can reduce the human-error factor in cabinet production and installation. April 29, 2010

Lean Production of Raised Panel Doors
A discussion of tricks for evening out workflow, such as: to speed up the whole job, move labor to the bottleneck from downstream activities. June 28, 2013

Kitchen Projects: Required Deposits
The policy of demanding a deposit gets fouled up when contractors are involved. December 26, 2004

Drawing Units and Precision
Deciding on the level of precision needed for cabinet and millwork design. October 20, 2004

Distressing Wood
Learning how to give new furniture that well-worn look. January 6, 2005

Building Separate Kicks
Different methods of building and installing toekicks. August 7, 2004

Melamine Cabinet Boxes
Can melamine move in as plywood quality degrades? October 5, 2004

Value-added pricing: Why? -- Because you're worth it!
We all fear "those guys in their garages, doing work for cheap." But we really have nothing to fear at all.

Basics of Saw Blade Selection
An introduction to the important characteristics of various saw blade types. November 24, 2008

Three Phase Current, Demand Charges, and Phase Converters
Shedding some light on ways to minimize power company "demand charges," with an in-depth look at the way phase converters function. December 3, 2010

Should I charge more?
Cabinetmakers share their systems for determining pricing. August 29, 2001

Potential of a One-Man Shop
Is it realistic to think a small shop owner can make a decent living? December 9, 2004

Recovering from a Shop Fire
Woodweb forum steps up with well-informed advice about how to cope with a catastrophic fire in the wood shop. April 16, 2009

Drawer runner holes in 32mm system
Placement, mounting and more. (From WOODWEB's Cabinetmaking Forum) February 12, 2003

Pricing, Productivity, and Profit
An inexperienced cabinetmaker asks for help ball-parking a project, and kicks off an interesting discussion about how long it should take to do stuff. February 27, 2015

Shop Maintenance and Cleaning
How to get your crew behind the idea that "a clean shop is a safe and happy shop." May 6, 2006

Low-tech panel squaring
Methods and machines for squaring that don't involve CNC equipment. April 9, 2003

Moulding on a Curved Wall
Installing trim work along a curved staricase. February 28, 2004

Troubleshooting Edgebander Glueline Failure
Cabinetmakers discuss the issues that might cause edgebanding adhesive joints to fail in service. April 20, 2008

Installing Rollout Shelves
Keeping rollouts clear of the hinges. March 14, 2004

Building a Shop
Cabinet shop owners converse about what they would do differently if they were to build their shop all over again, again. August 14, 2007

Building Beaded Face Frames
Making beadmould application more efficient. January 14, 2004

Melamine Wall Cabinet Design
Sturdy construction with an unfamiliar material. July 20, 2004

Markups for Hardware
Should you charge for knobs, pulls, et cetera based on a markup formula, based on a fixed price, based on labor factors, or what?September 3, 2011

Switching Specialties: From Cabinets to Furniture
Can a one-man business successfully make the change? Owners weigh in on both sides. July 24, 2005

Making Fluted Pilasters
Detailed tips on efficient fluting, including images of a shop-made jig. October 5, 2004

Gluing and clamping pressure
Is clamping necessary, and if so, how much? January 21, 2003

Scribe Rails -- Why Not?
Why are custom shops not including scribe material on backs? August 26, 2004

Kick boxes
Building separate kicks for efficient installation. September 20, 2003

Home Shop Pros and Cons
Cabinetmakers describe what it's like to have your shop next to (or underneath) your house. April 13, 2012

Naming Cabinet Styles
How do you describe the cabinet styles you offer to customers in simple, understandable, and attractive language? September 30, 2010

Keeping the Glue Pot Clean
This thread starts with a question about glue brands, but evolves into a discussion about how to operate the glue-pot edgebander to avoid charring of glue and reduce the need for cleaning the equipment. November 2, 2010

Scrap and Cutoffs: Are they Worth Saving?
The perennial problem: how to manage odds and ends of material. September 30, 2010

Designing for Large Pocket Doors
Choosing quality hardware for TV entertainment center. March 14, 2004

Dowel, screw, staple, confirmat construction
Efficiency and assembly with different fastening methods. March 5, 2003

Making Time in a Small Shop
A 2-man shop needs to pick up speed. Should they buy tools or revamp their process? March 17, 2005

Face frame assembly
Fastening face frame members that are assembled and sanded before being applied to a cabinet. April 17, 2002

To dado or not to dado?
The pros and cons of dadoing melamine cabinet boxes. November 22, 2003

Components--Not Cabinets
A longtime adherent of the system process of cabinet manufacturing makes his case for componentizing. 1998.

