One other 12 months at Nice Woodworking has come to an finish, and it’s an important alternative to replicate on our work, look ahead to new articles within the coming 12 months, and test in to see what our readers loved most. These 10 posts stood out not only for clicks however for a way immediately they spoke to actual woodworking, downside fixing, and considerate design. From winter store survival to elegant furnishings particulars and intelligent strategies, 2025 delivered a wide-ranging mixture of content material that readers returned to time and again.
1. Chilly-Climate Woodworking, Half 1
Chilly retailers are a actuality for a lot of woodworkers, and Bonnie Elisabeth Hawk’s submit tackles the issue with good options. It breaks frequent winter woodworking struggles down into classes: private consolation, instrument upkeep, glue habits, and end curing. Bonnie acknowledges that not everybody can warmth a store to 70°F, whereas providing methods to maintain tasks shifting safely and efficiently by means of the chilly months.
2. Woodworker’s On a regular basis Carry
This weblog got here to me whereas sitting at my very own bench and my instrument pouch: “What are the important instruments you all the time must have readily available?” So I requested a number of the Nice Woodworking editors to reply the identical query, they usually delivered. From favourite pencils and marking knives to aprons, tape measures, and pocket-size instruments, the piece explored what woodworkers really maintain inside arm’s attain, and why. The main target was much less about buying extra instruments (although I’ll take any excuse for that) and extra about habits, effectivity, and the quiet rituals that make time within the store really feel productive and cozy.
3. Sleek Little Containers
Small bins are sometimes underestimated, and this text made the case for why they’re such useful tasks. With cautious proportions, refined joinery, and considerate particulars, these “little” builds demand simply as a lot precision as bigger furnishings. Joshua Sterns’ article walked readers by means of strategies that translate properly to larger work—tight joints, clear format, and assured meeting—whereas encouraging experimentation utilizing scraps and offcuts.
4. The Greatest Pencils for Marking on Darkish Wooden
Marking precisely on darkish woods like walnut, mahogany, or stained inventory may be irritating, particularly when it’s a must to seek for your pencil line. Squint no extra! Ben Strano examined and in contrast a spread of pencils (even a gel pen) to find out which of them really present up clearly and received’t smudge or go away residue behind. The take a look at gave our readers an important number of choices and is all the time a reminder that small instrument upgrades can have an effect on accuracy and effectivity.
5. Katie Hudnall: The Longest Distance Between Two Factors
This considerate profile explored Katie Hudnall’s work by means of the lens of design, course of, and intention. I took a day to stroll by means of The Museum for Artwork in Wooden with Katie and requested her about her course of. Somewhat than focusing solely on completed items, we examined how her concepts advanced: how detours, revisions, and experimentation form the ultimate type. Her work is an unimaginable instance for many who see woodworking as a inventive observe, not only a technical one, and highlighted the significance of curiosity and dedication to creating a private voice.
6. Machine-Made Coffer
This video venture got here collectively from an age-old downside: “How do I make the identical venture once I don’t have that instrument?” Anissa Kapsales needed to exhibit how a considerate table-saw setup can substitute the uncommon instrument that could be a grooving aircraft. Ben Strano adopted Anissa as she used one setup to make all of the joinery and an assembled coffer. One large focus for us at Nice Woodworking is making woodworking as accessible as doable, and this video does precisely that.
7. One-Finger Feed: A Easy Trick for Higher Bandsaw Resawing
In the event you’ve listened to Store Speak Dwell, you realize Vic Tesolin is not any stranger to one-liners that usually grow to be memorable. In STL343 Vic mentioned, “Don’t moose it!” (which made making the episode title a breeze) in reference to not forcing materials by means of a machine. Utilizing one finger to push materials by means of a bandsaw turns into a governor for the suitable quantity of power. It’s a easy however completely superb tip, one of many ones that deserve their very own submit, and we’re glad you all thought so too.
8. Video: 4 Glue Brush Suggestions
Workshop Suggestions is considered one of my favourite components of the journal. Almost each challenge I’m going, “Why didn’t I consider that?” There are 1,000,000 methods to do glue-ups, and all of us are blissful to have choices that make it simpler. Ben Strano put collectively an important video from our reader-submitted store ideas, by which he demonstrates every of them. From brush option to loading approach and cleanup, the ideas helped readers get higher protection with much less mess. Ben even 3D-printed a intelligent glue caddy that additionally holds a brush upright, which you’ll be able to print for your self too.
9. Portray and Carving the Coffer Chest
This companion article expanded on Chris Schwarz’s coffer chest by diving into floor remedy: carving, paint, and ornamental element. Through the use of a compass and a vinyl-cutting instrument, Chris confirmed how texture can elevate a bit from useful to expressive, and it inspired readers to assume past naked wooden through the use of milk paint. It served as an invite to discover ornamentation with out worry of overcomplicating the construct.
10. Format Package for Dovetails
Dovetails demand precision, and this text centered on assembling a dependable format equipment to make that precision repeatable. Somewhat than pushing specialty instruments for their very own sake, it emphasised consistency, setup, and workflow—issues Mike Pekovich focuses on. It gives a transparent rationalization of how good format simplifies the whole dovetailing course of, turning what may be an intimidating joint right into a extra assured, pleasing process.
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