Woodsmith plans

In the past, whenever I needed to make an angled bend in a piece of metal, I would clamp the metal vertically between the jaws of a machinist’s vise and whack it repeatedly with a hammer. Although this method works in a pinch, it’s not the easiest (or most elegant) way to bend metal. So to “refine” the process, we came up with the bending press you see in the photo above. Now the idea of a bending press isn’t new. Factories have been using hydraulically-operated presses to bend metal for…

A recent project I’d been working on was coming along nicely until I ran into a snag — cutting a tenon on the ends of several long rails. Since these rails would hang over the side of the table saw, I’d have to rig up a support to keep them from tipping. And even then, they would still be awkward to handle — long pieces always seem to twist away from the miter gauge when making a cut. So I took a different approach altogether. Instead of using the table saw, I made this simple jig which made…

Space in a shop is always at a premium, so we are always looking for ways to make better use of the space. That’s where this table comes in. It’s the perfect extra worksurface or tool stand. When the job is done, it folds flat (less than 6") and can be stored out of the way until it’s needed again. Plus, it weighs just a bit over 15 pounds. But don’t let the light weight fool you. This table can handle heavy loads. The secret might of this table is in the design. Both the tabletop and leg…

You’ve probably seen or used one of those folding, portable project centers. They feature adjustable, clamping tops that come in handy for light-duty work. But the version shown here features a rock-solid base with a large shelf for storing your tools while you’re working. And with the top’s array of dog holes, notches, and grooves, you won’t have any trouble clamping just about any workpiece. It’s a project that’s sure to earn a permanent spot in your shop. What you get: 9 pages of…

Build a portable, knockdown workbench from one sheet of plywood—easy setup, compact storage, and ideal for small spaces or mobile woodworking.

When it comes to storage space and worksurfaces, it seems like you can never have enough in your workshop. Tools and lumber tend to fill up every available space. So here are five projects specifically designed to address those needs. With a lumber rack, sawhorses with worksurface, assembly table, shop cart and storage cabinets, there’s something here for everybody. And each of these space-savers can be built from a single sheet of plywood, so they won’t break the bank. But best of all, each…

Cut full sheets of plywood with precision and ease using this shop-built sliding carriage panel saw—a space-saving and cost-effective alternative to expensive commercial models. Unlike traditional panel saws that require large wall space and significant infeed and outfeed clearance, this smart design keeps the plywood stationary while a sliding carriage guides your circular saw for accurate rip and crosscuts. Designed with efficiency in mind, this DIY panel saw costs less than $350 (not…

The fences on most miter saws are so short that supporting long workpieces is a challenge. And making multiple, identical cuts is out of the question — there’s no place to add a stop block. Our solution: A two-piece auxiliary fence system that can be set up just as quickly as the miter saw. These two, short fences have big-time advantages. First, they quickly and easily lock into a row of holes you can drill in just about any worksurface. Each one has a T-track to hold stop blocks for…

At the core of this machine is an ordinary router motor. It’s mounted to a carriage that slides side to side as well as forward and back to create mortises. Easy-to-adjust stops offer consistent mortise sizing. The workpiece is fixed on a table using stops and hold-downs. The table adjusts vertically to locate the bit on the thickness of the workpiece. The dust collection shroud on this machine registers the workpiece and collects chips before they can get away. You can purchase the…

A good bench really has some pretty stiff requirements if you think about it. For starters, it has to be stable so it doesn’t wobble or scoot across the floor. And it needs to be flat so a workpiece — and your project — ends up straight and square. This workbench has all that and more. But it departs a little from traditional design. Instead of having a conventional, solid top, this benchtop is a torsion box. It consists of grid sandwiched between a plywood top and bottom. It’s a proven…

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“Why build a power tool when you can just buy one?” I get that question a lot. The easy answer is to save money. And it’s true that the power tools shown in ShopNotes cost far less than commercial versions. There’s more to it. Building your own tools allow you to customize the features: you can add qualities that improve your work — and leave off bells and whistles that offer little benefit. This sander offers a great case study. As you’ll see, the sander is built with a ruggedness that’s…

This briefcase-sized package transforms into a full-featured benchtop router table in minutes, and folds up for storage just as quick.

This simply designed tower bookcase takes up less than two square feet of floor space because everything is stored vertically. The six shelves (four of them adjustable) can store or display a variety of items. Basic tongue and groove joints hold the case together, and adding the detail molding is straightforward, too. The best feature, however? It's the bookcases mobility. The compact size and lighter weight make it easy to move this bookcase wherever you need extra storage. What you get: 8…

Transform your benchtop table saw into a versatile, full-featured cutting station with this clever, space-saving Table Saw Workstation woodworking plan. Perfect for small workshops or garages, this project turns a portable jobsite saw into a stable, expandable platform capable of handling full-size plywood, MDF, and large workpieces with ease. This folding workstation features extendable wings for added support, built-in storage for accessories, and a compact, collapsible design for easy…

Maximize your shop's efficiency with this space-saving, heavy-duty miter saw station. This mobile workstation features over eight feet of material support thanks to fold-out wings, making it perfect for long stock while maintaining a compact footprint. It's designed for versatility and storage, with a built-in compartment for a shop vacuum to handle dust collection on the go. Constructed primarily from 3/4" plywood, this DIY miter saw stand offers a strong, stable case joined using tongue…