Getting Started in Woodworking

      Like many hobbies, getting started in woodworking can seem like a daunting task. There are all kinds of terms that are thrown around, that the whole topic can seem overwhelming. While you may have a basic understanding of some tools and know some projects you might like to try to build, here are some topics that beginning woodworkers often ask about.

1.  What is a Butt Joint?

      All jokes aside, beginning woodworkers sometimes snicker when they first hear of a butt joint. However, once they understand the principle, they understand the name. A butt joint is simply where one board is butted against another one, and then connected with some form of mechanical fastener. In this article on how to make a butt joint like a master woodworker, learn the proper technique to make this most basic of wood joints as strong as possible.

2.  What is a Combination Square?

      A combination square looks like some 21st century revision of a slide rule, complete with a locking mechanism and a bubble level for good measure. How on Earth does one use this gizmo? Well, it's actually much simpler than you might think at first blush, and it is quite a useful tool for certain tasks. Here are some tips on how to use a combination square.

3.  Can a Bench Grinder be a Woodworking Tool?

      You may be asking, how can a bench grinder be a woodworking tool. Well, once you read this article, you'll see that not only are various types of bench grinders useful in the wood shop, they're vital to the safety of the woodworker.

 4.  What is a Featherboard, and How Do I Use One?

      A featherboard is a homemade accessory (although there are some commercial versions on the market that work quite well) that is used for helping to hold a board against the fence or table as it is being cut. This simple accessory is absolutely vital for some router table tasks such as beading, for if the board ventures away from the fence, the bead will be ruined.

5.  How to Make Mortise and Tenon Joints like a Master Woodworker

      You may have heard of a mortise and tenon, but do you know how they work? Interestingly enough, this type of joint can be found on examples of woodworking from centuries ago. The joint is elegant in its simplicity. Read on to learn how to make mortise and tenon joints like a master woodworker.

6.  How to Cut a Rabbet

      Here's another woodworking term that usually elicits an unusual response among beginners. No, we're not talking about the furry little animal that eats carrots. Note the spelling is rabbet.  This is a groove cut along the edge of one board to accommodate another. How and when would you use a rabbet, and how do you cut one? Read on to learn more.

7.  How to Cut a Dado

     If a rabbet is a groove cut along the edge of a board, what is a dado? Actually, the two are very similar, with the difference being only the location of where they are cut. Confused? Read this article on how to cut a dado to learn the answers.

8.  Heartwood vs. Sapwood - Which Should You Use for Your Projects?

     You've probably heard of hardwoods and softwoods, and may even have a rudimentary understanding of the differences between the two, but did you know that every tree, when it is harvested, has heartwood and sapwood? What is the difference? And which one should you use in your woodworking projects? Well, it depends on what type of look you're going for.

SOURCE: http://woodworking.about.com/od/gettingstarted/tp/Woodworking-Topics-for-Beginners.htm