Our “Affiliate” Recommendations

As a professional craftsman, I’m often asked about the tools and materials I use in my projects. This section of my web site is a curated list of those items I trust. Whether you're a beginner looking to start your woodworking journey or a seasoned pro seeking reliable sources, you'll find some good stuff here. Each tool or material listed has been carefully tested. In many cases, I’ve used them in my shop for years!

When you click on the links in these pages, you'll be directed to Amazon. There you can learn more about each item and purchase it if you choose. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn a small amount from each qualifying purchase. This helps support my channel, and I thank you sincerely for that. Your purchases through these Affiliate pages help me to create educational woodworking videos, plans, and information -- and share my passion for this amazing craft.

Featured In Current Videos!

These are a few of the most popular tools and materials that are shown in our recent videos. Click on any tool or material to learn more. In many cases, there will be links to our videos where you can see them in action.

Latest In Our Shop

Wen 9" Band Saw

$181.46 As of: 07/21/25

WEN 9-Inch Band Saw, 2.8-Amp Benchtop (BA3959)

The WEN 9" bandsaw is a surprisingly capable tool for the price. It handles all of our Christmas project templates with ease, making clean, accurate cuts in hardwoods and softwoods alike. If you're looking for a reliable, entry-level bandsaw that won’t break the bank, this is a solid pick.

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POWERTEC Bandsaw Blades Assortment

$29.99 As of: 07/21/25

POWERTEC 59-1/2 Inch Bandsaw Blades Assortment for Woodworking, Band Saw Blades for Sears Craftsman, B&D, Ryobi, Delta and Skil 9" Band Saw, 3PK (13604)

Assortment of 3 (59 1/2") blades for the Wen 9" Band Saw.

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Featured in our "Hardwax Finishes Overexplained" video

Nuvia Organic Carnauba Wax

$22.95 As of: 07/25/24

Nuvia Organics USDA Certified Carnauba Wax, 100% Vegan - Great for DIY Cosmetics, Food Grade, Various Uses, 16oz

Carnauba wax is usually the hardest wax in most paste wax formulas, and has the highest melting temperature. This makes these formulas more durable, as explained in “Paste Wax Mix-up”. We also use it in a food-safe finish not only to make it more durable, but also to give it a sheen. This is covered in “Making Board Butter”.

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Stackich Beeswax Pellets

$13.94 As of: 07/25/24

Stakich Yellow Beeswax Pellets - Natural, Cosmetic Grade, Premium Quality - (1 lb)

Beeswax may be the oldest of all finishing materials, and is still preferred by many craftsman as the best way to rub out and preserve a finish. We use a healthy proportion of beeswax in our paste wax formula, as shown in “Paste Wax Mix-up” and in our food-safe finish for kitchen stuff, as shown in “Making Board Butter”.

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Hope’s 100% Tung Oil

$29.99 As of: 07/25/24

HOPE'S 100% Pure Tung Oil, Food Safe, Premium Waterproof Natural Wood Finish and Sealer for Indoor and Outdoor Projects, 32 Fl Oz, 1 Pack

Raw tung oil penetrates the wood deeply, highlighting the grain. It does not build up on the wood surface, but multiple coats will create a pleasant sheen. Good alternative when you need a non-toxic food-safe finish. We reviewed Hope’s Tung Oil In “Finding the Perfect Finish”. We also used it to create a food-safe finish for kitchen items in “Making Board Butter”

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Sunnyside Raw Linseed Oil

$18.00 As of: 01/28/25

Sunnyside Corporation 87332 Pure Raw Linseed Oil, Quart

Raw linseed oil penetrates the wood surface, highlights the wood grain, and helps protect the surface. But unlike "boiled" linseed oil, it is not partially polymerized nor does it have chemical driers that help to cure. Consequently, it can take longer to cure, but it is food-contact safe when it does so. We used this linseed oil to make a durable "board butter" finish for wooden kitchen implements in our video “Making Board Butter”.

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MG Chemicals d-Limonene Solvent

$31.95 As of: 03/20/25

MG Chemicals 433C-1L d-Limonene Industrial Strength,Metal Container , Clear , 945 mL

945 ml in a metal container. d-Limonene is a chemical found in many citrus froints, and is sometimes referred to as "orange oil," as much of it is squeezed and processed from orange peels. This has been refined to an industrial strength solvent, and may not be available if you live in California, Utah, or New Hampshire."

