Tool & Bark Blog

  • jigsaw and bandsaw cutting wood

Jigsaw vs. Band Saw: Which is better?

April 4th, 2022|Comments Off on Jigsaw vs. Band Saw: Which is better?

The saw industry can be complex and confusing, especially to beginners. Finding a saw that best suits your project description can be draining. Every saw available in the saw world has different functionality and application. [...]

  • pressure-treated wood deck with stain on it

The 7 Best Deck Stains for Pressure Treated Wood in 2023

April 3rd, 2022|Comments Off on The 7 Best Deck Stains for Pressure Treated Wood in 2023

When selecting the best stain for pressure-treated wood, your requirements and budget are the most crucial factors to consider. Some stains require numerous coats to achieve complete coverage, while others may only need one, depending [...]

  • chainsaw cutting firewood

What Can I Use For Chainsaw Bar Oil?

April 2nd, 2022|Comments Off on What Can I Use For Chainsaw Bar Oil?

Proper lubrication is important regardless of whether you are using a battery chainsaw, electric chainsaw, or gas chainsaw. The chain and bar should be well oiled to protect them from various issues such as corrosion, [...]

  • a collection of saws and other tools in a woodworking shop

9 Types Of Saws For Wood And Their Use

March 28th, 2022|Comments Off on 9 Types Of Saws For Wood And Their Use

Saws have been used by woodworkers since ancient times. Today, the market has a wide range of saws that are used depending on the material and cuts needed. It is important to have insights on [...]

  • carpenter plane and wood shavings

Carpentry vs. Woodworking – What’s The Difference?

January 18th, 2022|Comments Off on Carpentry vs. Woodworking – What’s The Difference?

Woodworking should be just what it sounds like; people use wood to create, right? Yes, but you may be surprised to learn that many sub-categories are part of wood-oriented crafting, all of which utilize different [...]

  • polyurethane over stain

Can you Apply Water-Based Polyurethane over Oil-based Stain?

December 23rd, 2021|Comments Off on Can you Apply Water-Based Polyurethane over Oil-based Stain?

While water and oil do not mix, you can use water-based polyurethane over oil-based stain. The reason why is the oil-based stain will be completely dry before applying the polyurethane. Find out the answer to [...]

  • chipper shredder mulch

7 Terrific Wood Chippers / Shredders Available Now!

December 17th, 2021|Comments Off on 7 Terrific Wood Chippers / Shredders Available Now!

Dealing with brush and fallen branches around your property can be a hassle. If a tree falls that is large enough the bigger branches and trunk can be turned into firewood, but that still leaves [...]

  • polyurethane over paint

Can You Use Polyurethane Over Paint?

December 16th, 2021|Comments Off on Can You Use Polyurethane Over Paint?

Polyurethane can help to seal wood and other items for a long-lasting finish. Many ask whether you can use polyurethane over paint as it’s usually used over wood. As a type of plastic, polyurethane can [...]

  • deck wood

What is the Best Wood for Outdoor Decks?

December 7th, 2021|Comments Off on What is the Best Wood for Outdoor Decks?

The options for deck wood are endless, but some are better than others. With the right choice, your deck can last longer and improve the atmosphere of your backyard. Both softwoods and hardwoods offer different [...]

  • painting pressure treated boards

Can You Paint Pressure Treated Deck Boards?

December 1st, 2021|Comments Off on Can You Paint Pressure Treated Deck Boards?

Pressure-treated wood can be both painted and stained with fantastic results. However, there are a few complications and considerations when it comes to painting your pressure-treated deck boards. Overall, painting the wood can help the [...]

  • rain on stained deck

How Long Does Deck Stain Need to Dry Before it Rains?

November 5th, 2021|Comments Off on How Long Does Deck Stain Need to Dry Before it Rains?

The weather does not always cooperate with your plans, and when staining your deck, you need the weather to behave. When dry and cured, deck stain can help protect the wood from the harmful effects [...]

  • outdoor faucet replacement

How to Replace An Outdoor Faucet or Spigot?

November 2nd, 2021|Comments Off on How to Replace An Outdoor Faucet or Spigot?

While people rarely think about it, outdoor faucets occasionally break and need to be replaced. A leaky outdoor faucet will cost you money with every single drip and can waste thousands of gallons of water [...]

