Choose a drill bit by the hole you need to leave behind. A small locating hole, a wide recess for hardware and a rough opening through framing are different jobs, even when all th…
Owen MercerWhen sanding slows down, stop and inspect the abrasive before pressing harder. A sheet covered in residue and a clean-looking sheet with worn cutting grains can both remove materi…
Owen MercerA router bit described as 60 mm long cannot necessarily cut a 60 mm-deep slot. The overall length includes the shank held by the collet and may include a bearing or other non-cutt…
Owen MercerAfter the last sanding pass, stop sanding nearby and clean the work area before opening the finish. Clean beyond the visible face. Loose material in a drawer corner, on an undersi…
Owen MercerPlan the glue cleanup before you assemble the joint. It is much easier to choose a tool for an inside corner while the parts are separate than while clamps block the opening and t…
Owen MercerIf the first or last section of a planed board is thinner than its middle, do not immediately lower the cutterhead for another pass. First identify the length and location of the …
Owen MercerPrepare the hole before driving a brass screw. Small brass screws can be damaged during the last turn, just when a hinge or catch appears almost finished. A prepared pilot hole an…
Owen MercerMatch the countersink angle to the screw's head specification before adjusting the drilling depth. If the cone under the head and the cone in the wood have different angles, c…
Owen MercerA breadboard end can help keep a solid-wood panel aligned, but it cannot make the panel stop changing width. Before cutting the joint, decide where the panel will be fixed and whe…
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To prevent clamp marks on wood, protect every jaw contact with a clean, suitable pad and test the complete setup on a matching offcut. Look for dents, scratches and any change in …
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To reduce tearout when drilling through wood, clamp a sacrificial backing board firmly against the face where the bit will exit. Drill into that backing rather than into open air,…
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An old bottle of wood glue is not automatically spoiled, and a bottle that still pours is not automatically trustworthy. Identify the exact product, check its storage history and …
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Use a pencil for rough sizing, part names and waste marks. Use a marking knife when you need a fine physical boundary for joinery layout and the scored line belongs on the finishe…
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Choose a synthetic-bristle brush labelled for water-based clear finishes, then check the finish manufacturer's application instructions. Width and shape matter too: a brush mu…
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Measure wood thickness with the outside jaws of a caliper, closing them gently against the two faces. Check the zero first, keep the tool square to the faces, and repeat at severa…
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For a flat wooden face, choose a sanding block with a flat, firm working surface that you can keep fully supported. The grit determines how aggressively the abrasive cuts; the blo…
Owen MercerUnfinished Wood is a collection of practical ideas for the workshop: choosing your materials, solving small problems, and bringing out the character in what you make.
Workshop notes on hand tools, joinery, jigs and the small habits that make a project easier.
Practical guides to choosing lumber, understanding grain and planning for wood movement.
Notes on sanding, test samples, color and finishes that let the character of the wood show through.