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One-Pint Paint Cans

$17.99 As of: 03/20/25

Bonsicoky 8 Pcs Empty Metal Paint Cans with Lids, Tiny Empty Unlined Cans Storage Containers for Paint(1 Pint/500ml)

Eight one-pint (500 ml) tinplate cans with traditional triple-lock sealing metal lids, each 3.27" diameter and 4.13" tall.

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General Finish Hardwax Oil

$43.00 As of: 03/20/25

General Finishes Hard Wax Oil, 1 Pint, Clear

Hardwax finish, 475 ml (16 oz). Covers 60 square feet, dries to a clear matte finish. Available in several colors. Contains urethane resins.

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Tried & True Original Finish

$34.99 As of: 03/20/25

Tried & True Original Wood Finish, Pint - Linseed Oil & Beeswax Blend, Ideal for All Woodwork, Long-Lasting Durability, Food Safe Sealer, Non-Toxic Wood Finish

Hardwax finish, 475 ml (16 oz). Covers up to 125 square feet and dries toa clear matte finish. (The specs say "glossy," but it is nowhere near a gloss finish.) Food safe, made from polymerized linseed oil and beeswax.

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Odie's Oil

$55.91 As of: 03/20/25

Odie's Oil Universal Finish for Wood Leather Plastic Vinyl Metal and More 9 Ounce Glass Jar Food Safe and Solvent Free Non Toxic Finish .

Hardwax finish and polish, 266 ml (9 oz). Food safe, contains no solvents or driers. Dries to a clear matte finish on wood; can be used on other surfaces including leather, vinyl, and metal. Tung oil base.

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Rubio Monocoat Plus 2C

$58.00 As of: 03/20/25

Rubio Monocoat Wood Oil Finish 175 ft² - Pure | Oil Plus 2C | Quick-Dry, Eco-Friendly Linseed Wood Oil for Indoor Use, Includes Accelerator (Part B) | Protector | 350 ml

Two-part hardwax finish, 350 ml (11.8 oz) including oil and accelerator. One coat covers 175 square feet and dries to a clear matte finish. Linseed oil base, available in other colors.

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Natura Wood Oil

$39.99 As of: 03/21/25

Natura Onecoat 2 Component Wood Stain Oil, 360 mL (12.17 fl oz), Clear, Easy to Apply, Very Low Odor, Linseed Oil, Interior Furniture & Flooring, Dries Fast, VOC/Solvent Free, Durable Hardwax Oil

Two-part hardwax finish, 360 ml (12.2 oz) including oil and accelerator. One coat cover 215 square feet and dries to a clear matte finish. Available in other colors. Linseed oil base, made in Turkey.

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Osmo Polyx-Oil

$56.99 As of: 03/21/25

OSMO Polyx Hard Wax Oil .75 L (25.3 Fl. Oz.)

0.75 l (25.3 oz) of hardwax oil, dries to a clear matter finish. Covers 190 square feet. Contains sunflower oil, soy oil, thistle oil, carnauba, and candalillia wax.

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Featured in our "Band Sawn Elves" video

1/4" Birch Balls - Pack of 100

$8.32 As of: 11/22/24

1/4 Inch Small Wood Balls, Pack of 100 Wooden Balls for Crafts and DIY Project, Hardwood Birch Wood Balls, by Woodpeckers

1/4" (6 mm) solid birch balls. We used these as noses on some of the elves we made. We drilled a 1/4" (6mm) hole, lined the rim with glue, and pressed the ball part way into the hole. They can also be used as the pom on the elf hats if you want something smaller than what the plans recommend.

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3/8" Birch Balls - Pack of 100

$7.83 As of: 11/22/24

3/8 Inch Small Wood Balls, Pack of 100 Wooden Balls for Crafts and DIY Project, Hardwood Birch Wood Balls, by Woodpeckers

3/8" (10 mm) solid birch balls. We preferred this size ball for the poms on the elves' hats. We also used them for some of the noses -- especially Santa's nose. When used as a nose, we mounted the ball on a 1/8" (3mm) dowel, drilled a corresponding hole in the elf face, and glued the dowel in the hole. That way, the nose stands proud from the face and looks comically enlarged.

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GOXAWEE Rotary Tool Kit

$30.96 As of: 11/22/24

GOXAWEE Rotary Tool Kit with MultiPro Keyless Chuck and Flex Shaft -140pcs Accessories Variable Speed Electric Drill Set for Handmade Crafting Projects and DIY Creations

The Goxawee is small rotary tool rotary tool with big capabilities. We found it usefil for sanding the tighter curves on the elves, but it will do a lot more -- drilling, grinding, routing, carving, etching, polishing -- it's a long list. Plus this tool come with a flexible shaft attachment so you can use it in tight spaces. We found it as good and much less expensive than the better known rotary tools.

