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How to Make a Wooden Chess Board (Step-by-Step DIY Guide)

How to make a wooden chess board step by step — DIY beech and walnut chessboard with clean squares, frame, and finished surface.

Learn how to make a wooden chess board step by step — from milling and glue-up to cutting clean squares, sanding flat, and applying a smooth finish that makes the pattern pop.

Best router bits for cutting boards — surfacing bit for flattening, core box bit for juice grooves, and chamfer/roundover bits for clean edge profiles.

Cutting boards don’t need a huge router bit collection — but the right bits make the job faster, cleaner, and way more repeatable. In this guide, I’ll show the essential router bits I use for cutting boards (flattening, juice grooves, edge profiles, and template work), when to use each one, and what to watch out for so you get crisp results without tear-out.

DIY face grain cutting board made from walnut with cherry wood inlays and epoxy details.

Build a DIY face grain cutting board step by step. This simple beginner project shows you how to make a beautiful cutting board, with optional live edge and epoxy details.

Walnut vs oak wood side by side showing color and grain differences

Walnut and oak are two of my go-to hardwoods in the workshop. I’ve used both for cutting boards, bowls, and even jigs, and while they share many qualities, each shines in different ways. In this guide, I’ll compare walnut vs oak from a woodworker’s perspective—color, hardness, cost, and how they actually perform in real projects.

Circular saw cutting jig setup on a woodworking bench, with text overlay reading "5 Essential Woodworking Jigs for Beginners (You Can Build Now)"

Learn which woodworking jigs every beginner should build first. These 5 simple, useful jigs will boost accuracy, safety, and confidence in your shop.

Woodworker using a tapering jig, with text overlay reading "What is a woodworking jig - a beginner's guide"

Learn what a woodworking jig is, how it works, and why every woodworker—from beginner to pro—should build their own. Includes examples and tips.

Achieve precise straight cuts with a jigsaw using the right blade, steady hands, and proper guides. Learn how to cut straight with a jigsaw with this step by step guide.

If you are setting up your workshop, these are the best table saws for beginners. Find the perfect table saw for beginner woodworkers and start your projects.