Woodworking Glossary

Definition: A material used for grinding, polishing, or smoothing surfaces by rubbing.

Common Types: Sandpaper, steel wool, pumice, emery cloth

Grit System: Lower numbers (40-80) are coarse, higher numbers (400+) are fine

Best Practice: Always sand with the grain, progressing from coarse to fine grits

Definition: A cutting tool with a curved blade set at right angles to the handle, used for shaping wood.

Uses: Hollowing out bowls, shaping chair seats, removing large amounts of wood

Technique: Swing in an arc, cutting on the forward stroke

Safety: Always wear safety glasses and ensure secure workpiece clamping

Definition: Wood that has been dried naturally by exposure to air, rather than in a kiln.

Moisture Content: Typically 12-20% when fully air-dried

Advantages: More stable, less internal stress, often more beautiful figure

Disadvantages: Takes longer to dry, higher initial moisture content

Definition: An angled cut made across the thickness of a board, creating a sloped edge.

Common Angles: 15°, 22.5°, 30°, 45°

Tools Used: Table saw, hand plane, router, circular saw

Applications: Decorative edges, fitting joints, reducing sharp edges

Definition: A power tool that cuts crescent-shaped slots in wood for joining pieces with wooden biscuits.

Biscuit Sizes: #0 (small), #10 (medium), #20 (large)

Best Uses: Edge-to-edge joints, face frames, cabinet construction

Advantages: Quick alignment, strong joints, easy to use

Definition: A unit of measurement for lumber equal to 1 foot × 1 foot × 1 inch (144 cubic inches).

Formula: (Length × Width × Thickness) ÷ 12 = Board Feet

Example: A 2×4 that's 8 feet long = (8 × 4 × 2) ÷ 12 = 5.33 board feet

Pricing: Lumber is typically sold by the board foot

Definition: A beveled edge connecting two surfaces, typically at a 45° angle.

Purpose: Removes sharp edges, adds decorative detail, improves safety

Tools: Hand plane, router, table saw, chisel

Applications: Table edges, chair legs, decorative trim

Definition: A hand tool with a sharp cutting edge for carving, chopping, and paring wood.

Common Sizes: 1/4", 1/2", 3/4", 1", 1-1/2"

Types: Bench chisels, mortise chisels, paring chisels, carving chisels

Maintenance: Keep sharp with regular honing and occasional sharpening

Definition: A cut made perpendicular to the grain direction of the wood.

Tools: Crosscut saw, table saw with crosscut sled, circular saw

Purpose: Cutting boards to length, creating end pieces

Technique: Use a crosscut blade or sled for clean, accurate cuts

Definition: A rectangular groove cut across the grain of a board to receive the end of another board.

Common Uses: Shelves in bookcases, drawer bottoms, cabinet construction

Tools: Table saw with dado blade, router, dado plane

Depth Rule: Typically 1/3 to 1/2 the thickness of the receiving board

Definition: A strong interlocking joint where wedge-shaped pins fit into corresponding tails.

Types: Through dovetail, half-blind dovetail, sliding dovetail

Strength: Excellent resistance to pulling apart

Difficulty: Advanced technique requiring precision cutting

Definition: The surface of wood that shows the edge of the growth rings.

Characteristics: More stable, less prone to warping, good for structural pieces

Uses: Table tops, cutting boards, structural elements

Definition: The surface of wood that shows the ends of the growth rings.

Characteristics: Absorbs finishes differently, can be more porous

Uses: Cutting boards, decorative elements, butcher blocks

Definition: A protective coating applied to wood surfaces to enhance appearance and durability.

Types: Oil-based, water-based, lacquer, shellac, polyurethane

Purpose: Protection from moisture, UV damage, and wear

Definition: A structural frame attached to the front of cabinet boxes for strength and appearance.

Construction: Usually made of solid wood, joined with mortise and tenon or pocket screws

Purpose: Provides rigidity, covers plywood edges, adds decorative detail

Definition: The direction and pattern of wood fibers in a piece of lumber.

Types: Straight grain, curly grain, bird's eye, quilted

Importance: Affects strength, workability, and appearance

Definition: A long, narrow channel cut with the grain direction.

Uses: Panel construction, drawer bottoms, decorative inlays

Tools: Table saw, router, plow plane

Definition: A hand tool for smoothing, flattening, and shaping wood surfaces.

Types: Bench plane, block plane, jointer plane, smoothing plane

Uses: Surface preparation, edge treatment, final smoothing

Definition: Wood from deciduous trees (broad-leaved trees that lose their leaves annually).

Examples: Oak, maple, cherry, walnut, mahogany

Characteristics: Generally denser, more durable, often more expensive

Definition: Decorative material set into the surface of wood to create patterns or designs.

Materials: Wood, metal, shell, stone, mother-of-pearl

Techniques: Router inlay, hand-cut inlay, laser-cut inlay

Definition: A joint where two pieces of wood lock together mechanically.

Examples: Dovetail, finger joint, box joint, dovetail

Advantages: Strong, self-aligning, no fasteners needed

Definition: The art and craft of joining pieces of wood together to create structures.

Types: Mechanical joints, adhesive joints, fastener joints

Importance: Determines strength, appearance, and longevity of projects

Definition: A power tool with a reciprocating blade for cutting curves and irregular shapes.