What to Do When a Customer Bid-Shops You
Pros give advice on handling the situation where a customer asks a cabinetmaker to price-compete with a low-ball bidder. (Note: The good guys won this one.) February 17, 2006

Tandem Slides and Drawer Dimensions
To notch, or not? Cabinetmakers discuss the fine points of matching slide specs to drawer sizes. August 29, 2005

"Green" Cabinetry
Environmentally-friendly or non-toxic cabinet work has become an important market niche. In this thread, cabinetmakers discuss the ins and outs of meeting customer expectations for "green" cabinets. September 4, 2005

Bidding on Big Commercial Jobs
Advice about organization, level of detail, and covering yourself in working up and submitting a bid for a large commercial project.September 17, 2014

How Long to Build Cabinets?
Cabinetmakers share views on how long a typical cabinet job should take a small shop, and help a colleague figure out why his progress has been slow. April 20, 2008

Marketing Frameless Cabinets
How to play up the advantages of Euro-style cabinet systems. January 21, 2007

Fastening dado joints
Fast techniques for assembling dadoed cabinet boxes. June 24, 2002

Melamine carcass construction
Methods for the small shop. October 30, 2002

Pricing a Small Kitchen
A question about how to price an example of kitchen cabinetry leads to thoughts about pricing methods and design rendering. February 26, 2007

Radius of Convex Wall
Formulas for calculating this measurement. May 19, 2004

Deposits and Design Fees
Cabinetmakers describe how (and how much) they bill for design work. June 23, 2006

Drying racks for cabinet doors
Purchased and shop built varieties - the designs that work the best. Illustrated. (Finishing Forum) March 23, 2003

- What makes a cabinet "custom"?
Is there a specific standard that qualifies a cabinet as custom? June 24, 2002

Outsourcing drawings
Positive and negative experiences from those who have hired the job out. October 30, 2002

Tall Cabinet Calculations For Ceiling Clearance
Formulas for figuring how tall a cabinet will be at its longest point. March 14, 2004

Why Build Face Frame?
Reasons the face-frame tradition survives. September 9, 2004

Glue Pot and Pistol Technology
Here's a close look at pressurized glue pot and pistol glue applicators, which offer convenience, versatility, and good control. November 15, 2011

Cargo Trailer or Box Truck?
Cabinetmakers discuss the cost, benefits, and practicality of buying a trailer or box truck for hauling cabinets, materials, and equipment. November 20, 2005

Radius Shoe Molding
Determining radius of cabinets in order to match molding. July 20, 2004

Concealing Cleats in Cabinets
Constructing cases to hide cleats. November 3, 2004

"Finder's Fee" for Designers
Yet another discussion of the ethical and practical business issues involved when a designer is in the middle of your relationship to a customer. April 19, 2015

Pocket Cutter Machines Versus Pocket-Hole Jigs
Pros discuss the advantages of pocket joinery, and talk about their equipment. July 6, 2005

Walnut Butcher Block Countertops
Techniques for creating a beautiful butcher block countertop are shared. May 10, 2005

Driver Choices for Confirmat Screws
Experiences using battery-powered and air-powered impact drivers to drive Confirmat screws, and some thoughts on screw selection. April 18, 2006

Gearing Up as a Cabinet Parts Manufacturer
Thoughts on starting up in business to supply cabinet parts on a large scale. August 7, 2008

Raised Glue Joints on a Wood Countertop
Detailed analysis of why glue joints may show up as visible bumps or grooves on a wood surface in a location subject to moisture changes. April 24, 2009

Need a Bigger Shop ... Lease or Purchase?
There are good reasons to buy the space you need instead of leasing — if you're ready to take the plunge. December 27, 2010

Finished Outside But Not Inside
How to handle things when specs call for finished face frames but unfinished interiors. February 8, 2005

Competing with Site-Built Builtins
Can a shop get simple built-ins done for the cost field crews can build them at on site? April 24, 2006

Door Panel Tolerances
Sloppy fit : Is the supplier at fault? August 7, 2004

Clamping Equipment
A brief description of the various types of high-volume clamping equipment available today. September 20, 2008

