Paul Sellers
Published Jan 5, 2024It was almost 35 years ago when I was about to teach my first woodworking class, and I struggled because what could be taught in a one-day workshop that would have any value? I agonised for two weeks, and one day it came to me; with three joints and a handful of hand tools, you can make just about any furniture piece you care to name.
Since then, I have used this basic tenet to teach and train hundreds of thousands of woodworkers, just like you. It’s still working!
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April 10, 2024
Three Joints, a Handful of Tools | Paul Sellers
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March 29, 2024
Drawer Joinery Explained | Paul Sellers
Paul Sellers
Published Dec 15, 2023We should never take too much for granted, especially when it comes to which joints are used for this or that.
If no one has explained the reasoning behind drawer joint choices, this simple video will help. Drawers take a lot of stresses and strains, and the dovetail joint is the signature joint of drawers and boxes. But did you know that a housing dado can also improve the functionality of a drawer?
This video will walk you through the reasoning for both joints.
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March 20, 2024
Jointing on a Bandsaw | Paul Sellers
Paul Sellers
Published Dec 1, 2023This bandsaw hack is one you have never seen before because I invented it.
Planing dead flat for hand planing or power planing can take time, but this bandsaw method takes only a few short minutes to do, and you are on your way to your work faster than blinking.
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January 10, 2024
How to Sharpen and Set up a No.80 Scraper | Paul Sellers
Paul Sellers
Published 6 Oct 2023The #80 cabinet scraper handles the wildest grain, but because of its name, it is also one of those misunderstood tools with misunderstood sharpening.
In this video, I walk you through the most unique sharpening method there is for any woodworking hand tool. Once you learn how to sharpen and set up this tool, you’ll be able to refine any hard and dense-grained wood surface you will ever encounter, bar none.
Where the hand plane might fail you, the #80 cabinet scraper takes over.
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December 28, 2023
Making a Dovetail Guide | Paul Sellers
Paul Sellers
Published 22 Sept 2023Often, we woodworkers make boxes the same size over and over again, especially if or when we sell them. I designed this dovetail guide to replicate the same-sized dovetails to the four corners of the box we make and make dozens of boxes if we have a batch production run of them.
You need to lay out only once, no matter how many dovetails you make and the dovetails will even be interchangeable. Additionally, you can vary the dovetail sizes proportionally by sliding the workpiece up and down the guide for larger or smaller dovetails too.
I hope you enjoy this little nugget!
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December 13, 2023
Vice-held End-grain Guide | Paul Sellers
Paul Sellers
Published 25 Aug 2023It’s true. Sometimes an idea should always be shared, and this is one I just had to tell you about.
I know that shooting boards work well, but for end-grain planing with added security vice-held stock and the guide, you add solidity and comfort. This one has no equal. You don’t have to believe me because in ten minutes and from scraps, you can make your own and check it out for yourself.
You can find the drawing of this project here: https://paulsellers.com/wp-content/up…
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October 18, 2023
Sharpening a Chisel in under a Minute | Paul Sellers
Paul Sellers
Published 15 Jun 2023I see more and more options for sharpening a chisel and yet, with no mechanical means at all, I go from a chisel I have dulled to surgically sharp in about a minute or less.
The fact is I never need to use a grinding wheel, and I was taught to sharpen by the masters of sharpening in my apprenticeship days 58 years ago which I have never strayed from because I found every other option too slow and, dare I say it, DULL and time consuming no matter which method or which machine!
Watch the video and see what you feel.
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September 23, 2023
Sash Clamp Extension | Paul Sellers
Paul Sellers
Published 19 May 2023We all need longer clamps from time to time, especially when it comes to long tables, beds, and the like. I love my lightweight aluminium clamps and they lend themselves to a simple option for creating longer clamps from shorter ones.
This video will take out the mystery and deliver a totally practical option for you at almost zero cost. Keeping life simple is always difficult but this option is doable in a matter of minutes.
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September 14, 2023
Chip Carving with a Gouge | Paul Sellers
Paul Sellers
Published 5 May 2023Starting carving usually begins with a simple project, and this flower will get you started. Once you have done this, you can create a wide range of other decorative carvings and add them to your woodworking projects, pieces like box lids and picture frames. Enjoy!
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September 10, 2023
How to Make a Poor Man’s Toothing Plane | Paul Sellers
Paul Sellers
Published 23 May 2014In this video Paul Sellers shows you a cheap alternative to buying a toothing plane, using very common and readily available materials.
To find out more about Paul Sellers and the projects he is involved with visit http://paulsellers.com
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August 30, 2023
Making A Quick Rebate | Paul Sellers
Paul Sellers
Published 21 Apr 2023Life can be simple with a few hand skills and a handful of very ordinary woodworking hand tools. Watch me and see if you couldn’t do this yourself. We try to make everything as simple as we can, and I don’t think this could be simpler.
Enjoy, and start making for a better life!
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August 4, 2023
What Does A Smoothing Plane Do? | Paul Sellers
Paul Sellers
Published 7 Apr 2023We live in an age when fewer and fewer people will ever use a hand plane and may never even see one in use. This super-short video shows how and why we woodworkers still use and rely on hand planes today. They are fast and effective and they reduce the need for sandpaper too because the wood comes out super-smooth and level.
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July 26, 2023
Making & Using Drill Bit Guides | Paul Sellers
Paul Sellers
Published 24 Mar 2023Drilling perpendicular holes on a drill press or pillar drill are as easy as a wink, but when the project is too big or fixed in place, we sometimes need the same accuracy — otherwise, whatever we fit into the hole will not be aligned well at all.
Making a couple of drill guides could not be simpler. I designed two, which I use all the time for twist drills and auger bits. Try them yourself. You won’t be disappointed.
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July 13, 2023
Praise for the #151 Flat-Bottomed Spokeshave | Paul Sellers
Paul Sellers
Published 10 Feb 2023It’s easy to underestimate the value of the #151 spokeshave, no matter the maker. But these simple tools work amazingly for a wide range of woodworking tasks, and you only need the flat-bottomed version as it will work equally well for both convex and concave surfaces.
With this video, see just how versatile the flat-bottomed spokeshave is and why you should own one for your woodworking tasks that need shaping.
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June 22, 2023
How & When to Hammer Tap a Plane | Paul Sellers
Paul Sellers
Published 10 Mar 2023We tend to think that modern makers of metal and wooden planes have given us planes that are better adjusted with fine adjusters and therefore dismiss hammer-tapping for setting the plane.
In reality, hammer tapping is non-detrimental and, at the same time, simplifies the setting on many planes.
I use this even on planes that have adjusters. Just because hammer tapping is so effective and immediate. Watch me and you will see what I mean.
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