Woodworking Tools & Materials

Discover a guide to the tools & materials involved with your woodworking.

S21 E26, Nathan Gilbert works with a portable sawmill

Landscaping

How to Clear a Fallen Tree with a Portable Sawmill

Carpenter Nathan Gilbert’s Christmas tree farm suffered some damage from a fallen red oak. Rather than get rid of it, he’s going to turn it into usable slabs of wood for his projects.

WEN handheld spindle sander, JET OSS 5 tabletop spindle sander against a blue graph paper background. Lead image for best spindle sander guide.

Best Spindle Sanders (2023 Guide)

When a typical belt sander won’t do, experienced woodworkers turn to spindle sanders. These tools add smooth, flat finishes to any piece of wood. In this roundup and buying guide we take a close look at the best spindle sanders available so you can find the perfect fit for any job.

Makita 9403 Belt Sander, BLACK+DECKER Belt Sander, and CRAFTSMAN Belt Sander isolated on a white grid paper background with blue lines. Lead image for the best belt sander guide.

Best Belt Sanders (2023 Guide)

A belt sander helps woodworkers deliver a smooth and polished finish to their work. In this guide, we take a look at the best belt sanders.

DEWALT Thickness Planer and Bosch Palm Sander isolated on a yellow grid paper background

5 Best Woodworking Tools (2023 Guide)

No matter how experienced or inexperienced a woodworker you are, high-quality tools are a must. In this review, the This Old House Reviews Team researched the five best woodworking tools on Amazon.

Best Random Orbital Sander review and guide - lifestyle lead art

5 Best Random Orbital Sanders (2023 Guide)

Random orbital sanders help sand in the direction of the wood grain. Our team reviewed the best random orbital sanders for a variety of jobs.

Wood Putty vs. Wood Filler: What’s the Difference?

You can confidently repair holes, cracks, or scratches in your woodwork when you know which product to use for the job. This guide will help you understand what makes wood putty and wood filler different, and when to use each so you can restore damaged trim, molding, or even furniture to its original glory without fear of doing harm.

The 5 Best Wood Glues (2023 Review)

Wood glue creates a permanent chemical bond between two pieces of wood. In this review, the This Old House Reviews Team researched the five best wood glues on Amazon to help you find the product that’s right for you. The products included in this article are available at various furniture stores, local home centers, and online retailers like Amazon.

Celebrating Craftsmanship: The Principles of Sanding Wood

Ask This Old House general contractor, Tom Silva, explains why he loves sanding and what goes into a good sanding job.

How to Use a Mobile CNC Router

Ask This Old House carpenter Nathan Gilbert demonstrates a mobile CNC routing machine.

Easy Way to Extract a Stripped Screw

Too much torque can strip a fastener clean in seconds, but this fix is just as quick

How to Choose Tools for First-Time Woodworkers

Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva explains the best tools to have in your shed to start beginner or intermediate woodworking projects

How to Choose and Use Wood Filler

Looking for the best wood hole filler? We offer a variety of options for plugging holes and filling cracks, with This Old House general contractor Tom Silva.

How to Stain and Finish Wood Furniture

Wood finishing expert Bruce Johnson shares tips for refinishing new and old furniture

Choosing & Using Random Orbit Sanders

How do you use an orbital sander? What’s the difference between an orbital sander vs palm sander? Learn about the tool that takes the hassle out of sanding wood.