Best Laser Levels for Deck Building

October 10th, 2021|Comments Off on Best Laser Levels for Deck Building

Any Craftsman worth their salt has worked with a level before. These classic tools allow you to check to make sure that your work surface is as level as possible, helping you prevent an unwanted [...]

The Top 7 Semi-Transparent Deck Stains Reviewed

June 8th, 2021|Comments Off on The Top 7 Semi-Transparent Deck Stains Reviewed

Semi-transparent deck stain lasts for an average of two to three years without peeling, and it's easy to clean. Also, reapplication does not require major work like with solid stains. The best feature, though, is [...]

Does Vinegar Remove Paint from Wood?

June 5th, 2021|Comments Off on Does Vinegar Remove Paint from Wood?

The vinegar sitting in your pantry can remove paint from wood. Not only is it an affordable option, but an effective one too capable of removing stubborn stuck-on paint from many surfaces. Even better, vinegar [...]

The 7 Best Deck Sealers for Pressure-treated Wood Reviewed

June 4th, 2021|Comments Off on The 7 Best Deck Sealers for Pressure-treated Wood Reviewed

Pressure-treated wood can withstand more than untreated wood, but sealing still protects your investment. Many offenders can attack pressure-treated wood or cause it to lose its beauty and luster, such as the sun, moisture, and [...]

Can You Use Pressure-treated Wood Indoors?

June 1st, 2021|Comments Off on Can You Use Pressure-treated Wood Indoors?

Pressure-treated wood can work indoors and outdoors; however, it’s not without controversy when used inside. Outside, pressure-treated wood has room to breathe and release all the toxic chemicals used to treat the wood. You do [...]

How Many Coats of Polyurethane Are Needed?

May 31st, 2021|Comments Off on How Many Coats of Polyurethane Are Needed?

Polyurethane makes a fantastic finish, especially for wood projects. The glossy finish protects the surface and helps it to last longer from scratches, water damage, and anything else. Too many coats can cause the surface [...]

Can You Apply Polyurethane with a Roller?

May 30th, 2021|Comments Off on Can You Apply Polyurethane with a Roller?

You know you need polyurethane to finish your product, but the question is what to apply the product with? The short answer is yes, you can use a roller instead of a paintbrush. However, as [...]

How Long Does It Take for Primer to Dry?

May 29th, 2021|Comments Off on How Long Does It Take for Primer to Dry?

Primer thankfully dries to the touch in about an hour, making it a great first layer to prime your project. While it might seem like an extra step, primer sets a blank stage for a [...]

Can You Use Non-Pressure Treated Wood Outside?

May 26th, 2021|Comments Off on Can You Use Non-Pressure Treated Wood Outside?

Wood that has undergone a pressure treatment is more durable and less susceptible to decaying, infestation, mold, and even water damage. Non-pressure treated wood, however, is susceptible to all of these things and, therefore, will [...]

Do you have to sand between coats of polyurethane?

May 25th, 2021|Comments Off on Do you have to sand between coats of polyurethane?

If you are working with wood, chances are strong you will need to pull out a stack of sandpaper at some point and put it to work. You may be wondering if you need to [...]

How Long for Paint to Dry Before Polyurethane?

May 24th, 2021|Comments Off on How Long for Paint to Dry Before Polyurethane?

Adding a layer or two of polyurethane over a painted project can protect the surface. However, you need to wait for the paint to dry before applying the polyurethane, or the two can meddle and [...]

How Long Does Polyurethane Take to Dry?

May 22nd, 2021|Comments Off on How Long Does Polyurethane Take to Dry?

The quick answer to how long polyurethane takes to dry is about day. However, the long answer goes over types of surfaces, drying versus curing time, influencing factors, and much more. Get all the facts [...]

Can You Use Latex Paint Over Oil-Based Primer?

May 21st, 2021|Comments Off on Can You Use Latex Paint Over Oil-Based Primer?

A lot of confusion stems from which paints and primers work together. Most of this confusion comes from issues with water-based and oil-based combinations. Also, many people believe oil-based paints do not mix well with [...]

  • whittling wood

Choosing the Best Wood for Whittling

May 21st, 2018|Comments Off on Choosing the Best Wood for Whittling

Whittling wood is one of the oldest pastimes in history. Whether waiting by a campfire and whittling to pass the time or working on sculpting a beautiful decorative piece for a wooden structure, wood carving [...]