WoodWorkers Guild of America

When you need an absolutely perfect, dead straight line, grab a straight edge. When you need a down and dirty straight line, grab your tape measure.

Yep, you can use your tape measure as a straight edge, with some limitations. Hook the tape on one edge of your project and pull on the other end so there’s tension on the tape. You can now run your pencil along the edge of tape, gently. If you put A LOT of lateral pressure against the tape you’re going to move it. But for many applications you don’t need a lot of lateral pressure.

Tape Measure Straight Edge When you need an absolutely perfect, dead straight line, grab a straight edge. When you need a down and dirty straight line, grab your tape measure. Yep, you can use...

Setting angles on your tools can be a little tricky, and getting the angles just right is very important. If you’re doing something like stave construction, or any multi-sided item, being off just a few degrees on the set up can lead to disastrous results. But if you own a smart phone, the answer for accurately setting angles is at your fingertips.
https://www.wwgoa.com/video/smartphone-digital-angle-gauge-016821

Using Your Smartphone as a Digital Angle Gauge Setting angles on your tools can be a little tricky, and getting the angles just right is very important. If you’re doing something like stave...

Mark your calendars now! Get set for a day of free online woodworking education June 13, starting at 9 AM CT

Six instructors, all available for live Q and A during their sessions.

See you there!!

Mastering the Grain | Woodworkers Guild of America Whether you're a beginner or experienced craftsperson our online event provides you with a comprehensive learning experience. Our sessions, created by people well known in woodworking, cover a broad range of topics that are sure to advance your skills and take your woodworking to the next level. Thi...

Resin, also called epoxy, has really taken the woodworking world by storm. Lots of woodworkers have become intrigued by resin and what it can add to their projects. This medium provides lots of room for creativity, but if it isn’t used correctly, there can be a myriad of problems. It all starts with making sure you’re mixing the resin correctly, and Jess Crow will help us with that.
https://www.wwgoa.com/video/mixing-resin-right-way-017668

Mixing Resin the Right Way When it comes to mixing resin, artist Jess Crow knows some great tips for doing it correctly, and she’s very willing to share them with us.

Looking for the best wood choice for your next project? Here’s a look at some commonly used hardwoods and softwoods, along with some of their important characteristics. We’ve compiled photos to help you choose material based on appearance and have put together a list of each wood’s characteristics to help you make decisions based on workability, wood qualities, and durability.
https://www.wwgoa.com/post/commonly-used-woods

Commonly Used Woods Looking for the best wood choice for your next project? Here’s a look at some commonly used hardwoods and softwoods, along with some of their important characteristics. We’ve compiled photos...

Logs are cut and converted to lumber while the log is still wet, commonly referred to as green, and the material needs to be dried before it can be used in your shop. Air drying wood slabs is a really low tech way to dry lumber.

Before stacking the green wood paint the end grain to seal it. End grain is very porous and, if it hasn’t been sealed, moisture can escape from the end grain too quickly, causing the wood to crack. You can use left over latex paint or end grain sealer for this.

Air Drying Wood Slabs A low-tech way to dry wood is to air dry it. There are some tricks for air drying wood slabs you should make sure to do so it dries properly.

Mistakes? What mistakes? If you can’t see them, they don’t exist!

My friend Terry had a take a tree down in his yard, and it kind of broke his heart. The tree had played a significant part in his family’s life for a long time, and he hated to see it go. A log from the tree ended up at my shop, and we cut it into usable lumber.

Save That Log! My friend Terry had a take a tree down in his yard, and it kinda broke his heart. The tree had played a significant part in his family’s life for...

Rob Johnstone has been in the woodworking industry for a long time, and WWGOA is very lucky to have him on board. Rob grew up in the family woodworking business, owned his own woodworking business, and is a trained luthier. He was also with Woodworkers Journal Magazine for 26 years. What a wealth of experience!

Meet Rob Johnstone Rob Johnstone has been in the woodworking industry for a long time, and WWGOA is very lucky to have him on board. He’s a valuable asset. Rob grew up in...

If you’re looking to add versatility to your shop, look at adding a bandsaw. There is so much you can do on these tools. The work can be as simple as cutting curves in thin stock, or cutting curves in extremely thick pieces. You can also create a huge variety of woodworking joints on a bandsaw.

The Incredible Versatility of a Bandsaw If you’re looking to add versatility to your shop, look at adding a bandsaw. There is so much you can do on these tools. The work can be as simple...