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LINE10 Tools Drum Sander Set

$17.78 As of: 11/22/24

LINE10 Tools 16pk Sanding Drum and Sleeves Set, Spindle Sander Attachment for Drill and Drill-Press, Die-Grinder, 2-inch Extra Long Surface, 1/4-inch Shank

Includes four 2-inch (50 mm) long drum sanders -- 1/2", 3/4", 1", and 1-1/2" (13, 19, 25, 38 mm) in diameter, plus 12 sanding sleeves of various grits. Can be used in a hand held drill or mounted in a drill press. We sanded most of the gently curving surfaces on the elves with just this set.

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Starrett Band Saw Blades

Price varies by size and type As of: 11/25/24

Starrett Intenss PRO-DIE Bi-Metal Band Saw Blade - 05 Ft. 04-1/2 in., 1/2 x .025 x 10-14/P - 99186-05-04-1/2

Great band saw blades for all manner of band saw operations. They are available in any size with your choice of tooth profile and pitch. We used a 3/16" (5 mm) skip-tooth blade to make the elves -- this is small enough to handle all of the tight curves.

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Featured in our "Halloween Lantern" video

1/8"/3 mm Baltic Birch Plywood

$31.35 As of: 10/01/24

3 mm Baltic Birch Plywood 1/8 x 12 x 24 Inch, Box of 6 B/BB Grade Craft Wood, Stronger Than Basswood Sheets, for Laser, CNC Cutting and Wood Burning, by Woodpeckers

Six 12" x 24" (305 mm x 610 mm) sheets of Baltic Birch Plywood, 1/8" (3 mm) thick. This is what we used to make the lantrn faces shown in “Making a Halloween Lantern”. Can also be used for many other projects that involve scrollwork, laser cutting, CNC cutting, and woodburning.

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Pumpkin Lights with Remote Control

$10.98 As of: 10/01/24

HOME MOST 2-Pack Halloween Pumpkin Lights with Remote/Timer - Orange Pumpkin Lights LED Battery Operated Decor - Halloween Jack-O-Lantern Outdoor Decorations -

Two "Pumpkin Lights" with a remote control to turn them on and off without having to reach into the lanter. There are also settings to make the light flicker or shine steadily, make them bright or dim, or make them turn off automatically in so many hours. These are the lights I used in “Making a Halloween Lantern."

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Lamp Pipe 3/8" Dia x 36" Long

$14.78 As of: 09/09/24

B&P Lamp® 1/8 IP X 36 Inch All Thread Pipe, 3/8 Inch Diameter, Zinc Plated Steel for Floor and Table Lamp Restoration

This is the "lamp pipe" we used like a long bolt to hold the Halloween Lantern together. It's 3/8" in diameter, 36" long (enough for two lanterns), and has a standard 1/8 IP thread. You will also need a 1/8 IP nut, an "eye nut" and two 3/8" flat washers.

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3/8" Eye Nuts with 1" dia rings

$9.99 As of: 09/09/24

ECUDIS 1/8-IP Lighting Loops with Link Buckle Connectors for Light Fixture Chandelier Chain Extension, Pack of 2, Black

These are the eye nuts we used hold the Halloween Lantern together. They will also enable you to hang it, if you so wish. Each nut has a 1" diameter ring and standard standard 1/8 IP threads. You will also need a 1/8 IP 3/8" diameter lamp pipe, and two 3/8" flat washers.

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Keda Aniline Dyes (5 Colors)

$19.50 As of: 10/02/24

Wood Dye - Aniline Dye 5 Color Kit - Wood Stain Powder

Five colors of water-based aniline dyes -- black, brown, blue, red, and yellow -- enough to make one quart of each color. This is what we used to color the lantern parts shown in “Making a Halloween Lantern”. You'll also need distilled water and denatured alcohol to mix these up.

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Olson Precision Ground Scroll Saw Blades 12 tpi

$4.99 As of: 10/05/24

Olson Saw PG45502 Precision Ground Scroll Saw Blade, TPI-12,9 Reverse

Six precision-ground scroll saw blades, 12 teeth per inch with the bottom 9 teeth reversed. I've found these to cut reasonably fast and leave a smooth surface in hardwoods and hardwood plywood. These are what I used tp cut the lantern faces shown in “Making a Halloween Lantern”.

