Shop Notes & Rambles
The Rambles are the stories lived and learned over decades — the moments, the lessons, and the shop life that shaped the craft. They accumulate here, sorted by publish date. If you want the curated version, explore the Workshop Library.
How to Make a Zero Clearance Throat Plate
A clean edge on both sides of a board can make or break a project, especially on cabinet doors where every detail shows. Tear‑out is the enemy, and a zero‑clearance throat plate is one of the simplest ways to stop it. In this story, I explain why these plates matter and how they improve cut quality — and the video shows the full process of making one from scrap MDF, even if your saw is missing the original insert.