Sam Hubbard
Professional Carpenter
wikiHow's Editorial Process wikiHow partners with over 1000+ experts from a wide range of fields to ensure our content is accurate and based on well-established research and testimony. Content Managers conduct interviews and work closely with each expert to review information, answer reader questions, and add credible advice. Learn more about our editorial process and why millions of readers trust wikiHow.
Co-authored Articles (49)
How to
Join Two Pieces of Wood
From edge joints to complex dovetails, there are dozens of techniques for joining wood. If you need to join boards side-by-side to make a larger plane, an edge joint is your best bet. Arrange the boards so they’re visu...
How to
Connect Wood to Concrete
Connecting wood to concrete can seem intimidating but, with the right tools, even an amateur craftsman can do it. You can fasten wood to concrete using 3 different methods, depending on your preference. Hammer-set concre...
How to
Build a Strong Catapult
The strength of a catapult could refer either to the sturdiness of the catapult frame and its ability to withstand use, ''or'' it could refer to the force with which the catapult launches projectiles. However, knowing ho...
How to
Increase the Height of Dining Chairs
Simple solutions to raise and level dining chairs in your homeNo furniture problem is quite as frustrating as a table that's too high for its dining chairs. If you want to raise your chair's height, however, you can do s...
How to Adjust a Miter Saw
Ah, the good ole miter saw. It’s always there when you need it, but if it’s cutting crooked, you may need to make some adjustments to keep it cutting properly and accurately. Fortunately, it’s actually a lot more s...
How to
Identify Petrified Wood
Everything you need to know about petrified wood identificationIf you've ever been hiking and discovered a unique gemstone that looks like wood and feels like a rock, you've probably stumbled upon petrified wood! These f...
How to
Build a Saw Horse
One of the most useful tools a carpenter can have in a construction project is a good pair of saw horses (or sawbucks, as they are sometimes called). You can build your own set if you have a circular saw, tape measure, ...
How to
Plane a Door
Over time, the doors in your home may begin to stick and bind. Sometimes simply tightening the hinge screws will solve the problem, but occasionally it is necessary to resize the door. One of the best ways to resize a wo...
How to
Build a Dog House
You love your pup but don't love when he sheds? Build an outdoor house for your dog that will keep him dry and warm and your house fur-free. Follow the steps below to create a customized dog house that fits your family's...
How to
Make a Pilot Hole
Learning how to drill pilot holes properly is an essential part of working with wood. A pilot hole is a small hole drilled before driving a screw into a piece of wood. The hole helps in multiple ways: it prevents the scr...
How to Strip Polyurethane Without Damaging the Wood Underneath
Plus, how to finish your wood for a new stain or polyurethane coatMaybe you're staring at a piece of furniture you want to refinish or perhaps your hardwood floors need a touch-up. Either way, you're faced with the chall...
How to
Use Oil‐Based Polyurethane over Water‐Based Polyurethane
Oil and water are famous for repelling one another and not mixing. Luckily, you can still apply an oil-based polyurethane over a water-based one. If you already laid down a water-based finish and decided to go for an oil...
How to
Build a Cajon
A cajon is a six-sided Peruvian drum that's a popular DIY instrument project. It's a versatile and exciting instrument that can be played with your hands and feet simultaneously, producing a wide variety of tones and rhy...
How to Measure and Determine the Cost of a Cord of Wood
Everything you need to know about measuring and purchasing wood Wood is sold to consumers by the cord, but if you've never purchased wood before, you might be wondering what a cord of wood actually is. Moreover, since fi...
How to
Make a Rope Swing
Make a safe and sturdy rope swing in your backyard using these simple tips A rope swing is a good weekend project that anyone can create. There are certain things you can do to make your rope swing last generation after ...
How to
Sharpen a Hand Saw
Is your trusty hand saw not cutting like it used to? Hand saws, like most other tools, get dull with time, so it’s important to sharpen them to keep them in tip top shape. In this article, we’ll tell you how to sharp...
How to
Build a Wall Bed
A wall bed, also called a Murphy bed, is a bed that folds up into a cabinet to make more space in a room. Pre-made wall beds are expensive—they can cost several thousand dollars. Building your own, however, costs a fra...
How to
Build a Rocking Chair
A rocking chair can be one of the most challenging pieces to build if you're a woodworker since it requires a lot of tools and pieces, but you can still make a unique chair on your own. Rocking chairs need to have the ri...
How to
Make a Boomerang
Everybody knows boomerangs - that Australian toy that comes back to you when thrown. But is it really possible to create one of these marvels and have it work? Sure is. Choose your material and let's get started.
How to
Use a Wood Lathe
Wood lathes can be used to create functional furniture components, beautiful decorative wood projects such as candlesticks and bowls, or even toys such as tops and yo yos. These machines range in size from hobby models ...
