Every woodworker started somewhere — and for most beginners, there’s that one tool that makes everything click. Maybe it’s a good set of chisels that taught you precision, a sturdy workbench that changed your workflow, or a random orbital sander that made finishing feel effortless. What’s the one tool you think every beginner should have in their shop? Tell us in the comments (and feel free to share why it’s a must-have)! 🏆 Prize: $100 Sawinery Gift Card (perfect for picking up your next favorite tool 😉) 📅 Winner announced on October 27!

I know there are lots of people out there who love pocket holes; but I'm not one of them. Oh, they're useful and I use them when I feel they are appropriate. But that's not the same as people who use them for everything. Like any other method of joinery, there are times when pocket holes are appropriate and other times when they aren't. In this video, I show some places where pocket holes really aren't the best choice available to us.

Lastest project nearing completion. 4x4legs and stretchers. 3/4 inch planks all from East Coast Red Cedar.

My newest project. Making these boards from different species of wood. Fun game. The engraving and dice were handmade by a friend. Already have several orders to make and deliver.

I struggled for years, trying to work with planes and chisels that were only "factory sharp," which isn't sharp at all. Sharpening them wasn’t a lesson my dad passed on to me and it turned out that I didn’t have anyone else to do so either. First, I started "freehand" sharpening them by hand, with nearly disastrous results. Since that didn't work, I eventually bought one of those sharpening jigs with a wheel on the bottom. While better, the end result was that the angled portion of my blades, where you sharpen them, ended up with a whole bunch of different “facets,” from a lack of consistent angle setup. It worked... sort of. Then I found our sharpening jig, and that changed everything for me. Now I've got planes and chisels sharp enough to take shavings off of Ebony with. That may just sound like braggadocio, but the reason we're carrying this sharpening jig, is that it's the best thing I've found. I'm so sure you'll be as impressed with it as I am, that I'm offering our Skool community a $20 coupon for the jig. Just use the coupon SKOOL20 on checkout. Plus we give you a lifetime warranty and free shipping. Attached a video showing exactly how to use the sharpening jig + some reviews from existing customers below. Check out the sharpening jig here: https://www.sawinery.net/products/plane-chisel-sharpening-system Happy Woodworking!