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The scenario: you need to make a cut in that full size plywood panel sitting in the corner of your shop. You’ve wrestled the plywood panel to the ground, measured twice, made your marks, and placed your longest guide rail on the sheet–ready to make the cut. But, you’ve come up six inches short. This happens more than you'd think. Most track saws come with a 55" rail—perfect for crosscuts but too short for many sheetgood applications, especially when you factor in the addi …

The track saw market has changed considerably over the past three years. Back then, your options were limited to premium European manufacturers like Festool and Mafell—exceptional tools but priced well beyond most hobbyist budgets. Today, brands like Makita, DeWalt, Milwaukee, and Kreg offer capable systems at much more accessible prices. More choices mean better access, but they also mean more decisions to make. The right track saw system depends on how you work, what you build, and how y …

Picture this: you're setting up for what should be a straightforward series of cuts, but you can't locate the specific guide rail stop you need. Twenty minutes later, after searching through three different toolboxes and moving aside piles of loose accessories, you finally find the component buried at the bottom of a drawer. Now multiply those twenty minutes by every time you've hunted for a missing accessory, small component, or specialty tool during setup. Over a year, those frustrating search …

Starting with a compact table saw doesn't mean settling for a "starter" tool. Whether you're new to woodworking entirely or ready to add precision cutting capability to your existing skills, you simply need a machine that delivers accuracy without overwhelming complexity. The challenge isn't finding the simplest saw; it's finding one that provides immediate confidence while supporting skill development. A quality table saw becomes the foundation of efficient woodworking. Unlike circular saws tha …

The Multi-Function Table—or MFT workbench as many call it—has become the Swiss Army knife of modern workshops. Originally developed by Festool, this perforated work surface transforms how you approach precision cutting, assembly, and project layout. While commercial MFT tables deliver excellent performance, creating your own custom MFT setup gives you real advantages: complete customization to fit your space and workflow, the ability to integrate features that manufacturers charge ex …

You're halfway through cutting a board when the blade binds, the wood splinters, or worse—you experience kickback. More often than not, the culprit isn't user error or faulty equipment, it's using the wrong cutting approach for the grain direction. Understanding the difference between rip cuts and crosscuts isn't just woodworking theory, it's the foundation of safe, efficient work that produces clean results every time. Whether you're dimensioning lumber for a cabinet project or breaking d …

The days of choosing between precision and mobility are behind us—today's portable power tools deliver the accuracy and power that serious woodworking demands. Whether you're setting up in a tight garage, sharing space in a community workshop, or taking your craft on-site for custom installations, portable power tools allow you to maintain accuracy and productivity without being tied to a bench. The right portable arsenal means you can break down full sheets of plywood in your driveway or …

From Festool to Makita, DeWalt, Bosch, Milwaukee, and more, track saws have earned their place in workshops—and for good reason. They deliver the precision of a table saw with the flexibility to handle large panels, sheet goods, and even jobsite work where dragging a portable table saw isn't practical. But as cordless technology continues to improve, many woodworkers face a legitimate choice: stick with the reliable power of a corded model or embrace the freedom of battery-powered cutting. …

Routers are among the most versatile tools in a woodworker’s shop—but they’re also some of the messiest. Whether you’re flush trimming, edge profiling, or routing dados, the fine dust and chips produced by a router seem to go everywhere. And unlike larger stationary tools, routers often operate in open-air configurations, making it difficult to contain that debris. Controlling router dust isn’t just about keeping your workspace tidy. Fine airborne dust poses a long- …

A miter saw without proper support turns precision cutting into guesswork. After years of dealing with inadequate stands that sag under load, bind during setup, or lack key features, the difference between a purpose-built stand and a compromise choice becomes obvious the first time you need to make repetitive cuts or move between locations. The challenge isn't finding any stand, it's matching the right support system to your saw, workspace, and actual working conditions. Types of Miter Saw Stan …