WOODnetWork Discussions: Glue
The correct amount of clamping pressure is vital to a strong bond - 1998

Printing and Viewing Blueprints for Bidding
Cabinetmakers discuss the nuts and bolts of working with digital blueprints, including a look at software that helps with takeoffs and estimating. April 19, 2015

Pros and Cons of a Basement Workshop
Woodworkers share experiences with home-based woodshops. March 12, 2006

Biscuits Or Butt Joints
High-quality, high-speed cabinet joinery techniques. October 20, 2004

Hybrid Euro/Traditional Wall Unit Details
A cabinetmaker gathers ideas for a European style wall unit - with a face frame. March 17, 2005

Fortune Teller: Making More Money in the Wood Industry
Wood Doctor Gene Wengert makes some educated guesses about the near future in the wood products industry, and offers some advice about how wood-based businesses can profit from change. April 15, 2013

Materials, Labor, Overhead And Profit
Cabinetmakers discuss typical cost ratios. April 10, 2005

Outsourcing Cabinet Boxes to CNC Shops
Outsourcing custom cabinet panel cutting to a CNC shop is a workable system for some businesses. March 18, 2006

Estimating Jobs for Tire-Kickers
don't give those drawings away any more. April 10, 2008

Gluing face frames
Is glue alone enough to attach face frames to 3/4-inch plywood cabinets? July 29, 2003

Downsizing Considerations
What size operation fits your style? April 10, 2005

Beaded Face Frame Fabrication
There's more than one way to bead a frame, as this discussion proves. January 24, 2005

Charging for Edgebanding
A cabinetmaker ponders whether and how to modify his piece rates after acquiring a more productive, but costly, piece of edgebanding equipment. July 12, 2012

Edgebander Glue Choices and Temperature Settings
Tips on choosing glue and tweaking the edgebander for good adhesive performance. November 23, 2008

Explaining to Customers about "Plywood" and "Solid Wood"
Wood movement, quality, perception, and reality in the choice between sawn lumber and plywood. July 6, 2011

Wine Cellar Details
Tips on wine cellar construction. July 3, 2006

Pros and Cons of Combination Woodworking Machines
They're versatile, but having one machine that does many different things can make organizing the work less convenient. March 14, 2006

Should I Supply Cabinets for a Countertop Display?
Cabinetmakers mull over the idea of supplying a countertop dealer with cabinets for a showroom. December 9, 2007

Gluing Solid Wood Edging to Plywood Shelves
A question about clamps leads to a detailed discussion of slick ways to glue solid edging onto plywood. November 21, 2005

Cabinet Assembler Productivity
How many cabs should an assembler put together daily, assuming all the pieces are cut and ready? In this thread, bosses and workers offer their perspectives. November 12, 2005

Standardizing on One Panel Thickness
Cabinetmakers discuss the idea of making all cabinet parts out of 16mm plywood. December 31, 2012

Face Frame Assembly Table
Developing a bench for fast and accurate assembly. March 14, 2004

Moving to Metric
Tips on making the transition as smooth as possible. September 9, 2004

Don't Rent Your Shop to a Builder
And don't fall in love with a dreamer. And don't stick your fork in the toaster. June 23, 2006

Integrated fillers in cabinets
Using fillers, integrated or loose. April 3, 2002

Bowing in a Panel Glue-Up
Woodworkers consider why a one-inch thick shelf made up of a 3/4-inch wood layer glued to a 1/4-inch MDF layer came out of the vacuum bag bowed. October 13, 2012

Red Alder Pros and Cons -- Pricing, Availability, Usefulness
Pros discuss the cost, availability, and characteristics of Red Alder solid stock and sheet goods. February 25, 2005

Who's Responsible For Protecting Cabinets After Installation?
Cabinetmakers discuss the measures they take to protect cabinets while construction continues, and the risks involved. June 11, 2014

Radius countertop edge
Making a radiused wood edge without resorting to segments. January 3, 2003

Life as a Cabinetmaker
"Would you do it all over again?" asks a cabinet shop owner after five years of struggling with business realities. Heartfelt responses prove that building cabinets is no easy way to make a buck. February 21, 2006

Cutting dadoes and spraying
Finding the best order to assemble, finish and dado. (Cabinetmaking Forum) May 1, 2003

Edgebander Glue-Pot Maintenance
Advice on how to prevent an edgebander glue pot from wearing out prematurely. October 9, 2006

