The Makers Guide

Smooth beech hardwood board ideal for beginner woodworking projects
Luca Dal Molin | April 18, 2026
Beech Wood for Beginners: Why It's the Best Species to Learn On

Beech wood for beginners is more than a convenient starting point — it is the species that generations of craftspeople have trusted to develop real technique. Predictable grain, excellent hand tool response, and a rich workshop pedigree make beech the most honest teacher in the wood store.

Ash wood boards showing grain pattern for furniture making
Luca Dal Molin | April 16, 2026
Ash Wood for Furniture Making: Workability, Grain, and When to Choose It

Ash wood for furniture making offers a combination of elasticity, structural strength, and bold grain that few hardwoods can match. From its legendary steam-bending capability to its versatile finishing options, ash rewards makers who understand how to use it — and the results speak for themselves.

Pine wood plank on a workshop bench ready for furniture making
Luca Dal Molin | April 14, 2026
The Maker's Guide to Pine: Is Softwood Actually Good for Furniture Making?

Pine wood for furniture making is more nuanced than most beginners expect. From its historical role as a master cabinetmaker's secondary wood to its modern place in painted and rustic furniture, pine has genuine applications — but also clear limits. Discover when softwood is exactly right, and when a hardwood...

Best wood for Dubai climate displayed as a timber species selection
James Verne | April 12, 2026
The Best Wood for Dubai's Climate: A Climate-Tested Species Guide

The best wood for Dubai's climate is not the most beautiful wood, or the most expensive — it is the wood that understands this environment. This guide ranks the species that hold, move, and finish predictably in UAE conditions, from teak to walnut to white oak, so your next project...

Japanese pull saw lying on a clean wooden workbench with fresh timber
James Verne | April 08, 2026
Japanese Pull Saw Beginners Guide: What to Look for and How to Use It

Japanese pull saws cut on the pull stroke — and for most beginners, that makes them easier to learn than a Western saw from day one. This guide covers the three key saw types, how to hold and start a cut correctly, and exactly what to look for when choosing...

TMS woodworking class Dubai students at benches working with hand tools
Luca Dal Molin | April 04, 2026
What You'll Actually Build in Your First TMS Woodworking Module

A woodworking class in Dubai and the question of what you'll actually make — this article answers it directly. From reading timber grain in the first thirty minutes to tapping in your final wooden peg, here is an honest account of what your first TMS module looks and feels like....