Sasylvia Xmas Tree Fence Jigs Review: For Our Shop?
Tools & Product Reviews

Sasylvia Xmas Tree Fence Jigs Review: For Our Shop?

After unboxing the Sasylvia Christmas Fence Decorations set (30 pieces, 16’’ high), we immediately saw the appeal for our shop’s holiday corner: classic wooden picket silhouettes, scaled perfectly to “frame” a Christmas tree without swallowing the whole display. We tested a quick semicircle setup on a rug and then on a bare floor, and the sections felt light enough to reposition yet substantial enough to read as décor, not craft scraps. The real question for us was function—could it gently discourage curious pets or wandering hands? It won’t replace a true gate, but it does create a clear visual boundary. As a seasonal staging tool, it’s charming, simple, and surprisingly photogenic.
Continue reading
Snowy Owl Clock Woodcraft Kit Review: Right for Us?
Tools & Product Reviews

Snowy Owl Clock Woodcraft Kit Review: Right for Us?

We didn’t expect a wooden puzzle to double as a statement piece, but the Snowy Owl Clock Kit leans confidently into both roles. From the first pop of laser-cut pieces, it felt like a beginner-friendly build—less “engineering exam,” more “slow Saturday project.” The owl silhouette is crisp and charming, and the pendulum adds just enough motion to make the finished clock feel alive on the wall. We appreciated the DIY craft vibe without the usual clutter: it’s hands-on, calming, and oddly satisfying as the layers stack into depth. That said, we’re watching for two things as we test it: how smoothly the clock mechanism runs long-term, and whether the fit stays snug after repeated handling.
Continue reading
Woodpeckers Baltic Birch Laser Cutter Wood: Worth It?
Tools & Product Reviews

Woodpeckers Baltic Birch Laser Cutter Wood: Worth It?

When we unboxed the Woodpeckers Baltic Birch Plywood set—12 sheets of 3 mm (1/8) B/BB grade, each 12 x 24 inches—it immediately felt like it was made for makers. The panels are light yet surprisingly rigid, with a clean, pale face that invites engraving and a back side that keeps expectations realistic. On our laser, the consistent thickness helped dialing in settings without chasing focus, and the cuts landed crisp with minimal fuss. For CNC work, the edges stayed tidy, and for wood burning, the grain took shading nicely without turning blotchy too fast. It’s not flawless—minor cosmetic variation shows up—but for craft-grade precision, it’s a compelling box.
Continue reading
KAKURI Coping Saw Review: Worth It for Our Home Shop?
Tools & Product Reviews

KAKURI Coping Saw Review: Worth It for Our Home Shop?

In our home shop, the KAKURI Coping Saw Coping Frame and 5 Replacement Blades Set arrived like a small invitation to slow down and cut with intention. The frame feels straightforward in the hand—light enough for long sessions, but steady when we’re tracing tight curves in wood board. We appreciated having multiple blades on deck; swapping from a fine-tooth option for cleaner scrollwork to a tougher blade for plastic (and even the occasional thin metal piece) kept the pace moving without improvising. Tensioning the blade took a minute to dial in, yet once set, the saw tracked predictably and made inside cuts less fussy than our jigsaw. It’s not flashy, but it’s practical—exactly what we want on a crowded bench.
Continue reading
Wood Marble Run Kit Review: Right Shop Jig for Us?
Tools & Product Reviews

Wood Marble Run Kit Review: Right Shop Jig for Us?

When we cracked open the 3D Puzzle Wooden Marble Run for Adults DIY Mechanical Puzzle Assembly kit, it felt less like “another model” and more like a small workshop in a box. The laser-cut wooden pieces promised a satisfying click of progress—if we could keep our patience and alignment in check. As we followed the build, we noticed how the mechanical elements aren’t just decorative; the run is designed to do something, turning simple gravity into a miniature performance. It’s aimed at ages 14+, but we quickly learned it rewards adult-level focus, steady hands, and a tidy table. In this review, we’ll see whether this wood marble run is the right jig for us—or an ambitious project that rolls away mid-build.

