Supporters to Our Mission:
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Barrington Hardwoods
Located in Crystal Lake, a great source of wood from slabs to pre-cut demential lumber in a variety of species.
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Bull Valley Hardwood
Located in Woodstock, they specialize in rough sawn and slabs. A great selection of router bits, finishes, and other woodworking supplies.
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All American Reclaimed
A huge source of timbers, hardware, and reclaimed wood from a wide variety of sources. Located in Lake Barrington, there is always something new to see there that will inspire your next piece.
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Owl Hardwoods
With 3 locations, they have everything you need for your next build. It is the candy store for woodworkers. Specialize plywood, trim, slabs, live edge, rough cut, and so much more!
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Artisans on Main, Clayworkers’ Guild
Located in Woodstock, they also do workshops, but in clay. If you enjoy creating with your hands, here's another source of expression.
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Sherwin-Williams Paint Store
Just two blocks from our shop in Crystal Lake, their team is very helpful when it comes to finishing your project. From paint to polyurethane they've got you covered.
Internet & Social Media Resources
With an endless source of knowledge on-line, where do you start? Here are some links that we've liked that may also help or inspire you. If you have a link that was helpful to you, let us know and we'll see about adding it to the list.
- YouTube Chanels:
- Instagram:
- Websites:
- Woodworking Clubs near our location:
- Work Shop (layout, tools, organization, etc.)
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Table Saw:
- Table saw safety tips you forgot about (or never knew)
- Table saw safety for beginning woodworkers
- 10 dangerous things EVEN YOU have done with a table saw
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The anatomy of a table saw kickback in slow motion
- Table saw fundamentals
- Things NOT to do at a table saw
- Table saw safety - This Old House
- Preventing table saw kickback
- BAD table saw advice from unexpected source! BEWARE!
- How to prevent a dangerous table saaw kickback
- Need to cut thin strips? Try these thee methods!
- A clever way to safely cut thin strips on the table saw
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Jointer, thickness planer
- How to master the jointer
- Why do they call it a jointer when it panes wood?
- Why jointer/planers no NOT make boards flat & square
- I had a major woodworking shop injury - What did I learn? What can I do better?
- Jointers for beginners - Use tips, tricks, buying advice and safety
- Why the jointer can't do it all
- Sanders: thickness sander, edge sander, oscillating drum sander, vertical belt sander, and sanding down draft table
- Bandsaw
- Drill Press
- Sliding miter saw
- Scroll Saw
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Router and router table
- Routers - 7 important things you should know
- Essential router skills: A NO BS beginner's guide
- Why your router's starter pin matters A LOT!
- The common misunderstanding of safe router feed direction
- How I learned to cut better miters and bevels with a router
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Router kickback in ultra slow 19,000FPS and how to avoid it
- Safe way to cut stopped slots/mortises on the router table
- Have you tried this dangerous router table cut?
- Top 10 router table safety tips
- Woodworking tips: Router - Chip free flush trimming
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Work with small parts safely at the router table
- Lathe
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Finishes & Application
- This SIMPLE wood finish will save you DAYS of shop time!(Shellac)
- A finish durable enough for a wooden countertop (Arm-R-Seal)
- Understanding and using dyes
- Comparison of all General Finishes Wood Stains
- 5 different finishes, 5 different results (walnut edition)
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Shellac under polyurethane
- Filling knots with epoxy
- Which wiping varnish is the BEST?
- The SECRET to a bubble-free epoxy finish
- Watch this before using polyurethane wood finish!
- Improper sanding between coats of finish - HOW TO AVOID IT!
- Stop using mineral oil for cutting boards and utensils!
- A better way to apply oil finishes!
- Is any wood finish REALLY food-safe?