Uses: Curved cuts, interior cuts, scroll work

Blade Types: Wood-cutting, metal-cutting, fine-tooth for clean cuts

Definition: The width of the cut made by a saw blade.

Importance: Must be accounted for in measurements and layout

Factors: Blade thickness, tooth set, material being cut

Definition: Wood that has been dried in a controlled environment to reduce moisture content.

Benefits: More stable, less prone to warping, ready for use

Moisture Content: Typically 6-8% for interior use

Definition: Wood that has been processed into standardized sizes for construction and woodworking.

Grades: Select, #1 Common, #2 Common, #3 Common

Sizes: Nominal vs. actual dimensions (2x4 is actually 1.5" x 3.5")

Definition: The process of marking measurements and cut lines on wood before cutting.

Tools: Pencil, marking knife, square, tape measure

Importance: Critical for accuracy and preventing mistakes

Definition: A rectangular hole cut into wood to receive a tenon.

Tools: Mortise chisel, drill press, router, mortising machine

Depth: Usually 2/3 to 3/4 the thickness of the wood

Definition: An angled cut, typically 45°, to create corner joints.

Uses: Picture frames, crown molding, decorative boxes

Tools: Miter saw, table saw with miter gauge, hand saw

Definition: The name given to a piece of lumber, not its actual dimensions.

Examples: 2x4 is actually 1.5" x 3.5", 1x6 is actually 0.75" x 5.5"

Importance: Must account for actual dimensions in project planning

Definition: A cut-out section from the edge or corner of a piece of wood.

Uses: Fitting around obstacles, creating interlocking joints

Tools: Jigsaw, chisel, router, table saw

Definition: A strong, durable hardwood with distinctive grain patterns.

Types: Red oak, white oak, live oak

Uses: Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, outdoor projects

Definition: A penetrating finish that enhances wood's natural appearance.

Types: Linseed oil, tung oil, Danish oil, mineral oil

Benefits: Natural look, easy to repair, food-safe options available

Definition: An angled hole drilled for screws to create strong, hidden joints.

Advantages: Quick assembly, strong joints, no visible fasteners

Tools: Pocket hole jig, special drill bit, pocket hole screws

Definition: Engineered wood made from thin layers of wood veneer glued together.

Grades: A, B, C, D (A being highest quality)

Uses: Cabinets, furniture, construction, sheathing

Definition: Lumber cut so the growth rings are perpendicular to the face.

Benefits: More stable, less prone to warping, distinctive grain pattern

Uses: Fine furniture, musical instruments, architectural details

Definition: A one-handed clamp that can be operated with a single hand.

Uses: Temporary holding, quick assembly, one-handed operation

Limitations: Lower clamping force than traditional clamps

Definition: A step-like recess cut along the edge of a board.

Uses: Cabinet backs, drawer bottoms, picture frames

Tools: Table saw, router, rabbet plane, dado blade

Definition: A cut made parallel to the grain direction of the wood.

Tools: Rip saw, table saw with rip fence, circular saw

Purpose: Cutting boards to width, resawing lumber

Definition: The process of smoothing wood surfaces using abrasive materials.

Grit Sequence: Start coarse (80-120), progress to fine (220-400)

Tools: Sandpaper, orbital sander, belt sander, hand sanding

Definition: Wood from coniferous trees (evergreen trees with needles).

Examples: Pine, fir, spruce, cedar, redwood

Characteristics: Generally less dense, easier to work, often less expensive

Definition: A projecting piece of wood that fits into a mortise to create a joint.

Types: Through tenon, blind tenon, haunched tenon

Strength: Excellent mechanical strength, traditional joinery method

Definition: A joint where a protruding tongue fits into a corresponding groove.

Uses: Flooring, paneling, tabletops, edge joining

Benefits: Strong, self-aligning, no visible fasteners

Definition: A cut that creates an overhang or recessed area.

Uses: Creating lips on boxes, decorative edges, functional features

Tools: Router, table saw, chisel, hand plane

Definition: A retractable blade knife used for marking, trimming, and detail work.

Uses: Marking cut lines, trimming veneer, cleaning up joints

Safety: Always retract blade when not in use, cut away from body

Definition: Thin slices of wood used to cover less expensive materials.

Thickness: Typically 1/40" to 1/8" thick

Uses: Furniture, cabinetry, decorative panels, plywood faces

Definition: A mechanical device for holding workpieces securely during operations.

Types: Bench vise, woodworking vise, end vise, face vise

Uses: Holding work for sawing, planing, chiseling, assembly

Definition: Distortion of wood from its original flat shape due to moisture changes.

Types: Cup, bow, twist, crook

Prevention: Proper drying, storage, and construction techniques

Definition: A sturdy table designed for woodworking operations.

Features: Vises, dog holes, tool storage, heavy construction

Importance: Foundation for all hand tool work, provides stability

Definition: A precision knife with replaceable blades for fine detail work.

Uses: Cutting templates, trimming veneer, detail carving

Blade Types: #11 (fine point), #10 (standard), #17 (chisel point)

Definition: A strong, durable softwood with distinctive yellow color.

Uses: Construction lumber, structural elements, outdoor projects

Characteristics: Strong, straight grain, good workability

Definition: An exotic hardwood with distinctive striped appearance.

Origin: West Africa, particularly Cameroon and Gabon

Uses: Decorative veneers, fine furniture, musical instruments