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Bosch 20 tpi U-shank Jig Saw Blades

$6.85 As of: 10/05/24

Bosch U101AO3 5-Piece 3-1/4 In. 20 TPI Clean for Wood U-shank Jig Saw Blades

Five 3/16" wide by 3-1/4" long jig saw blades with a (fairly) universal U-shank. If you're going to cut the faces in the Halloween Lantern (see “Making a Halloween Lantern”) this is what I recommend. Leaves a very smooth surface and is small enough to create fairly intricate shapes.

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Twidec Heavy Duty Foot Switch with piggyback plug

$29.99 As of: 10/05/24

Twidec/Heavy Duty Foot Switch SPDT NO NC AC 380V 15A Electric Pedal Momentary Foot Pedal Switch with Foot Guard Aluminum Case 5-ft Cable with Piggyback Plug (3-Pronged) LT-4XCT

If you plan to make and use the saber saw table I show in “Making a Halloween Lantern”, you're going to need one of these. It will safely turn the saber saw on and off without reaching under the table. This is also handy (and safe) to use with a router table for exactly the same reason.

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Other Featured Products

Kreg Pocket Hole Jig 320

$33.99 As of: 07/25/24

Kreg KPHJ320 Pocket-Hole Jig 320 - Small, Durable Jig for Tight Spaces - Create Perfect, Rock-Solid Joints - Easily Adjustable Drill Guides - For Materials 1/2" to 1 1/2" Thick

A capable and inexpensive pocket hole kit, including the jig, a step drill, and several other useful accessories.

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3/8” x 12” Aircraft Drill

$14.72 As of: 07/25/24

Irwin 62124 3/8" X 12" Aircraft Extension Straight Shank Drill Bit

If you live in America and/or use fractional drill sizes, this is the drill you need to make “pocket dowel” joints – dowel joints made with a pocket hole jig.

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Irwin 1/8” x 6” Aircraft Drill

$4.87 As of: 08/01/24

Irwin Tools Hanson 66708 IRWIN 66708 Hanson 1/8" x 6" Aircraft Extension High Speed Steel Straight Shank Drill Bit (66708)

This is the bit you need to make pilot holes when using a pocket hole jig. Depending on the species of wood you’re working, pilot holes may be necessary to prevent splitting.

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Power Twist (Link) Belt

$63.99 As of: 07/25/24

10FT Power Twist V Belt,1/2-Inch x 10 Feet A Type, Adjustable Link Belt

Replaces the ordinary V-belt on belt driven power tools; makes them run smooother with less vibration and more precision.

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Nicholson 12” Second-Cut Mill File

$21.99 As of: 07/25/24

Crescent Nicholson 12" Mill Single Cut Second File - 08768N

This is the file you need to put a sharp edge on your scrapers – single-cut second-cut mill. And it’s a Nicholson, which has been the go-to brand in files for over 160 years.

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Jorgensen Bench Plane

$69.00 As of: 07/25/24

JORGENSEN No.4 10" Wood Planer, Hand Planer for Woodworking, Hand Plane, Wood Plane, Jack Plane for Trimming, Wood Planing, Craft - Smoothing Plane with Ductile Iron Body, Adjustable Cutting Depth

This is Jorgensen’s take on a Stanley No. 4 smoothing plane. It is just as well-constructed as an old Stanley and in some aspects, it’s better. For example, the iron is half again thicker. As a result, it cuts smoother with no chatter.

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Jorgensen Low-Angle Block Plane

$34.95 As of: 08/27/24

JORGENSEN NO.60-1/2 6-1/4" Mini Wood Planer, Mini Hand Planer for Woodworking, Low Angle Block Plane, Small Hand Plane for Trimming, Wood Planing, Craft - Ductile Iron Body, Adjustable Mouth

Similar to the iconic Stanley No. 60-1/2, but with two important exceptions. The spoon-shaped cap is easier to remove and adjust. And the iron is half-again thicker than the Stanley’s (and most other comparable block planes), eliminating chatter.

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Our “Affiliate” Recommendations

Featured In Current Videos!

Latest In Our Shop

WEN 9-Inch Band Saw

WEN 9-Inch Band Saw

Featured in our "Hardwax Finishes Overexplained" video

Nuvia Organic Carnauba Wax

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About d-Limonene

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Featured in our "Band Sawn Elves" video

Starrett Band Saw Blades

Featured in our "Halloween Lantern" video

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Other Featured Products

Kreg Pocket Hole Jig 320

3/8” x 12” Aircraft Drill

Irwin 1/8” x 6” Aircraft Drill

Power Twist Belt

Nicholson 12” Second-Cut Mill File

Jorgensen Bench Plane

Jorgensen Low-Angle Block Plane