JOINERY NOTEBOOK
Wood Science & Joinery Guides
Short, rigorous technical articles explaining the mathematics, cellular biology, and mechanical engineering behind heirloom woodworking.
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Lumber Procurement
Understanding Board Feet: The Hardwood Yard Buying Guide
Why hardwood is sold by volume rather than linear feet, how 4/4 and 8/4 quarter sizes work, and how much waste to buy.
Workshop Workflow
1D Cutlist Optimization: Balancing Waste with Continuous Grain Matching
Why mathematical bin-packing must be balanced with grain continuity across drawers, table aprons, and door frames.
Joinery & Fasteners
The Physics of Wood Screws: Pilot Holes, Clearance Holes & Countersinks
Why driving a screw directly into hardwood splits boards, and the critical difference between pilot holes and clearance holes.
Furniture Engineering
Seasonal Wood Movement: Why Tabletops Crack and How to Fasten Them
Wood expands and contracts like an accordion across the seasons. Here is how to engineer tabletop joinery that never splits.