Making Wood Work

Veneer applied over MDF is splitting and cracking - what could be the cause? March 21, 2002 Article Link: https://woodweb.com/knowledge_base/Problem_with_veneer_over_MDF.html

Recommendations on creating high-quality shots of your work. April 2, 2004 Article Link: https://woodweb.com/knowledge_base/Photographing_Kitchens_Professionally.html

Good quality control is important, but contracts and business practices should keep punch lists within reasonable limits. October 26, 2012 Article Link: https://woodweb.com/knowledge_base/Ending_the_Endless_Punch_List.html

Cabinetmakers discuss the ins and outs of pursuing, landing, and executing commercial work. November 4, 2007 Article Link: https://woodweb.com/knowledge_base/Moving_Into_Commercial_Work.html

Advice on structuring the workload of a new hire for optimal learning. March 12, 2014 Article Link: https://woodweb.com/knowledge_base/Breaking_in_a_WoodShop_Apprentice.html

Should a woodworking shop bother with a half-hour job for a drop-in customer? May 5, 2007 Article Link: https://woodweb.com/knowledge_base/Are_Small_WalkIn_Customers_Worth_It.html

Shop owners describe how they keep track of tools — and try to keep workers from abusing them. January 26, 2008 Article Link: https://woodweb.com/knowledge_base/Responsibility_for_Tools.html

A question about how to deal with workers who are punching each others' time cards leads to a wide-ranging discussion of morality, motivation, and time-tracking technology. January 13, 2009 Article Link: https://woodweb.com/knowledge_base/Time_Clock_Cheaters.html

Here's lots of advice for a first-time shop builder from cabinetmakers who have been there and done that (with a side discussion about relating to the neighbors). January 28, 2009 Article Link: https://woodweb.com/knowledge_base/Backyard_Shop_Ideas.html

A shop owner is considering cutting some employees to retain his sanity, and looking for downsizing advice from the group. Article Link: https://woodweb.com/knowledge_base/Downsizing_Considerations.html

Advice based on experience about how to teach a pair of promising shop employees how to install cabinets in the field. November 26, 2007 Article Link: https://woodweb.com/knowledge_base/Training_a_Cabinet_Installation_Crew.html

And don't fall in love with a dreamer. And don't stick your fork in the toaster. June 23, 2006 Article Link: https://woodweb.com/knowledge_base/Dont_Rent_Your_Shop_to_a_Builder.html

Customers don't have the vocabulary to describe finishes, or to understand how you describe them. That's why a signed sample is your best assurance of a clear agreement. August 29, 2011 Article Link: https://woodweb.com/knowledge_base/Why_Finishers_Use_Samples_with_Customers.html

Cabinetmakers discuss how to keep interest alive and productivity up while juggling multiple roles in a one-man cabinet business. March 12, 2009 Link: https://woodweb.com/knowledge_base/Coping_With_Burnout.html

A woodworker is grateful to still be in business after ten years, but when is it time to make money? Article Link: https://woodweb.com/knowledge_base/Making_Money_After_Years_In_Woodworking__779657.html

Discussion of mandatory overtime, the four-day week with ten-hour days, and related labor-time organization and productivity issues. Link: https://woodweb.com/knowledge_base/Overtime_and_Productivity.html

How do you guys get motivated every day? I have been in the trade for 28 years now and my own business for the last five years... Link: https://woodweb.com/knowledge_base/Staying_Motivated.html

You shouldn't show customers your numbers — but you sure better understand them yourself. May 20, 2006 Link: https://woodweb.com/knowledge_base/Markups_Profits_and_Customer_Perceptions.html

Should you put your personal name in your company name? February 17, 2011 Link: https://woodweb.com/knowledge_base/Naming_the_Business.html

How does everyone handle storing finished cabinets that are ready to install on a job that is not ready for delivery? Link: https://woodweb.com/knowledge_base/How_To_Deal_With_Storing_Finished_Products__757687.html

Cabinetmakers discuss how to count it coming in, count it going out, and count it sitting there. June 23, 2006 Article Link: https://woodweb.com/knowledge_base/Tracking_Materials_Inventory.html

How to get your crew behind the idea that "a clean shop is a safe and happy shop." May 6, 2006 Article Link: https://woodweb.com/knowledge_base/Shop_Maintenance_and_Cleaning.html

How to cope with wavy floors. April 3, 2002 Link: https://woodweb.com/knowledge_base/Base_cabinet_installation.html

OSHA cares how you dress on construction sites. Here's some info and some discussion. April 8, 2008 Link: https://woodweb.com/knowledge_base/Wearing_Shorts_on_the_Jobsite.html

Advice on the ins and outs of installing cabinetry and millwork in the upper stories of a tall building in the city. July 13, 2010 Link: https://woodweb.com/knowledge_base/Installations_in_High_Rise_Residential_Buildings.html