Edgebander Operating Tips
Advice on how full to fill the glue pot, glue selection, adjustments, and other factors that affect edgebander performance. January 20, 2010

Where Doors and Panels Meet
How various cabinetmakers deal with the relationsihp between overlay doors and the adjacent edges of finished end panels. January 24, 2005

Optimizing Materials Versus Optimizing Time
A small non-CNC shop considers whether it makes more sense to process more or fewer cabinets at a time. June 4, 2009

Considering Forklift Choices
Shop owners discuss forklift capacity, tire type, propane versus electric, and related considerations. August 31, 2010

Widebelt Sanding Price
Quote about a buck a minute, then work out the Karma face to face, is the consensus. August 28, 2010

Polyurethane (PUR) adhesives
Basic overview of different PUR glues. September 24, 2002

Self-Countersinking Screws
The pros and cons of screw-head "knibs." June 22, 2005

Shop Layout Advice
Here are some useful tips on making scale mockups of a shop floor plan, along with advice about how to best use the available space.July 8, 2014

Glue Choice for Butcher-Block Wood Counter
Thoughts on adhesive choice and also in-service care and maintenance for a solid wood countertop. January 20, 2011

Keeping Cabinet Assembly Organized
Cabinetmakers discuss ways to keep track of jobs and avoid confusion. November 21, 2006

Pros and Cons of Sawing Your Own
A solo cabinetmaker wonders if he should mill his own lumber on the side. March 14, 2005

Edgebanding Glue Holding Problems
Cold melamine stored in the unheated shop overnight may be stopping edgebander glue from adhering properly. March 20, 2006

Plywood and Lumber Rack Ideas
Thoughts, suggestions, and examples of shop-built material storage racks. September 26, 2009

Frameless Cabinets With Traditional Look
Achieving quality and style with framless construction. April 4, 2004

Panel Processing Time with and without CNC
A CNC shop and a cabinetmaker using conventional equipment compare the labor time used to cut up and bore an entire kitchen. January 1, 2012

Melamine And Water
Is melamine safe for cabinet interiors under sinks? April 18, 2006

Overnight Shop Temperatures — How Cold Is Too Cold?
Freezing and relative humidity are the prime concerns when you turn your shop heat off overnight. April 20, 2011

Cabinetry Warranties
Cabinetmakers discuss their warranty policies. June 15, 2009

Building Bee Hive Boxes
Bee hives are mass-produced at prices the small craftsman can't easily compete with. July 12, 2012

Hardwood Lumber Tallies
Are you being shorted on a lumber delivery? The answer could depend on the fine points of board-foot calculations. April 19, 2015

Cabinet-Shop Start-Up Obstacles
Pros paint a picture of the difficulties involved in starting a cabinet business. June 23, 2006

Very Heavy Stainless Steel Cabinets
Cabinetmakers discuss materials sourcing for an unusual job: 3/8-inch solid stainless steel cabinets. October 15, 2009

Crown on face-frame cabinets
An alternative to notching stiles when applying crown moulding. May 15, 2002

Coped Crown Installation
Coping in an octagonal room. April 18, 2004

Supporting Overhanging Granite
Building a structurally sound kitchen island. November 22, 2004

Shop Drawing Submittals in Metric
When converting to 32mm construction, should all drawings be done in metric as well? April 18, 2004

How many confirmats?
Determining how many fasteners to use per joint in frameless cabinetry. April 2, 2002

Coping beaded face frames
Efficient methods, plus hinge suggestions for face-frame cabinetry. January 3, 2003

Troubleshooting Curved Miter Cuts
Big chopsaw cutting a little concave? Blade quality and technique might both play a role. August 8, 2008

Shop-Built Cabinet Lift Photos
Detailed images of a jack designed to help with cabinet installation. December 21, 2008

Cabinet Back Construction
Cabinetmakers share views on the appropriate thickness for cabinet backs and nailer strips. October 22, 2005

Outfeed Table Plan
Construction ideas for an outfeed table with mounted router. March 14, 2004

Who Supplies the Tools?
Practices vary, but in most shops the employer supplies all power tools — and often, small incidentals as well. March 22, 2013

Teamwork Versus Solo Work on the Shop Floor
Cabinetmakers discuss efficiency on the shop floor. When should people work in pairs, and when should handle tasks alone? June 23, 2014

Router Bits for Raised Panels
Horizontal versus vertical bits for cutting raised panels. January 28, 2004

