Hey Reader,

One of the biggest frustrations when you’re starting with woodworking is cuts that don’t come out quite right.

The good news is that most of the time, it’s not the tool, it’s just a few small things that make a big difference.

Here are three quick tips that instantly improve your results:

1. Account for the kerf

Every saw blade removes a little material when it cuts. That width is called the kerf.

If you cut directly on your measurement line, your piece will end up slightly smaller than intended.

👉 See more about kerf and how to account for it here​

2. Check that your saw is aligned

If your saw isn’t aligned properly, every cut will be slightly off. Check if your saw is aligned before starting a project.

It takes less than a minute and can save a lot of frustration.

👉 Here’s how to align your miter saw ​

3. Cut off factory edges

Lumber from the store often isn’t perfectly straight.

Before measuring your project pieces, make a quick cleanup cut to remove the factory edge. This gives you a straight reference edge for accurate measurements.

​See 7 tips for professional looking projects​

Speaking of tools…

I recently tested the Bosch Colt cordless palm router, and the power-to-size ratio really impressed me.

It’s compact, easy to control, and is a great starter router that will grow with you.

I shared a quick reel showing it in action: Watch the Bosch router reel​

Also, workshop clothing matters more than people realize

For years, I wore whatever I had around the house in the shop. But most clothes aren’t designed for how we actually move while building.

I shared a reel about Carhartt Women’s gear and why you see me wearing it ALL the time!

👉 Watch the reel here​

⚡️ Deals you should know about

​DeWalt Stealthsonic Vacuum — $40 off​
A good shop vac makes cleanup quick and keeps dust under control, and this one is surprisingly quiet compared to most shop vacs and at a great price at $99!

​DEWALT 12" 20V Dual Bevel Sliding Cordless Miter Saw — $100 off + free battery​
A sliding miter saw makes precise crosscuts effortless, and the cordless design means you can use it anywhere in the shop or driveway.

There are many more tool deals with free batteries here. ​

​Bosch 6.5 Amp Jigsaw — 25% off​
A jigsaw is one of the most versatile beginner saws. This one is great quality and at a good price too! I always say get quality tools whenever they fit in your budget!

​SKIL 15 Amp 7-1/4" Circular Saw with Laser — only $59​
An affordable and reliable circular saw. I have used an older version of this for almost 11 years now. Still going strong and this one has a laser.

​Kreg Quick-Flip Drill Bit — $12.99 (13% off)​
This little bit drills the pilot hole and countersink in one step so your screws sit perfectly flush. I use it constantly on projects.

🔧 Don’t miss the best tool deals

Some of the best tool deals only last a day. Like the $279 off DeWalt miter saw deal yesterday…

So I started a (almost) daily deals email where I send quick emails with my favorite tool deals.

👉 Join the deals list here so you don’t miss the next one​

If daily emails aren’t your thing, no worries, I’ll still share the best ones in my regular emails too.