Fine Woodworking’s Top 10 Posts of 2025!
Another year at Fine Woodworking has come to an end, and it’s a great opportunity to reflect on our work, look forward to new articles in the coming year, and check in to see what our readers enjoyed most. These 10 posts stood out not just for clicks but for how directly they spoke to real woodworking, problem solving, and thoughtful design. From winter shop survival to elegant furniture details and clever techniques, 2025 delivered a wide-ranging mix of content that readers returned to again and again.
1. Cold-Weather Woodworking, Part 1
Cold shops are a reality for many woodworkers, and Bonnie Elisabeth Hawk’s post tackles the problem with smart solutions. It breaks common winter woodworking struggles down into categories: personal comfort, tool maintenance, glue behavior, and finish curing. Bonnie acknowledges that not everyone can heat a shop to 70°F, while offering strategies to keep projects moving safely and successfully through the cold months.
2. Woodworker’s Everyday Carry
This blog came to me while sitting at my own bench and looking at my tool pouch: “What are the essential tools you always have to have on hand?” So I asked some of the Fine Woodworking editors to answer the same question, and they delivered. From favorite pencils and marking knives to aprons, tape measures, and pocket-size tools, the piece explored what woodworkers actually keep within arm’s reach, and why. The focus was less about acquiring more tools (though I’ll take any excuse for that) and more about habits, efficiency, and the quiet rituals that make time in the shop feel productive and comfortable.
3. Graceful Little Boxes
Small boxes are often underestimated, and this article made the case for why they’re such valuable projects. With careful proportions, refined joinery, and thoughtful details, these “little” builds demand just as much precision as larger furniture. Joshua Sterns’ article walked readers through techniques that translate well to bigger work—tight joints, clean layout, and confident assembly—while encouraging experimentation using scraps and offcuts.
4. The Best Pencils for Marking on Dark Wood
Marking accurately on dark woods like walnut, mahogany, or stained stock can be frustrating, especially when you have to search for your pencil line. Squint no more! Ben Strano tested and compared a range of pencils (even a gel pen) to determine which ones actually show up clearly and won’t smudge or leave residue behind. The test gave our readers a great variety of options and is always a reminder that small tool upgrades can have an impact on accuracy and efficiency.
5. Katie Hudnall: The Longest Distance Between Two Points
This thoughtful profile explored Katie Hudnall’s work through the lens of design, process, and intention. I took an afternoon to walk through The Museum for Art in Wood with Katie and asked her about her process. Rather than focusing solely on finished pieces, we examined how her ideas evolved: how detours, revisions, and experimentation shape the final form. Her work is an incredible example for those who see woodworking as a creative practice, not just a technical one, and highlighted the importance of curiosity and dedication to developing a personal voice.
6. Machine-Made Coffer
This video project came together from an age-old problem: “How do I make the same project when I don’t have that tool?” Anissa Kapsales wanted to demonstrate how a thoughtful table-saw setup can replace the rare tool that is a grooving plane. Ben Strano followed Anissa as she used one setup to make all the joinery and an assembled coffer. One big focus for us at Fine Woodworking is making woodworking as accessible as possible, and this video does exactly that.
7. One-Finger Feed: A Simple Trick for Better Bandsaw Resawing
If you’ve listened to Shop Talk Live, you know Vic Tesolin is no stranger to one-liners that often become memorable. In STL343 Vic said, “Don’t moose it!” (which made making the episode title a breeze) in reference to not forcing material through a machine. Using one finger to push material through a bandsaw becomes a governor for the appropriate amount of force. It’s a simple but absolutely amazing tip, one of the ones that deserve their own post, and we are glad you all thought so too.
8. Video: Four Glue Brush Tips
Workshop Tips is one of my favorite parts of the magazine. Nearly every issue I go, “Why didn’t I think of that?” There are a million ways to do glue-ups, and we all are happy to have options that make it easier. Ben Strano put together a great video from our reader-submitted shop tips, in which he demonstrates each of them. From brush choice to loading technique and cleanup, the tips helped readers get better coverage with less mess. Ben even 3D-printed a clever glue caddy that also holds a brush upright, which you can print for yourself too.
9. Painting and Carving the Coffer Chest
This companion article expanded on Chris Schwarz’s coffer chest by diving into surface treatment: carving, paint, and decorative detail. By using a compass and a vinyl-cutting tool, Chris showed how texture can elevate a piece from functional to expressive, and it encouraged readers to think beyond bare wood by using milk paint. It served as an invitation to explore ornamentation without fear of overcomplicating the build.
10. Layout Kit for Dovetails
Dovetails demand precision, and this article focused on assembling a reliable layout kit to make that precision repeatable. Rather than pushing specialty tools for their own sake, it emphasized consistency, setup, and workflow—things Mike Pekovich specializes in. It offers a clear explanation of how good layout simplifies the entire dovetailing process, turning what can be an intimidating joint into a more confident, enjoyable task.
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