Woodworking Terms Glossary (Definitions and Pictures)

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Most of the time, newbie woodworkers tend to focus more on mastering crafting techniques instead of getting familiar with woodworking terms first. Because of this, they end up confused when choosing softwood and hardwood lumber or deciding which tool to use.  

To avoid these mishaps, our resident woodworkers listed the definitions you should note for your next project. 

A

air cleaner

If you can’t spot one in your local stores, our experts recommend finding it using its alternative name, ambient air cleaner or scrubber. 

allen wrench
annual growth rings
architect's ruler

b

cutting wood with bandsaw
basswood
belt sander
WEN 3421 Variable Speed Mini Benchtop Wood Lathe
biscuit joint
blade stabilizer
Blind Mortise-And-Tenon-Joint
box joint
Bird's-Eye
Burl
Butterfly Hinge

C

Caliper
Carving In The Round
compressor
cheek
clearance hole
drill clutch
circular saw blades
BOSCH CM8S Compound Miter Saw
Cope-&-Stick Joint
crossbearer
crowning
installing blade on a circular power saw

D

D-handle
deck screw
Diamond dresser
Double-Stick Tape
doweling jig
drill press
drywall screw

E

tree branches
elbow
Etagére

F

featherboard
fiddleback
wood
fishtail
flat sawn
flush trim bit
framing nailer

G

operating a belt sander
cutting wooden board with table saw
Maple wood
cutting lumber with table saw
Guide collar

H

smoothing plane
Hard Maple
hide glue
testing of LENOX Tools 308042000G 26-Piece Hole Saw Kit
person holding hollowing tool
hot melt glue

I

operating a Huanyu Mini Table Saw

J

jack plane
jointer plane

K

batoning with knife

L

spraying lacquer to dining table
lap joint
lathe tools for wood turning
lathe machine
veneer loose side

M

mandrel
milk paint
miter gauge of Shop Fox W1837
blackwood
mortiser

N

wood turning bowl
wooden boards

O

oil stain
applying Titebond Premium glue to wooden board
oscillating drum sander

P

setting up a panel saw
mortiser
painting wood
dovetail joint
measuring log before cutting
sanding wood with hand plane
Astro Pneumatic Tool 930 Air Body Saber Saw
Oil Base Polyurethane
woodworking joints
DDWT Safety Push Stick Set

Q

R

rabbet plane
Rail-And-Stile Bit
operating disc sander
sawing soft maple on a table saw
cutting tree trunk with Kobalt 80v Chainsaw
rotary cut
milling lumber
rubbing compound

S

sanding drum
scraper
secondary wood
shank
Zinsser shellac
short grain wood
sled
slip stone
maple soft wood
spindle of a drill press
place bit on drill
stopped joint
straight edge

T

table saw
tambour
tempering blade
threaded insert
fixing bandsaw
tool rest
treenware
tung oil
twist bit

U

V

v-tools
veneer
vernier caliper

W

applying wood sealer
Wedged Mortise-And Tenon- Joint
wire edge
woodworker operating a machine

X

Y

wood glue

Z

Conclusion

These woodworking terms can be overwhelming, especially if you try to learn them all the once. If you ask our resident woodworkers, the best way to be well-versed is to take one step at a time. 

After all, you’ll likely encounter these terminologies, especially if you plan to take on woodworking projects continuously. 

Robert Johnson is a woodworker who takes joy in sharing his passion for creating to the rest of the world. His brainchild, Sawinery, allowed him to do so as well as connect with other craftsmen. He has since built an enviable workshop for himself and an equally impressive online accomplishment: an extensive resource site serving old timers and novices alike.
Robert Johnson
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