Continue reading
Baltic Birch Plywood for Laser Cutter: Our Shop Fit?
Tools & Product Reviews

Baltic Birch Plywood for Laser Cutter: Our Shop Fit?

We’ve been hunting for a thin, dependable plywood that behaves nicely under a laser, and this 20-pack of Baltic Birch Plywood (1/8 x 11.8 x 20 inches, 3 mm) looked like a promising shop staple. Right away, we liked having uniform, rectangular sheets ready to drop onto the bed—no extra trimming before testing new designs. Baltic birch is often praised for its clean edges and consistent layers, so we approached our first cuts with cautious optimism: delicate ornaments, small signage, and a few tight-fitting box joints. In this excerpt, we’ll share how these sheets held up in real workflow moments—burn marks, warping, and that satisfying “snap” when parts release cleanly—so we can decide if they truly fit our shop.
Continue reading
MāKRS Stain Pad Review: Right Applicator for Our Shop?
Tools & Product Reviews

MāKRS Stain Pad Review: Right Applicator for Our Shop?

In our shop, the difference between a “good enough” finish and a truly clean one often comes down to the applicator. The MāKRS Stain Pad caught our eye because it promises what brushes and rag bundles rarely deliver at the same time: a lint-free, snag-free, streak-free wipe with consistent coverage. Each pad is cut-to-size, so we can tailor it to chair spindles, wide panels, or tight corners without wasting material. The micro brush surface feels like a hybrid of pad and cloth—soft enough to glide, but structured enough to push stain into the grain. With three pads in the pack, we started thinking in phases: stain, second coat, and oil-based finish—without cross-contaminating our results.
Continue reading
Sea Turtle Wood Puzzle Review: Right Tool for Our Shop?
Tools & Product Reviews

Sea Turtle Wood Puzzle Review: Right Tool for Our Shop?

We brought the Sea Turtle Wooden Jigsaw Puzzle into our shop looking for something that could double as a display piece and a quick “reset” activity between projects. At 300 pieces, it lands in that sweet spot: challenging enough for adults and teens, but still doable with kids when we take it in sections. The animal-shaped cuts add a playful surprise—more like crafting than mere assembling—and the sea turtle artwork feels vivid on wood, not flat like typical cardboard prints. The 15.49" x 11.65" size fits neatly on our worktable without taking over the room. We also appreciate the included gift box; it makes storage tidy and gifting effortless when customers ask for a unique family-game pick.
Continue reading
ChooChoo Farmhouse Table Review: Our Shop Workbench?
Tools & Product Reviews

ChooChoo Farmhouse Table Review: Our Shop Workbench?

We didn’t expect a “living room” piece to earn a spot in our shop, but the ChooChoo Farmhouse Coffee Table has been flirting with workbench status since day one. At 47 inches in white, it brings that rustic-vintage look without feeling precious, and the broad top is roomy enough for a laptop, notebooks, and the inevitable scatter of screws and sketch pads. The lower shelf quickly became our staging area—measuring tape, clamps, even a half-finished project laid out like a blueprint. What surprised us most is how the clean color keeps the space from feeling heavy, even when the table is doing double duty. It’s not industrial, but it’s quietly capable.
Continue reading
DEWALT DCW220B Belt Sander Review: Right for Our Shop?
Tools & Product Reviews

DEWALT DCW220B Belt Sander Review: Right for Our Shop?

When we pulled the DEWALT 20V MAX* DCW220B belt sander out of the box, the first thing we noticed was what wasn’t there: a cord. In our shop, that instantly changes how we move—from edging a tabletop to smoothing a door in place without hunting for an outlet. The brushless motor promises steady power, but we wanted to see if it actually keeps up when the grit bites into real hardwood, not just scrap. This is the “tool only” version, so we paired it with our existing batteries and treated it like any other daily driver. The question isn’t whether it sands—it’s whether it earns its spot on our bench.

Continue reading