Woodworking

Woodworking is an important skill if you want to renovate your home or make even minor updates. If you plan a home project, such as updating your kitchen, building a deck, or installing shelves in a closet, you should know how to work and finish wood properly.

The Basics of Woodworking

If you want to completely transform your outdated wooden furniture, you need to know how to properly care for the wood, remove defects, apply stains professionally, and protect the furniture from future wear and tear.

Woodworking is a precise process, and skipping a step can result in inferior products. Our guides have helped thousands of homeowners use better techniques for their woodworking projects, such as:

  • How to use bar clamps
  • How to keep projects steady
  • How to build your own bench
  • How to protect your products from damage

A few tools are needed to get started, and you can easily expand your collection of woodworking tools. But as long as you have a drill and a circular saw in your tool arsenal, you can start with smaller woodworking projects.

Our woodworking resources have everything from tips on installing wood flooring to complete guides on spotting wood defects before you tackle a woodworking project. Check out our list of articles below.

Häfele’s Loox 12V Puck Down Light mounted in shelf on bookcase

Energy Efficient Häfele LED Lighting from Woodcraft

[Sponsored message from Woodcraft]
Häfele’s easy-to-install modern LED lighting systems from Woodcraft will put you in control of illuminating your home so you can tailor your lighting for both functional and decorative purposes while using less energy. Read on to find out more.
Standing at the base of a giant redwood.

Walking Amongst the Redwoods

A few months ago, while visiting the West Coast, I toured the magnificent redwood forests of northern California. The drive up from San Francisco along the coast, and then inland through the forests is one of the prettiest roads imaginable. Read on to find out more.
Ask Danny

How to Clean and Rejuvenate the Finish on Wood Furniture

Betty asks, “The finish on my old wooden table has become very dull, no matter how much I polish it. How can I get the shine to come back?”

You may be able to clean and rejuvenate your table without stripping and refinishing it. Read on to find out how.
Rotten fascia board on eaves.

Repairing Water Damaged Wood

If water damaged wood isn’t providing structural support, it can often be repaired using auto body filler, rather than having to replace the entire piece. Watch this video to find out more.
Sandpaper on store shelf

Homeowner’s Guide to Sandpaper

Using the right sandpaper can make all the difference in a woodworking, painting, or finishing project; but choosing between the many different abrasives, grits, and backings available isn't easy. Read on to find out how to choose the best sandpaper for your next home improvement project.
Various power sanders available at The Home Depot.

Power Sanders 101

Power sanders can complete a sanding job that would take hours by hand in a matter of minutes. There are many different types of power sanders to choose from, each with pros and cons, depending on the job at hand. Read on to find out how to pick the power sander that's right for you.
Finished workbench

Saved by the Scrap Wood Workbench

After being repeatedly frustrated from a lack of a decent place to work on DIY project, we built a simple, homemade, scrap wood workbench that has made life much easier around our house. It provides a place to work with good light and eye-level access, which can make any problem more solvable. Read on to find out more.
Notches cut in sawhorse top for 2x2 strips

How to Support Sheets of Plywood When Cutting

When cutting sheets of plywood, it’s important to support the entire piece to keep it from pinching the blade of the saw. Watch this video to find out how to modify sawhorses to safely support plywood when cutting sheets with a circular saw.
Cat scratching furniture

How to Prevent Cats from Damaging Woodwork and Furniture

Cats often use woodwork, furniture, and other surfaces in your home to sharpen their claws, which can cause substantial damage to the wood. Watch this video to find out how to prevent this from happening.