Against the grain
One thing all woodworkers can agree on is that wood grain is a wonderful thing. Having said that, many of us may like different features, or characteristics, of grain.
Rob Brown
Rob is the editor at Canadian Woodworking & Home Improvement and a studio furniture maker.
Articles by Rob Brown
A reader asks: What’s the design process?
A recent email from a new member included a question I don't often get, but one that a lot of new woodworkers (and many seasoned woodworkers, too) have at least considered.
Matthew Thornhill
New Westminster, BC based furniture maker Matthew Thornhill on dovetails, being critical and working in a two-car garage.
A stool of surprises
As you know, I've been working on a step stool for the past few weeks.
Praise for my shop stools
They may not be high on the to-do list of any new woodworker, but I find a good shop stool can really help out around the shop.
Too much of a good thing?
Two weeks ago, I wrote about a "simple project" I was making for my wife. We needed a two-step stool to reach items on the top shelf in the kitchen.
Romantic Side of Woodworking
When I'm working on a project for a client, I'm mostly concerned with moving the project along as quickly and efficiently as possible. Time is money, and I hate wasting either.
Design frustrations
"It's a simple project," I told my wife. "I can probably finish that build in a day or so," I continued, stupidly.
Gone to the dogs
What do you get for someone who has everything? This question comes up every holiday season in our house.
Wrapping up 2025
The project I probably wrote the most about in 2025 were the koi shoji screens I built. I first met with the client in February and finally got the three pairs of screens installed mid-December.
Not so smooth
Woodworkers generally do their best to make sure all the surfaces of the finished projects they make are sanded or hand-planed smooth.
Straight from the bottle?
If you've been a woodworker for more than an hour, you know glue plays a huge role in the craft.
Make a pill box
A custom-made pill box is a great way to make taking daily meds more enjoyable.
Cutting tiny half laps
Last week I left you with a plan in mind, but no idea of how that plan was going to work. I find myself in that situation very regularly.
Finessing the fish
A few months ago, I wrote about a set of shoji screens I'm making for a Toronto client.
What’s in your chest, Rob?
Last night I put on a webinar that covered five woodworking projects that make great Christmas gifts.
A quick tour of Rob Brown’s shop
A quick tour of Rob's shop showing what's on all his walls.
