Useful resources and links
Below you can find a collection of resources that I’ve found useful over the years, including retailers, publications and web sites. Note that none of these are sponsored (I don’t receive any compensation for including them on my site), and they’re not provided in any particular order.
Woodworking information
FineWoodworking
One of the publications from Taunton press, available via printed magazine, their web site (which include a complete article archive), and their Shop Talk Live podcast. I subscribe to all three. Link
Lumberjocks
A giant form for everything woodworking. With 57,000 members and over 2.4 million posts, Lumberjocks is a treasure trove of information. Ask questions, post pictures of projects your proud of, the sky is the limit. Link
Jonathan Katz-Moses
Jonathan Katz-Moses has a large on-line presence with YouTube videos, a blog and an on-line store selling custom tools and supplies. Always a wealth of information. I also own a couple of his stop-blocks and dovetail cutting guides.
Rob Cosman
A Canadian based woodworker/educator, his Youtube channel is a wealth of information for woodworking techniques. He also holds woodworking classes (in person and on-line) and sells tools made in his shop.
Retailers
Rockler
Effectively the super center of woodworking…there’s hardly anything you can’t find from their on-line store. Definitely sign-up for their mailing list, as they send out sales and coupons on a very regular basis. Link
Lee Valley / Veritas
Another great source of woodworking supplies and tools. Lee Valley also sells their own line of tools under the Veritas brand (I own a Veritas cross cut and dovetail saw, both of which I’m very happy with). Keep a lookout for their annual Veritas ‘seconds’ sale but be very quick as everything sells out very quickly. Link
Taylor Toolworks
A family owned supplier of wood working tools and supplies based out of Columbia, Missouri. They carry a huge variety of tools, but in particular carry 3M abrasives, Magswitch and Narex. Link
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Bits & Bits
Another family owned company, but specializing in every type of router and CnC bit you can imagine. I particularly like the Astra coated Whiteside spiral bits. Link
“Orange” and “blue” big box stores
While hardly a week goes by that I haven’t spent time in either a Home Depot or Lowes, as far a woodworking tools and supplies go, they are a last resort. We’ve all spent time rummaging through the bins looking for straight 2x4s, their hardwoods are insanely expensive, their hand tools are mediocre at best, and just about any supply (fasteners, finishes, adhesives, etc), can be found from other sources far less expensively. In a pinch they’re useful, but plan ahead and shop around.
Retailers
(Local to me)
Tracy Lumber (Fayetteville NY)
My favorite source for hardwoods and construction lumber. Family owned since 1909, everyone is always super friendly. They don’t carry ‘exotic’ lumber, but they have just about anything else you could want. Open M-F, and till noon on Saturdays. Link
Salt City Woods (Syracuse, NY)
Salt City Woods carries both lumber and finished products. Their big claim to fame is they carry plenty of locally sourced wood including yard trees and street trees that have been taken down by municipalities and tree services that would have otherwise gone to burn piles or landfills. Link
Lakeshore Hardwoods (Pulaski & Victor NY)
This is about a 45 minute drive for me, but if you’re looking for lumber, THEY HAVE EVERYTHING. The list of woods they have on hand is extensive, and often have varieties not listed on their web site (I made some beautiful night stands out of some curly maple they had a short supply of). Highly recommended. Link
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Tool manufacturers
Woodpeckers
Known for their red hand tools, they focus on the high-end market for high quality and aesthetically pleasing tools. There are almost always less expensive options, but no doubt, their tools are nice to work with. Keep an eye out for short lived sales. Link
Lie-Nielson Toolworks
A tool manufacturer based in Warren Main, specializing in chisels, hand planes and saws, everything they make is absolutely top notch, with prices to match. While $95 might seem like a lot for a 1/2″ bench chisel (it is), their tools are an absolute pleasure to use. I’m always looking for reasons to use them. Link
Bridge City Tool Works
Founded in 1983, Bridge City combines high quality hand tools with an equally artistic design being self described as “immaculately crafted hand tools”. It might also take you a minute or two to recover from the sticker shock while browsing their web site, where for example the otherwise beautiful HP-12 bench plane goes for $500. Link