Working with Pre-Finished Plywood
A little extra care is needed to prevent scratches, but the convenience can be well worth it. November 11, 2005

Laying Out a New Shop
So brilliant, it's simple: Use full-size cardboard cutouts to mock up your layout on the shop floor before you decide. February 1, 2011

Parts Handling Flow
Ideas for carts or conveyors to handle parts in a busy closet shop. April 9, 2008

Installing Separate Toekicks
Methods of attaching separate kicks. January 6, 2005

Joining cabinets - at a 45 degree angle
Cabinetmakers offer illustrated tips on joining a line of cabinetry which incorporates a 45-degree-angled unit. April 3, 2002

Face Frame Efficiency
Avoiding bottlenecks in face frame construction. September 20, 2004

Dadoing techniques
Using a router to make dados. June 24, 2002

Crafting a Curved Range Hood
Buying is easier than building if you want a curved range hood. But here are some tips on building it anyway.August 16, 2012

Curved Stairway Trim Job
Where chair rail meets moulding. February 28, 2004

TV cabinets
Designs for large, small and flat screens. April 9, 2003

PUR Glue for Cabinet Assembly
Thoughts about the characteristics of hot-melt PUR glue, gluing equipment, and the requirements of cabinet construction. May 23, 2007

Creative Uses for Scrap
October 26, 2012

Trimming real wood edgeband
Tricks for avoiding tears. April 17, 2002

Contact Cement Spray-Tank Systems
Cabinetmakers and countertop pros see big advantages to spray-applied contact cement. April 20, 2007

Tools for "Perfect" Miter Cutting
A solid table saw's your best bet. August 29, 2005

Splitting stiles with pocket screws
Suggestions are offered on how to overcome the problem. July 24, 2002

Sourcing Cabinet Hardware
Pros discuss one-stop shopping for cabinet hardware from various manufacturers. August 29, 2005

Cabinet Backs and Slide Installation
What other shops are using for back material and it works with back-mounted drawer slides. February 8, 2005

Painting a Concrete Shop Floor
Advice on cleaning and applying a rugged coating to a shop floor. March 4, 2006

Cabinet Back Options
Half-inch plywood, or quarter-inch plywood and cleats? March 17, 2005

Troubleshooting Edge Banders
Uneven glue application could have several causes (and fixes) March 17, 2005

Eliminating Burn Marks when Routing Flutes
Tips on router techniques to prevent burning at the end of flutes, and on tools and methods for removing burn marks when they do happen. December 28, 2005

Flat Panel Door Material
for the job? February 25, 2005

Finding a College-Level Woodworking Program
Educational choices versus the school of hard knocks. June 18, 2005

Is MDF Stable?
Cabinetmakers and woodworkers report mixed results with medium density fiberboard in terms of movement in service. December 24, 2012

Setting Yourself Apart from the Crowd
What makes a cabinetmaker's offerings special for high-end customers? February 12, 2009

Gluing dovetails and finger joints
Which adhesive is best for these joints? May 15, 2002

Calculating Waste from Rough Lumber
You always lose some ... here's a look at the numbers. December 2, 2010

Materials Cost as a Proportion of Cabinet Costs
There's no standard ratio of materials cost to other costs in cabinetmaking — it depends on many factors, and varies widely from job to job. April 10, 2008

Trimming Plugs
Cutting and sanding wood plugs can be tedious and laborious. Here, pros discuss efficient ways to make a clean job of it. September 3, 2005

Gluing Painted Glass to Wood or MDF
Woodworkers discuss colored coatings for glass, and adhesives that will reliably fasten the coated glass to a wood fiber substrate.July 12, 2012

Considering a Hotel Kitchenette Cabinet Job
A quick look at the pricing and management issues involved in approaching a commercial cookie-cutter job. April 9, 2008

Quantifying the Waste Factor
How much of the lumber you buy becomes scrap instead of cabinets? Shop owners report their observations. December 27, 2007

Inset-door cabinets
A cabinetmaker goes from frameless to face frame and seeks advice. September 19, 2001

Edgebander Options
Cabinetmakers discuss the advantages of different edgebanding materials and equipment. September 21, 2005

Template Material for Router Work
Pros suggest aluminum, MDF, phenolic board, or particleboard. Also here, a discussion of techniques for making templates and some tips about using them. November 22, 2005

