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Woodworking
To take your woodworking to the next level, get inspired with these projects across all levels.
Everything to Know About Wood Joints
General contractor Tom Silva teaches host Kevin O’Connor about the different wood joints, including their strengths and weaknesses.
How to Identify and Repair Rotting Wood
General contractor Tom Silva takes host Kevin O’Connor through the causes of wood rot, how to avoid it, and what to do when it occurs.
How to Update Stair Treads and Risers
Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva teaches a homeowner how to replace split-level stair treads in his mid-century modern home.
How to Turn a Reclaimed Beam into a Fireplace Mantel
Ask This Old House carpenter, Nathan Gilbert helps a homeowner turn a reclaimed mantel into a fireplace mantel.
Build It | Christmas Ornaments
Host Kevin O’Connor meets general contractor Tom Silva in the workshop playing with his new favorite toy—the lathe. Tom demonstrates how he uses it to turn custom wooden holiday ornaments perfect for the tree or give as a festive gift.
How to Build a Workbench
General contractor Tom Silva teams up with an aspiring woodworker to build a workbench specifically designed for kids.
Build It | Birdhouse
General contractor Tom Silva helps a pair of woodworking siblings build a DIY birdhouse in their new workshop.
How to Fix Rotted Wood with Epoxy
Saving a rotted window with This Old House general contractor Tom Silva
How to Use a Drill | Tool Lab
Carpenter Nathan Gilbert explains everything you need to know about drill drivers, from their history to their modern features.
How to Build a Birdhouse
Building a birdhouse is a simple woodworking project you can do with young children over a weekend. Watch this video and follow these steps for building an easy birdhouse with scrap wood.
How to Install Floating Shelves and Mantel
Jeff Sweenor and Kevin O’Connor install floating white oak shelves and a floating mantle
Best Gifts for Woodworkers (2022)
Choosing tools for first-time woodworkers or experienced carpenters can be challenging if you don’t know what to look for. In this review, the This Old House Reviews Team researched the best gifts for woodworkers on Amazon to help you find the product that’s right for the carpenter in your life. The products included in this article are available at various home improvement stores, local home centers, and online retailers like Amazon.
How to Repair a Split Door Jamb
This Old House general contractor Tom Silva shows a fast fix for a badly fractured doorframe
How to Remove and Replace Tongue and Groove Flooring
Step-by-step instructions to help you carefully fix your wood floor boards without causing damage.
How To Bend Wood
Whether it’s a woodworking project, trimwork for a remodel, instrument making, or boatbuilding, learning to bend wood can take a project from seemingly impossible to doable. You just need to know how.
Build It | 3D Cube Cutting Board
General contractor Tom Silva and host Kevin O’Connor build a cutting board out of walnut, cherry, and maple to create a 3D cube design effect.
How to Match Historic Molding
Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva and host Kevin O’Connor look at ways to match historic molding.
Build It | Tool Storage Shelf
In this edition of DIY Smarts, Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva and host Kevin O’Connor build a tool storage shelf out of leftover lumber from other Build It projects.
6 Practical Wood Shed Ideas
Firewood requires dry storage and plenty of airflow for optimal burning. These wood shed ideas offer options—and add a certain cozy, rustic touch to your property.
The 411 on Salvaging Wood Pallets
How to obtain, prep and use the covetable pieces for upcycling
Build It | Cooler Bench
Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva and host Kevin O’Connor build an outdoor bench that doubles as a cooler using cedar and copper.
How to Create a Dutch Door
Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva converts a regular door into a Dutch door.
How to Build a Flag Display Case
Ask This Old House carpenter, Nathan Gilbert, shows the office he renovated during the quarantine and works on the finishing touch—a display case to store the U.S. flag that was presented to him at his grandfather’s funeral.
How to Safely Strip Paint from Woodwork
Ask This Old House painter Mauro Henrique travels to Sacramento to show a homeowner the safe way to strip paint
Build It | French Rolling Pin
Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva and host Kevin O’Connor, turn a French-style rolling pin with an ornate detail in the center using a lathe.
How to Patch Hardwood Flooring
Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva helps a homeowner patch a hardwood floor to make it look seamless
Build It | Adirondack Chair
Tom Silva and Kevin O’Connor build a classic Adirondack chair. Tom demonstrates how to build an Adirondack chair by using a template and a project plan.
Norm’s Tricks of the Trade: Wood Cuts for Flooring
Is it advisable to mix flatsawn and quartersawn pieces? Master carpenter, Norm Abram has answers.
Build It | How to Make a Lathe Turned Bowl
Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva teaches host Kevin O’Connor the basics of using a lathe and then they turn a bowl together.
Build It | Modern Platform Bench
This Old House general contractor Tom Silva and Kevin O’Connor use strips of hardwood decking to create a slatted bench inspired by an iconic mid-century furniture design. Get the full plans and instructions to build your own George Nelson-inspired modern slatted bench.
How to Scale Up an Image
The trick to transferring any design is printing on customized graph paper.
How to Cut a Pass-Through in a Load Bearing Wall
Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva helps a couple frame an opening between their kitchen and living room in a load-bearing wall.