Woodworking Tools and Techniques: A Practical Guide

The Workshop Setup

I built the Kydo space to be an efficient, hands-on learning environment. You will find it stocked with both the heavy lifters and the precision instruments needed to take a rough board to a finished project.

• Power Tools: We rely on Jigsaws, Circular Saws, and Routers (Palm and Table). You will learn how to safely manage power, from edge routing to dados.
• Hand Tools: This is where the magic happens. We use chisels, hand planes, and Japanese pull saws. Using hand tools helps you understand wood grain, tension, and the satisfaction of a clean, quiet cut.
• Custom Upgrades: I believe in making the shop work for you. I regularly 3D-print parts to adapt my gear, like baseplates for my Makita cordless router. It is a practical lesson in how modern tech enhances traditional craft.

Why Technique Matters

It is easy to watch a video, but it is different to hold a tool and feel the resistance of the wood. The "flow state" happens when your hands, the tool, and the material work together. In these sessions, we focus on:

• Precision Cutting: Learning how to read the grain and cut along it, not against it.
• Joinery Logic: Understanding how parts fit together, whether it is a simple half-lap or complex, glue-free Japanese Kumiko joinery.
• Safety First: From dust collection systems to proper clamping (including custom cam-based systems), I teach you how to keep all ten fingers while getting the job done.

Whether you are a designer prototyping a furniture piece or someone just wanting to build a stool for your living room, the technique stays the same. Understand the tool, respect the material, and make something real.