Sourcing Dry-Erase Materials
A look at product choices for making dry-erase fixtures, furniture, and accessories. April 29, 2010

Glue Applicator Tips and Tricks
Advice on the practicalities of using a simple glue applicator with hopper — and on higher-end alternatives. January 25, 2013

Point Air-Conditioning for Shops
Advice on providing cooling to work stations rather than to the entire shop. September 17, 2014

Building Arched Toekicks
Descriptions and images of tested techniques. September 9, 2004

Sloppy-Fitting Biscuits
A primer on what's too loose, too tight, and just right. February 25, 2005

Managing Battery Drills
Useful thoughts on labeling and organizing multiple drill/drivers in the shop, plus an epiphany about turgid nomenclature. September 26, 2009

Sliding Cabinets Around in the Shop
From glides to dollies to conveyor belts, cabinetmakers describe how they move cabinets around the shop during fabrication and finishing. July 18, 2013

Glue Line Failure in Cherry Panels
Are these joint failures due to product or process? May 10, 2005

Estimating Sheet Quantities for Cabinets
Advice on "guesstimates" and more precise calculation of the number of sheets needed to build a set of cabinet boxes. September 7, 2006

Frameless Cabinet Fastening
Attaching lower cabinet sides to deck. August 7, 2004

Shop flow
Enhancing efficiency in the workplace by carefully planning shop layout. January 16, 2002

Shopping for Case Clamps
If you use dowel joinery to build cabinets, what's the most practical choice in a case clamp system? February 2, 2011

Whether to Get a Deposit from a Builder Customer
Five out of five cabinetmakers agree — no deposit, no work delivered (with rare exceptions). March 1, 2006

Half-Round Cabinet Joinery
Thoughts about how to construct and join the shelves and face frame for a curved-face open-shelf cabinet. September 6, 2012

Confirmat Screw Spacing
Pros share opinions and experiences. April 10, 2005

Raised-Panel Ends on Upper Cabs
Fast and classy construction. March 14, 2004

Taking Impressions of Moulding
Advice on making a reverse impression of a moulding you want to replicate. November 8, 2008

Limitations of a Router Table for Making Mouldings
Buying a second-hand shaper is a wiser choice than trying to stretch your router's capabilities too far. April 26, 2006

Biscuits for face frames
A discussion of using biscuits for assembling cabinet face frames. Pros and cons of biscuits on face frames, and equipment used. November 21, 2000

Designing and Pricing Garage Cabinets
Thoughts on how to make money in the garage-cabinet niche. January 11, 2008

Cabinet warranty period
What is a reasonable warranty period for a custom cabinet installation? July 24, 2001

Mitering Radius Moulding to Straight Moulding
Here's help visualizing and laying out the miter cuts where a curved piece of moulding meets a straight piece with the same profile. April 24, 2014

Yellow Cedar Characteristics
Not a true Cedar, Yellow Cedar grows mainly on the northern Pacific coast of North America. Here is some info about its useful properties. April 2, 2013

Finished end panels
How to install pre-finished end panels. April 3, 2002

Square-trimming face frame stock
Woodworkers share their secrets for getting dead-square cuts on the ends of face frame members.

Jigs for shelf pin holes
Speeding up the drilling process. March 23, 2002

Painting wood cabinets
Suggested paint-grade materials for cabinets. October 15, 2001

Pinned Mortise and Tenon
Orienting the grain in pins on shaker-style doors, according to tradition. December 26, 2004

Heavy-duty CNC router recommendations
Suggestions choosing for a good-quality CNC router, offering adequate tech support and training. February 28, 2001

Cabinet Shop Lighting
Pros share advice on bulbs and fixtures for bright, even light. May 10, 2005

Pre-Finishing Edge Banding
Cabinetmakers share ideas for applying finish to plain wood edgebanding before use. September 22, 2005

Wheelchair-Accessible Vanity Details
Heights, construction details, and other considerations for a wheelchair-accessible bath vanity. October 13, 2005

Drilling for Closet Shelf Holes
Matching hardware to drilling equipment for efficient closet shelf fabrication. April 27, 2011

Softening Silicone Adhesive
A cabinetmaker seeks help with loosening a silicone joint. July 31, 2009

Cabinet Doors: Outsource Or Build?
It's hard to beat the cost of outsourcing. April 10, 2005

Assorted Videos for Millwork Installers and Cabinetmakers
January 25, 2007

Doors for a Wide Entertainment Center
Designing doors to hide an extra-wide TV. May 10, 2005

