Woodworking & DIY Projects — 2026-05-09

Projects

Harlem Spice Chest Part II: Corbels, Molding & Drawers

By Brian DeJong — Popular Woodworking, May 6, 2026

Brian DeJong continues his series on the Harlem Spice Chest, covering the finer details: hand-cut corbels, period-accurate molding profiles, and fitting drawers using traditional hand tool techniques. The piece is inspired by antique spice chests and is designed to give woodworkers a meaningful project for practicing historical joinery. This is a strong intermediate-level build with rich detail work.

Hearth Stool Production Techniques

By Shea Alexander — Popular Woodworking, March 2026 (updated this week)

Shea Alexander shares lessons from completing a batch of 10 walnut Hearth Stools. Even when building a single stool, production-style thinking pays off. The article covers how to streamline repetitive cuts, setup for consistency, and the efficiencies gained when batching similar parts. A great read for anyone looking to level up their workflow beyond one-off builds.

10 Great Woodworking Projects To Make For Mom 2026

By Pop Wood Editors — Popular Woodworking, April 30, 2026

With Mother's Day approaching, the editors at Popular Woodworking curated a list of 10 handmade gift projects — from small keepsakes to functional furniture pieces. These range in skill level and make excellent weekend builds. Handmade gifts carry a personal touch that store-bought items simply can't replicate.

Tool Review

Best New Tools for Spring 2026: 10 Eye-Popping New Models

Pro Tool Reviews — May 4, 2026

Pro Tool Reviews dropped their Spring 2026 roundup of standout new tools, and woodworkers have a few reasons to get excited.

Ridgid SubCompact 18V 1/4-Sheet Sander leads the list as a notable woodworking addition. Ridgid has been building its SubCompact 18V lineup for a few years now, impressing pros and serious DIYers alike with an excellent size-to-performance ratio. The 1/4-sheet sander is the first woodworking sander in the SubCompact line — a promising move for users who already own Ridgid batteries and want a compact, maneuverable finishing sander for tight spaces, furniture work, and cabinet interiors.

The SubCompact designation means it's designed to fit where larger sanders can't, without sacrificing the runtime or power expected from an 18V platform. For woodworkers who do a lot of detail sanding on chairs, turnings, or small boxes, this could become a go-to shop tool.

Technique

Anchoring Tall Furniture: A Critical Safety Habit

By A.J. Hamler — Popular Woodworking, May 6, 2026

A.J. Hamler revisits one of woodworking's less glamorous but genuinely important topics: anchoring tall furniture and cabinetry to walls. In his latest blog post, "Anchors Away," Hamler advocates strongly for securing bookcases, armoires, and cabinets — especially in homes with children — to prevent tip-over accidents.

The technique is straightforward: use furniture straps or L-brackets fastened into wall studs. For woodworkers finishing a piece, this means planning for a discrete fastening point during the build phase — perhaps a recessed channel in the back panel or a small ledger rail hidden behind a top rail. Hamler's point is compelling: a beautifully built piece of furniture is only as good as its safety profile in the home.

Key considerations when designing for anchoring:

• Locate wall studs before determining final placement of a case piece.
• Plan the fastening point during the build — add a hidden ledger rail or reinforce the back panel where hardware will attach.
• Use rated furniture straps (most are rated for 50–100 lbs of force) or L-brackets screwed into studs.
• Educate clients if you build for others: a tip-over hazard is a liability issue, not just a safety courtesy.

This technique is especially critical for wall units in children's rooms, home offices with server racks on shelves, or any tall piece that could be pulled on or climbed.

Also worth reading this week: Popular Woodworking editor Collin Knoff returned from Taiwan with a report on the future of woodworking technology — from CNC integration to joinery precision tools not yet widely available in Western markets. The full piece is at .