Woodworking

To take your woodworking to the next level, get inspired with these projects across all levels.

S9 E12, Tom Silva repairs tongue and groove flooring

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.

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.

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

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.

How to Remove a Load-Bearing Wall

This Old House general contractor Tom Silva shows how to safely cut open up a wall.

How to Refinish Hardwood Floors

Clean and refinish hardwood floors without sanding down to the bare wood.

Build It | Entryway Wall Shelf

Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva and host Kevin O’Connor build a wall shelf for an entryway using stock poplar from a home center

How to Fix Loose Door Hinges

If a door sags because the hinge holes are stripped, you can use dowels to save the day.

How to Build a Shadow Box

We show you how to make a DIY shadow box using an old wooden door in 15 steps.

Choosing and Using Hand Planes

Plane tools are the best tool for smoothing and shaping wood. Here is why you would use one and the types available.

A Complete Guide to Hardwood Flooring

This Old House presents a complete guide to finding the best hardwood flooring for your home.

What is Varnish?

If you’re working on a project that involves wooden furniture or paneling, you’ll likely find yourself facing an important decision at the end: varnish or polyurethane for the finish? There’s a lot of confusion over the difference between these two popular wood sealants, and it’s important to know what sets them apart so you can choose the right topcoat for your project.