Sam Hubbard

How to

Join Two Pieces of Wood

From edge joints to complex dovetails, there are dozens of techniques for joining wood. If you need to join boards side-by-side to make a larger plane, an edge joint is your best bet. Arrange the boards so they’re visu...

How to

Connect Wood to Concrete

Connecting wood to concrete can seem intimidating but, with the right tools, even an amateur craftsman can do it. You can fasten wood to concrete using 3 different methods, depending on your preference. Hammer-set concre...

How to

Measure a Cord of Wood

Wood is sold to consumers by the cord, but if you've never purchased wood before, you might be wondering what a cord of wood actually is. Moreover, since firewood is rarely sold by the full cord, there are certain consid...

How to

Identify Petrified Wood

If you've ever been hiking and discovered a unique gemstone that looks like wood and feels like a rock, you've probably stumbled upon petrified wood! These fossils used to be wood but, over millions of years, turned into...

How to

Plane a Door

Over time, the doors in your home may begin to stick and bind. Sometimes simply tightening the hinge screws will solve the problem, but occasionally it is necessary to resize the door. One of the best ways to resize a wo...

How to

Polish Polyurethane

Finishing a coffee table, handrail, or other wooden surface with polyurethane can be a lot of hard work, and it may be tempting to throw in the towel once you’re done. However, there are a few things you can do to take...

How to

Use Oil‐Based Polyurethane over Water‐Based Polyurethane

Oil and water are famous for repelling one another and not mixing. Luckily, you can still apply an oil-based polyurethane over a water-based one. If you already laid down a water-based finish and decided to go for an oil...

How to

Make Wood Pellets

Wood pellets can be used for a variety of purposes, including making fuel, acting as tinder for a fire, and creating bedding for animals. Most pellets are made in bulk by industrial pellet mills, but homeowners and small...

How to

Learn Carpentry

Whether you want to become a professional carpenter or simply build items for personal use, learning carpentry skills is the first step. Start by building up foundational skills and learning how to use hand and power too...

How to

Build a Skateboard Ramp

Whether you’re a seasoned skateboarder or trying to raise one, building a skate ramp can be a fun and satisfying experience when done right. Maximizing space, keeping safe, and staying patient are keys to creating this...

The Best Way to Apply Polyurethane to Wood: Techniques & Tips

Get professional-level results when finishing your woodPolyurethane is a protective finish applied to wood to guard against wear and other damage. Whether it’s oil-based or water-based, polyurethane comes in a variety...

How to Stain and Seal Butcher Block

Protect your beautiful countertops from moisture & damageButcher block is a stylish, durable, and budget-friendly alternative to traditional kitchen countertops. Because butcher block is made out of wood, it needs to be...

How to Safely Cut Medium-Density Fiberboard (MDF)

A handy DIY guide on how to perfectly cut medium-density fiberboard MDF, or medium-density fibreboard, is a type of engineered wood made by combining wax, resin, and wood fibres. Though MDF may look similar to plywood, t...

How to

Saw Straight

Not getting the straight cuts that you'd hoped for? Whether you are using a hand saw, table saw, or circular saw, straight cuts are critical to the success of a construction project. There are different ways that you can...

How to

Stain over Stain

Staining wood can be a great way to give new life to a piece of furniture, your kitchen cabinets, a deck, or anything else you come across. If the wood is already stained, though, you might not be sure how to proceed. Lu...

The Key Differences Between Epoxy and Polyurethane

These coatings might seem the same, but they protect surfaces in specific waysWhen it comes time to finishing and protecting your project, it’s down to 2 coatings: epoxy or polyurethane. But wait, are these 2 clear co...

How to

Build a Longboard

Building a longboard is usually cheaper than buying one, and it can be a lot of fun to make your own a unique board. You will need a bit of wood chopping ability, access to woodworking tools, a dash of creativity, and a ...

How to

Become a Carpenter

For thousands of years, carpenters have been producing awe-inspiring structures, beautiful pieces of furniture, and the everyday wooden items and buildings that are taken for granted. Although the path to entering this p...

How to

Polyurethane a Floor

Polyurethane can bring out a beautiful color in your hardwood floor, in addition to protecting it from heat and scratches. Start by choosing a type of polyurethane (oil or water-based) as well as a finish (matte or gloss...

The Best Way to Stain & Maintain Your Log Cabin: 3-Part Guide

Everything you need to know about properly staining your log cabin to protect it from harmful environmental factorsSo you’ve built or purchased a beautiful wood cabin, but now it’s time to stain it, and you’re not ...