Crown Molding With Staggered Cabinets
Making a smooth transition from cabinet to cabinet. July 20, 2004

Soundproofing Between Office and Shop
Advice on quieting down your machines and on isolating the office from shop floor noise. November 14, 2011

Magnetic Chalkboard Solutions
Suggestions for providing a magnetic bulletin board that the customer can also write on with chalk. February 27, 2015

Sanding Methods for Face Frames
Is it worth using the wide-belt sander, or will a random-orbital sander get the job done? Pros share opinions and experiences. July 22, 2005

Replacing Electronics for Big Iron
Here's a tip: shop around for parts or components before you buy a whole new touch screen, display, controller, or similar electronic element for shop machinery. You could save a bundle. January 2, 2012

Hand Hewn Look for New Cabinetry
Achieving an old-fashioned look with antique and contemporary tools. May 10, 2005

Big Box Pricing — Not So Cheap Really
Surprisingly, big box store cabinet prices don't necessarily undercut custom work. February 27, 2015

Sizing Up Clamp Racks
Clamp carrier systems are useful, but your mileage may vary. January 12, 2012

Shop-Made Frame Assembly Table
Details on construction, including images. March 14, 2004

Dovetailing for a hand-cut look
Advice on getting a hand-cut look when dovetailing by machine, and reasons not to do it. June 13, 2001

Getting Appliances for a Kitchen Showroom
If you're creating a classy showroom, appliance makers and other vendors may be happy to provide you with products to include. June 5, 2006

Folding Blueprint Table
Cabinetmakers discuss folding table options for the stuff they bring along when they measure a job. December 31, 2012

To glue or not to glue
Is glue necessary in frame assembly for raised panel doors? January 31, 2001

Facing frameless melamine cabinets
Facing and finishing melamine carcasses to attain a high-end, traditional look without face frames. April 2, 2002

Gluing UV-Prefinished Plywood
Scuffing might help (with the right glue), but you're probably going to need screws. October 9, 2006

Hard maple versus soft Maple
Aesthetic and functional differences between hard and soft maple

Applying Edgebanding to Curves
Curves the edgebander can't manage can create difficulties. Here's advice on workarounds. May 12, 2013

Door/drawer gaps in Euro-style cabinets
Americans need to apply the looser European standards to door and drawer gaps to avoid frustration when ordering these parts from other manufacturers. October 18, 2000

Gluing Steel Panels to Wood
Tapes and adhesives that can hold steel plate to wood, even if the plate is slightly sprung. July 8, 2014

Finished Ends With Separate Kickers
Preferred methods of construction. August 7, 2004

Exterior Kitchens
Tips on materials and methods for building outdoor kitchen cabinets. April 8, 2008

Sequencing Tasks to Optimize Workflow
Quick tips on organizing cabinetmaking tasks for efficiency. February 13, 2013

Dowels: Best for frameless construction?
The case is made (no pun intended) for doweling in frameless cabinet construction. 1998.

Problem: Oven Melts Edgeband Glue
Some glues soften from heat after setting, others don't. January 2, 2014

How Stable is Lyptus Wood?
Lyptus has a reputation for lots of shrinkage and twisting. March 20, 2012

Capabilities of a Pocket Hole Machine
When drilling a screw hole in a stile, how close to the edge can you get? May 10, 2005

Sanding Pads for Profile Work
Tips for hand-sanding profiled mouldings. October 26, 2011

Cabinet Cost Versus House Cost
What percentage of a house's price might the cabinets cost? Feedback from various locations. August 29, 2005

2x4 Base Under Base Cabinets
Constructing ladder bases. December 26, 2004

Removing Drum Sander Scratches
Tips for detecting and sanding out the scratches left behind by a drum sander. October 13, 2005

Portable Display Panels for a Cabinet Showroom
Here's advice on a setup to mount cabinets for display that you can use in the showroom, or haul to trade shows. July 8, 2014

Understanding AWI's "Premium Grade"
Watch out — if you really have to build to an Architectural Woodwork Institute specification, you really have to know your stuff. January 10, 2008

Joinery for KerfKore FlexBoard
Advice on how to fasten flexible material to stiff structural backing. July 15, 2014

Attaching Hardwood Edges to Panels
Here's a handy tip: use pocket holes and screws for edging panels with solid wood, and mate the pieces using tongue-and-groove joints. November 19, 2006

Blum's Process 32™ Manual (PDF)
October 15, 2003

Rating drawer slides
What does a drawer slide weight rating mean, exactly? February 12, 2001

Leg levelers vs. notches and plinths
Leg levelers are the way to go, if you're going Euro. 1998.

