Plane and Simple

Calculators that do the fraction math so you don't have to, a wiki that actually answers the question, and tool picks we'd stand behind — no “as seen on TikTok” nonsense.

Hardwood Prices Are Doing That Thing Again

Lumber pricing has been on a rollercoaster for a few years running -- tariffs, mill capacity, and shipping costs all take turns being the reason your walnut costs more than it did last spring.

2026-09-05

How to Flatten a Slab Without Buying a CNC

A router sled, some rails, and patience will flatten a live-edge slab just as well as a five-figure machine -- it just won't do it while you check Instagram.

2026-09-05

The Case for Buying Old Stanley Planes Instead of New Ones

A pre-WWII Stanley bench plane, cleaned up and tuned, will outwork most new mid-range planes for a fraction of the price. It just needs an evening of your time first.

2026-09-05

Buying a Thickness Planer: What Actually Matters

Motor power, knife type, and snipe control separate a planer you'll fight from one you forget about. Here's what to actually check before buying.

2026-09-05

Buying a Sander: You Probably Need Two, Not One

A random orbital sander and a belt sander do different jobs and neither one substitutes for the other -- here's which to buy first.

2026-09-05

Buying a Miter Saw: Compound, Sliding, or Both

The right miter saw depends entirely on how wide your crosscuts need to be -- everything else is a distant second priority.

2026-09-05

Buying a Jointer: The Tool Everyone Skips and Regrets

A jointer flattens a face and squares an edge before the planer ever touches the board -- skip it and you're just planing a twisted board into a thinner twisted board.

2026-09-05

Buying a Band Saw: Resaw Capacity Is the Whole Story

If you're buying a band saw for resawing, the throat's resaw height matters more than every other spec combined. Here's what else to actually check.

2026-09-05

Latest additions

Hardwood Prices Are Doing That Thing Again2026-09-05 How to Flatten a Slab Without Buying a CNC2026-09-05 The Case for Buying Old Stanley Planes Instead of New Ones2026-09-05 Buying a Thickness Planer: What Actually Matters2026-09-05 Buying a Sander: You Probably Need Two, Not One2026-09-05