Woodworking Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield Woodworking facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Why should finishes and solvents be applied in a well-ventilated area? → Their fumes can be toxic and flammable
2. What is kickback in woodworking? → When a workpiece is violently thrown back toward the operator
3. Which sharpening tool restores a fine edge on chisels and plane irons? → Whetstone
4. When chiseling, in which direction should you always keep your body relative to the tool? → Behind the cutting edge so a slip moves away from you
5. What finish is best suited for a wooden cutting board that will contact food? → Food-safe mineral oil or a beeswax/mineral oil blend
6. Before operating a table saw, what is the recommended way to prevent kickback when ripping a board? → Use a riving knife or splitter
7. Which tool spins a workpiece against a cutting tool to make round shapes? → Lathe
8. Which sander is most aggressive for removing large amounts of stock quickly? → Belt sander
9. Which wood species is known for its natural resistance to rot and insects? → Cedar
10. What is the purpose of a marking gauge in woodworking? → To scribe a line parallel to an edge
11. Why should extension cords in a shop be kept off wet floors and away from blades? → To prevent electric shock and cord damage
12. Which type of washer creates spring tension to prevent a nut from loosening due to vibration? → Split lock washer
13. Which American hardwood is commonly used for baseball bats due to its shock resistance? → White ash
14. Why should screws into hardwood be preceded by a pilot hole? → To prevent splitting the wood
15. What is the safest response if a workpiece binds or stalls a power tool mid-cut? → Turn off the tool and let it stop before clearing the jam
16. Which power tool is best for making smooth, curved cuts in plywood? → Jigsaw
17. What is a marking gauge used for in woodworking? → Scribing a line parallel to an edge at a precise, consistent distance
18. What is the recommended way to store finishing rags soaked in oil-based products? → Spread flat to dry or submerge in water in a sealed metal container
19. What causes knots in lumber? → Branch stubs that were surrounded by the growing trunk
20. What should you check before turning on a planer or jointer? → That the wood is free of nails, screws, and embedded metal
21. Which type of file has teeth on a curved face for shaping wood quickly? → Rasp
22. When using a band saw, where should your fingers be positioned relative to the blade? → Kept to the sides and well clear of the cutting line
23. What is a key best practice when working with reclaimed lumber? → Inspect and remove hidden nails or staples before machining
24. What causes wood to 'cup' across its width? → Uneven moisture loss or gain on the two faces of the board
25. What kind of machine has a round blade that protrudes from the center of a flat cutting area? → Table Saw
26. When toe-nailing a stud or joist to a plate, what is the correct nail angle relative to the wood face? → About 30 to 45 degrees
27. What is 'end grain' in a piece of wood? → The cross-section exposed when a board is cut perpendicular to the growth rings
28. What should you do with the keychuck key after tightening a drill press chuck? → Remove it before starting the machine
29. Why should lumber be allowed to acclimate to a shop's environment before being worked? → To let it reach equilibrium moisture content and reduce movement
30. When two boards must match in a visible joint, why orient the grain patterns to flow together? → It creates a more seamless, professional appearance