Upper Cabinet Heights
Suggestions for upper cabinet dimensions in a kitchen with high ceilings. May 10, 2005

Dehumidification Versus Cooling for a Wood Shop
An undersized air conditioner will dehumidify effectively as it cools the shop. August 24, 2008

Cost Per Sheet for CNC Part Cutting
A cabinetmaker looking to outsource parts gets some rough ballpark numbers as of 2007. January 27, 2008

Hinge-mounting machines
Hinge insertion machines are available for European as well as traditional cabinet hinges. 1998.

Pronouncing Exotic Wood Names
Does "Wenge" rhyme with "Ben-Gay"? Well, that depends on who you ask. November 23, 2012

Dowel drilling and use guidelines
A quick guide to dowel clearances and practices, including drilling depth, diameter-to-edge ratios, and dowel selection. 1998.

Hide glue
Proper mix ratio and storage info. September 24, 2002

Water-Activated Glue Dowels
A user testimonial for a convenient product. February 28, 2006

Telescoping Gates for Pets and Toddlers
Ideas for safety gates built into a kitchen cabinet. January 2, 2012

Substitutes for Cherry MDF
There are more economical choices when grain is not an issue. May 10, 2005

Built-up Crown Molding Configuration
Achieving unique looks with standard crown profiles. May 8, 2004

-- Architectural Woodworking Forum -- Moisture Effects on Wood (Video)
Wood Doctor Gene Wengert explains in detail about the ways moisture affects wood, in a seven-part YouTube video series. December 31, 2012

ITEMIZER - From R & R Drummond, Inc.
Use your computer to generate efficient layouts for cutting sheet material into desired sizes (a link to a demo download is provided)1998

Gluing Wood to Melamine
Adhesive choices for gluing wood face frames to melamine carcase board edges. April 4, 2011

Are Cabinet Makers Carpenters?
Mulling over the dividing line between skilled tradesmen who all build things out of wood — but in different ways. July 20, 2011

Appliance Cutouts
Standards, and a lack of, for kitchen appliace cutouts. August 7, 2004

AWI certification
Is membership or certfication with AWI worth your while?July 29, 2003

Attention, Safety Practices, and Loose Nuts
A woodworker describes how a moment's inattention damaged his machine — but luckily, not him. The tale sets off a long thread of similar stories (including one fatality) and lessons learned. November 16, 2011

Achieving Consistent Copes
Why is it so difficult to cut copes the same every time? October 5, 2004

Another Cabinet Pricing Survey
Cabinetmakers from around the U.S. quote ballpark prices for a generic cabinet project, and discuss costs and markets. April 9, 2008

Attaching Bookcases to Countertops
Efficient methods from professional cabinetmakers. February 10, 2004

Adhesive Issues with Solid Wood Edgebanding
Cabinetmakers discuss whether and how to prime surfaces before applying solid Maple edgebanding to particleboard edges. July 15, 2011

Alignment of Face Frames
The decision on making face frames flush versus leaving a reveal. February 10, 2004

Accurately Squaring Cabinet Boxes
Methods foraccurately squaring frameless cabinet carcasses. October 16, 2003

Attaching Face Frames to Cabs
Preferred methods of joinery. January 28, 2004

Are Showrooms Worth It?
Pros and cons of adding a showroom to your shop. April 10, 2005

A Jig for Drawing or Cutting Ellipses
This clever but simple jig can be used with a pencil to draw an ellipse, or with a router to cut one. April 18, 2006

Aluminum Delaminating from Wood Substrate
A decorative aluminum element separates from its wood backing — probably because they move differently. November 29, 2014

A Jig for Producing Shelf Pin Holes
The search for equipment to make drilling holes simple and systematic. May 10, 2005

Alternating growth rings in panels
The debate between alternating growth rings and matching grain. September 25, 2002

Applying Nosing to Prefinished Plywood
The search for a satisfactory way to treat the seam where nosing meets plywood. May 10, 2005

Attaching End Panels
Methods used by the pros. January 28, 2004

Angle for Coping Crown Molding
Looking for the magic number. December 26, 2004