Articles by Peter Lynn

April 5, 2025

5 Small and Easy Woodworking Projects for Beginners

Five easy woodworking projects for beginners: a pallet shelf, sofa cup holder, address planter, tablet stand, and a simple wooden box.

April 5, 2025

Band saw reviews: the Rikon 10-305 is our best-value pick. Compare SKIL, WEN, Grizzly and JET models, with corrected specs and a buyer's guide.

April 5, 2025

Best block plane reviews: low-angle planes like the Stanley 12-139 excel on end grain. Compare Woodstock, Japanese and wooden block planes.

April 5, 2025

The best palm sander for most woodworkers is the HICO 6-inch with a 2-amp motor; DeWalt and Porter-Cable quarter-sheet models give a finer finish.

April 5, 2025

Sandpaper grit guide: use 36-100 grit to remove material, 100-180 to smooth, and 180-320 for finishing. Learn abrasive types and open vs closed coat.

April 5, 2025

The best sawhorse is sturdy, folds flat and carries a high load rating, like the Toughbuilt C550. Compare 10 sawhorses and tips for cutting plywood.

April 5, 2025

The best woodworking clamps for most shops: Irwin Quick-Grip bar clamps, pipe clamps and a Merle corner clamp. Compare 5 picks and clamp types.

April 5, 2025

Best respirator for woodworking: the 3M 6900 full facepiece with P100 filters leads. Cloth masks do not stop fine wood dust; see what does and why.

April 5, 2025

A beginner's guide to woodworking: how to choose stable lumber, drill clean holes, cut, pick the right screws, sand, and finish your first projects.

April 5, 2025

The best woodworking vise for most benches is the Eclipse quick-release 7-inch vise. Compare 5 bench vises on jaw width, throat depth and mounting.